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{id/Civ 



HISTORICAL 



ENCYCLOPEDIA 



OF 



ILLLNOIS 



EDITED BY 

Newton Bateman, LL. D. Pah Selby, A.M. 

ii ' 




AND HISTORY OF 



SCHUYLER COUNTY 



EDITED RV 

Howard F. Dyson 

♦ 

ILLUSTRATED 



C H I C A G O : 

M V N S E I. I. PUBLISHIN G C O M P A N V 

PUBLISHERS. 

19 08 



f-^7 

£- 



Entered according to act of Congress in the years 
1894, 1899 and 1900 by 

WILLIAM W. MUNSELL 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington 

-I I 



THe 

ILLINOIS RIVSR 
BASIN. 




TERRITORY DRAINED BV THE ILLINOIS RIVER. 




j \n z T^o~vo-'L-^ i^tixA^-i^M, 



PREFACE. 



Why publish this book? There should be many and strong reasons to warrant such an 
undertaking. Are there such reasons? What considerations are weighty enough to have 
induced the publishers to make this venture? and what special claims has Illinois to such a 
distinction? These are reasonable and inevitable inquiries, and it is fitting they should 
receive attention. 

In the first place, good State Histories are of great importance and value, and there is 
abundant and cheering evidence of an increasing popular interest in them. This is true of 
all such works, whatever States may be their subjects; and it is conspicuously true of Illi- 
nois, for the following, among many other reasons : Because of its great prominence in the 
early history of the West as the seat of the first settlements of Europeans northwest of the 
Ohio River — the unique character of its early civilization, due to or resulting from its early 
French population brought in contact with the aborigines — its political, military, and educa- 
tional prominence — its steadfast loyalty and patriotism — the marvelous development of its 
vast resources — the number of distinguished statesmen, generals, and jurists whom it has 
furnished to the Government, and its grand record in the exciting and perilous conflicts on 
the Slavery question. 

This is the magnificent Commonwealth, the setting forth of whose history, in all of its 
essential departments and features, seemed to warrant the bringing out of another volume 
devoted to that end. Its material has been gathered from every available source, and most 
carefully examined and sifted before acceptance. Especial care has been taken in collecting 
material of a biographical character ; facts and incidents in the personal history of men identi- 
fied with the life of the State in its Territorial and later periods. This material has been 
gathered from a great variety of sources widely scattered, and much of it quite inaccessible 
to the ordinary inquirer. The encyclopedic form of the work favors conciseness and com- 
pactness, and was adopted with a view to condensing the largest amount of information 
within the smallest practicable space. 

And so the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois was conceived and planned in the belief 
that it was needed; that no other book filled the place it was designed to occupy, or fur- 
nished the amount, variety and scope of information touching the infancy and later life of 
Illinois, that would be found in its pages. In that belief, and in furtherance of those ends, 
the book has been constructed and its topics selected and written. Simplicity, perspicuity, 
conciseness and accuracy have been the dominant aims and rules of its editors and writers. 
The supreme mission of the book is to record, fairly and truthfully, historical facts ; facts of 
the earlier and later history of the State, and drawn from the almost innumerable sources 
connected with that history ; facts of interest to the great body of our people, as well as to 
scholars, officials, and other special classes; a book convenient for reference in the school, 
the office, and the home. Hence, no attempt at fine writing, no labored, irrelevant and 

3 



4 PKEFACE. 

long-drawn accounts of matters, persons or things, which really need but a few plain words 
for their adequate elucidation, will be found in its pages. On the other hand, perspicuity 
and fitting development are never intentionally sacrificed to mere conciseness and brevity. 
Whenever a subject, from its nature, demands a more elaborate treatment — and there are 
many of this character — it is handled accordingly. 

As a rule, the method pursued is the separate and topical, rather than the chronological, 
as being more satisfactory and convenient for reference. That is, each topic is considered 
separately and exhaustively, instead of being blended, chronologically, with others. To pass 
from subject to subject, in the mere arbitrary order of time, is to sacrifice simplicity and 
order to complexity and confusion. 

Absolute freedom from error or defect in all cases, in handling so many thousands of 
items, is not claimed, and could not reasonably be expected of any finite intelligence ; since, 
in complicated cases, some element may possibly elude its sharpest scrutiny. But every 
statement of fact, made herein without qualification, is believed to be strictly correct, and 
the statistics of the volume, as a whole, are submitted to its readers with entire confidence. 

Considerable space is also devoted to biographical sketches of persons deemed worthy of 
mention, for their close relations to the State in some of its varied interests, political, gov- 
ernmental, financial, social, religious, educational, industrial, commercial, economical, mili- 
tary, judicial or otherwise; or for their supposed personal deservings in other respects. It 
is believed that the extensive recognition of such individuals, by the publishers, will not be 
disapproved or regretted by the public ; that personal biography has an honored, useful and 
legitimate place in such a history of Illinois as this volume aims to be, and that the omission 
of such a department would seriously detract from the completeness and value of the book. 
Perhaps no more delicate and difficult task has confronted the editors and publishers than 
the selection of names for this part of the work. 

While it is believed that no unworthy name has a place in the list, it is freely admitted 
that there may be many others, equally or possibly even more worthy, whose names do not 
appear, partly for lack of definite and adequate information, and partly because it was not 
deemed best to materially increase the space devoted to this class of topics. 

And so, with cordial thanks to the publishers for the risks they have so cheerfully 
assumed in this enterprise, for their business energy, integrity, and determination, and their 
uniform kindness and courtesy ; to the many who have so generously and helpfully promoted 
the success of the work, by their contributions of valuable information, interesting reminis- 
cences, and rare incidents; to Mr. Paul Selby, the very able associate editor, to whom 
especial honor and credit are due for his most efficient, intelligent and scholarly services; to 
Hon. Harvey B. Hurd, Walter B. Wines, and to all others who have, by word or act, 
encouraged us in this enterprise — with grateful recognition of all these friends and helpers, 
the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, with its thousands of topics and many thousands of 
details, items and incidents, is now respectfully submitted to the good people of the State, 
for whom it has been prepared, in the earnest hope and confident belief that it will be found 
instructive, convenient and useful for the purposes for which it was designed. 






PREFATORY STATEMENT. 



Since the bulk of the matter contained in this volume was practically completed and 
ready for the press, Dr. Newton Bateman, who occupied the relation to it of editor-in-chief, 
has passed beyond the sphere of mortal existence. In placing the work before the public, it 
therefore devolves upon the undersigned to make this last prefatory statement. 

As explained by Dr. Bateman in his preface, the object had in view in the preparation 
of a "Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois" has been to present, in compact and concise form, 
the leading facts of Territorial and State history, from the arrival of the earliest French 
explorers in Illinois to the present time. This has included an outline history of the State, 
under the title, "Illinois," supplemented by special articles relating to various crises and eras 
in State history; changes in form of government and administration; the history of Consti- 
tutional Conventions and Legislative Assemblies ; the various wars in which Illinoisans have 
taken part, with a summary of the principal events in the history of individual military 
organizations engaged in the Civil War of 1861-65, and the War of 1898 with Spain; lists of 
State officers, United States Senators and Members of Congress, with the terms of each ; the 
organization and development of political divisions; the establishment of charitable and 
educational institutions ; the growth of public improvements and other enterprises which 
have marked the progress of the State ; natural features and resources ; the history of early 
newspapers, and the growth of religious denominations, together with general statistical 
information and unusual or extraordinary occurrences of a local or general State character — 
all arranged under topical heads, and convenient for ready reference by all seeking informa- 
tion on these subjects, whether in the family, in the office of the professional or business 
man, in the teacher's study and the school-room, or in the public library. 

While individual or collected biographies of the public men of Illinois have not been 
wholly lacking or few in number — and those already in existence have a present and con- 
stantly increasing value — they have been limited, for the most part, to special localities and 
particular periods or classes. Rich as the annals of Illinois are in the records and character 
of its distinguished citizens who, by their services in the public councils, upon the judicial 
bench and in the executive chair, in the forum and in the field, have reflected honor upon 
the State and the Nation, there has been hitherto no comprehensive attempt to gather 
together, in one volume, sketches of those who have been conspicuous in the creation and 
upbuilding of the State. The collection of material of this sort has been a task requiring 
patient and laborious research ; and, while all may not have been achieved in this direction 
that was desirable, owing to the insufficiency or total absence of data relating to the lives of 
many men most prominent in public affairs during the period to which they belonged, it is 
still believed that what has been accomplished will be found of permanent value and be 
appreciated by those most deeply interested in this phase of State history. 

The large number of topics treated has made brevity and conciseness an indispensable 
feature of the work ; consequently there has been no attempt to indulge in graces of style or 

5 



6 PREFATORY STATEMENT. 

elaboration of narrative. The object has been to present, in simple language and concise 
form, facts of history of interest or value to those who may choose to consult its pages. 
Absolute inerrancy is not claimed for every detail of the work, but no pains has been 
spared, and every available authority consulted, to arrive at complete accuracy of statement. 

In view of the important bearing which railroad enterprises have had upon the extraor- 
dinary development of the State within the past fifty years, considerable space has been given 
to this department, especially with reference to the older lines of railroad whose history has 
been intimately interwoven with that of the State, and its progress in wealth and population. 

In addition to the acknowledgments made by Dr. Bateman, it is but proper that I 
should express my personal obligations to the late Prof. Samuel M. Inglis, State Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, and his assistant, Prof. J. H. Freeman; to ex-Senator John 
M. Palmer, of Springfield ; to the late Hon. Joseph Medill, editor of "The Chicago Tribune" ; 
to the Hon. James B. Bradwell, of "The Chicago Legal News"; to Gen. Green B. Raum, 
Dr. Samuel Willard, and Dr. Garrett Newkirk, of Chicago (the latter as author of the prin- 
cipal portions of the article on the "Underground Railroad") ; to the Librarians of the State 
Historical Library, the Chicago Historical Library, and the Chicago Public Library, for 
special and valuable aid rendered, as well as to a large circle of correspondents in different 
parts of the State who have courteously responded to requests for information on special 
topics, and have thereby materially aided in securing whatever success may have been 
attained in the work. 

In conclusion, I cannot omit to pay this final tribute to the memory of my friend and 
associate, Dr. Bateman, whose death, at his home in Galesburg, elsewhere recorded, was 
deplored, not only by his associates in the Faculty of Knox College, his former pupils and 
immediate neighbors, but by a large circle of friends in all parts of the State. 

Although his labors as editor of this volume had been substantially finished at the time 
of his death (and they included the reading and revision of every line of copy at that time 
prepared, comprising the larger proportion of the volume as it now goes into the hands of 
the public), the enthusiasm, zeal and kindly appreciation of the labor of others which he 
brought to the discharge of his duties, have been sadly missed in the last stages of prepara- 
tion of the work for the press. In the estimation of many who have held his scholarship 
and his splendid endowments of mind and character in the highest admiration, his con- 
nection with the work will be its strongest commendation and the surest evidence of its 
merit. 

With myself, the most substantial satisfaction I have in dismissing the volume from my 
hands and submitting it to the judgment of the public, exists in the fact that, in its prepara- 
tion, I have been associated with such a co-laborer — one whose abilities commanded uni- 
versal respect, and whose genial, scholarly character and noble qualities of mind and heart 
won the love and confidence of all with whom he came in contact, and whom it had been my 
privilege to count as a friend from an early period in his long and useful career. 



sL&j/atv, 



y-^L4^<^i,a^£r %>da^ 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PAGE 

Abraham Lincoln (Frontispiece) 1 

Annex Central Hospital for Insane, Jacksonville 84 

Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children, Lincoln 237 

Bateman, Newton (Portrait) 3 

Board of Trade Building, Chicago 277 

"Chenn Mansion," Kaskaskia (1898), where La Fayette was entertained in 1825 .... 315 

Chicago Academy of Sciences . 394 

Chicago Drainage Canal ~ 94 

Chicago Historical Society Building 394 

Chicago Post Office (U. S. Gov. Building) 88 

Chicago Public Buildings 395 

Chicago Thoroughfare-; 89 

Chicago Thoroughfares 93 

Chief Chicagou (Portrait) 246 

Comparative Size of Great Canals 95 

Day after Chicago Fire 92 

Early Historic Scenes, Chicago 170 

Early Historic Scenes, Chicago (No. 2) 171 

Engineering Hall, University of Illinois 280 

Experiment Farm, University of Illinois 12 

Experiment Farm, University of Illinois— The Vineyard 13 

Experiment Farm, University of Illinois — Orchard Cultivation 13 

First Illinois State House, Kaskaskia (1818) 314 

Fort Dearborn from the West (1808) 246 

Fort Dearborn from Southeast (1808) 247 

Fort Dearborn (1853) 247 

General John Edgar's House, Kaskasia 315 

Henry de Tonty (Portrait) 246 

House of Governor Bond, Old Kaskaskia (1891) 315 

House of Chief Ducoign, the last of the Kaskaskias (1893) 314 

Home for Juvenile Female Offenders, Geneva. 236 

Illinois Eastern Hospital for Insane, Kankakee 85 

Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, Quincy 438 

Hlinois State Normal University, Normal 504 

Illinois State Capitol (First), Kaskaskia 240 

Illinois State Capitol (Second), Vandalia 240 

Illinois State Capitol (Third) , Springfield 240 

Illinois State Capitol (Present), Springfield 241 

Illinois State Building, World's Columbian Exposition, 1893 601 

Illinois State Penitentiary, Joliet 306 

Illinois State Penitentiary — Cell House and Women's Prison 307 

Illinois State Reformatory, Pontiac 493 

7 



8 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE 

Institution for Deaf and Dumb, Jacksonville 300 

Interior of Room, Kaskaskia Hotel (1893) where La Fayette Banquet was held in 1825 314 

Institution for the Blind, Jacksonville 301 

Kaskaskia Hotel, where La Fayette was feted in 1825 (as it appeared, 1893) 314 

La Salle (Portrait) 246 

Library Building, University of Illinois 334 

Library Building — Main Floor — University of Illinois 335 

Lincoln Park Vistas, Chicago 120 

Map of Burned District, Chicago Fire, 1871 276 

Map of Grounds, World's Columbian Exposition, 1893 600 

Map of Illinois Following Title Page 

Map of Illinois River Valley " " " 

McCormick Seminary, Chicago 362 

Monuments in Lincoln Park, Chicago 90 

Monuments in Lincoln Park, Chicago 206 

Monuments in Lincoln Park, Chicago 207 

Natural History Hall, University of Illinois 151 

Newberry Library-, Chicago 394 

Northern Hospital for the Insane, Elgin 402 

Old Kaskaskia, from Garrison Hill (as it appeared in 1893) 314 

Old State House, Kaskaskia (1900) 315 

Pierre Menard Mansion, Kaskaskia (1893) 314 

Remnant of Old Kaskaskia (as it appeared in 1898) 315 

Scenes in South Park, Chicago 604 

Selby. Paul (Protrait) 5 

Sheridan Road and on the Boulevards, Chicago 121 

Soldiers' Widows' Home, Wilmington 439 

Southern Illinois Normal, Carbondale 505 

Southern Illinois Penitentiary and Asylum for Incurable Insane, Chester 492 

University Hall, University of Illinois 150 

University of Chicago 363 

University of Illinois, Urbana. (Group of Buildings) 540 

University of Illinois, Urbana. (Group of Buildings) 541 

View from Engineering Hall, University of Illinois 281 

View on Principal Street, Old Kaskaskia (1891) 315 

Views in Lincoln Park, Chicago 91 

Views of Drainage Canal 96 

Views of Drainage Canal 97 

War Eagle (Portrait) 246 

Western Hospital for the Insane, Watertown 403 

World's Pair Buildings 605 



Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois. 



ABBOTT, (Lient.-tfov.) Edward, a British 
officer, who was commandant at Post Vincennes 
(called by the British, Fort Sackville) at the 
time Col. George Rogers Clark captured Kaskas- 
kia in 1778. Abbott's jurisdiction extended, at 
least nominally, over a part of the "Illinois 
Country. " Ten days after the occupation of Kas- 
kaskia, Colonel Clark, having learned that 
Abbott had gone to the British headquarters at 
Detroit, leaving the Post without any guard 
except that furnished by the inhabitants of the 
village, took advantage of his absence to send 
Pierre Gibault. the Catholic Vicar-General of Illi- 
nois, to win over the people to the American 
cause, which he did so successfully that they at 
once took the oath of allegiance, and the Ameri- 
can flag was run up over the fort. Although 
Fort Sackville afterwards fell into the hands of 
the British for a time, the manner of its occupa- 
tion was as much of a surprise to the British as 
that of Kaskaskia itself, and contributed to the 
completeness of Clark's triumph. (See Clark, 
Col. George Rogers, also, Gibault, Pierre.) Gov- 
ernor Abbott seems to have been of a more 
humane character than the mass of British 
officers of his day, as he wrote a letter to General 
Carletor about this time, protesting strongly 
against the employment of Indians in carrying 
on warfare against the colonists on the frontier, 
on the ground of humanity, claiming that it was 
a detriment to the British cause, although he 
was overruled by his superior officer, Colonel 
Hamilton, in the steps soon after taken to recap- 
ture Vincennes. 

ABINGDON, second city in size in KnoxCounty, 
at the junction of the Iowa Central and the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads; 10 
miles soutli of Galesburg, with which it is con- 
nected by electric car line ; has city waterworks, 
electric light plant, wagon works, brick and tile 
works, sash, blind and swing factories, two banks, 



three weekly papers, public library, fine high 
school building and two ward schools. Hedding 
College, a nourishing institution, under auspices 
of the M. E. Church, is located here. Population 
(1900), 2,022; (est. 1904), 3,000. 

ACCAULT, Michael (Ak-ko), French explorer 
and companion of La Salle, who came to the 
"Illinois Country" in 1780, and accompanied 
Hennepin when the latter descended the Illinois 
River to its mouth and then ascended the Mis- 
sissippi to the vicinity of the present city of St. 
Paul, where they were captured by Sioux. They 
were rescued by Greysolon Dulhut (for whom 
the city of Duluth was named), and having dis- 
covered the Falls of St. Anthony, returned to 
Green Bay. (See Hennepin.) 

ACKERMAN, William K., Railway President 
and financier, was born in New York City, Jan. 
29, 1832, of Knickerbocker and Revolutionary 
ancestry, his grandfather, Abraham D. Acker- 
man, having served as Captain of a company of 
the famous "Jersey Blues," participating with 
"Mad" Anthony Wayne in the storming of Stony 
Point during the Revolutionary War, while his 
father served as Lieutenant of Artillery in the 
War of 1812. After receiving a high school edu- 
cation in New York, Mr. Ackerman engaged in 
mercantile business, but in 1852 became a clerk 
in the financial department of the Illinois Central 
Railroad. Coming to Chicago in the service of 
the Company in 1860, he successively filled the 
positions of Secretary, Auditor and Treasurer, 
until July, 1876, when he was elected Vice-Presi- 
dent and a year later promoted to the Presidency, 
voluntarily retiring from this position in August, 
1883, though serving some time longer in the 
capacity of Vice-President. During the progress 
of the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago 
(1892-93) Mr. Ackerman served as Auditor of the 
Exposition, and was City Comptroller of Chicago 
under the administration of Mayor Hopkins 



10 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



(1893-95). He is an active member of the Chicago 
Historical Society, and has rendered valuable 
service to railroad history by the issue of two bro- 
chures on the "Early History of Illinois Rail- 
roads." and a "Historical Sketch of the Illinois 
Central Railroad." 

ADAMS, John, LL.D., educator and philan- 
thropist, was born at Canterbury, Conn., Sept. is, 
1772; graduated at Yale College in 1795; taught 
for several years in his native place, in Plain- 
field, N. J., and at Colchester, Conn. In 1810 he 
became Principal of Phillips Academy at An- 
dover, Mass., remaining there twenty-three 
years. In addition to his educational duties he 
participated in the organization of several great 
charitable associations which attained national 
importance. On retiring from Phillips Academy 
in 1833, he removed to Jacksonville, 111., where, 
four years afterward, he became the third Prin- 
cipal of Jacksonville Female Academy, remaining 
six years. He then became Agent of the Ameri- 
can Sunday School Union, in the course of the 
next few years founding several hundred Sunday 
Schools in different parts of the State. He re- 
ceived the degree of LL.D. from Yale College in 
1854. Died in Jacksonville, April 24, 1863. The 
subject of this sketch was father of Dr. William 
Adams, for forty years a prominent Presbyterian 
clerg3 r man of New York and for seven years (1873- 
80) President of Union Theological Seminary. 

ADAMS, John McGregor, manufacturer, was 
born at Londonderry, N. H, March 11, 1834, the 
son of Rev. John R. Adams, who served as Chap- 
lain of the Fifth Maine and One Hundred and 
Twenty- first New York Volunteers during the 
Civil War. Sir. Adams was educated at Gorham, 
Me., and Andover, Mass., after which, going to 
New York City, he engaged as clerk in a dry- 
goods house at S150 a year. He next entered the 
office of Clark & Jessup, hardware manufacturers, 
and in 1858 came to Chicago to represent the 
house of Morris K. Jessup & Co. He thus became 
associated with the late John Crerar, the firm of 
Jessup & Co. being finally merged into that of 
Crerar, Adams & Co., which, with the Adams & 
Westlake Co., have done a large business in the 
manufacture of railway supplies. Since the 
death of Mr. Crerar, Sir. Adams has been princi- 
pal manager of the concern's vast manufacturing 
business. 

ADAMS, (Dr.) Samuel, physician and edu- 
cator, was born at Brunswick. Me., Dec. 19, 1806, 
and educated at Bowdoin College, where he 
graduated in both the departments of literature 
and of medicine. Then, having practiced as a 



physician several years, in 1838 he assumed the 
chair of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and 
Natural History in Illinois College at Jackson- 
ville, 111. From 1843 to 1845 he was also Pro 
fessor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics in the 
Medical Department of the same institution, and, 
during his connection with the College, gave 
instruction at different times in nearly every 
branch embraced in the college curriculum, 
including the French and German languages. 
Of uncompromising firmness and invincible cour- 
age in his adherence to principle, he was a man 
of singular modesty, refinement and amiability 
in private life, winning the confidence and esteem 
of all with whom he came in contact, especially 
the students who came under his instruction. A 
profound and thorough scholar, he possessed a 
refined and exalted literary taste, which was 
illustrated in occasional contributions to scien- 
tific and literary periodicals. Among productions 
of his pen on philosophic topics may be enumer- 
ated articles on "The Natural History of Man in 
his Scriptural Relations;" contributions to the 
"Biblical Repository" (1844); "Auguste Comte 
and Positivism" ("New Englander," 1873), and 
"Herbert Spencer's Proposed Reconciliation be- 
tween Religion and Science" ("New r Englander," 
1875). His connection with Illinois College con- 
tinued until his death, April, 1877 — a period of 
more than thirty-eight years. A monument to 
his memory has been erected through the grate- 
ful donations of his former pupils. 

ADAMS, George Everett, lawyer and ex-Con- 
gressman, born at Keene, N. H. , June 18, 1840; 
was educated at Harvard College, and at Dane 
Law School, Cambridge, Mass., graduating at the 
former in 1860. Early in life he settled in Chi- 
cago, where, after some time spent as a teacher 
in the Chicago High School, he engaged in the 
practice of his profession. His first post of pub- 
lic responsibility was that of State Senator, to 
which he was elected in 1880. In 1882 he was 
chosen, as a Republican, to represent the Fourth 
Illinois District in Congress, and re-elected in 
1884, '86 and '88. In 1890 he was again a candi- 
date, but was defeated by Walter C. Newberry. 
He is one of the Trustees of the Newberry 
Library. 

ADAMS, James, pioneer lawyer, was born in 
Hartford, Conn., Jan. 26, 1803; taken to Oswego 
County, N. Y., in 1809, and, in 1821, removed to 
Springfield, 111., being the first lawyer to locate 
in the future State capital. He enjoyed an ex- 
tensive practice for the time; in 1823 was elected 
a Justice of the Peace, took part in the Winne- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



11 



bago and Black Hawk wars, was elected Probate 
Judge in 1841, and died in office, August 11, 1843. 

ADAMS COUNTY, an extreme westerly county 
of the State, situated about midway between its 
northern and southern extremities, and bounded 
on the west by the Mississippi River. It was 
organized in 1825 and named in honor of John 
Quincy Adams, the name of Quincy being given 
to the county seat. The United States Census of 
1890 places its area at 830 sq. m. and its popula- 
tion at 61,888. The soil of the county is fertile 
and well watered, the surface diversified and 
hilly, especially along the Mississippi bluffs, and 
its climate equable. The wealth of the county is 
largely derived from agriculture, although a 
large amount of manufacturing is carried on in 
Quincy. Population (1900), 67,058. 

ADDAMS, John Huy, legislator, was born at 
Sinking Springs, Berks County, Pa., July 12, 
1822; educated at Trappeand Upper Dublin, Pa., 
and learned the trade of a miller in his youth, 
which he followed in later life. In 1844, Mr. 
Addams came to Illinois, settling at Cedarville, 
Stephenson County, purchased a tract of land 
and built a saw and grist mill on Cedar Creek. 
In 1854 he was elected to the State Senate from 
Stephenson County, serving continuously in that 
body by successive re-elections until 1870 — first as 
a Whig and afterwards as a Republican. In 1865 
he established the Second National Bank of Free- 
port, of which he continued to be the president 
until his death, August 17, 1881. — Miss Jane 
(Addams), philanthropist, the founder of the "Hull 
House," Chicago, is a daughter of Mr. Addams. 

ADDISON, village, Du Page County; seat of 
Evangelical Lutheran College, Normal School 
and Orphan Asylum; has State Bank, stores and 
public school. Pop. (1900), 591; (1904), 014. 

AD J UT ANTS-GENERAL. The office of Adju- 
tant-General for the State of Illinois was first 
created by Act of the Legislature, Feb. 2, 1865. 
Previous to the War of the Rebellion the position 
was rather honorary than otherwise, its duties 
(except during the Black Hawk War) and its 
emoluments being alike unimportant. The in- 
cumbent was simply the Chief of the Governor's 
Staff. In 1861, the post became one of no small 
importance. Those who held the office during 
the Territorial period were: Elias Rector, Robert 
Morrison, Benjamin Stephenson anil Wm. Alex- 
ander. After the admission of Illinois as a State 
up to the beginning of the Civil War, the duties 
(which were almost wholly nominal) were dis- 
charged by Wm. Alexander, 1819-21 ; Elijah C. 
Berry, 1821-28; James W. Berry, 1828-39; Moses 



K. Anderson, 1839-57; Thomas S. Mather, 1858-61. 
In November, 1861, Col. T. S. Mather, who had held 
the position for three years previous, resigned to 
enter active service, and Judge Allen C. Fuller 
was appointed, remaining in office until January 
1, 1865. The first appointee, under the act of 
1865, was Isham N. Haynie, who held office 
until his death in 1869. The Legislature of 1869, 
taking into consideration that all the Illinois 
volunteers had been mustered out, and that the 
duties of the Adjutant-General had been materi- 
ally lessened, reduced the proportions of the 
department and curtailed the appropriation for 
its support. Since the adoption of the military 
code of 1877, the Adjutant-General's office has 
occupied a more important and conspicuous posi- 
tion among the departments of the State govern- 
ment. The following is a list of those who have 
held office since General Haynie, with the date 
and duration of their respective terms of office: 
Hubert Dilger, 1869-73; Edwin L. Higgins, 
1873-75; Hiram Hilliard, 1875-81; Isaac H. Elliot, 
1881-84; Joseph W. Vance, 1884-93; Albert Oren- 
dorff, 1893-96, C. C. Hilton, 1896-97; Jasper N. 
Reece, 1897 — . 

AGRICULTURE. Illinois ranks high as an 
agricultural State. A large area in the eastern 
portion of the State, because of the absence of 
timber, was called by the early settlers "the 
Grand Prairie." Upon and along a low ridge 
beginning in Jackson County and running across 
the State is the prolific fruit-growing district of 
Southern Illinois. The bottom lands extending 
from Cairo to the mouth of the Illinois River are 
of a fertility seemingly inexhaustible. The cen- 
tral portion of the State is best adapted to corn, 
and the southern and southwestern to the culti- 
vation of winter wheat. Nearly three-fourths of 
the entire State — some 42,000 square miles — is up- 
land prairie, well suited to the raising of cereals. 
In the value of its oat crop Illinois leads all the 
States, that for 1891 being $31, 106, 674, with 3,068,- 
930 acres under cultivation. In the production 
of corn it ranks next to Iowa, the last census 
(1890) showing 7,014,336 acres under cultivation, 
and the value of the crop being estimated at 
$86,905,510. In wheat-raising it ranked seventh, 
although the annual average value of the crop 
from 1880 to 1890 was a little less than $29,000,- 
000. As a live-stock State it leads in the value of 
horses ($83,000,000), ranks second in the produc- 
tion of swine ($30,000,000), third in cattle-growing 
($32,000,000), and fourth in dairy products, the 
value of milch cows being estimated at $24,000,- 
000. (See also Farmers' Institute. ) 



12 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF. A 

department of the State administration which 
grew out of the organization of the Illinois Agri- 
cultural Society, incorporated by Act of the 
Legislature in 1853. The first appropriation from 
the State treasury for its maintenance was $1,000 
per annum, "to be expended in the promotion of 
mechanical and agricultural arts." The first 
President was James N. Brown, of Sangamon 
County. Simeon Francis, also of Sangamon, was 
the first Recording Secretary ; John A. Kennicott 
of Cook, first Corresponding Secretary ; and John 
Williams of Sangamon, first Treasurer. Some 
thirty volumes of reports have been issued, cover- 
ing a variety of topics of vital interest to agri- 
culturists. The department has well equipped 
offices in the State House, and is charged with 
the conduct of State Fairs and the management 
of annual exhibitions of fat stock, besides the 
collection and dissemination of statistical and 
other information relative to the State's agri- 
cultural interests. It receives annual reports 
from all County Agricultural Societies. The 
State Board consists of three general officers 
(President, Secretary and Treasurer) and one 
representative from each Congressional district. 
The State appropriates some §20,000 annually for 
the prosecution of its work, besides which there 
is a considerable income from receipts at State 
Fairs and fat stock shows. Between $20,000 and 
$25,000 per annum is disbursed in premiums to 
competing exhibitors at the State Fairs, and some 
$10,000 divided among County Agricultural 
Societies holding fairs. 

AKERS, Peter, D. D., Methodist Episcopal 
clergyman, born of Presbyterian parentage, in 
Campbell County, Va., Sept. 1, 1790; was edu- 
cated in the common schools, and, at the age 
of 10, began teaching, later pursuing a classical 
course in institutions of Virginia and North 
Carolina. Having removed to Kentucky, after a 
brief season spent in teaching at Mount Sterling 
in that State, he began the study of law and was 
admitted to the bar in 1817. Two years later he 
began the publication of a paper called "The 
Star,' which was continued for a short time. In 
1821 he was converted and joined the Methodist 
church, and a few months later began preaching. 
In 1832 he removed to Illinois, and, after a year 
spent in work as an evangelist, he assumed the 
Presidency of McKendree College at Lebanon, 
remaining during 1833-34; then established a 
"manual labor school" near Jacksonville, which 
he maintained for a few years. From 1837 to 
1852 was spent as stationed minister or Presiding 



Elder at Springfield, Quincy and Jacksonville. In 
the latter year he was again appointed to the 
Presidency of McKendree College, where he 
remained five years. He was then (1857) trans- 
ferred to the Minnesota Conference, but a year 
later was compelled by declining health to assume 
a superannuated relation. Returning to Illinois 
about 1865, he served as Presiding Elder of the 
Jacksonville and Pleasant Plains Districts, but 
was again compelled to accept a superannuated 
relation, making Jacksonville his home, where 
he died, Feb. 21, 1886. While President of Mc- 
Kendree College, he published his work on "Bib- 
lical Chronology," to which he had devoted many 
previous years of his life, and which gave evi- 
dence of grpat learning and vast research. Dr. 
Akers was a man of profound convictions, exten- 
sive learning and great eloquence. As a pulpit 
orator and logician he probably had no superior 
in the State during the time of his most active 
service in the denomination to which he belonged. 

AKIN, Edward C, lawyer and Attorney-Gen- 
eral, was born in Will Comity, 111., in 1852, and 
educated in the public schools of Joliet and at Ann 
Arbor, Mich. For four years he was pa} - ing and 
receiving teller in the First National Bank of 
Joliet, but was admitted to the bar in 1878 and 
has continued in active practice since. In 1887 he 
entered upon his political career as the Republi- 
can candidate for City Attorney of Joliet, and was 
elected by a majority of over 700 votes, although 
the city was usually Democratic. The follow- 
ing year he was the candidate of his party for 
State's Attorney of Will County, and was again 
elected, leading the State and county ticket by 
800 votes — being re-elected to the same office in 
1892. In 1895 he was the Republican nominee 
for Mayor of Joliet, and, although opposed by a 
citizen's ticket headed by a Republican, was 
elected over his Democratic competitor by a deci- 
sive majority. His greatest popular triumph was 
in 1896, when he was elected Attorney-General 
on the Republican State ticket by a plurality 
over his Democratic opponent of 132,248 and a 
majority over all competitors of 111,255. His 
legal abilities are recognized as of a very high 
order, while his personal popularity is indicated 
by his uniform success as a candidate, in the 
face, at times, of strong political majorities. 

ALBANY, a village of Whiteside County, lo- 
cated on the Mississippi River and the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (Rock Island 
branch). Population (1890), 611; (1900), 621. 

ALBION, county-seat of Edwards County, 
on Southern Railway, midway between St. Louis 




EXPERIMENT FARM (TIIK VINEYAKIm UNIVERSITY ill' ILLINOIS 




EXPERIMENT FARM ( OKI II AIM > ( TI.TI VATION) UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



13 



anil Louisville; seat of Southern Collegiate In- 
stitute; has plant for manufacture of vitrified 
shale paving brick, two newspapers, creamery, 
flouring mills, and is important shipping point 
for live stock; is in a rich fruit-growing district; 
has five churches and splendid public schools. 
Population (1900), 1,162; (est. 1904), 1,500. 

ALCORN, James Lnsk, was born near Gol- 
conda, 111., Nov. 4, 1816; early went South and 
held various offices in Kentucky and Mississippi, 
including member of the Legislature in each; 
was a member of the Mississippi State Conven- 
tions of 1851 and 1861, and by the latter appointed 
a Brigadier-General in the Confederate service, 
but refused a commission by Jefferson Davis 
because his fidelity to the rebel cause was 
doubted. At the close of the war he was one of 
the first to accept the reconstruction policy ; was 
elected United States Senator from Mississippi in 
1865, but not admitted to his seat. In 1869 he 
was chosen Governor as a Republican, and two 
years later elected United States Senator, serving 
until 1877. Died, Dec. 20, 1894. 

ALDRICH, J. Frank, Congressman, was born 
at Two Rivers, Wis., April 6, 1853, the son of 
William Aldrich, who afterwards became Con- 
gressman from Chicago ; was brought to Chicago 
in 1861, attended the public schools and the Chi- 
cago University, and graduated from the Rensse- 
laer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y., in 1877, 
receiving the degree of Civil Engineer. Later he 
engaged in the linseed oil business in Chicago. 
Becoming interested in politics, he was elected a 
member of the Board of County Commissioners 
of Cook Count}', serving as President of that body 
during the reform period of 1887; was also a 
member of the County Board of Education and 
Chairman of the Chicago Citizens' Committee, 
appointed from the various clubs and commer- 
cial organizations of the city, to promote the for- 
mation of the Chicago Sanitary District. From 
May 1, 1891, to Jan. 1, 1893, he was Commissioner 
of Public Works for Chicago, when he resigned 
his office, having been elected (Nov., 1892) a 
member of the Fifty-third Congress, on the 
Republican ticket, from the First Congressional 
District; was re-elected in 1894, retiring at the 
close of the Fifty -fourth Congress. In 1898 he 
was appointed to a position in connection with 
the office of Comptroller of the Currency at 
Washington. 

ALDRICH, William, merchant and Congress- 
man, was born at Greenfield, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1820. 
His early common school training was supple- 
mented by private tuition in higher branches of 



mathematics and in surveying, and by a term in 
an academy. Until he had reached the age of 26 
years he was engaged in farming and teaching, 
but, in 1846, turned his attention to mercantile 
pursuits. In 1851 he removed to Wisconsin, 
where, in addition to merchandising, he engaged 
in the manufacture of furniture and woodenware, 
and where he also held several important offices, 
being Superintendent of Schools for three years, 
Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors 
one year, besides serving one term in the Legisla- 
ture. In 1860 he removed to Chicago, where he 
embarked in the wholesale grocery business. In 
1875 he was elected to the City Council, and, in 
1876, chosen to represent his district (the First) in 
Congress, as a Republican, being re-elected in 1878, 
and again in 1880. Died in Fond du Lac, Wis., 
Dec. 3, 1885. 

ALEDO, county-seat of Mercer County; is in 
the midst of a rich farming and bituminous coal 
region; fruit-growing and stock-raising are also 
extensively carried on, and large quantities of 
these commodities are shipped here; has two 
newspapers and ample school facilities. Popula- 
tion (1890), 1,601; (1900), 2,081. 

ALEXANDER, John T., agriculturist and 
stock-grower, was born in Western Virginia, 
Sept. 15, 1820; removed with his father, at six 
years of age, to Ohio, and to Illinois in 1848. 
Here he bought a tract of several thousand acres 
of land on the Wabash Railroad, 10 miles east of 
Jacksonville, which finally developed into one of 
the richest stock-farms in the State. After the 
war he became the owner of the celebrated 
"Sullivant farm," comprising some 20,000 acres 
on the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad in 
Champaign County, to which he transferred his 
stock interests, and although overtaken by re- 
verses, left a large estate. Died, August 22, 1876. 

ALEXANDER, Milton K., pioneer, was born in 
Elbert County, Ga. , Jan. 23, 1796; emigrated 
with his father, in 1804, to Tennessee, and, while 
still a boy, enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812, 
serving under the command of General Jackson 
until the capture of Pensacola, when he entered 
upon the campaign against the Seminoles in 
Florida. In 1823 he removed to Edgar County, 
111., and engaged in mercantile and agricultural 
pursuits at Paris; serving also as Postmaster 
there some twenty-five years, and as Clerk of the 
County Commissioners' Court from 1826 to '37. 
In 1826 he was commissioned by Governor Coles, 
Colonel of the Nineteenth Regiment, Illinois 
State Militia ; in 1830 was Aide-de-Camp to Gov- 
ernor Reynolds, and, inl832, took part in the Black 



14 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Hawk War as Brigadier-General of the Second 
Brigade, Illinois Volunteers. On the inception of 
the internal improvement scheme in 1837 he was 
elected by the Legislature a member of the first 
Board of Commissioners of Public Works, serving 
until the Board was abolished. Died, July 7, 1856. 
ALEXANDER, (Dr.) William M., pioneer, 
came to Southern Illinois previous to the organi- 
zation of Union County (1818), and for some time, 
while practicing his profession as a physician, 
acted as agent of the proprietors of the town of 
America, which was located on the Ohio River, 
on the first high ground above its junction with 
the Mississippi. It became the first county-seat 
of Alexander County, which was organized in 

1819, and named in his honor. In 1820 we find 
him a Representative in the Second General 
Assembly from Pope County, and two years later 
Representative from Alexander County, when he 
became Speaker of the House during the session 
of the Third General Assembly. Later, he 
removed to Kaskaskia, but finally went South, 
where he died, though the date and place of his 
death are unknown. 

ALEXANDER COUNTY, the extreme southern 
county of the State, being bounded on the west 
by the Mississipppi, and south and east by the 
Ohio and Cache rivers. Its area is about 230 
square miles and its population, in 1890, was 16,- 
563. The first American settlers were Tennessee- 
ans named Bird, who occupied the delta and gave 
it the name of Bird's Point, which, at the date of 
the Civil War (1861-65), had been transferred to 
the Missouri shore opposite the mouth of the Ohio. 
Other early settlers were Clark, Kennedy and 
Philips (at Mounds), Conyer and Terrel (at Amer- 
ica), and Humphreys (near Caledonia). In 1818 
Shadrach Bond (afterwards Governor), John G. 
Comyges and others entered a claim for 1800 acres 
in the central and northern part of the county, 
and incorporated the "City and Bank of Cairo." 
The history of this enterprise is interesting. In 
1818 (on Comyges' death) the land reverted to the 
Government ; but in 1835 Sidney Breese, David J. 
Baker and Miles A. Gilbert re-entered the for- 
feited bank tract and the title thereto became 
vested in the "Cairo City and Canal Company," 
which was chartered in 1837, and, by purchase, 
extended its holdings to 10,000 acres. The 
county was organized in 1819; the first county- 
seat being America, which was incorporated in 

1820. Population (1900), 19,384. 

ALEXIAN BROTHERS' HOSPITAL, located 
at Chicago; established in 1860, and under the 
management of the Alexian Brothers, a monastic 



order of the Roman Catholic Church. It was 
originally opened in a small frame building, but a 
better edifice was erected in 1868, only to be de- 
stroyed in the great fire of 1871. The following 
year, through the aid of private benefactions and 
an appropriation of §18,000 from the Chicago Re- 
lief and Aid Society, a larger and better hospital 
was built. In 1888 an addition was made, increas- 
ing the accommodation to 150 beds. Only poor 
male patients are admitted, and these are received 
without reference to nationality or religion, and 
absolutely without charge. The present medical 
staff (1896) comprises fourteen physicians and sur- 
geons. In 1895 the close approach of an intra- 
mural transit line having rendered the building 
unfit for hospital purposes, a street railwaj' com- 
pany purchased the site and buildings for $250,- 
000 and a new location has been selected. 

ALEXIS, a village of Warren County, on the 
Rock Island & St. Louis Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railway, 12 miles east of 
north from Monmouth. It has manufactures of 
brick, drain-tile, pottery and agricultural imple- 
ments; is also noted for its Clydesdale horses. 
Population (1880), 398; (1890), 562; (1900), 915. 

ALGONQUINS, a group of Indian tribes. 
Originally their territory extended from about 
latitude 37° to 53° north, and from longitude 25° 
east to 15° west of the meridian of Washington. 
Branches of the stock were found by Cartier in 
Canada, by Smith in Virginia, by the Puritans in 
New England and by Catholic missionaries in the 
great basin of the Mississippi. One of the prin- 
cipal of their five confederacies embraced the 
Illinois Indians, w T ho were found within the 
State by the French when the latter discovered 
the country in 1673. They were hereditary foes 
of the warlike Iroquois, by whom their territory 
was repeatedly invaded. Besides the Illinois, 
other tribes of the Algonquin family who origi- 
nally dwelt within the present limits of Illinois, 
were the Foxes, Kickapoos, Miamis, Menominees, 
and Sacs. Although nomadic in their mode of 
life, and subsisting largely on the spoils of the 
chase, the Algonquins were to some extent tillers 
of the soil and cultivated large tracts of maize. 
Various dialects of their language have been 
reduced to grammatical rules, and Eliot's Indian 
Bible is published in their tongue. The entire 
Algonquin stock extant is estimated at about 
95,000, of whom some 35,000 are within the Unit* d 
States. 

ALLEN, William Joshua, jurist, was born 
June 9, 1829, in Wilson County, Tenn. ; of Vir- 
ginia ancestrv of Scotch-Irish descent. In early 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



15 



infancy he was brougnt by his parents to South- 
ern Illinois, where his father, Willis Allen, be- 
came a Judge and member of Congress. After 
reading law with his father and at the Louisville 
Law School, young Allen was admitted to the 
bar, settling at Metropolis and afterward (1853) 
at his old home, Marion, in Williamson County. 
In 1855 he was appointed United States District 
Attorney for Illinois, but resigned in 1859 and re- 
sumed private practice as partner of John A. 
Logan. The same year he was elected Circuit 
Judge to succeed his father, who had died, but he 
declined a re-election. He was a member of the 
Constitutional Conventions of 1802 and 1869, serv- 
ing in both bodies on the Judicial Committee and 
as Chairman of the Committee on the Bill of 
Rights. From 1864 to 1888 he was a delegate to 
every National Democratic Convention, being 
chairman of the Illinois delegation in 1876. He 
has been four times a candidate for Congress, and 
twice elected, serving from 1862 to 1865. During 
this period he was an ardent opponent of the wai 
policy of the Government. In 1874-75, at the 
solicitation of Governor Beveridge, he undertook 
the prosecution of the leaders of a bloody "ven- 
detta" which had broken out among his former 
neighbors in Williamson County, and, by his fear- 
less and impartial efforts, brought the offenders to 
justice and assisted in restoring order. In 1886, 
Judge Allen removed to Springfield, and in 1887 
was appointed by President Cleveland to succeed 
Judge Samuel H. Treat (deceased) as Judge of the 
United States District Court for the Southern 
District of Illinois. Died Jan. 26, 1901. 

ALLEN, Willis, a native of Tennessee, who 
removed to Williamson County, 111., in 1829 and 
engaged in farming. In 1834 he was chosen 
Sheriff of Franklin County, in 1838 elected Rep- 
resentative in the Eleventh General Assembly, 
and, in 1844, became State Senator. In 1841, 
although not yet a licensed lawyer, he was chosen 
Prosecuting Attorney for the old Third District, 
and was shortly afterward admitted to the bar. 
He was chosen Presidential Elector in 1844, a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1847, 
and served two terms in Congress (1851-55). On 
March 2, 1859, he was commissioned Judge of the 
Twenty-sixth Judicial Circuit, but died three 
months later. His son, William Joshua, suc- 
ceeded him in the latter office. 

ALLERTOX, Samuel Waters, stock-dealer and 
capitalist, was born of Pilgrim ancestry in 
Dutchess County. N. Y., May 26, 1829. His 
youth was spent with his father on a farm in 
Yates County. N. Y., but about 1852 he engaged 



in the live-stock business in Central and Western 
New York. In 1856 he transferred his operations 
to Illinois, shipping stock from various points to 
New York City, finally locating in Chicago. He 
was one of the earliest projectors of the Chicago 
Stock-Yards, later securing control of the Pitts- 
burg Stock- Yards, also becoming interested in 
yards at Baltimore, Philadelphia, Jersey City and 
Omaha. Mr. Allerton is one of the founders and 
a Director of the First National Bank of Chicago, 
a Director and stockholder of the Chicago City 
Railway (the first cable line in that city), the 
owner of an extensive area of highly improved 
farming lands in Central Illinois, as also of large 
tracts in Nebraska and Wyoming, and of valuable 
and productive mining properties in the Black 
Hills. A zealous Republican in politics, he is a 
liberal supporter of the measures of that party, 
and, in 1893, was the unsuccessful Republican can- 
didate for Mayor of Chicago in opposition to 
Carter H. Harrison. 

ALLOUEZ, Claude Jean, sometimes called 
"The Apostle of the West," a Jesuit priest, was 
born in France in 1620. He reached Quebec in 
1658, and later explored the country around 
Lakes Superior and Michigan, establishing the 
mission of La Pointe, near where Ashland, Wis., 
now stands, in 1665, and St. Xavier, near Green 
Bay, in 1669. He learned from the Indians the 
existence and direction of the upper Mississippi, 
and was the first to communicate the informa- 
tion to the authorities at Montreal, which report 
was the primary cause of Joliet's expedition. He 
succeeded Marquette in charge of the mission at 
Kaskaskia, on the Illinois, in 1677, where he 
preached to eight tribes. From that date to 1690 
he labored among the aborigines of Illinois and 
Wisconsin. Died at Fort St. Joseph, in 1690. 

ALLTN, (Rev.) Robert, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born at Ledyard, New London County, 
Conn., Jan. 25, 1817, being a direct descend- 
ant in the eighth generation of Captain Robert 
Altyn, who was one of the first settlers of New 
London. He grew up on a farm, receiving his 
early education in a country school, supple- 
mented by access to a small public library, from 
which he acquired a good degree of familiarity 
with standard English writers. In 1837 he 
entered the Wesleyan University at Middletown, 
Conn., where he distinguished himself as a 
mathematician and took a high rank as a linguist 
and rhetorician, graduating in 1841. He im- 
mediately engaged as a teacher of mathematics 
in the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Mass., 
and, in 1846, was elected principal of the school. 



16 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS 



meanwhile (1843) becoming a licentiate of the 
Providence Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. From 1848 to 1854 he served as Princi- 
pal of the Providence Conference Seminary at 
East Greenwich, R. I., when he was appointed 
Commissioner of Public Schools of Rhode Island 
— also serving the same year as a Visitor to West 
Point Military Academy. Between 1857 and 1859 
he filled the chair of Ancient Languages in the 
State University at Athens, Ohio, when he ac- 
cepted the Presidency of the Wesleyan Female 
College at Cincinnati, four years later (1883) 
becoming President of McKendree College at 
Lebanon, 111., where he remained until 1874. 
That position he resigned to accept the Presi- 
dency of the Southern Illinois Normal University 
at Carbondale, whence he retired in 1892. Died 
at Carbondale, Jan. 7, 1894. 

ALTAMONT, Effingham County, is intersecting 
point of the Vandalia, Chicago & Eastern Illinois, 
Baltimore & Ohio S. W., and Wabash Railroads, 
being midway and highest point between St. 
Louis and Terre Haute, Ind. ; was laid out in 
1870. The town is in the center of a grain, fruit- 
growing and stock-raising district; has a bank, 
two grain elevators, flouring mill, tile works, a 
large creamery, wagon, furniture and other fac- 
tories, besides churches and good schools. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,044. 11900), 1,335. 

ALTGELD, John Peter, ex-Judge and ex-Gov- 
ernor, was born in Prussia in 1848, and in boy- 
hood accompanied his parents to America, the 
family settling in Ohio. At the age of 16 he 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth 
Ohio Infantry, serving until the close of the war 
His legal education was acquired at St. Louis and 
Savannah, Mo., and from 1874 to '78 he was 
Prosecuting Attorney for Andrew County in that 
State. In 1878 he removed to Chicago, where he 
devoted himself to professional work. In 1884 he 
led the Democratic forlorn hope as candidate for 
Congress in a strong Republican Congressional 
district, and in 1886 was elected to the bench of 
the Superior Court of Cook County, but resigned 
in August, 1891. The Democratic State conven- 
tion of 1892 nominated him for Governor, and he 
was elected the following November, being the 
first foreign-born citizen to hold that office in the 
history of the State, and the first Democrat 
elected since 1852. In 1896 he was a prominent 
factor in the Democratic National Convention 
which nominated William J. Bryan for Presi- 
dent, and was also a candidate for re-election to 
the office of Governor, but was defeated by John 
R. Tanner, the Republican nominee. 



ALTON, principal city in Madison County 
and important commercial and manufacturing 
point on Mississippi River, 25 miles north of 
St. Louis; site was first occupied as a French 
trading-post about 1807, the town proper being 
laid out by Col. Rufus Easton in 1817; principal 
business houses are located in the valley along 
the river, while the residence portion occupies 
the bluffs overlooking the river, sometimes rising 
to the height of nearly 250 feet. The city has 
extensive glass works employ'ng (1903) 4,000 
hands, flouring mills, iron foundries, manufac- 
tories of agricultural implements, coal cars, min 
ers' tools, shoes, tobacco, lime, etc., besides 
several banks, numerous churches, schools, and 
four newspapers, three of them daily. A monu- 
ment to the memory of Elijah P Lovejoy, who 
fell while defending his press against a pro-slav- 
ery mob in 1837. was erected in Alton Cemetery, 
1896-7, at a cost of 830,000, contributed by the 
State and citizens of Alton. Population (1890), 
10,294; (1900), 14,210. 

ALTON PENITENTIARY. The earliest pun- 
ishments imposed upon public offenders in Illi- 
nois were by public flogging or imprisonment for 
a short time in jails rudely constructed of logs, 
from which escape was not difficult for a prisoner 
of nerve, strength and mental resource. The 
inadequacy of such places of confinement was 
soon perceived, but popular antipathy to any 
increase of taxation prevented the adoption of 
any other policy until 1827. A grant of 40,000 
acres of saline lands was made to the State by 
Congress, and a considerable portion of the money 
received from their sale was appropriated to the 
establishment of a State penitentiary at Alton. 
The sum set apart proved insufficient, and, in 1831, 
an additional appropriation of §10,000 was made 
from the State treasury. In 1833 the prison was 
ready to receive its first inmates. It was built of 
stone and had but twenty-four cells. Additions 
were made from time to time, but by 1857 the 
State determined upon building a new peniten- 
tiary, which was located at Joliet (see Northern 
Penitentiary), and, in 1860, the last convicts were 
transferred thither from Alton. The Alton prison 
was conducted on what is known as "the Auburn 
plan" — associated labor in silence by day and 
separate confinement by night. The manage- 
ment was in the hands of a "lessee," who fur- 
nished supplies, employed guards and exercised 
the general powers of a warden under th6 super- 
vision of a Commissioner appointed by the State, 
and who handled all the products of convict 
labor. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



17 



ALTON RIOTS. (See Lovejoy, Elijah Par- 
rish.) 

ALTONA, town of Knox County, on C. , B. & Q. 
R. R , 16-miles northeast of Galesburg; has an 
endowed public library, electric light system, 
cement sidewalks, four churches and good school 
system. Population (1900), 633. 

ALTON & SANGAMON RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago & Alton Railroad.) 

AM BOY, city in Lee County on Green River, at 
junction of Illinois Central and C, B. & Q. Rail- 
roads, 95 miles south by west from Chicago; has 
artesian water with waterworks and lire protec- 
tion, city park, two telephone systems, electric 
lights, railroad repair shops, two banks, two 
newspapers, seven churches, graded and high 
schools; is on line of Northern Illinois Electric 
Ry. from De Kalb to Dixon; extensive bridge 
and Iron works located here. Pop. (1900), 1,826. 

AMES, Edward Raymond, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, born at Amesville, Athens County, Ohio, 
May 30, 1806; was educated at the Ohio State 
University, where he joined the M. E. Church. 
In 1828 he left college and became Principal of 
the Seminary at Lebanon, 111., which afterwards 
became McKendree College. While there he 
received a license to preach, and, after holding 
various charges and positions in the church, in- 
cluding membership in the General Conference 
of 1840, '44 and '52, in the latter year was elected 
Bishop, serving until his death, which occurred 
in Baltimore, April 25, 1879. 

ANDERSON, Galusha, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born at Bergen, N. Y., March 7, 1832; 
graduated at Rochester University in 1854 and at 
the Theological Seminary there in 1856; spent 
ten years in Baptist pastoral work at Janesville, 
Wis., and at St. Louis, and seven as Professor in 
Newton Theological Institute, Mass. From 1873 
to '80 he preached in Brooklyn and Chicago; was 
then chosen President of the old Chicago Univer- 
sity, remaining eight years, when he again be- 
came a pastor at Salem, Mass., but soon after 
assumed the Presidency of Denison University, 
Ohio. On the organization of the new Chicago 
University, he accepted the chair of Homiletics 
and Pastoral Theology, which he now holds 

ANDERSON, George A., lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born in Botetourt County, Va., March 
11, 1853. When two years old he was brought by 
his parents to Hancock County, 111 He re- 
ceived a collegiate education, and, after studying 
law at Lincoln, Neh., and at Sedalia, Mo., settled 
at Quincy, 111., where he hegan practice in 1880. 
In 1884 he was elected City Attorney on the 



Democratic ticket, and re-elected in 1885 without 
opposition. The following year he was the suc- 
cessful candidate of his party for Congress, which 
was his last public service. Died at Quincy, 
Jan. 31, 1896. 

ANDERSON, James C, legislator, was born in 
Henderson County, 111., August 1, 1845; raised on 
a farm, and after receiving a common-school 
education, entered Monmouth College, but left 
early in the Civil War to enlist in the Twentieth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he attained 
the rank of Second Lieutenant. After the war he 
served ten years as Sheriff of Henderson County, 
was elected Representative in the General 
Assembly in 1888, '90, '92 and '96, and served on 
the Republican "steering committee" during the 
session of 1893. He also served as Sergeant-at- 
Arms of the Senate for the session of 1895, and 
was a delegate to the Republican National Con- 
vention of 1896. His home is at Decorra. 

ANDERSON, Stinson H., Lieutenant-Gover- 
nor, was born in Sumner County, Tenn., in 1800; 
came to Jefferson County, 111. , in his youth, and, 
at an early age, began to devote his attention to 
breeding fine stock; served in the Black Hawk 
War as a Lieutenant in 1832, and the same year 
■was elected to the lower branch of the Eighth 
General Assembly, being re-elected in 1834. In 
1838 he was chosen Lieutenant-Governor on the 
ticket with Gov. Thomas Carlin, and soon after 
the close of his term entered the United States 
Army as Captain of Dragoons, in this capacity 
taking part in the Seminole War in Florida. 
Still later he served under President Polk as 
United States Marshal for Illinois, and also held 
the position of Warden of the State Penitentiary 
at Alton for several years. Died, September, 1857. — 
William B. (Anderson), son of the preceding, 
was born at Mount Vernon, 111., April 30, 1830; 
attended the common schools and later studied 
surveying, being elected Surveyor of Jefferson 
County, in 1851. He studied law and was admit- 
ted to the bar in 1858, but never practiced, pre- 
ferring the more quiet life of a farmer. In 1856 
he was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly and re-elected in 1858. In 1861 he 
entered the volunteer service as a private, was 
promoted through the grades of Captain and 
Lieutenant-Colonel to a Colonelcy, and, at the 
close of the war, was brevetted Brigadier-Gen- 
eral. In 1868 he was a candidate for Presidential 
Elector on the Democratic ticket, was a member 
of the State Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, 
and, in 1871, was elected to the State Senate, to 
fill a vacancy. In 1874 he was elected to the Fi >i t y 



18 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



fourth Congress on the Democratic ticket. In 
1893 General Anderson was appointed by Presi- 
dent Cleveland Pension Agent for Illinois, con- 
tinuing in that position four years, when he 
retired to private life. 

ANDRUS, Rev. Reuben, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born at Rutland, Jefferson County, 
N. Y., Jan. 29, 1824; early came to Fulton 
County, 111., and spent three years (1844-47) as a 
student at Illinois College, Jacksonville, but 
graduated at McKendree College, Lebanon, in 
1849 ; taught for a time at Greenfield, entered the 
Methodist ministry, and, in 1850, founded the Illi- 
nois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, of 
which he became a Professor; later re-entered 
the ministry and held charges at Beardstown, 
Decatur, Quincy, Springfield and Bloomington, 
meanwhile for a time being President of Illinois 
Conference Female College at Jacksonville, and 
temporary President of Quincy College. In 1867 
he was transferred to the Indiana Conference and 
stationed at Evansville and Indianapolis; from 
1872 to '75 was President of Indiana Asbury Uni- 
versity at Greencastle. Died at Indianapolis, 
Jan. 17, 1887. 

ANNA, a city in Union County, on the Illinois 
Central Railroad, 36 miles from Cairo; is center 
of extensive fruit and vegetable-growing district, 
and largest shipping-point for these commodities 
on the Illinois Central Railroad. It has an ice 
plant, pottery and lime manufactories, two banks 
and two newspapers. The Southern (111.) Hos- 
pital for the Insane is located here. Population 
(1890), 2,295; (1900), 2,018; (est. 1904), 3,000. 

ANTHONY, Elliott, jurist, was born of New 
England Quaker ancestry at Spafford, Onondaga 
County, N. Y., June 10, 1827; was related on 
the maternal side to the Chases and Phelps (dis- 
tinguished lawyers) of Vermont. His early years 
were spent in labor on a farm, but after a course 
of preparatory stud3 r at Cortland Academy, in 
1847 he entered the sophomore class in Hamilton 
College at Clinton, graduating with honors in 
1850. The next year he began the study of law, 
at the same time giving instruction in an Acad- 
emy at Clinton, where he had President Cleve- 
land as one of his pupils. After admission to the 
bar at Oswego, in 1851, he removed West, stop- 
ping for a time at Sterling, 111., but the following 
year located in Chicago. Here he compiled "A 
Digest of Illinois Reports"; in 1858 was elected 
City Attorney, and, in 1863, became solicitor of 
the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (now the 
Chicago & Northwestern). Judge Anthony 
served in two State Constitutional Conventions — 



those of 1862 and 1869-70 — being chairman of the 
Committee on Executive Department and mem- 
ber of the Committee on Judiciary in the latter. 
He was delegate to the National Republican Con- 
vention of 1880, and was the same year elected a 
Judge of the Superior Court of Chicago, and was 
re-elected in 1886, retiring in 1892, after which he 
resumed the practice of his profession, being 
chiefly employed as consulting counsel. Judge 
Anthony was one of the founders and incorpo- 
rators of the Chicago Law Institute and a member 
of the first Board of Directors of the Chicago 
Public Library; also served as President of the 
State Bar Association (1894-95), and delivered 
several important historical addresses before that 
body. His other most important productions 
are volumes on "The Constitutional History of 
Illinois," "The Story of the Empire State" and 
"Sanitation and Navigation." Near the close of 
his last term upon the bench, he spent several 
months in an extended tour through the princi- 
pal countries of Europe. His death occurred, 
after a protracted illness, at his home at Evans- 
ton, Feb. 24, 1898. 

ANTI-NEBRASKA EDITORIAL CONVEN- 
TION, a political body, which convened at 
Decatur, Feb. 22, 1856, pursuant to the suggestion 
of "The Morgan Journal," then a weekly paper 
published at Jacksonville, for the purpose of for- 
mulating a policy in opposition to the principles 
of the Kansas-Nebraska bill. Twelve editors 
were in attendance, as follows: Charles H. Ray 
of "The Chicago Tribune"; V. Y. Ralston of 
"The Quincy Whig"; O. P. Wharton of "The 
Rock Island Advertiser"; T. J. Pickett of "The 
Peoria Republican"; George Schneider of "The 
Chicago Staats Zeitung" ; Charles Faxon of "The 
Princeton Post"; A. N. Ford of "The Lacon Ga- 
zette"; B. F. Shaw of "The Dixon Telegraph" ; E. 
C. Daugherty of "The Rockford Register" ; E. W. 
Blaisdell of "The Rockford Gazette"; W. J. 
Usrey of "The Decatur Chronicle"; and Paul 
Selby of "The Jacksonville Journal. ' ' Paul Selby 
was chosen Chairman and W. J. Usrey, Secre- 
tary. The convention adopted a platform and 
recommended the calling of a State convention 
at Bloomington on May 29, following, appointing 
the following State Central Committee to take the 
matter in charge : W. B. Ogden, Chicago ; S. M. 
Church, Rockford ; G. D. A. Parks, Joliet ; T. J 
Pickett, Peoria; E. A. Dudley, Quincy; William 
H. Herndon, Springfield; R. J. Oglesby, Deca- 
tur; Joseph Gillespie, Edwardsville ; D. L. Phil- 
lips, Jonesboro; and Ira O. Wilkinson and 
Gustavus Koerner for the State-at-large. Abra- 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



19 



ham Lincoln was present and participated in the 
consultations of the committees. All of these 
served except Messrs. Ogden, Oglesby and Koer- 
ner, the two former declining on account of ab- 
sence from the State. Ogden was succeeded by 
the late Dr. John Evans, afterwards Territorial 
Governor of Colorado, and Oglesby by Col. Isaac 
C. Pugh of Decatur. (See Bloomington Conven- 
tion of 1856.) 

APPLE RIVER, a village of Jo Daviess 
County, on the Illinois Central Railroad, 21 miles 
east-northeast from Galena. Population (1880), 
626; (1890), 572; (1900), 576. 

APPLINGTON, (Maj.) Zenas, soldier, was born 
in Broome County, N. Y., Dec. 24, 1815; in 1837 
emigrated to Ogle County, 111., where he fol- 
lowed successively the occupations of farmer, 
blacksmith, carpenter and merchant, finally 
becoming the founder of the town of Polo. Here 
he became wealthy, but lost much of his property 
in the financial revulsion of 1857. In 1858 he 
was elected to the State Senate, and, during the 
session of 1859, was one of the members of that 
body appointed to investigate the "canal scrip 
fraud" (which see), and two years later was one of 
the earnest supporters of the Government in its 
preparation for the War of the Rebellion. The 
latter year he assisted in organizing the Seventh 
Illinois Cavalry, of which he was commissioned 
Major, being some time in command at Bird's 
Point, and later rendering important service to 
General Pope at New Madrid and Island No. 10. 
He was killed at Corinth, Miss., May 8, 1862, 
while obeying an order to charge upon a band of 
rebels concealed in a wood. 

APPORTIONMENT, a mode of distribution of 
the counties of the State into Districts for the 
election of members of the General Assembly 
and of Congress, which will be treated under 
separate heads; 

Legislative. — The first legislative apportion- 
ment was provided for by the Constitution of 
1818. That instrument vested the Legislature 
with power to divide the State as follows: To 
create districts for the election of Representatives 
not less than twenty -seven nor more than thirty- 
six in number, until the population of the State 
should amount to 100,000; and to create sena- 
torial districts, in number not less than one-third 
nor more than one-half of the representative dis- 
tricts at the time of organization. 

The schedule appended to the first Constitution 
contained the first legal apportionment of Sena- 
tors and Representatives. The first fifteen 
counties were allowed fourteen Senators and 



twenty-nine Representatives. Each county 
formed a distinct legislative district for repre- 
sentation in the lower house, with the number of 
members for each varying from one to three; 
while Johnson and Franklin were combined in 
one Senatorial district, the other counties being 
entitled to one Senator each. Later apportion- 
ments were made in 1821, '26, '31, '36, '41 and '47. 
Before an election was held under the last, how- 
ever, the Constitution of 1848 went into effect, 
and considerable changes were effected in this 
regard. The number of Senators was fixed at 
twenty-five and of Representatives at seventy.- 
five, until the entire population should equal 
1,000,000, when five members of the House were 
added and five additional members for each 500, - 
000 increase in papulation until the whole num- 
ber of Representatives reached 100. Thereafter 
the number was neither increased nor dimiiir 
ished, but apportioned among the several coun- 
ties according to the number of white inhabit- 
ants. Should it be found necessary, a single 
district might be formed out of two or more 
counties. 

The Constitution of 1848 established fifty-four 
Representative and twenty-five Senatorial dis- 
tricts. By the apportionment law of 1854, the 
number of the former was increased to fifty-eight, 
and, in 1861, to sixty-one. The number of Sen- 
atorial districts remained unchanged, but their 
geographical limits varied under each act, while 
the number of members from Representative 
districts varied according to population. 

The Constitution of 1870 provided for an im- 
mediate reapportionment (subsequent to its 
adoption) by the Governor and Secretary of 
State upon the basis of the United States Census 
of 1870. Under the apportionment thus made, 
as prescribed by the schedule, the State was 
divided into twenty-five Senatorial districts (each 
electing two Senators) and ninety-seven Repre- 
sentative districts, with an aggregate of 177 mem- 
bers varying from one to ten for the several 
districts, according to population. This arrange- 
ment continued in force for only one Legislature 
— that chosen in 1870. 

In 1872 this Legislature proceeded to reappor- 
tion the State in accordance with the principle of 
"minority representation," which had been sub- 
mitted as an independent section of the Constitu- 
tion and adopted on a separate vote. This 
provided for apportioning the State into fifty-one 
districts, each being entitled to one Senator and 
three Representatives. The ratio of representa- 
tion in the lower house was ascertained by divid- 



20 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ing the entire population by 153 and each county 
to be allowed one Representative, provided its 
population reached three-fifths of the ratio ; coun- 
ties having a population equivalent to one and 
three-fifths times the ratio were entitled to two 
Representatives; while each county with a larger 
population was entitled to one additional Repre- 
sentative for each time the full ratio was repeated 
in the number of inhabitants. Apportionments 
were made on this principle in 1872, '82 and '93. 
Members of the lower house are elected bienni- 
ally ; Senators for four years, those in odd and 
even districts being chosen at each alternate 
' legislative election. The election of Senators for 
the even (numbered) districts takes place at the 
same time with that of Governor and other State 
officers, and that for the odd districts at the inter- 
mediate periods. 

Congressional. — For the first fourteen years 
of the State's history, Illinois constituted but one 
Congressional district. The census of 1830 show- 
ing sufficient population, the Legislature of 1831 
(by act, approved Feb. 13) divided the State into 
three districts, the first election under this law 
being held on the first Monday in August, 1832. 
At that time Illinois comprised fifty-five coun- 
ties, which were apportioned among the districts 
as follows: First — Gallatin, Pope, Johnson, 
Alexander, Union, Jackson, Franklin, Perry, 
Randolph, Monroe, Washington, St. Clair, Clin- 
ton, Bond, Madison, Macoupin; Second — White, 
Hamilton, Jefferson, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, 
Clay, Marion, Lawrence, Fayette, Montgomery, 
Shelby, Vermilion, Edgar, Coles, Clark, Craw- 
ford; Third — Greene, Morgan, Sangamon, 
Macon, Tazewell, McLean, Cook, Henry, La 
Salle, Putnam, Peoria, Knox, Jo Daviess, Mercer, 
McDonough, Warren, Fulton, Hancock, Pike, 
Schuyler, Adams, Calhoun. 

The reapportionment following the census of 
1840 was made by Act of March 1, 1843, and the 
first election of Representatives thereunder 
occurred on the first Monday of the following 
August. Forty-one new counties had been cre- 
ated (making ninety-six in all) and the number 
of districts was increased to seven as follows: 
First — Alexander, Union, Jackson, Monroe, 
Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, Bond, Washington, 
Madison; Second — Johnson, Pope, Hardin, 
Williamson, Gallatin, Franklin, White, Wayne, 
Hamilton, Wabash, Massac, Jefferson, Edwards, 
Marion; Third — Lawrence, Richland, Jasper, 
Fayette, Crawford, Effingham, Christian, Mont- 
gomery, Shelby, Moultrie. Coles, Clark, Clay, 
Edgar, Piatt. Macon, De W T itt: Fourth— Lake, 



McHenry, Boone, Cook, Kane, De Kalb, Du Page, 
Kendall, Will, Grundy, La Salle, Iroquois, 
Livingston, Champaign. Vermilion, McLean, 
Bureau; Fifth — Greene, Jersey, Calhoun, Pike, 
Adams, Marquette (a part of Adams never fully 
organized), Brown, Schuyler, Fulton Peoria, 
Macoupin ; Sixth — Jo Daviess, Stephenson, 
Winnebago, Carroll, Ogle, Whiteside, Henry, 
Lee, Rock Island, Stark, Mercer, Henderson, 
Warren, Knox, McDonough, Hancock; Seventh 
— Putnam, Marshall, Woodford, Cass, Tazewell, 
Mason, Menard, Scott, Morgan, Logan, Sangamon. 

The next Congressional apportionment (August 
22, 1852) divided the State into nine districts, as 
follows — the first election under it being held the 
following November : First — Lake, McHenry, 
Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Car- 
roll, Ogle ; Second — Cook, Du Page, Kane, De 
Kalb, Lee, Whiteside, Rock Island; Third — 
Will, Kendall, Grundy, Livingston, La Salle, 
Putnam, Bureau, Vermilion, Iroquois, Cham- 
paign, McLean, De Witt; Fourth — Fulton, 
Peoria, Knox, Henry, Stark, Warren, Mercer, 
Marshall, Mason, Woodford, Tazewell; Fifth 
— Adams, Calhoun, Brown, Schuyler, Pike, Mc- 
Donough, Hancock, Henderson; Sixth — Morgan, 
Scott, Sangamon, Greene, Macoupin, Montgom- 
ery, Shelby, Christian, Cass, Menard, Jersey; 
Seventh — Logan, Macon, Piatt, Coles, Edgar, 
Moultrie, Cumberland, Crawford, Clark, Effing- 
ham, Jasper, Clay, Lawrence, Richland, Fayette; 
Eighth — Randolph, Monroe, St. Clair, Bond, 
Madison, Clinton, Washington, Jefferson, Mar- 
ion; Ninth — Alexander, Pulaski, Massac, Union, 
Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Gallatin, Saline, Jack- 
son, Perry, Franklin, Williamson, Hamilton, 
Edwards. White, Wayne, Wabash. 

The census of 1860 showed that Illinois was 
entitled to fourteen Representatives, but through 
an error the apportionment law of April 24, 1861, 
created only thirteen districts. This was com- 
pensated for by providing for the election of one 
Congressman for the State-at- large. The districts 
were as follows: First — Cook, Lake; Second — 
McHenry, Boone, Winnebago, De Kalb, and 
Kane; Third — Jo Daviess, Stephenson, White- 
side, Carroll, Ogle, Lee; Fourth — Adams, Han- 
cock, Warren, Mercer, Henderson, Rock Island; 
Fifth — Peoria, Knox, Stark, Marshall, Putnam, 
Bureau, Henry; Sixth— La Salle, Grundy, Ken- 
dall, Du Page, Will, Kankakee; Seventh — 
Macon, Piatt, Champaign, Douglas, Moultrie, 
Cumberland, Vermilion, Coles, Edgar, Iroquois, 
Ford; Eighth — Sangamon, Logan, De Witt, Mc- 
Lean, Tazewell, Woodford, Livingston; Ninth — 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



21 



Fulton, Mason, Menard, Cass, Pike, McDonough, 
Schuyler, Brown ; Tenth — Bond, Morgan, Cal- 
houn, Macoupin, Scott, Jersey, Greene, Christian, 
Montgomery, Shelby ; Eleventh — Marion, Fay- 
ette, Richland, Jasper, Clay, Clark, Crawford, 
Franklin, Lawrence, Hamilton, Effingham, 
Wayne, Jefferson; Twelfth — St. Clair, Madison, 
Clinton, Monroe, Washington, Randolph; 
Thirteenth — Alexander, Pulaski, Union, Perry, 
Johnson, Williamson, Jackson, Massac, Pope, 
Hardin, Gallatin, Saline, White, Edwards, 
Wabash. 

Tlie next reapportionment was made July 1, 
1872. The Act created nineteen districts, as fol- 
lows: First — The first seven wards in Chicago 
and thirteen towns in Cook County, with the 
county of Du Page; Second — -Wards Eighth to 
Fifteenth (inclusive) in Chicago; Third — Wards 
Sixteenth to Twentieth in Chicago, the remainder 
of Cook County, and Lake County; Fourth — 
Kane, De Kalb, McHenry, Boone, and Winne- 
bago; Fifth — Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, 
Ogle, Whiteside; Sixth — Henry, Rock Island, 
Putnam, Bureau, Lee; Seventh — La Salle, Ken- 
dall, Grundy, Will; Eighth — Kankakee, Iroquois, 
Ford, Marshall, Livingston, Woodford; Ninth — 
Stark, Peoria, Knox, Fulton; Tenth — Mercer, 
Henderson, Warren, McDonough, Hancock, 
Schuyler; Eleventh- — Adams, Brown, Calhoun, 
Greene, Pike, Jersey; Twelfth — Scott, Morgan, 
Menard, Sangamon, Cass, Christian ; Thirteenth — 
Mason, Tazewell, McLean, Logan, De Witt ; Four- 
teenth — Macon, Piatt, Champaign, Douglas, Coles, 
Vermilion; Fifteenth — Edgar, Clark, Cumber- 
land, Shelby, Moultrie, Effingham, Lawrence, 
Jasper, Crawford ; Sixteenth — Montgomery, 
Fayette, Washington, Bond, Clinton, Marion, 
Clay; Seventeenth — Macoupin, Madison, St. 
Clair, Monroe ; Eighteenth — Randolph, Perry, 
Jackson, Union, Johnson, Williamson, Alex- 
ander, Pope, Massac, Pulaski; Nineteenth — 
Richland, Wayne, Edwards, White, Wabash, 
Saline, Gallatin, Hardin, Jefferson, Franklin, 
Hamilton. 

In 1882 (by Act of April 29) the number of dis- 
tricts was increased to twenty, and the bound- 
aries determined as follows; First — Wards First 
to Fourth (inclusive) in Chicago and thirteen 
towns in Cook County; Second — Wards 5th to 
7th and part of 8th in Chicago; Third — Wards 
9th to 14th and part of 8th in Chicago; Fourth 
— The remainder of the City of Chicago and of 
the county of Cook; Fifth — Lake, McHenry, 
Boone, Kane, and De Kalb; Sixth — Winnebago, 
Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Ogle, and Carroll; 



Seventh — Lee, Whiteside, Henry, Bureau, Put- 
nam; Eighth — La Salle. Kendall Grundy, Du 
Page, and Will; Ninth — Kankakee, Iroquois, 
Ford, Livingston, Woodford, Marshall; Tenth — ■ 
Peoria, Knox, Stark, Fulton ; Eleventh — Rock 
Island, Mercer, Henderson, Warren, Hancock, 
McDonough, Schuyler; Twelfth — Cass, Brown, 
Adams, Pike, Scott, Greene, Calhoun, Jersey ; 
Thirteenth — Tazewell, Mason, Menard, Sanga- 
mon, Morgan, Christian; Fourteenth — McLean, 
De Witt, Piatt, Macon, Logan ; Fifteenth — 
Coles, Edgar, Douglas, Vermilion, Champaign; 
Sixteenth — Cumberland, Clark, Jasper, Clay, 
Crawford, Richland, Lawrence, Wayne, Edwards, 
Wabash ; Seventeenth — Macoupin, Montgomery, 
Moultrie, Shelby, Effingham, Fayette; Eight- 
eenth — Bond, Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Wash- 
ington; Nineteenth — Marion, Clinton, Jefferson, 
Saline, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Gallatin, Har- 
din ; Twentieth — Perry, Randolph, Jackson, 
Union, Williamson, Johnson, Alexander, Pope, 
Pulaski, Massac. 

The census of 1890 showed the State to be entit- 
led to twenty-two Representatives. No reap- 
portionment, however, was made until June, 
1893, two members from the State-at-large being 
elected in 1892. The existing twenty-two Con- 
gressional districts are as follows: The first 
seven districts comprise the counties of Cook and 
Lake, the latter lying wholly in the Seventh dis- 
trict ; Eighth — McHenry, De Kalb, Kane, Du 
Page, Kendall, Grundy ; Ninth — Boone, Winne- 
bago, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle, Lee ; 
Tenth — Whiteside, Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, 
Stark, Knox ; Eleventh — Bureau, La Salle, 
Livingston, Woodford; Twelfth — Will, Kanka- 
kee, Iroquois, Vermilion ; Thirteenth — Ford, Mc- 
Lean, DeWitt, Piatt, Champaign, Douglas; Four- 
teenth — Putnam, Marshall, Peoria, Fulton, 
Tazewell, Mason ; Fifteenth — Henderson, War- 
ren, Hancock, McDonough, Adams, Brown, 
Schuyler ; Sixteenth — Cass, Morgan, Scott, 
Pike, Greene, Macoupin, Calhoun, Jersey; 
Seventeenth — Menard, Logan, Sangamon, Macon, 
Christian ; Eighteenth — Madison, Montgomery, 
Bond, Fayette, Shelby, Moultrie; Nineteenth- 
Coles, Edgar, Clark, Cumberland, Effingham, 
Jasper, Crawford, Richland, Lawrence; Twenti- 
eth — Clay, Jefferson, Wayne, Hamilton, Ed- 
wards, Wabash, Franklin, White, Gallatin, 
Hardin; Twenty first — Marion, Clinton, Wash- 
ington, St. Clair. Monroe, Randolph, Perry; 
Twenty-second — Jackson, Union, Alexander, 
Pulaski, Johnson, Williamson, Saline, Pope, 
Massac. (See also Representatives in Congress. ) 



22 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ARCHER, William B., pioneer, was born in 
Warren County, Ohio, in 1792, and taken to Ken- 
tucky at an early day, where he remained until 
1817, when his family removed to Illinois, finally 
settling in what is now Clark County. Although 
pursuing the avocation of a farmer, he became 
one of the most prominent and influential men in 
that part of the State. On the organization of 
Clark County in 1819, he was appointed the first 
County and Circuit Clerk, resigning the former 
office in 1820 and the latter in 1822. In 1824 he 
was elected to the lower branch of the General 
Assembly, and two years later to the State 
Senate, serving continuously in the latter eight 
years. He was thus a Senator on the breaking 
out of the Black Hawk War (1832), in which he 
served as a Captain of militia. In 1834 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant-Governor ; 
>vas appointed by Governor Duncan, in 1835, a 
member of the first Board of Commissioners of 
r,he Illinois & Michigan Canal; in 1838 was 
returned a second time to the House of Repre- 
sentatives and re-elected in 1840 and '46 to the 
same body. Two years later (1848) he was again 
elected Circuit Clerk, remaining until 1852, and 
in 1854 was an Anti-Nebraska Whig candidate 
for Congress in opposition to James C. Allen. 
Although Allen received the certificate of elec- 
tion, Archer contested his right to the seat, with 
the result that Congress declared the seat vacant 
and referred the question back to the people. In 
a new election held in August, 1856, Archer was 
defeated and Allen elected. He held no public 
office of importance after this date, but in 1856 
was a delegate to the first Republican National 
Convention at Philadelphia, and in that body was 
an enthusiastic supporter of Abraham Lincoln, 
whose zealous friend and admirer he was, for the 
office of Vice-President. He was also one of the 
active promoters of various railroad enterprises 
in that section of the State, especially the old 
Chicago & Vincennes Road, the first projected 
southward from the City of Chicago. His con- 
nection with the Illinois & Michigan Canal was 
die means of giving his name to Archer Avenue, 
a somewhat famous thoroughfare in Chicago 
fle was of tall stature and great energ}- of char- 
acter, with a tendency to enthusiasm that com- 
municated itself to others. A local histoiy has 
said of him that "he did more for Clark County 
chan any man in his day or since," although "no 
consideration, pecuniar}- or otherwise, was ever 
given him for his services." Colonel Archer was 
one of the founders of Marshall, the county-seat 
of Clark County, Governor Duncan being associ- 



ated with him in the ownership of the land on 
which the town was laid out. His death oc- 
curred in Clark County, August 9, 1870, at the 
age of 78 years. 

ARCOLA, incorporated city in Douglas County, 
158 miles south of Chicago, at junction of Illinois 
Central and Terre Haute branch Vandalia Rail- 
road ; is center of largest broom-corn producing 
region in the world; has city waterworks, with 
efficient volunteer fire department, electric lights, 
telephone system, grain elevators and broom- 
corn warehouses, two banks, three newspapers, 
nine churches, library building and excellent free 
school system. Pop. (1890), 1,733; (1900), 1,995. 

ARENZ, Francis A., pioneer, was born at 
Blankenberg, in the Province of the Rhein, 
Prussia, Oct. 31, 1800; obtained a good education 
and, while a young man, engaged in mercantile 
business in his native country. In 1827 he came 
to the United States and, after spending two 
years in Kentucky, in 1829 went to Galena, where 
he was engaged for a short time in the lead 
trade. He took an early opportunity to become 
naturalized, and coming to Beardstown a few 
months later, went into merchandising and real 
estate; also became a contractor for furnishing 
supplies to the State troops during the Black Hawk 
War, Beardstown being at the time a rendezvous 
and shipping point. In 1834 he began the publi- 
cation of "The Beardstown Chronicle and Illinois 
Bounty Land Register," and was the projector of 
the Beardstown & Sangamon Canal, extending 
from the Illinois River at Beardstown to Miller's 
Ferry on the Sangamon, for which he secured a 
special charter from the Legislature in 1836. He 
had a survey of the line made, but the hard times 
prevented the beginning of the work and it was 
finally abandoned. Retiring from the mercantile 
business in 1835, he located on a farm six miles 
southeast of Beardstown, but in 1839 removed to 
a tract of land near the Morgan County line 
which he had bought in 1833, and on which the 
present village of Arenzville now stands. This 
became the center of a thrifty agricultural com- 
munity composed largely of Germans, among 
whom he exercised a large influence. Resuming 
the mercantile business here, he continued it 
until about 1853, when he sold out a considerable 
part of his possessions. An ardent Whig, he was 
elected as such to the lower branch of the Four- 
teenth General Assembly (1844) from Morgan 
County, and during the following session suc- 
ceeded in securing the passage of an act by which. 
a strip of territory three miles wide in the north- 
ern part of Morgan County, including the village 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



23 



of Arenzville, and which had been in dispute, 
was transferred by vote of the citizens to Cass 
County. In 1852 Mr. Arenz visited his native 
land, by appointment of President Fillmore, as 
bearer of dispatches to the American legations at 
Berlin and Vienna. He was one of the founders 
of the Illinois State Agricultural Society of 1853, 
and served as the Vice-President for his district 
until his death, and was also the founder and 
President of the Cass County Agricultural Soci- 
ety. Died, April 2, 1856. 

ARLINGTON, a village of Bureau County, on 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 92 
miles west of Chicago. Population (1880), 447; 
(1890), 436: (1900), 400. 

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS (formerly Dunton), a 
village of Cook County, on the Chicago & North- 
western Railway, 22 miles northwest of Chicago; 
is in a dairying district and has several cheese 
factories, besides a sewing machine factory, 
hotels and churches, a graded school, a bank and 
one newspaper. Population (1880), 995; (1890), 
1,424; (1900), 1,380. 

ARMOUR, Philip Danforth, packer, Board of 
Trade operator and capitalist, was born at Stock- 
bridge, Madison County, N. Y., May 16, 1832. 
After receiving the benefits of such education as 
the village academy afforded, in 1852 he set out 
across the Plains to California, where he re- 
mained four years, achieving only moderate suc- 
cess as a miner. Returning east in 1856, he soon 
after embarked in the commission business in 
Milwaukee, continuing until 1863, when he 
formed a partnership with Mr. John Plankinton 
in the meat-packing business. Later, in conjunc- 
tion with his brothers — H. O. Armour having 
already built up an extensive grain commission 
trade in Chicago — he organized the extensive 
packing and commission firm of Armour & 
Co., with branches in New York, Kansas City 
and Chicago, their headquarters being removed 
to the latter place from Milwaukee in 1875. 
Mr. Armour is a most industrious and me- 
thodical business man, giving as many hours 
to the superintendence of business details as the 
most industrious day-laborer, the result being 
seen in the creation of one of the most extensive 
and prosperous firms in the country. Mr. 
Armour's practical benevolence has been demon- 
strated in a munificent manner by his establish- 
ment and endowment of the Armour Institute 
(a manual training school) in Chicago, at a cost 
of over $2,250,000, as an offshoot of the Armour 
Mission founded on the bequest of his deceased 
brother, Joseph F. Armour. Died Jau. G, 1901. 



ARMSTRONG, John Strawn, pioneer, born in 
Somerset County, Pa., May 29, 1810, the oldest of 
a family of nine sons; was taken by his parents 
in 1811 to Licking County, Ohio, where he spent 
his childhood and early youth. His father was a 
native of Ireland and his mother a sister of Jacob 
Strawn, afterwards a wealthy stock-grower and 
dealer in Morgan County. In 1829, John S. came 
to Tazewell County, 111., but two years later 
joined the rest of his family in Putnam (now 
Marshall) County, all finally removing to La 
Salle County, where they were among the earli- 
est settlers. Here he settled on a farm in 1834, 
where he continued to reside over fifty years, 
when he located in the village of Sheridan, but 
early in 1897 went to reside with a daughter in 
Ottawa. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk 
War, has been a prominent and influential farm- 
er, and, in the later years of his life, has been 
a leader in "Granger" politics, being Master of his 
local "Grange," and also serving as Treasurer of 
the State Grange. — George Washington (Arm- 
strong), brother of the preceding, was born upon 
the farm of his parents, Joseph and Elsie (Strawn) 
Armstrong, in Licking County, Ohio, Dec. 9, 
1812; learned the trade of a weaver with his 
father (who was a woolen manufacturer), and at 
the age of 18 was in charge of the factory 
Early in 1831 he came with his mother's family 
to Illinois, locating a few months later in La 
Salle County. In 1832 he served with his older 
brother as a soldier in the Black Hawk War, was 
identified with the earl}- steps for the construc- 
tion of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, finally be- 
coming a contractor upon the section at Utica, 
where he resided several years. He then returned 
to the farm near the present village of Seneca, 
where he had located in 1833, and where (with 
the exception of his residence at Utica) he has 
resided continuously over sixty-five years. In 
1844 Mr. Armstrong was elected to the lower 
branch of the Fourteenth General Assembly, 
also served in the Constitutional Convention of 
1847 and, in 1858, was the unsuccessful Democratic 
candidate for Congress in opposition to Owen 
Lovejoy. Re-entering the Legislature in 1860 as 
Representative from La Salle County, he served 
in that body by successive re-elections until 1868, 
proving one of its ablest and most influential 
members, as well as an accomplished parliamen- 
tarian. Mr. Armstrong was one of the original 
promoters of the Kankakee & Seneca Railroad. — 
William E. (Armstrong), third brother of this 
family, was born in Licking County. Ohio, Oct. 
25, 1814; came to Illinois with the rest of the 



24 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



family in 1831, and resided in La Salle County 
until 1841, meanwhile serving two or three terms 
as Sheriff of the county. The latter year he was 
appointed one of the Commissioners to locate the 
county-seat of the newly-organized county of 
Grundy, finally becoming one of the founders and 
the first permanent settler of the town of Grundy 
— later called Morris, in honor of Hon. I. N. Mor- 
ris, of Quincy, 111, at that time one of the Com- 
missioners of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. 
Here Mr. Armstrong was again elected to the 
office of Sheriff, serving several terms. So ex- 
tensive was his influence in Grundy County, that 
he was popularly known as "The Emperor of 
Grundy." Died, Nov. 1, 1850— Joel W. (Arm- 
strong), a fourth brother, was born in Licking 
County, Ohio, Jan. 6, 1817; emigrated in boyhood 
to La Salle County, 111. ; served one term as 
County Recorder, was member of the Board of 
Supervisors for a number of years and the first 
Postmaster of his town. Died, Dec. 3, 1871. — 
Perry A. (Armstrong), the seventh brother of 
this historic family, was born near Newark, Lick- 
ing County, Ohio, April 15, 1823, and came to La 
Salle County, 111., in 1831. His opportunities for 
acquiring an education in a new country were 
limited, but between work on the farm and serv- 
ice as a clerk of his brother George, aided by a 
short term in an academy and as a teacher in 
Kendall Coimty, he managed to prepare himself 
for college, entering Illinois College at Jackson- 
ville in 1843. Owing to failure of health, he was 
compelled to abandon his plan of obtaining a col- 
legiate education and returned home at the end 
of his Freshman year, but continued his studies, 
meanwhile teaching district schools in the winter 
and working on his mother's farm during the 
crop season, until 1845, when he located in Mor- 
ris, Grundy County, opened a general store and 
was appointed Postmaster. He has been in pub- 
lic position of some sort ever since he reached his 
majority, including the offices of School Trustee, 
Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, Supervisor, 
County Clerk (two terms), Delegate to the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1862, and two terms as 
Representative in the General Assembly (1862-64 
and 1872-74). During his last session in the Gen- 
eral Assembly he took a conspicuous part in the 
revision of the statutes under the Constitution of 
1870, framing some of the most important laws 
on the statute book, while participating in the 
preparation of others. At an earlier date it fell 
to his lot to draw up the original charters of the 
Chicago & Rock Island, the Illinois Central, and 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads. He 



has also been prominent in Odd Fellow and 
Masonic circles, having been Grand Master of the 
first named order in the State and being the old- 
est 32d degree Mason in Illinois; was admitted to 
the State bar in 1864 and to that of the Supreme 
Court of the United States in 1868, and has been 
Master in Chancery for over twenty consecutive 
years. Mr. Armstrong has also found time to do 
some literary work, as shown by his history of 
"The Sauks and Black Hawk War," and a num- 
ber of poems. He takes much pleasure in relat- 
ing reminiscences of pioneer life in Illinois, one 
of which is the story of his first trip from 
Ottawa to Chicago, in December, 1831, when he 
accompanied his oldest brother (William E. 
Armstrong) to Chicago with a sled and ox- 
team for salt to cure their mast- fed pork, the 
trip requiring ten days. His recollection is, that 
there were but three white families in Chicago 
at that time, but a large number of Indians 
mixed with half-breeds of French and Indian 
origin. 

ARNOLD, Isaac N., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born near Cooperstown, N. Y., Nov. 30, 1813, 
being descended from one of the companions of 
Roger Williams. Thrown upon his own resources 
at an early age, he was largely "self-made." 
He read law at Cooperstown, and was admitted 
to the bar in 1835. The next year he removed to 
Chicago, was elected the first City Clerk in 1837, 
but resigned before the close of the year and was 
admitted to the bar of Illinois in 1841. He soon 
established a reputation as a lawyer, and served 
for three terms (the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and 
Twentieth) in the lower house of the Legisla- 
ture. In 1844 he was a Presidential Elector on 
the Polk ticket, but the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise, with the legislation regarding Kan- 
sas and Nebraska, logically forced him, as a free- 
soiler, into the ranks of the Republican party, by 
which he was sent to Congress from 1801 to 1865. 
While in Congress he prepared and delivered an 
exhaustive argument in support of the right of 
confiscation by the General Government. After 
the expiration of his last Congressional term, Mr. 
Arnold returned to Chicago, where he resided 
until Lis death, April 24, 1884. He was of schol- 
arly instincts, fond of literature and an author of 
repute. Among his best known works are his 
"Life of Abraham Lincoln" and his "Life of 
Benedict Arnold." 

ARRUVGTON, Alfred W., clergyman, lawyer 
and author, was born in Iredell County, N. C. , 
September, 1810, being the son of a Whig mem- 
ber of Congress from that State. In 1829 he was 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



25 



received on trial as a Methodist preacher and 
became a circuit-rider in Indiana ; during 1832-33 
served as an itinerant in Missouri, gaining much 
celebrity by his eloquence. In 1834 he began the 
study of law, and having been admitted to the 
bar, practiced for several years in Arkansas, 
where he was sent to the Legislature, and, in 1844, 
was the Whig candidate for Presidential Elec- 
tor. Later he removed to Texas, where lie served 
as Judge for six years. In 1856 he removed to 
Madison, Wis. , but a year later came to Chicago, 
where he attained distinction as a lawyer, dying 
in that city Dec. 31, 1867. He was an accom- 
plished scholar and gifted writer, having written 
much for "The Democratic Review" and "The 
Southern Literary Messenger, " over the signature 
of "Charles Summerfield," and was author of an 
"Apostrophe to Water," which he put in the 
mouth of an itinerant Methodist preacher, and 
which John B. Gough was accustomed to quote 
with great effect. A volume of his poems with a 
memoir was published in Chicago in 1869. 

ARROWSMITH, a village of McLean County, 
on the Lake Erie & Western Railway, 20 miles 
east of Bloomington ; is in an agricultural and 
stock region; has one newspaper. Population 
(1890), 420; (1900), 317. 

ARTHUR, village in Moultrie and Douglas 
Counties, at junction of Chicago & Eastern Illi- 
nois and Terre Haute & Peoria Division Vandalia 
Line ; is center of broom-corn belt ; lias two 
banks, a weekly newspaper. Population (1900), 
858; (est. 1904), 1,000. 

ASAY, Edward (J., lawyer, was born in Phila- 
delphia, Sept. 17, 1825; was educated in private 
schools and entered the ministry of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church ; later spent some time in the 
South, but in 1853 retired from the ministry and 
began the study of law, meantime devoting a part 
of his time to mercantile business in New York 
City. He was admitted to the bar in 1856, remov- 
ing the same year to Chicago, where he built up 
a lucrative practice. He was a brilliant speaker 
and became eminent, especially as a criminal 
lawyer. Politically he was a zealous Democrat 
and was the chief attorney of Buckner S. Morris 
and others during their trial for conspiracy in 
connection with the Camp Douglas affair of No- 
vember, 1864. During 1871-72 he made an ex- 
tended trip to Europe, occupying some eighteen 
months, making a second visit in 1882. His later 
years were spent chiefly on a farm in Ogle 
County. Died in Chicago, Nov. 24, 1898. 

ASBURY, Henry, lawyer, was born in Harri- 
son (now Robertson) County, Ky., August 10, 



1810; came to Illinois in 1834, making the jour- 
ney on horseback and finally locating in Quincy, 
where he soon after began the study of law with 
the Hon. O. H. Bro vning; was admitted to the 
bar in 1837, being tor a time the partner of Col. 
Edward D. Baksr, afterwards United States 
Senator from Oregon and finally killed at Ball's 
Bluff in 1862. In 1849 Mr. Asbury was appointed 
by President Taylor Register of the Quincy Land 
Office, and, in 1864-65, served by appointment of 
President Lincoln (who was his close personal 
friend) as Provost-Marshal of the Quincy dis- 
trict, thereby obtaining the title of "Captain," 
by which he was widely known among his 
friends. Later he served for several years as 
Registrar in Bankruptcy at Quincy, which was 
his last official position. Originally a Kentucky 
Whig, Captain Asbury was one of the founders 
of the Republican party in Illinois, acting in co- 
operation with Abram Jonas, Archibald Williams. 
Nehemiah Bushnell, O. H. Browning and others 
of his immediate neighbors, and with Abraham 
Lincoln, with whom he was a frequent corre- 
spondent at that period. Messrs. Nicolay and 
Hay, in their Life of Lincoln, award him the 
credit of having suggested one of the famous 
questions propounded by Lincoln to Douglas 
which gave the latter so much trouble during 
the memorable debates of 1858. In 1886 Captain 
Asbury removed to Chicago, where he continued 
to reside until his death, Nov. 19, 1896. 

ASHLAJiD, a town in Cass County, at the 
intersection of the Chicago & Alton and the 
Baltimore & Ohio South-Western Railroad, 21 
miles west-northwest of Springfield and 200 
miles southwest of Chicago. It is in the midst of 
a rich agricultural region, and is an important 
shipping point for grain and stock. It has a 
bank, three churches and a weekly newspaper. 
Coal is mined in the vicinity. Population (1880), 
609; (1890), 1,045; (1900), 1,201. 

ASHLEY, a city of Washington County, at 
intersection of Illinois Central and Louisville & 
Nashville Railways, 62 miles east by southeast of 
St. Louis; is in an agricultural and fruit growing 
region; has some manufactures, electric light 
plant and excellent granitoid sidewalks. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,035; (1900), 953. 

ASHMORE, a village of Coles County, on the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Rail- 
way, 9 miles east of Charleston ; has a newspaper 
and considerable local trade. Population (1890), 
446, (1900), 487; (1903), 520. 

ASHTON, a village of Lee County, on the Chi- 
cago & North-Western Railroad, 84 miles west of 



26 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Chicago; lias one newspaper. Population (1880), 
646; (1890), 680; (1900), 770. 

ASPINWALL, Homer F., farmer and legisla- 
tor, was born in Stephenson County. 111., Nov. 15, 
1846, educated in the Freeport high school, and, 
in early life, spent two years in a wholesale 
notion store, later resuming the occupation of a 
farmer. After holding various local offices, in- 
cluding that of member of the Board of Supervis- 
ors of Stephenson County, in 1892 Mr. Aspinwall 
was elected to the State Senate and re-elected in 
1896. Soon after the beginning of the Spanish 
American War in 1898, he was appointed by 
President McKinley Captain and Assistant 
Quartermaster in the Volunteer Army, but 
before being assigned to duty accepted the Lieu- 
tenant-Colonelcy of the Twelfth Illinois Pro- 
visional Regiment. When it became evident that 
the regiment would not be called into the service, 
he was assigned to the command of the "Mani- 
toba,'" a large transport steamer, which carried 
some 12.000 soldiers to Cuba and Porto Rico with- 
out a single accident. In view of the approach- 
ing session of the Forty-first General Assembly, 
it being apparent that the war was over, Mr. 
Aspinwall applied for a discharge, which was 
refused, a 20-days" leave of absence being granted 
instead. A discharge was finally granted about 
the middle of February, when he resumed his 
seat in the Senate. Mr. Aspinwall owns and 
operates a large farm near Freeport. 

ASSUMPTION, a town in Christian County, on 
the Illinois Central Railroad, 23 miles south by 
west from Decatur and 9 miles north of Pana. 
It is situated in a rich agricultural and coal min- 
ing district, and has two banks, five churches, a 
public school, two weekly papers and coal mines. 
Population (1880), 706; (1890), 1,076; (1900), 1,702. 

ASTORIA, town in Fulton County, on Rock 
Island & St. Louis Division C, B. & Q. R. R. ; 
has city waterworks, electric light plant, tele- 
phone exchange, three large grain elevators, 
pressed brick works; six churches, two banks, 
two weekly papers, city hall and park, and good 
schools; is in a coal region; business portion is 
built of brick. Pop. (1890), 1,357; (1900), 1,684. 

ATCHISON, TOPEKA & SANTA FE RAIL- 
WAY COMPANY. This Company operates three 
subsidiary lines in Illinois — the Chicago, Santa 
Fe & California, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa 
Fe in Chicago, and the Mississippi River Rail- 
road & Toll Bridge, which are operated as a 
through line between Chicago and Kansas City, 
with a branch from Ancona to Pekin, 111., hav- 
ing an aggregate operated mileage of 515 miles, of 



which 295 are in Illinois. The total earnings and 
income for the year ending June 30, 1895, were 
81,298,600, while the operating expenses and fixed 
charges amounted to §2,360,706. The accumu- 
lated deficit on the whole line amounted, June 30, 
1894, to more than $4,500,000. The total capitali- 
zation of the whole line in 1895 was 852,775.251. 
The parent road was chartered in 1859 under the 
name of the Atchison & Topeka Railroad; but in 
1863 was changed to the Atchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe Railroad. The construction of the main 
line was begun in 1859 and completed in 1873. 
The largest number of miles operated was in 
1893, being 7,481.65. January 1, 1896, the road 
was reorganized under the name of The Atchison, 
Topeka & Santa Fe Railw-ay Company (its present 
name), which succeeded by purchase under fore- 
closure (Dec. 10, 1895) to the property and fran 
chises of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 
Railroad Company. Its mileage, in 1895, was 
6,481.65 miles. The executive and general officers 
of the system (1898) are: 

Aldace F. Walker, Chairman of the Board, 
New York; E. P. Ripley, President, Chicago; C. 
M. Higginson, Ass't to the President, Chicago; 
E. D. Kenna, 1st Vice-President and General 
Solicitor, Chicago; Paul Morton, 2d Vice-Presi- 
dent, Chicago; E. Wilder, Secretary and Treas- 
urer, Topeka ; L. C. Deming, Assistant Secretary, 
New York; H. W. Gardner, Assistant Treasurer, 
New Y'ork; Victor Morawetz, General Counsel, 
New York; Jno. P. Whitehead, Comptroller, 
New Y'ork; H. C. Whitehead, General Auditor, 
Chicago; W. B. Biddle, Freight Traffic Manager, 
Chicago; J. J. Frey, General Manager, Topeka; 
H. W. Mudge, General Superintendent, Topeka; 
W. A. Bissell, Assistant Freight Traffic Manager, 
Chicago; W. F. White, Passenger Traffic 
Manager, Chicago; Geo. T. Nicholson, Assistant 
Passenger Traffic Manager, Chicago; W. E. 
Hodges, General Purchasing Agent, Chicago; 
James A. Davis, Industrial Commissioner, Chi- 
cago ; James Dun, Chief Engineer, Topeka, Kan. ; 
John Player, Superintendent of Machinery, 
Topeka. Kan. ; C. W. Kouns, Superintendent Car 
Service, Topeka, Kan. ; J. S. Hobson, Signal 
Engineer, Topeka; C. G. Sholes, Superintendent 
of Telegraph, Topeka, Kan. ; C. W. Ryus, General 
Claim Agent, Topeka ; F. C. Gay, General Freight 
Agent, Topeka; C. R. Hudson, Assistant General 
Freight Agent, Topeka; W. J. Black, General 
Passenger Agent, Chicago; P. Walsh, General 
Baggage Agent, Chicago. 

ATHENS, an incorporated city and coalmining 
town in Menard County, on the Chicago, Peoria 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



27 



& St. Louis R. R. , north by northwest of Spring- 
field. It is also the center of a prosperous agri- 
cultural and stock-raising district, and large 
numbers of cattle are shipped there for the Chi- 
cago market. The place has an electric lighting 
plant, brickyards, two machine shops, two grain 
elevators, five churches, one newspaper, and good 
schools. Athens is one of the oldest towns in 
Central Illinois. Pop. (1890), 944; (1900), 1,535. 
ATKINS, Smith D., soldier and journalist, was 
born near Elmira, N. Y. , June 9, 183G ; came with 
his father to Illinois in 1846, and lived on a farm 
till 1850 ; was educated at Rock River Seminary, 
Mount Morris, meanwhile learning the printer's 
trade, and afterwards established "The Savanna 
Register" in Carroll County. In 1854 he began 
the study of law, and in 1800, while practicing at 
Freeport, was elected Prosecuting Attorney, but 
resigned in 1861, being the first man to enlist as a 
private soldier in Stephenson Count}'. He served 
as a Captain of the Eleventh Illinois Volunteers 
(three-months' men), re-enlisted with the same 
rank for three years and took part in the capture 
of Fort Donelson and the battle of Shiloh, serv- 
ing at the latter on the staff of General Hurlbut. 
Forced to retire temporarily on account of his 
health, he next engaged in raising volunteers in 
Northern Illinois, was finally commissioned Col- 
onel of the Ninety-second Illinois, and, in June, 
1863, was assigned to command of a brigade in 
the Army of Kentucky, later serving in the Army 
of the Cumberland. On the organization of Sher- 
man's great "March to the Sea," he efficiently 
cooperated in it, was brevetted Brigadier-General 
for gallantry at Savannah, and at the close of the 
war, by special order of President Lincoln, was 
brevetted Major -General. Since the war, Gen- 
eral Atkins' chief occupation has been that of 
editor of "The Freeport Journal," though, for 
nearly twenty-four years, he served as Post- 
master of that city. He took a prominent part 
in the erection of the Stephenson Count}' Sol- 
diers' Monument at Freeport, has been President 
of the Freeport Public Library since its organiza- 
tion, member of the Board of Education, and since 
1895, by appointment of the Governor of Illinois, 
one of the Illinois Commissioners of the Chicka- 
mauga and Chattanooga Military Park. 

ATKINSON, village of Henry County, on the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, 39 miles 
east of Rock Island; has an electric light plant, a 
bank and a newspaper. Pop. (1890), 534; (1900). 762. 

ATLANTA, a city of Logan County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad, 20 miles southwest of 
Bloomingtou. It stands on a high, fertile prairie 



and the surrounding region is rich in coal, as. 
well as a productive agricultural and stock-rais- 
ing district. It has a water-works system, elec- 
tric light plant, five churches, a graded school, a 
weekly paper, two banks, a flouring mill, aud is 
the headquarters of the Union Agricultural So- 
ciety established in 1860. Population (1900). 1,270. 
ATLAS, a liamlet in the southwestern part of 
Pike County, 10 miles southwest of Pittsfield and 
three miles from Rockport, the nearest station on 
the Quincy & Louisiana Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Atlas has an in- 
teresting history. It was settled by Col. William 
Ross and four brothers, who came here from 
Pittsfield, Mass., in the latter part of 1819, or 
early in 1820, making there the first settlement 
within the present limits of Pike County. The 
town was laid out by the Rosses in 1823, and the 
next year the county-seat was removed thither 
from Coles Grove — now in Calhoun County — but 
which had been the first county-seat of Pike 
County, when it comprised all the territory lying 
north and west of the Illinois River to the Mis- 
sissippi River and the Wisconsin State line. 
Atlas remained the county-seat until 1833, when 
the seat of justice was removed to Pittsfield. 
During a part of that time it was one of the 
most important points in the western part of the 
State, and was, for a time, a rival of Quincy. 
It now has only a postoffice and general store. 
The population, according to the census of 1890, 
was 52. 

ATTORNEYS-GENERAL. The following is a 
list of the Attorneys- General of Illinois under the 
Territorial and State Governments, down to the 
present time (1899), with the date and duration of 
the term of each incumbent: 

Territorial — Benjamin H. Doyle, July to De- 
cember, 1809; John J. Crittenden, Dec. 30 to 
April, 1810; Thomas T. Crittenden, April to 
October, 1810; Benj. M. Piatt, October, 1810-13; 
William Mears, 1813-18. 

State — Daniel Pope Cook, March 5 to Dec. 14, 
1819; William Mears, 1819-21; Samuel D. Lock- 
wood, 1821-23; James Turney, 1823-29; George 
Forquer, 1829-33; James Semple, 1833-34; NiniaJi 
W. Edwards, 1834-35; Jesse B. Thomas, Jr., 
1835-36; Walter B. Seates, 1836-37; Usher F. 
Linder, 1837-38; George W. Olney, 1838-39; V.'ick- 
liffe Kitchell, 1839-40; Josiah Lamborn, 1840-43; 
James Allen McDougal, 1843-46; David B. Camp- 
bell, 1846-48. 

The Constitution of 1848 made no provision for 
the continuance of the office, and for nineteen 
years it remained vacant. It was re-created, 



28 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



bowever, by legislative enactment in 1867, and 
mi Feb. 28 of that year Governor Oglesby 
appointed Robert G. Ingersoli, of Peoria, to dis 
charge the duties of the position, which he con- 
tinued to do until 1809. Subsequent incumbents 
of the office have been: Washington Bushnell, 
1869-73; James K. Edsall, 1873-81; James McCart- 
ney, 1881-85; George Hunt, 1885-93; M. T. Moloney, 
1893-97; Edward C. Akin, 1897 — . Under the 
first Constitution (1818) the office of Attorney- 
General was filled by appointment by the Legisla- 
ture; under the Constitution of 1848, as already 
stated, it ceased to exist until created by act of 
the Legislature of 1867, but, in 1870, it was made 
a constitutional office to be filled by popular 
election for a term of four years. 

ATWOOD, a village lying partly in Piatt and 
partly in Douglas County, on the Cincinnati, 
Hamilton & Dayton R. R., 27 miles east of Deca- 
tur. The region is agricultural and fruit-grow- 
ing; the town has two banks, an excellent school 
and a newspaper. Pop (1890), 530 ; (1900), 698. 

ATWOOD, Charles B., architect, was born at 
Jlillbury, Mass., May 18, 1849; at 17 began a full 
course in architecture at Harvard Scientific 
School, and, after graduation, received prizes for 
public buildings at San Francisco, Hartford and 
a number of other cities, besides furnishing 
designs for some of the finest private residences 
in the country. He was associated with D. H. 
Burnham in preparing plans for the Columbian 
Exposition buildings, at Chicago, for the World's 
Fair of 1893, and distinguished himself by pro- 
ducing plans for the "Art Building," the "Peri- 
style," the "Terminal Station" and other 
prominent structures. Died, in the midst of his 
highest successes as an architect, at Chicago, 
Dec. 19, 1895. 

AUBURN, a village of Sangarnon County, on 
the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 15 miles south of 
Springfield; has some manufactories of flour and 
farm implements, besides tile and brick works, 
two coal mines, electric light plant, two banks, 
several churches, a graded school and a weekly 
newspaper. Pop. (1890), 874; (1900), 1,281. 

AUDITORS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS. The 
Auditors of Public Accounts under the Terri- 
torial Government were H. H. Maxwell, 1812-16; 
Daniel P. Cook, 1816-17; Robert Blackwell, (April 
to August), 1817; Elijah C. Berry, 1817-18. Under 
the Constitution of 1818 the Auditor of Public 
Accounts was made appointive by the legislature, 
without limitation of term; but by the Constitu- 
tions of 1848 and 1870 the office was made 
elective by the people for a term of four years. 



The following is a list of the State Auditors 
from the date of the admission of the State into 
the Union down to the present time (1899), with 
the date and duration of the term of each: 
Elijah C. Berry, 1818-31; James T. B. Stapp, 
1831-35; Levi Davis, 1835-41; James Shields, 
1841-43; William Lee D. Ewlng ,843 46; Thomas 
H Campbell, 1846-57; Jesse K. Dubois, 1857-64; 
Orlin H. Miner, 1864-69; Charles E. Lippincott, 
1869-77 ; Thomas B. Needles, 1877-81 ; Charles P. 
Swigert, 1881-89; C. W. Pavey, 1889-93; David 
Gore. 1893-97; James S McCullough, 1897 — . 

AUGUSTA, a village in Augusta township, 
Hancock County, on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, 36 miles northeast of Quincy. 
Wagons and brick are the principal manufac- 
tures. The town has one newspaper, two banks, 
three churches and a graded school. The sur 
rounding country is a fertile agricultural region 
and abounds in a good quality of bituminous 
coal. Fine qualities of potter's clay and mineral 
paint are obtained here. Population (1890), 
1,077; (1900), 1,149. 

AUGUSTANA COLLEGE, an educational insti- 
tution controlled by the Evangelical Lutheran 
denomination, located at Rock Island and founded 
in 1863. Besides preparatory and collegiate de- 
partments, a theological school is connected with 
the institution. To the two first named, young 
women are admitted on an equality with 
men. More than 500 students were reported in 
attendance in 1896, about one-fourth being 
women. A majority of the latter were in the 
preparatory (or academic) department. The col- 
lege is not endowed, but owns property (real 
and personal) to the value of $250,000. It has a 
library of 12,000 volumes. 

AURORA, a city and important railroad cen- 
ter, Kane County, on Fox River, 39 miles south- 
west of Chicago; is location of principal shops of 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R., has fine 
water-power and many successful manufactories, 
including extensive boiler works, iron foundries, 
cotton and woolen mills, flour mills, silver-plat- 
ing works, corset, sash and door and carriage 
factories, stove and smelting works, establish- 
ments for turning out road-scrapers, buggy tops, 
and wood-working machinery. The city owns 
water- works and electric light plant; has six 
banks, four daily and several weekly papers, 
some twenty-five churches, excellent schools and 
handsome public library building; is connected 
by interurban electric lines with the principal 
towns and villages in the Fox River valley. 
Population (1890), 19.088; (1900), 24.147. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



29 



AUSTIN, a suburb of Chicago, in Cook County. 
It is accessible from that city by either the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern Railway, or by street 
railway lines. A weekly newspaper is issued, a 
graded school is supported (including a higli 
school department) and there are numerous 
churches, representing the various religious 
denominations. Population (1880), 1,359; (1890), 
4,031. Annexed to City of Chicago, 1899. 

AUSTIN COLLEGE, a mixed school at Effing- 
ham, 111., founded in 1890. It has eleven teachers 
and reports a total of 312 pupils for 1897-98—162 
males and 150 females. It has a library of 2,000 
volumes and reports property valued at $37,000. 

AUSTRALIAN BALLOT," a form of ballot for 
popular elections, thus named because it was 
first brought into use in Australia. It was 
adopted by act of the Legislature of Illinois in 
1891, and is applicable to the election of all public 
officers except Trustees of Schools, School Direct- 
ors, members of Boards of Education and officers 
of road districts in counties not under township 
organization. Under it, all ballots for the elec- 
tion of c fficers (except those just enumerated) 
are required to be printed and distributed to the 
election officers for use on the day of election, at 
public cost. These ballots contain the names, 
on the same sheet, of all candidates to be voted 
for at such election, such names having been 
formally certified previously to the Secretary of 
State (in the case of candidates for offices to be 
voted for by electors of the entire State or any 
district greater than a single county) or to the 
County Clerk (as to all others), by the presiding 
officer and secretary of the convention or caucus 
making such nominations, when the party repre- 
sented cast at least two per cent of the aggregate 
vote of the State or district at the preceding gen- 
eral election. Other names may be added to the 
ballot on the petition of a specified number of the 
legal voters under certain prescribed conditions 
named in the act. The duly registered voter, on 
presenting himself at the poll, is given a copy of 
the official ticket by one of the judges of election, 
upon which he proceeds to indicate his prefer- 
ence in a temporary booth or closet set apart for 
his use, by making a cross at the head of the col- 
umn of candidates for whom he wishes to vote, if 
he desires to vote for all of the candidates of the 
same party, or by a similar mark before the name 
of each individual for whom he wishes to vote, in 
case he desires to distribute his support among 
the candidates of different parties. The object of 
the law is to secure for the voter secrecy of the 
ballot, with independence and freedom from dic- 



tation or interference by others in the exercise of 
his right of suffrage. 

AVA, a town in Jackson County (incorporated 
as a city, 1901), on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad 
(Cairo & St. Louis Division), 75 miles south- 
southeast from St. Louis. It has two banks and 
two newspapers. Pop. (1890), 807; (1900), 984. 

AVON, village of Fulton County, on O, B & Q. 
R. R. , 20 miles south of Galesburg; has drain- 
pipe works, two factories for manufacture of 
steam- and hot-water heaters, two banks and two 
newspapers; agricultural fair held here annu- 
ally. Population (1900), 809; (1904, est.), 1 000. 

AYER, Benjamin F., lawyer, was born in 
Kingston, N. H., April 22, 1825, graduated at 
Dartmouth College in 1846, studied law at Dane 
Law School (Harvard University), was admitted 
to the bar and began practice at Manchester, 
N. H. After serving one term in the New Hamp- 
shire Legislature, and as Prosecuting Attorney 
for Hillsborough County, in 1857 became to Chica- 
go, soon advancing to the front rank of lawyers 
then in practice there ; became Corporation Counsel 
in 1861, and, {wo years later, drafted the revised 
city charter. After the close of his official career, 
he was a member for eight years of the law firm of 
Beckwith, Ayer & Kales, and afterwards of the 
firm of Ayer & Kales, until, retiring from general 
practice, Mr. Ayer became Solicitor of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, then a Director of the Company, 
and is at present its General Counsel and a potent 
factor in its management. 

AYERS, Marshall Paul, banker, Jacksonville, 
was born in Philadelphia, Pa., July 27, 1823; 
came to Jacksonville, 111., with his parents, in 
1830, and was educated there, graduating from 
Illinois College, in 1843, as the classmate of Dr. 
Newton Bateman, afterwards President of Knox 
College at Galesburg, and Rev. Thomas K. 
Beecher, now of Elmira, N.Y. After leaving col- 
lege he became the partner of his father (David 
B. Ayers)as agent of Mr. John Grigg, of Philadel- 
phia, who was the owner of a large body of Illi- 
nois lands. His father dying in 1850, Mr. Ayers 
succeeded to the management of the business, 
about 75,000 acres of Mr. Grigg's unsold lands 
coming under his charge. In December, 1852, 
with the assistance of Messrs. Page & Bacon, bank- 
ers, of St. Louis, he opened the first bank in Jack- 
sonville, for the sale of exchange, but which 
finally grew into a bank of deposit and has been 
continued ever since, being recognized as one of 
the most solid institutions in Central Illinois. In 
1870-71, aided by Philadelphia and New York 
capitalists, he built the "Illinois Farmers" Rail- 



30 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



road" between Jacksonville and Waverly, after- 
wards extended to Virden and finally to Centralia 
and Mount Vernon. This was the nucleus of the 
Jacksonville Southeastern Railway, though Mr. 
Ayers has had no connection with it for several 
years. Other business enterprises with which he 
lias been connected are the Jacksonville Gas Com- 
pany (now including an electric light and power 
plant), of which he has been President for forty 
years; the "Home Woolen Mills" (early wiped 
out by fire), sugar and paper-barrel manufacture, 
coal-mining, etc. About 1877 he purchased a 
body of 23,600 acres of land in Champaign County, 
known as "Broadlands," from John T. Alexander, 
an extensive cattle-dealer, who had become 
heavily involved during the years of financial 
revulsion. As a result of this transaction, Mr. 
Alexander's debts, which aggregated §1,000,000, 
were discharged within the next two years. Mr. 
Ayers has been an earnest Republican since the 
organization of that party and, during the war, 
rendered valuable service in assisting to raise 
funds for the support of the operations of the 
Christian Commission in the field. He has also 
been active in Sunday School, benevolent and 
educational work, having been, for twenty years, 
a Trustee of Illinois College, of which he has 
been an ardent friend. In 1846 he was married 
to Miss Laura Allen, daughter of Rev. John 
Allen, D. D., of Huntsville, Ala., and is the father 
of four sons and four daughters, all living. 

BABCOCK, Amos C, was born at Penn Yan, 
N. Y., Jan.20, 1828, the son of a member of Con- 
gress from that State ; at the age of 18, having 
lost his father by death, came West, and soon 
after engaged in mercantile business in partner- 
ship with a brother at Canton, 111. In 1854 he 
was elected by a majority of one vote, as an Anti- 
Nebraska Whig, to the lower branch of the Nine- 
teenth General Assembly, and, in the following 
session, took part in the election of United States 
Senator which resulted in the choice of Lyman 
Trumbull. Although a personal and political 
friend of Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Babcock, as a matter 
of policy, cast his vote for his townsman. William 
Kellogg, afterwards Congressman from that dis- 
trict, until it was apparent that a concentration 
of the Anti-Nebraska vote on Trumbull was 
necessary to defeat the election of a Democrat. 
In 1S62 he was appointed by President Lincoln 
the first Assessor of Internal Revenue for the 
Fourth District, and. in 1863, was commissioned 
by Governor Yates Colonel of the One Hundred 
and Third Illinois Volunteers, but soon resigned. 
Colonel Babcock served as Delegate-at-large in 



the Republican National Convention of 1868. 
which nominated General Grant for the Presi- 
dency, and the same 3'ear was made Chairman of 
the Republican State Central Committee, also 
conducting the campaign two years later. He 
identified himself with the Greeley movement in 
1872, but, in 1876, was again in line with his 
party and restored to his old position on the State 
Central Committee, serving until 1878. Among 
business enterprises with which he was con- 
nected was the extension, about 1854, of the Buda 
branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad from Yates City to Canton, and the 
erection of the State Capitol at Austin, Tex., 
which was undertaken, in conjunction with 
Abner Taylor and J. V. and C. B. Farvvell, about 
1881 and completed in 1888, for which the firm 
received over 3,000,000 acres of State lands in the 
"Pan Handle" portion of Texas. In 1889 Colonel 
Babcock took up his residence in Chicago, which 
continued to be his home until his death from 
apoplexy, Feb. 25, 1899. 

BABCOCK, Andrew J., soldier, was born at 
Dorchester, Norfolk County, Mass., July 19, 1830; 
began life as a coppersmith at Lowell; in 1851 
went to Concord, N. H., and, in 1856, removed to 
Springfield, 111. , where, in 1859, he joined a mili- 
tary company called the Springfield Greys, com- 
manded by Capt. (afterwards Gen. ) John Cook, of 
which he was First Lieutenant. This company 
became the nucleus of Company I, Seventh Illi- 
nois Volunteers, which enlisted on Mr. Lincoln's 
first call for troops in April, 1861. Captain Cook 
having been elected Colonel, Babcock succeeded 
him as Captain, on the re-enlistment of the regi- 
ment in July following becoming Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and, in March, 1862, being pi-omoted to 
the Colonelcy "for gallant and meritorious service 
rendered at Fort Donelson." A year later lie was 
compelled to resign on account of impaired 
health. His home is at Springfield. 

BACON, George E., lawyer and legislator, born 
at Madison, Ind., Feb. 4, 1851; was brought to 
Illinois by his parents at three years of age, and, 
in 1876, located at Paris, Edgar County; in 1879 
was admitted to the bar and held various minor 
offices, including one term as State's Attorney. 
In 1886 he was elected as a Republican to the 
State Senate and reelected four years later, but 
finally removed to Aurora, where he died, July 
6, 1896. Mr. Bacon was a man of recognized 
ability, as shown by the fact that, after the death 
of Senator John A. Logan, he was selected by his 
colleagues of the Senate to pronounce the eulogy 
on the deceased statesman. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



31 



BAGBT, John C, jurist and Congressman, was 
born at Glasgow, Ky., Jan. 24, 1819. After pas- 
sing through the comrnon schools of Barren 
County, Ky., he studied civil engineering at 
Bacon College, graduating in 1840. Later he 
read law and was admitted to the bar in 1845. 
In 1840 he commenced practice at Rushville, 111., 
confining himself exclusively to professional work 
until nominated and elected to Congress in 1874, 
by the Democrats of the (old) Tenth District. In 
1885 he was elected to the Circuit Bench for the 
Sixth Circuit. Died, April 4, 1896. 

BAILEY, Joseph Mead, legislator and jurist, 
was born at Middlebury, Wyoming County, N. Y., 
June 22, 1833, graduated from Rochester (N. Y.) 
University in 1854, and was admitted to the 
bar in that city in 1855. In August, 1856, he 
removed to Freeport, 111., where he soon built up 
a profitable practice. In 1866 he was elected a 
Representative in the Twenty-fifth General 
Assembly, being re-elected in 1868. Here he was 
especially prominent in securing restrictive legis- 
lation concerning railroads. In 1876 he was 
chosen a Presidential Elector for his district on 
the Republican ticket. In 1877 he was elected a 
Judge of the Thirteenth judicial district, and 
re-elected in 1879 and in 1885. In January, 
1878, and again in June, 1879, he was assigned to 
the bench of the Appellate Court, being presiding 
Justice from June, 1879. to June, 1880, and from 
June, 1881, to June. 1882. In 1879 he received 
the degree of LL.D. from the Universities of 
Rochester and Chicago. In 1888 he was elected 
to the bench of the Supreme Court. Died in 
office, Oct. 16, 1895. 

BAILHACHE, John, pioneer journalist, was 
born in the Island of Jersey, May 8, 1787; after 
gaining the rudiments of an education in his 
mother tongue (the French), he acquired a knowl- 
edge of English and some proficiency in Greek 
and Latin in an academy near his paternal home, 
when he spent five years as a printer's apprentice. 
In 1810 he came to the United States, first locat- 
ing at Cambridge, Ohio, but, in 1812, purchased a 
half interest in "The Fredonian" at Chillicothe 
(then the State Capital), soon after becoming sole 
owner. In 1815 he purchased "The Scioto Ga- 
zette" and consolidated the two papers under the 
name of "The Scioto Gazette and Fredonian 
Chronicle." Here he remained until 1828, mean- 
time engaging temporarily in the banking busi- 
ness, also serving one term in the Legislature 
(1820), and being elected Associate Justice of the 
Court of Common Pleas for Ross County. In 
1828 he removed to Columbus, assuming charge 



of "The Ohio State Journal," served one term as 
Mayor of the city, and for three consecutive 
years was State Printer. Selling out "The Jour- 
nal" in 1836, he came west, the next year becom- 
ing part owner, and finally sole proprietor, of "The 
Telegraph" at Alton, 111., which he conducted 
alone or in association with various partners until 
1854, when he retired, giving his attention to the 
book and job branch of the business. He served as 
Representative from Madison County in the Thir- 
teenth General Assembly (1842-44). As a man 
and a journalist Judge Bailhache commanded the 
highest respect, and did much to elevate the 
standard of journalism in Illinois, "The Tele- 
graph," during the period of his connection with 
it, being one of the leading papers of the State. 
His death occurred at Alton, Sept. 3, 1857, as the 
result of injuries received' the day previous, by 
being thrown from a carriage in which he was 
riding. — Maj. William Henry (Bailhache), son of 
the preceding, was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, 
August 14, 1826, removed with his father to Alton, 
111., in 1836, was educated at Shurtleff College, 
and learned the printing trade in the office of 
"The Telegraph," under the direction of his 
father, afterwards being associated with the 
business department. In 1855, in partnership 
with Edward L. Baker, he became one of the 
proprietors and business manager of "The State 
Journal" at Springfield. During the Civil War 
he received from President Lincoln the appoint- 
ment of Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, 
serving to its close and receiving the brevet rank 
of Major. After the war he returned to journal- 
ism and was associated at different times with 
"The State Journal" and "The Quincy Whig." 
as business manager of each, but retired in 1873; 
in 1881 was appointed by President Arthur, 
Receiver of Public Moneys at Santa Fe., N. M., 
remaining four years. He is now (1899) a resi- 
dent of San Diego, Cal., where he has been 
engaged in newspaper work, and, under the 
administration of President McKinley, has been 
a Special Agent of the Treasury Department. — 
Preston Heath (Bailhache), another son, was 
born in Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 21, 1835, served as 
a Surgeon during the Civil War, later became a 
Surgeon in the regular army and has held posi- 
tions in marine hospitals at Baltimore, Washing- 
ton and New York, and has visited Europe in the 
interest of sanitary and hospital service. At 
present (1899) he occupies a prominent position 
at the headquarters of the United States Marine 
Hospital Service in Washington. — Arthur Lee 
(Bailhache), a third son, born at Alton, 111., April 



32 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



12, 1839; at the beginning of the Civil War was 
employed in the State commissary service at 
Camp Yates and Cairo, became Adjutant of the 
Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteers, and died at 
Pilot Knob, Mo., Jan. 9, 1862, as the result of 
disease and exposure in the service. 

BAKER, David Jewett, lawyer and United 
States Senator, was born at East Haddam, Conn. , 
Sept. 7, 1792. His family removed to New York 
in 1800, where he worked on a farm during boy- 
hood, but graduated from Hamilton College in 
1816, and three years later was admitted to the 
bar. In 1819 he came to Illinois and began prac- 
tice at Kaskaskia, where he attained prominence 
in his profession and was made Probate Judge of 
Randolph County. His opposition to the intro- 
duction of slavery into the State was so aggres- 
sive that his life was frequently threatened. In 
1830 Governor Edwards appointed him United 
States Senator, to fill the unexpired term of 
Senator McLean, but he served only one month 
when he was succeeded by John M. Robinson, 
who was elected by the Legislature. He was 
United States District Attorney from 1S33 
to 1841 (the State then constituting but 
one district), and thereafter resumed private 
practice. Died at Alton, August 6, 1869. 
—Henry Southard (Baker), son of the pre- 
ceding, was born at Kaskaskia, 111., Nov. 10, 
1824, received his preparatory education at Shurt- 
leff College, Upper Alton, and. in 1843, entered 
Brown University, R. I., graduating therefrom 
in 1847; was admitted to the bar in 1849, begin- 
ning practice at Alton, the home of his father, 
Hon. David J. Baker. In 1854 he was elected as an 
Anti-Nebraska candidate to the lower branch of 
the Nineteenth General Assembly, and, at the 
subsequent session of the General Assembly, was 
one of the five Anti-Nebraska members whose 
ivncompromising fidelity to Hon. Lyman Trum- 
bull resulted in the election of the latter to the 
United States Senate for the first time — the others 
being his colleague. Dr. George T. Allen of the 
House, and Hon. John M. Palmer, afterwards 
United States Senator, Burton C. Cook and Nor- 
man B. Judd in the Senate. He served as one of the 
Secretaries of the Republican State Convention 
held at Bloomington in May, 1856, was a Repub- 
lican Presidential Elector in 1864, and, in 1865, 
became Judge of the Alton City Court, serving 
until 1881. In 1876 he presided over the Repub- 
lican State Convention, served as delegate to the 
Republican National Convention of the same 
year and was an unsuccessful candidate for 
Congress in opposition to William R. Morrison. 



Judge Baker was the orator selected to deliver 
the address on occasion of the unveiling of the 
statue of Lieut. -Gov. Pierre Menard, on the 
capitol grounds at Springfield, in January, 1888. 
About 1888 he retired from practice, dying at 
Alton, March 5, 1897. — Edward L. (Baker), 
second son of David Jewett Baker, was born at 
Kaskaskia, 111., June 3, 1829; graduated at Shurt- 
leff College in 1847; read law with his father two 
years, after which he entered Harvard Law 
School and was admitted to the bar at Spring- 
field in 1855. Previous to this date Mr. Baker had 
become associated with William H. Bailhache, in 
the management of "The Alton Daily Telegraph," 
and, in July, 1855, they purchased "The Illinois 
State Journal," at Springfield, of which Mr. 
Baker assumed the editorship, remaining until 
1874. In 1869 he was appointed United States 
Assessor for the Eighth District, serving until 
the abolition of the office. In 1873 he received 
the appointment from President Grant of Consul 
to Buenos Ayres, South America, and, assuming 
the duties of the office in 1874, remained there 
for twenty-three years, proving himself one of 
the most capable and efficient officers in the con- 
sular service. On the evening of the 20th of 
June, 1897, when Mr. Baker was about to enter a 
railway train already in motion at the station in 
the city of Buenos Ayres, he fell under the cars, 
receiving injuries which necessitated the ampu- 
tation of his right arm, finally resulting in his 
death in the hospital at Buenos Ayres, July 8, 
following. His remains were brought home at 
the Government expense and interred in Oak 
Ridge Cemetery, at Springfield, where a monu- 
ment has since been erected in his honor, bearing 
a tablet contributed by citizens of Buenos Ayres 
and foreign representatives in that city express- 
ive of their respect for his memory. — David 
Jewett (Baker), Jr., a third son of David Jewett 
Baker, Sr. . was born at Kaskaskia, Nov. 20,1834; 
graduated from Shurtleff College in 1854, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1856. In November of 
that year he removed to Cairo and began prac- 
tice. He was Mayor of that city in 1864-65, and, 
in 1869, was elected to the bench of the Nineteenth 
Judicial Circuit. The Legislature of 1873 (by Act 
of March 28) having divided the State into 
twenty-six circuits, he was elected Judge of the 
Twenty-sixth, on June 2, 1873. In August, 1878, 
he resigned to accept an appointment on the 
Supreme Bench as successor to Judge Breese, 
deceased, but at the close of his term on the 
Supreme Bench (1879), was re-elected Circuit 
Judge, and again in 1885. During this period he 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



33 



served for several years on the Appellate Bench. 
In 1888 he retired from the Circuit Bench by 
resignation and was elected a Justice of the 
Supreme Court for a term of nine years. Again, 
in 1897, he was a candidate for re-election, but 
was defeated by Carroll C. Boggs. Soon after 
retiring from the Supreme Bench he removed to 
Chicago and engaged in general practice, in 
partnership with his son, John W. Baker. He 
fell dead almost instantly in his office, March 13, 
1899. In all, Judge Baker had spent some thirty 
years almost continuously on the bench, and had 
attained eminent distinction both as a lawyer and 
a jurist. 

BAKER, Edward Dickinson, soldier and 
United States Senator, was born in London, 
Eng. , Feb. 24, 1811; emigrated to Illinois while 
yet in his minority, first locating at Belleville, 
afterwards removing to Carrollton and finally to 
Sangamon County, the last of which he repre- 
sented in the lower house of the Tenth General 
Assembly, and as State Senator in the Twelfth 
and Thirteenth. He was elected to Congress as 
a Whig from the Springfield District, but resigned 
in December, 1846, to accept the colonelcy of the 
Fourth Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, in the 
Mexican War, and succeeded General Shields in 
command of the brigade, when the latter was 
wounded at Cerro Gordo. In 1848 he was elected 
to Congress from the Galena District; was also 
identified with the construction of the Panama 
Railroad; went to San Francisco in 1853, but 
'ater removed to Oregon, where he was elected 
to the United States Senate in 1860. In 1861 he 
resigned the Senatorship to enter the Union 
arm}', commanding a brigade at the battle of 
Ball's Bluff, where he was killed, October 21, 1861. 

BAKER, Jehu, lawyer and Congressman, was 
born in Fayette County, Ky., Nov. 4, 1S22. At 
an early age he removed to Illinois, making his 
home in Belleville, St. Clair County. He re- 
ceived his early education in the common schools 
and at McKendree College. Although he did 
not graduate from the latter institution, he 
received therefrom the honorary degree of A. M. 
in 1858, and that of LL. D. in 1882. For a time 
he studied medicine, but abandoned it for the 
study of law. From 1861 to 1865 he was Master 
in Chancery for St. Clair County. From 1865 to 
1869 he represented the Belleville District as a 
Republican in Congress. From 1876 to 1881 and 
from 1882 to 1885 he was Minister Resident in 
Venezuela, during the latter portion of his term 
of service acting also as Consul-General. Return- 
ing home, he was again elected to Congress (1886) 



from the Eighteenth District, but was defeated 
for re-election, in 1888, by William S. Forman, 
Democrat. Again, in 1896, having identified 
himself with the Free Silver Democracy and 
People's Party, he was elected to Congress from 
the Twentieth District over Everett J. Murphy, 
the Republican nominee, serving until March 3, 
1899. He is the author of an annotated edition 
of Montesquieu's "Grandeur and Decadence of 
the Romans." 

BALDWIX, Elmer, agriculturist and legisla- 
tor, was born in Litchfield County, Conn., March 
8, 1806 ; at 16 years of age began teaching a coun- 
try school, continuing this occupation for several 
years during the winter months, while working 
on his father's farm in the summer. He then 
started a store at New Milford, which he man- 
aged for three years, when he sold out on account 
of his health and began farming. In 1833 he 
came west and purchased a considerable tract of 
Government land in La Salle County, where the 
village of Farm Ridge is now situated, removing 
thither with his family the following year. He 
served as Justice of the Peace for fourteen con- 
secutive terms, as Postmaster twenty years and 
as a member of the Board of Supervisors of La 
Salle County six years. In 1856 he was elected 
as a Republican to the House of Representatives, 
was re-elected to the same office in 1866, and to 
the State Senate in 1872, serving two years. He 
was also appointed, in 1869, a member of the first 
Board of Public Charities, serving as President of 
the Board. Mr. Baldwin is author of a "His- 
tory of La Salle County," which contains much 
local and biographical history. Died, Nov. 18, 
1895. 

BALDWIN, Theron, clergyman and educa- 
tor, was born in Goshen, Conn., July 21, 1801; 
graduated at Yale College in 1827; after two 
years' study in the theological school there, was 
ordained a home missionary in 1829, becoming 
one of the celebrated "Yale College Band," or 
"Western College Society," of which lie was Cor- 
responding Secretary during most of his life. He 
was settled as a Congregationalist minister at 
Vandalia for two years, and was active in pro- 
curing the charter of Illinois College at Jackson- 
ville, of which lie was a Trustee from its 
organization to his death. He served for a 
number of years, from 1831, as Agent of the 
Home Missionary Society for Illinois, and, in 
1838, became the first Principal of Monticello 
Female Seminary, near Alton, which lie con- 
ducted five years. Died at Orange, N. J., April 
10, 1870. 



34 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



BALLARD, Addison, merchant, was born of 
Quaker parentage in Warren County, Ohio, No- 
vember, 1822. He located at La Porte, Ind., 
about 1841, where he learned and pursued the 
carpenter's trade; in 1849 went to California, 
remaining two years, when he returned to La 
Porte ; in 1853 removed to Chicago and embarked 
in the lumber trade, which he prosecuted until 
1887, retiring with a competency. Mr. Ballard 
served several years as one of the Commissioners 
of Cook County, and, from 1876 to 1882, as Alder- 
man of the City of Chicago, and again in the 
latter office, 1894-96. 

BALTES, Peter Joseph, Roman Catholic Bishop 
of Alton, was born at Ensheim, Rhenish Ba- 
varia, April 7, 1827 ; was educated at the colleges 
of the Holy Cross, at Worcester, Mass., and of St. 
Ignatius, at Chicago, and at Lavalle University, 
Montreal, and was ordained a priest in 1853, and 
consecrated Bishop in 1870. His diocesan admin- 
istration was successful, but regarded by his 
priests as somewhat arbitrary. He wrote numer- 
ous pastoral letters and brochures for the guidance 
of clergy and laity. His most important literary 
work was entitled "Pastoral Instruction," first 
edition, N. Y., 1875; second edition (revised and 
enlarged), 1880. Died' at Alton, Feb. 15, 1886. 

BALTIMORE & OHIO SOUTHWESTERN 
RAILWAY. This road (constituting a part of the 
Baltimore & Ohio system) is made up of two 
principal divisions, the first extending across the 
State from East St. Louis to Belpre, Ohio, and the 
second (known as the Springfield Division) extend- 
ing from Beardstown to Shawneetown. The total 
mileage of the former (or main line) is 537 
miles, of which 147 }4 are in Illinois, and of the 
latter (wholly within Illinois) 228 miles. The 
main line (originally known as the Ohio & Mis- 
sissippi Railway) was chartered in Indiana in 
1848. in Ohio in 1849, and in Illinois in 1851. It 
was constructed by two companies, the section 
from Cincinnati to the Indiana and Illinois State 
line being known as the Eastern Division, and 
that in Illinois as the Western Division, the 
gauge, as originally built, being six feet, but 
reduced in 1871 to standard. The banking firm 
of Page & Bacon, of St. Louis and San Francisco, 
were the principal financial backers of the enter- 
prise. The line was completed and opened for 
traffic, May 1, 1857. The following year the road 
became financially embarrassed ; the Eastern Di- 
vision was placed in the hands of a receiver in 
1S60. while the Western Division was sold under 
foreclosure, in 1862, and reorganized as the Ohio 
& Mississippi Railway under act of the Illinois 



Legislature passed in February, 1861. The East- 
ern Division was sold in January, 1867; and, in 
November of the same year, the two divisions 
were consolidated under the title of the Ohio & 
Mississippi Railway. — The Springfield Division 
was the result of the consolidation, in December, 
1869, of the Pana, Springfield & Northwestern 
and the Illinois & Southeastern Railroad — each 
having been chartered in 1867 — the new corpo- 
ration taking the name of the Springfield & Illi- 
nois Southeastern Railroad, under which name 
the road was built and opened in March, 1871. In 
1873, it was placed in the hands of receivers; in 
1874 was sold under foreclosure, and, on March 
1, 1875, passed into the hands of the Ohio & Mis- 
sissippi Railway Company. In November, 1876, 
the road was again placed in the hands of a 
receiver, but was restored to the Company in 1884. 
— In November, 1893, the Ohio & Mississippi was 
consolidated with the Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western Railroad, which was the successor of the 
Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore Railroad, 
the reorganized Company taking the name of the 
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway Com- 
pany. The total capitalization of the road, as 
organized in 1898, was $84,770,531. Several 
branches of the main line in Indiana and Ohio go 
to increase the aggregate mileage, but being 
wholly outside of Illinois are not taken into ac- 
count in this statement. 

BALTIMORE & OHIO & CHICAGO RAIL- 
ROAD, part of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad 
System, of which only 8.21 out of 265 miles are in 
Illinois. The principal object of the company's 
incorporation was to secure entrance for the 
Baltimore & Ohio into Chicago. The capital 
stock outstanding exceeds $1,500,000. The total 
capital (including stock, funded and floating debt) 
is $20,329,166 or §76,728 per mile. The gross 
earnings for the year ending June 30, 1898, were 
§3,383,016 and the operating expenses §2,493,452. 
The income and earnings for the portion of the 
line in Illinois for the same period were §209,208 
and the expenses §208,096. 

BAXGS, Mark, lawyer, was born in Franklin 
County, Mass., Jan. 9, 1822; spent his boy- 
hood on a farm in Western New York, and, after 
a year in an institution at Rochester, came to 
Chicago in 1844, later spending two years in farm 
work and teaching in Central Illinois. Return- 
ing east in 1847, he engaged in teaching for 
two years at Springfield, Mass. , then spent 
a year in a dry goods store at Lacon, 111. 
meanwhile prosecuting his legal studies. Li 
1851 he began practice, was elected a Judg«, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



35 



of the Circuit Court in 1859; served one session 
as State Senator (1870-72); in 1873 was ap- 
pointed Circuit Juiige to fill the unexpired 
term of Judge Richmond, deceased, and, in 1875, 
was appointed by President Grant United States 
District Attorney for the Northern District, 
remaining in office four years. Judge Bangs was 
also a member of the first Anti-Nebraska State 
Convention of Illinois, held at Springfield in 1854; 
in 1802 presided over the Congressional Conven- 
tion which nominated Owen Lovejoy for Congress 
for the first time ; was one of the charter members 
of the "Union League of America," serving as its 
President, and, in 1868, was a delegate to the 
National Convention which nominated General 
Grant for President for the first time. After 
retiring from the office of District Attorney in 
1879, he removed to Chicago, where he is still 
(1898) engaged in the practice of his profession. 

BANKSON, Andrew, pioneer and early legis- 
lator, a native of Tennessee, settled on Silver 
Creek, in St. Clair County, 111., four miles south 
of Lebanon, about 1808 or 1810, and subsequently 
removed to Washington County. He was a Col- 
onel of "Rangers" during the War of 1812, and a 
Captain in the Black Hawk War of 1832. In 
1822 he was elected to the State Senate from 
Washington County, serving four years, and at 
the session of 1822-23 was one of those who voted 
against the Convention resolution which had for 
its object to make Illinois a slave State. He sub- 
sequently removed to Iowa Territory, but died, in 
1853, while visiting a son-in-law in Wisconsin. 

BAPTISTS. The first Baptist minister to set- 
tle in Illinois was Elder James Smith, who 
located at New Design, in 1787. He was fol- 
lowed, about 1796-97, by Revs. David Badgley and 
Joseph Chance, who organized the first Baptist 
church within the limits of the State. Five 
churches, having four ministers and 111 mem- 
bers, formed an association in 1807. Several 
causes, among them a difference of views on the 
slavery question, resulted in the division of the 
denomination into factions. Of these perhaps 
the most numerous was the Regular (or Mission- 
ary) Baptists, at the head of which was Rev. John 
M. Peck, a resident of the State from 1822 until 
his death (1858). By 1835 the sect had grown, 
until it had some 250 churches, with about 7,500 
members. These were under the ecclesiastical 
care of twenty-two Associations. Rev. Isaac 
McCoy, a Baptist Indian missionary, preached at 
Fort Dearborn on Oct. 9, 1825, and, eight years 
later, Rev. Allen B. Freeman organized the first 
Baptist society in what was then an infant set- 



tlement. By 1890 the number of Associations 
had grown to forty, with 1010 churches 891 
ministers and 88,884 members. A Baptist Theo- 
logical Seminary was for some time supported at 
Morgan Park, but, in 1895, was absorbed by the 
University of Chicago, becoming the divinity 
school of that institution. The chief organ of the 
denomination in Illinois is "The Standard." pub- 
lished at Chicago. 

BARBER, Hiram, was born in Warren County, 
N. Y., March 24, 1835. At 11 years of age he 
accompanied his family to Wisconsin, of which 
State he was a resident until 1866. After gradu- 
ating at the State University of Wisconsin, at 
Madison, he studied law at the Albany Law 
School, and was admitted to practice. After 
serving one term as District Attorney of his 
county in Wisconsin (1861-62), and Assistant 
Attorney-General of the State for 1865-66, in 
the latter year he came to Chicago and, in 1878, 
was elected to Congress by the Republicans of 
the old Second Illinois District. His home is in 
Chicago, where he holds the position of Master in 
Chancery of the Superior Court of Cook County. 

BARDOLPH, a village of McDonough County, 
on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 7 
miles northeast of Macomb; has a local paper. 
Population (1880), 409; (1890), 447; (1900), 387. 

BARNSBACK, George Frederick Julias, pio- 
neer, was born in Germany, July 25, 1781 ; came 
to Philadelphia in 1797, and soon after to Ken- 
tucky, where he became an overseer; two or 
three years later visited his native country, suf- 
fering shipwreck en route in the English Channel ; 
returned to Kentucky in 1802, remaining until 
1809, when he removed to wiiat is now Madison 
(then a part of St. Clair) County, 111. ; served in 
the War of 1812, farmed and raised stock until 
1824, when, after a second visit to Germany, he 
bought a plantation in St. Francois County, Mo. 
Subsequently becoming disgusted with slavery, 
he manumitted his slaves and returned to Illinois, 
locating on a farm near Edwardsville, where lie 
resided until his death in 1869. Mr. Barnsback 
served as Representative in the Fourteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly (1844-46) and, after i-eturning from 
Springfield, distributed his salary among the poor 
of Madison County. — Julius A. (Barnsback), his 
son, was born in St. Francois County, Mo., May 
14, 1826; in 1846 became a merchant at Troy. 
Madison County ; was elected Sheriff in 1860 ; in 
1864 entered the service as Captain of a Company 
in the One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Volun- 
teers (100-days' men) ; also served as a member or 
the Twenty-fourth General Assembly (.1865). 



36 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



BARNUM, William H., lawyer and ex-Judge, 
was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Feb. 13, 
1840. When he was but two yeara old his family 
removed to St. Clair County, 111., where he passed 
his boyhood and youth. His preliminary educa- 
tion was obtained at Belleville, 111., Ypsilanti, 
Mich., and at the Michigan State University at 
Ann Arbor. After leaving the institution last 
named at the end of the sophomore year, he 
taught school at Belleville, still pursuing his clas- 
sical studies. In 1862 he was admitted to the bar 
at Belleville, and soon afterward opened an office 
at Chester, where, for a time, he held the office 
of Master in Chancery. He removed to Chicago 
in 1867, and, in 1879, was elevated to the bench 
of the Cook County Circuit Court. At the expi- 
ration of his term he resumed private practice. 

BARRERE, Granville, was born in Highland 
County, Ohio. After attending the common 
schools, he acquired a higher education at Au- 
gusta, Ky., and Marietta, Ohio. He was admitted 
to the bar in his native State, but began the prac- 
tice of law in Fulton County, 111., in 1856. In 
1872 he received the Republican nomination for 
Congress and was elected, representing his dis- 
trict from 1873 to 1875, at the conclusion of his 
term retiring to private life. Died at Canton, 
111, Jan. 13, 1889. 

BARRIXGTON, a village located on the north- 
ern border of Cook County, and partly in Lake, 
at the intersection of the Chicago & Northwestern 
and the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway, 32 miles 
northwest of Chicago. It has banks, a local paper, 
and several cheese factories, being in a dairying 
district. Population (1890), 8-48; (1900), 1,162. 

BARROWS, John Henry, D. D., clergyman 
and educator, was born at Medina, Mich., July 
11, 1847; graduated at Mount Olivet College in 
1867, and studied theology at Yale, Union and 
Andover Seminaries. In 1869 he went to Kansas, 
where he spent two and a half years in mission- 
ary and educational work. He then (in 1872) 
accepted a call to the First Congregational 
Church at Springfield, 111., where he remained a 
year, after which he gave a year to foreign travel, 
visiting Europe, Egypt and Palestine, during a 
part of the time supplying the American chapel 
in Paris. On liis return to the United States he 
spent six years in pastoral work at Lawrence and 
East Boston, Mass., when (in November, 1881) he 
assumed the pastorate of the First Presbyterian 
Church of Chicago. Dr. Barrows achieved a 
world-wide celebrity by his services as Chairman 
of the "Parliament of Religious," a branch of the 
"World's Congress Auxiliary," held during the 



World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 
1893. Later, he was appointed Professorial Lec- 
turer on Comparative Religions, under lectureships 
in connection with the University of Chicago en- 
dowed by Mrs. Caroline E. Haskell. One of these, 
established in Dr. Barrows' name, contemplated 
a series of lectures iu India, to be delivered on 
alternate years with a similar course at the Uni- 
versity. Courses were delivered at the University 
in 1895-96, and, in order to carry out the purposes 
of the foreign lectureship. Dr. Barrows found it 
necessary to resign his pastorate, which he did in 
the spring of 1896. After spending the summer 
in German}', the regular itinerary of the round- 
the-world tour began at London in the latter part 
of November, 1896, ending with his return to the 
United States by way of San Francisco in May, 
1897. Dr. Barrows was accompanied by a party 
of personal friends from Chicago and elsewhere, 
the tour embracing visits to the principal cities 
of Southern Europe, Egypt, Palestine, China and 
Japan, with a somewhat protracted stay in India 
during the winter of 1896-97. After his return to 
the United States he lectured at the University 
of Chicago and in many of the principal cities of 
the country, on the moral and religious condition 
of Oriental nations, but, in 1898, was offered 
the Presidency of Oberlin College, Ohio, which 
he accepted, entering upon his duties early in 
1899. 

BARRY, a city in Pike County, founded in 
1836, on the Wabash Railroad, 18 miles east of 
Hannibal, Mo., and 30 miles southeast of Quincy. 
The surrounding country is agricultural. The 
city contains flouring mills, porkpacking and 
poultry establishments, etc. It has two local 
papers, two banks, three churches and a high 
school, besides schools of lower grade. Popula- 
tion (1880), 1,392; (1890), 1,354; (1900), 1,643. 

BARTLETT, Adolphns Clay, merchant, was 
born of Revolutionary ancestry at Stratford, 
Fulton County, N. Y., June 22, 1844; was educated 
in the common schools and at Danville Academy 
and Clinton Liberal Institute, N. Y., and, coming 
to Chicago in 1863, entered into the employment 
of the hardware firm of Tuttle, Hibbard & Co., 
now Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., of which, 
a few years later, he became a partner, and later 
Vice-President of the Company. Mr. Bartlett 
has also been a Trustee of Beloit College, Presi- 
dent of the Chicago Home for the Friendless and 
a Director of the Chicago & Alton Railroad and 
the Metropolitan National Bank, besides being 
identified with various other business and benevo- 
leut associations. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



37 



BASCOM, (Rev.) Flavel, D. D., clergyman, 
was born at Lebanon, Conn., June 8, 1804; spent 
his boyhood on a farm until 17 years of age, mean- 
while attending the common schools; prepared 
for college under a private tutor, and, in 1824, 
entered Yale College, graduating in 1828. After a 
year as Principal of the Academy at New Canaan, 
Conn., he entered upon the study of theology 
at Yale, was licensed to preach in 1831 and, for 
the next two years, served as a tutor in the liter- 
ary department of the college. Then coming to 
Illinois (1833), he cast his lot with the "Yale 
Band," organized at Yale College a few years 
previous; spent five years in missionary work in 
Tazewell County and two years in Northern Illi- 
nois as Agent of the Home Missionary Society, 
exploring new settlements, founding churches 
and introducing missionaries to new fields of 
labor. In 1839 he became pastor of the First 
Pi'esbyterian Church of Chicago, remaining until 
1849, when he assumed the pastorship of the First 
Presbyterian Church at Galesburg, this relation 
continuing until 1856. Then, after a year's serv- 
ice as the Agent of the American Missionary 
Association of the Congregational Church, he 
accepted a call to the Congregational Church at 
Princeton, where he remained until 1869, when 
he took charge of the Congregational Church at 
Hinsdale. From 1878 he served for a consider- 
able period as a member of the Executive Com- 
mittee of the Illinois Home Missionary Society; 
was also prominent in educational work, being 
one of the founders and, for over twenty-five 
years, an officer of the Chicago Theological 
Seminary, a Trustee of Knox College and one of 
the founders and a Trustee of Beloit College, 
Wis., from which he received the degree of D. B. 
in 1869. Br. Bascom died at Princeton, 111., 
August 8, 1890. 

BATAVIA, a city in Kane County, on Fox 
River and branch lines of the Chicago & North- 
western and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroads, 35 miles west of Chicago; has water 
power and several prosperous manufacturing 
establishments employing over 1,000 operatives. 
The city has fine water-works supplied from an 
artesian well, electric lighting plant, electric 
street car lines with interurban connections, two 
weekly papers, eight churches, two public 
schools, and private hospital for insane women. 
Population (1900), 3,871; (1903, est.), 4,400. 

BATEMAX, Newton, A. M., LL.D., educator 
and Editor-in-Chief of the "Historical Encyclo- 
pedia of Illinois," was born at Fairfield, N. J., 
July 27. 1022. of mixed English and Scotch an- 



cestry ; was brought by his parents to Illinois in 
1833; in his youth enjoyed only limited educa- 
tional advantages, but graduated from Illinois 
College at Jacksonville in 1843, supporting him- 
self during his college course who'lv by his own 
labor. Having contemplated entering the Chris- 
tian ministry, he spent the following year at Lane 
Theological Seminary, but was compelled to 
withdraw on account of failing health, when he 
gave a year to travel. He then entered upon his 
life-work as a teacher by engaging as Principal 
of an English and Classical School in St. Louis, 
remaining there two years, when he accepted the 
Professorship of Mathematics in St. Charles Col- 
lege, at St. Charles, Mo., continuing in that 
position four years (1847-51). Returning to Jack- 
sonville, 111., in the latter year, he assumed the 
principalship of the main public school of that 
city. Here he remained seven years, during four 
of them discharging the duties of County Super- 
intendent of Schools for Morgan County. In the 
fall of 1857 he became Principal of Jacksonville 
Female Academy, but the following year was 
elected State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, having been nominated for the office by the 
Republican State Convention of 1858, which put 
Abraham Lincoln in nomination for the United 
States Senate. By successive re-elections he con- 
tinued in this office fourteen years, serving con- 
tinuously from 1859 to 1875, except two years 
(1863-65), as the result of his defeat for re-election 
in 1862. He was also endorsed for the same office 
by the State Teachers' Association in 1856, but 
was not formally nominated by a State Conven- 
tion. Buring his incumbency the Illinois com- 
mon school system was developed and brought to 
the state of efficiency which it has so well main- 
tained. He also prepared some seven volumes of 
biennial reports, portions of which have been 
republished in five different languages of Europe, 
besides a volume of "Common School Becisions," 
originally published by authority of the General 
Assembly, and of which several editions have 
since been issued. This volume has been recog- 
nized by the courts, and is still regarded as 
authoritative on the subjects to which it relates. 
In addition to his official duties during a part of 
this period, for three years he served as editor of 
"The Illinois Teacher," and was one of a com- 
mittee of three which prepared the bill adopted 
by Congress creating the National Bureau of 
Education. Occupying a room in the old State 
Capitol at Springfield adjoining that used as an 
office by Abraham Lincoln during the first candi- 
dacy of the latter for the Presidency, in 1860, a 



38 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



close intimacy sprang up between the two men, 
which enabled the "School-master," as Mr. Lin- 
coln playfully called the Doctor, to acquire an 
insight into the character of the future emanci- 
pator of a race, enjoyed by few men of that time, 
and of which he gave evidence by his lectures 
full of interesting reminiscence and eloquent 
appreciation of the high character of the "Martyr 
President." A few months after his retirement 
from the State Superintendency (1875), Dr. Bate- 
man was offered and accepted the Presidency of 
Knox College at Galesburg, remaining until 1893, 
when he voluntarily tendered his resignation. 
This, after having been repeatedly urged upon 
the Board, was finally accepted ; but that body 
immediately, and by unanimous vote, appointed 
him President Emeritus and Professor of Mental 
and Moral Science, under which he continued to 
discharge his duties as a special lecturer as his 
health enabled him to do so. During his incum- 
bency as President of Knox College, he twice 
received a tender of the Presidency of Iowa State 
University and the Chancellorship of two other 
important State institutions. He also served, by 
appointment of successive Governors between 1877 
and 1891, as a member of the State Board of 
Health, for four years of this period being Presi- 
dent of the Board. In February, 1878, Dr. Bate- 
man, unexpectedly and without solicitation on his 
part, received from President Hayes an appoint- 
ment as "Assay Commissioner" to examine and 
test the fineness and weight of United States 
coins, in accordance with the provisions of the 
act of Congress of June 22, 1874, and discharged 
the duties assigned at the mint in Philadelphia. 
Never of a very strong physique, which was 
rather weakened by his privations while a stu- 
dent and his many years of close confinement to 
mental labor, towards the close of his life Dr. 
Bateman suffered much from a chest trouble 
which finally developed into "angina pectoris," 
or heart disease, from which, as the result of a 
most painful attack, he died at his home in Gales- 
burg, Oct. 21, 1897. The event produced the 
most profound sorrow, not only among his associ- 
ates in the Faculty and among the students of 
Knox College, but a large number of friends 
throughout the State, who had known him offi- 
cially or personally, and had learned to admire 
his many noble and beautiful traits of character. 
His funeral which occurred at Galesburg on 
Oct. 25, called out an immense concourse of 
sorrowing friends. Almost the last labors per- 
formed by Dr. Bateman were in the revision of 
matter for this volume, in which he manifested 



the deepest interest from the time of his assump- 
tion of the duties of its Editor-in-Chief. At the 
time of his death he had the satisfaction of know- 
ing that his work in this field was practically 
complete. Dr. Bateman had been twice married, 
first in 1850 to Miss Sarah Dayton of Jacksonville, 
who died in 1857, and a second time in October, 
1859, to Miss Annie N. Tyler, of Massachusetts 
(but for some time a teacher in Jacksonville 
Female Academy), who died, May 28, 1878.— 
Clifford Rush (Bateman), a son of Dr. Bateman 
by his first marriage, was born at Jacksonville, 
March 7, 1854, graduated at Amherst College and 
later from the law department of Columbia Col- 
lege, New York, afterwards prosecuting his 
studies at Berlin, Heidelberg and Paris, finally 
becoming Professor of Administrative Law and 
Government in Columbia College — a position 
especially created for him. He had filled this 
position a little over one year when his career — 
which was one of great promise — was cut short by 
death, Feb. 6, 1883. Three daughters of Dr. Bate- 
man survive — all the wives of clergymen. — P. S. 

BATES, Clara Doty, author, was born at Ann 
Arbor, Mich., Dec. 22, 1838; published her first 
book in 1868; the next year married Morgan 
Bates, a Chicago publisher; wrote much for 
juvenile periodicals, besides stories and poems, 
some of the most popular among the latter being 
"Blind Jakey" (1868) and "^Esop's Fables" in 
verse (1873). She was the collector of a model 
library for children, for the World's Columbian 
Exposition, 1893. Died in Chicago, Oct. 14, 1895. 
BATES, Erastus Newton, soldier and State 
Treasurer, was born at Plainfield, Mass., Feb. 29, 
1828, being descended from Pilgrims of the May- 
flower. When 8 years of age he was brought by 
his father to Ohio, where the latter soon after- 
ward died. For several years he lived with an 
uncle, preparing himself for college and earning 
money by teaching and manual labor. He gradu- 
ated from Williams College, Mass., in 1853, and 
commenced the study of law in New York City, 
but later removed to Minnesota, where he served 
as a member of the Constitutional Convention of 
1856 and was elected to the State Senate in 1857. 
In 1859 he removed to Centralia, 111., and com- 
menced practice there in August, 1862 ; was com- 
missioned Major of the Eightieth Illinois 
Volunteers, being successively promoted to the 
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel, and 
finally brevetted Brigadier-General. For fifteen 
months he was a prisoner of war, escaping from 
Libby Prison only to be recaptured and later 
exposed to the fire of the Union batteries at Mor- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



39 



ris Island, Charleston harbor. In 1866 he was 
elected to the Legislature, and, in 1868, State 
Treasurer, being re-elected to the latter office 
under the new Constitution of 1870, and serving 
until January, 1873. Died at Minneapolis, 
Minn., May 29, 1898, and was buried at Spring- 
field. 

BATES, George C., lawyer and politician, was 
born in Canandaigua, N. Y., and removed to 
Michigan in 1834; in 1849 was appointed United 
States District Attorney for that State, but re- 
moved to California in 1850, where he became a 
member of the celebrated "Vigilance Committee" 
at San Francisco, and, in 1856, delivered the first 
Republican speech there. From 1861 to 1871, he 
practiced law in Chicago; the latter year was 
appointed District Attorney for Utah, serving 
two years, in 1878 removing to Denver, Colo., 
where he died, Feb. 11, 1886. Mr. Bates was an 
orator of much reputation, and was selected to 
express the thanks of the citizens of Chicago to 
Gen. B. J. Sweet, commandant of Camp Douglas, 
after the detection and defeat of the Camp Doug- 
las conspiracy in November, 1864 — a duty which 
he performed in an address of great eloquence. 
At an early day he married the widow of Dr. 
Alexander Wolcott, for a number of years previ- 
ous to 1830 Indian Agent at Chicago, his wife 
being a daughter of John Kinzie, the first white 
settler of Chicago. 

BATH, a village of Mason County, on the 
Jacksonville branch of the Chicago, Peoria & St. 
Louis Railway, 8 miles south of Havana. Popu- 
lation (1880), 439; (1890), 384; (.190(1), 330. 

BAYLIS, a corporate village of Pike County, 
on the main line of the Wabash Railway, 40 miles 
southeast of Quincy; lias one newspaper. Popu- 
lation (1890), 368; (1900), 340. 

BAYLISS, Alfred, Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, was born about 1846, served as a 
private in the First Michigan Cavalry the last 
two years of the Civil War, and graduated from 
Hillsdale College (Mich.), in 1870, supporting 
himself during his college course by work upon a 
farm and teaching. After serving three years as 
County Superintendent of Schools in La Grange 
County, Ind., in 1874 he came to Illinois and 
entered upon the vocation of a teacher in the 
northern part of the State. He served for some 
time as Superintendent of Schools for the city of 
Sterling, afterwards becoming Principal of the 
Township High School at Streator, where he was, 
in 1*98, when he received the nomination for the 
office of State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, to which lie was elected in November follow- 



ing by a plurality over his Democratic opponent 
of nearly 70,000 votes. 

BEARD, Thomas, pioneer and founder of the 
city of Beardstown, 111., was born in Granville, 
Washington County, N. Y., in 1795, taken to 
Northeastern Ohio in 1800, and, in 1818, removed 
to Illinois, living for a time about Edwardsville 
and Alton. In 1820 he went to the locality of 
the present city of Beardstown, and later estab- 
lished there the first ferry across the Illinois 
River. In 1827, in conjunction with Enoch 
March of Morgan County, he entered the land on 
which Beardstown was platted in 1829. Died, at 
Beardstown, in November, 1849. 

BEARDSTOWN, a city in Cass County, on the 
Illinois River, being the intersecting point for 
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern and the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railways, and the 
northwestern terminus of the former. It is 111 
miles north of St. Louis and 90 miles south of 
Peoria. Thomas Beard, for whom the town was 
named, settled here about 1820 and soon after- 
wards established the first ferry across the Illi- 
nois River. In 1827 the land was patented by 
Beard and Enoch March, and the town platted, 
and, during the Black Hawk War of 1832, it 
became a principal base of supplies for the Illi- 
nois volunteers. The city has six churches and 
three schools (including a high school), two banks 
and two daily newspapers. Several branches of 
manufacturing are carried on here — flouring and 
saw mills, cooperage works, an axe-handle fac- 
torj 7 , two button factories, two stave factories, 
one shoe factory, large machine shops, and others 
of less importance. The river is spanned here by 
a fine railroad bridge, costing some $300,000. 
Population (1890), 4,226; (1900), 4,827. 

BEAUBIEN, Jean Baptiste, the second per- 
manent settler on the site of Chicago, was borr> 
at Detroit in 1780, became clerk of a fur-trader on 
Grand River, married an Ottawa woman for his 
first wife, and, in 1800, had a trading-post at Mil- 
waukee, which he maintained until 1818. Ha 
visited Chicago as early as 1804, bought a cabin 
there soon after the Fort Dearborn massacre of 
1812, married the daughter of Francis La Fram- 
boise, a French trader, and, in 1818, became 
agent of the American Fur Company, having 
charge of trading posts at Mackinaw and els3- 
where. After 1823 he occupied the building 
known as "the factory," just outside of Fort Dear« 
born, which had belonged to the Government, 
but removed to a farm on the Des Plaines in 1840. 
Out of the ownership of this building grew his 
claim to the right, in 1835, to enter seventy-five 



40 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



acres of land belonging to the Fort Dearborn 
reservation. The claim was allowed by the Land 
Office officials and sustained by the State courts, 
but disallowed by the Supreme Court of the 
United States after long litigation. An attempt 
was made to revive this claim in Congress in 
1878, but it was reported upon adversely by a 
Senate Committee of which the late Senator 
Thomas F. Bayard was chairman. Mr. Beaubien 
was evidently a man of no little prominence in 
his day. He led a company of Chicago citizens 
to the Black Hawk War in 1832, was appointed 
by the Governor the first Colonel of Militia for 
Cook County, and, in 1850, was commissioned 
Brigadier-General. In 1858 he removed to Nash- 
ville, Tenn., and died there, Jan. 5, 1863. — Mark 
(Beaubien), a younger brother of Gen. Beaubien, 
was born in Detroit in 1800, came to Chicago in 
1826, and bought a log house of James Kinzie, in 
which he kept a hotel for some time. Later, he 
erected the first frame building in Chicago, which 
was known as the "Sauganash," and in which he 
kept a hotel until 1834. He also engaged in mer- 
chandising, but was not successful, ran the first 
ferry across the South Branch of the Chicago 
River, and served for many years as lighthouse 
keeper at Chicago. About 1834 the Indians trans- 
ferred to him a reservation of 640 acres of land on 
the Calumet, for which, some forty years after- 
wards, he received a patent which had been 
signed by Martin Van Buren — he having previ- 
ously been ignorant of its existence. He was 
married twice and had a family of twenty-two 
children. Died, at Kankakee, 111., April 16, 1881. 
— Madore B. (Beaubien), the second son of 
General Beaubien by his Indian wife, was born 
on Grand River in Michigan, July 15, 1809, joined 
his father in Chicago, was educated in a Baptist 
Mission School where Niles, Mich., now stands; 
was licensed as a merchant in Chicago in 1831, 
but failed as a business man; served as Second 
Lieutenant of the Naperville Company in the 
Black Hawk War. and later was First Lieutenant 
of a Chicago Company. His first wife was a 
white woman, from whom he separated, after- 
wards marrying an Indian woman. He left Illi- 
nois with the Pottawatomies in 1840, resided at 
Council Bluffs and. later, in Kansas, being for 
many years the official interpreter of the tribe 
and, for some time, one of six Commissioners 
employed by the Indians to look after their 
affairs with the United States Government. — 
Alexander (Beaubien), son of General Beau- 
bien by his white wife, was born in one of the 
buildings belonging to Fort Dearborn, Jan. 28, 



1822. In 1840 he accompanied his father to his 
farm on the Des Plaines, but returned to Chicago 
in 1862, and for years past has been employed on 
the Chicago police force. 

BEBB, William, Governor of Ohio, was born 
in Hamilton County in that State in 1802; taught 
school at North Bend, the home of William Henry 
Harrison, studied law and practiced at Hamilton ; 
served as Governor of Ohio, 1846-48; later led a 
Welsh colony to Tennessee, but left at the out- 
break of the Civil War, removing to Winnebago 
County, 111., where he had purchased a large 
body of land. He was a man of uncompromising 
loyalty and high principle ; served as Examiner 
of Pensions by appointment of President Lincoln 
and, in 1868, took a prominent part in the cam- 
paign which resulted in Grant's first election to 
the Presidency. Died at Rockford, Oct. 23, 1873. 
A daughter of Governor Bebb married Hon. 
John P. Reynolds, for many years the Secretary 
of the Illinois State Agricultural Society, and, 
during the World's Columbian Exposition, 
Director-in-Chief of the Illinois Board of World's 
Fair Commissioners. 

BECKER, Charles St. N., ex State Treasurer, 
was born in Germany. June 14, 1840, and brought 
to this country by his parents at the age of 11 
years, the family settling in St. Clair County, 111. 
Early in the Civil War he enlisted in the Twelfth 
Missouri regiment, and, at the battle of Pea 
Ridge, was so severely wounded that it was 
found necessary to amputate one of his legs. In 
1866 he was elected Sheriff of St. Clair County, 
and, from 1872 to 1880, he served as clerk of the 
St. Clair Circuit Court. He also served several 
terms as a City Councilman of Belleville. In 1888 
he was elected State Treasurer on the Republican 
ticket, serving from Jan. 14, 1889, to Jan. 12, 1891. 

BECKWITH, Corydon, lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Vermont in 1823, and educated at Provi- 
dence, R. I., and Wrentham, Mass. He read law 
and was admitted to the bar in St. Albans. Vt., 
where lie practiced for two years. In 1853 he 
removed to Chicago, and, in January, 1864, was 
appointed by Governor Yates a Justice of the 
Supreme Court, to fill the five remaining months 
of the unexpired term of Judge Caton, who had 
resigned. On retiring from the bench lie re- 
sumed private practice. Died, August 18, 1890. 

BECKWITH, Hiram Williams, lawyer and 
author, was born at Danville. 111.. March 5. 1*33. 
Mr. Beokwith's father, Dan W. Beckwith, a pio- 
neer settler of Eastern Illinois and one of the 
founders of the city of Danville, was a native of 
Wyalusing, Pa., where he was born about 1789, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



41 



his mother being, in her girlhood. Hannah York, 
one of the survivors of the famous Wyoming 
massacre of 1778. In 1817, the senior Beckwith, 
in company with his brother George, descended 
the Ohio River, afterwards ascending the Wabash 
to where Terre Haute now stands, but finally 
locating in what is now a part of Edgar County, 
111. A year later he removed to the vicinity of 
the present site of the city of Danville. Having 
been employed for a time in a surveyor's 
corps, he finally became a surveyor himself, and, 
on the organization of Vermilion County, served 
for a time as County Surveyor by appointment of 
the Governor, and was also employed by the 
General Government in surveying lands in the 
eastern part of the State, some of the Indian 
reservations in that section of the State being 
set off by him. In connection with Guy W. 
Smith, then Receiver of Public Moneys in the 
Land Office at Palestine, 111., he donated the 
ground on which the county-seat of Vermilion 
County was located, and it took the name of Dan- 
ville from his first name — "Dan." In 1830 he 
was elected Representative in the State Legisla- 
ture for the District composed of Clark, Edgar, 
and Vermilion Counties, then including all that 
section of the State between Crawford County 
and the Kankakee River. He died in 1835. 
Hiram, the subject of this sketch, thus left 
fatherless at less than three years of age, received 
only such education as was afforded in the com- 
mon schools of that period. Nevertheless, he 
began the study of law in the Danville office of 
Lincoln & Lamon, and was admitted to practice 
in 1854, about the time of reaching his majority. 
He continued in their office and, on the removal 
of Lamon to Bloomington in 1859, he succeeded 
to the business of the firm at Danville. Mr. 
Lamon — who, on Mr. Lincoln's accession to the 
Presidency in 1861, became Marshal of the Dis- 
trict of Columbia — was distantly related to Mr. 
Beckwith by a second marriage of the mother of 
the latter. While engaged in the practice of his 
profession, Mr. Beckwith has been over thirty 
years a zealous collector of records and other 
material bearing upon the early history of Illinois 
and the Northwest, and is probably now the 
owner of one of the most complete and valuable 
collections of Americana in Illinois. He is also 
the author of several monographs on historic 
themes, including "The Winnebago War," "The 
Illinois and Indiana Indians," and "Historic 
Notes of the Northwest." published in the "Fer- 
gus Series." besides having edited an edition of 
"Reynolds' History of Illinois" (published by the 



same firm), which he has enriched by the addition 
of valuable notes. During 1895-96 he contributed 
a series of valuable articles to "The Chicago 
Tribune" on various features of early Illinois and 
Northwest history. In 1890 he was appointed by 
Governor Fifer a member of the first Board of 
Trustees of the Illinois State Historical Library, 
serving until the expiration of his term in 1894, 
and was re-appointed to the same position by 
Governor Tanner in 1897. in each case being 
chosen President of the Board. 

BEECHER, Charles A., attorney and railway 
solicitor, was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., 
August 27, 1829, but, in 1836, removed with his 
family to Licking County, Ohio, where he lived 
upon a farm until he reached the age of 18 years. 
Having taken a course in the Ohio Wesleyan 
University at Delaware, in 1854 he removed to 
Illinois, locating at Fairfield, Wayne County, 
and began the study of law in the office of his 
brother, Edwin Beecher, being admitted to prac- 
tice in 1855. In 1867 he united with others in the 
organization of the Illinois Southeastern Rail- 
road projected from Shawneetown to Edgewood 
on the Illinois Central in Effingham County. 
This enterprise was consolidated, a year or two 
later, with the Pana, Springfield & Northwest- 
ern, taking the name of the Springfield & Illinois 
Southeastern, under which name it was con- 
structed and opened for traffic in 1871. (This 
line — which Mr. Beecher served for some time 
as Vice-President — now constitutes the Beards 
town & Shawneetown Division of the Baltimore 
& Ohio Southwestern.) The Springfield & Illi- 
nois Southeastern Company having fallen into 
financial difficulty in 1873, Mr. Beecher was 
appointed receiver of the road, and, for a time, 
had control of its operation as agent for the bond- 
holders. In 1875 the line was conveyed to the 
Ohio & Mississippi Railroad (now a part of the 
Baltimore & Ohio), when Mr. Beecher became 
General Counsel of the controlling corporation, 
so remaining until 1888. Since that date he has 
been one of the assistant counsel of the Baltimore 
& Ohio system. His present home is in Cincin- 
nati, although for over a quarter of a century he 
has been prominently identified with one of the 
most important railway enterprises in Southern 
Illinois. In politics Mr. Beecher has always been 
a Republican, and was one of the few in Wayne 
County who voted for Fremont in 1856, and for 
Lincoln in 1860. He was also a member of 
the Republican State Central Committee of 
Illinois from 1860 for a period of ten or twelve 
years. 



4-; 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



BEECHER, Edward, D. D., clergyman and 

educator, was born at East Hampton, L. I., 
August 27, 1803 — the son of Rev. Lyman Beecher 
and the elder brother of Henry Ward ; graduated 
at Yale College in 1822, taught for over a year at 
Hartford, Conn., studied theology, and after a 
year's service as tutor in Yale College, in 
1826 was ordained pastor of the Park Street 
Congregational Church in Boston. In 1830 
he became President of Illinois College at 
Jacksonville, remaining until 1844, when he 
resigned and returned to Boston, serving as 
pastor of the Salem Street Church in that 
city until 1850, also acting as senior editor of 
"The Congregationalist" for four years. In 1850 
lie returned to Illinois as pastor of the First Con- 
gregational Church at Galesburg, continuing 
until 1871, when he removed to Brooklyn, where 
he resided without pastoral charge, except 1885- 
89, when he was pastor of the Parkville Congre- 
gational Church. While President of Illinois 
College, that institution was exposed to much 
hostile criticism on account of his outspoken 
opposition to slavery, as shown by his participa- 
tion in founding the first Illinois State Anti- 
Slavery Society and his eloquent denunciation of 
the murder of Elijah P. Lovejoy. Next to his 
brother Henry Ward, he was probably the most 
powerful orator belonging to that gifted family, 
and, in connection with his able associates in the 
faculty of the Illinois College, assisted to give 
that institution a wide reputation as a nursery 
of independent thought. Up to a short time 
before his death, he was a prolific writer, his 
productions (besides editorials, reviews and con- 
tributions on a variety of subjects) including 
nine or ten volumes, of which the most impor- 
tant are: "Statement of Anti Slavery Principles 
and Address to the People of Illinois" (1837); 
"A Plea for Illinois College"; "History of the 
Alton Riots" (1838); "The Concord of Ages" 
(1853); "The Conflict of Ages" (1854); "Papal 
Conspiracy Exposed" (1854), besides a number 
of others invariably on religious or anti-slavery 
topics. Died in Brooklyn, July 28, 1895. 

BEECHER, William H., clergyman — oldest 
son of Rev. Lyman Beecher and brother of 
Edward and Henry Ward — was born at East 
Hampton, N. Y. , educated at home and at An- 
dover, became a Congregationalist clergyman, 
occupying pulpits at Newport, R. I., Batavia, 
N. Y., and Cleveland, Ohio; came to Chicago in 
his later years, dying at the home of his daugh- 
ters in that city, June 23, 1889. 

BEGGS, (Rev.) Stephen R.. pioneer Methodist 



Episcopal preacher, was born in Buckingham 
County, Va., March 30, 1801. His father, who 
was opposed to slavery, moved to Kentucky in 
1805, but remained there only two years, when he 
removed to Clark County, Ind. The sou enjoyed 
but poor educational advantages here, obtaining 
his education chiefly by his own efforts in what 
he called "Brush College." At the age of 21 lie 
entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, during the next ten years traveling 
different circuits in Indiana. In 1831 he was 
appointed to Chicago, but the Black Hawk War 
coming on immediately thereafter, lie retired to 
Plainfield. Later he traveled various circuits in 
Illinois, until 1868, when he was superannuated, 
occupying his time thereafter in writing remi- 
niscences of his early history. A volume of this 
character published by him, was entitled "Pages 
from the Early History of the West and North- 
west." He died at Plainfield, 111., Sept. 9, 1895, 
in the 95th year of his age. 

BEIDLER, Henry, early settler, was born of 
German extraction in Bucks County, Pa., Nov. 
27, 1812 ; came to Illinois in 1843, settling first at 
Springfield, where he carried on the grocery 
business for five years, then removed to Chicago 
and engaged in the lumber trade in connection 
with a brother, afterwards carrying on a large 
lumber manufacturing business at Muskegon, 
Mich., which proved very profitable. In 1871 
Mr. Beidler retired from the lumber trade, in- 
vesting largely in west side real estate in the city 
of Chicago, which appreciated rapidly in value, 
making him one of the most wealthy real estate 
owners in Chicago. Died, March 10, 1893. — Jacob 
(Beidler), brother of the preceding, was born in 
Bucks County, Penn., in 1815; came west in 
1842, first began working as a carpenter, but 
later engaged in the grocery business with his 
brother at Springfield, 111. ; in 1844 removed to 
Chicago, where he was joined by his brother four 
years later, when they engaged largely in the 
lumber trade. Mr. Beidler retired from business 
in 1891, devoting his attention to large real estate 
investments. He was a liberal contributor to 
religious, educational and benevolent institutions. 
Died in Chicago, March 15, 1898. 

BELFIELD, Henry Holmes, educator, was 
born in Philadelphia, Nov. 17, 1837; was educated 
at an Iowa College, and for a time was tutor in 
the same; during the War of the Rebellion served 
in the army of the Cumberland, first as Lieuten- 
ant and afterwards as Adjutant of the Eighth 
Iowa Cavalry, still later being upon the staff of 
Gen. E. M. McCook. and taking part in the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



43 



Atlanta and Nashville campaigns. While a 
prisoner in the hands of the rebels he was placed 
under fire of the Union batteries at Charleston. 
Coming to Chicago in 1866, he served as Principal 
in various public schools, including the North 
Division High School. He was one of the earli- 
est advocates of manual training, and, on the 
establishment of the Chicago Manual Training 
School in 1884, was appointed its Director — a 
position which he has continued to occupy. 
During 1891-92 he made a trip to Europe by 
appointment of the Government, to investigate 
the school systems in European countries. 

BELKNAP, Hugh Reid, ex-Member of Congress, 
was born in Keokuk, Iowa, Sept. 1, 1860, being 
the son of W. W. Belknap, for some time Secre- 
tary of War under President Grant. After 
attending the public schools of his native city, 
he took a course at Adams Academy, Quincy, 
Mass., and at Phillips Academy, Andover, when 
he entered the service of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad, where he remained twelve years in 
various departments, finally becoming Chief 
Clerk of the General Manager. In 1892 he retired 
from this position to become Superintendent of 
the South Side Elevated Railroad of Chicago. 
He never held any political position until nomi- 
nated (1894) as a Republican for the Fifty-fourth 
Congress, in the strongly Democratic Third Dis- 
trict of Chicago. Although the returns showed 
a plurality of thirty-one votes for his Democratic 
opponent (Lawrence McGann), a recount proved 
him elected, when, Mr. McGann having volun- 
tarily withdrawn, Mr. Belknap was unanimously 
awarded the seat. In 1896 he was re-elected 
from a District usually strongly Democratic, 
receiving a plurality of 590 votes, but w;is 
defeated by his Democratic opponent in 1898, retir- 
ing from Congress, March 3, 1899, when he re- 
ceived an appointment as Paymaster in the Army 
from President McKinley, with the rank of Major. 
BELL, Robert, lawyer, was born in Lawrence 
Comity, 111., in 1829, educated at Mount Carmel 
and Indiana State University at Bloomington, 
graduating from the law department of the 
latter in 1855; while yet in his minority edited 
"The Mount Carmel Register," during 1851-52 
becoming joint owner and editor of the same 
with his brother, Victor D. Bell. After gradu- 
ation he opened an office at Fairfield, Wayne 
County, but, in 1857, returned to Mount Carmel 
&nd from 1864 was the partner of Judge E. B. 
Green, until the appointment of the latter Chief 
Justice of Oklahoma by President Harrison in 
1890. In 1869 Mr. Bell was appointed County 



Judge of Lawrence County, being elected to the 
same office in 1894. He was also President 
of the Illinois Southern Railroad Company 
until it was merged into the Cairo & Vincennes 
Road 'in 1867; later became President of the St. 
Louis & Mt. Carmel Railroad, now a part of the 
Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis line, and 
secured the construction of the division from 
Princeton, Ind., to Albion, 111. In 1876 he visited 
California as Special Agent of the Treasury 
Department to investigate alleged frauds in the 
Revenue Districts on the Pacific Coast ; in 1878 
was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress on 
the Republican ticket in the strong Democratic 
Nineteenth District; was appointed, the same 
year, a member of the Republican State Central 
Committee for the State-at-large, and, in 1881, 
officiated by appointment of President Garfield, 
as Commissioner to examine a section of the 
Atlantic & Pacific Railroad in New Mexico. 
Judge Bell is a gifted stump-speaker and is known 
in the southeastern part of the State as the 
"Silver-tongued Orator of the Wabash." 

BELLEVILLE, the county-seat of St. Clair 
County, a city and railroad center, 14 miles south 
of east from St. Louis. It is one of the oldest 
towns in the State, having been selected as the 
county-seat in 1814 and platted in 1815. It lies 
in the center of a rich agricultural and coal-bear- 
ing district and contains numerous factories of 
various descriptions, including flouring mills, a 
nail mill, glass works and shoe factories. It has 
five newspaper establishments, two being Ger- 
man, which issue daily editions. Its commercial 
and educational facilities are exceptionally good. 
Its population is largely of German descent. 
Population (1890), 15,361 ; (1900), 17,484. 

BELLEVILLE, CENTRALIA & EASTERN 
RAILROAD. (See Louisville, Evansville & St. 
Louis (Consolidated) Railroad.) 

BELLEVILLE & CARONDELET RAILROAD, 
a short line of road extending from Belleville to 
East Carondelet, 111., 17.3 miles. It was chartered 
Feb. 20, 1881, and leased to the St. Louis, Alton 
& Terre Haute Railroad Company, June 1, 1883. 
The annual rental is $30,000, a sum ecmivalent to 
the interest on the bonded debt. The capital 
stock (1895) is 8500,000 and the bonded debt $485,- 
000. In addition to these sums the floating debt 
swells the entire capitalization to .$995,054 or 857,- 
317 per mile. 

BELLEVILLE & ELDORADO RAILROAD, 
a road 50.4 miles in length running from Belle- 
ville to Duquoin, 111. It was chartered Feb. 22, 
1861, and completed Oct. 31, 1871. On July 1, 



44 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1880, it was leased to the St Louis, Alton & 
Terre Haute Railroad Company for 486 years, and 
has since been operated by that corporation in 
connection with its Belleville branch, from East 
St. Louis to Belleville. At Eldorado the road 
intersects the Cairo & Vincennes Railroad and 
the Shawneetown branch of the St. Louis & 
Southeastern Railroad, operated by the Louisville 
& Npshville Railroad Company. Its capital 
stock (1895) is 81,000,000 and its bonded debt 
$550,000. The corporate office is at Belleville. 

BELLEVILLE & ILL1XOISTOWN RAILROAD. 
(See St Louis, Alton &• Terre Haute Railroad.) 

BELLEVILLE & SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 
RAILROAD, a road (laid with steel rails) run- 
ning from Belleville to Duquoin, 111., 56.4 miles 
in length. It was chartered Feb. 15, 1857, and 
completed Dec. 15, 1873. At Duquoin it connects 
with the Illinois Central and forms a short line 
between St. Louis and Cairo. Oct. 1, 1866, it was 
leased to the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute 
Railroad Company for 999 years. The capital 
stock is Sl.692,000 and the bonded debt 81,000,- 
000. The corporate office is at Belleville. 

BELLMONT, a village of Wabash County, on 
the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis Railway, 9 
miles west of Mount Carmel. Population (1880), 
350; (1890), 487; (1900), 624. 

BELT RAILWAY COMPANY OF CHICAGO, 
THE, a corporation chartered, Nov. 22, 1882, and 
the lessee of the Belt Division of the Chicago & 
Western Indiana Railroad (which see). Its total 
trackage (all of standard gauge and laid with 66- 
pound steel rails) is 93.26 miles, distributed as fol- 
lows : Auburn Junction to Chicago, Milwaukee & 
St. Paul Junction, 15.9 miles; branches from Pull- 
man Junction to Irondale, 111., etc., 5.41 miles; 
second track, 14.1 miles; sidings, 57.85 miles. 
The cost of constrviction has been §524,549; capi- 
tal stock, §1,200,000. It has no funded debt. 
The earnings for the year ending June 30, 1895, 
were 8556,847, the operating expenses §378,012, 
and the taxes 851,009. 

BELVIDERE,an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Boone County, situated on the Kishwau- 
kee River, and on two divisions of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad, 78 miles west-northwest 
of Chicago and 14 miles east of Rockford ; is con- 
nected with the latter city by electric railroad. 
The city has twelve churches, five graded schools, 
and three banks (two national). Two daily and 
two semi-weekly papers are published here. Bel- 
videre also has very considerable manufacturing 
interests, including manufactories of sewing ma- 
chines, bicycles, automobiles, besides a large 



milk-condensing factory and two cieameries. 
Population (1890), 3,867; (1900), 6,937. 

BEMENT, a village in Piatt County, at inter- 
section of main line and Chicago Division of 
Wabash Railroad, 20 miles east of Decatur and 
166 miles south-southwest of Chicago; in agri- 
cultural and stock-raising district; has three 
grain elevators, broom factory, water- works, elec- 
tric-light plant, four churches, two banks and 
weekly paper. Pop. (1890), 1,129; (1900), 1,484. 

BENJAMIN, Reuben Moore, lawyer, born at 
Chatham Centre, Columbia County, N. Y., June 
29, 1833; was educated at Amherst College, Am- 
herst, Mass. ; spent one year iu the law depart- 
ment of Harvard, another as tutor at Amherst 
and, in 1856, came to Bloomington, 111., where, on 
an examination certificate furnished by Abraham 
Lincoln, he was licensed to practice. The first 
public office held by Mr. Benjamin was that of 
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention 
of 1869-70, in which he took a prominent part in 
shaping the provisions of the new Constitution 
relating to corporations. In 1873 he was chosen 
County Judge of McLean County, by repeated 
re-elections holding the position until 1886, when 
he resumed private practice. For more than 
twentj' years he has been connected with the law 
department of Wesleyan University at Blooming- 
ton, a part of the time being Dean of the Faculty ; 
is also the author of several volumes of legal 
text-books. 

BENNETT MEDICAL COLLEGE, an Eclectic 
Medical School of Chicago, incorporated by 
special charter and opened in the autumn of 
1868. Its first sessions were held in two large 
rooms; its faculty consisted of seven professors, 
and there were thirty matriculates. "More com- 
modious quarters were secured the following 
year, and a still better home after the fire of 1871, 
in which all the college property was destroyed. 
Another change of location was made in 1874. 
In 1890 the property then owned was sold and a 
new college building, in connection with a hos- 
pital, erected in a more quiet quarter of the city. 
A free dispensary is conducted by the college. 
The teaching faculty (1896) consists of nineteen 
professors, with four assistants and demonstra- 
tors. Women are admitted as pupils on equal 
terms with men. 

BENT, Charles, journalist, was born in Chi- 
cago, Dec. 8, 1844, but removed with his family. 
in 1856, to Morrison, Whiteside. County, where, 
two years later, he became an apprentice to the 
printing business in the office of "The Whiteside 
Sentinel." In June, 1864, he enlisted as a soldier 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



45 



in the One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois (100- 
days' regiment) and, on the expiration of his term 
of service, re-enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Forty-seventh Illinois, being mustered out at 
Savannah, Ga., in January, 1866, with the rank 
of Second Lieutenant. Then resuming his voca- 
tion as a printer, in July, 1867, he purchased the 
office of "The Whiteside Sentinel," in which he 
learned his trade, and has since been the editor of 
that paper, except during 1877-79 while engaged 
in writing a "History of Whiteside County." 
He is a charter member of the local Grand Army 
Post and served on the staff of the Department 
Commander ; was Assistant Assessor of Internal 
Revenue during 1870-73, and, in 1878, was elected 
as a Republican to the State Senate for White- 
side and Carroll Counties, serving four years. 
Other positions held by him include the office of 
City Alderman, member of the State Board of 
Canal Commissioners (1883-85) and Commissioner 
of the Joliet Penitentiary (1889-93). He has also 
been a member of the Republican State Central 
Committee and served as its Chairman 1886-88. 

BENTON, county-seat of Franklin County, on 
111. Cent, and Chi. & E.-I1I. Railroads; has electric- 
light plant, water-works, saddle and harness fac- 
tory, two banks, two flouring mills, shale brick 
and tile works (projected), four churches and 
three weekly papers. Pop. (1890), 939 ; (1900), 1,341. 

BERDAN, James, lawyer and County Judge, 
was born in New York City, July 4, 1805, and 
educated at Columbia and Yale Colleges, gradu- 
ating from the latter in the class of 1824. His 
father, James Berdan, Sr. , came west in the fall 
of 1819 as one of the agents of a New York 
Emigration Society, and, in January, 1820, visited 
the vicinity of the present site of Jacksonville, 
111., but died soon after his return, in part from 
exposure incurred during his long and arduous 
winter journey. Thirteen years later (1832) his 
son, the subject of this sketch, came to the same 
region, and Jacksonville became his home for the 
remainder of his life. Mr. Berdan was a well 
read lawyer, as well as a man of high principle 
and sound culture, with pure literary and social 
tastes. Although possessing unusual capabilities, 
his refinement of character and dislike of osten- 
tation made him seek rather the association and 
esteem of friends than public office. In 1849 he 
was elected County Judge of Morgan County, 
serving by a second election until 1857. Later 
he was Secretary for several years of the Tonica 
& Petersburg Railroad (at that time in course of 
construction), serving until it was merged into 
the St. Louis. Jacksonville & Chicago Railroad, 



now constituting a part of the Jacksonville di- 
vision of the Chicago & Alton Railroad; also 
served for many years as a Trustee of Illinois 
College. In the latter years of his life he was, for 
a considerable period, the law partner of ex-Gov- 
ernor and ex-Senator Richard Yates. Judge 
Berdan was the ardent political friend and 
admirer of Abraham Lincoln, as well as an inti- 
mate friend and frequent correspondent of the 
poet Longfellow, besides being the correspondent, 
during a long period of his life, of a number of 
other prominent literary men. Pierre Irving, 
the nephew and biographer of Washington Irving. 
was his brother-in-law through the marriage of a 
favorite sister. Judge Berdan died at Jackson- 
ville, August 24, 1884. 

BERGEN, (Rev.) John G., pioneer clergyman, 
was born at Hightstown, N. J., Nov. 27, 1790; 
studied theology, and, after two years' service as 
tutor at Princeton and sixteen years as pastor of 
a Presbyterian church at Madison, N. J., in 1828 
came to Springfield, 111., and assisted in the 
erection of the first Protestant church in the 
central part of the State, of which he remained 
pastor until 1848. Died, at Springfield, Jan. 
17, 1S72. 

BERGGREN, Augustus W., legislator, born in 
Sweden. August 17, 1840; came to the United 
States at 10 years of age and located at Oneida, 
Knox County, 111. , afterwards removing to Gales- 
burg; held various offices, including that of 
Sheriff of Knox County (1873-81), State Senator 
(1881-89) — serving as President pro tern, of the 
Senate 1887-89, and was Warden of the State 
penitentiary at Joliet. 1888-91. He was for many 
years the very able and efficient President of the 
Covenant Mutual Life Association of Illinois, and 
is now its Treasurer. 

BERGIER, (Rev.) J, a secular priest, born in 
France, and an early missionary in Illinois. He 
labored among the Tamaroas. bei ng in charge of the 
mission at Cahokia from 1700 to his death in 1711). 

BERRY, Orville F., lawyer and legislator, was 
born in McDonough County, 111.. Feb. 16. 1852; 
early left an orphan and, after working for some 
time on a farm, removed to Carthage, Hancock 
County, where he read law and was admitted to 
the bar in 1877; in 1883 was elected Mayor of 
Carthage and twice re-elected ; was elected to the 
State Senate in 1888 and '92, and. in 1891, took a 
prominent part in securing the enactment of the 
compulsory education clause in the common 
school law. Mr. Berry presided over the Repub- 
lican State Convention of 1896, the same year was 
a candidate for re-election to the State Senate, 



46 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



but the certificate was awarded to his Democratic 
competitor, who was declared elected by 164 
plurality. On a contest before the Senate at the 
first session of the Fortieth General Assembly, 
the seat was awarded to Mr. Berry on the ground 
of illegality in the rulings of the Secretary of 
State affecting the vote of his opponent. 

BERRY, (Col.) William W., lawyer and sol- 
dier, was born in Kentucky, Feb. 22, 1834, and 
educated at Oxford. Ohio. His home being then 
in Covington, he studied law in Cincinnati, and, 
at the age of 23, began practice at Louisville, Ky., 
being married two years later to Miss Georgie 
Hewitt of Frankfort. Early in 1861 he entered 
the Civil War on the Union side as Major of the 
Louisville Legion, and subsequently served in 
the Army of the Cumberland, marching to the 
sea with Sherman and, during the period of his 
service, receiving four wounds. After the close 
of the war he was offered the position oi Gov- 
ernor of one of the Territories, but, determining 
not to go further west than Illinois, declined. 
For three years he was located and in practice at 
Winchester, 111., but removed to Quincy in 1874, 
where he afterwards resided. He always took a 
warm interest in politics and, in local affairs, 
was a leader of his party. He was an organizer of 
the G. A. R. Post at Quincy and its first Com- 
mander, and, in 1884-85, served as Commander of 
the State Department of the G. A. R. He organ- 
ized a Young Men's Republican Club, as he 
believed that the young minds should take an 
active part in politics. He was one of the com- 
mittee of seven appointed by the Governor to 
locate the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home for Illinois, 
and, after spending six months inspecting vari- 
ous sites offered, the institution was finally 
located at Quincy ; was also Trustee of Knox 
College, at Galesburg, for several years. He was 
frequently urged by his party friends to run for 
public office, but it was so much against his 
nature to ask for even one vote, that he would 
not consent. He died at his home in Quincy, 
much regretted. May 6, 1895. 

BESTOR, George C, legislator, born in Wash- 
ington City, April 11, 1811; was assistant docu- 
ment clerk in the House of Representatives eight 
years; came to Illinois in 1835 and engaged in 
real estate business at Peoria; was twice ap- 
pointed Postmaster of that city (1842 and 1861) 
and three times elected Mayor; served as finan- 
cial agent of the Peoria & Oquawka (now Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad), and a Director of 
the, Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw ; a delegate to the 
Whig National Convention of 1852; a State 



Senator (1858-62), and an ardent friend of Abra- 
ham Lincoln. Died, in Washington, May 14, 

1872, while prosecuting a claim against the 
Government for the construction of gunboats 
during the war. 

BETHALTO, a village of Madison County, on 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway, 25 miles north of St. Louis. Popula- 
tion (1880), 628; (1890), 879; (1900), 477. 

BETHANY, a village of Moultrie County, on 
Peoria Division 111. Cent. Railroad, 18 miles south- 
east of Decatur ; in farming district ; has one news- 
paper and four churches. Pop. , mostly American 
born. (1890), 688; (1900), 873; (1903, est.), 900. 

BETTIE STUART INSTITUTE, an institu- 
tion for young ladies at Springfield, 111. , founded 
in 1868 by Mrs. Mary McKee Homes, who con- 
ducted it for some twenty years, until her death. 
Its report for 1898 shows a faculty often instruct- 
ors and 125 pupils. Its property is valued at 
§23,500. Its course of instruction embraces the 
preparatory and classical branches, together with 
music, oratory and fine arts. 

BEVERIDGE, James H., State Treasurer, 
was born in Washington County, N. Y., in 1828; 
served as State Treasurer, 1865-67, later acted as 
Secretary of the Commission which built the 
State Capitol. His later years were spent in 
superintending a large dairy farm near Sandwich. 
De Kalb County, where he died in January, 1896. 

BEYERIDGE, John L., ex-Governor, was born 
in Greenwich. N. Y., July 6, 1824; came to Illi- 
nois, 1842. and, after spending some two years in 
Granville Academy and Rock River Seminary, 
went to Tennessee, where he engaged in teaching 
while studying law. Having been admitted to 
the bar, he returned to Illinois in 1851, first locat- 
ing at Sycamore, but three years later established 
himself in Chicago. During the first year of the 
war he assisted to raise the Eighth Regiment Illi- 
nois Cavalry, and was commissioned first as Cap- 
tain and still later Major; two years later 
became Colonel of the Seventeenth Cavalry, 
which he commanded to the close of the war, 
being mustered out, February, 1866, with the 
rank of brevet Brigadier-General. After the war 
he held the office of Sheriff of Cook County four 
years; in 1870 was elected to the State Senate, 
and, in the following year, Congressman-at-large 
to succeed General Logan, elected to the United 
States Senate; resigned this office in January. 

1873, having been elected Lieutenant-Governor, 
and a few weeks later succeeded to the govern- 
orship by the election of Governor Oglesby to the 
United States Senate. In 1881 he was appointed- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



47 



by President Arthur, Assistant United States 
Treasurer for Chicago, serving until after Cleve- 
land's first election. His present home (1898), is 
near Los Angeles, Cal. 

BIENVILLE, Jean Bnptiste le Moyne, Sieur 
<le, was born at Montreal, Canada, Feb. 23, 1680, 
and was the French Governor of Louisiana at the 
time the Illinois country was included in that 
province. He had several brothers, a number of 
whom played important parts in the early history 
of the province. Bienville first visited Louisi- 
ana, in company with his brother Iberville, in 
1698, their object being to establish a French 
colony near the mouth of the Mississippi. The 
first settlement was made at Biloxi, Dec. 6, 1699, 
and Sanvolle, another brother, %vas placed in 
charge. The latter was afterward made Governor 
of Louisiana, and, at his death (1701), he was 
succeeded by Bienville, who transferred the seat 
of government to Mobile. Iu 1704 he was joined 
by his brother Chateaugay, who brought seven- 
teen settlers from Canada. Soon afterwards 
Iberville died, and Bienville was recalled to 
France in 1707, but was reinstated the following 
year. Finding the Indians worthless as tillers of 
the soil, he seriously suggested to the home gov- 
ernment the expediency of trading off the copper- 
colored aborigines for negroes from the West 
Indies, three Indians to be reckoned as equiva- 
lent to two blacks. In 1713 Cadillac was sent out 
as Governor, Bienville being made Lieutenant- 
Governor. The two quarreled. Cadillac was 
superseded by Epinay in 1717, and, in 1718, Law's 
first expedition arrived (see Company of the 
West), and brought a Governor's commission for 
Bienville. The latter soon after founded New 
Orleans, which became the seat of government 
for the province (which then included Illinois), in 
1723. In January, 1724, he was again summoned 
to France to answer charges; was removed in 
disgrace in 1726, but reinstated in 1733 and given 
the rank of Lieutenant-General. Failing in vari- 
ous expeditions against the Chickasaw Indians, 
he was again superseded in 1743, returning to 
France, where he died in 1768. 

BIGGS, William, pioneer, Judge and legislator, 
was born in Maryland in 1753, enlisted in the 
Revolutionary army, and served as an officer 
under Colonel George Rogers Clark in the expe- 
dition for the capture of Illinois from the British 
in 1778. He settled in Bellefontaine (now Monroe 
County) soon after the close of the war. He was 
Sheriff of St. Clair County for many years, and 
later Justice of the Peace and Judge of the Court 
of Common Pleas. He also represented his 



county in the Territorial Legislatures of In- 
diana and Illinois. Died, in St. Clair County, 
in 1827. 

BIGGSVILLE, a village of Henderson County, 
on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 
15 miles northeast of Burlington; has a bank and 
two newspapers; considerable grain and live- 
stock are shipped here. Population (1880), 358; 
(1890), 487; (1900), 417. 

BIG MUDDY RIVER, a stream formed by the 
union of two branches which rise in Jefferson 
County. It runs south and southwest through 
Franklin and Jackson Counties, and enters the 
Mississippi about five miles below Grand Tower. 
Its length is estimated at 140 miles. 

BILLINGS, Albert Merritt, capitalist, was 
born in New Hampshire, April 19, 1814, educated 
in the common schools of his native State and 
Vermont, and, at the age of 22, became Sheriff of 
Windsor County, Vt., Later he was proprietor 
for a time of the mail stage-coach line between 
Concord, N. H. , and Boston, but, having sold out, 
invested his means in the securities of the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway and became 
identified with the business interests of Chicago. 
In the '50's he became associated with Cornelius 
K. Garrison in the People's Gas Company of Chi- 
cago, of which he served as President from 1859 
to 1888. In 1890 Mr. Billings became extensively 
interested in the street railway enterprises of Mr. 
C. B. Holmes, resulting in his becoming the pro- 
prietor of the street railway system at Memphis, 
Tenn., valued, in 1897, at $3,000,000. In early 
life he had been associated with Commodore 
Vanderbilt in the operation of the Hudson River 
steamboat lines of the latter. In addition to his 
other business enterprises, he was principal 
owner and, during the last twenty-five years of 
his life, President of the Home National and 
Home Savings Banks of Chicago. Died, Feb. 7, 
1897, leaving an estate valued at several millions 
of dollars. 

BILLINGS, Henry W., was born at Conway, 
Mass., July 11, 1814, graduated at Amherst Col- 
lege at twenty years of age, and began the study 
of law with Judge Foote, of Cleveland, Ohio, was 
admitted to the bar two years later and practiced 
there some two years longer. He then removed 
to St. Louis, Mo., later resided for a time at 
Waterloo and Cairo, 111., but, in 1845. settled at 
Alton; was elected Mayor of that city in 1851, 
and the first Judge of the newly organized City 
Court, in 1859, serving in this position six years. 
In 1869 he w T as elected a Delegate from Madison 
County to the State Constitutional Convention of 



48 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1869-70, but died before the expiration of the ses- 
sion, on April 19, 1870. 

BIRKBECK, Morris, early colonist, was born 
in England about 1762 or 1763, emigrated to 
America in 1817, and settled in Edwards County, 
111. He purchased a large tract of land and in- 
duced a large colony of English artisans, laborers 
and farmers to settle upon the same, founding 
the town of New Albion. He was an active, un- 
compromising opponent of slavery, and was an 
important factor in defeating the scheme to make 
Illinois a slave State. He was appointed Secre- 
tary of State by Governor Coles in October, 1824, 
but resigned at the end of three months, a hostile 
Legislature having refused to confirm him. A 
strong writer and a frequent contributor to the 
press, his letters and published works attracted 
attention both in this country and in Europe. 
Principal among the latter were: "Notes on a 
Journey Through France" (1815); "Notes on a 
Journey Through America" (1818), and "Letters 
from Illinois" (1818). Died from drowning in 
1825, aged about 63 years. (See Slavery and 
Slave Laws.) 

BISSELL, William H., first Republican Gov- 
ernor of Illinois, was born near Cooperstown, 
N. Y., on April 25, 1811, graduated in medicine at 
Philadelphia in 1835, and, after practicing a short 
time in Steuben County, N. Y., removed to Mon- 
roe County, 111. In 1840 he was elected a Repre- 
sentative in the General Assembly, where he soon 
attained high rank as a debater. He studied law 
and practiced in Belleville, St. Clair County, be- 
coming Prosecuting Attorney for that county in 
1844. He served as Colonel of the Second Illinois 
Volunteers during the Mexican War, and achieved 
distinction at Buena Vista. He represented Illi- 
nois in Congress from 1849 to 1855, being first 
elected as an Independent Democrat. On the pas- 
sage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, he left the Demo- 
cratic party and, in 1856, was elected Governor on 
the Republican ticket. While in Congress he was 
challenged by Jefferson Davis after an inter- 
change of heated words respecting the relative 
courage of Northern and Southern soldiers, 
spoken in debate. Bissell accepted the challenge, 
naming muskets at thirty paces. Mr. Davis's 
friends objected, and the duel never occurred. 
Died in office, at Springfield, 111., March 18, 1860. 

BLACK, John Charles, lawyer and soldier, 
born at Lexington, Miss., Jan. 29, 1839, at eight 
years of age came with his widowed mother to 
Illinois; while a student at Wabash College, Ind., 
in April, 1861, enlisted in the Union army, serv- 
ing gallantly and with distinction until Aug. 15, 



1865, when, as Colonel of the 37th 111. Vol. Inf., he 
retired with the rank of BrevetBrigadier-General ; 
was admitted to the bar in 1857, and after practic- 
ing at Danville, Champaign and Urbana, in 1885 
was appointed Commissioner of Pensions, serving 
until 1889, when he removed to Chicago ; served as 
Congressman-at-large (1893-95), and U. S. District 
Attorney (1895-99): Commander of the Loyal 
Legion and of the G. A. R. (Department of 
Illinois); was elected Commander-in-Chief of the 
Grand Army at the Grand Encampment, 1903. 
Gen. Black received the honorary degree of A.M. 
from his Alma Mater and that of LL. D. from Knox 
College; in January, 1904, was appointed by 
President Roosevelt member of the U. S. Civil 
Service Commission, and chosen its President. 

BLACKBURN UNIVERSITY, located at Car- 
linville, Macoupin County. It owes its origin to 
the efforts of Dr. Gideon Blackburn, who, having 
induced friends in the East to unite with him in 
the purchase of Illinois lands at Government 
price, in 1837 conveyed 16,656 acres of these 
lands, situated in ten different counties, in trust 
for the founding of an institution of learning, 
intended particularly "to qualify young men for 
the gospel ministry." The citizens of Carlinville 
donated funds wherewith to purchase eighty 
acres of land, near that city, as a site, which was 
included in the deed of trust. The enterprise 
lay dormant for many years, and it was not until 
1H57 that the institution was formally incorpo- 
rated, and ten years later it was little more than 
a high school, giving one course of instruction 
considered particularly adapted to prospective 
students of theology. At present (1898) there 
are about 110 students in attendance, a faculty 
of twelve instructors, and a theological, as well as 
preparatory and collegiate departments. The 
institution owns property valued at 8110,000, of 
which 850,000 is represented by real estate and 
§40,000 by endowment funds. 

BLACK HAWK, a Chief of the Sac tribe of 
Indians, reputed to have been born at Kaskaskia 
in 1767. (It is also claimed that he was born on 
Rock River, as well as within the present limits 
of Hancock County. ) Conceiving that his people 
had been wrongfully despoiled of lands belonging 
to them, in 1832 he inaugurated what is com- 
monly known as the Black Hawk War. His 
Indian name was Makabaimishekiakiak, signify- 
ing Black Sparrow Hawk. He was ambitious, but 
susceptible to flattery, and while having many of 
the qualities of leadership, was lacking in moral 
force. He was always attached to British inter- 
ests, and unquestionably received British aid of a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



49 



substantial sort. After his defeat he was made 
the ward of Keokuk, another Chief, which 
humiliation of his pride broke his heart. He died 
on a reservation set apart for him in Iowa, in 
1838, aged 71. His body is said to have been 
exhumed nine months after death, and his articu- 
lated skeleton is alleged to have been preserved 
in the rooms of the Burlington (la.) Historical 
Society until 1855, when it was destroyed by fire. 
(See also Black Hawk War: Appendix.) 

BLACKSTONE, Timothy B., Railway Presi- 
dent, was born at Branford, Conn., March 28, 
1829. After receiving a common school educa- 
tion, supplemented by a course in a neighboring 
academy, at 18 he began the practical study of 
engineering in a corps employed by the New 
York & New Hampshire Railway Company, and 
the same year became assistant engineer on the 
Stockbridge & Pittsfield Railway. While thus 
employed he applied himself diligently to the 
study of the theoretical science of engineering, 
and. on coming to Illinois in 1851, was qualified 
to accept and fill the position of division engineer 
(from Bloomington to Dixon) on the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railway. On the completion of the main 
line of that road in 1855, he was appointed Chief 
Engineer of the Joliet & Chicago Railroad, later 
becoming financially interested therein, and 
being chosen President of the corporation on the 
completion of the line. In January, 1864, the 
Chicago & Joliet was leased in perpetuity to the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. Mr. Black- 
stone then became a Director in the latter organi- 
zation and, in April following, was chosen its 
President. This office he filled uninterruptedly 
until April 1,1899, when the road passed into the 
hands of a syndicate of other lines. He was also 
one of the original incorporators of the Union 
Stock Yards Company, and was its President from 
1864 to 1868. His career as a railroad man was con- 
spicuous for its long service, the uninterrupted 
success of his management of the enterprises 
entrusted to his hands and his studious regard for 
the interests of stockholders. This was illustrated 
by the fact that, for some thirty years, the Chicago 
& Alton Railroad paid dividends on its preferred 
and common stock, ranging from 6 to 8J.j percent 
per annum, and, on disposing of his stock conse- 
quent on the transfer of the line to a new corpora- 
tion in 1*99, Jl r . Blackstone rejected offers for his 
stock — aggregating nearly one-third of the whole 
—which would have netted him 51,000,000 in 
excess of the amount received, because he was 
unwilling to use his position to reap an advantage 
over smaller stockholders. Died, May 26, 1900. 



BLACKWELL, Robert S., lawyer, was born 
at Belleville, 111., in 1823. He belonged to a 
prominent family in the early history of the 
State, bis father, David Blackwell, who was also 
a lawyer and settled in Belleville about 1819, 
having been a member of the Second General 
Assembly (1820) from St. Clair County, and also 
of the Fourth and Fifth. In April, 1823, he was 
appointed by Governor Coles Secretary of State, 
succeeding Judge Samuel D. Lockwood, after- 
wards a Justice of the Supreme Court, who had 
just received from President Monroe the appoint- 
ment of Receiver of Public Moneys at the 
Edwardsville Land Office. Mr. Blackwell served 
in the Secretary's office to October, 1824, during 
a part of the time acting as editor of "The Illinois 
Intelligencer," which had been removed from 
Kaskaskia to Vandalia, and in which he strongly 
opposed the policy of making Illinois a slave 
State. He finally died in Belleville. Robert 
Blackwell, a brother of David and the uncle of 
the subject of this sketch, was joint owner with 
Daniel P. Cook, of "The Illinois Herald" — after- 
wards "The Intelligencer" — at Kaskaskia, in 
1816, and in April, 1817, succeeded Cook in the 
office of Territorial Auditor of Public Accounts, 
being himself succeeded by Elijah C. Berry, who 
had become his partner on "The Intelligencer," 
and served as Auditor until the organization of 
the State Government in 1818. Blackwell & Berry 
were chosen State Printers after the removal of 
the State capital to Vandalia in 1820, serving in 
this capacity for some years. Robert Blackwell 
located at Vandalia and served as a member of 
the House from Fayette County in the Eighth 
and Ninth General Assemblies (1832-36) and in 
the Senate, 1840-42. Robert S.— the son of David, 
and the younger member of this somewhat 
famous and historic family — whose name stands at 
the head of this paragraph, attended the common 
schools at Belleville in his boyhood, but in early 
manhood removed to Galena, where he engaged 
in mercantile pursuits. He later studied law 
with Hon. O. H. Browning at Quincj^, beginning 
practice at Rushville. where he was associated 
for a time with Judge Minshall. In 1S52 he 
removed to Chicago, having for his first partner 
Corydon Beckwith, afterwards of the Supreme 
Court, still later being associated with a number 
of prominent lawyers of that day. He is de- 
scribed by his biographers as "an able lawyer, an 
eloquent advocate and a brilliant scholar." 
"Blackwell on Tax Titles, "from his pen, has beer, 
accepted by the profession as a high authority on 
that branch of law. He also published a revision 



50 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of the Statutes in 1858, and began an "Abstract 
of Decisions of the Supreme Court," which had 
reached the third or fourth volume at his death, 
Ma j- 16. 1863. 

BLAIR, William, merchant, was born at 
Homer, Cortland County, N. Y., May 20, 1818, 
being descended through five generations of New 
England ancestors. After attending school in 
the town of Cortland, which became his father's 
residence, at the age of 14 he obtained employ- 
ment in a stove and hardware store, four years 
later (1836) coming to Joliet, 111., to take charge 
of a branch store which the firm had established 
there. The next year he purchased the stock and 
continued the business on his own account. In 
August, 1842, he removed to Chicago, where he 
established the earliest and one of the most 
extensive wholesale hardware concerns in that 
city, with which he remained connected nearly 
fifty years. During this period he was associated 
with various partners, including C. B. Nelson, 
E. G. Hall, O. W. Belden, James H. Horton and 
others, besides, at times, conducting the business 
alone. He suffered by the fire of 1871 in common 
with other business men of Chicago, but promptly 
resumed business and, within the next two or 
three years, had erected business blocks, succes- 
sively, on Lake and Randolph Streets, but retired 
from business in 1888. He was a Director of the 
Merchants' National Bank of Chicago from its 
organization in 1865, as also for a time of the 
Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company and the 
Chicago Gaslight & Coke Company, a Trustee of 
Lake Forest University, one of the Managers of 
the Presbyterian Hospital and a member of the 
Chicago Historical Society. Died in Chicago, 
May 10, 1899. 

BLAKELT, David, journalist, was born in 
Franklin County, Vt., in 1834; learned the print- 
er's trade and graduated from the University of 
Vermont in 1857. He was a member of a musical 
family which, under the name of "The Blakely 
Family," made several successful tours of the 
West. He engaged in journalism at Rochester, 
Minn., and, in 1862, was elected Secretary of 
State and ex-officio Superintendent of Schools, 
serving until 1865, when he resigned and, in 
partnership with a brother, bought "The Chicago 
Evening Post," with which he was connected at 
the time of the great fire and for some time after- 
ward. Later, he returned to Minnesota and 
became one of the proprietors and a member of 
the editorial staff of "The St. Paul Pioneer-Press. " 
In his later years Mr. Blakely was President of 
the Blakely Printing Company, of Chicago, also 



conducting a large printing business in New 
York, which was his residence. He was manager 
for several years of the celebrated Gilmore Band 
of musicians, and also instrumental in organizing 
the celebrated Sousa's Band, of which he was 
manager up to the time of his decease in New 
York, Nov. 7, 1896. 

BLAKEMAN, Curtiss, sea-captain, and pioneer 
settler, came from New England to Madison 
County, 111., in 1819, and settled in what was 
afterwards known as the "Marine Settlement," of 
which he was cne of the founders. This settle- 
ment, of which the present town of Marine (first 
called Madison) was the outcome, took its name 
from the fact that several of the early settlers, like 
Captain Blakeman, were sea-faring men. Captain 
Blakeman became a prominent citizen and repre- 
sented Madison County in the lower branch of 
the Third and Fourth General Assemblies (1822 
and 1824), in the former being one of the opponents 
of the pro-slavery amendment of the Constitution. 
A son of his, of the same name, was a Represent- 
ative in the Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth 
General Assemblies from Madison County. 

BLAJfCHARD, Jonathan, clergyman and edu 
cator, was born in Rockingham, Vt., Jan. 19, 
1811; graduated at Middlebury College in 1832; 
then, after teaching some time, spent two years 
in Andover Theological Seminary, finally gradu- 
ating in theology at Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, 
in 1838, where he remained nine years as pastor 
of the Sixth Presbyterian Church of that city. 
Before this time he had become interested in 
various reforms, and, in 1843, was sent as a 
delegate to the second World's Anti-Slavery 
Convention in London, serving as the American 
Vice-President of that body. In 1846 he assumed 
the Presidency of Knox College at Galesburg, 
remaining until 1858, during his connection 
with that institution doing much to increase its 
capacity and resources. After two years spent in 
pastoral work, he accepted (1860) the Presidency 
of Wheaton College, which he continued to fill 
until 1882, when he was chosen President Emer- 
itus, remaining in this position until his death, 
May 14, 1892. 

BLANDINSVILLE, a town in McDonough 
County, on the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Rail- 
road, 26 miles southeast of Burlington, Iowa, and 
64 miles west by south from Peoria. It is a ship 
ping point for the grain grown in the surround- 
ing country, and has a grain elevatoi and steam 
flour and saw mills. It also has banks, two 
weekly newspapers and several churches. Popu- 
lation (J "^ 877; (1900), 995. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



51 



BLANEY, Jerome Van Zaudt, early physician, 
bom at Newcastle, Del., May 1, 1820; was edu- 
cated at Princeton and graduated in medicine at 
Philadelphia when too young to receive his 
diploma; in 1842 came west and joined Dr. Daniel 
Brainard in founding Rush Medical College at 
Chicago, for a time filling three chairs in that 
institution ; also, for a time, occupied the chair of 
Chemistry and Natural Philosophy in Northwest- 
ern University. In 1861 he was appointed Sur- 
geon, and afterwards Medical Director, in the 
army, and was Surgeon -in-Chief on the staff of 
General Sheridan at the time of the battle of 
Winchester; after the war was delegated by the 
Government to pay off medical officers in the 
Northwest, in this capacity disbursing over $600,- 
000; finally retiring with the rank of Lieutenant- 
Colonel. Died, Dec. 11, 1874. 

BLATCHFORD, Eliphalet Wickes, LL.D., 
son of Dr. John Blatchford, was born at Stillwater, 
X. Y., May 31, 1826; being a grandson of Samuel 
Blatchford, D.D. , who came to New York from 
England, in 1790. He prepared for college at Lan- 
singburg Academy. New York, and at Marion 
College, Mo. , finally graduating at Illinois College, 
Jacksonville, in the class of 1845. After graduat- 
ing, he was employed for several years in the law 
offices of his uncles, R. M. and E. H. Blatchford, 
New York. For considerations of health he re- 
turned to the West, and, in 1850, engaged in busi- 
ness for himself as a lead manufacturer in St. 
Louis, Mo., afterwards associating with him the 
late Morris Collins, under the firm name of Blatch- 
ford & Collins. In 1854 a branch was established 
in Chicago, known as Collins & Blatchford. After 
a few years the firm was dissolved, Mr. Blatch- 
ford taking the Chicago business, which has 
continued as E. W. Blatchford & Co. to the pres- 
ent time. While Mr. Blatchford has invariably 
declined political offices, he has been recognized 
as a staunch Republican, and the services of few 
men have been in more frequent request for 
positions of trust in connection with educational 
and benevolent enterprises. Among the numer- 
ous positions of this character which he has been 
called to fill are those of Treasurer of the North- 
western Branch of the United States Sanitary 
Commission, during the Civil War, to which he 
devoted a large part of his time; Trustee of Illi- 
nois College (1866-75); President of the Chicago 
Academy of Sciences ; a member, and for seven- 
teen years President, of the Board of Trustees of 
the Chicago Eye and Ear Infirmary ; Trustee of 
the Chicago Art Institute ; Executor and Trustee 
of the late Walter L. Newberry, and, since its 



incorporation, President of the Board of Trustees 
of The Newberry Library; Trustee of the John 
Crerar Library; one of the founders and Presi- 
dent of the Board of Trustees of the Chicago 
Manual Training School; life member of the 
Chicago Historical Society; for nearly forty 
years President of the Board of Directors of the 
Chicago Theological Seminary; during his resi- 
dence in Chicago an officer of the New England 
Congregational Church; a corporate member of 
the American Board of Commissioners for For- 
eign Missions, and for fourteen years its Vice- 
President; a charter member of the City 
Missionary Society, and of the Congregational 
Club of Chicago; a member of the Chicago 
Union League, the University, the Literary and 
the Commercial Clubs, of which latter he has 
been President. Oct. 7, 1858, Mr. Blatchford was 
married to Miss Mary Emily Williams, daughter 
of John C.Williams, of Chicago. Seven children — 
four sons and three daughters — have blessed this 
union, the eldest son, Paul, being to day one of 
Chicago's valued business men. Mr. Blatchford's 
life has been one of ceaseless and successful 
activity in business, and to him Chicago owes 
much of its prosperity. In the giving of time 
and money for Christian, educational and benevo- 
lent enterprises, he has been conspicuous for his 
generosity, and noted for his valuable counsel and 
executive ability in carrying these enterprises to 
success. 

BLATCHFORD, John, D.D., was born at New- 
field (now Bridgeport), Conn., May 24, 1799; 
removed in childhood to Lansingburg, N. Y., 
and was educated at Cambridge Academy and 
Union College in that State, graduating in 1820. 
He finished his theological course at Princeton, 
N. J., in 1823, after which he ministered succes- 
sively to Presbyterian churches at Pittstown and 
Stillwater, N. Y., in 1830 accepting the pastorate 
of the First Congregational Church of Bridge- 
port, Conn. In 1836 he came to the West, spend- 
ing the following winter at Jacksonville, 111., and, 
in 1837, was installed the first pastor of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Chicago, where he 
remained until compelled by failing health to 
resign and return to the East. In 1841 he ac- 
cepted the chair of Intellectual and Moral Phi- 
losophy at Marion College, Mo., subsequently 
assuming the Presidency. The institution having 
been purchased by the Free Masons, in 1844, he 
removed to West Ely, Mo., and thence, in 1847, 
to Quincy, 111., where he resided during the 
remainder of his life. His death occurred in St. 
Louis, April 8, 1S55. The churches he served 



5-2 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



testified strongly to Dr. Blatchford's faithful, 
acceptable and successful performance of his 
ministerial duties. He was married in 1820 to 
Frances Wickes, daughter of Eliphalet Wickes. 
Esq., of Jamaica, Long Island, N. Y. 

BLEDSOE, Albert Taylor, teacher and law- 
yer, was born in Frankfort, Ky., Nov. 9, 1809; 
graduated at West Point Military Academy in 
1830, and, after two years' service at Fort Gib- 
son, Indian Territory, retired from the army in 
1832. During 1833-34 he was Adjunct Professor 
of Mathematics and teacher of French at Kenyon 
College, Ohio, and, in 1835-36, Professor of 
Mathematics at Miami University. Then, hav- 
ing studied theology, he served for several years 
as rector of Episcopal churches in Ohio. In 1838 
he settled at Springfield, 111., and began the prac- 
tice of law, remaining several years, when he 
removed to "Washington, D. C. Later he became 
Professor of Mathematics, first (1848-54) in the 
University of Mississippi, and (1854-61) in the 
University of Virginia. He then entered the 
Confederate service with the rank of Colonel, 
but soon became Acting Assistant Secretary of 
War ; in 1863 visited England to collect material 
for a work on the Constitution, which was pub- 
lished in 1866, when he settled at Baltimore, 
where he began the publication of "The Southern 
Review," which became the recognized organ of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Later 
he became a minister of the Methodist Church. 
He gained considerable reputation for eloquence 
during his residence in Illinois, and was the 
author of a number of works on religious and 
political subjects, the latter maintaining the 
right of secession; was a man of recognized 
ability, but lacked stability of character. Died 
at Alexandria, Va. , Dec. 8, 1877. 

BLODGETT, Henry Williams, jurist, was born 
at Amherst, Mass., in 1821. At the age of 10 
years he removed with his parents to Illinois, 
where he attended the district schools, later 
returning to Amherst to spend a year at the 
Academy. Returning home, he spent the years 
1839-42 in teaching and surveying. In 1842 he 
began the study of law at Chicago, being 
admitted to the bar in 1845, and beginning prac- 
tice at Waukegan, 111., where he has continued 
to reside. In 1852 he was elected to the lower 
house of the Legislature from Lake County, as 
an anti-slavery candidate, and, in 1858, to the 
State Senate, in the latter serving four years. 
He gained distinction as a railroad solicitor, being 
employed at different times by the Chicago & 
Northwestern, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 



Paul, the Michigan Southern and the Pittsburg 
& Fort Wayne Companies. Of the second named 
road he was one of the projectors, procuring its 
charter, and being identified with it in the sev- 
eral capacities of Attorney, Director and Presi- 
dent. In 1870 President Grant appointed him 
Judge of the United States District Court for the 
Northern District of Illinois. This position he 
continued to occupy for twenty-two years, resign- 
ing it in 1892 to accept an appointment by Presi- 
dent Cleveland as one of the counsel for the 
United States before the Behring Sea Arbitrators 
at Paris, which was his last official service. 

BLOOMIN'GDALE, a village of Du Page County. 
30 miles west by north from Chicago. Population 
(1880), 226; (1890), 463; (1900), 235. 

BLOOMINGTON, the county-seat of McLean 
County, a flourishing city and railroad center, 59 
miles northeast of Springfield ; is in a rich agri- 
cultural and coal-mining district. Besides car 
shops and repair works employing some 2,000 
hands, there are manufactories of stoves, fur- 
naces, plows, flour, etc. Nurseries are numerous 
in the vicinity and horse breeding receives much 
attention. The city is the seat of Illinois Wes- 
leyan University, has fine public schools, several 
newspapers (two published daily), besides educa- 
tional and other publications. The business sec- 
tion suffered a disastrous fire in 1900, but has been 
rebuilt more substantially than before. The prin- 
cipal streets are paved and electric street cars con- 
nect with Normal (two miles distant), the site of 
the "State Normal University" and "Soldiers' Or- 
phans' Home." Pop. (1890), 20,284; (1900), 23,286. 

BLOOMINGTON CONTENTION' OF 1856. 
Although not formally called as such, this was 
the first Republican State Convention held in 
Illinois, out of which grew a permanent Repub- 
lican organization in the State. A mass convene 
tion of those opposed to the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise (known as an "Anti-Nebraska 
Convention") was held at Springfield during the 
week of the State Fair of 1854 (on Oct. 4 and 5), 
and, although it adopted a platform in harmony 
with the principles which afterwards became the 
foundation of the Republican part}-, and appointed 
a State Central Committee, besides putting in 
nomination a candidate for State Treasurer — the 
only State officer elected that year — the organi- 
zation was not perpetuated, the State Central 
Committee failing to organize. The Bloomington 
Convention of 1856 met in accordance with a call 
issued by a State Central Committee appointed 
by the Convention of Anti-Nebraska editors held 
at Decatur on February 22. 1856. (See Anti-Neb- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



53 



raska Editorial Convention.) The call did not 
even contain the word "Republican," but was 
addressed to those opposed to the principles of 
the Nebraska Bill and the policy of the existing 
Democratic administration. The Convention 
met on May 29, 1856, the date designated by the 
Editorial Convention at Decatur, but was rather 
in the nature of a mass than a delegate conven- 
tion, as party organizations existed in few coun- 
ties of the State at that time. Consequently 
representation was very unequal and followed no 
systematic rule. Out of one hundred counties 
into which the State was then divided, only 
seventy were represented by delegates, ranging 
from one to twenty-five each, leaving thirty 
counties (embracing nearly the whole of the 
southern part of the State) entirely unrepre- 
sented. Lee County had the largest representa- 
tion (twenty-five), Morgan County (the home of 
Richard Yates) coming next with twenty dele- 
gates, while Cook County had seventeen and 
Sangamon had five. The whole number of 
delegates, as shown by the contemporaneous 
record, was 269. Among the leading spirits in 
the Convention were Abraham Lincoln, Archi- 
bald Williams, O. H. Browning, Richard Yates, 
John M. Palmer, Owen Lovejoy, Norman B. 
Judd, Burton C. Cook and others who afterwards 
became prominent in State politics. The delega- 
tion from Cook County included the names of 
John Wentworth, Grant Goodrich, George 
Schneider, Mark Skinner, Charles H. Ray and 
Charles L. Wilson. The temporary organization 
was effected with Archibald Williams of Adams 
County in the chair, followed by the election of 
John M. Palmer of Macoupin, as Permanent 
President. The other officers were: Vice-Presi- 
dents — John A. Davis of Stephenson; William 
Ross of Pike; James McKee of Cook; John H. 
Bryant of Bureau; A. C. Harding of Warren; 
Richard Yates of Morgan; Dr. H. C. Johns of 
Macon; D. L. Phillips of Union; George Smith 
of Madison; Thomas A. Marshall of Coles; J. M. 
Ruggles of Mason ; G. D. A. Parks of Will, and John 
Clark of Schuyler. Secretaries — Henry S. Baker 
of Madison ; Charles L. Wilson of Cook ; John 
Tillson of Adams; Washington Bushnell of La 
Salle, and B. J. F. Hanna of Randolph. A State 
ticket was put in nomination consisting of 
William H. Bissell for Governor (by acclama- 
tion); Francis A. Hoffman of Du Page County, 
for Lieutenant-Governor; Ozias M. Hatch of 
Pike, for Secretary of State ; Jesse K. Dubois of 
Lawrence, for Auditor; James Miller of McLean, 
for Treasurer, and William H. Powell of Peoria, 



for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Hoff- 
man, having been found ineligible by lack of resi- 
dence after the date of naturalization, withdrew, 
and his place was subsequently filled by the 
nomination of John Wood of Quincy. The plat- 
form adopted was outspoken in its pledges of 
unswerving loyalty to the Union and opposition 
to the extension of slavery into new territory. A 
delegation was appointed to the National Con- 
vention to be held in Philadelphia on June 17, 
following, and a State Central Committee was 
named to conduct the State campaign, consisting 
of James C. Conkling of Sangamon County; 
Asahel Gridley of McLean ; Burton C. Cook of 
La Salle, and Charles H. Ray and Norman B. 
Judd of Cook. The principal speakers of the 
occasion, before the convention or in popular 
meetings held while the members were present in 
Bloomington, included the names of 0. H. Brown- 
ing, Owen Lovejoy, Abraham Lincoln, Burton 
C. Cook, Richard Yates, the venerable John 
Dixon, founder of the city bearing his name, and 
Governor Reeder of Pennsylvania, who had been 
Territorial Governor of Kansas by appointment 
of President Pierce, but had refused to carry out 
the policy of the administration for making 
Kansas a slave State. None of the speeches 
were fully reported, but that of Mr. Lincoln has 
been universally regarded by those who heard it 
as the gem of the occasion and the most brilliant 
of his life, foreshadowing his celebrated "house- 
divided-against-itself" speech of June 17, 1858. 
John L. Scripps, editor of "The Chicago Demo- 
cratic Press," writing of it, at the time, to his 
paper, said: "Never has it been our fortune to 
listen to a more eloquent and masterly presenta- 
tion of a subject. . . . For an hour and a half he 
(Mr. Lincoln) held the assemblage spellbound by 
the power of his argument, the intense irony of 
his invective, and the deep earnestness and fervid 
brilliancy of his eloquence. When he concluded, 
the audience sprang to their feet and cheer after 
cheer told how deeply their hearts had been 
touched and their souls warmed up to a generous 
enthusiasm." At the election, in November 
following, although the Democratic candidate 
for President carried the State by a plurality of 
over 9,000 votes, the entire State ticket put in 
nomination at Bloomington was successful by 
majorities ranging from 3,000 to 20,000 for the 
several candidates. 

BLUE ISLAND, a village of Cook County, on 
the Calumet River and the Chicago, Rock Island 
& Pacific, the Chicago & Grand Trunk and 
the Illinois Central Railways, 15 miles south of 



54 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Chicago. It has a high school, churches and two 
newspapers, besides brick, smelting and oil works. 
Population (1890), 2,521; (1900), 6,114. 

BLUE ISLAND RAILROAD, a short line 3.96 
miles in length, lying wholly within Illinois; 
capital stock 825,000; operated by the Illinois 
Central Railroad Company. Its funded debt 
(1895) was 8100,000 and its floating debt, §3,779. 

BLUE MOUND, a town of Macon County, on 
the Wabash Railway, 14 miles southeast of De- 
catur; in rich grain and live-stock region; has 
three grain elevators, two banks, tile factory and 
one newspaper. Pop. (1890), 696; (1900), 714. 

BLUFFS, a village of Scott County, at the 
junction of the Quincy and Hannibal branches of 
the Wabash Railway, 52 miles west of Spring- 
field; has a bank and a newspaper. Population 
(1880), 162; (1890), 421; (1900), 539. 

BOAL, Robert, M.D., physician and legis- 
lator, born near Harrisburg, Pa., in 1806; was 
brought by his parents to Ohio when five years 
old and educated at Cincinnati, graduating from 
the Ohio Medical College in 1828; settled at 
Lacon, 111., in 1836, practicing there until 1862, 
when, having been appointed Surgeon of the 
Board of Enrollment for that District, he re- 
moved to Peoria. Other public positions held by 
Dr. Boal have been those of Senator in the 
Fourteenth and Fifteenth General Assemblies 
(1844-48), Representative in the Nineteenth and 
Twentieth (1854-58), and Trustee of the Institu- 
tion for the Deaf and Dumb at Jacksonville, 
remaining in the latter position seventeen years 
under the successive administrations of Gov- 
ernors Bissell, Yates, Oglesby, Palmer and Bever- 
idge — the last five years of his service being 
President of the Board. He was also President 
of the State Medical Board in 1882. Dr. Boal 
continued to practice at Peoria until about 1890, 
when he retired, and, in 1893, returned to Lacon 
to reside with his daughter, the widow of the 
late Colonel Greenbury L. Fort, for eight years 
Representative in Congress from the Eighth 
District. 

BOARD OF ARBITRATION, a Bureau of the 
State Government, created by an act of the Legis- 
lature, approved August 2, 1895. It is appointed 
by the Executive and is composed of three mem- 
bers (not more than two of whom can belong to 
the same political party), one of whom must be 
an employer of labor and one a member of some 
labor organization. The term of office for the 
members first named was fixed at two years ; 
after March 1, 1897, it is to be three years, one 
member retiring annually. A compensation of 



81,500 per annum is allowed to each member of 
the Board, while the Secretary, who must also be 
a stenographer, receives a salary of 81,200 per 
annum. When a controversy arises between an 
individual, firm or corporation employing not less 
than twenty-five persons, and his or its employes, 
application may be made by the aggrieved 
party to the Board for an inquiry into the 
nature of the disagreement, or both parties may 
unite in the submission of a case. The Board is 
required to visit the locality, carefully investi- 
gate the cause of the dispute and render a deci- 
sion as soon as practicable, the same to be at once 
made public. If the application be filed by the 
employer, it must be accompanied by a stipula- 
tion to continue in business, and order no lock-out 
for the space of three weeks after its date In 
like manner, complaining employes must promise 
to continue peacefully at work, under existing 
conditions, for a like period. The Board is 
granted power to send for persons and papers and 
to administer oaths to witnesses. Its decisions 
are binding upon applicants for six months after 
rendition, or until either party shall have given 
the other sixty days' notice in writing of his or 
their intention not to be bound thereby. In case 
the Board shall learn that a disagreement exists 
between employes and an employer having less 
than twenty-five persons in his employ, and that 
a strike or lock-out is seriously threatened, it is 
made the duty of the body to put itself into 
communication with both employer and employes 
and endeavor to effect an amicable settlement 
between them by mediation. The absence of any 
provision in the law prescribing penalties for its 
violation leaves the observance of the law, in its 
present form, dependent upon the voluntary 
action of the parties interested. 

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, a body organ- 
ized under act of the General Assembly, approved 
March 8, 1867. It first consisted of twenty-five 
members, one from each Senatorial District. 
The first Board was appointed by the Governor, 
holding office two years, afterwards becoming 
elective for a term of four years. In 1872 the 
law was amended, reducing the number of mem- 
bers to one for each Congressional District, the 
whole number at that time becoming nineteen, 
with the Auditor as a member ex-officio, who 
usually presides. From 1884 to 1897 it consisted 
of twenty elective members, but, in 1897, it was 
increased to twenty-two. The Board meets 
annually on the second Tuesday of August. The 
abstracts of the property assessed for taxation in 
the several counties of the State are laid before 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



55 



it for examination and equalization, but it may 
not reduce the aggregate valuation nor increase 
it more than one per cent. Its powers over the 
returns of the assessors do not extend be}*ond 
equalization of assessments between counties. 
The Board is required to consider the various 
classes of property separately, and determine 
such rates of addition to or deduction from the 
listed, or assessed, valuation of each class as it 
may deem equitable and just. The statutes pre- 
scribe rules for determining the value of all the 
classes of property enumerated — personal, real, 
railroad, telegraph, etc. The valuation of the 
capital stock of railroads, telegraph and other 
corporations (except newspapers) is fixed by the 
Board. Its consideration having been completed, 
the Board is required to summarize the results of 
its labors in a comparative table, which must be 
again examined, compared and perfected. 
Reports of each annual meeting, with the results 
reached, are printed at the expense of the State 
and distributed as are other public documents. 
The present Board (1897-1901) consists by dis- 
tricts of (1) George F. McKnight, (2) John J. 
McKenna, (3) Solomon Simon, (4) Andrew Mc- 
Ansh, (5) Albert Oberndorf, (6) Henry Severin, 
(7) Edward S. Taylor, (8) Theodore S. Rogers, 
(9) Charles A. Works, (10) Thomas P. Pierce, (11) 
Samuel M. Barnes, (12) Frank P. Martin, (13) 
Frank K. Robeson, (14) W. O. Cadwallader, (15) 
J. S. Cruttenden, (16) H. D. Hirshheimer, (17) 
Thomas N. Leavitt, (18) Joseph F. Long, (19) 
Richard Cadle, (20) Charles Emerson, (21) John 
W. Larimer, (22) William A. Wall, besides the 
Auditor of Public Accounts as ex-officio member 
— the District members being divided politically 
in the proportion of eighteen Republicans to four 
Democrats. 

BOARD OF PUBLIC CHARITIES, a State 
Bureau, created by act of the Legislature in 
1869, upon the recommendation of Governor 
Oglesby. The act creating the Board gives the 
Commissioners supervisory oversight of the 
financial and administrative conduct of all the 
charitable and correctional institutions of the 
State, with the exception of the penitentiaries, 
and they are especially charged with looking 
after and caring for the condition of the paupers 
and the insane. As originally constituted the 
Board consisted of five male members who em- 
ployed a Secretary. Later provision was made 
for the appointment of a female Commissioner. 
The office is not elective. The Board has always 
carefully scrutinized the accounts of the various 
State charitable institutions, and, under its man- 



agement, no charge of peculation against any 
official connected with the same has ever been 
substantiated ; there have been no scandals, and 
only one or two isolated charges of cruelty to 
inmates. Its supervision of the county jails and 
almshouses has been careful and conscientious, 
and has resulted in benefit alike to the tax-payers 
and the inmates. The Board, at the close of the 
year 1898, consisted of the following five mem- 
bers, their terms ending as indicated in paren- 
thesis: J. C. Corbus (1898), R. D. Lawrence 
(1899), Julia C. Lathrop (1900), William J. Cal- 
houn (1901), Ephraim Banning (1902). J. C. Cor- 
bus was President and Frederick H. Wines, 
Secretary. 

BOItARDUS, Charles, legislator, was born 
in Cayuga County, N. Y., March 28, 1841, and 
left an orphan at six years of age ; was educated 
in the common schools, began working in a store 
at 12, and, in 1862, enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Fifty-first New York Infantry, being elected 
First Lieutenant, and retiring from the service 
as Lieutenant-Colonel "for gallant and meritori- 
ous service" before Petersburg. While in the 
service he participated in some of the most 
important battles in Virginia, and was once 
wounded and once captured. In 1872 he located 
in Ford County, 111., where he has been a success- 
ful operator in real estate. He has been twice 
elected to the House of Representatives (1884 and 
'86) and three times to the State Senate (1888, 
'92 and '96), and has served on the most important 
committees in each house, and has proved him- 
self one of the most useful members. At the 
session of 1895 he was chosen President pro tern. 
of the Senate. 

BOGGS, Carroll C, Justice of the Supreme 
Court, was born in Fairfield, Wayne County, 
111., Oct. 19, 1844, and still resides in his native 
town; has held the offices of State's Attorney, 
County Judge of Wayne County, and Judge of 
the Circuit Court for the Second Judicial Circuit, 
being assigned also to Appellate Court duty. In 
June, 1897, Judge Boggs was elected a Justice of 
the Supreme Court to succeed Judge David J. 
Baker, his term to continue until 1906. 

BOLTWOOD, Henry L., the son of William 
and Electa (Stetson) Boltwood, was born at Am- 
herst, Mass., Jan. 17, 1831; fitted for college at 
Amherst Academy and graduated from Amherst 
College in 1853. While in college he taught 
school every winter, commencing on a salary of 
$4 per week and "boarding round" among the 
scholars. After graduating he taught in acad- 
emies at Limerick, Me. , ami at Pembroke and 



56 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Deny, N. H., and in the high school at Law- 
rence, Mass. ; also served as School Commissioner 
for Rockingham County, N. H. In 1864 lie went 
into the service of the Sanitary Commission in 
the Department of the Gulf, remaining until the 
close of the war; was also ordained Chaplain of a 
colored regiment, but was not regularly mustered 
in. After the close of the war he was employed 
as Superintendent of Schools at Griggsville, 111., 
for two years, and, while there, in 1867, organ- 
ized the first township high school ever organized 
in the State, where he remained eleven years. He 
afterwards organized the township high school at 
Ottawa, remaining there five years, after which, 
in 1883, he organized and took charge of the 
township high school at Evanston, where he has 
since been employed in his profession as a teacher. 
Professor Bolt wood has been a member of the State 
Board of Education and has served as President 
of the State Teachers' Association. As a teacher 
he has given special attention to English language 
and literature, and to history, being the author 
of an English Grammar, a High School Speller 
and "Topical Outlines of General History," 
besides many contributions to educational jour- 
nals. He has done a great deal of institute work, 
both in Illinois and Iowa, and has been known 
somewhat as a tariff reformer. 

BOND, Lester L., lawyer, was born at Raven- 
na, Ohio, Oct. 27, 1829 ; educated in the common 
schools and at an academy, meanwhile laboring 
in local factories; studied law and was admitted 
to the bar in 1853, the following year coming to 
Chicago, where he has given his attention chiefly 
to practice in connection with patent laws. Mr. 
Bond served several terms in the Chicago City 
Council, was Republican Presidential Elector in 
1868, and served two terms in the General Assem- 
bly— 1866-70. 

BOND, Shadrach, first Territorial Delegate in 
Congress from Illinois and first Governor of the 
State, was born in Maryland, and, after being 
liberally educated, removed to Kaskaskia while 
Illinois was a part of the Northwest Territory. 
He served as a member of the first Territorial 
Legislature (of Indiana Territory) and was the 
first Delegate from the Territory of Illinois in 
Congress, serving from 1812 to 1814. In the 
latter year he was appointed Receiver of Public 
Moneys : he also held a commission as Captain in 
the War of 1812. On the admission of the State, 
in 1818, he was elected Governor, and occupied 
the executive chair until 1822. Died at Kaskas- 
kia, April 13. 1832.— Shadrach Bond, Sr., an uncle 
of the preceding, came to Illinois in 1781 and was 



elected Delegate from St. Clair County (then 
comprehending all Illinois) to the Territorial 
Legislature of Northwest Territory, in 1799, and, 
in 1804, to the Legislative Council of the newly 
organized Territory of Indiana. 

BOND COUNTY, a small county lying north- 
east from St. Louis, having an area of 380 square 
miles and a population 1900) of 16,078. The 
first American settlers located here in 1807, com- 
ing from the South, and building Hill's and 
Jones's forts for protection from the Indians. 
Settlement was slow, in 1816 there being scarcely 
twenty-five log cabins in the county. The 
county-seat is Greenville, where the first cabin 
was erected in 1815 by George Davidson. The 
county was organized in 1818, and named in 
honor of Gov. Shadrach Bond. Its original 
limits included the present counties of Clinton, 
Fayette and Montgomery. The first court was 
held at Perryville, and, in May, 1817, Judge 
Jesse B. Thomas presided over the first Circuit 
Court at Hill's Station. The first court house 
was erected at Greenville in 1822. The county 
contains good timber and farming lands, and at 
some points, coal is found near the surface. 

BONNET, Charles Carroll, lawyer and re- 
former, was born in Hamilton, N. Y., Sept. 4, 
1831 ; educated at Hamilton Academy and settled 
in Peoria, 111., in 1850, where he pursued the 
avocation of a teacher while studying law ; was 
admitted to the bar in 1852, but removed to Chi- 
cago in 1860, where he has since been engaged in 
practice; served as President of the National 
Law and Order League in New York in 1885, 
being repeatedly re-elected, and has also been 
President of the Illinois State Bar Association, as 
well as a member of the American Bar Associa- 
tion. Among the reforms which he has advo- 
cated are constitutional prohibition of special 
legislation; an extension of equity practice to 
bankruptcy and other law proceedings ; civil serv- 
ice pensions; State Boards of labor and capital, 
etc. He has also published some treatises in book 
form, chiefly on legal questions, besides editing 
a volume of "Poems by Alfred W. Arrington, 
with a sketch of his Character" (1869. ) As Presi- 
dent of the World's Congresses Auxiliary, in 1893, 
Mr. Bonne}' contributed largely to the success of 
that very interesting and important feature of 
the great Columbian Exposition in Chicago. 

BOONE, Levi D., M. D., early physician, was 
born near Lexington, Ky., December, 1808 — a 
descendant of the celebrated Daniel Boone; re- 
ceived the degree of M. D. from Transylvania 
Universitv and came to Edwardsville, 111. , at an 



IIISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



or 



early day, afterwards locating at Hillsboro and 
taking part in the Black Hawk War as Captain of 
a cavalry company; came to Chicago in 1836 and 
engaged in the insurance business, later resuming 
the practice of his profession; served several 
terms as Alderman and was elected Mayor in 
1855 by a combination of temperance men and 
Know-Nothings ; acquired a large property by 
operations in real estate. Died, February, 
1882 

BOONE COUNTY, the smallest of the "north- 
ern tier" of counties, having an area of only 290 
square miles, and a population (1900) of 15,791. 
Its surface is chiefly rolling prairie, and the 
principal products are oats and corn. The earli- 
est settlers came from New York and New Eng- 
land, and among them were included Medkiff, 
Dunham, Caswell, Cline, Towner, Doty and 
Whitney. Later (after the Pottawattomies had 
evacuated the country), came the Shattuck 
brothers, Maria Hollenbeck and Mrs. Bullard, 
Oliver Hale, Nathaniel Ci'osby, Dr. Whiting, H. 
C. Walker, and the Neeley and Mahoney families. 
Boone County was cut off from Winnebago, and 
organized in 1837, being named in honor of Ken- 
tucky's pioneer. The first frame house in the 
county was erected by S. F. Doty and stood for 
fifty years in the village of Belvidere on the north 
side of the Kishwaukee River. The county -seat 
(Belvidere) was platted in 1837, and an academy 
built soon after. The first Protestant church 
was a Baptist society under the pastorate of Rev. 
Dr. King. 

BOURBONN AIS, a village of Kankakee County, 
on the Illinois Central Railroad, 5 miles north of 
Kankakee. Population (1890), 510; (1900), 595. 

BOUTELL, Henry Sherman, lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born in Boston, Mass. , March 14, 
1856, graduated from the Northwestern Univer- 
sity at Evanston, 111. , in 1874, and from Harvard 
in 1876; was admitted to the bar in Illinois in 
1879, and to that of the Supreme Court of the 
United States in 1885. In 1884 Mr. Boutell was 
elected to the lower branch of the Thirty-fourth 
General Assembly and was one of the "103" who, 
in the long struggle during the following session, 
participated in the election of Gen. John A. 
Logan to the United States Senate for the last 
time. At a special election held in the Sixth 
Illinois District in November, 1897, he was 
elected Representative in Congress to fill the 
vacancy caused by the sudden death of his pred- 
ecessor, Congressman Edward D. Cooke, and at 
the regular election of 1898 was re-elected to the 
same position, receiving a plurality of 1,116 over 



his Democratic competitor and a majority of 719 
over all. 

BOUTON, Nathaniel S., manufacturer, was 
born in Concord, N. H., May 14, 1828; in his 
youth farmed and taught school in Connecticut, 
but in 1852 came to Chicago and was employed 
in a foundry firm, of which he soon afterwards 
became a partner, in the manufacture of car- 
wheels and railway castings. Later he became 
associated with the American Bridge Company's 
works, which was sold to the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company in 1857, when he bought the 
Union Car Works, which he operated until 1863. 
He then became the head of the Union Foundry 
Works, which having been consolidated with 
the Pullman Car Works in 1886, he retired, 
organizing the Bouton Foundry Company. Mr. 
Bouton is a Republican, was Commissioner of 
Public Works for the city of Chicago two terms 
before the Civil War, and served as Assistant 
Quartermaster in the Eighty-eighth Illinois 
Infantry (Second Board of Trade Regiment) 
from 1862 until after the battle of Chiekamauga. 

BOYD, Thomas A., was born in Adams County, 
Pa., June 25, 1830, and graduated at Marshall 
College, Mercersburg, Pa., at the age of 18; 
studied law at Chambersburg and was admitted 
to the bar at Bedford in his native State, where 
he practiced until 1856, when he removed to Illi- 
nois. In 1861 he abandoned his practice to enlist 
in the Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, in which he 
held the position of Captain. At the close of the 
war he returned to his home at Lewistown, and 
in 1866, was elected State Senator and re-elected 
at the expiration of his term in 1870, serving in 
the Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth and Twenty- 
seventh General Assemblies. He was also a 
Republican Representative from his District in 
the Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses 
(1877-81). Died, at Lewistown, May 28, 1897. 

BRACEYILLE, a town in Grundy County, 61 
miles by rail southwest of Chicago. Coal mining 
is the principal industry. The town has two 
banks, two churches and good public schools. 
Population (1890), 2,150; (1900), 1,669. 

BRADFORD, village of Stark County, on Buda 
and Rushville branch Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railway; is in excellent farming region 
and has large grain and live-stock trade, excel- 
lent high school building, fine churches, good 
hotels and one newspaper. Pop. (1900), 773. 

BRADS BY, William H., pioneer and Judge, 
was born in Bedford County, Va.. July 12. 1TS7. 
He removed to Illinois early in life, ami was the 
first postmaster in Washington County (at Cov- 



58 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ington), the first school-teacher and the first 
Circuit and County Clerk and Recorder At the 
time of his death he was Probate and County 
Judge. Besides being Clerk of all the courts, he 
was virtually County Treasurer, as he had cus- 
tody of all the county's money. For several 
years he was also Deputy United States Surveyor, 
and in that capacity surveyed much of the south 
part of the State, as far east as Wayne and Clay 
Counties. Died at Nashville, 111 , August 21, 
1839. 

BRADWELL, James Bolesworth, lawyer and 
editor, was born at Loughborough, England, April 
16, 1828, and brought to America in infancy, his 
parents locating in 1829 or '30 at Utica, N. Y. In 
1833 they emigrated to Jacksonville, 111., but the 
following year removed to Wheeling, Cook 
County, settling on a farm, where the younger 
Bradwell received his first lessons in breaking 
prairie, splitting rails and tilling the soil. His 
first schooling was obtained in a country log- 
school-house, but, later, he attended the Wilson 
Academy in Chicago, where he had Judge Lo- 
renzo Sawyer for an instructor. He also took a 
course in Knox College at Galesburg, then a 
manual-labor school, supporting himself by work- 
ing in a wagon and plow shop, sawing wood, 
etc. In May, 1852, he was married to Miss Myra 
Colby, a teacher, with whom he went to Mem- 
phis, Tenn., the same year, where they engaged 
in teaching a select school, the subject of this 
sketch meanwhile devoting some attention to 
reading law. He was admitted to the bar there, 
but after a stay of less than two years in Mem- 
phis, returned to Chicago and began practice. 
In 1861 he was elected County Judge of Cook 
County, and re-elected four years later, but 
declined a re-election in 1869. The first half of 
his term occurring during the progress of the 
Civil War, he had the opportunity of rendering 
some vigorous decisions which won for him the 
reputation of a man of courage and inflexible 
independence, as well as an incorruptible cham- 
pion of justice. In 1872 he was elected to the 
lower branch of the Twenty-eighth General 
Assembly from Cook County, and re-elected in 
1874. He was again a candidate in 1882, and by 
many believed to have been honestly elected, 
though his opponent received the certificate. He 
made a contest for the seat, and the majority of 
the Committee on Elections reported in his 
favor; but he was defeated through the treach- 
ery and suspected corruption of a professed polit- 
ical friend. He is the author of the law making 
women eligible to school offices in Illinois and 



allowing them to become Notaries Public, and 
has always been a champion for equal rights for 
women in the professions and as citizens. He 
was a Second Lieutenant of the One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment, Illinois Militia, in 1848; presided 
over the American Woman's Suffrage Associa- 
tion at its organization in Cleveland ; has been 
President of the Chicago Press Club, of the Chi- 
cago Bar Association, and, for a number of years, 
the Historian of the latter; one of the founders 
and President of the Union League Club, besides 
being associated with many other social and 
business organizations. At present (1899) he is 
editor of "The Chicago Legal News," founded by 
his wife thirty years ago, and with which he has 
been identified in a business capacity from its 
establishment. — Myra Colby (Bradwell), the wife 
of Judge Bradwell, was born at Manchester, Vt., 
Feb. 12, 1831 — being descended on her mother's 
side from the Chase family to which Bishop 
Philander Chase and Salmon P. Chase, the latter 
Secretary of the Treasury and Chief Justice of 
the Supreme Court by appointment of Abraham 
Lincoln, belonged. In infancy she was brought 
to Portage, N. Y., where she remained until she 
was twelve years of age, when her family re- 
moved west. She attended school in Kenosha, 
Wis., and a seminary at Elgin, afterwards being 
engaged in teaching. On May 18, 1852, she was 
married to Judge Bradwell, almost immediately 
going to Memphis, Tenn. , where, with the assist- 
ance of her husband, she conducted a select school 
for some time, also teaching in the public schools, 
when the}' returned to Chicago. In the early 
part of the Civil War she took a deep interest in 
the welfare of the soldiers in the field and their 
families at home, becoming President of the 
Soldiers' Aid Society, and was a leading spirit in 
the Sanitary Fairs held in Chicago in 1863 and in 
1865. After the war she commenced the study 
of law and, in 1868, began the publication of 
"The Chicago Legal News," with which she re- 
mained identified until her death — also publishing 
biennially an edition of the session laws after 
each session of the General Assembly. After 
passing a most creditable examination, applica- 
tion was made for her admission to the bar in 
1871, but denied in an elaborate decision rendered 
by Judge C. B. Lawrence of the Supreme Court 
of the State, on the sole ground of sex, as 
was also done by the Supreme Court of the 
United States in 1873, on the latter occasion 
Chief Justice Chase dissenting. She was finally 
admitted t<> the baron March 28, 1892, and was 
the first lady member of the State Bar Associ- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



59 



atiou. Other organizations with which she was 
identified embraced the Illinois State Press 
Association, the Board of Managers of the Sol- 
diers' Home (in war time), the "Illinois Industrial 
School for Girls" at Evanston, the Washingtonian 
Home, the Board of Lady Managers of the 
World's Columbian Exposition, and Chairman of 
the Woman's Committee on Jurisprudence of the 
World's Congress Auxiliary of 1893. Although 
much before the public during the latter years of 
her life, she never lost the refinement and graces 
which belong to a true woman. Died, at her 
home in Chicago, Feb. 14, 1894. 

BRAIDWOOD, a city in Will County, incorpo- 
rated in 1860; is 58 miles from Chicago, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad ; an important coal- 
mining point, and in the heart of a rich 
agricultural region. It has a bank and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1890), 4,041 ; (1900), 3,279. 

BRANSON, Nathaniel W., lawyer, was born in 
Jacksonville, 111., May 29, 1837; was educated in 
the private and public schools of that city and at 
Illinois College, graduating from the latter in 
1857; studied law with David A. Smith, a promi- 
nent and able lawyer of Jacksonville, and was 
admitted to the bar in January, 1860, soon after 
establishing himself in practice at Petersburg, 
Menard County, where he has ever since resided. 
In 1867 Mr. Branson was appointed Register in 
Bankruptcy for the Springfield District — a po- 
sition which he held thirteen years. He was also 
elected Representative in the General Assembly 
in 1872, by re-election in 1874 serving four years 
in the stormy Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth 
General Assemblies ; was a Delegate from Illinois 
to the National Republican Convention of 1876, 
and served for several years most efficiently as a 
Trustee of the State Institution for the Blind at 
Jacksonville, part of the time as President of the 
Board. Politically a conservative Republican, 
and in no sense an office-seeker, the official po- 
sitions which he has occupied have come to him 
unsought and in recognition of his fitness and 
capacity for the proper discharge of their duties. 

BRAYMAN, Mason, lawyer and soldier, was 
born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 23, 1813; brought up 
as a farmer, became a printer and edited "The 
Buffalo Bulletin," 1834-35; studied law and was 
admitted to the bar in 1836; removed west in 
1837, was City Attorney of Monroe, Mich., in 1838 
and became editor of "The Louisville Adver- 
tiser'' in 1841. In 1842 he opened a law office in 
Springfield, 111., and the following year was 
appointed by Governor Ford a commissioner to 
adjust the Mormon troubles, in which capacity 



he rendered valuable service. In 1844-45 he was 
appointed to revise the statutes of the State. 
Later he devoted much attention to railroad 
enterprises, being attorney of the Illinois Central 
Railroad, 1851-55; then projected the construc- 
tion of a railroad from Bird's Point, opposite 
Cairo, into Arkansas, which was partially com- 
pleted before the war, and almost wholly de- 
stroyed during that period. In 1861 he entered 
the service as Major of the Twenty-ninth Illinois 
Volunteers, taking part in a number of the early 
battles, including Fort Donelson and Shiloh; 
was promoted to a colonelcy for meritorious con- 
duct at .the latter, and for a time served as 
Adjutant-General on the staff of General McCler- 
nand; was promoted Brigadier-General in Sep- 
tember, 1862, at the close of the war receiving 
the brevet rank of Major-General. After the 
close of the war he devoted considerable atten- 
tion to reviving his railroad enterprises in the 
South; edited "The Illinois State Journal," 
1872-73; removed to Wisconsin and was ap- 
pointed Governor of Idaho in 1876. serving four 
years, after which he returned to Ripon, Wis. 
Died, in Kansas City, Feb. 27, 1895. 

BREESE, a village in Clinton County, on 
Baltimore & Ohio S. W. Railway, 39 miles east of 
St. Louis; has coal mines, wafer system, bank and 
weekly newspaper. Pop. (1890), mis. (1900), 1,571. 

BREESE. Sidney, statesman and jurist, was 
born at Whitesboro, N Y., (according to the 
generally accepted authority) July 15, 1800. 
Owing to a certain sensitiveness about his age in 
his later years, it has been exceedingly difficult 
to secure authentic data on the subject ; but his 
arrival at Kaskaskia in 1818, after graduating at 
Union College, and his admission to the bar in 
1820, have induced many to believe that the date 
of his birth should be placed somewhat earlier. 
He was related to some of the most prominent 
families in New Y'ork, including the Livingstons 
and the Morses, and, after his arrival at Kaskas- 
kia, began the study of law with his friend Elias 
Kent Kane, afterwards United States Senator. 
Meanwhile, having served as Postmaster at Kas- 
kaskia, he became Assistant Secretary of State, 
and, in December, 1820, superintended the re- 
moval of the archives of that office to Vandalia, 
the new State capital. Later he was appointed 
Prosecuting Attorney, serving in that position 
from 1822 till 1827, when he became United 
States District Attorney for Illinois. He was 
the first official reporter of the Supreme Court, 
issuing its first volume of decisions; served as 
Lieutenant-Colonel of volunteers during the 



GO 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Black Hawk War (1832) ; in 1835 was elected to 
the circuit bench, and, in 1841, was advanced to 
the Supreme bench, serving less than two years, 
when he resigned to accept a seat in the United 
States Senate, to which he was elected in 1843 as 
the successor of Richard M. Young, defeating 
Stephen A. Douglas in the first race of the latter 
for the office. While in the Senate (1843-49) he 
served as Chairman of the Committee on Public 
Lands, and was one of the first to suggest the 
construction of a transcontinental railway to the 
Pacific. He was also one of the originators and 
active promoters in Congress of the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad enterprise. He was Speaker of the 
Illinois House of Representatives in 1851 , again 
became Circuit Judge in 1855 and returned to 
the Supreme bench in 1857 and served more than 
one term as Chief Justice, the last being in 
1873-74. His home during most of his public life 
in Illinois was at Carlyle. His death occurred 
at Pinckneyville, June 28, 1878. 

BRENTANO, Lorenzo, was born at Mannheim, 
in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, Nov. 
14, 1813; was educated at the Universities of 
Heidelberg and Freiburg, receiving the degree of 
LL.D., and attaining high honors, both profes- 
sional and political. He was successively a 
member of the Baden Chamber of Deputies and 
of the Frankfort Parliament, and always a leader 
of the revolutionist party. In 1849 he became 
President of the Provisional Republican Gov- 
ernment of Baden, but was, before long, forced 
to find an asylum in the United States. He first 
settled in Kalamazoo County, Mich., as a farmer, 
but, in 1859, removed to Chicago, where he was 
admitted to the Illinois bar, but soon entered the 
field of journalism, becoming editor and part 
proprietor of "The Illinois Staats Zeitung. " He 
held various public offices, being elected to the 
Legislature in 1862, serving five years as Presi- 
dent of the Chicago Board of Education, was a 
Republican Presidential Elector in 18C8, and 
United States Consul at Dresden in 1872 (a gen- 
eral amnesty having been granted to the 
participants in the revolution of 1848), and 
Representative in Congress from 1877 to 1879. 
Died, in Chicago, Sept. 17, 1891. 

BRIDGEPORT, a town of Lawrence County, 
on t lie Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 
14 miles west of Vincennes, Ind. It has a bank 
and one weekly paper. Population (1900), 487. 

BRIDGEPORT, a former suburb (now a part of 
the city) of Chicago, located at the junction of 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal with the South 
Branch of the Chicago River. It is now the 



center of the large slaughtering and packing 
industry. 

BRIDGEPORT & SOUTH CHICAGO RAIL- 
WAY. (See Chicago & Northern Pacific Railroad.) 

BRIGHTON, a village of Macoupin County, at 
the intersection of the Chicago & Alton and the 
Rock Island and St. Louis branch of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railways; coal is mined 
here; has a newspaper. Population (1880), 691; 
(1890), 697; (1900), 660. 

BRIMFIELD, a town of Peoria County, on the 
Buda and Rush ville branch of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railway, 38 miles south of 
Buda; coal-mining and farming are the chief 
industries. It has one weekly paper and a bank. 
Population (1880), 832; (1890), 719; (1900), 677. 

BRISTOL, Frank Milton, clergyman, was born 
in Orleans County, N. Y., Jan. 4, 1851; came 
to Kankakee, 111., in boyhood, and having lost 
his father at 12 years of age, spent the following 
years in various manual occupations until about 
nineteen years of age, when, having been con- 
verted, he determined to devote his life to the 
ministry. Through the aid of a benevolent lady, 
he was enabled to get two years' (1870-72) instruc- 
tion at the Northwestern University, at Evans- 
ton, afterwards supporting himself by preaching 
at various points, meanwhile continuing his 
studies at the University until 1877. After com- 
pleting his course he served as pastor of some of 
the most prominent Methodist , churches in Chi- 
cago, his last charge in the State being at Evans- 
ton. In 1897 he was transferred to Washington 
City, becoming pastor of the Metropolitan M. E. 
Church, attended by President McKinley Dr. 
Bristol is an author of some repute and an orator 
of recognized ability. 

BROADWELL, Norman M., lawyer, was born 
in Morgan County, 111., August 1, 1825; was edu- 
cated in the common schools and at McKendree 
and Illinois Colleges, but compelled by failing 
health to leave college without graduating; spent 
some time in the book business, then began the 
study of medicine with a view to benefiting his 
own health, but finally abandoned this and, about 
1850, commenced the study of law in the office of 
Lincoln & Herndon at Springfield. Having been 
admitted to the bar, he practiced for a time at 
Pekin, but, in 1854, returned to Springfield, 
where he spent the remainder of his life. In 1860 
he was elected as a Democrat to the House of 
Representatives from Sangamon County, serving 
in the Twenty-second General Assembly. Other 
offices held by him included those of County 
Judge (1863-65) and Mayor of the city of Spring- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



61 



field, to which last position he was twice elected 
(1867 and again in 1809). Judge Broadwell was 
one of the most genial of men, popular, high- 
minded and honorable in all his dealings. Died, 
in Springfield, Feb. 28, 1893. 

BROOKS, John Flavel, educator, was born 
in Oneida County, New York, Dec. 3, 1801; 
graduated at Hamilton College, 1828; studied 
three years in the theological department of Yale 
College ; was ordained to the Presbyterian min- 
istry in 1831, and came to Illinois in the service 
of the American Home Missionary Society. 
After preaching at Collinsville, Belleville and 
other points, Mr. Brooks, who was a member of 
the celebrated "Yale Band," in 1837 assumed the 
principalship of a Teachers' Seminary at Waverly, 
Morgan County, but three years later removed to 
Springfield, where he established an academy for 
both sexes. Although finally compelled to 
abandon this, he continued teaching with some 
interruptions to within a few years of his death, 
which occurred in 1886. He was one of the Trus- 
tees of Illinois College from its foundation up to 
his death. 

BROSS, William, journalist, was born in Sus- 
sex County, N. J., Nov. 14, 1813, and graduated 
with honors from Williams College in 1838, hav- 
ing previously developed his physical strength 
by much hard work upon the Delaware and 
Hudson Canal, and in the lumbering trade. For 
five years after graduating he was a teacher, and 
settled in Chicago in 1848. Thsre he first engaged 
in bookselling, but later embarked in journalism. 
His first publication was "The Prairie Herald," a 
religious paper, which was discontinued after 
two years. In 1852, in connection with John L. 
Scripps, he founded "The Democratic Press," 
which was consolidated with "The Tribune" in 
1858, Mr. Bross retaining his connection with the 
new concern. He was always an ardent free- 
soiler, and a firm believer in the great future of 
Chicago and the Northwest. He was an enthusi- 
astic Republican, and, in 1856 and 1860, served as 
an effective campaign orator. In 1864 he was 
the successful nominee of his party for Lieuten- 
ant-Governor. This was his only official position 
outside of a membership in the Chicago Common 
Council in 1855. As a presiding officer, he was 
dignified yet affable, and his impartiality was 
shown by the fact that no appeals were taken 
from his decisions. After quitting public life he 
devoted much time to literary pursuits, deliver- 
ing lectures in various parts of the country. 
Among his best known works are a brief "His- 
tory of Chicago," "History of Camp Douglas," 



and "Tom Quick." Died, in Chicago, Jan. 27, 
1890. 

BROWN, Henry, lawyer and historian, was 
born at Hebron, Tolland County, Conn., May 13, 
1789 — the son of a commissary in the army of 
General Greene of Revolutionary fame; gradu- 
ated at Yale College, and, when of age, removed 
to New York, later studying law at Albany, 
Canandaigua and Batavia, and being admitted to 
the bar about 1813, when he settled down in 
practice at Cooperstovvn; in 1816 was appointed 
Judge of Herkimer County, remaining on the 
bench until about 1824. He then resumed prac- 
tice at Cooperstown, continuing until 1836, when 
he removed to Chicago. The following year he 
was elected a Justice of the Peace, serving two 
years, and, in 1842, became Prosecuting Attorney 
of Cook County. During this period he was 
engaged in writing a "History of Illinois," which 
was published in New York in 1844 This was 
regarded at the time as the most voluminous and 
best digested work on Illinois history that had as 
yet been published. In 1846, on assuming the 
Presidency of the Chicago Lyceum, he delivered 
an inaugural entitled "Chicago, Present and 
Future," which is still preserved as a striking 
prediction of Chicago's future greatness. Origi- 
nally a Democrat, he became a Freesoiler in 1848. 
Died of cholera, in Chicago, May 16, 1849. 

BROWN, James B., journalist, was born in 
Gilmanton, Belknap County, N. H, Sept. 1, 
1833 — his father being a member of the Legisla- 
ture and Selectman for his town. The son was 
educated at Gilmanton Academy, after which he 
studied medicine for a time, but did not gradu- 
ate. In 1857 he removed West, first settling at 
Dunleith, Jo Daviess County, 111., where he 
became Principal of the public schools; in 1861 
was elected County Superintendent of Schools 
for Jo Daviess County, removing to Galena two 
years later and assuming the editorship of "The 
Gazette" of that city. Mr. Brown also served as 
Postmaster of Galena for several years. Died, 
Feb. 13, 1896. 

BROWN, James N., agriculturist and stock- 
man, was born in Fayette County, Ky., Oct. 1, 
1806; came to Sangamon County, 111., in 1833, 
locating at Island Grove, where he engaged 
extensively in farming and stock-raising. He 
served as Representative in the General Assem- 
blies of 1840, '42, '46, and '52, and in the last was 
instrumental in securing the incorporation of the 
Illinois State Agricultural Society, of which he 
was chosen the first President, being re-elected in 
1854. He was one of the most enterprising grow- 



62 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ers of blooded cattle in the State and did much to 
introduce them in Central Illinois ; was also an 
earnest and influential advocate of scientific 
education for the agricultural classes and an 
efficient colaborer with Prof. J. B. Turner, of 
Jacksonville, in securing the enactment by Con- 
gress, in 1862, of the law granting lands for the 
endowment of Industrial Colleges, out of which 
grew the Illinois State University and institu- 
tions of like character in other States. Died, 
Nov. 16, 1868. 

BROWN, William, lawyer and jurist, was born 
June 1, 1819, in Cumberland, England, his par- 
ents emigrating to this country when he was 
eight years old, and settling in Western New 
York. He was admitted to the bar at Rochester, 
in October, 1845, and at once removed to Rock- 
ford, 111., where he commenced practice. In 1853 
he was elected State's Attorney for the Four- 
teenth Judicial Circuit, and, in 1857, was chosen 
Mayor of Rockford. In 1870 he was elected to 
the bench of the Circuit Court as successor to 
Judge Sheldon, later was promoted to the Su- 
preme Court, and was re-elected successively in 
1873, in '79 and '85. Died, at Rockford, Jan. 15, 
1891. 

BROWN, William H., lawyer and financier, 
was born in Connecticut, Dec. 20, 1796; spent 
his boyhood at Auburn, N. Y., studied law, and, 
in 1818, came to Illinois with Samuel D. Lock- 
wood (afterwards a Justice of the State Supreme 
Court), descending the Ohio River to Shawnee- 
town in a flat-boat. Mr. Brown visited Kaskas- 
kia and was soon after appointed Clerk of the 
United States District Court by Judge Nathaniel 
Pope, removing, in 1820, to Vandalia, the new 
State capital, where he remained until 1835. He 
then removed to Chicago to accept the position of 
Cashier of the Chicago branch of the State Bank 
of Illinois, which he continued to fill for many 
years. He served the city as School Agent for 
thirteen years (1840-53), managing the city's 
school fund through a critical period with great 
discretion and success. He was one of the group 
of early patriots who successfully resisted the 
attempt to plant slavery in Illinois in 1823-24; 
was also one of the projectors of the Chicago & 
Galena Union Railroad, was President of the 
Chicago Historical Society for seven years and 
connected with many other local enterprises. 
He was an ardent personal friend of President 
Lincoln and served as Representative in the 
Twenty-second General Assembly (1860-62). 
While making a tour of Europe he died of paraly- 
sis at Amsterdam, June 17, 1867. 



BROWN COUNTY, situated in the western 
part of the State, with an area of 300 square 
miles, and a population (1890) of 11,951 ; was cut 
off from Schuyler and made a separate county in 
May, 1839, being named in honor of Gen. Jacob 
Brown. Among the pioneer settlers were the 
Vandeventers and Hambaughs, John and David 
Six, William McDaniel, Jeremiah Walker, 
Willis O'Neil, Harry Lester, John Ausmus and 
Robert H. Curry. The county-seat is Mount 
Sterling, a town of no little attractiveness. 
Other prosperous villages are Mound Station and 
Ripley. The chief occupation of the people is 
farming, although there is some manufacturing 
of lumber and a few potteries along the Illinois 
River. Population (1900), 11,557. 

BROWNE, Francis Fisher, editor and author, 
was born in South Halifax, Vt., Dec. 1, 1843, the 
son of "William Goldsmith Browne, who was a 
teacher, editor and author of the song "A Hun- 
dred Years to Come." In childhood he was 
brought by his parents to Western Massachusetts, 
where he attended the public schools and learned 
the printing trade in his father's newspaper 
office at Chicopee, Mass. Leaving school in 1862, 
he enlisted in the Forty-sixth Regiment Massa- 
chusetts Volunteers, in which he served one 
year, chiefly in North Carolina and in the Arm}- 
of the Potomac. On the discharge of his regi- 
ment he engaged in the study of law at Roches- 
ter, N. Y., entering the law department of the 
University of Michigan in 1866, but abandoning 
his iutenton of entering the legal profession, 
removed to Chicago in 1867, where he engaged in 
journalistic and literary pursuits. Between 1869 
and '74 he was editor of "The Lakeside Monthly," 
when he became literary editor of "The Alliance," 
but, in 1880, he established and assumed the 
editorship of "The Dial," a purely literary pub- 
lication which has gained a high reputation, and 
of which he has remained in control continuously 
ever since, meanwhile serving as the literary 
adviser, for many years, of the well-known pub- 
lishing house of McClurg & Co. Besides his 
journalistic work, Sir. Browne has contributed 
to the magazines and literary anthologies a num 
ber of short lyrics, and is the author of "The 
Everyday Life of Abraham Lincoln" (1886), and 
a volume of poems entitled, "Volunteer Grain" 
(1893). He also compiled and edited "Golden 
Poems by British and American Authors" (1881) ; 
"The Golden Treasury of Poetry and Prose'' 
(1886), and the "Laurel Crowned"series of stand- 
ard poetry (1891-92). Sir. Browne was Chairman 
of the Committee of the Congress of Authors in 



• HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



63 



the World's Congress Auxiliary held in con- 
nection with The Columbian Exposition in 
1893. 

BROWNE, Thomas C., early jurist, was born in 
Kentucky, studied law there and, coming to 
Shawneetown in 1812, served in the lower branch 
of the Second Territorial Legislature (1814-16) 
and in the Council (1816-18), being the first law- 
yer to enter that body. In 1815 lie was appointed 
Prosecuting Attorney and, on the admission of 
Illinois as a State, was promoted to the Supreme 
bench, being re-elected by joint ballot of the 
Legislature in 1825, and serving continuously 
until the reorganization of the Supreme Court 
under the Constitution of 1848, a period of over 
thirty years. ■ Judge Browne's judicial character 
and abilities have been differently estimated. 
Though lacking in industry as a student, he is 
represented by the late Judge John D. Caton, 
who knew him personally, as a close thinker and 
a good judge of men. While seldom, if ever, 
accustomed to argue questions in the conference 
room or write out his opinions, he had a capacity 
for expressing himself in short, pungent sen- 
tences, which indicated that he was a man of con- 
siderable ability and had clear and distinct views 
of his own. An attempt was made to impeach 
him before the Legislature of 1843 "for want of 
capacity to discharge the duties of his office," 
but it failed by an almost unanimous vote. He 
was a Whig in politics, but had some strong sup- 
porters among Democrats. In 1822 Judge Browne 
was one of the four candidates for Governor — in 
the final returns standing third on the list and, by 
dividing the vote of the advocates of a pro-slavery 
clause in the State Constitution, contributing to 
the election of Governor Coles and the defeat of 
the pro-slavery party. (See Coles, Edward, and 
Slavery and Slave Laws. ) In the latter part of 
his official term Judge Browne resided at Ga- 
lena, but, in 1853, removed with his son-in-law, 
ex-Congressman Joseph P. Hoge, to San Fran- 
cisco, Cal., where he died a few years later — 
probably about 1856 or 1858. 

BROWNING, Orville Hickman, lawyer, United 
States Senator and Attorney-General, was born 
in Harrison County, Ky., in 1810. After receiv- 
ing a classical education at Augusta in his native 
State, he removed to Quincy, 111., and was 
admitted to the bar in 1831. In 1832 he served 
in the Black Hawk War, and from 1836 to 1843, 
was a member of the Legislature, serving in both 
houses. A personal friend and political adherent 
of Abraham Lincoln, he aided in the organization 
of the Republican party at the memorable 



Bloomington Convention of 1856. As a delegate 
to the Chicago Convention in 1860, he aided in 
securing Mr. Lincoln's nomination, and was a 
conspicuous supporter of the Government in the 
Civil War. In 1861 he was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Yates United States Senator to fill Senator 
Douglas' unexpired term, serving until 1863 In 
1866 he became Secretary of the Interior by ap- 
pointment of President Johnson, also for a time 
discharging the duties of Attorney-General. 
Returning to Illinois, he was elected a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, which 
was his last participation in public affairs, his 
time thereafter being devoted to his profession. 
He died at his home in Quincy, 111., August 10, 
1881. 

BRYAN, Silas Lillard, legislator and jurist, 
born in Culpepper County, Va., Nov 4, 1822; was 
left an orphan at an early age, and came west in 
1840, living for a time with a brother near Troy, 
Mil The following year he came to Marion 
County, 111., where he attended school and 
winked on a farm; in 1845 entered McKendree 
College, graduating in 1849, and two years later 
was admitted to the bar, supporting himself 
meanwhile by teaching. He settled at Salem 
111., and, in 1852, was elected as a Democrat to 
the State Senate, in which body he served for 
eight years, being re-elected in 1856. In 1861 he 
was elected to the bench of the Second Judicial 
Circuit, and again chosen in 1867, his second 
term expiring in 1873. While serving as Judge, 
he was also elected a Delegate to the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1869-70. He was an unsuc- 
cessful candidate for Congress on the Greeley 
ticket in 1872. Died at Salem, March 30, 1880.— 
William Jenninsrs (Bryan), son of the preceding, 
was born at Salem, III, March 19, 1860. The early 
life of young Bryan was spent on his father's 
farm, but at the age of ten years he began to 
attend the public school in town ; later spent two 
years in Whipple Academy, .the preparatory 
department of Illinois College at Jacksonville, 
and, in 1881, graduated from the college proper as 
the valedictorian of his class. Then he devoted 
two years to the study of law in the Union Law 
School at Chicago, meanwhile acting as clerk and 
studying in the law office of ex-Senator Lyman 
Trumbull. Having graduated in law in 1883, he 
soon entered upon the practice of his profession 
at Jacksonville as the partner of Judge E. P. 
Kirby, a well-known lawyer and prominent 
Republican of that city. Four years later (1887) 
found him a citizen of Lincoln, Neb., which has 
since been his home. He took a prominent part 



64 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in the politics of Nebraska, stumping the State 
for the Democratic nominees in 1888 and '89, and 
in 1890 received the Democratic nomination for 
Congress in a district which had been regarded 
as strongly Republican, and was elected by a 
large majority. Again, in 1892, he was elected 
by a reduced majority, but two years later 
declined a renomination, though proclaiming 
himself a free-silver candidate for the United 
States Senate, meanwhile officiating as editor of 
"The Omaha World-Herald." In July, 1896, he 
received the nomination for President from the 
Democratic National Convention at Chicago, on 
a platform declaring for the "free and unlimited 
coinage of silver" at the ratio of sixteen of silver 
(in weight) to one of gold, and a few weeks later 
was nominated by the "Populists" at St. Louis 
for the same office — being the youngest man ever 
put in nomination for the Presidency in the his- 
tory of the Government. He conducted an 
active personal campaign, speaking in nearly 
every Northern and Middle Western State, but 
was defeated by his Republican opponent, Maj. 
William McKinley. Mr. Bryan is an easy and 
fluent speaker, possessing a voice of unusual 
compass and power, and is recognized, even by 
his political opponents, as a man of pure personal 
character. 

BRYAN, Thomas Barbour, lawyer and real 
estate operator, was born at Alexandria, Va., 
Dec. 22, 1828, being descended on the maternal 
side from the noted Barbour faniity of that 
State ; graduated in law at Harvard, and, at the 
age of twenty-one, settled in Cincinnati. In 
1852 he came to Chicago, where he acquired ex- 
tensive real estate interests and built Bryan 
Hall, which became a popular place for en- 
tertainments. Being a gifted speaker, as well 
as a zealous Unionist, Mr. Bryan was chosen 
to deliver the address of welcome to Senator 
Douglas, when that statesman returned to 
Chicago a few weeks before his death in 1861. 
During the progress of the war lie devoted his 
time and his means most generously to fitting out 
soldiers for the field and caring for the sick and 
wounded. His services as President of the great 
Sanitary Fair in Chicago (1865), where some 
§300,000 were cleared for disabled soldiers, were 
especially conspicuous. At this time he became 
the purchaser (at 83,000) of the original copy of 
President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, 
which had been donated to the cause. He also 
rendered valuable service after the fire of 1871, 
though a heavy sufferer from that event, and was 
a leading factor in securing the location of the 



World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1890, 
later becoming Vice President of the Board of 
Directors and making a visit to Europe in the 
interest of the Fair. After the war Mr. Bryan 
resided in Washington for some time, and, by 
appointment of President Hayes, served as Com- 
missioner of the District of Columbia. Possessing 
refined literary and artistic tastes, he has done 
much for the encouragement of literature and 
art in Chicago. His home is in the suburban 
village of Elmhurst.— Charles Page (Bryan), son 
of the preceding, lawyer and foreign minister, 
was born in Chicago, Oct. 2, 1855, and educated 
at the University of Virginia and Columbia Law 
School; was admitted to practice in 1S78, and 
the following year removed to Colorado, where 
he remained four years, while there serving in 
both Houses of the State Legislature. In 1883 he 
returned to Chicago and became a member of the 
First Regiment of the Illinois National Guard, 
serving upon the staff of both Governor Oglesby 
and Governor Fifer; in 1890, was elected to the 
State Legislature from Cook County, being re- 
elected in 1892, and in 1894; was also the first 
Commissioner to visit Europe in the interest of 
the World's Columbian Exposition, on his return 
serving as Secretary of the Exposition Commis- 
sioners in 1891-92. In the latter part of 1897 he 
was appointed by President McKinley Minister 
to China, but before being confirmed, early in 
1898, was assigned to the United States mission to 
the Republic of Brazil, where he now is, Hon. 
E. H. Conger of Iowa, who had previously been 
appointed to the Brazilian mission, being trans- 
ferred to Pekin. 

BRYANT, John Howard, pioneer, brother of 
William Cullen Bryant, the poet, was born in 
Cummington, Mass., July 22, 1807, educated at 
the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, 
N. Y, ; removed to Illinois in 1831, and held vari- 
ous offices in Bureau County, including that of 
Representative in the General Assembly, to which 
he was elected in 1842, and again in 1858. A 
practical and enterprising farmer, he was identi- 
fied with the Illinois State Agricultural Society 
in its early history, as also with the movement 
which resulted in the establishment of industrial 
colleges in the various States. He was one of the 
founders of the Republican party and a warm 
personal friend of President Lincoln, being a 
member of the first Republican State Convention 
at Bloomington in 1856, and serving as Collector 
of Internal Revenue by appointment of Mr. Lin- 
coln in 1862-64. In 1872 Mr. Bryant joined in the 
Liberal Republican movement at Cincinnati, two 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



65 



years "later was identified with the "Independent 
Reform" party, but has since cooperated with 
the Democratic party. He has produced two 
volumes of poems, published, respectively, in 1855 
and 1885, besides a number of public addresses 
His home is at Princeton, Bureau County. 

BUCK, Hiram, clergyman, was born in Steu- 
ben County, 1ST. Y., in 1818; joined the Illinois 
Methodist Episcopal Conference in 1843, and con- 
tinued in its service for nearly fifty years, being 
much of the time a Presiding Elder. At his 
death he bequeathed a considerable sum to the 
endowment funds of the Wesleyan University at 
Bloomington and the Illinois Conference College 
at Jacksonville Died at Decatur, 111., August 
22, 1892. 

BUDA,a village in Bureau County, at the junc- 
tion of the main line with the Buda and Rush- 
ville branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, and the Sterling and Peoria branch of 
the Chicago & Northwestern, 12 miles southwest 
of Princeton and 117 miles west-southwest of 
Chicago; has excellent water-works, electric- 
light plant, brick and tile factory, fine churches, 
graded school, a bank and one newspaper 
Dairying is carried on quite extensively and a 
good-sized creamery is located here. Population 
(1890), 990; (1900), 873. 

BUFORD, Napoleon Bonaparte, banker and 
soldier, was born in Woodford County. Ky., Jan. 
13, 1807; graduated at West Point Military Acad- 
emy, 1827, and served for some time as Lieutenant 
of Artillery; entered Harvard Law School in 
1831, served as Assistant Professor of Natural and 
Experimental Philosophy there (1834-35), then 
resigned his commission, and, after some service 
as an engineer upon public works in Kentucky, 
established himself as an iron- founder and banker 
at Rock Island, 111., in 1857 becoming President 
of the Rock Island & Peoria Railroad. In 1861 
he entered the volunteer service, as Colonel of 
the Twenty-seventh Illinois, serving at various 
points in Western Kentucky and Tennessee, as 
also in the siege of Vicksburg, and at Helena, 
Ark., where he was in command from Septem- 
ber, 1863, to March, 1865. In the meantime, by 
promotion, he attained to the rank of Major - 
General by brevet, being mustered out in August, 
1865. He subsequently held the post of Special 
United States Commissioner of Indian Affairs 
(1868), and that of Inspector of the Union Pacific 
Railroad (1867-69). Died, March 28, 1883. 

BULKLEY, (Rev.) Justus, educator, was born 
at Leicester, Livingston County, N. Y. , July 2:!, 
1819, taken to Allegany County, N. Y., at 3 



years of age, where he remained until 17, attend- 
ing school in a log school house in the winter and 
working on a farm in the summer. His family 
then removed to Illinois, finally locating at 
Barry, Pike County. In 1842 he entered the 
preparatory department of Shurtleff College at 
Upper Alton, graduating there in 1847. He was 
immediately made Principal of the preparatory 
department, remaining two years, when he was 
ordained to the Baptist ministry and became 
pastor of a church at Jerseyville. Four years 
later he was appointed Professor of Mathematics 
in Shurtleff College, but remained only two 
years, when he accepted the pastorship of a 
church at Carrollton, which he continued to fill 
nine years, when, in 1864, he was called to a 
church at Upper Alton. At the expiration of 
one year he was again called to a professorship 
in Shurtleff College, this time taking the chair of 
Church History and Church Polity, which he 
continued to fill for a period of thirty-four years; 
also serving for a time as Acting President dur- 
ing a vacancy in that office. During this period 
he was frequently called upon to preside as Mod- 
erator at General Associations of the Baptist 
Church, and he became widely known, not only 
in that denomination, but elsewhere. Died at 
Upper Alton, Jan. 16, 1899. 

BULL, Lorenzo, banker, Quincy, 111., was bom 
in Hartford, Conn., March 21, 1819, being the 
eldest son of Lorenzo and Elizabeth Goodwin 
Bull, His ancestors on both sides were of the 
party who, under Thomas Hooker, moved from 
the vicinity of Boston and settled Hartford in 
1634. Leaving Hartford in the spring of 1833, he 
arrived at Quincy, 111., entirely without means, 
but soon after secured a position with Judge 
Henry H. Snow, who then held most of the 
county offices, being Clerk of the County Com- 
missioners' Court, Clerk of the Circuit Court, 
Recorder, Judge of Probate, Notary Public and 
Justice of the Peace. Here the young clerk 
made himself acquainted with the people of the 
comity (at that time few in number), with the 
land -system of the country and with the legal 
forms and methods of procedure in the courts. 
He remained with Judge Snow over two years, 
receiving for his services, the first year, six dol- 
lars per month, and, for the second, ten dollars 
per month, besides his board in Judge Snow's 
family. He next accepted a situation with 
Messrs. Holmes, Brown & Co., then one of the 
most prominent mercantile houses of the city, 
remaining through various changes of the firm 
until 1844, when he formed a partnership with 



66 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



his brother under the firm name of L. & C. II. 
Bull, and opened a store for the sale of hardware 
and crockery, which was the first attempt made 
in Quincy to separate the mercantile business 
into different departments. Disposing of their 
business in 1861, the firm of L & C. H. Bull 
embarked in the private banking business, which 
they continued in one location for about thirty 
years, when they organized the State Savings 
Loan & Trust Company, in which he held the 
position of President until 1898, when he retired 
Mr. Bull has always been active in promoting the 
improvement and growth of the city , was one of 
the five persons who built most of the horse rail- 
roads in Quincy, and was, for about twenty years, 
President of the Company. The Quincy water- 
works are now (1898) owned entirely by himself 
and his son. He has never sought or held political 
office, but at one time was the active President of 
five distinct business corporations. He was also 
for some five years one of the Trustees of Illinois 
College at Jacksonville. He was married in 1844 
to Miss Margaret H. Benedict, daughter of Dr. 
Wm. M. Benedict, of Milbury, Mass., and they 
have five children now living. In politics he is a 
Eepublican, and his religious associations are with 
the Congregational Church. — Charles Henry 
(Bull), brother of the preceding, was born in 
Hartford, Conn., Dec. 16. 1822, and removed 
to Quincy, 111., in June, 1837 He commenced 
business as a clerk in a general store, where 
he remained for seven years, when he entered 
into partnership with his brother, Lorenzo Bull, 
in the hardware and crockery business, to 
which was subsequently added dealing in 
agricultural implements. This business was 
continued until the year 1861, when it was 
sold out, and the brothers established them- 
selves as private bankers under the same firm 
name. A few years later they organized the 
Merchants' and Farmers' National Bank, which 
was mainly owned and altogether managed by 
them. Five or six years later this bank was 
wound up, when they returned to private bank- 
ing, continuing in this business until 1891, when 
it was merged in the State Savings Loan & 
Trust Company, organized under the laws of 
Illinois with a capital of S300.000, held equally 
by Lorenzo Bull, Charles H. Bull and Edward J. 
Parker, respectively, as President, Vice-Presi- 
dent and Cashier. Near the close of 1898 the 
First National Bank of Quincy was merged into 
the State Savings Loan & Trust Company with 
J. H. Warfield, the President of the former, as 
President of the consolidated concern. Mr. Bull 



was one of the parties who originally organized 
the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany in 1869 —a road intended to be built from 
Quincy, 111., across the State of Missouri to 
Brownsville, Neb., and of which he is now 
(1898) the President, the name having been 
changed to the Quincy, Omaha & Kansas City 
Railway. He was also identified with the con- 
struction of the system of street railways in 
Quincy, and continued active in their manage- 
ment for about twenty years. He has been 
active in various other public and private enter- 
prises, and has done much to advance the growth 
and prosperity of the city. 

BUNKER HILL, a city of Macoupin County, on 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railroad, 37 miles northeast of St. Louis; has 
electric-lighting plant, telephone service, coal 
mine, flouring mill, wagon and various other 
manufactories, two banks, two newspapers, opera 
house, numerous churches, public library, a mili- 
tary academy and fine public schools, and many 
handsome residences; is situated on high ground 
in a rich agricultural and dairying region and an 
important shipping-point. Pop. (1900), 1,279. 

BUNN, Jacob, banker and manufacturer, was 
born in Hunterdon County, N. J., in 1814; came 
to Springfield in 1836, and, four years later, began 
business as a grocer, to winch he afterwards 
added that of private banking, continuing until 
1878. During a part of this time his bank was 
one of the best known and widely regarded as 
one of the most solid institutions of its kind in 
the State. Though crippled by the financial 
revulsion of 1873-74 and forced investments in 
depreciated real estate, he paid dollar for dollar. 
After retiring from banking in 1878, he assumed 
charge of the Springfield Watch Factory, in 
which he was a large stockholder, and of which 
he became the President. Mr. Bunn was, be- 
tween 1866 and 1870, a principal stockholder in 
"The Chicago Republican" (the predecessor of 
"The Inter-Ocean"), and was one of the bankers 
who came to the aid of the State Government with 
financial assistance at the beginning of the Civil 
War. Died at Springfield, Oct. 16, 1897— John TV. 
(Bunn), brother of the preceding and successor 
to the grocery business of J. & J. W. Bunn, has 
been a prominent business man of Springfield, 
and served as Treasurer of the State Agricultural 
Board from 1858 to 1898, and of the Illinois Uni- 
versity from its establishment to 1893. 

BUNSEN, George, German patriot and educa- 
tor, was born at Frankfort-on-the Maine, Ger- 
many, Feb. 18, 1794, and educated in his native 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



67 



city and at Berlin University; while still a 
student took part in the Peninsular War which 
resulted in the downfall of Napoleon, but resum- 
ing his studies in 1816, graduated three years 
later. He then founded a boys' school at Frank- 
fort, which he maintained fourteen years, when, 
having been implicated in the republican revolu ■ 
tion of 1833, he was forced to leave the country, 
locating the following year on a farm in St. Clair 
County, 111. Here he finally became a teacher in 
the public schools, served in the State Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847, was elected School 
Commissioner of St. Clair County, and, having 
removed to Belleville in 1855, there conducted a 
private school for the instruction of teachers 
while discharging the duties of his office; later 
was appointed a member of the first State School 
Board, serving until 1860, and taking part in the 
establishment of the Illinois State Normal Uni 
versity, of which he was a zealous advocate. He 
was also a contributor to "The Illinois Teacher," 
and, for several years prior to his death, served 
as Superintendent of Schools at Belleville without 
compensation. Died, November, 1873. 

BURCHARD, Horatio C, ex Congressman, was 
born at Marshall, Oneida County, N. Y., Sept. 22, 
1825; graduated at Hamilton College, N. Y., in 
1850, and later removed to Stephenson County, 
111., making his home at Freeport. By profes- 
sion he is a lawyer, but he has been also largely 
interested in mercantile pursuits. From 1857 to 
1860 he was School Commissioner of Stephenson 
County ; from 1863 to 1866 a member of the State 
Legislature, and from 1869 to 1879 a Representa- 
tive in Congress, being each time elected as a 
Republican, for the first time as the successor of 
E. B. Washburne. After retiring from Congress, 
he served for six years (1879-85) as Director of the 
United States Mint at Philadelphia, with marked 
ability. During the World's Columbian Exposi- 
tion at Chicago (1893), Mr. Burchard was in 
charge of the Bureau of Awards in connection 
with the Mining Department, afterwards resum- 
ing the practice of his profession at Freeport. 

BURDETTE, Robert Jones, journalist and 
humorist, was born in Greensborough, Pa., July 
30, 1844, and taken to Peoria, 111., in early life, 
where he was educated in the public schools. In 
1862 he enlisted as a private in the Forty -seventh 
Illinois Volunteers and served to the end of the 
war ; adopted journalism in 1869, being employed 
upon "The Peoria Transcript" and other papers 
of that city. Later he became associated with 
"The Burlington (Iowa) Hawkeye," upon which 
he gained a wide reputation as a genial humor- 



ist. Several volumes of his sketches have beer 
published, but in recent years he has devoted his 
attention chiefly to lecturing with occasional 
contributions to the literary press. 

BUREAU COUNTY, set off from Putnam 
County in 1837, near the center of the northern 
half of the State, Princeton being made the 
county-seat. Coal had been discovered in 1834, 
there being considerable quantities mined at 
Mineral and Selby. Sheffield also has an impor- 
tant coal trade. Public lands were offered for sale 
as early as 1835, and by 1844 had been nearly all 
sold. Princeton was platted in 1832, and. in 1890, 
contained a population of 3,396. The county has 
an area of 870 square miles, and, according to the 
census of 1900, a population of 41,112. The pio- 
neer settler was Henry Thomas, who erected the 
first cabin, in Bureau township, in 1828. He was 
soon followed by the Anient brothers (Edward, 
Justus and John L. ) , and for a time settlers came 
in rapid succession, among the earliest being 
Amos Leonard, Daniel Dimmick, John Hall, 
William Hoskins, Timothy Perkins, Leonard 

Roth, Bulbona and John Dixon. Serious 

Indian disturbances in 1831 caused a hegira of 
the settlers, some of whom never returned. In 
1833 a fort was erected for the protection of the 
whites, and, in 1836, there began a new and large 
influx of immigrants. Among other early set- 
tlers were John H. and Arthur Bryant, brothers 
of the poet, William Cullen Bryant. 

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, estab- 
lished in 1879, being an outgrowth of the agitation 
and discontent among the laboring classes, which 
culminated in 1877-78. The Board consists of 
five Commissioners, who serve for a nominal 
compensation, their term of office being two 
years. They are nominated by the Executive 
and confirmed by the Senate. The law requires 
that three of them shall be manual laborers and 
two employers of manual labor. The Bureau is 
charged with the collection, compilation and 
tabulation of statistics relative to labor in Illi- 
nois, particularly in its relation to the commer- 
cial, industrial, social, educational and sanitary 
conditions of the working classes. The Com- 
mission is required to submit biennial reports. 
Those already published contain much informa- 
tion of value concerning coal and lead mines, 
convict labor, manufactures, strikes and lock- 
outs, wages, rent, cost of living, mortgage 
indebtedness, and kindred topics. 

BURGESS, Alexander, Protestant Episcopal 
Bishop of the diocese of Quincy, was born at 
Providence, R. I., Oct. 31, 1819. He graduated 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



from Brown University in 1838 and from the 
General Theological Seminary (New York) in 
1841. He was made a Deacon, Nov. 3, 1842, and 
ordained a priest, Nov. 1, 1843. Prior to his ele- 
vation to the episcopate he was rector of various 
parishes in Maine, at Brooklyn, N. Y., and at 
Springfield, Mass. He represented the dioceses 
of Maine, Long Island and Massachusetts in the 
General Conventions of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church from 1844 to 1877, and, in the latter year, 
was President of the House of Deputies. Upon 
the death of his brother George, Bishop of Maine, 
he was chosen by the clergy of the diocese to suc- 
ceed him but declined When the diocese of 
Quincy 111. was created, he was elected its first 
Bishop, and consecrated at Christ Church, Spring- 
field, Mass . on May 15, 1878. Besides publishing 
a memoir of his brother. Bishop Burgess is the 
author of several Sunday-school question books, 
carols and hymns, and has been a contributor to 
periodical church literature. His residence is at 
Peoria 

BURLEY. Arthur Gilnian, merchant, was born 
at Exeter, N. H. Oct. 4, 1812, received his edu- 
cation in the local schools, and, in 1835, came 
West, locating in Chicago. For some two years 
he served as clerk in the boot, shoe and clothing 
store of John Holbrook, after which he accepted 
a position with his half-brother, Stephen F. Gale, 
the proprietor of the first book and stationery 
store in Chicago. In 1838 he invested his savings 
in a bankrupt stock of crockery, purchased from 
the old State Bank, and entered upon a business 
career which was continued uninterruptedly for 
nearly sixty years. In that time Mr. Burley 
built up a business which, for its extent and 
success, was unsurpassed in its time in the West. 
His brother in-law. Mr. John Tyrrell, became a 
member of the firm in 1852, the business there- 
after being conducted under the name of Burley 
& Tyrrell, with Mr. Burley as President of the 
Company until his death, which occurred, August 

27, 1897. — Augustus Harris (Burley), brother of 
the preceding, was born at Exeter, N. H., March 

28, 1819 ; was educated in the schools of his native 
State, and, in his youth, was employed for a 
time as a clerk in Boston. In 1837 he came to 
Chicago and took a position as clerk or salesman 
in the book and stationery store of his half- 
brother, Stephen F. Gale, subsequently became a 
partner, and, on the retirement of Mr Gale a 
few years later, succeeded to the control of the 
business. In 1857 he. disposed of his book and 
stationery business, and about the same time 
became one of the founders of the Merchants' 



Loan and Trust Company, with which he has 
been connected as a Director ever since. Mr. 
Burley was a member of the volunteer fire depart- 
ment organized in Chicago in 1841 Among the 
numerous public positions held by him may be 
mentioned, member of the Board of PublicWorks 
(1867-70), the first Superintendent of Lincoln Park 
(1809), Representative from Cook County in the 
Twenty seventh General Assembly (1870-72). City 
Comptroller during the administration of Mayor 
Medill (1872-73), and again undar Mayor Roche 
(1S87), and member of the City Council (1881-82). 
Politically, Mr. Burley has been a zealous Repub- 
lican and served on the Chicago Union Defense 
Committee in the first year of the Civil War, and 
was a delegate from the State-at-large to the 
National Republican Convention at Baltimore in 
1864, which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the 
Presidency a second time. 

BURNHAM, Daniel Hudson, architect, was 
born at Henderson, N. Y., Sept. 4, 1846; came to 
Chicago at 9 years of age: attended private 
schools and the Chicago High School, after which 
he spent two years at Waltham, Mass.. receiving 
special instruction ; returning to Chicago in 1867. 
he was afterwards associated with various firms. 
About 1873 he formed a business connection with 
J. W. Root, architect, which extended to the 
death of the latter in 1891. The firm of Burnham 
& Root furnished the plans of a large number of 
the most conspicuous business buildings in Chi- 
cago, but won their greatest distinction in con- 
nection with the construction of buildings for the 
World's Columbian Exposition, of which Mr. 
Root was Supervising Architect previous to his 
death, while Mr. Burnham was made Chief of 
Construction and, later. Director of Works. In 
this capacity his authority was almost absolute, 
but was used with a discretion that contributed 
greatly to the success of the enterprise. 

BURR, Albert G., former Congressman, was 
born in Genesee County, N. Y„ Nov. 8, 1829: 
came to Illinois about 1832 with his widowed 
mother, who settled in Springfield. In early life 
he became a citizen of Winchester, where he read 
law and was admitted to the bar, also, for a time, 
following the occupation of a printer. Here he 
was twice elected to the lower house of the Gen- 
eral Assembly (I860 and 1862), meanwhile serving 
as a member of the State Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1862. Having removed to Carrollton. 
Greene County, he was elected as a Democrat to 
the Fortieth and Forty-first Congresses (1866 and 
1868), serving until March 4, 1871. In August, 
1877, he was elected Circuit Judge to fill a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



69 



vacancy and was re-elected for the regular term 
in June, 1879, but died in office, June 10, 1882. 

BURRELL, Orlando, member of Congress, was 
born in Bradford County, Pa. ; removed with his 
parents to White County, 111., in 1834, growing 
up on a farm near Carmi ; received a common 
school education; in 1850 went to California, 
driving an ox-team across the plains. Soon after 
the beginning of the Civil War (1861) he raised a 
company of cavalry, of which he was elected 
Captain, and which became a part of the First 
Regiment Illinois Cavalry; served as County 
Judge from 1873 to 1881, and was elected Sheriff 
in 1886. In 1894 he was elected Representative 
in Congress as a Republican from the Twentieth 
District, composed of counties which formerly 
constituted a large part of the old Nineteenth 
District, and which had uniformly been repre- 
sented by a Democrat- He suffered defeat as a 
candidate for re election in 1896. 

BURROUGHS, John Curtis, clergyman and 
educator, was born in Stamford, N. Y. , Dec. 7, 
1818; graduated at Yale College in 1842, and 
Madison Theological Seminary in 1846. After 
five years spent as pastor of Baptist churches at 
Waterford and West Troy, N. Y., in 1852 he 
assumed the pastorate of the First Baptist Church 
of Chicago ; about 1856 was elected to the presi- 
dency of the Chicago University, then just 
established, having previously declined the 
presidency of Shurtleff College at Upper Alton. 
Resigning his position in 1874, he soon after 
became a member of the Chicago Board of Edu- 
cation, and, in 1884, was elected Assistant Super- 
intendent of Public Schools of that city, serving 
until his death, April 21, 1892. 

BUSEY, Samuel T., banker and ex-Congress- 
man, was born at Greencastle, Ind., Nov. 16, 
1835 ; in infancy was brought by his parents to 
Urbana, III., where he was educated and has 
since resided. From 1857 to 1859 he was engaged 
in mercantile pursuits, but during 1860-61 
attended a commercial college and read law. In 
1862 he was chosen Town Collector, but resigned 
to enter the Union Army, being commissioned 
Second Lieutenant by Governor Yates, and 
assigned to recruiting service. Having aided in 
the organization of the Seventy-sixth Illinois 
Volunteers, he was commissioned its Lieutenant- 
Colonel, August 12, 1862 ; was afterward promoted 
to the colonelcy, and mustered out of service at 
Chicago, August 6, 1865, with the rank of Brevet 
Brigadier-General. In 1866 he was an unsuccess- 
ful candidate for the General Assembly on the 
Democratic ticket, and for Trustee of the State 



University in 1888. From 1880 to 18S9 he was 
Mayor and President of the Board of Education 
of Urbana. In 1867 he opened a private bank, 
which he conducted for twenty-one years. In 
1890 he was elected to Congress from the Fif- 
teenth Illinois District, defeating Joseph G. Can 
non, Republican, by whom he was in turn 
defeated for the same office in 1892. 

BUSHNELL, a flourishing city and manufac- 
turing center in McDonough County, 11 miles 
northeast of Macomb, at the junction or two 
branches of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
with the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroads; has 
numerous manufactories, including wooden 
pumps, flour, agricultural implements, wagons 
and carriages, tank and fence-work, rural mail- 
boxes, mattresses, brick, besides egg and poultry 
packing houses; also has water- works and elec- 
tric lights, grain elevators, three banks, several 
churches, graded public and high schools, two 
newspapers and a public library. Pop. (1900), 2,490. 

BUSHNELL, Nehemiah, lawyer, was born in 
the town of Westbrook, Conn., Oct. 9, 1813; 
graduated at Yale College in 1835, studied law 
and was admitted to the bar in 1837, coming in 
December of the same year to Quincy, 111., where, 
for a time, he assisted in editing "The Whig" 
of that city, later forming a partnership with 
O. H. Browning, which was never fully broken 
until his death. In his practice he gave much 
attention to land titles in the "Military Tract"; 
in 1851 was President of the portion of the North- 
ern Cross Railroad between Quincy and Gales- 
burg (now a part of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy), and later of the Quincy Bridge Company 
and the Quincy & Palmyra (Mo.) Railroad. In 
1872 he was elected by the Republicans the 
"minority" Representative from Adams County 
in the Twenty-eighth General Assembly, but 
died during the succeeding session, Jan. 31, 1873. 
He was able, high-minded and honorable in public 
and private life. 

BUSHNELL, Washington, lawyer and Attor- 
ney-General, was born in Madison County, N. Y., 
Sept. 30, 1825; in 1837 came with his father to 
Lisbon, Kendall County, 111., where he worked on 
a farm and taught at times ; studied law at Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y., was admitted to the bar and 
established himself in practice at Ottawa, 111. 
The public positions held by him were those of 
State Senator for La Salle County (1861-69) and 
Attorney-General (1869-73); was also a member 
of the Republican National Convention of 1864, 
besides being identified with various business 
enterprises at Ottawa. Died, June 30, 1885. 



70 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



BUTLER, William, State Treasurer, was born 
in Adair County, Ky., Deo. 15, 1797; during the 
war of 1812, at the age of 16 years, served as the 
messenger of the Governor of Kentucky, carrying 
dispatches to Gen. William Henry Harrison in 
the field; removed to Sangamon County, 111., in 
1828, and, in 1836, was appointed Clerk of the 
Circuit Court by Judge Stephen T. Logan. In 
1859 he served as foreman of the Grand Jury 
which investigated the "canal scrip frauds" 
charged against ex-Governor Matteson, and it 
was largely through his influence that the pro- 
ceedings of that body were subsequently pub- 
lished in an official form. During the same year 
Governor Bissell appointed him State Treasurer 
to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of 
James Miller, and he was elected to the same 
office in 1860. Mr. Butler was an ardent sup- 
porter of Abraham Lincoln, whom he efficiently 
befriended in the early struggles of the latter 
in Springfield. He died in Springfield, Jan. 11, 
1876. 

BUTTERFIELD, Justin, early lawyer, was 
born at Keene, N. II., in 1790. He studied at 
Williams College, and was admitted to the bar 
at Watertown, N. Y., in 1812. After some years 
devoted to practice at Adams and at Sackett's 
Harbor, N. Y., he removed to New Orleans, where 
he attained a high rank at the bar. In 1835 he 
settled in Chicago and soon became a leader in 
his profession there also. In 1841 he was appointed 
by President Harrison United States District At- 
torney for the District of Illinois, and, in 1849, by 
President Taylor Commissioner of the General 
Land Office, one of his chief competitors for the 
latter place being Abraham Lincoln. This dis- 
tinction he probably owed to the personal influ- 
ence of Daniel Webster, then Secretary of State, 
of whom Mr. Butterfield was a personal friend 
and warm admirer. While Commissioner, he 
rendered valuable service to the State in securing 
the canal land grant. As a lawyer he was logical 
and resourceful, as well as witty and quick at 
repartee, yet his chief strength lay before the 
Court rather than the jury. Numerous stories 
are told of his brilliant sallies at the bar and 
elsewhere. One of the former relates to his 
address before Judge Nathaniel Pope, of the 
United States Court at Springfield, in a habeas- 
corpus case to secure the release of Joseph Smith, 
the Mormon prophet, who was under arrest under 
the charge of complicity in an attempt to assassin- 
ate Governor Boggs of Missouri. Rising to begin 
his argument, Mr. Butterfield said: "I am to 
address the Pope'" (bowing to the Court), "sur- 



rounded by angels" (bowing still lower to a party 
of ladies in the audience), "in the presence of 
the holy apostles, in behalf of the prophet of 
the Lord." On another occasion, being asked if 
he was opposed to the war with Mexico, he 
replied, "I opposed one war" — meaning his 
opposition as a Federalist to the War of 1812 — 
"but learned the folly of it. Henceforth I am for 
war, pestilence and famine." He died, Oct. 25, 
1855. 

BYFORD, William H., physician and author, 
was born at Eaton, Ohio, March 20, 1817; in 1830 
came with his widowed mother to Crawford 
County, 111., and began learning the tailor's 
trade at Palestine; later studied medicine at 
Vincennes and practiced at different points in 
Indiana. Meanwhile, having graduated at the 
Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1850, he 
assumed a professorship in a Medical College at 
Evansville, Ind.. also editing a medical journal. 
In 1857 he removed to Chicago, where he ac- 
cepted a chair in Rush Medical College, but two 
years later became one of the founders of the 
Chicago Medical College, where he remained 
twenty years. He then (1879) returned to Rush, 
assuming the chair of Gynecology. In 1870 he 
assisted in founding the Woman's Medical Col- 
lege of Chicago, remaining President of the 
Faculty and Board of Trustees until his death, 
May 21, 1890. He published a number of medical 
works which are regarded as standard by the 
profession, besides acting as associate of Dr. N. S. 
Davis in the editorship of "The Chicago Medical 
Journal" and as editor-in-chief of "The Medical 
Journal and Examiner," the successor of the 
former. Dr. Byford was held in the highest 
esteem as a physician and a man, both by the 
general public and his professional associates. 

BYRON, a village of Ogle County, in a pictur- 
esque region on Rock River, at junction of the 
Chicago Great Western and the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railways 83 miles west-north- 
west from Chicago; is in rich farming and dairy- 
ing district; has two banks and two weekly 
papers. Population (1890), 698; (1900), 1,015. 

CABLE, a town in Mercer County, on the Rock 
Island & Peoria Railroad, 26 miles south by east 
from Rock Island. Coal-mining is the principal 
industry, but there are also tile works, a good 
quality of clay for manufacturing purposes being 
found in abundance. Population (1880), 572, 
(1890), 1,276; (1900). 697. 

CABLE, Beiijajnin T., capitalist and politician, 
was born in Georgetown, Scott County, Ky.. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



71 



August 11, 1853. When he was three years old 
his father's family removed to Rock Island, 111. , 
where he has since resided. After passing 
through the Rock Island public schools, he matric- 
ulated at the University of Michigan, graduating 
in June, 1876. He owns extensive ranch and 
manufacturing property, and is reputed wealthy; 
is also an active Democratic politician, and influ- 
ential in his party, having been a member of both 
the National and State Central Committees. In 
1890 he was elected to Congress from the Eleventh 
Illinois District, but since 1893 has held no public 
office. 

CABLE, Ransom R., railway manager, was 
born in Athens County, Ohio, Sept. 23, 1834 
His early training was mainly of the practical 
sort, and by the time he was 17 years old he was 
actively employed as a lumberman. In 1857 he 
removed to Illinois, first devoting his attention 
to coal mining in the neighborhood of Rock 
Island. Later he became interested in the pro- 
jection and management of railroads, being in 
turn Superintendent, Vice-President and Presi- 
dent of the Rock Island & Peoria Railroad. His 
next position was that of General Manager of the 
Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad. His 
experience in these positions rendered him famil- 
iar with both the scope and the details of railroad 
management, while his success brought him to 
the favorable notice of those who controlled rail- 
way interests all over the country. In 1876 he 
was elected a Director of the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Railway. In connection with 
this company he has held, successively, the 
offices of Vice-President, Assistant to the Presi- 
dent, General Manager and President, being chief 
executive officer since 1880. (See Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Railway.) 

CAHOKIA, the first permanent white settle- 
ment in Illinois, and, in French colonial times, 
one of its principal towns. French Jesuit mis- 
sionaries established the mission of the Tamaroas 
here in 1700, to which they gave the name of 
"Sainte Famille de Caoquias," antedating the 
settlement at Kaskaskia of the same year by a 
few months. Cahokia and Kaskaskia were 
jointly made the county -seats of St. Clair County, 
when that county was organized by Governor St. 
Clair in 1790. Five years later, when Randolph 
County was set off from St. Clair, Cahokia was 
continued as the county-seat of the parent 
county, so remaining until the removal of the 
seat of justice to Belleville in 1814. Like its 
early rival, Kaskaskia, it has dwindled in impor- 
tance until, in 1890, its population was estimated 



at 100. Descendants of the early French settlers 
make up a considerable portion of the present 
population. The site of the old town is on the 
line of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Rail- 
road, about four miles from East St. Louis. 
Some of the most remarkable Indian mounds in 
the Mississippi Valley, known as "the Cahokia 
Mounds," are located in the vicinity. (See Mound- 
Builders, IVorks of tlie.) 

CAIRNES, Abraham, a native of Kentucky, in 
1816 settled in that part of Crawford County, 111., 
which was embraced in Lawrence County on the 
organization of the latter in 1821. Mr. Cairnes 
was a member of the House for Crawford County 
in the Second General Assembly (1820-22), and 
for Lawrence County in the Third (1822-24), in 
the latter voting against the pro-slavery Conven- 
tion scheme. He removed from Lawrence 
County to some point on the Mississippi River in 
1826, but further details of his history are un- 
known. 

CAIRO, the county-seat of Alexander County, 
and the most important river point between St. 
Louis and Memphis. Its first charter was ob- 
tained from the Territorial Legislature by Shad- 
rach Bond (afterwards Governor of Illinois), John 
G. Comyges and others, who incorporated the 
"City and Bank of Cairo. " The company entered 
about 1,800 acres, but upon the death of Mr. Comy- 
ges, the land reverted to the Government. The 
forfeited tract was re-entered in 1835 by Sidney 
Breese and others, who later transferred it to the 
"Cairo City and Canal Company," a corporation 
chartered in 1837, which, by purchase, increased 
its holdings to 10,000 acres. Peter Stapleton is 
said to have erected the first house, and John 
Hawley the second, within the town limits. In 
consideration of certain privileges, the Illinois 
Central Railroad has erected around the water 
front a substantial levee, eighty feet wide. Dur- 
ing the Civil War Cairo was an important base 
for military operations. Its population, according 
to the census of 1900, was 12,566. (See also Alex- 
ander County.) 

CAIRO BRIDGE, THE, one of the triumphs of 
modern engineering, erected by the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad Company across the Ohio River, 
opposite the city of Cairo. It is the longest 
metallic bridge across a river in the world, being 
thirty-three feet longer than the Tay Bridge, in 
Scotland. The work of construction was begun, 
July 1, 1887, and uninterruptedly prosecuted for 
twenty-seven months, being completed, Oct. 29, 
1889. The first train to cross it was made up <>f 
ten locomotives coupled together. The ap- 



72 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



proaches from both the Illinois and Kentucky 
shores consist of iron viaducts and well-braced 
timber trestles. The Illinois viaduct approach 
consists of seventeen spans of 150 feet each, and 
one span of 106 H feet. All these rest on cylin- 
der piers filled with concrete, and are additionally 
supported by piles driven within the cylinders. 
The viaduct on the Kentucky shore is of similar 
general construction. The total number of spans 
is twenty-two — twenty-one being of 150 feet each, 
and one of 106# feet. The total length of the 
metal work, from end to end, is 10,650 feet, 
including that of the bridge' proper, which is 
4.644 feet. The latter consists of nine through 
spans and three deck spans. The through spans 
rest on ten first-class masonry piers on pneumatic 
foundations The total length of the bridge, 
including the timber trestles, is 20,461 feet — about 
ZYs miles. Four-fifths of the Illinois trestle 
work has been filled in with earth, while that on 
the southern shore has been virtually replaced by 
an embankment since the completion of the 
1 nidge. The bridge proper stands 104.42 feet in 
the clear above low water, and from the deepest 
foundation to the top of the highest iron work is 
248.94 feet. The total cost of the work, including 
the filling and embankment of the trestles, has 
been (1895) between 83,250,000 and 83,500,000. 

CAIRO, VINCENNES & CHICAGO RAIL- 
ROAD, a division of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railway, extending from 
Danville to Cairo (261 miles), with a branch nine 
miles in length from St. Francisville, 111., to Vin- 
cennes, Ind. It was chartered as the Cairo & 
Vincennes Railroad in 1867, completed in 1872, 
placed in the hands of a receiver in 1874, sold 
under foreclosure in January, 1880. and for some 
time operated as the Cairo Division of the 
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway. In 1889, 
having been surrendered by the AVabash, St. 
Louis & Pacific Railway, it was united with the 
Danville & Southwestern Railroad, reorganized as 
the Cairo, Vincennes & Chicago Railroad, and, 
in ls00, leased to the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chi- 
cagi > & St. Louis Railway, of which it is known 
as the "Cairo Division." (See Cleveland, Cincin- 
nati, Chicago d- St. Louis Railway.) 

CAIRO & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD. (See St. 
Louis & Cairo Railroad and Mobile & Ohio Rail- 
way. I 

CAIRO A. VINCENNES RAILROAD. (See 
< 'airo, Vincennes it- < indigo Railroad, i 

CALDWELL, (Dr.) George, early physician 
and legislator (the name is spelled both Cadwell 
and Caldwell in the early records), was born at 



Wethersfield, Conn., Feb. 21, 1773, and received 
his literary education at Hartford, and his pro- 
fessional at Rutland, Vt. He married a daughter 
of Hon. Matthew Lyon, who was a native of 
Ireland, and who served two terms in Congress 
from Vermont, four from Kentucky (1803-11), 
and was elected the first Delegate in Congress 
from Arkansas Territory, but died before taking 
his seat in August, 1822. Lyon was also a resi- 
dent for a time of St. Louis, and was a candidate 
for Delegate to Congress from Missouri Territory, 
but defeated by Edward Hempstead (see Hemp- 
stead. Edward). Dr. Caldwell descended the 
Ohio River in 1799 in company with Lyon's 
family and his brother-in-law, John Messinger 
(see Messinger, John), who afterwards became a 
prominent citizen of St. Clair County, the party 
locating at Eddyville, Ky. In 1802, Caldwell 
and Messinger removed to Illinois, landing near 
old Fort Chartres, and remained some time in 
the American Bottom. The former finally 
located on the banks of the Mississippi a few 
miles above St. Louis, where he practiced his 
profession and held various public offices, includ- 
ing those of Justice of the Peace and County 
Judge for St. Clair County, as also for Madison 
County after the organization of the latter. He 
served as State Senator from Madison County 
in the First and Second General Assemblies 
(1818-22), and, having removed in 1820 within the 
limits of what is now Morgan County (but still 
earlier embraced in Greene), in 1822 was elected 
to the Senate for Greene and Pike Counties — 
the latter at that time embracing all the northern 
and northwestern part of the State, including 
the county of Cook. During the following ses- 
sion of the Legislature he was a sturdy opponent 
of the scheme to make Illinois a slave State. His 
home in Morgan County was in a locality known 
as "Swinerton's Point," a few miles west of 
Jacksonville, where he died, August 1, 1826. 
(See Slavery and Slave Laws.) Dr. Caldwell (or 
Cadwell, as he was widely known) commanded 
a high degree of respect among early residents of 
Illinois. Governor Reynolds, in his "Pioneer 
History of Illinois,*' says of him: "He was 
moral and correct in his public and private life, 
. . . was a respectable physician, and always 
maintained an unblemished character." 

CALHOUN, John, pioneer printer and editor, 
was born at AVatertown. N. Y., April 14. 180S; 
learned the printing trade and practiced it in his 
native town, also working in a type-foundry in 
Albany and as a compositor in Troy. In the fall 
of 1333 he came to Chicago, bringing with him 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



73 



an outfit for the publication of a weekly paper, 
and, on Nov. 26, began the issue of "The Chicago 
Democrat" — the first paper ever published in that 
city. Mr. Calhoun retained the management of 
the paper three years, transferring it in Novem- 
ber, 1836, to John Wentworth, who conducted it 
until its absorption by "The Tribune" in July, 
1861. Mr. Calhoun afterwards served as County 
Treasurer, still later as Collector, and, finally, as 
agent of the Illinois Central Railroad in procur- 
ing right of way for the construction of its lines. 
Died in Chicago, Feb. 20, 1859. 

CALHOUN, John, surveyor and politician, was 
born in Boston, Mass., Oct. 14, 1806; removed to 
Springfield, 111., in 1830, served in the Black 
Hawk War and was soon after appointed County 
Surveyor. It was under Mr. Calhoun, and by his 
appointment, that Abraham Lincoln served for 
some time as Deputy Surveyor of Sangamon 
County. In 1838 Calhoun was chosen Represent- 
ative in the General Assembly, but was defeated 
in 1840, though elected Clerk of the House at the 
following session. He was a Democratic Presi- 
dential Elector in 1844, was an unsuccessful 
candidate for the nomination for Governor in 
1846, and, for three terms (1849, '50 and '51), 
served as Mayor of the city of Springfield. In 
1852 he was defeated by Richard Yates (after- 
wards Governor and United States Senator) , as a 
candidate for Congress, but two years later was 
appointed by President Pierce Surveyor-General 
of Kansas, where he became discreditably con- 
spicuous by his zeal in attempting to carry out 
the policy of the Buchanan administration for 
making Kansas a slave State — especially in con- 
nection with the Lecompton Constitutional Con- 
vention, with the election of which he had much 
to do, and over which he presided. Died at St. 
Joseph, Mo., Oct. 25, 1859. 

CALHOUN, William J., lawyer, was born in 
Pittsburg, Pa., Oct. 5, 1847. After residing at 
various points in that State, his family removed 
to Ohio, where he worked on a farm until 1864, 
when he enlisted as a private in the Nineteenth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving to the end of 
the war. He participated in a number of severe 
battles while with Sherman on the march against 
Atlanta, returning with General Thomas to Nash- 
ville, Tenn. During the last few months of the 
war he served in Texas, being mustered] out at 
San Antonio in that State, though receiving his 
final discharge at Columbus, Ohio. After the 
war he entered the Poland Union Seminary, 
where he became the intimate personal friend of 
Maj. William McKinley, who was elected to the 



Presidency in 1896. Having graduated at the 
seminary, he came to Areola, Douglas County, 
111. , and began the study of law, later taking a 
course in a law school in Chicago, after which he 
was admitted to the bar (18T5) and established 
himself in practice at Danville as the partner of 
the Hon. Joseph B. Mann. In 1882 Mr. Calhoun 
was elected as a Republican to the lower branch 
of the Thirty-third General Assembly and, during 
the following session, proved himself one of the 
ablest members of that body. In May, 1897, Mr. 
Calhoun was appointed by President McKinley a 
special envoy to investigate the circumstances 
attending the death of Dr. Ricardo Ruiz, a nat- 
uralized citizen of the United States who had 
died while a prisoner in the hands of the Spaniards 
during the rebellion then in progress in Cuba. 
In 1898 he was appointed a member of the Inter- 
State Commerce Commission to succeed William 
R. Morrison, whose term had expired. 

CALHOUN COUNTY, situated between the 
Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, just above their 
junction. It has an area of 260 square miles. 
with a population (1900) of 8,917; was organized 
in 1825 and named for John C. Calhoun. Origi- 
nally, the county was well timbered and the 
earl}' settlers were largely engaged in lumbering, 
which tended to give the population more or less 
of a migratory character. Much of the timber 
has been cleared off, and the principal business 
in later years has been agriculture, although coal 
is found and mined in paying quantities along 
Silver Creek. Tradition has it that the aborig- 
ines found the precious metals in the bed of this 
stream. It was originally included within, the 
limits of the Military Tract set apart for the 
veterans of the War of 1812. The physical con- 
formation of the county's surface exhibits some 
peculiarities. Limestone bluffs, rising some- 
times to the height of 200 feet, skirt the banks of 
both rivers, while through the center of the 
county runs a ridge dividing the two watersheds. 
The side valleys and the top of the central ridge 
are alike fertile. The bottom lands are very 
rich, but are liable to inundation. The county- 
seat and principal town is Hardin, with a popula- 
tion (1890) of 311. 

C.VLLAH \N, Ethelbert, lawyer and legislator, 
was born near Newark, Ohio, Dec. 17, 1829; 
came to Crawford Count}', 111., in 1849, where he 
farmed, taught school and edited, at different 
times, "The Wabash Sentinel" and "The Marshall 
Telegraph." He early identified himself with 
the Republican party, and. in 1864, was the 
Republican candidate for Congress in his dis- 



74 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



trict ; became a member of the first State Board 
of Equalization by appointment of Governor 
Oglesby in 1807 ; served in the lower house of the 
General Assembly during the sessions of 1875, '91, 
'93 and '95, and, in 1893-95, on a Joint Committee 
to revise the State Revenue Laws. He was also 
Presidential Elector in 1880, and again in 1888. 
Mr. Callahan was admitted to the bar when past 
30 years of age, and was President of the State 
Bar Association in 1889. His home is at Robinson. 
CALUMET RIVER, a short stream the main 
body of which is formed by the union of two 
branches which come together at the southern 
boundary of the city of Chicago, and which flows 
into Lake Michigan a short distance north of the 
Indiana State line. The eastern branch, known 
as the Grand Calumet, flows in a westerly direc- 
tion from Northwestern Indiana and unites with 
the Little Calumet from the west, 3)4 miles from 
the mouth of the main stream. From the south- 
ern limit of Chicago the general course of the 
stream is north between Lake Calumet and Wolf 
Lake, which it serves to drain. At its mouth, 
Calumet Harbor has been constructed, which 
admits of the entrance of vessels of heavy 
draught, and is a shipping and receiving 
point of importance for heavy freight for 
the Illinois Steel Works, the Pullman Palace 
Car Works and other manufacturing establish- 
ments in that vicinity. The river is regarded as 
a navigable stream, and has been dredged by the 
General Government to a depth of twenty feet 
and 200 feet wide for a distance of two miles, 
with a depth of sixteen feet for the remainder of 
the distance to the forks. The Calumet feeder 
for the Illinois and Michigan Canal extends from 
the west branch (or Little Calumet) to the canal 
in the vicinity of Willow Springs. The stream 
was known to the early French explorers as "the 
Calimic," and was sometimes confounded by 
them with the Chicago River. 

CALUMET RIVER RAILROAD, a short line, 
4.43 miles in length, lying wholly within Cook 
County. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company 
is the lessee, but the line is not operated at present 
(1898). Its outstanding capital stock is §08.700. 
It has no funded debt, but has a floating debt of 
§116,357, making a total capitalization of $185,087. 
This road extends from One Hundredth Street in 
Chicago to Hegewisch, and was chartered in 1883. 
(See Pennsylvania Railroad.) 

CAMBRIDGE, the county-seat of Henry 
County, about 160 miles southwest of Chicago, 
on the Rock Island & Peoria Railroad. It is situ- 
ated in a fertile region chiefly devoted to 



agriculture and stock-raising. The city is a con- 
siderable grain market and has some manufac- 
tories. Some coal is also mined. It has a public 
library, two newspapers, three banks, good 
schools, and handsome public (county) buildings. 
Population (1880), 1,203; (1890), United States 
census report, 940; (1900), 1,345. 

CAMERON, James, Cumberland Presbyterian 
minister and pioneer, was born in Kentucky in 
1791. came to Illinois in 1815, and, in 1818, settled 
in Sangamon County.' In 1829 he is said to have 
located where the town of New Salem (after- 
wards associated with the early history of Abra- 
ham Lincoln) was built, and of which he and 
James Rutledge were the founders. He is also 
said to have officiated at the funeral of Ann 
Rutledge, with whose memory Mr. Lincoln's 
name has been tenderly associated by his biog- 
raphers. Mr. Cameron subsequently removed 
successively to Fulton County, 111., to Iowa and 
to California, dying at a ripe old age, in the latter 
State, about 1878. 

CAMP DOUGLAS, a Federal military camp 
established at Chicago early in the War of the 
Rebellion, located between Thirty-first Street and 
College Place, and Cottage Grove and Forest 
Avenues. It was 'originally designed and solely 
used as a camp of instruction for new recruits. 
Afterwards it was utilized as a place of confine- 
ment for Confederate prisoners of war. (For 
plot to liberate the latter, together with other 
similar prisoners in Illinois, see Camp Douglas 
Conspiracy. ) 

CAMP DOUGLAS CONSPIRACY, a plot formed 
in 1864 for the liberation of the Confederate 
prisoners of war at Chicago (in Camp Douglas), 
Rock Island, Alton and Springfield. It was to be 
but a preliminary step in the execution of a 
design long cherished by the Confederate Gov- 
ernment, viz., the seizing of the organized gov- 
ernments of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the 
formation of a Northwestern Confederacy, 
through the cooperation of the "Sons of Lib- 
erty." (See Secret Treasonable Societies.) Three 
peace commissioners (Jacob Thompson, C. C. 
Clay and J. P. Holcomb), who had been sent 
from Richmond to Canada, held frequent 
conferences with leaders of the treasonable 
organizations in the North, including Clement L. 
Vallandigham, Bowles, of Indiana, and one 
Charles Walsh, who was head of the movement 
in Chicago, with a large number of allies in that 
city and scattered throughout the States. The 
general management of the affair was entrusted 
to Capt. Thomas H. Hines, who had been second 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



.0 



in command to the rebel Gen. John Morgan dur- 
ing his raid north of the Ohio River, while Col. 
Vincent Marmaduke, of Missouri, and G. St. Leger 
Grenfell (an Englishman) were selected to 
carry out the military program. Hines followed 
out his instructions with great zeal and labored 
indefatigably. Thompsons duty was to dis- 
seminate incendiary treasonable literature, and 
strengthen the timorous "Sons of Liberty" by 
the use of argument and money, both he and his 
agents being lavishly supplied with the latter. 
There was to be a draft in July, 1864, and it was 
determined to arm the "Sons of Liberty" for 
resistance, the date of uprising being fixed for 
July 20. This part of the scheme, however, was 
finally abandoned. Captain Hines located him- 
self at Chicago, and personally attended to the 
distribution of funds and the purchase of arms. 
The date finally fixed for the attempt to liberate 
the Southern prisoners was August 29, 1864, when 
the National Democratic Convention was to 
assemble at Chicago. On that date it was 
expected the city would be so crowded that the 
presence of the promised force of "Sons" would 
not excite comment. The program also included 
an attack on the city by water, for which pur- 
pose reliance was placed upon a horde of Cana- 
dian refugees, under Capt. John B. Castleman. 
There were some 26,500 Southern prisoners in the 
State at this time, of whom about 8,000 were at 
Chicago, 6,000 at Rock Island, 7,500 at Spring- 
field, and 5,000 at Alton. It was estimated that 
there were 4,000 "Sons of Liberty" in Chicago, 
who would be largely reenforced. With these 
and the Canadian refugees the prisoners at Camp 
Douglas were to be liberated, and the army thus 
formed was to march upon Rock Island, Spring- 
field and Alton. But suspicions were aroused, 
and the Camp was reenforced by a regiment of 
infantry and a battery. The organization of the 
proposed assailing force was very imperfect, and 
the great majority of those who were to compose 
it were lacking in courage. Not enough of the 
latter reported for service to justify an attack, 
and the project was postponed. In the meantime 
a preliminary part of the plot, at least indirectly - 
connected with the Camp Douglas conspiracy, 
and which contemplated the release of the rebel 
officers confined on Johnson's Island in Lake 
Erie, had been "nipped in the bud" by the arrest 
of Capt. C. H. Cole, a Confederate officer in dis- 
guise, on the 19th of September, just as he was 
on the point of putting in execution a scheme for 
seizing the United States steamer Michigan at 
Sandusky, and putting on board of it a Confeder- 



ate crew. November 8 was the date next selected 
to carry out the Chicago scheme — the day of Presi- 
dent Lincoln's second election. The same pre- 
liminaries were arranged, except that no water 
attack was to be made. But Chicago was to be 
burned and flooded, and its banks pillaged. 
Detachments were designated to apply the torch, 
to open fire plugs, to levy arms, and to attack 
banks. But representatives of the United States 
Secret Service had been initiated into the "Sons 
of Libert}',"' and the plans of Captain Hines and 
his associates were well known to the authori- 
ties. An efficient body of detectives was put 
upon their track by Gen. B. J. Sweet, the com- 
mandant at Camp Douglas, although some of the 
most valuable service in running down the con- 
spiracy and capturing its agents, was rendered 
by Dr. T. Winslow Ayer of Chicago, a Colonel 
Langhorne (an ex-Confederate who had taken 
the oath of allegiance without the knowledge of 
some of the parties to the plot), and Col. J. T. 
Shanks, a Confederate prisoner who was known 
as "The Texan." Both Langhorne and Shanks 
were appalled at the horrible nature of the plot 
as it was unfolded to them, and entered with 
zeal into the effort to defeat it. Shanks was 
permitted to escape from Camp Douglas, thereby 
getting in communication with the leaders of the 
plot who assisted to conceal him, while he faith- 
fully apprised General Sweet of their plans. On 
the night of Nov. 6 — or rather after midnight on 
the morning of the 7th — General Sweet caused 
simultaneous arrests of the leaders to be made at 
their hiding-places. Captain Hines was not 
captured, but the following conspirators were 
taken into custody: Captains Cantrill and Trav- 
erse ; Charles Walsh, the Brigadier-General of 
the "Sons of Liberty," who was sheltering them, 
and in whose barn and house was found a large 
quantity of arms and military stores; Cols. St. 
Leger Grenfell, W. R. Anderson and J. T. 
Shanks; R. T. Semmes, Vincent Marmaduke, 
Charles T. Daniel and Buckner S. Morris, the 
Treasurer of the order. They were tried by 
Military Commission at Cincinnati for conspir- 
acy. Marmaduke and Morris were acquitted ; 
Anderson committed suicide during the trial; 
Walsh, Semmes and Daniels were sentenced to 
the penitentiary, and Grenfell was sentenced to 
be hung, although his sentence was afterward 
commuted to life imprisonment at the Dry Tortu- 
gas, where he mysteriously disappeared some 
years afterward, but whether he escaped or was 
drowned in the attempt to do so has never been 
known. The British Government had made 



76 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



repeated attempts to secure his release, a brother 
of his being a General in the British Army. 
Daniels managed to escape, and was never recap- 
tured, while "Walsh and Semmes, after under- 
going brief terms of imprisonment, were 
pardoned by President Johnson. The subsequent 
history of Shanks, who played so prominent a 
part in defeating the scheme of wholesale arson, 
pillage and assassination, is interesting. While 
in prison he had been detailed for service as a 
clerk in one of the offices under the direction of 
General Sweet, and, while thus employed, made 
the acquaintance of a young lady member of a 
loyal family, whom he afterwards married. 
After the exposure of the contemplated uprising, 
the rebel agents in Canada offered a reward of 
81, 000 in gold for the taking of his life, and he 
was bitterly persecuted. The attention of Presi- 
dent Lincoln was called to the service rendered 
by him, and sometime during 1865 he received a 
commission as Captain and engaged in fighting 
the Indians upon the Plains. The efficiency 
shown by Colonel Sweet in ferreting out the con- 
spiracy and defeating its consummation won for 
him the gratitude of the people of Chicago and 
the whole nation, and was recognized by the 
Government in awarding him a commission as 
Brigadier-General. (See Benjamin J. Sweet, 
Camp Douglas and Secret Treasonable Societies. ) 

CAMPBELL, Alexander, legislator and Con- 
gressman, was born at Concord, Pa., Oct. 4, 1814. 
After obtaining a limited education in the com- 
mon schools, at an early age he secured employ 
ment as a clerk in an iron manufactory. He soon 
rose to the position of superintendent, managing 
iron-works in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Mis- 
souri, until 1850, when he removed to Illinois, 
settling at La Salle. He was twice (1852 and 
1853) elected Mayor of that city, and represented 
his county in the Twenty-first General Assembly 
(1859). He was also a member of the State 
Constitutional Convention of 1862, and served 
one term (1875-77) as Representative in Congress, 
being elected as an Independent, but, in 1878, was 
defeated for re-election by Philip C. Hayes, 
Republican. Mr. Campbell was a zealous friend 
of Abraham Lincoln, and, in 1858, contributed 
liberal!}- to the expenses of the latter in making 
the tour of the State during the debate with 
Douglas. He broke with the Republican party 
in 1874 on the greenback issue, which won for 
him the title of "Father of the Greenback." His 
death occurred at La Salle, August 9, 1898. 

CAMPBELL, Antrim, early lawyer, was born 
in New Jersey in 1814; came to Springfield, 111., 



in 1838; was appointed Master in Chancery for 
Sangamon County in 1849, and, in 1861, to a 
similar position by the United States District 
Court for that district. Died, August 11, 1868. 

CAMPBELL, James R., Congressman and sol- 
dier, was born in Hamilton County, 111., May 4, 
1853, his ancestors being among the first settlers 
in that section of the State; was educated at 
Notre Dame University, Ind., read law and was 
admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court in 1877 ; 
in 1878 purchased "The McLeansboro Times," 
which he has since conducted ; was elected to the 
lower house of the General Assembly in 1884, and 
again in '86, advanced to the Senate in 1888, and 
re-elected in '92. During his twelve years' 
experience in the Legislature he participated, as 
a Democrat, in the celebrated Logan-Morrison 
contest for the United States Senate, in 1885, and 
assisted in the election of Gen. John M. Palmer 
to the Senate in 1891. At the close of his last 
term in the Senate (1896) he was elected to Con- 
gress from the Twentieth District, receiving a 
plurality of 2,851 over Orlando Burrell, Repub- 
lican, who had been elected in 1894. On the 
second call for troops issued by the President 
during the Spanish-American War, Mr. Camp- 
bell organized a regiment which was mustered in 
as the Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, of 
which he was commissioned Colonel and assigned 
to the corps of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee at Jackson- 
ville, Fla. Although his regiment saw no active 
service during the war, it was held in readiness 
for that purpose, and, on the occupation of Cuba 
in December, 1898, it became a part of the army 
of occupation. As Colonel Campbell remained 
with his regiment, he took no part in the pro- 
ceedings of the last term of the Fifty-fifth Con- 
gress, and was not a candidate for re-election in 
1898. 

CAMPBELL, Thompson, Secretary of State 
and Congressman, was born in Chester County, 
Pa., in 1811 ; removed in childhood to the western 
part of the State and was educated at Jefferson 
College, afterwards reading law at Pittsburg. 
Soon after being admitted to the bar he removed 
to Galena, 111. , where he had acquired some min- 
ing interests, and, in 1843, was appointed Secre- 
tary of State by Governor Ford, but resigned in 
1846, and became a Delegate to the Constitutional 
Convention of 1847; in 1850 was elected as a 
Democrat to Congress from the Galena District, 
but defeated for re-election in 1852 by E. B. 
Washburne. He was then appointed by President 
Pierce Commissioner to look after certain laud 
grants by the Mexican Government in California, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



77 



removing to that State in 1853, but resigned this 
position about 1855 to engage in general practice. 
In 1859 he made an extended visit to Europe 
with his family, and, on his return, located in 
Chicago, the following year becoming a candidate 
for Presidential Elector -at-large on the Breckin- 
ridge ticket; in 1861 returned to California, and, 
on the breaking out of the Civil War, became a 
zealous champion of the Union cause, by his 
speeches exerting a powerful influence upon the 
destiny of the State. He also served in the Cali- 
fornia Legislature during the war, and, in 1864, 
was a member of the Baltimore Convention 
which nominated Mr. Lincoln for the Presidency 
a second time, assisting most ably in the subse- 
quent campaign to carry the State for the Repub- 
lican ticket. Died in San Francisco, Dec. 6, 1868. 

CAMPBELL, William J., lawyer and politi- 
cian, was born in Philadelphia in 1850. When 
he was two years old his father removed to 
Illinois, settling in Cook County. After passing 
through the Chicago public schools, Mr. Camp- 
bell attended the University of Pennsylvania, for 
two years, after which he studied law, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1875. From that date he 
was in active practice and attained prominence 
at the Chicago bar. In 1878 he was elected State 
Senator, and was re-elected in 1882, serving in all 
eight years. At the sessions of 1881, '83 and '85 
he was chosen President pro tempore of the 
Senate, and, on Feb. 6, 1883, he became Lieuten- 
ant-Governor upon the accession of Lieutenant- 
Governor Hamilton to the executive office to 
succeed Shelby M. Cullom, who had been elected 
United States Senator. In 1888 he represented 
the First Illinois District in the National Repub- 
lican Convention, and was the same year chosen 
a member of the Republican National Committee 
for Illinois and was re-elected in 1882. Died in 
Chicago, March 4, - 1896. For several years 
immediately preceding his death, Mr. Campbell 
was the chief attorney of the Armour Packing 
Company of Chicago. 

CAMP POINT, a village in Adams County, at 
the intersection of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy and the Wabash Railroads, 22 miles east- 
northeast of Quincy. It is a grain center, has 
one flour mill, two feed mills, one elevator, a 
pressed brick plant, two banks, four churches, a 
high school, and one newspaper. Population 
(1890), 1,150; (1900), 1,260. 

CANAL SCRIP FRAUD. During the session 
of the Illinois General Assembly of 1859, Gen. 
Jacob Fry, who, as Commissioner or Trustee, had 
been associated with the construction of the 



Illinois & Michigan Canal from 1837 to 1845, 
had his attention called to a check purporting to 
have been issued by the Commissioners in 1839. 
which, upon investigation, he became convinced 
was counterfeit, or had been fraudulently issued. 
Having communicated his conclusions to Hon. 
Jesse K. Dubois, the State Auditor, in charge of 
the work of refunding the State indebtedness, an 
inquiry was instituted in the office of the Fund 
Commissioner — a position attached to the Gov- 
ernor's office, but in the charge of a secretary — 
which developed the fact that a large amount of 
these evidences of indebtedness had been taken 
up through that office and bonds issued therefor 
by the State Auditor under the laws for funding 
the State debt. A subsequent investigation by the 
Finance Committee of the State Senate, ordered 
by vote of that body, resulted in the discovery 
that, in May and August, 1839, two series of 
canal "scrip" (or checks) had been issued by the 
Canal Board, to meet temporary demands in the 
work of construction — the sum aggi'egating 
$269,059— of which all but $316 had been redeemed 
within a few years at the Chicago branch of the 
Illinois State Bank. The bank officers testified 
that this scrip (or a large part of it) had, after 
redemption, been held by them in the bank vaults 
without cancellation until settlement was had 
with the Canal Board, when it was packed in 
boxes and turned over to the Board. After hav- 
ing lain in the canal office for several j'ears in 
this condition, and a new •'Trustee" (as the 
officer in charge was now called) having come 
into the canal office in 1853, this scrip, with other 
papers, was repacked in a shoe-box and a trunk 
and placed in charge of Joel A. Matteson, then 
Governor, to be taken by him to Springfield and 
deposited there. Nothing further was known of 
these papers until October, 1854, when 8300 of the 
scrip was presented to the Secretary of the Fund 
Commissioner by a Springfield banker, and bond 
issued thereon. This was followed in 1856 and 
1857 by larger sums, until, at the time the legis- 
lative investigation was instituted, it was found 
that bonds to the amount of 8223.182.66 had been 
issued on account of principal and interest. 
With the exception of the 8300 first presented, it 
was shown that all the scrip so funded had been 
presented by Governor Matteson, either while in 
office or subsequent to his retirement, and the 
bonds issued therefor delivered to him — although 
none of the persons in whose names the issue was 
made were known or ever afterward discovered. 
The developments made by the Senate Finance 
Committee led to an offer from Matteson to 



78 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



indemnify the State, in which he stated that he 
had "unconsciously and innocently been made 
the instrument through whom a gross fraud upon 
the State had been attempted." He therefore 
gave to the State mortgages and an indemnifying 
bond for the sum shown to have been funded by 
him of this class of indebtedness, upon which the 
State, on foreclosure a few years later, secured 
judgment for §255,000, although the property on 
being sold realized only §238,000. A further 
investigation by the Legislature, in 1861, revealed 
the fact that additional issues of bonds for similar 
scrip had been made amounting to 8165,340, for 
which the State never received any compensa- 
tion. A search through the State House for the 
trunk and box placed in the hands of Governor 
Matteson in 1853, while the official investigation 
was in progress, resulted in the discovery of the 
trunk in a condition showing it had been opened, 
but the box was never found. The fraud was 
made the subject of a protracted investigation 
by the Grand Jury of Sangamon County in May, 
1859, and, although the jury twice voted to indict 
Governor Matteson for larceny, it as often voted 
to reconsider, and, on a third ballot, voted to 
"ignore the bill." 

CANBY, Richard Sprigg, jurist, was born in 
Green County, Ohio, Sept. 30, 1808 ; was educated 
at Miami University and admitted to the bar, 
afterwards serving as Prosecuting Attorney, 
member of the Legislature and one term (1847-49) 
in Congress. In 1863 he removed to Illinois, 
locating at Olney, was elected Judge of the 
Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit in 1867, resuming 
practice at the expiration of his term in 1873. 
Died in Richland County, July 27, 1895. Judge 
Canby was a relative of Gen. Edward Richard 
Spriggs Canby, who was treacherously killed by 
the Modocs in California in 1873. 

CANNON, Joseph G., Congressman, was born 
at Guilford, N. C, May 7, 1836, and removed to 
Illinois in early youth, locating at Danville, Ver- 
milion County. By profession he is a lawyer, 
and served as State's Attorney of Vermilion 
County for two terms (1861-68). Incidentally, 
he is conducting a large banking business at 
Danville. In 1872 he was elected as a Republican 
to the Forty-third Congress for the Fifteenth Dis- 
trict, and has been re-elected biennially ever 
since, except in 1890, when he was defeated for 
the Fifty-second Congress by Samuel T. Busey, 
his Democratic opponent. He is now (1898) 
serving his twelfth term as the Representative 
for the Twelfth Congressional District, and has 
been re-elected for a thirteenth term in the Fifty- 



sixth Congress (1899-1901). Mr. Cannon has been 
an influential factor in State and National poli- 
tics, as shown by the fact that he has been Chair- 
man of the House Committee on Appropriations 
during the important sessions of the Fifty-fourth 
and Fifty-fifth Congresses. 

CANTON, a flourishing city in Fulton County, 
12 miles from the Illinois River, and 28 miles 
southwest of Peoria. It is the commercial me- 
tropolis of one of the largest and richest counties 
in the "corn bell"; also has abundant supplies 
of timber and clay for manufacturing purposes. 
There are coal mines within the municipal limits, 
and various manufacturing establishments. 
Among the principal outputs are agricultural 
implements, flour, brick and tile, cigars, cigar 
boxes, foundry and machjne-shop products, fire- 
arms, brooms, and marble. The city is lighted 
by gas and electricity, has water-works, fire de- 
partment, a public library, six ward schools and 
one high schoo"., and three newspapers. Popula- 
tion (1890), 5,604; (1900), 6,564. 

CAPPS, Jabez, pioneer, was born in London, 
England, Sept. 9, 1796; came to the United States 
in 1817, and to Sangamon County, 111., in 1819. 
For a time he taught school in what is now 
called Round Prairie, in the present County of 
Sangamon, and later in Calhoun (the original 
name of a part of the city of Springfield), having 
among his pupils a number of those who after- 
wards became prominent citizens of Central 
Illinois. In 1836, in conjunction with two part- 
ners, he laid out the town of Mount Pulaski, the 
original county-seat of Logan County, where he 
continued to live for the remainder of his life, 
and where, during its later period, he served as 
Postmaster some fifteen years. He also served as 
Recorder of Logan County four years. Died, 
April 1, 1896, in the 100th year of his age. 

CARBONDALE, a city in Jackson County, 
founded in 1852, 57 miles north of Cairo, and 91 
miles from St. Louis. Three lines of railway 
center here. The chief industries are coal-min- 
ing, farming, stock-raising, fruit-growing and 
lumbering. It has two preserving plants, eight 
churches, two weekly papers, and four public 
schools, and is the seat of the Southern Illinois 
Normal University. Pop.(1890), 2,382; (1900), 3,318. 

CARBONDALE & SHAWNEETOWN RAIL- 
ROAD, a short line 17 % miles in length, ex- 
tending from Marion to Carbondale, and operated 
by the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad 
Company, as lessee. It was incorporated as the 
Murphysboro & Shawneetown Railroad in 1867; 
its name changed in 1869 to The Carbondale & 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



79 



Shawneetown, was opened for business, Dec. 31, 
1871, and leased in 1886 for 980 years to the St. 
Louis Southern, through which it passed into the 
hands of the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Rail- 
road, and by lease from the latter, in 1896, became 
apart of the Illinois Central System (which see). 
CAREY, William, lawyer, was born in the town 
of Turner, Maine, Dec. 29, 1826 ; studied law with 
General Fessenden and at Yale Law School, was 
admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of 
Maine in 1856, the Supreme Court of Illinois in 
1857, and the Supreme Court of the United 
States, on motion of Hon. Lyman Trumbull, in 
1873. Judge Carey was a member of the State 
Constitutional Convention of 1869-70 from Jo 
Daviess County, and the choice of the Republicans 
in that body for temporary presiding officer; 
was elected to the next General Assembly (the 
Twenty-seventh), serving as Chairman of the 
House Judiciary Committee through its four ses- 
sions; from 1873 to 1876 was United States Dis- 
trict Attorney for Utah, still later occupying 
various offices at Deadwood, Dakota, and in Reno 
County, Kan. The first office held by Judge 
Carey in Illinois (that of Superintendent of 
Schools for the city of Galena) was conferred 
upon him through the influence of John A. Raw- 
lins, afterwards General Grant's chief-of-staff 
during the war, and later Secretary of War — 
although at the time Mr. Rawlins and he were 
politically opposed. Mr. Carey's present resi- 
dence is in Chicago. 

CARLIN, Thomas, former Governor, was born 
of Irish ancestry in Fayette County, Ky., July 
18, 1789; emigrated to Illinois in 1811, and served 
as a private in the War of 1812, and as a Captain 
in the Black Hawk War. While not highly edu- 
cated, he was a man of strong common sense, 
high moral standard, great firmness of character 
and unfailing courage. In 1818 he settled in 
Greene County, of which he was the first Sheriff ; 
was twice elected State Senator, and was Regis- 
ter of the Land Office at Qiiincy, when he was 
elected Governor on the Democratic ticket in 
1838. An uncompromising partisan, he never- 
theless commanded the respect and good-will of 
his political opponents. Died at his home in 
Carrollton, Feb. 14, 1852. 

CARLIN, William Passmore, soldier, nephew of 
Gov. Thomas Carlin, was born at Rich Woods, 
Greene County, 111., Nov. 24, 1829. At the age 
of 21 he graduated from the United States Mili- 
tary Academy at West Point, and, in 1855, was 
attached to the Sixth United States Infantry as 
Lieutenant. After several years spent in Indian 



fighting, he was ordered to California, where he 
was promoted to a captaincy and assigned to 
recruiting duty. On August 15, 1861, he was 
commissioned Colonel of the Thirty-eighth Illi- 
nois Volunteers. His record during the war was 
an exceptionally brilliant one. He defeated Gen. 
Jeff. Thompson at Fredericktown, Mo., Oct. 21, 
1861 ; commanded the District of Southeast Mis- 
souri for eighteen months ; led a brigade under 
Slocum in the Arkansas campaign ; served with 
marked distinction in Kentucky and Mississippi; 
took a prominent part in the battle of Stone 
River, was engaged in the Tullahoma campaign, 
at Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Mission- 
ary Ridge, and, on Feb. 8, 1864, was commis- 
sioned Major in the Sixteenth Infantry. He also 
took part in the Georgia campaign, aiding in the 
capture of Atlanta, and marching with Sherman 
to the sea. For gallant service in the assault at 
Jonesboro, Tenn., Sept. 1, 1864, he was made 
Colonel in the regular arm}', and, on March 13, 
1865, was brevetted Brigadier-General for meritori- 
ous service at Bentonville, N. C, and Major- 
General for services during the war. Colonel 
Carlin was retired with the rank of Brigadier- 
General in 1893. His home is at Carrollton. 

CARLINVILLE, the county-seat of Macoupin 
County; a city and railroad junction, 57 miles 
northeast of St. Louis, and 38 miles southwest of 
Springfield. Blackburn Universitj' (which see) 
is located here. Three coal mines are opeiated, 
and there are brick works, tile woiks, and one 
newspaper. The city has gas and electric light 
plants and water-works. Population (1880), 
3,117, (1890), 3,293; (1900), 3,502. 

CARLTLE, the county-seat of Clinton County, 
48 miles east of St. Louis, located on the Kaskas- 
kia River and the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern 
Railroad. The town has churches, parochial and 
public schools, water-works, lighting plant, and 
manufactures. It has a flourishing seminary for 
young ladies, three weekly papers, and a public 
library connected with the high school. Popula- 
tion (1890), 1,784; (1900), 1,874. 

CARMI, the county-seat of White County, on 
the Little Wabash River, 124 miles east of St- 
Louis and 38 west of Evansville, Ind. The sur- 
rounding country is fertile, yielding both cereals 
and fruit. Flouring mills and lumber manufac- 
turing, including the making of staves, are the 
chief industries, though the city has brick and 
tile works, a plow factory and foundry. Popula- 
tion (1880), 2,512; (1890), 2,785; (1900), 2,939. 

CARPENTER, Milton, legislator and State 
Treasurer; entered upon public life in Illinois as 



80 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



Representative in the Ninth General Assembly 
( L834) from Hamilton County, serving by succes- 
sive re-elections in the Tenth, Eleventh and 
Twelfth. While a member of the latter (1841) 
he was elected by the Legislature to the office of 
State Treasurer, retaining this position until the 
adoption of the Constitution of 1848, when he was 
chosen his own successor by popular vote, but 
died a few days after the election in August, 
1S48. He was buried in what is now known as 
the "Old Hutchinson Cemetery" — a burying 
ground in the west part of the city of Springfield, 
long since abandoned — where his remains still lie 
(189T) in a grave unmarked by a tombstone. 

CARPENTER, Philo, pioneer and early drug- 
gist, was born of Puritan and Revolutionary 
ancestry in the town of Savoy, Mass., Feb. 27, 
1805 ; engaged as a druggist's clerk at Troy, N. Y. , 
in 1828, and came to Chicago in 1832, where he 
established himself in the drug business, which 
was later extended into other lines. Soon after 
his arrival, he began investing in lands, which 
have since become immensely valuable. Mr. 
Carpenter was associated with the late Rev. 
Jeremiah Porter in the organization of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Chicago, but, in 1851, 
withdrew on account of dissatisfaction with the 
attitude of some of the representatives of that 
denomination on the subject of slavery, identify- 
ing himself with the Congregationalist Church, 
in which he had been reared. He was one of the 
original founders and most liberal benefactors of 
the Chicago Theological Seminary, to which lie 
gave in contributions, during his life-time, or in 
bequests after his death, sums aggregating not 
far from $100,000. One of the Seminary build- 
ings was named in his honor, "Carpenter Hall.'* 
He was identified with various other organiza- 
tions, one of the most important being the Relief 
and Aid Society, which did such useful work 
after the fire of 1871. By a life of probity, liber- 
ality and benevolence, he won the respect of all 
classes, dying, August 7, 1886. 

CARPENTER, (Mrs.) Sarah L. Warren, pio- 
neer teacher, born in Fredonia, N. Y., Sept. 1, 
1813; at the age of 13 she began teaching at State 
Line, N. Y. ; in 1833 removed with her parents 
(Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Warren) to Chicago, and 
soon after began teaching in what was called the 
"Yankee settlement," now the town of Lockport, 
Will County. She came to Chicago the following 
year (1834) to take the place of assistant of Gran- 
ville T. Sproat in a school for boys, and is said to 
have been the first teacher paid out of the public 
funds in Chicago, though Miss Eliza Chappell 



(afterwards Mrs. Jeremiah Porter) began teach- 
ing the children about Fort Dearborn in 1833. 
Miss Warren married Abel E. Carpenter, whom 
she survived, dying at Aurora, Kane County, 
Jan. 10, 1897. 

CARPEXTERSVILLE, a village of Kane 
County and manufacturing center, on Lake Ge- 
neva branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road. 6 miles north of East Elgin and about 48 
miles from Chicago. Pop. (1890), 754; (1900), 1,002. 

CARR, Clark E., lawyer, politician and diplo- 
mat, was born at Boston, Erie County, N. Y., 
May 20, 1836 ; at 13 years of age accompanied his 
father's family to Galesburg, 111. , where he spent 
several years at Knox College. In 1857 he gradu 
ated from the Albany Law School, but on return- 
ing to Illinois, soon embarked in politics, his 
affiliations being uniformly with the Republican 
party. His first office was that of Postmaster at 
Galesburg, to which he was appointed by Presi 
dent Lincoln in 1861 and which he held for 
twenty-four years. He was a tried and valued 
assistant of Governor Yates during the War of 
the Rebellion, serving on the staff of the latter 
with the rank of Colonel. He was a delegate to 
the National Convention of his party at Baltimore 
in 1864, which renominated Lincoln, and took an 
active part in the campaigns of that year, as well 
as those of 1868 and 1S72. In 1869 he purchased 
"The Galesburg Republican," which he edited 
and published for two years. In 1880 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomi- 
nation for Governor ; in 1884 was a delegate to the 
Republican National Convention, from the State- 
at-large, and, in 1887, a candidate for the caucus 
nomination for United States Senator, which was 
given to Charles B. Farwell. In 1888 he was 
defeated in the Republican State Convention as 
candidate for Governor by Joseph W. Fifer. In 
1889 President Harrison appointed him Minister 
to Denmark, which post he filled with marked 
ability and credit to the country until his resig 
nation was accepted by President Cleveland, 
when he returned to his former home at Gales- 
burg. While in Denmark lie did much to 
promote American trade with that country, 
especially in the introduction of American corn 
as an article of food, which has led to a large 
increase in the annual exportation of this com- 
modity to Scandinavian markets. 

CARR, Eugene A., soldier, was born in Erie 
County, N. Y., May 20, 1830, and graduated at 
West Point in 1850, entering the Mounted Rifles. 
Until 1861 he was stationed in the Far West, and 
engaged in Indian fighting, earning a First Lieu 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



81 



tenancy through his gallantry. In 1861 he 
entered upon active service under General Lyon, 
in Southwest Missouri, taking part in the engage- 
ments of Dug Springs and Wilson's Creek, 
winning the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel. In 
September, 1861, he was commissioned Colonel of 
the Third Illinois Cavalry. He served as acting 
Brigadier-General in Fremont's hundred-day 
expedition, for a time commanding the Fourth 
Division of the Army of the Southwest. On the 
second day at Pea Ridge, although three times 
wounded, he remained on the field seven hours, 
and materially aided in securing a victory, for 
his bravery being made Brigadier-General of 
Volunteers. In the summer of 1862 he was 
promoted to the rank of Major in the Regular 
Army. During the Vicksburg campaign he com- 
manded a division, leading the attack at Magnolia 
Church, at Port Gibson, and at Big Black River, 
and winning a brevet Lieutenant-Colonelcy in 
the United States Army. He also distinguished 
himself for a first and second assault upon taking 
Vicksburg, and, in the autumn of 1862, com- 
manded the left wing of the Sixteenth Corps at 
Corinth. In December of that year he was 
transferred to the Department of Arkansas, 
where he gained new laurels, being brevetted 
Brigadier-General for gallantry at Little Rock, 
and Major-General for services during the war. 
After the close of the Civil War, he was stationed 
chiefly in the West, where he rendered good serv- 
ice in the Indian campaigns. In 1894 he was 
retired with the rank of Brigadier-General, and 
has since resided in New York. 

CARRIEL, Henry F., 31. D., alienist, was born 
at Charlestown, N. H, and educated at Marlow 
Academy, N. H., and Wesleyan Seminary, Vt. ; 
graduated from the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, New York City, in 1857, and immedi- 
ately accepted the position of Assistant Physician 
in the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum, 
remaining until 1870. Meanwhile, however, he 
visited a large number of the leading hospitals 
and asylums of Europe. In 1870, Dr. Carriel 
received the appointment of Superintendent of 
the Illinois Central Hospital for the Insane at 
Jacksonville, a position which he continued to 
fill until 1893, when he voluntarily tendered to 
Governor Altgeld his resignation, to take effect 
July 1 of that year.— Mrs. Mary Turner (Carriel), 
wife of Dr. Carriel, and a daughter of Prof. 
Jonathan B. Turner of Jacksonville, was elected 
a Trustee of the University of Illinois on the Repub- 
lican ticket in 1896, receiving a plurality of 148,039 
over Julia Holmes Smith, her highest competitor. 



CARROLL COUNTY, originally a part of Jo 
Daviess County, but set apart and organized in 
1839, named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton. The 
first settlements were in and around Savanna, 
Cherry Grove and Arnold's Grove. The first 
County Commissioners were Messrs. L. H. Bor 
den, Garner Moffett and S. M. Jersey, who held 
their first court at Savanna, April 13, 1839. In 
1843 the county seat was changed from Savanna 
to Mount Carroll, where it yet remains. Town 
ships were first organized in 1850, and the 
development of the county has steadily pro- 
gressed since that date. The surface of the land 
is rolling, and at certain points decidedly pictur- 
esque. The land is generally good for farming. 
It is well timbered, particularly along the Mis- 
sissippi. Area of the county, 440 square miles; 
population, 18,963. Mount Carroll is a pleasant, 
prosperous, wide-awake town, of about 2,000 
inhabitants, and noted for its excellent public 
and private schools. 

CARROLLTON, the county-seat of Greene 
County, situated on the west branch of the Chi- 
cago & Alton and the Quincy, Carrollton & St. 
Louis Railroads, 33 miles north-northwest of 
Alton, and 34 miles south by west from Jackson- 
ville. The town has a foundry, carriage and 
wagon factory, two machine shops, two flour 
mills, two banks, six churches, a high school, and 
two weekly newspapers. Population (1890), 
2,258; (1900), 2,355. 

CARTER, Joseph N., Justice of the Supreme 
Court, was born in Hardin County, Ky . , March 
12, 1843; came to Illinois in boyhood, and, after 
attending school at Tuscola four years, engaged 
in teaching until 1863, when he entered Illinois 
College, graduating in 1866; in 1868 graduated 
from the Law Department of the University of 
Michigan, the next year establishing himself in 
practice at Quincy, where he has since resided 
He was a member of the Thirty-first and Thirty- 
second General Assemblies (1878-82), and, in 
June, 1894, was elected to the seat on the Supreme 
Bench, which he now occupies 

CARTER, Thomas Henry, United States Sena- 
tor, born in Scioto County, Ohio, Oct, 30, 1854; 
in his fifth year was brought to Illinois, his 
father locating at Pana, where he was educated 
in the public schools ; was employed in farming, 
railroading and teaching several years, then 
studied law and was admitted to the bar, and, in 
1882, removed to Helena, Mont., where he en- 
gaged in practice; was elected, as a Republican 
the last Territorial Delegate to Congress from 
Idaho and the first Representative from the new 



82 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



State; was Commissioner of the General Land 
Office (1891-92), and, in 1895, was elected to the 
United States Senate for the term ending in 1901. 
In 1892 he was chosen Chairman of the Repub- 
lican National Committee, serving until the St. 
Louis Convention of 1896. 

CARTER V I LLE, a city in Williamson County, 
10 miles by rail northwest of Marion. Coal min- 
ing is the principal industry. It has a bank, five 
churches, a public school, and a weekly news- 
paper. Population (1880), 092; (1890), 969; (1900), 
1,749; (1904, est.), 2,000. 

CARTHAGE, a city and the county-seat of 
Hancock County, 13 miles east of Keokuk, Iowa, 
on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincyand the Wa- 
bash Railroads; has water-works, electric lights, 
three banks, four trust companies, four weekly 
and two semi-weekly papers, and is the seat of a 
Lutheran College. Pop. (1890), 1,654; (1900), 2,104. 

CARTHAGE COLLEGE, at Carthage, Hancock 
County, incorporated in 1871 ; has a teaching 
faculty of twelve members, and reports 158 pupils 
— sixty-eight men and ninety women — for 1897-98. 
It has a library of 5,000 volumes and endowment 
of $32,000, Instruction is given in the classical, 
scientific, musical, fine arts and business depart- 
ments, as well as in preparatory studies. In 1898 
this institution reported a property valuation of 
$41,000, of which $35,000 was in real estate. 

CARTHAGE & BURLINGTON RAILROAD. 
(See Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.) 

CARTWRIGHT, James Henry, Justice of the 
Supreme Court, was born at Maquoketa, Iowa, 
Dec. 1, 1842 — the son of a frontier Methodist 
clergyman j was educated at Rock River Semi- 
nary and the University of Michigan, graduating 
from the latter in 1867 ; began practice in 1870 at 
Oregon, Ogle County, which is still his home ; in 
1888 was elected Circuit Judge to succeed Judge 
Eustace, deceased, and in 1891 assigned to Appel- 
late Court duty ; in December, 1895, was elected 
Justice of the Supreme Court to succeed Justice 
John M. Bailey, deceased, and re-elected in 
1897. 

CARTWRIGHT, Peter, pioneer Methodist 
preacher, was born in Amherst County, Va., 
Sept. 1, 1785, and at the age of five years accom- 
panied his father (a Revolutionary veteran) to 
Logan County, Ky. The country was wild and 
unsettled, there were no schools, the nearest mill 
was 40 miles distant, the few residents wore 
homespun garments of flax or cotton ; and coffee, 
tea and sugar in domestic use were almost un- 
known. Methodist circuit riders soon invaded 
the district, and, at a camp meeting held at Cane 



Ridge in 1801, Peter received his first religious 
impressions. A few months later he abandoned 
his reckless life, sold his race-horse and abjured 
gambling. He began preaching immediately 
after his conversion, and, in 1803, was regularly 
received into the ministry of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, although only 18 years old. In 
1823 he removed to Illinois, locating in Sangamon 
County, then but sparsely settled. In 1828, and 
again in 1832, he was elected to the Legislature, 
where his homespun wit and undaunted courage 
stood him in good stead, For a long series of 
years he attended annual conferences (usually as 
a delegate), and was a conspicuous figure at 
camp-meetings. Although a Democrat all his 
life, he was an uncompromising antagonist of 
slavery, and rejoiced at the division of his 
denomination in 1844. He was also a zealous 
supporter of the Government during the Civil 
War. In 1846 he was a candidate for Congress 
on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by 
Abraham Lincoln. He was a powerful preacher, 
a tireless worker, and for fifty years served as a 
Presiding Elder of his denomination. On the 
lecture platform, his quaintness and eccentricity, 
together with his inexhaustible fund of personal 
anecdotes, insured an interested audience. 
Numerous stories are told of his physical prowess 
in overcoming unruly characters whom he had 
failed to convince by moral suasion. Inside the 
church lie was equally fearless and outspoken, 
and his strong common sense did much to pro- 
mote the success of the denomination in the 
West. He died at his home near Pleasant Plains, 
Sangamon County, Sept. 25, 1872. His principal 
published works are "A Controversy with the 
Devil" (1853), "Autobiography of Peter Cart- 
wright" (1856), "The Backwoods Preacher" 
(London, 1869), and several works on Methodism. 
CARY, Eugene, lawyer and insurance manager, 
was born at Boston, Erie Count}', N. Y., Feb. 20, 
1835; began teaching at sixteen, meanwhile 
attending a select school or academy at intervals; 
studied law at Sheboygan, Wis., and Buffalo, 
N. Y., 1855-56; served as City Attorney and 
later as County Judge, and, in 1861, enlisted in 
the First Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, serv- 
ing as a Captain in the Army of the Cumberland, 
and the last two years as Judge-Advocate on the 
staff of General Rousseau. After the war he 
settled at Nashville, Tenn., where he held the 
office of Judge of the First District, but in 1871 
he was elected to the City Council, and, in 1883, 
was the High-License candidate for Mayor in 
opposition to Mayor Harrison, and believed by 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



-83 



many to have been honestly elected, but counted 
out by the machine methods then in vogue. 

CASAD, Anthony Wayne, clergyman and phy- 
sician, was born in Wantage Township, Sussex 
County, N. J., May 2, 1791; died at Summerfleld, 
111., Dec. 16, 1857. His father, Rev. Thomas 
Casad, was a Baptist minister, who, with his 
wife, Abigail Tingley, was among the early 
settlers of Sussex County. He was descended 
from Dutch-Huguenot ancestry, the family name 
being originally Cossart, the American branch 
having been- founded by Jacques Cossart, who 
emigrated from Leyden to New York in 1663. 
At the age of 19 Anthony removed to Greene 
County, Ohio, settling at Fairfield, near the site 
of the present city of Dayton, where some of his 
relatives were then residing. On Feb. 6, 1811, he 
married Anna, eldest daughter of Captain Samuel 
Stites and Martha Martin Stites, her mother's 
father and grandfather having been patriot sol- 
diers in the War of the Revolution. Anthony 
Wayne Casad served as a volunteer from Ohio in 
the War of 1812, being a member of Captain 
Wm. Stephenson's Company. In 1818 he re- 
moved with his wife's father to Union Grove, St. 
Clair County, 111. A few years later he entered 
the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and during 1821-23 was stationed at Kaskaskia 
and Buffalo, removing, in 1823, to Lebanon, 
where he taught school. Later he studied medi- 
cine and attained considerable prominence as a 
practitioner, being commissioned Surgeon of the 
Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry in 1835. He was 
one of the founders of McKendree College and a 
liberal contributor to its -support; was also for 
many years Deputy Superintendent of Schools at 
Lebanon, served as County Surveyor of St. 
Clair County, and acted as agent for Harper 
Brothers in the sale of Southern Illinois lands. 
He was a prominent Free Mason and an influ- 
ential citizen. His youngest daughter, Amanda 
Keziah, married Rev. Colin D. James (which see). 

CASEY, a village of Clark County, at the inter- 
section of the Vandalia Line and the Chicago & 
Ohio River Railroad, 35 miles southwest of Terre 
Haute. Population (1890), 844; (1900), 1,500. 

CASEY, Zadoc, pioneer and early Congressman, 
was born in Georgia, March 17, 1796, the young- 
est son of a soldier of the Revolutionary War who 
removed to Tennessee about 1800. The subject 
of this sketch came to Illinois in 1817, bringing 
with him his widowed mother, and settling in 
the vicinity of the present city of Mount Vernon, 
in Jefferson County, where he acquired great 
prominence as a politician and became the hea I 



of an influential family. He began preaching at 
an early age, and continued to do so occasionally 
through his political career. In 1819, he took a 
prominent part in the organization of Jefferson 
County, serving on the first Board of County 
Commissioners; whs an unsuccessful candidate 
for the Legislature in 1820, but was elected 
Representative in 1822 and re-elected two years 
later; in 1826 was advanced to the Senate, serv- 
ing until 1830, when he was elected Lieutenant- 
Governor, and during his incumbency took part 
in the Black Hawk War. On March 1, 1833, he 
resigned the Lieutenant-Governorship to accept 
a seat as one of the three Congressmen from 
Illinois, to which he had been elected a few 
months previous, being subsequently re-elected 
for four consecutive terms. In 1842 he was 
again a candidate, but was defeated by John A. 
McClernand. Other public positions held by him 
included those of Delegate to the Constitutional 
Conventions of 1847 and 1862, Representative in 
the Sixteenth and Seventeenth General Assem- 
blies (1848-52), serving as Speaker in the former. 
He was again elected to the Senate in 1860, but 
died before the expiration of his term, Sept. 4. 
1862. During the latter years of his life he was 
active in securing the right of way for the Ohio 
& Mississippi Railroad, the original of the Mis- 
sissippi division of the Baltimore, Ohio & South- 
western. He commenced life in poverty, but 
acquired a considerable estate, and was the donor 
of the ground upon which the Supreme Court 
building for the Southern Division at Mount 
Vernon was erected. — Dr. Newton R. (Casey), 
son of the preceding, was born in Jefferson 
County, 111., Jan. 27, 1826, received his pri- 
mary education in the local schools and at Hills- 
boro and Mount Vernon Academies; in 1842 
entered the Ohio University at Athens in that 
State, remaining until 1845, when he com- 
menced the study of medicine, taking a course 
of lectures the following year at the Louisville 
Medical Institute; soon after began practice, 
and, in 1847, removed to Benton, 111., returning 
the following year to Mount Vernon. In 
1856-57 he attended a second course of lectures at 
the Missouri Medical College, St. Louis, the latter 
year removing to Mound City, where he filled a 
number of positions, including that of Mayor 
from 1859 to 1864, wiien he declined a re-election 
In 1860, Dr. Casey served as delegate from Illi- 
nois to the Democratic National Convention at 
Charleston. S. C, and, on the establishment of 
the United States Government Hospital at Mound 
City in 1861, acted for some time as a volunteer 



84 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



surgeon, later serving as Assistant Surgeon. In 
1866, he was elected Representative in the 
Twenty-fifth General Assembly and re-elected in 
1868. when he was an unsuccessful Democratic 
candidate for Speaker in opposition to Hon. S. M. 
Cullom; also again served as Representative in 
the Twenty -eighth General Assembly (1872-74). 
Since retiring from public life Dr. Casey has 
given his attention to the practice of his profes- 
sion. — Col. Thomas S. (Casey), another son, was 
born in Jefferson County, 111., April 6, 1832, 
educated in the common schools and at McKend- 
ree College, in due course receiving the degree of 
A.M. from the latter; studied law for three 
years, being admitted to the bar in 1854; in 1860, 
was elected State's Attorney for the Twelfth 
Judicial District; in September, 1862, was com- 
missioned Colonel of the One Hundred and Tenth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was mustered out 
May 16, 1863, having in the meantime taken part 
in the battle of Stone River and other important 
engagements in Western Tennessee. By this 
time his regiment, having been much reduced 
in numbers, was consolidated with the Sixtieth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In 1864, he was 
again elected State's Attorney, serving until 
1868; in 1870, was chosen Representative, and, in 
1872, Senator for the Mount Vernon District for 
a term of four years. In 1879, he was elected Cir- 
cuit Judge and was immediately assigned to 
Appellate Court duty, soon after the expiration of 
his term, in 1885, removing to Springfield, where 
he died, March 1, 1891. 

CASS COUNTY, situated a little west of the 
center of the State, with an area of 360 square 
miles and a population (1900) of 17,222— named 
for Gen. Lewis Cass. French traders are believed 
to have made the locality of Beardstown their 
headquarters about the time of the discovery of 
the Illinois country. The earliest permanent 
white settlers came about 1820, and among them 
were Thomas Beard, Martin L. Lindsley, John 
Cetrough and Archibald Job. As early as 1821 
there was a horse-mill on Indian Creek, and, in 
1827, M. L Lindsley conducted a school on the 
bluffs. Peter Cartwright, the noted Methodist 
missionary and evangelist, was one of the earliest 
preachers, and among the pioneers may be named 
Messrs. Robertson, Toplo, McDonald, Downing, 
Davis, Shepherd, Penny, Bergen and Hopkins. 
Beardstown was the original county-seat, and 
during botli the Black Hawk and Mormon 
troubles was a depot of supplies and rendezvous 
for troops. Here also Stephen A. Douglas made 
his first political speech. The site of the town, 



as at present laid out, was at one time sold by 
Mr. Downing for twenty-five dollars. The 
county was set off from Morgan in 1837. The 
principal towns are Beardstown, Virginia, Chand- 
lerville, Ashland and Arenzville. The county- 
seat, formerly at Beardstown, was later removed 
to Virginia, where it now is. Beardstown was 
incorporated in 1837, with about 700 inhabitants. 
Virginia was platted in 1836, but not incorporated 
until 1842. 

CASTLE, Orlando Lane, educator, was born at 
Jericho, Vt., July 26, 1822; graduated at Denison 
University, Ohio, 1846; spent one year as tutor 
there, and, for several years, had charge of the 
public schools of Zanesville, Ohio. In 1858, he 
accepted the chair of Rhetoric, Oratory and 
Belles-Lettres in Shurtleff College, at Upper 
Alton, 111., remaining until his death, Jan. 31, 
1892. Professor Castle received the degree of 
LL.D. from Denison University in 1877. 

CATHERWOOD, Mary Hartwell, author, was 
born (Hartwell) in Luray, Ohio, Dec. 16, 1844, 
educated at the Female College, Granville, Ohio, 
where she graduated, in 1868, and, in 1887, was 
married to James S. Catherwood, with whom she 
resides at Hoopeston, 111. Mrs. Catherwood is the 
author of a number of works of fiction, which 
have been accorded a high rank. Among her 
earlier productions are "Craque-o'-Doom" (1881), 
"Rocky Fork" (1882), "Old Caravan Days" 
(1884), "The Secrets at Roseladies" (1888), "The 
Romance of Dollard" and "The Bells of St. 
Anne" (1889). During the past few j r ears she 
has shown a predilection for subjects connected 
witli early Illinois history, and has published 
popular romances under the title of "The Story 
of Tonty," "The White Islander," "The Lady of 
Fort St. John," "Old Kaskaskia" and "The Chase 
of Sant Castin and other Stories of the French 
in the New World." 

CATOJf, John Dean, early lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Monroe County. N. Y. , March 19, 
1812. Left to the care of a widowed mother at 
an early age, his childhood was spent in poverty 
and manual labor. At 15 he was set to learn a 
trade, but an infirmity of sight compelled him to 
abandon it. After a brief attendance at an 
academy at Utica, where he studied law betwee.n 
the ages of 19 and 21, in 1833 he removed to 
Chicago, and shortly afterward, on a visit to 
Pekin, was examined and licensed to practice by 
Judge Stephen T. Logan. In 1834, he was elected 
Justice of the Peace, served as Alderman in 
1837-38, and sat upon the bench of the Supreme 
Court from 1842 to 1864, when he resigned, hav 




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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



85 



ing served nearly twenty-two years. During 
this period he more than once occupied the posi- 
tion of Chief Justice. Being embarrassed by the 
financial stringency of 1837-38, in the latter year 
he entered a tract of land near Plainfield, and, 
taking his family with him, began farming. 
Later in life, while a resident of Ottawa, he 
became interested in the construction of telegraph 
lines in the West, which for a time bore his name 
and were ultimately incorporated in the "West- 
ern Union," laying the foundation of a large 
fortune. On retiring from the bench, he devoted 
himself for the remainder of his life to his private 
affairs, to travel, and to literary labors. Among 
his published works are "The Antelope and Deer 
of America,'' "A Summer in Norway," "Miscel- 
lanies," and "Early Bench and Bar of Illinois." 
Died in Chicago, July 30, 1895. 

CAYARLY, Alfred W., early lawyer and legis- 
lator ; was born in Connecticut, Sept. 15, 1793; 
served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and, in 
1822, came to Illinois, first settling at Edwards- 
ville, and soon afterwards at Carrollton, Greene 
County. Here he was elected Representative in 
the Fifth General Assembly (1826), and again to 
the Twelfth ( 1840) ; also served as Senator in the 
Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Assemblies 
(1842-48), acting, in 1845, as one of the Commis- 
sioners to revise the statutes. In 1844, he was 
chosen a Presidential Elector, and, in 1846, was a 
prominent candidate for the Democratic nomi- 
nation for Governor, but was defeated in conven- 
tion by Augustus C. French. Mr. Cavarly was 
prominent both in his profession and in the 
Legislature while a member of that body. In 
1853, he removed to Ottawa, where he resided 
until his death, Oct. 25, 1876. 

CENTERVILLE (or Central City), a village in 
the coal-mining district of Grundy County, near 
Coal City. Population (1880), 673; (1900), 290. 

CENTRAL HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, 
established under act of the Legislature passed 
March 1, 1847, and located at Jacksonville, Mor- 
gan County. Its founding was largely due to the 
philanthropic efforts of Miss Dorothea L. Dix, 
who addressed the people from the platform and 
appeared before the General Assembly in behalf 
of this class of unfortunates. Construction of 
the building was begun in 1848. By 1851 two 
wards were ready for occupancy, and the first 
patient was received in November of that year. 
The first Superintendent was Dr. J. M. Higgins, 
who served less than two years, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Dr. H. K. Jones, who had been Assist- 
ant Superintendent. Dr. Jones remained as 



Acting Superintendent for several months, when 
the place was filled by the appointment of Dr. 
Andrew McFarlaud of New Hampshire, his 
administration continuing until 1870, when he 
resigned on account of ill-health, being succeeded 
by Dr. Henry F. Carriel of New Jersey. Dr. 
Carriel tendered his resignation in 1893, and, 
after one or two further changes, in 1897 Dr. 
F. C. Winslow, who had been Assistant Superin- 
tendent under Dr. Carriel, was placed in charge 
of the institution. The original plan of construc- 
tion provided for a center building, five and a 
half stories high, and two wings with a rear 
extension in which were to be the chapel, kitchen 
and employes' quarters. Subsequently these 
wings were greatly enlarged, permitting an 
increase in the number of wards, and as the 
exigencies of the institution demanded, appropri- 
ations have been made for the erection of addi- 
tional buildings. Numerous detached buildings 
have been erected within the past few years, and 
the capacity of the institution greatly increased 
— "The Annex" admitting of the introduction of 
many new and valuable features in the classifica- 
tion and treatment of patients. The number of 
inmates of late years has ranged from 1,200 to 
1,400. The counties from which patients are 
received in this institution embrace: Rock 
Island, Mercer, Henry, Bureau, Putnam, Mar- 
shall, Stark, Knox, Warren, Henderson, Hancock, 
McDonough, Fulton, Peoria, Tazewell, Logan, 
Mason, Menard, Cass, Schuyler, Adams, Pike, 
Calhoun, Brown, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, 
Christian, Montgomery, Macoupin, Greene and 
Jersey. 

CENTRALIA, a city and railway center of 
Marion County, 250 miles south of Chicago. It 
forms a trade center for the famous "fruit belt" 
of Southern Illinois ; has a number of coal mines, 
a glass plant, an envelope factor}', iron foundries, 
railroad repair shops, flour and rolling mills, and 
an ice plant ; also has water-works and sewerage 
system, a fire department, two daily papers, and 
excellent graded schools. Several parks afford 
splendid pleasure resorts. Population (1890), 
4,763; (1900), 6,721; (1903, est.). 8,000. 

CENTRALIA & ALTAMONT RAILROAD. 
(See Centralia <v Chester Railroad I 

CENTRALIA & CHESTER RAILROAD, a rail 
way line wholly within the State, extending 
from Salem, in Marion County, to Chester, on the 
Mississippi River (91.6 miles), with a lateral 
branch from Sparta to Roxborough (5 miles), and 
trackage facilities over the Illinois Central from 
the branch junction to Centralia (2.9 miles) — 



86 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



total, 99.5 miles. The original line was chartered 
as the Centralia & Chester Railroad, in December, 
1887, completed from Sparta to Coulterville in 
1889, and consolidated the same year with the 
Sparta & Evansville and the Centralia & Alta- 
mont Railroads (projected) ; line completed 
from Centralia to Evansville early in 1894. The 
branch from Sparta to Rosborough was built in 
1895, the section of the main line from Centralia 
to Salem (14.9 miles) in 1896, and that from 
Evansville to Chester (17.6 miles) in 1897-98. 
The road was placed in the hands of a receiver, 
June 7, 1897, and the expenditures for extension 
and equipment made under authority granted by 
the United States Court for the issue of Receiver's 
certificates. The total capitalization is $2,374,- 
841, of which $978,000 is in stocks and $948,000 in 
bonds. 

CENTRAL MILITARY TRACT RAILROAD. 
(See Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.) 

CERRO GORDO, a town in Piatt County, 12 
miles by rail east-northeast of Decatur. The crop 
of cereals in the surrounding country is sufficient 
to support two elevators at Cerro Gordo, which 
has also a flouring mill, brick and tile factories, 
etc. There are three churches, graded schools, a 
bank and two newspaper offices. Population 
(1890), 939; (1900), 1,008. 

CHADDOCK COLLEGE, an institution under 
the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
at Quincy, 111., incorporated in 1878; is co-educa- 
tional, has a faculty of ten instructors, and 
reports 127 students— 70 male and 57 female— in 
the classes of 1895-96. Besides the usual depart- 
ments in literature, science and the classics, 
instruction is given to classes in theology, music, 
the fine arts, oratory and preparatory studies. It 
has property valued at $110,000, and reports an 
endowment fund of $8,000. 

CHAMBERLIN, Thomas Crowder, geologist 
and educator, was born near Mattoon, 111., Sept. 
25, 1845; graduated at Beloit College, Wisconsin, 
in 1866: took a course in Michigan University 
(1868-69): taught in various Wisconsin institu- 
tions, also discharged the duties of State 
Geologist, later filling the chair of Geology at 
Columbian University, Washington, D. C. In 
1878, he was sent to Paris, in charge of the edu- 
cational exhibits of Wisconsin, at the Interna- 
tional Exposition of that year — during his visit 
making a special study of the Alpine glaciers. 
In 1887, he was elected President of the Univer- 
sity of Wisconsin, serving until 1892, when he 
became Head Professor of Geology at the Univer- 
sity of Chicago, where he still remains. He is 



also editor of the University "Journal of Geol- 
ogy" and President of the Chicago Academy of 
Sciences. Professor Chamberlin is author of a 
number of volumes on educational and scientific 
subjects, chiefly in the line of geology. He 
received the degree of LL.D. from the Univer- 
sity of Michigan, Beloit College and Columbian 
University, all on the same date (1887). 

CHAMPAIGN, a flourishing city in Champaign 
County, 128 miles southwest of Chicago and 83 
miles northeast of Springfield ; is the intersecting 
point of three lines of railway and connected 
with the adjacent city of Urbana, the county- 
seat, by an electric railway. The University of 
Illinois, located in Urbana, is contiguous to the 
city. Champaign has an excellent system of 
water-works, well-paved streets, and is lighted by 
both gas and electricity. The surrounding coun- 
try is agricultural, but the city has manufac- 
tories of carriages and machines. Three papers 
are published here, besides a college weekly con- 
ducted by the students of the University. The 
Burnham Hospital and the Garwood Old Ladies' 
Home are located in Champaign. In the resi- 
dence portion of the city there is a handsome 
park, covering ten acres and containing a notable 
piece of bronze statuary, and several smaller parks 
in other sections. There are several handsome 
churches, and excellent schools, both public and 
private. Population (1890), 5,839; (1900), 9,098. 

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, situated in the eastern 
half of the central belt of the State; area, 1,008 
square miles; population (1900), 47,622. The 
county was organized in 1833, and named for a 
county in Ohio. The physical conformation is 
flat, and the soil rich. The county lies in the 
heart of what was once called the "Grand 
Prairie." Workable seams of bituminous coal 
underlie the surface, but overlying quicksands 
interfere with their operation. The Sangamon 
and Kaskaskia Rivers have their sources in this 
region, and several railroads cross the county. 
The soil is a black muck underlaid by a yellow 
clay. Urbana (with a population of 5,708 in 
1900) is the county-seat. Other important points 
in the county are Champaign (9.000), Tolono 
(1,000), and Rantoul (1,200). Champaign and 
Urbana adjoin each other, and the grounds of the 
Illinois State University extend into each corpo- 
ration, being largely situated in Champaign. 
Large drifted masses of Niagara limestone are 
found, interspersed with coal measure limestone 
and sandstone. Alternating beds of clay, gravel 
and quicksand of the drift formation are found 
beneath the subsoil to the depth of 150 to 300 feet. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



87 



CHAMPAIGN, HAVANA & WESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Illinois Central Railroad.) 

CHANDLER, Charles, physician, was born at 
West Woodstock, Conn., July 2, 1806; graduated 
with the degree of M.D. at Castleton, Vt., and, 
in 1829, located in Scituate, R. I. ; in 1832, started 
with the intention of settling at Fort Clark (now 
Peoria), 111., but was stopped at Beardstown by 
the "Black Hawk War," finally locating on the 
Sangamon River, in Cass County, where, in 1848, 
he laid out the town of Chandlerville — Abraham 
Lincoln being one of the surveyors who platted 
the town. Here he gained a large practice, 
which he was compelled, in his later years, par- 
tially to abandon in consequence of injuries 
received while prosecuting his profession, after- 
wards turning his attention to merchandising 
and encouraging the development of the locality 
in which he lived by promoting the construction 
of railroads and the building of schoolhouses and 
churches. Liberal and public-spirited, his influ- 
ence for good extended over a large region. 
Died, April 7, 1879. 

CHANDLER, Henry B., newspaper manager, 
was born at Frelighsburg, Quebec, July 12, 1830; 
at 18 he began teaching, and later took charge of 
the business department of "The Detroit Free 
Press" ; in 1861, came to Chicago with Wilbur F. 
Storey and became business manager of "The 
Chicago Times"; in 1870, disagreed with Storey 
and retired from newspaper business. Died, at 
Yonkers, N. Y., Jan. 18, 1896. 

CHANDLERVILLE, a village in Cass County, 
on the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad, 7 
miles north by east from Virginia, laid out in 
1848 by Dr. Charles Chandler, and platted by 
Abraham Lincoln. It has a bank, a cieamery, 
four churches, a weekly newspaper, a flour and a 
saw-mill. Population (1890), 910; (1900), 940. 

CHAPIN, a village of Morgan County, at the 
intersection of the Wabash and the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroads, 10 miles west of 
Jacksonville. Population (1890), 450; (1900), 514. 

CHAPPELL, Charles H., railway manager, 
was born in Du Page County, 111., March 3, 1841. 
With an ardent passion for the railroad business, 
at the age of 16 he obtained a position as freight 
brakeman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, being steadily promoted through the 
ranks of conductor, train-master and dispatcher, 
until, in 1865, at the age of 24, he was appointed 
General Agent of the Eastern Division of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. Other railroad 
positions which Mr. Chappell has since held are : 
Superintendent of a division of the Union Pacific 



(1869-70) ; Assistant or Division Superintendent 
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, or some of 
its branches (1870-74) ; General Superintendent 
of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas (1874-76) . 
Superintendent of the Western Division of the 
Wabash (1877-79). In 1880, he accepted the 
position of Assistant General Superintendent of 
the Chicago & Alton Railroad, being advanced in 
the next three years through the grades of 
General Superintendent and Assistant General 
Manager, to that of General Manager of the 
entire system, which he has continued to fill for 
over twelve years. Quietly and without show or 
display, Mr. Chappell continues in the discharge 
of his duties, assisting to make the system with 
which he is identified one of the most successful 
and perfect in its operation in the whole country. 
CHARLESTON, the county-seat of Coles 
County, an incorporated city and a railway junc- 
tion, 46 miles west of Terre Haute, Ind. It lies 
in the center of a farming region, yet has several 
factories, including woolen and flouring mills, 
broom, plow and carriage factories, a foundry 
and a canning factory. Three newspapers are 
published here, issuing daily editions. Population 
(1890), 4,135; (1900), 5,488. The Eastern State 
Normal School was located here in 1895. 

CHARLESTON, NEOIJA & ST. LOUIS RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas < 'it// 
Railroad.) 

CHARLEVOIX, Pierre Francois Xavier de, 
a celebrated French traveler and an early 
explorer of Illinois, born at St. Quentin, France, 
Oct. 29, 1682. He entered the Jesuit Society, 
and while a student was sent to Quebec 
(1695), where for four years he was instructor in 
the college, and completed his divinity studies. 
In 1709 he returned to France, but came again to 
Quebec a few years later. He ascended the St. 
Lawrence, sailed through Lakes Ontario and Erie, 
and finally reached the Mississippi by way of the 
Illinois River. After visiting Cahokia and the 
surrounding county (1720-21), he continued down 
the Mississippi to New Orleans, and returned to 
France by way of Santo Domingo. Besides some 
works on religious subjects, he was the author of 
histories of Japan, Paraguay and San Domingo. 
His great work, however, was the "History of 
New France," which was not published until 
twenty years after his death. His journal of his 
American explorations appeared about the same 
time. His history has long been cited by 
scholars as authority, but no English translation 
was made until 1865, when it was undertaken bv 
Shea. Died in France, Feb. 1, 1761. 



88 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



CHASE, Philander, Protestant Episcopal 
Bishop, was born in Cornish, Vt., Dec 14, 1775, 
and graduated at Dartmouth in 1795. Although 
reared as a Congregationalist, he adopted the 
Episcopal faith, and was ordained a priest in 
1799, for several years laboring as a missionary 
in Northern and Western New York. In 18(J."S, 
he went to New Orleans, but returning North in 
1811, spent six years as a rector at New Haven, 
Conn., then engaged in missionary work in Ohio, 
organizing a number of parishes and founding an 
academy at Worthington ; was consecrated a 
Bishop in 1819, and after a visit to England to 
raise funds, laid the foundation of Kenyon 
College and Gambier Theological Seminary, 
named in honor of two English noblemen who 
had contributed a large portion of the funds. 
Differences arising with some of his clergy in 
reference to the proper use of the funds, he 
resigned both the Bishopric and the Presidency 
of the college in 1831. and after three years of 
missionary labor in Michigan, in 1833 was chosen 
Bishop of Illinois. Making a second visit to 
England, he succeeded in raising additional 
funds, and, in 1838, founded Jubilee College at 
Robin's Nest, Peoria County, 111., for which a 
charter was obtained in 1847. He was a man of 
great religious zeal, of indomitable perseverance 
and the most successful pioneer of the Episcopal 
Church in the West. He was Presiding Bishop 
from 1843 until his death, which occurred Sept. 
20, 1852. Several volumes appeared from his pen, 
the most important being "A Plea for the West" 
(1826), and "Reminiscences: an Autobiography, 
Comprising a History of the Principal Events in 
the Author's Life" (1848). 

CHATHAM, a village of Sangamon County, on 
the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 9 miles south of 
Springfield. Population (1890), 4S2; (1900), 629. 

CHATSWORTH, town in Livingston County, 
on 111. Cent, and Toledo, Peoria & Western Rail- 
ways, 79 miles east of Peoria; in farming and 
stock-raising district ; has two banks, three grain 
elevators, five churches, a graded school, two 
weekly papers, water-works, electric lights, paved 
streets, cement sidewalks, brick works, and other 
manufactories. Pop. (1890), 827; (1900), 1,038. 

CHEBANSE, a town in Iroquois and Kankakee 
Counties, on the Illinois Central Railroad, 64 
miles south-southwest from Chicago; the place 
has two banks ami one newspaper. Population 
(1880), 728; (1890), 616; (1900), 555. 

CHENEY, Charles Edward, Bishop of the Re- 
formed Protestant Episcopal Church, was born in 
Canandaigua, N. Y., Feb. 12, 1830; graduated ;:t 



Hobart in 1857, and began study for the ministry 
of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Soon after 
ordination he became rector of Christ Church, 
Chicago, and was prominent among those who, 
under the leadership of Assistant Bishop Cum- 
mins of Kentucky, organized the Reformed Epis 
copal Church in 1873. He was elected Missionary 
Bishop of the Northwest for the new organiza- 
tion, and was consecrated in Christ Church, 
Chicago, Dec. 14, 1873. 

CHENEY, John Vance, author and librarian, 
was born at Groveland, N. Y., Dec. 29, 1848, 
though the family home was at Dorset, Vt., 
where he grew up and received his primary edu- 
cation. He acquired his academic training at 
Manchester, Vt., and Temple Hill Academy, 
Genesee, N. Y., graduating from the latter in 
1865, later becoming Assistant Principal of the 
same institution. Having studied law, he was 
admitted to the bar successively in Massachusetts 
and New York; but meanwhile having written 
considerably for the old "Scribner's Monthly" 
(now "Century Magazine"), while under the 
editorship of Dr. J. G. Holland, he gradually 
adopted literature as a profession. Removing to 
the Pacific Coast, he took charge, in 1887, of the 
Free Public Library at San Francisco, remaining 
until 1894, when he accepted the position of 
Librarian of the Newberry Library in Chicago, 
as successor to Dr. William F. Poole, deceased. 
Besides two or three volumes of verse, Mr. Cheney 
is the author of numerous essays on literary 
subjects. His published works include "Thistle- 
Drift," poems (1887); "Wood-Blooms," poems 
(1888), "Golden Guess," essays (1892); "That 
Dome in Air," essays (1895); "Queen Helen," 
poem (1895) and "Out of the Silence," poem 
(1897). He is also editor of "Wood Notes Wild, " 
by Simeon Pease Cheney (1892), and Caxton Club's 
edition of Derby's Phcenixiaua. 

CHENOA, an incorporated city of McLean 
County, at the intersecting point of the Toledo, 
Peoria & Western and the Chicago & Alton Rail- 
roads, 48 miles east of Peoria, 23 miles northeast 
of Bloomington, and 102 miles south of Chicago. 
Agriculture, dairy farming, fruit-growing and 
coal-mining are the chief industries of the sur- 
rounding region. The city also has an electric 
light plant, water-works, canning works and tile 
works, besides two banks, seven churches, a 
graded school, two weekly papers, and telephone 
systems connecting with -the surrounding coun- 
try. Population (1890), 1,226; (1900), 1,512. 

CHESBROUGH, Ellis Sylvester, civil engineer, 
was born in Baltimore, Md., July 6, 1S13; at the 




CHICAGO THOROUGHFARES. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Si) 



age of thirteen was chaimnan to an engineering 
party on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, being 
later employed on other roads. In 1837, he was 
appointed senior assistant engineer in the con- 
struction of the Louisville, Cincinnati & Charles- 
ton Railroad, and, in 1846, Chief Engineer of the 
Boston Waterworks, in 1850 becoming sole Com- 
missioner of the Water Department of that city. 
In 1855, he became engineer of the Chicago Board 
of Sewerage Commissioners, and in that capacity 
designed the sewerage system of the city — also 
planning the river tunnels. He resigned the 
office of Commissioner of Public Works of 
Chicago in 1879. He was regarded as an author- 
ity on water-supply and sewerage, and was con- 
sulted by the officials of New York, Boston, 
Toronto, Milwaukee and other cities. Died, 
August 19, 1886. 

CHESNUT, John A., lawyer, was born in Ken- 
tucky, Jan. 19, 1816, his father being a native of 
South Carolina, but of Irish descent. John A. 
was educated principally in his native State, but 
came to Illinois in 1836, read law with P. H. 
Winchester at Carlinville, was admitted to the 
bar in 1837, and practiced at Carlinville until 
1855, when he removed to Springfield and engaged 
in real estate and banking business. Mr. Ches- 
nut was associated with many local business 
enterprises, was for several years one of the 
Trustees of the Institution for the Deaf and 
Dumb at Jacksonville, also a Trustee of the 
Illinois Female College (Methodist) at the same 
place, and was Supervisor of the United States 
Census for the Sixth District of Illinois in 1880. 
Died, Jan. 14, 1898. 

CHESTER, the county-seat of Randolph 
County, situated on the Mississippi River, 76 
miles south of St. Louis. It is the seat of the 
Southern Illinois Penitentiary and of the State 
Asylum for Insane Convicts It stands in the 
heart of a region abounding in bituminous coal, 
and is a prominent shipping point for this com- 
modity : also has quarries of building stone. It 
has a grain elevator, flouring mills, rolling mills 
and foundries. Population (1880), 2,580; (1890), 
2,708; (1900), 2,833. 

CHETLA1N, Augustus Louis, soldier, was born 
in St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 26, 1824, of French Hugue- 
not stock — his parents having emigrated from 
Switzerland in 1823, at first becoming members 
of the Selkirk colony on Red River, in Manitoba. 
Having received a common school education, he 
became a merchant at Galena, and was the first 
to volunteer there in response to the call for 
troops after the bombardment of Fort Sumter, in 



1801, being chosen to the captaincy of a company 
in the Twelfth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, 
which General Grant had declined; participated 
in the campaign on the Tennessee River which 
resulted in the capture of Fort Donelson and the 
battle of Shiloh, meanwhile being commissioned 
Lieutenant-Colonel ; also distinguished himself at 
Corinth, where he remained in command until 
May, 1863, and organized the first colored regi- 
ment raised in the West. In December, 1863, he 
was promoted Brigadier-General and placed in 
charge of the organization of colored troops in 
Tennessee, serving later in Kentucky and being 
brevetted Major-General in January, 1864. From 
January to October, 1865, he commanded the 
post at Memphis, and later the District of Talla- 
dega, Ala., until January, 1866, when he was 
mustered out of the service. General Chetlain 
was Assessor of Internal Revenue for the District 
of Utah (1867-69), then appointed United States 
Consul at Brussels, serving until 1872, on his 
return to the United States establishing himself 
as a banker and broker in Chicago. 

CHICAGO, the county-seat of Cook County, 
chief city of Illinois and (1890) second city in 
population in the United States. 

Situation. — The city is situated at the south- 
west bend of Lake Michigan, 18 miles north of 
the extreme southern point of the lake, at the 
mouth of the Chicago River; 715 miles west of 
New York, 590 miles north of west from Wash- 
ington, and 260 miles northeast of St. Louis. 
From the Pacific Coast it is distant 2,417 miles. 
Latitude 41° 52' north; longitude 87° 35' west of 
Greenwich. Area (1898), 186 square miles. 

Topography. — Chicago stands on the dividing 
ridge between the Mississippi and St. Lawrence 
basins. It is 503 feet above sea-level, aud its 
highest point is some 18 feet above Lake Michi- 
gan. The Chicago River is virtually a bayou, 
dividing into north and south branches about a 
half-mile west of the lake. The surrounding 
country is a low, flat prairie, but engineering 
science and skill have done much for it in the 
way of drainage. The Illinois & Michigan Canal 
terminates at a point on the south branch of 
the Chicago River, within the city limits, and 
unites the waters of Lake Michigan with those 
of the Illinois River. 

Commerce. — The Chicago River, with its 
branches, affords a water frontage of nearly 60 
miles, the greater part of which is utilized for 
the shipment and unloading of grain, lumber, 
stone, coal, merchandise, etc. Anrther navigable 
stream (the Calumet River) also lies within the 



90 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



corporate limits. Dredging has made the Chi- 
cago River, with its branches, navigable for 
vessels of deep draft. The harbor has also been 
widened and deepened. Well constructed break- 
waters protect the vessels lying inside, and the 
port is as safe as any on the great lakes. The 
city is a port of entry, and the tonnage of vessels 
arriving there exceeds that of any other port in 
the United States. During 1897, 9,156 vessels 
arrived, with an aggregate tonnage of 7,209,412, 
while 9,201 cleared, representing a tonnage of 
7,185,324. It is the largest grain market in the 
world, its elevators (in 1897) having a capacity 
of 32, 550, 000 bushels. 

According to the reports of the Board of Trade, 
the total receipts and shipments of grain for 
the year 1898 — counting flour as its grain equiva- 
lent in bushels — amounted to 323,097,453 bushels 
of the former, to 289,920,028 bushels of the latter. 
The receipts and shipments of various products 
for the year (1898) were as follows: 



Flour (bbls.) . 

Wheat (bu.) . . 

Corn " . . . 

Oats "... 

Rye "... 

Barlev " . 

Cured Meats (lbs.) 

Dressed Beef " . 

Live-stock — Hogs 
Cattle 
Sheep 



Receipts. 

5,316,195 

35,741,555 

127,426,374 

110,293,647 

4.935.308 

18,116,594 

229,005,246 

110,286,652 

9,360,968 

2,480,632 

3,502,378 



Shipments. 

5.032,236 

38,094.900 

130,397,681 

85.057,636 

4,453.384 

6.755.247 

923.627,722 

1,060,859,808 

1,334,768 

864,408 

545,001 



Chicago is also an important lumber market, 
the receipts in 1895, including shingles, being 
1,562,527 M. feet. As a center for beef and pork- 
packing, the city is without a rival in the amount 
of its products, there having been 92,459 cattle 
and 760,514 hogs packed in 1894-95. In bank 
clearings and general mercantile business it 
ranks second only to New York, while it is also 
one of the chief manufacturing centers of the 
country. The census of 1890 shows 9,959 manu- 
facturing establishments, with a capital of $292,- 
477,038; employing 203,108 hands, and turning 
out products valued at §632,184,140. Of the out- 
put by far the largest was that of the slaughter- 
ing and meat-packing establishments, amounting 
to $203,825,092; men's clothing came next ($32,- 
517,226) ; iron and steel, 831,419,854; foundry and 
machine shop products, $29,928,616; planed 
lumber, $17,604,494. Chicago is also the most 
important live-stock market in the United States. 
The Union Stock Yards (in the southwest part of 
the city) are connected with all railroad lines 
entering the city, and cover many hundreds of 



acres. In 1894, there were received 8,788,049 
animals (of all descriptions), valued at $148,057,- 
626. Chicago is also a primary market for hides 
and leather, the production and sales being both 
of large proportions, and the trade in manufac- 
tured leather (notably in boots and shoes) 
exceeds that of any other market in the country. 
Ship-building is a leading industry, as are also 
brick-making, distilling and brewing. 

Transportation, etc. — Besides being the chief 
port on the great lakes, Chicago ranks second to 
no other American city as a railway center. The 
old "Galena & Chicago Union," its first railroad, 
was operated in 1849, and within three years a 
substantial advance had been scored in the way 
of steam transportation. Since then the multi- 
plication of railroad lines focusing in or passing 
through Chicago has been rapid and steady. In 
1895 not less than thirty-eight distinct lines enter 
the city, although these are operated by only 
twenty-two companies. Some 2,600 miles of 
railroad track are laid within the city limits. 
The number of trains daily arriving and depart- 
ing (suburban and freight included) is about 
2,000. Intramural transportation is afforded by 
electric, steam, cable and horse-car lines. Four 
tunnels under the Chicago River and its branches, 
and numerous bridges connect the various divi- 
sions of the city. 

History. — Point du Sable (a native of San 
Domingo) was admittedly the first resident of 
Chicago other than the aborigines. The French 
missionaries and explorers — Marquette, Joliet, 
La Salle, Hennepin and others — came a century 
earlier, their explorations beginning in 1673. 
After the expulsion of the French at the close of 
the French and Indian War, the territory passed 
under British control, though French traders 
remained in this vicinity after the War of the 
Revolution. One of these named Le Mai followed 
Point du Sable about 1796, and was himself suc- 
ceeded by John Kinzie, the Indian trader, who 
came in 1803. Fort Dearborn was built near the 
mouth of the Chicago River in 1804 on land 
acquired from the Indians by the treaty of 
Greenville, concluded by Gen. Anthony Wayne 
in 1795, but was evacuated in 1812, when most of 
the garrison and the few inhabitants were massa- 
cred by the savages. (See Fort Dearborn.) The 
fort was rebuilt in 1816, and another settlement 
established around it. The first Government 
survey was made, 1829-30. Early residents were 
the Kinzies, the Wolcotts, the Beaubiens and the 
Millers. The Black Hawk War (1832) rather 
aided in developing the resources and increasing 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



91 



the population of the infant settlement by draw- 
ing to it settlers from the interior for purposes of 
mutual protection. Town organization was 
effected on August 10, 1832, the total number of 
votes polled being 28. The town grew rapidly 
for a time, but received a set-back in the financial 
crisis of 1837. During May of that year, how- 



ever, a charter was obtained and Chicago became 
a city. The total number of votes cast at that 
time was 703. The census of the city for the 1st 
of July of that year showed a population of 4,180. 
The following table shows the names and term 
of office of the chief city officers from 1837 to 
1899: 



1837 
1838 
1839 
1840 
1841 
1842 
1843 
1844 
1845 
1846 
1847 
1848 
1849 
1850 
1851 
1852 
1853 
1854 
1855 
1856 
1857 
1858 
1859 
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 

1877-78 
1879-80 
1881-82 
1883-84 
1885-86 
1887-88 
i-w,* <m 
1891-92 
1893-94 

1895-96 
l8y7-98 



Wm. B. Ogden 

Buckner 8. Morris 

Benj. W. Raymond 

Alexander Lloyd 

F.C.Sherman 

Benj. W. Raymond 

Augustus Garrett 

Aug. Garrett, Alaon S.Sherman(4) 
Aug.Garrett. Alson S.Shermani 4 ) 

John P. Chapin 

James Curtiss 

James H. Woodworth 

James H. Woodworth 

James Curtiss 

Walters. Gurnee 

Walters. Gurnee 

Charles M. Gray 

Ira L Milliken 

Levi D. Boone 

Thomas Dyer 

John Wentworth 

John C. Haines 

John C. Haines. 

John Wentworth. 

Julian S. RuniBey. 

K. C. Sherman 

F. C. Sherman 

F.C.Sherman 

John B. Rice 

John B. Rice 

John B. Rice 

John B. Rice 

John B. Rice (8) 

R. B. Mason 

R. B. Mason 

Joieph Medill 

Joseph Medill 

Harvey D. Colvin 

Harvey D. Colvin 

Monroe Heath, (9) H. D. Colvin, 

Thomas Hoyne 

Monroe Heath 

Carter H. Harrison .. 

Carter H. Harrison 

Carter H. Harrison 

Carter H. Harrison 

John A. Roche 

Dewitt C. Cregler 

Hempstead Washburne 

Carter H. Harrison, Geo. B. 

Swift.dl) John P. Hopkins.(ll) 

Geo. B. Swift 

jCarter H. Harrison, Jr 

Carter H. Harrison, Jr 



City Clerk. 



I. N. Arnold, Geo. Davis (1). 

Geo. Davis 

Wm. H. Brackett 

Thomas Hoyne 

Thomas Hoyne 

J. Curtis 

James M. Lowe 

E. A. Rucker 

E. A. Rucker.Wm S.Brown(5) 

Henry B. Clarke 

Henry B. Clarke 

Sidney Abeil 

Sidney A bell 

Sidney Abell 

Henry W. Zimmerman 

Henry W. Zimmerman 

Henry W. Zimmerman 

Henry W. Zimmerman 

Henry W. Zimmerman 

Henry W. Zimmerman 

H. Kreismau 

H. Kreisman 

H. Kreisman 

Abraham Kohn 

A.J. Marble 

A. J. Marble 

H.W.Zimmerman 

H. W. Zimmerman 

Albert H. Bodman 

Albert H. Bodman 

Albert H. Bodman 

Albert H. Bodman 

Albert H. Bodman 

Charles T. Hotcbkiss 

Charles T. Hotchkiss 

Charles T. Hotchkiss 

Charles T. Hotchkiss 

Jos. K. C. Forrest 

Jos. K. C. Forrest 

Caspar Butz 

Caspar Butz 

P. J. Howard 

P.J. Howard 

John G. Neumeister 

C. Herman Plautz 

D. W. Nickerson 

Franz Amberg 

James R. B. Van Cleave 

Chas. D. Gastfield 

James R. B. Van Cleave 

William LoefTler 

William Loeftier 



C T TY ATTORNEY. 



N. B. Judd 

N. B. Judd 

Sam uel L. Smith 

Mark Skinner 

Geo. Manierre 

Henry Brown 

G- Manierre, Henry Brown* 3) 

Henry W. Clarke 

Henry W. Clarke 

Charles H. Larrabee 

Patrick Ballingall 

Giles Spring 

O. R. W. Lull 

Henry H. Clark 

Henry H. Clark 

Arno Voss 

Arno Voss 

Patrick Ballingall 

J. A. Thompson 

J. L Marsh 

John C. Miller 

Elliott Anthony 

Geo. F. Crocker 

John Lyle King 

Ira W. Buel 

Geo. A. Meech 

Francis Adams 

Francis Adams 

Daniel D. Driscoll 

Daniel D. Driscoll 

Hasbrouck Davis 

Hasbrouck Davis 

Hasbrouck Davis 

Israel N. Stiles 

Israel N. Stiles 

Israel N. Stiles 

Israel N. Stiles 

Egbert Jamieson 

Egbert Jamieson 

R.S. Tuthill 

R. S. Tuthill 

Julius S. Grinnell 

Julius S. Grinnell 

Julius S. Grinnell 

Hempstead Washburne 

Hempstead Washburne 

Geo. F. Sugg 

Jacob J. Kern, G. A Trude (10) 

Geo. A. Trude 

Roy O. West 

Miles J. Devine 

Andrew J. Ryan 



City Treasurer. 



Hiram Pearsons. 

Hiram Pearsons. 

Geo. W. Dole. 

W.S. Gurnee.N.H. Bollea(2) 

N. H. Bolles. 

F. C. Sherman. 

Walter S. Gurnee. 

Walter S. Gurnee. 

Wm. L. Church. 

Wm. L. Church. 

Andrew Getzler. 

Wm. L. Church. 

Wm. L. Church. 

Edward Manierre. 

Edward Manierre. 

Edward Manierre. 

Edward Manierre. 

Uriah P. Harris. 

Wm. F De Wolf. 

O. J. Rose. 

C. N. Holden. 

Alonzo Harvey. 

Alonzo Harvey. 

Alonzo Harvey ,C.W.Hunt(6) 

W. H. Rice. 

F. H. Cutting, W. H.Rice (7) 

David A. Gage. 

David A. Gage. 

A. G. Throop. 

A. G. Throop. 

Wm. F. Wentworth. 

Wm. F. Wentworth. 

Wm. F. Wentworth. 

David A. Gage. 

David A. Gage. 

David A. Gage. 

David A. Gage. 

Daniel O'Hara. 

Daniel O'Hara. 

Clinton Brlggs. 
Chas. B. Larrabee. 
W. C. Seipp. 
Rudolph Brand. 
John M. Dunphy. 
Wm. M. Devine. 
C. Herman Plautz. 
Bernard Roesing. 
Peter Kiolbassa. 

Michael J. Bransfield. 
Adam Wolf. 
Ernst Hummel. 
Adam Ortseifen. 



(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 
C6) 
(7) 
(8) 

(9) 



ill) 



I. N. Arnold resigned, and Geo. Davis appointed, October, 1837. 

Gurnee resigned, Bolles appointed his successor. April, 1840. 

Manierre resigned. Brown appointed his successor, July, 1843. 

Election of Garrett declared illegal, and Sherman elected at new election, held April, 1844. 

Brown appointed to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Rucker. 

Harvey resigned and Hunt appointed to fill vacancy. 

Cutting having failed to qualify, Rice, who was already in office, held over. 

Legislature changed date of election from April to November, the persons in office at beginning of 1869 remaining in office 
to December of that year. 

City organized under general Incorporation Act in 1875, and no city election held until April, 1876. The order for a new 
election omitted the office of Mayor, yet a popular vote was taken which gave a majority to Thomas Hoyne. The Council 
then in office refused to canvass this vote, but its successor, at its first meeting, did so, declaring Hoyne duly elected. 
Colvin, the incumbent, refused to surrender the office, claiming the right to " hold over;" Hoyne then made a contest 
for the office, which resulted in a decision by the Supreme Court denying the claims of both contestants, when a new 
election was ordered by the City Council. July 12, 1876, at which Monroe Heath was elected, serving out the term. 

City Attorney Kern, having resigned November 21,1892, Geo. A. Trude was appointed to serve out the remainder of the 
term. 

Mayor Harrison, having been assassinated, October 28, 1893, the City Council at its next meeting (November 6, 1893) 
elected Geo. B. Swift < an Alderman from the Eleventh Ward) Mayor ad interim. At a special election held December 19, 
1893, John P. Hopkins was elected to fill out the unexpired term of Mayor Harrison. 



92 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



The Fire of 1871. -^The city steadily grew i-n 
beauty, population and commercial importance 
until 18T1. On Oct. 9 of that year occurred the 
"great fire" the story of which has passed into 
history. Recuperation was speedy, and the 2,100 
acres burned over wera rapidly being rebuilt, 
when, in 1874, occurred a second conflagration, 
although by no means so disastrous as that of 
1871. The city's recuperative power was again 
demonstrated, and its subsequent development 
has been phenomenal. The subjoined statement 
shows its growth in population : 



1837 
1840 
1850 
1860 
1870 
1880 
1890 
1900 



Notwithstanding a large foreign population and 
a constant army of unemploy 



4,179 

4,470 

28,269 

112,102 

298,977 

503, IS") 

1,099.850 

1,698,575 



Chicago 
the 
the 
1886, and a strike of 



ed men, 
has witnessed only three disturbances of 
peace by mobs — the railroad riots of 1877, 
Anarchist disturbance of 
railroad employes in 1894. 

Municipal Administration. — Chicago long 
since outgrew its special charter, and is now 
incorporated under the broader provisions of the 
law applicable to "cities of the first class," under 
which the city is virtually autonomous. The 
personnel, drill and equipment of the police and 
tire departments are second to none, if noi supe- 
rior to any, to be found in other American cities. 
The Chicago River, with its branches, divides the 
city into three principal divisions, known respec- 
tively as North, South and West. Each division 
has its statutory geographical boundaries, and 
each retains its own distinct township organiza- 
tion. This system is anomalous; it has, how- 
ever, both assailants and defenders. 

Public Improvements. — Chicago has a fine 
system of parks and boulevards, well developed, 
well improved and well managed. One of the 
parks (Jackson in the South Division) was the 
site of the World's Columbian Exposition. The 
water supply is obtained from Lake Michigan by 
means of cribs and tunnels. In this direction 
new and better facilities are being constantly 
introduced, and the existing water system will 
compare favorably with that of any other Ameri- 
can city. 

Architecture. — The public and office build- 
ings, as well as the business blocks, are in some 
instances classical, but generally severely plain. 



Granite and other varieties of stone are used in 
the City Hall, County Court House, the Board of 
Trade structure, and in a few commercial build- 
ings, as well as in many private residences. In 
the business part of the city, however, steel, 
iron, brick and fire clay are the materials most 
largely employed in construction, the exterior 
walls being of brick. The most approved 
methods of fire-proof building are followed, and 
the "Chicago construction" has been recognized 
and adopted (with modifications) all over the 
United States. Office buildings range from ten 
to sixteen, and even, as in the case of the Masonic 
Temple, twenty stories in height. Most of them 
are sumptuous as to the interior, and many of the 
largest will each accommodate 3,000 to 5,000 
occupants, including tenants and their employes. 
In the residence sections wide diversity may be 
seen ; the chaste and the ornate styles being about 
equally popular. Among the handsome public, 
or semi-public buildings may be mentioned the 
Public Library, the Newberry Library, the Art 
Institute, the Armour Institute, the Academy of 
Sciences, the Auditorium, the Board of Trade 
Building, the Masonic Temple, and several of the 
railroad depots. 

Education and Libraries. — Chicago has a 
public school system unsurpassed for excellence 
in any other city in the country. According to 
the report of the Board of Education for 1898, the 
city had a total of 221 primary and grammar 
schools, besides fourteen high schools, employing 
5,268 teachers and giving instruction to over 
236,000 pupils in the course of the year. The 
total expenditures during the year amounted to 
86,785,601, of which nearly §4,500,000 was on 
account of teachers' salaries. The city has 
nearly $7,500,000 invested in school buildings. 
Besides pupils attending public schools there are 
about 100,000 in attendance on private and 
parochial schools, not reckoning students at 
higher institutions of learnjng, such as medical, 
law, theological, dental and pharmaceutical 
schools, and the great University of Chicago. 
Near the city are also the Northwestern and the 
Lake Forest Universities, the former at Evanston 
and the latter at Lake Forest. Besides an exten- 
sive Free Public Library for circulating and refer- 
ence purposes, maintained by public taxation, 
and embracing (in 1898) a total of over 235,000 
volumes and nearly 50,000 pamphlets, there 
are the Library of the Chicago Historical Society 
and the Newberry and Crerar Libraries — the last 
two the outgrowth of posthumous donations by 
public-spirited and liberal citizens — all open to 




DAY AFTER CHICAGO FIRE. 




CHICAGO THOROUGHFARES. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



93 



the public for purposes of reference under certain 
conditions. This list does not include the exten- 
sive library of the University of Chicago and those 
connected with the Armour Institute and the 
public schools, intended for the use of the pupils 
of these various institutions 

CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE, one of the 
leading commercial exchanges of the world. It 
was originally organized in the spring of 1843 as 
a voluntary association, with a membership of 
eighty-two. Its primary object was the promo- 
tion of the city's commercial interests by unity 
of action. On Feb. 8, 1849, the Legislature 
enacted a general law authorizing the establish- 
ment of Boards of Trade, and under its provisions 
an incorporation was effected — a second organi- 
zation being effected in April, 1850. For several 
years the association languished, and at times its 
existence seemed precarious. It was, however, 
largely instrumental in securing the introduction 
of the system of measuring grain by weight, 
which initial step opened the way for subsequent 
great improvements in the methods of handling, 
storing, inspecting and grading cereals and seeds. 
By the close of 1856, the association had overcome 
the difficulties incident to its earlier years, and 
the feasibility of erecting a permanent Exchange 
building began to be agitated, but the project lay 
dormant for several years. In 1856 was adopted 
the first system of classification and grading of 
wheat, which, though crude, formed the founda- 
tion of the elaborate modern system, which has 
proved of such benefit to the grain-growing 
States of the West, and has done so much to give 
Chicago its commanding influence in the grain 
markets of the world. In 1858, the privilege of 
trading on the floor of the Exchange was limited 
to members. The same year the Board began 
to receive and send out daily telegraphic market 
reports at a cost, for the first year, of $500,000, 
which was defrayed by private subscriptions. 
New York was the only city with which such 
communication was then maintained. In Febru- 
ary, 1859, a special charter was obtained, confer- 
ring more extensive powers upon the organization, 
and correspondingly increasing its efficiency. An 
important era in the Board's history was the 
Civil War of 1861-65. During this struggle its 
attitude was one of undeviating loyalty and gener- 
ous patriotism. Hundreds of thousands of dollars 
were contributed, by individual members and 
from the treasury of the organization, for the work 
of recruiting and equipping regiments, in caring 
for the wounded on Southern battlefields, and 
Providing for the families of enlisted men. In 



1864, the Board waged to a successful issue a war 
upon the irredeemable currency with which the 
entire West was then flooded, and secured such 
action by the banks and b} r the railroad and 
express companies as compelled its replacement 
by United States legal-tender notes and national 
bank notes. In 1865, handsome, large (and, as 
then supposed, permanent) quarters were occu- 
pied in a new building erected by the Chicago 
Chamber of Commerce under an agreement with 
the Board of Trade. This structure was destroyed 
in the fire of October, 1871, but at once rebuilt, 
and made ready for re-occupancy in precisely 
one year after the destruction of its predecessor. 
Spacious and ample as these quarters were then 
considered, the growing membership and increas- 
ing business demonstrated their inadequacy 
before the close of 1877. Steps looking to the 
erection of a new building were taken in 1881, 
and, on May 1, 1885, the new edifice — then the 
largest and most ornate of its class in the world 
— was opened for occupanc)-. The membership 
of the Board for the year 1898 aggregated con- 
siderably in excess of 1,800. The influence of the 
association is felt in every quarter of the com- 
mercial world. 

CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & NORTHERN 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad.) 

CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & QUINCY RAIL- 
ROAD (known as the "Burlington Route") is 
the parent organization of an extensive system 
which operates railroads in eleven Western and 
Northwestern States, furnishing connections 
from Chicago with Omaha, Denver, St. Paul and 
Minneapolis, St. Louis and Kansas City, Chey- 
enne (Wyo.), Billings (Mont.), Deadwood (So. 
Dak,), and intermediate points, and having con- 
nections by affiliated roads with the Pacific Coast. 
The main line extends from Chicago to Denver 
(Colo.), 1,025.41 miles. The mileage of the 
various branches and leased proprietary lines 
(1898) aggregates 4,627.06 miles. The Company 
uses 207.23 miles in conjunction with other 
roads, besides subsidiary standard-gauge lines 
controlled through the ownership of securities 
amounting to 1,440 miles more. In addition to 
these the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy controls 
179 miles of narrow-gauge road. The whole 
number of miles of standard-gauge road operated 
by the Burlington system, and known as the 
Burlington Route, on June 30, 1899, is estimated 
at 7,419, of which 1,509 is in Illinois, all but 47 
miles being owned by the Company. The system 
in Illinois connects many important commercial 



94 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



points, including Chicago, Aurora, Galesburg, 
Quincy, Peoria, Streator, Sterling, Mendota, Ful- 
ton, Lewistown, Rushville, Geneva, Keithsburg, 
Rock Island, Beardstown, Alton, etc. The entire 
capitalization of the line (including stock, bonds 
and floating debt) amounted, in 1898, to §234,884,- 
600, which was equivalent to about §33,000 per 
mile. The total earnings of the road in Illinois, 
during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, 
amounted to 88,724,997, and the total disburse- 
ments of the Company within the State, during 
the same period, to §7,469,456. Taxes paid in 
1898, §377,968.— (History). The first section of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was 
constructed under a charter granted, in 1849, to 
the Aurora Branch Railroad Company, the name 
being changed in 1852 to the Chicago & Aurora 
Railroad Company. The hue was completed in 
1853, from the junction with the old Galena & 
Chicago Union Railroad, 30 miles west of Chi- 
cago, to Aurora, later being extended to Mendota. 
In 1855 the name of the Company was changed 
by act of the Legislature to the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy. The section between Mendota and 
Galesburg (80 miles) was built under a charter 
granted in 1851 to the Central Military Tract 
Railroad Company, and completed in 1854. July 
9, 1856, the two companies were consolidated 
under the name of the former. Previous to this 
consolidation the Company had extended aid to 
the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad (from Peoria to 
the Mississippi River, nearly opposite Burlington, 
Iowa), and to the Northern Cross Railroad from 
Quincy to Galesburg, both of which were com- 
pleted in 1855 and operated by the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy. In 1857 the name of the 
Northern Cross was changed to the Quincy & 
Chicago Railroad. In 1860 the latter was sold 
under foreclosure to the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy, and, in 1863, the Peoria & Oquawka was 
acquired in the same way — the former constitut- 
ing the Quincy branch of the main line and the 
latter giving it its Burlington connection. Up 
to 1863, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy used 
the track of the Galena & Chicago Union Rail- 
road to enter the city of Chicago, but that year 
began the construction of its line from Aurora to 
Chicago, which was completed in 1864. In 1872 
it acquired control, by perpetual lease, of the 
Burlington & Missouri River Road in Iowa, 
and, in 1880, extended this line into Nebraska, 
now reaching Billings, Mont., witli a lateral 
branch to DeadwooVd, So. Dak. Other brandies 
in Illinois, built or acquired by this corporation, 
include the Peoria & Hannibal ; Carthage & Bur- 



lington ; Quincy & Warsaw ; Ottawa, Chicago & 
Fox River Valley; Quincy, Alton & St. Louis, 
and the St. Louis, Rock Island & Chicago. The 
Chicago, Burlington & Northern — known as the 
Northern Division of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy — is an important part of the system, 
furnishing a connection between St. Louis on 
the south and St. Paul and Minneapolis on the 
north, of which more than half of the distance of 
583 miles between terminal points, is in Illinois. 
The latter division was originally chartered, Oct. 
21, 1885, and constructed from Oregon, 111., to St. 
Paul, Minn. (319 miles), and from Fulton to 
Savanna, 111. (16.72 miles), and opened, Nov 1, 
1886. It was formally incorporated into the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy line in 1899. In 
June of the same year the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy also acquired by purchase the Keokuk & 
Western Railroad from Keokuk to Van Wert, 
Iowa (143 miles), and the Des Moines & Kansas 
City Railway, from Des Moines, Iowa, to Caines- 
ville, Mo. (112 miles). 

CHICAGO, DANVILLE & VINCENNES RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago & Eastern Illinois Bail- 
road. ) 

CHICAGO DRAINAGE CANAL, a channel or 
waterway, in course of construction (1892-99) 
from the Chicago River, within the limits of the 
city of Chicago, to Joliet Lake, in the Des Plaines 
River, about 12 miles above the junction of the 
Des Plaines with the Illinois. The primary object 
of the channel is the removal of the sewage of 
the city of Chicago and the proper drainage of 
the region comprised within what is called the 
"Sanitary District of Chicago." The feasibility 
of connecting the waters of Lake Michigan by 
way of the Des Plaines River with those of the 
Illinois, attracted the attention of the earliest 
French explorers of this region, and was com- 
mented upon, from time to time, by them and 
their successors. As early as 1808 the subject of 
a canal uniting Lake Michigan with the Illinois 
was discussed in a report on roads and canals by 
Albert Gallatin, then Secretary of the Treasury, 
and the project was touched upon in a bill relat- 
ing to the Erie Canal and other enterprises, intro- 
duced in Congress in 1811. The measure continued 
to receive attention in the press, in Western 
Territorial Legislatures and in official reports, 
one of the latter being a report by John C. Cal- 
houn, as Secretary of War, in 1819, in which it is 
spoken of as "valuable for military purposes." 
In 1822 Congress passed an act granting the 
right of way to the State through the public 
lands for such an enterprise, which was followed, 



SANITARY CANAL - CHICAGO 




MANCHESTER 




NORTH SEA 

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NORTH SEA 
- AMSTERDAM - 
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ILLINOIS* MISSISSIPPI 

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ILLINOISiMICHIGAN 



— — ~- ( , ...'.■ 

COMPARATIVE SIZE OF NOTED CANALS. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



95 



five J-ears later, by a grant of lands for the pur- 
pose of its construction. The work was begun in 
1836, and so far completed in 1848 as to admit of 
the passage of boats from the Chicago basin to La 
Salle. (See Illinois & Michigan Canal.) Under 
an act passed by the Legislature in 1865, the work 
of deepening the canal was undertaken by the 
city of Chicago with a view to furnishing means 
to relieve the city of its sewage, the work being 
completed some time before the fire of 1871. This 
scheme having failed to accomplish the object 
designed, other measures began to be considered. 
Various remedies were proposed, but in all the 
authorities were confronted with the difficulty 
of providing a fund, under the provisions of the 
Constitution of 1870, to meet the necessary cost 
of construction. In the closing months of the 
year 1885, Hon. H. B. Hurd, who had been a 
member of a Board of "Drainage Commission- 
ers," organized in 1855, was induced to give 
attention to the subject. Having satisfied him- 
self and others that the difficulties were not 
insurmountable with proper action by the Legis- 
lature, the City Council, on Jan. 27, 1886, passed 
a resolution authorizing the Mayor to appoint a 
Commission, to consist of "one expert engineer of 
reputation and experience in engineering and 
sanitary matters," and two consulting engineers, 
to constitute a "drainage and water-supply com- 
mission" for the purpose of investigating and 
reporting upon the matter of water-supply and 
disposition of the sewage of the city. As a 
result of this action, Rudolph Hering, of Philadel- 
phia, was appointed expert engineer by Mayor 
Harrison, with Benezette Williams and S. G. 
Artingstall, of Chicago, as consulting engineers. 
At the succeeding session of the General Assem- 
bly (1887), two bills — one known as the "Hurd 
bill" and the other as the "Winston bill," but 
both drawn by Mr. Hurd, the first contemplating 
doing the work by general taxation and the issue 
of bonds, and the other by special assessment — 
were introduced in that body. As it was found 
that neither of these bills could be passed at that 
session, a new and shorter one, which became 
known as the "Roche-Winston bill," was intro- 
duced and passed near the close of the session. 
A resolution was also adopted creating a com- 
mission, consisting of two Senators, two Repre- 
sentatives and Mayor Roche of Chicago, to further 
investigate the subject. The later act, just 
referred to, provided for the construction of a cut- 
off from the Des Plaines River, which would 
divert the flood-waters of that stream and the 
North Branch into Lake Michigan north of the • 



city. Nothing was done under this act, however. 
At the next session (1889) the commission made a 
favorable report, and a new law was enacted 
embracing the main features of the Hurd bill, 
though changing the title of the organization to 
be formed from the "Metropolitan Town," as 
proposed by Mr. Hurd, to the "Sanitary Dis- 
trict." The act, as passed, provided for the 
election of a Board of nine Trustees, their powers 
being confined to "providing for the drainage of 
the district," both as to surplus water and sew- 
age. Much opposition to the measure had been 
developed during the pendency of the legislation 
on the subject, especially in the Illinois valley, 
on sanitary grounds, as well as fear of midsum- 
mer flooding of the bottom lands which are 
cultivated to some extent : but this was overcome 
by the argument that the channel would, when 
the Des Plaines and Illinois Rivers were improved 
between Joliet and La Salle, furnish a new and 
enlarged waterway for the passage of vessels 
between the lake and the Mississippi River, and 
the enterprise was indorsed by conventions held 
at Peoria, Memphis and elsewhere, during the 
eighteen months preceding the' passage of the 
act. The promise ultimately to furnish a flow of 
not less than 600,000 cubic feet per minute also 
excited alarm in cities situated upon the lakes, 
lest the taking of so large a volume of water from 
Lake Michigan should affect the lake-level 
injuriously to navigation; but these apprehen- 
sions were quieted by the assurance of expert 
engineers that the greatest reduction of the lake- 
level below the present minimum would not 
exceed three inches, and more likely would not 
produce a perceptible effect. 

At the general election, held Nov. 5, 1889, 
the "Sanitary District of Chicago" was organ- 
ized by an almost unanimous popular vote 
— the returns showing 70,958 votes for the 
measure to 242 against. The District, as thus 
formed, embraces all of the city of Chicago 
north of Eighty-seventh Street, with forty- 
three square miles outside of the city limits 
but within the area to be benefited by the 
improvement. Though the channel is located 
partly in Will County, the district is wholly in 
Cook and bears the entire expense of construc- 
tion. The first election of Trustees was held at a 
special election, Dec. 12, 1889, the Trustees then 
elected to hold their offices for five years and 
until the following November. The second 
election occurred, Nov. 5, 1895, when the Board, 
as now constituted (1899), was chosen, viz. : 
William Boldenweck, Joseph C. Braden, Zina R. 



90 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Carter, Bernard A. Eckhart, Alexander J. Jones, 
Thomas Kelly, James P. Mallette, Thomas A. 
Smyth and Frank Wenter. The Trustees have 
power to sell bonds in order to procure funds to 
prosecute the work and to levy taxes upon prop- 
erty within the district, under certain limitations 
as to length of time the taxes run and the rate 
per cent imposed. Under an amendment of the 
Drainage Act adopted by the Legislature in 1897, 
the rate of assessment upon property within the 
Drainage District is limited to one and one-half 
per cent, up to and including the year 1899, but 
after that date becomes one-half of one per cent. 
The bed of the channel, as now in process of 
construction, commences at Eobey Street and the 
South Branch of the Chicago River, 5.8 miles 
from Lake Michigan, and extends in a south- 
westerly direction to the vicinity of Summit, 
where it intersects the Des Plaines River. From 
this point it follows the bed of that stream to 
Lockport, in Will County, where, in consequence 
of the sudden depression in the ground, the bed of 
the channel comes to the surface, and where the 
great controlling works are situated. This has made 
necessary the excavation of about thirteen miles 
of new channel for the river — which runs parallel 
with, and on the west side of, the drainage canal 
— besides the construction of about nineteen 
miles of levee to separate the waters of the 
canal from the river. The following statement 
of the quality of the material excavated and the 
dimensions of the work, is taken from a paper by 
Hon. H. B. Hurd, under the title, "The Chicago 
Drainage Channel and Waterway," published in 
the sixth volume of "Industrial Chicago" (1896): 
"Through that portion of the channel between 
Chicago and Summit, which is being constructed 
to produce a flow of 300,000 cubic feet per minute, 
which is supposed to be sufficient to dilute sew- 
age for about the present population (of Chicago), 
the width of the channel is 110 feet on the bot- 
tom, with side slopes of two to one. This portion 
of the channel is ultimately to be enlarged to the 
capacity of 600,000 cubic feet per minute. The 
bottom of the channel, at Robey Street, is 24.448 
feet below Chicago datum. The width of the 
channel from Summit down to the neighborhood 
of Willow Springs is 202 feet on the bottom, with 
the same side slope. The cut through the rock, 
which extends from the neighborhood of Willow 
Springs to the point where the channel runs out 
of ground near Lockport, is 160 feet wide at the 
bottom. The entire depth of the channel is 
substantially the same as at Robey Street, with 
the addition of one foot in 40.000 feet. The rock 



portion of the channel is constructed to the full 
capacity of 600,(100 cubic feet per minute. From 
the point where the channel runs out of ground 
to Joliet Lake, there is a rapid fall ; over this 
slope works are to be constructed to let the water 
down in such a manner as not to damage Joliet. " 

Ground was broken on the rock-cut near 
Lemont, on Sept. 3, 1892, and work has been in 
progress almost constantly ever since. The prog- 
ress of the work was greatly obstructed during 
the year 1898, by difficulties encountered in secur- 
ing the right of way for the discharge of the 
waters of the canal through the city of Joliet, 
but these were compromised near the close of the 
year, and it was anticipated that the work would 
be prosecuted to completion during the year 
1899. From Feb. 1, 1890, to Dec. 81, 1898, the 
net receipts of the Board for the prosecution of 
the work aggregated S28,257,707, while the net 
expenditures had amounted to $28, 22 1 864. 57. Of 
the latter, §20,099,284.67 was charged to construc- 
tion account, 53,156,903.12 to "land account" 
(including right of way), and Sl,222,092.82 to the 
cost of maintaining the engineering department. 
When finished, the cost will reach not less than 
§35,000,000. These figures indicate the stupen- 
dous character of the work, which bids fair to 
stand without a rival of its kind in modern 
engineering and in the results it is expected to 
achieve. 

CHICAGO GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. 
The total mileage of this line, June 30, 1898, was 
1,008 miles, of which 152.52 miles are operated 
and owned in Illinois. The line in this State 
extends west from Chicago to East Dubuque, the 
extreme terminal points being Chicago and 
Minneapolis in the Northwest, and Kansas City 
in the Southwest. It has several branches in Illi 
nois, Iowa and Minnesota, and trackage arrange- 
ments with several lines, the most important 
being with the St. Paul & Northern Pacific (10.56 
miles), completing the connection between St. 
Paul and Minneapolis ; with the Illinois Central 
from East Dubuque to Portage (12.23 miles), and 
with the Chicago & Northern Pacific from Forest 
Home to the Grand Central Station in Chicago. 
The company's own track is single, of standard 
gauge, laid with sixty and seventy-five-pound 
steel rails. Grades and curvature are light, and 
the equipment well maintained. The outstand- 
ing capital stock (1898) was S52,019,054; total 
capitalization, including stock, bonds and miscel- 
laneous indebtedness, $57,144,245. (History). The 
road was chartered, Jan. 5, 1892, under the laws 
of Illinois, for the purpose of reorganization of 




VIEWS OF DRAINAGE CANAL. 








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VIEWS OF DRAINAGE CANAL. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



97 



the Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City Railway 
Company on a stock basis. During 1895, the 
De Kalb & Great Western Railroad (5. SI miles) 
was built from De Kalb to Sycamore as a feeder 
of this line. 

CHICAGO, HARLEM & BATAYIA RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago & Northern Pacific Rail- 
road. ) 

CHICAGO, HAVANA & WESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Illinois Central Railroad. ) 

CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY, organized, 
April 24, 1856, for the purposes of (1) establishing 
a library and a cabinet of antiquities, relics, etc. ; 
(2) the collection and preservation of historical 
manuscripts, documents, papers and tracts; (3) 
the encouragement of the discovery and investi- 
gation of aboriginal remains, particularly in Illi- 
nois; (4) the collection of material illustrating 
the growth and settlement of Chicago. By 1871 
the Society had accumulated much valuable 
material, but the entire collection was destroyed 
in the great Chicago Are of that year, among the 
manuscripts consumed being the original draft 
of the emancipation proclamation by Abraham 
Lincoln. The nucleus of a second collection was 
consumed by fire in 1874. Its loss in this second 
conflagration included many valuable manu- 
scripts. In 1877 a temporary building was 
erected, which was torn down in 1892 to make 
room for the erection, on the same lot, of a 
thoroughly fire-proof structure of granite, 
planned after the most approved modern systems. 
The new building was erected and dedicated 
under the direction of its late President, Ed- 
ward G. Mason, Esq., Dec. 12, 1896. The Society's 
third collection now embraces about twenty-five 
thousand volumes and nearly fifty thousand 
pamphlets; seventy-five portraits in oils, with 
other works of art; a valuable collection of 
mauuscript documents, and a large museum of 
local and miscellaneous antiquities. Mr. Charles 
Evans is Secretary and Librarian. 

CHICAGO HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL COL- 
LEGE, organized in 1876, with a teaching faculty 
of nineteen and forty-five matriculates. Its first 
term opened October 4, of that year, in a leased 
building. By 1881 the college had outgrown its 
first quarters, and a commodious, well appointed 
structure was erected by the trustees, in a more 
desirable location. The institution was among 
the first to introduce a graded course of instruc- 
tion, extending over a period of eighteen vears. 
In 1897, the matriculating class numbered over 200. 

CHICAGO HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN AND 
CHILDREN, located at Chicago, and founded in 



1865 by Dr. Mary Harris Thompson. Its declared 
objects are: "To afford a home for women and 
children among the respectable poor in need of 
medical and surgical aid ; to treat the same 
classes at home by an assistant physician; to 
afford a free dispensary for the same, and to 
train competent nurses." At the outset the 
hospital was fairly well sustained through pri- 
vate benefactions, and, in 1870, largely through 
Dr. Thompson's efforts, a college was organized 
for the medical education of women exclusively. 
(See Northwestern University Woman's Medical 
School.) The hospital building was totally 
destroyed in the great fire of 1871, but temporary 
accommodations were provided in another section 
of the city. The following year, with the aid of 
§25,000 appropriated by the Chicago Relief and 
Aid Society, a permanent building was pur- 
chased, and, in 1885, a new, commodious and well 
planned building was erected on the same site, at 
a cost of about §75,000. 

CHICAGO, MADISON & NORTHERN RAIL- 
ROAD, a line of railway 231.3 miles in length, 140 
miles of which lie within Illinois. It is operated 
by the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and is 
known as its "Freeport Division." The par value 
of the capital stock outstanding is $50,000 and of 
bonds §2,500,000, while the floating debt is 
$3,620,698, making a total capitalization of 
§6,170,698, or §26,698 per mile. (See also Illinois 
Central Railroad. ) This road was opened from 
Chicago to Freeport in 1888. 

CHICAGO MEDICAL COLLEGE. (See North- 
weMcrn University Medical College.) 

CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL RAIL- 
WAY, one of the great trunk lines of the North- 
west, having a total mileage (1898) of 6,153.83 
miles, of which 317.94 are in Illinois. The main 
line extends from Chicago to Minneapolis, 420 
miles, although it has connections with Kansas 
City, Omaha, Sioux City and various points in 
Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas. The Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company enjoys 
the distinction of being the owner of all the lines 
operated by it, though it operates 245 miles of 
second tracks owned jointly with other lines. 
The greater part of its track is laid with 
60, 75 and 85-lb. steel rails. The total capital 
invested (1898; is §220,005,901, distributed as 
follows: capital stock, $77,845,000; bonded debt, 
§135,285,500; other forms of indebtedness, 
$5,572,401. Its total earnings in Illinois for 
1898 were §5,205,244, and the total expendi- 
tures, §3,320,248. The total number of em- 
ployes in Illinois for 1898 was 2,293, receiving 



98 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



? 1.746, 827. 70 in aggregate compensation. Taxes 
paid for the same year amounted to §151,285.— 
(History). The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railway was organized in 18G3 under the name 
of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. The Illi- 
nois portion of the main line was built under a 
charter granted to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 
Paul Railway Company, and the Wisconsin por- 
tion under charter to the Wisconsin Union Rail- 
road Company; the whole built and opened in 
1872 and purchased by the Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railway Company. It subsequently acquired by 
purchase several lines in Wisconsin, the whole 
receiving the present name of the line by act of 
the Wisconsin Legislature, passed, Feb. 14, 1874. 
The Chicago & Evanston Railroad was chartered, 
Feb. 16, 1861, built from Chicago to Calvary (10.8 
miles), and opened, May 1, 1885; was consolidated 
with the Chicago & Lake Superior Railroad, 
under the title of the Chicago, Evanston & Lake 
Superior Railroad Company, Dec. 22, 18S5, opened 
to Evanston, August 1, 1886, and purchased, in 
June, 1887, by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 
Paul Railway Company. The Road, as now 
organized, is made up of twenty-two divisions 
located in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, 
North and South Dakota, Missouri and Michigan. 
CHICAGO, PADUCAH & MEMPHIS RAIL- 
ROAD (Projected), a road chartered, Dec. 19, 
1893, to run between Altamont and Metropolis, 
111., 152 miles, with a branch from Johnston City 
to Carbondale, 20 miles — total length, 172 miles. 
The gauge is standard, and the track laid with 
sixty-pound steel rails. By Feb. 1, 1895, the road 
from Altamont to Marion (100 miles) was com- 
pleted, and work on the remainder of the line has 
been in progress. It is intended to connect with 
the Wabash and the St. Louis Southern systems. 
Capital stock authorized and subscribed. $2,500,- 
000; bunds issued, §1,575,000. Funded debt, 
authorized, $15,000 per mile in five per cent first 
mortgage gold bonds. Cost of road up to Feb. 1, 
1895, $20,000 per mile ; estimated cost of the entire 
line, $2,000,000. In December, 1896, this road 
passed into the hands of the Chicago & Eastern 
Illinois Railroad Company, and is now operated to 
Marion, in Williamson County. (See Clucago A 
Eastern Illinois Railroad.) 

CHICAGO, PEKIN & SOUTHWESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD, a division of the Chicago & Alton Rail- 
road, chartered as the Chicago & Plainfield 
Railroad, in 1859; opened from Pekin to Streator 
in 1873. and to Mazon Bridge in 1876; sold under 
foreclosure in 1879, and now constitutes a part of 
the Chicago & Alton system. 



CHICAGO, PEORIA & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD 
COMPANY (of Illinois), a corporation operating 
two lines of railroad, one extending from Peoria 
to Jacksonville, and the other from Peoria to 
Springfield, with a connection from the latter 
place (in 1895), over a leased line, with St. Louis. 
The total mileage, as officially reported in 1895, 
was 208. 6G miles, of which 166 were owned by 
the corporation. (1) The original of the Jackson- 
ville Division of this line was the Illinois River 
Railroad, opened from Pekin to Virginia in 1859. 
In October, 1863, it was sold under foreclosure, 
and, early in 1864, was transferred by the pur- 
chasers to a new corporation called the Peoria, 
Pekin & Jacksonville Railroad Company, by 
whom it was extended the same year to Peoria, 
and, in 18G9, to Jacksonville. Another fore- 
closure, in 1879, resulted in its sale to the 
creditors, followed by consolidation, in 1881, 
with the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway. 
(2) The Springfield Division was incorporated in 
1*69 as the Springfield & Northwestern Railway; 
construction was begun in 1872, and road opened 
from Springfield to Havana (45.20 miles) in 
December, 1874, and from Havana to Pekin and 
Peoria over the track of the Peoria, Pekin & 
Jacksonville line. The same year the road was 
leased to the Indianapolis, Bloomington & West- 
ern Railroad Company, but the lease was for- 
feited, in 1875, and the road placed in the hands 
of a receiver. In 1881, together with the 
Jacksonville Division, it was transferred to the 
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway, and by 
that company operated as the Peoria & Spring- 
field Railroad. The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific 
having defaulted and gone into the hands of a 
receiver, both the Jacksonville and the Spring- 
field Divisions were reorganized in Februarj', 
1887, under the name of the Chicago, Peoria & 
St. Louis Railroad, and placed under control of 
the Jacksonville Southeastern Railroad. A 
reorganization of the latter took place, in 1890, 
under the name of the Jacksonville, Louisville & 
St. Louis Railway, and, in 1893, it passed into the 
hands of receivers, and was severed from its 
allied lines. The Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis 
Railroad remained under the management of a 
separate receiver until January, 1896, when a 
reorganization was effected under its present 
name — "The Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Rail- 
road of Illinois." The lease of the Springfield 
& St. Louis Division having expired in Decem- 
ber, 1895, it has also been reorganized as an 
independent corporation under the name of the 
St. Louis, Peoria i Northern Rail way (which see) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



99 



CHICAGO RIVER, a sluggish stream, draining 
a narrow strip of land between Lake Michigan 
and the Des Plaines River, the entire watershed 
drained amounting to some 470 square miles. It 
is formed by the union of the "North" and 
the "South Branch," which unite less than a mile 
and a half from the mouth of the main stream. 
At an early day the former was known as the 
"Guarie" and the latter as "Portage River." The 
total length of the North Branch is about 20 miles, 
only a small fraction of which is navigable. The 
South Branch is shorter but offers greater facilities 
for navigation, being lined along its lower por- 
tions with grain-elevators, lumber-yards and 
manufactories. The Illinois Indians in early days 
found an easy portage between it and the Des 
Plaines River. The Chicago River, with its 
branches, separates Chicago into three divisions, 
known, respectively, as the "North" the "South" 
and the "West Divisions." Drawbridges have 
been erected at the principal street crossings 
over the river and both branches, and four 
tunnels, connecting the various divisions of the 
city, have been constructed under the river bed. 

CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC RAIL- 
WAT, formed by the consolidation of various 
lines in 1880. The parent corporation (The 
Chicago & Rock Island Railroad) was chartered 
in Illinois in 1851, and the road opened from Chi- 
cago to the Mississippi River at Rock Island (181 
miles), July 10, 1854. In 1852 a company was 
chartered under the name of the Mississippi & 
Missouri Railroad for the extension of the road 
from the Mississippi to the Missouri River. The 
two roads were consolidated in 1866 as the Chi- 
cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and the 
extension to the Missouri River and a junction 
with the Union Pacific completed in 1869. The 
Peoria & Bureau Valley Railroad (an important 
feeder from Peoria to Bureau Junction — 46. 7 
miles) was incorporated in 1853, and completed 
and leased in perpetuity to the Chicago & Rock 
Island Railroad, in 1854. The St. Joseph & Iowa 
Railroad was purchased in 1889, and the Kansas 
City & Topeka Railway in 1891. The Company 
has financial and traffic agreements with the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Texas Railway, extending 
from Terral Station. Indian Territory, to Fort 
Worth, Texas. The road also has connections 
from Chicago with Peoria; St. Paul and Minne- 
apolis; Omaha and Lincoln (Neb.); Denver, Colo- 
rado Springs and Pueblo (Colo.), besides various 
points in South Dakota, Iowa and Southwestern 
Kansas. The extent of the lines owned and 
operated by the Company ( ' 'Poor's Manual, " 1898) , 



is 3,568.15 miles, of which 236.51 miles are in 
Illinois, 189.52 miles being owned by the corpo- 
ration. All of the Company's owned and 
leased lines are laid with steel rails. The total 
capitalization reported for the same year was 
$116,748,211, of which 850,000,000 was in stock 
and §58,830,000 in bonds. The total earnings and 
income of the line in Illinois, for the year ending 
June 30, 1898, was $5,851,875, and the total 
expenses $3,401,165, of which $233,129 was in the 
form of taxes. The Company has received under 
Congressional grants 550, 194 acres of land, exclu- 
sive of State grants, of which there had been sold, 
up to March 31, 1894, 548,609 acres. 

CHICAGO, ST. PAUL & FOND DU LAC RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago & Northwestern Railway.) 

CHICAGO, ST. PAUL & KANSAS CITY RAIL- 
WAT. (See Chicago Great Western Railway.) 

CHICAGO, ST. LOUIS & PADUCAH RAIL- 
WAT, a short road, of standard gauge, laid with 
steel rails, extending from Marion to Brooklyn, 
111., 53.64 miles. It was chartered, Feb. 7, 1887, 
and opened for traffic, Jan. 1, 1889. The St. 
Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad Company is 
the lessee, having guaranteed principal and inter- 
est on its first mortgage bonds. Its capital stock 
is $1,000,000, and its bonded debt $2,000,000, 
making the total capitalization about $56,000 per 
mile. The cost of the. road was $2,950,000; total 
incumbrance (1895), $3,016,715. 

CHICAGO TERMINAL TRANSFER RAIL- 
ROAD, the successor to the Chicago & Northern 
Pacific Railroad. The latter was organized in 
November, 1889, to acquire and lease facilities to 
other roads and transact a local business. The 
Road under its new name was chartered, June 4, 
1897, to purchase at foreclosure sale the property 
of the Chicago & Northern Pacific, soon after 
acquiring the property of the Chicago & Calumet 
Terminal Railway also. The combination gives 
it the control of 84.53 miles of road, of which 
70.76 miles are in Illinois. The line is used for 
both passenger and freight terminal purposes, 
and also a belt Line just outside the city limits. 
Its principal tenants are the Chicago Great West- 
ern, the Baltimore & Ohio, the Wisconsin Central 
Lines, and the Chicago, Hammond & Western 
Railroad. The Company also has control of the 
ground on which the Grand Central Depot is 
located. Its total capitalization (1898) was $44.- 
553,044, of which $30,000,000 was capital stock 
and $13,394,000 in the form of bonds. 

CHICAGO THEOLOGICAL SEMINART, organ- 
ized. Sept. 26, 1854, by a convention of Congre- 
gational ministers and laymen representing seven 



100 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Western States, among which was Illinois. A 
special and liberal charter was granted, Feb. 15, 
1855. The Seminary has always been under 
Congregational control and supervision, its 
twenty-four trustees being elected at Triennial 
Conventions, at which are represented all the 
churches of that denomination west of the Ohio 
and east of the Rocky Mountains. The institu- 
tion was formally opened to students, Oct. 6, 
1858, with two professors and twenty-nine 
matriculates. Since then it has steadily grown 
in both numbers and influence. Preparatory and 
linguistic schools have been added and the 
faculty (1896) includes eight professors and nine 
minor instructors. The Seminary is liberally 
endowed, its productive assets being nearly 
$1,000,000, and the value of its grounds, build- 
ings, library, etc., amounting to nearly $500,000 
more. No charge is made for tuition or room 
rent, and there are forty-two endowed scholar- 
ships, the income of which is devoted to the aid 
of needy students. The buildings, including the 
library and dormitories, are four in number, and 
are well constructed and arranged. 

CHICAGO & ALTON RAILROAD, an impor- 
tant railway running in a southwesterly direc- 
tion from Chicago to St. Louis, with numerous 
branches, extending into Missouri, Kansas and 
Colorado. The Chicago & Alton Railroad proper 
was constructed under two charters — the first 
granted to the Alton & Sangamon Railroad Com- 
pany, in 1847, and the second to the Chicago & 
Mississippi Railroad Company, in 1852. Con- 
struction of the former was begun in 1852, and 
the line opened from Alton to Springfield in 
1853. Under the second corporation, the line was 
opened from Springfield to Bloomington in 1854, 
and to Joliet in 1850. In 1855 a line was con- 
structed from Chicago to Joliet under the name 
of the Joliet & Chicago Railroad, and leased in 
perpetuity to the present Company, which was 
reorganized in 1857 under the name of the St. 
I ii mis, Alton & Chicago Railroad Company. For 
some time connection was had between Alton 
and St. Louis by steam-packet boats running in 
connection with the railroad; but later over the 
line of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad — 
the first railway line connecting the two cities — 
and, finally, by the Company's own line, which 
was constructed in 1864, and formally opened 
Jan. 1, 1865. In 1861, a company with the 
present name (Chicago & Alton Railroad Com- 
pany) was organized, which, in 1862, purchased 
the St. Louis, Alton & Chicago Road at fore- 
closure sale. Several branch lines have since 



been acquired by purchase or lease, the most 
important in the State being the line from 
Bloomington to St. Louis by way of Jacksonville. 
This was chartered in 1851 under the name of the 
St. Louis, Jacksonville & Chicago Railroad, was 
opened for business in January, 1868, and having 
been diverted from the route upon which it was 
originally projected, was completed to Blooming- 
ton and leased to the Chicago & Alton in 1868. 
In 1884 this branch was absorbed by the main 
line. Other important branches are the Kansas 
City Branch from Roodhouse, crossing the Mis- 
sissippi at Louisiana, Mo. ; the Washington 
Branch from Dwight to Washington and Lacon, 
and the Chicago & Peoria, by which entrance is 
obtained into the city of Peoria over the tracks 
of the Toledo, Peoria & Western. The whole 
number of miles operated (1898; is 843.54, of 
which 580.73 lie in Illinois. Including double 
tracks and sidings, the Company has a total 
trackage of 1,186 miles. The total capitalization, 
in 1898, was §32,793,972, of which §22, 230, 600 was 
in stock, and 86,694,850 in bonds. The total 
earnings and income for the year, in Illinois, were 
§5,022,315, and the operating and other expenses, 
S4. 272,207. This road, under its management as 
it existed up to 1898, lias been one of the most uni- 
formly successful in the country. Dividends 
have been paid semiannually from 1863 to 1884, 
and quarterly from 1884 to 1896. For a number 
of years previous to 1897, the dividends had 
amounted to eight per cent per annum on both 
preferred and common stock, but later had been 
reduced to seven per cent on account of short 
crops along the line. The taxes paid in 1898 
were §341,040. The surplus, June 30, 1895, 
exceeded two and three-quarter million dollars. 
The Chicago & Alton was the first line in the 
world to put into service sleeping and dining cars 
of the Pullman model, which have since been so 
widely adopted, as well as the first to run free 
reclining chair-cars for the convenience and 
comfort of its passengers. At the time the 
matter embraced in this volume is undergoing 
final revision (1899), negotiations are in progress 
for the purchase of this historic line by a syndi- 
cate representing the Baltimore & Ohio, the 
Missouri Pacific, the Union Pacific, and the 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas systems, in whose 
interest it will hereafter be operated. 

CHICAGO & AURORA RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.) 

CHICAGO & EASTERN ILLINOIS RAIL- 
ROAD. This company operates a line 516.3 miles 
in length, of which 278 miles are within Illinois. 



HISTOMCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



10] 



The main line in this State extends southerly 
from Dolton Junction (IT miles south of Chicago) 
to Danville. Entrance to the Polk Street Depot 
in Chicago is secured over the tracks of the 
Western Indiana Railroad. The company owns 
several important branch lines, as follows : From 
Momence Junction to the Indiana State Line; 
from Cissna Junction to Cissna Park ; from Dan- 
ville Junction to Shelbyville, and from Sidell to 
Rossville. The system in Illinois is of standard 
gauge, about 108 miles being double track. The 
right of way is 100 feet wide and well fenced. 
The grades are light, and the construction 
(including rails, ties, ballast and bridges), is 
generally excellent. The capital stock outstand- 
ing (1895) is 813,594, 400; funded debt, §18,018,000; 
floating debt, §916,381; total capital invested, 
§32,570,781; total earnings in Illinois, §2,592,072; 
expenditures in the State, $2,595,631. The com- 
pany paid the same year a dividend of six per 
cent on its common stock (8286,914), and reported 
a surplus of 81,484,762. The Chicago & Eastern 
Illinois was originally chartered in 1865 as the 
Chicago, Danville & Vincennes Railroad, its main 
line being completed in 1872. In 1873, it defaulted 
on interest, was sold under foreclosure in 1877, 
and reorganized as the Chicago & Nashville, but 
later in same year took its present name. In 
1894 it was consolidated with the Chicago & 
Indiana Coal Railway. Two spurs (5.27 miles in 
length) were added to the line in 1895. Early in 
1897 this line obtained control of the Chicago, 
Paducah & Memphis Railroad, which is now 
operated to Marion, in Williamson County. (See 
Chicago. Paducah &• Memphis Railroad.) 

CHICAGO & GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY. Of 
the 335.27 miles of the Chicago & Grand Trunk 
Railroad, only 30.65 are in Illinois, and of the 
latter 9.7 miles are operated under lease. That 
portion of the line within the State extends from 
Chicago easterly to the Indiana State line. The 
Company is also lessee of the Grand Junction 
Railroad, four miles in length. The Road is 
capitalized at §6,600,000, has a bonded debt of 
§12,000,000 and a floating debt (1895) of §2,271,425, 
making the total capital invested, $20,871,425. 
The total earnings in Illinois for 1895 amounted 
to §660,393; disbursements within the State for 
the same period, §345,233. The Chicago & Grand 
Trunk Railway, as now constituted, is a consoli- 
dation of various lines between Port Huron, 
Mich. , and Chicago, operated in the interest of 
the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada. The Illi- 
nois section was built under a charter granted in 
1878 to the Chicago & State Line Railway Com- 



pany, to form a connection with Valparaiso, Ind. 
This corporation acquired the Chicago & South- 
ern Railroad (from Chicago to Dolton), and the 
Chicago & State Line Extension in Indiana, all 
being consolidated under the name of the North- 
western Grand Trunk Railroad. In 1880, a final 
consolidation of these lines with the eastward 
connections took place under the present name — 
the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railway. 

CHICAGO & GREAT EASTERN RAILWAY. 
(See Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway. ) 

CHICAGO & GREAT SOUTHERN RAILROAD. 
(See Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Railway.) 

CHICAGO & ILLINOIS SOUTHERN RAIL- 
WAY. (See Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Rail- 
way.) 

CHICAGO & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago & Alton Railroad.) 

CHICAGO & NASHYILLE RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad.) 

CHICAGO & NORTHERN PACIFIC RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago Terminal Transfer Rail- 
road.) 

CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY, 
one of the great trunk lines of the country, pene- 
trating the States of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michi- 
gan, Iowa, Minnesota and North and South 
Dakota. The total length of its main line, 
branches, proprietary and operated lines, on May 
1, 1899, was 5,076.89 miles, of which 594 miles are 
operated in Illinois, all owned by the company. 
Second and side tracks increase the mileage 
to a total of 7,217.91 miles. The Chicago & 
Northwestern Railway (proper) is operated in 
nine separate divisions, as follows: The Wis- 
consin, Galena, Iowa, Northern Iowa, Madison, 
Peninsula, Winona and St. Peter, Dakota and 
Ashland Divisions The principal or main lines 
of the "Northwestern System,'' in its entirety, 
are those which have Chicago, Omaha, St. Paul 
and Minneapolis for their termini, though their 
branches reach numerous important points 
within the States already named, from the shore 
of Lake Michigan on the east to Wyoming on the 
west, and from Kansas on the south to Lake 
Superior on the north.— (History.) The Chi- 
cago & Northwestern Railway Company was 
organized in 1859 under charters granted by the 
Legislatures of Illinois and Wisconsin during 
that year, under which the new company came 
into possession of the rights and franchises of the 
Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railroad Com- 
pany. The latter road was the outgrowth of 
various railway enterprises which had been pro 



102 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



jected, chartered and partly constructed in Wis- 
consin and Illinois, between 1848 and 1855, 
including the Madison & Beloit Railroad, the 
Rock River Valley Union Railroad, and the Illi- 
nois & Wisconsin Railroad — the last named com- 
pany being chartered by the Illinois Legislature 
in 1851, and authorized to build a railroad from 
Chicago to the Wisconsin line. The Wisconsin 
Legislature of 1855 authorized the consolidation 
of the Rock River Valley Union Railroad with the 
Illinois enterprise, and, in March, 1855, the con- 
solidation of these lines was perfected under the 
name of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac 
Railroad. During the first four years of its exist- 
ence this company built 176 miles of the road, of 
which seventy miles were between Chicago and 
the Wisconsin State line, with the sections con- 
structed in Wisconsin completing the connection 
between Chicago and Fond du Lac. As the result 
of the financial revulsion of 1857, the corporation 
became financially embarrassed, and the sale of its 
property and franchises under the foreclosure of 
1859, already alluded to, followed. This marked 
the beginning of the present corporation, and, in 
the next few years, by the construction of new 
lines and the purchase of others in Wisconsin and 
Northern Illinois, it added largely to the extent 
of its lines, both constructed and projected. The 
most important of these was the union effected 
with the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, 
which was formally consolidated with the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern in 1804. The history of 
the Galena & Chicago Union is interesting in 
view of the fact that it was one of the earliest 
railroads incorporated in Illinois, having been 
chartered by special act of the Legislature during 
the "internal improvement" excitement of 1836. 
Besides, its charter was the only one of that 
period under which an organization was effected, 
and although construction was not begun under 
it until 1847 (eleven years afterward), it was the 
second railroad constructed in the State and the 
first leading from the city of Chicago. In the 
forty years of its history the growth of the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern has been steady, and its 
success almost phenomenal. In that time it has 
not only added largely to its mileage by the con- 
struction of new lines, but has absorbed more 
lines than almost any other road in the country, 
until it now reaches almost every important city 
in the Northwest. Among the lines in Northern 
Illinois now constituting a part of it, were several 
which had become a part of the Galena & Chicago 
Union before the consolidation. These included 
a line from Belvidere to Beloit. Wis. ; the Fox 



River Valley Railroad, and the St. Charles & 
Mississippi Air Line Railroad — all Illinois enter 
prises, and more or less closely connected with 
the development of the State. The total capi- 
talization of the line, on June 30, 1898, was 
§200,968,108, of which §66,408,821 was capi- 
tal stock and $101,603,000 in the form of 
bonds. The earnings in the State of Illinois, 
for the same period, aggregated $4, 374, 923, 
and the expenditures §3,712,593. At the present 
time (1899) the Chicago & Northwestern is build- 
ing eight or ten branch lines in Wisconsin, Iowa, 
Minnesota and South Dakota. The Northwestern 
System, as such, comprises nearly 3,000 miles of 
road not included in the preceding statements of 
mileage and financial condition. Although owned 
by the Chicago & Northwestern Company, they 
are managed by different officers and under other 
names. The mileage of the whole system covers 
nearly 8,000 miles of main line. 

CHICAGO & SPRINGFIELD RAILROAD. 
(See Illinois Central Railroad.) 

CHICAGO & TEXAS RAILROAD, a line 
seventy-three miles in length, extending from 
Johnston City by way of Carbondale westerly to 
the Mississippi, thence southerly to Cape Girar- 
deau. The line was originally operated by two 
companies, under the names of the Grand Tower 
& Carbondale and the Grand Tower & Cape Girar- 
deau Railroad Companies. The former was 
chartered in 1882, and the road built in 1885 ; the 
latter, chartered in 1889 and the line opened the 
same year. They were consolidated in 1893, and 
operated under the name of the Chicago & Texas 
Railroad Company. In October, 1897, the last 
named line was transferred, under a twenty-five 
year lease, to the Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pany, by whom it is operated as its St. Louis & 
Cape Girardeau division. 

CHICAGO & WESTERN INDIANA RAIL- 
ROAD. The main line of this road extends from 
Chicago to Dolton, 111. (17 miles), and affords ter- 
minal facilities for all lines entering the Polk St. 
Depot at Chicago. It has branches to Hammond, 
Ind. (10.28 miles); to Cragin (15.9 miles), and to 
South Chicago (5.41 miles); making the direct 
mileage of its branches 48.59 miles. In addition, 
its second, third and fourth tracks and sidings 
increase the mileage to 204.79 miles. The com- 
pany was organized June 9, 1879 ; the road opened 
in 1880, and, on Jan. 26, 1882, consolidated with 
the South Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad 
Company, and the Chicago & Western Indiana 
Belt Railway. It also owns some 850 acres in fee 
in Chicago, including wharf property on the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



103 



Chicago River, right of way, switch and transfer 
yards, depots, the Indiana grain elevator, etc. 
The elevator and the Belt Division are leased to 
the Belt Railway Company of Chicago, and the 
rest of the property is leased conjointly by the 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois, the Chicago & Grand 
Trunk, the Chicago & Erie, the Louisville. New 
Albany & Chicago, and the Wabash Railways 
(each of which owns §1,000,000 of the capital 
stock), and by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. 
These companies pay the expense of operation 
and maintenance on a mileage basis. 

CHICAGO & WISCONSIN RAILROAD. (See 
Wisconsin Central Lines.) 

CHILDS, Robert A., was born at Malone, 
Franklin County, N. Y., March 22, 1845, the son 
of an itinerant Methodist preacher, who settled 
near Belvidere, Boone County, 111., in 1852. His 
home having been broken up by the death of his 
mother, in 1854, he went to live upon a farm. In 
April, 1861, at the age of 16 years, he enlisted in 
the company of Captain (afterwards General) 
Stephen A. Hurlbut, which was later attached to 
the Fifteenth Illinois Volunteers. After being 
mustered out at the close of the war, he entered 
school, and graduated from the Illinois State 
Normal University in 1870. For the following three 
years he was Principal and Superintendent of 
public schools at Aniboy, Lee County, meanwhile 
studying law, and being admitted to the bar. In 
1873, he began the practice of his profession at 
Chicago, making his home at Hinsdale. After 
filling various local offices, in 1884 he was 
chosen Presidential Elector on the Republican 
ticket, and, in 1892, was elected by the narrow 
majority of thirty-seven votes to represent the 
Eighth Illinois District in the Fifty-third Con- 
gress, as a Republican. 

CHILLICOTHE, a city in Peoria County, situ- 
ated on the Illinois River, at the head of Peoria 
Lake; is 19 miles northwest of Peoria, on the 
Peoria branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railroad, and the freight division of the 
Atkinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. It is an 
important shipping-point for grain ; has a can- 
ning factory, a button factory, two banks, five 
churches, a high school, and two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1890), 1,632; (1900), 1,699. 

CHINIQUT, (Rev.) Charles, clergyman and 
reformer, was born in Canada. July 30, 1809, of 
mixed French and Spanish blood, and educated 
for the Romish priesthood at the Seminary of St. 
Nicholet, where he remained ten years, gaining a 
reputation among his fellow students for extraor- 
dinary zeal and piety. Having been ordained 



to the priesthood in 1833, he labored in various 
churches in Canada until 1851, when he accepted 
an invitation to Illinois with a view to building 
up the church in the Mississippi Valley. Locat- 
ing at the junction of the Kankakee and Iroquois 
Rivers, in Kankakee County, he was the means 
of bringing to that vicinity a colony of some 
5,000 French Canadians, followed by colonists 
from France, Belgium and other European 
countries. It has been estimated that over 
50,000 of this class of emigrants were settled in 
Illinois within a few years. The colony em- 
braced a territory of some 40 square miles, with 
the village of St. Ann's as the center. Here 
Father Chiniquy began his labors by erecting 
churches and schools for the colonists. He soon 
became dissatisfied with what he believed to be 
the exercise of arbitrary authority by the ruling 
Bishop, then began to have doubts on the question 
of papal infallibility, the final result being a 
determination to separate himself from the 
Mother Church. In this step he appears to have 
been followed by a large proportion of the colo- 
nists who had accompanied him from Canada, but 
the result was a feeling of intense bitterness 
between the opposing factions, leading to much 
litigation and many criminal prosecutions, of 
which Father Chiniquy was the subject, though 
never convicted. In one of these suits, in which 
the Father was accused of an infamous crime, 
Abraham Lincoln was counsel for the defense, 
the charge being proven to be the outgrowth of 
a conspiracy. Having finally determined to 
espouse the cause of Protestantism, Father 
Chiniquy allied himself with the Canadian Pres- 
bytery, and for many years of his active clerical 
life, divided his time between Canada and the 
United States, having supervision of churches in 
Montreal and Ottawa, as well as in this country. 
He also more than once visited Europe by special 
invitation to address important religious bodies 
in that country. He died at Montreal, Canada, 
Jan. 16, 1899, in the 90th year of his age. 

CHOC ART, Medard, (known also as Sieur des 
Groseilliers), an early French explorer, supposed 
to have been born at Touraine, France, about 
1621. Coming to New France in early youth, he 
made a voyage of discovery with his brother-in- 
law, Radisson, westward from Quebec, about 
1654-56, these two being believed to have been 
the first white men to reach Lake Superior. 
After spending the winter of 1658-59 at La 
Pointe, near where Ashland, Wis., now stands, 
they are believed by some to have discovered the 
Upper Mississippi and to have descended that 



104 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



stream a long distance towards its mouth, as 
the}- claimed to have reached a much milder 
climate and heard of Spanish ships on the salt 
water (Gulf of Mexico). Some antiquarians 
credit them, about this time (1659), with having 
visited the present site of the city of Chicago. 
They were the first explorers of Northwestern 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, and are also credited 
with having been the first to discover an inland 
route to Hudson's Bay, and with being the 
founders of the original Hudson's Bay Company. 
Groseillier's later history is unknown, but he 
ranks among the most intrepid explorers of the 
"New "World" about the middle of the seventh 
century. 

CHRISMAN, a city of Edgar County, at the 
intersection of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chi- 
cago & St. Louis and the Cincinnati, Hamilton & 
Dayton Railroads. 24 miles south of Danville ; has 
a pipe-wrench factory, grain elevators, and 
storage cribs. Population (1890). 820; (1900), 905. 

CHRISTIAN C0U1VTY, a rich agricultural 
comity, lying in the "central belt." and organized 
in 1839 from parts of Macon, Montgomery, 
Sangamon and Shelby Counties. The name first 
given to it was Dane, in honor of Nathan Dane, 
one of the framers of the Ordinance of 1787, but 
a political prejudice led to a change. A pre- 
ponderance of early settlers having come from 
Christian County, Ky., this name was finally 
adopted. The surface is level and the soil fertile, 
the northern half of the county being best 
adapted to corn and the southern to wheat. Its 
area is about 710 square miles, and its population 
(1900), was 32,790. The life of the early settlers 
was exceedingly primitive. Game was abun- 
dant ; wild honey was used as a substitute for 
sugar; wolves were troublesome; prairie fires 
were frequent; the first mill (on Bear Creek) 
could not grind more than ten bushels of grain 
per day, by horse-power. The people hauled their 
corn to St. Louis to exchange for groceries. The 
first store was opened at Robertson's Point, but 
the county-seat was established at Taylorville. A 
great change was wrought in local conditions by 
the advent of the Illinois Central Railway, which 
passes through the eastern part of the county. 
Two other railroads now pass centrally through 
the county — the "Wabash" and the Baltimore & 
Ohio Southwestern. The principal towns are 
Taylorville (a railroad center and thriving town 
of 2.829 inhabitants), Pana, Morrisonville, Edin- 
burg, and Assumption. 

CHURCH, Lawrence S., lawyer and legislator, 
was born at Nunda, N. Y.. in 1820; passed his 



youth on a farm, but having a fondness for study, 
at an early age began teaching in winter with a 
view to earning means to prosecute his studies in 
law. In 1843 he arrived at McHenry, then the 
county-seat of McHenry Count} - , 111., having 
walked a part of the way from New York, paying 
a portion of his expenses by the delivery of lec- 
tures. He soon after visited Springfield; and 
having been examined before Judge S. H. Treat, 
was admitted to the bar. On the removal of the 
county-seat from McHenry to Woodstock, he 
removed to the latter place, where he continued 
to reside to the end of his life. A member of the 
Whig party up to 1856, he was that year elected 
as a Republican Representative in the Twentieth 
General Assembly, serving by re-election in the 
Twenty-first and Twenty-second ; in 1860. was 
supported for the nomination for Congress in the 
Northwestern District, but was defeated by Hon. 
E. B. Washburne ; in 1862, aided in the organiza- 
tion of the Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteers, and 
was commissioned its Colonel, but was compelled 
to resign before reaching the field on account of 
failing health. In 1806 he was elected County 
Judge of McHenry County, to fill a vacancy, and, 
in 1869 to the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. 
Died, July 23, 1870. Judge Church was a man of 
high principle and a speaker of decided ability. 

CHURCH, Selden Marvin, capitalist, was born 
at East Haddam, Conn., March 4, 1804; taken by 
Ins father to Monroe County, N. Y T ., in boyhood, 
and grew up on a farm there, but at the age of 
21, went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged 
in teaching, being one of the earliest teachers in 
the public schools of that city. Then, having 
spent some time in mercantile pursuits in Roches- 
ter, N. Y., in 1835 he removed to Illinois, first 
locating at Geneva, but the following year 
removed to Rockford, where he continued to 
reside for the remainder of his life. In 1811, he 
was appointed Postmaster of the city of Rock- 
ford by the first President Harrison, remaining 
in office three years. Other offices held by him 
were those of County Clerk (1843-47), Delegate to 
the Second Constitutional Convention (1S47), 
Judge of Probate (1849-57), Representative in 
the Twenty-third General Assembly (1863-65), 
and member of the first Board of Public Charities 
by appointment of Governor Palmer, in 1869, 
being re-appointed by Governor Beveridge, in 
1873, and, for a part of the time, serving as Presi- 
dent of the Board. He also served, by appoint- 
ment of the Secretary of War, as one of the 
Commissioners to assess damages for the Govern- 
ment improvements at Rock Island and to locate 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



105 



the Government bridge between Rock Island and 
Davenport. During the latter years of his life he 
was President for some time of the Rockford 
Insurance Company ; was also one of the origina- 
tors, and, for many years, Managing Director of 
the Rockford Water Power Company, which has 
done so much to promote the prosperity of that 
city, and. at the time of his death, was one of the 
Directors of the Winnebago National Bank. Died 
at Rockford, June 23, 1893. 

CHURCHILL, George, early printer and legis- 
lator, was born at Hubbardtown, Rutland 
County, Vt., Oct. 11, 1789; received a good edu- 
cation in his youth, thus imbibing a taste for 
literature which led to his learning the printer's 
trade. In 1806 he became an apprentice in the 
office of the Albany (N. Y.) "Sentinel," and, 
after serving his time, worked as a journeyman 
printer, thereby accumulating means to purchase 
a half-interest in a small printing office. Selling 
this out at a loss, a year or two later, he went to 
New York, and, after working at the case some 
five months, started for the West, stopping en 
route at Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Louisville. 
In the latter place he worked for a time in the 
office of "The Courier," and still later in that of 
"The Correspondent," then owned by Col. Elijah 
C. Berry, who subsequently came to Illinois and 
served as Auditor of Public Accounts. In 1817 
he arrived in St. Louis, but, attracted by the fer- 
tile soil of Illinois, determined to engage in agri- 
cultural pursuits, finally purchasing land some 
six miles southeast of Edwardsville, in Madison 
County, where he continued to reside the re- 
mainder of his life. In order to raise means to 
improve his farm, in the spring of 1819 he 
worked as a compositor in the office of "The 
Missouri Gazette" — the predecessor of "The St. 
Louis Republic." While there he wrote a series 
of articles over the signature of "A Farmer of St. 
Charles County," advocating the admission of 
the State of Missouri into the Union without 
slavery, which caused considerable excitement 
among the friends of that institution. During 
the same year he aided Hooper Warren in 
establishing his paper, "The Spectator," at 
Edwardsville, and, still later, became a frequent 
contributor to its columns, especially during the 
campaign of 1822-24, which resulted, in the latter 
year, in the defeat of the attempt to plant slavery 
in Illinois. In 1822 he was elected Represent- 
ative in the Third General Assembly, serving in 
that body by successive re-elections until 1832. 
His re-election for a second term, in 1824, demon- 
strated that his vote at the preceding session, in 



opposition to the scheme for a State Convention 
to revise the State Constitution in the interest of 
slavery, was approved by his constituents. In 
1838, he was elected to the State Senate, serving 
four years, and, in 1844, was again elected to the 
House — in all serving a period in both Houses of 
sixteen years. Mr. Churchill was never married. 
He was an industrious and systematic collector of 
historical records, and, at the time of his death in 
the summer of 1872, left a mass of documents and 
other historical material of great value. (See 
Slavery and Slave Laics; Warren, Hooper, and 
Coles, Edward.) 

CLARK (Gen.) George Rogers, soldier, was 
born near Montieello, Albemarle County, Va., 
Nov. 19, 1752. In his younger life he was a 
farmer and surveyor on the upper Ohio. His 
first experience in Indian fighting was under 
Governor Dunmore, against the Shawnees (1774). 
In 1775 he went as a surveyor to Kentucky, and 
the British having incited the Indians against 
the Americans in the following year, he was 
commissioned a Major of militia. He soon rose 
to a Colonelcy, and attained marked distinction. 
Later he was commissioned Brigadier-General, 
and planned an expedition against the British 
fort at Detroit, which was not successful. In 
the latter part of 1777, in consultation with Gov. 
Patrick Henry, of Virginia, he planned an expe- 
dition against Illinois, which was carried out 
the following year. On July 4, 1778, he captured 
Kaskaskia without firing a gun, and other 
French villages surrendered at discretion. The 
following February he set out from Kaskaskia to 
cross the "Illinois Country" for the purpose of 
recapturing Vincennes, which had been taken and 
was garrisoned by the British under Hamilton. 
After a forced march characterized by incredible 
suffering, his ragged followers effected the cap- 
ture of the post. His last important military 
service was against the savages on the Big 
Miami, whose villages and fields he laid waste. 
His last years were passed in sorrow and in com- 
parative penury. He died at Louisville, Ky., 
Feb. 18, 1818, and his remains, after reposing in a 
private cemetery near that city for half a cen- 
tury, were exhumed and removed to Cave Hill 
Cemetery in 1869. The fullest history of General 
Clark's expedition and his life will be found in 
the "Conquest of the Country Northwest of the 
Ohio River, 1774 1783, and Life of Gen. George 
Rogers Clark" (2 volumes, 1896), by the late 
William H. English, of Indianapolis. 

CLARK, Horace S., lawyer and politician, was 
born at Huntsburg, Ohio, August 12, 1840. At 



106 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the age of 15, coming to Chicago, he found 
employment in a livery stable ; later, worked on 
a farm in Kane County, attending school in the 
winter. After a year spent in Iowa City attend- 
ing the Iowa State University, he returned to 
Kane County and engaged in the dairy business, 
later occupying himself with various occupations 
in Illinois and Missouri, but finally returning to 
his Ohio home, where he began the study of law 
at Circleville. In 1861 he enlisted in an Ohio 
regiment, rising from the ranks to a captaincy, 
but was finally compelled to leave the service in 
consequence of a wound received at Gettysburg. 
In 1865 he settled at Mattoon, 111., where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1868. In 1870 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate for the Legislature on the 
Republican ticket, but was elected State Senator 
in 1880, serving four years and proving himself 
one of the ablest speakers on the floor. In 1888 
he was chosen a delegate-at-large to the National 
Republican Convention, and has long been a con- 
spicuous figure in State politics. In 1896 he was 
a prominent candidate for the Republican nomi- 
nation for Governor. 

CLARK, John 31., civil engineer and merchant, 
was born at White Pigeon, Mich., August 1, 1836; 
came to Chicago with his widowed mother in 
1847, and, after five years in the Chicago schools, 
served for a time (1852) as a rodman on the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad. After a course in the 
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y., 
where he graduated in 1856, he returned to the 
service of the Illinois Central. In 1859 he went to 
Colorado, where he was one of the original 
founders of the city of Denver, and chief engi- 
neer of its first water supply company. In 1862 
he started on a surveying expedition to Arizona, 
but was in Santa Fe when that place was captured 
by a rebel expedition from Texas; was also 
present soon after at the battle of Apache Canon, 
when the Confederates, being defeated, were 
driven out of the Territory. Returning to Chi- 
cago in 1864, he became a member of the whole- 
sale leather firm of Gray, Clark & Co. The 
official positions held by Mr. Clark include those 
of Alderman (1879-81), Member of the Board of 
Education, Collector of Customs, to which he 
was appointed by President Harrison, in 1889, 
and President of the Chicago Civil Service Board 
by appointment of Mayor Swift, under an act 
passed by the Legislature of 1895, retiring in 1897. 
In 1881 he was the Republican candidate for Mayor 
of Chicago, but was defeated by Carter H. Harri- 
son. Mr. Clark is one of the Directors of the Crerar 
Library, named in the will of Mr. Crerar. 



CLARK COUNTY, one of the eastern counties 
of the State, south of the middle line and front- 
ing upon the Wabash River; area, 510 square 
miles, and population (1900), 24,033; named for 
Col. George Rogers Clark. Its organization was 
effected in 1819. Among the earliest pioneers 
were John Bartlett, Abraham Washburn, James 
Whitlock, James B. Anderson, Stephen Archer 
and Uri Manly. The county -seat is Marshall, the 
site of which was purchased from the Govern- 
ment in 1833 by Gov. Joseph Duncan and Col. 
William B. Archer, the latter becoming sole pro- 
prietor in 1835, in which year the first log cabin 
was built. The original county -seat was Darwin, 
and the change to Marshall (in 1849) was made 
only after a hard struggle. The soil of the 
county is rich, and its agricultural products 
varied, embracing corn (the chief staple), oats, 
potatoes, winter wheat, butter, sorghum, honey, 
maple sugar, wool and pork. Woolen, flouring 
and lumber mills exist, but the manufacturing 
interests are not extensive. Among the promi- 
nent towns, besides Marshall and Darwin, are 
Casey (population 844), Martinsville (779), West- 
field (510), and York (294). 

CLAY, Porter, clergyman and brother of the 
celebrated Henry Clay, was born in Virginia, 
March, 1779; in early life removed to Kentucky, 
studied law, and was, for a time, Auditor of 
Public Accounts in that State; in 1815, was con- 
verted and gave himself to the Baptist ministry, 
locating at Jacksonville, 111., where he spent 
most of his life. Died, in 1850. 

CLAY CITY, a village of Clay County, on the 
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 12 
miles west of Olney ; has one newspaper, a bank, 
and is in a grain and fruit-growing region. 
Population (1890), 612; (1900), 907; (1903), 1,020. 

CLAY COUNTY, situated in the southeastern 
quarter of the State; has an area of 470 square 
miles and a population (1900) of 19,553. It was 
named for Henry Clay. The first claim in the 
county was entered by a Mr. Elliot, in 1818, and 
soon after settlers began to locate homes in the 
count}', although it was not organized until 1824. 
During the same year the pioneer settlement of 
Maysville was made the county-seat, but immi- 
gration continued inactive until 1837, when 
many settlers arrived, headed by Judges Apper- 
son and Hopkins and Messrs. Stanford and Lee, 
who were soon followed by the families of Coch- 
ran, McCullom and Tender. The Little Wabash 
River and a number of small tributaries drain 
the county. A light-colored sandy loam consti- 
tutes the greater part of the soil, although "black 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



107 



prairie loam" appears here and there. Railroad 
facilities are limited, but sufficient to accommo- 
date the county's requirements. Fruits, 
especially apples, are successfully cultivated. 
Educational advantages are fair, although largely 
confined to district schools and academies in 
larger towns. Louisville was made the county- 
seat in 1842, and, in 1890, had a population of 
637. Xenia and Flora are the most important 
towns. 

CLAYTON, a town in Adams County, on the 
Wabash Railway, 28 miles east-northeast of 
Quincy. A branch of the Wabash Railway ex- 
tends from this point northwest to Carthage, 111., 
and Keokuk, Iowa, and another branch to 
Quincy, 111. The industries include flour and feed 
mills, machine and railroad repair shops, grain 
elevator, cigar and harness factories. It has a 
bank, four churches, a highschool, and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1890), 1,038; (1900), 996. 

CLEAVER, William, pioneer, was born in Lon- 
don, England, in 1815; came to Canada with his 
parents in 1831, and to Chicago in 1834; engaged 
in business as a chandler, later going into the 
grocery trade ; in 1849, joined the gold-seekers in 
California, and, six years afterwards, established 
himself in the southern part of the present city 
of Chicago, then called Cleaverville, where he 
served as Postmaster and managed a general 
store. He was the owner of considerable real 
estate at one time in what is now a densely 
populated part of the city of Chicago. Died in 
Chicago, Nov. 13, 1896. 

CLEMENTS, Isaac, ex-Congressman and Gov- 
ernor of Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Danville, 
111., was born in Franklin County, Ind., in 1837; 
graduated from Asbury University, at Green- 
castle, in 1859, having supported himself during 
his college course by teaching. After reading 
law and being admitted to the bar at Greencastle, 
he removed to Carbondale, 111., where he again 
found it necessary to resort to teaching in order 
to purchase law-books. In July, 1861, he enlisted 
in the Ninth Illinois Infantry, and was commis- 
sioned Second Lieutenant of Company G. He 
was in the service for three years, was three 
times wounded and twice promoted "for meri- 
torious service." In June, 1867, he was ap- 
pointed Register in Bankruptcy, and from 1873 
to 1875 was a Republican Representative in the 
Forty-third Congress from the (then) Eighteenth 
District. He was also a member of the Repub- 
lican State Convention of 1880. In 1889, he 
became Pension Agent for the District of Illinois, 
by appointment of President Harrison, serving 



until 1893. In the latter part of 1898, he was 
appointed Superintendent of the Soldiers' 
Orphans' Home, at Normal, but served only a 
few months, when he accepted the position of 
Governor of the new Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, 
at Danville. 

CLEVELAND, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO & ST. 
LOUIS RAILWAY. The total length of this sys- 
tem (1898) is 1,807.34 miles, of which 478.39 miles 
are operated in Illinois. That portion of the main 
line lying within the State extends from East St. 
Louis, northeast to the Indiana State line, 181 
miles. The Company is also the lessee of the 
Peoria & Eastern Railroad (132 miles), and oper- 
ates, in addition, other lines, as follows: The 
Cairo Division, extending from Tilton, on the 
line of the Wabash, 3 miles southwest of Dan- 
ville, to Cairo (259 miles)- the Chicago Division, 
extending from Kankakee southeast to the 
Indiana State line (34 miles) ; the Alton Branch, 
from Wann Junction, on the main line, to Alton 
(4 miles). Besides these, it enjoys with the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, joint owner- 
ship of the Kankakee & Seneca Railroad, which 
it operates. The system is uniformly of standard 
gauge, and about 280 miles are of double track. 
It is laid with heavy steel rails (sixty-five, sixty- 
seven and eighty pounds), laid on white oak ties, 
and is amply ballasted with broken stone and 
gravel. Extensive repair shops are located at 
Mattoon. The total capital of the entire system 
on June 30, 1898— including capital stock and 
bonded and floating debt — was $97,149,361. The 
total earnings in Illinois for the year were 
§3,773,193, and the total expenditures in the State 
83,611,437. The taxes paid the same year were 
$124,196. The history of this system, so far as 
Illinois is concerned, begins with the consolida- 
tion, in 1889, of the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. 
Louis & Chicago, the Cleveland, Columbus, Cin- 
cinnati & Indianapolis, and the Indianapolis & 
St. Louis Railway Companies. In 1890, certain 
leased lines in Illinois (elsewhere mentioned) 
were merged into the system. (For history of 
the several divisions of this system, see St. Louis, 
Alton & Terre Haute, Peoria & Eastern, Cairo 
& Vincennes, and Kankakee & Seneca Railroads.) 

CLIMATOLOGY. Extending, as it does, through 
six degrees of latitude, Illinois affords a great 
diversity of climate, as regards not only the 
range of temperature, but also the amount of 
rainfall. In both particulars it exhibits several 
points of contrast to States lying between the 
same parallels of latitude, but nearer the Atlan- 
tic. The same statement applies, as well, to all 



108 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the North Central and the Western States. 
Warm winds from the Gulf of Mexico come up 
the Mississippi Valley, and impart to vegetation 
in the southern portion of the State, a stimulat- 
ing influence which is not felt upon the seaboard. 
On the other hand, there is no great barrier to 
the descent of the Arctic winds, which, in 
winter, sweep down toward the Gulf, depressing 
the temperature to a point lower than is custom- 
ary nearer the seaboard on the same latitude. 
Lake Michigan exerts no little influence upon the 
climate of Chicago and other adjacent districts, 
mitigating both summer heat and winter cold. 
If a comparison be instituted between Ottawa 
and Boston — the latter being one degree farther 
north, but 570 feet nearer the sea-level — the 
springs and summers are found to be about five 
degrees warmer, and the winters three degrees 
colder, at the former point. In comparing the 
East and West in respect of rainfall, it is seen 
that, in the former section, the same is pretty 
equally distributed over the four seasons, while 
in the latter, spring and summer may be called 
the wet season, and autumn and winter the dry. 
In the extreme West nearly three-fourths of the 
yearly precipitation occurs during the growing 
season. This is a climatic condition highly 
favorable to the growth of grasses, etc., but 
detrimental to the growth of trees. Hence we 
find luxuriant forests near the seaboard, and, in 
the interior, grassy plains. Illinois occupies a 
geographical position where these great climatic 
changes begin to manifest themselves, and where 
the distinctive features of the prairie first become 
fully apparent. The annual precipitation of 
rain is greatest in the southern part of the State, 
but, owing to the higher temperature of that 
section, the evaporation is also more rapid. The 
distribution of the rainfall in respect of seasons 
is also more unequal toward the south, a fact 
which may account, in part at least, for the 
increased area of woodlands in that region. 
While Illinois lies within the zone of southwest 
winds, their flow is affected by conditions some- 
what abnormal. The northeast trades, after 
entering the Gulf, are deflected by the mountains 
of Mexico, becoming inward breezes in Texas, 
southerly winds in the Lower Mississippi Valley, 
and southwesterly as they enter the Upper 
Valley. It is to this aerial current that the hot, 
moist summers are attributable. The north and 
northwest winds, which set in with the change 
of the season, depress the temperature to a point 
below that of the Atlantic slope, and are 
attended with a diminished precipitation. 



CLINTON, the county-seat of De Witt County, 
situated 23 miles south of Bloomington, at inter- 
section of the Springfield and the Champaign- 
Havana Divisions with the main line of the Illinois 
Central Railroad ; lies in a productive agricultural 
region; has machine shops, flour and planing 
mills, brick and tile works, water-works, electric 
lighting plant, piano-case factor}*, banks, three 
newspapers, six churches, and two public schools. 
Population (1890), 2,598; (1900), 4,452. 

CLINTON COUNTY, organized in 1824, from 
portions of Washington, Bond and Fayette Coun- 
ties, and named in honor of De Witt Clinton. It 
is situated directly east of St. Louis, has an area 
of 494 square miles, and a population (1900) of 
19,824. It is drained by the Kaskaskia River and 
by Shoal, Crooked, Sugar and Beaver Creeks. Its 
geological formation is similar to that of other 
counties in the same section. Thick layers of 
limestone lie near the surface, with coal seams 
underlying the same at varying depths. The 
soil is varied, being at some points black and 
loamy and at others (under timber) decidedly 
clayey. The timber has been mainly cut for fuel 
because of the inherent difficulties attending 
coal-mining. Two railroads cross the county 
from east to west, but its trade is not important. 
Agriculture is the chief occupation, corn, wheat 
and oats being the staple products. 

CLOl'D, Newton, clergyman and legislator, 
was born in North Carolina, in 1805, and, in 1827. 
settled in the vicinity of Waverly, Morgan 
County, 111., where he pursued the vocation of a 
farmer, as well as a preacher of the Methodist 
Church. He also became prominent as a Demo- 
cratic politician, and served in no less than nine 
sessions of the General Assembly, besides the 
Constitutional Convention of 1847, of which he 
was chosen President. He was first elected 
Representative in the Seventh Assembly (1830), 
and afterwards served in the House during the 
sessions of the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Thir- 
teenth, Fifteenth and Twenty-seventh, and as 
Senator in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth. He 
was also Clerk of the House in 1844-45, and, 
having been elected Representative two years 
later, was chosen Speaker at the succeeding ses- 
sion. Although not noted for any specially 
aggressive qualities, his consistency of character 
won for him general respect, while his frequent 
elections to the Legislature prove him to have 
been a man of large influence. 

CLOWRY, Robert C, Telegraph Manager, was 
born in 1S3S ; entered the service of the Illinois & 
Mississippi Telegraph Company as a messenger 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



109 



boy at Joliet in 1852, became manager of the 
office at Lockportsix months later, at Springfield 
in 1853, and chief operator at St. Louis in 1854. 
Between 1859 and '63, he held highly responsible 
positions on various Western lines, but the latter 
year was commissioned by President Lincoln 
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, and placed 
in charge of United States military lines with 
headquarters at Little Rock, Ark. ; was mustered 
out in May, 1866, and immediately appointed 
District Superintendent of Western Union lines 
in the Southwest. From that time his promotion 
was steady and rapid. In 18T5 he became 
Assistant General Superintendent ; in 1878, Assist- 
ant General Superintendent of the Central Divi- 
sion at Chicago; in 1880, succeeded General 
Stager as General Superintendent, and, in 1885, 
was elected Director, member of the Execu- 
tive Committee and Vice-President, his terri- 
tory extending from the Atlantic to the 
Pacific. 

COAL AND COAL-MIXINdi. Illinois contains 
much the larger portion of what is known as the 
central coal field, covering an area of about 
37,000 square miles, and underlying sixty coun- 
ties, in but forty-five of which, however, opera- 
tions are conducted on a commercial scale. The 
Illinois field contains fifteen distinct seams. 
Those available for commercial mining generally 
lie at considerable depth and are reached by 
shafts. The coals are all bituminous, and furnish 
an excellent steam-making fuel. Coke is manu- 
factured to a limited extent in La Salle and some 
of the southern counties, but elsewhere in the 
State the coal does not yield a good marketable 
coke. Neither is it in any degree a good gas 
coal, although used in some localities for that 
purpose, rather because of its abundance than on 
account of its adaptability. It is thought that, 
with the increase of cheap transportation facili- 
ties, Pittsburg coal will be brought into the State 
in such quantities as eventually to exclude local 
coal from the manufacture of gas. In the report 
of the Eleventh United States Census, the total 
product of the Illinois coal mines was given as 
12,104,272 tons, as against 6,115,377 tons reported 
by the Tenth Census. The value of the output 
was estimated at $11,735,203, or 50.97 per ton at 
the mines. The total number of mines was 
stated to be 1,072, and the number of tons mined 
was nearly equal to the combined yield of the 
mines of Ohio and Indiana. The mines are 
divided into two classes, technically known as 
"regular" and "local." Of the former, there 
were-358, and of the latter, 714 These 358 regular 



mines employed 23,934 men and boys, of whom 
21,350 worked below ground, besides an office 
force of 389, and paid, in wages, §8,694,397. The 
total capital invested in these 358 mines was 
$17,630,351. According to the report of the State 
Bureau of Labor Statistics for 1898, 881 mines 
were operated during the year, employing 35,026 
men and producing 18,599,299 tons of coal, which 
was 1,473,459 tons less than the preceding year— 
the reduction being due to the strike of 1897. 
Five counties of the State produced more than 
1,000,000 tons each, standing in the following 
order: Sangamon, 1,763,863; St. Clair, 1,600,752; 
Vermilion, 1,520,099; Macoupin, 1,264,920; La 
Salle, 1,165,490. 

COAL CITY, a town in Grundy County, on the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, 29 miles 
by rail south-southwest of Joliet. Large coal 
mines are operated here, and the town is an im- 
portant shipping point for their product. It has a 
bank, a weekly newspaper and five churches. 
Pop. (1890), 1,672; (1900), 2,607; (1903), about 3,000. 

COBB, Emery, capitalist, was born at Dryden, 
Tompkins County, N. Y., August 20, 1831; at 16, 
began the study of telegraphy at Ithaca, later 
acted as operator on Western New York lines, 
but, in 1852, became manager of the office at 
Chicago, continuing until 1865, the various com- 
panies having meanwhile been consolidated into 
the Western Union. He then made an extensive 
tour of the world, and, although he had intro- 
duced the system of transmitting money by 
telegraph, he declined all invitations to return to 
the key-board. Having made large investments 
in lands about Kankakee, where he now resides, 
he has devoted much of his time to agriculture 
and stock-raising; was also, for many years, a 
member of the State Board of Agriculture, Presi- 
dent of the Short-Horn Breeders' Association, 
and, for twenty years (1873-93), a member of the 
Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 
He has done much to improve the city of his 
adoption by the erection of buildings, the con- 
struction of electric street-car lines and the 
promotion of manufactures. 

COBB, Silas B., pioneer and real-estate opera- 
tor, was born at Montpelier, Vt., Jan. 23, 1812; 
came to Chicago in 1833 on a schooner from Buf- 
falo, the voyage occupying over a month. Being 
without means, he engaged as a carpenter upon a 
building which James Kinzie, the Indian trader, 
was erecting; later he erected a building of his 
own in which he started a harness-shop, which 
he conducted successfully for a number of years. 
He has since been connected with a number 



110 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of business enterprises of a public character, 
including banks, street and steam railways, but 
his largest successes have been achieved in the line 
of improved real estate, of which he is an exten- 
sive owner. He is also one of the liberal bene- 
factors of the University of Chicago, "Cobb 
Lecture Hall," on the campus of that institution, 
being the result of a contribution of his amount- 
ing to §150,000. Died in Chicago, April 5, 1900. 

COBDEN, a village in Union County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 42 miles north of Cairo 
and 15 miles south of Carbondale. Fruits and 
vegetables are extensively cultivated and shipped 
to northern markets. This region is well tim- 
bered, and Cobden has two box factories employ- 
ing a considerable number of men ; also has 
several churches, schools and two weekly papers. 
Population (1890), 994; (1900,) 1,034. 

COCHKAN, William Granville, legislator and 
jurist, was born in Ross County, Ohio, Nov. 13, 
1844; brought to Moultrie County, 111., in 1849, 
and, at the age of 17, enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Twenty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, 
serving in the War of the Rebellion three years 
as a private. Returning home from the war, he 
resumed life as a farmer, but early in 1873 began 
merchandising at Lovington, continuing this 
business three years, when he began the study of 
law; in 1879, was admitted to the bar, and has 
since been in active practice. In 1888 he was 
elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly, was an unsuccessful candidate for the 
Senate in 1890, but was re-elected to the House 
in 1894, and again in 1896. At the special session 
of 1890, he was chosen Speaker, and was similarly 
honored in 1895. He is an excellent parliamen- 
tarian, clear-headed and just in his rulings, and 
an able debater. In June, 1897, he was elected 
for a six years' term to the Circuit bench. He is 
also one of the Trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans' 
Home at Normal. 

C0DDI>'G, Icliabod, clergyman and anti- 
slavery lecturer, was born at Bristol, N. Y., in 
1811; at the age of 17 he was a popular temper- 
ance lecturer; while a student at Middlebury, 
Vt., began to lecture in opposition to slavery; 
after leaving college served five years as agent 
and lecturer of the Anti-Slavery Society; was 
often exposed to mob violence, but always retain- 
ing his self-control, succeeded in escaping 
serious injury. In 1842 he entered the Congrega- 
tional ministry and held pastorates at Princeton, 
Lockport, Joliet and elsewhere; between 1854 
and '58, lectured extensively through Illinois on 
the Kansas-Nebraska issue, and was a power in 



the organization of the Republican party. Died 
at Baraboo, Wis., June 17, 1866. 

CODY, Hiram Hitchcock, lawyer and Judge; 
born in Oneida County, N. Y., June 11, 1824; was 
partially educated at Hamilton College, and, in 
1843, came with his father to Kendall County. 
111. In 1847, he removed to Naperville, where 
for six years he served as Clerk of the County 
Commissioners' Court. In 1851 he was admitted 
to the bar; in 1861, was elected County Judge 
with practical unanimity, served as a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, and, 
in 1874, was elected Judge of the Twelfth Judi- 
cial Circuit. His residence (1896) was at Pasa-" 
dena, Cal. 

COLCHESTER, a city of McDonough County. 
on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 
midway between Galesburg and Quincy ; is the 
center of a rich farming and an extensive coal- 
mining region, producing more than 100,000 tons 
of coal annually. A superior cpaality of potter's 
clay is also ruined and shipped extensively to 
other points. The city has brick and drain-tile 
works, a bank, four churches, two public schools 
and two weekly papers. Population (1890), 
1,643; (1900), 1,635. 

COLES, Edward, the second Governor of the 
State of Illinois, born in Albemarle County, Va., 
Dec. 15, 1786, the son of a wealthy planter, who 
had been a Colonel in the Revolutionary War; 
was educated at Hampden-Sidney and William 
and Mary Colleges, but compelled to leave before 
graduation by an accident which interrupted his 
studies; in 1809, became the private secretary of 
President Madison, remaining six years, after 
which he made a trip to Russia as a special mes- 
senger by appointment of the President. He 
early manifested an interest in the emancipation 
of the slaves of Virginia. In 1815 he made his 
first tour through the Northwest Territory, going 
as far west as St. Louis, returning three years 
later and visiting Kaskaskia while the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1818 was in session. In 
April of the following year he set out from his 
Virginia home, accompanied by his slaves, for 
Illinois, traveling by wagons to Brownsville, Pa., 
where, taking flat-boats, he descended the river 
with his goods and servants to a point below 
Louisville, where they disembarked, journeying 
overland to Edwardsville. While descending 
the Ohio, he informed his slaves that they were 
free, and, after arriving at their destination, 
gave to each head of a family 160 acres of land. 
This generous act was, in after years, made the 
ground for bitter persecution by his enemies. At 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Ill 



Edwardsville he entered upon the duties of 
Register of the Land Office, to which he had 
been appointed by President Monroe. In 1823 
he became the candidate for Governor of those 
opposed to removing the restriction in the State 
Constitution against the introduction of slavery, 
and, although a majority of the voters then 
favored the measure, he was elected by a small 
plurality over his highest competitor in conse- 
quence of a division of the opposition vote 
between three candidates. The Legislature 
chosen at the same time submitted to the people 
a proposition for a State Convention to revise the 
Constitution, which was rejected at the election 
of 1824 by a majority of 1,668 in a total vote of 
11,612. While Governor Coles had the efficient 
aid in opposition to the measure of such men as 
Judge Samuel D. Lockwood, Congressman Daniel 
P. Cook, Morris Birkbeck, George Forquer, 
Hooper Warren, George Churchill and others, he 
was himself a most influential factor in protecting 
Illinois from the blight of slavery, contributing 
his salary for his entire term (§4,000) to that end. 
In 1825 it became his duty to welcome La Fay- 
ette to Illinois. Retiring from office in 1826, he 
continued to reside some years on his farm near 
Edwardsville, and, in 1830, was a candidate for 
Congress, but being a known opponent of Gen- 
eral Jackson, was defeated by Joseph Duncan. 
Previous to 1833, he removed to Philadelphia, 
where he married during the following year, and 
continued to reside there until his death, July 7, 
1868, having lived to see the total extinction of 
slavery in the United States. (See Slavery and 
Since Laws.) 

COLES COUNTY, originally a part of Crawford 
County, but organized in 1831, and named in 
honor of Gov. Edward Coles— lies central to the 
eastern portion of the State, and embraces 520 
square miles, with a population (1900) of 34,146. 
The Kaskaskia River (sometimes called the 
Okaw) runs through the northwestern part of the 
county, but the principal stream is the Embarras 
(Embraw). The chief resource of the people is 
agriculture, although the county lies within the 
limits of the Illinois coal belt. To the north and 
west are prairies, while timber abounds in the 
southeast. The largest crop is of corn, although 
wheat, dairy products, potatoes, hay, tobacco, 
sorghum, wool, etc. , are also important products. 
Broom-corn is extensively cultivated. Manufac- 
turing is carried on to a fair extent, the output 
embracing sawed lumber, carriages and wagons, 
agricultural implements, tobacco and snuff, boots 
■md shoes, etc. Charleston, the county-seat, is 



centrally located, and has a number of handsome 
public buildings, private residences and business 
blocks. It was laid out in 1831, and incorporated 
in 1865; in 1900, its population was 5,488. 
Mattoon is a railroad center, situated some 130 
miles east of St. Louis. It has a population of 
9,622, and is an important shipping point for 
grain and live-stock. Other principal towns are 
Ashmore, Oakland and Lerna. 

COLFAX, a village of McLean County, on the 
Kankakee and Bloomington branch of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, 23 miles northeast of Blooming- 
ton. Farming and stock-growing are the leading 
industries; has two banks, one newspaper, three 
elevators, and a coal mine. Pop. (1900), 1.153. 

COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AXD SURGEONS, 
located at Chicago, and organized in 1881. Its 
first term opened in September, 1882, in a build- 
ing erected by the trustees at a cost of §60,000, 
with a faculty embracing twenty-five professors, 
with a sufficient corps of demonstrators, assist- 
ants, etc. The number of matriculates was 152. 
The institution ranks among the leading medical 
colleges of the West. Its standard of qualifica- 
tions, for both matriculates and graduates, is 
equal to those of other first-class medical schools 
throughout the country. The teaching faculty, 
of late years, has consisted of some twenty-five 
professors, who are aided by an adequate corps of 
assistants, demonstrators, etc. 

COLLEGES, EARLY. The early Legislatures of 
Illinois manifested no little unfriendliness toward 
colleges. The first charters for institutions of 
this character were granted in 1833, and were for 
the incorporation of the "Union College of Illi- 
nois," in Randolph County, and the "Alton Col- 
lege of Illinois," at Upper Alton. The first 
named was to be under the care of the Scotch 
Covenanters, but was never founded. The 
second was in the interest of the Baptists, but 
the charter was not accepted. Both these acts 
contained jealous and unfriendly restrictions, 
notably one to the effect that no theological 
department should be established and no pro- 
fessor of theology employed as an instructor, nor 
should anj' religious test be applied in the selec- 
tion of trustees or the admission of pupils. The 
friends of higher education, however, made com- 
mon cause, and, in 1835, secured the passage of 
an "omnibus bill" incorporating four private 
colleges — the Alton; the Illinois, at Jacksonville; 
the McKendree, at Lebanon, and the Jonesboro. 
Similar restrictive provisions as to theological 
teaching were incorporated in these charters, and 
a limitation was placed upon the amount of 



112 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



property to be owned by any institution, but in 
many respects the law was more liberal than its 
predecessors of two years previous Owing to 
the absence of suitable preparatory schools, these 
institutions were compelled to maintain prepara- 
tory departments under the tuition of the college 
professors. The college last named above ( Jones- 
boro) was to have been founded by the Christian 
denomination, but was never organized. The 
three remaining ones stand, in the order of their 
formation, McKendree, Illinois, Alton (afterward 
Shurtleff) ; in the order of graduating initial 
classes — Illinois, McKendree, Shurtleff. Pre- 
paratory instruction began to be given in Illinois 
College in 1829, and a class was organized in the 
collegiate department in 1831. The Legislature 
of 1835 also incorporated the Jacksonville Female 
Academy, the first school for girls chartered in 
the State. From this time forward colleges and 
academies were incorporated in rapid succession, 
many of them at places whose names have long 
since disappeared from the map of the State. It 
was at this time that there developed a strong 
party in favor of founding what were termed, 
rather euphemistically, "Manual Labor Col- 
leges." It was believed that the time which a 
student might be able to "redeem" from study, 
could be so profitably employed at farm or shop- 
work as to enable him to earn his own livelihood. 
Acting upon this theory, the Legislature of 1835 
granted charters to the "Franklin Manual Labor 
College," to be located in either Cook or La Salle 
County; to the "Burnt Prairie Manual Labor 
Seminary," in White County, and the "Chatham 
Manual Labor School," at Lick Prairie, Sanga- 
mon County. University powers were conferred 
upon the institution last named, and its charter 
also contained the somewhat extraordinary pro- 
vision that anj- sect might establish a professor- 
ship of theology therein. In 1837 six more 
colleges were incorporated, only one of which 
(Knox) was successfully organized. By 1840, 
better and broader views of education had 
developed, and the Legislature of 1841 repealed 
all prohibition of the establishing of theological 
departments, as well as the restrictions previously 
imposed upon the amount and value of property 
to be owned by private educational institutions. 
The whole number of colleges and seminaries 
incorporated under the State law (1896) is forty- 
three. (See also Illinois College, Knox College, 
Lake Forest University, McKendree College, Mon- 
mouth College, Jacksonville Female Seminary, 
Montiecllo Female Seminary, Northwestern Uni- 
versity, Shurtleff College.) 



COLLIER, Robert Laird, clergyman, was born 
in Salisbury, Md., August 7, 1837; graduated at 
Boston University, 1858; soon after became an 
itinerant Methodist minister, but, in 1866, united 
with the Unitarian Church and officiated as 
pastor of churches in Chicago, Boston and Kan- 
sas City, besides supplying, pulpits in various 
cities in England (1880-85). In 1885, he was 
appointed United States Consul at Leipsic, but 
later served as a special commissioner of the 
Johns Hopkins University in the collection of 
labor statistics in Europe, meanwhile gaining a 
wide reputation as a lecturer and magazine 
writer. His published works include: "Every - 
Day Subjects in Sunday Sermons" (1869) and 
"Meditations on the Essence of Christianity'' 
(1876). Died near his birthplace, July 27, 1890. 

COLLINS, Frederick, manufacturer, was born 
in Connecticut, Feb. 24, 1804. He was the young- 
est of five brothers who came with their parents 
from Litchfield, Conn , to Illinois, in 1822, and 
settled in the town of Unionville— now Collins- 
ville — in the southwestern part of Madison 
County. They were enterprising and public- 
spirited business men, who engaged, quite 
extensively for the time, in various branches of 
manufacture, including flour and whisky. This 
was an era of progress and development, and 
becoming convinced of the injurious character 
of the latter branch of their business, it was 
promptly abandoned. The subject of this sketch 
was later associated with his brother Michael in 
the pork-packing and grain business at Naples, 
the early Illinois River terminus of the Sangamon 
& Morgan (now Wabash) Railroad, but finally 
located at Quincy in 1851, where he was engaged 
in manufacturing business for many years. He 
was a man of high business probity and religious 
principle, as well as a determined opponent of the 
institution of slavery, as shown by the fact that 
he was once subjected by his neighbors to the 
intended indignity of being hung in effigy for the 
crime of assisting a fugitive female slave on the 
road to freedom. In a speech made in 1834, in 
commemoration of the act of emancipation in the 
West Indies, he gave utterance to the following 
prediction : "Methinks the time is not far distant 
when our own country will celebrate a day of 
emancipation within her own borders, and con- 
sistent songs of freedom shall indeed ring 
throughout the length and breadth of the land." 
He lived to see this prophecy fulfilled, dying at 
Quincy, in 1878. Mr. Collins was the candidate of 
the Liberty Men of Illinois for Lieutenant-Gov 
ernor in 1842. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



113 



COLLINS, James H., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Cambridge, Washington County, N. Y., 
but taken in early life to Vernon, Oneida County, 
where he grew to manhood. After spending a 
couple of years in an academy, at the age of 18 
he began the study of law, was admitted to the 
bar in 1824, and as a counsellor and solicitor in 
1827, coming to Chicago in the fall of 1833, mak- 
ing a part of the journey by the first stage-coach 
from Detroit to the present Western metropolis. 
After arriving in Illinois, he spent some time in 
exploration of the surrounding country, but 
returning to Chicago in 1834, he entered into 
partnership with Judge John D. Caton, who had 
been his preceptor in New York, still later being 
a partner of Justin Butterfield under the firm 
name of Butterfield & Collins. He was con- 
sidered an eminent authority in law and gained 
an extensive practice, being regarded as espe- 
cially strong in chancery cases as well as an able 
pleader. Politically, he was an uncompromising 
anti-slavery man, and often aided runaway 
slaves in securing their liberty or defended others 
who did so. He was also one of the original 
promoters of the old Galena & Chicago Union 
Railroad and one of its first Board of Directors. 
Died, suddenly of cholera, while attending court 
at Ottawa, in 1854. 

COLLINS, Loren C, jurist, was born at Wind- 
sor, Conn., August 1, 1848; at the age of 18 
accompanied his family to Illinois, and was 
educated at the Northwestern University. He 
read law, was admitted to the bar, and soon 
built up a remunerative practice. He was 
elected to the Legislature in 1878, and through 
his ability as a debater and a parliamentarian, 
soon became one of the leaders of his party on 
the floor of the lower house. He was re-elected 
in 1880 and 1882, and, in 1883, was chosen Speaker 
of the Thirty -third General Assembly. In 
December, 1884, he was appointed a Judge of the 
Circuit Court of Cook County, to fill the vacancy 
created by the resignation of Judge Barnum, was 
elected to succeed himself in 1885, and re-elected 
in 1891, but resigned in 1894, since that time 
devoting his attention to regular practice in the 
city of Chicago. 

COLLINS, William H., retired manufacturer, 
born at Collinsville, 111., March 20, 1831; was 
educated in the common schools and at Illinois 
College, later taking a course in literature, 
philosophy and theology at Yale College; served 
as pastor of a Congregational church at La Salle 
several years; in 1858, became editor and propri- 
etor of "The Jacksonville Journal." which he 



conducted some four years. The Civil War hav- 
ing begun, he then accepted the chaplaincy of 
the Tenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, but 
resigning in 1863, organized a company of the 
One Hundred and Fourth Volunteers, of which 
he was chosen Captain, participating in the 
battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and 
Missionary Ridge. Later he served on the staff 
of Gen. John M. Palmer and at Fourteenth Army 
Corps headquarters, until after the fall of 
Atlanta. Then resigning, in November, 1864, he 
was appointed by Secretary Stanton Provost- 
Marshal for the Twelfth District of Illinois, con- 
tinuing in this service until the close of 1865, 
when he engaged in the manufacturing business 
as head of the Collins Plow Company at Quincy. 
This business he conducted successfully some 
twenty-five years, when he retired. Mr. Collins 
has served as Alderman and Mayor, ad interim, 
of the city of Quincy ; Representative in the 
Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth General Assem- 
blies — during the latter being chosen to deliver 
the eulogy on Gen. John A. Logan ; was a promi- 
nent candidate for the nomination for Lieutenant 
Governor in 1888, and the same year Republican 
candidate for Congress in the Quincy District; 
in 1894, was the Republican nominee for State 
Senator in Adams County, and, though a Repub- 
lican, has been twice elected Supervisor in a 
strongly Democratic city. 

COLLINSVILLE, a city on the southern border 
of Madison County, 13 miles (by rail) east-north- 
east of St. Louis, on the "Vandalia Line" (T. H. 
& I. Ry.), about 11 miles south of Edwardsville. 
The place was originally settled in 1817 by four 
brothers named Collins from Litchfield, Conn. , 
who established a tan-yard and erected an ox-mill 
for grinding corn and wheat and sawing lumber 
The town was platted by surviving members of 
this family in 1836 Coal-mining is the principal 
industry, and one or two mines are operated 
within the corporate limits. The city has zinc 
works, as well as flour mills and brick and tile 
factories, two building and loan associations, a 
lead smelter, stock bell factory, electric street 
railways, seven churches, two banks, a high 
school, and a newspaper office. Population 
(1890), 3,498; (1900), 4,021; (1903, est.), 7,500. 

COLLYER, Robert, clergyman, was born at 
Keighly, Yorkshire, England, Dec. 8, 1823; left 
school at eight years of age to earn his living in 
a factory; at fourteen was apprenticed to a black- 
smith and learned the trade of a hammer-maker. 
His only opportunity of acquiring an education 
during this period, apart from private study, was 



114 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in a night-school, which he attended two winters. 
In 1849 he became a local Methodist preacher, 
came to the United States the next year, settling 
in Pennsylvania, where he pursued his trade, 
preaching on Sundays. His views on the atone- 
ment having gradually been changed towards 
Unitarianism, his license to preach was revoked 
by the conference, and, in 1859, he united with 
the Unitarian Church, having already won a 
wide reputation as an eloquent public speaker. 
Coming to Chicago, he began work as a mission- 
ary, and, in 1860, organized the Unity Church, 
beginning with seven members, though it has 
since become one of the strongest and most influ- 
ential churches in the city. In 1879 he accepted 
a call to a church in New York City, where he 
still remains. Of strong anti-slavery views and 
a zealous Unionist, he served during a part of the 
Civil War as a camp inspector for the Sanitary 
Commission. Since the war he has repeatedly 
visited England, and has exerted a wide influence 
as a lecturer and pulpit orator on both sides of 
the Atlantic. He is the author of a number of 
volumes, including "Nature and Life" (1806) ; 
"A Man in Earnest: Life of A. H. Conant" (1868); 
"A History of the Town and Parish of likely" 
(1880), and "Lectures to Young Men and Women" 
(1880). 

COLTON, Chauncey Sill, pioneer, was born at 
Springfield, Pa., Sept. 21, 1800; taken to Massachu- 
setts in childhood and educated at Monson in that 
State, afterwards residing for many years, dur- 
ing his manhood, at Monson, Maine. He came to 
Illinois in 1836, locating on the site of the present 
city of Galesburg, where he built the first store 
and dwelling house; continued in general mer- 
chandise some seventeen or eighteen years, mean- 
while associating his sons with him in business 
under the firm name of C. S. Colton & Sons. Mr. 
Colton was associated with the construction of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad from 
the beginning, becoming one of the Directors of 
the Company; was also a Director of the First 
National Bank of Galesburg, the first organizer 
and first President of the Farmers' and Mechan- 
ics' Bank of that city, and one of the Trustees of 
Knox College. Died in Galesburg, July 27, 1885. 
— Francis (Colton), son of the preceding; born 
at Monson, Maine, May 24, 1834, came to Gales- 
burg with his father's family in 1836, and was 
educated at Knox College, graduating in 1855, 
and receiving the degree of A.M. in 1858. After 
graduation, he was in partnership with his father 
some seven years, also served as Vice-President 
of the First National Bank of Galesburg, and, in 



1866, was appointed by President Johnson United 
States Consul at Venice, remaining thei-e until 
1869. The latter year he became the General 
Passenger Agent of the Union Pacific Railroad, 
continuing in that position until 1871, meantime 
visiting China, Japan and India, and establishing 
agencies for the Union and Central Pacific Rail- 
ways in various countries of Europe. In 1872 he 
succeeded his father as President of the Farmers' 
and Mechanics' Bank of Galesburg, but retired in 
1884. and the same year removed to Washington, 
D. C, where he has since resided. Mr. Colton is 
a large land owner in some of the Western States, 
especially Kansas and Nebraska. 

COLUMBIA, a town of Monroe County, on 
Mobile & Ohio Railroad, 15 miles south of St. 
Louis; has a machine shop, large flour mill, 
brewery, five cigar factories, electric light plant, 
telephone system, stone quarry, five churches, 
and public school. Pop. (1900), 1,197; (1903), 1,205. 

COMPANY OF THE WEST, THE, a company 
formed in France, in August, 1717, to develop 
the resources of "New France," in which the 
"Illinois Country" was at that time included. 
At the head of the company was the celebrated 
John Law, and to him and his associates the 
French monarch granted extraordinary powers, 
both governmental and commercial. They were 
given the exclusive right to refine the precious 
metals, as well as a monopoly in the trade in 
• tobacco and slaves. Later, the company became 
known as the Indies, or East Indies, Company, 
owing to the king having granted them conces- 
sions to trade with the East Indies and China. 
On Sept. 27, 1717, the Royal Council of France 
declared that the Illinois Country should form a 
part of the Province of Louisiana ; and, under the 
shrewd management of Law and his associates, 
immigration soon increased, as many as 800 
settlers arriving in a single year. The directors 
of the company, in the exercise of their govern- 
mental powers, appointed Pierre Duque de Bois 
briant Governor of the Illinois District. He 
proceeded to Kaskaskia, and, within a few miles 
of that settlement, erected Fort Chartres. (See 
Fort Chartres. ) The policy of the Indies Company 
was energetic, and, in the main, wise. Grants of 
commons were made to various French villages, 
and Cahokia and Kaskaskia steadily grew in size 
anil population. Permanent settlers were given 
grants of land and agriculture was encouraged. 
These grants (which were allodial in their char- 
acter) covered nearly all the lands in that part of 
the American Bottom, lying between the Missis- 
sippi and the Kaskaskia Rivers. Many grantees 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



115 



held their lands in one great common field, each 
proprietor contributing, pro rata, to the mainte- 
nance of a surrounding fence. In 1721 the Indies 
Company divided the Province of Louisiana into 
nine civil and military districts. That of Illinois 
was numerically the Seventh, and included not 
only the southern half of the existing State, but 
also an immense tract west of the Mississippi, 
extending to the Rocky Mountains, and embrac- 
ing the present States of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa 
and Nebraska, besides portions of Arkansas and 
Colorado. The Commandant, with his secretary 
and the Company's Commissary, formed the 
District Council, the civil law being in force. In 
1733, the Indies Company surrendered its charter, 
and thereafter, the Governors of Illinois were 
appointed directly by the French crown. 

CONCORDIA SEMINARY, an institution lo- 
cated at Springfield, founded in 1879; the succes- 
sor of an earlier institution under the name of 
Illinois University. Theological, scientific and 
preparatory departments are maintained, al- 
though there is no classical course. The insti- 
tution is under control of the German Lutherans. 
The institution reports §125,000 worth of real 
property. The members of the Faculty (1898) 
are five in number, and there were about 171 
students in attendance. 

CONDEE, Leander D., lawyer, was born in 
Athens County, Ohio, Sept. 26, 1817; brought 
by his parents to Coles County, 111. , at the age of 
seven years, and received his education in the 
common schools and at St. Paul's Academy, Kan- 
kakee, taking a special course in Michigan State 
University and graduating from the law depart- 
ment of the latter in 1868. He then began prac- 
tice at Butler, Bates County, Mo., where he 
served three years as City Attorney, but, in 1873, 
returned to Illinois, locating in Hyde Park (now 
a part of Chicago), where he served as City 
Attorney for four consecutive terms before its 
annexation to Chicago. In 1880, he was elected 
as a Republican to the State Senate for the 
Second Senatorial District, serving in the Thirty- 
second and the Thirty-third General Assemblies. 
In 1892, he was the Republican nominee for Judge 
of the Superior Court of Cook County, but was 
defeated with the National and the State tickets 
of that year, since when he has given his atten- 
tion to regular practice, maintaining a high rank 
in his profession. 

CONGER, Edwin Kurd, lawyer and diploma- 
tist, was born in Knox County, 111., March 7, 1843; 
graduated at Lombard University, Galesburg, in 
1862. and immediately thereafter enlisted as a 



private in the One Hundred and Second Illinois 
Volunteers, serving through the war and attain- 
ing the rank of Captain, besides being brevetted 
Major for gallant service. Later, he graduated 
from the Albany Law School and practiced for a 
time in Galesburg, but, in 1868, removed to Iowa, 
where he engaged in farming, stock-raising and 
banking ; was twice elected County Treasurer of 
Dallas County, and, in 1880, State Treasurer, 
being re-elected in 1882; in 1886, was elected to 
Congress from the Des Moines District, and twice 
re-elected (1888 and '90), but before the close of 
his last term was appointed by President Harri- 
son Minister to Brazil, serving until 1893. In 
1896, he served as Presidential Elector for the 
State-at-large, and, in 1897, was re-appointed 
Minister to Brazil, but, in 1898, was transferred 
to China, where (1899) he now is. He was suc- 
ceeded at Rio Janeiro by Charles Page Bryan of 
Illinois. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS, THE. Two Congre- 
gational ministers — Rev. S. J. Mills and Rev. 
Daniel Smith — visited Illinois in 1814, and spent 
some time at Kaskaskia and Shawneetown, but 
left for New Orleans without organizing any 
churches. The first church was organized at 
Mendon, Adams County, in 1833, followed bj 
others during the same year, at Naperville, Jack- 
sonville and Quincy. By 1836, the number had 
increased to ten. Among the pioneer ministers 
were Jabez Porter, who was also a teacher at 
Quincy, in 1828, and Rev. Asa Turner, in 1830, 
who became pastor of the first Quincy church, 
followed later by Revs. Julian M. Sturtevant 
(afterwards President of Illinois College), Tru- 
man M. Post, Edward Beecher and Horatio Foci: 
Other Congregational ministers who came to t^e 
State at an early day were Rev. Salmon Gridley, 
who finally located at St. Louis; Rev. John M. 
Ellis, who served as a missionary and was instru- 
mental in founding Illinois College and the Jack- 
sonville Female Seminary at Jacksonville; Revs. 
Thomas Lippincott, Cyrus L. Watson, Theron 
Baldwin, Elisha Jenney, William Kirby, the two 
Lovejoys (Owen and Elijah P.), and many more 
of whom, either temporarily or permanently, 
became associated with Presbyterian churches. 
Although Illinois College was under the united 
patronage of Presbyterians and Congregational - 
ists, the leading spirits in its original establish- 
ment were Congregationalists, and the same was 
true of Knox College at Galesburg. In 1835, at 
Big Grove, in an unoccupied log-cabin, was 
convened the first Congregational Council, known 
in the denominational history of the State as 



110 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



that of Fox River. Since then some twelve to 
fifteen separate Associations have been organized. 
By 1890, the development of the denomination 
had been such that it had 280 churches, support- 
ing 312 ministers, with 33,126 members. During 
that year the disbursements on account of chari- 
ties and home extension, by the Illinois churches, 
were nearly §1 , 000, 000. The Chicago Theological 
Seminary, at Chicago, is a Congregational school 
of divinity, its property holdings being worth 
nearly §700,000. "The Advance'* (published at 
Chicago) is the chief denominational organ. 
(See also Religious Denominations.) 

CONGRESSIONAL APPORTIONMENT. (See 
Apportionment, Congressional; also Represent- 
atives in Congress.) 

CONKLING, James Cook, lawyer, was born in 
New York City, Oct. 13, 1816 ; graduated at Prince- 
ton College in 1835, and, after studying law and 
being admitted to the bar at Morristown, N. J., in 
1838, removed to Springfield, 111. Here his first 
business partner was Cyrus Walker, an eminent 
and widely known lawyer of his time, while at a 
later period he was associated with Gen. James 
Shields, afterwards a soldier of the Mexican War 
and a United States Senator, at different times, 
from three different States. As an original 
Whig, Mr. Conkling early became associated 
with Abraham Lincoln, whose intimate and 
trusted friend he was through life. It was to 
him that Mr. Lincoln addressed his celebrated 
letter, which, by his special request, Mr. Conk- 
ling read before the great Union mass-meeting at 
Springfield, held, Sept. 3, 1863, now known as the 
"Lincoln-Conkling Letter." Mr. Conkling was 
chosen Mayor of the city of Springfield in 1844, 
and served in the lower branch of the Seven- 
teenth and the Twenty-fifth General Assemblies. 
(1851 and 1867). It was largely due to his tactful 
management in the latter, that the first appropri- 
ation was made for the new State House, which 
established the capital permanently in that city. 
At the Bloomington Convention of 1856, where 
the Republican party in Illinois may be said to 
have been formally organized, with Mr. Lincoln 
and three others, he represented Sangamon 
County, served on the Committee on Resolutions, 
and was appointed a member of the State Central 
Committee which conducted the campaign of 
that year. In 1860, and again in 1864, his name 
was on the Republican State ticket for Presiden- 
tial Elector, and, on both occasions, it became his 
duty to cast the electoral vote of Mr. Lincoln's 
own District for him for President. The intimacy 
of personal friendship existing between him and 



Mr. Lincoln was fittingly illustrated by his posi 
tion for over thirty years as an original member 
of the Lincoln Monument Association. Other 
public positions held by him included those of 
State Agent during the Civil War by appointment 
of Governor Yates, Trustee of the State University 
at Champaign, and of Blackburn University at 
Carlinville. as also that of Postmaster of the city 
of Springfield, to which he was appointed in 1890, 
continuing in office four years. High-minded 
and honorable, of pure personal character and 
strong religious convictions, public-spirited and 
liberal, probably no man did more to promote 
the growth and prosperity of the city of Spring- 
field, during the sixty years of his residence there, 
than he. His death, as a result of old age, 
occurred in that city, March 1, 1899. — Clinton L. 
(Conkling), son of the preceding, was born in 
Springfield, Oct. 16, 1843; graduated at Yale 
College in 1864, studied law with his father, and 
was licensed to practice in the Illinois courts in 
1866, and in the United States courts in 1867. 
After practicing a few years, he turned his atten 
tion to manufacturing, but. in 1877, resumed 
practice and has proved successful. He has 
devoted much attention of late years to real 
estate business, and has represented large land 
interests in this and other States. For many 
years he was Secretary of the Lincoln Monument 
Association, and has served on the Board of 
County Supervisors, which is the only political 
office he has held. In 1897 he was the Repub 
lican nominee for Judge of the Springfield Cir- 
cuit, but, although confessedly a man of the 
highest probity and ability, was defeated in a 
district overwhelmingly Democratic. 

CONNOLLY, James Austin, lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born in Newark, N. J., March 8, 
1843; went with his parents to Ohio in 1850, 
where, in 1858-59, he served as Assistant Clerk of 
the State Senate ; studied law and was admitted 
to the bar in that State in 1861, and soon after 
removed to Illinois; the following year (1862) he 
enlisted as a private soldier in the One Hundred 
and Twenty-third Illinois Volunteers, but was 
successively commissioned as Captain and Major, 
retiring with the rank of brevet Lieutenant- 
Colonel. In 1872 he was elected Representative 
in the State Legislature from Coles County and 
re-elected in 1874; was United States District 
Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois 
from 1876 to 1885, and again from 1889 to 1893; 
in 1886 was appointed and confirmed Solicitor of 
the Treasury, but declined the office; the same 
year ran as the Republican candidate for Con- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



117 



gress in the Springfield (then the Thirteenth) 
District in opposition to Wm. M. Springer, and 
was defeated hy less than 1,000 votes in a district 
usually Democratic by 3,000 majority. He 
declined a second nomination in 1888, but, in 1894, 
was nominated for a third time (this time for the 
Seventeenth District), and was elected, as he was 
for a second term in 1896. He declined a renomina- 
tion in 1S98, returning to the practice of his pro- 
fession at Springfield at the close of the Fifty-fifth 
Congress. 

CONSTABLE, Charles H., lawyer, was born at 
Chestertown, Md.,July 6, 1817; educated at Belle 
Air Academy and the University of Virginia, 
graduating from the latter in 1838. Then, having 
studied law, he was admitted to the bar, came to 
Illinois early in 1840, locating at Mount Carmel, 
Wabash County, and, in 1844, was elected to the 
State Senate for the district composed of Wabash, 
Edwards and Wayne Counties, serving until 1848. 
He also served as a Delegate in the Constitutional 
Convention of 1847. Originally a Whig, on the 
dissolution of that party in 1854, he became a 
Democrat; in 1856, served as Presidential 
Elector-at-large on the Buchanan ticket and, 
during the Civil War, was a pronounced oppo- 
nent of the policy of the Government in dealing 
with secession. Having removed to Marshall, 
Clark County, in 1852, he continued the practice 
of his profession there, but was elected Judge of 
the Circuit Court in 1861, serving until his death, 
which occurred, Oct. 9, 1865. While holding 
court at Charleston, in March, 1863, Judge Con- 
stable was arrested because of his release of four 
deserters from the army, and the holding to bail, 
on the charge of kidnaping, of two Union officers 
who had arrested them. He was subsequently 
released by Judge Treat of the United States 
District Court at Springfield, but the affair cul- 
minated in a riot at Charleston, on March 22, in 
which four soldiers and three citizens were killed 
outright, and eight persons were wounded. 

CONSTITUTIONAL CONTENTIONS. Illinois 
has had four - State Conventions called for the 
purpose of formulating State Constitutions. Of 
these, three— those of 1818, 1847 and 1869-70— 
adopted Constitutions which went into effect, 
while the instrument framed by the Convention 
of 1862 was rejected by the people. A synoptical 
history of each will be found below : 

Convention of 1818.— In January, 1818, the 
Territorial Legislature adopted a resolution 
instructing the Delegate in Congress (Hon. 
Nathaniel Pope) to present a petition to Congress 
requesting the passage of an act authorizing the 



people of Illinois Territory to organize a State 
Government. A bill to this effect was intro- 
duced, April 7, and became a law, April 18, follow- 
ing. It authorized the people to frame a 
Constitution and organize a State Government — 
apportioning the Delegates to be elected from 
each of the fifteen counties into which the Ter- 
ritory was then divided, naming the first Monday 
of July, following, as the day of election, and the 
first Monday of August as the time for the meet- 
ing of the Convention. The act was conditioned 
upon a census of the people of the Territory (to 
be ordered by the Legislature), showing a popu- 
lation of not less than 40,000. The census, as 
taken, showed the required population, but, as 
finally corrected, this was reduced to 34,620 — 
being the smallest with which any State was ever 
admitted into the Union. The election took 
place on July 6, 1818, and the Convention assem- 
bled at Kaskaskia on August 3. It consisted of 
thirty-three members. Of these, a majority were 
farmers of limited education, but with a fair 
portion of hard common-sense. Five of the 
Delegates were lawyers, and these undoubtedly 
wielded a controlling influence. Jesse B. 
Thomas (afterwards one of the first United 
States Senators) presided, and Elias Kent Kane, 
also a later Senator, was among the dominating 
spirits. It has been asserted that to the latter 
should be ascribed whatever new matter was 
incorporated in the instrument, it being copied 
in most of its essential provisions from the Con- 
stitutions of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. The 
Convention completed its labors and adjourned, 
August 26, the Constitution was submitted to 
Congress by Delegate John McLean, without the 
formality of ratification by the people, and Illi- 
nois was admitted into the Union as a State by 
resolution of Congress, adopted Dec. 3, 1818. 

Convention of 1847.— An attempt was made in 
1822 to obtain a revision of the Constitution of 
1818, the object of the chief promoters of the 
movement being to secure the incorporation of a 
provision authorizing the admission of slavery 
into Illinois. The passage of a resolution, by the 
necessary two-thirds vote of both Houses of the 
General Assembly, submitting the proposition to 
a vote of the people, was secured by the most 
questionable methods, at the session of 1822, but 
after a heated campaign of nearly two years, it 
was rejected at the election of 1824. (See 
Slavery and Slave Laws: also Coles, Edward.) 
At the session of 1840-41, another resolution on 
the subject was submitted to the people, but it 
was rejected by the narrow margin of 1,039 



118 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



votes. Again, in 1845, the question was submit- 
ted, and, at the election of 1846, was approved. 
The election of delegates occurred, April 19, 1847, 
and the Convention met at Springfield, June 19, 
following. It was composed of 162 members, 
ninety-two of whom were Democrats. The list 
of Delegates embraced the names of many who 
afterwards attained high distinction in public 
affairs, and the body, as a whole, was represent- 
ative in character. The Bill of Rights attached 
to the Constitution of 1818 was but little changed 
in its successor, except by a few additions, 
among which was a section disqualifying any 
person who had been concerned in a duel from 
holding office. The earlier Constitution, how- 
ever, was carefully revised and several important 
changes made. Among these may be mentioned 
the following: Limiting the elective franchise 
for foreign-born citizens to those who had 
become naturalized ; making the judiciary elect- 
ive; requiring that all State officers be elected 
by the people ; changing the time of the election 
of the Executive, and making him ineligible for 
immediate re-election; various curtailments of 
the power of the Legislature; imposing a two- 
mill tax for payment of the State debt, and pro- 
viding for the establishment of a sinking fund. 
The Constitution framed was adopted in conven- 
tion, August 31, 1847; ratified by popular vote, 
March 6, 1848, and went into effect, April 1, 1848. 
Convention of 1862. — The proposition for 
holding a third Constitutional Convention was 
submitted to vote of the people by the Legislature 
of 1859, endorsed at the election of 1860, and the 
election of Delegates held in November, 1861. In 
the excitement attendant upon the early events 
of the war, people paid comparatively littlo 
attention to the choice of its members. It was 
composed of forty-five Democrats, twenty-one 
Republicans, seven "fusionists" and two classed 
as doubtful. The Convention assembled at 
Springfield on Jan. 7, 1862, and remained in ses- 
sion until March 24, following. It was in many 
respects a remarkable body. The law providing 
for its existence prescribed that the members, 
before proceeding to business, should take an 
oath to support the State Constitution. This the 
majority refused to do. Their conception of 
their powers was such that they seriously deliber- 
ated upon electing a United States Senator, 
assumed to make appropriations from the State 
treasury, claimed the right to interfere with 
military affairs, and called upon the Governor 
for information concerning claims of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, which the Executive refused to 



lay before them. The instrument drafted pro- 
posed numerous important changes in the organic 
law, and was generally regarded as objectionable. 
It was rejected at an election held, June 17, 1862, 
by a majority of over 16,000 votes. 

Convention of 1869-70. — The second attempt 
to revise the Constitution of 1848 resulted in 
submission to the people, by the Legislature of 
1867, of a proposition for a Convention, which was 
approved at the election of 1868 by a bare major- 
ity of 704 votes. The election of Delegates was 
provided for at the next session (1869), the elec- 
tion held in November and the Convention 
assembled at Springfield, Dec. 13. Charles 
Hitchcock was chosen President, John Q. Har- 
mon, Secretary, and Daniel Shepard and A. H. 
Swain, First and Second Assistants. There were 
eighty-five members, of whom forty-four were 
Republicans and forty-one Democrats, although 
fifteen had been elected nominally as "Independ- 
ents." It was an assemblage of some of the 
ablest men of the State, including representatives 
of all the learned professions except the clerical, 
besides merchants, farmers, bankers and journal- 
ists. Its work was completed May 13, 1870, and 
in the main good. Some of the principal changes 
made in the fundamental law, as proposed by the 
Convention, were the following: The prohibi- 
tion of special legislation where a general law 
may be made to cover the necessities of the case, 
and the absolute prohibition of such legislation 
in reference to divorces, lotteries and a score of 
other matters ; prohibition of the passage of any 
law releasing any civil division (district, county, 
city, township or town) from the payment of its 
just proportion' of any State tax; recommenda- 
tions to the Legislature to enact laws upon 
certain specified subjects, such as liberal home- 
stead and exemption rights, the construction of 
drains, the regulation of charges on railways 
(which were declared to be public highways), 
etc., etc. ; declaring all elevators and storehouses 
public warehouses, and providing for their legis- 
lative inspection and supervision. The mainte- 
nance of an "efficient system of public schools" 
was made obligatory upon the Legislature, and 
the appropriation of any funds — State, municipal, 
town or district — to the support of sectarian 
schools was prohibited. The principle of cumu- 
lative voting, or "minority representation," in 
the choice of members of the House of Represent- 
atives was provided for, and additional safe 
guards thrown around the passage of bills. The 
ineligibility of the Governor to re-election for a 
second consecutive term was set aside, and a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



119 



two-thirds vote of the Legislature made necessary 
to override an executive veto. The list of State 
officers was increased by the creation of the 
offices of Attorney-General and Superintendent 
of Public. Instruction, these having been previ- 
ously provided for only by statute. The Supreme 
Court bench was increased by the addition of 
four members, making the whole number of 
Supreme Court judges seven ; Appellate Courts 
authorized after 1874, and County Courts were 
made courts of record. The compensation of all 
State officers — executive, judicial and legislative 
— was left discretionary with the Legislature, 
and no limit was placed upon the length of the 
sessions of the General Assembly. The instru- 
ment drafted by the Convention was ratified at 
an election held, July 6, 1870, and went into force, 
August 8, following. Occasional amendments 
have been submitted and ratified from time to 
time. (See Constitutions, Elections and Repre- 
sentation; also Minority Representation.) 

CONSTITUTIONS. Illinois has had three con- 
stitutions — that of 1870 being now (1898) in force. 
The earliest instrument was that approved by 
Congress in 1818, and the first revision was made 
in 1847 — the Constitution having been ratified at 
an election held, March 5, 1848, and going into 
force, April 1, following. The term of State 
officers has been uniformly fixed at four years, 
except that of Treasurer, which is two years. 
Biennial elections and sessions of the General 
Assembly are provided for, Senators holding their 
seats for four years, and Representatives two 
years. The State is required to be apportioned 
after each decennial census into fifty-one dis- 
tricts, each of which elects one Senator and three 
Representatives. The principle of minority rep- 
resentation has been incorporated into the 
organic law, each elector being allowed to cast as 
many votes for one legislative candidate as there 
are Representatives to be chosen in his district; 
or ho may divide his vote equally among all the 
three candidates or between two of them, as he 
may see fit. One of the provisions of the Consti- 
tution of 1870 is the inhibition of the General 
Assembly from passing private laws. Munici- 
palities are classified, and legislation is for all 
cities of a class, not for an individual corpora- 
tion. Individual citizens with a financial griev- 
ance must secure payment of their claims under 
the terms of some general appropriation. The 
sessions of the Legislature are not limited as to 
time, nor is there an} T restriction upon the power 
of the Executive to summon extra sessions. 
(See also Constitutional Conventions; Elections; 



Governors and other State Officers; Judicial 
System; Suffrage, Etc. ) 

COOK, Burton C, lawyer and Congressman, 
was born in Monroe County, N. Y., May 11, 1819; 
completed his academic education at the Collegi- 
ate Institute in Rochester, and after studying 
law, removed to Illinois (1835), locating first at 
Hennepin and later at Ottawa. Here he began 
the practice of his profession, and, in 1846, was 
elected by the Legislature State's Attorney for 
the Ninth Judicial District, serving two years, 
when, in 1848, he was re-elected by the people 
under the Constitution of that year, for four 
years. From 1852 to 18G0, he was State Senator, 
taking part in the election which resulted in 
making Lyman Trumbull United States Senator 
in 1855. In 1861 he served as one of the Peace 
Commissioners from Illinois in the Conference 
which met at Washington. He may be called 
one of the founders of the Republican party in 
this State, having been a member of the State 
Central Committee appointed at Bloomington in 
1856, and Chairman of the State Central Com- 
mittee in 1862. In 1864, he was elected to Con- 
gress, and re-elected in 1866, '68 and '70, but 
resigned in 1871 to accept the solicitorship of the 
Northwestern Railroad, which he resigned in 
1886. He was an intimate friend of Abraham 
Lincoln, serving as a delegate to both the National 
Conventions which nominated him for the Presi- 
dency, and presenting his name at Baltimore in 
1864. His death occurred at Evanston, August 
18, 1894. 

COOK, Daniel Pope, early Congressman, was 
born in Scott County, Ky., in 1795, removed to 
Illinois and began the practice of law at Kaskas- 
kia in 1815. Early in 1816, he became joint owner 
and editor of "The Illinois Intelligencer.' and at 
the same time served as Auditor of Public 
Accounts by appointment of Governor Edwards; 
the next year (1817) was sent by President Mon- 
roe as bearer of dispatches to John Quincy Adams, 
then minister to London, and, on his return, was 
appointed a Circuit Judge. On the admission of 
the State he was elected the first Attorney- 
General, but almost immediately resigned and, 
in September, 1819, was elected to Congress, serv- 
ing as Representative until 1827. Having married 
a daughter of Governor Edwards, he became a 
resident of Edwardsville. He was a conspicuous 
opponent of the proposition to make Illinois a 
slave State in 1823-24, and did much to prevent 
the success of that scheme. He also bore a 
prominent part while in Congress in securing the 
donation of lands for the construction of the 



120 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Illinois & Michigan Canal. He was distinguished 
for his eloquence, and it was during his first 
Congressional campaign that stump-speaking was 
introduced into the State. Suffering from 
consumption, he visited Cuba, and. after return- 
ing to his home at Edwardsville and failing to 
improve, he went to Kentucky, where he died, 
Oct. 16, 1827.— John (Cook), soldier, born at 
Edwardsville, 111., June 12. 1825, the son of 
Daniel P. Cook, the second Congressman from 
Illinois, and grandson of Gov. Ninian Edwards, 
was educated by private tutors and at Illinois 
College ; in 1855 was elected Mayor of Springfield 
and the following year Sheriff of Sangamon 
County, later serving as Quartermaster of the 
State. Raising a company promptly after the 
firing on Fort Sumter in 1861, he was commis- 
sioned Colonel of the Seventh Illinois Volunteers 
—the first regiment organized in Illinois under 
the first call for troops by President Lincoln ; was 
promoted Brigadier-General for gallantry at Fort 
Donelson in March, 1862; in 1864 commanded the 
District of Illinois, with headquarters at Spring- 
field, being mustered out, August. 1865, with the 
brevet rank of Major-General. General Cook was 
elected to the lower house of the General Assem- 
bly from Sangamon County, in 186* During 
recent years his home has been in Michigan. 

COOK COUNTY, situated in the northeastern 
section of the State, bordering on Lake Michigan, 
and being the most easterly of the second tier of 
counties south of the Wisconsin State line. It 
has an area of 890 square miles ; population (1890), 
1,191,922; (1900), 1,838,735; county-seat, Chicago. 
The county was organized in 1831, having origi- 
nally embraced the counties of Du Page, Will, 
Lake, McHenry and Iroquois, in addition to its 
present territorial limits. It was named in 
honor of Daniel P. Cook, a distinguished Repre- 
sentative of Illinois in Congress. (See Cook, 
Daniel P.) The first County Commissioners were 
Samuel Miller, Gholson Kercheval and James 
Walker, who took the oath of office before Justice 
John S. C. Hogan, on March 8, 1831. William 
Lee was appointed Clerk and Archibald Cly bourne 
Treasurer. Jedediah Wormley was first County 
Surveyor, and three election districts (Chicago. 
Du Page and Hickory Creek) were created. A 
scow ferry was established across the South 
Branch, with Mark Beaubien as ferryman. Only 
non-residents were required to pay toll. Geolo- 
gists are of the opinion that, previous to the 
glacial epoch, a large portion of the county lay 
under the waters of Lake Michigan, which was 
connected with the Mississippi by the Des Plaines 



River. This theory is borne out by the finding 
of stratified beds of coal and gravel in the eastern 
and southern portions of the county, either under- 
lying the prairies or assuming the form of ridges. 
The latter, geologists maintain, indicate the exist- 
ence of an ancient key, -and they conclude that, 
at one time, the level of the lake was nearly forty 
feet higher than at present. Glacial action is 
believed to have been very effective in establish- 
ing surface conditions in this vicinity. Lime- 
stone and building stone are quarried in tolerable 
abundance. Athens marble (white when taken 
out, but growing a rich yellow through exposure) 
is found in the southwest. Isolated beds of peat 
have also been found. The general surface is 
level, although undulating in some portions. The 
soil near the lake is sandy, but in the interior 
becomes a black mold from one to four feet in 
depth. Drainage is afforded by the Des Plaines, 
Chicago and Calumet Rivers, which is now being 
improved by the construction of the Drainage 
Canal. Manufactures and agriculture are the 
principal industries outside of the city of Chi- 
cago. (See also Chicago.) 

COOK COUJVTY HOSPITAL, located in Chi- 
cago and under control of the Commissioners of 
Cook County. It was originally erected by the 
City of Chicago, at a cost of §80,000, and was 
intended to be used as a hospital for patients 
suffering from infectious diseases. For several 
years the building was unoccupied, but, in 1858, 
it was leased by an association of physicians, who 
opened a hospital, with . the further purpose of 
affording facilities for clinical instruction to the 
students of Rush Medical College. In 1863 the 
building was taken by the General Government 
for military purposes, being used as an eye and 
ear hospital for returning soldiers. In 1865 it 
reverted to the City of Chicago, and, in 1866, was 
purchased by Cook County. In 1874 the County 
Commissioners purchased a new and more spa- 
cious site at a cost of 8145,000, and began the erec- 
tion of buildings thereon. The two principal 
pavilions were completed and occupied before the 
close of 1875; the clinical amphitheater and 
connecting corridors were built in 1876-77, and an 
administrative building and two additional 
pavilions were added in 1882-84. Up to that date 
the total cost of the buildings had been 8719.574, 
and later additions and improvements have 
swelled the outlay to more than 81,000,000. It 
accommodates about 800 patients and constitutes 
a part of the county machinery for the care of 
the poor. A certain number of beds are placed 
under the care of homeopathic physicians. The 



a; 

a 

o 

v. 



CD 

H 





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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



121 



present (1896) allopathic medical staff consists of 
fifteen physicians, fifteen surgeons, one oculist 
and aurist and one pathologist ; the homeopathic 
staff comprises five physicians and five surgeons. 
In addition, there is a large corps of internes, or 
house physicians and surgeons, composed of 
recent graduates from the several medical col- 
leges, who gain their positions through competi- 
tive examination and hold them for eighteen 
months. 

COOKE, Edward Dean, lawyer and Congress- 
man, born in Dubuque County, Iowa, Oct. 17, 
1849; was educated in the common schools and 
the high school of Dubuque; studied law in that 
city and at Columbian University, Washington, 
DC, graduating from that institution with the 
degree of Bachelor of Laws, and was admitted to 
the bar in Washington in 1873. Coming to Chi- 
cago the same year, he entered upon the practice 
of his' profession, which he pursued for the 
remainder of his life. In 1882 he was elected a 
Representative in the State Legislature from 
Cook County, serving one term ; was elected as a 
Republican to the Fifty-fourth Congress for the 
Sixth District (Chicago), in 1894, and re-elected in 
1896. His death occurred suddenly while in 
attendance on the extra session of Congress in 
Washington, June 24, 1897. 

COOLBAUGH, William Findlay, financier, was 
born in Pike County, Pa., July 1, 1821; at the 
age of 15 became clerk in a dry-goods store in 
Philadelphia, but, in 1842, opened a branch 
establishment of a New York firm at Burlington, 
Iowa, where he afterwards engaged in the bank- 
ing business, also serving in the Iowa State 
Constitutional Convention, and, as the candidate 
of his party for United States Senator, being 
defeated by Hon. James Harlan by one vote. In 
1862 he came to Chicago and opened the banking 
house of W. F. Coolbaugh & Co. , which, in 1865, 
became the Union National Bank of Chicago. 
Later he became the first President of the Chi- 
cago Clearing House, as also of the Bankers' 
Association of the West and South, a Director of 
the Board of Trade, and an original incorporator 
of the Chamber of Commerce, besides being a 
member of the State Constitutional Convention 
of 1869-70. His death by suicide, at the foot of 
Douglas Monument, Nov. 14, 1877, was a shock to 
the whole city of Chicago. 

COOLEY, Horace S., Secretary of State, was 
In nil in Hartford, Conn., in 1806, studied medi- 
cine for two years in early life, then -went to Ban- 
gor, Maine, where he began the study of law ; in 
1*4<i he came to Illinois, locating first at Rushville 



and finally in the city of Quincy ; in 1842 took a 
prominent part in the campaign which resulted 
in the election of Thomas Ford as Governor— also 
received from Governor Carlin an appointment as 
Quartermaster-General of the State. On the 
accession of Governor French in December, 1846, 
he was appointed Secretary of State and elected 
to the same office under the Constitution of 1848, 
dying before the expiration of his term, April 2, 
1850. 

CORBUS, (Dr.) J. C, physician, was born in 
Holmes County, Ohio, in 1833, received his pri 
mary education in the public schools, followed 
by an academic course, and began the study of 
medicine at Millersburg, finally graduating from 
the Western Reserve Medical College at Cleve- 
land. In 1855 he began practice at Orville, Ohio, 
but the same year located at Mendota, 111. , soon 
thereafter removing to Lee County, where he 
remained until 1862. The latter year he was 
appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Seventy-fifth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was soon pro- 
moted to the position of Surgeon, though com- 
pelled to resign the following year on account of 
ill health. Returning from the army, he located 
at Mendota. Dr. Corbus served continuously as a 
member of the State Board of Public Charities 
from 1873 until the accession of Governor Altgeld 
to the Governorship in 1893, when he resigned 
He was also, for fifteen years, one of the Medical 
Examiners for his District under the Pension 
Bureau, and has served as a member of the 
Republican State Central Committee for the 
Mendota District. In 1897 he was complimented 
by Governor Tanner by reappointment to the 
State Board of Charities, and was made President 
of the Board. Early in 1899 he was appointed 
Superintendent of the Eastern Hospital for the 
Insane at Kankakee, as successor to Dr. William 
G. Stearns. 

CORNELL, Paul, real estate operator and capi- 
talist, was born of English Quaker ancestry in 
Washington County, N. Y., August 5, 1822; at 9 
years of age removed with his step-father. Dr. 
Barry, to Ohio, and five years later to Adams 
County, 111. Here young Cornell lived the life of 
a farmer, working part of the year to earn money 
to send himself to school the remainder; also 
taught for a time, then entered the office of W. A. 
Richardson, at Rushville, Schuyler County, as a 
law student. In 1845 he came to Chicago, but 
soon after became a student in the law office of 
Wilson & Henderson at Joliet, and was admitted 
to practice in that city. Removing to Chicago in 
1847, he was associated, successively, with the late 



122 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



L. C. P. Freer, Judge James H. Collins and 
Messrs. Skinner & Hoyne ; finally entered into a 
contract with Judge Skinner to perfect the title to 
320 acres of land held under tax-title within the 
present limits of Hyde Park, which he succeeded 
in doing by visiting the original owners, thereby 
securing one-half of the property in his own 
name. He thus became the founder of the village 
of Hyde Park, meanwhile adding to his posses- 
sions other lands, which increased vastly in value. 
He also established a watch factory at Cornell 
(now a part of Chicago), which did a large busi- 
ness until removed to California. Mr. Cornell 
was a member of the first Park Board, and there- 
fore has the credit of assisting to organize Chi- 
cago's extensive park system. 

CORAYIN, Franklin, Congressman, was born at 
Lebanon, Ohio, Jan. 12, 1818, and admitted to the 
bar at the age of 21. While a resident of Ohio he 
served in both Houses of the Legislature, and 
settled in Illinois in 1857, making his home at 
Peru. He was a member of the lower house of 
the Twenty-fourth, Twenty-fifth and Twenty- 
sixth General Assemblies, being Speaker in 1867, 
and again in 1869. In 1872 he was elected to 
Congress as a Republican, but, in 1874, was 
defeated by Alexander Campbell, who made the 
race as an Independent. Died, at Peru, 111., June 
15, 1S79. 

COUCH, James, pioneer hotel-keeper, was born 
at Fort Edward, N. Y. , August 31, 1800; removed 
to Chautauqua County, in the same State, where 
he remained until his twentieth year, receiving a 
fair English education. After engaging succes- 
sively, but with indifferent success, as hotel-clerk, 
stage-house keeper, lumber-dealer, and in the dis- 
tilling business, in 1836, in company with his 
younger brother, Ira, he visited Chicago. They 
both decided to go into business there, first open- 
ing a small store, and later entering upon their 
hotel ventures which proved so eminently suc- 
cessful, and gave, the Tremont House of Chicago 
so wide and enviable a reputation. Mr. Couch 
superintended for his brother Ira the erection, at 
various times, of many large business blocks in 
the city. Upon the death of his brother, in 1857, 
he was made one of the trustees of his estate, and, 
with other trustees, rebuilt the Tremont House 
after the Chicago fire of 1871. In April, 1892, 
while boarding a street car in the central part of 
the city of Chicago, he was run over by a truck, 
receiving injuries which resulted in his death 
the same day at the Tremont House, in the 92d 
year of his age. — Ira (Couch), younger brother of 
the preceding, was born in Saratoga County, 



N. Y., Nov. 22, 1806. At the age of sixteen he 
was apprenticed to a tailor, and, in 1826, set up 
in business on his own account. In 1836, while 
visiting Chicago with his brother James, he 
determined to go into business there. With a 
stock of furnishing goods and tailors' supplies, 
newly bought in New York, a small store was 
opened. This business soon disposed of, Mr. 
Couch, with his brother, obtained a lease of the 
old Tremont House, then a low frame building 
kept as a saloon boarding house. Changed and 
refurnished, this was opened as a hotel. It was 
destroyed by fire in 1839, as was also the larger 
rebuilt structure in 1849. A second time rebuilt, 
and on a much larger and grander scale at a cost 
of 875.00(1, surpassing anything the West had ever 
known before, the Tremont House this time stood 
until the Chicago fire in 1871, when it was again 
destroyed. Mr. Couch at all times enjoyed an 
immense patronage, and was able to accumulate 
(for that time) a large fortune. He purchased 
and improved a large number of business blocks, 
then within the business center of the city. In 
1853 he retired from active business, and, in con- 
sequence of impaired health, chose for the rest of 
his life to seek recreation in travel. In the 
winter of 1857, while with his family in 
Havana, Cuba, he was taken with a fever which 
soon ended his life. His remains now rest in a 
mausoleum of masonry in Lincoln Park, Chi- 
cago. 

COULTERVILLE,a town of Randolph County, 
at the crossing of the Centralia & Chester and 
the St. Louis & Paducah branch Illinois Central 
Railways, 49 miles southeast of St. Louis. Farm- 
ing and coal-mining are the leading industries. 
The town has two banks, two creameries, and a 
newspaper. Population (1890), 598; (1900), 650. 
COUNTIES, UNORGANIZED. (See Unorgan- 
ized Counties.) 

COWDEN, a village of Shelby County, at the 
intersection of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwest- 
ern and the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Rail- 
ways, 60 miles southeast of Springfield. Con- 
siderable coal is mined in the vicinity; has a 
bank and a weekly paper. Population (1880), 
350; (1S90), 702; (1900), 751. 

COWLES, Alfred, newspaper manager, was 
born in Portage County, Ohio, May 13, 1832, grew 
up on a farm and, after spending some time at 
Michigan University, entered the office of "The 
Cleveland Leader" as a clerk; in 1855 accepted a 
similar position on "The Chicago Tribune," which 
had just been bought by Joseph Medill and 
others, finallv becoming a stockholder and busi- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



123 



ness manager of the paper, so remaining until his 
death in Chicago, Dec. 20, 1889. 

COX, Thomas, pioneer, Senator in the First 
General Assembly of Illinois (1818-22) from Union 
County, and a conspicuous figure in early State 
history ; was a zealous advocate of the policy of 
making Illinois a slave State ; became one of the 
original proprietors and founders of the city of 
Springfield, and was appointed the first Register 
of the Land Office there, but was removed under 
charges of misconduct ; after his retirement from 
the Land Office, kept a hotel at Springfield. In 
1836 he removed to Iowa (then a part of Wiscon- 
sin Territory), became a member of the first 
Territorial Legislature there, was twice re-elected 
and once Speaker of the House, being prominent 
in 1840 as commander of the "Regulators" who 
drove out a gang of murderers and desperadoes 
who had got possession at Bellevue, Iowa. Died, 
at Maquoketa, Iowa, 1843. 

COT, Irus, lawyer, was born in Chenango 
County, N. Y., July 25, 1832; educated in the 
common schools and at Central College, Cortland 
County, N. Y., graduating in law at Albany in 
1857. Then, having removed to Illinois, he 
located in Kendall County and began practice ; in 
1868 was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly and, in 1872, served as Presidential 
Elector on the Republican ticket; removed to 
Chicago in 1871, later serving as attorney of the 
Union Stock Yards and Transit Company. Died, 
in Chicago, Sept. 20, 1897. 

CRAFTS, Clayton E., legislator and politician, 
born at Auburn, Geauga County, Ohio, July 8, 
1848; was educated at Hiram College and gradu- 
ated from the Cleveland Law School in 1868, 
coming to Chicago in 1869. Mr. Crafts served in 
seven consecutive sessions of the General Assem- 
bly (1883-95, inclusive) as Representative from 
Cook County, and was elected by the Democratic 
majority as Speaker, in 1891, and again in '93. 

CRAIG, Alfred M., jurist, was born in Edgar 
County, 111., Jan. 15/1831, graduated from Knox 
College in 1853, and was admitted to the bar in 
the following year, commencing practice at 
Knoxville. He held the offices of State's 
Attorney and County Judge, and represented 
Knox County in the Constitutional Convention 
of 1869-70. In 1873 he was elected to the bench 
of the Supreme Court, as successor to Justice 
C. B. Lawrence, and was re-elected in '82 and 
'91 ; his present term expiring with the century. 
He is a Democrat in politics, but has been 
three times elected in a Republican judicial 
district. 



CRAWFORD, Charles H., lawyer and legisla- 
tor, was born in Bennington, Vt., but reared in 
Bureau and La Salle Counties, 111. ; lias practiced 
law for twenty years in Chicago, and been three 
times elected to the State Senate — 1884, '88 and 
'94 — and is author of the Crawford Primary Elec- 
tion Law, enacted in 1885. 

CRAWFORD COUNTY, a southeastern county, 
bordering on the Wabash, 190 miles nearly due 
south of Chicago — named for William H. Craw- 
ford, a Secretary of War. It has an area of 452 
square miles; population (1900), 19,240. The 
first settlers were the French, but later came 
emigrants from New England. The soil is rich 
and well adapted to the production of corn and 
wheat, which are the principal crops. The 
county was organized in 1817, Darwin being 
the first county-seat. The present county-seat 
is Robinson, with a population (1890) of 1,387; 
centrally located and the point of intersection of 
two railroads. Other towns of importance are 
Palestine (population, 734)andHutsonville (popu- 
lation, 582). The latter, as well as Robinson, is 
a grain-shipping point. The Embarras River 
crosses the southwest portion of the county, and 
receives the waters of Big and Honey Creeks and 
Bushy Fork. The county has no mineral 
resources, but contains some valuable woodland 
and many well cultivated farms. Tobacco, 
potatoes, sorghum and wool are among the lead- 
ing products. 

CREAL SPRINGS, a village of Williamson 
Count} - , on the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute 
Railroad ; has a bank and a weekly paper. Popu- 
lation (1890), 539; (1900), 940. 

CREBS, John M., ex-Congressman, was born in 
Middleburg, Loudoun County, Va., April 7, 1830. 
When he was but 7 years old his parents removed 
to Illinois, where he ever after resided. At the 
age of 21 he began the study of law, and, in 1852, 
was admitted to the bar, beginning practice in 
White County. In 1862 he enlisted in the 
Eighty-seventh Illinois Volunteers, receiving a 
commission as Lieutenant-Colonel, participating 
in all the important movements in the Mississippi 
Valley, including the capture of Vicksburg, and 
in the Arkansas campaign, a part of the time 
commanding a brigade. Returning home, he 
resumed the practice of his profession. In 1806 
he was an unsuccessful candidate for State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction on the 
Democratic ticket. He was elected to Congress 
in 1868 and re-elected in 1870, and, in 1880, was a 
delegate to the Democratic State Convention 
Died, June 26, 1890. 



KM 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



CRPMiM'l'ON. .laiiics A., jurist . was born in 
White County, 111 . March 7, L846; in ohildhood 
removed with his parents to Wayne County, and 
was educated in the schools at Fairfield and at 
the Southern Illinois College, Salem, graduating 
from the latter in 1868, After teaching for a 
time while studying law, he was admitted to the 
bar in 1*70, and opened an olliee at Fairfield, but, 
in is, 7. removed to Springfield. In L885 he was 
elected a Circuit Judge for the Springfield Cir- 
cuit, was re-elected in 1891 and again in 1S9T. 

CRERAR, John, inanufact urer and philanthro- 
pist, was horn of Scotch ancestry in New York 
City, in IS'.'?; at IS years Of age was an employe 

of .in iron-importing firm in that city, subse- 
quently aocepting a position with Morris K. 
Jessup & Co., in the same line Coming to 
Chicago in Isti°, in partnership with .1. McGregor 

Clams, he succeeded to t he business of Jessup & 

Co., in thai city, also becoming a partner in the 
\>ianis & Westlake Company, iron manufactur- 
ers. He also became interested and an official in 
hi. us other business organizations, including 
the Pullman Palace Car Company, the Chicago 
& Alton Railroad, the Illinois Trust and Savings 
Bank, and, for a time, was President of the Chi- 
cago & Joliet Railroad, besides being identified 
with various benevolent institutions and associ- 
ations, \flcr the lire of 1871, limns intrusted 
by the New York Chamber of Commerce with 

the custody of funds sent for the relief of suffer 

ers by that calamity. 1 1 is integrity and business 
sagacity were universally recognized. After his 
death, which occurred in Chicago, Oct. I!', 
1889, it was found that, after making munificent 

bequests to some twenty religious and benevolent 

associations ami enterprises, aggregating nearly 
a million dollars, besides liberal legacies to 
relatives, he had left the residue of his estate, 
amounting to some $2,000,000, for the purpose of 
founding a public library in the city of Chicago. 
Darning thirteen of his most, intimate friends as 
the first Hoard of Trustees. No more fitting and 
lasting monument of so noble and public-spirited 
a man could have been <lc\ is,, I. 

CRETE, a village of Will County, on the Chi 
cago \ Eastern Illinois Railroad, 80 miles south 
oi Chicago. Population (1890), 643; (1900), 760 

CROOK, George, sol, Her, was bom near Day- 
ton, Ohio. Sept s. L828; graduated at the United 

States Military Academy. West. Point, in 1852, and 

was assigned as brevet Second Lieutenant to the 
Fourth Infantry, becoming full Second Lieuten- 
ant in 1858. In 1861 he entered the volunteer 

service as Colonel Of the Thirty-sixth Ohio Infan- 



try; was promoted Brigadier-General in 1862 and 
Major-General in 1864, being mustered out of the 
service, January, 1866. During the war he 

participated in some of the most important 
battles in West Virginia and Tennessee, fought, at 
Chiokamauga and Aiitietam, and commanded 
the cavalry in the advance on Kicfimond in the 
spring of 1865. On being mustered out of the 
volunteer service hi' returned to the regular 
army, was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Twenty-third Infantry, and, for several years, was 
engaged in campaigns against the hostile Indians 
in the Northwest and in Arizona. In ISSN he 
was appointed Major-General and, from that time 
to his death, was in command of the Military 
Division of the Missouri, with headquarters at 
Cln, ago. where he died, March 19, 18',)0. 

CROSIAR, Simon, pioneer, was born near 
Pittsburg. Pa., in the latter part of the last 
century; removed to Ohio in 1815 and to Illinois 
in 1S|!I, settling first at Cap an Oris, a French 
village on the Mississippi just above the month 
of the Illinois in what is now Calhoun County; 
later lived at Peoria (1824), at Ottawa (1826), at 
Shipping-port near the present city of La Salle 
(1829), and at Old Utica (1884); in the mean- 
while built one or two mills on Cedar Creek in 
La Salle County, kept a storage and commission 
house, and, for a time, acted as Captain of a 
steamboat plying on the Illinois. Died, in 1846. 

CRYSTAL LAKE, a village in McHenry 
County, at the intersection of two divisions of 
the Chicago ,v Northwestern Railway, 43 miles 
northwest of Chicago. Population (1880), 546; 
(1890), 7si : (1900), 950. 

CUBA, a town in Fulton County, distant 38 
miles west-southwest of Peoria, and about 8 miles 
north of Lewistown. The entire region (includ 
ing the town) is underlaid with a good quality of 
bituminous coal, of which the late State Geologist 
Wort hen asserted that, in seven townships of 
Fulton County, there are 9,000,000 tons to the 
square mile, within 150 feet of the surface. Brick 
and cigars are made here, and the town has two 
banks, a newspaper, three churches and good 
schools. Population (\SW). 1,114; (1900), 1,198; 
(1908, school census). 1.400. 

CULLEJf, William, editor and Congressman, 

born in the north of Ireland. March 4. 1826; while 
yet a child was brought by his parents to Pitts 
burg. Pa., where he was educated in the public 
schools. At the age of 20 he removed to 
I.a Salle County, 111, and began life as a farmer. 
Later he took up his resilience at Ottawa. He 

has served as Sheriff of La Salle ( Jounty, and lie Id 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF [LLINOIS. 



125 



oilier 1 ' >< ■ : 1 1 offices, Hti'l was for many years a pari 

owner and senior editor of "The Ottawa Repub 
1 i ' -; i r i " Prom i SH l to 1885, as a Republican, he 
represented the Eighth Illinois District in Con- 
gress. 

CULLOM, Richard Nortlirraft, fanner and 
legislator, was born in the State <>r Maryland, 
October I, 1795, but early removed to Wayne 
('ounty, Ky., where lie was married to Miss 
Elizabet h I 'offey, a native of North < 'arolina. In 
1880 Ik- removed to Illinois, settling near Wash- 
ington, Tazewell < 'ounty, when- In- continued to 
reside during the remainder of his life. A [though 
a farmer by vocation, Mr. Oullom was a man of 
prominence and a recognized leader in public 
affairs. In 1830 he was elected as a Whig Repre- 
i niative in the Tenth General .Assembly, Berving 
in the same body with Abraham Lincoln, of 

w 1 1' .in lie was an intimate personal and political 
friend. In l s lu he was chosen a member of the 
State Senate Berving in the Twelfth and Thir- 
teenth fo'iieral \ssemblies, and, in 1852, was 
again elected to the House. Mr. Cullom's death 
occurred in Tazewell ('ounty, Dec. I, 1872, his 
wife bavin"; died Dec. 5, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. 
Oullom were the parents of lion. Shelby M. 
< lullom. 

CULLOM, Shelby .Moore, United States Sena- 
tor, was horn in Wayne < 'ounty, Ky., Nov. 22, 
!8'J!i. His parents removed to Tazewell County, 

111., in 1*30, where his father 1 umi-a member 

of the Legislature am I at t a i ne. I prominence as a 
public man. After two years spent in Rock 
River Seminary at Mount Morris, varied by some 
experience as a teacher, in 1*",:: the subject of 
I his sketch went to Springfield to enter upon the 
study of law in the office of Stuart & Edwards. 
Being admitted to the bar two years afterward, 
he was almost immediately elected City Attor- 
ney, and, in 18r>o, was a candidate on the Fill- 
more ticket for Presidential Elector, at the same 

lime being elected to the Twentieth General 
Assembly tor Sangamon County, as he was again. 
as a Republican, in 1860, being supported alike by 
the Fillmore men and the I ree-Soilers. At the 
II following the latter election lie was 
chosen Speaker of the House, which was his first 
important political recognition. Iii 1862 he was 
appointed by President Lincoln a member Of the 
War Claims Commie ion al < lairo, serving in this 
capacity with Governor Boutwell of Massachu- 
setts and ( iharleS A. Dana of New York. He was 

a candidate for i he State Senate the 
hut then sustained his only defeat. Two 
later (1864 is a candidate for I Ion 



gress, defeating hi former preceptor, Hon. John 
T. Stuart, being re-elected in 1866, and again in 
1868, the latter year over B. S Edwards. He 
was a delegate to the National Republican Con- 
vention of 1872, and, as Chairman of the Illinois 

delegation, placed Ceneru I (Irani in m nation 

for the Presidency, holding I he game position 
again in 1884 and in 1m!i~; was elected |o the Illi- 
nois House of Represent iti in Viand in 1874, 
being chosen Speaker a. second time in 1ST:;, .1 h. 
was the unanimous choice of his party for 
Speaker again in 1875; in 187<> was elected (h,v 
ernor. was re-eiected in 1880, and, in 1883, elected 
to the United Stati 9 Senate as successor to Hon, 
David Davis. Having had 1 « o re-elections since 
(1889 and '95), he is now serving his third term, 
which will expire in 1901. In 189*, by special 
appointment of President McKinley. Sei 
Cullom served upon a Commission to investigate 
the condition of the Hawaiian Islands and 
report a plan of government for this new division 
of the American Republic. Other important 
measures with which his name has been promi 
iienllv identified have been the laws for the sup 
pression of polygamy in Utah and for the creat ion 
ol the Inter-State Commerce Commission. At, 
present he is Chairman of the Senate Committee 
on Inter-State Commerce and a member of the e 
on Appropriations and foreign Affairs, His 
career has been conspicuous for hi long public 
service, the large number of important off 
which he has held, the almost unbroken uniform- 
it}' of his success when a candidate, and his com- 
plete exemption from scandal-, of every sort. No 
man in the history of the State has been more 
frequently elected to the United state. Senate 

and only three —Senators Douglas, Trumbull 
Logan— for an equal numbei of term . though 
only one of these (Senator Trumbull) lived to 
serve out the full period for which he was 
elected. 

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, situated in the 
southeast quarter of the State, directly south of 
Coles County, from which it was cut off in 1842. 
Its area is 350 square miles and population (1900) 
16,124. The county-seat was at Oreenup until 
1855, when it was transferred to Prairie ' 
which was laid off in 1854 and incorporated as a 

town in 1866. The present county-seal is at 
Toledo (population 1890, 676) The Embarras 
River crosses the county, as do also three lines of 
railroad Neoga, a mining town, has a popula- 
tion of 829. The county received its name from 
the Cumberland Road, which, as originally pro 

i through it. 



126 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



CUMMINS, (Rev.) David, Bishop of the Re- 
formed Protestant Episcopal Church, was 
born near Smyrna, Del., Dec. 11, 1822; gradu- 
ated at Dickinson College, Pa., in 1841, and 
became a licentiate in the Methodist ministry, 
but, in 1846, took orders in the Episcopal 
Church; afterwards held rectorships in Balti- 
more, Norfolk, Richmond and the Trinity 
Episcopal Church of Chicago, in 1866 being con- 
secrated Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of 
Kentucky. As a recognized leader of the Low- 
Church or Evangelical party, he early took issue 
with the ritualistic tendencies of the High-Church 
party, and, having withdrawn from the Episcopal 
Church in 1873, became the first Bishop of the 
Reformed Episcopal organization. He was zeal- 
ous, eloquent and conscientious, but overtaxed his 
strength in his new field of labor, dying at Luth- 
erville, Md., June 26, 1876. A memoir of Bishop 
Cummins, by his wife, was publishedin 1878. 

CUMULATIVE VOTE. (See Minority Repre- 
sentation.) 

CURTIS, Harvey, clergyman and educator, was 
born in Adams, Jefferson County, N. Y., May 30, 
1806-, graduated at Middlebury College, Vt., in 
1831, with the highest honors of his class; after 
three years at Princeton Theological Seminary, 
was ordained pastor of the Congregational 
church at Brandon, Vt., in 1836. In 1841 he 
accepted an appointment as agent of the Home 
Missionary Society for Ohio and Indiana, between 
1843 and 1858 holding pastorates at Madison, 
Ind., and Chicago. In the latter year he was 
chosen President of Knox College, at Galesburg, 
dying there, Sept. 18, 1862. 

CURTIS, William Elroy, journalist, was born 
at Akron. Ohio, Nov. 5, 1850; graduated at 
Western Reserve College in 1871, meanwhile 
learning the art of typesetting; later served as a 
reporter on "The Cleveland Leader" and, in 1872, 
took a subordinate position on "The Chicago 
Inter Ocean," finally rising to that of managing- 
editor. While on "The Inter Ocean" he accom- 
panied General Custer in his campaign against 
the Sioux, spent several months investigating 
the "Ku-Klux" and "White League" organiza- 
tions in the South, and, for some years, was "The 
Inter Ocean" correspondent in Washington. 
Having retired from "The Inter Ocean," he 
became Secretary of the "Pan-American Con- 
gress" in Washington, and afterwards made the 
tour of the United States with the South and 
Central American representatives in that Con- 
gress. During the World's Columbian Expositii in 
in Chicago he had general supervision of the 



Latin-American historical and archaeological 
exhibits. Mr. Curtis has visited nearly every 
Central and South American country and has 
written elaborately on these subjects for the 
magazines and for publication in book form ; has 
also published a "Life' of Zachariah Chandler'' 
and a "Diplomatic History of the United States 
and Foreign Powers " For some time he was 
managing editor of "The Chicago News" and is 
now (1898) the Washington Correspondent of 
"The Chicago Record." 

CUSHMAN, (Col.) William H. W., financier 
and manufacturer, was born at Freetown, Mass., 
May 13, 1813; educated at the American Literary, 
Scientific and Military Academy, Norwich, Vt. , 
at 18 began a mercantile career at Middlebury, 
and, in 1824, removed to La Salle County, 111., 
where he opened a country store, also built a mill 
at Vermilionville; later was identified with many 
large financial enterprises which generally 
proved successful, thereby accumulating a for- 
tune at one time estimated at §3,000,000. He was 
elected as a Democrat to the Thirteenth and 
Fourteenth General Assemblies (1842 and '44) 
and, for several years, held a commission as 
Captain of the Ottawa Cavalry (militia). The 
Civil War coming on, he assisted in organizing 
the Fifty-third Illinois Volunteers, and was com- 
missioned its Colonel, but resigned Sept. 3, 1862. 
He organized and was principal owner of the 
Bank of Ottawa, which, in 1865, became the First 
National Bank of that city; was the leading 
spirit in the Hydraulic Company and the Gas 
Company at Ottawa, built and operated the 
Ottawa Machine Shops and Foundry, speculated 
largely in lands in La Salle and Cook Counties — 
his operations in the latter being especially large 
about Riverside, as well as in Chicago, was a 
principal stockholder in the bank of Cush- 
man & Hardin in Chicago, had large interests in 
the lumber trade in Michigan, and was one of 
the builders of the Chicago, Paducah & South- 
western Railroad. The Chicago fire of 1871, 
however, brought financial disaster upon him, 
which finally dissipated his fortune and de- 
stroyed his mental and physical health. His 
death occurred at Ottawa, Oct. 28, 1878. 

DALE, Michael G., lawyer, was born in Lan- 
caster, Pa., spent his childhood and youth in the 
public schools of his native city, except one year 
in West Chester Academy, when he entered 
Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, graduating 
there in 1835. He then began the study of law 
and was admitted to the bar in 1*37; coming to 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



127 



Illinois the following year, he was retained in a 
suit at Greenville, Bond County, which led to his 
employment in others, and finally to opening an 
office there. In 1839 he was elected Probate 
Judge of Bond County, remaining in office four- 
teen years, meanwhile being commissioned Major 
of the State Militia in 1844, and serving as mem- 
ber of a Military Court at Alton in 1847 ; was also 
the Delegate from Bond County to the State Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1847. In 1853 he re- 
signed the office of County Judge in Bond County 
to accept that of Register of the Laud office at 
Edwardsville, where he continued to reside, fill- 
ing the office of County Judge in Madison County 
five or six terms, besides occupying some subordi- 
nate positions. Judge Dale married a daughter 
of Hon. William L. D. Ewing. Died at Edwards- 
ville, April 1, 1895. 

DALLAS CITY, a town of Hancock County, at 
the intersection of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa 
Fe and the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Rail- 
roads, 16 miles south of Burlington. It has man- 
ufactories of lumber, buttons, carriages and 
wagons, and two weekly newspapers. Popula- 
tion (1880), 829; (1890), 747; 1900), 970. 

DANENHOWER, John Wilson, Arctic explorer, 
was born in Chicago, Sept. 30, 1849 — the son of 
\V. W. Danenhower, a journalist. After passing 
through the schools of Chicago and Washington, 
he graduated from the United States Naval Acad- 
emy at Annapolis in 1870, was successively bom- 
missioned as Ensign, Master and Lieutenant, and 
served on expeditions in the North Pacific and in 
the Mediterranean. In 1878 he joined the Arctic 
steamer Jeannette at Havre, France, as second in 
command under Lieut. George W. De Long; pro- 
ceeding to San Francisco in July, 1879, the 
steamer entered the Arctic Ocean by way of 
Behring Straits. Here, having been caught in an 
ice-pack, the vessel was held twenty-two months, 
Lieutenant Danenhower meanwhile being dis- 
abled most of the time by ophthalmia. The crew, 
as last compelled to abandon the steamer, dragged 
their boats over the ice for ninety-five days until 
they were able to launch them in open water, 
but were soon separated by a gale. The boat 
commanded by Lieutenant Danenhower reached 
the Lena Delta, on the north coast of Siberia, 
where the crew were rescued by natives, landing 
Sept. 17 ; 1881. After an ineffectual search on 
the delta for the crews of the other two boats, 
Lieutenant Danenhower, with his crew, made 
the journey of 6,000 miles to Orenburg, finally 
arriving in the United States in June, 1882. He 
has told the story of the expedition in "The 



Narrative of the Jeannette," published in 1882. 
Died, at Annapolis, Md., April 20, 1887. 

DANVERS, a village of McLean County, on the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway. The section is agricultural. The town 
has a bank and a newspaper. Population (1880), 
460; (1890), 506; (1900), 607. 

DANVILLE, the county-seat of Vermilion 
County, on Vermilion River and on five impor- 
tant lines of railroad; in rich coal-mining 
district and near large deposits of shale and 
soapstone, which are utilized in manufacture of 
sewer-pipe, paving and fire-clay brick. The city 
has car-shops and numerous factories, water- 
works, electric lights, paved streets, several 
banks, twenty-seven churches, five graded schools 
and one high school, and six newspapers, three 
daily. A Soldiers' Home is located three miles 
east of the city. Pop. (1890), 11,491 ; (1900), 16,354. 
DANVILLE, OLNEY, & OHIO RIVER RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago & Ohio River Railroad.) 
DANVILLE, URBANA, BLOOMINGTON & 
PEKIN RAILROAD. (See Peoria & Eastern 
Railroad. ) 

D'ARTAIUUIETTE, Pierre, a French com- 
mandant of Illinois from 1734 to 1736, having 
been appointed by Bienville, then Governor of 
Louisiana. He was distinguished for gallantry 
and courage. He defeated the Natchez Indians, 
but, in an unsuccessful expedition against the 
Chickasaws, was wounded, captured and burned 
at the stake. 

DAVENPORT, George, soldier, pioneer and 
trader, born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1783, 
came to this country in 1804, and soon aftei 
enlisted in the United States army, with the rani 
of sergeant. He served gallantly on various 
expeditions in the West, where he obtained a 
knowledge of the Indians which was afterward 
of great value to him. During the War of 1813 
his regiment was sent East, where he partici- 
pated in the defense of Fort Erie and in other 
enterprises. In 1815, his term of enlistment hav- 
ing expired and the war ended, he entered the 
service of the contract commissary. He selected 
the site for Fort Armstrong and aided in planning 
and supervising its construction. He cultivated 
friendly relations with the surrounding tribes, 
and, in 1818, built a double log house, married, 
and engaged in business as a fur-trader, near the 
site of the present city of Rock Island. He had 
the confidence and respect of the savages, was 
successful and his trading posts were soon scat- 
tered through Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. In 
1823 he piloted the first steamboat through the 



128 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



upper Mississippi, and, in 1825, was appointed the 
first postmaster at Rock Island, being the only 
white civilian resident there. In 1826 he united 
his business with that of the American Fur Com- 
pany, in whose service he remained. Although 
he employed every effort to induce President 
Jackson to make a payment to Black Hawk and 
his followers to induce them to emigrate across 
the Mississippi voluntarily, when that Chief 
commenced hostilities, Mr. Davenport tendered 
his services to Governor Reynolds, by whom he 
was commissioned Quartermaster-General with 
the rank of Colonel. Immigration increased 
rapidly after the close of the Black Hawk War 
In 1835 a company, of which he was a member, 
founded the town of Davenport, opposite Rock 
Island, which was named in his honor. In 1837 
and '42 he was largely instrumental in negoti- 
ating treaties by which the Indians ceded their 
lands in Iowa to the United States. In the 
latter year he gave up the business of fur-trading, 
having accumulated a fortune through hard 
labor and scrupulous integrity, in the face often 
of grave perils. He had large business interests in 
nearly every town in his vicinity, to all of which 
he gave more or less personal attention. On the 
night of July 4, 1843, he was assassinated at his 
home by robbers. For a long time the crime was 
shrouded in mystery, but its perpetrators were 
ultimately detected and brought to punishment. 
DAVIS, David, jurist and United States 
Senator, was born in Cecil County, Md., March 
8, 1815; pursued his academic studies at Kenyon 
College, Ohio, and studied law at Yale. He settled 
at Bloomington, 111., in 1836, and, after practicing 
law there until 1844, was elected to the lower house 
of the Fourteenth General Assembly. After 
serving in the Constitutional Convention of 1847, 
he was elected Judge of the Eighth Judicial 
Circuit under the new Constitution in 1848, being 
re-elected in 1855 and '61. He was a warm, per- 
sonal friend of Abraham Lincoln, who, in 1862, 
placed him upon the bench of the United States 
Supreme Court. He resigned his high judicial 
honors to become United States Senator in 1877 
as successor to Logan's first term. On Oct. 13, 
1881, he was elected President pro tern, of the 
Senate, serving in this capacity to the end of his 
term in 1885. He died at his home in Blooming- 
ton, June 26, 1886. 

DAVIS, George R., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born at Three Rivers, Mass., January 3, 1840; 
received a common school education, and a 
classical course at Williston Seminary, Easthamp- 
ton, Mass. From 1862 to 1865 he served in the 



Union army, first as Captain in the Eighth 
Massachusetts Infantry, and later as Major in the 
Third Rhode Island Cavalry. After the war he 
removed to Chicago, where he still resides. By 
profession he is a lawyer. He took a prominent 
part in the organization of the Chicago militia, 
was elected Colonel of the First Regiment, 
I. N. G., and was for a time the senior Colonel in 
the State service. In 1876 he was an unsuccessful 
Republican candidate for Congress, but was 
elected in 1878, and re-elected in 1880 and 1882. 
From 1886. to 1890 he was Treasurer of Cook 
County. He took an active and influential part 
in securing the location of the World's Columbian 
Exposition at Chicago, and was Director-General 
of the Exposition from its inception to its close, 
by his executive ability demonstrating the wis- 
dom of his selection. Died Nov. 25, 1899. 

DAVIS, Hasbrouck, soldier and journalist, was 
born at Worcester, Mass., April 23, 1827, being 
the son of John Davis, United States Senator and 
Governor of Massachusetts, known in his lifetime 
as "Honest John Davis." The son came to Chi- 
cago in 1855 and commenced the practice of 
law, in 1861 joined Colonel Voss in the organiza- 
tion of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, being elected 
Lieutenant-Colonel and, on the retirement of 
Colonel Voss in 1863, succeeding to the colonelcy. 
In March, 1865, he was brevetted Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, remaining in active service until August, 
1865, when he resigned. After the war he was. 
for a time, editor of "The Chicago Evening Post," 
was City Attorney of the City of Chicago from 
1867 to '69, but later removed to Massachusetts 
Colonel Davis was drowned at sea, Oct. 19, 1870, 
by the loss of the steamship Cambria, while on a 
voyage to Europe. 

DAVIS, James M., early lawyer, was born in 
Barren County, Ky., Oct. 9, 1793, came to Illinois 
in 1817, located in Bond County and is said to 
have taught the first school in that county. He 
became a lawyer and a prominent leader of the 
Whig party, was elected to the Thirteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly (1842) from Bond County, and to 
the Twenty-first from Montgomery in 1858, hav- 
ing, in the meantime, become a citizen of 
Hillsboro ; was also a member of the State Consti- 
tutional Convention of 1847. Mr. Davis was a 
man of striking personal appearance, being over 
six feet in height, and of strong individuality. 
After the dissolution of the Whig party he identi- 
fied himself with the Democracy and was an 
intensely bitter opponent of the war policy of 
the Government. Died, at Hillsboro, Sept. 17. 
1866. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



129 



DAVIS, John A., soldier, was born in Craw- 
ford County, Pa., Oct. 25, 1823; came to Stephen- 
son County, 111., in boyhood and served as 
Representative in the General Assembly of 1857 
and '59; in September, 1861, enlisted as a private, 
was elected Captain and, on the organization of 
the Forty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, at 
Camp Butler, was commissioned its Colonel. He 
participated in the capture of Fort Donelson, 
and in the battle of Shiloh was desperately 
wounded by a shot through the lungs, but 
recovered in time to join his regiment before the 
battle of Corinth, where, on Oct. 4, 1862, he fell 
mortally wounded, dying a few days after. On 
receiving a request from some of his fellow-citi- 
zens, a few days before his death, to accept a 
nomination for Congress in the Freeport District, 
Colonel Davis patriotically replied: "I can serve 
my country better in following the torn banner 
of my regiment in the battlefield." 

DAVIS, Levi, lawyer and State Auditor, was 
born in Cecil County, Md., July 20, 1806; gradu- 
ated at Jefferson College, Pa., in 1828, and was 
admitted to the bar at Baltimore in 1830. The 
following year he removed to Illinois, settling at 
Vandalia, then the capital. In 1835 Governor 
Duncan appointed him Auditor of Public 
Accounts, to which office he was elected by the 
Legislature in 1837, and again in 1838. In 
1816 he took up his residence at Alton. He 
attained prominence at the bar and was, for 
several years, attorney for the Cliicago & Alton 
and St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad 
Companies, in which he was also a Director. 
Died, at Alton, March 4, 1897. 

DAVIS, Nathan Smith, M.D., LL.D., physi- 
cian, educator and editor, was born in Chenango 
County, N. Y. , Jan. 9, 1817 ; took a classical and 
scientific course in Cazenovia Seminary ; in 1837 
graduated from the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, winning several prizes during his 
course; the same year began practice at Bing- 
hamton; spent two years (1847-49) in New York 
City, when he removed to Chicago to accept the 
chair of Physiology and General Pathology in 
Rush Medical College. In 1859 he accepted a 
similar position in the Chicago Medical College 
(now the medical department of Northwestern 
University), where he still remains. Dr. Davis 
has not only been a busy practitioner, but a volu- 
minous writer on general and special topics con- 
nected with his profession, having been editor at 
different times of several medical periodicals, 
including "The Chicago Medical Journal," "The 
Medical Journal and Examiner," and "The 



Journal of the American Medical Association.'' 
He has also been prominent in State, National 
and International Medical Congresses, and is one 
of the founders of the Northwestern University, 
the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the Chicago 
Historical Society, the Illinois State Microscopi- 
cal Society and the Union College of Law, besides 
other scientific and benevolent associations. 

DAVIS, Oliver L., lawyer, was born in New 
York City, Dec. 20, 1819; after being in the 
employ of the American Fur Company some 
seven years, came to Danville, 111., in 1841 and 
commenced studying law the next year; was 
elected to the lower branch of the Seventeenth 
and Twentieth General Assemblies, first as a 
Democrat and next (1856) as a Republican; 
served on the Circuit Bench in 1861-66, and again 
in 1873-79, being assigned in 1877 to the Appellate 
bench. Died, Jan. 12, 1892. 

DAWSON, John, early legislator, was born in 
Virginia, in 1791; came to Illinois in 1827, set- 
tling in Sangamon County ; served five terms in 
the lower house of the General Assembly (1830, 
'34, '36, '38 and '46), during a part of the time 
being the colleague of Abraham Lincoln. He 
was one of the celebrated "Long Nine" who repre- 
sented Sangamon County at the time of the 
removal of the State capital to Springfield ; was 
also a member of the Constitutional Convention 
of 1847. Died, Nov. 12, 1850. 

DEAF AND DUMB, ILLINOIS INSTITU- 
TION FOR EDUCATION OF, located at Jack- 
sonville, established by act of the Legislature, 
Feb. 23, 1839, and the oldest of the State 
charitable institutions. Work was not begun 
until 1842, but one building was ready for 
partial occupancy in 1846 and was completed 
in 1849. (In 1871 this building, then known 
as the south wing, was declared unsafe, and 
was razed and rebuilt.) The center building 
was completed in 1852 and the north wing in 
1857. Other additions and new buildings have 
been added from time to time, such as new dining 
halls, workshops, barns, bakery, refrigerator 
house, kitchens, a gymnasium, separate cot- 
tages for the sexes, etc. At present (1895) the 
institution is probably the largest, as it is un- 
questionably one of the best conducted, of its class 
in the world. The number of pupils in 1894 was 
716. Among its employes are men and women of 
ripe culture and experience, who have been con- 
nected with it for more than a quarter of a 
century. 

DEARBORN, Luther, lawyer and legislator, 
was born at Plymouth, N. H., March 24, 1820, 



130 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and educated in Plymouth schools and at New 
Hampton Academy ; in youth removed to Dear- 
born County, Ind., where he taught school and 
served as deputy Circuit Clerk; then came to 
Mason County, 111., and, in 1844, to Elgin. Here 
he was elected Sheriff and, at the expiration of 
his term, Circuit Clerk, later engaging in the 
banking business, which proving disastrous in 
1837, he returned to Mason County and began the 
practice of law. He then spent some years in 
Minnesota, finally returning to Illinois a second 
time, resumed practice at Havana, served one 
term in the State Senate (1876-80); in 1884 
became member of a law firm in Chicago, but 
retired in 1887 to accept the attorneyship of the 
Chicago & Alton Railway, retaining this position 
until his death, which occurred suddenly at 
Springfield, April 5, 1889. For the last two years 
of his life Mr. Dearborn's residence was at 
Aurora. 

DECATUR, the county-seat of Macon County; 
39 miles east of Springfield and one mile north 
of the Sangamon River — also an important rail- 
way center. Three coal shafts are operated out- 
side the city. ' It is a center for the grain trade, 
having live elevators. Extensive car and repair 
shops are located there, and several important 
manufacturing industries flourish, among them 
three flouring mills. Decatur has paved streets, 
water-works, electric street railways, and excel- 
lent public schools, including one of the best and 
must noted high schools in the State. Four 
newspapers are published there, each issuing a 
daily edition. Pop., (1890), 16,841; (1900), 20,754. 

DECATUR EDITORIAL CONVENTION; (See 
Anti-Nebraska Editorial < 'onvention.) 

DECATUR & EASTERN RAILWAY. (See 
Indiana, Decatur & Western Railway.) 

DECATUR, MATTOON & SOUTHERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Peoria, Decatur & Evansville 
Railway.) 

DECATUR, SULLIVAN & MATTOON RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Peoria, Decatur & Evansville 
Railway. ) 

DEEP SNOW, THE, an event occurring in the 
winter of 1830-31 and referred to by old settlers 
of Illinois as constituting an epoch in State his- 
tory. The late Dr. Julian M. Sturtevant, Presi- 
dent of Illinois College, in an address to the "Old 
Settlers" of Morgan County, a few years before 
his death, gave the following account of it: "In 
the interval between Christmas, 1830, and Janu- 
ary, 1831, snow fell all over Central Illinois to a 
depth of fully three feet on a level. Then came 
a rain with weather so cold that it froze as it 



fell, forming a crust of ice over this three feet of 
snow, nearly, if not quite, strong enough to bear 
a man, and finally over this crust there were a 
few inches of snow. The clouds passed away 
and the wind came down upon us from the north- 
west with extraordinary ferocity. For weeks — 
certainly not less than two weeks — the mercury 
in the thermometer tube was not, on any one 
morning, higher than twelve degrees below zero. 
This snow-fall produced constant sleighing for 
nine weeks." Other contemporaneous accounts 
say that this storm caused great suffering among 
both men and beasts. The scattered settlers, un- 
able to reach the mills or produce stores, were 
driven, in some cases, to great extremity for 
supplies ; mills were stopped by the freezing up 
of streams, while deer and other game, sinking 
through the crust of snow, were easily captured 
or perished for lack of food. Birds and domestic 
fowls often suffered a like fate for want of sus- 
tenance or from the severity of the cold. 

DEERE, John, manufacturer, was born at 
Middlebury, Vt., Feb. 7, 1804; learned the black- 
smith trade, which he followed until 1838, when 
he came west, settling at Grand Detour, in Ogle 
County ; ten years later removed to Moline, and 
there founded the plow-works which bear his 
name and of which he was President from 1868 
until his death in 1886.— Charles H. (Deere), son 
of the preceding, was born in Hancock, Addison 
County Vt., March 28, 1837; educated in the 
common schools and at Iowa and Knox Acad- 
emies, and Bell's Commercial College, Chicago; 
became assistant and head book-keeper, travel- 
ing and purchasing agent of the Deere Plow 
Company, and, on its incorporation, Vice-Presi- 
dent and General Manager, until his father's 
death, when he succeeded to the Presidency. He 
is also the founder of the Deere & Mansur Corn 
Planter Works, President of the Moline Water 
Power Company, besides being a Director in 
various other concerns and in the branch houses 
of Deere & Co., in Kansas City, Des Moines, 
Council Bluffs and San Francisco. Notwith- 
standing his immense business interests, Mr. 
Deere has found time for the discharge of public 
and patriotic duties, as shown by the fact that he 
was for years a member and Chairman of the 
State Bureau of Labor Statistics ; a Commissioner 
from Illinois to the Vienna International Exposi- 
tion of 1873; one of the State Commissioners of 
the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893; a 
Presidential Elector for the State-at-large in 1888, 
and a delegate from his District to the National 
Republican Convention at St. Louis, in 1896. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



131 



DEERING, William, manufacturer, was born 
at Paris, Oxford County, Maine, April 26, 1826, 
completed his education at the Readfield high 
school, in 1843, engaged actively in manufactur- 
ing, and during his time lias assisted in establish- 
ing several large, successful business enterprises, 
iucluding wholesale and commission dry-goods 
houses in Portland, Maine, Boston and New York. 
His greatest work has been the building up of the 
Deering Manufacturing Company, a main feature 
of which, for thirty years, has been the manu- 
facture of Marsh harvesters and other agricultural 
implements and appliances. This concern began 
operation in Chicago about 1870, at the present 
time (1899) occupying eighty acres in the north 
part of the city and employing some 4,000 hands. 
It is said to turn out a larger amount and greater 
variety of articles for the use of the agriculturist 
than any other establishment in the country, 
receiving its raw material from many foreign 
countries, including the Philippines, and distrib- 
uting its products all over the globe. Mr. Deer- 
ing continues to be President of the Company 
and a principal factor in the management of its 
immense business. He is liberal, public-spirited 
and benevolent, and his business career has been 
notable for the absence of controversies with his 
employes. He has been, for a number of years, 
one of the Trustees of the Northwestern Univer- 
sity at Evanston, and, at the present time, is 
President of the Board. 

DE KALB, a city in De Kalb County, 58 miles 
west of Chicago. Of late 3'ears it has grown 
rapidly, largely because of the introduction of 
new industrial enterprises. It contains a large 
wire drawing plant, barbed wire factories, foun- 
dry, agricultural implement works, machine 
shop, shoe factory and several minor manufac- 
turing establishments. It has banks, four news- 
papers, electric street railway, eight miles of 
paved streets, nine churches and three graded 
schools. It is the site of the Northern State Nor- 
mal School, located in 1895. Population (1880), 
1,598; (1890), 2,579; (1900), 5,904; (1903, est), 8,000. 

DE KALB COUNTY, originally a portion of 
La Salle County, and later of Kane ; was organized 
in 1837, and named for Baron De Kalb, the 
Revolutionary patriot. Its area is 650 square 
miles and population (in 1900), 31,756. The land 
is elevated and well drained, lying between Fox 
and Rock Rivers. Prior to 1835 the land belonged 
to the Pottawatomie Indians, who maintained 
several villages and their own tribal government. 
No sooner had the aborigines been removed than 
white settlers appeared in large numbers, and, 



in September, 1835, a convocation was held on 
the banks of the Kishwaukee, to adopt a tempo- 
rary form of government. The public lands in the 
county were sold at auction in Chicago in 1843. 
Sycamore (originally called Orange) is the 
county-seat, and, in 1890, had a population of 
2,987. Brick buildings were first erected at 
Sycamore by J. S. Waterman and the brothers 
Mayo. In 1854, H. A. Hough established the 
first newspaper, "The Republican Sentinel." 
Other prosperous towns are De Kalb (population, 
2,579), Cortland, Malta and Somonauk. The sur- 
face is generally rolling, upland prairie, with 
numerous groves and wooded tracts along the 
principal streams. Various lines of railroad trav- 
erse the county, which embraces one of the 
wealthiest rural districts in the State. 

DE KALB & GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD. 
(See Chicago Great Western Railway.) 

DELAVAN,a thriving city in Tazewell County, 
on the line of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, at 
the point of its intersection with the Peoria and 
Pekin Division of the Illinois Central Railway, 34 
miles west-southwest of Bloomington and 24 
miles south of Peoria. Grain is extensively 
grown in the adjacent territory, and much 
shipped from Delavan. The place supports two 
banks, tile and brick factory, creamery, and two 
weekly papers. It also has five churches and a 
graded school. Pop. (1890), 1,176, (1900), 1,304. 

DEMENT, Henry Dodge, ex -Secretary of State, 
was born at Galena, 111., in 1840 — the son of 
Colonel John Dement, an early and prominent 
citizen of the State, who held the office of State 
Treasurer and was a member of the Constitu- 
tional Conventions of 1847 and 1870. Colonel 
Dement having removed to Dixon about 1845, the 
subject of this sketch was educated there and at 
Mount Morris. Having enlisted in the Thirteenth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1861, he was elected 
a Second Lieutenant and soon promoted to First 
Lieutenant — also received from Governor Yates a 
complimentary commission as Captain for gal- 
lantry at Arkansas Post and at Chickasaw 
Bayou, where the commander of his regiment, 
Col. J. B. Wyman, was killed. Later he served 
with General Curtis in Mississippi and in the 
Fifteenth Army Corps in the siege of Vicksburg. 
After leaving the army he engaged in the manu- 
facturing business for some years at Dixon. Cap- 
tain Dement entered the State Legislature by 
election as Representative from Lee County in 
1872, was re-elected in 1874 and, in 1876. was pro- 
moted to the Senate, serving in the Thirtieth and 
Thirtv-first General Assemblies. In 1880 he was 



132 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



chosen Secretary of State, and re-elected in 1884, 
serving eight years. The last public position held 
by Captain Dement was that of Warden of the 
State Penitentiary at Joliet, to which he was 
appointed in 1891, serving two years. His 
present home is at Oak Park, Cook County. 

DEMENT, John, was born in Sumner County, 
Tenn., in April, 1804. When 13 years old he 
accompanied his parents to Illinois, settling in 
Franklin County, of which he was elected Sheriff 
in 1826, and which he represented in the General 
Assemblies of 1828 and '30. He served with 
distinction during the Black Hawk War. having 
previously had experience in two Indian cam- 
paigns. In 1831 he was elected State Treasurer 
by the Legislature, but, in 1836, resigned this 
office to represent Fayette County in the General 
Assembly and aid in the fight against the removal 
of the capital to Springfield. His efforts failing 
of success, he removed to the northern part of the 
State, finally locating at Dixon, where he became 
extensively engaged in manufacturing. In 1837 
President Van Buren appointed him Receiver of 
Public Moneys, but he was removed by President 
Harrison in 1841 ; was reappointed by Polk in 
1845, only to be again removed by Taylor in 1849 
and reappointed by Pierce in 1853. He held the 
office from that date until it was abolished. He 
was a Democratic Presidential Elector in 1844; 
served in three Constitutional Conventions (1847, 
'62, and '70), being Temporary President of the 
two bodies last named. He was the father of 
Hon. Denry D. Dement, Secretary of State of Illi- 
nois from 1884 to 1888. He died at his home at 
Dixon, Jan. 16, 1883. 

DENT, Thomas, lawyer, was born in Putnam 
County, 111., Nov. 14, 1831; in his youth was 
employed in the Clerk's office of Putnam County, 
meanwhile studying law; was admitted to the 
bar in 1854, and, in 1856, opened an office in Chi- 
cago; is still in practice and has served as 
President, both of the Chicago Law Institute and 
the State Bar Association. 

DES PLAINES, a village of Cook County, at the 
intersection of the Chicago & Northwestern and 
the Wisconsin Central Railroads, 17 miles north- 
west from Chicago ; is a dairying region. Popu- 
lation (1880), 818; (1890), 986; (1900), 1,666. 

DES PLAINES RIVER, a branch of the Illinois 
River, which rises in Racine County, Wis., and, 
after passing through Kenosha County, in that 
State, and Lake County. 111., running nearly 
parallel to the west shore of Lake Michigan 
through Cook County, finally unites with the 
Kankakee, about 13 miles southwest of Joliet, by 



its confluence with the latter forming the Illinois 
River. Its length is about 150 miles. The 
Chicago Drainage Canal is constructed in the 
valley of the Des Plaines for a considerable por- 
tion of the distance between Chicago and Joliet. 

DEWEY, (Dr.) Richard S., physician, alienist, 
was born at Forest ville, N. Y., Dec. 6, 1845; after 
receiving his primary education took a two years' 
course in the literary and a three years' course in 
the medical department of the Michigan Univer- 
sity at Ann Arbor, graduating from the latter in 
1869. He then began practice as House Physician 
and Surgeon in the City Hospital at Brooklyn, 
N. Y T ., remaining for a year, after which he 
visited Europe inspecting hospitals and sanitary 
methods, meanwhile spending six months in the 
Prussian military service as Surgeon during the 
Franco-Prussian War. After the close of the 
war he took a brief course in the University of 
Berlin, when, returning to the United States, he 
was employed for seven years as Assistant Physi- 
cian in the Northern Hospital for the Insane at 
Elgin. In 1879 he was appointed Medical Super- 
intendent of the Eastern Hospital for the Insane 
at Kankakee, remaining until the accession of 
John P. Altgeld to the Governorship in 1893. 
Dr. Dewey's reputation as a specialist in the 
treatment of the insane has stood among the 
highest of his class. 

DE WITT COUNTY, situated in the central 
portion of the State ; has an area of 405 square 
miles and a population (1900) of 18,972. The land 
was originally owned by the Kickapoos and Potta- 
watomies, and not until 1820 did the first perma- 
nent white settlers occupy this region. The first 
to come were Felix Jones. Prettyman Marvel, 
William Cottrell, Samuel Glenn, and the families 
of Scott, Lundy and Coaps. Previously, how- 
ever, the first cabin had been built on the site of 
the present Farmer City by Nathan Clearwater. 
Zion Shugest erected the earliest grist-mill and 
Burrell Post the first saw-mill in the county. 
Kentuckians and Tennesseeans were the first im- 
migrants, but not until the advent of settlers from 
Ohio did permanent improvements begin to be 
made. In 1835 a school house and Presbyterian 
church were built at Waynesville. The county 
was organized in 1839, and — with its capital 
(Clinton) — was named after one of New Y r ork's 
most distinguished Governors. It lies within the 
great "corn belt," and is well watered by Salt 
Creek and its branches. Most of the surface is 
rolling prairie, interspersed with woodland. 
Several lines of railway (among them the Illinois 
Central) cross the county. Clinton had a popu- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



133 



lation of 2,598 in 1890, and Farmer City, 1,367. 
Both are railroad centers and have considerable 
trade. 

DE WOLF. Calvin, pioneer and philanthropist, 
was born in Luzerne County, Pa., Feb. 18, 1815; 
taken early in life to Vermont, and, at 19 years of 
age, commenced teaching at Orwell, in that 
State; spent one year at a manual labor school 
in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and, in 1837, came to 
Chicago, and soon after began teaching in Will 
County, still later engaging in the same vocation 
in Chicago. In 1839 he commenced the study of 
law with Messrs. Spring & Goodrich and, in 1843, 
was admitted to practice. In 1851 he was 
elected a Justice of the Peace, retaining the 
position for a quarter of a century, winning for 
himself the reputation of a sagacious and incor- 
ruptible public officer. Mr. De Wolf was an 
original abolitionist and his home is said to have 
been one of the stations on the "underground 
railroad" in the days of slavery. Died Nov. 28, '99. 

DEXTER, Wirt, lawyer, born at Dexter, Mich., 
Oct. 25, 1831 ; was educated in the schools of his 
native State and at Cazenovia Seminary, N. Y. 
He was descended from a family of lawyers, his 
grandfather, Samuel Dexter, having been Secre- 
tary of War, and afterwards Secretary of the 
Treasury, in the cabinet of the elder Adams. 
Coming to Chicago at the beginning of his profes- 
sional career, Mr. Dexter gave considerable 
attention at first to his father's extensive lumber 
trade. He was a zealous and eloquent supporter 
of the Government during the Civil War, and 
was an active member of the Relief and Aid 
Society after the fire of 1871. His entire profes- 
sional life was spent in Chicago, for several years 
before his death being in the service of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company as 
its general solicitor and member of the executive 
committee of the Board of Directors. Died in 
Chicago, May 20, 1890. 

DICKEY, Hugh Thompson, jurist, was born in 
New York City, May 30, 1811; graduated from 
Columbia College, read law and was admitted to 
the bar. He visited Chicago in 1836, and four 
years later settled there, becoming one of its 
most influential citizens. Upon the organization 
of the County Court of Cook County in 1845, 
Mr. Dickey was appointed its Judge. In Septem- 
ber, 1848, he was elected Judge of the Seventh 
Judicial Circuit, practically without partisan 
opposition, serving until the expiration of his 
term in 1853. He was prominently identified 
with several important commercial enterprises, 
was one of the founders of the Chicago Library 



Association, and one of the first Trustees of the 
Illinois General Hospital of the Lakes, now Mercy 
Hospital. In 1885 he left Chicago to take up his 
residence in his native city, New York, where he 
died, June 2, 1892. 

DICKEY, Theophilus Lyle, lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Bourbon County, Ky., Nov. 12, 1812, 
the grandson of a Revolutionary soldier, gradu- 
ated at the Miami (Ohio) University, and re- 
moved to Illinois in 1834, settling at Macomb, 
McDonough County, where he was admitted to 
the bar in 1835. In 1836 he moved to Rushville, 
where he resided three years, a part of the time 
editing a Whig newspaper. Later he became a 
resident of Ottawa, and, at the opening of the 
Mexican War, organized a company of volun- 
teers, of which he was chosen Captain. In 1861 
he raised a regiment of cavalry which was 
mustered into service as the Fourth Illinois 
Cavalry, and of which he was commissioned 
Colonel, taking an active part in Grant's cam- 
paigns in the West. In 1865 he resigned his 
commission and resumed the practice of his 
profession at Ottawa. In 1866 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate for Congressman for the 
State-at- large in opposition to John A. Logan, 
and, in 1868, was tendered and accepted the posi- 
tion of Assistant Attorney-General of the United 
States, resigning after eighteen months' service. 
In 1873 he removed to Chicago, and, in 1874, was 
made Corporation Counsel. In December, 1875, 
he was elected to the Supreme Court, vice W. K. 
McAllister, deceased ; was re-elected in 1879, and 
died at Atlantic City, July 22, 1885. 

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, THE, known also as 
the Christian Church and as "Campbellites," 
having been founded by Alexander Campbell. 
Many members settled in Illinois in the early 
30's, and, in the central portion of the State, the 
denomination soon began to flourish greatly 
Any one was admitted to membership who made 
what is termed a scriptural confession of faith 
and was baptized by immersion. Alexander 
Campbell was an eloquent preacher and a man of 
much native ability, as well as a born conver- 
sationalist. The sect has steadily grown in 
numbers and influence in the State. The United 
States Census of 1890 showed 641 churches in the 
State, with 368 ministers and an aggregate mem- 
bership of 61,587, having 530 Sunday schools, with 
50,000 pupils in attendance. The value of the 
real property, which included 552 church edifices 
( with a seating capacity of 155,000) and 30 parson- 
ages, was SI, 167,675. The denomination supports 
Eureka College, with an attendance of between 



134 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



400 and 500 students, while its assets are valued 
at 8150,000. Total membership in the United 
States, estimated at 750,000. 

DIXON, an incorporated city, the county-seat 
of Lee County. It lies on both sides of Rock 
River and is the point of intersection of the Illi- 
nois Central and the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroads; is 98 miles west of Chicago. Rock 
River furnishes abundant water power and the 
manufacturing interests of the city are very ex- 
tensive, including large plow works, wire-cloth 
factory, wagon factory; also has electric light 
and power plant, three shoe factories, planing 
mills, and a condensed milk factory. There are 
two National and one State bank, eleven 
churches, a hospital, and three newspapers. In 
schools the city particularly excels, having sev- 
eral graded (grammar) schools and two colleges. 
The Chautauqua Assembly holds its meeting here 
annually. Population (1890), 5,161; (1900), 7,917. 
DIXON, John, pioneer — the first white settler 
in Lee County, 111., was born at Rye, West- 
chester County, N. Y., Oct. 9, 1784; at 21 removed 
to New York City, where he was in business some 
fifteen years. In 1820 he set out with his family 
for the West, traveling by laud to Pittsburg, 
and thence by flat-boat to Shawneetown. Having 
disembarked his horses and goods here, he pushed 
out towards the northwest, passing the vicinity 
of Springfield, and finally locating on Fancy 
Creek, some nine miles north of the present site 
of that city. Here he remained some five years, 
in that time serving as foreman of the first Sanga- 
mon County Grand Jury. The new county of 
Peoria having been established in 1825, he was 
offered and accepted the appointment of Circuit 
Clerk, removing to Fort Clark, as Peoria was 
then called. Later he became contractor for 
carrying the mail on the newly established route 
between Peoria and Galena. Compelled to pro- 
vide means of crossing Rock River, he induced a 
French and Indian half-breed, named Ogee, to 
take charge of a ferry at a point afterwards 
known as Ogee's Ferry. The tide of travel to the 
lead-mine region caused both the mail-route and 
the ferry to prove profitable, and, as the half- 
breed ferryman could not endure prosperity, Mr. 
Dixon was forced to buy him out, removing his 
family to this point in April, 1830. Here he 
established friendly relations with the Indians, 
and, duringthe Black Hawk War ,two years later, 
was enabled to render valuable service to the 
State. His station was for many years one of 
the most important points in Northern Illinois, 
and among the men of national reputation who 



were entertained at different times at his home 
may be named Gen. Zachary Taylor, Albert Sid 
ney Johnston, Gen. Winfield Scott, Jefferson 
Davis, Col. Robert Anderson, Abraham Lincoln, 
Col. E. D. Baker and many more. He bought the 
land where Dixon now stands in 1835 and laid off 
the town ; in 1838 was elected by the Legislature 
a member of the Board of Public Works, and, in 
1840, secured the removal of the land office from 
Galena to Dixon. Colonel Dixon was a delegate 
from Lee County to the Republican State Con- 
vention at Bloomington, in May, 1856, and, 
although then considerably over 70 years o€ age, 
spoke from the same stand with Abraham Lin- 
coln, his presence producing much enthusiasm. 
His death occurred, July 6, 1876. 

DOANE, John Wesley, merchant and banker, 
was born at Thompson, Windham County, Conn., 
March 23, 1833; was educated in the common 
schools, and, at 22 years of age, came to Chicago 
and opened a small grocery store which, by 1870, 
had become one of the most extensive concerns 
of its kind in the Northwest. It was swept out 
of existence by the fire of 1871, but was re-estab- 
lished and, in 1872, transferred to other parties, 
although Mr. Doane continued to conduct an 
importing business in many lines of goods used in 
the grocery trade. Having become interested in 
the Merchants' Loan & Trust Company, he was 
elected its President and has continued to act in 
that capacity. He is also a stockholder and a 
Director of the Pullman Palace Car Company, 
the Allen Paper Car Wheel Company and the 
Illinois Central Railroad, and was a leading 
promoter of the World's Columbian Exposition of 
1893 — being one of those who guaranteed the 
$5,000,000 to be raised by the citizens of Chicago 
to assure the success of the enterprise. 

DOLTON STATION, a village of Cook County, 
on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois, the Chicago & 
Western Indiana, and the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railroads, 16 miles south of 
Chicago; has a carriage factory, a weekly paper, 
churches and a graded school. Population (1880) 
448; (1890), 1,110; (1900), 1,229. 

DON'GOLA, a village in Union County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 27 miles north of Cairo. 
Population (1880), 599; (1890), 733; (1900), 681. 

DOOLITTLE, James Rood, United States 
Senator, was born in Hampton, Washington 
County, N. Y., Jan 3, 1815; educated at Middle- 
bury and Geneva (now Hobart) Colleges, admitted 
to the bar in 1837 and practiced at Rochester and 
Warsaw, N. Y. ; was elected District Attorney of 
Wyoming County. X. Y.. in 1845, and in 1851 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



135 



removed to Wisconsin; two years later was 
elected Circuit Judge, but resigned in 1856, and 
the following year was elected as a Democratic- 
Republican to the United States Senate, being 
re-elected as a Republican in 18G3. Retiring 
from public life in 1809, he afterwards resided 
chiefly at Racine, Wis., though practicing in the 
courts of Chicago. He was President of the 
National Union Convention at Philadelphia in 
1866, and of the National Democratic Convention 
of 1872 in Baltimore, which endorsed Horace 
Greeley for President. Died, at Edgewood, R. I., 
July 27, 1897. 

DORE, John Clark, first Superintendent of 
Chicago City Schools, was born at Ossipee, N. H. , 
March 22, 1822 ; began teaching at 17 years of age 
and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1847; 
then taught several years and, in 1854, was 
offered and accepted the position of Superintend- 
ent of City Schools of Chicago, but resigned two 
years later. Afterwards engaging in business, 
he served as Vice-President and President of 
the Board of Trade, President of the Com- 
mercial Insurance Company and of the State 
Savings Institution ; was a member of the State 
Senate, 1868-72, and has been identified with 
various benevolent organizations of the city of 
Chicago. Died in Boston, Mass., Dec, 14, 1900. 

DOUGHERTY, John, lawyer and Lieutenant- 
Governor, was born at Marietta, Ohio, Slay 6, 
1806; brought by his parents, in 1808, to Cape 
Girardeau, Mo., where they remained until after 
the disastrous earthquakes in that region in 
1811-12, when, his father having died, his mother 
removed to Jonesboro, 111. Here he finally read 
law with Col. A. P. Field, afterwards Secretary 
of State, being admitted to the bar in 1831 and 
early attaining prominence as a successful 
criminal lawyer. He soon became a recognized 
political leader, was elected as a member of the 
House to the Eighth General Assembly (1832) 
and re-elected in 1834, '36 and '40, and again in 
1856, and to the Senate in 1842, serving in the 
latter body until the adoption of the Constitution 
of 1848. Originally a Democrat, he was, in 1858, 
the Administration (Buchanan) candidate for 
State Treasurer, as opposed to the Douglas wing 
of the party, but, in 1861, became a strong sup- 
porter of Abraham Lincoln. He served as Presi- 
dential Elector on the Republican ticket in 1864 
and in 1872 (the former year for the State- at- 
large), in 1868 was elected Lieutenant-Governor 
and, in 1877, to a seat on the criminal bench, 
serving until June, 1879. Died, at Jonesboro, 
Sept. 7, 1879. 



DOUGLAS, John M., lawyer and Railway 
President, was born at Plattsburg, Clinton 
County, N. Y., August 22, 1819; read law three 
years in his native city, then came west and 
settled at Galena, 111., where he was admitted to 
the bar in 1841 and began practice. In 1856 he 
removed to Chicago, and, the following year, 
became one of the solicitors of the Illinois Central 
Railroad, with which he had been associated as 
an attorney at Galena. Between 1861 and 1876 
he was a Director of the Company over twelve 
years ; from 1865 to 1871 its President, and again 
for eighteen months in 1875-76, when he retired 
permanently. Mr. Douglas' contemporaries speak 
of him as a lawyer of great ability, as well 
as a capable executive officer. Died, in Chicago, 
March 25, 1891. 

DOUGLAS, Stephen Arnold, statesman, was 
born at Brandon, Vt., April 23, 1813. In conse- 
quence of the death of his father in infancy, 
his early educational advantages were limited. 
When fifteen he applied himself to the cabinet- 
maker's trade, and, in 1830, accompanied his 
mother and step-father to Ontario County, N. Y. 
In 1832 he began the study of law, but started for 
the West in 1833. He taught school at Win- 
chester, 111., reading law at night and practicing 
before a Justice of the Peace on Saturdays. He 
was soon admitted to the bar and took a deep 
interest in politics. In 1835 he was elected Prose- 
cuting Attorney for Morgan County, but a few 
months later resigned this office to enter the 
lower house of the Legislature, to which he was 
elected in 1836. In 1838 he was a candidate for 
Congress, but was defeated by John T. Stuart, his 
Whig opponent; was appointed Secretary of 
State in December, 1840, and, in February, 1841, 
elected Judge of the Supreme Court. He was 
elected to Congress in 1842, '44 and '46, and, in 
the latter year, was chosen United States Sena- 
tor, taking his seat March 4, 1847, and being 
re-elected in 1853 and '59. His last canvass was 
rendered memorable through his joint debate, in 
1858, before the people of the State with Abraham 
Lincoln, whom he defeated before the Legisla- 
ture. He was a candidate for the presidential 
nomination before the Democratic National 
Conventions of 1852 and '56. In 1860, after having 
failed of a nomination for the Presidency at 
Charleston, S. C, through the operation of the 
"two thirds rule," he received the nomination 
from the adjourned convention held at Baltimore 
six weeks later — though not until the delegates 
from nearly all the Southern States had with- 
drawn, the seceding delegates afterwards nomi- 



136 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



nat ing John C. Breckenridge. Although defeated 
for the Presidency by Lincoln, his old-time 
antagonist, Douglas yielded a cordial support to 
the incoming administration in its attitude 
toward the seceded States, occupying a place of 
honor beside Mr. Lincoln on the portico of the 
capitol during the inauguration ceremonies. As 
politician, orator and statesman, Douglas had 
few superiors. Quick in perception, facile in 
expedients, ready in resources, earnest and 
fearless in utterance, he was a born "leader of 
men." His shortness of stature, considered in 
relation to his extraordinary mental acumen, 
gained for him the sobriquet of the "Little 
Giant." He died in Chicago, June 3, 1861. 

DOUGLAS COUNTY, lying a little east of the 
center of the State, embracing an area of 410 
square miles and having a population (1900) of 
19.097. The earliest land entry was made by 
Harrison Gill, of Kentucky, whose patent was 
signed by Andrew Jackson. Another early 
settler was John A. Richman, a West Virginian, 
who erected one of the first frame houses in 
the' county in 1829. The Embarras and Kas- 
kaskia Rivers flow through the county, which is 
also crossed by the Wabash and Illinois Central 
Railways. Douglas Count}' was organized in 
1857 (being set off from Coles) and named in 
honor of Stephen A. Douglas, then United States 
Senator from Illinois. After a sharp struggle Tus- 
cola was made the county-seat. It has been 
visited by several disastrous conflagrations, but 
is a thriving town, credited, in 1890, with a 
population of 1,897. Other important towns are 
Areola (population, 1,733), and Camargo, which 
was originally known as New Salem. 

DOWSERS -GROVE, village, Du Page County, 
on C, B. & Q. R. R., 21 miles south- southwest from 
Chicago, incorporated 1873 ; has water- works, elec- 
tric lights, telephone system, good schools, bank 
and a newspaper. Pop. (1890), 960; (1900), 2,103. 

DOWXIXG, Finis Ewing, ex-Congressman and 
lawyer, was born at Virginia, 111., August 24, 
1846; reared on a farm and educated in the public 
and private schools of his native town; from 1805 
was engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1880, 
when lie was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court 
of Cass County, serving three successive terms; 
read law and was admitted to the bar in Decem- 
ber, 1887. In August, 1891, he became interested 
in "The Virginia Enquirer" (a Democratic 
paper), which lie lias since conducted; was 
elected Secretary of the State Senate in 1893, 
and. in 1894, was returned as elected to the Fifty- 
fourth Congress from the Sixteenth District by a 



plurality of fort}- votes over Gen. John I. Rinaker, 
the Republican nominee. A contest and recount 
of the ballots resulted, however, in awarding the 
seat to General Rinaker. In 1896 Mr. Downing 
was the nominee of his party for Secretary of 
State, but was defeated -with the rest of his ticket. 

DRAKE, Francis Marion, soldier and Governor, 
was born at Rushville, Schuyler County, 111., 
Dec. 30, 1830; early taken to Drakesville, Iowa, 
which his father founded; entered mercantile 
life at 10 years of age ; crossed the plains to Cali- 
fornia in 1852, had experience in Indian warfare 
and, in 1859, established himself in business at 
Unionville, Iowa ; served through the Civil War, 
becoming Lieutenant-Colonel and retiring in 
1865 with the rank of Brigadier-General by 
brevet. He re-entered mercantile life after the 
war, was admitted to the bar in 1866, subsequently 
engaged in railroad building and, in 1881, contrib- 
buted the bulk of the funds for founding Drake 
University; was elected Governor of Iowa in 
1895, serving until January, 1898. 

DRAPER, Andrew Sloan, Id.. It., lawyer and 
educator, was born in Otsego County, N. Y., 
June 21, 1848 — being a descendant, in the eighth 
generation, from the "Puritan," James Draper, 
who settled in Boston in 1647. In 1855 Mr. 
Draper's parents settled in Albany, N. Y., where 
he attended school, winning a scholarship in the 
Albany Academy in 1863, and graduating from 
that institution in 1866. During the next four 
years he was employed in teaching, part of the 
time as an instructor at his alma mater ; but, in 
1871, graduated from the Union College Law- 
Department, when he began practice. The rank 
he attained in the profession was indicated by 
his appointment by President Arthur, in 1884, 
i me of the Judges of the Alabama Claims Com- 
mission, upon which he served until the conclu- 
sion of its labors in 1886. He had previously 
served in the New Y'ork State Senate (1880) and. 
in 1884. was a delegate to the Republican National 
Convention, also serving as Chairman of the 
Republican State Central Committee the same 
year. After his return from Europe in 1886, he 
served as State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion of New Y'ork until 1892, and, in 1889, and 
again in 1890, was President of the National 
Association of School Superintendents. Soon 
after retiring from the State Superintendency in 
New Y'ork, he was chosen Superintendent of 
Public Schools for the city of Cleveland, Ohio, 
remaining in that position until 1894, when lie 
was elected President of the University of Illinois 
at Champaign, where he now is. His adminis- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



13^ 



tration has been characterized by enterprise and 
sagacity, and has tended to promote the popular- 
ity and prosperity of the institution. 

DRESSER, Charles, clergyman, was born at 
Pomfret, Conn., Feb. 24, 1800; graduated from 
Brown University in 1823, went to Virginia, 
where he studied theology and was ordained a 
minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church. In 
1838 he removed to Springfield, and became rector 
of St. Paul's Episcopal Church there, retiring in 
1858. On Nov. 4, 1842, Mr. Dresser performed the 
ceremony uniting Abraham Lincoln and Mary 
Todd in marriage. He died, March 25, 1865. 

DRUMMOXD, Thomas, jurist, was born at 
Bristol Mills, Lincoln County, Maine. Oct. 16, 
1809. After graduating from Bowdoin College, in 
1830, he studied law at Philadelphia, where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1833. He settled at 
Galena. 111., in 1835, and was a member of the 
General Assembly in 1840-41. In 1850 he was 
appointed United States District Judge for the 
District of Illinois as successor to Judge Nathaniel 
Pope, and four years later removed to Chicago. 
Upon the division of the State into two judicial 
districts, in 1855, he was assigned to the North- 
ern. In 1869 he was elevated to the bench of the 
United States Circuit Court, and presided over 
the Seventh Circuit, which at that time included 
the States of Indiana. Illinois and Wisconsin. In 
1884 — at the age of 75 — he resigned, living in 
retirement until his death, which occurred at 
Wheaton, 111, May 15, 1890. 

DUBOIS, Jesse Kilgore, State Auditor, was 
born, Jan. 14, 1811, in Lawrence County, 111., 
near Vincennes, Ind., where his father, Capt. 
Toussaint Dubois, had settled about 1780. The 
latter was a native of Canada, of French descent, 
and, after settling in the Northwest Territory, 
had been a personal friend of General Harrison, 
under whom he served in the Indian wars, 
including the battle of Tippecanoe. The son 
received a partial collegiate education at Bloom- 
ington. Ind., but, at 24 years of age (1834), was 
elected to the General Assembly, serving in the 
same House with Abraham Lincoln, and being 
re-elected in 1836, '38, and '42. In 1841 he was 
appointed by President Harrison Register of the 
Land Office at Palestine, 111., but soon resigned, 
giving his attention to mercantile pursuits until 
1849, when he was appointed Receiver of Public 
Moneys at Palestine, but was removed by Pierce 
in 1853. He was a Delegate to the first Repub- 
lican State Convention, at Bloomington, in 1856, 
and, on the recommendation of Mr. Lincoln, was 
nominated for Auditor of Public Accounts, 



renominated in 1860 and elected both times. In 
1864 he was a candidate for the nomination of 
his party for Governor, but was defeated by 
General Oglesby, serving, however, on the 
National Executive Committee of that year, and 
as a delegate to the National Convention of 1868. 
Died, at his home near Springfield, Nov. 22, 1876. 
— Fred T. (Dubois), son of the preceding, was 
born in Crawford County, 111., May 29, 1851, 
received a common-school and classical educa- 
tion, graduating from Yale College in 1872 ; was 
Secretary of the Illinois Railway and Warehouse 
Commission in 1875-76 ; went to Idaho Territory 
and engaged in business in 1880, was appointed 
United States Marshal there in 1882, serving until 
1886; elected as a Republican Delegate to the 
Fiftieth and Fifty-first Congresses, and, on the 
admission of Idaho as a State (1890), became 
one of the first United States Senators, his term 
extending to 1897. He was Chairman of the 
Idaho delegation in the National Republican 
Convention at Minneapolis in 1892, and was a 
member of the National Republican Convention 
at St. Louis in 1896, but seceded from that body 
with Senator Teller of Colorado, and has since 
cooperated with the Populists and Free Silver 
Democrats. 

DUCAT, Arthur Charles, soldier and civil 
engineer, was born in Dublin, Ireland, Feb. 24. 
1830, received a liberal education and became a 
civil engineer. He settled in Chicago in 1851, 
and six years later was made Secretary and Chief 
Surveyor of the Board of Underwriters of that 
city. While acting in this capacity, he virtually 
revised the schedule system of rating fire-risks. 
In 1861 he raised a company of 300 engineers, 
sappers and miners, but neither the State nor 
Federal authorities would accept it. Thereupon 
he enlisted as a private in the Twelfth Illinois 
Volunteers, but his ability earned him rapid 
promotion. He rose through the grades of Cap- 
tain, Major and Lieutenant-Colonel, to that of 
Colonel, and was brevetted Brigadier-General in 
February, 1864. Compelled by sickness to leave the 
army, General Ducat returned to Chicago, 
re-entering the insurance field and finally, after 
holding various responsible positions, engaging 
in general business in that line. In 1875 he was 
entrusted with the task of reorganizing the State 
militia, which he performed with signal success. 
Died, at Downer's Grove, 111., Jan. 29, 1896. 

DUELS AND ANTI-DUELUVG LAWS. Al 
though a majority of the population of Illinois, 
in Territorial days, came from Southern States 
where the duel was widely regarded as the pp iper 



138 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



mode for settling '•difficulties" of a personal 
character, it is a curious fact that so few "affairs 
of honor" (so-called) should have occurred on 
Illinois soil. The first "affair" of this sort of 
which either history or tradition has handed 
down any account, is said to have occurred 
between an English and a French officer at the 
time of the surrender of Fort Chartres to the 
British in 1765, and in connection with that 
event. The officers are said to have fought with 
small swords one Sunday morning near the Fort, 
when one of them was killed, but the name of 
neither the victor nor the vanquished has come 
down to the present time. Gov. John Reynolds, 
who is the authority for the story in his "Pioneer 
History of Illinois," claimed to have received it 
in his boyhood from an aged Frenchman who 
represented that he had seen the combat. 

An affair of less doubtful authenticity has come 
down to us in the history of the Territorial 
period, and, although it was at first bloodless, it 
finally ended in a tragedy. This was the Jones- 
Bond affair, which originated at Kaskaskia in 
1808. Rice Jones was the son of John Rice Jc mes, 
the first English-speaking lawyer in the "Illinois 
Country." The younger Jones is described as an 
exceptionally brilliant young man who. having 
studied law, located at Kaskaskia in 1808. Two 
years later he became a candidate. for Represent- 
ative from Randolph County in the Legislature 
of Indiana Territory, of which Illinois was a part. 
In the course of the canvass which resulted in 
Jones' election, he became involved in a quarrel 
with Shadrach Bond, who was then a member of 
the Territorial Council from the same county, 
and afterwards became Delegate in Congress 
from Illinois and the first Governor of the State. 
Bond challenged Jones and the meeting took 
place on an island in the Mississippi between 
Kaskaskia and St. Genevieve. Bond's second 
was a Dr. James Dunlap of Kaskaskia, who 
appears also to have been a bitter enemy of Jones. 
The discharge of a pistol in the hand of Jones 
after the combatants had taken their places 
preliminary to the order to "fire," raised the 
question whether it was accidental or to be 
regarded as Jones' fire. Dunlap maintained the 
latter, but Bond accepted the explanation of his 
adversary that the discharge was accidental, and 
the generosity which he displayed led to expla- 
nations that averted a final exchange of shots. 
The feud thus started between Jones and Dunlap 
grew until it involved a large part of the com- 
munity. On Dec. 7, 1808, Dunlap shot down 
Jones in cold blood and without warning in 



the streets of Kaskaskia, killing him instantly. 
The murderer fled to Texas and was never heard 
of about Kaskaskia afterwards. This incident 
furnishes the basis of the most graphic chapter 
in Mrs. Catherwood's story of "Old Kaskaskia." 
Prompted by this tragical affair, no doubt, the 
Go.vernor and Territorial Judges, in 1810, framed a 
stringent law for the suppression of dueling, in 
which, in case of a fatal result, all parties con- 
nected with the affair, as principals or seconds, 
were held to be guilty of murder. 

Governor Reynolds furnishes the record of a 
duel between Thomas Rector, the member of a 
noted family of that name at Kaskaskia, and one 
Joshua Barton, supposed to have occurred some- 
time during the War of 1812, though no exact 
dates are given. This affair took place on the 
favorite dueling ground known as "Bloody 
Island," opposite St. Louis, so often resorted to 
at a later day. by devotees of "the code" in Mis- 
souri. Reynolds says that "Barton fell in the 
conflict." 

The next affair of which history makes men- 
tion grew out of a drunken carousel at Belleville, 
in February, 1819, which ended in a duel between 
two men named Alonzo Stuart and William 
Bennett, and the killing of Stuart by Bennett. 
The managers of the affair for the principals are 
said to have agreed that the guns should be loaded 
with blank cartridges, and Stuart was let into the 
secret but Bennett was not. When the order to 
fire came, Bennett's gun proved to have been 
loaded with ball. Stuart fell mortally wounded, 
expiring almost immediately. One report says 
that the duel was intended as a sham, and was so 
understood by Bennett, who was horrified by the 
result. He and his two seconds were arrested for 
murder, but Bennett broke jail and fled to 
Arkansas. The seconds were tried, Daniel P. 
Cook conducting the prosecution and Thomas H. 
Benton defending, the trial resulting in their 
acquittal. Two years later, Bennett was appre- 
hended by some sort of artifice, put on his trial, 
convicted and executed — Judge John Reynolds 
(afterwards Governor) presiding and pronouncing 
sentence. 

In a footnote to "The Edwards Papers," 
edited by the late E. B. Washburne, and printed 
under the auspices of the Chicago Historical 
Society, a few years ago, Mr. Washburne relates 
an incident occurring in Galena about 1838, while 
"The Northwestern Gazette and Galena Adver- 
tiser" was under the charge of Sylvester M. 
Bartlett, who was afterwards one of the founders 
of "The Quincy Whig." The story, as told by 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



139 



M Washburne, is as follows: "David G. Bates 
(a Galena business man and captain of a packet 
plying between St. Louis and Galena) wrote a 
short communication for the paper reflecting on 
the character of John Turney, a prominent law- 
yer who had been a member of the House of 
Representatives in 1828-30, from the District 
composed of Pike, Adams, Fulton, Schuyler, 
Peoria and Jo Daviess Counties' Turney de- 
manded the name of the author and Bartlett gave 
up the name of Bates. Turney refused to take 
any notice of Bates and then challenged Bartlett 
to a duel, which was promptly accepted by Bart- 
lett. The second of Turney was the Hon. Joseph 
P. Hoge, afterward a member of Congress from 
the Galena District. Bartlett's second was 
William A. Warren, now of Bellevue, Iowa." 
(Warren was a prominent Union officer during 
the Civil War.) "The parties went out to the 
ground selected for the duel, in what was then 
Wisconsin Territory, seven miles north of Galena, 
and, after one ineffectual fire, the matter was 
compromised. Subsequently, Bartlett removed 
to Quincy, and was for a long time connected 
with the publication of 'The Quincy Whig.'" 

During the session of the Twelfth General 
Assembly (1841), A. R. Dodge, a Democratic 
Representative from Peoria County, feeling him- 
self aggrieved by some reflections indulged by Gen. 
John J. Hardin (then a Whig Representative 
from Morgan County) upon the Democratic party 
in connection with the partisan reorganization 
of the Supreme Court, threatened to "call out" 
Hardin. The affair was referred to W. L. D. 
Ewing and W. A. Richardson for Dodge, and 
J. J. Brown and E. B. Webb for Hardin, with 
the result that it was amicably adjusted "honor- 
ably to both parties." 

It was during the same session that John A. 
McClernand, then a young and fiery member 
from Gallatin County — who had, two years 
before, been appointed Secretary of State by 
Governor Carlin, but had been debarred from 
taking the office by an adverse decision of the 
Supreme Court — indulged in a violent attack 
upon the Whig members of the Court based upon 
allegations afterwards shown to have been fur- 
nished by Theophilus W. Smith, a Democratic 
member of the same court. Smith having joined 
his associates in a card denying the truth of the 
charges, McClernand responded with the publi- 
cation of the cards of persons tracing the allega- 
tions directly to Smith himself. This brought a 
note from Smith which McClernand construed into 
a challenge and answered with a prompt accept- 



ance. Attorney-General Lamborn, having got 
wind of the affair, lodged a complaint with a 
Springfield Justice of the Peace, which resulted 
in placing the pugnacious jurist under bonds to 
keep the peace, when he took his departure for 
Chicago, and the "affair" ended. 

An incident of greater historical interest than 
all the others yet mentioned, was the affair in 
which James Shields and Abraham Lincoln — the 
former the State Auditor and the latter at that 
time a young attorney at Springfield — were con- 
cerned. A communication in doggerel verse had 
appeared in "The Springfield Journal" ridiculing 
the Auditor. Shields made demand upon the 
editor (Mr. Simeon Francis) for the name of the 
author, and, in accordance with previous under- 
standing, the name of Lincoln was given. (Evi- 
dence, later coming to light, showed that the real 
authors were Miss Mary Todd — who, a few months 
later, became Mrs. Lincoln — and Miss Julia Jayne, 
afterwards the wife of Senator Trumbull.) 
Shields, through John D. Whiteside, a former 
State Treasurer, demanded a retraction of the 
offensive matter — the demand being presented to 
Lincoln at Tremont, in Tazewell County, where 
Lincoln was attending court. Without attempt- 
ing to follow the affair through all its complicated 
details — Shields having assumed that Lincoln was 
the author without further investigation, and 
Lincoln refusing to make any explanation unless 
the first demand was withdrawn — Lincoln named 
Dr. E. H. Merriman as his second and accepted 
Shield's challenge, naming cavalry broadswords 
as the weapons and the Missouri shore, within 
three miles of the city of Alton, as the place. 
The principals, with their "friends," met at the 
appointed time and place (Sept. 22, 1842, opposite 
the city of Alton); but, in the meantime, mutual 
friends, having been apprised of what was going 
on, also -appeared on the ground and brought 
about explanations which averted an actual con- 
flict. Those especially instrumental in bringing 
about this result were Gen. John J. Hardin of 
Jacksonville, and Dr. R. W. English of Greene 
County, while John D. Whiteside, W. L. D. 
Ewing and Dr. T. M. Hope acted as represent- 
atives of Shields, and Dr. E. H. Merriman, 
Dr. A. T. Bledsoe and William Butler for Lincoln. 
Out of this affair, within the next few days, 
followed challenges from Shields to Butler and 
Whiteside to Merriman ; but, although these were 
accepted, yet owing to some objection on the part 
of the challenging party to the conditions named 
by the party challenged, thereby resulting in de- 
lay, no meeting actually took place. 



140 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Another affair which bore important results 
without ending in a tragedy, occurred during the 
session of the Constitutional Convention in 1847. 
The parties to it were O. C. Pratt and Thompson 
Campbell — both Delegates from Jo Daviess 
County, and both Democrats. Some sparring 
between them over the question of suffrage for 
naturalized foreigners resulted in an invitation 
from Pratt to Campbell to meet him at the 
Planters' House in St. Louis, with an intimation 
that this was for the purpose of arranging the 
preliminaries of a duel. Both parties were on 
hand before the appointed time, but their arrest 
by the St. Louis authorities and putting them 
under heavy bonds to keep the peace, gave them 
an excuse for returning to their convention 
duties without coming to actual hostilities — if 
they had such intention. This was promptly 
followed by the adoption in Convention of the 
provision of the Constitution of 1848, disqualify- 
ing any person engaged in a dueling affair, either 
as principal or second, from holding any office of 
honor or profit in the State. 

The last and principal affair of this kind of 
historic significance, in which a citizen of Illinois 
was engaged, though not on Illinois soil, was that 
in which Congressman William H. Bissell, after- 
wards Governor of Illinois, and Jefferson Davis 
were concerned in February, 1850. During the 
debate on the "Compromise Measures" of that 
year. Congressman Seddon of Virginia went out 
of his way to indulge in implied reflections upon 
the courage of Northern soldiers as displayed on 
the battle-field of Buena Vista, and to claim f< >r 
the Mississippi regiment commanded by Davis 
the credit of saving the day. Replying to these 
claims Colonel Bissell took occasion to correct the 
Virginia Congressman's statements, and especi- . 
ally to vindicate the good name of the Illinois and 
Kentucky troops. In doing si. In- declared that, 
at the critical moment alluded to by Seddon. 
when the Indiana regiment gave way, Davis's 
regiment was not within a mile and a half of the 
scene of action. This was construed by Davis as 
a reflection upon his troops, and led to a challenge 
which was promptly accepted by Bissell, who 
named the soldier's weapon (the common army 
musket), loaded with ball and buckshot, with 
forty paces as the distance, with liberty to 
advance up to ten — otherwise leaving the pre- 
liminaries to be settled by his friends. The evi- 
dence manifested by Bissell that he was not to be 
intimidated, but was prepared to face death 
itself to vindicate his own honor and that of his 
comrades in the field, was a surprise to the South- 



ern leaders, and they soon found a way for Davis 
to withdraw his challenge on condition that 
Bissell should add to his letter of acceptance a 
clause awarding credit to the Mississippi regi- 
ment for what they actually did, but without dis- 
avowing or retracting a single word he had 
uttered in his speech. In the meantime, it is said 
that President Taylor, who was the father-in-law 
of Davis, having been apprised of what was on 
foot, had taken precautions to prevent a meeting 
by instituting legal proceedings the night before 
it was to take place, though this was rendered 
unnecessary by the act of Davis himself. Thus, 
Colonel Bissell's position was virtually (though 
indirectly) justified by his enemies. It is true, 
he was violently assailed by his political opponents 
for alleged violation of the inhibition in the State 
Constitution against dueling, especially when he 
came to take the oath of office as Governor of 
Illinois, seven years later; but his course in "turn- 
ing the tables" against his fire-eating opponents 
aroused the enthusiasm of the North, while his 
friends maintained that the act having been 
performed beyond the jurisdiction of the State, 
he was technically not guilty of any violation of 
the laws. 

While the provision in the Constitution of 1848, 
against dueling, was not re- incorporated in that 
of 1870, the laws on the subject are very strin- 
gent. Besides imposing a penalty of not less than 
one nor more than five years' imprisonment, or a 
line not exceeding §3,000, upon any one who, as 
principal or second, participates in a duel with a 
deadly weapon, whether such duel proves fatal 
or not, or who sends, carries or accepts a chal- 
lenge: the law also provides that any one con- 
victed of such offense shall be disqualified for 
holding "any office of profit, trust or emolument, 
either civil or military, under the Constitution or 
laws of this State." Any person leaving the 
State to send or receive a challenge is subject to 
the same penalties as if the offense had been 
committed witlnn the State ; and an}- person who 
may inflict upon his antagonist a fatal wound, as 
the result of an engagement made in this State to 
fight a duel beyond its jurisdiction — when the 
person so wounded dies within this State — is held 
to be guilty of murder and subject to punishment 
for the same. The publishing of any person as a 
coward, or the applying to him of opprobrious or 
abusive language, for refusing to accept a chal- 
lenge, is declared to be a crime punishable by 
fine or imprisonment. 

DUFF, Andrew D., lawyer and Judge, was 
born of a family of pioneer settlers in Bond 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



141 



County, 111., Jan. 24, 1820; was educated in the 
country schools, and, from 1842 to 1847, spent his 
time in teaching and as a farmer. The latter 
year he removed to Benton, Franklin County, 
where he began reading law, but suspended his 
studies to enlist in the Mexican War, serving as a 
private; in 1849 was elected County Judge of 
Franklin County, and. in the following year, was 
admitted to the bar. In 1861 he was elected 
Judge for the Twenty-sixth Circuit and re- 
elected in 1867, serving until 1878. He also 
served as a Delegate in the State Constitutional 
Convention of 1862 from the district composed of 
Franklin and Jackson Counties, and, being a 
zealous Democrat, was one of the leaders in 
calling the mass meeting held at Peoria, in 
August. 1864, to protest against the policy of the 
Government in the prosecution of the war. 
About the close of his last term upon the bench 
(1873), he removed to Carbondale, where he con- 
tinued to reside. In his later years he be- 
came an Independent in politics, acting for 
a time in cooperation with the friends of 
temperance. In 1885 he was appointed by joint 
resolution of the Legislature on a commission to 
revise the revenue code of the State. Died, at 
Tucson. Ariz., June 25, 1889. 

DUNCAN, Joseph, Congressman and Gov- 
ernor, was born at Paris, Ky., Feb. 22, 1794; 
emigrated to Illinois in 1818, having previously 
served with distinction in the War of 1812, and 
been pi - esented with a sword, by vote of Congress, 
for gallant conduct in the defense of Fort Stephen- 
son. He was commissioned Major-General of 
Illinois militia in 1823 and elected State Senator 
from Jackson County in 1824. He served in the 
lower house of Congress from 1827 to 1834, when 
he resigned his seat to occupy the gubernatorial 
chair, to which he was elected the latter year. He 
was the author of the first free-school law, 
adopted in 1825. His executive policy was con- 
servative and consistent, and his administration 
successful. He erected the first frame building 
at Jacksonville, in 1834, and was a liberal friend 
of Illinois College at that place. In his personal 
character he was kindly, genial and unassuming, 
although fearless in the expression of his convic- 
tions. He was the Whig candidate for Governor 
in 1842, when he met with his first political 
defeat. Died, at Jacksonville, Jan. 15, 1844, 
mourned by men of all parties. 

DUNCAN, Thomas, soldier, was born in Kas- 
kaskia, 111., April 14, 1809; served as a private in 
the Illinois mounted volunteers during the Black 
Hawk War of 1832; also as First Lieutenant of 



cavalry in the regular army in the Mexican War 
(1846), and as Major and Lieutenant-Colonel 
during the War of the Rebellion, still later doing 
duty upon the frontier keeping the Indians in 
check. He was retired from active service in 
1873, and died in Washington, Jan. 7, 1887. 

DUNDEE, a town on Fox River, in Kane 
County. 5 miles (by rail) north of Elgin and 47 
miles west-northwest of Chicago. It has two 
distinct corporations— East and West Dundee— 
but is progressive and united in action. Dairy 
farming is the principal industry of the adjacent 
region, and the town has two large milk-con- 
densing plants, a cheese factory, etc. It has good 
water power and there are flour and saw-mills, 
besides brick and tile-works, an.extensive nursery, 
two banks, six churches, a handsome high school 
building, a public library and one weekly paper. 
Population (1890), 2,023; (1900), 2,765. 

DUNHAM, John High, banker and Board of 
Trade operator, was born in Seneca County, 
N. Y., 1817; came to Chicago in 1844, engaged in 
the wholesale grocery trade, and, a few years 
later, took a prominent part in solving the ques- 
tion of a water supply for the city ; was elected to 
the Twentieth General Assembly (1856) and the 
next year assisted in organizing the Merchants' 
Loan & Trust Company, of which he became the 
first President, retiring five years later and re- 
engaging in the mercantile business. While 
Hon. Hugh McCullough was Secretary of the 
Treasury, he was appointed National Bank 
Examiner for Illinois, serving until 1866. He 
was a member of the Chicago Historical Society, 
the Academy of Sciences, and an early member 
of the Board of Trade. Died, April 28, 1893, 
leaving a large estate. 

DUNHAM, Ransom W., merchant and Con- 
gressman, was born at Savoy, Mass., March 21, 
1838 ; after graduating from the High School at 
Springfield, Mass., in 1855, was connected with 
the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Com- 
pany until August, 1860. In 1857 he removed 
from Springfield to Chicago, and at the termina- 
tion of his connection with the Insurance Com- 
pany, embarked in the grain and provision 
commission business in that city, and, in 1882, 
was President of the Chicago Board of Trade. 
From 1883 to 1889 he represented the First Illinois 
District in Congress, after the expiration of his 
last term devoting his attention to his large 
private business His death took place suddenly 
at Springfield, Mass., August 19, 1896. 

DUNLAP, Oeorge Lincoln, civil engineer and 
Railway Superintendent, was born at Brunswick, 



142 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Maine, in 1838 ; studied mathematics and engineer- 
ing at Gorham Academy, and, after several 
years' experience on the Boston & Maine and the 
New York & Erie Railways, came west in 1855 
and accepted a position as assistant engineer on 
what is now the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road, finally becoming its General Superintend- 
ent, and, in fourteen years of his connection with 
that road, vastly extending its lines. Between 
1872 and '79 he was connected with the Montreal 
& Quebec Railway, but the latter year returned 
to Illinois and was actively connected with the 
extension of the Wabash system until his retire- 
ment a few years ago. 

DUNLAP, Henry M., horticulturist and legis- 
lator, was born in Cook County, 111., Nov. 14, 
1853 — the son of M. L. Dunlap (the well-known 
"Rural"), who became a prominent horticulturist 
in Champaign County and was one of the found- 
ers of the State Agricultural Society. The family 
having located at Savoy, Champaign County, 
about 1857, the younger Dunlap was educated in 
the University of Illinois, graduating in the 
scientific department in 1875. Following in the 
footsteps of his father, he engaged extensively 
in fruit-growing, and has served in the office of 
both President and Secretary of the State Horti 
cultural Society, besides local offices. In 1892 he 
was elected as a Republican to the State Senate 
for the Thirtieth District, was re-elected in 1896, 
and has been prominent in State legislation. 

DUNLAP, Mathias Lane, horticulturist, was 
born at Cherry Valley, N. Y., Sept. 14, 1814; 
coming to La Salle County, 111., in 1835, he 
taught school the following winter ; then secured 
a clerkship in Chicago, and later became book- 
keeper for a firm of contractors on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, remaining two years. Having 
entered a body of Government land in the western 
part of Cook County, he turned his attention to 
farming, giving a portion of his time to survey- 
ing. In 1845 he became interested in horticulture 
and, in a few years, built up one of the most 
extensive nurseries in the West. In 1854 he was 
chosen a Representative in the Nineteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly from Cook County, and, at the 
following session, presided over the caucus which 
resulted in the nomination and final election of 
Lyman Trumbull to the United States Senate for 
the first time. Politically an anti-slavery Demo- 
crat, he espoused the cause of freedom in the 
Territories, while his house was one of the depots 
of the "underground railroad." In 1855 he pur- 
chased a half-section of land near Champaign, 
whither he removed, two years later, for the 



prosecution of his nursery business. He was an 
active member, for many years, of the State Agri- 
cultural Society and an earnest supporter of the 
scheme for the establishment of an "Industrial 
University," which finally took form in the Uni- 
versify of Illinois at Champaign. From 1853 to 
his death he was the agricultural correspondent, 
first of "The Chicago Democratic Press," and 
later of "The Tribune," writing over the nom de 
plume of "Rural." Died, Feb. 14, 1875. 

DU PAGE COUNTY, organized in 1839, named 
for a river which flows through it. It adjoins 
Cook County on the west and contains 340 square 
miles. In 1900 its population was 28,196. The 
county-seat was originally at Naperville, which 
was platted in 1842 and named in honor of Capt. 
Joseph Naper, who settled upon the site in 1831. 
In 1869 the county government was removed to 
Wheaton, the location of Wheaton College, 
where it yet remains. Besides Captain Naper, 
early settlers of prominence were Bailey Hobson 
(the pioneer in the township of Lisle), and Pierce 
Downer (in Downer's Grove). The chief towns 
are Wheaton (population, 1,622), Naperville 
(2,216), Hinsdale (1,584), Downer's Grove (960), 
and Roselle (450). Hinsdale and Roselle are 
largely populated by persons doing business in 
Chicago. 

DD (JUOIX, a city and railway junction in 
Perry County, 76 miles north of Cairo; has a 
foundry, machine shops, planing-mill, flour mills, 
salt works, ice factory, soda-water factory, 
creamery, coal mines, graded school, public 
library and four newspapers. Population (1890), 
4.052; (1900), 4,353; (1903, school census), 5,207. 

DURBOROW, Allan Cathcart, ex-Congress- 
man, was born in Philadelphia, Nov. 20, 1857. 
When five years old he accompanied his parents 
to Williamsport, Ind., where he received his 
early education. He entered the preparatory 
department of Wabash College in 1872, and 
graduated from the University of Indiana, at 
Bloomington, in 1877. After two years' residence 
in Indianapolis, he removed to Chicago, whei - e he 
engaged in business. Always active in local 
politics, he was elected by the Democrats in 1890, 
and again in 1892, Representative in Congress 
from the Second District, retiring with the close 
of the Fifty-third Congress. Mr. Durborow is 
Treasiirer of the Chicago Air-Line Express Com- 
pany. 

DUSTIN, (Gen.) Daniel, soldier, was born in 
Topsham, Orange County, Vt., Oct. 5, 1820; 
received a common-school and academic educa- 
tion, graduating in medicine at Dartmouth Col- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



143 



lege in 1846. After practicing three years at 
Corinth, Vt., he went to California in 1850 and 
engaged in mining, but three years later resumed 
the practice of his profession while conducting a 
mercantile business. He was subsequently chosen 
to the California Legislature from Nevada 
County, but coming to Illinois in 1858, he 
engaged in the drug business at Sycamore, De 
Kalb County, in connection with J. E. Elwood. 
On the breaking out of the war in 1861, he sold 
out his drug business and assisted in raising the 
Eighth Regiment Illinois Cavalry, and was com- 
missioned Captain of Company L. The regiment 
was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and, 
in January, 1862, he was promoted to the position 
of Major, afterwards taking part in the battle of 
Manassas, and the great "seven days' fight" 
before Richmond. In September, 1862, the One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry was mustered in at Dixon, and Major 
Dustin was commissioned its Colonel, soon after 
joining the Army of the Cumberland. After the 
Atlanta campaign he was assigned to the com- 
mand of a brigade in the Third Division of the 
Twelfth Army Corps, remaining in this position 
to the close of the war, meanwhile having been 
brevetted Brigadier-General for bravery displayed 
on the battle-field at Averysboro, N. C. He was 
mustered out at Washington, June 7, 1865, and 
took part in the grand review of the armies in 
that city which marked the close of the war. 
Returning to his home in De Kalb County, he 
was elected County Clerk in the following 
November, remaining in office four years. Sub- 
sequently he was chosen Circuit Clerk and ex- 
officio Recorder, and was twice thereafter 
re-elected — in 1884 and 1888. On the organization 
of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Quincy, in 
1885, he was appointed by Governor Oglesby one 
of the Trustees, retaining the position until his 
death. In May, 1890, he was appointed by 
President Harrison Assistant United States 
Treasurer at Chicago, but died in office while on 
a visit with his daughter at Carthage, Mo., March 
30, 1892. General Dustin was a Mason of high 
degree, and, in 1872, was chosen Right Eminent 
Commander of the Grand Commandery of the 
State. 

I) WIGHT, a prosperous city in Livingston 
County, 74 miles, by rail, south-southwest of Chi- 
cago, 52 miles northeast of Bloomington, and 22 
miles east of Streator ; has two banks, two weekly 
papers, six churches, five large warehouses, two 
electric light plants, complete water-works sys- 
tem, and four hotels. The city is the center of a 



rich farming and stock-raising district. Dwight 
has attained celebrity as the location of the first 
of "Keeley Institutes," founded for the cure of 
the drink and morphine habit. Population 
(1890), 1,354; (1900), 2,015. These figures do not 
include the floating population, which is 
augmented by patients who receive treatment 
at the "Keeley Institute." 

DYER, Charles Volney, M.D., pioneer physi- 
cian, was born at Clarendon, Vt., June 12, 1808; 
graduated in medicine at Middlebury College, in 
1830; began practice at Newark, N. J., in 1831, 
and in Chicago in 1835. He was an uncomprom- 
ising opponent of slavery and an avowed sup- 
porter of the "underground railroad," and, in 
1848, received the support of the Free-Soil party 
of Illinois for Governor. Dr. Dyer was also one 
of the original incorporators of the North Chicago 
Street Railway Company, and his name was 
prominently identified with many local benevo- 
lent enterprises. Died, in Lake View (then a 
suburb of Chicago), April 24, 1878. 

EARLVILLE, a city and railway junction in 
La Salle County, 52 miles northeast of Princeton, 
at the intersecting point of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy and the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroads. It is in the center of an agricultural 
and stock-raising district, and is an important 
shipping-point. It has seven churches, a graded 
school, one bank, two weekly newspapers and 
manufactories of plows, wagons and carriages. 
Population (1880), 963; (1890), 1,058; (1900), 1,122. 

EARLY, John, legislator and Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, was born of American parentage and Irish 
ancestry in Essex County, Canada West, March 
17, 1828, and accompanied his parents to Cale- 
donia, Boone County, 111., in 1846. His boyhood 
was passed upon his father's farm, and in youth 
he learned the trade (his father's) of carpenter 
and joiner. In 1852 he removed to Rockford, 
Winnebago County, and, in 1865, became State 
Agent of the New England Mutual Life Insur- 
ance Company. Between 1863 and 1866 he held 
sundry local offices, and, in 1869, was appointed 
by Governor Palmer a Trustee of the State 
Reform School. In 1870 he was elected State 
Senator and re-elected in 1874, serving in the 
Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth 
and Thirtieth' General Assemblies. In 1873 he 
was elected President pro tern, of the Senate, and, 
Lieut-Gov. Beveridge succeeding to the executive 
chair, he became ex-officio Lieutenant-Governor. 
In 1875 he was again the Republican nominee for 
the Presidency of the Senate, but was defeated 



\u 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



by a coalition of Democrats and Independents. 
He died while a member of the Senate, Sept 3, 
1877. 

EARTHQUAKE OF 1811. A series of the 
most remarkable earthquakes in the history of 
the Mississippi Valley began on the night of 
November 16, 1811, continuing for several months 
and finally ending with the destruction of Carac- 
cas, Venezuela, in March following. While the 
center of the earlier disturbance appears to have 
been in the vicinity of New Madrid, in Southeast- 
ern Missouri, its minor effects were felt through 
a wide extent of country, especially in the 
settled portions of Illinois. Contemporaneous 
history states that, in the American Bottom, then 
the most densely settled portion of Illinois, the 
results were very perceptible. The walls of a 
brick house belonging to Mr. Samuel Judy, a 
pioneer settler in the eastern edge of the bottom, 
near Edwardsville, Madison County, were cracked 
by the convulsion, the effects being seen for more 
than two generations. Gov. John Reynolds, then 
a young man of 23, living with his father's 
family in what was called the "Goshen Settle- 
ment," near Edwardsville, in his history of "My 
Own Times," says of it: "Our family were all 
sleeping in a log-cabin, and my father leaped out 
of bed, crying out, 'The Indians are on the house. 
The battle of Tippecanoe had been recently 
fought, and it was supposed the Indians would 
attack the settlements. Not one in the family 
knew at that time it was an earthquake. The 
next morning another shock made us acquainted 
with it. . . . The cattle came running home 
bellowing with fear, and all animals were terribly 
alarmed. Our house cracked and quivered so we 
were fearful it would fall to the ground. In the 
American Bottom many chimneys were thrown 
down, and the church bell at Cahokia was 
sounded by the agitation of the building. It is 
said a shock of an earthquake was felt in Kaskas- 
kia in 1804, but I did not perceive it." Owing to 
the sparseness of the population in Illinois at that 
time, but little is known of the effect of the con- 
vulsion of 1811 elsewhere, but there are numerous 
"sink-holes" in Union and adjacent counties, 
between the forks of the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers, which probably owe their origin to this or 
some similar disturbance. "On the Kaskaskia 
River below Athens," says Governor Reynolds in 
his "Pioneer History," "the water and white sand 
were thrown up through a fissure of the earth." 

EAST DUBUQUE, an incorporated city of Jo 
Daviess County, on the east bank of the Missis- 
sippi. 17 miles (by rail) northeast of Galena. It 



is connected with Dubuque, Iowa, by a railroad 
and a wagon bridge two miles in length. It has 
a grain elevator, a box factory, a planing mill 
and manufactories of cultivators and sand drills. 
It has also a bank, . two churches, good public 
schools and a weekly newspaper. Population 
(1880), 1,037; (1890), 1,069; (1900), 1,146. 

EASTON, (Col.) Rufus, pioneer, founder of the 
city of Alton; was born at Litchfield, Conn., 
May 4. 1774; studied law and practiced two 
years in Oneida County, N. Y. ; emigrated to St. 
Louis in 1804, and was commissioned by President 
Jefferson Judge of the Territory of Louisiana, 
and also became the first Postmaster of St. Louis, 
in 1808. From 1814 to 1818 he served as Delegate 
in Congress from Missouri Territory, and, on the 
organization of the State of Missouri (1821), was 
appointed Attorney -General for the State, serving 
until 1826. His death occurred at St. Charles, 
Mo., July 5, 1834. Colonel Easton's connection 
with Illinois history is based chiefly upon the 
fact that he was the founder of the present city 
of Alton, which he laid out, in 1817, on a tract of 
land of which he had obtained possession at the 
mouth of the Little Piasa Creek, naming the 
town for his son. Rev. Thomas Lippincott, 
prominently identified with the early history of 
that portion of the State, kept a store for Easton 
at Milton, on Wood River, about two miles from 
Alton, in the early " '20's." 

EAST ST. LOUIS, a flourishing city in St. Clair 
County, on the east bank of the Mississippi di- 
rectly opposite St. Louis; is the terminus of 
twenty-two railroads and several electric lines, 
and the leading commercial and manufacturing 
point in Southern Illinois. Its industries include 
rolling mills, steel, brass, malleable iron and 
glass works, grain elevators and flour mills, 
breweries, stockyards and packing houses. The 
city has eleven public and five parochial schools, 
one high school, and two colleges; is well sup- 
plied with banks and has one daily and four 
weekly papers. Population (1890), 15,169; (1900), 
29,655; (1903, est ), 40,000. 

EASTERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE. 
The act for the establishment of this institution 
passed the General Assembly in 1877. Many 
cities offered inducements, by way of donations, 
for the location of the new hospital, but the site 
finally selected was a farm of 250 acres near Kan- 
kakee, and this was subsequently enlarged by the 
purchase of 327 additional acres in 1881. Work 
was begun in 1878 and the first patients received 
in December, 1879. The plan of the institution 
is, in many respects, unique. It comprises a 



o 

CO 
IX 

1-3 
H 



O 






a 
5 

DO 







HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



145 



general building, three stories high, capable of 
accommodating 300 to 400 patients, and a number 
of detached buildings, technically termed cot- 
tages, where various classes of insane patients may 
be grouped and receive the particular treatment 
best adapted to ensure their recovery. The plans 
were mainly worked out from suggestions by 
Frederick Howard Wines, LL.D., then Secretary 
of the Board of Public Charities, and have 
attracted generally favorable comment both in 
this country and abroad. The seventy-five build- 
ings occupied for the various purposes of the 
institution, cover a quarter-section of land laid off 
in regular streets, beautified with trees, plants 
and flowers, and presenting all the appearance of 
a flourishing village with numerous small parks 
adorned with walks and drives. The counties 
from which patients are received include Cook, 
Champaign, Coles, Cumberland, De Witt, Doug- 
las, Edgar, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, 
La Salle, Livingston, Macon, McLean, Moultrie 
Piatt, Shelby, Vermilion and Will. The whole 
number of patients in 1898 was 2,200, while the 
employes of all classes numbered 300. 

EASTERN ILLINOIS NORMAL SCHOOL, an 
institution designed to qualify teachers for giving 
instruction in the public schools, located at 
Charleston, Coles County, under an act of the 
Legislature passed at the session of 1895. The 
act appropriated §50,000 for the erection of build- 
ings, to which additional appropriations were 
added in 1897 and 1898, of §25,000 and §50,000, 
respectively, with §56,216.72 contributed by the 
city of Charleston, making a total of §181,216.72. 
The building was begun in 1896, the corner-stone 
being laid on May 27 of that year. There was 
delay in the progress of the work in consequence 
of the failure of the contractors in December, 
1896, but the work was resumed in 1897 and 
practically completed early in 1899, with the 
expectation that the institution would be opened 
for the reception of students in September fol- 
lowing. 

EASTMAN, Zebina, anti-slavery journalist, 
was born at North Amherst, Mass., Sept. 8, 1815; 
became a printer's apprentice at 14, but later 
spent a short time in an academy at Hadley. 
Then, after a brief experience as an employe in 
the office of "The Hartford Pearl," at the age of 
18 he invested his patrimony of some §2,000 in 
the establishment of "The Free Press" at Fayette- 
ville, Vt. This venture proving unsuccessful, in 
1837 he came west, stopping a year or two at 
Ann Arbor, Mich. In 1839 he visited Peoria by- 
way of Chicago, working for a time on "The 



Peoria Register, " but soon after joined Benjamin 
Lundy, who was preparing to revive his paper, 
"The Genius of Universal Emancipation," at 
Lowell, La Salle County. This scheme was 
partially defeated by Lundy's early death, but, 
after a few months' delay, Eastman, in conjunc- 
tion with Hooper Warren, began the publication 
of "The Genius of Liberty" as the successor of 
Lundy's paper, using the printing press which 
Warren had used in the office of "The Commer 
cial Advertiser, "in Chicago, a year or so before. In 
1842, at the invitation of prominent Abolitionists, 
the paper was removed to Chicago, where it was 
issued under the name of "The Western Citizen," 
in 1853 becoming "The Free West," and finally, 
in 1856, being merged in "The Chicago Tribune." 
After the suspension of "The Free West," Mr. 
Eastman began the publication of "The Chicago 
Magazine," a literary and historical monthly, 
but it reached only its fifth number when it was 
discontinued for want of financial support. In 
1861 he was appointed by President Lincoln 
United States Consul at Bristol, England, where 
he remained eight years. On his return from 
Europe, he took up his residence at Elgin, later 
removing to May wood, a suburb of Chicago, 
where he died, June. 14, 1883. During the latter 
years of his life Mr. Eastman contributed many 
articles of great historical interest to the Chi- 
cago press. (See Lundy, Benjamin, and Warren, 
Hooper.) 

EBERHART, John Frederick, educator and 
real-estate operator, was born in Mercer County. 
Pa., Jan. 21, 1829; commenced teaching at 16 
years of age, and, in 1853, graduated from Alle- 
gheny College, at Meadville, soon after becoming 
Principal of Albright Seminary at Berlin, in the 
same State ; in 1855 came west by way of Chicago, 
locating at Dixon and engaging in editorial work; 
a year later established "The Northwestern 
Home and School Journal," which he published 
three years, in the meantime establishing and 
conducting teachers' institutes in Illinois, Iowa 
and Wisconsin. In 1859 he was elected School 
Commissioner of Cook County — a position which 
was afterwards changed to County Superintend- 
ent of Schools, and which he held ten years. Mr. 
Eberhart was largely instrumental in the estab- 
lishment of the Cook County Normal School. 
Since retiring from office he has been engaged in 
the real-estate business in Chicago. 

ECKHART, Bernard A., manufacturer and 
President of the Chicago Drainage Board, was 
born in Alsace, France (now Germany), brought 
to America in infancy and reared on a farm in 



146 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Vernon County, Wis. ; was educated at Milwau- 
kee, and, in 1868, became clerk in the office of the 
Eagle Milling Company of that city, afterwards 
serving as its Eastern agent in various seaboard 
cities. He finally established an extensive mill- 
ing business in Chicago, in which he is now 
engaged. In 1884 he served as a delegate to the 
National Waterway Convention at St. Paul and, 
in 1886, was elected to the State Senate, serving 
four years and taking a prominent part in draft- 
ing the Sanitary Drainage Bill passed by the 
Thirty -sixth General Assembly. He has also been 
prominent in connection with various financial 
institutions, and, in 1891, was elected one of the 
Trustees of the Sanitary District of Chicago, was 
re-elected in 1895 and chosen President of the 
Board for the following year, and re-elected Pres- 
ident in December, 1898. 

EDBROOKE, Willoughby J., Supervising 
Architect, was born at Deerfield, Lake County, 
111., Sept. 3, 1843; brought up to the architectural 
profession by his father and under the instruc- 
tion of Chicago architects. During Mayor 
Roche's administration he held the position of 
Commissioner of Public Works, and, in April, 
1891, was appointed Supervising Architect of the 
Treasury Department at Washington, in that 
capacity supervising the construction of Govern- 
ment buildings at the World's Columbian Exposi- 
tion. Died, in Chicago, March 26, 1896. 

EDDY, Henry, pioneer lawyer and editor, 
was born in Vermont, in 1798, reared in New 
York, learned the printer's trade at Pittsburg, 
served in the War of 1812, and was wounded in 
the battle of Black Rock, near Buffalo ; came to 
Shawneetown, 111., in 1818, where he edited "The 
Illinois Emigrant," the earliest paper in that 
part of the State; was a Presidential Elector in 
1*24, a Representative in the Second and Fif- 
teenth General Assemblies, and elected a Circuit 
Judge in 1833, but resigned a few weeks later. 
He was a Whig in politics. Usher F. Linder, in 
his "Reminiscences of the Early Bench and Bar 
of Illinois," says of Mr. Eddy: "When he 
addressed the court, he elicited the most profound 
attention. He was a sort of walking law library. 
He never forgot anything that he ever knew, 
whether law, poetry or belles lettres." Died, 
June 29, 1849. 

EDDY, Thomas Mears, clergyman and author, 
was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Sept. 7, 
1823; educated at Greensborough, Ind., and, from 
1842 tn 1853, was a Methodist circuit preacher 
in that State, becoming Agent of the American 
Bible Society the latter year, and Presiding 



Elder of the Indianapolis district until 1856, when 
he was appointed editor of "The Northwestern 
Christian Advocate," in Chicago, retiring from 
that position in 1868. Later, he held pastorates 
in Baltimore and Washington, and was chosen 
one of the Corresponding Secretaries of the Mis- 
sionary Society by the General Conference of 
1872. Dr. Eddy was a copious writer for the 
press, and, besides occasional sermons, published 
two volumes of ' reminiscences and personal 
sketches of prominent Illinoisans in the War of 
the Rebellion under the title of "Patriotism of 
Illinois" (1865). Died, in New York, City, Oct. 
7, 1874. 

EDGAR, John, early settler at Kaskaskia, was 
born in Ireland and, during the American Revo- 
lution, served as an officer in the British navy, 
but married an American woman of great force 
of character who sympathized strongly with the 
patriot cause. Having become involved in the 
desertion of three British soldiers whom his wife 
had promised to assist in reaching the American 
camp, he was compelled to flee. A f ter remaining 
for a while in the American army, during which 
he became the friend of General La Fayette, he 
sought safety by coming west, arriving at Kas- 
kaskia in 1784. His property was confiscated, but 
his wife succeeded in saving some §12,000 from 
the wreck, with which she joined him two years 
later. He engaged in business and became an 
extensive land-owner, being credited, during 
Territorial days, with the ownership of nearly 
50,000 acres situated in Randolph, Monroe, St. 
Clair, Madison, Clinton, Washington, Perry and 
Jackson Counties, and long known as the "Edgar 
lands." He also purchased and rebuilt a mill 
near Kaskaskia which had belonged to a French- 
man named Paget, and became a large shipper of 
flour at an early day to the Southern markets. 
When St. Clair County was organized, in 1790, he 
was appointed one of the Judges of the Common 
Pleas Court, and so appears to have continued 
for more than a quarter of a century. On the 
establishment of a Territorial Legislature for the 
Northwest Territory, he was chosen, in 1799, one 
of the members for St. Clair County — the Legis- 
lature holding its session at Chillicothe, in the 
present State of Ohio, under the administration 
of Governor St. Clair. He was also appointed a 
Major-General of militia, retaining the office for 
many years. General and Mrs. Edgar were 
leaders of society at the old Territorial capital, 
and, on the visit of La Fayette to Kaskaskia in 
. 1825, a reception was given at their house to the 
distinguished Frenchman, whose acquaintance 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



147 



they had made more than forty years before. He 
died at Kaskaskia, in 1832. Edgar County, in the 
eastern part of the State, was named in honor of 
General Edgar. He was Worshipful Master of 
the first Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons in Illinois, constituted at Kaskaskia in 
1806. 

EDGAR COUNTY, one of the middle tier of 
counties from north to south, lying on the east- 
ern border of the State; was organized in 1823, 
and named for General Edgar, an early citizen of 
Kaskaskia. It contains 630 square miles, with 
a population (1900) of 28,273. The county is 
nearly square, well watered and wooded. Most 
of the acreage is under cultivation, grain-growing 
and stock-raising being the principal industries. 
Generally, the soil is black to a considerable 
depth, though at some points — especially adjoin- 
ing the timber lands in the east — the soft, brown 
clay of the subsoil comes to the surface. Beds of 
the drift period, one hundred feet deep, are found 
in the northern portion, and some twenty-five 
years ago a nearly perfect skeleton of a mastodon 
was exhumed. A bed of limestone, twenty-five 
feet thick, crops out near Baldwinsville and runs 
along Brouillet's creek to the State line. Paris, the 
county-seat, is a railroad center, and has a popu- 
lation of over 6,000. Vermilion and Dudley are 
prominent shipping points, while Chrisman, 
which was an unbroken prairie in 1872, was 
credited with a population of 900 in 1900. 

EDINBURG, a village of Christian County, on 
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway, 18 
miles southeast of Springfield; has two banks 
and one newspaper. The region is agricultural, 
though some coal is mined here. Population 
(1880), 551; (1890), 806; (1900), 1,071. 

EDSALL, James Kirtland, former Attorney 
General, was born at Windham, Greene County, 
N. Y., May 10, 1831. After passing through the 
common-schools, he attended an academy at 
Prattsville, N.Y. , supporting himself, meanwhile, 
by working upon a farm. He read law at Pratts- 
ville and Catskill, and was admitted to the bar at 
Albany in 1852. The next two years lie spent in 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, and, in 1854, removed 
to Leavenworth, Kan. He was elected to the 
Legislature of that State in 1855, being a member 
of the Topeka (free-soil) body when it was broken 
up by United States troops in 1856. In August, 
1856, he settled at Dixon, 111., and at once 
engaged in practice. In 1863 lie was elected 
Mayor of that city, and, in 1870, was chosen State 
Senator, serving on the Committees on Munic- 
ipalities and Judiciary in the Twenty-seventh 



General Assembly. In 1872 he was elected 
Attorney-General on the Republican ticket and 
re-elected in 1876. At the expiration of his 
second term he took up his residence in Chicago, 
where he afterwards devoted himself to the prac- 
tice of his profession, until his death, which 
occurred, June 20, 1892. 

EDUCATION. 

The first step in the direction of the establish- 
ment of a system of free schools for the region 
now comprised within the State of Illinois was 
taken in the enactment by Congress, on May 20, 
1785, of "An Ordinance for Ascertaining the 
mode of disposing of lands in the Western Terri- 
tory. " This applied specifically to the region 
northwest of the Ohio River, which had been 
acquired through the conquest of the "Illinois 
Country" by Col. George Rogers Clark, acting 
under the auspices of the State of Virginia and 
by authority received from its Governor, the 
patriotic Patrick Henry. This act for the first 
time established the present system of township 
(or as it was then called, "rectangular") surveys, 
devised by Capt. Thomas Hutchins, who became 
the first Surveyor-General (or "Geographer," as 
the office was styled) of the United States under 
the same act. Its important feature, in this con- 
nection, was the provision "that there shall be 
reserved the lot No. 16 of every township, for the 
maintenance of public schools within the town- 
ship. " The same reservation (the term "section" 
being substituted for "lot" in the act of May 18, 
1796) was made in all subsequent acts for the sale 
of public lands — the acts of July 23, 1787, and 
June 20, 1788, declaring that "the lot No. 16 in 
each township, or fractional part of a township," 
shall be "given perpetually for the purpose con- 
tained in said ordinance" (i. e. , the act of 1785). 
The next step was taken in the Ordinance of 1787 
(Art. III.), in the declaration that, "religion, 
morality and knowledge being necessary for the 
happiness of mankind, schools and the means of 
education shall forever be encouraged." The 
reservation referred to in the act of 1785 (and 
subsequent acts) was reiterated in the "enabling 
act" passed by Congress, April 18, 1818, authoriz- 
ing the people of Illinois Territory to organize a 
State Government, and was formally accepted by 
the Convention which formed the first State 
Constitution. The enabling act also set apart one 
entii-e township (in addition to one previously 
donated for the same purpose by act of Congress 
in 1804) for the use of a seminary of learning, 



148 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



together with three per cent of the net proceeds 
of the sales of public lands within the State, "to 
be appropriated by the Legislature of the State 
for the encouragement of learning, of which one- 
sixth part" (or one-half of one per cent) "shall 
be exclusively bestowed on a college or univer- 
sity." Thus, the plan for the establishment of a 
system of free public education in Illinois had its 
inception in the first steps for the organization of 
the Northwest Territory, was recognized in the 
Ordinance of 1787 which reserved that Territory 
forever to freedom, and was again reiterated in 
the preliminary steps for the organization of the 
State Government. These several acts became 
the basis of that permanent provision for the 
encouragement of education known as the "town- 
ship," "seminary" and "college or university" 
funds. 

Early Schools. — Previous to this, however, a 
beginning had been made in the attempt to estab- 
lish schools for the benefit of the children of the 
pioneers. One John Seeley is said to have taught 
the first American school within the territory of 
Illinois, in a log-cabin in Monroe County, in 1783, 
followed by others in the next twenty years in 
Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Madison Coun- 
ties. Seeley's earliest successor was Francis 
Clark, who, in turn, was followed by a man 
named Halfpenny, who afterwards built a mill 
near the present town of Waterloo in Monroe 
County. Among the teachers of a still later period 
were John Boyle, a soldier in Col. George Rogers 
Clark's army, who taught in Randolph County 
between 1790 and 1800; John Atwater, near 
Edwardsville, in 1807, and John Messinger, a sur- 
veyor, who was a member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1818 and Speaker of the first House 
of Representatives. The latter taught in the 
vicinity of Shiloh in St. Clair County, afterwards 
the site of Rev. John M. Peck*s Rock Spring 
Seminary. The schools which existed during 
this period, and for many years after the organi- 
zation of the State Government, were necessarily 
few, widely scattered and of a very primitive 
character, receiving their support entirely by 
subscription from their patrons. 

First Free School Law and Sales of 
School Lands. — It has been stated that the first 
free school in the State was established at Upper 
Alton, in 1821, but there is good reason for believ- 
ing this claim was based upon the power granted 
by the Legislature, in an act passed that year, to 
establish such schools there, which power was 
never carried into effect. The first attempt to 
establish a free-school system for the whole State 



was made in January, 1825, in the passage of a 
bill introduced by Joseph Duncan, afterwards a 
Congressman and Governor of the State. It 
nominally appropriated two dollars out of each one 
hundred dollars received in the State Treasury, 
to be distributed to those who had paid taxes or 
subscriptions for the support of schools. So 
small was the aggregate revenue of the State at 
that time (only a little over 860,000), that the 
sum realized from this law would have been but 
little more than §1,000 per year. It remained 
practically a dead letter and was repealed in 1829, 
when the State inaugurated the policy of selling 
the seminary lands and borrowing the proceeds 
for the payment of current expenses. In this 
way 43,200 acres (or all but four and a half sec- 
tions) of the seminary lands were disposed of, 
realizing less than 860,000. The first sale of 
township school lands took place in Greene 
County in 1831, and, two years later, the greater 
part of the school section in the heart of the 
present city of Chicago was sold, producing 
about $39,000. The average rate at which these 
sales were made, up to 1882, was §3.78 per acre, 
and the minimum, 70 cents per acre. That 
these lands have, in very few instances, produced 
the results expected of them, was not so much 
the fault of the system as of those selected to 
administer it — whose bad judgment in premature 
sales, or whose complicity with the schemes of 
speculators, were the means, in many cases, of 
squandering what might otherwise have furnished 
a liberal provision for the support of public 
schools in many sections of the State. Mr. W. L. 
Pillsbury, at present Secretary of the University 
of Illinois, in a paper printed in the report of the 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction for 
1885-86 — to which the writer is indebted for many 
of the facts presented in this article — gives to 
Chicago the credit of establishing the first free 
schools in the State in 1834, while Alton followed 
in 1837, and Springfield and Jacksonville in 1840. 
Early Higher Institutions. — A movement 
looking to the establishment of a higher institu- 
tion of learning in Indiana Territory (of which 
Illinois then formed a part), was inaugurated by 
the passage, through the Territorial Legislature at 
Vincennes, in November, 1806, of an act incorpo- 
rating the University of Indiana Territory to be 
located at Vincennes. One provision of the act 
authorized the raising of $20,000 for the institu- 
tion by means of a lottery. A Board of Trustees 
was promptly organized, with Gen. William 
Henry Harrison, then the Territorial Governor, 
at its head ; but, beyond the erection of a building, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



149 



little progress was made. Twenty-one years 
later (1827) the first successful attempt to found 
an advanced school was made by the indomitable 
Rev. John M. Peck, resulting in the establish- 
ment of his Theological Seminary and High 
School at Rock Springs, St. Clair County, which, 
in 1831, became the nucleus of Shurtleff College at 
Upper Alton. In like manner, Lebanon Semi- 
nary, established in 1828, two years later 
expandeil into McKendree College, while instruc- 
tion began to be given at Illinois College, Jack- 
sonville, in December, 1829, as the outcome of a 
movement started by a band of young men at 
Yale College in 1827 — these several institutions 
being formally incorporated by the same act of 
the Legislature, passed in 1835. (See.sketches of 
these Institutions.) 

Educational Conventions. — In 1833 there 
was held at Vandalia (then the State capital) the 
first of a series of educational conventions, which 
were continued somewhat irregularly for twenty 
years, and whose history is remarkable for the 
number of those participating in them who after- 
wards gained distinction in State and National 
history. At first these conventions were held at 
the State capital during the sessions of the Gen- 
eral Assembly, when the chief actors in them 
were members of that body and State officers, 
with a few other friends of education from the 
ranks of professional or business men. At the 
convention of 1833, we find, among those partici- 
pating, the names of Sidney Breese, afterwards a 
United States Senator and Justice of the Supreme 
Court; Judge S. D. Lockwood, then of the Supreme 
Court; W. L. D. Ewing, afterwards acting Gov- 
ernor and United States Senator ; O. H. Browning, 
afterwards United States Senator and Secretary 
of the Interior; James Hall and John Russell, 
the most notable writers in the State in their day, 
besides Dr. J. M. Peck, Archibald Williams, 
Benjamin Mills, Jesse B. Thomas, Henry Eddy 
and others, all prominent in their several depart- 
ments. In a second convention at the same 
place, nearly two years later, Abraham Lincoln, 
Stephen A. Douglas and Col. John J. Hardin 
were participants. At Springfield, in 1840, pro- 
fessional and literary men began to take a more 
prominent part, although the members of the 
Legislature were present in considerable force. 
A convention held at Peoria, in 1844, was made 
up largely of professional teachers and school 
officers, with a few citizens of local prominence ; 
and the same may be said of those held at Jack- 
sonville in 1845, and later at Chicago and other 
points. Various attempts were made to form 



permanent educational societies, finally result- 
ing, in December, 1854, in the organization of the 
"State Teachers' Institute," which, three years 
later, took the name of the "State Teachers' 
Association" — though an association of the same 
name was organized in 1836 and continued in 
existence several years. 

State Superintendent and School Jour- 
nals. — The appointment of a State Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction began to be agitated as 
early as 1837, and was urged from time to time in 
memorials and resolutions by educational conven- 
tions, by the educational press, and in the State 
Legislature; but it was not until February, 1854, 
that an act was passed creating the office, when 
the Hon. Ninian W. Edwards was appointed by 
Gov. Joel A. Matteson, continuing in office until 
his successor was elected in 1856. "The Common 
School Advocate" was published for a year at 
Jacksonville, beginning with January, 1837; in 
1841 "The Illinois Common School Advocate" 
began publication at Springfield, but was discon- 
tinued after the issue of a few numbers. In 1855 
was established "The Illinois Teacher." This 
was merged, in 1873, in "The Illinois School- 
master," which became the organ of the State 
Teachers' Association, so remaining several years. 
The State Teachers' Association has no official 
organ now, but the "Public School Journal" is 
the chief educational publication of the State. 

Industrial Education. — In 1851 was insti- 
tuted a movement which, although obstructed for 
some time by partisan opposition, has been 
followed by more far-reaching results, for the 
country at large, than any single measure in the 
history of education since the act of 1785 setting 
apart one section in each township for the support 
of public schools. This was the scheme formu- 
lated by the late Prof. Jonathan B. Turner, of 
Jacksonville, for a system of practical scientific, 
education for the agricultural, mechanical and 
other industrial classes, at a Farmers' Convention 
held under the auspices of the Buel Institute (an 
Agricultural Society), at Granville, Putnam 
County, Nov. 18, 1851. While proposing a plan 
for a "State University" for Illinois, it also advo- 
cated, from the outset, a "University for the 
industrial classes in each of the States," by way 
of supplementing the work which a "National 
Institute of Science," such as the Smithsonian 
Institute at Washington, was expected to accom- 
plish. The proposition attracted the attention 
of persons interested in the cause of industrial 
education in other States, especially in New 
York and some of the New England States, and 



i50 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



received their hearty endorsement and cooper- 
ation. The Granville meeting was followed by a 
series of similar conventions held at Springfield, 
June 8, 1852; Chicago, Nov. 24, 1852; Springfield, 
Jan. 4, 1853, and Springfield, Jan. 1, 1855, at 
which the scheme was still further elaborated. 
At the Springfield meeting of January, 1852, an 
organization was formed under the title of the 
"Industrial League of the State of Illinois,"' with 
a view to disseminating information, securing 
more thorough organization on the part of friends 
of the measure, and the employment of lecturers 
to address the people of the State on the subject. 
At the same time, it was resolved that "this Con- 
vention memorialize Congress for the purpose of 
obtaining a grant of public lands to establish and 
endow industrial institutions in each and every 
State in the Union." It is worthy of note that 
this resolution contains the central idea of the 
act passed by Congress nearly ten years after- 
ward, making appropriations of public lands for 
the establishment and support of industrial 
colleges in the several States, which act received 
the approval of President Lincoln, July 2, 1862— 
a similar measure having been vetoed by Presi- 
dent Buchanan in February, 1859. The State 
was extensively canvassed by Professor Turner, 
Mr. Bronson Murray (now of New York), the late 
Dr. R. C. Rutherford and others, in behalf of the 
objects of the League, and the Legislature, at its 
session of 1853, by unanimous vote in both houses, 
adopted the resolutions commending the measure 
and instructing the United States Senators from 
Illinois, and requesting its Representatives, to 
give it their support. Though not specifically 
contemplated at the outset of the movement, the 
Convention at Springfield, in January, 1855, pro- 
posed, as a part of the scheme, the establishment 
of a "Teachers' Seminary or Normal School 
Department." which took form in the act passed 
at the session of 185T, for the establishment of 
the State Normal School at Normal. Although 
delayed, as already stated, the advocates of indus- 
trial education in Illinois, aided by those of other 
States, finally triumphed in 1862. The lands 
received by the State as the result of this act 
amounted to 480,000 acres, besides subsequent do- 
nations. (See University of Illinois; also Turner, 
Jonathan Baldwin.) On the foundation thus 
furnished was established, by act of the Legisla- 
ture in 1867, the "Illinois Industrial University'' 
— now the University of Illinois — at Champaign, 
to say nothing of more than forty similar insti- 
tutions in as many States and Territories, based 
upon the same general act of Congress. 



Free-School System.— While there may be 
said to have been a sort of free-school system in 
existence in Illinois previous to 1855, it was 
limited to a few fortunate districts possessing 
funds derived from the sale of school-lands situ- 
ated within their respective limits. The system 
of free schools, as it now exists, based upon 
general taxation for the creation of a permanent 
school fund, had its origin in the act of that 
year. As already shown, the office of State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction had been 
created by act of the Legislature in February, 
1854, and the act of 1855 was but a natural corol- 
lary of the previous measure, giving to the people 
a uniform system, as the earlier one had provided 
an official for its administration. Since then 
there have been many amendments of the school 
law, but these have been generally in the direc- 
tion of securing greater efficiency, but with- 
out departure from the principle of securing 
to all the children of the State the equal 
privileges of a common-school education. The 
development of the system began practically 
about 1857, and, in the next quarter of a 
century, the laws on the subject had grown 
into a considerable volume, while the number- 
less decisions, emanating from the office of the 
State Superintendent in construction of these 
laws, made up a volume of still larger proportions. 

The following comparative table of school 
statistics, for 1860 and 1896, compiled from the 
Reports of the State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, will illustrate the growth of the 
system in some of its more important features: 

I860. 1896. 

Population 1,711,951 (est.) 4,250,000 

No. of Persona of School Age ( be- 

tween6and21) •549.604 1,384.367 

No. of Pupils enrolled «472.247 898.619 

" School Districts 8.956 11,615 

Public Schools 9.162 12.623 

Graded " 294 l."7 

Public High Schools 272 

■< School Houses built during 

tlievear. 557 267 

Whole No. of School Houses 8.221 12,632 

No. of Male Teachers 8.223 7,057 

Female Teachers 6,485 18,359 

Whole No. of Teachers in Public 

Schools 14,708 26.416 

Highest Monthly Wages paid Male 

Teachers S180.00 S300.00 

Highest Monthly Wages paid 

Female Teachers 75.00 280.00 

Lowest Monthly Wages paid Male 

Teachers 8.00 14.00 

Lowest Monthly Wages paid 

Female Teachers... 4.00 10.00 

Average Monthly Wages paid Male 

Teachers 28.82 57.78 

Average Monthly Wages paid 

Female Teachers 18.80 50.63 

No. of Private Schools 500 2,619 

No. of Pupils in Private Schools.... 29,204 139,969 
Interest on State and County Funds 

received »73,<50.38 J65.583.63 

Amount of Income from Township 

Funds 322,852.00 889,614.20 

*Only white children were included In these statistics for 
I860. 




o 






o 

X 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



151 



I860. 1896. 
Amount received from State Tax.. $ 690,000.00 J 1,000,000.00 
" " " Special Dis- 
trict Taxes 1,265,137.00 13,133,809.61 

Amount received from Bonds dur- 
ing the year 517,960.93 

Total Amount received during the 

year by School Districts 2,193,455,00 15,607,172.50 

Amount paid Male Teachers 2,772,829.32 

" •' Female " 7.186.105.67 

Whole amount paid Teachers .... 1,542,211.00 9,958,934.99 
Amount paid for new School 

Houses 348,728.00 1,873,757.25 

Amount paid for repairs and im- 
provements 1,070.755.09 

Amount paid for School Furniture. 24,837.00 154,836.64 

' " Apparatus 8,563.00 164,298.92 

" " " Books for Dis- 
trict Lihrarles 30.12400 13,664.97 

Total Expenditures 2.269,868.00 14,614,627.31 

Estimated value of School Property 13,304,892.00 42,780.267.00 

" Libraries.. 377,819.00 

" " " Apparatus 607,389.00 

The sums annually disbursed for incidental 
expenses on account of superintendence and the 
cost of maintaining the higher institutions estab- 
lished, and partially or wholly supported by the 
State, increase the total expenditures by some 
§600,000 per annum. These higher institutions 
include the Illinois State Normal University at 
Normal, the Southern Illinois Normal at Carbon- 
dale and the University of Illinois at Urbana ; to 
which were addod by the Legislature, at its ses- 
sion of 1890, the Eastern Illinois Normal School, 
afterwards established at Charleston, and the 
Northern Illinois Normal at De Kalb. These 
institutions, although under supervision of the 
State, are partly supported by tuition fees. (See 
description of these institutions under their 
several titles.) The normal schools — as their 
names indicate — are primarily designed for the 
training of teachers, although other classes of 
pupils are admitted under certain conditions, 
including the payment of tuition. At the Uni- 
versity of Illinois instruction is given in the clas- 
sics, the sciences, agriculture and the mechanic 
arts. In addition to these the State supports four 
other institutions of an educational rather than a 
custodial character — viz. : the Institution for the 
Education of the Deaf and Dumb and the Insti- 
tution for the Blind, at Jacksonville; the Asylum 
for the Feeble-Minded at Lincoln, and the Sol- 
diers' Orphans' Home at Normal. The estimated 
value of the property connected with these 
several institutions, in addition to the value of 
school property given in the preceding table, will 
increase the total (exclusive of permanent funds) 
to §47,155,374.95, of which $4, 375, 107.95 repre- 
sents property belonging to the institutions above 
mentioned. 

Powers and Duties of Superintendents 
and Other School Officers.— Each county 
elects a County Superintendent of Schools, whose 
duty it is to visit schools, conduct teachers' insti- 
tutes, advise with teachers and school officers and 



instruct them in their respective duties, conduct 
examinations of persons desiring to become 
teachers, and exercise general supervision over 
school affairs within his county. The subordi- 
nate officers are Township Trustees, a Township 
Treasurer, and a Board of District Directors or — 
in place of the latter in cities and villages — Boards 
of Education. The two last named Boards have 
power to employ teachers and, generally, to super- 
vise the management of schools in districts. The 
State Superintendent is entrusted with general 
supervision of the common-school system of the 
State, ami it is his duty to advise and assist 
Count}' Superintendents, to visit State Charitable 
institutions, to issue official circulars to teachers, 
school officers and others in regard to their rights 
and duties under the general school code; to 
decide controverted questions of school law, com- 
ing to him by appeal from Count}' Superintend- 
ents and others, and to make full and detailed 
reports of the operations of his office to the 
Governor, biennially. He is also made ex-officio 
a member of the Board of Trustees of the Univer- 
sity of Illinois and of the several Normal Schools, 
and is empowered to grant certificates of two 
different grades to teachers — the higher grade to 
be valid during the lifetime of the holder, and 
the lower for two years. Certificates granted by 
County Superintendents are also of two grades 
and have a tenure of one and two years, respec- 
tively, in the county where given. The conditions 
for securing a certificate of the first (or two- 
years') grade, require that the candidate shall be 
of good moral character and qualified to teach 
orthography, reading in English, penmanship, 
arithmetic, modern geography, English grammar, 
the elements of the natural sciences, the history 
of the United States, physiology and the laws of 
health. The second grade (or one-year) certifi- 
cate calls for examination in the branches just 
enumerated, except the natural sciences, physi- 
ology and laws of health ; but teachers employed 
exclusively in giving instruction in music, draw- 
ing, penmanship or other special branches, may 
take examinations in these branches alone, but 
are restricted, in teaching, to those in which they 
have been examined. — County Boards are 
empowered to establish County Normal Schools 
for the education of teachers for the common 
schools, and the management of such normal 
schools is placed in the hands of a County Board 
of Education, to consist of not less than five nor 
more than eight persons, of whom the Chairman 
of the County Board and the County Superin- 
tendent of Schools shall lie ex-officio members. 



152 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Boards of Education and Directors may establish 
kindergartens (when authorized to do so by vote 
of a majority of the voters of their districts), for 
children between the ages of four and six years, 
but the cost of supporting the same must be 
defrayed by a special tax. — A compulsory pro- 
vision of the School Law requires that each child, 
between the ages of seven and fourteen years, 
shall be sent to school at least sixteen weeks of 
each year, unless otherwise instructed in the 
elementary branches, or disqualified by physical 
or mental disability. — Under the provisions of an 
act, passed in 1891, women are made eligible to 
any office created by the general or special school 
laws of the State, when twenty-one years of age 
or upwards, and otherwise possessing the same 
qualifications for the office as are prescribed for 
men. (For list of incumbents in the office of 
State Superintendent, see Superintendents of 
Public Instruction. ) 

EDWARDS, Arthur, D.D., clergyman, soldier 
and editor, was born at Norwalk, Ohio, Nov. 23, 
1834; educated at Albion, Mich., and the Wes- 
leyan University of Ohio, graduating from the 
latter in 1858; entered the Detroit Conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church the same year, 
was ordained in 1860 and, from 1861 until after 
the battle of Gettysburg, served as Chaplain of 
the First Michigan Cavalry, when he resigned to 
accept the colonelcy of a cavalry regiment. In 
1864, he was elected assistant editor of "The 
Northwestern Christian Advocate" at Chicago, 
and, on the retirement of Dr. Eddy in 1872, 
became Editor-in-chief, being re-elected every 
four years thereafter to the present time. He 
has also been a member of each General Confer- 
ence since 1872, was a member of the Ecumenical 
Conference at London in 1881, and has held other 
positions of prominence within the church. 

EDWARDS, Cyrus, pioneer lawyer, was born 
in Montgomery County, Md., Jan. 17, 1793; at the 
age of seven accompanied his parents to Ken- 
tucky, where he received his primary education, 
and studied law ; was admitted to the bar at Kas- 
kaskia, 111., in 1815, Ninian Edwards (of whom he 
was the youngest brother) being then Territorial 
Governor. During the next fourteen years he 
resided alternately in Missouri and Kentucky, 
anil, in 1829, took up his residence at Edwards- 
ville. Owing to impaired health he decided to 
abandon bis profession and engage in general 
business, later becoming a resident of Upper 
Alton. In 1832 he was elected to the lower house 
of the Legislature as a Whig, and again, in 1840 
and '60, the last time as a Republican; was State 



Senator from 1835 to '39, and was also the Whig 
candidate for Governor, in 1838, in opposition to 
Thomas Carlin (Democrat), who was elected. He 
served in the Black Hawk War, was a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1847, and espe- 
cially interested in education and in public chari- 
ties, being, for thirty-five years, a Trustee of 
Shurtleff College, to which he was a most 
munificent benefactor, and which conferred on 
him the degree of LL.D. in 1852. Died at Upper 
Alton, September, 1877. 

EDWARDS, Jfinlan, Territorial Governor and 
United States Senator, was born in Montgomery 
County, Md., March 17, 1775; for a time had the 
celebrated William Wirt as a tutor, completing 
his course at Dickinson College. At the age of 19 
he emigrated to Kentucky, where, after squander- 
ing considerable money, he studied law and, step 
by step, rose to be Chief Justice of the Court of 
Appeals. In 1809 President Madison appointed 
him the first Territorial Governor of Illinois. 
This office he held until the admission of Illinois 
as a State in 1818, when he was elected United 
Sates Senator and re-elected on the completion of 
his first (the short) term. In 1826 he was elected 
Governor of the State, his successful administra- 
tion terminating in 1830. In 1832 he became a 
candidate for Congress, but was defeated by 
Charles Slade. He was able, magnanimous and 
incorruptible, although charged with aristocratic 
tendencies which were largely hereditary. Died, 
at his home at Belleville, on July 20, 1833, of 
cholera, the disease having been contracted 
through self-sacrificing efforts to assist sufferers 
from the epidemic. His demise cast a gloom 
over the entire State. Two valuable volumes 
bearing upon State history, comprising his cor- 
respondence with man}' public men of his time, 
have been published ; the first under the title of 
"History of Illinois and Life of Ninian Edwards,*' 
by his son, the late Ninian Wirt Edwards, and 
the other "The Edwards Papers," edited by the 
late Elihu B. Washburne, and printed under the 
auspices of the Chicago Historical Society. — 
Ninian Wirt (Edwards), son of Gov. Ninian 
Edwards, was born at Frankfort, Ky., April 15, 
1809, the year his father became Territorial 
Governor of Illinois: spent his boyhood at Kas- 
kaskia, Edwardsville and Belleville, and was 
educated at Transylvania University, graduating 
in 1833. He married Elizabeth P. Todd, a sister 
of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, was appointed Attor- 
ney-General in 1834, but resigned in 1835, when 
he removed to Springfield. In 1836 he was 
elected to the Legislature from Sangamon 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



153 



County, as the colleague of Abraham Lincoln, 
being one of the celebrated "Long Nine, - ' and 
was influential in securing the removal of the 
State capital to Springfield. He was re-elected 
to the House in 1838, to the State Senate in 1844, 
and again to the House in 1848; was also a mem- 
ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1847. 
Again, in 1850, he was elected to the House, but 
resigned on account of his change of politics 
from Whig to Democratic, and, in the election to 
till the vacancy, was defeated by James C. Conk- 
ling. He served as Superintendent of Public 
Instruction by appointment of Governor Matte- 
son, 1854-57, and, in 1861, was appointed by 
President Lincoln, Captain Commissary of Sub- 
sistence, which position he filled until June, 1865, 
since which time he remained in private life. He 
is the author of the "Life and Times of Ninian 
Edwards'* (1870), which was prepared at the 
request of the State Historical Society. Died, at 
Springfield, Sept. 2, 1889. — Benjamin Stevenson 
(Edwards), lawyer and jurist, another son of Gov. 
Ninian Edwards, was born at Edwardsville, 111., 
June 3, 1818, graduated from Yale College in 
1838, and was admitted to the bar the following 
year. Originally a Whig, he subsequently 
became a Democrat, was a Delegate to the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1862, and, in 1868, was 
an unsuccessful candidate for Congress in opposi- 
tion to Shelby M. Cullom. In 1869 he was elected 
Circuit Judge of the Springfield Circuit, but 
within eighteen months resigned the position, 
preferring the excitement and emoluments of 
private practice to the dignity and scanty salary 
attaching to the bench. As a lawyer and as a 
citizen he was universally respected. Died, at 
his home in Springfield, Feb. 4, 1886, at the time 
of his decease being President of the Illinois 
State Bar Association. 

EDWARDS, Richard, educator, ex-Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, was born in Cardi- 
ganshire, Wales, Dec. 23, 1822; emigrated with 
his parents to Portage County, Ohio, and began 
life on a farm; later graduated at the State 
Normal School, Bridge water, Mass., and from 
the Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y., receiv- 
ing the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Civil 
Engineer; served for a time as a civil engineer 
on the Boston water works, then beginning a 
career as a teacher which continued almost unin- 
terruptedly for thirty-five years. During this 
period he was connected with the Normal School 
at Bridgewater; a Boys' High School at Salem, 
and the State Normal at the same place, coming 
west in 1857 to establish the Normal School at St. 



Louis, Mo., still later becoming Principal of the 
St. Louis High School, and, in 1862, accepting the 
Presidency of the State Normal University, at 
Normal, 111. It was here where Dr. Edwards, 
remaining fourteen years, accomplished his 
greatest work and left his deepest impress upon 
the educational system of the State by personal 
contact with its teachers. The next nine years 
were spent as pastor of the First Congregational 
church at Princeton, when, after eighteen 
months in the service of Knox College as Finan- 
cial Agent, he was again called, in 1886, to a 
closer connection with the educational field by 
his election to the office of State Superintendent 
of Public Instruction, serving until 1891, when, 
having failed of a re-election, he soon after 
assumed the Presidency of Blackburn University 
at Carlinville. Failing health, however, com- 
pelled his retirement a year later, when he 
removed to Bloomington, which is now (1898) 
his place of residence. 

EDWARDS COUNTY, situated in the south- 
eastern part of the State, between Richland and 
White on the north and south, and Wabash and 
Wayne on the east and west, and touching the 
Ohio River on its southeastern border. It was 
separated from Gallatin County in 1814, during 
the Territorial period. Its territory was dimin- 
ished in 1824 by the carving out of Wabash 
County. The surface is diversified by prairie 
and timber, the soil fertile and well adapted to 
the raising of both wheat and corn. The princi- 
pal streams, besides the Ohio, are Bonpas Creek, 
on the east, and the Little Wabash River on the 
west. Palmyra (a place no longer on the map) 
was the seat for holding the first county court, 
in 1815, John Mcintosh, Seth Gard and William 
Barney being the Judges. Albion, the present 
county-seat (population, 937), was laid out by 
Morris Birkbeck and George Flower (emigrants 
from England), in 1819, and settled largely by 
their countrymen, but not incorporated until 
1860. The area of the county is 220 square 
miles, and population, in 1900, 10,345. Grayville, 
with a population of 2,000 in 1890, is parti} - in 
this county, though mostly in White. Edwards 
County was named in honor of Ninian Edwards 
the Territorial Governor of Illinois. 

EDWARDSVILLE, the county-seat of Madison 
County, settled in 1812 and named in honor of 
Territorial Governor Ninian Edwards; is on four 
lines of railway and contiguous to two others, 18 
miles northeast of St. Louis. Edwardsville was 
the home of some of the most prominent men in 
the history of the State, including Governors Ed- 



154 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



wards, Coles, and others. It has pressed and 
shale brickyards, coal mines, flour mills, machine 
shops, banks, electric street railway, water-works, 
schools, and churches. In a suburb of the city 
(LeClaire) is a cooperative manufactory of sani- 
tary supplies, using large shops and doing a large 
business. Edwardsville has three newspapers, 
one issued semi-weekly. Population (1890), 3,561 ; 
(1900), 4,157; with suburb (estimated), 5,000. 

EFFINGHAM, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Effingham County, 9 miles northeast from 
St. Louis and 199 southwest of Chicago; has four 
papers, creamery, milk condensory, and ice fac- 
tory. Population (1890), 3,260; (1900), 3,774. 

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, cut off from Fayette 
(and separately organized) in 1831 — named for 
Gen. Edward Effingham. It is situated in the 
central portion of the State, 62 miles northeast of 
St. Louis; has an area of 490 square miles and a 
population (1900) of 20,465. T. M. Short, I. Fanchon 
and William I. Hawkins were the first County 
Commissioners. Effingham, the county-seat, was 
platted by Messrs. Alexander and Little in 1854. 
Messrs. Gillenwater, Hawkins and Brown were 
among the earliest settlers. Several lines of rail- 
way cross the county. Agriculture and sheep- 
raising are leading industries, wool being one of 
the principal products. 

EGAN, William Bradshaw, M.D., pioneer phy- 
sican, was born in Ireland, Sept. 28, 1808; spent 
some time during his youth in the study of sur- 
gery in England, later attending lectures at Dub- 
lin. About 1828 he went to Canada, taught for 
a time in the schools of Quebec and Montreal 
and, in 1830, was licensed by the Medical Board 
of New Jersey and began practice at Newark in 
that State, later practicing in New York. In 
1833 he removed to Chicago and was early recog- 
nized as a prominent physician; on July 4, 1836, 
delivered the address at the breaking of ground 
for the Illinois & Michigan Canal. During the 
early years of his residence in Chicago, Dr. Egan 
was owner of the block on which the Tremont 
House stands, and erected a number of houses 
there. He was a zealous Democrat and a delegate 
to the first Convention of that party, held at 
Joliet in 1843; was elected Count}- Recorder in 
1844 and Representative in the Eighteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly (1853-54). Died, Oct. 27, 1860. 

ELBURN, a village of Kane County, on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway, 8 miles west 
of Geneva. It has banks and a weekly news- 
paper Population (1890), 584; (1900), 606. 

ELDORADO, a town in Saline County, on the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis, the 



Louisville & Nashville, and the St. Louis, Alton 
& Terre Haute Railroads; has a bank and one 
newspaper; district argicultural. Population, 
(1900). 1,445. 

ELDRIDGE, Hamilton N., lawyer and soldier, 
was born at South Williamstown, Mass., August, 
1837 ; graduated at Williams College in the class 
with President Garfield, in 1856, and at Albany 
Law School, in 1857; soon afterward came to 
Chicago and began practice ; in 1862 assisted in 
organizing the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh 
Illinois Volunteers, of which he was elected 
Lieutenant-Colonel, before the end of the year 
being promoted to the position of Colonel; dis- 
tinguished himself at Arkansas Post, Chicka- 
mauga and in the battles before Vicksburg. 
winning the rank of Brevet Brigadier-General, 
but, after two years' service, was compelled to 
retire on account of disability, being carried east 
on a stretcher. Subsequently he recovered suffi- 
ciently to resume his profession, but died in 
Chicago, Dec. 1, 1882, much regretted by a large 
circle of friends, with whom he was exceedingly 
popular. 

ELECTIONS. The elections of public officers 
in Illinois are of two general classes: (I) those 
conducted in accordance with United States 
laws, and (II) those conducted exclusively under 
State laws. 

I. To the first class belong: (1) the election of 
United States Senators; (2) Presidential Elect- 
ors, and (3 ) Representatives in Congress. 1. 
(United States Senators). The election of 
United States Senators, while an act of the State 
Legislature, is conducted solely under forms pre- 
scribed by the laws of the United States. These 
make it the duty of the Legislature, on the second 
Tuesday after convening at the session next pre- 
ceding the expiration of the term for which any 
Senator may have been chosen, to proceed to 
elect his successor in the following manner: 
Each House is required, on the day designated, in 
open session and by the viva voce vote of each 
member present, to name some person for United 
States Senator, the result of the balloting to be 
entered on the journals of the respective Houses. 
At twelve o'clock (M.) on the day following the 
day of election, the members of the two Houses 
meet in joint assembly, when the journals of both 
Houses are read. If it appears that the same 
person has received a majority of all the votes in 
each House, he is declared elected Senator. If, 
however, no one has received such majority, or 
if either House has failed to take proceedings as 
required on the preceding day, then the members 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



155 



of the two Houses, iu joint assembly, proceed to 
ballot for Senator by viva voce vote of members 
present. The person receiving a majority of all 
the votes cast— a majority of the members of 
both Houses being present and voting — is declared 
elected; otherwise the joint assembly is renewed 
at noon each legislative day of the session, and at 
least one ballot taken until a Senator is chosen. 
When a vacancy exists in the Senate at the time 
of the assembling of the Legislature, the same 
rule prevails as to the time of holding an election 
to fill it; and, if a vacancy occurs during the 
session, the Legislature is required to proceed to 
an election on the second Tuesday after having 
received official notice of such vacancy. The 
tenure of a United States Senator for a full term 
is six years — the regular term beginning with a 
new Congress — the two Senators from each State 
belonging to different "classes," so that their 
terms expire alternately at periods of two and 
four years from each other. — 2. (Presidential 
Electors). The choice of Electors of President 
and Vice-President is made by popular vote 
taken quadrennially on the Tuesday after the 
first Monday in November. The date of such 
election is fixed by act of Congress, being the 
same as that for Congressman, although the State 
Legislature prescribes the manner of conducting 
it and making returns of the same. The number 
of Electors chosen equals the number of Senators 
and Representatives taken together (in 1899 it 
was twenty-four), and they are elected on a gen- 
eral ticket, a plurality of votes being sufficient to 
elect. Electors meet at the State capital on the 
second Monday of January after their election 
(Act of Congress, 1887), to cast the vote of the 
State — 3. (Members of Congress). The elec- 
tion of Representatives in Congress is also held 
under United States law, occurring biennially 
(on the even years) simultaneously with the gen- 
eral State election in November. Should Congress 
select a different date for such election, it would 
be the duty of the Legislature to recognize it by 
a corresponding change in the State law relating 
to the election of Congressmen. The tenure of a 
Congressman is two years, the election being by 
Districts instead of a general ticket, as in the 
case of Presidential Electors — the term of each 
Representative for a full term beginning with a 
new Congress, on the 1th of March of the odd 
years following a general election. (See Con- 
gressional Apportionment. ) 

II. All officers under the State Government — 
except Boards of Trustees of charitable and penal 
institutions or the heads of certain departments, 



which are made appointive by the Governor— are 
elected by popular vote. Apart from county 
officers they consist of three classes : ( 1 ) Legisla- 
tive; (2) Executive; (3) Judicial — which are 
chosen at different times and for different periods. 
1. (Legislature). Legislative officers consist of 
Senators and Representatives, chosen at elections 
held on the Tuesday after the first Monday of 
November, biennially. The regular term of a 
Senator (of whom there are fifty-one under the 
present Constitution) is four years; twenty-five 
(those in Districts bearing even numbers) being 
chosen on the years in which a President and 
Governor are elected, and the other twenty-six at 
the intermediate period two years later. Thus. 
one-half of each State Senate is composed of what 
are called "hold-over" Senators. Representatives 
are elected biennially at the November election, 
and hold office two years. The qualifications as 
to eligibility for a seat in the State Senate require 
that the incumbent shall be 25 years of age, 
while 21 years renders one eligible to a seat in 
the House — the Constitution requiring that each 
shall have been a resident of the State for five 
years, and of the District for which he is chosen, 
two years next preceding his election. (See 
Legislative Apportionment and Minority Repre- 
sentation.) — 2. (Executive Officers). The 
officers constituting the Executive Department 
include the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor. 
Secretary of State, Auditor of Public Accounts, 
Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
and Attorney General. Each of these, except the 
State Treasurer, holds office four years and — with 
the exception of the Treasurer and Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction — are elected at the 
general election at which Presidential Electors 
are chosen. The election of State Superintendent 
occurs on the intermediate (even) years, and that 
of State Treasurer every two years coincidently 
with the election of Governor and Superintendent 
of Public Instruction, respectively. (See Execu- 
tive Officers.) In addition to the State officers 
already named, three Trustees of the University 
of Illinois are elected biennially at the general 
election in November, each holding office for 
six years. These trustees (nine in number), 
with the Governor, President of the State Board 
of Agriculture and the Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, constitute the Board of Trustees of 
the University of Illinois. — 3. (Judiciary). The 
Judicial Department embraces Judges of the 
Supreme, Circuit and County Courts, and such 
other subordinate officials as may be connected 
with the administration of justice. For the 



156 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



election of members of the Supreme Court the 
State is divided into seven Districts, each of 
which elects a Justice of the Supreme Court for 
a term of nine years. The elections in five of 
these — the First, Second, Third, Sixth and 
Seventh — occur on the first Monday in June every 
ninth year from 1879, the last election having 
occurred in June, 1897. The elections in the 
other t vo Districts occur at similar periods of nine 
years from 1876 and 1873, respectively — the last 
election in the Fourth District having occurred 
in June, 1893, and that in the Fifth in 1891. — 
Circuit Judges are chosen on the first Monday in 
June every six years, counting from 1873. Judges 
of the Superior Court of Cook County are elected 
every six years at the November election. — Clerks 
of the Supreme and Appellate Courts are elected 
at the November election for six years, the last 
election having occurred in 1896. Under the act 
of April 2, 1897, consolidating the Supreme 
Court into one Grand Division, the number of 
Supreme Court Clerks is reduced to one, although 
the Clerks elected in 1S96 remain in office and have 
charge of the records of their several Divisions 
until the expiration of their terms in 1902. The 
Supreme Court holds five terms annually at Spring- 
field, beginning, respectively, on the first Tuesday 
of October, December, February, April and June. 

(Other Officers), (a) Members of the State 
Board of Equalization (one for every Congres- 
sional District) are elective every four years at 
the same time as Congressmen, (b) County 
officers (except County Commissioners not under 
township organization) hold office for four years 
and are chosen at the November election as 
follows: (1) At the general election at which 
the Governor is chosen — Clerk of the Circuit 
Court, State's Attorney, Recorder of Deeds (in 
counties having a population of 60,000 or over), 
Coroner and County Surveyor. (2) On inter- 
mediate years — Sheriff, County Judge, Probate 
Judge (in counties having a population of 70,000 
and over), County Clerk, Treasurer, Superintend- 
ent of Schools, and Clerk of Criminal Court of 
Cook County, (c) In counties not under town- 
ship organization a Board of County Commission- 
ers is elected, one being chosen in November of 
each year, and each holding office three years, 
(d) Under the general law the polls open at 8 
a. m., and close at 7 p. m. In cities accepting an 
Act of the Legislature passed in 1885, the hour of 
opening the polls is 6 a. m., and of closing 4 p. m. 
(See also Australian Ballot.) 

ELECTORS, QUALIFICATIONS OF. (See 
Suffrage.) 



EL(>I>", an important city of Northern Illinois, 
in Kane Count} - , on Fox River and the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul and Chicago & Northwest- 
ern Railroads, besides two rural electric lines, 36 
miles northwest of Chicago; has valuable water- 
power and over fifty manufacturing establish- 
ments, including the National Watch Factory and 
the Cook Publishing Company, both among the 
most extensive of their kind in the world; is also 
a great dairy center with extensive creameries 
and milk-condensing works. The quotations of 
its Butter and Cheese Exchange are telegraphed 
to all the great commercial centers and regulate 
the prices of these commodities throughout the 
country. Elgin is the seat of the Northern (Illi- 
nois) Hospital for the Insane, and lias a handsome 
Government (postoffice) building, fine public 
library and many handsome residences. It has 
had a rapid growth in the past twenty years. 
Population (1890), 17,823; (1900), 22,433. 

ELGIN, JOLIET & EASTERN RAILWAY. The 
main line of this road extends west from Dyer on 
the Indiana State line to Joliet, thence northeast 
to Waukegan. The total length of the line (1898) 
is 192.72 miles, of which 159.93 miles are in Illi- 
nois. The entire capital of the company, includ- 
ing stock and indebtedness, amounted (1898), to 
$13,799,630— more than §71,000 per mile. Its total 
earnings in Illinois for the same year were $1,212,- 
026, and its entire expenditure in the State, 
81,156,146. The company paid in taxes, the same 
year, §48,876. Branch lines extend southerly 
from Walker Junction to Coster, where connec- 
tion is made with the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, and northwesterly 
from Normantown, on the main line, to Aurora. 
— (History). The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Rail- 
way was chartered in 1887 and absorbed the 
Joliet, Aurora & Northern Railway, from Joliet to 
Aurora (21 miles), which had been commenced in 
1886 and was completed in 1888, with extensions 
from Joliet to Spaulding, 111. , and from Joliet to 
McCool, Ind. In January, 1891, the Company 
purchased all the properties and franchises of the 
Gardner, Coal City & Normantown and the 
Waukegan & Southwestern Railway Companies 
(formerly operated under lease). The former of 
these two roads was chartered in 1889 and opened 
in 1890. The system forms a belt line around 
Chicago, intersecting all railroads "entering that 
city from every direction. Its traffic is chiefly 
in the transportation of freight. 

ELIZABETHTOWX, the county-seat of Hardin 
County. It stands on the north bank of the Ohio 
River, 44 miles above Paducah, Kv., and about 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



157 



133 miles southeast of Belleville; lias a brick and 
tile factory, large tie trade, two churches, two 
flouring mills, a bank, and one newspaper. Pop- 
ulation (1890), G52; (1900), 668. 

ELKHART, a town of Logan County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad, 18 miles northeast of 
Springfield ; is a rich farming section ; has a coal 
shaft. Population (1890), 414; (1900), 553. 

ELKIX, William F., pioneer and early legisla- 
tor, was born in Clark County, Ky., April 13, 
1792, after spending several years in Ohio and 
Indiana, came to Sangamon County, 111., in 1825; 
was elected to the Sixth, Tenth and Eleventh 
General Assemblies, being one of the "Long 
Nine" from Sangamon County and, in 1861, was 
appointed by his former colleague (Abraham 
Lincoln) Register of the Land Office at Spring- 
field, resigning in 1872. Died, in 1878. 

ELLIS, Edward F. W., soldier, was born at 
Wilton, Maine, April 15, 1819; studied law and 
was admitted to the bar in Ohio ; spent three years 
(1849-52) in California, serving in the Legislature 
of that State in 1851, and proving himself an 
earnest opponent of slavery ; returned to Ohio the 
next year, and, in 1854, removed to Rockford, 111. , 
where he embarked in the banking business. 
Soon after the firing on Fort Sumter, he organ- 
ized the Ellis Rifles, which having been attached 
to the Fifteenth Illinois, he was elected Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel of the regiment ; was in command at 
the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, and was killed 
while bravely leading on his men. 

ELLIS, (Rev.) John Millot, early home mis- 
sionary, was born in Keene, N. IL, July 14, 1793; 
came to Illinois as a home missionary of the 
Presbyterian Church at an early day, and served 
for a time as pastor of churches at Kaskaskia and 
Jacksonville, and was one of the influential 
factors in securing the location of Illinois Col- 
lege at the latter place. His wife also conducted, 
for some years, a private school for young ladies 
at Jacksonville, which developed into the Jack- 
sonville Female Academy in 1833, and is still 
maintained after a history of over sixty years. 
Mr. Ellis was later associated with the establish- 
ment of Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, Ind. , 
finally returning to New Hampshire, where, in 
1840, he was pastor of a church at East Hanover. 
In 1844 he again entered the service of the Soci- 
ety for Promoting Collegiate and Theological 
Education in the West. Died, August 6, 1855. 

ELLSWORTH, Ephraim Elmer, soldier, first 
victim of the Civil War, was born at Mechanics 
ville, Saratoga County, N. Y., April 23, 1837. He 
came to Chicago at an early age, studied law, 



and became a patent solicitor. In 1860 he raised 
a regiment of Zouaves in Chicago, which became 
famous for the perfection of its discipline and 
drill, and of which he was commissioned Colonel. 
In 1861 he accompanied President Lincoln to 
Washington, going from there to New York, 
where he recruited and organized a Zouave 
regiment composed of firemen. He became its 
Colonel and the regiment was ordered to Alexan- 
dria, Va. While stationed there Colonel Ells- 
worth observed that a Confederate flag was 
flying above a hotel owned by one Jackson. 
Rushing to the roof, he tore it down, but before 
he reached the street was shot and killed by 
Jackson, who was in turn shot by Frank H. 
Brownell, one of Ellsworth's men He was the 
first Union soldier killed in the war. Died, May 
24, 1861. 

ELMHURST (formerly Cottage Hill), a village 
of Du Page County, on the Chicago Great Western 
and 111. Cent. Railroads, 15 miles west of Chicago; 
is the seat of the Evangelical Seminary ; has elec- 
tric interurban line, two papers, stone quarry, 
electric light, water and sewerage systems, high 
school, and churches. Pop. (1900), 1,728. 

ELMWOOD, a town of Peoria County, on the 
Galesburg and Peoria and Buda and Rushville 
branches of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, 26 miles west-northwest of Peoria; the 
principal industries are coal-mining and corn and 
tomato canning; has a bank and one newspaper. 
Population (1890), 1,548; (1900), 1,582. 

EL PASO, a city in Woodford County, 17 miles 
north of Blooniiugton, 33 miles east of Peoria, at 
the crossing Illinois Central and Toledo, Peoria & 
Western Railroads; in agricultural district; has 
two national banks, three grain elevators, two 
high schools, two newspapers, nine churches. 
Pop. (1890), 1,353; (1900), 1,441; (1903, est.), 1,600. 
EMBARRAS RIVER, rises in Champaign 
County and runs southward through the counties 
of Douglas, Coles and Cumberland, to Newton, in 
Jasper County, where it turns to the southeast, 
passing through Lawrence County, and entering 
the Wabash River about seven miles below Vin- 
cennes. It is nearly 150 miles long. 

EMMERSOX, Charles, jurist, was bom at North 
Haverhill, Grafton County, N. H. April 15, 1811; 
came to Illinois in 1831, first settling at Jackson- 
ville, where he spent one term in Illinois College, 
then studied law at Springfield, and, having been 
admitted to the bar, began practice at Decatur, 
where he spent the remainder of his life except 
three years (1847-50) during which he resided at 
Paris, Edgar County. In 1850 he was elected to 



158 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the Legislature, and, in 1853, to the Circuit bench, 
serving on the latter by re-election till 1867. The 
latter year he was a candidate for Justice of the 
Supreme Court, but was defeated by the late 
Judge Pinkney H. Walker. In 1869 he was 
elected to the State Constitutional Convention, 
but died in April, 1870, while the Convention was 
still in session. 

ENFIELD, a town of White County, at the 
intersection of the Louisville & Nashville with 
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway, 10 
miles west of Carmi; is the seat of Southern Illi- 
nois College. The town also has a bank and one 
newspaper. Population (1880), 717; (1890), 870; 
(1900), 971; (1903, est.), 1,000. 

ENGLISH, Joseph G., banker, was born at 
Rising Sun, Ind., Dec. 17, 1820; lived for a time 
at Perrysville and La Fayette in that State, finally 
engaging in merchandising in the former; in 
1853 removed to Danville, 111., where he formed 
a partnership with John L. Tincher in mercantile 
business ; later conducted a private banking busi- 
ness and, in 1863, established the First National 
Bank, of which he has been President over twenty 
years. He served two terms as Mayor of Dan- 
ville, in 1872 was elected a member of the State 
Board of Equalization, and, for more than twenty 
years, has been one of the Directors of the Chicago 
& Eastern Railroad. At the present time Mr. 
English, having practically retired from busi- 
ness, is spending most of his time in the West. 

ENOS, Pascal Paoli, pioneer, was born at 
Windsor, Conn., in 1770; graduated at Dartmouth 
College in 1794, studied law, and, after spending 
some years in Vermont, where he served as High 
Sheriff of Windsor County, in September, 1815, 
removed West, stopping first at Cincinnati. A 
year later he descended the Ohio by flat-boat to 
Shawneetown, 111., crossed the State by land, 
finally locating at St. Charles, Mo., and later at 
St. Louis. Then, having purchased a tract of land 
in Madison County, 111., he remained there about 
two years, when, in 1823, having received from 
President Monroe the appointment of Receiver of 
the newly established Land Office at Springfield, 
he removed thither, making it his permanent 
home. He was one of the original purchasers of 
the land on which the city of Springfield now 
stands, and joined with Maj. Elijah lies, John 
Taylor and Thomas Cox, the other patentees, in 
laying out the town, to which they first gave the 
name of Calhoun. Mr. Enos remained in office 
through the administration of President John 
Quincy Adams, but was removed by President 
Jackson for political reasons, in 1829. Died, at 



Springfield, April, 1832.— Pascal P. (Enos), Jr., 
eldest son of Mr. Enos, was born in St. Charles, 
Mo., Nov. 28, 1816; was elected Representative in 
the General Assembly from Sangamon County in 
1852, and served by appointment of Justice 
McLean of the Supreme Court as Clerk of the 
United States Circuit Court, being reappointed 
by Judge David Davis, dying in office, Feb. 17, 
1867. — Zimri A. (Enos), another son, was born 
Sept. 29, 1821, is a citizen of Springfield — has 
served as County Surveyor and Alderman of the 
city. — Julia R., a daughter, was born in Spring- 
field, Dec. 20, 1832, is the widow of the late O. M. 
Hatch, Secretary of State(1857-65). 

EPLER, Cyrus, lawyer and jurist, was born 
at Charleston, Clark Count)', Ind., Nov. 12, 
1825; graduated at Illinois College, Jackson- 
ville, studied law, and was admitted to th& 
bar in 1852, being elected State's Attorney 
the same year; also served as a member 
of the General Assembly two terms (1857-61) 
and as Master in Chancery for Morgan County, 
1867-73. In 1873 he was elected Circuit Judge 
for the Seventh Circuit and was re-elected 
successively in 1879, '85 and '91, serving four 
terms, and retiring in 1897. During his entire 
professional and official career his home has been 
in Jacksonville. 

EQUALITY, a village of Gallatin County, on 
the Shawneetown Division of the Louisville & 
Nashville Railroad, 11 miles west-northwest of 
Shawneetown. It was for a time, in early days, the 
county-seat of Gallatin County and market for 
the salt manufactured in that vicinity. Some 
coal is mined in the neighborhood. One weekly 
paper is published here. Population (1880), 500; 
(1890), 622; (1900), 898. 

ERIE, a village of Whiteside County, on the 
Rock Island and Sterling Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 30 miles north- 
east of Rock Island. Population (1880), 537; 
(1890), 535; (1900), 768. 

EUREKA, the county -seat of Woodford County, 
incorporated in 1856, situated 19 miles east of 
Peoria; is in the heart of a rich stock-raising and 
agricultural district. The principal mechanical 
industry is a large canning factory. Besides 
having good grammar and high schools, it is also 
the seat of Eureka College, under the control of 
the Christian denomination, in connection with 
which are a Normal School and a Biblical Insti- 
tute. The town has a handsome courthouse and 
a jail, two weekly and one monthly paper. 
Eureka became the county-seat of Woodford 
County in 1896, the change from Metamora being 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



159 



due to the central location and more convenient 
accessibility of the former from all parts of the 
county. Population (1880), 1,185; (1890), 1,481; 
(1900), 1,661. 

EUREKA COLLEGE, located at Eureka, Wood- 
ford County, and chartered in 1855, distinctively 
under the care and supervision of the "Christian" 
or "Campbellite" denomination. The primary 
aim of its founders was to prepare young men for 
the ministry, while at the same time affording 
facilities for liberal culture. It was chartered in 
1855, and its growth, while gradual, has been 
steady. Besides a preparatory department and a 
business school, the college maintains a collegiate 
department (with classical and scientific courses) 
and a theological school, the latter being designed 
to fit young men for the ministry of the denomi- 
nation. Both male and female matriculates are 
received. In 1896 there was a faculty of eighteen 
professors and assistants, and an attendance of 
some 325 students, nearly one-third of whom 
■ were females. The total value of the institution's 
property is §144,000, which includes an endow- 
ment of §45,000 and real estate valued at $85,000. 

EUSTACE, John V., lawyer and judge, was 
born in Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 1821 ; graduated 
from the University of Pennsylvania in 1839, and, 
in 1842, at the age of 21, was admitted to the bar, 
removing the same year to Dixon, 111., where he 
resided until his death. In 1856 he was elected 
to the General Assembly and, in 1857, became 
Circuit Judge, serving one term; was chosen 
Presidential Elector in 1864, and, in March, 1878, 
was again elevated to the Circuit Bench, vice 
Judge Heaton, deceased. He was elected to the 
same position in 1879, and re-elected in 1885, but 
died in 1888, three years before the expiration of 
his term. 

EVANGELICAL SEMINARY, an institution 
under the direction of the Lutheran denomina- 
tion, incorporated in 1865 and located at Elm- 
hurst, Du Page County. Instruction is given in 
the classics, theology, oratory and preparatory 
studies, by a faculty of eight teachers. The 
number of pupils during the school year (1895-96) 
was 133 — all young men. It has property valued 
at $59,305. 

EVANS, Henry H., legislator, was born in 
Toronto, Can., March 9, 1836; brought by his 
father (who was a native of Pennsylvania) to 
Aurora, 111., where the latter finally became fore- 
man of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy ma- 
chine shops at that place. In 1862 young Evans 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth 
Illinois Volunteers, serving until the close of the 



war. Since the war he has become most widely 
known as a member of the General Assembly, hav- 
ing been elected first to the House, in 1876, and 
subsequently to the Senate every four years from 
1880 to the year 1898, giving him over twenty 
years of almost continuous service. He is a large 
owner of real estate and has been prominently 
connected with financial and other business 
enterprises at Aurora, including the Aurora Gas 
and Street Railway Companies ; also served with 
the rank of Colonel on the staffs of Governoi's 
Cullom, Hamilton, Fifer and Oglesby. 

EVANS, (Rev.) Jervice G., educator and re- 
former, was born in Marshall County, III., Dec. 
19, 1833; entered the ministry of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in 1854, and, in 1872, accepted 
the presidency of Hedding College at Abingdon, 
which he filled for six years. He then became 
President of Chad dock College at Quincy, but the 
following year returned to pastoral work. In 
1889 he again became President of Hedding Col- 
lege, where (1898) lie still remains. Dr. Evans is 
a member of the Central Illinois (M. E.) Confer- 
ence and a leader in the prohibition movement ; 
has also produced a number of volumes on reli- 
gious and moral questions. 

EVANS, John, M.I'., physician and Governor, 
was born at Waynesville, Ohio, of Quaker ances- 
try, March 9, 1814; graduated in medicine at 
Cincinnati and began practice at Ottawa, 111., 
but soon returned to Ohio, finally locating at 
Attica, Ind. Here he became prominent in the 
establishment of the first insane hospital in In- 
diana, at Indianapolis, about 1841-42, becoming a 
resident of that city in 1845. Three years later, 
having accepted a chair in Rush Medical College, 
in Chicago, he removed thither, also serving for 
a time as editor of "The Northwestern Medical 
and Surgical Journal." He served as a member 
of the Chicago City Council, became a successful 
operator in real estate and in the promotion of 
various railroad enterprises, and was one of the 
founders of the Northwestern University, at 
Evanston, serving as President of the Board of 
Trustees over forty years. Dr. Evans was one of 
the founders of the Republican party in Illinois, 
and a strong personal friend of President Lincoln, 
from whom, in 1862, he received the appointment 
of Governor of the Territory of Colorado, con 
tinuing in office until displaced by Andrew John- 
son in 1865. In Colorado he became a leading 
factor in the construction of some of the most 
important railroad lines in that section, including 
the Denver, Texas & Gulf Road, of which he was 
for many years the President. He was also 



160 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



prominent in connection with educational and 
church enterprises at Denver, which was his home 
after leaving Illinois. Died, in Denver, July 3, 1897. 
EVANSTON, a city of Cook County, situated 12 
miles north of Chicago, on the Chicago, Milwau- 
kee & St. Paul and the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroads. The original town was incorporated 
Dec. 29, 1863, and, in March, 1869, a special act 
was passed hy the Legislature incorporating it as 
a city, but rejected by vote of the people. On 
Oct. 19, 1872, the voters of the corporate town 
adopted village organizations under the General 
Village and City Incorporation Act of the same 
year. Since then annexations of adjacent terri- 
tory to the village of Evanston have taken place 
as follows: In January, 1873, two small districts 
by petition ; in April, 1874, the village of North 
Evanston was annexed by a majority vote of the 
electors of both corporations; in April, 1886, 
there was another annexation of a small out-lying 
district by petition; in February, 1892, the ques- 
tion of the annexation of South Evanston was 
submitted to the voters of both corporations and 
adopted. On March 29, 1892, the question of 
organization under a city government was sub- 
mitted to popular vote of the consolidated corpo- 
ration and decided in the affirmative, the first 
city election taking place April 19, following. 
The population of the original corporation of 
Evanston, according to the census of 1890, was 
12,072, and of South Evanston, 3,205, making the 
total population of the new city 15,967. Judged 
by the census returns of 1900, the consolidated 
city has had a healthy growth in the past 
ten years, giving it, at the end of the 
century, a population of 19,259. Evanston is 
one of the most attractive residence cities in 
Northern Illinois and famed for its educational 
advantages. Besides having an admirable system 
of graded and high schools, it is the seat of the 
academic and theological departments of the 
Northwestern University, the latter being known 
as the Garrett Biblical Institute. The city has 
well paved streets, is lighted by both gas and 
electricity, and maintains its own system of 
water works. Prohibition is strictly enforced 
within the corporate limits under stringent 
municipal ordinances, and the charter of the 
Northwestern University forbidding the sale of 
intoxicants within four miles of that institution. 
As a consequence, it is certain to attract the 
most desirable class of people, whether consisting 
of those seeking permanent homes or simply 
contemplating temporary residence for the sake 
of educational advantages. 



EWING, William Lee Davidson, early lawyer 
and politician, was born in Kentucky in 1795, and 
came to Illinois at an early day, first settling at 
Shawneetown. As early as 1820 he appears from 
a letter of Governor Edwards to President Mon- 
roe, to have been holding some Federal appoint- 
ment, presumably that of Receiver of Public 
Moneys in the Land Office at Vaudalia, as con- 
temporary history shows that, in 1822, he lost a 
deposit of 81,000 by the robbery of the bank there. 
He was also Brigadier-General of the State militia 
at an early day, Colonel of the "Spy Battalion*' 
during the Black Hawk War, and, as Indian 
Agent, superintended the removal of the Sacs 
and Foxes west of the Mississippi. Other posi- 
tions held by him included Clerk of the House of 
Representatives two sessions (1826-27 and 1828-29) ; 
Representative from the counties composing the 
Vandalia District in the Seventh General Assem- 
bly (1830-31), when he also became Speakerof the 
House; Senator from the same District in the 
Eighth and Ninth General Assemblies, of whicl> 
he was chosen President pro tempore. While 
serving in this capacity he became ex-officio 
Lieutenant-Governor in consequence of the resig- 
nation of Lieut. -Gov. Zadoc Casey to accept a 
seat in Congress, in March, 1833, and, in Novem- 
ber, 1834, assumed the Governorship as successor 
to Governor Reynolds, who had been elected to 
Congress to fill a vacancy. He served only fifteen 
days as Governor, when he gave place to Gov. 
Joseph Duncan, who had been elected in due 
course at the previous election. A year later 
(December, 1835) he was chosen United States 
Senator to succeed Elias Kent Kane, who had 
died in office. Failing of a re-election to the 
Senatorship in 1837, he was returned to the House 
of Representatives from his old district in 1838, 
as he was again in 1840, at each session being 
chosen Speaker over Abraham Lincoln, who was 
the Whig candidate. Dropping out of the Legis- 
lature at the close of his term, we find him at the 
beginning of the next session (December, 1842) in 
his old place as Clerk of the House, but, before 
the close of the session (in March, 1843), appointed 
Auditor of Public Accounts as successor to James 
Shields, who had resigned. While occupying the 
office of Auditor, Mr. Ewing died, March 25, 1846. 
His public career was as unique as it was remark- 
able, in the number and character of the official 
positions held by him within a period of twenty- 
five years. 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. (See State officers 
under heads of "Governor,'" "Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor," etc.) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



161 



EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY, ILLINOIS 
CHARITABLE. This institution is an outgrowth 
of a private charity founded at Chicago, in 1858, 
by Dr. Edward L. Holmes, a distinguished Chi- 
cago oculist. In 1871 the property of the institu- 
tion was transferred to and accepted by the State, 
the title was changed by the substitution of the 
word "Illinois" for "Chicago," and the Infirmary 
became a State institution. The fire of 1871 
destroyed the building, and, in 1873-74, the State 
erected another of brick, four stories in height, 
at the corner of West Adams and Peoria Streets, 
Chicago. The institution receives patients from 
all the counties of the State, the same receiving 
board, lodging, and medical aid, and (when neces- 
sary) surgical treatment, free of charge. The 
number of patients on Dec. 1, 1897, was 160. In 
1877 a free eye and ear dispensary was opened 
under legislative authority, which is under charge 
of some eminent Chicago specialists. 

FAIRBURY, an incorporated city of Livings- 
ton County, situated ten miles southeast of Pon- 
tiac, in a fertile and thickly -settled region. Coal, 
sandstone, limestone, fire-clay and a micaceous 
quartz are found in the neighborhood. The 
town has banks, grain elevators, flouring mills 
and two weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 
2,140; (1890), 2,324; (1900), 2.187. 

FAIRFIELD, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Wayne County and a railway junction, 
108 miles southeast of St. Louis. The town has 
an extensive woolen factory and large flouring 
and saw mills. It also has four weekly papers 
and is an important fruit and grain-shipping 
point. Population (1880), 1,391; (1890), 1,881; 
(1900), 2,338. 

FAIRMOUNT, a village of Vermilion County, 
on the Wabash Railway, 13 miles west-southwest 
from Danville; industrial interests chiefly agri- 
cultural; has brick and tile factory, a coal mine, 
stone quarry, three rural mail routes and one 
weekly paper. Population (1890), 619; (1900), 928. 

FALLOWS, (Rt. Rev.) Samuel, Bishop of Re- 
formed Protestant Episcopal Church, was born at 
Pendleton, near Manchester, England, Dec. 13, 
1835; removed with his parents to Wisconsin in 
1848, and graduated from the State University 
there in 1859, during a part of his university 
course serving as pastor of a Methodist Episcopal 
church at Madison; was next Vice-President of 
Gainesville University till 1861, when he was 
ordained to the Methodist ministry and became 
pastor of a church at Oshkosh. The following 
year iie was appointed Chaplain of the Thirty- 



second Wisconsin Volunteers, but later assisted 
in organizing the Fortieth Wisconsin, of which 
he became Colonel, in 1865 being brevetted Briga- 
dier-General. On his return to civil life he 
became a pastor in Milwaukee; was appointed 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction for 
Wisconsin to fill a vacancy, in 1871, and was twice 
re-elected. In 1874 he was elected President of 
the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, 
111., remaining two years; in 1875 united with the 
Reformed Episcopal Church, soon after became 
Rector of St. Paul's Church in Chicago, and was 
elected a Bishop in 1876, also assuming the 
editorship of "The Appeal," the organ of the 
church. He served as Regent of the University 
of Wisconsin (1864-74), and for several years has 
been one of the Trustees of the Illinois State 
Reform School at Pontiac. He is the author of 
two or three volumes, one of them being a "Sup- 
plementary Dictionary," published in 1884. 
Bishop Fallows has had supervision of Reformed 
Episcopal Church work in the West and North- 
west for several years ; has also served as Chaplain 
of the Grand Army of the Republic for the 
Department of Illinois and of the Loyal Legion, 
and was Chairman of the General Committee of 
the Educational Congress during the World's 
Columbian Exposition of 1893. 

FARINA, a town of Fayette County, on the 
Chicago Division of the Illinois Central Railroad, 
29 miles northeast of Centralia. Agriculture and 
fruit-growing constitute the chief business of the 
section; the town has one newspaper. Popula- 
tion (1890). 618; (1900), 693; (1903, est.), 800. 

FARMER CITY, a city of De Witt County, 25 
miles southeast of Bloomington, at the junction 
of the Springfield division of the Illinois Central 
and the Peoria division of the Cleveland, Cincin- 
nati, Chicago & St. Louis Railways. It is a 
trading center for a rich agricultural and stock- 
raising district, especially noted for rearing finely 
bred horses. The city has banks, two news- 
papers, churches of four denominations and good 
schools, including a high school. Population 
(1880), 1,289; (1890), 1,367; (1900), 1,664- 

FARMERS' INSTITUTE, an organization 
created by an act, approved June 24, 1895, de- 
signed to encourage practical education among 
farmers, and to assist in developing the agricul- 
tural resources of the State. Its membership 
consists of three delegates from each county in 
the State, elected annually by the Farmers' 
Institute in such county. Its affairs are managed 
by a Board of Directors constituted as follows: 
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, the 



162 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Professor of Agriculture in the University of Illi- 
nois, and the Presidents of the State Board of 
Agriculture, Dairymen's Association and Horti- 
cultural Society, ex-officio, with one member from 
each Congressional District, chosen by the dele- 
gates from the district at the annual meeting of 
the organization. Annual meetings (between 
Oct. 1 and March 1) are required to be held, 
which shall continue in session for not less than 
three days. The topics for discussion are the 
cultivation of crops, the care and breeding of 
domestic animals, dairy husbandry, horticulture, 
farm drainage, improvement of highways and 
general farm management. The reports of the 
annual meetings are printed by the State to the 
number of 10,000, one-half of the edition being 
placed at the disposal of the Institute. Suitable 
quarters for the officers of the organization are 
provided in the State capitol. 

FARMINCJTON, a city and railroad center in 
Fulton County, 12 miles north of Canton and 22 
miles west of Peoria. Coal is extensively mined 
here; there are also brick and tile factories, a 
foundry, one steam flour-mill, and two cigar 
manufactories. It is a large shipping-point for 
grain and live-stock. The town has two banks 
and two newspapers, five churches and a graded 
school. Population (1S90), 1.375; (1903, est.), 2,103. 

FARNSWORTH, Elon John, soldier, was born 
at Green Oak, Livingston Count}', Mich., in 1837. 
After completing a course in the public schools, 
he entered the University of Michigan, but left 
college at the end of his freshman year (1858) to 
serve in the Quartermaster's department of the 
army in the Utah expedition. At the expiration 
of his term of service he became a buffalo hunter 
and a carrier of mails between the haunts of 
civilization and the then newly-discovered mines 
at Pike's Peak. Returning to Illinois, he was 
commissioned (1861) Assistant Quartermaster of 
the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, of which his uncle 
was Colonel. (See Farnsworth, John Franklin.) 
He soon rose to a captaincy, distinguishing him- 
self in the battles of the Peninsula. In May, 
1863, he was appointed aid-de-camp to General 
Pleasanton, and, on June 29, 1863, was made a 
Brigadier-General. Four days later he was killed, 
while gallantly leading a charge at Gettysburg. 

FARNSWORTH, John Franklin, soldier and 
former Congressman, was born at Eaton, Canada 
East, March 27, 1820; removed to Michigan in 
1834, and later to Illinois, settling in Kane 
County, where he practiced law for many years, 
making his home at St. Charles. He was elected 
to Congress in 1856, and re-elected in 1858. In 



September of 1861, he was commissioned Colonel 
of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry Volunteers, and 
was brevetted Brigadier-General in November, 
1S62, but resigned, March 4, 1863, to take his seat 
in Congress to which he had been elected the 
November previous, by successive re-elections 
serving from 1863 to 1873. The latter years of 
his life were spent in Washington, where he died, 
July 14, 1897. 

FARWELL, Charles Benjamin, merchant and 
United States Senator, was born at Painted Post, 
N. Y., July 1, 1823; removed to Illinois in 1838, 
and, for six years, was employed in surveying 
and farming. In 1844 he engaged in the real 
estate business and in banking, at Chicago. He 
was elected County Clerk in 1853, and re-elected 
in 1857. Later he entered into commerce, becom- 
ing a partner with his brother, John Villiers, in 
the firm of J. V. Farwell & Co. He was a mem- 
ber of the State Board of Equalization in 1867 ; 
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Cook 
County in 1868 ; and National Bank Examiner in 
1869. In 1870 he was elected to Congress as a 
Republican, was re-elected in 1872, but was 
defeated in 1874, after a contest for the seat which 
was carried into the House at Washington. 
Again, in 1880, he was .returned to Congress, 
making three full terms in that body. He also 
served for several years as Chairman of the 
Republican State Central Committee. After the 
death of Gen. John A. Logan he was (1887) 
elected United States Senator, his term expiring 
March 3, 1891. Mr. Farwell has since devoted 
his attention to the immense mercantile busi- 
ness of J. V. Farwell & Co. 

FARWELL, John Villiers, merchant, was born 
at Campbelltown, Steuben County, N. Y. , July 
29, 1825, the son of a farmer; received a common- 
school education and, in 1838, removed with his 
father's family to Ogle County, 111. Here he 
attended Mount Morris Seminary for a time, but, 
in 1845, came to Chicago without capital and 
secured employment in the City Clerk's office, 
then became a book-keeper in the dry- goods 
establishment of Hamilton & White, and, still 
later, with Hamilton & Day. Having thus 
received his bent towards a mercantile career, he 
soon after entered the concern of Wadsworth & 
Phelps as a clerk, at a salary of S600 a year, but 
was admitted to a partnership in 1850, the title of 
the firm becoming Cooley, Farwell & Co. , in 1860. 
About this time Marshall Field and Levi Z. Leiter 
became associated with the concern and received 
their mercantile training under the supervision 
of Mr. Farwell. In 1865 the title of the firm 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



163 



became J. V. Farwell & Co. , but, in 1891, the firm 
was incorporated under the name of The J. V. 
Farwell Company, his brother, Charles B. Far- 
well, being a member. The subject of this sketch 
has long been a prominent factor in religious 
circles, a leading spirit of the Young Men's 
Christian Association, and served as President of 
the Chicago Branch of the United States 
Christian Commission during the Civil War. 
Politically he is a Republican and served as Presi- 
dential Elector at the time of President Lincoln's 
second election in 1864 ; also served by appoint- 
ment of President Grant, in 1869, on the Board of 
Indian Commissioners. He was a member of the 
syndicate which erected the Texas State Capitol, 
at Austin, in that State ; has been, for a number 
of years, Vice-President and Treasurer of the 
J. V. Farwell Company, and President of the 
Colorado Consolidated Land and Water Company. 
He was also prominent in the organization of the 
Chicago Public Library, and a member of the 
Union League, the Chicago Historical Society 
and the Art Institute. 

FARWELL, William Washington, jurist, was 
born at Morrisville, Madison County, N. Y., Jan. 
5, 1817, of old Puritan ancestry ; graduated from 
Hamilton College in 1837, and was admitted to 
the bar at Rochester, N. Y., in 1841. In 1848 he 
removed to Chicago, but the following year went 
to California, returning to his birthplace in 1850. 
In 1854 he again settled at Chicago and soon 
secured a prominent position at the bar. In 1871 
he was elected Circuit Court Judge for Cook 
County, and, in 1873, re-elected for a term of six 
years. During this period he sat chiefly upon 
the chancery side of the court, and, for a time, 
presided as Chief Justice. At the close of his 
second term he was a candidate for re-election as 
a Republican, but was defeated with the re- 
mainder of the ticket. In 1880 he was chosen 
Professor of Equity Jurisprudence in the Union 
College of Law (now the Northwestern Univer- 
sity Law School), serving until June, 1893, when 
he resigned. Died, in Chicago, April 30, 1894. 

FAYETTE COUNTY, situated about 60 miles 
south of the geographical center of the State ; 
was organized in 1821, and named for the French 
General La Fayette. It has an area of 720 square 
miles; population (1900), 28,065. The soil is fer- 
tile and a rich vein of bituminous coal underlies 
the county. Agriculture, fruit-growing and 
mining are the chief industries. The old, historic 
"Cumberland Road," the trail for all west-bound 
emigrants, crossed the county at an early date. 
Perryville was the first county-seat, but this town 



is now extinct. Vandalia, the present seat of 
county government (population, 2,144), stands 
upon a succession of hills upon the west bank of 
the Kaskaskia. From 1820 to 1839 it was the 
State Capital. Besides Vandalia the chief towns 
are Ramsey, noted for its railroad ties and tim- 
ber, and St. Elmo. 

FEEBLE-MIKDED CHILDREN, ASYLUM 
FOR. This institution, originally established as 
a sort of appendage to the Illinois Institution for 
the Deaf and Dumb, was started at Jacksonville, 
in 1865, as an "experimental school, for the 
instruction of idiots and feeble-minded children." 
Its success having been assured, the school was 
placed upon an independent basis in 1871, and, 
in 1875, a site at Lincoln, Logan County, covering 
forty acres, was donated, and the erection of 
buildings begun. The original plan provided for 
a center building, with wings and a rear exten- 
sion, to cost 8124,775. Besides a main or adminis- 
tration building, the institution embraces a 
school building and custodial hall, a hospital and 
industrial workshop, and, during the past year, a 
chapel has been added. It has control of 890 
acres, of which 400 are leased for farming pur- 
poses, the rental going to the benefit of the insti- 
tution. The remainder is used for the purposes 
of the institution as farm land, gardens or pas- 
ture, about ninety acres being occupied by the 
institution buildings. The capacity of the insti- 
tution is about 700 inmates, with many applica- 
tions constantly on file for the admission of 
others for whom there is no room. 

FEEHAN, Patrick A., D.D., Archbishop of 
the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Chicago, and 
Metropolitan of Illinois, was born at Tipperary, 
Ireland, in 1829, and educated at Maynooth 
College. He emigrated to the United States in 
1852, settling at St. Louis, and was at once 
appointed President of the Seminary of Caronde- 
let. Later he was made pastor of the Church of 
the Immaculate Conception at St. Louis, where 
he achieved marked distinction. In 1865 he was 
consecrated. Bishop of Nashville, managing the 
affairs of the diocese with great ability. In 1880 
Chicago was raised to an archiepiscopal see, with 
Suffragan Bishops at Alton and Peoria, and 
Bishop Feehan was consecrated its first Arch- 
bishop. His administration has been conserva- 
tive, yet efficient, and the archdiocese has greatly 
prospered under his rule. 

FELL, Jesse W., lawyer and real-estate opera- 
tor, was born in Chester County, Pa., about 1808; 
started west on foot in 1828, and, after spending 
some years at Steubenville, Ohio, came to Dela- 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ran, 111., in 1832, and the next year located at 
Bloomington, being the first lawyer in that new 
town. Later he became agent for school lands 
and the State Bank, but failed financially in 
1837, and returned to practice; resided several 
years at Payson, Adams County, but returning 
to Bloomington in 1855, was instrumental in 
securing the location of the Chicago & Alton 
Railroad through that town, and was one of the 
founders of the towns of Clinton, Pontiac, Lex- 
ington and El Paso. He was an intimate personal 
and political friend of Abraham Lincoln, and it 
was to him Mr. Lincoln addressed his celebrated 
personal biography; in the campaign of 1860 he 
served as Secretary of the Republican State Cen- 
tral Committee, and, in 1862, was appointed by 
Mr. Lincoln a Paymaster in the regular army, 
serving some two years. Mr. Fell was also a zeal- 
ous friend of the cause of industrial education, 
and bore an important part in securing the 
location of the State Normal University at Nor- 
mal, of which city he was the founder. Died, at 
Bloomington, Jan. 25, 1887. 

FERGUS, Robert, early printer, was born in 
Glasgow, Scotland, August 4, 1815; learned the 
printer's trade in his native city, assisting in his 
youth in putting in type some of Walter Scott's 
productions and other works which now rank 
among English classics. In 1834 he came to 
America, finally locating in Chicago, where, 
with various partners, he pursued the business of 
a job printer continuously some fifty years — 
being the veteran printer of Chicago. He was 
killed by being run over by a railroad train at 
Evanston, July 23, 1897. The establishment of 
which he was so long the head is continued by 
his sons. 

FERIVWOOD, a suburban station on the Chi- 
cago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, 12 south of ter- 
minal station; annexed to City of Chicago, 1891. 

FERRY, Elisha Peyre, politician, born in 
Monroe, Mich., August 9, 1825; was educated in 
his native town and admitted to the bar at Fort 
Wayne, Ind., in 1845; removed to Waukegan, 
111., the following year, served as Postmaster and, 
in 1856, was candidate on the Republican ticket 
for Presidential Elector; was elected Mayor of 
Waukegan in 1859, a member of the State Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1862, State Bank Com- 
missioner in 1861-63, Assistant Adjutant-General 
on the staff of Governor Yates during the war, 
and a delegate to the Republican National Con- 
vention of 1864. After the war he served as 
direct-tax Commissioner for Tennessee; in 1869 
was appointed Surveyor-General of Washington 



Territory and, in 1872 and '76, Territorial Got- 
ernor. On the admission of Washington as a 
State, in 1889, he was elected the first Governor. 
Died, at Seattle, Wash., Oct. 14, 1895. 

FEVRE RIVER, a small stream which rises in 
Southern Wisconsin and enters the Mississippi in 
Jo Daviess County, six miles below Galena, which 
stands upon its banks. It is navigable for steam- 
boats between Galena and its mouth. The name 
originally given to it by early French explorers 
was "Feve" (the French name for "Bean"), 
which has since been corrupted into its present 
form. 

FICKLIX, Orlando B., lawyer and politician, 
was born in Kentucky, Dec. 16, 1808, and 
admitted to the bar at Mount Carmel, Wabash 
County, III, in March, 1830. In 1834 he was 
elected to the lower house of the Ninth General 
Assembly. After serving a term as State's 
Attorney for Wabash County, in 1837 he removed 
to Charleston, Coles County, where, in 1838, and 
again in '42, he was elected to the Legislature, as 
lie was for the last time in 1878. He was four 
times elected to Congress, serving from 1813 to 
'49, and from 1851 to '53 ; was Presidential Elector 
in 1856, and candidate for the same position on 
the Democratic ticket for the State-at- large in 
1884; was also a delegate to the Democratic 
National Conventions of 1856 and '60. He was 
a member of the Constitutional Convention of 
1862. Died, at Charleston, May 5, 1886. 

FIELD, Alexander Pope, early legislator and 
Secretary of State, came to Illinois about the 
time of its admission into the Union, locating in 
Union County, which he represented in the Third, 
Fifth and Sixth General Assemblies. In the 
first of these he was a prominent factor in the 
ejection of Representative Hansen of Pike County 
and the seating of Shaw in his place, which 
enabled the advocates of slavery to secure the 
passage of a resolution submitting to the people 
the question of calling a State Constitutional 
Convention. In 1828 he was appointed Secretary 
of State by Governor Edwards, remaining in 
office under Governors Reynolds and Dun- 
can and through half the term of Governor 
Carlin, though the latter attempted to secure 
his removal in 1838 by the appointment of 
John A. McC'lernand — the courts, however, 
declaring against the latter. In November, 1840, 
the Governor's act was made effective by the 
confirmation, by the Senate, of Stephen A. Doug- 
las as Secretary in place of Field. Douglas 
held the office only to the following February, 
when he resigned to take a place on the Supreme 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



165 



bench and Lyman Trumbull was appointed to 
succeed him. Field (who had become a Whig) 
was appointed by President Harrison, in 1841, 
Secretary of Wisconsin Territory, later removed 
to St. Louis and finally to New Orleans, where he 
was at the beginning of the late war. In Decem- 
ber, 1863, he presented himself as a member of 
the Thirty-eighth Congress for Louisiana, but 
was refused his seat, though claiming in an elo- 
quent speech to have been a loyal man. Died, in 
New Orleans, in 1877. Mr. Field was a nephew 
of Judge Nathaniel Pope, for over thirty years on 
the bench of the United States District Court. 

FIELD, Eugene, journalist, humorist and poet, 
was born in St. Louis. Mo., Sept. 2, 1850. Left an 
orphan at an early age, he was reared by a rela- 
tive at Amherst, Mass., and received a portion of 
his literary training at Monson and Williamstown 
in that State, completing his course at the State 
University of Missouri. After an extended tour 
through Europe in 1872-73, he began his journal- 
istic career at St. Louis, Mo., as a reporter on 
"The Evening Journal," later becoming its city 
editor. During the next ten years he was succes- 
sively connected with newspapers at St. Joseph, 
Mo., St. Louis, Kansas City, and at Denver, Colo., 
at the last named city being managing editor of 
"The Tribune." In 1883 he removed to Chicago, 
becoming a special writer for "The Chicago 
News," his particular department for several 
years being a pungent, witty column with the 
caption, "Sharps and Flats." He wrote con- 
siderable prose fiction and much poetry, among 
the latter being successful translations of several 
of Horace's Odes. As a poet, however, he was 
best known through his short poems relating to 
childhood and home, which strongly appealed to 
the popular heart. Died, in Chicago, deeply 
mourned by a large circle of admirers, Nov. 4, 
1895. 

FIELD, Marshall, merchant and capitalist, was 
born in Conway, Mass., in 183.5, and grew up on 
a farm, receiving a common school and academic 
education. At the age of 17 he entered upon a 
mercantile career as clerk in a dry -goods store at 
Pittsfield, Mass., but, in 1856, came to Chicago 
and secured employment with Messrs. Cooley, 
Wadsworth & Co. ; in 1860 was admitted into 
partnership, the firm becoming Cooley, Farwell 
& Co., and still later, Farwell, Field & Co. The 
last named firm was dissolved and that of Field, 
Palmer & Leiter organized in 1865. Mr. Palmer 
having retired in 1867, the firm was continued 
under the name of Field, Leiter & Co., until 1881, 
wnen Mr. Leiter retired, the concern being since 



known as Marshall Field & Co. The growth of 
the business of this great establishment is shown 
by the fact that, whereas its sales amounted 
before the fire to some 812.000,000 annually, in 
1895 they aggregated 840.0(10,000. Mr. Field's 
business career has been remarkable for its suc- 
cess in a city famous for its successful business 
men and the vastness of their commercial oper- 
ations. He has been a generous and discrimi- 
nating patron of important public enterprises, 
some of his more conspicuous donations being the 
gift of a tract of land valued at §300,000 and 
$100,000 in cash, to the Chicago University, and 
81,000,000 to the endowment of the Field Colum- 
bian Museum, as a sequel to the World's Colum- 
bian Exposition. The latter, chiefly through the 
munificence of Mr. Field, promises to become one 
of the leading institutions of its kind in the 
United States. Besides his mercantile interests, 
Mr. Field has extensive interests in various finan- 
cial and manufacturing enterprises, including 
the Pullman Palace Car Company and the Rock 
Island & Pacific Railroad, in each of which he is 
a Director. 

FIFER, Joseph W., born at Stanton, Va., Oct. 
28, 1840; in 1857 he accompanied his father (who 
was a stone-mason) to McLean County, 111., and 
worked at the manufacture and laying of brick. 
At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted as a 
private in the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, and 
was dangerously wounded at the assault on Jack- 
son, Miss., in 1863. On the healing of his wound, 
disregarding the advice of family and friends, he 
rejoined his regiment. At the close of the war, 
when about 25 years of age, he entered the Wes- 
leyan University at Bloomington, where, by dint 
of hard work and frugality, while supporting 
himself in part by manual labor, he secured a 
diploma in 1868. He at once began the study of 
law, and, soon after his admission, entered upon a 
practice which subsequently proved both success- 
ful and lucrative. He was elected Corporation 
Counsel of Bloomington in 1871 and State's Attor- 
ney for McLean County in 1872, holding the latter 
office, through re-election, until 1880, when he 
was chosen State Senator, serving in the Thirty- 
second and Thirty-third General Assemblies. In 
1888 he was nominated and elected Governor on 
the Republican ticket, but, in 1892, was defeated 
by John P. Altgeld, the Democratic nominee, 
though running in advance of the national and 
the rest of the State ticket. 

FINERTY, John F., ex-Congressman and 
journalist, was born in Galway, Ireland, Sept. 
10, 1846. His studies were mainly prosecuted 



166 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



under private tutors. At the age of 16 lie entered 
the profession of journalism, and, in 1864, coming 
to America, soon after enlisted, serving for 100 
days during the Civil War, in the Ninety-ninth 
New York Volunteers. Subsequently, having 
removed to Chicago, he was connected with "The 
Chicago Times" as a special correspondent from 
1876 to 1881, and, in 1882, established "The Citi- 
zen," a weekly newspaper devoted to the Irish- 
American interest, which he continues to pub- 
lish. In 1883 he was elected, as an Independ- 
ent Democrat, to represent the Second Illinois 
District in the Forty-eighth Congress, but, run- 
ning as an Independent Republican for re-election 
in 1884, was defeated by Frank Lawler, Democrat. 
In 1887 he was appointed Oil Inspector of Chi- 
cago, and, since 1889, has held no public office, 
giving his attention to editorial work on his 
paper. 

FISHER, (Dr.) George, pioneer physician and 
legislator, was probably a native of Virginia, 
from which State he appears to have come to 
Kaskaskia previous to 1800. He became very 
prominent during the Territorial period; was 
appointed by William Henry Harrison, then 
Governor of Indiana Territory, the first Sheriff of 
Randolph County after its organization in 1801 ; 
was elected from that county to the Indiana 
Territorial House of Representatives in 1805, and 
afterwards promoted to the Territorial Council ; 
was also Representative in the First and Third 
Legislatures of Illinois Territory (1812 and '16), 
serving as Speaker of each. He was a Dele- 
gate to the Constitutional Convention of 1818, but 
died on his farm near Kaskaskia in 1820. Dr. 
Fisher participated in the organization of the 
first Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Illi- 
nois at Kaskaskia, in 1806, and was elected one 
of its officers. 

FISHERIES. The fisheries of Illinois center 
chiefly at Chicago, the catch being taken from 
Lake Michigan, and including salmon trout, 
white fish (the latter species including a lake 
herring), wall-eyed pike, three kinds of bass, 
three varieties of sucker, carp and sturgeon. The 
"fishing fleet" of Lake Michigan, properly so 
called, (according to the census of 1890) con- 
sisted of forty-seven steamers and one schooner, 
of which only one — a steamer of twenty-six tons 
burthen — was credited to Illinois. The same 
report showed a capital of 836,105 invested in 
land, buildings, wharves, vessels, boats and 
apparatus. In addition to the "fishing fleet"' 
mentioned, nearly 1,100 sail-boats and other vari- 
eties of craft are employed in the industry, 



sailing from ports between Chicago and Macki 
nac, of which, in 1890, Illinois furnished 94, or 
about nine per cent. All sorts of apparatus are 
used, but the principal are gill, fyke and pound 
nets, and seines. The total value of these minor 
Illinois craft, with their equipment, for 1890, was 
nearly $18,000, the catch aggregating 722.830 
pounds, valued at between 824,000 and 825,000 
Of this draught, the entire quantity was either 
sold fresh in Chicago and adjacent markets, or 
shipped, either in ice or frozen. The Mississippi 
and its tributaries yield wall-eyed pike, pike 
perch, buffalo fish, sturgeon, paddle fish, and 
other species available for food. 

FITHIAN, George W., ex-Congressman, was 
born on a farm near Willow Hill, 111., July 4, 1854. 
His early education was obtained in the common 
schools, and he learned the trade of a printer at 
Mount Carmel. While employed at the case he 
found time to study law, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1875. In 1876 he was elected State's 
Attorney for Jasper County, and re elected in 
1880. He was prominent in Democratic politics, 
and, in 1888, was elected on the ticket of that 
party to represent the Sixteenth Illinois District 
in Congress. He was re-elected in 1890 and 
again in 1892, but, in 1894, was defeated by his 
Republican opponent. 

FITHIAN, (Dr.) William, pioneer physician, 
was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1800; built the 
first houses in Springfield and Urbana in that 
State; in 1822 began the study of medicine at 
Urbana; later practiced two years at Mechanics- 
burgh, and four years at Urbana, as partner of 
his preceptor; in 1830 came west, locating at 
Danville, Vermilion County, where he became a 
large landowner; in 1832 served with the Ver- 
milion County militia in the Black Hawk War, 
and, in 1834, was elected Representative in the 
Ninth General Assembly, the first of which 
Abraham Lincoln was a member; afterwards 
served two terms in the State Senate from the 
Danville District (1838-46). Dr. Fithian was 
active in promoting the railroad interests of 
Danville, giving the right of way for railroad 
purposes through a large body of land belonging 
to him, in Vermilion County. He was also a 
member of various medical associations, and, 
during his later years, was the oldest practicing 
physician in the State. Died, in Danville, 111., 
April 5, 1890. 

FLAGG, Gershom, pioneer, was born in Rich- 
mond, Vt., in 1792, came west in 1816, settling in 
Madison County, 111., in 1818, where he was 
known as an enterprising farmer and a prominent 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



167 



and influential citizen. Originally a Whig, he 
became a zealous Republican on the organization 
of that party, dying in 1857.— TVillard Cutting 
(Flagg), son of the preceding, was born in Madi- 
son County, 111., Sept 10, 1829, spent his early life 
on his father's farm and in the common schools; 
from 1844 to '50 was a pupil in the celebrated 
high school of Edward Wyman in St. Louis, 
finally graduating with honors at Yale College, 
in 1854. During his college course he took a 
number of literary prizes, and, in his senior year, 
served as one of the editors of "The Yale Literary 
Magazine." Returning to Illinois after gradu- 
ation, he took charge of his father's farm, engaged 
extensively in fruit-culture and stock-raising, 
being the first to introduce the Devon breed of 
cattle in Madison County in 1859. He was a 
member of the Republican State Central Com- 
mittee in 1860 ; in 1862, by appointment of Gov. 
Yates, became Enrolling Officer for Madison 
County ; served as Collector of Internal Revenue 
for the Twelfth District, 1864-69, and, in 1868, 
was elected to the State Senate for a term of four 
years, and, during the last session of Iris term 
(1872), took a prominent part in the revision of 
the school law ; was appointed a member of the 
first Board of Trustees of the Industrial Univer- 
sity (now the University of Illinois) at Cham- 
paign, and reappointed in 1875. Mr. Flagg was 
also prominent in agricultural and horticultural 
organizations, serving as Secretary of the State 
Horticultural Society from 1861 to '69, when he 
became its President. He was one of the origi- 
nators of the "farmers' movement," served for 
some time as President of "The State Farmers' 
Association," wrote voluminously, and delivered 
addresses in various States on agricultural and 
horticultural topics, and, in 1875, was elected 
President of the National Agricultural Congress. 
In his later years" he was a recognized leader in 
the Granger movement. Died, at Mora, Madison 
County. 111., April 5, 1878. 

FLEMING, Robert K., pioneer printer, was 
born in Erie County, Pa., learned the printers' 
trade in Pittsburg, and, coming west while quite 
young, worked at his trade in St. Louis, finally 
removing to Kaskaskia, where he was placed in 
control of the office of "The Republican Advo- 
cate," which had been established in 1823, by 
Elias Kent Kane. The publication of "The 
Advocate" having been suspended, he revived it 
in May, 1825. under the name of "The Kaskaskia 
Recorder," but soon removed it to Vandalia (then 
the State capital), and, in 1827, began the publi- 
cation of "The Illinois Corrector," at Edwards- 



ville. Two years later he returned to Kaskaskia 
and resumed the publication of "The Recorder," 
but, in 1833, was induced to remove his office to 
Belleville, where he commenced the publication 
of '.'The St. Clair Gazette," followed by "The St. 
Clair Mercury," both of which had a brief exist- 
ence. About 1843 he returned to the newspaper 
business as publisher of "The Belleville Advo- 
cate," whicli he continued for a number of years. 
He died, at Belleville, in 1874, leaving two sons 
who have been prominently identified witli the 
history of journalism in Southern Illinois, at 
Belleville and elsewhere. 

FLETCHER, Job, pioneer and early legislator, 
was born in Yirginia, in 1793, removed to Sanga- 
mon County, 111., in 1819; was elected Represent- 
ative in 1826, and, in 1834, to the State Senate, 
serving in the latter body six years. He was one 
of the famous "Long Nine" which represented 
Sangamon County in the Tenth General Assem- 
bly. Mr. Fletcher was again a member of the 
House in 1844-45. Died, in Sangamon County, 
in 1872. 

FLORA, a city in Harter Township, Clay 
County, on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern 
Railroad, 95 miles east of St. Louis, and 108 miles 
south-southeast of Springfield; has barrel factory, 
flouring mills, cold storage and ice plant, three 
fruit-working factories, two banks, six churches 
and a weekly newspaper. Population (1890), 
1,695; (1900), 2 311 ; (1903, est.), 3,000. 

FLOWER, George, early English colonist, was 
born in Hertfordshire, England, about 1780; 
came to the United States in 1817, and was associ- 
ated with Morris Birkbeck in founding the 
"English Settlement" at Albion, Edwards 
County, 111. Being in affluent circumstances, he 
built an elegant mansion and stocked an exten- 
sive farm with blooded animals from England 
and other parts of Europe, but met with reverses 
which dissipated his wealth. In common with 
Mr. Birkbeck, he was one of the determined 
opponents of the attempt to establish slavery in 
Illinois in 1824, and did much to defeat that 
measure. He and his wife died on the same day 
(Jan. 15, 1862), while on a visit to a daughter at 
Grayville, 111. A book written by him — "History 
of the English Settlement in Edwards County, 
111." — and published in 1882, is a valuable contri- 
bution to the early history of that portion of the 
State.— Edward Fordhams (Flower), son of tin- 
preceding, was born in England, Jan. 31, 1805, 
but came with his father to Illinois in early life; 
later he returned to England and spent nearly 
half a century at Stratford-on-Avon, where he 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was four times chosen Mayor of that borough 
and entertained many visitors from the United 
States to Shakespeare's birthplace. Died, March 
26, 1883. 

FOBES, Philena, educator, born in Onondaga 
County, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1811; was educated at 
Albany and at Cortland Seminary, Rochester, 
N. Y. ; in 1838 became a teacher in Monticello 
Female Seminary, then newly established at 
Godfrey. 111., under Rev. Theron Baldwin, Prin- 
cipal. On the retirement of Mr. Baldwin in 1843, 
Miss Fobes succeeded to the principalship, 
remaining until 1866, when she retired. For 
some years she resided at Rochester, N. Y., and 
New Haven, Conn., but, in 1886, she removed to 
Philadelphia, where she afterwards made her 
home, notwithstanding her advanced age, main- 
taining a lively interest in educational and 
benevolent enterprises. Miss Fobes died at Phila- 
delphia, Nov. 8, 1898, and was buried at New 
Haven, Conn. 

FOLEY, Thomas, Roman Catholic Bishop, born 
in Baltimore, Md. , in 1823; was ordained a priest 
in 1846, and, two years later, was appointed Chan- 
cellor of the Diocese, being made Vicar-General 
in 1867. He was nominated Coadjutor Bishop of 
the Chicago Diocese in 1869 (Bishop Duggan hav- 
ing become insane), and, in 1870, was consecrated 
Bishop. His administration of diocesan work was 
prudent and eminently successful. As a man 
and citizen he won the respect of all creeds and 
classes alike, the State Legislature adopting 
resolutions of respect and regret upon learning 
of his death, which occurred at Baltimore, in 
1879. 

FORBES, Stephen Van Rensselaer, pioneer 
teacher, was born at Windham, Vt., July 26, 1797; 
in his youth acquired a knowledge of surveying, 
and, having removed to Newburg (now South 
Cleveland), Ohio, began teaching. In 1829 he 
came west to Chicago, and having joined a sur- 
veying party, went to Louisiana, returning in 
the following year to Chicago, which then con- 
tained only three white families outside of Fort 
Dearborn. Having been joined by his wife, he 
took up his abode in what was called the "sut- 
ler's house" connected with Fort Dearborn; was 
appointed one of the first Justices of the Peace, 
and opened the first school ever taught in Chi- 
cago, all but three of his pupils being either 
half-breeds or Indians. In 1832 he was elected, as 
a Whig, the first Sheriff of Cook County; later 
preempted 160 acres of land where Riverside 
now stands, subsequently becoming owner of 
some 1,800 acres, much of which he sold, about 



1853, to Dr. W. B. Egan at §20 per acre. In 
1849, having been seized with the "gold fever," 
Mr. Forbes joined in the overland migration to 
California, but, not being successful, returned 
two years later by way of the Isthmus, and, hav- 
ing sold his possessions in Cook County, took up 
his abode at Newburg, Ohio, and resumed his 
occupation as a surveyor. About 1878 he again 
returned to Chicago, but survived only a short 
time, dying Feb. 17, 1879. 

FORD, Thomas, early lawyer, jurist and Gov- 
ernor, was born in Uniontown, Pa. , and, in boy- 
hood, accompanied his mother (then a widow) to 
Missouri, in 1804. The family soon after located 
in Monroe County, 111. Largely through the 
efforts and aid of his half-brother, George 
Forquer, he obtained a professional education, 
became a successful lawyer, and, early in life, 
entered the field of politics. He served as a 
Judge of the Circuit Court for the northern part 
of the State from 1835 to 1837, and was again 
commissioned a Circuit Judge for the Galena 
circuit in 1839; in 1841 was elevated to the bench 
of the State Supreme Court, but resigned the 
following year to accept the nomination of his 
party (the Democratic) for Governor. He was 
regarded as upright in his general policy, but he 
had a number of embarrassing questions to deal 
with during his administration, one of these 
being the Mormon troubles, in which he failed to 
receive the support of his own party. He was 
author of a valuable 'History of Illinois," (pub- 
lished posthumously). He died, at Peoria, in 
greatly reduced circumstances, Nov. 3, 1850. The 
State Legislature of 1895 took steps to erect a 
monument over his grave. 

FORD COUNTY, lies northeast of Springfield, 
was organized in 1859, being cut off from Vermil- 
ion. It is shaped like an inverted "T," and has 
an area of 490 square miles; population (1900), 
18,359. The first County Judge was David Pat- 
ton, and David Davis (afterwards of the United 
States Supreme Court) presided over the first 
Circuit Court. The surface of the county is level 
and the soil fertile, consisting of a loam from one 
to five feet in depth. There is little timber, nor 
is there any out-cropping of stone. The county 
is named in honor of Governor Ford. The county- 
seat is Paxton, which had a population, in 1890, of 
2, 187. Gibson City is a railroad center, and has a 
population of 1,800 

FORMAN, (Col.) Ferris, lawyer and soldier, 
was born in Tioga County, N. Y. , August 25, 
1811 ; graduated at Union College in 1832. studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in New York in 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



169 



1835, and in the Unit6d States Supreme Court in 
1836; the latter year came west and settled at 
Vandalia, 111., where he began practice; in 1844 
was elected to the State Senate for the district 
composed of Fayette, Effingham, Clay and Rich- 
land Counties, serving two years; before the 
expiration of his term (1846) enlisted for the 
Mexican War, and was commissioned Colonel of 
the Third Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and, 
after participating in a number of the most 
important engagements of the campaign, was 
mustered out at New Orleans, in May, 1847. Re- 
turning from the Mexican War, lie brought with 
him and presented to the State of Illinois a 
six-pound cannon, which had been captured by 
Illinois troops on the battlefield of Cerro Gordo, 
and is now in the State Arsenal at Springfield. 
In 1848 Colonel Forman was chosen Presidential 
Elector for the State-at-large on the Democratic 
ticket ; in 1849 went to California, where he prac- 
ticed his profession until 1853, meanwhile serving 
as Postmaster of Sacramento City by appointment 
of President Pierce, and later as Secretary of 
State during the administration of Gov. John B. 
Weller (1858-60); in 1861 officiated, by appoint- 
ment of the California Legislature, as Commis- 
sioner on the part of the State in fixing the 
boundary between California and the Territory 
of Utah. After the discharge of this duty, he 
was offered the colonelcy of the Fourth California 
Volunteer Infantry, which he accepted, serving 
about twenty months, when he resigned. In 
1866 he resumed his residence at Vandalia, and 
served as a Delegate for Fayette and Effingham 
Counties in the Constitutional Convention of 
1869-70, also for several years thereafter held the 
office of State's Attorney for Fayette County. 
Later he returned to California, and, at the 
latest date, was a resident of Stockton, in that 
State. 

FORMAN, William S., ex-Congressman, was 
born at Natchez, Miss., Jan. 20, 1847. When he 
was four years old, his father's family removed to 
Illinois, settling in Washington County, where 
he has lived ever since. By profession he is a 
lawyer, and he takes a deep interest in politics, 
local, State and National. He represented his 
Senatorial District in the State Senate in the 
Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth General Assem- 
blies, and, in 1888, was elected, as a Democrat, to 
represent the Eighteenth Illinois District in the 
Fifty-first Congress, being re-elected in 1890, and 
again in '92, but was defeated in 1894 for renomi- 
nation by John J. Higgins, who was defeated at 
the election of the same year by Everett J. Mur- 



phy. In 1896 Mr. Forman was candidate of the 
"Gold Democracy" for Governor of Illinois, 
receiving 8, 100 votes. 

FOR0.UER, Georgre, early State officer, was 
born near Brownsville, Pa., in 1794 — was the son 
of a Revolutionary soldier, and older half-brother 
of Gov. Thomas Ford. He settled, with his 
mother (then a widow), at New Design, 111., in 
1804. After learning, and, for several years, 
following the carpenter's trade at St. Louis, he 
returned to Illinois and purchased the tract 
whereon Waterloo now stands. Subsequently he 
projected the town of Bridge water, on the Mis- 
sissippi. For a time he was a partner in trade of 
Daniel P. Cook. Being unsuccessful in business, 
he took up the study of law, in which lie attained 
marked success. In 1824 he was elected to repre- 
sent Monroe County in the House of Represent- 
atives, but resigned in January of the following 
year to accept the position of Secretary of State, 
to which he was appointed by Governor Coles, 
as successor to Morris Birkbeck, whom the 
Senate had refused to confirm. One ground for 
the friendship between him and Coles, no doubt, 
was the fact that they had been united in their 
opposition to the scheme to make Illinois a slave 
State. In 1828 he was a candidate for Congress, 
but was defeated by Joseph Duncan, afterwards 
Governor. At the close of the year he resigned 
the office of Secretary of State, but, a few weeks 
later (January, 1829), he was elected by the 
Legislature Attorney-General. This position he 
held until January, 1833, when he resigned, hav- 
ing, as it appears, at the previous election, been 
chosen State Senator from Sangamon County, 
serving in the Eighth and Ninth General Assem- 
blies. Before the close of his term as Senator 
(1835), he received the appointment of Register 
of the Land Office at Springfield, which appears 
to have been the last office held by him, as he 
died, at Cincinnati, in 1837. Mr. Forquer was a 
man of recognized ability and influence, an elo- 
quent orator and capable writer, but, in common 
with some of the ablest lawyers of that time, 
seems to have been much embarrassed by the 
smallness of his income, in spite of his ability 
and the fact that he was almost continually in 
office. 

FORREST, a village in Livingston County, at 
the intersection of the Toledo, Peoria & Western 
and the Wabash Railways, 75 miles east of Peoria 
and 16 miles southeast of Pontiac. Considerable 
grain is shipped from this point to the Chicago 
market. The village has several churches and a 
gradedschool. Population (1880), 375; (1900), 952. 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



FORREST, Joseph K. C, journalist, was born 
in Cork, Ireland, Nov. 26, 1820; came to Chicago 
in 1840, soon after securing employment as a 
writer on "The Evening Journal," and, later on, 
"The Gem of the Prairies," the predecessor of 
"The Tribune," being associated with the latter 
at the date of its establishment, in June, 1847. 
During the early years of his residence in Chi- 
cago, Mr. Forrest spent some time as a teacher. 
On retiring from "The Tribune," he became the 
associate of John Wentworth in the management 
of "The Chicago Democrat," a relation which 
was broken up by the consolidation of the latter 
with "The Tribune," in 1801. He then became 
the Springfield correspondent of "The Tribune," 
also holding a position on the staff of Governor 
Yates, and still later represented "The St. Louis 
Democrat" and "Chicago Times, " as Washington 
correspondent ; assisted in founding "The Chicago 
Republican" (now "Inter Ocean"), in 1865, and, 
some years later, became a leading writer upon 
the same. He served one term as Clerk of the 
city of Chicago, but, in his later years, and up to 
the period of his death, was a leading contributor 
to the columns of "The Chicago Evening News" 
over the signatures of "An Old Timer" and "Now 
or Never." Died, in Chicago, June 23, 1896. 

FORRESTOJf, a village in Ogle County, the 
terminus of the Chicago and Iowa branch of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and 
point of intersection of the Illinois Central and 
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railways; 107 
miles west by north from Chicago, and 12 miles 
south of Freeport; founded in 1854, incorporated 
by special charter in 1868, and, under the general 
law, in 1888. Farming and stock-raising are the 
principal industries. The village has a bank, 
water-works, electric light plant, creamery, vil- 
lage hall, seven churches, a graded school, and a 
newspaper. Population (1890), 1,118; (1900), 1,047. 

FORSYTHE, Albert P., ex Congressman, was 
born at New Richmond, Ohio, May 24, 1830; 
received his early education in the common 
schools, and at Asbury University. He was 
reared upon a farm and followed farming as his 
life-work. During the War of the Rebellion he 
served in the Union army as Lieutenant. In 
politics he early became an ardent Nationalist, 
and was chosen President of the Illinois State 
Grange of the Patrons of Industry, in December, 
1875, and again in January, 1878. In 1878 he was 
elected to Congress as a Nationalist, but, in 1880, 
though receiving the nominations of the com- 
bined Republican and Greenback parties, was 
defeated by Samuel W Moulton, Democrat. 



FORT, (ireenbury L., soldier and Congress- 
man, was born in Ohio, Oct. 17, 1825, and, in 1834, 
removed with his parents to Illinois. In 1850 lie 
was elected Sheriff of Putnam County; in 1852. 
Clerk of the Circuit Court, and, having mean- 
while been admitted to the bar at Lacon, became 
County Judge in 1857, serving until 1861. In 
April of the latter year he enlisted under the first 
call for troops, by re-enlistments serving till 
March 24, 1866. Beginning as Quartermaster of 
his regiment, he served as Chief Quartermaster of 
the Fifteenth Army Corps on the "March to the 
Sea," and was mustered out with the rank ol 
Colonel and Brevet Brigadier-General. On his 
return from the field, he was elected to the State 
Senate, serving in the Twenty-fifth and Twenty- 
sixth General Assemblies, and, from 1873 to 1881, 
as Representative in Congress. He died, at 
Lacon, June 13, 1883. 

FORT CHARTRES, a strong fortification 
erected by the French in 1718, on the American 
Bottom, 16 miles northwest from Kaskaskia. 
The soil on which it stood was alluvial, and the 
limestone of which its walls were built was 
quarried from an adjacent bluff. In form it was 
an irregular quadrangle, surrounded on three 
sides by a wall two feet two inches thick, and on 
the fourth by a ravine, which, during the spring- 
time, was full of water. During the period of 
French ascendency in Illinois, Fort Chartres was 
the seat of government. About four miles east 
soon sprang up the village of Prairie du Rocher 
(or Rock Prairie). (See Prairie du Rocher.) At 
the outbreak of the French and Indian War 
(1756), the original fortification was repaired and 
virtually rebuilt. Its cost at that time is esti 
mated to have amounted to 1,000,000 French 
crowns. After the occupation of Illinois by the 
British, Fort Chartres still remained the seat of 
government until 1772, when one side of the 
fortification was washed away by a freshet, and 
headquarters were transferred to Kaskaskia 
The first common law court ever held in the Mis- 
sissippi Valley was established here, in 1768, by 
the order of Colonel Wilkins of the English 
army. The ruins of the old fort, situated in the 
northwest corner of Randolph County, once con- 
stituted an object of no little interest to anti- 
quarians, but the site has disappeared during the 
past generation by the encroachments of the 
Mississippi. 

FORT DEARBORN, the name of a United 
States military post, established at the mouth of 
the Chicago River in 1803 or 1804, on a tract of 
land six miles square conveyed by the Indians in 




fit 13 

=■■3 -f — 



■ira^SK 



EARLY HISTORIC SCENES, CHICAGO. 




EARLY HISTORIC SCENES. CHICAGO. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



171 



the treaty of Greenville, concluded by General 
Wayne in 1795. It originally consisted of two 
block houses located at opposite angles (north- 
west and southeast) of a strong wooden stockade, 
with the Commandant's quarters on the east side 
of the quadrangle, soldiers' barracks on the south, 
officers' barracks on the west, and magazine, 
contractor's (sutler's) store and general store- 
house on the north — all the buildings being con- 
structed of logs, and all, except the block-houses, 
being entirely within the enclosure. Its arma- 
ment consisted of three light pieces of artillery. 
Its builder and first commander was Capt. John 
Whistler, a native of Ireland who had surrendered 
with Burgoyne, at Saratoga,, N. Y., and who 
subsequently became an American citizen, and 
served with distinction throughout the War of 
1812. He was succeeded, in 1810, by Capt. 
Nathan Heald. As early as 1800 the Indians 
around the fort manifested signs of disquietude, 
Tecumseh, a few years later, heading an open 
armed revolt. In 1810 a council of Pottawato- 
mies, Ottawas and Chippewas was held at St. 
Joseph, Mich., at which it was decided not to 
join the confederacy proposed by Chief Tecumseh. 
In 1811 hostilities were precipitated by an attack 
upon the United States troops under Gen. 
William Henry Harrison at Tippecanoe. In 
April, 1812, hostile bands of Winnebagos appeared 
in the vicinity of Fort Dearborn, terrifying the 
settlers by their atrocities. Many of the whites 
sought refuge within the stockade. Within two 
months after the declaration of war against 
England, in 1812, orders were issued for the 
evacuation of Fort Dearborn and the transfer of 
the garrison to Detroit. The garrison at that 
tune numbered about 70, including officers, a 
large number of the troops being ill. Almost 
simultaneously with the order for evacuation 
appeared bands of Indians clamoring for a dis- 
tribution of the goods, to which they claimed 
they were entitled under treaty stipulations. 
Knowing that he had but about forty men able 
to fight and that his march would be sadly 
hindered by the care of about a dozen women and 
twenty children, the commandant hesitated. 
The Pottawatomies, through whose country he 
would have to pass, had always been friendly, and 
he waited. Within six days a force of 500 or 600 
savage warriors had assembled around the fort. 
Among the leaders were the Pottawatomie chiefs, 
Black Partridge, Winnemeg and Topenebe. Of 
these, Winnemeg was friendly. It was he who 
had brought General Hull's orders to evacuate, 
and, as the crisis grew more and more dangerous, 



he offered sound advice. He urged instantaneous 
departure before the Indians had time to agree 
upon a line of action. But Captain Heald 
decided to distribute the stores among the sav- 
ages, and thereby secure from them a friendly 
escort to Fort Wayne. To this the aborigines 
readily assented, believing that thereby all the 
whisky and ammunition which they knew to be 
within the enclosure, would fall into their hands. 
Meanwhile Capt. William Wells, Indian Agent at 
Fort Wayne, had arrived at Fort Dearborn with 
a friendly force of Miamis to act as an escort. 
He convinced Captain Heald that it would be the 
height of folly to give the Indians liquor and gun- 
powder. Accordingly the commandant emptied 
the former into the lake and destroyed the latter. 
This was the signal for war. Black Partridge 
claimed he could no longer restrain his young 
braves, and at a council of the aborigines it was 
resolved to massacre the garrison and settlers. 
On the fifteenth of August the gates of the fort 
were opened and the evacuation began. A band 
of Pottawatomies accompanied the whites under 
the guise of a friendly escort. They soon deserted 
and, within a mile and a half from the fort, 
began the sickening scene of carnage known as 
the "Fort Dearborn Massacre." Nearly 500 
Indians participated, their loss being less than 
twenty. The Miami escort fled at the first 
exchange of shots. With but four exceptions 
the wounded white prisoners were dispatched 
with savage ferocity and promptitude. Those 
not wounded were scattered among various tribes. 
The next day the fort with its stockade was 
burned. In 1816 (after the treaty of St. Louis) 
the fort was rebuilt upon a more elaborate scale. 
The second Fort Dearborn contained, besides bar- 
racks and officers' quarters, a magazine and 
provision-store, was enclosed by a square stock- 
ade, and protected by bastions at two of its 
angles. It was again evacuated in 1828 and 
re-garrisoned in 1828. The troops were once 
more withdrawn in 1831, to return the following 
year during the Black Hawk War. The final 
evacuation occurred in 1836. 

FORT (JAGE, situated on the eastern bluffs of 
the Kaskaskia River, opposite the village of Kas- 
kaskia. It was erected and occupied by the 
British in 1772. It was built of heavy, square 
timbers and oblong in shape, its dimensions being 
290x251 feet. On the night of July 4, 1778, it was 
captured by a detachment of American troops 
commanded by Col. George Rogers Clark, who 
held a commission from Virginia. The soldiers, 
with Simon Kenton at their head, were secretlv 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



admitted to the fort by a Pennsylvania!} who 
happened to be within, and the commandant, 
Rocheblave, was surprised in bed, while sleeping 
with his wife by his side. 

FORT JEFFERSON. I. A fort erected by Col. 
George Rogers Clark, under instructions from 
the Governor of Virginia, at the Iron Banks on 
the east bank of the Mississippi, below the mouth 
of the Ohio River. He promised lands to all 
adult, able-bodied white males who would emi- 
grate thither and settle, either with or without 
their families. Many accepted the offer, and 
a considerable colony was established there. 
Toward the close of the Revolutionary War, Vir- 
ginia being unable longer to sustain the garrison, 
the colony was scattered, many families going to 
Kaskaskia. II. A fort in the Miami valley, 
erected by Governor St. Clair and General Butler, 
in October, 1791. Within thirty miles of the 
post St. Clair's army, which had been badly 
weakened through desertious, was cut to pieces 
by the enemy, and the fortification was aban- 
doned. 

FORT MASSAC, an early French fortification, 
erected about 1711 on the Ohio River, 40 miles 
from its mouth, in what is now Massac. County. 
It was the first fortification (except Fort St. 
Louis) in the "Illinois Country," antedating 
Fort Chartres by several years. The origin of 
the name is uncertain. The best authorities are 
of the opinion that it was so called in honor of 
the engineer who superintended its construction ; 
by others it has been traced to the name of the 
French Minister of Marine; others assert that it 
is a corruption of the word "Massacre," a name 
given to the locality because of the massacre 
there of a large number of French soldiers by the 
Indians. The Virginians sometimes spoke of it 
as the "Cherokee fort." It was garrisoned by 
the French until after the evacuation of the 
country under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. 
It later became a sort of depot for American 
settlers, a few families constantly residing within 
and around the fortification. At a very early 
day a military road was laid out from the fort to 
Kaskaskia, the trees alongside being utilized as 
milestones, the number of miles being cut with 
irons and painted red. After, the close of the 
Revolutionary War, the United States Govern- 
ment strengthened and garrisoned the fort by 
way of defense against inroads by the Spaniards. 
With the cession of Louisiana to the United 
States, in 1803, the fort was evacuated and never 
re-garrisoned. According to the "American 
State Papers," during the period of the French 



occupation, it was both a Jesuit missionary 
station and a trading post. 

FORT SACKVILLE, a British fortification, 
erected in 1769, on the Wabash River a short 
distance below Vincennes. It was a stockade, 
with bastions and a few pieces of cannon. In 
1778 it fell into the hands of the Americans, and 
was for a time commanded by Captain Helm, 
with a garrison of a few Americans and Illinois 
French. In December, 1778, Helm and one 
private alone occupied the fort and surrendered 
to Hamilton, British Governor of Detroit, who 
led a force into the country around Vincennes. 

FORT SHERIDAN, United States Military 
Post, in Lake County, on the Milwaukee Division 
of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, 24 miles 
north of Chicago. (Highwood village adjacent 
on the south. ) Population (1890), 451 ; (1900), 1,575. 

FORT ST. LOUIS, a French fortification on a 
rock (widely known as "Starved Rock"), which 
consists of an isolated cliff on the soutli side of 
the Illinois River nearly opposite Utica, in La 
Salle County. Its height is between 130 and 140 
feet, and its nearly round summit contains an 
area of about three-fourths of an acre. The side 
facing the river is nearly perpendicular and, in 
natural advantages, it is well-nigh impregnable. 
Here, in the fall of 1682, La Salle and Tonty 
began the erection of a fort, consisting of earth- 
works, palisades, store-houses and a block house, 
which also served as a dwelling and trading past. 
A windlass drew water from the river, and two 
small brass cannon, mounted on a parapet, com- 
prised the armament. It was solemnly dedicated 
by Father Membre, and soon became a gathering 
place for the surrounding tribes, especially the 
Illinois. But Frontenac having been succeeded 
as Governor of New France by De la Barre, who 
was unfriendly to La Salle, the latter was dis- 
placed as Commandant at Fort St. Louis, while 
plots were laid to secure his downfall by cutting 
off his supplies and inciting the Iroquois to attack 
him. La Salle left the fort in 1683, to return to 
France, and, in 1702, it was abandoned as a 
military post, though it continued to be a trad- 
ing post until 1718, when it was raided by the 
Indians and burned. (See La Salic.) 

FORT WAYNE & CHICAGO RAILROAD. 
(See Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway.) 

FORT WAYNE & ILLINOIS RAILROAD. (See 
New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railway.) 

FORTIFICATIONS, PREHISTORIC. Closely 
related in interest to the works of the mound- 
builders in Illinois — though, probably, owingtheir 
origin to another era and an entirely different 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



173 



race — are those works which bear evidence of 
having been constructed for purposes of defense 
at some period anterior to the arrival of white 
men in the country. While there are no works 
in Illinois so elaborate in construction as those'to 
which have been given the names of "Fort 
Ancient" on the Maumee in Ohio, "Fort Azatlan" 
on the Wabash in Indiana, and "Fort Aztalan" 
on Rock River in Southern Wisconsin, there are 
a number whose form of construction shows that 
they must have been intended for warlike pur- 
poses, and that they were formidable of their 
kind and for the period in which they were con- 
structed. It is a somewhat curious fact that, 
while La Salle County is the seat of the first 
fortification constructed by the French in Illinois 
that can be said to have had a sort of permanent 
character ( see Fort St. Louis and Starved Rock), 
it is also the site of a larger number of prehistoric 
fortifications, whose remains are in such a state 
of preservation as to be clearly discernible, than 
any other section of the State of equal area. One 
of the most formidable of these fortifications is 
on the east side of Fox River, opposite the mouth 
of Indian Creek and some six miles northeast of 
Ottawa. This occupies a position of decided 
natural strength, and is surrounded by three lines 
of circumvallation, showing evidence of consider- 
able engineering skill. From the size of the trees 
within this work and other evidences, its age has 
been estimated at not less than 1,200 years. On 
the present site of the town of Marseilles, at the 
rapids of the Illinois, seven miles east of Ottawa, 
another work of considerable strength existed. 
It is also said that the American Fur Company 
had an earthwork here for the protection of its 
trading station, erected about 1816 or '18, and 
consequently belonging to the present century. 
Besides Fort St. Louis on Starved Rock, the out- 
line of another fort, or outwork, whose era has 
not been positively determined, about half a mile 
south of the former, has been traced in recent 
times. De Baugis, sent by Governor La Barre, of 
Canada, to succeed Tonty at Fort St. Louis, is said 
to have erected a fort on Buffalo Rock, on the 
opposite side of the river from Fort St. Louis, 
which belonged practically to the same era as the 
latter. — There are two points in Southern Illinois 
where the aborigines had constructed fortifica- 
tions to which the name "Stone Fort" has been 
given. One of these is a hill overlooking the 
Saline River in the southern part of Saline 
County, where there is a wall or breastwork five 
feet in height enclosing an area of less than an 
acre in extent. The other is on the west side of 



Lusk's Creek, in Pope County, where a breast- 
work has been constructed by loosely piling up 
the stones across a ridge, or tongue of land, with 
vertical sides and surrounded by a bend of the 
creek. Water is easily obtainable from the creek 
below the fortified ridge. — The remains of an old 
Indian fortification were found by early settlers 
of McLean County, at a point called "Old Town 
Timber," about 1822 to 1825. It was believed 
then that it had been occupied by the Indians 
during the War of 1812. The story of the Indians 
was, that it was burned by General Harrison in 
1812; though this is improbable in view of the 
absence of any historical mention of the fact. 
Judge H. W. Beckwith, w T ho examined its site in 
1880, is of the opinion that its history goes back 
as far as 1752, and that it was erected by the 
Indians as a defense against the French at Kas- 
kaskia. There was also a tradition that there 
had been a French mission at this point. — One of 
the most interesting stories of early fortifications 
in the State, is that of Dr. V. A. Boyer, an old 
citizen of Chicago, in a paper contributed to the 
Chicago Historical Society. Although the work 
alluded to by him was evidently constructed after 
the arrival of the French in the country, the 
exact period to which it belongs is in doubt. 
According to Dr. Boyer, it was on an elevated 
ridge of timber land in Palos Township, in the 
western part of Cook County. He says: "I first 
saw it in 1833, and since then have visited it in 
company with other persons, some of whom are 
still living. I feel sure that it was not built dur- 
ing the Sac War from its appearance. ... It 
seems probable that it was the work of French 
traders or explorers, as there were trees a century 
old growing in its environs. It was evidently 
the work of an enlightened people, skilled in the 
science of warfare. ... As a strategic point it 
most completely commanded the surrounding 
country and the crossing of the swamp or 'Sag'. " 
Is it improbable that this was the fort occupied 
by Colonel Durantye in 1095? The remains of a 
small fort, supposed to have been a French trad- 
ing post, were found by the pioneer settlers of 
Lake County, where the present city of Waukegan 
stands, giving to that place its first name of 
"Little Fort." This structure was seen in 1825 
by Col. William S. Hamilton (a son of Alexander 
Hamilton, first Secretary of the Treasury), who 
had served in the session of the General Assembly 
of that year as a Representative from Sangamon 
County, and was then on his way to Green Bay, 
and the remains of the pickets or palisades were 
visible as late as 1835. While the date of its 



174 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



erection is unknown, it probably belonged to the 
latter part of the eighteenth century. There is 
also a tradition that a fort or trading post, erected 
by a Frenchman named Garay (or Guarie; stood 
on the North Branch of the Chicago River prior 
to the erection of the first Fort Dearborn in 1803. 

FOSS, (ieorge Edmund, lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born in Franklin County, Vt., July 2, 
1863; graduated from Harvard University, in 
1885; attended the Columbia Law School and 
School of Political Science in New York City, 
finally graduating from the Union College of Law 
in Chicago, in 1889, when he was admitted to the 
bar and began, practice. He never held any 
political office until elected as a Republican to 
the Fifty-fourth Congress (1894), from the 
Seventh Illinois District, receiving a majority of 
more than 8,000 votes over his Democratic and 
Populist competitors. In 1896 he was again the 
candidate of his party, and was re-elected by a 
majority of over 20,000, as he was a third time, 
in 1898, by more than 12.000 majority. In the 
Fifty-fifth Congress Mr. Foss was a member of the 
Committees on Naval Affairs and Expenditures in 
the Department of Agriculture. 

FOSTER, (Dr.) John Herbert, physician and 
educator, was born of Quaker ancestry at Hills- 
borough, N. H., March 8, 1796. His early years 
were spent on his father's farm, but at the age 
of 16 he entered an academy at Meriden, N. H., 
and, three years later, began teaching with an 
older brother at Schoharie, N. Y. Having spent 
some sixteen years teaching and practicing 
medicine at various places in his native State, in 
1832 he came west, first locating in Morgan 
County, 111. While there he took part in the 
Black Hawk War, serving as a Surgeon. Before 
the close of the year he was compelled to come to 
Chicago to look after the estate of a brother who 
was an officer in the army and had been killed by 
an insubordinate soldier at Green Bay. Having 
thus fallen heir to a considerable amount of real 
estate, which, in subsequent years, largely 
appreciated in value, he became identified with 
early Chicago and ultimately one of the largest 
real-estate owners of his time in the city. He 
was an active promoter of education during this 
period, serving on both City and State Boards. 
His death occurred, May 18, 1874, in consequence 
of injuries sustained by being thrown from a 
vehicle in which he was riding nine days previous. 

FOSTER, John Wells, author and scientist, 
was born at Brimfield, Mass., in 1815, and edu- 
cated at Wesleyan University, Conn ; later studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in Ohio, but 



soon turned his attention to scientific pursuits, 
being employed for several years in the geological 
survey of Ohio, during which he investigated the 
coal-beds of the State. Having incidentally 
devoted considerable attention to the study of 
metallurgy, he was employed, about 1844 by 
mining capitalists to make the first systematic 
survey of the Lake Superior copper region, upon 
which, in conjunction with J. D. Whitney, he 
made a report which was published in two vol- 
umes in 1850-51. Returning to Massachusetts, lie 
participated in the organization of the "American 
Party" there, though we find him soon after 
breaking with it on the slavery question. In 
1855 he was a candidate for Congress in the 
Springfield (Mass.) District, but was beaten by a 
small majority. In 1858 he removed to Chicago 
and, for some time, was Land Commissioner of 
the Illinois Central Railroad. The latter years of 
his life were devoted chiefly to archaeological 
researches and writings, also serving for some 
years as Professor of Natural History in the (old) 
University of Chicago. His works include "The 
Mississippi Valley ; its Physical Geography, Min- 
eral Resources," etc. (Chicago, 1869); "Mineral 
Wealth and Railroad Development," (New York, 
1872) ; "Prehistoric Races of the United States," 
(Chicago, 1873), besides contributions to numer- 
ous scientific periodicals. He was a member of 
several scientific associations and, in 1869, Presi- 
dent of the American Association for the Ad- 
vancement of Science. He died in Hyde Park, 
now a part of Chicago, June 29, 1873. 

FOUKE, Philip B., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born at Kaskaskia, 111., Jan. 23, 1818; was 
chiefly self-educated and began his career as a 
clerk, afterwards acting as a civil engineer ; about 
1841-42 was associated with the publication of 
"The Belleville Advocate," later studied law, 
and, after being admitted to the bar, served as 
Prosecuting Attorney, being re-elected to that 
office in 1856. Previous to this, however, he had 
been elected to the lower branch of the Seven- 
teenth General Assembly (1850), and, in 1858, 
was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-sixth 
Congress and re-elected two years later. While 
still in Congress he assisted in organizing the 
Thirtieth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, of which 
he was commissioned Colonel, but resigned on 
account of ill health soon after the battle of Shiloh. 
After leaving the army he removed to New 
Orleans, where he was appointed Public Adminis 
trator and practiced law for some time. He then 
took up the prosecution of the cotton-claims 
against the Mexican Government, in which he 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



175 



was engaged some seven years, finally removing 
to Washington City and making several trips to 
Europe in the interest of these suits. He won 
his cases, but died soon after a decision in his 
favor, largely in consequence of overtaxing his 
brain in their prosecution. His death occurred 
in Washington, Oct. 3, 1876, when he was buried 
in the Congressional Cemetery, President Grant 
and a number of Senators and Congressmen acting 
as pall-bearers at his funeral. 

FOWLER, Charles Henry, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, born in Burford, Conn., August 11, 1837; 
was partially educated at Rock River Seminary, 
Mount Morris, finally graduating at Genesee 
College, N. Y., in 1859. He then began the study 
of law in Chicago, but, changing his purpose, 
entered Garrett Biblical Institute, at Evanston, 
graduating in 1861. Having been admitted to 
the Rock River Methodist Episcopal Conference 
he was appointed successively to Chicago churches 
till 1872; then became President of the North- 
western University, holding this office four years, 
when he was elected to the editorship of "The 
Christian Advocate" of New York. In 1881 he 
was elected and ordained Bishop. His residence 
is in San Francisco, his labors as Bishop being 
devoted largely to the Pacific States. 

FOX RIVER (of Illinois)— called Pishtaka by 
the Indians — rises in Waukesha County, Wis., 
and, after running southward through Kenosha 
and Racine Counties in that State, passes into 
Illinois. It intersects McHenry and Kane Coun- 
ties and runs southward to the city of Aurora, 
below which point it flows southwestward, until 
it empties into the Illinois River at Ottawa. Its 
length is estimated at 220 miles. The chief 
towns on its banks are Elgin, Aurora and Ottawa. 
It affords abundant water power. 

FOXES, an Indian tribe. (See Saes and 
Foxes. ) 

FRANCIS, Simeon, pioneer journalist, was 
born at Wethersfield, Conn., May 14, 1796, 
learned the printer's trade at New Haven, and, in 
connection with a partner, published a paper at 
Buffalo, N. Y. In consequence of the excitement 
growing out of the abduction of Morgan in 1828, 
(being a Mason) he was compelled to suspend, 
and, coming to Illinois in the fall of 1831, com- 
menced the publication of "The Sangamo" (now 
"The Illinois State") "Journal" at Springfield, 
continuing his connection therewith until 1855, 
when he sold out to Messrs. Bailhache & Baker. 
Abraham Lincoln was his close friend and often 
wrote editorials for his paper. Mr. Francis was 
active in the organization of the State Agricul- 



tural Society (1853), serving as its Recording 
Secretary for several years. In 1859 he moved to 
Portland, Ore., where he published "The Oregon 
Farmer," and served as President of the Oregon 
State Agricultural Society ; in 1861 was ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln, Paymaster in the 
regular army, serving until 1870, when he retired 
on half-pay. Died, at Portland, Ore., Oct. 25, 
1872. — Allen (Francis), brother of the preceding, 
was born at Wethersfield, Conn., April 14, 1815; 
in 1834, joined his brother at Springfield, 111., and 
became a partner in the publication of "The 
Journal" until its sale, in 1855. In 1861 he was 
appointed United States Consul at Victoria, B. C. , 
serving until 1871, when he engaged in the fur 
trade. Later he w T as United States Consul at 
Port Stanley, Can., dying there, about 1887. — 
Josiah (Francis), cousin of the preceding, born 
at Wethersfield, Conn., Jan. 17, 1804; was early 
connected with "The Springfield Journal"; in 
1836 engaged in merchandising at Athens, Menard 
County ; returning to Springfield, was elected to 
the Legislature in 1840, and served one term as 
Mayor of Springfield. Died in 1867. 

FRANKLIN, a village of Morgan County, on 
the Jacksonville & St. Louis Railroad, 12 miles 
southeast of Jacksonville. The place has a news- 
paper and two banks ; the surrounding country 
is agricultural. Population (1880), 316; (1890), 
578; (1900), 687. 

FRANKLIN COUNTY, located in the south- 
central part of the State; was organized in 1818, 
and has an area of 430 square miles. Population 
(1900), 19,675. The county is well timbered and 
is drained by the Big Muddy River. The soil is 
fertile and the products include cereals, potatoes, 
sorghum, wool, pork and fruit. The county -seat 
is Benton, with a population (1890) of 939. The 
county contains no large towns, although large, 
well-cultivated farms are numerous. The earli- 
est white settlers came from Kentucky and Ten- 
nessee, and the hereditary traditions of generous, 
southwestern hospitality are preserved among 
the residents of to-day. 

FRANKLIN GROVE, a town of Lee County, on 
Council Bluffs Division of the Chicago & North- 
western Railway, 88 miles west of Chicago. 
Grain, poultry, and live-stock are shipped from 
here. It has banks, water-works, high school, 
and a weekly paper. Population (1890), 736; 
(1900), 681. 

FRAZIER, Robert, a native of Kentucky, who 
came to Southern Illinois at an early day and 
served as State Senator from Edwards County, in 
the Second and Third General Assemblies, in the 



176 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



latter being an opponent of the scheme to make 
Illinois a slave State. He was a farmer by occu- 
pation and, at the time he was a member of the 
Legislature, resided in what afterwards became 
Wabash County. Subsequently he removed to 
Edwards County, near Albion, where he died. 
"Frazier's Prairie," in Edwards County, was 
named for him. 

FREEBURG, a village of St. Clair County, on 
the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad, 8 
miles southeast of Belleville. Population (1880), 
1,038; (1890), 8-18; (1900), 1,214. 

FREEMAN, Norman L., lawyer and Supreme 
Court Reporter, was born in Caledonia, Living- 
ston County. N. Y, May 9, 1823; in 1831 accom- 
panied his widowed mother to Ann Arbor, Mich., 
removing six years afterward to Detroit ; was edu- 
cated at Cleveland and Ohio University, taught 
school at Lexington, Ky., while studying law, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1846; removed to 
Shawneetown, 111., in 1851, was admitted to the 
Illinois bar and practiced some eight years. He 
then began farming in Marion County, Mo. , but, 
in 1862, returned to Shawneetown and, in 1863, 
was appointed Reporter of Decisions by the 
Supreme Court of Illinois, serving until his 
death, which occurred at Springfield near the 
beginning of his sixth term in office, August 23, 
1894 

FREE MASONS, the oldest secret fraternity in 
the State — known as the "Ancient Order of Free 
and Accepted Masons" — the first Lodge being 
instituted at Kaskaskia, June, 3. 1806, with Gen. 
John Edgar, Worshipful Master; Michael Jones, 
Senior Warden; James Galbraith, Junior War- 
den ; William Arundel, Secretary ; Robert Robin- 
son, Senior Deacon. These are names of persons 
who were, without exception, prominent in the 
early history of Illinois. A Grand Lodge was 
organized at Vandalia in 1822, with Gov. Shad- 
rach Bond as first Grand Master, but the organi- 
zation of the Grand Lodge, as it now exists, took 
place at Jacksonville in 1840. The number of 
Lodges constituting the Grand Lodge of Illinois 
in 1840 was six, with 157 members; the number 
of Lodges within the same jurisdiction in 1895 
was 713, with a membership of 50,727, of which 
47,335 resided in Illinois. The dues for 1895 
were §37,834.50; the contributions to members, 
their widows and orphans, §25,038.41; to non- 
members, 86,306.38, and to the Illinois Masonic 
Orphans' Home, 81,315.80. — Apollo Commandery 
No. 1 of Knights Templar — the pioneer organi- 
zation of its kind in this or any neighboring 
State— was organized in Chicago, May 20, 184.5, 



and the Grand Commandery of the order in Illi- 
nois in 1857, with James V. Z. Blaney, Grand 
Commander. In 1895 it was made up of sixty- 
five subordinate commanderies, with a total 
membership of 9,355, and dues amounting to 
87,754.75. The principal officers in 1895-96 were 
Henry Hunter Montgomery, Grand Commander; 
John Henry Witbeck, Grand Treasurer, and Gil- 
bert W. Barnard, Grand Recorder. — The Spring- 
field Chapter of Royal Arch-Masons was organized 
in Springfield, Sept. 17, 1841, and the Royal Arch 
Chapter of the State at Jacksonville, April 9, 
1850, the nine existing Chapters being formally 
chartered Oct. 14, of the same year. The number 
of subordinate Chapters, in 1895, was 186, with a 
total membership of 16,414. — The Grand Council 
of Royal and Select Masters, in 1894, embraced 32 
subordinate Councils, with a membership of 
2,318. 

FREEPORT, a city and railway center, the 
county-seat of Stephenson County, 121 miles west 
of Chicago; has good water-power from the Peca- 
tonica River, with several manufacturing estab- 
lishments, the output including carriages, 
wagon-wheels, wind-mills, coffee-mills, organs, 
piano-stools, leather, mineral paint, foundry pro- 
ducts, chicken incubators and vinegar. The Illi- 
nois Central Railroad has shops here and the city 
has a Government postoffice building. Popula- 
tion (1890), 10,189; (1900), 13,258. 

FREEPORT COLLEGE, an institution at Free- 
port, 111., incorporated in 1895; is co-educational; 
had a faculty of six instructors in 1896, with 116 
pupils. 

FREER, Lemuel Covell Paine, early lawyer, 
was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., Sept. 18, 
1815; came to Chicago in 1836, studied law and 
was admitted to the bar in 1840; was a zealous 
anti-slavery man and an active supporter of the 
Government during the War of the Rebellion; 
for many years was President of the Board of 
Trustees of Rush Medical College. Died, in 
Chicago, April 14. 1892. 

FRENCH, Augustus C, ninth Governor of 
Illinois (1846-52), was born in New Hampshire, 
August 2, 1808. After coming to Illinois, he 
became a resident of Crawford County, and a 
lawyer by profession. He was a member of the 
Tentli and Eleventh General Assemblies, and 
Receiver, for a time, of the Land Office at Pales- 
tine. He served as Presidential Elector in 1844, 
was elected to the office of Governor as a Demo- 
crat in 1846 by a majority of nearly 17,000 over 
two competitors, and was the unanimous choice of 
his party for a second term in 1S4S His adminis- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



177 



tration was free from scandals. He was appointed 
Bank Commissioner by Governor Matteson, and 
later accepted the chair of Law in McKendree 
College at Lebanon. In 1858 he was the nominee 
of the Douglas wing of the Democratic party for 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
ex-Gov. John Reynolds being the candidate of 
the Buchanan branch of the part} 7 . Both were 
defeated. His last public service was as a mem- 
ber from St. Clair County of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1862. Died, at Lebanon, Sept. 4, 
1864. 

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. The first 
premonition of this struggle in the West was 
given in 1698, when two English vessels entered 
the mouth of the Mississippi, to take possession 
of the French Territory of Louisiana, which then 
included what afterward became the State of 
Illinois. This expedition, however, returned 
without result. Great Britain was anxious to 
have a colorable pretext for attempting to evict 
the French, and began negotiation of treaties 
with the Indian tribes as early as 1724, expecting 
thereby to fortify her original claim, which was 
based on the right of prior discovery. The 
numerous shiftings of the political kaleidoscope in 
Europe prevented any further steps in this direc- 
tion on the part of England until 1748-49, when 
the Ohio Land Company received a royal grant 
of 500,000 acres along the Ohio River, with exclu- 
sive trading privileges. The Company proceeded 
to explore and survey and, about 1752, established 
a trading post on Loramie Creek, 47 miles north 
of Dayton. The French foresaw that hostilities 
were probable, and advanced their posts as far 
east as the Allegheny River. Complaints by the 
Ohio Company induced an ineffectual remon- 
strance on the part of Virginia. Among the 
ambassadors sent to the French by the Governor 
of Virginia was George Washington, who thus, 
in early manhood, became identified with Illinois 
history. His report was of such a nature as to 
induce the erection of counter fortifications by 
the British, one of which (at the junction of the 
Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers) was seized 
and occupied by the French before its completion. 
Then ensued a series of engagements which, 
while not involving large forces of men, were 
fraught with grave consequences, and in which 
the French were generally successful. In 1755 
occurred "Braddock's defeat" in an expedition to 
recover Fort Duquesne (where Pittsburg now 
stands), which had been captured by the French 
the previous year, and the Government of Great 
Britain determined to redouble its efforts. The 



final result was the termination of French domi- 
nation in the Ohio Valley. Later came the down- 
fall of French ascendency in Canada as the result 
of the battle of Quebec ; but the vanquished yet 
hoped to be able to retain Louisiana and Illinois. 
But France was forced to indemnify Spain for the 
loss of Florida, which it did by the cession of all 
of Louisiana lying west of the Mississippi (includ- 
ing the city of New Orleans), and this virtually 
ended French hopes in Illinois. The last military 
post in North America to be garrisoned by French 
troops was Fort Chartres, in Illinois Territory, 
where St. Ange remained in command until its 
evacuation was demanded by the English. 

FRENCH GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. French 
Governors began to be appointed by the Company 
of the Indies (which see) in 1722, the •'Illinois 
Country" having previously been treated as a 
dependency of Canada. The first Governor ( or 
"commandant") was Pierre Duque de Boisbriant, 
who was commandant for only three years, when 
he was summoned to New Orleans (1725) to suc- 
ceed de Bienville as Governor of Louisiana. Capt. 
du Tisne was in command for a short time after 
his departure, but was succeeded by another 
Captain in the royal army, whose name is vari- 
ously spelled de Liette, de Lielte, De Siette and 
Delietto. He was followed in turn by St. Ange 
(the father of St. Ange de Bellerive), who died in 
1742. In 1732 the Company of the Indies surren- 
dered its charter to the crown, and the Governors 
of the Illinois Country were thereafter appointed 
directly by royal authority. Under the earlier 
Governors justice had been administered under 
the civil law; with the change in the method of 
appointment the code known as the "Common 
Law of Paris" came into effect, although not 
rigidly enforced because found in many particu- 
lars to be ill-suited to the needs of a new country. 
The first of the Royal Governors was Pierre 
d' Artaguiette, who was appointed in 1734, but was 
captured while engaged in an expedition against 
the Chickasaws, in 1736, and burned at the stake. 
(See D' Artaguiette.) He was followed by 
Alphonse de la Buissoniere, who was succeeded, 
in 1740, by Capt. Benoist de St. Claire. In 1742 
he gave way to the Chevalier Bertel or Berthet. 
but was reinstated about 1748. The last of the 
French Governors of the "Illinois Country" was 
Louis St. Ange de Bellerive. who retired to St. 
Louis, after turning over the command to Cap- 
tain Stirling, the English officer sent to supersede 
him, in 1765. (St. Ange de Bellerive died, Dec. 
27, 1774.) The administration of the French 
commandants, while firm, was usually conserva- 



178 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tive and benevolent. Local self-government was 
encouraged as far as practicable, and, while the 
Governors' power over commerce was virtually 
unrestricted, they interfered but little with the 
ordinary life of the people. 

FREW, Calvin Hamill, lawyer and State Sena- 
tor, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, educated at 
Finley (Ohio) High School, Beaver (Pa. ) Academy 
and Vermilion Institute at Hayesville, Ohio. ; in 
1862 was Principal of the High School at Kalida, 
Ohio, where he began the study of law, which he 
continued the next two years with Messrs. Strain 
& Kidder, at Monmouth, 111., meanwhile acting 
as Principal of a high school at Young America; 
in 1865 removed to Paxton, Ford County, which 
has since been his home, and the same year was 
admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Illi- 
nois. Mr. Frew served as Assistant Superintend- 
ent of Schools for Ford County (1865-68) ; in 1868 
was elected Representative in the Twenty -sixth 
General Assembly, re-elected in 1870, and again 
in '78. While practicing law he has been con- 
nected with some of the most important cases 
before the courts in that section of the State, and 
his fidelity and skill in their management are 
testified by members of the bar, as well as 
Judges upon the bench. Of late years he has 
devoted his attention to breeding trotting horses, 
with a view to the improvement of his health 
but not with the intention of permanently 
abandoning his profession. 

FRY, Jacob, pioneer and soldier, was born in 
Fayette County, Ky. , Sept. 20, 1799; learned the 
trade of a carpenter and came to Illinois in 1819, 
working first at Alton, but, in 1820, took up his 
residence near the present town of Carrollton, in 
which he built the first house. Greene County 
was not organized until two years later, and this 
border settlement was, at that time, the extreme 
northern white settlement in Illinois. He served 
as Constable and Deputy Sheriff (simultaneously) 
for six years, and was then elected Sheriff, being 
five times re-elected. He served through the 
Black Hawk War (first as Lieutenant-Colonel and 
afterwards as Colonel), having in his regiment 
Abraham Lincoln, O. H. Browning, John Wood 
(afterwards Governor) and Robert Anderson, of 
Fort Sumter fame. In 1837 he was appointed 
Commissioner of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, 
ami re appointed in 1839 and "41, later becoming 
Acting Commissioner, with authority to settle up 
the business of the former commission, which 
was that year legislated out of office. He was 
afterwards appointed Canal Trustee by Governor 
Ford and, in 1847, retired from connection with 



canal management. In 1850 he went to Cali- 
fornia, where he engaged in mining and trade 
for three years, meanwhile serving one term in 
the State Senate. In 1857 he was appointed Col- 
lector of the Port at Chicago by President Buch- 
anan, but was removed in 1859 because of his 
friendship for Senator Douglas. In 1860 he 
returned to Greene County ; in 1861, in spite of his 
advanced age, was commissioned Colonel of the 
Sixty-first Illinois Volunteers, and later partici- 
pated in numerous engagements (among them the 
battle of Shiloh), was captured by Forrest, and 
ultimately compelled to resign because of im- 
paired health and failing eyesight, finally becom- 
ing totally blind. He died, June 27, 1881, and 
was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, near Spring- 
field. Two of Colonel Fry's sons achieved dis- 
tinction during the Civil War. — James Barnet 
(Fry), son of the preceding, was born at Car- 
rollton, 111., Feb. 22. 1827; graduated at West 
Point Military Academy, in 1847, and was 
assigned to artillery service ; after a short experi- 
ence as Assistant Instructor, joined his regiment, 
the Third United States Artillery, in Mexico, 
remaining there through 1847-48. Later, he was 
employed on frontier and garrison duty, and 
again as Instructor in 1853-54, and as Adjutant of 
the Academy during 1854-59; became Assistant 
Adjutant-General, March 16. 1861, then served as 
Chief of Staff to General McDowell and General 
Buell (1861-62), taking part in the battles of Bull 
Run, Shiloh and Corinth, and in the campaign in 
Kentucky ; was made Provost-Marshal-General 
of the United States, in March, 1863, and con- 
ducted the drafts of that year, receiving the rank 
of Brigadier-General, April 21, 1864. He con- 
tinued in this office until August 30, 1866, during 
which time he put in the army 1,120,621 men, 
arrested 76,562 deserters, collected §26,366,316.78 
and made an exact enrollment of the National 
forces. After the war he served as Adjutant- 
General with the rank of Colonel, till June 1. 
1881, when he was retired at his own request. 
Besides his various official reports, he published a 
"Sketch of the Adjutant-General's Department, 
United States Army, from 1775 to 1875," and "His- 
tory and Legal Effects of Brevets in the Armies of 
Great Britain and the United States, from their 
origin in 1092 to the Present Time," (1877). Died, 
in Newport, R. I., July 11, 1894.— William M. 
(Fry), another son, was Provost Marshal of the 
North Illinois District during the Civil War, and 
rendered valuable service to the Government. 

FULLER, Allen Curtis, lawyer, jurist and 
Adjutant-General, was born in Farmington, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



179 



Conn., Sept. 24, 1822; studied law at Warsaw, 
N. Y., was admitted to practice, in 1846 came to 
Belvidere, Boone County, 111., and, after practic- 
ing there some years, was elected Circuit Judge 
in 1861. A few months afterward he was induced 
to accept the office of Adjutant-General by 
appointment of Governor Yates, entering upon 
the duties of the office in November, 1861. At 
first it was understood that his acceptance was 
only temporary, so that he did not formally 
resign his place upon the bench until July, 1862. 
He continued to discharge the duties of Adjutant- 
General until January, 1865, when, having been 
elected Representative in the General Assembly, 
he was succeeded in the Adjutant-General's office 
by General Isham N. Haynie. He served as 
Speaker of the House during the following ses- 
sion, and as State Senator from 1867 to 1873 — 
in the Twenty-fifth, Twenty -sixth and Twenty- 
seventh General Assemblies. He was also elected 
a Republican Presidential Elector in 1860, and 
again in 1876. Since retiring from office, General 
Fuller has devoted his attention to the practice of 
his profession and looking after a large private 
business at Belvidere. 

FULLER, Charles E., lawyer and legislator, 
was born at Flora, Boone County, 111., March 31, 
1849; attended the district school until 12 years 
of age, and, between 1861 and '67, served as clerk 
in stores at Belvidere and Cherry Valley. He 
then spent a couple of years in the book business 
in Iowa, when (1869) he began the study of law 
with Hon. Jesse S. Hildrup, at Belvidere, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1870. Since then 
Mr. Fuller has practiced his profession at Belvi- 
dere, was Corporation Attorney for that city in 
1875-76, the latter year being elected State's 
Attorney for Boone County. From 1879 to 1891 
he served continuously in the Legislature, first 
as State Senator in the Thirty-first and Thirty- 
second General Assemblies, then as a member of 
the House for three sessions, in 1888 being 
returned to the Senate, where he served the 
next two sessions. Mr. Fuller established a high 
reputation in the Legislature as a debater, and 
was the candidate of his party (the Republican) 
for Speaker of the House in 1885. He was also a 
delegate to the Republican National Convention 
of 1884. Mr. Fuller was elected Judge of the 
Circuit Court for the Seventeenth Circuit at the 
judicial election of June, 1897. 

FULLER, Melville Weston, eighth Chief Jus- 
tice of the United States Supreme Court, was 
born at Augusta, Maine, Feb. 11, 1833, graduated 
from Bowdoin College in 1853, was admitted to 



the bar in 1855, and became City Attorney of his 
native city, but resigned and removed to Chicago 
the following year. Through his mother's 
family he traces his descent back to the Pilgrims 
of the Mayflower. His literary and legar attain- 
ments are of a high order. In politics he has 
always been a strong Democrat. He served as a 
Delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 
1862 and as a member of the Legislature in 1863, 
after that time devoting his attention to the 
practice of his profession in Chicago. In 1888 
President Cleveland appointed him Chief Justice 
of the Supreme Court, since which time he has 
resided at Washington, although still claiming a 
residence in Chicago, where he has considerable 
property interests. 

FULLERTON, Alexander N., pioneer settler 
and lawyer, born in Chester, Vt., in 1804, was 
educated at Middlebury College and Litchfield 
Law School, and, coming to Chicago in 1833, 
finally engaged in real-estate and mercantile 
business, in which he was very successful. His 
name has been given to one of the avenues of 
Chicago, as well as associated with one of the 
prominent business blocks. He was one of the 
original members of the Second Presbyterian 
Church of that city. Died, Sept. 29, 1880. 

Fl'LTO>', a city and railway center in White- 
side County, 135 miles west of Chicago, located 
on the Mississippi River and the Chicago & 
Northwestern, the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy, and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railways. It was formerly the terminus of a 
line of steamers which annually brought millions 
of bushels of grain down the Mississippi from 
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, returning 
with merchandise, agricultural implements, etc., 
but this river trade gradually died out, having 
been usurped by the various railroads. Fulton 
has extensive factories for the making of stoves, 
besides some important lumber industries. The 
Northern Illinois College is located here. Popu- 
lation (1890), 2,099; (1900), 2,685. 

FULTOX COUXTY, situated west of and bor- 
dering on the Illinois River ; was originally a part 
of Pike County, but separately organized in 1823 
— named for Robert Fulton. It has an area of 870 
square miles with a population (1900) of 46,201. 
The soil is rich, well watered and wooded. Drain- 
age is effected by the Illinois and Spoon Rivers 
(the former constituting its eastern boundary) 
and by Copperas Creek. Lewistown became the 
county-seat immediately after county organi- 
zation, and so remains to the present time (1899). 
The surface of the county at a distance from the 



180 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



river is generally flat, although along the Illinois 
there are bluffs rising to the height of 125 feet. 
The soil is rich, and underlying it are rich, work- 
able seams of coal. A thin seam of cannel coal 
has been mined near Avon, with a contiguous 
vein of fire-clay. Some of the earliest settlers were 
Messrs. Craig and Savage, who, in 1818, built a 
saw mill on Otter Creek; Ossian M. Ross and 
Stephen Dewey, who laid off Lewistown on his 
own land in 1822. The first hotel in the entire 
military tract was opened at Lewistown by Tru- 
man Phelps, in 1827. A flat-boat ferry across the 
Illinois was established at Havana, in 1823. The 
principal towns are Canton(pop.6,564), Lewistown 
(2,166), Farmington (1,375), and Vermont (1,158). 

FULTON COUNTY NARROW-GAUGE RAIL- 
WAY, a line extending from the west bank of the 
Illinois River, opposite Havana, to Galesburg, 
CI miles. It is a single-track, narrow-gauge 
(3-foot) road, although the excavations and 
embankments are being widened to accommodate 
a track of standard gauge. The grades are few, 
and. as a rule, are light, although, in one instance, 
the gradient is eighty-four feet to the mile. 
There are more than 19 miles of curves, the maxi- 
mum being sixteen degrees. The rails are of 
iron, thirty-five pounds to the yard, road not 
ballasted. Capital stock outstanding (1895), 
$636,794; bonded debt, §484,000; miscellaneous 
obligations. 8462,362; total capitalization, $1,583.- 
156. The line from Havana to Fairview (31 miles) 
was chartered in 1878 and opened in 1880 and the 
extension from Fairview to Galesburg chartered 
in 1881 and opened in 1882. 

FUNK, Isaac, pioneer, was born in Clark 
County, Ky., Nov. 17, 1797; grew up with meager 
educational advantages and, in 1823, came to Illi- 
nois, finally settling at what afterwards became 
known as Funk's Grove in McLean County. 
Here, with no other capital than industry, per- 
severance, and integrity, Mr. Funk began laying 
the foundation of one of the most ample fortunes 
ever acquired in Illinois outside the domain of 
trade or speculation. By agriculture and dealing 
in live-stock, he became the possessor of a large 
area of the finest farming lands in the State, 
which he brought to a high state of cultivation, 
leaving an estate valued at his death at not less 
than $2,000,000. Mr. Funk served three sessions 
in the General Assembly, first as Representative 
in the Twelfth (1840-42), and as Senator in the 
Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth (1862-66), dying 
before the close of his last term, Jan. 29, 1865. 
Originally a Whig in politics, he became a Repub- 
lican on the organization of that party, and gave 



a liberal and patriotic support to the Government 
during the war for the preservation of the Union. 
During the session of the Twenty-third General 
Assembly, in February, 1863, he delivered a 
speech in the Senate in indignant condemnation 
of the policy of the anti-war factionists, which, 
although couched in homely language, aroused 
the enthusiasm of the friends of the Government 
throughout the State and won for its author a 
prominent place in State history. — Benjamin F. 
(Funk), son of the preceding, was born in Funk's 
Grove Township, McLean County, 111., Oct. 17, 
1838. After leaving the district schools, he 
entered the Wesleyan University at Blooming- 
ton, but suspended his studies to enter the army 
in 1862, enlisting as a private in the Sixty eighth 
Illinois Volunteers. After five months' service 
he was honorably discharged, and re-entered the 
University, completing a three-years' course. 
For three years after graduation he followed 
farming as an avocation, and, in 1869, took up 
his residence at Bloomington. In 1871 he was 
chosen Mayor, and served seven consecutive 
terms. He was a delegate to the National 
Republican Convention of 1888, and was the suc- 
cessful candidate of that party, in 1892, for Repre- 
sentative in Congress from the Fourteenth Illinois 
District. — Lafayette (Funk), another son of Isaac 
Funk, was a Representative from McLean County 
in the Thirty third General Assembly and Sena- 
tor in the Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth. Other 
sons who have occupied seats in the same body 
include George W., Representative in the Twenty- 
seventh, and Duncan M., Representative in the 
Fortieth and Forty-first Assemblies The Funk 
family have been conspicuous in the affairs of 
McLean County for a generation, and its mem- 
bers have occupied many other positions of im- 
portance and influence, besides those named, under 
the State, County and municipal governments. 

GAGE, Lyman J., Secretary of the Treasury, 
was born in De Ruyter, Madison County, N. Y., 
June 28, 1836 ; received a common school educa- 
tion in his native county, and, on the removal of 
his parents, in 1848, to Rome, N. Y. , enjoy r ed the 
advantages of instruction in an academy. At 
the age of 17 he entered the employment of the 
Oneida Central Bank as office-boy and general 
utility clerk, but, two years afterwards, came to 
Chicago, first securing employment in a planing 
mill, and, in 1858, obtaining a position as book- 
keeper of the Merchants' Loan and Trust Com- 
pany, at a salary of $500 a year. By 1861 he had 
been advanced to the position of cashier of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



181 



concern, but, in 1868, he accepted the cashiership 
of the First National Bank of Chicago, of which 
he became the Vice-President in 1881 and, in 
1891, the President. Mr. Gage was also one of the 
prominent factors in securing the location of the 
World's Fair at Chicago, becoming one of the 
guarantors of the 810,000,000 promised to be raised 
by the city of Chicago, and being finally chosen 
the first President of the Exposition Company. 
He also presided over the bankers' section of the 
World's Congress Auxiliary in 1893, and, for a 
number of years,, was President of the Civic Feder- 
ation of Chicago. On the assumption of the 
Presidency by President McKinley, in March, 
1897, Mr. Gage was selected for the position of 
Secretary of the Treasury, which he has con- 
tinued to occupy up to the present time ( 1899). 

UALATIA, a village of Saline County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 40 miles southeast of 
Duquoin ; has a bank; leading industry is coal- 
mining. Population (1890), 519; (1900), 642. 

GALE, George Washington, D.D., LL.D., 
clergyman and educator, was born in Dutchess 
County, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1789. Left an orphan at 
eight years of age, he fell to the care of older 
sisters who inherited the vigorous character of 
their father, which they instilled into the son. 
He graduated at Union College in 181-1, and, hav- 
ing taken a course in the Theological Seminary 
at Princeton, in 1816 was licensed by the Hudson 
Presbytery and assumed the charge of building 
up new churches in Jefferson County, N. Y., 
serving also for six years as pastor of the Presby- 
terian church at Adams. Here his labors were 
attended by a revival in which Charles G. Fin- 
ney, the eloquent evangelist, and other eminent 
men were converts. Having resigned his charge 
at Adams on account of illness, he spent the 
winter of 1823-24 in Virginia, where his views 
were enlarged by contact with a new class of 
people. Later, removing to Oneida County, 
N. Y., by his marriage with Harriet Selden he 
acquired a considerable property, insuring an 
income which enabled him to extend the field of 
his labors. The result was the establishment of 
the Oneida Institute, a manual labor school, at 
Whitesboro, with which he remained from 1827 
to 1834, and out of which grew Lane Seminary 
and Oberlin and Knox Colleges. In 1835 he con- 
ceived the idea of establishing a colony and an 
institution of learning in the West, and a com- 
mittee representing a party of proposed colonists 
was appointed to make a selection of a site, which 
resulted, in the following year, in the choice of 
a location in Knox County, 111., including the 



site of the present city of Galesburg, which was 
named in honor of Mr. Gale, as the head of the 
enterprise. Here, in 1837, were taken the first 
practical steps in carrying out plans which had 
been previously matured in New York, for the 
establishment of an institution which first 
received the name of Knox Manual Labor Col- 
lege. The manual labor feature having been 
finally discarded, the institution took the name 
of Knox College in 1857. Mr. Gale was the lead- 
ing promoter of the enterprise, by a liberal dona- 
tion of lands contributing to its first endowment, 
and, for nearly a quarter of a century, being 
intimately identified with its history. From 
1840 to '42 he served in the capacity of acting 
Professor of Ancient Languages, and, for fifteen 
years thereafter, as Professor of Moral Philosophy 
and Rhetoric. Died, at Galesburg, Sept. 31, 1861. 
—William Selden (Gale), oldest son of the preced- 
ing, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., Feb. 
15, 1822, came with his father to Galesburg, 111., 
in 1836, and was educated there. Having read 
law with the Hon. James Knox, he was admitted 
to the bar in 1845, but practiced only a few years, 
as he began to turn his attention to measures for 
the development of the country. One of these 
was the Central Military Tract Railroad (now the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy), of which he was 
the most active promoter and a Director. He 
was also a member of the Board of Supervisors of 
Knox County, from the adoption of township 
organization in 1853 to 1895, with the exception 
of four years, and, during the long controversy 
which resulted in the location of the county -seat 
at Galesburg, was the leader of the Galesburg 
part)', and subsequently took a prominent part 
in the erection of public buildings there. Other 
positions held by him include the office of Post- 
master of the city of Galesburg, 1849-53; member 
of the State Constitutional Convention of 1862, 
and Representative in the Twenty-sixth General 
Assembly (1870-72); Presidential Elector in 1872; 
Delegate to the National Republican Convention 
of 1880; City Alderman, 1872-82 and 1891-95; 
member of the Commission appointed by Gov- 
ernor Oglesby in 1885 to revise the State Revenue 
Laws; by appointment of President Harrison, 
Superintendent of the Galesburg Government 
Building, and a long term Trustee of the Illinois 
Hospital for the Insane at Rock Island, by 
appointment of Governor Altgeld. He has also 
been a frequent representative of his party 
(the Republican) in State and District Conven- 
tions, and, since 1861, has been an active and 
leading member of the Board of Trustees of 



1 82 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Knox College. Mr. Gale was married, Oct. 6, 
1845, to Miss Caroline Ferris, granddaughter of 
the financial representative of the Galesburg 
Colony of 1836, and has had eight children, of 
whom four are living. Died Sep. 1, 1900. 

GALEN A/the county-seat of Jo Daviess County, 
a city and port of entry, 150 miles in a direct line 
west by northwest of Chicago; is located on 
Galena River, about 4 1 ., miles above its junction 
with the Mississippi, and is an intersecting point 
for the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney, the North- 
western, and the Illinois Central Railroads, with 
connections by stub with the Chicago Great 
Western. It is built partially in a valley and 
partially on the bluffs which overlook the river, 
the Galena River being made navigable for ves- 
sels of deep draught by a system of lockage. The 
vicinity abounds in rich mines of sulphide of lead 
''galena), from which the city takes its name. 
Galena is adorned by handsome public and priv- 
ate buildings and a beautiful park, in which 
stands a fine bronze statue of General Grant, and 
a symmetrical monument dedicated to the sol- 
diers and sailors of Jo Daviess County who lost 
their lives during the Civil War. Its industries 
include a furniture factory, a table factory, two 
foundries, a tub factory and a carriage factory. 
Zinc ore is now being produced in and near the 
city in large quantities, and its mining interests 
will become vast at no distant day. It owns an 
electric light plant, and water is furnished from 
an artesian well 1,700 feet deep. Galena was one 
of the earliest towns in Northern Illinois to be 
settled, its mines having been worked in the lat- 
ter part of the seventeenth century. Many men 
of distinction in State and National affairs came 
from Galena, among whom were Gen. U. S. 
Grant, Gen. John A. Rawlins, Gen. John E. 
Smith, Gen. John C. Smith, Gen. A. L. Chetlain, 
Gen. John O. Duer, Gen. W. R. Rowley, Gen. E. 
D. Baker, Hon. E. B. Wasbburne, Secretary of 
State under Grant, Hon. Thompson Campbell, 
Secretary of State of Illinois, and Judge Drum- 
mond. Population (1890), 5,635; (1900), 5,005. 

GALENA & CHICAGO UNION RAILROAD. 
(See Chicago <fr Northwestern Railway.) 

GALESBURG) the county-seat of Knox County 
and an important education;]! center. The first 
settlers were emigrants from the East, a large pro- 
portion of them being members of a colony organ- 
ized by Rev. George W. Gale, of Whitesboro, 
N. Y., in whose honor the original village was 
named. It is situated in the heart of a rich 
agricultural district 53 miles northwest of Peoria, 
99 miles northeast of Quiney and 163 miles south- 



west of Chicago; is an important railway center, 
being at the junction of the main line with two 
branch lines of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney, 
and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroads. 
It was incorporated as a village in 1841. and as a 
city by special charter in 1857. There'are beauti- 
ful parks and the residence streets are well 
shaded, while 25 miles of street are paved with 
vitrified brick. The city owns a system of water- 
works receiving its supply from artesian wells 
and artificial lakes, has an efficient and well- 
equipped paid fire-department, an electric street 
car system with three suburban lines, gas and 
electric lighting systems, steam-heating plant, 
etc. It also has a number of flourishing mechan- 
ical industries, including two iron foundries, agri- 
cultural implement works, flouring mills, carriage 
and wagon works and a broom factory, besides 
other industrial enterprises of minor importance. 
The manufacture of vitrified paving brick is quite 
extensively carried on at plants near the city 
limits, the city itself being the shipping-point 
as well as the point of administrative control. 
The Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad 
Company has shops and stockyards here, while 
considerable coal is mined in the vicinity. The 
public buildings include a courthouse. Govern- 
ment postoffice building, an opera house, nine- 
teen churches, ten public schools with a high 
school and free kindergarten, and a handsome 
public library building erected at a cost of 8100,- 
000, of which one-half was contributed by Mr. 
Carnegie. Galesburg enjoys its chief distinction 
as the seat of a large number of high class liter- 
ary institutions, including Knox College (non- 
sectarian), Lombard University (Universalis!), 
and Corpus Christi Lyceum and University, and 
St. Joseph"s Academy (both Roman Catholic). 
Three interurban electric railroad lines connect 
Galesburg with neighboring towns. Pop. (1890), 
15.264; (1900), 18,607. 

GALLATIN COUNTY, one of three counties 
organized in Illinois Territory in 1812 — the others 
being Madison and Johnson. Previous to that 
date the Territory had consisted of only two coun- 
ties, St. Clair and Randolph. The new county 
was named in honor of Albert Gallatin, then 
Secretary of the Treasury. It is situated on the 
Ohio and Wabash Rivers, in the extreme south- 
eastern part of the State, and has an area of 349 
square miles; population (1900) '♦5,836. The first 
cabin erected by an American settler was the 
home of Michael Sprinkle, who settled at Shaw- 
neetown in 1800. The place early became an 
important trading post and distributing point. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



183 



A ferry across the Wabash was established in 
1803, by Alexander Wilson, whose descendants 
conducted it for more than seventy-five years. 
Although Stephen Rector made a Government 
survey as earl}- as 1807, the public lands were not 
placed on the market until 1818. Shawneetown, 
the county-seat, is the most important town, 
having a population of some 2, '200. Bituminous 
coal is found in large quantities, and mining is 
an important industry. The prosperity of the 
county has been much retarded by floods, particu- 
larly at Shawneetown and Equality. At the 
former point the difference between high and 
low water mark in the Ohio River has been as 
much as fifty-two feet. 

GALLOWAY, Andrew Jackson, civil engineer, 
was born of Scotcli ancestry in Butler Count}', 
Pa., Dec. 21, 1814; came with his father to Cory- 
don, Ind. , in 1820, took a course in Hanover Col- 
lege, graduating as a civil engineer in 1837 ; then 
came to Mount Carmel, White County, 111., with 
a view to employment on projected Illinois rail- 
roads, but engaged in teaching for a year, having 
among his pupils a number who have since been 
prominent in State affairs. Later, he obtained 
employment as an assistant engineer, serving for 
a time under William Gooding, Chief Engineer of 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal ; was also Assistant 
Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk of the State 
Senate in 1840-41, and held the same position in 
the House in 1846-47, and again in 1848-49, in the 
meantime having located a farm in La Salle 
County, where the present city of Streator stands. 
In 1849 he was appointed Secretary of the Canal 
Trustees, and, in 1851, became assistant engineer 
on the Illinois Central Railroad, later superin- 
tending its construction, and finally being trans- 
ferred to the land department, but retiring in 
1855 to engage in real-estate business in Chicago, 
dealing largely in railroad lands. Mr. Galloway 
was elected a County Commissioner for Cook 
County, and has since been connected with many 
measures of local importance. 

GALYA, a town in Henry County, 45 miles 
southeast of Rock Island and 48 miles north- 
northwest of Peoria; the point of intersection of 
the Rock Island & Peoria and the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railways. It stands at the 
summit of the dividing ridge between the Missis- 
sippi and the Illinois Rivers, and is a manufac- 
turing and coal-mining town. It has eight 
churches, three banks, good schools, and two 
weekly newspapers. The surrounding country 
is agricultural and wealthy, and is rich in coal. 
Population (1890), 2,409; (1900), 2,682. 



GARDNER, a village in Garfield Township, 
Grundy County, on the Chicago & Alton Rail- 
road, 65 miles south-southwest of Chicago and 26 
miles north-northeast of Pontiac; on the Kanka- 
kee and Seneca branch of the "Big Four," ami 
the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern R. R. Coal-mining 
is the principal industry. Gardner has two 
banks, four churches, a high school, and a weekly 
paper. Population (1890), 1,094; (1900), 1,036. 

GARDNER, COAL CITY & NORMANTOWN 
RAILWAY. (See Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Rail 
way. ) 

GARY, Joseph Easton, lawyer and jurist, was 
born of Puritan ancestry, at Potsdam, St. Law- 
rence County, N. Y., July 9, 1821 His early 
educational advantages were such as were fur- 
nished by district schools and a village academy, 
and, until he was 22 years old, he worked at the 
carpenter's bench. In 1843 he removed to St. 
Louis, Mo., where he studied law. After admis- 
sion to the bar, he practiced for five years in 
Southwest Missouri, thence going to Las Vegas, 
N. M., in 1849, and to San Francisco, Cal. , in 
1853. In 1856 he settled in Chicago, where he 
has since resided. After seven years of active 
practice he was elected to the bench of the 
Superior Court of Cook County, where he lias sat 
for thirty years, being four times nominated by 
both political parties, and his last re-election — for 
a term of six years, occurring in 1893. He pre- 
sided at the trial of the Chicago anarchists in 
1886 — one of the causes celebres of Illinois. Some 
of his rulings therein were sharply criticised, but 
he was upheld by the courts of appellate jurisdic- 
tion, and his connection with the case has given 
him world-wide fame. In November, 1888, the 
Supreme Court of Illinois transferred him to the 
bench of the Appellate Court, of which tribunal 
he has been three times Chief Justice. 

GASSETTE, Norman Theodore, real-estate 
operator, wasbornatTownsend.Vt., April 21, 1839, 
came to Chicago at ten years of age, and, after 
spending a year at Shurtleff College, took a prepar- 
atory collegiate course at the Atwater Institute, 
Rochester, N. Y. In June, 1861, he enlisted as 
a private in the Nineteenth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers, rising in the second year to the rank 
of First Lieutenant, and, at the battle of Chicka- 
mauga, by gallantry displayed while serving as 
an Aid-de-Camp, winning a recommendation 
for a brevet Lieutenant-Colonelcy. The war 
over, he served one term as Clerk of the Circuit 
Court and Recorder, but later engaged in the real- 
estate and loan business as the head of the exten- 
sive firm of Norman T. Gassette & Co. He was t. 



184 



HLSTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Republican in politics, active in Grand Army 
circles and prominent as a Mason, holding the 
position of Eminent Grand Commander of 
Knights Templar of Illinois on occasion of the 
Triennial Conclave in Washington in 1889. He 
also had charge, as President of the Masonic 
Fraternity Temple Association of Chicago, for 
some time prior to his decease, of the erection of 
the Masonic Temple of Chicago. Died, in Chi- 
cago, March 26, 1891. 

GATE WOOD, William Jefferson, early lawyer, 
was born in Warren County, Ky., came to 
Franklin County, 111., in boyhood,, removed to 
Shawneetown in 1823, where he taught school 
two or three years while studying law; was 
admitted to the bar in 1828, and served in five 
General Assemblies — as Representative in 1830-32, 
and as Senator, 1834-42. He is described as a man 
of fine education and brilliant talents. Died, 
Jan. 8, 1842. 

GAULT, John C, railway manager, was born 
at Hooksett, N. H., May 1, 1829; in 1850 entered 
the local freight office of the Manchester & Law- 
rence Railroad, later becoming General Freight 
Agent of the Vermont Central. Coming to Chi- 
cago in 1859, he successively filled the positions 
of Superintendent of Transportation on the 
Galena & Chicago Union, and (after the consoli- 
dation of the latter with the Chicago & North- 
western), that of Division Superintendent, 
General Freight Agent and Assistant General 
Manager; Assistant General Manager of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul; General Mana- 
ger of the Wabash (1879-83) ; Arbitrator for the 
trunk lines (1883-85), and General Manager of 
the Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific 
(1885-90), when he retired. Died, in Chicago, 
August 29, 1891. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLIES. The following is a 
list of the General Assemblies which have met 
since the admission of Illinois as a State up to 
1898 — from the First to the Fortieth inclusive — 
with the more important acts passed by each and 
the duration of their respective sessions: 

First General Assembly held two sessions, 
the first convening at Kaskaskia, the State Capi- 
tal, Oct. 5, and adjourning Oct. 13, 1818. The 
second met, Jan. 4, 1819, continuing to March 31. 
Lieut-Gov. Pierre Menard presided over the Sen- 
ate, consisting of thirteen members, while John 
Messinger was chosen Speaker of the House, 
containing twenty-seven members. The most 
important business transacted at the first session 
was the election of two United States Senators — 
Ninian Edwards and Jesse B. Thomas, Sr.— and 



the filling of minor State and judicial offices. At 
the second session a code of laws was enacted, 
copied chiefly from the Virginia and Kentucky 
statutes, including the law concerning "negroes 
and mulattoes," which long remained on the 
statute book. An act was also passed appointing 
Commissioners to select a site for a new State 
Capital, which resulted in its location at Van- 
dalia. The sessions were held in a stone building 
with gambrel-roof pierced by dormer-windows, 
tho Senate occupying the lower floor and the 
House the upper. The length of the first session 
was nine days, and of the second eighty -seven — 
total, ninety -six days. 

Second General Assembly convened at Van- 
dalia, Dec. 4, 1820. It consisted of fourteen 
Senators and twenty-nine Representatives. John 
McLean, of Gallatin County, was chosen Speaker 
of the House. A leading topic of discussion was 
the incorporation of a State Bank. Money was 
scarce and there was a strong popular demand 
for an increase of circulating medium. To 
appease this clamor, no less than to relieve traders 
and agriculturists, this General Assembly estab- 
lished a State Bank (see State Batik), despite 
the earnest protest of McLean and the executive 
veto. A stay-law was also enacted at this session 
for the benefit of the debtor class. The number 
of members of the next Legislature was fixed at 
eighteen Senators and thirty -six Representatives 
— this provision remaining in force until 1831. 
The session ended Feb. 15, having lasted seventy- 
four days. 

Third General Assembly convened, Dec. 2, 

1822. Lieutenant-Governor Hubbard presided in 
the Senate, while in the organization of the 
lower house, William M. Alexander was chosen 
Speaker. Governor Coles, in his inaugural, 
called attention to the existence of slavery in 
Illinois despite the Ordinance of 1787, and urged 
the adoption of repressive measures. Both 
brandies of the Legislature being pro-slavery in 
sympathy, the Governor's address provoked 
bitter and determined opposition. On Jan. 9, 

1823, Jesse B. Thomas was re-elected United 
States Senator, defeating John Reynolds, Leonard 
White and Samuel D. Lockwood. After electing 
Mr. Thomas and choosing State officers, the 
General Assembly proceeded to discuss the major- 
ity and minority reports of the committee to 
which had been referred the Governor's address. 
The minority report recommended the abolition 
of slavery, while that of the majority favored 
the adoption of a resolution calling a convention 
to amend the Constitution, the avowed object 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



185 



being to make Illinois a slave State. The latter 
report was adopted, but the pro-slavery party in 
the House lacked one vote of the number neces- 
sary to carry the resolution by the constitutional 
two-thirds majority. What followed has always 
been regarded as a blot upon the record of the 
Third General Assembly. Nicholas Hansen, who 
had been awarded the seat from Pike County 
at the beginning of the session after a contest 
brought by his opponent, John Shaw, was un- 
seated after the adoption of a resolution to 
reconsider the vote by which he had been several 
weeks before declared elected. Shaw having 
thus been seated, the resolution was carried by 
the necessary twenty-four votes. Mr. Hansen, 
although previously regarded as a pro-slavery 
man, had voted with the minority when the 
resolution was first put upon its passage. Hence 
followed his deprivation of his seat. The triumph 
of the friends of the convention was celebrated 
by what Gov. John Reynolds (himself a conven- 
tionist) characterized as "a wild and indecorous 
procession by torchlight and liquor." (See 
Slavery and Slave Laws.) The session adjourned 
Feb. 18, having continued seventy-nine days. 

Fourth General Assembly. This body held 
two sessions, the first being convened, Nov. 15, 
1834, by proclamation of the Executive, some 
three weeks before the date for the regular 
session, in order to correct a defect in the law 
relative to counting the returns for Presidential 
Electors. Thomas Mather was elected Speaker 
of the House, while Lieutenant-Governor Hub- 
bard presided in the Senate. Having amended 
the law concerning the election returns for Presi- 
dential Electors, the Assembly proceeded to the 
election of two United States Senators — one to 
fill the unexpired term of ex-Senator Edwards 
(resigned) and the other for the full term begin- 
ning March 4, 1825. John McLean was chosen 
for the first and Elias Kent Kane for the second. 
Five circuit judgeships were created, and it was 
provided that the bench of the Supreme Court 
should consist of four Judges, and that semi- 
annual sessions of that tribunal should be held at 
the State capital. (See Judicial Department.) 
The regular session came to an end, Jan. 18, 1825, 
but at its own request, the Lieutenant-Governor 
and acting Governor Hubbard re-convened the 
body in special session on Jan. 2, 1826, to enact a 
new apportionment law under the census of 1825. 
A sine die adjournment was taken, Jan. 28, 1826. 
One of the important acts of the regular session 
of 1825 was the adoption of the first free-school 
law in Illinois, the measure having been intro- 



duced by Joseph Duncan, afterwards Governor of 
the State. This Legislature was in session a total 
of ninety-two days, of which sixty-five were 
during the first session and twenty-seven during 
the second. 

Fifth General Assembly convened, Dec. 4, 
1826, Lieutenant-Governor Kinney presiding in 
the Senate and John McLean in the House. At 
the request of the Governor an investigation into 
the management of the bank at Edwardsville was 
had, resulting, however, in the exoneration of its 
officers. The circuit judgeships created by the 
preceding Legislature were abrogated and their 
incumbents legislated out of office. The State 
was divided into four circuits, one Justice of the 
Supreme Court being assigned to each. (See 
Judicial Department.) This General Assembly 
also elected a State Treasurer to succeed Abner 
Field, James Hall being chosen on the ninth 
ballot. The Supreme Court Judges, as directed 
by the preceding Legislature, presented a well 
digested report on the revision of the laws, which 
was adopted without material alteration. One of 
the important measures enacted at this session 
was an act establishing a State penitentiary, the 
funds for its erection being obtained by the 
sale of saline lands in Gallatin County. (See 
Alton Penitentiary; also Salt Manufacture.) 
The session ended Feb. 19 — having continued 
seventy-eight days. 

Sixth General Assembly convened, Dec. 1, 
1828. The Jackson Democrats had a large major- 
ity in both houses. John McLean was, for the 
third time, elected Speaker of the House, and, 
later in the session, was elected United States 
Senator by a unanimous vote. A Secretary of 
State, Treasurer and Attorney-General were also 
appointed or elected. The most important legis- 
lation of the session was as follows: Authorizing 
the sale of school lands and the borrowing of the 
proceeds from the school fund for the ordinary 
governmental expenses; providing for a return 
to the viva voce method of voting; creating a 
fifth judicial circuit and appointing a Judge 
therefor ; providing for the appointment of Com- 
missioners to determine upon the route of the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal, to sell lands and com- 
mence its construction. The Assembly adjourned. 
Jan. 23, 1829, having been in session fifty-four days. 

Seventh General Assembly met, Dec. 6, 1830. 
The newly-elected Lieutenant-Governor, Zadoc 
Casey, and William L. D. Ewing presided 
over the two houses, respectively. John Rey- 
nolds was Governor, and, the majority of the 
Senate being made up of his political adversaries, 



186 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



experienced no little difficulty in securing the 
confirmation of his nominees. Two United 
States Senators were elected: Elias K. Kane 
being chosen to succeed himself and John M. 
Robinson to serve the unexpired term of John 
McLean, deceased. The United States census of 
1830 gave Illinois three Representatives in Con- 
gress instead of one. and this General Assembly 
passed a re-apportionment law accordingly. The 
number of State Senators was increased to 
twenty-six, and of members of the lower house 
to fifty-five. The criminal code was amended by 
the substitution of imprisonment in the peni- 
tentiary as a penalty in lieu of the stocks and 
public flogging. This Legislature also authorized 
the borrowing of 8100,000 to redeem the notes of 
tiie State Bank which were to mature the follow- 
ing year. The Assembly adjourned, Feb. 16, 1831, 
the session having lasted seventy -three days. 

Eighth General Assembly. The session 
began Dec. 3, 1832, and ended March 2, 1833. 
William L. D. Ewing was chosen President pro 
tempore of the Senate, and succeeded Zadoc 
Casey as Lieutenant-Governor, the latter having 
been elected a Representative in Congress. 
Alexander M. Jenkins presided over the House as 
Speaker. This Legislature enacted the first gen- 
eral incorporation laws of Illinois, their provisions 
being applicable to towns and public libraries. 
It also incorporated several railroad companies, 
— one line from Lake Michigan to the Illinois 
River (projected as a substitute for the canal), 
one from Peru to Cairo, and another to cross the 
State, running through Springfield. Other char- 
ters were granted for shorter lines, but the incor- 
porators generally failed to organize under them. 
A notable inci dent in connection with this session 
was the attempt to impeach Theophilus W. Smith, 
a Justice of the Supreme Court. This was the first 
and last trial of this character in the State's his- 
tory, between 1818 and 1899. Failing to secure a 
conviction in the Senate (where the vote stood 
twelve for conviction and ten for acquittal, with 
four Senators excused from voting), the House 
attempted to remove him by address, but in this 
the Senate refused to concur. The first mechan- 
ics' lien law was enacted by this Legislature, 
as also a law relating to the "right of way" for 
"public roads, canals, or other public works.' 
The length of the session was ninety days. 

Ninth General Assembly. This Legislature 
held two sessions. The first began Dec. 1, 1834, 
and lasted to Feb. 13, 1835. Lieutenant-Governor 
Jenkins presided in the Senate and James Semple 
was elected Speaker of the House without oppo- 



sition. On Dec. 20, John M. Robinson was re- 
elected United States Senator Abraham Lincoln 
was among the new members, but took no con- 
spicuous part in the discussions of the body. The 
principal public laws passed at this session were: 
Providing for the borrowing of §500,000 to be 
used in the construction of the Illinois & Michi- 
gan Canal and the appointment of a Board of 
Commissioners to supervise its expenditure: 
incorporating the Bank of the State of Illinois; 
and authorizing a loan of 812,000 by Cook County, 
at 10 per cent interest per annum from the 
county school fund, for the erection of a court 
house in that county. The second session of this 
Assembly convened, Dec. 7, 18)5, adjourning, Jan. 
18, 1836. A new canal act was passed, enlarging 
the Commissioners' powers and pledging the faith 
of the State for the repayment of money bor- 
rowed to aid in its construction. A new appor- 
tionment law was also passed providing for the 
election of forty-one Senators and ninety-one 
Representatives, and W. L. D. Ewing was elected 
United States Senator, to succeed Elias K. Kane, 
deceased. The length of the first session was 
seventy-five days, and of the second forty -three 
days — total, 118. 

Tenth General Assembly, like its predeces- 
sor, held two sessions. The first convened Dec. 5, 
1836, and adjourned March 6, 1837. The Whigs 
controlled the Senate by a large majority, and 
elected William H. Davidson, of White County, 
President, to succeed Alexander M. Jenkins, who 
had resigned the Lieutenant-Governorship. (See 
Jenkins, Alexander M. ) James Semple was 
re-elected Speaker of the House, which was 
fully two-thirds Democratic. This Legislature 
was remarkable for the number of its members 
who afterwards attained National prominence. 
Lincoln and Douglas sat in the lower house, both 
voting for the same candidate for Speaker — New- 
ton Cloud, an independent Democrat. Besides 
these, the rolls of this Assembly included the 
names of a future Governor, six future United 
States Senators, eight Congressmen, three Illinois 
Supreme Court Judges, seven State officers, and 
a Cabinet officer. The two absorbing topics for 
legislative discussion and action were the system 
of internal improvements and the removal of the 
State capital. (See Internal Improvement Policy 
and State Capitals.) The friends of Springfield 
finally effected such a combination that that city 
was selected as the seat of the State government, 
while the Internal Improvement Act was passed 
over the veto of Governor Duncan. A second 
session of this Legislature met on the call of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



187 



Governor, July 10, 1837, and adjourned July 23. 
An act legalizing the suspension of State banks 
was adopted, but the recommendation of the Gov- 
ernor for the repeal of the internal improvement 
legislation was ignored. The length of the first 
session was ninety-two days and of the second 
thirteen — total 105. 

Eleventh General Assembly. This body 
held both a regular and a special session. The 
former met Dec. 3, 1838, and adjourned March 4, 
1839. The Whigs were in a majority in both 
houses, and controlled the organization of the 
Senate. In the House, however, their candidate 
for Speaker— Abraham Lincoln— failing to secure 
his full party vote, was defeated by W. L. D. 
Euing. At this session §800,000 more was appro- 
priated for the "improvement of water-ways and 
the construction of railroads. ' ' all efforts to put an 
end to, or even curtail, further expenditures on 
account of internal improvements meeting with 
defeat. An appropriation (the first) was made 
for a library for the Supreme Court; the Illinois 
Institution for the Education of the Deaf and 
Dumb was established, and the further issuance 
of bank notes of a' smaller denomination than 85 
was prohibited. By this time the State debt had 
increased to over §13,000,000, and both the people 
and the Governor were becoming apprehensive as 
to ultimate results of this prodigal outlay. A 
crisis appeared imminent, and the Governor, on 
Dee. 9, 1839, convened the Legislature in special 
session to consider the situation. (This was the 
first session ever held at Springfield ; and. the new 
State House not being completed, the Senate, the 
House arid the Supreme Court found accommo- 
dation in three of the principal church edifices.) 
The struggle for a change of State policy at this 
session was long and hard fought, no heed being 
given to party lines. The outcome was the vir- 
tual abrogation of the entire internal improve- 
ment system. Provision was made for the calling 
in and destruction of all unsold bonds and the 
speedy adjustment of all unsettled accounts of 
the old Board of Public Works, which was legis- 
lated out of office. The special session adjourned 
Feb. 3, 1810. Length of regular session ninety- 
two days, of the special, fifty-seven — total, 149. 

Twelfth General Assembly. This Legisla- 
ture was strongly Democratic in both branches. 
It first convened, by executive proclamation, 
Nov. 23, 1840, the object being to provide for pay- 
ment of interest on the public debt. In reference 
to this matter the following enactments were 
made: Authorizing the hypothecation of 8300,000 
internal improvement bonds, to meet the interest 



due Jan. 1, 1841; directing the issue of bonds to 
be sold in the open market and the proceeds 
applied toward discharging all amounts due on 
interest account for which no other provision was 
made ; levying a special tax of ten cents on the 
$100 to meet the interest on the last mentioned 
class of bonds, as it matured. For the comple- 
tion of the Northern Cross Railroad (from Spring- 
field to Jacksonville) another appropriation of 
§100,000 was made. The called session adjourned, 
sine die, on Dec. 5, and the regular session began 
two days later. The Senate was presided over by 
the Lieutenant-Governor (Stinson H. Anderson), 
and William L. D. Ewing was chosen Speaker of 
the House. The most vital issue was the propri- 
ety of demanding the surrender of the charter of 
the State Bank, with its branches, and here 
party lines were drawn. The Whigs finally 
succeeded in averting the closing of the institu- 
tions which had suspended specie payments, and 
in securing for those institutions the privilege of 
issuing small bills. A law reorganizing the judi- 
ciary was passed by the majority over the execu- 
tive veto, and in face of the defection of some of 
its members. On a partisan issue all the Circuit 
Judges were legislated out of office and five Jus- 
tices added to the bench of the Supreme Court. 
The session was stormy, and the Assembly ad- 
journed March 1, 1841. This Legislature was in 
session ninety-eight days — thirteen during the 
special session and eighty-five during the regular. 
Thirteenth General Assembly consisted of 
forty-one Senators and 121 Representatives; con- 
vened, Dec. 5, 1842. The Senate and House were 
Democratic by two-thirds majority in each. 
Lieut. -Gov. John Moore was presiding officer of 
the Senate and Samuel Hackelton Speaker of the 
House, with W. L. D. Ewing, who had been 
acting Governor and United States Senator, as 
Clerk of the latter. Richard Yates, Isaac N. 
Arnold, Stephen T. Logan and Gustavus Koerner, 
were among the new members. The existing 
situation seemed fraught with peril. The State 
debt was nearly $14,000,000; immigration had 
been checked ; the State and Shawneetown banks 
had gone down and their currency was not worth 
fifty cents on the dollar ; Auditor's warrants were 
worth no more, and Illinois State bonds were 
quoted at fourteen cents. On Dec. 18, Judge 
Sidney Breese was elected United States Senator, 
having defeated Stephen A. Douglas for the 
Democratic caucus nomination, on the nineteenth 
ballot, by a majority of one vote. The State 
Bank (in which the State had been a large share- 
holder) was permitted to go into liquidation upon 



188 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the surrender of State bonds in exchange for a 
like amount of bank stock owned by the State. 
The same conditional release was granted to the 
bank at Shawneetown. The net result was a 
reduction of the State debt by about §3,000,000. 
The Governor was authorized to negotiate a 
loan of §1,600,000 on the credit of the State, for 
the purpose of prosecuting the work on the canal 
and meeting the indebtedness already incurred. 
The Executive was also made sole "Fund Com- 
missioner" and, in that capacity, was empowered 
(in connection with the Auditor) to sell the 
railroads, etc., belonging to the State at public 
auction. Provision was also made for the redemp- 
tion of the bonds hypothecated with Macalister 
and Stebbins. (See Macalister and Stebbins 
Bonds.) The Congressional distribution of the 
moneys arising from the sale of public lands was 
acquiesced in, and the revenues and resources of 
the State were pledged to the redemption "of 
every debt contracted by an authorized agent for a 
good and valuable consideration." To establish 
a sinking fund to meet such obligation, a tax of 
twenty cents on every $100, payable in coin, was 
levied. This Legislature also made a re-appor- 
tionment of the State into Seven Congressional 
Districts. The Legislature adjourned, March 6, 
1843, after a session of ninety-two days. 

Fourteenth General Assembly convened 
Dec. 2, 1844, and adjourned March 3, 1845, the ses- 
sion lasting ninety-two days. The Senate was 
composed of twenty-six Democrats and fifteen 
Whigs; the House of eighty Democrats and 
thirty-nine Whigs. David Davis was among the 
new members. William A. Richardson defeated 
Stephen T. Logan for the Speakership, and James 
Semple was elected United States Senator to suc- 
ceed Samuel McRoberts, deceased. The canal 
law was amended by the passage of a supple- 
mental act, transferring the property to Trustees 
and empowering the Governor to complete the 
negotiations for the borrowing of §1.600,000 for 
its construction. The State revenue being in- 
sufficient to meet the ordinary expenses of the 
government, to say nothing of the arrears of 
interest on the State debt, a tax of three mills on 
each dollar's worth of property was imposed for 
l^t.'i and of three and one-half mills thereafter. 
< >f the revenue thus raised in 1845. one mill was 
set apart to pay the interest on the State debt 
and one and one-half mills for the same purpose 
from the taxes collected in 1846 "and forever 
thereafter." 

Fifteenth General Assembly convened Dec. 
7, 1846. The farewell message of Governor Fend 



and the inaugural of Governor French were lead- 
ing incidents. The Democrats had a two-thirds 
majority in each house. Lieut. -Gov. Joseph B. 
Wells presided in the Senate, and Newton Cloud 
was elected Speaker of the House, the compli- 
mentary vote of the Whigs being given to Stephen 
T. Logan. Stephen A. Douglas was elected 
United States Senator, the whigs voting for Cyrus 
Edwards. State officers were elected as follows : 
Auditor, Thomas H. Campbell; State Treasurer, 
Milton Carpenter — both by acclamation; and 
Horace S Cooley was nominated and confirmed 
Secretary of State. A new school law was 
enacted ; the sale of the Gallatin County salines 
was authorized ; the University of Chicago was 
incorporated, and the Hospital for the Insane at 
Jacksonville established; the sale of the North- 
ern Cross Railroad was authorized ; District 
Courts were established ; and provision was made 
for refunding the State debt. The Assembly 
adjourned, March 1, 1847. after a session of 
eighty-five days. 

Sixteenth General Assembly - . This was the 
first Legislature to convene under the Constitu- 
tion of 1847. There were twenty-five members 
in the Senate and seventy-five in the House. 
The body assembled on Jan. 1, 1849, continu- 
ing in session until Feb. 12 — the session being 
limited by the Constitution to six weeks. Zadoc 
Casey was chosen Speaker, defeating Richard 
Yates by a vote of forty-six to nineteen. After 
endorsing the policy of the administration in 
reference to the Mexican War and thanking the 
soldiers, the Assembly proceeded to the election 
of United States Senator to succeed Sidney 
Breese. The choice fell upon Gen. James Shields, 
the other caucus candidates being Breese and 
McClernand. while Gen. William F. Thornton led 
the forlorn hope for the Whigs. The principle of 
the Wilmot proviso was endorsed. The Governor 
convened the Legislature in special session on 
Oct. 22. A question as to the eligibility of Gen. 
Shields having arisen (growing out of his nativity 
and naturalization), and the legal obstacles hav- 
ing been removed by the lapse of time, he was 
re-elected Senator at the special session. Outside 
of the passage of a general law authorizing the 
incorporation of railroads, little general legisla- 
tion was enacted. The special session adjourned 
Nov 7. Length of regular session forty -three 
days ; special, seventeen — total sixty. 

Seventeenth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 6, 1851, adjourned Feb. 17 — length of 
session forty-three days. Sidney Breese (ex- 
Senator) was chosen Speaker. The session was 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



189 



characterized by a vast amount of legislation, not 
all of which was well considered. By joint reso- 
lution of both houses the endorsement of the 
Wilmot proviso at the previous session was 
rescinded. The first homestead exemption act 
was passed, and a stringent liquor law adopted, 
the sale of liquor in quantities less than one quart 
being prohibited. Township organization was 
authorized and what was virtually free-banking 
was sanctioned. The latter law was ratified by 
popular vote in November, 1851. An act incorpo- 
rating the Illinois Central Railroad was also 
passed at this session, the measure being drafted 
by James L. D. Morrison. A special session of 
this Assembly was held in 1852 under a call by 
the Governor, lasting from June 7 to the 23d — 
seventeen days. The most important general 
legislation of the special session was the reappor- 
tionment of the State into nine Congressional 
Districts. This Legislature was in session a total 
of sixty days. 

Eighteenth General Assembly. The first 
(or regular) session convened Jan. 3, 1853, and 
adjourned Feb. 14. The Senate was composed of 
twenty Democrats and five Whigs; the House, of 
fifty-nine Democrats, sixteen Whigs and one 
"Free-Soiler. " Lieutenant-Governor Koerner 
presided in the upper, and ex-Gov. John Reynolds 
in the lower house. Governor Matteson was 
inaugurated on the 16th ; Stephen A. Douglas was 
re-elected United States Senator, Jan. 5, the 
Whigs casting a complimentary vote for Joseph 
Gillespie. More than 450 laws were enacted, the 
majority being "private acts. " The prohibitory 
temperance legislation of the preceding General 
Assembly was repealed and the license system 
re-enacted. This body also passed the famous 
"black laws" designed to prevent the immigration 
of free negroes into the State. The sum of 
§18,000 was appropriated for the erection and 
furnishing of an executive mansion; the State 
Agricultural Society was incorporated; the re- 
mainder of the State lands was ordered sold, and 
any surplus funds in the treasury appropriated 
toward reducing the State debt. A special session 
was convened on Feb. 9, 1854, and adjourned 
March 4. The most important measures adopted 
were : a legislative re-apportionment, an act pro- 
viding for the election of a Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, and a charter for the Missis- 
sippi & Atlantic Railroad. The regular session 
lasted forty-three days, the special twenty-four 
— total, sixty-seven. 

Nineteenth General Assembly met Jan. 1, 
1855, and adjourned Feb. 15 — the session lasting 



forty-six days. Thomas J. Turner was elected 
Speaker of the House. The political complexion 
of the Legislature was much mixed, among the 
members being old-line Whigs, Abolitionists, 
Free-Soilers, Know-Nothings, Pro-slavery Demo- 
crats and Anti-Nebraska Democrats. The 
Nebraska question was the leading issue, and in 
reference thereto the Senate stood fourteen 
Nebraska members and eleven anti-Nebraska ; the 
House, thirty-four straight-out Democrats, while 
the entire strength of the opposition was forty- 
one. A United States Senator was to be chosen 
to succeed Gen. James Shields, and the friends of 
free-soil had a clear majority of four on joint 
ballot. Abraham Lincoln was the caucus nomi- 
nee of the Whigs, and General Shields of the Demo- 
crats. The two houses met in joint session Feb. 8. 
The result of the first ballot was, Lincoln, forty- 
five; Shields, forty-one; scattering, thirteen; 
present, but not voting, one. Mr. Lincoln's 
strength steadily waned, then rallied slightly on 
the sixth and seventh ballots, but again declined. 
Shields' forty -one votes rising on the fifth ballot 
to forty-two, but having dropped on the next 
ballot to forty-one, his name was withdrawn and 
that of Gov. Joel A. Matteson substituted. Mat- 
teson gained until he received forty-seven votes, 
which was the limit of his strength. On the 
ninth ballot, Loncoln's vote having dropped to 
fifteen, his name was withdrawn at his own 
request, his support going, on the next ballot, to 
Lyman Trumbull, an anti-Nebraska Democrat, 
who received fifty-one votes to forty-seven for 
Matteson and one for Archibald Williams — one 
member not voting. Trumbull, having received 
a majority, was elected. Five members had 
voted for him from the start. These were Sena- 
tors John M. Palmer, Norman B. Judd and Burton 
C. Cook, and Representatives Henry S. Baker and 
George T. Allen. It had been hoped that they 
would, in time, come to the support of Mr. Lin- 
coln, but they explained that they had been 
instructed by their constituents to vote only for 
an anti-Nebraska Democrat. They were all sub 
sequently prominent leaders in the Republican 
party. Having inaugurated its work by accom- 
plishing a political revolution, this Legislature 
proceeded to adopt several measures more or less 
radical in their tendency. One of these was the 
Maine liquor law, with the condition that it be 
submitted to popular vote. It failed of ratifica- 
tion by vote of the people at an election held in 
the following June. A new common school law 
was enacted, and railroads were required to fence 
their tracks. The Assembly also adopted a reso- 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



lution calling for a Convention to amend the Con- 
stitution, but this was defeated at the polls. 

Twentieth General Assembly convened Jan. 
5, 1857, and adjourned, sine die, Feb. 19. A 
Republican State administration, with Governor 
Bissell at its head, had just been elected, but the 
Legislature was Democratic in both branches. 
Lieut. -Gov. John Wood presided over the Senate, 
and Samuel Holmes, of Adams County, defeated 
Isaac N. Arnold, of Cook, for the Speakership of 
the House. Among the prominent members were 
Norman B. Judd, of Cook; A. J. Kuykendall, of 
Johnson ; Shelby M. Cullom, of Sangamon ; John 
A. Logan, of Jackson; William R. Morrison, of 
Monroe ; Isaac N. Arnold, of Cook ; Joseph Gilles- 
pie, of Madison, and S. W. Moulton, of Shelby. 
Among the important measures enacted by this 
General Assembly were the following: Acts 
establishing and maintaining free schools; estab- 
lishing a Normal University at Normal ; amending 
the banking law , providing for the general incor- 
poration of railroads; providing for the building 
of a new penitentiary ; and funding the accrued 
arrears of interest on the public debt. Length of 
session, forty-six days. 

Twenty-first General Assembly convened 
Jan. 3, 1859, and was in session for fifty-three 
days, adjourning Feb. 24. The Senate consisted 
of twenty-five, and the House of seventy-five 
members. The presiding officers were; — of the 
Senate, Lieut. -Gov. Wood; of the House, W. R. 
Morrison, of Monroe County, who defeated his 
Republican opponent, Vital Jarrot, of St. Clair, 
on a viva voce vote. The Governor's message 
showed a reduction of §1,1(56,87? in the State debt 
during two years preceding, leaving a balance of 
principal and arrears of interest amounting to 
$11,138,454. On Jan. 0, 1859, the Assembly, in 
joint session, elected Stephen A. Douglas to suc- 
ceed himself as United States Senator, by a vote 
of fifty four to forty-six for Abraham Lincoln. 
The Legislature was thrown into great disorder 
in consequence of an attempt to prevent the 
receipt from the Governor of a veto of a legisla- 
tive apportionment bill which had been passed by 
the Democratic majority in the face of bitter 
opposition on the part of the Republicans, who 
denounced it as partisan and unjust. 

Twenty-second General Assembly convened 
in regular session on Jan. 7, 1861, consisting of 
twenty-five Senators and seventy-five Represent- 
atives. For the first time in the State's history, 
the Democrats failed to control the organization 
of either house. Lieut. -Gov. Francis A. Hoffman 
presided over the Senate, and S. M. Cullom, of 



Sangamon, was chosen Speaker of the House, the 
Democratic candidate being James W. Singleton. 
Thomas A. Marshall, of Coles County, was elected 
President pro tern, of the Senate over A. J. Kuy- 
kendall, of Johnson. The message of the retiring 
Governor (John Wood) reported a reduction of 
the State debt, during four years of Republican 
administration, of 82,860,402, and showed the 
number of banks to be 110, whose aggregate cir- 
culation was 812,320,964. Lyman Trumbull was 
re-elected United States Senator on January 10, 
receiving fifty-four votes, to forty-six cast for 
Samuel S. Marshall. Governor Yates was inau- 
gurated, Jan. 14. The most important legislation 
of this session related to the following subjects • 
the separate property rights of married women, 
the encouragement of mining and the support of 
public schools ; the payment of certain evidences 
of State indebtedness; protection of the purity of 
the ballot-box, and a resolution submitting to the 
people the question of the calling of a Convention 
to amend the Constitution. Joint resolutions were 
passed relative to the death of Governor Bissell ; 
to the appointment of Commissioners to attend a 
Peace Conference in Washington, and referring 
to federal relations. The latter deprecated 
amendments to the United States Constitution, but 
expressed a willingness to unite with any States 
which might consider themselves aggrieved, 
in petitioning Congress to call a convention 
for the consideration of such amendments, at the 
same time pledging the entire resources of Illi- 
nois to the National Government for the preser- 
vation of the Union and the enforcement of the 
laws. The regular session ended Feb. 22, having 
lasted forty-seven days. — Immediately following 
President Lincoln's first call for volunteers to 
suppress the rebellion, Governor Yates recon- 
vened the General Assembly in special session to 
consider and adopt methods to aid and support 
the Federal authority in preserving the Union and 
protecting the rights and property of the people. 
The two houses assembled on April 23. On April 
25 Senator Douglas addressed the members on the 
issues of the day, in response to an invitation con- 
veyed in a joint resolution. The special session 
closed May 3, 1861, and not a few of the legislators 
promptly volunteered in the Union army. 
Length of the regular session, forty-seven days; 
of the special, eleven — total'fifty-eight. 

Twenty-third General Assembly was com- 
posed of twenty-five Senators and eighty-eight 
Representatives. It convened Jan. 5, 1863, and 
was Democratic in both branches. The presiding 
officer of the Senate was Lieutenant-Governor 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



101 



Hoffman; Samuel A. Buckmaster was elected 
Speaker of the House by a vote of fifty-three to 
twenty-five. On Jan. 12, William A. Richardson 
was elected United States Senator to succeed 
S. A. Douglas, deceased, the Republican nominee 
being Governor Yates, who received thirty-eight 
votes out of a total of 103 cast. Much of the time 
of the session was devoted to angry discussion of 
the policy of the National Government in the 
prosecution of the war. The views of the oppos- 
ing parties were expressed in majority and minor- 
ity reports from the Committee on Federal 
Relations — the former condemning and the latter 
upholding the Federal administration. The 
majority report was adopted in the House on 
Feb. 12, by a vote of fifty-two to twenty-eight, 
and the resolutions which it embodied were at 
once sent to the Senate for concurrence. Before 
they could be acted upon in that body a Demo- 
cratic Senator — J. M. Rodgers, of Clinton County 
— died. This left the Senate politically tied, a 
Republican presiding officer having the deciding 
vote. Consequently no action was taken at the 
time, and, on Feb. 14, the Legislature adjourned 
till June 2. Immediately upon re.-assembling, 
joint resolutions relating to a sine die adjourn- 
ment were introduced in both houses. A disagree- 
ment regarding the date of such adjournment 
ensued, when Governor Yates, exercising the 
power conferred upon him by the Constitution in 
such cases, sent in a message (June 10, 1863) 
proroguing the General Assembly until "the 
Saturday next preceding the first Monday in 
January, 1865." The members of the Republican 
minority at once left the hall. The members of 
the majority convened and adjourned from day 
to day until June 24, when, having adopted an 
address to the people setting forth their grievance 
and denouncing the State executive, they took a 
recess until the Tuesday after the first Monday of 
January, 1864. The action of the Governor, hav- 
ing been submitted to the Supreme Court, was 
sustained, and no further session of this General 
Assembly was held. Owing to the prominence 
of political issues, no important legislation was 
effected at this session, even the ordinary appro- 
priations for the State institutions failing. This 
caused much embarrassment to the State Govern- 
ment in meeting current expenses, but banks and 
capitalists came to its aid, and no important 
interest was permitted to suffer. The total 
length of the session was fifty days — forty-one 
days before the recess and nine days after. 

Twenty-fourth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 2, 1865, and remained in session forty-six 



days. It consisted of twenty-rive Senators and 
eighty-five Representatives. The Republicans 
had a majority in both houses. Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Bross presided over the Senate, and Allen 
C. Fuller, of Boone County, was chosen Speaker 
of the House, over Ambrose M. Miller, Democrat, 
the vote standing 48 to 23. Governor Yates, in 
his valedictory message, reported that, notwith- 
standing the heavy expenditure attendant upon 
the enlistment and maintenance of troops, etc., 
the State debt had been reduced §987,786 in four 
years. On Jan. 4, 1865, Governor Yates was 
elected to the United States Senate, receiving 
sixty-four votes to forty three cast for James C. 
Robinson. Governor Oglesby was inaugurated Jan. 
10. The Thirteenth Amendment to the United 
States Constitution was ratified by this Legisla- 
ture, and sundry special appropriations made. 
Among the latter was one of §3,000 toward the 
State's proportion for the establishment of a 
National Cemetery at Gettysburg; $25,000 for 
the purchase of the land on which is the tomb 
of the deceased Senator Douglas; besides sums 
for establishing a home for Soldiers' Orphans and 
an experimental school for the training of idiots 
and feeble-minded children. The first act for 
the registry of legal voters was passed at this 
session. 

Twenty-fifth General Assembly. This 
body held one regular and two special sessions. 
It first convened and organized on Jan. 7, 1867. 
Lieutenant-Governor Bross presided over the 
upper, and Franklin Corwin, of La Salle County, 
over the lower house. The Governor (Oglesby), 
in his message, reported a reduction of §2,607,908 
in the State debt during the two years preceding, 
and recommended various appropriations for pub- 
lic purposes. He also urged the calling of a Con- 
vention to amend the Constitution. On Jan. 15, 
Lyman Trumbull was chosen United States Sena- 
tor, the complimentary Democratic vote being 
given to T. Lyle Dickey, who received thirty- 
three votes out of 109. The regular session lasted 
fifty-three days, adjourning Feb. 28. The Four- 
teenth Amendment to the United States Constitu- 
tion was ratified and important legislation enacted 
relative to State taxation and the regulation of 
public warehouses ; a State Board of Equalization 
of Assessments was established, and the office of 
Attorney-General created. (Under this law 
Robert G. Ingersoll was the first appointee.) 
Provision was made for the erection of a new 
State House, to establish a Reform School for 
Juvenile Offenders, and for the support of other 
State institutions. The first special session con- 



192 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



vened on June 11, 1867, having been summoned 
to consider questions relating to internal revenue. 
The lessee of the penitentiary having surrendered 
his lease without notice, the Governor found it 
necessary to make immediate provision for the 
management of that institution. Not having 
included this matter in his original call, no ne- 
cessity then existing, he at once summoned a 
second special session, before the adjournment 
of the first. This convened on June 14, remained 
in session until June 28, and adopted what is 
substantially the present penitentiary law of the 
State. This General Assembly was in session 
seventy-one days— fifty-three at the regular, 
three at the first special session and fifteen at the 
second. 

Twenty-sixth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 4, 1809. The Republicans had a majority in 
each house. The newly elected Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, John Dougherty, presided in the Senate, 
and Franklin Corvvin. of Peru, was again chosen 
Speaker of the House. Governor Oglesby sub- 
mitted his final message at the opening of the 
session, showing a total reduction in the State 
debt during his term of §4,743,821. Governor 
John M. Palmer was inaugurated Jan. 11. The 
most important acts passed by this Legislature 
were the following: Calling the Constitutional 
Convention of 1809; ratifying the Fifteenth 
Amendment to the United States Constitution ; 
granting well behaved convicts a reduction in 
their terms of imprisonment ; for the prevention 
of cruelty to animals; providing for the regula- 
tion of freights and fares on railroads; estab- 
lishing the Southern Normal University; pro- 
viding for the erection of the Northern Insane 
Hospital; and establishing a Board of Com- 
missioners of Public Charities. The celebrated 
"Lake Front Bill," especially affecting the 
interests of the city of Chicago, occupied a 
great deal of time during this session, and 
though finally passed over the Governor's veto, 
was repealed in 1873. This session was inter- 
rupted by a recess which extended from March 
12 to April 13. The Legislature re-assem- 
bled April 14, and adjourned, sine die, April 20, 
having been in actual session seventy-four days. 

Twenty-seventh General Assembly' had 
four sessions, one regular, two special and one 
adjourned. The first convened Jan. 4, 1871, and 
adjourned on April 17, having lasted 104 days, 
when a recess was taken to Nov. 15 following. 
The body was made up of fifty Senators and 177 
Representatives. The Republicans again con- 
trolled both houses, electing William M. Smith, 



Speaker (over William R. Morrison, Democrat), 
while Lieutenant-Governor Dougherty presided in 
the Senate. The latter occupied the Hall of Rep- 
resentatives in the old State Capitol, while the 
House held its sessions in a new church edifice 
erected by the Second Presbyterian Church. 
John A. Logan was elected United States Sena- 
tor, defeating Thomas J. Turner (Democrat) by a 
vote, on joint ballot, of 131 to 89. This was the 
first Illinois Legislature to meet after the adoption 
of the Constitution of 1870, and its time was 
mainly devoted to framing, discussing and pass- 
ing laws required by the changes in the organic 
law of the State. The first special session opened 
on May 24 and closed on June 22, 1871, continu- 
ing thirty days. It was convened by Governor 
Palmer to make additional appropriations for the 
necessary expenses of the State Government and 
for the continuance of work on the new State 
House. The purpose of the Governor in sum- 
moning the second special session was to provide 
financial relief for the city of Chicago after the 
great fire of Oct. 9-11, 1871. Members were sum- 
moned by special telegrams and were in their 
seats Oct. 13, continuing in session to Oct. 24 
— twelve days. Governor Palmer had already 
suggested a plan by which the State might 
aid the stricken city without doing violence 
to either the spirit or letter of the new Con- 
stitution, which expressly prohibited special 
legislation. Chicago had advanced §2,500,000 
toward the completion of the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal, under the pledge of the State that this 
outlay should be made good. The Legislature 
voted an appropriation sufficient to pay both 
principal and interest of this loan, amounting, in 
round numbers, to about §3,000,000. The ad- 
journed session opened on Nov. 15, 1871, and came 
to an end on April 9, 1872 — having continued 147 
days. It was entirely devoted to considering and 
adopting legislation germane to the new Consti- 
tution. The total length of all sessions of this 
General Assembly was 293 days. 

Twenty'-eighth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 8, 1873. It was composed of fifty-one Sena- 
tors and 153 Representatives; the upper house 
standing thirty-three Republicans to eighteen 
Democrats, and the lower, eighty-six Republicans 
to sixty-seven Democrats. The Senate chose 
John Early, of Winnebago, President pro tempore, 
and Shelby M. Cullom was elected Speaker of the 
House. Governor Oglesby was inaugurated Jan. 
13, but, eight days later, was elected to the United 
States Senate, being succeeded in the Governor- 
ship by Lieut. -Gov. John L. Beveridge. An 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



193 



appropriation of §1,000,000 was made for carrying 
on the work on the new capitol and various other 
acts of a public character passed, the most impor- 
tant being an amendment of the railroad law of 
the previous session. On May 6, the Legislature 
adjourned until Jan. 8, 1874. The purpose of the 
recess was to enable a Commission on the Revision 
of the Laws to complete a report. The work was 
duly completed and nearly all the titles reported 
by the Commissioners were adopted at the 
adjourned session. An adjournment, sine die, 
was taken March 31, 1874 — the two sessions 
having lasted, respectively, 119 and 83 days — 
total 202. 

Twenty-ninth General, Assembly convened 
Jan 6, 1875. While the Republicans had a plu- 
rality in both houses, they were defeated in an 
effort to secure their organization through a 
fusion of Democrats and Independents. A. A. 
Glenn (Democrat) was elected President pro tem- 
pore of the Senate (becoming acting Lieutenant- 
Governor), and Elijah M. Haines was chosen 
presiding officer of the lower house. The leaders 
on both sides of the Chamber were aggressive, 
and the session, as a whole, was one of the most 
turbulent and disorderly in the history of the 
State. Little legislation of vital importance 
(outside of regular appropriation bills) was 
enacted. This Legislature adjourned, April 10, 
having been in session 100 days. 

Thirtieth General Assembly convened Jan. 
3; 1877, and adjourned, sine die, on May 24. The 
Democrats and Independents in the Senate united 
in securing control of that body, although the 
House was Republican. Fawcett Plumb, of La 
Salle County, was chosen President pro tempore 
of the upper, and James Shaw Speaker of the 
lower, house. The inauguration of State officers 
took place Jan. 8, Shelby M. Cullom becoming 
Governor and Andrew Shuman, Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor. This was one of the most exciting years 
in American political history Both of the domi- 
nant parties claimed to have elected the President, 
and the respective votes in the Electoral College 
were so close as to excite grave apprehension in 
many minds. It was also the year for the choice 
of a Senator by the Illinois Legislature, and the 
attention of the entire country was directed 
toward this State. Gen. John M. Palmer was 
the nominee of the Democratic caucus and John 
A. Logan of the Republicans. On the twenty- 
fourth ballot the name of General Logan was 
withdrawal, most of the Republican vote going 
to Charles B. Lawrence, and the Democrats going 
over to David Davis, who, although an original 



Republican and friend of Lincoln, and Justice of 
the Supreme Court by appointment of Mr. Lin- 
coln, had become an Independent Democrat. On 
the fortieth ballot (taken Jan. 25), Judge Davis 
received 101 votes, to 94 for Judge Lawrenx 
(Republican) and five scattering, thus securing 
Davis' election. Not many acts of vital impor- 
tance were passed by this Legislature. Appellate 
Courts were established and new judicial districts 
created; the original jurisdiction of county 
courts was enlarged; better safeguards were 
thrown about miners; measures looking at once 
to the supervision and protection of railroads were 
passed, as well as various laws relating chiefly to 
the police administration of the State and of 
municipalities. The length of the session was 
142 days. 

Thirty-first General Assembly convened 
Jan. 8, 1879, with a Republican majority in each 
house. Andrew Shuman, the newly elected Lieu- 
tenant-Governor, presided in the Senate, and 
William A. James of Lake County was chosen 
Speaker of the House. John M. Hamilton of 
McLean County (afterwards Governor), was 
chosen President pro tempore of the Senate. 
John A. Logan was elected United States Senator 
on Jan. 21, the complimentary Democratic vote 
being given to Gen. John C. Black. Various 
laws of public importance were enacted by this 
Legislature, among them being one creating the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics; the first oleomargar- 
ine law ; a drainage and levee act ; a law for the 
reorganization of the militia; an act for the 
regulation of pawnbrokers; a law limiting the 
pardoning power, and various laws looking 
toward the supervision and control of railways. 
The session lasted 144 days, and the Assembly 
adjourned, sine die, May 31, 1879. 

Thirty second General Assembly convened 
Jan. 5, 1881, the Republicans having a majority 
in both branches. Lieutenant-Governor Hamil- 
ton presided in the Senate, William J. Campbell 
of Cook County being elected President pro tem- 
pore. Horace H. Thomas, also of Cook, was 
chosen Speaker of the House. Besides the rou- 
tine legislation, the most important measures 
enacted by this Assembly were laws to prevent 
the spread of pleuro-pneumonia among cattle: 
regulating the sale of firearms; providing more 
stringent penalties for the adulteration of food, 
drink or medicine; regulating the practice of 
pharmacy and dentistry ; amending the revenue 
and school laws; and requiring annual statements 
from official custodians of public moneys. The 
Legislature adjourned May 30, after having been 



194 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in session 146 days, but was called together again 
in special session by the Governor on March 23, 
1S82, to pass new Legislative and Congressional 
Apportionment Laws, and for the consideration 
of other subjects. The special session lasted 
forty-four days, adjourning May 5 — both sessions 
occupying a total of 190 days. 

Thirty-third General Assembly convened 
Jan. 2, 1883, with the Republicans again in the 
majority in both houses. William J. Campbell 
was re-elected President pro tempore of the 
Senate, but not until the sixty-first ballot, six 
Republicans refusing to be bound by the nomina- 
tion of a caucus held prior to their arrival at 
Springfield. Loren C. Collins, also of Cook, was 
elected Speaker of the House. The compliment- 
ary Democratic vote was given to Thomas M. Shaw 
in the Senate, and to Austin O. Sexton in the 
House. Governor Cullom, the Republican caucus 
nominee, was elected United States Senator, Jan. 
16, receiving a majority in each branch of the 
General Assembly. The celebrated "Harper 
H"gh-License Bill," and the first "Compulsory 
School Law" were passed at this session, the 
other acts being of ordinary character. The 
Legislature adjourned June 18, having been in 
session 168 days. 

Thirty-fourth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 7, 1885. The Senate was Republican by a 
majority of one, there being twenty-six members 
of that party, twenty-four Demociats and one 
greenback Democrat. William J. Campbell, of 
Cook County, was for the third time chosen 
President pro tempore. The House stood seventy- 
six Republicans and seventy-six Democrats, with 
one member — Elijah M. Haines of Lake County — 
calling himself an "Independent. " The contest 
for the Speakership continued until Jan. 29, 
when, neither party being able to elect its nomi- 
nee, the Democrats took up Haines as a candidate 
and placed him in the chair, with Haines' assist- 
ance, filling the minor offices with their own 
men. After the inauguration of Governor 
Oglesby, Jan. 30, the first bushiess was the elec- 
tion of a United States Senator. The balloting 
proceeded until May 18, when John A. Logan re- 
ceived 103 votes to ninety-six for Lambert Tree and 
five scattering. Three members — one Republican 
and two Democrats — had died since the opening 
of the session ; and it was through the election of 
a Republican in place of one of the deceased 
Democrats, that the Republicans succeeded in 
electing their candidate. The session was a 
stormy one throughout, the Speaker being, much 
hi the time, at odds with the House, and an 



unsuccessful effort was made to depose him 
Charges of bribery against certain members were 
preferred and investigated, but no definite result 
was reached. Among the important measures 
passed by this Legislature were the following: A 
joint resolution providing for submission of an 
amendment to the Constitution prohibiting con- 
tract labor in penal institutions; providing by 
resolution for the appointment of a non-partisan 
Commission of twelve to draft a new revenue 
code ; the Crawford primary election law ; an act 
amending the code of criminal procedure ; estab- 
lishing a Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, subse- 
quently located at Quincy ; creating a Live-Stock 
Commission and appropriating S531.712 for the 
completion of the State House. The Assembly 
adjourned, sine die, June 26, 1885, after a session 
of 171 days. 

Thirty-fifth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 5, 1887. The Republicans had a majority of 
twelve in the Senate and three in the House. 
For President pro tempore of the Senate, August 
W. Berggren was chosen; for Speaker of the 
House, Dr. William F. Calhoun, of De Witt 
County. The death of General Logan, which 
had occurred Dec. 26, 1886, was officially an- 
nounced by Governor Oglesby ? and, on Jan. 18, 
Charles B. Farwell was elected to succeed him as 
United States Senator. William R. Morrison and 
Benjamin W. Goodhue were the candidates of 
the Democratic and Labor parties, respectively. 
Some of the most important laws passed by this 
General Assembly were the following: Amend 
ing the law relating to the spread of contagious 
diseases among cattle, etc. ; the Chase bill to 
prohibit book-making and pool-selling; regulat 
ing trust companies; making the Trustees of 
the University of Illinois elective; inhibiting 
aliens from holding real estate, and forbidding 
the marriage of first cousins. An act virtually 
creating a new State banking system was also 
passed, subject to ratification by popular vote. 
Other acts, having more particular reference to 
Chicago and Cook County, were: a law making 
cities and counties responsible for three-fourths 
of the damage resulting from mobs and riots ; the 
Merritt conspiracy law ; the Gibbs Jury Commis- 
sion law. and an act for the suppression of 
bucket-shop gambling. The session ended June 
15, 1887. having continued 162 days. 

Thirty-sixth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 7. 1889, in its first (or regular) session, the 
Republicans being largely in the majority. The 
Senate elected Theodore S. Chapman of Jersey 
County President pro tempore, and the House 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



195 



Asa C Matthews of Pike County, Speaker. Mr. 
Matthews was appointed First Comptroller of the 
Treasury by President Harrison, on May 9 (see 
Matthews, Asa C. ), and resigned the Speakership 
on the following day. He was succeeded by 
James H. Miller of Stark County. Shelby M. 
Cullom was re-elected to the United States Senate 
on January 22. the Democrats again voting for 
ex-Gov. John M. Palmer. The "Sanitary Drain- 
age District Law," designed for the benefit of the 
city of Chicago, was enacted at this session ; an 
asylum for insane criminals was established at 
Chester ; the annexation of cities, towns, villages, 
etc., under certain conditions, was authorized; 
more stringent legislation was enacted relative to 
the circulation of obscene literature ; a new com- 
pulsory education law was passed, and the em- 
ployment on public works of aliens who had not 
declared their intention of becoming citizens was 
prohibited. This session ended, May 28. A 
special session was convened by Governor Fifer 
on July 24, 1890, to frame and adopt legislation 
rendered necessary by the Act of Congress locat- 
ing the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago. 
Mr. Miller having died in the interim, William G. 
Cochran, of Moultrie County, was chosen Speaker 
of the House. The special session concluded 
Aug. 1, 1890. having enacted the following meas- 
ures ; An Act granting the use of all State lands, 
(submerged or other) in or adjacent to Chicago, to 
the World's Columbian Exposition for a period to 
extend one year after the closing of the Exposi- 
tion; authorizing the Chicago Boards of Park 
Commissioners to grant the use of the public 
parks, or any part thereof, to promote the objects 
of such Exposition ; a joint resolution providing 
for the submission to the people of a Constitu- 
tional Amendment granting to the city of Chicago 
the power (provided a majority of the qualified 
voters desired it) to issue bonds to an amount not 
exceeding $5,000,000, the same to bear interest 
and the proceeds of their sale to be turned over 
to the Exposition Managers to be devoted to the 
use and for the benefit of the Exposition. (See 
also Worlds Columbian Exposition.) The total 
length of the two sessions was 150 days. 

Thirty-seventh General Assembly convened 
Jan. 7, 1891, and adjourned June 12 following. 
Lieut. -Gov. Ray presided in the Senate, Milton 
W. Matthews (Republican), of Urbana, being 
elected President pro tern. The Democrats had 
control in the House and elected Clayton E. 
Crafts, of Cook County, Speaker. The most 
exciting feature of the session was the election of 
a United States Senator to succeed Charles B. 



Farwell. Neither of the two leading parties had 
a majority on joint ballot, the balance of power 
being held by three "Independent" members of 
the House, who had been elected as represent- 
atives of the Farmers' Mutual Benevolent Alli- 
ance. Richard J. Oglesby was the caucus 
nominee of the Republicans and John M. Palmer 
of the Democrats. For a time the Independents 
stood as a unit for A. J. Streeter, but later two of 
the three voted for ex-Governor Palmer, finally, 
on March 11, securing his election on the 154th 
ballot in joint session. Meanwhile, the Repub- 
licans had cast tentative ballots for Alson J. 
Streeter and Cicero J. Lindley, in hope of draw- 
ing the Independents to their support, but without 
effective result. The final ballot stood — Palmer, 
103 ; Lindley, 101, Streeter 1. Of 1,290 bills intro- 
duced in both Houses at this session, only 151 
became laws, the most important being: The 
Australian ballot law, and acts regulating build- 
ing and loan associations ; prohibiting the employ- 
ment of children under thirteen at manual labor ; 
fixing the legal rate of interest at seven per cent ; 
prohibiting the "truck system" of paying em- 
ployes, and granting the right of suffrage to 
women in the election of school officers. An 
amendment of the State Constitution permitting 
the submission of two Constitutional Amend- 
ments to the people at the same time, was sub- 
mitted by this Legislature and ratified at the 
election of 1892. The session covered a period of 
157 days. 

Thirty'-eighth General Assembly. This 
body convened Jan. 4, 1893. The Democrats were 
in the ascendency in both houses, having a 
majority of seven in the Senate and of three in 
the lower house. Joseph R. Gill, the Lieutenant- 
Governor, was ex-officio President of the Senate, 
and John W. Coppinger, of Alton, was chosen 
President pro tern. Clayton E. Crafts of Cook 
County was again chosen Speaker of the House. 
The inauguration of the new State officers took 
place on the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 10. This 
Legislature was in session 164 days, adjourning 
June 16, 1893. Not very much legislation of a 
general character was enacted. New Congres- 
sional and Legislative apportionments were 
passed, the former dividing the State into twenty- 
two districts; an Insurance Department was 
created ; a naval militia was established ; the 
scope of the juvenile reformatory was enlarged 
and the compulsory education law was amended. 

Thirty'-ninth General Assembly. This 
Legislature held two sessions — a regular and a 
special. The former opened Jan. 9, 1895, and 



196 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



closed June 14, following. The political com- 
plexion of the Senate was— Republicans, thirty- 
three; Democrats, eighteen; of the House, 
ninety -two Republicans and sixty -one Democrats. 
John Meyer, of Cook County, was elected Speaker 
of the House, and Charles Bogardus of Piatt 
County, President pro tern, of the Senate. Acts 
were passed making appropriations for improve- 
ment of the State Fair Grounds at Springfield ; 
authorizing the establishment of a Western Hos- 
pital for the Insane (S100.000); appropriating 
$100,000 for a Western Hospital for the Insane; 
§65,000 for an Asylum for Incurable Insane; $50,- 
000, each, for two additional Normal Schools — one 
in Northern and the other in Eastern Illinois; 
§25,000 for a Soldiers' Widows' Home— all being 
new institutions — besides §15,000 for a State 
exhibition at the Atlanta Exposition; §65,000 to 
mark, by monuments, the position of Illinois 
troops on the battlefields of Chickamauga, Look- 
out Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Other acts 
passed fixed the salaries of members of the Gen- 
eral Assembly at §1,000 each for each regular 
session; accepted the custody of the Lincoln 
monument at Springfield, authorized provision 
for the retirement and pensioning of teachers in 
public schools, and authorized the adoption of 
civil service rules for cities. The special session 
convened, pursuant to a call by the Governor, on 
June 25, 1895, took a recess, June 28 to July 9, 
re-assembled on the latter date, and adjourned, 
sine die, August 2. Outside of routine legisla- 
tion, no laws were passed except one providing 
additional necessary revenue for State purposes 
and one creating a State Board of Arbitration. 
The regular session continued 157 days and the 
special twenty-nine — total 1S6. 

Fortieth General Assembly met in regular 
session at Springfield, Jan. 6, 1897, and adjourned, 
sine die, June 4. The Republicans had a major- 
ity in both branches, the House standing eighty- 
eight Republicans to sixty-three Democrats and 
two Populists, and the Senate, thirty-nine Repub- 
licans to eleven Democrats and one Populist, 
giving the Republicans a majority on joint ballot 
of fifty votes. Both houses were promptly organ- 
ized by the election of Republican officers, Edward 
C. Curtis of Kankakee County being chosen 
Speaker of the House, and Hendrick V. Fisher, 
of Henry County, President pro tern, of the Sen- 
ate. Governor Tanner and the other Republican 
State officers were formally inaugurated on 
Jan. 11, and, on Jan. 20, William E. Mason 
(Republican) was chosen United States Senator 
to succeed John M. Palmer, receiving in joint 



session 125 votes to seventy-seven for John P. 
Altgeld (Democrat). Among the principal laws 
enacted at this session were the following : An 
act concerning aliens and to regulate the right to 
hold real estate, and prescribing the terms and 
conditions for the conveyance of the same, 
empowering the Commissioners who were ap- 
pointed at the previous session to ascertain and 
mark the positions occupied by Illinois Volunteers 
in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Moun- 
tain and Missionary Ridge, to expend the remain- 
ing appropriations in their hands for the erection 
of monuments on the battle-grounds: authorizing 
the appointment of a similar Commission to 
ascertain and mark the positions held by Illinois 
troops in the battle of Shiloh; to reimburse the 
University of Illinois for the loss of funds result- 
ing from the Spaulding defalcation and affirming 
the liability of the State for "the endowment 
fund of the University, amounting to §456,712.91, 
and for so much in addition as may be received 
in future from the sale of lands"; authorizing 
the adoption of the "Torrens land-title system" in 
the conveyance and registration of land titles by 
vote of the people in any county ; the consolida- 
tion of the three Supreme Court Districts of the 
State into one and locating the Court at Spring- 
field; creating a State Board of Pardons, and 
prescribing the manner of applying for pardons 
and commutations. An act of this session, which 
produced much agitation and led to a great deal 
of discussion in the press and elsewhere, was the 
street railroad law empowering the City Council, 
or other corporate authority of any city, to grant 
franchises to street railway companies extending 
to fifty years. This act was repealed by the 
General Assembly of 1899 before any street rail- 
way corporation had secured a franchise under it. 
A special session was called by Governor Tanner 
to meet Dec. 7, 1897, the proclamation naming 
five topics for legislative action. The session 
continued to Feb. 24, 1898, only two of the meas- 
ures named by the Governor in his call being 
affirmatively acted upon. These included: (1) an 
elaborate act prescribing the manner of conduct- 
ing primary elections of delegates to nominating 
conventions, and (2) a new revenue law regulat- 
ing the manner of assessing and collecting taxes. 
One provision of the latter law limits the valuation 
of property for assessment purposes to one-fifth 
its cash value. The length of the regular session 
was 150 days, and that of the special session 
eighty days — total, 230 days. 

GENESEO, a city in Henry County, about two 
miles south of the Green River. It is on the Chi- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



197 



cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, 23 miles 
east of Rock Island and 75 miles west of Ottawa. 
It is in the heart of a grain-growing region, and 
has two large grain elevators. Manufacturing is 
also carried on to a considerable extent here, 
furniture, wagons and farming implements con- 
stituting the chief output. Geneseo has eleven 
churches, a graded and a high school, a col- 
legiate institute, two banks, and two newspapers, 
one issuing a daily edition. Population (1.S90), 
3,182; (1900), 3,356. 

GENEVA, a city and railway junction on Fox 
River, and the county -seat of Kane County ; 35 
miles west of Chicago. It has a fine courthouse, 
completed in 1892 at a cost of $250,000, and 
numerous handsome churches and school build- 
ings. A State Reformatory for juvenile female 
offenders has been located here. There is an ex- 
cellent water-power, operating six manufac- 
tories, including extensive glucose works. The 
town has a bank, creamery, water-works, gas 
and electric light plant, and two weekly news- 
papers. The surrounding country is devoted to 
agriculture and dairy farming. Population 
(1880), 1,239; (1890), 1,092; (1900), 2,446. 

GENOA, a village of De Kalb County, on 
Omaha Division of the Chi., Mil. & St. Paul, the 
III. Cent, and Chi. & N.W. Railroads, 59 miles west 
of Chicago. Dairying is a leading industry; has 
two banks, shoe and telephone factories, and two 
newspapers. Population (1890), 634; (1900), 1,140. 

GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS. The geological 
structure of Illinois embraces a representation, 
more or less complete, of the whole paleonic 
series of formations, from the calciferous group 
of the Lower Silurian to the top of the coal meas- 
ures. In addition to these older rocks there is a 
limited area in the extreme southern end of the 
State covered with Tertiary deposits. Over- 
spreading these formations are beds of more 
recent age, comprising sands, clays and gravel, 
varying in thickness from ten to more than two 
hundred feet. These superficial deposits may be 
divided into Alluvium, Loess and Drift, and con- 
stitute the Quaternary system of modern geolo- 
gists. 

Lower Silurian System.— Under this heading 
may be noted three distinct groups: the Calcifer- 
ous, the Trenton and the Cincinnati. The first 
mentioned group comprises the St. Peter's Sand- 
stone and the Lower Magnesian Limestone. The 
former outcrops only at a single locality, in La 
Salle County, extending about two miles along 
the valley of the Illinois River in the vicinity of 
Utica. The thickness of the strata appearing 



above the surface is about 80 feet, thin bands of 
Magnesian limestone alternating with layers of 
Calciferous sandstone. Many of the layers con- 
tain good hydraulic rock, which is utilized in the 
manufacture of cement. The entire thickness of 
the rock below the surface has not been ascer- 
tained, but is estimated at about 400 feet. The 
St. Peter's Sandstone outcrops in the valley of 
the Illinois, constituting the main portion of the 
bluffs from Utica to a point beyond Ottawa, and 
forms the "bed rock" in most of the northern 
townships of La Salle County. It also outcrops 
on the Rock River in the vicinity of Oregon City, 
and forms a conspicuous bluff on the Mississippi 
in Calhoun County. Its maximum thickness in 
the State may be estimated at about 200 feet. It 
is too incoherent in its texture to be valuable as 
a building stone, though some of the upper strata 
in Lee County have been utilized for caps and 
sills. It affords, however, a fine quality of sand 
for the manufacture of glass. The Trenton 
group, which immediately overlies the St. Peter's 
Sandstone, consists of three divisions. The low- 
est is a brown Magnesian Limestone, or Dolomite, 
usually found in regular beds, or strata, varying 
from four inches to two feet in thickness. The 
aggregate thickness varies from twenty feet, in 
the northern portion of the State, to sixty or 
seventy feet at the bluff in Calhoun County. At 
the quarries in La Salle County, it abounds in 
fossils, including a large Lituites and several 
specimens of Orthoceras, Maclurea, etc. The 
middle division of the Trenton group consists of 
light gray, compact limestones in the southern 
and western parts of the State, and of light blue, 
thin-bedded, shaly limestone in the northern por- 
tions. The upper division is the well-known 
Galena limestone, the lead-bearing rock of the 
Northwest. It is a buff colored, porous Dolomite, 
sometimes arenaceous and unevenly textured, 
giving origin to a ferruginous, sandy clay when 
decomposed. The lead ores occur in crevices, 
caverns and horizontal seams. These crevices were 
probably formed by shrinkage of the strata from 
crystallization or by some disturbing force from 
beneath, and have been enlarged by decomposi- 
tion of the exposed surface. Fossils belonging to 
a lower order of marine animal than the coral are 
found in this rock, as are also marine shells, 
corals and crustaceans. Although this limestone 
crops out over a considerable portion of the terri- 
tory between the Mississippi and the Rock River, 
the productive lead mines are chiefly confined to 
Jo Daviess and Stephenson Counties. All the 
divisions of the Trenton group afford good build- 



198 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ing material, some of the rock being susceptible 
of a high polish and making a handsome, durable 
marble. About seventy feet are exposed near 
Thebes, in Alexander County. All through the 
Southwest this stone is known as Cape Girardeau 
marble, from its being extensively quarried at 
Cape Girardeau, Mo. The Cincinnati group 
immediately succeeds the Trenton in the ascend- 
ing scale, and forms the uppermost member of 
the Lower Silurian system. It visually consists of 
argillaceous and sandy shales, although, in the 
northwest portion of the State, Magnesian lime- 
stone is found with the shales. The prevailing 
colors of the beds are light blue and drab, 
weathering to a light ashen gray. This group is 
found well exposed in the vicinity of Thebes, 
Alexander County, furnishing a durable building 
stone extensively used for foundation walls. 
Fossils are found in profusion in all the beds, 
many fine specimens, in a perfect state of preser- 
vation, having been exhumed. 

Upper Silurian System.— The Niagara group 
in Northern Illinois consists of brown, gray and 
buff magnesian limestones, sometimes evenly 
bedded, as at Joliet and Athens, and sometimes 
concretionary and brecciated, as at Bridgeport and 
Port Byron. Near Chicago the cells and pockets 
of this rock are filled with petroleum, but it has 
been ascertained that only the thirty upper feet 
of the rock contain bituminous matter. The 
quarries in Will and Jersey Counties furnish fine 
building and flagging stone. The rock is of a 
light gray color, changing to buff on exposure. 
In Pike and Calhoun Counties, also, there are out- 
croppings of this rock and quarries are numerous. 
It is usually evenly bedded, the strata varying in 
thickness from two inches to two feet, and break- 
ing evenly. Its aggregate thickness in Western 
and Northern Illinois ranges from fifty to 150 
feet. In Union and Alexander Counties, in the 
southern part of the State, the Upper Silurian 
series consists chiefly of thin bedded gray or 
buff -colored limestone, silicious and cherty, flinty 
material largely preponderating over the lime- 
stone. Fossils are not abundant in this formation, 
although the quarries at Bridgeport, in Cook 
< "unty, have afforded casts of nearly 100 species 
of marine organisms, the calcareous portion hav- 
ing been washed away 

Devonian System. — This system is represented 
in Illinois by three well marked divisions, cor- 
responding to the Oriskany sandstone, the Onon- 
daga limestone and the Hamilton and Corniferous 
beds of New York. To these the late Professor 
Worthen, for many years State Geologist, added, 



although with some hesitancy, the black shale 
formation of Illinois. Although these comprise 
an aggregate thickness of over 500 feet, their 
exposure is limited to a few isolated outcroppings 
along the bluffs of the Illinois, Mississippi and 
Rock Rivers. The lower division, called "Clear 
Creek Limestone," is about 250 feet thick, and is 
only found in the extreme southern end of the 
State. It consists of chert, or impure flint, and 
thin-bedded silico-magnesian limestones, rather 
compact in texture, and of bull or light gray 
to nearly white colors. When decomposed by 
atmospheric influences, it forms a fine white clay, 
resembling common chalk in appearance. Some 
of the cherty beds resemble burr stones in poros- 
ity, and good mill-stones are made therefrom in 
Union County. Some of the stone is bluish-gray, 
or mottled and crystalline, capable of receiving 
a high polish, and making an elegant and durable 
building stone. The Onondaga group comprises 
some sixty feet of quartzose sandstone and 
striped silicious shales. The structure of the 
rock is almost identical with that of St. Peter's 
Sandstone. In the vicinity of its outcrop in 
Union County are found fine beds of potter's clay, 
also variegated in color. The rock strata are 
about twenty feet thick, evenly bedded and of a 
coarse, granular structure, which renders the 
stone valuable for heavy masonry. The group 
has not been found north of Jackson County. 
Large quantities of characteristic fossils abound. 
The rocks composing the Hamilton group are the 
most valuable of all the divisions of the Devonian 
system, and the outcrops can be identified only by 
their fossils. In Union and Jackson Counties it is 
found from eighty to 100 feet in thickness, two 
beds of bluish gray, fetid limestone being sepa- 
rated by about twenty feet of calcareous shales. 
The limestones are highly bituminous. In Jersey 
and Calhoun Counties the group is only six to 
ten feet thick, and consists of a hard, silicious 
limestone, passing at some points into a quartzose 
sandstone, and at others becoming argillaceous, 
as at Grafton. The most northern outcrop is in 
Rock Island County, where the rock is concretion- 
ary in structure and is utilized for building pur- 
poses and in the manufacture of quicklime 
Fossils are numerous, among them being a few 
fragments of fishes, which are the oldest remains 
of vertebrate animals yet found in the State. 
The black shale probably attains its maximum 
development in Union County, where it ranges 
from fifty to seventy -five feet in thickness. Its 
lower portion is a fine, black, laminated slate, 
sometimes closely resembling the bituminous 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



199 



shales associated with the coal seams, which cir- 
cumstance has led to the fruitless expenditure of 
much time and money. The bituminous portion 
of the mass, on distillation, yields an oil closely 
resembling petroleum. Crystals of iron pyrites 
are abundant in the argillaceous portion of the 
group, which does not extend north of the coun- 
ties of Calhoun, Jersey and Pike. 

Lower Carboniferous System. — This is di- 
visible into five groups, as follows: The Kinder- 
hook group, the Burlington limestone, and the 
Keokuk, St. Louis and Chester groups. Its 
greatest development is in the southern portion 
of the State, where it has a thickness of 1,400 or 
1,500 feet. It thins out to the northward so rapidly 
that, in the vicinity of the Lower Rapids on the 
Mississippi, it is only 300 feet thick, while it 
wholly disappears below Rock Island. The Kinder- 
hook group is variable in its lithological charac- 
ter, consisting of argillaceous and sandy shales, 
with thin beds of compact and oolitic limestone, 
passing locally into calcareous shales or impure 
limestone. The entire formation is mainly a 
mechanical sediment, with but a very small por- 
tion of organic matter. The Burlington lime- 
stone, on the other hand, is composed almost 
entirely of the fossilized remains of organic 
beings, with barely enough sedimentary material 
to act as a cement. Its maximum thickness 
scarcely exceeds 200 feet, and its principal out- 
crops are in the counties of Jersey, Greene, Scott, 
Calhoun, Pike, Adams, Warren and Henderson. 
The rock is usually a light gray, buff or brown 
limestone, either coarsely granular or crystalline 
in structure. The Keokuk group immediately 
succeeds the Burlington in the ascending order, 
with no well defined line of demarcation, the 
chief points of difference between the two being 
in color and in the character of fossils found. At 
the upper part of this group is found a bed of 
calcareo-argillaceous shale, containing a great 
variety of geodes, which furnish beautiful cabinet 
specimens of crystallized quartz, chalcedony, 
dolomite and iron pyrites. In Jersey and Monroe 
Counties a bed of hydraulic limestone, adapted to 
the manufacture of cement, is found at the top of 
this formation. The St. Louis group is partly 
a fine-grained or semi-crystallized bluish-gray 
limestone, and partly concretionary, as around 
Alton. In the extreme southern part of the State 
the rock is highly bituminous and susceptible of 
receiving a high polish, being used as a black 
marble. Beds of magnesian limestone are found 
here and there, which furnish a good stone for 
foundation walls. In Hardin County, the rock 



is traversed by veins of fluor spar, carrying 
galena and zinc blonde. The Chester group is 
only found in the southern part of the State, 
thinning out from a thickness of eight hundred 
feet in Jackson and Randolph Counties, to about 
twenty feet at Alton. It consists of hard, gray, 
crystalline, argillaceous limestones, alternating 
with sandy and argillaceous shales and sandstones, 
which locally replace each other. A few species 
of true carboniferous flora are found in the are- 
naceous shales and sandstones of this group, the 
earliest traces of pre-historic land plants found in 
the State. Outcrops extend in a narrow belt 
from the southern part of Hardin County to the 
southern line of St. Clair County, passing around 
the southwest border of the coal field. 

Upper Carboniferous System.— This includes 
the Conglomerate, or "Mill Stone Grit" of Euro- 
pean authors, and the true coal measures. In the 
southern portion of the State its greatest thick- 
ness is about 1,200 feet. It becomes thinner 
toward the north, scarcely exceeding 400 or 500 
feet in the vicinity of La Salle. The word "con- 
glomerate" designates a thick bed of sandstone 
that lies at the base of the coal measures, and 
appears to have resulted from the culmination of 
the arenaceous sedimentary accumulations. It 
consists of massive quartzose sandstone, some- 
times nearly white, but more frequently stained 
red or brown by the ferruginous matter which 
it contains, and is frequently composed in 
part of rounded quartz pebbles, from the size 
of a pea to several inches in diameter. When 
highly ferruginous, the oxide of iron cements 
the sand into a hard crust on the surface 
of the rock, which successfully resists the de- 
nuding influence of the atmosphere, so that the 
rock forms towering cliffs on the banks of the 
stream along which are its outcrops. Its thickness 
varies from 200 feet in the southern part of the 
State to twenty-five feet in the northern. It has 
afforded a few species of fossil plants, but no 
animal remains. The coal measures of Illinois 
are at least 1,000 feet thick and cover nearly 
three-fourths of its entire area. The strata are 
horizontal, the dip rarely exceeding six to ten 
feet to the mile. The formation is made up of 
sandstone, shales, thin beds of limestone, coal, 
and its associated fire clays. The thickness of 
the workable beds is from six to twenty-four 
inches in the upper measures, and from two to 
five feet in the lower measures. The fire clays, 
on which the coal seams usually rest, probably 
represent the ancient soil on which grew the 
trees and plants from which the coal is formed. 



200 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



When pure, these clays are valuable for the 
manufacture of fire brick, tile anil common 
pottery. Illinois coal is wholly of the bitumi- 
nous variety, the metamorphic conditions which 
resulted in the production of anthracite coal in 
Pennsylvania not having extended to this State. 
Fossils, both vegetable and animal, abound in 
the coal measures. 

Tertiary System. — This system is represented 
only in the southern end of the State, where cer- 
tain deposits of stratified sands, shales and con- 
glomerate are found, which appear to mark the 
northern boundary of the great Tertiary forma- 
tion of the Gulf States. Potter's clay, lignite and 
silicious woods are found in the formation. 

Quaternary System. — This system embraces 
all the superficial material, including sands, cla}-, 
gravel and soil which overspreads the older for- 
mations in all portions of the State. It gives 
origin to the soil from which the agricultural 
wealth of Illinois is derived. It may be properly 
separated into four divisions: Post-tertiary 
sands, Drift, Loess and Alluvium. The first- 
named occupies the lowest position in the series, 
and consists of stratified beds of yellow sand and 
blue clay, of variable thickness, overlaid by a 
black or deep brown, loamy soil, in which are 
found leaves, branches and trunks of trees in a 
good state of preservation. Next above lie the 
drift deposits, consisting of blue, yellow and 
brown clays, containing gravel and boulders of 
various sizes, the latter the water-worn frag- 
ments of rocks, many of which have been washed 
down from the northern shores of the great 
lakes. This drift formation varies in thickness 
from twenty to 120 feet, and its accumulations 
are probably due to the combined influence of 
water currents and moving ice. The subsoil 
over a large part of the northern and central 
portions of the State is composed of fine brown 
clay. Prof. Desquereux (Illinois Geological Sur- 
vey, Vol. I. ) accounts for the origin of this clay 
and of the black prairie soil above it, by attribut- 
ing it to the growth and decomposition of a 
peculiar vegetation. The Loess is a fine mechan- 
ical sediment that appears to have accumulated in 
some body of fresh water. It consists of marly 
sands and clays, of a thickness varying from five to 
sixty feet. Its greatest development is along the 
bluffs of the principal rivers. The fossils found 
in this formation consist chiefly of the bones and 
teeth of extinct mammalia, such as the mam- 
moth, mastodon, etc. Stone implements of 
primeval man are also discovered. The term 
alluvium is usually restricted to the deposits 



forming the bottom lands of the rivers and 
smaller streams. They consist of irregularly 
stratified sand, clay and loam, which are fre- 
quently found in alternate layers, and contain 
more or less organic matter from decomposed 
animal and vegetable substances. When suffi- 
ciently elevated, they constitute the richest and 
most productive farming lands in the State. 

GEORGETOWN, a village of Vermilion County, 
on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway, 10 miles south of Danville. It has a 
bank, telegraph and express office and a news- 
paper. Population (1890), 662; (1900), 988. 

GERMAN EVANGELICAL SCHOOL, located at 
Addison, Du Page County; incorporated in 1852; 
has a faculty of three instructors and reports 187 
pupils for 1897-98, with a property valuation of 
S9.600. 

GERMANTOWN, a village of Vermilion County, 
and suburb of Danville; is the center of a coal- 
mining district. Population (1880), 540; (1890), 
1,178; (1900), 1,782. 

GEST, William H., lawyer and ex-Congress- 
man, was born at Jacksonville, 111., Jan. 7, 1838. 
When but four years old his parents removed to 
Rock Island, where he has since resided. He 
graduated from Williams College in I860, was 
admitted to the bar in 1862, and has always been 
actively engaged in practice. In 1886 he was 
elected to Congress by the Republicans of the 
Eleventh Illinois District, and was re-elected in 
1888, but in 1890 was defeated by Benjamin T. 
Cable, Democrat. 

GIBALLT, Pierre, a French priest, supposed to 
have been born at New Madrid in %vhat is now 
Southeastern Missouri, early in the eighteenth 
century ; was Vicar-General at Kaskaskia, with 
ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the churches at 
Cahokia, St. Genevieve and adjacent points, at 
the time of the capture of Kaskaskia by Col. 
George Rogers Clark in 1778, and rendered Clark 
important aid in conciliating the French citizens 
of Illinois. He also made a visit to Vincennes and 
induced the people there to take the oath of allegi- 
ance to the new government. He even advanced 
means to aid Clark's destitute troops, but beyond 
a formal vote of thanks by the Virginia Legisla- 
ture, he does not appear to have received any 
recompense. Governor St. Clair, in a report to 
Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, dwelt 
impressively upon the value of Father Gibault's 
services and sacrifices, and Judge Law said of 
him, "Next to Clark and (Francis) Vigo, the 
United States are indebted more to Father 
Gibault for the accession of the States comprised 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



201 



in what was the original Northwest Territory 
than to any other man." The date and place of 
his death are unknown. 

GIBSON CITY, a town in Ford County, situ- 
ated on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, 34 
miles east of Bloomington, and at the intersec- 
tion of the Wabash Railroad and the Springfield 
Division of the Illinois Central. The principal 
mechanical industries are iron works, canning 
works, a shoe factory, and a tile factory. It has 
two banks, two newspapers, nine churches and 
an academy. A college is projected. Popula- 
tion (1890), 1,803; (1900), 2,054; (1903, est), 3,165. 

GILL, Joseph B., Lieutenant-Governor (1893- 
97), was born on a farm near Marion, Williamson 
County, 111., Feb. 17, 1862. In 1868 his father 
settled at Murphysboro, where Mr. Gill still 
makes his home. His academic education was 
received at the school of the Christian Brothers, 
in St. Louis, and at the Southern Illinois Normal 
University, Carbondale. In 1886 he graduated 
from the Law Department of the Michigan State 
University, at Ann Arbor. Returning home he 
purchased an interest in "The Murphysboro Inde- 
pendent," which paper he conducted and edited 
up to January, 1893. In 1888 he was elected to 
the lower house of the Legislature and re-elected 
in 1890. As a legislator he was prominent as a 
champion of the labor interest. In 1893 he was 
nominated and elected Lieutenant-Governor on 
the Democratic ticket, serving from January, 
1893, to '97. 

GILLESPIE, a village of Macoupin County, on 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway, 10 miles southwest of Litchfield. This 
is an agricultural, coal-mining and stock-raising 
region ; the town has a bank and a newspaper. 
Population (1890), 948; (1900), 873. 

GILLESPIE, Joseph, lawyer and Judge, was 
born in New York City, August 22, 1809, of Irish 
parents, who removed to Illinois in 1819, settling 
on a farm near Edwardsville. After coming to 
Illinois, at 10 years, he did not attend school over 
two months. In 1827 he went to the lead mines 
at Galena, remaining until 1829. In 1831, at the 
invitation of Cyrus Edwards, he began the study 
of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1837, 
having been elected Probate Judge in 1836. He 
also served during two campaigns (1831 and '32) 
in the Black Hawk War. He was a Whig in 
politics and a warm personal friend of Abraham 
Lincoln. In 1840 he was elected to the lower 
house of the Legislature, serving one term, and 
was a member of the State Senate from 1847 to 
1859. In 1853 he received the few votes of the 



Whig members of the Legislature for United States 
Senator, in opposition to Stephen A. Douglas, 
and, in 1860, presided over the second Republican 
State Convention at Decatur, at which elements 
were set in motion which resulted in the nomi- 
nation of Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency 
for the first time, a week later. In 1861 he was 
elected Judge of the Twenty-fourth Judicial 
Circuit, and re-elected in 1867 for a second term, 
serving until 1873. Died, at his home at Edwards- 
ville, Jan. 7, 1885. 

GILLETT, John Dean, agriculturist and stock- 
man, was born in Connecticut, April 28, 1819; 
spent several years of his youth in Georgia, but, 
in 1838, came to Illinois by way of St. Louis, 
finally reaching "Bald Knob," in Logan County, 
where an uncle of the same name resided. Here 
he went to work, and, by frugality and judicious 
investments, finally acquired a large body of 
choice lands, adding to his agricultural operations 
the rearing and feeding of stock for the Chicago 
and foreign markets. In this he was remarkably 
successful. In his later years he was President 
of a National Bank at Lincoln. At the time of 
his death, August 27, 1888, he was the owner of 
16,500 acres of improved lands in the vicinity of 
Elkhart, Logan County, besides large herds of 
fine stock, both cattle and horses. He left a large 
family, one of his daughters being the wife of 
the late Senator Richard J. Oglesbj . 

GILLETT, Philip Goode, specialist and edu- 
cator, born in Madison, Ind., March 24, 1833; was 
educated at Asbury University, Greencastle, Ind., 
graduating in 1852, and the same year became an 
instructor in the Institution for the Education of 
the Deaf and Dumb in that State. In 1856 he 
became Principal of the Illinois Institution for 
the Education of the Deaf and Dumb at Jackson- 
ville, remaining there until 1893, when he 
resigned. Thereafter, for some years, he was 
President of the Association for the Promotion of 
Speech by the Deaf, with headquarters in Wash- 
ington, D. C, but later returned to Jacksonville, 
where he has since been living in retirement. 

GILLHAM, Daniel B., agriculturist and legis- 
lator, was born at a place now called Wanda, in 
Madison County, 111., April 29, 1826— his father 
being a farmer and itinerant Methodist preacher, 
who belonged to one of the pioneer families in 
the American Bottom at an early day. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was educated in the common 
schools and at McKendree College, but did not 
graduate from the latter. In his early life he 
followed the vocation of a farmer and stock- 
grower in one of the most prosperous and highly 



202 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



cultivated portions of the American Bottom, a 
few miles below Alton, but, in 1872, removed to 
Alton, where he spent the remainder of his life. 
He became a member of the State Board of Agri- 
culture in 1866, serving eight years as Superin- 
tendent and later as its President; was also a 
Trustee of Shurtleff College some twenty-five 
years, and for a time President of the Board. In 
1870 he was elected to the lower branch of the 
Twenty-seventh General Assembly, and to the 
State Senate in 1882, serving a term of four years 
in the latter. On the night of March 17, 1890, he 
was assaulted by a burglar in his house, receiving 
a wound from a pistol-shot in consequence of 
which he died, April 6, following. The identity 
of his assailant was never disco\-ered, and the 
crime consequently went unpunished. 

GILMAN, a city in Iroquois County, at the 
intersection of the Illinois Central and the To- 
ledo, Peoria & Western Railways, 81 miles south 
by west from Chicago and 208 miles northeast 
of St. Louis. It is in the heart of one of the 
richest corn districts of the State and has large 
stock-raising and fruit-growing interests. It has 
an opera house, a public library, an extensive 
nursery, brick and tile works, a linseed oil mill, 
two banks and two weekly newspapers. Arte- 
sian well water is obtained by boring from 90 to 
200 feet. Population (1890), 1,112; (1900), 1,441. 

GILMAN, Arthur, was born at Alton, 111., June 
22, 1837, the son of Winthrop S. Oilman, of the 
firm of Gilman & Godfrey, in whose warehouse 
the printing press of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy was 
stored at the time of its destruction by a mob in 
1837 ; was educated in St. Louis and New York, 
began business as a banker in 1857, but, in 1870, 
removed to Cambridge, Mass., and connected 
himself with "The Riverside Press." Mr. Gilman 
was one of the prime movers in what is known as 
"The Harvard Annex" in the interest of equal 
collegiate advantages for women, and has written 
much for the periodical press, besides publishing 
a number of volumes in the line of history and 
English literature. 

GILMAN, CLINTON & SPRINGFIELD RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Hlmois Central Railroad. ) 

GIRARD, a city in Macoupin County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad, 25 miles south by west 
from Springfield and 13 miles north-northeast of 
Carlinville. Coal-mining is carried on extensively 
here. The city also has a bank, five churches 
and a weekly newspaper. Population (1880), 
1.024; (1890), 1,524; (1900), 1,661. 

GLENCOE, a village of Cook County, on the 
Milwaukee Division of the Chicago & Northwest- 



ern Railway, 19 miles north of Chicago. Popu- 
lation (1880), 387; (1890), 569; (1900), 1,020. 

GLENN, Archibald A., ex-Lieutenant-Governor, 
was born in Nicholas County, Ky., Jan. 30, 1819. 
In 1828 his father's family removed to Illinois, 
settling first ill Vermilion, and later in Schuyler 
County. At the age of 13, being forced to 
abandon school, for six years he worked upon the 
farm of his widowed mother, and, at 19. entered 
a printing office at Rushville, where he learned 
the trade of compositor. In 1844 he published a 
Whig campaign paper, which was discontinued 
after the defeat of Henry Clay. For eleven 
years he was Circuit Clerk of Brown County, 
during which period he was admitted to the bar ; 
was a member of the Constitutional Convention 
o r ' 1862, and of the State Board of Equalization 
from 1868 to 1872. The latter year he was elected 
to the State Senate for four years, and, in 1875, 
chosen its President, thus becoming ex-officio 
Lieutenant-Governor. He early abandoned legal 
practice to engage in banking and in mercan- 
tile investment. After the expiration of his term 
in the Senate, he removed to Kansas, where, at 
latest advices, he still resided. 

GLENN, John J., lawyer and jurist, was born 
in Ashland County, Ohio, March 2, 1831; gradu- 
ated from Miami University in 1856 and, in 1858. 
was admitted to the bar at Terre Haute, Ind. 
Removing to Illinois in 1860, he settled in Mercer 
County, a year later removing to Monmouth in 
Warren County, where he still resides. In 1877 
he was elected Judge of the Tenth Judicial Cir- 
cuit and re-elected in 1879, '85, "91, and '97. 
After his last election he served for some time, 
by appointment of the Supreme Court, as a mem- 
ber of the Appellate Court for the Springfield 
District, but ultimately resigned and returned to 
Circuit Court duty. His reputation as a cool- 
headed, impartial Judge stands very high, and his 
name has been favorably regarded for a place on 
the Supreme Bench. 

GLOVER, Joseph Otis, lawyer, was born in 
Cayuga County, N. Y., April 13, 1810, and edu- 
cated in the high-school at Aurora in that State. 
In 1835 he came west to attend to a land case at 
Galena for his father, and, although not then a 
lawyer, he managed the case so successfully that 
he was asked to take charge of two others. This 
determined the bent of his mind towards the law, 
to the study of which he turned his attention 
under the preceptorship of the late Judge The- 
ophilus L. Dickey, then of Ottawa. Soon after 
being admitted to the bar in 1840, he formed a 
partnership with the late Burton C. Cook, whioh 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



203 



lasted over thirty years. In 1846 he was elected 
as a Democrat to the lower branch of the Fif- 
teenth General Assembly, but, on the repeal of 
the Missouri Compromise, he became one of the 
founders of the Republican party and a close 
friend of Abraham Lincoln, whom he entertained, 
at the time of his (Lincoln's) debate with Senator 
Douglas, at Ottawa, in 1858. In 1868 he served 
as Presidential Elector at the time of General 
Grant's first election to the Presidency, and the 
following year was appointed United States Dis- 
trict Attorney for the Northern District, serving 
until 1875. In 1877 he was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Cullom a member of the Board of Railway 
and Canal Commissioners, of which he afterwards 
became President, serving six years. Died, in 
Chicago, Dec. 10, 1892. 

GODFREY, a village of Madison County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railway, 5 miles north of Alton. 
It is the seat of Monticello Female Seminary, and 
named for Capt. Benjamin Godfrey, an early 
settler who was chiefly instrumental in founding 
that institution. Population (1890), 228. 

GODFREY, (Capt.) Benjamin, sea captain and 
philanthropist, was born at Chatham, Mass., Dec. 
4, 1794 ; at nine years of age he ran away from 
home and went to sea, his first voyage being to 
Ireland, where he spent nine years. The War of 
1812 coming on, he returned home, spending a 
part of the next three years in the naval service, 
also gaining a knowledge of the science of navi- 
gation. Later, he became master of a merchant- 
vessel making voyages to Italy, Spain, the West 
Indies and other countries, finally, by shipwreck 
in Cuban waters, losing the bulk of his fortune. 
In 1824 he engaged in mercantile business at 
Matamoras, Mex., where he accumulated a hand- 
some fortune ; but, in transferring it (amounting 
to some $200,000 in silver) across the country on 
pack-animals, he was attacked and robbed by 
brigands, with which that country was then 
infested. Resuming business at New Orleans, he 
was again successful, and, in 1832, came north, 
locating near Alton, 111., the next year engaging 
in the warehouse and commission business as the 
partner of Winthrop S. Gilman, under the name 
of Godfrey & Gilman. It was in the warehouse 
of this firm at Alton that the printing-press of 
Elijah P. Lovejoy was stored when it was seized 
and destroyed by a mob, and Lovejoy was killed, 
in October, 1837. (See Lovejoy, Elijah P. ) Soon 
after establishing himself at Alton, Captain God- 
frey made a donation of land and money for the 
erection of a young ladies' seminary at the village 
of Godfrey, four miles from Alton. (See Monti- 



cello Female Seminary.) The first cost of the 
erection of buildings, borne by him, was $53,000. 
The institution was opened, April 11, 1838, and 
Captain Godfrey continued to be one of its Trustees 
as long as he lived. He was also one of the lead- 
ing spirits in the construction of the Alton & 
Springfield Railroad (now a part of the Chicago 
& Alton), in which he invested heavily and un- 
profitably. Died, at Godfrey, April 13, 1862. 

GOLCONDA, a village and county-seat of Pope 
County, on the Ohio River, 80 miles northeast 
of Cairo; located in agricultural and mining dis- 
trict; zinc, lead and kaolin mined in the vicinity; 
has a courthouse, eight churches, schools, one 
bank, a newspaper, a box factory, flour and saw 
mills, and a fluor-spar factory. It is the termi- 
nus of a branch of the Illinois Central Railroad. 
Population (1890), 1,174: (1900), 1,140. 

GOLDZIER, Julias, ex-Congressman, was 
born at Vienna, Austria, Jan. 20, 1854, and 
emigrated to New York in 1866. In 1872 he 
settled in Chicago, where he was admitted 
to the bar in 1877, and where he has practiced 
law ever since. From 1890 to 1892 he was a 
member of the Chicago City Council, and, in 
1892, was the successful Democratic candidate 
in the Fourth District, for Congress, but was 
defeated in 1894 by Edward D. Cooke. At the 
Chicago city election of 1899 he was again re- 
turned to the Council as Alderman for the Thirty- 
second Ward. 

GOODING, James, pioneer, was born about 
1767, and, in 1832, was residing at Bristol, Ontario 
County, N. Y\, when he removed to Cook County, 
111 , settling in what was later called "Gooding's 
Grove," now a part of Will County. The Grove 
was also called the "Yankee Settlement," from 
the Eastern origin of the principal settlers. Mr. 
Gooding was accompanied, or soon after joined, by 
three sons — James, Jr., William and Jasper — and 
a nephew, Charles Gooding, all of whom became 
prominent citizens. The senior Gooding died in 
1849, at the age of 82 years. — William (Gooding), 
civil engineer, son of the preceding, was born at 
Bristol, Ontario County, N. Y., April 1, 1S03; 
educated in the common schools and by private 
tuition, after which he divided his time chiefly 
between teaching and working on the farm of 
his father, James Gooding. Having devoted 
considerable attention to surveying and civil 
engineering, he obtained employment in 1826 on 
the Welland Canal, where he remained three years. 
He then engaged in mercantile pursuits at Lock- 
port, N. Y., but sold out at the end of the first 
year and went to Ohio to engage in his profession. 



204 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Being unsuccessful in this, he accepted employ- 
ment for a time as a rodman, but later secured a 
position as Assistant Engineer on the Ohio Canal. 
After a brief visit to his father's in 1832, he 
returned to Ohio and engaged in business there 
for a short time, but the following year joined 
his father, who had previously settled in a portion 
of what is now Will County, but then Cook, mak- 
ing the trip by the first mail steamer around the 
lakes. He at first settled at "Gooding's Grove" 
and engaged in farming. In 1836 he was ap- 
pointed Assistant Engineer on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, but, in 1842, became Chief Engi- 
neer, continuing in that position until the com- 
pletion of the canal in 1848, when he became 
Secretary of the Canal Board. Died, at Lockport, 
Will County, in May, 1878. 

GOODRICH, Grant, lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Milton, Saratoga, County, N. Y., August 
7, 1811; grew up in Western New York, studied 
law and came to Chicago in 1834, becoming one 
of the most prominent and reputable members of 
his profession, as well as a leader in many of the 
movements for the educational, moral and reli- 
gious advancement of the community. He was 
one of the founders of the First Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of Chicago, an active member of 
the Union Defense Committee during the war, an 
incorporator and life- long Trustee of the North- 
western University, and President of the Board 
of Trustees of Garrett Biblical Institute, besides 
being identified with many organizations of a 
strictly benevolent character. In 1859 Judge 
Goodrich was elected a Judge of the newly organ- 
ized Superior Court, but, at the end of his term, 
resumed the practice of his profession. Died, 
March 15, 1889. 

GORE, David, ex-State Auditor, was born in 
Trigg County, Ky., Aprils, 1827; came with his 
parents to Madison County, 111. , in 1834, and served 
in the Mexican War as a Quartermaster, afterwards 
locating in Macoupin County, where he has been 
extensively engaged in farming. In 1874 he was 
an unsuccessful Greenback-Labor candidate for 
State Treasurer, in 1884 was elected to the State 
Senate from the Macoupin-Morgan District, and, 
in 1892, nominated and elected, as a Democrat, 
Auditor of Public Accounts, serving until 1897. 
For some sixteen years he was a member of the 
State Board of Agriculture, the last two years of 
that period being its President. His home is at 
Carlinville. 

GOUDT, Calvin, early printer and physician, 
was born in Ohio, June 2, 1814; removed with 
his parents, in childhood, to Indianapolis, and 



in 1832 to Vandalia, 111., where he worked in the 
State printing office and bindery. In the fall of 
1833 the family removed to Jacksonville, and the 
following year he entered Illinois College, being 
for a time a college-mate of Richard Yates, after- 
wards Governor. Here he continued his vocation 
as a printer, working for a time on "Peck's 
Gazetteer of Illinois" and "Goudy's Almanac," 
of which his father was publisher. In association 
with a brother while in Jacksonville, he began 
the publication of "The Common School Advo- 
cate," the pioneer publication of its kind in the 
Northwest, which was continued for about a 
year. Later he studied medicine with Drs. Henry 
and Merriman in Springfield, finally graduating 
at the St. Louis Medical College and, in 1844. 
began practice at Taylorville; in 1847 was elected 
Probate Judge of Christian County for a term of 
four years; in 1851 engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness, which he continued nineteen years. In 1856 
he was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly and, in the session of the following 
year, was a leading supporter of the act estab- 
lishing the State Normal School at Normal, still 
later serving for some sixteen years on the State 
Board of Education. Died, at Taylorville, in 
1877. Dr. Goudy was an older brother of the late 
William C. Goudy of Chicago. 

GOUDT, William C, lawyer, was born in 
Indiana, May 15, 1824; came to Illinois, with his 
father, first to Vandalia and afterwards to Jack- 
sonville, previous to 1833, where the latter began 
the publication of "The Farmer's Almanac" — a 
well-known publication of that time. At Jack- 
sonville young Goudy entered Illinois College, 
graduating in 1845, when he began the study of 
law with Judge Stephen T. Logan, of Springfield; 
was admitted to the bar in 1847, and the next year 
began practice at Lewistown, Fulton Count}' ; 
served as State's Attorney (1852-55) and as State 
Senator (1856-60) ; at the close of his term re- 
moved to Chicago, where he became prominent 
as a corporation and railroad lawyer, in 1886 be- 
coming General Solicitor of the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad. During President Cleveland's 
first term, Mr. Goudy was believed to exert a 
large influence with the administration, and was 
credited with having been largely instrumental 
in securing the appointment of his partner, Mel- 
ville W. Fuller, Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court. Died, April 27, 1893. 

GRAFF, Joseph V., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born at Terre Haute, Ind., July 1, 1854; after 
graduating from the Terre Haute high-school, 
spent one year in Wabash College at Crawfords- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



205 



ville, but did not graduate ; studied law and was 
admitted to the bar at Delavan, 111., in 1879; in 
1892 was a delegate to the Republican National 
Convention at Minneapolis, but, with the excep- 
tion of President of the Board of Education, 
never held any public office until elected to Con- 
gress from the Fourteenth Illinois District, as a 
Republican, in November, 1894. Mr. Graff was a 
successful candidate for re-election in 1896, and 
again in '98. 

GRAFTON, a town in Jersey County, situated 
on the Mississippi one and a half miles below the 
mouth of the Illinois River. The bluffs are high 
and fine river views are obtainable. A fine 
quality of fossiliferous limestone is quarried here 
and exported by the river. The town has a 
bank, three churches and a graded school Pop- 
ulation (1880), 807, (1890), 927; (1900), 988. 

GRAIN INSPECTION, a mode of regulating 
the grain-trade in accordance with State law, and 
under the general supervision of the Railroad and 
Warehouse Commission. The principal exec- 
utive officer of the department is the Chief 
Inspector of Grain, the expenses of whose adminis- 
tration are borne by fees. The chief business of 
the inspection department is transacted in Chi- 
cago, where the principal offices are located. (See 
Railroad and Warehouse Commission.) 

GRAMMAR, John, pioneer and early legislator, 
came to Southern Illinois at a very early date and 
served as a member of the Third Territorial 
Council for Johnson County (1816-18); was a 
citizen of Union County when it was organized 
in 1818, and served as State Senator from that 
county in the Third and Fourth General Assem- 
blies (1822-26), and again in the Seventh and 
Eighth General Assemblies (1830-34), for the Dis- 
trict composed of Union, Johnson and Alexander 
Counties. He is described as having been very 
illiterate, but a man of much shrewdness and 
considerable influence. 

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, a fra- 
ternal, charitable and patriotic association, 
limited to men who served in the Union army or 
navy during the Civil "War, and received hon- 
orable discharge. Its founder was Dr. B. F. 
Stephenson, who served as Surgeon of the Four- 
teenth Illinois Infantry. In this task he had 
the cooperation of Rev. William J Rutledge, 
Chaplain of the same regiment, Col. John M. 
Snyder, Dr. James Hamilton, Maj. Robert M. 
Woods, Maj. Robert Allen, Col. Martin Flood, 
Col. Daniel Grass, Col. Edward Prince, Capt. 
John S. Phelps, Capt. John A. Lightfoot, Col. 
B. F. Smith, Maj. A. A. North, Capt. Henry E. 



Howe, and Col. B. F. Hawkes, all Illinois veter- 
ans. Numerous conferences were held at Spring- 
field, in this State, a ritual was prepared, and the 
first post was chartered at Decatur, 111., April 6. 
1866. The charter members were Col. I. C. Pugh, 
George R. Steele, J. W. Routh, Joseph Prior, 
J. H. Nale, J. T. Bishop, G. H. Dunning, B. F. 
Sibley, M. F. Kanan, C. Reibsame, I. N. Coltrin, 
and Aquila Toland. All but one of these had 
served in Illinois regiments. At first, the work 
of organization proceeded slowly, the ex-soldiers 
generally being somewhat doubtful of the result 
of the project; but, before July 12, 1866, the date 
fixed for the assembling of a State Convention to 
form the Department of Illinois, thirty-nine posts 
had been chartered, and, by 1869, there were 330 
reported in Illinois. By October, 1866, Depart- 
ments had been formed in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, and posts established 
in Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Massa- 
chusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and the 
District of Columbia, and the first National 
Encampment was held at Indianapolis, November 
20 of that year. In 1894 there were 7,500 posts, 
located in every State and Territory of the Union, 
with a membership of 450,000. The scheme of 
organization provides for precinct, State and 
National bodies. The first' are known as posts, 
each having a number, to which the name of 
some battle or locality, or of some deceased soldier 
may be prefixed ; the second (State organizations) 
are known as Departments; and the supreme 
power of the Order is vested in the National En- 
campment, which meets annually. As has been 
said, the G. A. R. had its inception in Illinois. 
The aim and dream of Dr. Stephenson and his 
associates was to create a grand organization of 
veterans which, through its cohesion, no less than 
its incisiveness, should constitute a potential fac- 
tor in the inculcation and development of patriot- 
ism as well as mutual support. While he died 
sorrowing that he had not seen the fruition of 
his hopes, the present has witnessed the fullest 
realization of his dream. (See Stephenson, B. F. ) 
The constitution of the order expressly prohibits 
any attempt to use the organization for partisan 
purposes, or even the discussion, at any meeting, 
of partisan questions. Its aims are to foster and 
strengthen fraternal feelings among members ; to 
assist comrades needing help or protection and 
aid comrades' widows and orphans, and to incul- 
cate unswerving loyalty. The "Woman's Relief 
Corps" is an auxiliary organization, originating 
at Portland, Maine, in 1869. The following is a list 
of Illinois Department Commanders, chionolog- 



20(3 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ically arranged: B. F. Stephenson (Provisional, 
1866), John M. Palmer (1866-68), Thomas O. 
Osborne (1869-70), Charles E. Lippincott (1871), 
Hubert Dilger (1872), Guy T. Gould (1873), Hiram 
Hilliard (1874-76), Joseph S. Reynolds (1877), 
T. B. Coulter (1878), Edgar D. Swain (1879-80), 
J. W. Burst (1881), Thomas G. Lawler (1882), 
S. A. Harper (1883), L. T. Diekason (1884), 
William W. Berry (1885), Philip Sidney Post 
(1886), A. C. Sweetser (1887), James A. Sexton 
(1888), James S. Martin (1889), William L. Distin 
(1890), Horace S. Clark (1891), Edwin Harlan 
(1892), Edward A. Blodgett (1893), H. H. 
McDowell (1894), W. H. Powell (1895), William 
G. Cochran (1896), A. L. Schimpff (1897), John 
C. Black (1898), John B. Inman (1S99). The fol- 
lowing Illinoisans have held the position of Com- 
mander-in-Chief: S. A. Hurlbut, (two terms) 
1866-67; John A. Logan, (three terms) 1868-70; 
Thomas G. Lawler, 1894 ; James A. Sexton, 1898. 

GRAND PRAIRIE SEMINARY, a co-educa- 
tional institution at Onarga, Iroquois County, in- 
corporated in 1863 ; had a faculty of eleven teach- 
ers in 1897-98, with 285 pupils— 145 male and 140 
female. It reports an endowment of §10,000 and 
property valued at S55.000. Besides the usual 
classical and scientific departments, instruction 
is given in music, oratory, fine arts and prepara- 
tory studies. 

GRAND TOWER, a town in Jackson County, 
situated on the Mississippi River, 27 miles south- 
west of Carbondale ; the western terminus of the 
Grand Tower & Carbondale Railroad. It received 
its name from a high, rocky island, lying in the 
river opposite the village. It has four churches, 
a weekly newspaper, and two blast furnaces for 
iron. Population (1890), 624; (1900), 881. 

GRAND TOWER & CAPE GIRARDEAU 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago & Texas Railroad.) 

GRAND TOWER & CARBONDALE RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago & Texas Railroad.) 

GRANGER, Flavel K., lawyer, farmer and 
legislator, was born in Wayne County, N. Y., 
May 16, 1832, educated in public schools at Sodus 
in the same State, and settled at Waukegan, 111. , 
in 1853. Here, having studied law, he was 
admitted to the bar in 1855, removing to McIIenry 
County the same year, and soon after engaging in 
the live-stock and wool business. In 1872 he was 
elected as a Republican Representative in the 
Twenty-eighth General Assembly, being succes- 
sively re-elected to the Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth 
and Thirty-first, and being chosen Temporary 
Speaker of the Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth. He 
is now a member of the State Senate for trie 



Eighth District, having been elected in 1896. His 
home is at West McHenry. 

GRANT, Alexander Fraeser, early lawyer and 
jurist, was born at Inverness, Scotland, in 1804; 
came to Illinois at an early day and located at 
Shawneetown, where he studied law with Henry 
Eddy, the pioneer lawyer and editor of that place. 
Mr. Grant is described as a man of marked abilit}', 
as were many of the early settlers of that region. 
In February, 1835, he was elected by the General 
Assembly Judge for the Third Circuit, as succes- 
sor to his preceptor, Mr. Eddy, but served only a 
few months, dying at Vandalia the same year. 

GRANT, Ulysses Simpson, (originally Hiram 
Ulysses), Lieutenant - General and President, 
was born at Point Pleasant, Clermont County, 
Ohio, April 27, 1822 ; graduated from West 
Point Military Academy, in 1843, and served 
through the Mexican War. After a short resi- 
dence at St. Louis, he became a resident of Galena 
in 1860. His war-record is a glorious part of the 
Nation's history. Entering the service of the 
State as a clerk in the office of the Quartermaster- 
General at Springfield, soon after the breaking out 
of the war in 1861, and still later serving as a 
drill-master at Camp Yates, in June following he 
was commissioned by Governor Yates Colonel of 
the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteers, which he 
immediately led into the field in the State of 
Missouri ; was soon after promoted to a Brigadier- 
Generalship and became a full Major-General of 
Volunteers on the fall of Forts Donelson and 
Henry, in February following. His successes at 
Fort Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hill, and Big 
Black River, ending with the capture of Vicks- 
burg, were the leading victories of the Union 
armies in 1863. His successful defense of Chat- 
tanooga was also one of his victories in the West 
in the same year. Commissioned a Major-General 
of the Regular Army after the fall of Vicksburg, 
he became Lieutenant-General in 1864, and, in 
Marcli of that year, assumed command of all the 
Northern armies. Taking personal command of 
the Army of the Potomac, he directed the cam- 
paign against Richmond, which resulted in the 
final evacuation and downfall of the Confederate 
capital and the surrender of General Lee at 
Appomattox on April 8, 1865. In July, 1866, he 
was made General — the office being created for 
him. He also served as Secretary of War, ad 
interim, under President Johnson, from Au- 
gust, 1867, to January, 1868. In 1868 he was 
elected President of the United States and re- 
elected in 1872. His administration may not 
have been free from mistakes, but it was charae- 







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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



207 



terized by patriotism and integrity of purpose. 
During 1877-79 he made a tour of the world, being 
received everywhere with the highest honors. In 
1880 his friends made an unsuccessful effort to 
secure his renomination as a Presidential candi- 
date on the Republican ticket. Died, at Mount 
McGregor, N. Y., July 23, 1885. His chief literary 
work was his "Memoirs" (two volumes, 1885-86), 
which was very extensively sold. 

GRAPE CREEK, a surburban mining village in 
Vermilion County, on the Big Vermilion River 
and the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, six 
miles south of Danville. The chief industry is 
coal mining, which is extensively carried on. 
Population (1890), 778; (1900), G10 

GRATIOT, Charles, of Huguenot parentage, 
born at Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1752. After 
receiving a mercantile training in the counting 
house of an uncle in London, lie emigrated to 
Canada, entering the employ of another uncle at 
Montreal. He first came to the "Illinois Coun- 
try" in 1775, as an Indian trader, remaining one 
year. In 1777 he returned ana formed a partner- 
ship with David McRae and John Kay, two young 
Scotchmen from Montreal. He established depots 
at Cahokia and Kaskaskia. Upon the arrival of 
Col. George Rogers Clark, in 1778, he rendered 
that commander material financial assistance, 
becoming personally responsible for the supplies 
needed by the penniless American army. When 
the transfer of sovereignty took place at St. 
Louis, on March 10, 1804, and Louisiana Territory 
became a part of the United States, it was from 
the balcony of his house that the first American 
flag was unfurled in Upper Louisiana. In recom- 
pense for his liberal expenditure, he was promised 
30,000 acres of land near the present site of 
Louisville, but this he never received. Died, at 
St. Louis, April 21, 1817. 

GRAVIER, Father Jacques, a Jesuit mission- 
ary, born in France, but at what date cannot be 
stated with certainty. After some years spent in 
Canada he was sent by his ecclesiastical superiors 
to the Illinois Mission (1688), succeeding Allouez 
as Superior two years later, and being made 
Vicar-General in 1691. He labored among the 
Miamis, Peorias and Kaskaskias— his most numer- 
ous conversions being among the latter tribe — as 
also among the Cahokias, Osages, Tamaroas and 
Missouris. It is said to have been largely through 
his influence that the Illinois were induced to 
settle at Kaskaskia instead of going south. In 
1705 he received a severe wound during an attack 
by the Illinois Indians, incited, if not actually 
led, by one of their medicine men. It is said 



that he visited Paris for treatment, but failed 
to find a cure. Accounts of his death vary as 
to time and plane, but all agree that it resulted 
from the wound above mentioned. Some of his 
biographers assert that he died at sea; others 
that he returned from France, yet suffering from 
the Indian poison, to Louisiana in February, 
1708, and died near Mobile, Ala., the same year. 

GRAY, Elisha, electrician and inventor, was 
born at Barnesville, Ohio, August 2, 1835; after 
serving as an apprentice at various trades, took a 
course at Oberlin College, devoting especial 
attention to the physical sciences, meanwhile 
supporting himself by manual labor. In 1865 he 
began his career as an electrician and, in 1867, 
received his first patent ; devised a method of 
transmitting telephone signals, and, in 1875, suc- 
ceeded in transmitting four messages simultane- 
ously on one wire to New York and Boston, a 
year later accomplishing the same with eight, 
messages to New York and Philadelphia. Pro- 
fessor Gray has invented a telegraph switch, a 
repeater, enunciator and type-writing telegraph. 
From 1869 to '73 he was employed in the manu- 
facture of telegraph apparatus at Cleveland and 
Chicago, but has since been electrician of the 
Western Electric Company of Chicago. His latest 
invention, the "telautograph" — for reproducing 
by telegraph the handwriting of the sender 
of a telegram — attracted great interest at the 
World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. He is 
author of "Telegraphy and Telephony" and 
"Experimental Researches in Electro-Harmonic 
Telegraphy and Telephony." 

GRAY, William C, Ph.D., editor, was born in 
Butler County, Ohio, in 1830; graduated from 
the Farmers' (now Belmont) College in 1850, 
read law and began secular editorial work in 
1852, being connected, in the next fourteen years, 
with "The Tiffin Tribune," "Cleveland Herald" 
and "Newark American." Then, after several 
years spent in general publishing business in 
Cincinnati, after the great fire of 1871 he came to 
Chicago, to take charge of "The Interior," the 
organ of the Presbyterian Church, which he has 
since conducted. The success of the paper under 
his management affords the best evidence of his 
practical good sense. He holds the degree of 
Ph.D., received from Wooster University in 1881. 

GRAYYILLE, a city situated on the border of 
White and Edwards Counties, lying chiefly in 
the former, on the Wabash River, 35 miles north- 
west of Evansville, Ind., 16 miles northeast of 
Carmi, and forty miles southwest of Vincennes. 
It is located in the heart of a heavily timbered 



208 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



region and is an important hard-wood market. 
Valuable coal deposits exist. The industries in- 
clude floui-, saw and planing mills, stave factories 
and creamery. The city has an electric light 
and water plant, two banks, eight churches, and 
two weekly papers. Population ^1900), 1,948. 

GRAYYILLE & MATTOON RAILROAD. (See 
Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Railway.) 

GREATHOUSE, Lucien, soldier, was born at 
Carlinville, 111., in 1843; graduated at Illinois 
Wesleyan University, Bloomington. and studied 
law ; enlisted as a private at the beginning of the 
War of the Rebellion and rose to the rank of 
Colonel of the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteers; 
bore a conspicuous part in the movements of the 
Army of the Tennessee ; was killed in battle near 
Atlanta, Ga., June 21, 1864. 

GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD (of 1843 and 
'49). (See Illinois Central Railroad.) 

GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD (2). (See 
Wabash Railway.) 

GREEN RIVER, rises in Lee County, and, 
after draining part of Bureau County, flows west- 
ward through Henry County, and enters Rock 
River about 10 miles east by south from. Rock 
Island. It is nearly 120 miles long. 

GREEN, William H., State Senator and Judge, 
was born at Danville, Ky., Dec. 8, 1830. In 1847 
he accompanied his father's family to Illinois, 
and, for three years following, taught school, at 
the same time reading law. He was admitted to 
the bar in 1852 and began practice at Mount 
Vernon, removing to Metropolis the next year, 
and to Cairo in 1863. In 1858 he was elected to 
the lower house of the General Assembly, was 
re-elected in 1860 and, two years later, was 
elected to the State Senate for four years. In 
December, 1865, he was elected Judge of the 
Third Judicial Circuit, to fill the unexpired term 
of Judge Mulkey, retiring with the expiration of 
nis term in 1867. He was a delegate to the 
National Democratic Conventions of 1860, '64, 
68, '80, '84 and '88, besides being for many years 
a member of the State Central Committee of that 
party, and also, for four terms, a member of the 
State Board of Education, of which he has been 
for several years the President. He is at present 
(1899) engaged in the practice of his profession at 
Cairo. 

GREENE, Henry Sacheveral, attorney, was 
born in the North of Ireland, July, 1833, brought 
to Canada at five years of age, and from nine com- 
pelled to support himself, sometimes as a clerk 
and at others setting type in a printing office. 
After spending some time in Western New York, 



in 1853 he commenced the study of law at Dan- 
ville, Ind.. with Hugh Crea, now of Decatur, 111. ; 
four years later settled at Clinton, DeWitt 
County, where he taught and studied law with 
Lawrence Weldon, now of the Court of Claims, 
Washington. In 1859 he was admitted to the bar 
at Springfield, on the motion of Abraham Lin- 
coln, and was associated in practice, for a time, 
with Hon. Clifton H. Moore of Clinton; later 
served as Prosecuting Attorney and one term 
(1867-69) as Representative in the General Assem- 
bly. At the close of his term in the Legislature 
he removed to Springfield, forming a law partner- 
ship with Milton Hay and David T. Littler, under 
the firm name of Hay, Greene & Littler, still later 
becoming the head of the firm of Greene & 
Humphrey. From the date of his removal to 
Springfield, for some thirty years his chief employ- 
ment was as a corporation lawyer, for the most 
part in the service of the Chicago & Alton and 
the Wabash Railways. His death occurred at his 
home in Springfield, after a protracted illness, 
Feb. 25, 1899. Of recognized ability, thoroughly 
devoted to his profession, high minded and honor- 
able in all his dealings, he commanded respect 
wherever he was known. 

GREENE, William G., pioneer, was born in 
Tennessee in 1812 ; came to Illinois in 1822 with 
his father (Bowling Greene), who settled in the 
vicinity of New Salem, now in Menard County. 
The younger Greene was an intimate friend and 
fellow-student, at Illinois College, of Richard 
Yates (afterwards Governor), and also an early 
friend and admirer of Abraham Lincoln, under 
whom he held an appointment in Utah for some 
years. He died at Tallula, Menard County, in 
1894. 

GREENFIELD, a city in the eastern part of 
Greene County, on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy and the Quincy, Carrollton & St. Louis 
Railways, 12 miles east of Carrollton and 55 miles 
north of St. Louis; is an agricultural, coal-mining 
and stock-raising region. The city has several 
churches, public schools, a seminary, electric 
light plant, steam flouring mill, and one weekly 
paper. It is an important shipping point for 
cattle, horses, swine, corn, grain and produce. 
Population (1890), 1,131; (1900), 1,085. 

GREENE COUNTY, cut off from Madison and 
separately organized in 1821 ; has an area of 544 
square miles; population (1900), 23,402; named 
for Gen. Nathaniel Greene, a Revolutionary sol- 
dier. The soil and climate are varied and adapted 
to a diversity of products, wheat and fruit being 
among the principal. Building stone and clay 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



209 



are abundant. Probably the first English-speak- 
ing settlers were David Stockton and James 
Whiteside, who located south of Macoupin Creek 
in June, 1817. Samuel Thomas and others 
(among them Gen. Jacob Fry) followed soon 
afterward. The Indians were numerous and 
aggressive, and had destroyed not a few of the 
monuments of the Government surveys, erected 
some years before. Immigration of the whites, 
however, was rapid, and it was not long before 
the nucleus of a village was established at Car- 
rollton, where General Fry erected the first house 
and made the first coffin needed in the settle- 
ment. This town, the county-seat aud most 
important place in the county, was laid off by 
Thomas Carlin in 1821. Other flourishing towns 
are Whitehall (population, 1,961). and Roodhouse 
(an important railroad center) with a population 
of 2,360. 

GREENUP, villasre of Cumberland County, at 
intersection of the Vandalia Line and Evansville 
branch III. Cent. Ry. ; in farming and fruit- 
growing region; has powder mill, bank, broom 
factory, five churches, public library and good 
schools. Population (1890), 858; (1900), 1,085. 

GREENVIEW, a village in Menard County, on 
the Jacksonville branch of the Chicago & Alton 
Railroad, 22 miles north-northwest of Springfield 
and 36 miles northeast of Jacksonville. It has a 
coal mine, bank, two weekly papers, seven 
churches, and a graded and high school. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,106; (1900), 1,019; (1903), 1,245. 

GREENVILLE, an incorporated city, the 
county-seat of Bond County, on the East Fork of 
Big Shoal Creek and the St. Louis, Vandalia & 
Terre Haute Railroad, 50 miles east-northeast of 
St. Louis ; is in a rich agricultural and coal-min- 
ing region. Corn and wheat are raised exten- 
sively in the surrounding country, and there are 
extensive coal mines adjacent to the city. The 
leading manufacturing product is in the line of 
wagons. It is the seat of Greenville College (a 
coeducational institution); has several banks and 
three weekly newspapers. Population (1890), 
1,868; (1900), 2,504. 

GREENVILLE, TREATY OF, a treaty negoti- 
ated by Gen. Anthony Wayne with a number of 
Indian tribes (see Indian Treaties), at Green- 
ville, after his victory over the savages at the 
battle of Maumee Rapids, in August, 1795. This 
was the first treaty relating to Illinois lands in 
which a number of tribes united The lands con- 
veyed within the present limits of the State 
of Illinois were as follows: A tract six miles 
square at the mouth of the Chicago River; 



another, twelve miles square, near the mouth of 
the Illinois River; another, six miles square, 
around the old fort at Peoria ; the post of Fort 
Massac; the 150,000 acres set apart as bounty 
lands for the army of Gen. George Rogers Clark, 
and "the lands at all other places in the posses- 
sion of the French people and other white set- 
tlers among them, the Indian title to which has 
been thus extinguished. " On the other hand, the 
United States relinquished all claim to all other 
Indian lands north of the Ohio, east of tne Mis- 
sissippi and south of the great lakes. The cash 
consideration paid by the Government was 
$210,000. 

GREGG, David L., lawyer and Secretary of 
State, emigrated from Albany, N. Y., and began 
the practice of law at Joliet, 111., where, in 1839, 
he also edited "The Juliet Courier," the first 
paper established in Will County. From 1842 to 
1846, he represented Will, Du Page and Iroquois 
Counties in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Gen- 
eral Assemblies ; later removed to Chicago, after 
which he served for a time as United States Dis- 
trict Attorney; in 1847 was chosen one of the 
Delegates from Cook County to the State Consti- 
tutional Convention of that year, and served as 
Secretary of State from 1850 to 1853, as successor 
to Horace S. Cooley, who died in office the former 
year. In the Democratic State Convention of 
1852, Mr. Gregg was a leading candidate for the 
nomination for Governor, though finally defeated 
by Joel A. Matteson; served as Presidential 
Elector for that year, and, in 1853, was appointed 
by President Pierce Commissioner to the Sandwich 
Islands, still later for a time acting as the minis- 
ter or adviser of King Kamehamaha IV, who died 
in 1863. Returning to California he was ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln Receiver of Public 
Moneys at Carson City, Nev. , where he died, Dec. 
23, 1868. 

GREGORY, Jnhi. iff > it. mi, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born at Sand Lake, Rensselaer Co., 
N. Y., July 6, 1822; graduated from Union Col- 
lege in 1846 and, after devoting two years to the 
study of law, studied theology and entered the 
Baptist ministry. After a brief pastorate in the 
East he came West, becoming Principal of a 
classical school at Detroit. His ability as an 
educator was soon recognized, and, in 1858, he 
was elected State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction in Michigan, but declined a re-elec- 
tion in 1863. In 1854, he assisted in founding 
"The Michigan Journal of Education," of which 
he was editor-in-chief. In 1863 he accepted the 
Presidency of Kalamazoo College, and four years 



210 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



later was called to that of the newly founded 
University of Illinois, at Champaign, where he 
remained until 1880. He was United States 
Commissioner to the Vienna Exposition in 1873, 
Illinois State Commissioner to the Paris Exposi- 
tion of 1878, also serving as one of the judges in 
the educational department of the Philadelphia 
Centennial of 1876. From 1883 to '85 he was a 
member of the United States Civil Service Com- 
mission. The degree of LL. D. was conferred 
upon him by Madison University (Hamilton, 
N. Y.) in 1866. While State Superintendent he 
published a "Compend of School Laws" of Michi- 
gan, besides numerous addresses on educational 
subjects. Other works of his are "Handbook of 
History" and "Map of Time" (Chicago, 1866) ; "A 
New Political Economy" (Cincinnati, 1882); and 
"Seven Laws of Teaching" (Chicago, 1883). 
While holding a chair as Professor Emeritus of 
Political Economy in the University of Illinois 
during the latter years of his life, he resided in 
Washington, D. C, where he died, Oct. 20, 1898. 
By his special request he was buried on the 
grounds of the University at Champaign. 

GRESHAM, Walter Quinton, soldier, jurist 
and statesman, was born near Lanesville. Harri- 
son County, Ind., March 17, 1832. Two years at 
a seminary at Corydon, followed by one year at 
Bloomington University, completed his early 
education, which was commenced at the common 
schools. He read law at Corydon, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1853. In 1860 he was 
elected to the Indiana Legislature, but resigned 
to become Lieutenant-Colonel of the Thirty- 
eighth Indiana Volunteers, and was almost 
immediately commissioned Colonel of the Fifty- 
third Regiment. After the fall of Vicksburg he 
was promoted to a Brigadier-Generalship, and was 
brevetted Major-General on March 13, 1865. At 
Atlanta he was severely wounded, and disabled 
from service for a year. After the war he re- 
sumed practice at New Albany, Ind. His polit- 
ical career began in 1856, when he stumped his 
county for Fremont. From that time until 1892 
he was always prominently identified with the 
Republican party. In 1866 he was an unsuccess- 
ful Republican candidate for Congress, and, in 
1867-68, was the financial agent of his State 
(Indiana) in New York. In 1869 President Grant 
appointed him Judge of the United States Dis- 
trict Court for Indiana. In 1883 he resigned this 
position to accept the portfolio of Postmaster-Gen- 
eral in the Cabinet of President Arthur. In July, 
1884, upon the death of Secretary Folger, he was 
made Secretary of the Treasury. In Oct. 1884, 



he was appointed United States Judge of the 
Seventh Judicial Circuit, and thereafter made 
his home in Chicago. He was an earnest advo- 
cate of the renomination of Grant in that year, 
but subsequently took no active personal part in 
politics. In 1888 he was the substantially unani- 
mous choice of Illinois Republicans for the Presi- 
dency, but was defeated in convention. In 1892 
he was tendered the Populist nomination for 
President, but declined. In 1893 President Cleve- 
land offered him the portfolio of Secretary of 
State, which he accepted, dying in office at 
Washington, D. C, May 28, 1895. 

(JREUSEL, Nicholas, soldier, was born in Ger- 
many, July 4, 1817, the son of a soldier of Murat ; 
came to New York in 1833 and to Detroit, Mich., 
in 1835 ; served as a Captain of the First Michigan 
Volunteers in the Mexican War ; in 1857, came to 
Chicago and was employed on the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad, until the firing on 
Fort Sumter, when he promptly enrolled himself 
as a private in a company organized at Aurora, 
of which he was elected Captain and attached to 
the Seventh Illinois (three-months' men), later 
being advanced to the rank of Major. Re-enlisting 
for three years, he was commissioned Lieutenant- 
Colonel, but, in August following, was commis- 
sioned Colonel of the Thirty-sixth Illinois; took 
part in the battles of Pea Ridge and Perryville 
and the campaign against Corinth ; compelled to 
resign on account of failing health, in February, 
1863, he removed to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, 
whence lie returned to Aurora in 1893. Died at 
Aurora, April 25, 1896. 

GRIDLEY, Asahel, lawyer and banker, was 
born at Cazenovia, N. Y., April 21, 1810; was 
educated at Pompey Academy and, at the age of 
21, came to Illinois, locating at Bloomington and 
engaging in the mercantile business, which he 
carried on quite extensively some eight years. 
He served as First Lieutenant of a cavalry com- 
pany during the Black Hawk War of 1832, and 
soon after was elected a Brigadier-General of 
militia, thereby acquiring the title of "General." 
In 1840 he was elected to the lower branch of the 
Twelfth General Assembly, and soon after began 
to turn his attention to the study of law, subse- 
quently forming a partnership with Col. J. H. 
Wickizer, which continued for a number of years. 
Having been elected to the State Senate in 1850, 
he took a conspicuous part in the two succeeding 
sessions of the General Assembly in securing the 
location of the Chicago & Alton and the Illinois 
Central Railroads by way of Bloomington ; was 
also, at a later period, a leading promoter of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINgOIS. 



211 



Indiana, Bloomington & Western and other lines. 
In 1858 he joined J. Y. Scarnruon and J. H. Burch 
of Chicago, in the establishment of the McLean 
County Bank at Bloomington, of which he became 
President and ultimately sole proprietor; also be- 
came proprietor, in 1857, of the Bloomington Gas- 
Light & Coke Company, which he managed some 
twenty-five years. Originally a Whig, he identi- 
fied himself with the Republican cause in 1856, 
serving upon the State Central Committee during 
the campaign of that year, but, in 1872, took 
part in the Liberal Republican movement, serv- 
ing as a delegate to the Cincinnati Convention, 
where he was a zealous supporter of David Davis 
for the Presidency. Died, at Bloomington, Jan. 
20, 1881. 

(. 1! 1 F.U . (Col.) David Perkins, soldier and mer- 
chant, was born near Wilkesbarre, Pa. , in 1837 ; 
received a common school education and, in 
1852, came to Peoria, 111., where he engaged in 
the grain business, subsequently, in partnership 
with his brother, erecting the first grain-elevator 
in Peoria, with three or four at other points. 
Early in the war he recruited a company of which 
he was elected Captain, but, as the State quota 
was already full, it was not accepted in Illinois, 
but was mustered in, in June, as a part of the 
Eighth Missouri Volunteers. With this organi- 
zation he took part in the capture of Forts Henry 
and Donelson, the battle of Shiloh and the siege 
and capture of Corinth. In August, 1862, he was 
ordered to report to Governor Yates at Spring- 
field, and, on his arrival, was presented with a 
commission as Colonel of the Seventy-seventh 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, of which he retained 
command up to the siege of Vicksburg. During 
that siege he commanded a brigade and, in sub- 
sequent operations in Louisiana, was in command 
of the Second Brigade, Fourth Division of the 
Thirteenth Army Corps. Later he had command 
of all the troops on Dauphin Island, and took a 
conspicuous part in the capture of Fort Morgan 
and Mobile, as well as other operations in Ala- 
bama. He subsequently had command of a 
division until his muster-out, July 10, 1865, with 
the rank of brevet Brigadier-General. After the 
war, General Grier resumed his business as a 
grain merchant at Peoria, but, in 1879, removed to 
East St. Louis, where he had charge of the erection 
and management of the Union Elevator there — 
was also Vice-President and Director of the St. 
Louis Merchants' Exchange. Died, April 22, 
1891. 

GRIERSON, Benjamin H., soldier, was born in 
Pittsburg, Pa., July 8, 1826; rjemoved in boyhood 



to Trumbull County, Ohio, and, about 1850, to 
Jacksonville, 111., where he was engaged for a 
time in teaching music, later embarking in the 
grain and produce business at Meredosia. He 
enlisted promptly at the beginning of the Civil 
War, becoming Aid-de-camp to General Prentiss 
at Cairo during the three-months' service, later 
being commissioned Major of the Sixth Illinois 
Cavalry. From this time his promotion was 
rapid. He was commissioned Colonel of the same 
regiment in March, 1862, and was commander of a 
brigade in December following. He was promi- 
nent in nearly all the cavalry skirmishes between 
Memphis and the Tennessee river, and, in April 
and May, 1863, led the famous raid from La 
Grange, Tenn., through the States of Mississippi 
and Louisiana to Baton Rouge in the latter— for 
the first time penetrating the heart of the Con- 
federacy and causing consternation among the 
rebel leaders, while materially aiding General 
Grant's movement against Vicksburg. This dem- 
onstration was generally regarded as one of the 
most brilliant events of the war, and attracted 
the attention of the whole country. In recog- 
nition of this service he was, on June 3, 1863, 
made a Brigadier-General, and May 27, 1865, a 
full Major-General of Volunteers. Soon after the 
close of the war he entered the regular army as 
Colonel of the Tenth United States Cavalry and 
was successively brevetted Brigadier- and Major - 
General for bravery shown in a raid in Arkansas 
during December, 1861. His subsequent service 
was in the West and Southwest conducting cam- 
paigns against the Indians, in the meanwhile 
being in command at Santa Fe, San Antonio and 
elsewhere. On the promotion of General Miles 
to a Major-Generalship following the death of 
Maj.-Gen. George Crook in Chicago, March 19, 
1890, General Grierson, who had been the senior 
Colonel for some years, was promoted Brigadier- 
General and retired with that rank in July fol- 
lowing. His home is at Jacksonville. 

GRIGGS, Samuel Chapman, publisher, was 
born in Tolland, Conn., July 20, 1819; began 
business as a bookseller at Hamilton, N Y., but 
removed to Chicago, where he established the 
largest bookselling trade in the Northwest. Mr. 
Griggs was a heavy loser by the fire of 1871, and 
the following year, having sold out to his part- 
ners, established himself in the publishing busi- 
ness, which he conducted until 1890. when he 
retired. The class of books published by him 
include many educational and classical, with 
others of a high order of merit. Died in Chi 
cago, April 5, 1897. 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



GRIGGSVILLE, a city in Pike County, on the 
Wabash Railroad, 4 miles west of the Illinois 
River, and 50 miles east of Quinoy. Flour, camp 
stoves, and brooms are manufactured here. The 
city has churches, graded schools, a public 
library, fair grounds, opera house, and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1890), 1,400; (1900), 
1,404. 

GRIMSHAW, Jackson, lawyer and politician, 
was born in Philadelphia, Nov. 22, 1820, of Anglo- 
Irish and Revolutionary ancestry. He was par- 
tially educated at Bristol College, Pa., and began 
the study of law with his father, who was a lawyer 
and an author of repute. His professional studies 
were interrupted for a few years, during which he 
was employed at surveying and civil engineering, 
but he was admitted to the bar at Harrisburg, in 
1843. The same year he settled at Pittsfield, 111., 
where he formed a partnership with his brother, 
"William A. Grimshaw. In 1857 he removed to 
Quincy, where he resided for the remainder of his 
life. He was a member of the first Republican 
Convention, at Bloomington, in 1856, and was 
twice an unsuccessful candidate for Congress 
(1856 and '58) in a strongly Democratic District. 
He was a warm personal friend and trusted coun- 
sellor of Governor Yates, on whose staff he served 
as Colonel. During 1861 the latter sent Mr. 
Grimshaw to Washington with dispatches an- 
nouncing the capture of Jefferson Barracks, Mo. 
On arriving at Annapolis, learning that the rail- 
roads had been torn up by rebel sympathizers, he 
walked from that city to the capital, and was 
summoned into the presence of the President and 
General Scott with his feet protruding from his 
boots. In 1865 Mr. Lincoln appointed him Col- 
lector of Internal Revenue for the Quincy Dis- 
trict, which office he held until 1869. Died, at 
Quincy, Dec. 13. 1875. 

GRIMSHAW, William A., early lawyer, was 
born in Philadelphia and admitted to the bar 
in his native city at the age of 19 ; in 1833 came 
to Pike County, 111., where he continued to prac- 
tice until his death. He served in the State Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1847, and had the credit 
of preparing the article in the second Constitution 
prohibiting dueling. In 1864 he was a delegate 
to the Republican National Convention which 
nominated Mr. Lincoln for President a second 
time ; also served as Presidential Elector in 1880. 
He was, for a time, one of the Trustees of the 
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Jackson 
viHe, and, from 1877 to 1882, a member of the State 
Board of Public Charities, being for a time Presi- 
dent of the Board. Died, at Pittsfield, Jan. 7, 1895. 



6RINNELL, Julius S., lawyer and ex-Judge, 
was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1842, 
of New England parents, who were of French 
descent. He graduated from Middlebury College 
in 1866, and, two years later, was admitted to the 
bar at Ogdensburg, N. Y. In 1870 he removed to 
Chicago, where he soon attained a prominent 
position at the bar ; was elected City Attorney in 
1879, and re-elected in 1881 and 1883. In 1884 ho 
was elected State's Attorney for Cook County, in 
which capacity he successfully conducted some 
of the most celebrated criminal prosecutions in 
the history of Illinois. Among these may be 
mentioned the cases against Joseph T. Mackin 
and William J. Gallagher, growing out of an 
election conspiracy in Chicago in 1884; the 
conviction of a number of Cook County Commis- 
sioners for accepting bribes in 1885, and the con- 
viction of seven anarchistic leaders charged with 
complicity in the Haymarket riot and massacre 
in Chicago, in May, 1886 — the latter trial being 
held in 1887. The same year (1887) he was 
elected to the Circuit bench of Cook County, but 
resigned his seat in 1890 to become counsel for 
the Chicago City Railway. Died, in Chicago, 
June 8, 1898. 

GROSS, Jacob, ex-State Treasurer and banker, 
was born in Germany, Feb. 11, 1840; having lost 
his father by death at 13, came to the United 
States two years later, spent a year in Chicago 
schools, learned the trade of a tinsmith and 
clerked in a store until August, 1862, when he 
enlisted in the Eighty-Second Illinois Volunteers 
(the second "Hecker Regiment"); afterwards par- 
ticipated in some of the most important battles 
of the war, including Chancellorsville, Gettys- 
burg, Lookout Mountain, Resaca and others. At 
Dallas, Ga., he had his right leg badly shattered 
by a bullet-wound above the knee, four successive 
amputations being found necessary in order to 
save his life. Having been discharged from the 
service in February, 1865, he took a course in a 
commercial college, became deputy clerk of the 
Police Court, served three terms as Collector of 
the West Town of Chicago, and an equal number 
of terms (12 years) as Clerk of the Circuit Court 
of Cook County, and, in 1884, was elected State 
Treasurer. Since retiring from the latter office, 
Mr. Gross has been engaged in the banking busi- 
ness, being President, for several years, of the 
Commercial Bank of Chicago. 

GROSS, William L., lawyer, was born in Her- 
kimer County, N. Y., Feb. 21, 1839, came with 
his father to Illinois in 1844, was admitted to the 
bar at Springfield iq 1862, but almost immediately 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



213 



entered the service of the Government, and, a 
year later, was appointed by President Lincoln 
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, and, under 
command of General Stager, assigned to the 
Department of the Ohio as Military Superintend- 
ent of Telegraphs. At the close of the war he 
was transferred to the Department of the Gulf, 
taking control of military telegraphs in that 
Department with headquarters at New Orleans, 
remaining until August, 1806, meanwhile being 
brevetted Major and Lieutenant-Colonel. For 
the next two years he occupied various positions 
in the civil telegraph service, but, in 1868, resumed 
the practice of law at Springfield, in conjunction 
with his brother (Eugene L. ) issuing the first 
volume of "Gross' Statutes of Illinois," followed 
in subsequent years by two additional volumes, 
besides an Index to all the Laws of the State. In 
1878 he was elected as a Republican to the General 
Assembly from Sangamon County, and, in 1884, 
was appointed by Governor Hamilton Circuit 
Judge to succeed Judge C. S. Zane, who had been 
appointed Chief Justice of Utah. Upon the organi- 
zation of the Illinois State Bar Association, Judge 
Gross became its first Secretary, serving until 
1883, when he was elected President, again serv- 
ing as Secretary and Treasurer in 1893-94. 

GROSSCUP, Peter Stenger, jurist, born in 
Ashland, Ohio, Feb. 15, 1852; was educated in the 
local schools and Wittenberg College, graduating 
from the latter in 1872; read law in Boston, Mass., 
and settled down to practice in his native town, 
in 1874. He was a candidate for Congress in a 
Democratic District before he was 25 years old, 
but, being a Republican, was defeated. Two 
years later, being thrown by a reapportionment 
into the same district with William McKinley, 
he put that gentleman in nomination for the seat 
in Congress to which he was elected. He re- 
moved to Chicago in 1883, and, for several years, 
was the partner of the late Leonard Swett; in 
December, 1892, was appointed by President 
Harrison Judge of the United States District 
Court for the Northern District of Illinois as suc- 
cessor to Judge Henry W. Blodgett. On the 
death of Judge Showalter, in December, 1898, 
Judge Grosscup was appointed his successor as 
Judge of the United States Circuit Court for the 
Seventh Judicial District. Although one of the 
youngest incumbents upon the bench of the 
United States Court, Judge Grosscup has given 
ample evidence of his ability as a jurist, besides 
proving himself in harmony with the progressive 
spirit of the time on questions of national and 
international interest. 



GRUNDY COUNTY, situated in the northeast- 
ern quarter of the State, having an area of 440 
square miles and a population (1900) of 24, 136. 
The surface is mainly rolling prairie, beneath 
which is a continuous coal seam, three feet thick. 
Building stone is abundant (particularly near 
Morris), and there are considerable beds of pot- 
ter's clay. The county is crossed by the Illinois 
River and the Illinois & Michigan Canal, also by the 
Rock Island and the Chicago & Alton Railways. 
The chief occupation of the people is agriculture, 
although there are several manufacturing estab- 
lishments. The first white settler of whom any 
record has been preserved, was William Marquis, 
who arrived at the mouth of the Mazon in a 
"prairie schooner" in 1828. Other pioneers 
were Colonel Sayers, W. A. Holloway, Alex- 
ander K. Owen, John Taylor, James McCartney 
and Joab Chappell. The first public land sale 
was made in 1835, and, in 1841, the county was 
organized out of a part of La Salle, and named 
after Felix Grundy, the eminent Tennesseean. 
The first pollbook showed 148 voters. Morris 
was chosen the county-seat and has so re- 
mained. Its present population is 3,653. Another 
prosperous town is Gardner, with 1,100 inhab- 
itants. 

GULLIVER, John Putnam, D.D., LL.D., 
clergyman and educator, was born in Boston, 
Mass., May 12, 1819; graduated at Yale College, 
in 1840, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 
1845, meanwhile serving two years as Principal 
of Randolph Academy. From 1845 to 1865 he 
was pastor of a church at Norwich, Conn., in 
1865-68, of the New England Church, of Chicago, 
and, 1868-72, President of Knox College at Gales- 
burg, 111. The latter year he became pastor of 
the First Presbyterian Church in Binghamton, 
N. Y. , remaining until 1878, when lie was elected 
Professor of the "Relations of Christianity and 
Secular Science" at Andover, holding this posi- 
tion actively until 1891, and then, as Professor- 
Emeritus, until his death, Jan. 25, 1894. He was 
a member of the Corporation of Yale College 
and had been honored with the degrees of D.D. 
and LL.D. 

GURLEY, William F. E., State Geologist, was 
born at Oswego, N. Y., June 5, 1854; brought by 
his parents to Danville, 111., in 1864, and educated 
in the public schools of that city and Cornell 
University, N. Y. ; served as city engineer of 
Danville in 1885-87, and again in 1891-93. In 
July of the latter year he was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Altgeld State Geologist as successor to Prof. 
Joshua Lindahl. 



214 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



HACKER, John S., pioneer and soldier of the 
Mexican War, was born at Owensburg, Ky., 
November, 1797; in early life removed to Mis- 
souri, where he was employed in the stock and 
produce trade with New Orleans. Having married 
in 1817, he settled at Jonesboro, Union County, 
111, where he kept a tavern for a number of 
years, and was also engaged some thirty years in 
mercantile business. It is said that he was 
unable to read until taught after marriage by his 
wife, who appears to have been a woman of 
intelligence and many graces. In 1824 he was 
elected Representative in the Fourth General 
Assembly and, in 1834, to the State Senate, serv- 
ing by re-election in 1838 until 1842, and being a 
supporter of the internal improvement scheme. 
In 1837 he voted for the removal of the State 
capital from Vandalia to Springfield, and, though 
differing from Abraham Lincoln politically, was 
one of his warm personal friends. He served in 
the War of 1812 as a private in the Missouri 
militia, and, in the Mexican War, as Captain of a 
company in the Second Regiment, Illinois Volun- 
teers—Col. W. H. Bissell's. By service on the 
staff of Governor Duncan, he had already obtained 
the title of Colonel. He received the nomination 
for Lieutenant-Governor from the first formal 
State Convention of the Democratic party in 
December, 1837, but the head of the ticket (Col. 
J. W. Stephenson) having withdrawn on account 
of charges connected with his administration of 
the Land Office at Dixon, Colonel Hacker also 
declined, and a new ticket was put in the field 
headed by Col. Thomas L. Carlin, which was 
elected in 1838. In 1849 Colonel Hacker made 
the overland journey to California, but returning 
with impaired health in 1852, located in Cairo, 
where he held the position of Surveyor of the 
Port for three years, when he was removed by 
President Buchanan on account of his friendship 
for Senator Douglas. Ho also served, from 1854 
to '56, as Secretary of the Senate Committee on 
Territories under the Chairmanship of Senator 
Douglas, and, in 1856, as Assistant Doorkeeper of 
the House of Representatives in Washington. In 
1857 he returned to Jonesboro and spent the 
remainder of his life in practical retirement, 
dying at the home of his daughter, in Anna, May 
18, 1878. 

HADLEY, William F. L., lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born near Collinsville, 111., June 
15, 1847; grew up on a farm, receiving his educa- 
tion in the common schools and at McKendree 
College, where he graduated in 1867. In 1871 he 
graduated from the Law Department of the 



University of Michigan, and established him 
self in the practice of his profession at 
Edwardsville. He was elected to the State Sen- 
ate from Madison County in 1886, serving four 
years, and was nominated for a second term, but 
declined; was a delegate-at-large to the Repub- 
lican National Convention of 1888, and, in 1895, 
was nominated and elected, in the Eighteenth 
District, as a Republican, to the Fifty-fourth Con- 
gress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of 
Hon. Frederick Remann, who had been elected 
in 1894, but died before taking his seat. Mr. 
Hadley was a candidate for re-election in 1896, 
but was prevented by protracted illness from 
making a canvass, and suffered a defeat. He 
is a son-in-law of the late Edward M. West, 
long a prominent business man of Edwards- 
ville, and since his retirement from Congress, has 
devoted his attention to his profession and the 
banking business. 

HAHNEMANN HOSPITAL, a homeopathic hos- 
pital located in Chicago. It was first opened with 
twenty beds, in November, 1870, in a block of 
wooden buildings, the use of which was given 
rent free by Mr. J. Young Scammon, and was 
known as the Scammon Hospital. After the fire 
of October, 1871, Mr. Scammon deeded the prop- 
erty to the Trustees of the Hahnemann Medical 
College, and the hospital was placed on the list 
of public charities. It also received a donation 
of $10,000 from the Relief and Aid Society, 
besides numerous private benefactions. In 
April, 1873, at the suggestion of Mr. Scammon, 
the name of the institution was changed to the 
Hahnemann Hospital, by which designation it 
has since been known. In 1893 the corner-stone 
of a new hospital was laid and the building com- 
pleted in 1894. It is seven stories in height, with 
a capacity for 225 beds, and is equipped with all 
the improved appliances and facilities for the 
care and protection of the sick. It has also about 
sixty private rooms for paying patients. 

HAHNEMANN MEDICAL COLLEGE, located 
in Chicago, chartered in 1834-35, but not organ- 
ized until 1860, when temporary quarters were 
secured over a drug-store, and the first college 
term opened, with a teaching faculty numbering 
nine professors, besides clinical lecturers, demon- 
strators, etc. In 1866-67 the institution moved 
into larger quarters and, in 1870, the corner-stone 
of a new college building was laid. The six suc- 
ceeding years were marked by internal dissen- 
sion, ten of the professors withdrawing to 
establish a rival school. The faculty was cur- 
tailed in numbers and re-organized. In August, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



215 



1892, the corner-stone of a second building was 
laid with appropriate Masonic ceremonies, the 
new structure occupying the site of the old, but 
being larger, better arranged and better equipped. 
Women were admitted as students in 1870-71 and 
co-education of the sexes has ever since continued 
an established feature of the institution. For 
more than thirty-five years a free dispensary has 
been in operation in connection with the college. 
HAINES, John Charles, Mayor of Chicago and 
legislator, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., 
May 26, 1818; came to Chicago in 1835, and, for 
the next eleven years, was employed in various 
pursuits; served three terms (1848-54) in the City 
Council; was twice elected Water Commissioner 
(1853 and '56), and, in 1858, was chosen Mayor, 
serving two terms. He also served as Delegate 
from Cook County in the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1869-70, and, in 1874, was elected to the 
State Senate from the First District, serving in 
the Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth General Assem- 
blies. At the session of 1877 he received sixty- 
nine votes for the seat in the United States 
Senate to which Judge David Davis was after- 
wards elected. Mr. Haines was a member of the 
Chicago Historical Society, was interested in the 
old Chicago West Division Railway and President 
of the Savings Institute. During his later years 
he was a resident of Waukegan, dying there, 
July 4, 1896. —Elijah Middlebrook (Haines), 
brother of the preceding, lawyer, politician 
and legislator, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., 
April 21, 1822 ; came to Illinois in boyhood, locat- 
ing first at Chicago, but, a year later, went to 
Lake County, where he resided until his death. 
His education, rudimentary, classical and profes- 
sional, was self-acquired. He began to occupy 
and cultivate a farm for himself before attaining 
his majority; studied law, and, in 1851, was 
admitted to the bar, beginning practice at Wau- 
kegan; in 1860 opened an office in Chicago, still, 
however, making his home at Waukegan. In 
1855 he published a compilation of the Illinois 
township laws, followed by a "Treatise on the 
Powers and Duties of Justices of the Peace." He 
made similar compilations of the township laws 
of Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Missouri. 
By nature Mr. Haines was an agitator, and his 
career as a politician both checkered and unique. 
Originally a Democrat, he abandoned that or- 
ganization upon the formation of the Republican 
party, and was elected by the latter to the Legis- 
lature from Lake County in 1858, '60 and '62. In 
1807 he came into prominence as an anti-monopo- 
list, and on this issue was elected to the Consti- 



tutional Convention of 1869-70. In 1870 he was 
again chosen to the Legislature as an "independ- 
ent," and, as such, re-elected in '74, '82, '84, '86 and 
'88, receiving the support, however, of tho Demo- 
crats in a District normally Republican. Ho 
served as Speaker during the sessions of 1875 and 
'85, the party strength in each of these Assemblies 
being so equally divided that he either held, or 
was able to control, the balance of power. He 
was an adroit parliamentarian, but his decisions 
were the cause of much severe criticism, being 
regarded by both Democrats and Republicans as 
often arbitrary and unjust. The two sessions 
over which he presided were among the stormiest 
in the State's history. Died, at Waukegan, April 
25, 1889. 

HALE, Albert, pioneer clergyman, was born 
at Glastonbury, Conn., Nov. 29, 1799; after some 
years spent as a clerk in a country store at 
Wethersfield, completed a course in the theolog- 
ical department of Yale College, later serving as a 
home missionary, in Georgia ; came to Illinois in 
1831, doing home missionary work in Bond 
County, and, in 1833, was sent to Chicago, where 
his open candor, benignity and blameless conduct 
enabled him to exert a powerful influence over 
the drunken aborigines who constituted a large 
and menacing class of the population of what 
was then a frontier town. In 1S39 he assumed 
the pastorate of the Second Presbyterian Church 
in Springfield, continuing that connection until 
1865. From that time until his death, his life 
was largely devoted to missionary work among 
the extremely poor and the pariahs of society. 
Among these he wielded a large influence and 
always commanded genuine respect from all 
denominations. His forte was love rather than 
argument, and in this lay the secret of his suc- 
cess. Died, in Springfield, Jan. 30, 1891. 

HALE, (Dr.) Edwin M., physician, was born 
in Newport, N. H, in 1829, commenced the study 
of medicine in 1848 and, in 1850, entered the 
Cleveland Homeopathic College, at the end of the 
session locating at Jonesville, Mich. From 1855 
he labored in the interest of a representation of 
homeopathy in the University of Michigan. 
When this was finally accomplished, he was 
offered the chair of Materia Medica and Thera- 
peutics, but was compelled to decline in conse- 
quence of having been elected to the same position 
in the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago. 
In 1876 he made a visit to Europe, and, on his 
return, severed his connection with the Hahne- 
mann and accepted a similar position in the Chi- 
cago Homeopathic College, where he remained 



216 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



five years when he retired with the rank of Pro- 
fessor Emeritus. Dr. Hale was the author of 
several volumes held in high esteem by members 
of the profession, and maintained a high reputa- 
tion for professional skill and benevolence of 
character. He was a member of the Chicago 
Academy of Sciences and an honorary member of 
various home and foreign associations. Died, in 
Chicago, Jan. 18, 1899. 

HALL, (Col.) Cyrus, soldier, was born in Fay- 
ette County, 111, August 29, 1822 — the son of a 
pioneer who came to Illinois about the time of 
its admission as a State. He served as Second 
Lieutenant in the Third Illinois Volunteers (Col. 
Foreman's regiment), during the Mexican War, 
and, in 1860, removed to Shelbyville to engage in 
hotel-keeping. The Civil War coming on, he 
raised the first company for the war in Shelby 
County, which was attached to the Fourteenth 
Illinois (Col. John M. Palmer's regiment) ; was 
promptly promoted from Captain to Major and 
finally to Lieutenant-Colonel, on the promotion 
of Palmer to Brigadier-General, succeeding to 
command of the regiment. The Fourteenth 
Regiment having been finally consolidated with 
the Fifteenth, Lieutenant-Colonel Hall was 
transferred, with the rank of Colonel, to the 
command of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth 
Illinois, which he resigned in March, 1864, was 
brevetted Brigadier-General for gallant and 
meritorious service in the field, in March, 1865, 
and mustered out Sept. 16, 1865. Returning to 
Shelbyville, he engaged in the furniture trade, 
later was appointed Postmaster, serving some ten 
years and until his death, Sept. 6. 1878. 

HALL, James, legislator, jurist. State Treasurer 
and author, was born in Philadelphia, August 
19, 1793; after serving in the War of 1812 and 
spending some time with Com. Stephen Decatur 
in the Mediterranean, in 1815, he studied law, 
beginning practice at Shawneetown, in 1820. 
He at once assumed prominence as a citizen, was 
appointed State's Attorney in 1821, and elevated 
to the bench of the Circuit Court in 1825. He 
was legislated out of office two years later and 
resumed private practice, making his home at 
Vandalia, where he was associated with Robert 
Blackwell in the publication of "The Illinois 
Intelligencer." The same year (1827) he was 
elected by the Legislature State Treasurer, con- 
tinuing in office four years. Later he removed to 
Cincinnati, where he died, July 5, 1868. He con- 
ducted "The Western Monthly Magazine," the 
first periodical published in Illinois. Among his 
published volumes ma}' be mentioned "Tales of 



the Border," "Notes on the Western States," 
"Sketches of the West," "Romance of Western 
History," and "History of the Indian Tribes." 

HAMER, Thomas, soldier and legislator, was 
born in Union County, Pa., June 1, 1818; came 
to Illinois in 1846 and began business as a mer- 
chant at Vermont, Fulton County ; in 1862 
assisted in recruiting the Eighty-fourth Illinois 
Volunteers and was elected Lieutenant -Colonel; 
was wounded in the battle of Stone River, re- 
turned to duty after partial recovery, but was 
finally compelled to retire on account of disabil- 
ity. Returning home he resumed business, but 
retired in 1878; was elected Representative in the 
General Assembly in 1886 and to the Senate in 
1888, and re-elected to the latter in 1892, making 
ten years of continuous service. 

HAMILTON, a city in Hancock County, on the 
Mississippi River opposite Keokuk, Iowa; at junc- 
tion of the Toledo, Peoria & Western and Keokuk 
branch of the Wabash Railway. Its position at 
the foot of the lower rapids insures abundant 
water power for manufacturing purposes. An 
iron railroad and wagon bridge connects the Illi- 
nois city with Keokuk. It has two banks, elec- 
tric lights, one newspaper, six churches, a high 
school, and an apiary. The surrounding country 
is a farming and fruit district. A sanitarium 
is located here. Population (1890), 1,301; (1900), 
1,344. 

HAMILTON, John B., M.D, LL.D., surgeon, 
was born of a pioneer family in Jersey County, 
111, Dec. 1, 1847, his grandfather, Thomas M. 
Hamilton, having removed from Ohio in 1818 to 
Monroe County, 111., where the father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch was born. The latter (Elder 
Benjamin B. Hamilton) was for fifty years a 
Baptist preacher, chiefly in Greene County, and, 
from 1862 to '65, Chaplain of the Sixty-first Illi- 
nois Volunteers. Young Hamilton, having re- 
ceived his literary education at home and with a 
classical teacher at Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1863 
began the study of medicine, and the following 
year attempted to enlist as a soldier, but was 
rejected on account of being a minor. In 1869 he 
graduated from Rush Medical College in Chicago, 
and, for the next five years, was engaged in gen- 
eral practice. Then, having passed an examina- 
tion before an Army Examining Board, he was 
appointed Assistant Surgeon in the regular army 
with the rank of First Lieutenant, serving suc- 
cessively at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis; Fort 
Colville, Washington, and in the Marine Hospital 
at Boston; in 1879 became Supervising Surgeon- 
General as successor to Gen. John M. Woodworth 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



■m 



and, during the yellow-fever epidemic in the 
South, a few years later, rendered efficient service 
in checking the spread of the disease by taking 
charge of the camp of refugees from Jacksonville 
and other stricken points. Resigning the position 
of Surgeon-General in 1891, he took charge of the 
Marine Hospital at Chicago and became Pro- 
fessor of Surgery in Rush Medical College, besides 
holding other allied positions; was also editor of 
"The Journal of the American Medical Associ- 
ation " In 1896 he resigned his position in the 
Medical Department of the United States Army, 
in 1897 was appointed Superintendent for the 
Northern Hospital for the Insane at Elgin, but 
died, Dec. 24, 1898. 

HAMILTON, John L., farmer and legislator, 
was born at Newry, Ireland, Nov. 9, 1829; emi- 
grated to Jersey County, 111., in 1851, where he 
began life working on a farm. Later, he followed 
the occupation of a farmer in Mason and Macou- 
pin Counties, finally locating, in 1864, in Iroquois 
County, which has since been his home. After 
filling various local offices, in 1875 he was elected 
County Treasurer of Iroquois County as a Repub- 
lican, and twice re-elected (1877 and '79), also, in 
1880, being Chairman of the Republican County 
Central Committee. In 1884 he was elected to 
the House of Representatives, being one of the 
"103" who stood by General Logan in the mem- 
orable Senatorial contest of 1885 ; was re-elected 
in 1886, and again returned to the same body in 
1890 and '98. 

HAMILTON, John Marshall, lawyer and ex- 
Governor, was born in Union County, Ohio, May 
28, 1847; when 7 years of age, was brought to 
Illinois by his father, who settled on a farm in 
Marshall County. In 1864 (at the age of 17) he 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Illi- 
nois Volunteers — a 100-day regiment. After 
being mustered out, he matriculated at the Wes- 
leyan (Ohio) University, from which he gradu- 
ated in 1868. For a year he taught school at 
Henry, and later became Professor of Languages 
at the Wesleyan (111. ) University at Blooming- 
ton. He was admitted to the bar in 1870, and has 
been a successful practitioner at the bar. In 
1876 he was elected State Senator from McLean 
County, and, in 1880. Lieutenant-Governor on the 
ticket with Gov. Shelby M. Cullom. On Feb. 6, 
1883, he was inaugurated Governor, to succeed 
Governor Cullom, who had been chosen United 
States Senator. In 1884 he was a candidate for 
the gubernatorial nomination before the Repub- 
lican State Convention at Peoria, but that body 
selected ex-Gov. and ex-Senator Richard J. 



Oglesby to head the State ticket. Since then 
Governor Hamilton has been a prominent practi- 
tioner at the Chicago bar. 

HAMILTON, Richard Jones, pioneer lawyer, 
was born near Danville, Ky., August 21, 1799; 
studied law and, about 1820, came to Jonesboro, 
Union County, 111., in company with Abner Field, 
afterwards State Treasurer; in 1821 was appointed 
cashier of the newly established Branch State 
Bank at Brownsville. Jackson County, but, in 
1831, removed to Chicago, Governor Reynolds 
having appointed hirn the first Probate Judge of 
Cook County. At the same time he also held the 
offices of Circuit and County Clerk, Recorder and 
Commissioner of School lands — the sale of the 
Chicago school section being made under his 
administration. He was a Colonel of State militia 
and, in 1832, took an active part in raising volun- 
ters for defense during the Black Hawk War; 
also was a candidate for the colonelcy of the 
Fifth Regiment for the Mexican War (1847), 
but was defeated by Colonel Newby. In 1856 
he was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieu- 
tenant-Governor on the Democratic ticket. Died, 
Dec. 26, 1860. 

HAMILTON, William Stephen, pioneer — son 
of Alexander Hamilton, first United States Secre- 
tary of the Treasury — was born in New York 
City, August 4, 1797; spent three years (1814-17), 
at West Point ; came west and located at an early 
day at Springfield, 111. ; was a deputy surveyor of 
public lands, elected Representative from Sanga- 
mon County, in the Fourth General Assembly 
(1824-26); in 1827 removed to the Lead Mine 
region and engaged in mining at "Hamilton's 
Diggings" (now Wiota) in southwest Wisconsin, 
and occasionally practiced law at Galena ; was a 
member of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature 
of 1842-43, emigrated to California in 1849, and 
died in Sacramento, Oct. 9, 1850, where, some 
twenty years later, a monument was erected to 
his memory. Colonel Hamilton was an aid-de- 
camp of Governor Coles, who sent him forward 
to meet General La Fayette on his way from New 
Orleans, on occasion of La Fayette's visit to Illi- 
nois in 1825. 

HAMILTON COUNTY, situated in the south- 
eastern part of the State; has an area of 440 
square miles, and population (1900) of 20,197 — 
named for Alexander Hamilton. It was organ- 
ized in 1821, with McLeansboro as the county- 
seat. The surface of the county is rolling and 
the fertile soil well watered and drained by 
numerous creeks, flowing east and south into the 
Wabash, which constitutes its southeastern 



218 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF. ILLINOIS. 



boundary. Coal crops out at various points in 
the southwestern portion. Originally Hamilton 
County was a dense forest, and timber is still 
abundant and saw-mills numerous. Among the 
hard woods found are black and white oak, black 
walnut, ash and hickory. The softer woods are 
in unusual variety. Corn and tobacco are the 
principal crops, although considerable fruit is 
cultivated, besides oats, winter wheat and pota- 
toes. Sorghum is also extensively produced. 
Among the pioneer settlers was a Mr. Auxier (for 
whom a water course was named), in 1815; Adam 
Crouch, the Biggerstaffs and T Stelle, in 1818, 
and W. T. Golson and Louis Baxter, in 1821. 
The most important town is McLeansboro, whose 
population in 1890 was 1,355. 

HAMMOND, Charles Goodrich, Railway Mana- 
ger, was born at Bolton, Conn., June 4, 1804, 
spent his youth in Chenango County, N. Y., 
where he became Principal of the Whitesboro 
Seminary (in which he was partially educated), 
and entered mercantile life at Canandaigua; 
in 1834 removed to Michigan, where he held 
various offices, including member of the Legisla- 
ture and Auditor; in 1852 completed the con- 
struction of the Michigan Central Railroad (the 
first line from the East) to Chicago, and took up 
his residence in that city. In 1855 he became 
Superintendent of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, but soon resigned to take a 
trip to Europe for the benefit of his health. 
Returning from Europe in 1869, he accepted the 
Superintendency of the Union Pacific Railroad, 
but was compelled to resign by failing health, later 
becoming Vice-President of the Pullman Palace 
Car Company. He was Treasurer of the Chicago 
Relief & Aid Society after the fire of 1871, and 
one of the founders of the Chicago Theological 
Seminary (Congregational); also President, for 
several years, of the Chicago Home for the Friend- 
less. Died, April 15, 1884. 

HAMPSHIRE, a village of Kane County, on 
the Omaha Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul Railway, 51 miles west-northwest from 
Chicago. There are brick and tile works, a large 
canning factory, pickle factory, and machine 
shop; dairy and stock interests are large. The 
place has a bank, electric lights and water-works, 
and a weekly paper. Pop. (1890), 696; (1900), 760. 

HANCOCK COUNTY, on the western border of 
the State, bounded on the west by the Mississippi 
River ; was organized in 1825 and named for John 
Hancock ; has an area of 769 square miles ; popu- 
lation (1900). 32,215. Its early settlers were 
chiefly from the Middle and Southern States, 



among them being I. J. Waggen, for nearly sixty 
years a resident of Montebello Township. Black 
Hawk, the famous Indian Chief, is reputed to 
have been born within the limits of Camp Creek 
Township, in this county. Fort Edwards was 
erected on the present site of Warsaw, soon after 
the War of 1812, but was shortly afterwards evac- 
uated. Abraham Lincoln, a cousin of the Presi- 
dent of that name, was one of the early settlers. 
Among the earliest were John Day, Abraham 
Brewer, Jacob Compton, D. F. Parker, the Dixons, 
Mendenhalls, Logans, and Luther Whitney. 
James White, George Y. Cutler and Henry Nich- 
ols were the first Commissioners. In 1839 the 
Mormons crossed the Mississippi, after being 
expelled from Missouri, and founded the city of 
Nauvoo in this county. (See 3Iormons, Nauvoo.) 
Carthage and Appanoose were surveyed and laid 
out in 1835 and 1836. A ferry across the Missis- 
sippi was established at Montebello (near the 
present site of Hamilton) in 1829, and another, 
two years later, near the site of old Fort Edwards. 
The county is crossed by six lines of railway, has 
a fine public school system, numerous thriving 
towns, and is among the wealthy counties of the 
State. 

HANDY, Moses Purnell, journalist, was born 
at Warsaw, Mo., April 14, 1847; before he was 
one year old was taken back to Maryland, his 
parents' native State. He was educated at Ports- 
mouth, Va., and was a student at the Virginia 
Collegiate Institute at the breaking out of the 
Civil War, when he joined the Confederate army 
at the age of seventeen. When the war ended 
Handy found himself penniless. He was school- 
teacher and book-canvasser by turns, meantime 
writing some for a New York paper. Later he 
became a clerk in the office of "The Christian 
Observer" in Richmond. In 1867, by some clever 
reporting for "The Richmond Dispatch," he was 
able to secure a regular position on the local staff 
of that paper, quickly gaining a reputation as a 
successful reporter, and, in 1869, becoming city 
editor. From this time until 1887 his promotion 
was rapid, being employed at different times upon 
many of the most prominent and influential 
papers in the East, including "The New York 
Tribune," "Richmond Enquirer," and, in Phila- 
delphia, upon "The Times," "The Press" and 
"Daily News. " In 1893, at the request of Director- 
General Davis of the World's Columbian Exposi- 
tion, Mr. Handy accepted the position of Chief of 
the Department of Publicity and Promotion, pre 
ferring this to the Consul-Generalship to Egypt, 
tendered him about the same time by President 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



219 



Harrison. Later, as a member of the National 
Commission to Europe, he did much to arouse the 
interest of foreign countries in the Exposition, 
For some time after the World's Fair, he was 
associate editor of "The Chicago Times-Herald." 
In 1897, having been appointed by President 
McKinley United States Commissioner to the 
Paris Exposition of 1900, he visited Paris. Upon 
his return to this country he found himself in 
very poor health, and went South in a vain 
attempt to regain his lost strength and vigor, but 
died, at Augusta, Ga., Jan. 8, 1898. 

HANKS, Dennis, pioneer, born in Hardin 
County, Ky., May 15, 1799; was a cousin of the 
mother of Abraham Lincoln and, although ten 
years the senior of the latter, was his intimate 
friend in boyhood. Being of a sportive disposi- 
tion, he often led the future President in boyish 
pranks. About 1818, he joined the Lincoln house- 
hold in Spencer Count}-, Ind. , and finally married 
Sarah Johnston, the step-sister of Mr. Lincoln, 
the families removing to Macon County, 111., 
together, in 1830. A year or so later, Mr. Hanks 
removed to Coles County, where he remained 
until some three years before his death, when he 
went to reside with a daughter at Paris, Edgar 
County. It has been claimed that he first taught 
the youthful Abraham to read and write, and 
this has secured for him the title of Mr. Lincoln's 
teacher. He has also been credited with having 
once saved Lincoln from death by drowning while 
crossing a swollen stream. Austin Gollaher, a 
school- and play-mate of Lincoln's, has also made 
the same claim for himself — the two stories pre- 
sumably referring to the same event After the 
riot at Charleston, 111., in March, 1803, in which 
several persons were killed, Hanks made a visit 
to President Lincoln in Washington in the inter- 
est of some of the arrested rioters, and, although 
they were not immediately released, the fact that 
they were ordered returned to Charleston for 
trial and finally escaped punishment, has been 
attributed to Hanks' influence with the President. 
He died at Paris, Edgar County, Oct. 31. 1892, in 
the 94th year of his age, as the result of injuries 
received from being run over by a buggy while 
returning from an Emancipation-Day celebra- 
tion, near that city, on the 22d day of September 
previous. 

HANKS, John, pioneer, a cousin of the mother 
of Abraham Lincoln, was born near Bardstown, 
Ky., Feb. 9, 1802; joined the Lincolns in Spencer 
County, Ind., in 1822, and made his home with 
them two years ; engaged in flat-boating, making 
numerous trips to New Orleans, in one of them 



being accompanied by Abraham Lincoln, then 
about 19 years of age, who then had his feelings 
aroused against slavery by his first sight of a 
slave-mart. In 1828 Mr. Hanks removed to 
Macon County, 111., locating about four miles 
west of Decatur, and it was partly through his 
influence that the Lincolns were induced to emi- 
grate to the same locality in 1830. Hanks had 
cut enough logs to build the Lincolns a house 
when they arrived, and these were hauled by 
Abraham Lincoln to the site of the house, which 
was erected on the north bank of the Sangamon 
River, near the present site of Harristown. Dur- 
ing the following summer he and Abraham Lin- 
coln worked together splitting rails to fence a 
portion of the land taken up by the elder Lincoln 
— some of these rails being the ones displayed 
during the campaign of 1860. In 1831 Hanks and 
Lincoln worked together in the construction of a 
flat-boat on the Sangamon River, near Spring- 
field, for a man named Offutt, which Lincoln took 
to New Orleans — Hanks only going as far as 
St. Louis, when he returned home. In 1832, 
Hanks served as a soldier of the Mexican War in 
the company commanded by Capt. I. C. Pugh. 
afterwards Colonel of the Forty-first Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He 
followed the occupation of a farmer until 1850, 
when he went to California, where he spent three 
years, returning in 1853. In 1801 he enlisted as 
a soldier in the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry (afterwards commanded by General 
Grant), but being already 59 years of age, was 
placed by Grant in charge of the baggage-train, 
in which capacity he remained two years, serving 
in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, 
Alabama and Mississippi. While Grant was with 
the regiment, Hanks had charge of the staff team. 
Being disabled by rheumatism, he was finally 
discharged at Winchester, Tenn. He made 
three trips to California after the war. Died, 
July 1, 1891. 

HANNIHAL & NAPLES RAILROAD. (See 
Wabash Railroad.) 

HANOJ), Martin, pioneer, was born near Nash- 
ville, Tenn., April, 1799; came with His father to 
Gallatin County, Illinois Territory, in 1812, and, 
in 1818, to what is now a portion of Christian 
County, being the first white settler in that 
region. Died, near Sharpsburg. Christian County, 
April 5, 1879. 

HANOVER, a villnge in Jo Daviess County, on 
Apple River, 14 miles south-southeast of Galena. 
It has a woolen factory, besides five churches and 
a graded school. The Township (also called Han- 



220 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



over) extends to the Mississippi, and has a popu- 
lation of about 1.700. Population of the village 
(1890). 743; (1900), 785. 

HARDIN, the county -seat of Calhoun County, 
situated in Hardin Township, on the west bank 
of the Illinois River, some 30 miles northwest of 
Alton. It has two churches, a graded school and 
two newspaper offices. Population (1880), 500; 
(1890), 311; (1900). 494. 

HARDIN, John J., lawyer, Congressman and 
soldier, was born at Frankfort, Ky., Jan. 6, 1810. 
After graduating from Transylvania University 
and being admitted to the bar, he began practice 
at Jacksonville, 111., in 1830; for several years he 
was Prosecuting Attorney of Morgan County, 
later being elected to the lower house of the 
Legislature, where he served from 1836 to '42. 
The latter year he was elected to Congress, his 
term expiring in 1845. During the later period 
of his professional career at Jacksonville he was 
the partner of David A. Smith, a prominent law- 
yer of that city, and had Richard Yates for a 
pupil. At the outbreak of the Mexican War he 
was commissioned Colonel of the First Illinois 
Volunteers (June 30, 1846) and was killed on the 
second day of the battle of Buena Vista (Feb. 27, . 
1847) while leading the final charge. His remains 
were brought to Jacksonville and buried with 
distinguished honors in the cemetery there, his 
former pupil, Richard Yates, delivering the fu- 
neral oration. — Gen. Martin D. (Hardin), soldier, 
son of the preceding, was born in Jacksonville, 111. , 
June 26, 1837 ; graduated at West Point Military 
Academy, in 1859, and entered the service as 
brevet Second Lieutenant of the Third Artillery, 
a few months later becoming full Second Lieu- 
tenant, and, in May, 1861, First Lieutenant. 
Being assigned to the command of volunteer 
troops, he passed through various grades until 
May, 1864, when he was brevetted Colonel of 
Volunteers for meritorious conduct at North 
River, Va., became Brigadier-General of Volun- 
teers, July 2, 1864, was brevetted Brigadier- 
General of the regular army in March, 1865, 
for service during the war, and was finally mus- 
tered out of the volunteer service in January, 
1866. He continued in the regular service, how- 
ever, until December 15, 1870, when he was 
retired with the rank of Brigadier-General. 
General Hardin lost an arm and suffered other 
wounds during the war. His home is in Chicago. 
— Ellen Hardin (Walworth), author, daughter of 
Col. John J. Hardin, was born in Jacksonville, 
111., Oct. 20, 1832, and educated at the Female 
Seminary in that place ; was married about 1854 



to Mansfield Tracy Walworth (son of Chancellor 
R. H. Walworth of New York). Her husband 
became an author of considerable repute, chiefly in 
the line of fiction, but was assassinated in 1873 by 
a son who was acquitted of the charge of murder 
on the ground of insanity. Mrs. Walworth is a 
leader of the Daughters of the Revolution, and 
has given much attention, of late years, to literary 
pursuits. Among her works are accounts of the 
Burgoyne Campaign and of the battle of Buena 
Vista — the latter contributed to "The Magazine 
of American History"; a "Life of Col. John J. 
Hardin and History of the Hardin Family," 
besides a number of patriotic and miscellaneous 
poems and essays. She served for several years 
as a member of the Board of Education, and was 
for six years principal of a young ladies' school 
at Saratoga Springs, N. Y. 

HARDIN COUNTY, situated on the southeast 
border of the State, and bounded on the east and 
south by the Ohio River. It has an area of 194 
square miles, and was named for a county in 
Kentucky. The surface is broken by ridges and 
deep gorges, or ravines, and well timbered with 
oak, hickory, elm, maple, locust and cotton- 
wood. Corn, wheat and oats are the staple 
agricultural products. The minerals found are 
iron, coal and lead, besides carboniferous lime- 
stone of the Keokuk group. Elizabethtown is 
the county-seat. Population (1880), 6,024; (1890), 
7,234; (1900). 7,448. 

HARDING, Abner Clark, soldier and Member 
of Congress, born in East Hampton, Middlesex 
County, Conn., Feb. 10, 1807; was educated chiefly 
at Hamilton Academy, N. Y., and, after practic- 
ing law for a time, in Oneida County, removed to 
Illinois, resuming practice and managing several 
farms for twenty-five years. He was also a mem- 
ber of the State Constitutional Convention of 
1847 from Warren County, and of the lower 
branch of the Sixteenth General Assembly 
(1848-50). Between 1850 and 1860 he was engaged 
in railroad enterprises. In 1862 he enlisted as a 
private in the Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, was commissioned Colonel and, in less 
than a year, was promoted to Brigadier-General. 
In 1864 he was elected to Congress and re-elected 
in 1866. He did much for the development of the 
western part of the State in the construction of 
railroads, the Peoria & Oquawka (now a part of 
the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy) being one of 
the lines constructed by him. He left a fortune 
of about 82,000,000, and, before his death, en- 
dowed a professorship in Monmouth College 
Died, July 19, 1874. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



221 



HARGRAVE, Willis, pioneer, came from Ken- 
tucky to Illinois in 1816. settling near Carmi in 
White County; served in the Third Territorial 
Legislature (1817-18; and in the First General 
Assembly of the State (1818-20). His business- 
life in Illinois was devoted to farming and salt- 
manufacture. 

HARLAN, James, statesman, was born in Clark 
Count)', 111. , August 25, 1820 ; graduated at Asbury 
University, Ind. ; was State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction in Iowa (1847), President of 
Iowa Wesleyan University (1853), United States 
Senator (1855-65), Secretary of the Interior 
( 1865-66), but re-elected to the Senate the latter 
year, and, in 1869, chosen President of Iowa Uni- 
versity. He was also a member of the Peace 
Conference of 1861, and a delegate to the Phila- 
delphia Loyalists' Convention of 1866; in 1873, 
after leaving the Senate, was editor of "The 
Washington Chronicle," and, from 1882 to 1885, 
presiding Judge of the Court of Commissioners of 
the Alabama Claims. A daughter of ex-Senator 
Harlan married Hon. Robert. T. Lincoln, son of 
President Lincoln, and (1889-93) United States 
Minister to England. Mr. Harlan's home is at 
Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Died, Oct. 5, 1899. 

HARLAX, Justin, jurist, was born in Ohio 
about 1801 and, at the age of 25, settled in Clark 
County, 111. ; served in the Black Hawk War of 
1832 and, in 1835, was appointed a Justice of the 
Circuit Court ; was a Delegate to the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847 and the following year 
was elected to the Circuit bench under the new 
Constitution, being re-elected in 1855. In 1862 
he was appointed by President Lincoln Indian 
Agent, continuing in office until 1865; in 1872 
was elected County Judge of Clark County. 
Died, while on a visit in Kentucky, in March, 
1879. 

HARLOW, George H., ex-Secretary of State, 
born at Sackett's Harbor. N. Y., in 1830, removed 
to Tazewell County, 111., in 1854, and engaged in 
business as a commission merchant ; also served 
a term as Mayor of Pekin. For many years he 
took a prominent part in the history of the State. 
Early in the '60's he was one of seven to organize, 
at Pekin, the "Union League of America," a 
patriotic secret organization sworn to preserve 
the Union, working in harmony with the war 
party and against the "Sons of Liberty." In 
1862 he enlisted, and was about to go to the front, 
when Governor Yates requested him to remain at 
home and continue his effective work in the 
Union League, saying that he could accomplish 
more for the cause in this way than in the field. 



Accordingly Mr. Harlow continued to labor as an 
organizer, and the League became a powerful 
factor in State politics. In 1865 he was made 
First Assistant Secretary of the State Senate, 
but soon after became Governor Oglesby's private 
secretary. For a time he also served as Inspector- 
General on the Governor's staff, and had charge 
of the troops as they were mustered out. During 
a portion of Mr. Rummel's term (13(39-73) as Secre- 
tary of State, he served as Assistant Secretary, 
and, in 1872, was elected as successor to Secretary 
Rummel and re-elected in 1876. While in Spring- 
field he acted as correspondent for several news- 
papers, and, for a year, was city editor of "The 
Illinois State Journal." In 1S81 he took up his 
residence in Chicago, where he was engaged at 
different periods in the commission and real 
estate business, but has been retired of late years 
on account of ill health. Died May 16, 1900. 

HARPER, William H., legislator and commis- 
sion merchant, born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., 
May 4, 1845; was brought by his parents in boy- 
hood to Woodford County, 111., and served in the 
One Hundred and Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteers; 
took a course in a commercial college and engaged 
in the stock and grain-shipping business in Wood- 
ford County until 1868, when he entered upon the 
commission business in Chicago. From 1872 to 
'75 he served, by appointment of the Governor, 
as Chief of the Grain Inspection Department of 
the city of Chicago; in 1882 was elected to the 
Thirty -third General Assembly and re-elected in 
1884. During his first term in the Legislature, 
Mr. Harper introduced and secured the passage 
of the "High License Law," which has received 
his name. Of late years he has been engaged in 
the grain commission business in Chicago. 

HARPER, William Rainey, clergyman and 
educator, was born at New Concord, Ohio, July 
26, 1856 ; graduated at Muskingum College at the 
age of 14, delivering the Hebrew oration, this 
being one of the principal commencement honors 
in that institution. After three years' private 
study he took a post-graduate course in philology 
at Yale, receiving the degree of Ph. D. , at the age 
of 19. For several years he was engaged in 
teaching, at Macon, Tenn., and Denison Uni- 
versity, Ohio, meanwhile continuing his philo- 
logical studies and devoting special attention to 
Hebrew. In 1879 he accepted the chair of 
Hebrew in the Baptist Union Theological Semi- 
nary at Morgan Park, a suburb of Chicago. Here 
he laid the foundation of the "inductive method" 
of Hebraic study, which rapidly grew in favor. 
The school by correspondence was known as the 



222 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



"American Institute of Hebrew," and increased 
so rapidly that, by 1885, it had enrolled 800 stu- 
dents, from all parts of the world, many leading 
professors co-operating. In 1886 he accepted the 
professorship of Semitic Language and Literature 
at Yale University, having in the previous year 
become Principal of the Chautauqua College of 
Liberal Arts, and, in 1891, Principal of the 
entire Chautauqua system. During the winters 
of 1889-91, Dr. Harper delivered courses of lec- 
tures on the Bible in various cities and before 
several universities and colleges, having been, 
in 1889, made Woolsey Professor of Biblical 
Literature at Yale, although still filling his 
former chair. In 1891 he accepted an invitation 
to the Presidency of the then incipient new Chi- 
cago University, which has rapidly increased in 
wealth, extent and influence. (See University 
of Chicago.) He is also at present (1899) a mem- 
ber of the Chicago Board of Education. Dr. 
Harper is the author of numerous philological 
text-books, relating chiefly to Hebrew, but ap- 
plying the "inductive method" to the study of 
Latin and Greek, and has also sought to improve 
the study of English along these same lines. In 
addition, he has edited two scientific periodicals, 
and published numerous monographs. 

HARRIS, Thomas L., lawyer, soldier and Mem- 
ber of Congress, was born at Norwich, Conn., 
Oct. 29, 18I6; graduated at Trinity College, Hart- 
ford, in 1841, studied law with Gov. Isaac Toucey, 
and was admitted to the bar in Virginia in 1842, 
the same year removing to Petersburg, Menard 
County, 111. Here, in 1845, he was elected School 
Commissioner, in 1846 raised a company for the 
Mexican War, joined the Fourth Regiment (Col. 
E. D. Baker's) and was elected Major. He was 
present at the capture of Vera Cruz and the 
battle of Cerro Gordo, after the wounding of 
General Shields at the latter, taking command of 
the regiment in place of Colonel Baker, who had 
assumed command of the brigade. During his 
absence in the army (1846) he was chosen 
to the State Senate; in 1848 was elected to 
the Thirty-first Congress, but was defeated by 
Richard Yates in 1850; was re-elected in 1854, 
'56, and '58, but died Nov. 24, 1858, a few days after 
his fourth election and before completing his 
preceding term. 

HARRIS, William Logan, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, born near Mansfield, Ohio, Nov. 14, 1817; 
was educated at Norwalk Seminary, licensed to 
preach in 1836 and soon after admitted to the 
Michigan Conference, being transferred to the 
Ohio Conference in 1840. In 1845-46 he was a 



tutor in the Ohio Wesleyan University; then, 
after two years' pastoral work and some three 
years as Principal of Baldwin Seminary, in 1851 
returned to the Wesleyan, filling the position 
first of Principal of the Academic Department 
and then a professorship; was Secretary of the 
General Conferences (1856-72) and, during 1860-72, 
Secretary of the Church Missionary Society ; in 
1872 was elected Bishop, and visited the Methodist 
Mission stations in China, Japan and Europe; 
joined the Illinois Conference in 1874, remaining 
until his death, which occurred in New York, 
Sept. 2, 1887. Bishop Harris was a recognized au- 
thority on Methodist Church law, and published 
a small work entitled "Powers of the General 
Conference" (1859), and, in connection with 
Judge William J. Henry, of this State, a treatise 
on "Ecclesiastical Law," having special refer- 
ence to the Methodist Church. 

HARRISBURG, county -seat of Saline County, 
on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railway, 70 miles northeast of Cairo The 
region is devoted to agriculture and fruit-grow- 
ing, and valuable deposits of salt, coal and iron 
are found. The town has flour and saw mills, 
coal mines, dairy, brick and tile works, carriage 
and other wood-working establishments, two 
banks and three weekly newspapers. Population 
(1890), 1,723; (1900), 2,202. 

HARRISON, Carter Henry, politician, Con- 
gressman and Mayor of Chicago, was born in 
Fayette County, Ky., Feb. 15, 1825; at the age of 
20 years graduated from Yale College and began 
reading law, but later engaged in farming. After 
spending two years in foreign travel, he entered 
the Law Department of Transylvania University, 
at Lexington, Ky., and, after graduation, settled 
at Chicago, where he soon became an operator in 
real estate. In 1871 he was elected a Commis- 
sioner of Cook County, serving three years. In 
1874 he again visited Europe, and, on his return, 
was elected to Congress as a Democrat, being 
re-elected in 1876. In 1879 he was chosen Mayor 
of Chicago, filling that office for four successive 
biennial terms, but was defeated for re-election 
in 1887 by his Republican competitor, John A. 
Roche. He was the Democratic candidate for 
Governor in 1888, but failed of election. He 
thereafter made a trip around the world, and, on 
his return, published an entertaining account of 
his journey under the title, "A Race with the 
Sun." In 1891 he was an Independent Demo- 
cratic candidate for the Chicago- mayoralty, but 
was defeated by Hempstead Washbmne. Repub- 
lican. In 1893 he received the regular nomina- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



2 23 



tion of his party for the office, and was elected. 
In 1892, in connection with a few associates, he 
purchased the plant of "The Chicago Times, " plac- 
ing his sons in charge. He was a man of strong 
character and intense personality, making warm 
friends and bitter enemies ; genial, generous and 
kindly, and accessible to any one at all times, at 
either his office or his home. Taking advantage 
of this latter trait, one Prendergast, on the night 
of Oct. 28, 1893 — immediately following the clos- 
ing exercises of the World's Columbian Exposition 
— gained admission to his residence, and, without 
the slightest provocation, shot him down in his 
library. He lived but a few hours. The assassin 
was subsequently tried, convicted and hung. 

HARRISON, Carter Henry, Jr., son of the 
preceding, was born in Chicago, April 23, 1860, 
being a lineal descendant of Benjamin Harrison, 
an early Colonial Governor of Virginia, and lat- 
erally related to the signer of the Declaration 
of Independence of that name, and to President 
William Henry Harrison. Mr. Harrison was 
educated in the public schools of Chicago, at the 
Gymnasium, Altenburg, Germany, and St. Igna- 
tius College, Chicago, graduating from the latter 
in 1881. Having taken a course in Yale Law 
School, he began practice in Chicago in 1883, 
remaining until 1889, when he turned his atten- 
tion to real estate. His father having purchased 
the "Chicago Times" about 1892, he became 
associated with the editorship of that paper and, 
for a time, had charge of its publication until its 
consolidation with "The Herald" in 1895. In 
1897, he received the Democratic nomination for 
Mayor of Chicago, his popularity being shown by 
receiving a majority of the total vote. Again 
in 1399, he was re-elected to the same office, 
receiving a plurality over his Republican com- 
petitor of over 40,000. Mayor Harrison is one of 
the youngest men who ever held the office. 

HARRISON, William Henry, first Governor of 
Indiana Territory (including the present State of 
Illinois), was born at Berkeley, Va., Feb 9, 1773, 
being the son of Benjamin Harrison, a signer of 
the Declaration of Independence; was educated 
at Hampden Sidney College, and began the study 
of medicine, but never finished it. In 1791 he 
was commissioned an Ensign in the First U. S. 
Infantry at Fort Washington (the present site of 
Cincinnati), was promoted a Lieutenant a year 
later, and, in 1797, assigned to command of the 
Fort with the rank of Captain. He had pre- 
viously served as Aid-deCamp to Gen. Wayne, 
by whom he was complimented for gallantry at 
the battle of Miami. In 1798 he was appointed by 



President Adams Secretary of the Northwest 
Territory, but resigned in 1799 to become Dele- 
gate in Congress; in 1800 he was appointed Gov- 
ernor of the newly created Territory of Indiana, 
serving by reappointment some 12 years. During 
his incumbency and as Commissioner, a few years 
later, he negotiated many important treaties 
with the Indians. In 1811 he won the decisive 
victory over Chief Tecumseh and his followers 
at Tippecanoe. Having been made a Brigadier- 
General in the War of 1812, he was promoted to 
Major-General in 1813 and, as Commander of the 
Army of the Northwest, he won the important 
battle of the Thames. Resigning his commission 
in 1814, he afterwards served as Representative 
in Congress from Ohio (1816-1819); Presidential 
Elector in 1820 and 1824; United States Senator 
(1824-1828), and Minister to the United States of 
Colombia (1828-29). Returning to the United 
States, he was elected Clerk of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas of Hamilton County, serving twelve 
years. In 1836 he was an unsuccessful Whig 
candidate for President, but was elected in 1840, 
dying in Washington City, April 4, 1841, just one 
month after his inauguration. 

HARTZELL, William, Congressman, was born 
in Stark County, Ohio, Feb. 20, 1837. When he 
was three years old his parents removed to Illi 
nois, and, four years later (1844) to Texas. In 
1853 he returned to Illinois, settling in Randolph 
County, which became his permanent home. He 
was brought up on a farm, but graduated at Mc- 
Kendree College, Lebanon, in June, 1859. Five 
years later he was admitted to the bar, and began 
practice. He was Representative in Congress for 
two terms, being elected as a Democrat, in 1874, 
and again in 1876. 

HARVARD, an incorporated city in McHenry 
County, 63 miles northwest of Chicago on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway. It has elec- 
tric light plant, artesian water system, hardware 
and bicycle factories, malt house, cold storage 
and packing plant, a flouring mill, a carriage- 
wheel factory and two weekly papers. The 
region is agricultural. Population (1890), 1,967; 
(1900), 2,602. 

HASKELL, Harriet Newell, educator and third 
Principal of Monticello Female Seminary, was 
born at Waldboro, Lincoln County, Maine, Jan. 14, 
1835; educated at Castleton Seminar, Vt , and 
Mount Holyoke Seminary, Mass.. graduating 
from the latter in 1855. Later, she served as 
Principal of high schools in Maine and Boston 
until 1862, when she was called to the principal- 
ship of Castleton Seminary. She resigned this 



224 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



position in 1867 to assume a similar one at Monti- 
cello Female Seminary, at Godfrey, 111., where 
she has since remained. The main building of 
this institution having been burned in Novem- 
ber, 1889, it was rebuilt on an enlarged and 
improved plan, largely through the earnest efforts 
of Miss Haskell. (See Monticello Female Semi- 
nary.) 

HATCH, Ozias Mather, Secretary of the State 
of Illinois (1857-'65), was born at Hillsborough 
Center, N. H., April 11, 1814, and removed to 
Griggsville, 111., in 1836. In 1829 he began life as 
a clerk for a wholesale and retail grocer in Bos- 
ton. From 1836 to 1841 he was engaged in store- 
keeping at Griggsville. In the latter year he was 
appointed Circuit Court Clerk of Pike County, 
holding the office seven years. In 1858 he again 
embarked in business at Meredosia, III. In 1850 
he was elected to the Legislature, serving one 
term. An earnest anti -slavery man, he was, in 
1856, nominated by the newly organized Repub- 
lican party for Secretary of State and elected, 
being re-elected in 1860, on the same ticket with 
Mr. Lincoln, of whom he was a warm personal 
friend and admirer. During the war he gave a 
zealous and effective support to Governor Yates' 
administration. In 1864 he declined a renomi- 
nation and retired from political life. He was an 
original and active member of the Lincoln Monu- 
ment Association from its organization in 1865 to 
his death, and, in company with Gov. R. J. 
Oglesby, made a canvass of Eastern cities to col- 
lect funds for statuary to be placed on the monu- 
ment. After retiring from office he was interested 
lo some extent in the banking business at Griggs- 
ville, and was influential in securing the con- 
struction of the branch of the Wabash Railway 
from Naples to Hannibal, Mo. He was, for over 
thirty-five years, a resident of Springfield, dying 
there, March 12, 1893. 

HATFIELD, (Rev.) Robert Miller, clergy 
man, was born at Mount Pleasant, Westchester 
County, N. Y., Feb. 19, 1819; in early life enjoyed 
only such educational advantages as could be 
obtained while living on a farm ; later, was em 
ployed as a clerk at White Plains and in New 
York City, but, in 1841, was admitted to the 
Providence Methodist Episcopal Conference, dur- 
ing the next eleven years supplying churches in 
Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In 1852 he 
went to Brooklyn and occupied pulpits in that 
vicinity until 1865, when he assumed the pastor- 
ship of the Wabash Avenue Methodist Episcopal 
Church in Chicago, two years later going to the 
Centenary Church in the same city. He subse- 



quently had charge of churches in Cincinnati and 
Philadelphia, but, returning to Illinois in 1877. 
he occupied pulpits for the next nine years in 
Evanston and Chicago. In 1886 he went to Sum- 
merfield Methodist Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, 
which was his last regular charge, as, in 1889, he 
became Financial Agent of the Northwestern 
University at Evanston, of which he had been a 
Trustee from 1878. As a temporary supply for 
pulpits or as a speaker in popular assemblies, his 
services were in constant demand during this 
period. Dr. Hatfield served as a Delegate to the 
General Conferences of 1860, '64, '76, '80 and '84, 
and was a leader in some of the most important 
debates in those bodies. Died, at Evanston, 
March 31, 1891. 

HATTOJf, Frank, journalist and Postmaster- 
General, was born at Cambridge, Ohio, April 28, 
1846; entered his father's newspaper office at 
Cadiz, as an apprentice, at 11 years of age, be 
coming foreman and local editor ; in 1862, at the 
age of 16, he enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Ohio 
Infantry, but, in 1864, was transferred to the One 
Hundred and Eighty-fourth Ohio and commis- 
sioned Second Lieutenant — his service being 
chiefly in the Army of the Cumberland, but par- 
ticipating in Sherman's March to the Sea. After 
the war he went to Iowa, whither his father had 
preceded him, and where he edited "The Mount 
Pleasant Journal" (1869-74); then removed to Bur- 
lington, where he secured a controlling interest 
in "The Hawkeye," which he brought to a point 
of great prosperity ; was Postmaster of that city 
under President Grant, and, in 1881, became 
First Assistant Postmaster-General. On the 
retirement of Postmaster-General Gresham in 
1884, he was appointed successor to the latter, 
serving to the end of President Arthur's adminis- 
tration, being the youngest man who ever held 
a cabinet position, except Alexander Hamilton. 
From 1882 to 1884, Mr. Hatton managed "The 
National Republican" in Washington; in 1885 
removed to Chicago, where he became one of the 
proprietors and editor-in-chief of "The Evening 
Mail"; retired from the latter in 1887, and, pur- 
chasing the plant of "The National Republican" 
in Washington, commenced the publication of 
"The Washington Post," with which he was con- 
nected until his death, April 30, 1894. 

HATANA, the county-seat of Mason County, an 
incorporated city founded in 1827 on the Illinois 
River, opposite the mouth of Spoon River, and a 
point of junction for three railways. It is a ship- 
ping-point for corn and osage orange hedge 
plants. A number of manufactories are located 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



225 



here. The city has several churches, three pub- 
lic schools and three newspapers. Population 
(1890). 2,525; (1900), 3,268. 

HAVANA, RANTOUL & EASTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Illinois Central Railroad. ) 

HAVEN, Erastus Otis, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, was born in Boston, Mass., Nov. 1, 1820; 
graduated at the Wesleyan University in 1842, 
and taught in various institutions in Massachu- 
setts and New York, meanwhile studying theol- 
ogy. In 1848 he entered the Methodist ministry 
as a member of the New York Conference; five 
years later accepted a professorship in Michigan 
University, but resigned in 1856 to become editor 
of "Zion's Herald," Boston, for seven years — in 
that time serving two terms in the State Senate 
and a part of the time being an Overseer of Har- 
vard University. In 1863 he accepted the Presi- 
dency of Northwestern University at Evanston, 
111. ; in 1872 became Secretary of the Methodist 
Board of Education, but resigned in 1874 to 
become Chancellor of Syracuse University, N.Y. 
In 1880 he was elected a Bishop of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Died, in Salem, Oregon, in 
August, 1881. Bishop Haven was a man of great 
versatility and power as an orator, wrote much 
for the periodical press and published several 
volumes on religious topics, besides a treatise on 
rhetoric. 

HAVEN, Luther, educator, was born near 
Framingham, Mass., August 6, 1806. With a 
meager country-school education, at the age of 
17 he began teaching, continuing in this occupa- 
tion six or seven years, after which he spent 
three years in a more liberal course of study in a 
private academy at Ellington, Conn. He was 
next employed at Leicester Academy, first as a 
teacher, and, for eleven years, as Principal. He 
then engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1849, 
when he removed to Chicago. After several 
years spent in manufacturing and real-estate 
business, in 1854 he became proprietor of "The 
Prairie Farmer," of which he remained in con- 
trol until 1858. Mr. Haven took an active interest 
in public affairs, and was an untiring worker for 
the promotion of popular education. For ten 
years following 1853, he was officially connected 
with the Chicago Board of Education, being for 
four years its President. The comptrollership of 
the city was offered him in 1860, but declined. 
During the war he was a zealous supporter of the 
Union cause. In October, 1861, he was appointed 
by President Lincoln Collector for the Port of 
Chicago, and Sub-Treasurer of the United States 
for the Department of the Northwest, serving in 



this capacity during a part of President Johnson's 
administration. In 1866 he was attacked with 
congestion of the lungs, dying on March 6, of 
that year. 

HAWK, Robert M. A., Congressman, was born 
in Hancock County, Ind., April 23, 1839; came to 
Carroll County, 111. , in boyhood, where he attended 
the common schools and later graduated from Eu- 
reka College. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union 
army, was commissioned First Lieutenant, next 
promoted to a Captaincy and, finally, brevetted 
Major for soldierly conduct in the field. In 1865 
he was elected County Clerk of Carroll County, 
and three times re-elected, serving from 1865 to 
1879. The latter year he resigned, having been 
elected to Congress on the Republican ticket in 
1878. In 1880 he was re-elected, but died before 
the expiration of his term, his successor being 
Robert R. Hitt, of Mount Morris, who was chosen 
at a special election to fill the vacancy. 

HAWLEV, John B., Congressman and First 
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, was born in 
Fairfield County, Conn., Feb. 9, 1831; accompa- 
nied his parents to Illinois in childhood, residing 
in his early manhood at Carthage, Hancock 
County. At the age of 23 (1854) he was admitted 
to the bar and began practice at Rock Island. 
From 1856 to 1860 he was State's Attorney of 
Rock Island County. In 1861 he entered the 
Union army as Captain, but was so severely 
wounded at Fort Donelson (1862) that he was 
obliged to quit the service. In 1865 President 
Lincoln appointed him Postmaster at Rock Island, 
but one year afterward he was removed by Presi- 
dent Johnson. In 1868 he was elected to Congress 
as a Republican, being twice re-elected, and, in 
1876, was Presidential Elector on the Hayes- 
Wheeler ticket. In the following year he was 
appointed by President Hayes First Assistant 
Secretary of the Treasury, serving until 1880, 
when he resigned. During the last six years of 
his life he was Solicitor for the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad, with headquarters at Omaha, 
Neb. Died, at Hot Springs, South Dakota, Mav 
24, 1895. 

HAY, John, author, diplomatist and Secretary 
of State, was born in Salem, Ind., Oct. 8, 1838, of 
Scottish ancestry; graduated at Brown Univer- 
sity, 1858, and studied law at Springfield, 111., his 
father, in the meantime, having become a resi- 
dent of Warsaw, 111. ; was admitted to practice 
in 1861, but immediately went to Washington as 
assistant private secretary of President Lincoln. 
acting part of the time as the President's aid-de- 
camp, also serving for some time under General 



226 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Hunter and Gilmore, with the rank of Major and 
Adjutant-General. After President Lincoln's 
assassination he served as Secretary of Legation 
at Paris and Madrid, and as Charge d' Affaires at 
Vienna ; was also editor for a time of ' 'The Illi- 
nois State Journal" at Springfield, and a leading 
editorial writer on "The New York Tribune." 
Colonel Hay's more important literary works 
include "Castilian Days," "Pike County Ballads," 
and the ten-volume "History of the Life and 
Times of Abraham Lincoln," written in collabo- 
ration with John G. Nicolay. In 1875 he settled 
at Cleveland, Ohio, but, after retiring from "The 
New York Tribune," made Washington his home. 
In 1897 President McKinley appointed him Am- 
bassador to England, where, by his tact, good 
judgment and sound discretion manifested as a 
diplomatist and speaker on public occasions, he 
won a reputation as one of the most able and ac- 
complished foreign representatives America has 
produced. His promotion to the position of 
Secretary of State on the retirement of Secretary 
William R. Day, at the close of the Spanish- 
American War, in September, 1898, followed 
naturally as a just tribute to the rank which he 
had won as a diplomatist, and was universally 
approved throughout the np.tion. 

HAY, John B., ex-Congressman, was born at 
Belleville, 111., Jan. 8, 1834; attended the com- 
mon schools and worked on a farm until he was 
16 years of age, when he learned the printer's 
trade. Subsequently he studied law, and won 
considerable local prominence in his profession, 
being for eight years State's Attorney for the 
Twenty-fourth Judicial Circuit. He served in 
the Union army during the War of the Rebellion, 
and, in 1868, was elected a Representative in the 
Forty-first Congress, being re-elected in 1870. 

HAY, Milton, lawyer and legislator, was born 
in Fayette County, Ky., July 3, 1817; removed 
with his father's family to Springfield, III, in 
1832; in 1838 became a student in the law office 
of Stuart & Lincoln; was admitted to the 
bar in 1840, and began practice at Pittsfield, 
Pike County. In 1S5S he returned to Springfield 
and formed a partnership with Judge Stephen 
T. Logan (afterwards his father-in-law), which 
ended by the retirement of the latter from prac- 
tice in 1861. Others who were associated with 
him as partners, at a later date, were Hon. Shelby 
M. Cullom, Gen. John M. Palmer, Henry S. 
Greene and D. T. Littler. In 1869 he was elected 
a Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention 
and, as Chairman of the Committee on Revenue 
and member of the Judiciary Committee, was 



prominent in shaping the Constitution of 1870. 
Agaiu, as a member of the lower brancli of the 
Twenty-eighth General Assembly (1873-74), he 
assisted in revising and adapting the laws to the 
new order of things under the new Constitution. 
The estimate in which he was held by his associ- 
ates is shown in the fact that he was a member 
of the Joint Committee of five appointed by the 
Legislature to revise the revenue laws of the 
State, which was especially complimented for 
the manner in which it performed its work by 
concurrent resolution of the two houses. A con- 
servative Republican in politics, gentle and unob- 
trusive in manner, and of calm, dispassionate 
judgment and unimpeachable integrity, no man 
was more frequently consulted by State execu- 
tives on questions of great delicacy and public 
importance, during the last thirty years of his 
life, than Mr. Hay. In 1881 he retired from the 
active prosecution of his profession, devoting his 
time to the care of a handsome estate. Died, 
Sept. Li, 1893. 

HAYES, Philip C, ex-Congressman, was born 
at Granby, Conn., Feb. 3, 1833. Before he was a 
year old his parents removed to La Salle County, 
111., where the first twenty years of his life were 
spent upon a farm. In 1860 he graduated from 
Oberlin College, Ohio, and, in April, 1861, en- 
listed in the Union army, being commissioned 
successively, Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel and 
Colonel, and finally brevetted Brigadier-General. 
After the war he engaged in journalism, becom- 
ing the publisher and senior editor of "The Morris 
Herald," a weekly periodical issued at Morris, 
Grundy County. In 1872 he was a delegate to the 
National Republican Convention at Philadelphia 
which renominated Grant, and represented his 
district in Congress from 1877 to 1881. Later he 
became editor and part proprietor of "The Repub- 
lican" at Joliet, 111., but retired some years since. 

HAYES, Samuel Snowden, lawyer and politi- 
cian, was born at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 25, 1820; 
settled at Sliawneetown in 1838, and engaged in 
the drug business for two years; then began the 
study of law and was admitted to practice in 
1842, settling first at Mount Vernon and later at 
Carmi. He early took an interest in politics, 
stumping the southern counties for the Demo- 
cratic party in 1843 and '44. In 1845 he was a 
delegate to the Memphis Commercial Convention 
and. in 1846, was elected to the lower House of 
the State Legislature, being re-elected in '48. In 
1847 lie raised a company for service in the 
Mexican War, but. owing to its distance from 
the seat of government, its muster rolls were not 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



227 



received until the quota of the State had been 
filled. The same year he was chosen a Delegate 
to the State Constitutional Convention for White 
County, and, in 1848, was a Democratic Presi- 
dential Elector. About 1852 he removed to Chi- 
cago, where he was afterwards City Solicitor and 
(1862-65) City Comptroller. He was a delegate 
to the National Democratic Conventions at 
Charleston and Baltimore in 1860, and an earnest 
worker for Douglas in the campaign which fol- 
lowed. While in favor of the Union, he was 
strongly opposed to the policy of the administra- 
tion, particularly in its attitude on the question 
of slavery. His last public service was as a Dele- 
gate from Cook County to the State Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1869-70. His talents as an 
orator, displayed both at the bar and before popu- 
lar assemblies, were of a very high order. 

HATMARKET RIOT, THE, an anarchistic 
outbreak which occurred in Chicago on the 
evening of May 4, 1886. For several days prior, 
meetings of dissatisfied workingmen had been 
addressed by orators who sought to inflame the 
worst passions of their hearers. The excitement 
(previously more or less under restraint) culmi- 
nated on the date mentioned. Hayrnarket 
Square, in Chicago, is a broad, open space formed 
by the widening of West Randolph Street for an 
open-air produce-market. An immense concourse 
assembled there on the evening named ; inflam- 
matory speeches were made from a cart, which 
was used as a sort of improvised platform. Dur- 
ing the earlier part of the meeting the Mayor 
(Carter H. Harrison) was present, but upon his 
withdrawal, the oratory became more impassioned 
and incendiary. Towards midnight, some one 
whose identity lias never been thoroughly proved, 
threw a dynamite bomb into the ranks of the 
police, who, under command of Inspector John 
Bonfield, had ordered the dispersal of the crowd 
and were endeavoring to enforce the command. 
Simultaneously a score of men lay dead or bleed- 
ing in the street. The majority of the crowd 
fled, pursued by the officers. Numerous arrests 
followed during the night and the succeeding 
morning, and search was made in the office of 
the principal Anarchistic organ, which resulted 
in the discovery of considerable evidence of an 
incriminating character. A Grand Jury of Cook 
County found indictments for murder against 
eight of the suspected leaders, all of whom were 
convicted after a trial extending over several 
months, both the State and the defense being 
represented by some of the ablest counsel at the 
Chicago bar. Seven of the accused were con- 



demned to death, and one (Oscar Neebe) was 
given twenty years' imprisonment. The death 
sentence of two — Samuel Fielden and Justus 
Schwab — was subsequently commuted by Gov- 
ernor Oglesby to life-imprisonment, but executive 
clemency was extended in 1893 by Governor 
Altgeld to all three of those serving terms in the 
penitentiary. Of those condemned to execution, 
one (Louis Linng) committed suicide in the 
county-jail by exploding, between his teeth, a 
small dynamite bomb which he had surrepti- 
tiously obtained; the remaining four (August 
Spies, Albert D. Parsons, Louis Engel and Adolph 
Fischer) were hanged in the county-jail at 
Chicago, on November 14, 1887. The affair 
attracted wide attention, not only throughout the 
United States but in other countries also. 

HAYNIE, Isliam Nicolas, soldier and Adju- 
tant-General, was born at Dover, Tenn., Nov. 18, 
1824; came to Illinois in boyhood and received 
but little education at school, but worked on a 
farm to obtain means to study law, and was 
licensed to practice in 1846. Throughout the 
Mexican War he served as a Lieutenant in the 
Sixth Illinois Volunteers, but, on his return, 
resumed practice in 1849, and, in 1850, was 
elected to the Legislature from Marion County. 
He graduated from the Kentucky Law School in 
1852 and, in 1856, was appointed Judge of the 
Court of Common Pleas at Cairo. In 1860 he was a 
candidate for Presidential Elector on the Doug- 
las ticket. In 1861 he entered the army as 
Colonel of the Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry, 
which he had assisted in organizing. He partici- 
pated in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloli, 
and was severely wounded at the latter. In 1862 
he was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress as 
a War Democrat, being defeated by W. J. Allen, 
and the same year was commissioned Brigadier- 
General of Volunteers. He resumed practice at 
Cairo in 1864, and, in 1865, was appointed by 
Governor Oglesby Adjutant-General as successor 
to Adjutant-General Fuller, but died in office, at 
Springfield, November, 1868. 

HAYWARD COLLEGE AND COMMERCIAL 
SCHOOL, at Fairfield, Wayne County; incorpo- 
rated in 1886; is co-educational; had 160 pupils in 
1898, with a faculty of nine instructors. 

HEACOCK, Russell E., pioneer lawyer, was 
born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1770; having lost his 
father at 7 years of age, learned the carpenter's 
trade and came west early in life; in 1806 was 
studying law in Missouri, and, two years later, 
was licensed to practice in Indiana Territory, of 
which Illinois then formed a part, locating first 



228 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



at Kaskaskia and afterwards at Jonesboro, in 
Union County; in 1833 went to Buffalo, N. Y., 
but returned west in 1827, arriving where Chi- 
cago now stands on July 4; in 1828 was living 
inside Fort Dearborn, but subsequently located 
several miles up the South Branch of the Chicago 
River, where he opened a small farm at a place 
which went by the name of "Heacock's Point." 
In 1831 lie obtained a license to keep a tavern, in 
1833 became a Justice of the Peace, and, in 1835, 
had a law office in the village of Chicago. He 
took a prominent part in the organization of Cook 
County, invested liberally in real estate, but lost 
it in the crash of 1837. He was disabled by par- 
alysis in 1843 and died of cholera, June 28, 1849. 
— Reuben E. (Heacock), a son of Mr. Heacock, 
was member of the State Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1847, from Cook County. 

HEALTH, BOARD OF, a bureau of the State 
Government, created by act of May 25, 1877. It 
consists of seven members, named by the Gov- 
ernor, who hold office for seven years. It is 
charged with "general supervision of the inter- 
ests connected with the health and life of the 
citizens of the State. " All matters pertaining to 
quarantine fall within its purview, and in this 
respect it is invested with a power which, while 
discretionary, is well-nigh autocratic. The same 
standard holds good, although to a far less ex- 
tent, as to its supervisory power over conta- 
gious diseases, of man or beast. The Board also 
has a modified control over medical practitioners, 
under the terms of the statute popularly known 
as the "Medical Practice Act." Through its 
powers thereunder, it has kept out or expelled 
from the State an army of irregular practition- 
ers, and has done much toward raising the stand- 
ard of professional qualification. 

HEALY, George P. A., artist, was born in 
Boston, July 15, 1808, and early manifested a 
predilection for art, in which he was encouraged 
by the painter Scully. He struggled in the face 
of difficulties until 1836, when, having earned 
some money by his art, he went to Europe to 
study, spending two years in Paris and a like 
period in London. In 1855 he came to Chicago, 
contemplating a stay of three weeks, but re- 
mained until 1867. During this time he is said 
to have painted 575 portraits, many of them 
being likenesses of prominent citizens of Chicago 
and of the State. Many of his pictures, deposited 
in the rooms of the Chicago Historical Society 
for safe-keeping, were destroyed by the fire of 
1871. From 1869 to '91 his time was spent chiefly 
in Rome. During his several visits to Europe he 



painted the portraits of a large number of royal 
personages, including Louis Phillippe of France, 
as also, in this country, the portraits of Presidents 
and other distinguished persons. One of his his- 
torical pictures was "Webster Replying to 
Hayne," in which 150 figures are introduced. A 
few years before his death, Mr. Healy donated a 
large number of his pictures to the Newberry 
Library of Chicago. He died in Chicago, June 
24, 1894. 

HEATON, William Weed, lawyer and jurist, 
was born at Western, Oneida County, N. Y., 
April 18, 1814. After completing his academic 
studies he engaged, for a short time, in teaching, 
but soon began the study of law, and, in 1838, 
was admitted to the bar at Terre Haute, Ind. In 
1840 he removed to Dixon, 111., where he resided 
until his death. In 1861 he was elected Judge of 
the Circuit Court for the Twenty -second Circuit, 
and occupied a seat upon the bench, through 
repeated re-elections, until his death, which 
occurred Dec. 26, 1877, while serving as a mem- 
ber of the Appellate Court for the First District. 

HECKER, Friedrich Karl Franz, German pa- 
triot and soldier, was born at Baden, Germany, 
Sept. 28, 1811. He attained eminence in his 
native country as a lawyer and politician ; was a 
member of the Baden Assembly of 1842 and a 
leader in the Diet of 1846-47, but, in 1848, was 
forced, with many of his compatriots, to find a 
refuge in the United States. In 1849 he settled 
as a farmer at Summerfield, in St. Clair County, 
111. He took a deep interest in politics and, being 
earnestly opposed to slavery, ultimately joined 
the Republican party, and took an active part in 
the campaigns of 1856 and "60. In 1861 he was 
commissioned Colonel of the Twenty-fourth Illi- 
nois Volunteers, and was later transferred to the 
command of the Eighty-second. He was a brave 
soldier, and actively participated in the battles 
of Missionary Ridge and Chancellorsville. In 
1864 he resigned his commission and returned to 
his farm in St. Clair County. Died, at St. Louis, 
Mo., March 24, 1881. 

HEDDIXG COLLEGE, an institution incorpo- 
rated in 1875 and conducted under the auspices of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Abingdon, 
Knox Count}', 111. ; has a faculty of seventeen 
instructors, and reports (1895-96), 403 students, 
of whom 212 were male and 181 female. The 
branches taught include the sciences, the classics, 
music, fine arts, oratory and preparatory courses. 
The institution has funds and endowment 
amounting to §55,000, and property valued nt 
$158,000. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



229 



HEMPSTEAD, Charles S., pioneer lawyer and 
first Mayor of Galena, was born at Hebron, Tol- 
land County, Conn., Sept. 10, 1794 — the son of 
Stephen Hempstead, a patriot of the Revolution. 
In 1809 he came west in company with a brother, 
descending the Ohio River in a canoe from Mari- 
etta to Shawneetown, and making his way across 
the "Illinois Country" on foot to Kaskaskia and 
finally to St. Louis, where he joined another 
brother (Edward), with whom he soon began the 
study of law. Having been admitted to the bar 
in both Missouri Territory and Illinois, he re- 
moved to St. Genevieve, where he held the office 
of Prosecuting Attorney by appointment of the 
Governor, but returned to St. Louis in 1818-19 
and later became a member of the Missouri Legis- 
lature. In 1829 Mr. Hempstead located at Galena, 
111., which continued to be his home for the re- 
mainder of his life, and where he was one of the 
earliest and best known lawyers. The late Minis- 
ter E. B. Washburne became a clerk in Mr. 
Hempstead's law office in 1840, and, in 1845, a 
partner. Mr. Hempstead was one of the pro- 
moters of the old Chicago & Galena Union Rail- 
road (now a part of the Chicago & Northwestern), 
serving upon the first Board of Directors; was 
elected the first Mayor of Galena in 1841, and, in 
the early days of the Civil "War, was appointed 
by President Lincoln a Paymaster in the Army. 
Died, in Galena, Dec. 10, 1874.— Edward (Hemp- 
stead), an older brother of the preceding, already 
mentioned, came west in 1804, and, after holding 
various positions at Vincennes, Indiana Territory, 
under Gov. William Henry Harrison, located at 
St Louis and became the first Territorial 
Delegate in Congress from Missouri Territory 
(1811-14). His death occurred as the result of an 
accident, August 10, 1817. — Stephen (Hemp- 
stead), another member of this historic family, 
was Governor of Iowa from 1850 to '54. Died, 
Feb. 16, 1883. 

HENDERSON, Thomas J., ex-Congressman, 
was born at Brownsville, Tenn., Nov. 19, 1824; 
came to Illinois in 1837, and was reared upon a 
farm, but received an academic education. In 
1847 he was elected Clerk of the County Com- 
missioners' Court of Stark County, and, in 1849, 
Clerk of the County Court of the same county, 
serving in that capacity for four years. Mean- 
while he had studied law and had been admitted 
to the bar in 1852. In 1855 and '56 he was a 
member of the lower house of the Legislature, 
and State Senator from 1857 to '60. He entered 
the Union army, in 1862, as Colonel of the One 
Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteers, and 



served until the close of the war, being brevetted 
Brigadier-General in January, 1865. He was a 
Republican Presidential Elector for the State at- 
large in 1868, and, in 1S74, was elected to Congress 
from the Seventh Illinois District, serving con- 
tinuously until March, 1895. His home is at 
Princeton. 

HENDERSON, William H., politician and legis- 
lator, was born in Garrard County, Ky. , Nov. 16, 
1793. After serving in the AVar of 1812, he settled 
in Tennessee, where he held many positions of 
public trust, including that of State Senator. In 
1836 he removed to Illinois, and, two years later, 
was elected to the General Assembly as Repre- 
sentative from Bureau and Putnam Counties, 
being re-elected in 1840. In 1842 he was the 
unsuccessful Whig candidate for Lieutenant- 
Governor, being defeated by John Moore. In 
1845 he migrated to Iowa, where he died in 1864. 

HENDERSON COUNTY, a county comprising 
380 square miles of territory, located in the west- 
ern section of the State and bordering on the Mis- 
sissippi River. The first settlements were made 
about 1827-28 at Yellow Banks, now Oquawka. 
Immigration was checked by the Black Hawk 
War, but revived after the removal of the Indians 
across the Mississippi. The county was set off 
from Warren in 1841, with Oquawka as the 
county-seat. Population (1880), 10,722; (1890), 
9,876. The soil is. fertile, and underlaid by lime- 
stone. The surface is undulating, and well tim- 
bered. Population (1900), 10,836. 

HENNEPIN, the county-seat of Putnam 
County, situated on the left bank of the Illinois 
River, about 28 miles below Ottawa, 100 miles 
southwest of Chicago, and 3 miles southeast of 
Bureau Junction. It has a courthouse, a bank, 
two grain elevators, three churches, a graded 
school, a newspaper. It is a prominent shipping 
point for produce by the river. The Hennepin 
Canal, now in process of construction from the 
Illinois River to the Mississippi at the mouth of 
Rock River, leaves the Illinois about two miles 
above Hennepin. Population (1880), 623; (1890), 
574; (1900), 523. 

HENNEPIN, Louis, a Franciscan (Recollect) 
friar and explorer, born at Ath, Belgium, about 
1640. After several years of clerical service in 
Belgium and Holland, he was ordered (1675) by 
his ecclesiastical superiors to proceed to Canada. 
In 1679 he accompanied La Salle on his explo- 
rations of the great lakes and the upper Missis- 
sippi. Having reached the Illinois by way of 
Lake Michigan, early in the following year (1680) , 
La Salle proceeded to construct a fort on the east 



230 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



side of the Illinois River, a little below the 
present site of Peoria, which afterwards received 
the name of Fort Creve-Coeur. In February, 
1680, Father Hennepin was dispatched by La 
Salle, with two companions, by way of the 
mouth of the Illinois, to explore the upper Mis- 
sissippi. Ascending the latter stream, his party 
was captured by the Sioux and carried to the 
villages of that tribe among the Minnesota lakes, 
but finally rescued. During his captivity he 
discovered the Falls of St. Anthony, which he 
named. After his rescue Hennepin returned to 
Quebec, and thence sailed to France. There he 
published a work describing La Salle's first 
expedition and his own explorations. Although 
egotistical and necessarily incorrect, this work 
was a valuable contribution to history. Because 
of ecclesiastical insubordination he left France 
for Holland. In 1697 he published an extraordi- 
nary volume, in which he set forth claims as a 
discoverer which have been wholly discredited. 
His third and last work, published at Utrecht, in 
1698, was entitled a "New Voyage in a Country 
Larger than Europe." It was a compilation 
describing La Salle's voyage to the mouth of the 
Mississippi. His three works have been trans- 
lated into twenty-four different languages. He 
died, at Utrecht, between 1702 and 1705. 

HENNEPIN CANAL. (See Illinois & Missis- 
sippi Canal.) 

HENRY, a city in Marshall County, situated on 
the west bank of the Illinois River and on the 
Peoria branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railway, 33 miles north-northeast of 
Peoria. There is a combination railroad and 
wagon bridge, lock and dam across the river at 
this point. The city is a thriving commercial 
center, among its industries being grain eleva- 
tors, flour mills, and a windmill factory ; has 
two national banks, eight churches and two 
newspapers. Population (1880), 1.728; (1890) 
1.512; (1900). 1,637. 

HENRY, James D., pioneer and soldier, was born 
in Pennsylvania, came to Illinois in 1822, locating 
at Edwardsville, where, being of limited educa- 
tion, he labored as a mechanic during the day 
and attended school at night; engaged in mer- 
chandising, removed to Springfield in 1826, and 
was soon after elected Sheriff ; served in the Win- 
nebago War (1827) as Adjutant, and, in the 
Black Hawk War (1831-32) as Lieutenant-Colonel 
and Colonel, finally being placed in command of 
a brigade at the battle of Wisconsin and the Bad 
Axe, his success in both winning for him great 
popularity. His exposures brought on disease of 



the lungs, and, going South, he died at New 
Orleans, March 4, 1834. 

HENRY COUNTY, one of the middle tier of 
counties of Northern Illinois, near the western 
border of the State, having an area of 830 square 
miles, — named for Patrick Henry. The Ameri- 
can pioneer of the region was Dr. Baker, who 
located in 1835 on what afterwards became the 
town of Colona. During the two years following 
several colonies from the eastern States settled at 
different points (Geneseo, Wethersfield, etc.;. 
The act creating it was passed in 1825, though 
organization was not completed until 1837. The 
first county court was held at Dayton. Subse- 
quent county-seats have been Richmond (1837) ; 
Geneseo (1840) ; Morristown (1842) ; and Cam- 
bridge (1843). Population (1870), 36,597; (1890), 
33,338; (1900), 40.049. 

HERNDON, Archer G., one of the celebrated 
"Long Nine" members of the General Assembly 
of 1836-37, was born in Culpepper County, Va., 
Feb. 13, 1795; spent his youth in Green County, 
Ky., came to Madison County, 111., 1820, and to 
Sangamon in 1821, becoming a citizen of Spring- 
field in 1825, where he engaged in mercantile 
business; served eight years in the State Senate 
(1834-42), and as Receiver of the Land Office 
1842-49. Died, Jan. 3, 1867. Mr. Herndon was 
the father of William H. Herndon, the law part- 
ner of Abraham Lincoln. 

HERNDON, William H., lawyer, was born at 
Greensburg, Ky., Dec. 25, 1818; brought to Illi- 
nois by his father, Archer G. Herndon, in 1820, 
and to Sangamon County in 1821 ; entered Illinois 
College in 1836, but remained only one year on 
account of his father's hostility to the supposed 
abolition influences prevailing at that institution ; 
spent several years as clerk in a store at Spring- 
field, studied law two years with the firm of Lin- 
coln & Logan (1842-44), was admitted to the bar 
and became the partner of Mr. Lincoln, so con- 
tinuing until the election of the latter to the 
Presidency. Mr. Herndon was a radical oppo- 
nent of slavery and labored zealously to promote 
the advancement of his distinguished partner. 
The offices he held were those of City Attorney, 
Mayor and Bank Commissioner under three Gov- 
ernors. Some years before his death he wrote, 
and, in conjunction with Jesse W. Weik, published 
a Life of Abraham Lincoln in three volumes — 
afterwards revised and issued in a two-volume 
edition by the Messrs. Appleton, New York. 
Died, near Springfield, March 18, 1891. 

HERRINGTON, Augustus M., lawyer and poli- 
tician, was born at or near Meadville, Pa., in 1823; 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



231 



when ten years of age was brought by his father 
to Chicago, the family removing two years later 
(1835) to Geneva, Kane County, where the elder 
Herrington opened the first store. Augustus was 
admitted to the bar in 1844 ; obtained great promi- 
nence as a Democratic politician, serving as 
Presidential Elector for the State-at-large in 
1856, and as a delegate to Democratic National 
Conventions in 1860, "64, '68, '76 and '80, and was 
almost invariably a member of the State Conven- 
tions of his party during the same period. He 
also served for many years as Solicitor of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Died, at Ge- 
neva, Kane County, August 14, 1883. — James 
(Herrington), brother of the preceding, was born 
in Mercer County, Pa., June 6, 1824; came to 
Chicago in 1833, but, two years later, was taken 
by his parents to Geneva, Kane County. In 1843 
he was apprenticed to the printing business on 
the old "Chicago Democrat" (John Wentworth, 
publisher), remaining until 1848, when he returned 
to Geneva, where he engaged in farming, being 
also connected for a year or two with a local 
paper. In 1849 he was elected County Clerk, re- 
maining in office eight years ; also served three 
terms on the Board of Supervisors, later serving 
continuously in the lower branch of the General 
Assembly from 1872 to 1886. He was also a mem- 
ber of the State Board of Agriculture and a fre- 
quent delegate to Democratic State Conventions. 
Died, July 7, 1890. — James Herrington, Sr., 
father of the two preceding, was a Representative 
in the Fifteenth General Assembly (1846-48) for 
the District embracing the counties of Kane, 
McHenry, Boone and De Kalb. 

HERTZ, Henry L., ex-State Treasurer, was 
born at Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1847; gradu- 
ated from the University of Copenhagen in 1866, 
and after pursuing the study of medicine for two 
years, emigrated to this country in 1869. After 
various experiences in selling sewing-machines, 
as bank-clerk, and as a farm-hand, in 1876 Mr. 
Hertz was employed in the Recorder's office of 
Cook County ; in 1878 was record-writer in the 
Criminal Court Clerk's office; in 1884 was elected 
Coroner of Cook County, and re-elected in 1888. 
In 1892, as Republican candidate for State Treas- 
urer, he was defeated, but, in 1896, again a 
candidate for the same office, was elected by a 
majority of 115,000. serving until 1899. He is 
now a resident of Chicago. 

HESING, Antone Caspar, journalist and politi- 
cian, was born in Prussia in 1823; left an orphan at 
the age of 15, he soon after emigrated to America, 
landing at Baltimore and going thence to Cin- 



cinnati. From 1840 to 1842 he worked in a gro- 
cery store in Cincinnati, and later opened a small 
hotel. In 1854 he removed to Chicago, where he 
was for a time engaged in the manufacture of 
brick. In 1860 he was elected Sheriff of Cook 
County, as a Republican. In 1862 he purchased 
an interest in "The Chicago Staats Zeitung, " 
and in 1867 became sole proprietor. In 1871 he 
admitted his son, Washington Hesing, to a part- 
nership, installing him as general manager. 
Died, in Chicago, March 31, 1895.— Washington 
(Hesing), son of the preceding, was born in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, May 14, 1849, educated at Chicago 
and Yale College, graduating from the latter in 
1870. After a year spent in study abroad, he 
returned to Chicago and began work upon "The 
Staats Zeitung, " later becoming managing editor, 
and finally editor-in-chief. While yet a young 
man he was made a member of the Chicago 
Board of Education, but declined to serve a 
second term. In 1872 he entered actively into 
politics, making speeches in both English and 
German in support of General Grant's Presi- 
dential candidacy. Later he affiliated with the 
Democratic party, as did his father, and, in 1893, 
was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic 
nomination for the Chicago mayoralty, being 
defeated by Carter H. Harrison. In December, 
1893, he was appointed by President Cleveland 
Postmaster of the city of Chicago, serving four 
years. His administration was characterized by 
a high degree of efficiency and many improve- 
ments in the service were adopted, one of the 
most important being the introduction of postal 
cars on the street-railroads for the collection of 
mail matter. In April, 1897, he became an Inde- 
pendent candidate for Mayor, but was defeated 
by Carter H. Harrison, the regular Democratic 
nominee. Died, Dec. 18, 1897. 

HEYWORTH, a village of McLean County, on 
the Illinois Central Railway, 10 miles south of 
Bloomington ; has a bank, churches, gas wells, 
and a newspaper. Pop. (1890), 566; (1900), 683. 

HIBBARD, Homer Nash, lawyer, was born at 
Bethel, Windsor County, Vt., Nov. 7, 1824, his 
early life being spent upon a farm and in attend- 
ance upon the common schools. After a short 
term in an academy at Randolph, Vt. , at the age 
of 18 he began the study of law at Rutland — also 
fitting himself for college with a private tutor. 
Later, having obtained means by teaching, he 
took a course in Castleton Academy and Ver- 
mont University, graduating from the latter in 
1850. Then, having spent some years in teach- 
ing, he entered the Dane Law School at Harvard, 



232 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



later continuing his studies at Burlington and 
finally, in the fall of 1853, removing to Chicago. 
Here he opened a law office in connection with 
his old classmate, the late Judge John A. Jame- 
son, but early in the following year removed to 
Freeport, where he subsequently served as City 
Attorney, Master in Chancery and President of 
the City School Board. Returning to Chicago in 
1860, he became a member of the law firm of 
Cornell, Jameson & Hibbard, and still later the 
head of the firm of Hibbard, Rich & Noble. In 
1870 he was appointed by Judge Drummond 
Register in Bankruptcy for the Chicago District, 
serving during the life of the law. He was also, 
for some time, a Director of the National Bank 
of Illinois, and Vice-President of the American 
Insurance Company. Died, Nov. 14, 1897. 

HICKS, Stephen G., lawyer and soldier of 
three wars, was born in Jackson County, Ga., 
Feb. 22, 1807— the son of John Hicks, one of the 
seven soldiers killed at the battle of New Orleans, 
Jan. 8, 1815. Leaving the roof of a step-father 
at an early age, he found his way to Illinois, 
working for a time in the lead mines near Galena, 
and later at the carpenter's trade with an uncle ; 
served as a Sergeant in the Black Hawk War, 
finally locating in Jefferson County, where he 
studied law and was admitted to the bar. Here 
he was elected to the lower branch of the Twelfth 
General Assembly (18-10) and re-elected succes- 
sively to the Thirteenth and Fourteenth. Early 
in the Mexican War (1846) he recruited a com- 
pany for the Third Regiment, of which he was 
chosen Captain, a year later becoming Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel of the Sixth. At the beginning of 
the Civil War Colonel Hicks was practicing his 
profession at Salem, Marion County. He 
promptly raised a company which became a part 
of the Fortieth Regiment Volunteer Infantry, of 
which he was commissioned Colonel. The regi- 
ment saw active service in the campaign in West- 
ern Tennessee, including the battle of Shiloh, 
where Colonel Hicks was dangerously wounded 
through the lungs, only recovering after some 
months in hospital and at his home. He rejoined 
his regiment in July following, but found him- 
self compelled to accept an honorable discharge, 
a few months later, on account of disability. 
Having finally recovered, he was restored to his 
old command, and served to the close of the war. 
In October, 1863, he was placed in command at 
Paducah, Ky., where he remained eighteen 
months, after which he was transferred to Colum- 
bus, Ky. While in command at Paducah, the 
place was desperately assaulted by the rebel 



Colonel Forrest, but successfully defended, the 
rebel assailants sustaining a loss of some 1,200 
killed and wounded. After the war Colonel 
Hicks returned to Salem, where he died, Dec. 14, 
1869, and was buried, in accordance with his 
request, in the folds of the American flag. Born 
on Washington's birthday, it is a somewhat 
curious coincidence that the death of this brave 
soldier should have occurred on the anniversary 
of that of the "Father of His Country." 

HIGBEE, Chauncey L., lawyer and Judge, was 
born in Clermont County, Ohio, Sept. 7, 1821, 
and settled in Pike County, 111., in 1844. He 
early took an interest in politics, being elected to 
the lower house of the Legislature in 1854, and 
two years later to the State Senate. In 1861 he 
was elected Judge of the Fifth Circuit Court, and 
was re-elected in 1867, '73, and '79. In 1877, and 
again in '79, he was assigned to the bench of the 
Appellate Court. Died, at Pittsfield, Dec. 7, 1884. 

HIGGINS, Van Hnllis, lawyer, was born in 
Genessee County, N. Y., and received his early 
education at Auburn and Seneca Falls; came to 
Chicago in 1837 and, after spending some time as 
clerk in his brother's store, taught some months 
in Vermilion County ; then went to St. Louis, 
where he spent a year or two as reporter on "The 
Missouri Argus," later engaging in commercial 
pursuits; in 1842 removed to Iroquois County, 
111., where he read law and was admitted to the 
bar; in 1845, established himself in practice in 
Galena, served two years as City Attorney there, 
but returned to Chicago in 1852, where he contin- 
ued to reside for the remainder of his life. In 1858 
he was elected as a Republican Representative in 
the Twenty-first General Assembly ; served sev- 
eral years as Judge of the Chicago City Court, 
and was a zealous supporter of the Government 
during the War of the Rebellion. Judge Higgins 
was successful as a lawyer and business man, and 
was connected with a number of important busi- 
ness enterprises, especially in connection with 
real-estate operations ; was also a member of sev- 
eral local societies of a professional, social and 
patriotic character. Died, at Darien, Wis., April 
17, 1893. 

HIGGINS03V, Charles M., civil engineer and 
Assistant Railway President, was born in Chica- 
go, July 11, 1846 — the son of George M.Higginson, 
who located in Chicago about 1843 and engaged 
in the real-estate business; was educated at the 
Lawrence Scientific School, Cambridge, Mass., 
and entered the engineering department of the 
Burlington & Missouri River Railroad in 1867, 
remaining until 1875. He then became the pur- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



333 



chasing agent of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw 
Railroad, but, a year later, returned to Chicago, 
and soon after assumed the same position in con- 
nection with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, 
being transferred to the Auditorship of the 
latter road in 1879. Later, he became assistant 
to President Ripley of the Atchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe Line, where he remained until his 
death, which occurred at Riverside, 111., May 6, 
1899. Mr. Higginson was, for several years, 
President of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, 
and a member of the Board of Managers of the 
Young Men's Christian Association of Chicago. 

HIGH, James L., lawyer and author, was born 
at Belleville, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1844; in boyhood came 
to Wisconsin, and graduated at Wisconsin State 
University, at Madison, in 1804, also serving for 
a time as Adjutant of the Forty-ninth Regiment 
Wisconsin Volunteers ; studied law at the Michi- 
gan University Law School and, in 1867, came to 
Chicago, where he began practice. He spent the 
winter of 1871-72 in Salt Lake City and, in the 
absence of the United States District Attorney, 
conducted the trial of certain Mormon leaders for 
connection with the celebrated Mountain Meadow 
Massacre, also acting as correspondent of "The 
New York Times," his letters being widely 
copied. Returning to Chicago he took a high 
rank in his profession. He was the author of 
several volumes, including treatises on "The Law 
of Injunctions as administered in the Courts of 
England and America, " and "Extraordinary Legal 
Remedies, Mandamus, Quo Warranto and Prohibi- 
tions," which are accepted as high authority with 
the profession. In 1870 he published a revised 
edition of Lord Erskine's Works, including all 
his legal arguments, together with a memoir of 
his life. Died, Oct. 3, 1898. 

HIGHLAND, a city in the southeastern part of 
Madison County, founded in 1836 and located on 
the Vandalia line, 32 miles east of St. Louis. Its 
manufacturing industries include a milk-con- 
densing plant, creamery, flour and planing mills, 
breweries, embroidery works, etc. It contains 
several churches and schools, a Roman Catholic 
Seminary, a hospital, and has three newspapers — 
one German. The early settlers were Germans 
of the most thrifty and enterprising classes. 
The surrounding country is agricultural. Popu- 
lation (1880), 1,960; (1890), 1,857; (1900, decennial 
census), 1,970. 

HIGHLAND PARK, an incorporated city of 
Lake County, on the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad, 23 miles north-northwest of Chicago. 
It has a salubrious site on a bluff 100 feet above 



Lake Michigan, and is a favorite residence and 
health resort. It has a large hotel, several 
churches, a military academy, and a weekly 
paper. Two Waukegan papers issue editions 
here. Population (1890), 2,163; (1900), 2,806. 

HILDRUP, Jesse S., lawyer and legislator. 
wasborninMiddletown, Conn., March 14, 1833; at 
15 removed to the State of New York and after- 
wards to Harrisburg, Pa. ; in 1860 came to Belvi- 
dere, 111., where he began the practice of law, 
also serving as Corporation Trustee and Township 
Supervisor, and, during the latter years of the 
war, as Deputy Provost Marshal. His first im- 
portant elective office was that of Delegate to the 
State Constitutional Convention of 1870, but he 
was elected Representative in the General Assem- 
bly the same year, and again in 1872. While in 
the House he took a prominent part in the legis- 
lation which resulted in the organization of the 
Railroad and Warehouse Board. Mr. Hildrup 
was also a Republican Presidential Elector in 
1808, and United States Marshal for the Northern 
District of Illinois from 1877 to 1881. During 
the last few years much of his time has been 
spent in California for the benefit of the health 
of some members of his family. 

HILL, Charles Augustus, ex-Congressman, 
was born at Truxton, Cortland County, N. Y., 
August 23, 1833. He acquired his early education 
by dint of hard labor, and much privation. In 
1854 he removed to Illinois, settling in Will 
County, where, for several years, he taught 
school, as he had done while in New York. 
Meanwhile he read law, his last instructor being 
Hon. H. C. Newcomb, of Indianapolis, where he 
was admitted to the bar. He returned to Will 
County in 1860, and, in 1862, enlisted in the 
Eighth Illinois Cavalry, participating in the 
battle of Antietam. Later he was commissioned 
First Lieutenant in the First United States Regi- 
ment of Colored Troops, with which he remained 
until the close of the war, rising to the rank of 
Captain. In 1865 he returned to Joliet and to the 
practice of his profession. In 1868 lie was elected 
State's Attorney for the district comprising Will 
and Grundy Counties, but declined a renomina- 
tion. In 1888 he was the successful Republican 
candidate for Congress from the Eighth Illinois 
District, but was defeated for re-election in 1890 
by Lewis Steward, Democrat. 

HILLSBORO, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Montgomery County, on the Cleveland, 
Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, 67 
miles northeast of St. Louis. Its manufactures 
are Hour, brick and tile, carriages and harness, 



234 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



furniture and woolen goods. It has a high 
school, banks and two weekly newspapers. The 
surrounding region is agricultural, though con- 
siderable coal is mined in the vicinity. Popula- 
tion (1880), 2,858; (1890), 2,500; (1900), 1,937. 

HINCKLEY, a village of De Kalb County, on 
the Rochelle Division of the Chicago, Burlington 
& Quincy Railroad, 18 miles west of Aurora; in 
rich agricultural and dairying region; has grain 
elevators, brick and tile works, water system and 
electric light plant. Pep. (1890), 496; (1900), 587. 

HINRICHSEN, William H., ex-Secretary of 
State and ex-Congressman, was born at Franklin, 
Morgan County, 111., May 27, 1850; educated at 
the University of Illinois, spent four years in the 
office of his father, who was stock-agent of the 
Wabash Railroad, and six years (1874-80) as 
Deputy Sheriff of Morgan County ; then went 
into the newspaper business, editing the Jackson- 
ville "Evening Courier," until 1886, after which 
he was connected with "The Quincy Herald," to 
1890, when he returned to Jacksonville and re- 
sinned his place on "The Courier." He was Clerk 
of the House of Representatives in 1891, and 
elected Secretary of State in 1892, serving until 
January, 1897. Mr. Hinrichsen has been a mem- 
ber of the Democratic State Central Committee 
since 1890, and was Chairman of that body dur- 
ing 1894-96. In 1896 Mr. Hinrichsen was the 
nominee of his party for Congress in the Six- 
teenth District and was elected by over 6,000 
majority, but failed to secure a renomination in 
1898. 

HINSDALE, a village in Du Page County and 
popular residence suburb, on the Chicago, Bur- 
liugton & Quincy Railroad, 17 miles west-south- 
west of Chicago. It has four churches, a graded 
school, an academy, electric light plant, water- 
works, sewerage system, and two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1890), 1,584; (1900), 2,578. 

HITCHCOCK, Charles, lawyer, was born at 
Hanson, Plymouth County, Mass., April 4, 1827; 
studied at Dartmouth College and at Harvard 
Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1854, 
soon afterward establishing himself for the prac- 
tice of his profession in Chicago. In 1869 Mr. 
Hitchcock was elected to the State Constitutional 
Convention, which was the only important pub- 
lic office that he held, though his capacity was 
recognized by his election to the Presidency of 
that body. Died, May 6, 1881. 

HITCHCOCK, Luke, clergyman, was born 
April 13, 1813, at Lebanon, N. Y. ( entered the 
ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 
1834, and, after supplying various charges in 



that State during the next five years, in 1839 
came to Chicago, becoming one of the most 
influential factors in the Methodist denomination 
in Northern Illinois. Between that date and 
1860 he was identified, as regular pastor or Pre- 
siding Elder, with churches at Dixon, Ottawa, 
Belvidere, Rockford, Mount Morris, St. Charles 
and Chicago (the old Clark Street church), with 
two years' service (1841-43) as agent of Rock 
River Seminary at Mount Morris — his itinerant 
labors being interrupted at two or three periods 
by ill-health, compelling him to assume a super- 
annuated relation. From 1852 to '80, inclusive, 
he was a delegate every four years to the General 
Conference. In 1860 he was appointed Agent of 
the Western Book Concern, and, as the junior 
representative, was placed in charge of the 
depository at Chicago — in 1868 becoming the 
Senior Agent, and so remaining until 1880. His 
subsequent service included two terms as Presid- 
ing Elder for the Dixon and Chicago Districts; 
the position of Superintendent of the Chicago 
Home Missionary and Church Extension Society ; 
Superintendent of the Wesley Hospital (which he 
assisted to organize), his last position being that 
of Corresponding Secretary of the Superannu- 
ates' Relief Association. He was also influential 
in securing the establishment of a church paper 
in Chicago and the founding of the Northwestern 
University and Garrett Biblical Institute. Died, 
while on a visit to a daughter at East Orange, 
N. J., Nov. 12, 1898. 

HITT, Daniel F., civil engineer and soldier, 
was born in Bourbon County, Ky., June 13, 1810 
— the son of a Methodist preacher who freed his 
slaves and removed to Urbana, Ohio, in 1814. In 
1829 the son began the study of engineering and, 
removing to Illinois the following year, was ap- 
pointed Assistant Engineer on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, later being employed in survey- 
ing some sixteen years. Being stationed at 
Prairie du Chien at the time of the Black Hawk 
War (1832), he was attached to the Stephenson 
Rangers for a year, but at the end of that period 
resumed surveying and, having settled in La 
Salle County, became the first Surveyor of that 
county. In 1861 he joined Colonel Cushman, of 
Ottawa, in the organization of the Fifty-third 
Illinois Volunteers, was mustered into the service 
in March, 1S62, and commissioned its Lieutenant- 
Colonel. The regiment took part in various 
battles, including those of Shiloh, Corinth and 
La Grange, Tenn. In the latter Colonel Hitt 
received an injury by being thrown from his 
horse which compelled his resignation and from 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



235 



which he never fully recovered. Returning to 
Ottawa, he continued to reside there until his 
death, May 11, 1899. Colonel Hitt was father of 
Andrew J. Hitt, General Superintendent of the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and 
uncle of Congressman Robert R. Hitt of Mount 
Morris. Originally a Democrat, he allied himself 
with the Republican party on the breaking out 
of the Civil War. He was a thirty-second degree 
Mason and prominent in Grand Army circles. 

HITT, Isaac R., real-estate operator, was born 
at Boonsboro, Md., June 2, 1828; in 1845 entered 
the freshman class at Asbury University, Ind., 
graduating in 1849. Then, removing to Ottawa, 
111., he was engaged for a time in farming, but, 
in 1852, entered into the forwarding and com- 
mission business at La Salle. Having meanwhile 
devoted some attention to real-estate law, in 1853 
he began buying and selling real estate while 
continuing his farming operations, adding thereto 
coal-mining. In May, 1856, he was a delegate 
from La Salle County to the State Convention at 
Bloomington which resulted in the organization 
of the Republican party in Illinois. Removing 
to Chicago in I860, he engaged in the real-estate 
business there ; in 1862 was appointed on a com- 
mittee of citizens to look after the interests of 
wounded Illinois soldiers after the battle of Fort 
Donelson, in that capacity visiting hospitals at 
Cairo, Evansville, Paducah and Nashville. Dur- 
ing the war he engaged to some extent in the 
business of prosecuting soldiers' claims. Mr. 
Hitt has been a member of both the Chicago and 
the National Academy of Sciences, and, in 1869, 
was appointed by Governor Palmer on the Com- 
mission to lay out the park system of Chicago. 
Since 1871 he has resided at Evanston, where he 
aided in the erection of the Woman's College in 
connection with the Northwestern University. 
In 1876 he was appointed by the Governor agent 
to prosecute the claims of the State for swamp 
lands within its limits, and has given much of 
his attention to that business since. 

HITT, Robert Roberts, Congressman, was born 
at Urbana, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1834. When he was 
three years old his parents removed to Illinois, 
settling in Ogle County. His education was 
acquired at Rock River Seminary (now Mount 
Morris College), and at De Pauw University, Ind. 
In 1858 Mr. Hitt was one of the reporters who 
reported the celebrated debate of that year 
between Lincoln and Douglas. From December, 
1874, until March, '81, he was connected with the 
United States embassy at Paris, serving as First 
Secretary of Legation and Charge d' Affaires ad 



interim. He was Assistant Secretary of State in 
1881, but resigned the post in 1882, having been 
elected to Congress from the Sixth Illinois Dis- 
trict to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death 
of R. M. A. Hawk. By eight successive re-elec- 
tions he has represented the District continuously 
since, his career being conspicuous for long serv- 
ice. In that time he has taken an important 
part in the deliberations of the House, serving as 
Chairman of many important committees, not- 
ably that on Foreign Affairs, of which he has 
been Chairman for several terms, and for which 
his diplomatic experience well qualifies him. In 
1898 he was appointed by President McKinley a 
member of the Committee to visit Hawaii and 
report upon a form of government for that por- 
tion of the newly acquired national domain. Mr. 
Hitt was strongly supported as a candidate for 
the United States Senate in 1895, and favorably 
considered for the position of Minister to Eng- 
land after the retirement of Secretary Day in 
1898. 

HOBART, Horace R., was born in Wisconsin 
in 1839 ; graduated at Beloit College and, after a 
brief experience in newspaper work, enlisted, in 
1861, in the First Wisconsin Cavalry and was 
assigned to duty as Battalion Quartermaster. 
Being wounded at Helena, Ark., he was com- 
pelled to resign, but afterwards served as Deputy 
Provost Marshal of the Second Wisconsin Dis- 
trict. In 1866 he re-entered newspaper work as 
reporter on "The Chicago Tribune," and later 
was associated, as city editor, with "The Chicago 
Evening Post" and "Evening Mail"; later was 
editor of "The Jacksonville Daily Journal" and 
"The Chicago Morning Courier," also being, for 
some years from 1869, Western Manager of the 
American Press Association. In 1876, Mr. Hobart 
became one of the editors of "The Railway Age" 
(Chicago), with which he remained until the 
close of the year 1898, when he retired to give his 
attention to real-estate matters. 

HOFFMAN, Francis A., Lieutenant-Governor 
(1861-65), was born at Herford, Prussia, in 1822, 
and emigrated to America in 1839, reaching Chica- 
go the same year. There he became a boot-black in 
a leading hotel, but within a month was teaching 
a small German school at Dunkley's Grove (now 
Addison), Du Page County, and later officiating 
as a Lutheran minister. In 1847 he represented 
that county in the River and Harbor Convention 
at Chicago. In 1852 he removed to Chicago, and, 
the following year, entered the City Council. 
Later, he embarked in the real-estate business, 
and, in 1854, opened a banking house, but was 



236 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



foroed to assign in 1861. He early became a 
recognized anti-slavery leader and a contributor 
to the German press, and, in 1856, was nominated 
for Lieutenant-Governor on the first Republican 
State ticket with William H. Bissell, but was 
found ineligible by reason of his short residence 
in the United States, and withdrew, giving place 
to John Wood of Quiucy. In 1800 he was again 
nominated, and having in the meantime become 
eligible, was elected. In 1864 he was a Repub- 
lican candidate for Presidential Elector, and 
assisted in Mr. Lincoln's second election. He 
was at one time Foreign Land Commissioner for 
the Illinois Central Railroad, and acted as Consul 
at Chicago for several German States. For a 
number of years past Mr. Hoffman has been 
editor of an agricultural paper in Southern 
Wisconsin. 

HOG.4.N, John, clergyman and early politician, 
was born in the city of Mallow, County of Cork, 
Ireland, Jan. 2, 1805; brought in childhood to 
Baltimore, Md., and having been left an orphan at 
eight years of age, learned the trade of a shoe- 
maker. In 1826 he became an itinerant Metho- 
dist preacher, and, coming west the same year, 
preached at various points in Indiana, Illinois 
and Missouri. In 1830 he was married to Miss 
Mary Mitchell West, of Belleville, 111., and soon 
after, having retired from the itinerancy, engaged 
in mercantile business at Edwardsville and Alton. 
In 1836 he was elected Representative in the 
Tenth General Assembly from Madison County, 
two years later was appointed a Commissioner of 
Public Works and, being re-elected in 1840, was 
made President of the Board ; in 1841 was ap- 
pointed by President Harrison Register of the 
Land Office at Dixon, where he remained until 
1845. During the anti-slavery excitement which 
attended the assassination of Elijah P. Lovejoy 
in 1837, he was a resident of Alton and was re- 
garded by the friends of Lovejoy as favoring the 
pro-slavery faction. After retiring from the 
Land Office at Dixon, he removed to St. Louis, 
where he engaged in the wholesale grocery busi- 
ness. In his early political life he was a Whig, 
but later co-operated with the Democratic party ; 
in 1857 he was appointed by President Buchanan 
Postmaster of the city of St. Louis, serving until 
the accession of Lincoln in 1861 ; in 1864 was 
elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-ninth Con- 
gress, serving two years. He was also a delegate 
to the National Union (Democratic) Convention 
at Philadelphia in 1866. After his retirement 
from the Methodist itinerancy he continued to 
officiate as a "local" preacher and was esteemed 



a speaker of unusual eloquence and ability. His 
death occurred, Feb. 5, 1892. He is author of sev- 
eral volumes, including "The Resources of Mis- 
souri," "Commerce and Manufactures of St. 
Louis," and a "History of Methodism." 

HOGE, Joseph P., Congressman, was born in 
Ohio early in the century and came to Galena, 
111., in 1836, where he attained prominence as a 
lawyer. In 1842 he was elected Representative 
in Congress, as claimed at the time by the aid of 
the Mormon vote at Nauvoo, serving one term. 
In 1853 he went to San Francisco, Cal., and be- 
came a Judge in that State, dying a few years 
since at the age of over 80 years. He is repre- 
sented to have been a man of much ability and a 
graceful and eloquent orator. Mr. Hoge was a 
son-in-law of Thomas C. Browne, one of the Jus- 
tices of the first Supreme Court of Illinois who 
held office until 1848. 

HOLLISTER, (Dr.) John Hamilton, physi- 
cian, was born at Riga, N. Y., in 1824; was 
brought to Romeo', Mich., by his parents in in- 
fancy, but his father having died, at the age of 17 
went to Rochester, N. Y., to be educated, finally 
graduating in medicine at Berkshire College, 
Mass., in 1847, and beginning practice at Otisco, 
Mich. Two years later he removed to Grand 
Rapids and, in 1855, to Chicago, where he held, 
for a time, the position of demonstrator of anat- 
omy in Rush Medical College, and, in 1856, be- 
came one of the founders of the Chicago Medical 
College, in which he has held various chairs. He 
also served as Surgeon of Mercy Hospital and 
was, for twenty years, Clinical Professor in the 
same institution; was President of the State 
Medical Society, and, for twenty years, its Treas- 
urer. Other positions held by him have been 
those of Trustee of the American Medical Associ- 
ation and editor of its journal, President of the 
Young Men's Christian Association and of the 
Chicago Congregational Club. He has also been 
prominent in Sunday School and church work in 
connection with the Armour Mission, with which 
he has been associated for many years. 

HOME FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS, (FE- 
MALE). The establishment of this institution 
was authorized by act of June 22, 1893, which 
appropriated 875,000 towards its erection and 
maintenance, not more than 815,000 to be ex- 
pended for a site. (See also State Guardians for 
Girls. ) It is designed to receive girls between the 
ages of 10 and 16 committed thereto by any court 
of record upon conviction of a misdemeanor, the 
term of commitment not to be less than one 
year, or to exceed minority. Justices of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



237 



Peace, however, may send girls for a term not 
less than three months. The act of incorporation 
provides for a commutation of sentence to be 
earned by good conduct and a prolongation of 
the sentence by bad behavior. The Trustees are 
empowered, in their discretion, either to appren- 
tice the girls or to adopt them out during their 
minority. Temporary quarters were furnished 
for the Home during the first two years of its 
existence in Chicago, but permanent buildings 
for the institution have been erected on the 
banks of Fox River, near Geneva, in Kane County. 

HOMER, a village in Champaign County, on 
the Wabash Railway, 20 miles west-southwest 
from Danville and about 18 miles east-southeast 
from Champaign. It supports a carriage factory; 
also has two banks several churches, a seminary, 
an opera house, and one weekly paper. The 
region is chiefly agricultural. Population (1880), 
924; (1890), 917; (1900), 1,080. 

HOMESTEAD LAWS. In general such laws 
have been defined to be "legislation enacted to 
secure, to some extent, the enjoyment of a home 
and shelter for a family or individual by exempt- 
ing, under certain conditions, the residence occu- 
pied by the family or individual, from liability to 
be sold for the payment of the debts of its owner, 
and by restricting his rights of free alienation." 
In Illinois, this exemption extends to the farm 
and dwelling thereon of every householder hav- 
ing a family, and occupied as a residence, 
whether owned or possessed under a lease, to the 
value of §1,000. The exemption continues after 
death, for the benefit of decedent's wife or hus- 
band occupying the homestead, and also of the 
children, if any, until the youngest attain the 
age of 21 years. Husband and wife must join in 
releasing the exemption, but the property is 
always liable for improvements thereon. — In 1802 
Congress passed an act known as the "Homestead 
Law" for the protection of the rights of settlers 
on public lands under certain restrictions as to 
active occupancy, under which most of that 
class of lands since taken for settlement have 
been purchased. 

HOMEWOOD, a village of Cook County, on the 
Illinois Central Railway, 23 miles south of Chi- 
cago. Population, (1900), 352. 

HOOLEY, Richard M., theatrical manager, 
was born in Ireland, April 13, 1822 ; at the age of 
18 entered the theater as a musician and, four 
years later, came to America, soon after forming 
an association with E. P. Christy, the originator 
of negro minstrelsy entertainments which went 
under his name. In 1848 Mr. Hooley conducted 



a company of minstrels through the principal 
towns of England, Scotland and Ireland, and to 
some of the chief cities on the continent; re- 
turned to America five years later, and subse- 
quently managed houses in San Francisco, 
Philadelphia, Brooklyn and New York, finally 
locating in Chicago in 1869, where he remained 
the rest of his life, — his theater becoming one of 
the most widely known and popular in the city. 
Died, Sept. 8, 1893. 

HOOPESTON, a prosperous city in Vermilion 
County at the intersection of the Chicago & East- 
ern Illinois and the Lake Erie & Western Rail- 
roads, 99 miles south of Chicago. It has grain 
elevators, a nail factory, brick and tile works, 
carriage and machine shops, and two large can- 
ning factories, besides two banks and one daily 
and three weekly newspapers, several churches, 
a high school and a business college. Population 
(1890), 1,911; (1900), 3,823; (1904), about 4,500. 

HOPKINS, Albert J., Congressman, was born 
in De Kalb County, 111., August 15, 1846. After 
graduating from Hillsdale College, Mich. , in 18T0, 
he studied law and began practice at Aurora. 
He rapidly attained prominence at the bar, and, 
in 1872, was elected State's Attorney for Kane 
County, serving in that capacity for four years. 
He is an ardent Republican and high in the 
party's councils, having been Chairman of the 
State Central Committee from 1878 to 1880, and a 
Presidential Elector on the Blaine & Logan 
ticket in 1884. The same year he was elected to 
the Forty-ninth Congress from the Fifth District 
(now the Eighth) and has been continuously re- 
elected ever since, receiving a clear majority in 
1898 of more than 18,000 votes over two competi- 
tors. At present (1898) he is Chairman of the 
Select House Committee on Census and a member 
of the Committees on Ways and Means, and Mer- 
chant Marine and Fisheries. In 1896 he was 
strongly supported for the Republican nomina- 
tion for Governor. 

HOUGHTON, Horace Hocking, pioneer printer 
and journalist, was born at Springfield, Vt., Oct. 
26, 1806, spent his youth on a farm, and at eight- 
een began learning the printer's trade in the office 
of "The Woodstock Overseer" ; on arriving at his 
majority became a journeyman printer and, in 
1828, went to New York, spending some time in 
the employment of the Harper Brothers. After 
a brief season spent in Boston, he took charge of 
"The Statesman" at Castleton, Vt., but, in 1834, 
again went to New York, taking with hiin a 
device for throwing the printed sheet off the 
press, which was afterwards adopted on the 



233 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Adams and Hoe printing presses. His next 
move was to Marietta, Ohio, in 1834, thence by 
way of Cincinnati and Louisville to St. Louis, 
working for a time in the office of the old "St. 
Louis Republican." He soon after went to 
Galena and engaged in lead-mining, but later 
became assdciated with Sylvester M. Bartlett in 
the management of "The Northwestern Gazette 
and Galena Advertiser," finally becoming sole 
proprietor. In 1843 he sold out the paper, but 
resumed his connection with it the following 
year, remaining until 1863, when he finally sold 
out. He afterwards spent some time on the 
Pacific slope, was for a time American Consul to 
the Sandwich Islands, but finally returned to 
Galena and, during the later years of his life, 
was Postmaster there, dying April 30, 1879. 

HOVEY, Charles Edward, educator, soldier 
and lawyer, was born in Orange County, Vt., 
April 26, 1827 ; graduated at Dartmouth College in 
1852, and became successively Principal of high 
schools at Farmington, Mass., and Peoria, 111. 
Later, he assisted in organizing the Illinois State 
Normal School at Normal, of which he was 
President from 1857 to 1861 — being also President 
of the State Teachers' Association (1856), mem- 
ber of the State Board of Education, and, for some 
years, editor of "The Illinois Teacher." In Au- 
gust, 1861, he assisted in organizing, and was com- 
missioned Colonel of, the Thirty-third Illinois 
Volunteers, known as the "Normal" or "School- 
Masters' Regiment," from the fact that it was 
composed largely of teachers and young men 
from the State colleges. In 1862 he was promoted 
to the rank of Brigadier-General and, a few 
months later, to brevet Major-General for gallant 
and meritorious conduct. Leaving the military 
service in May, 1863, he engaged in the practice 
of law in Washington, D. C. Died, in Washing- 
ton, Nov. 17, 1897. 

HOWLAND, George, educator and author, was 
born (of Pilgrim ancestry) at Conway, Mass., 
July 30, 1824. After graduating from Amherst 
College in 1850, he devoted two years to teaching 
in the public schools, and three years to a tutor- 
ship in his Alma Mater, giving instruction in 
Latin, Greek and French. He began the study 
of law, but, after a year's reading, he abandoned 
it, removing to Chicago, where he became Assist- 
ant Principal of the city's one high school, in 
1858. He became its Principal in 1860, and, in 
1880, was elected Superintendent of Chicago City 
Schools. This position he filled until August, 
1891, when he resigned. He also served as Trus- 
tee of Amherst College for several years, and as a 



member of the Illinois State Board of Education, 
being President of that body in 1883. As an 
author he was of some note; his work being 
chiefly on educational lines. He published a 
translation of the .^Eneid adapted to the use of 
schools, besides translations of some of Horace's 
Odes and portions of the Iliad and Odyssey. He 
was also the author of an English grammar. 
Died, in Chicago, Oct. 21, 1892. 

HOYXE, Philip A., lawyer and United States 
Commissioner, was born in New York City, Nov. 
20, 1824; came to Chicago in 1841, and, after 
spending eleven years alternately in Galena and 
Chicago, finally located permanently in Chicago, 
in 1852; in 1853 was elected Clerk of the Record- 
er's Court of Chicago, retaining the position five 
years; was admitted to the bar in March, 1856, 
and appointed United States Commissioner the 
same year, remaining in office until his death, 
Nov. 3, 1894. Mr. Hoyne was an officer of the 
Chicago Pioneers and one of the founders of the 
Union League Club. 

HUBBARD, Gurdon Saltonstall, pioneer and 
Indian trader, was born at Windsor, Vt., August 
22, 1802. His early youth was passed in Canada, 
chiefly in the employ of the American Fur Com- 
pany. In 1818 he first visited Fort Dearborn, and 
for nine }'ears traveled back and forth in the 
interest of his employers. In 1827, having em- 
barked in business on his own account, he estab- 
lished several trading posts in Illinois, becoming 
a resident of Chicago in 1832. From this time 
forward he became identified with the history 
and development of the State. He served with 
distinction during the Black Hawk and Winne- 
bago Wars, was enterprising and public-spirited, 
and did much to promote the early development 
of Chicago. He was elected to the Legislature 
from Vermilion County in 1832, and, in 1835, 
was appointed by Governor Duncan one of the 
Commissioners of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. 
Died, at Chicago, Sept. 14, 1886. From the time 
he became a citizen of Chicago, for fifty years, 
no man was more active or public-spirited 
in promoting its commercial development and 
general prosperity. He was identified with 
almost every branch of business upon which its 
growth as a commercial city depended, from that 
of an early Indian trader to that of a real-estate 
operator, being manager of one of the largest pack- 
ing houses of his time, as well as promoter of 
early railroad enterprises. A zealous Republican, 
he was one of the most earnest supporters of 
Abraham Lincoln in the campaign of 1860, was 
prominently identified with every local measure 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



239 



for the maintenance of the Union cause, and, for 
a year, held a commission as Captain in the 
Eighty-eighth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, 
known as the "Second Board of Trade Regiment." 

HUGHITT, Marvin, Railway President, was 
born, August, 1837, and, in 1856, began his rail- 
road experience on the Chicago & Alton Railway 
as Superintendent of Telegraph and Train-de- 
spatcher. In 1862 he entered the service of the 
Illinois Central Company in a similar capacity, 
still later occupying the positions of Assistant 
Superintendent and General Superintendent, re- 
maining in the latter from 1865 to 1870, when he 
resigned to become Assistant General Manager 
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. In 1872 
he became associated with the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad, in connection with which he 
has held the positions of Superintendent, General 
Manager, Second Vice-President and President — 
the last of which (1899) he still occupies. 

HULETT, Alta M"., lawyer, was born near 
Rockford, 111., June 4, 1854; early learned teleg- 
raphy and became a successful operator, but sub- 
sequently engaged in teaching and the study of 
law. In 1872, having passed the required exami- 
nation, she applied for admission to the bar, but 
was rejected on account of sex. She then, in 
conjunction with Mrs. Bradwell and others, 
interested herself in securing the passage of an 
act by the Legislature giving women the right 
that had been denied her, which having been 
accomplished, she went to Chicago, was admitted 
to the bar and began practice. Died, in Cali- 
fornia, March 27, 1877. 

HUM, Daniel D., legislator, was born in 
Wyoming County, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1835, came to 
De Kalb County, 111., in 1857, and has since been 
engaged in hotel, mercantile and farming busi- 
ness. He was elected as a Republican Represent- 
ative in the Thirty-fifth General Assembly in 
1886, and re-elected in 1888. Two years later he 
was elected to the State Senate, re-elected in 
1894, and again in 1898 — giving him a continuous 
Bervice in one or the other branch of the General 
Assembly of sixteen years. During the session 
of 1895, Senator Hunt was especially active in 
the legislation which resulted in the location of 
the Northern Illinois Normal Institute at De 
Kalb. 

HUNT, George, lawyer and ex-Attorney-Gen- 
eral, was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1841 ; 
having lost both parents in childhood, came, 
with an uncle, to Edgar County, 111., in 1855. In 
July, 1861, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the 
Twelfth Illinois Infantry, re-enblsting as a veteran 



in 1864, and rising from the ranks to a captaincy. 
After the close of the war, he studied law, was 
admitted to the bar, and, locating at Paris, Edgar 
County, soon acquired a large practice. He was 
elected State Senator on the Republican ticket in 
1874, and re-elected in 1878 and '82. In 1884 he 
received his first nomination for Attorney-Gen- 
eral, was renominated in 1888, and elected both 
times, serving eight years. Among the im- 
portant questions with which General Hunt had 
to deal during his two terms were the celebrated 
"anarchist cases" of 1887 and of 1890-92. In the 
former the condemned Chicago anarchists applied 
through their counsel to the Supreme Court of 
the United States, for a writ of error to the Su- 
preme Court of Illinois to compel the latter to 
grant them a new trial, which was refused. The 
case, on the part of the State, was conducted by 
General Hunt, while Gen. B. F. Butler of Massa- 
chusetts, John Randolph Tucker of Virginia, 
Roger A. Pryor of New York, and Messrs. W. P. 
Black and Solomon of Chicago appeared for the 
plaintiffs. Again, in 1890, Fielden and Schwab, 
who had been condemned to life imprisonment, 
attempted to secure their release — the former by 
an application similar to that of 1887, and the 
latter by appeal from a decision of Judge Gresham 
of the United States Circuit Court refusing a 
writ of habeas corpus. The final hearing of 
these cases was had before the Supreme Court of 
the United States in January, 1892, General 
Butler again appearing as leading counsel for the 
plaintiffs— but with the same result as in 1887. 
General Hunt's management of these cases won 
for him much deserved commendation both at 
home and abroad. 

HUNTER, Andrew J., was born in Greencastle, 
Ind., Dec. 17, 1831, and removed in infancy by 
his parents, to Edgar County, this State. His 
early education was received in the common 
schools and at Edgar Academy. He commenced 
his business life as a civil engineer, but, after 
three years spent in that profession, began the 
study of law and was admitted to the bar. He 
has since been actively engaged in practice at 
Paris, Edgar County. From 1864 to 1868 he repre- 
sented that county in the State Senate, and, in 
1870, led the Democratic forlorn hope in the Fif- 
teenth Congressional District against General 
Jesse H. Moore, and rendered a like service to his 
party in 1882, when Joseph G. Cannon was his 
Republican antagonist. In 1886 he was elected 
Judge of the Edgar County Court, and, in 1890, 
was re-elected, but resigned this office in 1892, 
having been elected Congressman for the State- 



240 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



at-large on the Democratic ticket. He was a can- 
didate for Congress from the Nineteenth District 
again in 1896, and was again elected, receiving a 
majority of 1,200 over Hon. Benson Wood, his 
Republican opponent and immediate predecessor. 
HUNTER, (Gen.) David, soldier, was born in 
Washington, D. C, July 21, 1802; graduated at 
the United States Military Academy in 1822, 
and assigned to the Fifth Infantry with the rank 
of Second Lieutenant, becoming First Lieutenant 
in 1828 and Captain of Dragoons in 1833. During 
this period he twice crossed the plains to the 
Rocky Mountains, but, in 1836, resigned his com- 
mission and engaged in business in Chicago, 
Re-entering the service as Paymaster in 1842, he 
was Chief Paymaster of General Wool's command 
in the Mexican War, and was afterwards stationed 
at New Orleans, Washington, Detroit, St. Louis 
and on the frontier. He was a personal friend of 
President Lincoln, whom he accompanied when 
the latter set out for Washington in February, 
1861, but was disabled at Buffalo, having his 
collar-bone dislocated by the crowd. He was 
appointed Colonel of the Sixth United States 
Cavalry, May 14, 1861, three days later commis- 
sioned Brigadier-General and, in August, made 
Major-General. In the Manassas campaign he 
commanded the main column of McDowell's 
army and was severely wounded at Bull Run ; 
served under Fremont in Missouri and succeeded 
him in command in November, 1861, remaining 
until March, 1862. Being transferred to the 
Department of the South in May following, he 
issued an order declaring the persons held as 
slaves in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina 
free, which order was revoked by President Lin- 
coln ten days later. On account of the steps 
taken by him for the organization of colored 
troops, Jefferson Davis issued an order declaring 
him, in case of capture, subject to execution as 
a felon. In May, 1864, he was placed in com- 
mand of the Department of the West, and, in 

1865, served on various courts-martial, being 
President of the commission that tried Mr. Lin- 
coln's assassins; was bre vetted Major-General in 
March, 1865, retired from active service July, 

1866, and died in Washington, Feb. 2, 1886. Gen- 
eral Hunter married a daughter of John Kinzie, 
the first permanent citizen of Chicago. 

HURD, Harvey B., lawyer, was born in Fair- 
field County, Conn., Feb. 24, 1827. At the age of 
15 he walked to Bridgeport, where he began life 
as office-boy in "The Bridgeport Standard," a 
journal of pronounced Whig proclivities. In 
1844 he came to Illinois, entering Jubilee College, 



but, after a brief attendance, came to Chicago in 
1846. There he found temporary employment 
as a compositor, later commencing the study of 
law, and being admitted to the bar in 1848. A 
portion of the present city of Evanston is built 
upon a 248-acre tract owned and subdivided by Mr. 
Hurd and his partner. Always in sympathy 
with the old school and most radical type of 
Abolitionists, he took a deep interest in the Kan- 
sas-Missouri troubles of 1856, and became a mem- 
ber of the "National Kansas Committee" 
appointed by the Buffalo (N. Y. ) Convention, of 
which body he was a member. He was chosen 
Secretary of the executive committee, and it is 
not too much to say that, largely through his 
earnest and poorly requited labors, Kansas was 
finally admitted into the Union as a free State. 
It was mainly through his efforts that seed for 
planting was gratuitously distributed among the 
free-soil settlers. In 1869 he was appointed a 
member of the Commission to revise the statutes 
of Illinois, a large part of the work devolving 
upon him in consequence of the withdrawal of 
his colleagues. The revision was completed in 
1874, in conjunction with a Joint Committee of 
Revision of both Houses appointed by the Legis- 
lature of 1873. While no statutory revision has 
been ordered by subsequent Legislatures, Mr. 
Hurd has carried on the same character of work 
on independent lines, issuing new editions of the 
statutes from time to time, which are regarded as 
standard works by the bar. In 1875 he was 
nominated by the Republican party for a seat on 
the Supreme bench, but was defeated by the late 
Judge T. Lyle Dickey. For several years he 
filled a chair in the faculty of the Union College 
of Law. His home is in Evanston. 

HURLBUT, Stephen A., soldier, Congressman 
and Foreign Minister, was born at Charleston, 
S. C, Nov. 29, 1815, received a thorough liberal 
education, and was admitted to the bar in 1837. 
Soon afterwards he removed to Illinois, making 
his home at Belvidere. He was a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1847, in 1848 was an 
unsuccessful candidate for Presidential Elector 
on the Whig ticket, but, on the organization of 
the Republican party in 1856, promptly identified 
himself with that party and was elected to the 
lower branch of the General Assembly as a 
Republican in 1858 and again in 1860. During 
the War of the Rebellion he served with distinc- 
tion from May, 1861, to July, 1865. He entered 
the service as Brigadier-General, commanding 
the Fourth Division of Grant's army at Pittsburg 
Landing; was made a Major-General in Septem- 



CO 

E 

Q 

•a 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



241 



ber, 1862, and later assigned to the command of 
the Sixteenth Army Corps, at Memphis, and sub- 
sequently to the command of the Department of 
the Gulf (1864-65). After the close of the war he 
served another term in the General Assembly 
(1867), was chosen Presidential Elector for the 
State-at-large in 1868, and, in 1869, was appointed 
by President Grant Minister Resident to the 
United States of Colombia, serving until 1873. 
The latter year he was elected Representative to 
Congress, and re-elected two years later. In 
1876 he was a candidate for re-election as an 
independent Republican, but was defeated by 
William Lathrop, the regular nominee. In 1881 
he was appointed Minister Resident to Peru, and 
died at Lima, March 27, 1882. 

HUTCHINS, Thomas, was born in Monmouth, 
N. J., in 1730, died in Pittsburg, Pa., April 28, 
1789. He was the first Government Surveyor, fre- 
quently called the "Geographer"; was also an 



officer of the Sixtieth Royal (British) regiment, 
and assistant engineer under Bouquet. At the 
outbreak of the Revolution, while stationed at 
Fort Chartres, he resigned his commission be- 
cause of his sympathy with the patriots. Three 
years later he was charged with being in treason- 
able correspondence with Franklin, and im- 
prisoned in the Tower of London. He is said to 
have devised the present system of Government 
surveys in this country, and his services in carry- 
ing it into effect were certainly of great value. 
He was the author of several valuable works, the 
best known being a "Topographical Description 
of Virginia." 

HUTSONVILLE, a village of Crawford County, 
on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railway, and the Wabash River, 34 miles 
south of Paris. The district is agricultural. The 
town has a bank and a weekly paper. Population 
(1890), 582; (1900), 743. 



ILLINOIS. 

(general history.) 



Illinois is the twenty-first State of the Federal 
Union in the order of its admission, the twentieth 
in present area and the third in point of popula- 
tion. A concise history of the region, of which it 
constituted the central portion at an early period, 
will be found in the following pages: 

The greater part of the territory now comprised 
within the State of Illinois was known and at- 
tracted eager attention from the nations of the 
old world — especially in France, Germany and 
England — before the close of the third quarter of 
the seventeenth century. More than one hun-. 
dred years before the struggle for American Inde- 
pendence began, or the geographical division 
known as the "Territory of the Northwest" had 
an existence; before the names of Kentucky, 
Tennessee, Vermont or Ohio had been heard of, 
and while the early settlers of New England and 
Virginia were still struggling for a foothold 
among the Indian tribes on the Atlantic coast, 
the "Illinois Country" occupied a place on the 
maps of North America as distinct and definite 
as New York or Pennsylvania. And from that 
time forward, until it assumed its position in the 
Union with the rank of a State, no other section 
has been the theater of more momentous and 
stirring events or has contributed more material, 
affording interest and instruction to the archaeol- 
ogist, the ethnologist and the historian, than 



that portion of the American Continent now 
known as the "State of Illinois." 

The "Illinois Country. "—What was known 
to the early French explorers and their followers 
and descendants, for the ninety years which 
intervened between the discoveries of Joliet and 
La Salle, down to the surrender of this region to 
the English, as the "Illinois Country," is de- 
scribed with great clearness and definiteness by 
Capt. Philip Pittman, an English engineer who 
made the first survey of the Mississippi River 
soon after the transfer of the French possessions 
east of the Mississippi to the British, and who 
published the result of his observations in London 
in 1770. In this report, which is evidently a 
work of the highest authenticity, and is the more 
valuable because written at a transition period 
when it was of the first importance to preserve 
and hand down the facts of early French history 
to the new occupants of the soil, the boundaries 
of the "Illinois Country" are defined as follows: 
"The Country of the Illinois is bounded by the 
Mississippi on the west, by the river Illinois on 
the north, by the Ouabache and Miamis on the 
east and the Ohio on the south." 

From this it would appear that the country lying 
between the Illinois and the Mississippi Rivers to 
the west and northwest of the former, was not 
considered a part of the "Illinois Country," and 



242 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



this agrees generally with the records of the 
early French explorers, except that they regarded 
the region which comprehends the site of the 
present city of Chicago — the importance of which 
appears to have been appreciated from the first 
as a connecting link between the Lakes and the 
upper tributaries of the rivers falling into the 
Gulf of Mexico — as belonging thereto 

Origin of the Name. — The "Country" appears 
to have derived its name from Inini, a word of 
Algonquin origin, signifying "the men," eu- 
phemized by the French into Illini with the 
suffix ois, signifying "tribe." The root of the 
term, applied both to the country and the Indians 
occupying it, has been still further defined as "a 
perfect man" (Haines on "Indian Names"), and 
the derivative has been used by the French 
chroniclers in various forms though always with 
the same signification — a signification of which 
the earliest claimants of the appellation, as well 
as their successors of a different race, have not 
failed to be duly proud. 

Boundaries and Area. — It is this region 
which gave the name to the State of which it 
constituted so large and important a part. Its 
boundaries, so far as the Wabash and the Ohio 
Rivers (as well as the Mississippi from the mouth 
of the Ohio to the mouth of the Illinois) are con- 
cerned, are identical with those given to the 
"Illinois Country" by Pittman. The State is 
bounded on the north by Wisconsin ; on the east 
by Lake Michigan, the State of Indiana and the 
Wabash River; southeast by the Ohio, flowing 
between it and the State of Kentucky ; and west 
and southwest by the Mississippi, which sepa- 
rates it from the States of Iowa and Missouri. A 
peculiarity of the Act of Congress defining the 
boundaries of the State, is the fact that, while 
the jurisdiction of Illinois extends to the middle 
of Lake Michigan and also of the channels of the 
Wabash and the Mississippi, it stops at the north 
bank of the Ohio River; this seems to have been 
a sort of concession on the part of the framers of 
the Act to our proud neighbors of the "Dark and 
Bloody Ground." Geographically, the State lies 
between the parallels of 36° 59' and 42° 30' north 
latitude, and the meridian of 10° 30' and 14° of 
longitude west from the city of Washington. 
From its extreme southern limit at the mouth of 
the Ohio to the Wisconsin boundary on the north, 
its estimated length is 385 miles, with an extreme 
breadth, from the Indiana State line to the Mis- 
sissippi River at a point between Quincy and 
Warsaw, of 218 miles. Owing to the tortuous 
course of its river and lake boundaries, which 



comprise about three-fourths of the whole, its 
physical outline is extremely irregular. Between 
the limits described, it has an estimated area of 
56,650 square miles, of which 650 square miles is 
water — the latter being chiefly in Lake Michigan. 
This area is more than one and one-half times 
that of all New England (Maine being excepted), 
and is greater than that of any other State east 
of the Mississippi, except Michigan, Georgia and 
Florida — Wisconsin lacking only a few hundred 
square miles of the same. 

When these figures are taken into account 
some idea may be formed of the magnificence of 
the domain comprised within the limits of the 
State of Illinois — a domain larger in extent than 
that of England, more than one-fourth of that of 
all France and nearly half that of the British 
Islands, including Scotland and Ireland. The 
possibilities of such a country, possessing a soil 
unequaled in fertility, in proportion to its area, 
by any other State of the Union and with re- 
sources in agriculture, manufactures and com- 
merce unsurpassed in any country on the face of 
the globe, transcend all human conception. 

Streams and Navigation. — Lying between 
the Mississippi and its chief eastern tributary, the 
Ohio, with the Wabash on the east, and inter- 
sected from northeast to southwest by the Illinois 
and its numerous affluents, and with no moun- 
tainous region within its limits. Illinois is at once 
one of the best watered, as well as one of the most 
level States in the Union. Besides the Sanga- 
mon, Kankakee, Fox and Des Plaines Rivers, 
chief tributaries of the Illinois, and the Kaskaskia 
draining the region between the Illinois and the 
Wabash, Rock River, in the northwestern portion 
of the State, is most important on account of its 
valuable water-power. All of these streams were 
regarded as navigable for some sort of craft, dur- 
ing at least a portion of the year, in the early 
history of the country, and with the magnificent 
Mississippi along the whole western border, gave 
to Illinois a larger extent of navigable waters 
than that of any other single State. Although 
practical navigation, apart from the lake and by 
natural water courses, is now limited to the Mis- 
sissippi, Illinois and Ohio — making an aggregate 
of about 1,000 miles — the importance of tne 
smaller streams, when the people were dependent 
almost wholly upon some means of water com- 
munication for the transportation of heavy com- 
modities as well as for travel, could not be 
over-estimated, and it is not without its effect 
upon the productiveness of the soil, now that 
water transportation has given place to railroads. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



243 



The whole number of streams shown upon the 
best maps exceeds 280. 

Topography. — In physical conformation the 
surface of the State presents the aspect of an 
inclined plane with a moderate descent in the 
general direction of the streams toward the south 
and southwest. Cairo, at the extreme southern 
end of the State and the point of lowest depres- 
sion, has an elevation above sea-level of about 
300 feet, while the altitude of Lake Michigan at 
Chicago is 583 feet. The greatest elevation is 
reached near Scale's Mound in the northwestern 
part of the State — 1,257 feet — while a spur from 
the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, projected across 
the southern part of the State, rises in Jackson 
and Union Counties to a height of over 900 feet. 
The eastern end of this spur, in the northeast 
corner of Pope County, reaches an elevation of 
1,046 feet. South of this ridge, the surface of 
the country between the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers was originally covered with dense forests. 
These included some of the most valuable species 
of timber for lumber manufacture, such as the 
different varieties of oak, walnut, poplar, ash, 
sugar-maple and cypress, besides elm, linden, 
hickory, honey-locust, pecan, hack-berry, cotton- 
wood, sycamore, sassafras, black-gum and beech. 
The native fruits included the persimmon, wild 
plum, grape and paw-paw, with various kinds of 
berries, such as blackberries, raspberries, straw- 
berries (in the prairie districts) and some others. 
Most of the native growths of woods common to 
the south were found along the streams farther 
north, except the cypress beech, pecan and a few 
others. 

Prairies. — A peculiar feature of the country, 
in the middle and northern portion of the State, 
which excited the amazement of early explorers, 
was the vast extent of the prairies or natural 
meadows. The origin of these has been attrib- 
uted to various causes, such as some peculiarity of 
the soil, absence or excess of moisture, recent 
upheaval of the surface from lakes or some other 
bodies of water, the action of fires, etc. In many 
sections there appears little to distinguish the 
soil of the prairies from that of the adjacent 
woodlands, that may not be accounted for by the 
character of their vegetation and other causes, 
for the luxuriant growth of native grasses and 
other productions has demonstrated that they do 
not lack in fertility, and the readiness with 
which trees take root when artificially propa- 
gated and protected, has shown that there is 
nothing in the soil itself unfavorable to their 
growth. Whatever may have been the original 



cause of the prairies, however, there is no doubt 
that annually recurring fires have had much to 
do in perpetuating their existence, and even 
extending their limits, as the absence of the same 
agent has tended to favor the encroachments of 
the forests. While originally regarded as an 
obstacle to the occupation of the country by a 
dense population, there is no doubt that their 
existence has contributed to its rapid develop- 
ment when it was discovered with what ease 
these apparent wastes could be subdued, and how 
productive they were capable of becoming when 
once brought under cultivation. 

In spite of the uniformity in altitude of the 
State as a whole, many sections present a variety 
of surface and a mingling of plain and woodland 
of the most pleasing character. This is espe- 
cially the case in some of the prairie districts 
where the undulating landscape covered with 
rich herbage and brilliant flowers must have 
presented to the first explorers a scene of ravish- 
ing beauty, which has been enhanced rather than 
diminished in recent times by the hand of culti- 
vation. Along some of the streams also, espe- 
cially on the upper Mississippi and Illinois, and 
at some points on the Ohio, is found scenery of 
a most picturesque variety. 

Animals, etc.— From this description of the 
country it will be easy to infer what must have 
been the varieties of the animal kingdom which 
here found a home. These included the buffalo, 
various kinds of deer, the bear, panther, fox, 
wolf, and wild-cat, while swans, geese and ducks 
covered the lakes and streams. It was a veritable 
paradise for game, both large and small, as well 
as for their native hunters. "One can scarcely 
travel," wrote one of the earliest priestly explor- 
ers, "without finding a prodigious multitude of 
turkeys, that keep together in flocks often to the 
number of ten hundred." Beaver, otter, and 
mink were found along the streams. Most of 
these, especially the larger species of game, have 
disappeared before the tide of civilization, but the 
smaller, such as quail, prairie chicken, duck and 
the different varieties of fish in the streams, pro- 
tected by law during certain seasons of the year, 
continue to exist in considerable numbers. 

Soil and Climate —The capabilities of the 
soil in a region thus situated can be readily under- 
stood. In proportion to the extent of its surface, 
Illinois has a larger area of cultivable land than 
any other State in the Union, with a soil of supe- 
rior quality, much of it unsurpassed in natural 
fertility. This is especially true of the "American 
Bottom," a region extending a distance of ninety 



244 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



miles along the east bank of the Mississippi, from 
a few miles below Alton nearly to Chester, and 
of an average width of five to eight miles. This 
was the seat of the first permanent white settle- 
ment in the Mississippi Valley, and portions of it 
have been under cultivation from one hundred to 
one hundred and fifty years without exhaustion. 
Other smaller areas of scarcely less fertility are 
found both upon the bottom-lands and in the 
prairies in the central portions of the State. 

Extending through five and one-half degrees of 
latitude, Illinois has a great variety of climate. 
Though subject at times to sudden alternations 
of temperature, these occasions have been rare 
since the country has been thoroughly settled. 
Its mean average for a series of years has been 48° 
in the northern part of the State and 56° in the 
southern, differing little from other States upon 
the same latitude. The mean winter temper- 
ature has ranged from 25" in the north to 34° in 
the south, and the summer mean from 67' in the 
north to 78° in the south. The extreme winter 
temperature has seldom fallen below 20° below 
zero in the northern portion, while the highest 
summer temperature ranges from 95° to 102°. 
The average difference in temperature between 
the northern and southern portions of the State 
is about 10°, and the difference in the progress of 
the seasons for the same sections, from four to six 
weeks. Such a wide variety of climate is favor- 
able to the production of nearly all the grains 
and fruits peculiar to the temperate zone. 

Contest for Occupation. — Three powers 
early became contestants for the supremacy on 
the North American Continent. The first of 
these was Spain, claiming possession on the 
ground of the discovery by Columbus ; England, 
basing her claim upon the discoveries of the 
Cabots, and France, maintaining her right to a 
considerable part of the continent by virtue of 
the discovery and exploration by Jacques Cartier 
of the Gulf and River St. Lawrence, in 1534-35, 
and the settlement of Quebec by Champlain 
seventy-four years later. The claim of Spain 
was general, extending to both North and South 
America; and, while she early established her 
colonies in Mexico, the West Indies and Peru, 
the country was too vast and her agents too busy 
seeking for gold to interfere materially with her 
competitors. The Dutch, Swedes and Germans 
established small, though flourishing colonies, but 
they were not colonizers nor were they numeric- 
ally as strong as their neighbors, and their settle- 
ments were ultimately absorbed by the latter. 
Both the Spaniards and the French were zealous 



in proselyting the aborigines, but while the 
former did not hesitate to torture their victims 
in order to extort their gold while claiming to 
save their souls, the latter were more gentle and 
beneficent in their policy, and, by their kindness, 
succeeded in winning and retaining the friend- 
ship of the Indians in a remarkable degree. They 
were traders as well as missionaries, and this fact 
and the readiness with which they adapted them- 
selves to the habits of those whom they found in 
possession of the soil, enabled them to make the 
most extensive explorations in small numbers 
and at little cost, and even to remain for un- 
limited periods among their aboriginal friends. 
On the other hand, the English were artisans and 
tillers of the soil with a due proportion engaged 
in commerce or upon the sea; and, while they 
were later in planting their colonies in Virginia 
and New England, and less aggressive in the 
work of exploration, they maintained a surer 
foothold on the soil when they had once estab- 
lished themselves. To this fact is due the per- 
manence and steady growth of the English 
colonies in the New World, and the virtual domi- 
nance of the Anglo-Saxon race over more than 
five-sevenths of the North American Continent — 
a result which has been illustrated in the history 
of every people that has made agriculture, manu- 
factures and legitimate commerce the basis of 
their prosperity. 

Early Explorations. — The French explorers 
were the first Europeans to visit the "Country of 
the Illinois." and, for nearly a century, they and 
their successors and descendants held undisputed 
possession of the country, as well as the greater 
part of the Mississippi Valley. It is true that 
Spain put in a feeble and indefinite claim to this 
whole region, but she was kept too busy else- 
where to make her claim good, and, in 17G3, she 
relinquished it entirely as to the Mississippi 
Valley and west to the Pacific Ocean, in order to 
strengthen herself elsewhere. 

There is a peculiar coincidence in the fact that, 
while the English colonists who settled about 
Massachusetts Bay named that region "New 
England," the French gave to their possessions, 
from the St. Lawrence to the mouth of the Mis- 
sissippi, the name of "New France," and the 
Spaniards called all the region claimed by them, 
extending from Panama to Puget Sound, "New 
Spain. " The boundaries of each were very indefi- 
nite and often conflicting, but were settled by the 
treaty of 1763. 

As early as 1G34, Jean Nicolet, coming by way 
of Canada, discovered Lake Michigan — then 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



245 



called by the French, "Lac des Illinois" — entered 
Green Bay and visited some of the tribes of 
Indians in that region. In 1041 zealous mission- 
aries had reached the Falls of St. Mary (called by 
the French "Sault Ste. Marie"), and, in 1658, two 
French fur-traders are alleged to have penetrated 
as far west as "La Pointe" on Lake Superior, 
where they opened up a trade with the Sioux 
Indians and wintered in the neighborhood of the 
Apostle Islands near where the towns of Ashland 
and Bayfield, Wis., now stand. A few years later 
(1665), Fathers Allouez and Dablon, French mis- 
sionaries, visited the Chippewas on the southern 
shore of Lake Superior, and missions were estab- 
lished at Green Bay, Ste. Marie and La Pointe. 
About the same time the mission of St. Ignace 
was established on the north shore of the Straits 
of Mackinaw (spelled by the French "Michilli- 
macinac"). It is also claimed that the French 
traveler, Radisson, during the year of 1658-59, 
reached the upper Mississippi, antedating the 
claims of Joliet and Marquette as its discoverers 
by fourteen years. Nicholas Perrot, an iutelli- 
gent chronicler who left a manuscript account of 
his travels, is said to have made extensive explor- 
ations about the head of the great lakes as far 
south as the Fox River of Wisconsin, between 
1670 and 1690, and to have held an important 
conference with representatives of numerous 
tribes of Indians at Sault Ste. Marie in Jane, 
1671. Perrot is also said to have made the first 
discovery of lead mines in the West. 

Up to this time, however, no white man appears 
to have reached the "Illinois Country," though 
much had been heard of its beauty and its wealth 
in game. On May 17, 1673, Louis Joliet, an enter- 
prising explorer who had already visited the Lake 
Superior region in search of copper mines, under 
a commission from the Governor of Canada, in 
company with Father Jacques Marquette and 
five voyageurs, with a meager stock of provisions 
and a few trinkets for trading with the natives, 
set out in two birch-bark canoes from St. Ignace 
on a tour of exploration southward. Coasting 
along the west shore of Lake Michigan and Green 
Bay and through Lake Winnebago, they reached 
the country of the Mascoutins on Fox River, 
ascended that stream to the portage to the Wis- 
consin, then descended the latter to the Mis- 
sissippi, which they discovered on June 17. 
Descending the Mississippi, which they named 
"Rio de la Conception," they passed the mouth of 
the Des Moines, where they are supposed to have 
encountered the first Indians of the Illinois 
tribes, by whom they were hospitably enter- 



tained. Later they discovered a rude painting 
upon the rocks on the east side of the river, 
which, from the description, is supposed to have 
been the famous "PiasaBird," which was still to 
be seen, a short distance above Alton, within the 
present generation. (See Piasa Bird, The 
Legend of. ) Passing the mouth of the Missouri 
River and the present site of the city of St. 
Louis, and continuing past the mouth of the 
Ohio, they finally reached what Marquette called 
the village of the Akanseas, which has been 
assumed to be identical with the mouth of the 
Arkansas, though it has been questioned whether 
they proceeded so far south. Convinced that the 
Mississippi "had its mouth in Florida or the Gulf 
of Mexico, " and fearing capture by the Spaniards, 
they started on their return. Reaching the 
mouth of the Illinois, they entered that stream 
and ascended past the village of the Peorias and 
the "Illinois town of the Kaskaskias" — the 
latter being about where the town of Utica, La 
Salle County, now stands — at each of which they 
made a brief stay. Escorted by guides from the 
Kaskaskias, they crossed the portage to Lake 
Michigan where Chicago now stands, and re- 
turned to Green Bay, which they reached in the 
latter part of September. (See Joliet and Mar- 
quette. ) 

The next and most important expedition to Illi- 
nois — important because it led to the first per- 
manent settlements — was undertaken by Robert 
Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, in 1679. This eager 
and intelligent, but finally unfortunate, discov- 
erer had spent several years in exploration in 
the lake region and among the streams south of 
the lakes and west of the Alleghenies. It has 
been claimed that, during this tour, he descended 
the Ohio to its junction with the Mississippi ; 
also that he reached the Illinois by way of the 
head of Lake Michigan and the Chicago portage, 
and even descended the Mississippi to the 36th 
parallel, antedating Marquette's first visit to 
that stream by two years. The chief authority 
for this claim is La Salle's biographer, Pierre 
Margry, who bases his statement on alleged con- 
versations with La Salle and letters of his friends. 
The absence of any allusion to these discoveries 
in La Salle's own papers, of a later date, addressed 
to the King, is regarded as fatal to this claim. 
However this may have been, there is conclusive 
evidence that, during this period, he met with 
Joliet while the latter was returning '-om one of 
his trips to the Lake Superior country. With an 
imagination fired by what he then lea.ned, he 
made a visit to his native country, receiving a 



246 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



liberal grant from the French Government which 
enabled him to carry out his plans. With the 
aid of Henry de Tonty. an Italian who afterward 
accompanied him in his most important expedi- 
tions, and who proved a most valuable and effi- 
cient co-laborer, under the auspices of Frontenac, 
then Governor of Canada, he constructed a small 
vessel at the foot of Lake Erie, in which, with a 
company of thirty-four persons, he set sail on 
the seventh of August, 1679, for the West. This 
vessel (named the "Griffon") is believed to have 
been the first sailing-vessel that ever navigated 
the lakes. His object was to reach the Illinois, 
and he carried with him material for a boat 
which he intended to put together on that 
stream. Arriving in Green Bay early in Septem- 
ber, by way of Lake Huron and the straits of 
Mackinaw, he disembarked his stores, and, load- 
ing the Griffon with furs, started it on its return 
with instructions, after discharging its cargo at 
the starting point, to join him at the head of 
Lake Michigan. With a force of seventeen men 
and three missionaries in four canoes, he started 
southward, following the western shore of Lake 
Michigan past the mouth of the Chicago River, 
on Nov. 1, 1679, and reached the mouth of 
the St. Joseph River, at the southeast corner of 
the lake, which had been selected as a rendez- 
vous. Here he was joined by Tonty, three weeks 
later, with a force of twenty Frenchmen who 
had come by the eastern shore, but the Griffon 
never was heard from again, and is supposed to 
have been lost on the return voyage. While 
waiting for Tonty he erected a fort, afterward 
called Fort Miami. The two parties here united, 
and, leaving four men in charge of the fort, with 
the remaining thirty-three, he resumed his 
journey on the third of December. Ascending 
the St. Joseph to about where South Bend, Ind., 
now stands, he made a portage with his canoes 
and stores across to the headwaters of the Kan- 
kakee, which he descended to the Illinois. On 
the first of January he arrived at the great Indian 
town of the Kaskaskias, which Marquette had 
left for the last time nearly five years before, but 
found it deserted, the Indians being absent on a 
hunting expedition. Proceeding down the Illi- 
nois, on Jan. 4, 1680, he passed through Peoria 
Lake and the next morning reached the Indian 
village of that name at the foot of the lake, and 
established friendly relations with its people 
Having determined to set up his vessel here, he 
constructed a rude fort on the eastern bank of 
the river about four miles south of the village. 
With the exception of the cabin built for Mar- 



quette on the South Branch of the Chicago River 
in the winter of 1674-75, this was probably the 
first structure erected by white men in Illinois. 
This received the name "Creve-Cceur — "Broken 
Heart" — which, from its subsequent history, 
proved exceedingly appropriate. Having dis- 
patched Father Louis Hennepin with two com 
panions to the Upper Mississippi, by way of the 
mouth of the Illinois, on an expedition which 
resulted in the discovery of the Falls of St. 
Anthony, La Salle started on his return to 
Canada for additional assistance and the stores 
which he had failed to receive in consequence of 
the loss of the Griffon. Soon after his depar- 
ture, a majority of the men left with Tonty at 
Fort Creve-Coeur mutinied, and, having plundered 
the fort, partially destroyed it. This compelled 
Tonty and five companions who had remained 
true, to retreat to the Indian village of the Illi- 
nois near "Starved Rock," between where the 
cities of Ottawa and La Salle now stand, where 
he spent the summer awaiting the return of La 
Salle. In September, Tonty 's Indian allies hav- 
ing been attacked and defeated by the Iroquois, 
he and his companions were again compelled to 
flee, reaching Green Bay the next spring, after 
having spent the winter among the Pottawato- 
mies in the present State of Wisconsin. 

During the next three years (1681-83) La Salle 
made two other visits to Illinois, encountering 
and partially overcoming formidable obstacles at 
each end of the journey. At the last visit, in 
company with the faithful Tonty, whom he had 
met at Mackinaw in the spring of 1681, after a 
separation of more than a year, he extended his 
exploration to the mouth of the Mississippi, of 
which he took formal possession on April 9, 1682, 
in the name of "Louis the Grand, King of France 
and Navarre." This was the first expedition of 
white men to pass down the river and determine 
the problem of its discharge into the Gulf of 
Mexico. 

Returning to Mackinaw, and again to Illinois, 
in the fall of 1682, Tonty set about carrying into 
effect La Salle's scheme of fortifying "The Rock, " 
to which reference has been made under the 
name of "Starved Rock." The buildings are said 
to have included store-houses (it was intended as 
a trading post), dwellings and a block-house 
erected on the summit of the rock, and to which 
the name of "Fort St. Louis" was given, while a 
village of confederated Indian tribes gathered 
about its base on the south which bore the name 
of La Vantum. According to the historian, 
Parkman, the population of this colony, in the 





LA SALLE. 



HENRY DE TOXTY. 




FORT DEARBORN FROM THE WEST. 1S0S. 





WAR EAGLE. 



CHIEF CHICAGOU. 





FORT DEARBORN 2D. IN 1S.j3, FROM THE SOUTHWEST. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



247 



days of its greatest prosperity, was not less than 
20,000. Tonty retained his headquarters at Fort 
St. Louis for eighteen years, during which he 
made extensive excursions throughout the West. 
The proprietorship of the fort was granted to 
him in 1690, but, in 1702, it was ordered by the 
Governor of Canada to be discontinued on the 
plea that the charter had been violated. It con- 
tinued to be used as a trading post, however, as 
late as 1718, when it was raided by the Indians 
and burned. (See La Salle; Tonty; Hennepin, 
and Starved Rock. ) 

Other explorers who were the contemporaries 
or early successors of Marquette, Joliet, La Salle, 
Tonty, Hennepin and their companions in the 
Northwest, and many of whom are known to have 
visited the 'Illinois Country," and probably all 
of whom did so, were Daniel Greysolon du Lhut 
(called by La Salle, du Luth), a cousin of Tonty, 
who was the first to reach the Mississippi directly 
from Lake Superior, and from whom the city of 
Duluth has been named ; Henry Joutel, a towns- 
man of La Salle, who was one of the survivors of 
the ill-fated Matagorda Bay colony ; Pierre Le 
Sueur, the discoverer of the Minnesota River, 
and Baron la Hontan, who made a tour through 
Illinois in 1688-89, of which he published an 
account in 1703. 

Chicago River early became a prominent point 
in the estimation of the French explorers and 
was a favorite line of travel in reaching the Illi- 
nois by way of the Des Plaines, though probably 
sometimes confounded with other streams about 
the head of the lake. The Calumet and Grand 
Calumet, allowing easy portage to the Des Plaines, 
were also used, while the St. Joseph, from which 
portage was had into the Kankakee, seems to 
have been a part of the route first used by La 
Salle. 

Aborigines and Early Missions.— When the 
early French explorers arrived in the "Illinois 
Country" they found it occupied by a number of 
tribes of Indians, the most numerous being the 
"Illinois," which consisted of several families or 
bands that spread themselves over the country on 
both sides of the Illinois River, extending even 
west of the Mississippi ; the Piankeshaws on the 
east, extending beyond the present western 
boundary of Indiana, and the Miamis in the 
northeast, with whom a weaker tribe called the 
Weas were allied. The Illinois confederation 
included the Kaskaskias, Peorias, Cahokias, 
Tamaroas and Mitchigamies — the last being the 
tribe from which Lake Michigan took its name. 
(See Illinois Indians. ) There seems to have been 



a general drift of some of the stronger tribes 
toward the south and east about this time, as 
Allouez represents that he found the Miamis and 
their neighbors, the Mascoutins. about Green Bay 
when he arrived there in 1670 At the same 
time, there is evidence that the Pottawatomies 
were located along the southern shore of Lake 
Superior and about the Sault Ste. Marie (now 
known as "The Soo"), though within the next 
fifty years they had advanced southward along 
the western shore of Lake Michigan until they 
reached where Chicago now stands. Other tribes 
from the north were the Kickapoos, Sacs and 
Foxes, and Winnebagoes, while the Shawnees 
were a branch of a stronger tribe from the south- 
east Charlevoix, who wrote an account of his 
visit to the "Illinois Country" in 1721, says: 
"Fifty years ago the Miamis were settled on the 
southern extremity of Lake Michigan, in a place 
called Chicago from the name of a small river 
which runs into the lake, the source of which is 
not far distant from that of the River Illinois. " 
It does not follow necessarily that this was the 
Chicago River of to-day, as the name appears to 
have been applied somewhat indefinitely, by the 
early explorers, both to a region of country 
between the head of the lake and the Illinois 
River, and to more than one stream emptying 
into the lake in that vicinity. It has been con- 
jectured that the river meant by Charlevoix 
was the Calumet, as his description would apply 
as well to that as to the Chicago, and there is 
other evidence that the Miamis, who were found 
about the mouth of the St. Joseph River during 
the eighteenth century, occupied a portion of 
Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana, ex- 
tending as far east as the Scioto River in Ohio. 

From the first, the Illinois seem to have con- 
ceived a strong liking for the French, and being 
pressed by the Iroquois on the east, the Sacs and 
Foxes, Pottawatomies and Kickapoos on the 
north and the Sioux on the west, by the begin- 
ning of the eighteenth century we find them, 
much reduced in numbers, gathered about the 
French settlements near the mouth of the Kas- 
kaskia (or Okaw) River, in the western part of 
the present counties of Randolph, Monroe and St. 
Clair. In spite of the zealous efforts of the mis- 
sionaries, the contact of these tribes with the 
whites was attended with the usual results — 
demoralization, degradation and gradual extermi- 
nation. The latter result was hastened by the 
frequent attacks to which they were exposed 
from their more warlike enemies, so that by the 
latter part of the eighteenth century, they were 



248 



HISTOMCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



reduced to a few hundred dissolute and depraved 
survivors of a once vigorous and warlike race. 

During the early part of the French occupation, 
there arose a chief named Chicagou (from whom 
the city of Chicago received its name) who ap- 
pears, like Red Jacket, Tecumseh and Logan, to 
have been a man of unusual intelligence and 
vigor of character, and to have exercised great 
influence with his people. In 1725 he was sent to 
Paris, where he received the attentions due to a 
foreign potentate, and, on his return, was given a 
command in an expedition against the Chicka- 
saws, who had been making incursions from the 
south. 

Such was the general distribution of the Indians 
in the northern and central portions of the State, 
within the first fifty years after the arrival of the 
French. At a later period the Kickapoos ad- 
vanced farther south and occupied a considerable 
share of the central portion of the State, and even 
extended to the mouth of the Wabash. The 
southern part was roamed over by bands from 
beyond the Ohio and the Mississippi, including 
the Cherokees and Chickasaws, and the Arkansas 
tribes, some of whom were very powerful and 
ranged over a vast extent of country. 

The earliest civilized dwellings in Illinois, after 
the forts erected for purposes of defense, were 
undoubtedly the posts of the fur-traders and the 
missionary stations. Fort Miami, the first mili- 
tary post, established by La Salle in the winter 
of 1679-80, was at the mouth of the St. Joseph 
River within the boundaries of what is now the 
State of Michigan. Fort Creve-Coeur, partially 
erected a few months later on the east side of the 
Illinois a few miles below where the city of 
Peoria now stands, was never occupied. Mr. 
Charles Ballance, the historian of Peoria, locates 
this fort at the present village of Wesley, in 
Tazewell County, nearly opposite Lower Peoria. 
Fort St. Louis, built by Tonty on the summit of 
"Starved Rock," in the fall and winter of 1682, 
was the second erected in the "Illinois Country," 
but the first occupied. It has been claimed that 
Marquette established a mission among the Kas- 
kaskias, opposite "The Rock," on occasion of his 
first visit, in September, 1673, and that he re- 
newed it in the spring of 1675, when he visited 
it for the last time. It is doubtful if this mission 
was more than a season of preaching to the 
natives, celebrating mass, administering baptism, 
etc. ; at least the story of an established mission 
has been denied. That this devoted and zealous 
propagandist regarded it as a mission, however, 
is evident from his own journal. He gave to it 



the name of the "Mission of the Immaculate 
Conception," and, although he was compelled by 
failing health to abandon it almost immediately, 
it is claimed that it was renewed in 1677 by 
Father Allouez, who had been active in founding 
missions in the Lake Superior region, and that it 
was maintained until the arrival of La Salle in 
1680. The hostility of La Salle to the Jesuits led 
to Allouez' withdrawal, but he subsequently 
returned and was succeeded in 1688 by Father 
Gravier, whose labors extended from Mackinaw 
to Biloxi on the Gulf of Mexico. 

There is evidence that a mission had been 
established among the Miamis as early as 1698, 
under the name "Chicago," as it is mentioned by 
St. Cosme in the report of his visit in 1699-1700. 
This, for the reasons already given showing the 
indefinite use made of the name Chicago as 
applied to streams about the head of Lake Michi- 
gan, probably referred to some other locality in 
the vicinity, and not to the site of the present 
city of Chicago. Even at an earlier date there 
appears, from a statement in Tonty 's Memoirs, to 
have been a fort at Chicago — probably about the 
same locality as the mission. Speaking of his 
return from Canada to the "Illinois Country" in 
1685, he says: "I embarked for the Illinois 
Oct. 30, 1685, but being stopped by the ice, I 
was obliged to leave my canoe and proceed by 
land. After going 120 leagues, I arrived at Fort 
Chicagou, where M. de la Durantaye com- 
manded." 

According to the best authorities it was during 
the year 1700 that a mission and permanent settle- 
ment was established by Father Jacques Pinet 
among the Tamaroas at a village called Cahokia 
(or "Sainte Famille de Caoquias"), a few miles 
south of the present site of the city of East St. 
Louis. This was the first permanent settlement 
by Europeans in Illinois, as that at Kaskaskia on 
the Illinois was broken up the same year. 

A few months after the establishment of the 
mission at Cahokia (which received the name of 
"St. Sulpice"), but during the same year, the 
Kaskaskias, having abandoned their village on 
the upper Illinois, were induced to settle near the 
mouth of the river which bears their name, and 
the mission and village — the latter afterward 
becoming the first capital of the Territory and 
State of Illinois — came into being. This identity 
of names has led to some confusion in determin- 
ing the date and place of the first permanent 
settlement in Illinois, the date of Marquette's 
first arrival at Kaskaskia on the Illinois being 
given by some authors as that of the settlement 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



249 



at Kaskaskia on the Mississippi, twenty-seven 
years later. 

Period of French Occupation.— As may be 
readily inferred from the methods of French 
colonization, the first permanent settlements 
gathered about the missions at Cahokia and Kas- 
kaskia, or rather were parts of them. At later 
periods, but during the French occupation of the 
country, other villages were established, the 
most important being St. Philip and Prairie du 
Rocher; all of these being located in the fertile 
valley now known as the "American Bottom," 
between the older towns of Cahokia and Kaskas- 
kia. There were several Indian villages in the 
vicinity of the French settlements, and this 
became, for a time, the most populous locality in 
the Mississippi Valley and the center of an active 
trade carried on with the settlements near the 
mouth of the Mississippi. Large quantities of 
the products of the country, such as flour, bacon, 
pork, tallow, lumber, lead, peltries, and even 
wine, were transported in keel-boats or batteaus 
to New Orleans; rice, manufactured tobacco, 
cotton goods and such other fabrics as the simple 
wants of the people required, being brought back 
in return. These boats went in convoys of seven 
to twelve in number for mutual protection, three 
months being required to make a trip, of which 
two were made annually — one in the spring and 
the other in the autumn. 

The French possessions in North America went 
under the general name of "New France, " but their 
boundaries were never clearly defined, though an 
attempt was made to do so through Commission- 
ers who met at Paris, in 1752. They were under- 
stood by the French to include the valley of the 
St. Lawrence, with Labrador and Nova Scotia, to 
the northern boundaries of the British colonies; 
the region of the Great Lakes ; and the Valley of 
the Mississippi from the headwaters of the Ohio 
westward to the Pacific Ocean and south to the 
Gulf of Mexico. While these claims were con- 
tested by England on the east and Spain on the 
southwest, they comprehended the very heart of 
the North American continent, a region unsur- 
passed in fertility and natural resources and 
now the home of more than half of the entire 
population of the American Republic. That 
the French should have reluctantly yielded 
up so magnificent a domain is natural. And 
yet they did this by the treaty of 1763, sur- 
rendering the region east of the Mississippi 
(except a comparatively small district near 
the mouth of that stream) to England, and the 
remainder to Spain — an evidence of the straits to 



which they had been reduced by a long series of 
devastating wars. (See French and Indian 
Wars. ) 

In 1712 Antoine Crozat, under royal letters- 
patent, obtained from Louis XIV. of France a 
monopoly of the commerce, with control of the 
country, "from the edge of the sea (Gulf of 
Mexico) as far as the Illinois." This grant hav- 
ing been surrendered a few years later, was re- 
newed in 1717 to the "Company of the West," of 
which the celebrated John Law was the head, 
and under it jurisdiction was exercised over the 
trade of Illinois. On September 27 of the same 
year (1717), the "Illinois Country," which had 
been a dependency of Canada, was incorporated 
with Louisiana and became part of that province. 
Law's company received enlarged powers under 
the name of the "East Indies Company," and 
although it went out of existence in 1721 with 
the opprobrious title of the "South Sea Bubble," 
leaving in its wake hundreds of ruined private 
fortunes in France and England, it did much to 
stimulate the population and development of the 
Mississippi Valley. During its existence (in 1718) 
New Orleans was founded and Fort Chartres 
erected, being named after the Due de Chartres, 
son of the Regent of France. Pierre Duque Bois- 
briant was the first commandant of Illinois and 
superintended the erection of the fort. (See Fort 
Chartres. ) 

One of the privileges granted to Law's com- 
pany was the importation of slaves ; and under 
it, in 1721, Philip F. Renault brought to the 
country five hundred slaves, besides two hundred 
artisans, mechanics and laborers. Two years 
later he received a large grant of land, and 
founded the village of St. Philip, a few miles 
north of Fort Chartres. Thus Illinois became 
slave territory before a white settlement of any 
sort existed in what afterward became the slave 
State of Missouri. 

During 1721 the country under control of the 
East Indies Company was divided into nine civil 
and military districts, each presided over by a 
commandant and a judge, with a superior coun- 
cil at New Orleans. Of these, Illinois, the largest 
and, next to New Orleans, the most populous, 
was the seventh. It embraced over one-half the 
present State, with the country west of the Mis- 
ssisippi, between the Arkansas and the 43d degree 
of latitude, to the Rocky Mountains, and included 
the present States of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, 
Kansas and parts of Arkansas and Colorado. In 
1732, the Indies Company surrendered its charter, 
and Louisiana, including the District of Illinois, 



250 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was afterwards governed by officers appointed 
directly by the crown. (See French Governors. ) 

As early as September, 1699, an attempt was 
made by an expedition fitted out by the English 
Government, under command of Captains Barr 
and Clements, to take possession of the country 
about the mouth of the Mississippi on the ground 
of prior discovery; but they found the French 
under Bienville already in possession at Biloxi, 
and they sailed away without making any further 
effort to carry the scheme into effect. Mean- 
while, in the early part of the next century, the 
English were successful in attaching to their 
interests the Iroquois, who were the deadly foes 
of the French, and held possession of Western 
New York and the region around the headwaters 
of the Ohio River, extending their incursions 
against the Indian allies of the French as far west 
as Illinois. The real struggle for territory be- 
tween the English and French began with the 
formation of the Ohio Land Company in 1748-49, 
and the grant to it by the English Government 
of half a million acres of land along the Ohio 
River, with the exclusive right of trading with 
the Indian tribes in that region. Out of this 
grew the establishment, in the next two years, of 
trading posts and forts on the Miami and Maumee 
in Western Ohio, followed by the protracted 
French and Indian War, which was prosecuted 
with varied fortunes until the final defeat of the 
French at Quebec, on the thirteenth of Septem- 
ber, 1759, which broke their power on the Ameri- 
can continent Among those who took part in 
this struggle, was a contingent from the French 
garrison of Fort Chartres. Neyon de Villiers, 
commandant of the fort, was one of these, being 
the only survivor of seven brothers who partici- 
pated in the defense of Canada. Still hopeful of 
saving Louisiana and Illinois, he departed with 
a few followers for New Orleans, but the treaty 
of Paris, Feb. 10, 1763, destroyed all hope, for by 
its terms Canada, and all other territory east of 
the Mississippi as far south as the northern 
boundary of Florida, was surrendered to Great 
Britain, while the remainder, including the vast 
territory between the Mississippi and the Rocky 
Mountains, was given up to Spain. 

Thus the "Illinois Country'" fell into the hands 
of the British, although the actual transfer of 
Fort Chartres and the country dependent upon it 
did not take place until Oct. 10, 1765, when its 
veteran commandant, St. Ange — who had come 
from Vincennes to assume command on the 
retirement of Villiers, and who held it faithfully 
for the conqueror — surrendered it to Capt. 



Thomas Stirling as the representative of the Eng- 
lish Government. It is worthy of note that this 
was the last place on the North American con- 
tinent to lower the French flag. 

British Occupation. — The delay of the British 
in taking possession of the "Illinois Country," 
after the defeat of the French at Quebec and the 
surrender of their possessions in America by the 
treaty of 1763, was due to its isolated position 
and the difficulty of reaching it with sufficient 
force to establish the British authority. The 
first attempt was made in the spring of 1764, 
when Maj. Arthur Loftus, starting from Pensa- 
cola, attempted to ascend the Mississippi with a 
force of four hundred regulars, but, being met 
by a superior Indian force, was compelled to 
retreat. In August of the same year, Capt 
Thomas Morris was dispatched from Western 
Pennsylvania with a small force "to take posses- 
sion of the Illinois Country." This expedition 
got as far as Fort Miami on the Maumee, when its 
progress was arrested, and its commander nar- 
rowly escaped death. The next attempt was 
made in 1765, when Maj. George Croghan, a Dep- 
uty Superintendent of Indian affairs whose name 
has been made historical by the celebrated speech 
of the Indian Chief Logan, was detailed from 
Fort Pitt, to visit Illinois. Croghan being detained, 
Lieut. Alexander Frazer, who was to accompany 
him, proceeded alone. Frazer reached Kaskas- 
kia, but met with so rough a reception from 
both the French and Indians, that he thought it 
advisable to leave in disguise, and escaped by 
descending' the Mississippi to New Orleans. 
Croghan started on his journey on the fifteenth 
of May, proceeding down the Ohio, accompanied 
by a party of friendly Indians, but having been 
captured near the mouth of the Wabash, he 
finally returned to Detroit without reaching his 
destination. The first British official to reach 
Fort Chartres was Capt. Thomas Stirling. De- 
scending the Ohio with a force of one hundred 
men, he reached Fort Chartres. Oct. 10, 1765, and 
received the surrender of the fort from the faith- 
ful and courteous St. Ange. It is estimated that 
at least one-third of the French citizens, includ- 
ing the more wealthy, left rather than become 
British subjects. Those about Fort Chartres left 
almost in a body. Some joined the French 
colonies on the lower Mississippi, while others, 
crossing the river, settled in St. Genevieve, then 
in Spanish territory. Much the larger number 
followed St. Ange to St. Louis, which had been 
established as a trading post by Pierre La Clede, 
during the previous year, and which now received 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



251 



what, in these later days, would be called a great 
"boom." 

Captain Stirling was relieved of his command 
at Fort Chartres, Dec. 4, by Maj. Robert Farmer. 
Other British Commandants at Fort Chartres 
were Col. Edward Cole, Col. John Reed, Colonel 
Wilkins, Capt. Hugh Lord and Francois de Ras- 
tel, Chevalier de Rocheblave. The last had been 
an officer in the French army, and, having resided 
at Kaskaskia, transferred his allegiance on occu- 
pation of the country by the British. He was the 
last official representative of the British Govern- 
ment in Illinois. 

The total population of the French villages in 
Illinois, at the time of their transfer to England, 
has been estimated at about 1,600, of which 700 
were about Kaskaskia and 450 in the vicinity of 
Cahokia. Captain Pittman estimated the popu- 
lation of all the French villages in Illinois and on 
the Wabash, at the time of his visit in 1770, at 
about 2,000. Of St. Louis — or "Paincourt," as it 
was called — Captain Pittman said: "There are 
about forty private houses and as many families." 
Most of these, if not all, had emigrated from the 
French villages. In fact, although nominally in 
Spanish territory, it was essentially a French 
town, protected, as Pittman said, by "a French 
garrison" consisting of "a Captain-Commandant, 
two Lieutenants, a Fort Major, one Sergeant 
one Corporal and twenty men." 

Action of Continental Congress.— The first 
official notice taken of the "Illinois Country" by 
the Continental Congress, was the adoption by 
that body, July 13, 1775, of an act creating three 
Indian Departments — a Northern, Middle and 
Southern. Illinois was assigned to the second, 
with Benjamin Franklin and James Wilson, of 
Pennsylvania, and Patrick Henry, of Virginia, 
as Commissioners. In April, 1776, Col. George 
Morgan, who had been a trader at Kaskaskia, was 
appointed agent and successor to these Commis- 
sioners, with headquarters at Fort Pitt. The 
promulgation of the Declaration of Independence, 
on the Fourth of July, 1776, and the events im- 
mediately preceding and following that event, 
directed attention to the colonies on the Atlantic 
coast; yet the frontiersmen of Virginia were 
watching an opportunity to deliver a blow to the 
Government of King George in a quarter where 
it was least expected, and where it was destined 
to have an immense influence upon the future of 
the new nation, as well as that of the American 
continent. 

Col. George Rogers Clark's Expedition. 
— During the year 1777, Col. George Rogers Clark, 



a native of Virginia, then scarcely twenty-five 
years of age, having conceived a plan of seizing 
the settlements in the Mississippi Valley, sent 
trusty spies to learn the sentiments of the people 
and the condition of affairs at Kaskaskia. The 
report brought to him gave him encouragement, 
and, in December of the same year, he laid before 
Gov. Patrick Henry, of Virginia, his plans for 
the reduction of the posts in Illinois. These were 
approved, and, on Jan. 2, 1778, Clark received 
authority to recruit seven companies of fifty men 
each for three months' service, and Governor 
Henry gave him 86,000 for expenses. Proceeding 
to Fort Pitt, he succeeded in recruiting three 
companies, who were directed to rendezvous at 
Corn Island, opposite the present city of Louis- 
ville. It has been claimed that, in order to 
deceive the British as to his real destination, 
Clark authorized the announcement that the 
object of the expedition was to protect the settle- 
ments in Kentucky from the Indians. At Corn 
Island another company was organized, making 
four in all, under the command of Captains Bow- 
man, Montgomery, Helm and Harrod, and having 
embarked on keel-boats, they passed the Falls of 
the Ohio, June 24. Reaching the island at the 
mouth of the Tennessee on the 28th, he was met 
by a party of eight American hunters, who had 
left Kaskaskia a few days before, and who, join- 
ing his command, rendered good service as 
guides. He disembarked his force at the mouth 
of a small creek one mile above Fort Massac. 
June 29, and, directing his course across the 
country, on the evening of the sixth day (July 4, 
1778) arrived within three miles of Kaskaskia. 
The surprise of the unsuspecting citizens of Kas- 
kaskia and its small garrison was complete. His 
force having, under cover of darkness, been 
ferried across the Kaskaskia River, about a mile 
above the town, one detachment surrounded the 
town, while the other seized the fort, capturing 
Rocheblave and his little command without fir- 
ing a gun. The famous Indian fighter and 
hunter, Simon Kenton, led the way to the fort. 
This is supposed to have been what Captain Pitt- 
man called the "Jesuits' house," which had been 
sold by the French Government after the country 
was ceded to England, the Jesuit order having 
been suppressed. A wooden fort, erected in 1736, 
and known afterward by the British as Fort 
Gage, had stood on the bluff opposite the town, 
but, according to Pittman, this was burnt in 1766, 
and there is no evidence that it was ever rebuilt. 
Clark's expedition was thus far a complete suc- 
cess. Rocheblave, proving recalcitrant, was 



252 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



placed in irons and sent as a prisoner of war to 
Williamsburg, while his slaves were confiscated, 
the proceeds of their sale being divided among 
Clark's troops. The inhabitants were easily 
conciliated, and Cahokia having been captured 
without bloodshed, Clark turned his attention to 
Vincennes. Through the influence of Pierre 
Gibault — the Vicar-General in charge at Kaskas- 
kia — the people of Vincennes were induced to 
swear allegiance to the United States, and, 
although the place was afterward captured by a 
British force from Detroit, it was, on Feb. 
24, 1779, recaptured by Colonel Clark, together 
with a body of prisoners but little smaller than 
the attacking force, and 550,000 worth of prop- 
erty. (See Clark, Col. Ceorge Rogers.) 

Under Government of Virginia. — Seldom 
in the history of the world have such important 
results been achieved by such insignificant instru- 
mentalities and with so little sacrifice of life, as 
in this almost bloodless campaign of the youthful 
conqueror of Illinois. Having been won largely 
through Virginia enterprise and valor and by 
material aid furnished through Governor Henry, 
the Virginia House of Delegates, in October, 
1778, proceeded to assert the jurisdiction of that 
commonwealth over the settlements of the North- 
west, by organizing all the country west and 
north of the Ohio River into a county to be called 
"Illinois," (see Illinois County), and empowering 
the Governor to appoint a "County-Lieutenant or 
Commandant-in-Chief" to exercise civil author- 
ity during the pleasure of the appointing power. 
Thus "Illinois County" was older than the States 
of Ohio or Indiana, while Patrick Henry, the elo- 
quent orator of the Revolution, became ex-officio 
its first Governor. Col. John Todd, a citizen of 
Kentucky, was appointed "County-Lieutenant," 
Dec. 12, 1778, entering upon his duties in 
May following. The militia was organized, 
Deputy-Commandants for Kaskaskia and Cahokia 
appointed, and the first election of civil officers 
ever had in Illinois, was held under Colonel 
Todd's direction. His record-book, now in posses- 
sion of the Chicago Historical Society, shows 
that he was accustomed to exercise powers 
scarcely inferior to those of a State Executive. 
(See Todd, Col. John.) 

In 1782 one "Thimothe Demunbrunt" sub- 
scribed himself as "Lt. comd'g par interim, etc." 
■ — but the origin of his authority is not clearly 
understood. He assumed to act as Commandant 
until the arrival of Gov. Arthur St. Clair, first 
Territorial Governor of the Northwest Territory, 
in 1790. After the close of the Revolution, courts 



ceased to be held and civil affairs fell into great 
disorder. "In effect, there was neither law nor 
order in the 'Illinois Country' for the seven 
years from 1783 to 1790." 

During the progress of the Revolution, there 
were the usual rumors and alarms in the "Illinois 
Country" peculiar to frontier life in time of war 
The country, however, was singularly exempt 
from any serious calamity such as a general 
massacre. One reason for this was the friendly 
relations which had existed between the French 
and their Indian neighbors previous to the con- 
quest, and which the new masters, after the cap- 
ture of Kaskaskia, took pains to perpetuate. 
Several movements were projected by the British 
and their Indian allies about Detroit and in Can- 
ada, but they were kept so busy elsewhere that 
they had little time to put their plans into execu- 
tion. One of these was a proposed movement 
from Pensacola against the Spanish posts on the 
lower Mississippi, to punish Spain for having 
engaged in the war of 1779, but the promptness 
with which the Spanish Governor of New Orleans 
proceeded to capture Fort Manchac, Baton Rouge 
and Natchez from their British possessors, con- 
vinced the latter that this was a "game at which 
two could play." In ignorance of these results, 
an expedition, 750 strong, composed largely of 
Indians, fitted out at Mackinaw under command 
of Capt. Patrick St. Clair, started in the early 
part of May, 1780, to co-operate with the expedition 
on the lower Mississippi, but intending to deal a 
destructive blow to the Illinois villages and the' 
Spanish towns of St. Louis and St. Genevieve on 
the way. This expedition reached St. Louis, May 
26, but Col. George Rogers Clark, having arrived 
at Cahokia with a small force twenty-four hours 
earlier, prepared to co-operate with the Spaniards 
on the western shore of the Mississippi, and the 
invading force confined their depredations to kill- 
ing seven or eight villagers, and then beat a 
hasty retreat in the direction they had come. 
These were the last expeditions organized to 
regain the "Country of the Illinois" or capture 
Spanish posts on the Mississippi. 

Expeditions Against Fort St. Joseph. — An 
expedition of a different sort is worthy of mention 
in this connection, as it originated in Illinois. 
This consisted of a company of seventeen men, 
led by one Thomas Brady, a citizen of Cahokia, 
who, marching across the country, in the month 
of October, 1780, after the retreat of Sinclair, 
from St. Louis, succeeded in surprising and cap- 
turing Fort St. Joseph about where La Salle had 
erected Fort Miami, near the mouth of the St. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



253 



Joseph River, a hundred years before. Brady 
and his party captured a few British prisoners, 
and a large quantity of goods. On their return, 
while encamped on the Calumet, they were 
attacked by a band of Pottawatomies, and all 
were killed, wounded or taken prisoners except 
Brady and two others, who escaped. Early in 
January, 1781, a party consisting of sixty-five 
whites, organized from St. Louis and Cahokia, 
with some 200 Indians, and headed by Don 
Eugenio Pourre, a Spaniard, started on a second 
expedition against Fort St. Joseph. By silencing 
the Indians, whom they met on their way, with 
promises of plunder, they were able to reach the 
fort without discovery, captured it and, raising 
the Spanish flag, formally took possession in the 
name of the King of Spain. After retaining pos- 
session for a few days, the party returned to St. 
Louis, but in negotiating the treaty of peace at 
Paris, in 1783, this incident was made the basis 
of a claim put forth by Spain to ownership of 
the "Illinois Country" "by right of conquest." 

The Territorial Period. — At the very outset 
of its existence, the new Government of the 
United States was confronted with an embarrass- 
ing question which deeply affected the interests 
of the territory of which Illinois formed a part. 
This was the claim of certain States to lands 
lying between their western boundaries and the 
Mississippi River, then the western boundary of 
the Republic. These claims were based either 
upon the terms of their original charters or upon 
the cession of lands by the Indians, and it was 
under a claim of the former character, as well as 
by right of conquest, that Virginia assumed to ex- 
ercise authority over the "Illinois Country" after 
its capture by the Clark expedition. This con- 
struction was opposed by the States which, from 
their geographical position or other cause, had 
no claim to lands beyond their own boundaries, 
and the controversy was waged with considerable 
bitterness for several years, proving a formidable 
obstacle to the ratification of the Articles of Con- 
federation. As early as 1779 the subject received 
the attention of Congress in the adoption of a 
resolution requesting the States having such 
claims to "forbear settling or issuing warrants 
for unappropriated lands or granting the same 
during the continuance of the present (Revolu- 
tionary) War. " In the following year, New York 
authorized her Delegates in Congress to limit its 
boundaries in such manner as they might think 
expedient, and to cede to the Government its 
claim to western lands. The case was further com- 
plicated by the claims of certain land companies 



which had been previously organized. New York 
filed her cession to the General Government of 
lands claimed by her in October, 1782, followed 
by Virginia nearly a year later, and by Massa- 
chusetts and Connecticut in 1785 and 1786. Other 
States followed somewhat tardily, Georgia being 
the last, in 1802. The only claims of this charac- 
ter affecting lands in Illinois were those of Vir- 
ginia covering the southern part of the State, and 
Connecticut and Massachusetts applying to the 
northern portion. It was from the splendid 
domain north and west of the Ohio thus acquired 
from Virginia and other States, that the North- 
west Territory was finally organized. 

Ordinance of 1787. — The first step was taken in 
the passage by Congress, in 1784, of a resolution 
providing for the temporary government of the 
Western Territory, and this was followed three 
years later by the enactment of the celebrated 
Ordinance of 1787. While this latter document 
contained numerous provisions which marked a 
new departure in the science of free government 
— as, for instance, that declaring that "religion, 
morality and knowledge being necessary to good 
government and the happiness of mankind, 
schools and the means of education shall forever 
be encouraged" — its crowning feature was the 
sixth article, as follows: "There shall be neither 
slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said 
Territory, otherwise than in the punishment of 
crime, whereof the party shall have been duly 
convicted." 

Although there has been considerable contro- 
versy as to the authorship of the above and other 
provisions of this immortal document, it is 
worthy of note that substantially the same lan- 
guage was introduced in the resolutions of 1784, 
by a Delegate from a slave State — Thomas Jeffer- 
son, of Virginia —though not, at that time, 
adopted. Jefferson was not a member of the 
Congress of 1787 (being then Minister to France), 
and could have had nothing directly to do with 
the later Ordinance; yet it is evident that the 
principle which he had advocated finally received 
the approval of eight out of the thirteen States, — 
all that were represented in that Congress — includ- 
ing the slave States of Virginia, Delaware, North 
Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. (See 
Ordinance of 17S7.) 

Northwest Territory Organized. — Under 
the Ordinance of 1787, organizing the Northwest 
Territory, Gen. Arthur St Clair, who had been a 
soldier of the Revolution, was appointed the 
first Governor on Feb. 1, 1788, with Winthrop 
Sargent, Secretary, and Samuel Holden Parsons, 



254 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



James Mitchell Varnum and John Cleves 
Symmes, Judges. All these were reappointed by- 
President Washington in 1789. The new Terri- 
torial Government was organized at Marietta, a 
settlement on the Ohio, July 15, 1788, but it was 
nearly two years later before Governor St. Clair 
visited Illinois, arriving at Kaskaskia, March 5, 
1790. The County of St. Clair (named after him) 
was organized at this time, embracing all the 
settlements between the Wabash and the Missis- 
sippi. (See St. Clair County.) He found the 
inhabitants generally in a deplorable condition, 
neglected by the Government, the courts of jus- 
tice practically abolished and many of the citizens 
sadly in need of the obligations due them from 
the Government for supplies furnished to Colonel 
Clark twelve years before. After a stay of three 
months, the Governor returned east. In 1795, 
Judge Turner held the first court in St. Clair 
County, at Cahokia, as the county-seat, although 
both Cahokia and Kaskaskia had been named as 
county-seats by Governor St. Clair. Out of the 
disposition of the local authorities to retain the 
official records at Cahokia, and consequent dis- 
agreement over the county-seat question, at least 
in part, grew the order of 1795 organizing the 
second county (Randolph), and Kaskaskia became 
its county-seat. In 1796 Governor St. Clair paid 
a second visit to Illinois, accompanied by Judge 
Symmes, who held court at both county-seats. 
On Nov. 4, 1791, occurred the defeat of Gov- 
ernor St. Clair, in the western part of the present 
State of Ohio, by a force of Indians under com- 
mand of Little Turtle, in which the whites sus- 
tained a heavy loss of both men and property — 
an event which had an unfavorable effect upon 
conditions throughout the Northwest Territory 
generally. St. Clair, having resigned his com- 
mand of the army, was succeeded by Gen. 
Anthony Wayne, who, in a vigorous campaign, 
overwhelmed the Indians with defeat. This 
resulted in the treaty with the Western tribes at 
Greenville, August 3, 1795, which was the begin- 
ning of a period of comparative peace with the 
Indians all over the Western Country. (See 
Wayne, (Gen.) Anthony.) 

Fiest Territorial Legislation.— In 1798, the 
Territory having gained the requisite population, 
an election of members of a Legislative Council 
and House of Representatives was held in accord- 
ance with the provisions of the Ordinance of 1787. 
This was the first Territorial Legislature organized 
in the history of the Republic. It met at Cincin- 
nati, Feb. 4, 1799, Shadrach Bond being the 
Delegate from St. Clair County and John Edgar 



from Randolph. Gen. William Henry Harrison, 
who had succeeded Sargent as Secretary of the 
Territory, June 26, 1798, was elected Delegate to 
Congress, receiving a majority of one vote over 
Arthur St. Clair, Jr., son of the Governor. 

Ohio and Indiana Territories. — By act of 
Congress, May 7, 1800, the Northwest Territory 
was divided into Ohio and Indiana Territories ; 
the latter embracing the region west of the pres- 
ent State of Ohio, and having its capital at "Saint 
Vincent" (Vincennes). May 13, William Henry 
Harrison, who had been the first Delegate in Con- 
gress from the Northwest Territory, was ap- 
pointed Governor of Indiana Territory, which at 
first consisted of three counties : Knox, St. Clair 
and Randolph — the two latter being within the 
boundaries of the present State of Illinois. Their 
aggregate population at this time was estimated 
at less than 5,000. During his administration 
Governor Harrison concluded thirteen treaties 
with the Indians, of which six related to the ces- 
sion of lands in Illinois. The first treaty relating 
to lands in Illinois was that of Greenville, con- 
cluded by General Wayne in 1795. By this the 
Government acquired six miles square at the 
mouth of the Chicago River ; twelve miles square 
at the mouth of the Illinois; six miles square at 
the old Peoria fort ; the post of Fort Massac ; and 
150,000 acres assigned to General Clark and his 
soldiers, besides all other lands "in possession of 
the French people and all other white settlers 
among them, the Indian title to which had been 
thus extinguished." (See Indian Treaties; also, 
Greenville, Treaty of .) 

During the year 1803, the treaty with France 
for the purchase of Louisiana and West Florida 
was concluded, and on March 26, 1804, an act was 
passed by Congress attaching all that portion of 
Louisiana lying north of the thirty -third parallel 
of latitude and west of the Mississippi to Indiana 
Territory for governmental purposes. This in- 
cluded the present States of Arkansas, Missouri. 
Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, the two 
Dakotas and parts of Colorado, Wyoming and Mon- 
tana. This arrangement continued only until 
the following March, when Louisiana was placed 
under a separate Territorial organization. 

P'or four years Indiana Territory was governed 
under laws framed by the Governor and Judges, 
but, the population having increased to the re- 
quired number, an election was held, Sept. 
11, 1804, on the proposition to advance the gov- 
ernment to the "second grade" by the election of 
a Territorial Legislature. The smallness of the 
vote indicated the indifference of the people on 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



255 



the subject Out of 400 votes cast, the proposition 
received a majority of 138. The two Illinois 
counties cast a total of 142 votes, of which St. 
Clair furnished 81 and Randolph 61. The former 
gave a majority of 37 against the measure and 
the latter 19 in its favor, showing a net negative 
majorit3 T of 18. The adoption of the proposition 
was due, therefore, to the affirmative vote in the 
other counties. There were in the Territory at 
this time six counties; one of these (Wayne) was 
in Michigan, which was set off, in 1805, as a sep- 
arate Territory. At the election of Delegates to 
a Territorial Legislature, held Jan. 3, 1805, Shad- 
rach Bond, Sr., and William Biggs were elected 
for St. Clair County and George Fisher for Ran- 
dolph. Bond having meanwhile become a mem- 
ber of the Legislative Council, Shadrach Bond, 
Jr., was chosen his successor. The Legislature 
convened at Vincennes, Feb. 7, 1805, but only 
to recommend a list of persons from whom 
it was the duty of Congress to select a Legislative 
Council. In addition to Bond, Pierre Menard, 
was chosen for Randolph and John Hay for St. 
Clair. 

Illinois Territory Organized. — The Illinois 
counties were represented in two regular and one 
special session of the Territorial Legislature dur- 
ing the time they were a part of Indiana Terri- 
tory. By act of Congress, which became a law 
Feb. 3, 1809, the Territory was divided, the west- 
ern part being named Illinois. 

At*this point the history of Illinois, as a sepa- 
rate political division, begins. While its bounda- 
ries in all other directions were as now, on the 
north it extended to the Canada line. From 
what has already been said, it appears that the 
earliest white settlements were established by 
French Canadians, chiefly at Kaskaskia, Cahokia 
and the other villages in the southern part of the 
American Bottom. At the time of Clark's in- 
vasion, there were not known to have been more 
than two Americans among these people, except 
such hunters and trappers as paid them occasional 
visits. One of the earliest American settlers in" 
Southern Illinois was Capt. Nathan Hull, who 
came from Massachusetts and settled at an early 
day on the Ohio, near where Golconda now 
stands, afterward removing to the vicinity of 
Kaskaskia, where he died in 1806. In 1781, a 
company of immigrants, consisting (with one or 
two exceptions) of members of Clark's command 
in 1778, arrived with their families from Mary- 
land and Virginia and established themselves on 
the American Bottom The "New Design" set- 
tlement, on the boundary line between St. Clair 



and Monroe Counties, and the first distinctively 
American colony in the "Illinois Country," was 
established by this party. Some of its members 
afterward became prominent in the history of the 
Territory and the State. William Biggs, a mem- 
ber of the first Territorial Legislature, with 
others, settled in or near Kaskaskia about 1783, 
and William Arundel, the first American mer- 
chant at Cahokia, came there from Peoria during 
the same year. Gen. John Edgar, for many years 
a leading citizen and merchant at the capital, 
arrived at Kaskaskia in 1784, and William Mor- 
rison, Kaskaskia's principal merchant, came from 
Philadelphia as early as 1790, followed some years 
afterward by several brothers. James Lemen 
came before the beginning of the present cen- 
tury, and was the founder of a large and influ- 
ential family in the vicinity of Shiloh, St. Clair 
County, and Rev. David Badgley headed a colony 
of 154 from Virginia, who arrived in 1797. 
Among other prominent arrivals of this period 
were John Rice Jones, Pierre Menard (first 
Lieutenant-Governor of the State), Shadrach 
Bond, Jr. (first Governor), John Hay, John 
Messinger, William Kinney, Capt. Joseph Ogle ; 
and of a later date, Nathaniel Pope (afterward 
Secretary of the Territory, Delegate to Congress, 
Justice of the United States Court and father of 
the late Maj.-Gen. John Pope), Elias Kent Kane 
(first Secretary of State and afterward United 
States Senator), Daniel P. Cook (first Attorney- 
General and second Representative in Congress), 
George Forquer (at one time Secretary of State) , 
and Dr. George Fisher — all prominent in Terri- 
torial or State history. (See biographical 
sketches of these early settlers under their re- 
spective names. ) 

The government of the new Territory was 
organized by the appointment of Ninian Ed- 
wards, Governor; Nathaniel Pope, Secretary, 
and Alexander Stuart, Obadiah Jones and Jesse 
B. Thomas, Territorial Judges. (See Edwards, 
Ninian.) Stuart having been transferred to 
Missouri, Stanley Griswold was appointed in 
his stead. Governor Edwards arrived at Kas- 
kaskia, the capital, in June, 1809. At that 
time the two counties of St. Clair and Randolph 
comprised the settled portion of the Territory, 
with a white population estimated at about 9,000. 
The Governor and Judges immediately proceeded 
to formulate a code of laws, and the appoint- 
ments made by Secretary Pope, who had preceded 
the Governor in his arrival in the Territory, were 
confirmed. Benjamin H. Doyle was the first 
Attornev-General, but he resigned in a few 



•be 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



months, when the place was offered to John J. 
Crittenden — the well-known United States Sen- 
ator from Kentucky at the beginning of the 
Civil War — but by him declined. Thomas T. 
Crittenden was then appointed. 

An incident of the year 1811 was the battle of 
Tippecanoe, resulting in the defeat of Tecumseh, 
the great chief of the Shawnees, by Gen. William 
Henry Harrison. Four companies of mounted 
rangers were raised in Illinois this year under 
direction of Col. William Russell, of Kentucky, 
who built Camp Russell near Edwardsville the 
following year. They were commanded by Cap- 
tains Samuel Whiteside. William B. Whiteside, 
James B. Moore and Jacob Short. The memo- 
rable earthquake which had its center about New 
Madrid, Mo., occurred in December of this 
year, and was quite violent in some portions of 
Southern Illinois. (See Earthquake of 1811. ) 

War of 1812. — During the following year the 
second war with England began, but no serious 
outbreak occurred in Illinois until August, 1812, 
when the massacre at Fort Dearborn, where 
Chicago now stands, took place. This had long 
been a favorite trading post of the Indians, at 
first under French occupation and afterward 
under the Americans. Sometime during 1803-04, 
a fort had been built near the mouth of Chicago 
River on the south side, on land acquired from the 
Indians by the treaty of Greenville in 1795. (See 
Fort Dearborn.) In the spring of 1812 some 
alarm had been caused by outrages committed by 
Indians in the vicinity, and in the early part of 
August, Capt. Nathan Heald, commanding the 
garrison of less than seventy-five men, received 
instructions from General Hull, in command at 
Detroit, to evacuate the fort, disposing of the 
public property as he might see fit. Friendly 
Indians advised Heald either to make prepara- 
tions for a vigorous defense, or evacuate at once. 
Instead of this, he notified the Indians of his in- 
tention to retire and divide the stores among 
them, with the conditions subsequently agreed 
upon in council, that his garrison should be 
afforded an escort and safe passage to Fort 
Wayne. On the 14th of August he proceeded to 
distribute the bulk of the goods as promised, but 
the ammunition, guns and liquors were de- 
stroyed. This he justified on the ground that a 
bad use would be made of them, while the 
Indians construed it as a violation of the agree- 
ment. The tragedy which followed, is thus de- 
scribed in Moses' "History of Illinois:" 

"Black Partridge, a Pottawatomie Chief, who 
had been on terms of friendship with the whites. 



appeared before Captain Heald and informed 
him plainly that his young men intended to 
imbrue their hands in the blood of the whites; 
that he was no longer able to restrain them, and, 
surrendering a medal he had worn in token of 
amity, closed by saying: 'I will not wear a 
token of peace while I am compelled to act as an 
enemy.' In the meantime the Indians were riot- 
ing upon the provisions, and becoming so aggres- 
sive in their bearing that it was resolved to march 
out the next day. The fatal fifteenth arrived. 
To each soldier was distributed twenty-five 
rounds of reserved ammunition. The baggage 
and ambulance wagons were laden, and the gar- 
rison slowly wended its way outside the protect- 
ing walls of the fort — the Indian escort of 500 
following in the rear. What next occurred in 
this disastrous movement is narrated by Captain 
Heald in his report, as follows: 'The situation of 
the country rendered it necessary for us to take 
the beach, with the lake on our left, and a high 
sand bank on our right at about three hundred 
yards distance. We had proceeded about a mile 
and a half, when it was discovered (by Captain 
Wells) that the Indians were prepared to attack 
us from behind the bank. I immediately marched 
up with the company to the top of the bank, 
when the action commenced; after firing one 
round, we charged, and the Indians gave way in 
front and joined those on our flanks. In about fif- 
teen minutes they got possession of all our horses, 
provisions and baggage of every description, and 
finding the Miamis (who had come from Fort 
Wayne with Captain Wells to act as an escort) 
did not assist us, I drew off the few men I had 
left and took possession of a small elevation in 
the open prairie out of shot of the bank, or any 
other cover. The Indians did not follow me but 
assembled in a body on top of the bank, and after 
some consultation among themselves, made'signs 
for me to approach them. I advanced toward 
them alone, and was met by one of the Potta- 
watomie chiefs called Black Bird, with an inter- 
preter. After shaking hands, he requested me to 
surrender, promising to spare the lives of all the 
prisoners. On a few moments' consideration I 
concluded it would be most prudent to comply 
with this request, although I did not put entire 
confidence in his promise. The troops had made 
a brave defense, but what could so small a force 
do against such overwhelming numbers? It was 
evident with over half their number dead upon 
the field, or wounded, further resistance would 
be hopeless. Twenty-six regulars and twelve 
militia, with two women and twelve children, 
were killed. Among the slain were Captain 
Wells, Dr. Van Voorhis and Ensign George 
Ronan. (Captain Wells, when young, had been 
captured by Indians and had married among 
them.) He (Wells) was familiar with all the 
wiles, stratagems, as well as the vindictiveness 
of the Indian character, and when the conflict 
began, he said to his niece (Mrs. Heald), by 
whose side he was standing, 'We have not the 
slightest chance for life; we must part to meet 
no more in this world. God bless you." With 
these words he dashed forward into the thickest 
of the fight. He refused to be taken prisoner, 
knowing what his fate would be, when a young 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



257 



red-skin cut him down with his tomahawk, 
jumped upon his body, cut out his heart and ate 
a portion of it with savage delight. 

"The prisoners taken were Captain Heald and 
wife, both wounded, Lieutenant Helm, also 
wounded, and wife, with twenty-five non-com- 
missioned officers and privates, and eleven women 
and children. The loss of the Indians was fifteen 
killed. Mr. Kinzie's family had been entrusted 
to the care of some friendly Indians and were not 
with the retiring garrison. The Indians engaged 
in this outrage were principally Pottawatomies, 
with a few Chippewas, Ottawas, Winnebagoes, 
and Kickapoos. Fort Dearborn was plundered 
and burned on the next morning." (See Fort 
Dearborn: also War of ISIS. ) 

Thus ended the most bloody tragedy that ever 
occurred on the soil of Illinois with Americans as 
victims. The place where this affair occurred, 
as described by Captain Heald, was on the lake 
shore about the foot of Eighteenth Street in 
the present city of Chicago. After the destruction 
of the fort, the site of the present city of Chicago 
remained unoccupied until 1816, when the fort 
was rebuilt. At that time the bones of the vic- 
tims of the massacre of 1812 still lay bleaching 
upon the sands near the lake shore, but they 
were gathered up a few years later and buried. 
The new fort continued to be occupied somewhat 
irregularly until 1837, when it was finally aban- 
doned, there being no longer any reason for 
maintaining it as a defense against the Indians. 

Other Events op the War.— The part played 
by Illinois in the War of 1812, consisted chiefly 
in looking after the large Indian population 
within and near its borders. Two expeditions 
were undertaken to Peoria Lake in the Fall of 
1812; the first of these, under the direction of 
Governor Edwards, burned two Kickapoo vil- 
lages, one of them being that of "Black Part- 
ridge," who had befriended the whites at Fort 
Dearborn. A few weeks later Capt. Thomas E. 
Craig, at the head of a company of militia, made a 
descent upon the ancient French village of Peoria, 
on the pretext that the inhabitants had har- 
bored hostile Indians and fired on his boats. He 
burned a part of the town and, taking the people 
as prisoners down the river, put them ashore 
below Alton, in the beginning of winter. Both 
these affairs were severely censured. 

There were expeditions against the Indians on 
the Illinois and Upper Mississippi in 1813 and 
1814. In the latter year, Illinois troops took part 
with credit in two engagements at Rock Island — 
the last of these being in co-operation with regu- 
lars, under command of Maj. Zachary Taylor, 
afterwards Presideiit. against a force of Indians 
supported by the British. Fort Clark at Peoria 



was erected in 1813, and Fort Edwards at War- 
saw, opposite the mouth of the Des Moines, at 
the close of the campaign of 1814. A council 
with the Indians, conducted by Governors 
Edwards of Illinois and Clarke of Missouri, and 
Auguste Chouteau, a merchant of St. Louis, as 
Government Commissioners, on the Mississippi 
just below Alton, in July, 1815, concluded a 
treaty of peace with the principal Northwestern 
tribes, thus ending the war. 

First Territorial Legislature.— By act of 
Congress, adopted May 21, 1812, the Territory of 
Illinois was raised to the second grade— i. e., em- 
powered to elect a Territorial Legislature. In 
September, three additional counties— Madison, 
Gallatin and Johnson — were organized, making 
five in all, and, in October, an election for the 
choice of five members of the Council and seven 
Representatives was held, resulting as follows: 
Councilmen— Pierre Menard of Randolph County ; 
William Biggs of St. Clair; Samuel Judy of 
Madison; Thomas Ferguson of Johnson, and 
Benjamin Talbot of Gallatin. Representatives- 
George Fisher of Randolph ; Joshua Oglesby and 
Jacob Short of St. Clair; William Jones of Madi- 
son; Philip Trammel and Alexander Wilson of 
Gallatin, and John Grammar of Johnson. The 
Legislature met at Kaskaskia, Nov. 25, the Coun- 
cil organizing with Pierre Menard as President 
and John Thomas, Secretary; and the House, 
with George Fisher as Speaker and William C. 
Greenup, Clerk. Shadrach Bond was elected the 
first Delegate to Congress. 

A second Legislature was elected in 1814, con- 
vening at Kaskaskia, Nov. 14. Menard was con- 
tinued President of the Council during the whole 
Territorial period; while George Fisher was 
Speaker of each House, except the Second. The 
county of Edwards was organized in 1814, and 
White in 1815. Other counties organized under 
the Territorial Government were Jackson, Mon- 
roe, Crawford and Pope in 1816; Bond in 1817, 
and Franklin, Union and Washington in 1818, 
making fifteen in all. Of these all but the 
three last-named were organized previous to the 
passage by Congress of the enabling act author- 
izing the Territory of Illinois to organize a State 
government. In 1816 the Bank of Illinois was 
established at Shawneetown, with branches at 
Edwardsville and Kaskaskia. 

Early Towns.— Besides the French villages in 
the American Bottom, there is said to have been 
a French and Indian village on the west bank of 
Peoria Lake, as early as 1711. This site appears 
to have been abandoned about 1775 and a new 



258 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



village established on the present site of Peoria 
soon after, which was maintained until 1812, 
w hen it was broken up by Captain Craig. Other 
early towns were Shawneetown, laid out in 1808 ; 
Belleville, established as the county-seat of St. 
Clair County, in 1814; Edwardsville, founded in 
1815; Upper Alton, in 1816, and Alton, in 1818. 
Carmi, Fairfield, "Waterloo, Golconda, Lawrence- 
ville, Mount Carmel and Vienna also belonged to 
this period; while Jacksonville, Springfield and 
Galena were settled a few years later. Chicago 
is mentioned in "Beck's Gazetteer" of 1823, as "a 
village of Pike County." 

Admission as a State.— The preliminary steps 
for the admission of Illinois as a State, were taken 
in the passage of an Enabling Act by Congress, 
April 13, 1818. An important incident in this 
connection was the amendment of the act, mak- 
ing the parallel of 42° 30' from Lake Michigan to 
the Mississippi River the northern boundary, 
instead of a line extending from the southern 
extremity of the Lake. This was obtained 
through the influence of Hon. Nathaniel Pope, 
then Delegate from Illinois, and by it the State 
secured a strip of country fifty-one miles in 
width, from the Lake to the Mississippi, embrac- 
ing what have since become fourteen of the most 
populous counties of the State, including the city 
of Chicago. The political, material and moral 
results which have followed this important act, 
have been the subject of much interesting dis- 
cussion and cannot be easily over-estimated. 
(See Northern Boundary Question; also Pope, 
Nathaniel.) 

Another measure of great importance, which Mr. 
Pope secured, was a modification of the provision 
of the Enabling Act requiring the appropriation of 
five per cent of the proceeds from the sale of pub- 
lic lands within the State, to the construction of 
roads and canals. The amendment which he 
secured authorizes the application of two-fifths 
of this fund to the making of roads leading to the 
State, but requires "the residue to be appropri- 
ated by the Legislature of the State for the 
encouragement of learning, of which one-sixth 
part shall be exclusively bestowed on a college or 
university." This was the beginning of that 
system of liberal encouragement of education by 
the General Government, which has been at- 
tended with such beneficent results in the younger 
States, and has reflected so much honor upon the 
Nation. (See Education; Railroads, and Illinois 
& Michigan Canal. ) 

The Enabling Act required as a precedent con- 
dition that a census of the Territory, to be taken 



that year, should show a population of 40,000. 
Such a result was shown, but it is now confessed 
that the number was greatly exaggerated, the 
true population, as afterwards given, being 34,020. 
According to the decennial census of 1820, the 
population of the State at that time was 55,102. 
If there was any short-coming in this respect in 
1818, the State has fully compensated for it by 
its unexampled growth in later years. 

An election of Delegates to a Convention to 
frame a State Constitution was held July 6 to 8, 
1818 (extending through three days), thirty-three 
Delegates being chosen from the fifteen counties 
of the State. The Convention met at Kaskaskia, 
August 3, and organized by the election of Jesse 
B. Thomas, President, and "William C. Greenup, 
Secretary, closing its labors, August 2G. The 
Constitution, which was modeled largely upon 
the Constitutions of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, 
was not submitted to a vote of the people. (See 
Constitutional Conventions, especially Conven- 
tion of ISIS.) Objection was made to its accept- 
ance by Congress on the ground that the 
population of the Territory was insufficient and 
that the prohibition of slavery was not as ex- 
plicit as required by the Ordinance of 1787; but 
these arguments were overcome and the docu- 
ment accepted by a vote of 117 yeas to 34 nays. 
The only officers whose election was provided for 
by popular vote, were the Governor, Lieutenant- 
Governor, Sheriffs, Coroners and County Commis- 
sioners. The Secretary, of State, State Treasurer, 
Auditor of Public Accounts, Public Printer and 
Supreme and Circuit Judges were all appointive 
either by the Governor or General Assembly. 
The elective franchise was granted to all white 
male inhabitants, above the age of 21 years, who 
had resided in the State six months. 

The first State election was held Sept. 17, 
1818, resulting in the choice of Shadrach Bond 
for Governor, and Pierre Menard, Lieutenant- 
Governor. The Legislature, chosen at the same 
time, consisted of thirteen Senators and twenty- 
seven Representatives. It commenced its session 
at Kaskaskia, Oct. 5, 1818, and adjourned after a 
session of ten days, awaiting the formal admis- 
sion of the State, which took place Dec. 3. A 
second session of the same Legislature was held, 
extending from Jan. 4 to March 31, 1S19. 
Risdon Moore was Speaker of the first House. 
The other State officers elected at the first ses- 
sion were Elijah C. Berry, Auditor ; John Thomas, 
Treasurer, and Daniel P. Cook, Attorney -General. 
Elias Kent Kane, having been appointed Secre- 
tary of State by the Governor, was confirmed by 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



259 



the Senate. Ex-Governor Edwards and Jesse B. 
Thomas were elected United States Senators, the 
former drawing the short term and serving one 
year, when he was re-elected. Thomas served 
two terms, retiring in 1829. The first Supreme 
Court consisted of Joseph Phillips, Chief Justice, 
with Thomas C. Browne, William P. Foster and 
John Reynolds, Associate Justices. Foster, who 
was a mere adventurer without any legal knowl- 
edge, left the State in a few months and was 
succeeded by William Wilson. (See State Officers, 
United States Senators, and Judiciary.) 

Menard, who served as Lieutenant-Governor 
four years, was a noteworthy man. A native of 
Canada and of French descent, he came to Kas- 
kaskia in 1790, at the age of 24 years, and 
engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was hos- 
pitable, frank, liberal and enterprising. The fol- 
lowing story related of him illustrates a pleas- 
ant feature of his character: "At one time there 
was a scarcity of salt in the country, and Menard 
held the only supply outside of St. Louis. A 
number of his neighbors called upon him for 
what they wanted ; he declined to let them know 
whether he could supply them or not, but told 
them to come to his store on a certain day, when 
he would inform them. They came at the time 
appointed, and were seated. Menard passed 
around among them and inquired of each, 'You 
got money?' Some said they had and some that 
they had not, but would pay as soon as they 
killed their hogs. Those who had money he 
directed to range themselves on one side of the 
room and those who had none, on the other. Of 
course, those who had the means expected to get 
the salt and the others looked very much dis- 
tressed and crestfallen. Menard then spoke up 
in his brusque way, and said, 'You men who got 
de money, can go to St. Louis for your salt. 
Dese poor men who got no money shall have my 
salt, by gar.' Such was the man — noble-hearted 
and large-minded, if unpolished and uncouth." 
(See Menard, Pierre. ) 

Removal of the Capital to Vandalia. — 
At the second session of the General Assembly, 
five Commissioners were appointed to select a 
new site for the State Capital. What is now the 
city of Vandalia was selected, and, in December, 
1820, the entire archives of the State were re- 
moved to the new capital, being transported in 
one small wagon, at a cost of $25.00, under the 
supervision of the late Sidney Breese, who after- 
wards became United States Senator and Justice 
of the Supreme Court. (See State Capitals. ) 

During the session of the Second General 



Assembly, which met at Vandalia, Dec. 4, 
1820, a bill was passed establishing a State Bank 
at Vandalia, with branches at Shawneetown, 
Edwardsville and Brownsville. John McLean, 
who had been the first Representative in Con- 
gress, was Speaker of the House at this session. 
He was twice elected to the United States Senate, 
though he served only about two years, dying in 
1830. (See State Bank. ) 

Introduction of the Slavery Question. — 
The second State election, which occurred in 
August, 1822, proved the beginning of a turbu- 
lent period through the introduction of some 
exciting questions into State politics. There 
were four candidates for gubernatorial honors in 
the field: Chief- Justice Phillips, of the Supreme 
Court, supported by the friends of Governor 
Bond; Associate- Justice Browne, of the same 
court, supported by the friends of Governor 
Edwards; Gen. James B. Moore, a noted Indian 
fighter and the candidate of the "Old Rangers," 
and Edward Coles. The latter was a native of 
Virginia, who had served as private secretary of 
President Monroe, and had been employed as a 
special messenger to Russia. He had made two 
visits to Illinois, the first in 1815 and the second 
in 1818. The Convention to form a State Constitu- 
tion being in session at the date of the latter 
visit, he took a deep interest in the discussion of 
the slavery question and exerted his influence in 
securing the adoption of the prohibitory article 
in the organic law. On April 1, 1819, he started 
from his home in Virginia to remove to Edwards- 
ville, 111., taking with him his ten slaves. The 
journey from Brownsville, Pa. , was made in 
two flat-boats to a point below Louisville, where 
he disembarked, traveling by land to Edwards- 
ville. While descending the Ohio River he sur- 
prised his slaves by announcing that they were 
free. The scene, as described by himself, was 
most dramatic. Having declined to avail them- 
selves of the privilege of leaving him, he took 
them with him to his destination, where he 
eventually gave each head of a family 100 acres 
of land. Arrived at Edwardsville, he assumed 
the position of Register of the Land Office, to 
which he had been appointed by President Mon- 
roe, before leaving Virginia. 

The act of Coles with reference to his slaves 
established his reputation as an opponent of 
slavery, and it was in this attitude that he stood 
as a candidate for Governor — both Phillips and 
Browne being friendly to "the institution," 
which had had a virtual existence in the "Illinois 
Country" from the time Renault brought 500 



260 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



slaves to the vicinity of Kaskaskia, one hun- 
dred years before. Although the Constitution 
declared that "neither slavery nor involuntary 
servitude shall hereafter be introduced into the 
State," this had not been effectual in eliminating 
it. In fact, while this language was construed, 
so long as it remained in the Constitution, as 
prohibiting legislation authorizing the admission 
of slaves from without, it was not regarded as 
inimical to the institution as it already existed ; 
and, as the population came largely from the 
slave States, there had been a rapidly growing 
sentiment in favor of removing the inhibitory 
clause. Although the pro-slavery party was 
divided between two candidates for Governor, 
it had hardly contemplated the possibility of 
defeat, and it was consequently a surprise when 
the returns showed that Coles was elected, receiv- 
ing 2,854 votes to 2,687 for Phillips, 2,443 for 
Browne and 622 for Moore — Coles' plurality 
being 167 in a total of 8,606. Coles thus became 
Governor on less than one-third of the popular 
vote. Daniel P. Cook, who had made the race 
for Congress at the same election against 
McLean, as an avowed opponent of slavery, was 
successful by a majority of 876. (See Coles, 
Edward; also Cook, Daniel Pope.) 

The real struggle was now to occur in the Legis- 
lature, which met Dec. 2, 1822. The House 
organized with William M. Alexander as Speaker, 
while the Senate elected Thomas Lippincott 
(afterwards a prominent Presbyterian minister 
and the father of the late Gen. Charles E. Lippin- 
cott), Secretary, and Henry S. Dodge, Enrolling 
and Engrossing Clerk. The other State officers 
appointed by the Governor, or elected by the 
Legislature, were Samuel D. Lockwood, Secretary 
of State; Elijah C. Berry, Auditor; Abner Field, 
Treasurer, and James Turney, Attorney-General. 
Lockwood had served nearly two years previously 
as Attorney-General, but remained in the office 
of Secretary of State only three months, when he 
resigned to accept the position of Receiver for 
the Land Office. (See Lockwood, Samuel Drake. ) 

The slavery question came up in the Legisla- 
ture on the reference to a special committee of a 
portion of the Governor's message, calling atten- 
tion to the continued existence of slavery in spite 
of the ordinance of 1787, and recommending that 
steps be taken for its extinction. Majority and 
minority reports were submitted, the former 
claiming the right of the State to amend its Con- 
stitution and thereby make such disposition of 
the slaves as it saw proper. Out of this grew a 
resolution submitting to the electors at the next 



election a proposition for a convention to revise 
the Constitution. This passed the Senate by the 
necessary two-thirds vote, and, having come up 
in the House (Feb. 11, 1823), it failed by a single 
vote — Nicholas Hansen, a Representative from 
Pike County, whose seat had been unsuccessfully 
contested by John Shaw at the beginning of the 
session, being one of those voting in the negative. 
The next day, without further investigation, the 
majority proceeded to reconsider its action in 
seating Hansen two and a half months previ- 
ously, and Shaw was seated in his place; though, 
in order to do this, some crooked work was nec- 
essary to evade the rules. Shaw being seated, 
the submission resolution was then passed. No 
more exciting campaign was ever had in Illinois. 
Of five papers then published in the State, "The 
Edwardsville Spectator," edited by Hooper 
Warren, opposed the measure, being finally rein- 
forced by "The Illinois Intelligencer," which had 
been removed to Vandalia; "The Illinois Gaz- 
ette," at Shawneetown, published articles on 
both sides of the question, though rather favoring 
the anti-slavery cause, while "The Republican 
Advocate," at Kaskaskia, the organ of Senator 
Elias Kent Kane, and "The Republican," at 
Edwardsville, under direction of Judge Theophi- 
lus W. Smith, Emanuel J. West and Judge 
Samuel McRoberts (afterwards United States 
Senator), favored the Convention. The latter 
paper was established for the especial purpose of 
supporting the Convention scheme and was 
promptly discontinued on the defeat of the meas- 
ure. (See Newsjjapers, Early.) Among other 
supporters of the Convention proposition were 
Senator Jesse B. Thomas, John McLean, Richard 
M. Young, Judges Phillips, Browne and Reynolds. 
of the Supreme Court, and many more; while 
among the leading champions of the opposition, 
were Judge Lockwood, George Forquer (after- 
ward Secretary of State), Morris Birkbeck, George 
Churchill, Thomas Mather and Rev. Thomas Lip- 
pincott. Daniel P. Cook, then Representative in 
Congress, was the leading champion of freedom 
on the stump, while Governor Coles contributed 
the salary of his entire term (84,000), as well as 
his influence, to the support of the cause. Gov- 
ernor Edwards (then in the Senate) was the owner 
of slaves and occupied a non-committal position. 
The election was held August 2, 1824, resulting in 
4,972 votes for a Convention, to 6,640 against it, 
defeating the proposition by a majority of 1,668. 
Considering the size of the aggregate vote 
(11,612), the result was a decisive one. By it 
Illinois escaped the greatest danger it ever en- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



261 



countered previous to the War of the Rebellion. 
(See Slavery and Slave Lairs.) 

At the same election Cook was re-elected to 
Congress by 3,010 majority over Shadrach Bond. 
The vote for President was divided between John 
Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay 
and William H. Crawford — Adams receiving a 
plurality, but much below a majority. The Elect- 
oral College failing to elect a President, the 
decision of the question passed into the hands of 
the Congressional House of Representatives, 
when Adams was elected, receiving the vote of 
Illinois through its only Representative, Mr. Cook. 
During the remainder of his term, Governor 
Coles was made the victim of much vexatious 
litigation at the hands of his enemies, a verdict 
being rendered against him in the sum of §2,000 
for bringing his emancipated negroes into the 
State, in violation of the law of 1819. The Legis- 
lature having passed an act releasing him from 
the penalty, it was declared unconstitutional by 
a malicious Circuit Judge, though his decision 
was promptly reversed by the Supreme Court. 
Having lived a few years on his farm near 
Edwardsville, in 1832 he removed to Philadelphia, 
where he spent the remainder of his days, his 
death occurring there, July 7, 1868. In the face 
of opprobrium and defamation, and sometimes in 
danger of mob violence, Governor Coles per- 
formed a service to the State which has scarcely 
yet been fully recognized. (See Coles, Edward. ) 
A ridiculous incident of the closing year of 
Coles' administration was the attempt of Lieut. - 
Gov. Frederick Adolphus Hubbard, after having 
tasted the sweets of executive power during the 
Governor's temporary absence from the State, to 
usurp the position after the Governor's return. 
The ambitious aspirations of the would-be usurper 
were suppressed by the Supreme Court. 

An interesting event of the year 1825, was the 
visit of General La Fayette to Kaskaskia. He 
was welcomed in an address by Governor Coles, 
and the event was made the occasion of much 
festivity by the French citizens of the ancient 
capital. (See La Fayette, Visit of. ) 

The first State House at Vandalia having been 
destroyed by fire, Dec. 9, 1823, a new one was 
erected during the following year at a cost of 
§12,381.50, toward which the people of Vandalia 
contributed §5,000. 

Edwards' Administration.— The State elec- 
tion of 1826 resulted in again calling Ninian 
Edwards to the gubernatorial chair, which he 
had filled during nearly the whole of the exist- 
ence of Illinois as a Territory. Elected one of the 



first United States Senators, and re-elected for a 
second term in 1819, he had resigned this office in 
1824 to accept the position of Minister to Mexico, 
by appointment of President Monroe. Having 
become involved in a controversy with William 
H. Crawford, Secretary of the Treasury, he 
resigned the Mexican mission, and, after a period 
of retirement to private life for the first time 
after he came to Illinois, he appealed to the 
people of the State for endorsement, with the 
result stated. His administration was unevent- 
ful except for the "Winnebago War," which 
caused considerable commotion on the frontier, 
without resulting in much bloodshed. Governor 
Edwards was a fine specimen of the "old school 
gentleman" of that period — dignified and polished 
in his manners, courtly and precise in his address, 
proud and ambitious, with a tendency to the 
despotic in his bearing in consequence of having 
been reared in a slave State and his long connec- 
tion with the executive office. His early educa- 
tion had been under the direction of the 
celebrated William Wirt, between whom and 
himself a close friendship existed. He was 
wealthy for the time, being an extensive land- 
owner as well as slave-holder and the proprietor of 
stores and mills, which were managed by agents, 
but he lost heavily by bad debts. He was for 
many years a close friend of Hooper Warren, the 
pioneer printer, furnishing the material with 
which the latter published his papers at Spring- 
field and Galena. At the expiration of his term 
of office near the close of 1830, he retired to his 
home at Belleville, where, after making an un- 
successful campaign for Congress in 1832, in 
which he was defeated by Charles Slade, he 
died of cholera, July 20, 1833. (See Edwards, 
Ninian.) 

William Kinney, of Belleville, who was a can- 
didate for Lieutenant-Governor on the ticket 
opposed to Edwards, was elected over Samuel M. 
Thompson. In 1830, Kinney became a candidate 
for Governor but was defeated by John Reynolds, 
known as the "Old Ranger." One of the argu- 
ments used against Kinney in this campaign was 
that, in the Legislature of 1823, he was one of 
three members who voted against the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, on the ground that "it (the 
canal) would make an opening for the Yankees 
to come to the country." 

During Edwards' administration the first steps 
were taken towards the erection of a State peni- 
tentiary at Alton, funds therefor being secured 
by the sale of a portion of the saline lands in Gal- 
latin County. (See Alton Penitentiary.) The first 



262 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Commissioners having charge of its construction 
were Shadrach Bond, William P. McKee and 
Dr. Gershom Jayne — the last-named the father of 
Dr. William Jayne of Springfield, and father-in- 
law of the late Senator Lyman Trumbull. 

Governor Reynolds — Black Hawk War. — 
The election of 1830 resulted in the choice of John 
Reynolds for Governor over William Kinney, by 
a majority of 3,899, in a total vote of 49,051, 
while Zadoc Casey, the candidate on the Kinney 
ticket, was elected Lieutenant-Governor. (See 
Reynolds, John.) 

The most important event of Reynolds' admin- 
istration was the "Black-Hawk War." Eight 
thousand militia were called out during this war 
to reinforce 1,500 regular troops, the final result 
being the driving of 400 Indians west of the Mis- 
sissippi. Rock Island, which had been the favor- 
ite rallying point of the Indians for generations, 
was the central point at the beginning of this 
war. It is impossible to give the details of this 
complicated struggle, which was protracted 
through two campaigns (1831 and 1832), though 
there was no fighting worth speaking of except 
in the last, and no serious loss to the whites in 
that, except the surprise and defeat of Stillman's 
command. Beardstown was the base of opera- 
tions in each of these campaigns, and that city 
has probably never witnessed such scenes of 
bustle and excitement since. The Indian village 
at Rock Island was destroyed, and the fugitives, 
after being pursued through Northern Illinois 
and Southwestern Wisconsin without being 
allowed to surrender, were driven beyond the 
Mississippi in a famishing condition and with 
spirits completely broken. Galena, at that time 
the emporium of the "Lead Mine Region," and 
the largest town in the State north of Springfield, 
was the center of great excitement, as the war 
was waged in the region surrounding it. (See 
Black Hawk War.) Although cool judges have 
not regarded this campaign as reflecting honor 
upon either the prowess or the magnanimity of 
the whites, it was remarkable for the number of 
those connected with it whose names afterwards 
became famous in the history of the State and 
the Nation. Among them were two who after- 
wards became Presidents of the United States — 
Col. Zachary Taylor of the regular army, and 
Abraham Lincoln, a Captain in the State militia 
— besides Jefferson Davis, then a Lieutenant in 
the regular army and afterwards head of the 
Southern Confederacy; three subsequent Gov- 
ernors — Duncan, Carlin and Ford — besides Gov- 
ernor Reynolds, who at that time occupied the 



gubernatorial chair; James Semple, afterwards 
United States Senator; John T. Stuart, Lincoln's 
law preceptor and partner, and later a Member 
of Congress, to say nothing of many others, who, in 
after years, occupied prominent positions as mem- 
bers of Congress, the Legislature or otherwise. 
Among the latter were Gen. John J. Hardin; 
the late Joseph Gillespie, of Edwardsville ; Col. 
John Dement; William Thomas of Jackson- 
ville; Lieut. -Col. Jacob Fry; Henry Dodge and 
others. 

Under the census of 1830, Illinois became 
entitled to three Representatives in Congress 
instead of one, by whom it had been represented 
from the date of its admission as a State. Lieu- 
tenant-Governor Casey, having been elected to 
the Twenty-third Congress for the Second Dis- 
trict under the new apportionment, on March 1, 
1833, tendered his resignation of the Lieutenant- 
Governorship, and was succeeded by William L. 
D. Ewing, Temporary President of the Senate. 
(See Apportionment, Congressional; Casey, Zadoc, 
and Representatives in Congress.) Within two 
weeks of the close of his term (Nov. 17, 1834), 
Governor Reynolds followed the example of his 
associate in office by resigning the Governorship 
to accept the seat in Congress for the First (or 
Southern) District, which had been rendered 
vacant by the death of Hon. Charles Slade. the 
incumbent in office, in Jul}- previous. This 
opened the way for a new promotion of acting 
Lieutenant-Governor Ewing, who thus had the 
distinction of occupying the gubernatorial office 
for the brief space of two weeks. (See Reynolds, 
John, and Slade, Charles. ) 

Ewing probably held a greater variety of 
offices under the State, than any other man who 
ever lived in it. Repeatedly elected to each 
branch of the General Assembly, he more than 
once filled the chair of Speaker of the House and 
President of the Senate ; served as Acting Lieu- 
tenant Governor and Governor by virtue of the 
resignation of his superiors; was United States 
Senator from 1835 to 1837; still later became 
Clerk of the House where he had presided as 
Speaker, finally, in 1843, being elected Auditor of 
Public Accounts, and dying in that office three 
years later. In less than twenty years, he held 
eight or ten different offices, including the high- 
est in the State. (See Ewing, William Lee David- 
son.) 

Duncan's Administration. — Joseph Duncan, 
who had served the State as its only Represent- 
ative in three Congresses, was elected Governor, 
August, 1834, over four competitors — William 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



263 



Kinney, Robert K. McLaughlin, James Evans 
and W. B. Archer. (See Duncan, Joseph. ) 

His administration was made memorable by 
the large number of distinguished men who 
either entered public life at this period or gained 
additional prominence by their connection with 
public affairs. Among these were Abraham Lin- 
coln and Stephen A. Douglas ; Col. E. D. Baker, 
who afterward and at different times represented 
Illinois and Oregon in the councils of the Nation, 
and who fell at Ball's Bluff in 1862; Orville H. 
Browning, a prospective United States Senator 
and future cabinet officer; Lieut.-Gov. John 
Dougherty; Gen. James Shields, Col. John J. 
Hardin, Archibald Williams, Cyrus and Ninian 
W. Edwards; Dr. John Logan, father of Gen. 
John A. Logan ; Stephen T. Logan, and many 
more. 

During this administration was begun that 
gigantic scheme of "internal improvements," 
which proved so disastrous to the financial inter- 
ests of the State. The estimated cost of the 
various works undertaken, was over §11,000,000, 
and though little of substantial value was real- 
ized, yet, in 1852, the debt (principal and inter- 
est) thereby incurred (including that of the 
canal), aggregated nearly 817,000,000. The col- 
lapse of the scheme was, no doubt, hastened by 
the unexpected suspension of specie payments 
by the banks all over the country, which followed 
soon after its adoption. (See Internal Inqirove- 
ment Policy; also State Debt.) 

Capital Removed to Springfield. — At the 
session of the General Assembly of 1836-37, an act 
was passed removing the State capital to Spring- 
field, and an appropriation of S50.000 was made to 
erect a building ; to this amount the city of Spring- 
field added a like sum, besides donating a site. In 
securing the passage of these acts, the famous 
"Long Nine," consisting of A. G. Herndon and 
Job Fletcher, in the Senate; and Abraham Lin- 
coln, Ninian W. Edwards, John Dawson, Andrew 
McCormick, Dan Stone, William F. Elkin and 
Robert L. Wilson, in the House — all Representa- 
tives from Sangamon County — played a leading 
part. 

The Murder of Lovejoy.— An event occurred 
near the close of Governor Duncan's term, which 
left a stain upon the locality, but for which his 
administration had no direct responsibility; to- 
wit, the murder of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, by a 
pro-slavery mob at Alton. Lovejoy was a native 
of Maine, who, coming to St. Louis in 1827, had 
been employed upon various papers, the last 
being "The St. Louis Observer." The outspoken 



hostility of this paper to slavery aroused a bitter 
local opposition which led to its removal to 
Alton, where the first number of "The Alton 
Observer" was issued, Sept. 8, 1836, though not 
until one press and a considerable portion of the 
material had been destroyed by a mob. On the 
night of August 21, 1837, there was a second 
destruction of the material, when a third press 
having been procured, it was taken from the 
warehouse and thrown into the Mississippi. A 
fourth press was ordered, and, pending its 
arrival, Lovejoy appeared before a public meet- 
ing of his opponents and, in an impassioned 
address, maintained his right to freedom of 
speech, declaring in conclusion: "If the civil 
authorities refuse to protect me, I must look to 
God ; and if I die, I have determined to make my 
grave in Alton." These words proved prophetic. 
The new press was stored in the warehouse of 
Godfrey, Gillman & Co., on the night of Nov. 6, 
1837. A guard of sixty volunteers remained 
about the building the next day, but when night 
came all but nineteen retired to their homes 
During the night a mob attacked the building, 
when a shot from the inside killed Lyman Bishop. 
An attempt was then made by the rioters to fire 
the warehouse by sending a man to the roof. To 
dislodge the incendiary, Lovejoy, with two 
others, emerged from the building, when two or 
three men in concealment fired upon him, the 
shots taking effect in a vital part of his body, 
causing his death almost instantly. He was 
buried the following day without an inquest. 
Several of the attacking party and the defenders 
of the building were tried for riot and acquitted 
— the former probably on account of popular 
sympathy with the crime, and the latter because 
they were guiltless of any crime except that of 
defending private property and attempting to 
preserve the law. The act of firing the fatal 
shots has been charged upon two men — a Dr. 
Jennings and his" comrade, Dr. Beall. The 
former, it is said, was afterwards cut to pieces in 
a bar-room fight in Vicksburg, Miss., while the 
latter, having been captured by Comanche 
Indians in Texas, was burned alive. On the 
other hand, Lovejoy has been honored as a 
martyr and the sentiments for which he died 
have triumphed. (See Lovejoy, Elijah Parish; 
also Alton Riots. ) 

Carlin Succeeds to the Governorship. — 
Duncan was succeeded by Gov. Thomas Carlin. 
who was chosen at the election of 1838 over 
Cyrus Edwards (a younger brother of Gov. 
Ninian Edwards), who was the Whig candidate. 



264 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



The successful candidate for Lieutenant-Governor 
was Stinson H. Anderson of Jefferson County. 
(See Carlin,(Gov.) Thomas; Anderson, Stinson II > 

Among the members of the Legislature chosen 
at this time we find the names of Orville H. 
Browning, Robert Blackwell, George Churchill, 
William G. Gatewood, Ebenezer Peck (of Cook 
County), William A. Richardson, Newton Cloud, 
Jesse K. Dubois, O. B. Ficklin, Vital Jarrot, 
John Logan, William F. Thornton and Archibald 
Williams — all men of prominence in the subse- 
quent history of the State. This was the last 
Legislature that assembled at Vandalia, Spring- 
field becoming the capital. July 4, 1839. The 
corner-stone of the first State capitol at Spring- 
field was laid with imposing ceremonies, July 4, 
1837, Col. E. D. Baker delivering an eloquent 
address. Its estimated cost was $130,000, but 
$340,000 was expended upon it before its com- 
pletion. 

An incident of this campaign was the election 
to Congress, after a bitter struggle, of John T. 
Stuart over Stephen A. Douglas from the Third 
District, by a majority of fourteen votes. Stuart 
was reelected in 1840, but in 1842 he was suc- 
ceeded, under a new apportionment, by Col. John 
J. Hardin, while Douglas, elected from the 
Quincy District, then entered the National Coun- 
cils for the first time. 

Field-McClernand Contest. — An exciting 
event connected with Carlin's administration was 
the attempt to remove Alexander P. Field from 
the office of Secretary of State, which he had 
held since 1828. Under the Constitution of 1818, 
this office was filled by nomination by the Gov- 
ernor "with the advice and consent of the 
Senate."' Carlin nominated John A. McCler- 
nand to supersede Field, but the Senate refused to 
confirm the nomination. After adjournment of 
the Legislature, McClernand attempted to obtain 
possession of the office by writ of quo warranto. 
The Judge of a Circuit Court decided the case in 
his favor, but this decision was overruled by the 
Supreme Court. A special session having been 
called, in November, 1840, Stephen A. Douglas, 
then of Morgan County, was nominated and con- 
firmed Secretary of State, but held the position 
only a few months, when he resigned to accept a 
place on the Supreme bench, being succeeded as 
Secretary by Lyman Trumbull. 

Supreme Court Revolutionized. — Certain 
decisions of some of the lower courts about this 
time, bearing upon the suffrage of aliens, excited 
the apprehension of the Democrats, who had 
heretofore been in political control of the State, 



and a movement was started in the Legislature 
to reorganize the Supreme Court, a majority of 
whom were Whigs. The Democrats were not 
unanimous in favor of the measure, but, after a 
bitter struggle, it was adopted, receiving a bare 
majority of one in the House. Under this act 
five additional Judges were elected, viz. : Thomas 
Ford, Sidney Breese, Walter B. Scates, Samuel 
H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas — all Demo- 
crats. Mr. Ford, one of the new Judges, and 
afterwards Governor, has characterized this step 
as "a confessedly violent and somewhat revolu- 
tionary measure, which could never have suc- 
ceeded except in times of great party excite- 
ment." 

The great Whig mass-meeting at Springfield, 
in June, 1810, was an incident of the political 
campaign of that year. No such popular assem- 
blage had ever been seen in the State before. It 
is estimated that 20,000 people — nearly five per 
cent of the entire population of the State — were 
present, including a large delegation from Chi- 
cago who marched overland, under command of 
the late Maj.-Gen. David Hunter, bearing with 
them many devices so popular in that memorable 
campaign. 

Ford Elected Governor. — Judge Thomas 
Ford became the Democratic candidate for Gov- 
ernor in 1842, taking the place on the ticket of 
Col. Adam W. Snyder, who had died after nomi- 
nation. Ford was elected by more than 8,000 
majority over ex-Governor Duncan, the Whig 
candidate. John Moore, of McLean County (who 
had been a member of the Legislature for several 
terms and was afterwards State Treasurer), 
was elected Lieutenant-Governor. (See Ford, 
Thomas; Snyder, Adam TI*.. and Moore, John.) 

Embarrassing Questions. — The failure of the 
State and the Shawneetown banks, near the close 
of Carlin*s administration, had produced a condi- 
tion of business depression that was felt all over 
the State. At the beginning of Ford's adminis- 
tration, the State debt was estimated at $15,657,- 
950 — within about one million of the highest 
point it ever reached — while the total population 
was a little over half a million. In addition to 
these drawbacks, the Mormon question became a 
source of embarrassment. This people, after 
having been driven from Missouri, settled at 
Nauvoo, in Hancock County; they increased 
rapidly in numbers, and, by the arrogant course 
of their leaders and their odious doctrines — 
especially with reference to "celestial marriage," 
and their assumptions of authority — aroused the 
bitter hostility of neighboring communities not 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



265 



of their faith. The popular indignation became 
greatly intensified by the course of unscrupulous 
politicians and the granting to the Mormons, by 
the Legislature, of certain charters and special 
privileges. Various charges were made against 
the obnoxious sect, including rioting, kidnap- 
ing, robbery, counterfeiting, etc., and the Gov- 
ernor called out the militia of the neighboring 
counties to preserve the peace. Joseph Smith — 
the founder of the sect — with his brother Hyrum 
and three others, were induced to surrender to 
the authorities at Carthage, on the 23d of June, 
1844, under promise of protection of their per- 
sons. Then the charge was changed to treason 
and they were thrown into jail, a guard of eight 
men being placed about the building. A con- 
siderable portion of the militia had disbanded and 
returned home, while others were openly hostile 
to the prisoners. On June 27 a band of 150 
disguised men attacked the jail, finding little 
opposition among those set to guard it. In 
the assault which followed both of the Smiths 
were killed, while John Taylor, another of 
the prisoners, was wounded. The trial of the 
murderers was a farce and they were acquitted. 
A state of virtual war continued for a year, 
in which Governor Ford's authority was openly 
defied or treated with contempt by those whom 
he had called upon to preserve the peace. In 
the fall of 1845 the Mormons agreed to leave 
the State, and the following spring the pilgrim- 
age to Salt Lake began. Gen. John J. Hardin, 
who afterward fell at Buena Vista, was twice 
called on by Governor Ford to head parties of 
militia to restore order, while Gen. Mason Bray- 
man conducted the negotiations which resulted 
in the promise of removal. The great body of 
the refugees spent the following winter at Coun- 
cil Bluffs, Iowa, arriving at Salt Lake in June . 
following. Another considerable body entered 
the service of the Government to obtain safe con- 
duct and sustenance across the plains. While 
the conduct of the Mormons during their stay 
at Nauvoo was, no doubt, very irritating and 
often lawless, it is equally true that the dis- 
ordered condition of affairs was taken advantage 
of by unscrupulous demagogues for dishonest 
purposes, and this episode has left a stigma 
upon the name of more than one over-zealous anti- 
Mormon hero. (See Mormons; Smith, Joseph.) 

Though Governor Ford's integrity and ability 
in certain directions have not been questioned, 
his administration was not a successful one, 
largely on account of the conditions which pre- 
vailed at the time and the embarrassments which 



he met from his own party. (See Ford, Thomas.) 
Mexican War.— A still more tragic chapter 
opened during the last year of Ford's administra- 
tion, in the beginning of the war with Mexico. 
Three regiments of twelve months' volunteers, 
called for by the General Government from the 
State of Illinois, were furnished with alacrity, 
and many more men offered their services than 
could be accepted. The names of their respective 
commanders — Cols. John J. Hardin, William H. 
Bissell and Ferris Forman — have been accorded 
a high place in the annals of the State and the 
Nation. Hardin was of an honorable Kentucky 
family; he had achieved distinction at the bar 
and served in the State Legislature and in Con- 
gress, and his death on the battlefield of Buena 
Vista was universally deplored. (See Hardin, 
John J. ) Bissell afterward served with distinc- 
tion in Congress and was the first Republican 
Governor of Illinois, elected in 1856. Edward D. 
Baker, then a Whig member of Congress, re- 
ceived authority to raise an additional regiment, 
and laid the foundation of a reputation as broad 
as the Nation. Two other regiments were raised 
in the State "for the war" during the next year, 
led respectively by Col. Edward W. B. Newby and 
James Collins, beside four independent companies 
of mounted volunteers. The whole number of 
volunteers furnished by Illinois in this conflict 
was 6,123, of whom 86 were killed, and 182 
wounded, 12 dying of their wounds. Their loss 
in killed was greater than that of any other 
State, and the number of wounded only exceeded 
by those from South Carolina and Pennsylvania. 
Among other Illinoisans who participated in this 
struggle, were Thomas L. Harris, William A. 
Richardson, J. L. D. Morrison, Murray F. Tuley 
and Charles C. P. Holden, while still others, 
either in the ranks or in subordinate positions, 
received the "baptism of fire" which prepared 
them to win distinction as commanders of corps, 
divisions, brigades and regiments during the War 
of the Rebellion, including such names as John 
A. Logan, Richard J. Oglesby, Benjamin M. 
Prentiss. James D. Morgan, W. H. L. Wallace 
(who fell at Pittsburg Landing), Stephen G. 
Hicks, Michael K. Lawler, Leonard F. Ross, 
Isham N. Haynie, Theophilus Lyle Dickey, 
Dudley Wickersham, Isaac C. Pugh, Thomas H. 
Flynn, J. P. Post, Nathaniel Niles, W. R. Morri- 
son, and others. (See Mexican War.) 

French's Adhinistration-Massac Rebellion. 
— Except for the Mexican War, which was still 
in progress, and acts of mob violence in certain 
portions of the State — especially by a band of self- 



266 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



styled "regulators" in Pope and Massac Counties 
— the administration of Augustus C. French, 
which began with the close of the year 1846, was 
a quiet one. French was elected at the previous 
August election by a vote of 58,700 to 36,775 for 
Thomas M. Kilpatrick, the Whig candidate, and 
5,112 for Richard Eels, the Free-Soil (or Aboli- 
tion) candidate. The Whigs held their first State 
Convention this year for the nomination of a 
State ticket, meeting at Peoria. At the same 
election Abraham Lincoln was elected to Con- 
gress, defeating Peter Cartwright, the famous 
pioneer Methodist preacher, who was the Demo- 
cratic candidate. At the session of the Legisla- 
ture which followed, Stephen A. Douglas was 
elected to the United States Senate as successor 
to James Semple. 

New Convention Movement. — Governor 
French was a native of New Hampshire, born 
August 2, 1808; lie had practiced his profession 
as a lawyer in Crawford County, had been a 
member of the Tenth and Eleventh General 
Assemblies and Receiver of the Land Office at 
Palestine. The State had now begun to recover 
from the depression caused by the reverses of 
1837 and subsequent years, and for some time its 
growth in population had been satisfactory. The 
old Constitution, however, had been felt to be a 
hampering influence, especially in dealing with 
the State debt, and, as early as 1842, the question 
of a State Convention to frame a new Constitu- 
tion had been submitted to popular vote, but was 
defeated by the narrow margin of 1,039 votes. 
The Legislature of 1844-45 adopted a resolution 
for resubmission, and at the election of 1846 it 
was approved by the people by a majority of 
35,326 in a total vote of 81,352. The State then 
contained ninety-nine counties, with an aggregate 
population of 662,150. The assessed valuation of 
property one year later was $92,206,493, while 
the State debt was §16,661,795 — or more than 
eighteen per cent of the entire assessed value of 
the property of the State. 

Constitutional Convention of 1847. —The 
election of members of a State Convention to 
form a second Constitution for the State of Illi- 
nois, was held April 19, 1847. Of one hundred 
and sixty-two members chosen, ninety-two were 
Democrats, leaving seventy members to all 
shades of the opposition. The Convention 
assembled at Springfield, June 7, 1847; it was 
organized by the election of Newton Cloud, Per- 
manent President, and concluded its labors after 
a session of nearly three months, adjourning 
August 31. The Constitution was submitted to 



a vote of the people, March 6, 1848, and was rati 
tied by 59,887 votes in its favor to 15,859 against. 
A special article prohibiting free persons of color 
from settling in the State was adopted by 49,060 
votes for, to 20,883 against it; and another, pro- 
viding for a two-mill tax, by 41,017 for, to 30,586 
against. The Constitution went into effect April 
1, 1848. (See Constitutions; also Constitutional 
Convention of IS 47.) 

The provision imposing a special two-mill tax, 
to be applied to the payment of the State in- 
debtedness, was the means of restoring the State 
credit, while that prohibiting the immigration 
of free persons of color, though in accordance 
with the spirit of the times, brought upon the 
State much opprobrium and was repudiated 
with emphasis during the War of the Rebellion. 
The demand for retrenchment, caused by the 
financial depression following the wild legislation 
of 1837, led to the adoption of many radical pro- 
visions in the new Constitution, some of which 
were afterward found to be serious errors open- 
ing the way for grave abuses. Among these 
was the practical limitation of the biennial ses- 
sions of the General Assembly to forty-two days, 
while the per diem of members was fixed at two 
dollars. The salaries of State officers were also 
fixed at what would now be recognized as an 
absurdly low figure, that of Governor being 
$1,500; Supreme Court Judges, 81,200 each; Cir- 
cuit Judges, .81,000; State Auditor, §1,000; Secre- 
tary of State, and State Treasurer, §800 each. 
Among less objectionable provisions were those 
restricting the right of suffrage to white male 
citizens above the age of 21 years, which excluded 
(except as to residents of the State at the time of 
the adoption of the Constitution) a class of 
unnaturalized foreigners who had exercised the 
privilege as "inhabitants" under the Constitu- 
tion of 1818; providing for the election of all 
State, judicial and county officers by popular 
vote; prohibiting the State from incurring in- 
debtedness in excess of §50,000 without a special 
vote of the people, or granting the credit of the 
State in aid of any individual association or cor- 
poration; fixing the date of the State election 
on the Tuesday after the first Monday in Novem- 
ber in every fourth year, instead of the first 
Monday in August, as had been the rule under 
the old Constitution. The tenure of office of all 
State officers was fixed at four years, except that 
of State Treasurer, which was made two years, 
and the Governor alone was made ineligible to 
immediate re-election. The number of members 
of the General Assembly was fixed at twenty-five 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



26T 



in the Senate and seventy-five in the House, 
subject to a certain specified ratio of in- 
crease when the population should exceed 
1,000,000. 

As the Constitution of 1818 had been modeled 
upon the form then most popular in the Southern 
States — especially with reference to the large 
number of officers made appointive by the Gov- 
ernor, or elective by the Legislature — so the new 
Constitution was, in some of its features, more in 
harmony with those of other Northern States, 
and indicated the growing influence of New Eng- 
land sentiment. This was especially the case 
with reference to the section providing for a sys- 
tem of township organization in the several 
counties of the State at the pleasure of a majority 
of the voters of each county. 

Elections of 1848. — Besides the election for 
the ratification of the State Constitution, three 
other State elections were held in 1848, viz.: (1) 
for the election of State officers in August ; (2) 
an election of Judges in September, and (3) the 
Presidential election in November. At the first 
of these, Governor French, whose first term had 
been cut short two years by the adoption of the 
new Constitution, was re-elected for a second 
term, practically without opposition, the vote 
against him being divided between Pierre Menard 
and Dr. C. V. Dyer. French thus became his 
own successor, being the first Illinois Governor 
to be re-elected, and, though two years of his 
first term had been cut off by the adoption of the 
Constitution, he served in the gubernatorial 
office six years. The other State officers elected, 
were William McMurtry, of Knox, Lieutenant- 
Governor ; Horace S. Cooley, of Adams, Secretary 
of State; Thomas H. Campbell, of Randolph, 
Auditor; and Milton Carpenter, of Hamilton, 
State Treasurer — all Democrats, and all but 
McMurtry being their own successors. At the 
Presidential election in November, the electoral 
vote was given to Lewis Cass, the Democratic 
candidate, who received 56,300 votes, to 53,047 
for Taylor, the Whig candidate, and 15,774 for 
Martin Van Buren, the candidate of the Free 
Democracy or Free-Soil party. Thus, for the first 
time in the history of the State after 1824, the 
Democratic candidate for President failed to 
receive an absolute majority of the popular vote, 
being in a minority of 12,521, while having a 
plurality over the Whig candidate of 3,253. The 
only noteworthy results in the election of Con- 
gressmen this year were the election of Col. E. D. 
Baker (Whig), from the Galena District, and 
that of Maj. Thomas L. Harris (Democrat), from 



the Springfield District. Both Baker and Harris 
had been soldiers in the Mexican War, which 
probably accounted for their election in Districts 
usually opposed to them politically. The other 
five Congressmen elected from the State at the 
same time — including John Wentworth, then 
chosen for a fourth term from the Chicago Dis- 
trict — were Democrats. The Judges elected to 
the Supreme bench were Lyman Trumbull, from 
the Southern Division ; Samuel H. Treat, from 
the Central, and John Dean Caton, from the 
Northern — all Democrats. 

A leading event of this session was the election 
of a United States Senator in place of Sidney 
Breese. Gen. James Shields, who had been 
severely wounded on the battle-field of Cerro 
Gordo ; Sidney Breese, who had been the United 
States Senator for six years, and John A. Mc- 
Clernand, then a member of Congress, were 
arrayed against each other before the Democratic 
caucus. After a bitter contest, Shields was 
declared the choice of his party and was finally 
elected. He did not immediately obtain his seat, 
however. On presentation of his credentials, 
after a heated controversy in Congress and out of 
it, in which he injudiciously assailed his prede- 
cessor in very intemperate language, he was 
declared ineligible on the ground that, being of 
foreign birth, the nine years of citizenship 
required by the Constitution after naturalization 
had not elapsed previous to his election. In 
October, following, the Legislature was called 
together in special session, and, Shields' disabil- 
ity having now been removed by the expiration 
of the constitutional period, he was re-elected, 
though not without a renewal of the bitter con- 
test of the regular session. Another noteworthy 
event of this special session was the adoption of 
a joint resolution favoring the principles of the 
"Wihnot Proviso." Although this was rescinded 
at the next regular session, on the ground that the 
points at issue had been settled in the Compro- 
mise measures of 1850, it indicated the drift of 
sentiment in Illinois toward opposition to the 
spread of the institution of slavery, and this was 
still more strongly emphasized by the election of 
Abraham Lincoln in 1860. 

Illinois Central Railroad.— Two important 
measures which passed the General Assembly at 
the session of 1851, were the Free-Banking Law, 
and the act incorporating the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company. The credit of first suggest- 
ing this great thoroughfare has been claimed for 
William Smith Waite, a citizen of Bond County. 
111., as early as 1835, although a special charter 



268 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS 



for a road over a part of this line had been passed 
by the Legislature in 1834. W. K. Ackernian. in 
his "Historical Sketch"' of the Illinois Central 
Railroad, awards the credit of originating this 
enterprise to Lieut. -Gov. Alexander M. Jenkins, 
in the Legislature of 1832, of which he was a 
member, and Speaker of the House at the time. 
He afterwards became President of the first Illi- 
nois Central Railroad Company, organized under 
an act passed at the session of 1836, which pro- 
vided for the construction of a line from Cairo to 
Peru, 111., but resigned the next year on the sur- 
render by the road of its charter. The first step 
toward legislation in Congress on this subject 
was taken in the introduction, by Senator Breese, 
of a bill in March, 1843; but it was not until 1850 
that the measure took the form of a direct grant 
of lands to the State, finally passing the Senate 
in May, and the House in September, following. 
The act ceded to the State of Illinois, for the pur- 
pose of aiding in the construction of a line of 
railroad from the junction of the Ohio and Mis- 
sissippi, with branches to Chicago and Dubuque, 
Iowa, respectively, alternate sections of land on 
each side of said railroad, aggregating 2,595,000 
acres, the length of the main line and branches 
exceeding seven hundred miles. An act incorpo- 
rating the Illinois Central Railroad Company 
passed the Illinois Legislature in February, 1851. 
The company was thereupon promptly organized 
with a number of New York capitalists at its 
head, including Robert Schuyler, George Gris- 
wold and Gouverneur Morris, and the grant was 
placed in the hands of trustees to be used for the 
purpose designated, under the pledge of the 
Company to build the road by July 4, 1854, and 
to pay seven per cent of its gross earnings into 
the State Treasury perpetually. A large propor- 
tion of the line was constructed through sections 
of country either sparsely settled or wholly 
unpopulated, but which have since become 
among the richest and most populous portions of 
the State. The fund already received by the State 
from the road exceeds the amount of the State 
debt incurred under the internal improvement 
scheme of 1837. (See Illinois Central Railroad.) 
Election of 1852.— Joel A. Matteson (Demo- 
crat) was elected Governor at the November 
election, in 1852, receiving 80,645 votes to 64,405 
for Edwin B. Webb, Whig, and 8,809 for Dexter 
A. Knowlton, Free-Soil. The other State officers 
elected, were Gustavus Koerner, Lieutenant- 
Governor; Alexander Starne, Secretary of State; 
Thomas H. Campbell, Auditor ; and John Moore, 
Treasurer. The Whig candidates for these 



offices, respectively, were James L. D. Morrison, 
Bucknei S. Morris, Charles A. Betts and Francis 
Arenz. John A. Logan appeared among the new 
members of the House chosen at this election as 
a Representative from Jackson County; while 
Henry W. Blodgett, since United States District 
Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, and 
late Counsel of the American Arbitrators of the 
Behring Sea Commission, was the only Free-Soil 
member, being the Representative from Lake 
Countj r . John Reynolds, who had been Gov- 
ernor, a Justice of the Supreme Court and Mem- 
ber of Congress, was a member of the House and 
was elected Speaker. (See Webb, Edwin B.; 
Knowlton, Dexter A. ; Koerner, Gustavus: Starne, 
Alexander; Moore, John: Morrison, James L. D.; 
Morris, Buckner S.; Arenz, Francis A. ; Blodgett 
Henry IF.) 

Reduction of State Debt Begins.— The 
State debt reached its maximum at the beginning 
of Matteson's administration, amounting to 
$16,724,177, of which 87,259,822 was canal debt. 
The State had now entered upon a new and pros- 
perous period, and, in the next four years, the 
debt was reduced by the sum of §4,564,840, 
leaving the amount outstanding, Jan. 1, 1857, 
$12,834,144. The three State institutions at 
Jacksonville — the Asylums for the Deaf and 
Dumb, the Blind and Insane — had been in suc- 
cessful operation several years, but now internal 
dissensions and dissatisfaction with their man- 
agement seriously interfered with their prosperity 
and finally led to revolutions which, for a time, 
impaired their usefulness. 

Kansas-Nebraska Excitement. — During Mat- 
teson's administration a period of political ex- 
citement began, caused by the introduction in 
the United States Senate, in January, 1854, by 
Senator Douglas, of Illinois, of the bill for the 
repeal of the Missouri Compromise — otherwise 
known as the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. Although 
this belongs rather to National history, the 
prominent part played in it by an Illinois states- 
man who had won applause three or four years 
before, by the service he had performed in secur- 
ing the passage of the Illinois Central Railroad 
grant, and the effect which his course had in 
revolutionizing the politics of the State, justifies 
reference to it here. After a debate, almost 
unprecedented in bitterness, it became a law, 
May 30, 1854. The agitation in Illinois was 
intense. At Chicago, Douglas was practicalh' 
denied a hearing. Going to Springfield, where 
the State Fair was in progress, during the first 
week of October, 1854, he made a speech in the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



269 



State Capitol in his defense. This was replied to 
by Abraham Lincoln, then a private citizen, to 
whom Douglas made a rejoinder. Speeches were 
also made in criticism of Douglas' position by 
Judges Breese and Trumbull (both of whom had 
been prominent Democrats), and other Demo- 
cratic leaders were understood to be ready to 
assail the champion of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, 
though they afterwards reversed their position 
under partisan pressure and became supporters of 
the measure. The first State Convention of the 
opponents of the Nebraska Bill was held at the 
same time, but the attendance was small and the 
attempt to effect a permanent organization was 
not successful. At the session of the Nineteenth 
General Assembly, which met in January, fol- 
lowing, Lyman Trumbull was chosen the first 
Republican United States Senator from Illinois, 
in place of General Shields, whose term was about 
to expire. Trumbull was elected on tne tenth 
ballot, receiving fifty-one votes to forty-seven 
for Governor Matteson, though Lincoln had led 
on the Republican side at every previous ballot, 
and on the first had come within six votes of an 
election. Although he was then the choice of a 
large majority of the opposition to the Demo- 
cratic candidate, when Lincoln saw that the 
original supporters of Trumbull would not cast 
their votes for himself, he generously insisted 
that his friends should support his rival, thus 
determining the result. (See Matteson, Joel A.; 
Trumbull, Lyman, and Lincoln, Abraham.) 

Decatur Editorial Convention. — On Feb. 
22, 1856, occurred the convention of Anti-Neb- 
raska (Republican) editors at Decatur, which 
proved the first effective step in consolidating 
the opposition to the Kansas- Nebraska Bill into a 
compact political organization. The main busi- 
ness of this convention consisted in the adoption 
of a series of resolutions defining the position of 
their authors on National questions — especially 
with reference to the institution of slavery — and 
appointing a State Convention to be held at 
Bloomington, May 29, following. A State Cen- 
tral Committee to represent the new party was 
also appointed at this convention. With two or 
three exceptions the Committeemen accepted and 
joined in the call for the State Convention, which 
was held at the time designated, when the first 
Republican State ticket was put in the field. 
Among the distinguished men who participated 
in this Convention were Abraham Lincoln, O. H. 
Browning, Richard Yates, Owen Lovejoy, John 
M. Palmer, Isaac N. Arnold and John Went 
worth. Palmer presided, while Abraham Lin 



coin, who was one of the chief speakers, was one 
of the delegates appointed to the National Con- 
vention, held at Philadelphia on the 17th of June. 
The candidates put in nomination for State offices 
were: William H. Bissell for Governor; Francis 
A. Hoffman for Lieutenant-Governor (afterward 
replaced by John Wood on account of Hoffman's 
ineligibility); Ozias M. Hatch for Secretary of 
State; Jesse K. Dubois for Auditor; James H. 
Miller for State Treasurer, and William H. Powell 
for Superintendent of Public Instruction. The 
Democratic ticket was composed of William A. 
Richardson for Governor; R. J. Hamilton, Lieu- 
tenant-Governor; W H. Snyder, Secretary of 
State; S. K. Casey, Auditor; John Moore, Treas- 
urer, and J. H. St. Matthew, Superintendent of 
Public Instruction. The American organization 
also nominated a ticket headed by Buckner S. 
Morris for Governor. Although the Democrats 
carried the State for Buchanan, their candidate 
for President, by a plurality of 9,159, the entire 
Republican State ticket was elected by pluralities 
ranging from 3,031 to 20,213— the latter being the 
majority for Miller, candidate for State Treas- 
urer, whose name was on both the Republican and 
American tickets. (See Anti-Nebraska Editorial 
Convention, and Bloomington Convention of 
1856. ) 

Administration of Governor Bissell. — 
With the inauguration of Governor Bissell, the 
Republican party entered upon the control of the 
State Government, which was maintained with- 
out interruption until the close of the administra- 
tion of Governor Fifer, in January, 1893— a period 
of thirty -six years. On account of physical disa- 
bility Bissell's inauguration took place in the 
executive mansion, Jan. 12, 1857. He was 
immediately made the object of virulent personal 
abuse in the House, being charged with perjury 
in taking the oath of office in face of the fact 
that, while a member of Congress, he had accepted 
a challenge to fight a duel with Jefferson Davis. 
To this, the reply was made that the offense 
charged took place outside of the State and be- 
yond the legal jurisdiction of the Constitution of 
Illinois. (See Bissell, William H. ) 

While the State continued to prosper under 
Bissell's administration, the most important 
events of this period related rather to general 
than to State policy. One of these was the deliv- 
ery by Abraham Lincoln, in the Hall of Repre- 
sentatives, on the evening of June 17, 1858, of the 
celebrated speech in which he announced the 
doctrine that "a house divided against itself can- 
not stand." This was followed during the next 



270 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



few months by the series of memorable debates 
between those two great champions • of their 
respective parties — Lincoln and Douglas — which 
attracted the attention of the whole land. The 
result was the re-election of Douglas to the 
United States Senate for a third term, but it 
also made Abraham Lincoln President of the 
United States. (See Lincoln and Douglas 
Debates.) 

About the middle of Bissell's term (February, 
1859), came the discovery of what has since been 
known as the celebrated "Canal Scrip Fraud." 
This consisted in the fraudulent funding in State 
bonds of a large amount of State scrip which had 
been issued for temporary purposes during the 
construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
but which had been subsequently redeemed. A 
legislative investigation proved the amount, ille- 
gally funded to have been 8223,182, and that the 
bulk of the bonds issued therefor — so far as they 
could be traced — had been delivered to ex-Gov. 
Joel A. Matteson. For this amount, with ac- 
crued interest, he gave to the State an indemnity 
bond, secured by real-estate mortgages, from 
which the State eventually realized §238,000 out 
of §255,000 then due. Further investigation 
proved additional frauds of like character, aggre- 
gating 8165,340, which the State never recovered. 
An attempt was made to prosecute Matteson 
criminally in the Sangamon County Circuit 
Court, but the grand jury failed, by a close vote, 
to find an indictment against him. (See Canal 
Scrip Fraud.) 

An attempt was made during Bissell's adminis- 
tration to secure the refunding (at par and in 
violation of an existing law) of one hundred and 
fourteen 81,000 bonds hypothecated with Macalis- 
ter & Stebbins of New York in 1841, and for 
which the State had received an insignificant 
consideration. The error was discovered when 
new bonds for the principal had been issued, but 
the process was immediately stopped and the 
new bonds surrendered— the claimants being 
limited by law to 28.64 cents on the dollar. This 
subject is treated at length elsewhere in this vol-' 
ume. (See Macalister & Stebbins Bonds.) Governor 
Bissell's administration was otherwise unevent- 
ful, although the State continued to prosper 
under it as it had not done since the "internal 
improvement craze" of 1837 had resulted in im- 
posing such a burden of debt upon it. At the 
time of his election Governor Bissell was an 
invalid in consequence of an injury to his spine, 
from which he never recovered. He died in 
office, March 18, 1860, a. little over two months 



after having entered upon the last year of his 
term of office, and was succeeded by Lieut. -Gov. 
John Wood, who served out the unexpired term. 
(See Bissell, William H.; also Wood, John.) 

Political Campaign of I860.— The political 
campaign of 1860 was one of unparalleled excite- 
ment throughout the nation, but especially in 
Illinois, which became, in a certain sense, the 
chief battle-ground, furnishing the successful 
candidate for the Presidency, as well as being the 
State in which the convention which nominated 
him met. The Republican State Convention, 
held at Decatur, May 9, put in nomination 
Richard Yates of Morgan County, for Governor; 
Francis A. Hoffman for Lieutenant-Governor, 
O. M. Hatch for Secretary of State, Jesse K. 
Dubois for Auditor. "William Butler for Treasurer, 
and Newton Bateman for Superintendent of Pub- 
lic Instruction. If this campaign was memorable 
for its excitement, it was also memorable for the 
large number of National and State tickets in the 
field. The National Republican Convention 
assembled at Chicago, May 16, and, on the third 
ballot, Abraham Lincoln was nominated for 
President amid a whirlwind of enthusiasm unsur- 
passed in the history of National Conventions, of 
which so many have been held in the "conven- 
tion city" of the Northwest. The campaign was 
what might have been expected from such a 
beginning. Lincoln, though receiving consider- 
ably less than one-half the popular vote, had a 
plurality over his highest competitor of nearly 
half a million votes, and a majority in the elect- 
oral colleges of fifty-seven. In Illinois he 
received 172,161 votes to 160,215 for Douglas, his 
leading opponent. The vote for Governor stood : 
Yates (Republican). 172,196; Allen (Douglas- 
Democrat). 159,253; Hope (Breckinridge Demo- 
crat), 2,049; Stuart (American), 1,626. 

Among the prominent men of different parties 
who appeared for the first time in the General 
Assembly chosen at this time, were William B. 
Ogden, Richard J. Oglesby, Washington Bushnell, 
and Henry E. Dummer, of the Senate, and Wil- 
liam R. Archer, J. Russell Jones, Robert H. 
McClellan, J. Young Scammon, William H. 
Brown, Lawrence Weldon, N. M. Broadwell, and 
John Scholfield, in the House. Shelby M. Cul- 
lom, who had entered the Legislature at the 
previous session, was re-elected to this and was 
chosen Speaker of the House over J. W. Single- 
ton. Lyman Trumbull was re-elected to the 
United States Senate by the votes of the Repub- 
licans over Samuel S. Marshall, the Democratic 
candidate. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



271 



Beginning of the Rebellion. — Almost simul- 
taneously with the accession of the new State 
Government, and before the inauguration of the 
President at Washington, began that series of 
startling events which ultimately culminated in 
the attempted secession of eleven States of the 
Union — the first acts in the great drama of war 
which occupied the attention of the world for the 
next four years. On Jan. 14, 1861, the new 
State administration was inaugurated ; on Feb. 2, 
Commissioners to the futile Peace Conven- 
tion held at Washington, were appointed from 
Illinois, consisting of Stephen T. Logan, John M. 
Palmer, ex-Gov. John Wood, B. C. Cook and T. J. 
Turner; and on Feb. 11, Abraham Lincoln 
took leave of his friends and neighbors at Spring- 
field on his departure for Washington, in that 
simple, touching speech which has taken a place 
beside his inaugural addresses and his Gettysburg 
speech, as an American classic. The events 
which followed ; the firing on Fort Sumter on the 
twelfth of April and its surrender; the call for 
75,000 troops and the excitement which prevailed 
all over the country, are matters of National his- 
tory. Illinoisans responded with promptness and 
enthusiasm to the call for six regiments of State 
militia for three months' service, and one week 
later (April 21), Gen. R. K. Swift, of Chicago, at 
the head of seven companies numbering 595 men, 
was en route for Cairo to execute the order of the 
Secretar}' of War for the occupation of that 
place. The offer of military organizations pro- 
ceeded rapidly, and by the eighteenth of April, 
fifty companies had been tendered, while the 
public-spirited and patriotic bankers of the prin- 
cipal cities were offering to supply the State with 
money to arm and equip the hastily organized 
troops. Following in order the six regiments 
which Illinois had sent to the Mexican War, 
those called out for the three months' service in 
1861 were numbered consecutively from seven to 
twelve, and were commanded by the following 
officers, respectively: Cols. John Cook, Richard 
J. Oglesby, Eleazer A. Paine, James D. Morgan, 
W. H. L. Wallace and John McArthur, with 
Gen. Benjamin M. Prentiss as brigade com- 
mander. The rank and file numbered 4,680 men, 
of whom 2,000, at the end of their term of serv- 
ice, re-enlisted for three 3'ears. (See War of the 
Rebellion. ) 

Among the many who visited the State Capitol 
in the early months of war to offer their services 
to the Government in suppressing the Rebellion, 
one of the most modest and unassuming was a 
gentleman from Galena who brought a letter of 



introduction to Governor Yates from Congivs^ 
man E. B. Washburne. Though he had been a 
Captain in the regular army and had seen service 
in the war with Mexico, he set up no pretension 
on that account, but after days of patient wait- 
ing, was given temporary employment as a clerk 
in the office of the Adjutant-General, Col. T. S. 
Mather. Finally, an emergency having arisen 
requiring the services of an officer of military 
experience as commandant at Camp Yates (a 
camp of rendezvous and instruction near Spring- 
field), he was assigned to the place, rather as an 
experiment and from necessity than from convic- 
tion of any peculiar fitness for the position. 
Having acquitted himself creditably here, he was 
assigned, a few weeks later, to the command of a 
regiment (The Twenty-first Illinois Volunteers) 
which, from previous bad management, had 
manifested a mutinous tendency. And thus 
Ulysses S. Grant, the most successful leader of 
the war, the organizer of final victory over the 
Rebellion, the Lieutenant-General of the armies 
of the Union and twice elected President of the 
United States, started upon that career which 
won for him the plaudits of the Nation and the 
title of the grandest soldier of his time. (See 
Grant, Ulysses S.) 

The responses of Illinois, under the leadership 
of its patriotic "War Governor," Richard Yates, 
to the repeated calls for volunteers through the 
four years of war, were cheerful and prompt. Illi- 
nois troops took part in nearly every important 
battle in the Mississippi Valley and in many of 
those in the East, besides accompanying Sher- 
man in his triumphal "March to the Sea." Illi- 
nois blood stained the field at Belmont, at 
Wilson's Creek, Lexington, Forts Donelson and 
Henry ; at Shiloh, Corinth, Nashville, Stone River 
and Chickamauga; at Jackson, during the siege 
of Vicksburg, at Allatoona Pass, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta, in 
the South and West; and at Chancellorsville, 
Antietam, Gettysburg, Petersburg and in the 
battles of "the Wilderness" in Virginia. Of all 
the States of the Union, Illinois alone, up to 
Feb. 1, 1864, presented the proud record of hav- 
ing answered every call upon her for troops 
without a draft. The whole number of enlist- 
ments from the State under the various calls from 
1861 to 1865, according to the records of the War 
Department, was 255,057 to meet quotas aggre- 
gating 244,496. The ratio of troops furnished to 
population was 15.1 per cent, which was only 
exceeded by the District of Columbia (which 
had a large influx from the States), and Kansas 



•j n 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and Nevada, each of which had a much larger 
proportion of adult male population. The whole 
number of regimental organizations, according 
to the returns in the Adjutant General's office, 
was 151 regiments of infantry (numbered con- 
secutively from the Sixth to the One Hundred 
and Fifty -seventh), 17 regiments of cavalry and 2 
regiments of artillery, besides 9 independent bat- 
teries. The total losses of Illinois troops, officially 
reported by the War Department, were 34,834 
(13.65 per cent), of which 5,874 were killed in 
battle, 4,020 died of wounds, 22,786 died of disease, 
and 2,154 from other causes. Besides the great 
Commander-in-Chief, Abraham Lincoln, and 
Lieut. -Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, Illinois furnished 
1 1 full Major-Generals of volunteers, viz. : 
Generals John Pope, John A. McClernand, S. A. 
Hurlbut, B. M. Prentiss, John M. Palmer, R. J. 
Oglesby, John A. Logan, John M. Schofield, Giles 
A. Smith, Wesley Merritt and Benjamin H. 
Grierson; 20 Brevet Major-Generals; 24 Brigadier- 
Generals, and over 120 Brevet Brigadier-Generals. 
(See sketches of these officers under their respec- 
tive names.) Among the long list of regimental 
nfficers who fell upon the field or died from 
wounds, appear the names of Col. J. R. Scott of 
the Nineteenth; Col. Thomas D. Williams of the 
Twenty-fifth, and Col. F. A. Harrington of the 
Twenty-seventh— all killed at Stone River; Col. 
John W. S. Alexander of the Twenty-first; Col. 
Daniel Gilmer of the Thirty-eighth; Lieut. -Col. 
Duncan J. Hall of the Eighty -ninth ; Col. Timothy 
O'Meara of the Ninetieth, and Col. Holden Put- 
nam, at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge; 
( !ol. John B. Wyman of the Thirteenth, at 
Chickasaw Bayou; Lieut. -Col. Thomas W. Ross, 
of the Thirty-second, at Shiloh; Col. John A. 
Davis of the Forty -sixth, at Hatchie; Col. Wil- 
liam A. Dickerman of the One Hundred and 
Third, at Resaca; Col. Oscar Harmon, at Kene- 
saw; Col. John A. Bross, at Petersburg, besides 
Col. Mihalotzy, Col. Silas Miller, Lieut. -Col. 
Meiancthon Smith, Maj. Zenas Applington, Col. 
John J. Mudd, Col. Matthew H. Starr, Maj. Wm. 
II Medill, Col. Warren Stewart and many more 
i >n other battle-fields. (Biographical sketches of 
many of these officers will be found under the 
proper heads elsewhere in this volume.) It 
v, i mid be a grateful task to record here the names 
i f a host of others, who, after acquitting them- 
! -Ives bravely on the field, survived to enjoy the 
j.laudits of a grateful people, were this within 
the design and scope of the present work. One 
of the most brilliant exploits of the War was the 
raid from La Grange, Tenn., to Baton Rouge, 



La., in May, 1863, led by Col. B. H. Grierson, of 
the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, in co-operation with 
the Seventh under command of Col. Edward 
Prince. 

Constitutional Convention of 1862. — An 
incident of a different character was the calling 
of a convention to revise the State Constitu- 
tion, which met at Springfield, Jan. 7, 1862. A 
majority of this body was composed of those 
opposed to the war policy of the Government, 
and a disposition to interfere with the affairs of 
the State administration and the General Gov- 
ernment was soon manifested, which was resented 
by the executive and many of the soldiers in the 
field. The convention adjourned March 24, and 
its work was submitted to vote of the people, 
June 17, 1862, when it was rejected by a majority 
of more than 16,000, not counting the soldiers in 
the field, who were permitted, as a matter of 
policy, to vote upon it, but who were practically 
unanimous in opposition to it. 

Death of Douglas.— A few days before this 
election (June 3, 1862), United States Senator 
Stephen A. Douglas died, at the Tremont House 
in Chicago, depriving the Democratic party of 
the State of its most sagacious and patriotic 
adviser. (See Douglas, Stephen A. ) 

Legislature of 1863.— Another political inci- 
dent of this period grew out of the session of the 
General Assembly of 1863. This body having 
been elected on the tide of the political revulsion 
which followed the issuance of President Lin- 
coln's preliminary Proclamation of Emancipation, 
was Democratic in both branches. One of its 
first acts was the election of William A. Richard- 
son United States Senator, in place of O. H. 
Browning, who had been appointed by Governor 
Yates to the vacancy caused by the death of 
Douglas. This Legislature early showed a tend- 
ency to follow in the footsteps of the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1862, by attempting to 
cripple the State and General Governments in 
the prosecution of the war. Resolutions on the 
subject of the war, which the friends of the 
Union regarded as of a most mischievous charac- 
ter, were introduced and passed in the House, but 
owing to the death of a member on the majority 
side, they failed to pass the Senate. These 
denounced the suspension of the writ of habeas 
corpus; condemned "the attempted enforcement 
of compensated emancipation" and "the transpor- 
tation of negroes into the State;" accused the 
General Government of "usurpation," of "sub- 
verting the Constitution" and attempting to 
establish a "consolidated military despotism;" 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



273 



charged that the war had been "diverted from its 
first avowed object to that of subjugation and 
the abolition of slavery;" declared the belief of 
the authors that its "further prosecution .... 
cannot result in the restoration of the Union 
.... unless the President's Emancipation Proc- 
lamation be withdrawn;" appealed to Congress 
to secure an armistice with the rebel States, and 
closed by appointing six Commissioners (who 
were named) to confer with Congress, with a 
view to the holding of a National Convention to 
adjust the differences between the States. These 
measures occupied the attention of the Legisla- 
ture to the exclusion of subjects of State interest, 
so that little legislation was accomplished — not 
even the ordinary appropriation bills being passed. 

Legislature Prorogued.— At this juncture, 
the two Houses having disagreed as to the date 
of adjournment, Governor Yates exercised the 
constitutional prerogative of proroguing them, 
which he did in a message on June 10, declaring 
them adjourned to the last day of their constitu- 
tional term. The Republicans accepted the result 
and withdrew, but the Democratic majority in 
the House and a minority in the Senate continued 
in session for some days, without being able to 
transact any business except the filing of an 
empty protest, when they adjourned to the first 
Monday of January, 1864. The excitement pro- 
duced b}' this affair, in the Legislature and 
throughout the State, was intense ; but the action 
of Governor Yates was sustained by the Supreme 
Court and the adjourned session was never held. 
The failure of the Legislature to make provision 
for the expenses of the State Government and the 
relief of the soldiers in the field, made it neces- 
sary for Governor Yates to accept that aid from 
the public-spirited bankers and capitalists of the 
State which was never wanting when needed 
during this critical period. (See Twenty-Third 
General Assembly.) 

Peace Conventions. — Largely attended "peace 
conventions" were held during this year, at 
Springfield on June 17, and at Peoria in Septem- 
ber, at which resolutions opposing the "further 
offensive prosecution of the war" were adopted. 
An immense Union mass-meeting was also held 
at Springfield on Sept. 3, which was addressed 
by distinguished speakers, including both Re- 
publicans and War-Democrats. An important 
incident of this meeting was the reading of the 
letter from President Lincoln to Hon. James C. 
Conkling, in which he defended his war policy, 
and especially his Emancipation Proclamation, 
in a characteristically logical manner. 



Political Campaign of 1864.— The year 1864 
was full of exciting political and military events. 
Among the former was the nomination of George 
B. McClellan for President by the Democratic Con- 
vention held at Chicago, August 29, on a platform 
declaring the wara "failure" as an "experiment" 
for restoring the Union, and demanding a "cessa- 
tion of hostilities' ' with a view to a convention for 
the restoration of peace. Mr. Lincoln had been 
renominated by the Republicans at Philadelphia, 
in June previous, with Andrew Johnson as the 
candidate for Vice-President. The leaders of the 
respective State tickets were Gen. Richard J. 
Oglesby, on the part of the Republicans, for Gov- 
ernor, with William Bross, for Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, and James C. Robinson as the Democratic 
candidate for Governor. 

Camp Douglas Conspiracy. — For months 
rumors had been rife concerning a conspiracy of 
rebels from the South and thei£ sympathizers in 
the North, to release the rebel prisoners confined 
in Camp Douglas, Chicago, and at Rock Island, 
Springfield and Alton — aggregating over 25,000 
men. It was charged that the scheme was to be 
put into effect simultaneously with the Novem- 
ber election, but the activity of the military 
authorities in arresting the leaders and seizing 
their arms, defeated it. The investigations of a 
military court before whom a number of the 
arrested parties were tried, proved the existence 
of an extensive organization, calling itself 
"American Knights" or "Sons of Liberty," of 
which a number of well-known politicians in 
Illinois were members. (See Camp Douglas 
Conspiracy.) 

At the November election Illinois gave a major- 
ity for Lincoln of 30,756, and for Oglesby, for 
Governor, of 33,675, with a proportionate major 
ity for the rest of the ticket. Lincoln's total vote 
in the electoral college was 212, to 21 for McClellan. 

Legislature of 1865. — The Republicans had a 
decided majority in both branches of the Legis- 
lature of 1805, and one of its earliest acts was the 
election of Governor Yates, United States Sena- 
tor, in place of William A. Richardson, who had 
been elected two years before to the seat formerly 
held by Douglas. This was the last public posi- 
tion held by the popular Illinois "War Gov- 
ernor." During his official term no more popular 
public servant ever occupied the executive chair 
— a fact demonstrated by the promptness with 
which, on retiring from it, he was elected to the 
United States Senate. His personal and political 
integrity was never questioned by his most bitter 
political opponents, while those who had known 



274 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



him longest and most intimately, trusted him 
most implicitly. The service which he performed 
in giving direction to the patriotic sentiment of 
the State and in marshaling its heroic soldiers 
for the defense of the Union can never be over- 
estimated. (See Yates, Richard.) 

Oglesby's Administration.— Governor Ogles- 
by and the other State officers were inaugu- 
rated Jan. 17, 1865. Entering upon its duties 
with a Legislature in full sympathy with it, the 
new administration was confronted by no such 
difficulties as those with which its predecessor 
had to contend. Its head, who had been identi- 
fied with the war from its beginning, was one of 
the first Illinoisans promoted to the rank of 
Major-General, was personally popular and 
enjoyed the confidence and respect of the people 
of the State. Allen C. Fuller, who had retired 
from a position on the Circuit bench to accept 
that of Adjutant-General, which he held during 
the last three years of the war, was Speaker of 
the House. This Legislature was the first among 
those of all the States to ratify the Thirteenth 
Amendment of the National Constitution, abolish- 
ing slavery, which it did in both Houses, on the 
evening of Feb. 1, 18G5— the same day the resolu- 
tion had been finally acted on by Congress and 
received the sanction of the President. The 
odious "black laws," which had disgraced the 
State for twelve years, were wiped from the 
statute-book at this session. The Legislature 
adjourned after a session of forty-six days, leav- 
ing a record as creditable in the disposal of busi- 
ness as that of its predecessor had been discredit- 
able. (See Oglesby, Richard J.) 

Assassination of Lincoln. — The war was now 
rapidly approaching a successful termination. 
Lee had surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, 
April 9, 1863, and the people were celebrating 
this event with joyful festivities through all the 
loyal States, but nowhere with more enthusiasm 
than in Illinois, the home of the two great 
leaders — Lincoln and Grant. In the midst of 
these jubilations came the assassination of Presi- 
dent Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth, on the 
evening of April 14, 1865, in Ford's Theater, 
Washington. The appalling news was borne on 
the wings of the telegraph to every corner of the 
land, and instantly a nation in rejoicing was 
changed to a nation in mourning. A pall of 
gloom hung over every part of the land. Public 
buildings, business houses and dwellings in every 
city, village and hamlet throughout the loyal 
States were draped with the insignia of a univer- 
sal sorrow. Millions of strong men, and tender, 



patriotic women who had given their husbands, 
sons and brothers for the defense of the Union, 
wept as if overtaken by a great personal calam- 
ity. If the nation mourned, much more did Illi- 
nois, at the taking off of its chief citizen, the 
grandest character of the age, who had served 
both State and Nation with such patriotic fidel- 
ity, and perished in the very zenith of his fame 
and in the hour of his country's triumph. 

The Funeral. — Then came the sorrowful 
march of the funeral cortege from Washington 
to Springfield — the most impressive spectacle 
witnessed since the Day of the Crucifixion. In 
all this, Illinois bore a conspicuous part, as on the 
fourth day of May, 1865, amid the most solemn 
ceremonies and in the presence of sorrowing 
thousands, she received to her bosom, near his 
old home at the State Capital, the remains of the 
Great Liberator. 

The part which Illinois played in the great 
struggle has already been dwelt upon as fully as 
the scope of this work will permit. It only 
remains to be said that the patriotic service of 
the men of the State was grandly supplemented 
by the equally patriotic service of its women in 
"Soldiers' Aid Societies," "Sisters of the Good 
Samaritan," "Needle Pickets," and in sanitary 
organizations for the purpose of contributing to 
the comfort and health of the soldiers in camp 
and in hospital, and in giving them generous 
receptions on their return to their homes. The 
work done by these organizations, and by indi- 
vidual nurses in the field, illustrates one of the 
brightest pages in the history of the war. 

Election of 1866. — The administration of Gov- 
ernor Oglesby was as peaceful as it was prosper- 
ous. The chief political events of 1866 were the 
election of Newton Bateman, State Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction, and Gen. Geo. W. 
Smith, Treasurer, while Gen. John A. Logan, as 
Representative from the State-at-large, re-entered 
Congress, from which he had retired in 1861 to 
enter the Union army. His majority was un- 
precedented, reaching 55,987. The Legislature 
of 1867 reelected Judge Trumbull to the United 
States Senate for a third term, his chief competi- 
tor in the Republican caucus being Gen. John M. 
Palmer. The Fourteenth Amendment to the 
National Constitution, conferring citizenship 
upon persons of color, was ratified by this Legis- 
lature. 

Election of 1868. — The Republican State Con- 
vention of 1868, held at Peoria, May 6, nominated 
the following ticket: For Governor, John M. 
Palmer, Lieutenant-Governor, John Dougherty; 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



275 



Secretary of State, Edward Rummell; Auditor, 
Charles E. Lippincott, State Treasurer, ErastusN. 
Bates; Attorney General, Washington Bushnell. 
John R. Eden, afterward a member of Congress 
for three terms, headed the Democratic ticket as 
candidate for Governor, with William H. Van 
Epps for Lieutenant-Governor. 

The Republican National Convention was held 
at Chicago, May 21, nominating Gen. U. S. Grant 
for President and Schuyler Colfax for Vice- 
President. They were opposed by Horatio 
Seymour for President, and F P. Blair for Vice- 
President. The result in November was the 
election of Grant and Colfax, who received 214 
electoral votes from 26 States, to 80 electoral 
votes for Seymour and Blair from 8 States — three 
States not voting. Grant's majority in Illinois 
was 51,150. Of course the Republican State 
ticket was elected. The Legislature elected at 
the same time consisted of eighteen Republicans 
to nine Democrats in the Senate and fifty-eight 
Republicans to twenty-seven Democrats in the 
House. 

Palmer's Administration. — Governor Palm- 
er's administration began auspiciously, at a time 
when the passions aroused by the war were sub- 
siding and the State was recovering its normal 
prosperity. (See Palmer, John M.) Leading 
events of the next four years were the adoption 
of a new State Constitution and the Chicago fire. 
The first steps in legislation looking to the con- 
trol of railroads were taken at the session of 

1869, and although a stringent law on the subject 
passed both Houses, it was vetoed by the Gov- 
ernor. A milder measure was afterward enacted, 
and, although superseded by the Constitution of 

1870, it furnished the key-note for much of the 
legislation since had on the subject. The cele- 
brated "Lake Front Bill," conveying to the city 
of Chicago and the Illinois Central Railroad the 
title of the State to certain lands included in 
what was known as the "Lake Front Park," was 
passed, and although vetoed by the Governor, 
was re-enacted over his veto. This act was 
finally repealed by the Legislature of 1873, and 
after many years of litigation, the rights claimed 
under it by the Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pany have been recently declared void by the 
Supreme Court of the United States. The Fif- 
teenth Amendment of the National Constitution, 
prohibiting the denial of the right of suffrage to 
"citizens of the United States .... on account 
of race, color or previous condition of servitude," 
was ratified by a strictly party vote in each 
House, on March 5. 



The first step toward the erection of a new 
State Capitol at Springfield had been taken in an 
appropriation of $450,000, at the session of 1867, 
the total cost being limited to §3,000,000. A 
second appropriation of §650,000 was made at the 
session of 1869. The Constitution of 1870 limited 
the cost to §3,500,000, but an act passed by the 
Legislature of 1883, making a final appropriation 
of §531,712 for completing and furnishing the 
building, was ratified by the people in 1884. The 
original cost of the building and its furniture 
exceeded §4,000,000. (See State Houses. ) 

The State Convention for framing a new Con- 
stitution met at Springfield, Dec. 13, 1869. 
It consisted of eighty-five members — forty-four 
Republicans and forty-one Democrats. A num- 
ber classed as Republicans, however, were elected 
as "Independents" and co-operated with the 
Democrats in the organization. Charles Hitch- 
cock was elected President. The Convention 
terminated its labors, May 13, 1870; the Constitu- 
tion was ratified by vote of the people, July 2, 
and went into effect, August 8, 1870. A special 
provision establishing the principle of "minority 
representation" in the election of Representatives 
in the General Assembly, was adopted by a 
smaller vote than the main instrument. A lead- 
ing feature of the latter was the general restric- 
tion upon special legislation and the enumeration 
of a large variety of subjects to be provided for 
under general laws. It laid the basis of our 
present railroad and warehouse laws; declared 
the inviolability of the Illinois Central Railroad 
tax; prohibited the sale or lease of the Illinois 
& Michigan Canal without a vote of the people ; 
prohibited municipalities from becoming sub- 
scribers to the stock of any railroad or private 
corporation; limited the rate of taxation and 
amount of indebtedness to be incurred ; required 
the enactment of laws for the protection of 
miners, etc. The restriction in the old Constitu- 
tion against the re-election of a Governor as his 
own immediate successor was removed, but placed 
upon the office of State Treasurer. The Legisla- 
ture consists of 204 members— 51 Senators and 153 
Representatives — one Senator and three Repre- 
sentatives being chosen from each district. (Sea 
Constitutional Convention of 1SG9-7U; also Con- 
stitution of 1S70. ) 

At the election of 1870, General Logan was re- 
elected Congressman-at-large by 24,672 majority; 
Gen. E. N. Bates, Treasurer, and Newton Bate- 
man, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

Legislature of 1871. — The Twenty-seventh 
General Assembly (1871), in its various sessions, 



276 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



spent more time in legislation than any other in 
the history of the State — a fact to be accounted 
for, in part, by the Chicago Fire and the exten- 
sive revision of the laws required in consequence 
of the adoption of the new Constitution. Besides 
the regular session, there were two special, or 
called, sessions and an adjourned session, cover- 
ing, in all, a period of 292 days. This Legislature 
adopted the system of "State control" in the 
management of the labor and discipline of the 
convicts of the State penitentiary, which was 
strongly urged by Governor Palmer in a special 
message. General Logan having been elected 
United States Senator at this session, Gen. John 
L. Beveridge was elected to the vacant position 
of Congressman-at-large at a special election held 
Oct 4. 

Chicago Fire of 1871. — The calamitous fire 
at Chicago, Oct. 8-9, 1871, though belonging 
rather to local than to general State history, 
excited the profound sympathy, not only of the 
people of the State and the Nation, but of the 
civilized world. The area burned over, including 
streets, covered 2,124 acres, with 13,500 buildings 
out of 18,000, leaving 92,000 persons homeless. 
The loss of !"fe is estimated at 250, and of prop- 
erty at §187, 927, 000. Governor Palmer called the 
Legislature together in special session to act upon 
the emergency, Oct. 13, but as the State was pre- 
cluded from affording direct aid, the plan was 
adopted of reimbursing the city for the amount 
it had expended in the enlargement of the Illinois 
& Michigan Canal, amounting to $2,955,340. 
The unfortunate shooting of a citizen by a cadet 
in a regiment of United States troops organized 
for guard duty, led to some controversy between 
Governor Palmer, on one side, and the Mayor of 
Chicago and the military authorities, including 
President Grant, on the other; but the general 
verdict was, that, while nice distinctions between 
civil and military authority may not have been 
observed, the service rendered by the military, in 
a great emergency, was of the highest value and 
was prompted by the best intentions. (See Fire 
of 1S71 under title Chicago.) 

Political Campaign of 1872.— The political 
campaign of 1872 in Illinois resulted in much con- 
fusion and a partial reorganization of parties. 
Dissatisfied with the administration of President 
Grant, a number of the State officers (including 
Governor Palmer) and other prominent Repub- 
licans of the State, joined in what was called the 
"Liberal Republican" movement, and supported 
Horace Greeley for the Presidency. Ex-Gov- 
ernor Oglesby again became the standard-bearer 



of the Republicans for Governor, with Gen. John 
L. Beveridge for Lieutenant-Governor. At the 
November election, the Grant and Wilson (Repub- 
lican) Electors in Illinois received 241,944 votes, 
to 184,938 for Greeley, and 3,138 for O'Conor. 
The plurality for Oglesby, for Governor, was 
40,090. 

Governor Oglesby's second administration was 
of brief duration. Within a week after his in- 
auguration he was nominated by a legislative 
caucus of his party for United States Senator to 
succeed Judge Trumbull, and was elected, receiv- 
ing an aggregate of 117 votes in the two Houses 
against 78 for Trumbull, who was supported by 
the party whose candidates he had defeated at 
three previous elections. (See Oglesby, Richard J.) 
Lieutenant-Governor Beveridge thus became 
Governor, filling out the unexpired term of his 
chief. His administration was high-minded, 
clean and honorable. (See Beveridge, John L.) 

Republican Reverse of 1874. — The election 
of 1874 resulted in the first serious reverse the 
Republican party had experienced in Illinois 
since 1862. Although Thomas S. Ridgway, the 
Republican candidate for State Treasurer, was 
elected by a plurality of nearly 35,000, by a com- 
bination of the opposition, S. M. Etter (Fusion) 
was at the same time elected State Superintend- 
ent, while the Fusionists secured a majority in 
each House of the General Assembly. After a 
protracted contest, E. M. Haines — who had been 
a Democrat, a Republican, and had been elected 
to this Legislature as an "Independent" — was 
elected Speaker of the House over Shelby M. Cul- 
lom, and A. A. Glenn (Democrat) was chosen 
President of the Senate, thus becoming ex-officio 
Lieutenant-Governor. The session which fol- 
lowed — especially in the House — was one of the 
most turbulent and disorderly in the history of 
the State, coming to a termination, April 15, 
after having enacted very few laws of any im- 
portance. (See Twenty-ninth General Assembly. ) 

Campaign of 1876. — Shelby M. Cullom was the 
candidate of the Republican party for Governor 
in 1876, with Rutherford B. Hayes heading the 
National ticket. The excitement which attended 
the campaign, the closeness of the vote between 
the two Presidential candidates — Hayes and 
Tilden — and the determination of the result 
through the medium of an Electoral Commission, 
are fresh in the memory of the present gener- 
ation. In Illinois the Republican plurality for 
President was 19,631, but owing to the combina- 
tion of the Democratic and Greenback vote on 
Lewis Steward for Governor, the majority for 



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BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING, CHICAGO. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



277 



Oullom was reduced to 0,798. The other State 
officers elected were: Andrew Shuman, Lieu- 
tenant Governor; George H. Harlow, Secretary 
of State; Thomas B. Needles, Auditor; Edward 
Rutz, Treasurer, and James K. Edsall, Attorne}'- 
General. Each of these had pluralities exceeding 
20,000, except Needles, who, having a single com- 
petitor, had a smaller majority than Cullom. 
The new State House was occupied for the first 
time by the State officers and the Legislature 
chosen at this time. Although the Republicans 
had a majority in the House, the Independents 
held the "balance of power" in joint sessitm of 
the General Assembly. After a stubborn and 
protracted struggle in the effort to choose a 
United States Senator to succeed Senator John A. 
Logan, David Davis, of Bloomington, was 
elected on the fortieth ballot. He had been a 
Whig and a warm personal friend of Lincoln, by 
whom he was appointed Associate Justice of the 
Supreme Court of the United States in 1802. His 
election to the United States Senate by the Demo- 
crats and Independents led to his retirement from 
the Supreme bench, thus preventing his appoint- 
ment on the Electoral Commission of 1877 — a cir- 
cumstance which, in "the opinion of many, may 
have had an important bearing upon the decision 
of that tribunal. In the latter part of bis term 
he served as President pro tempore of the Senate, 
and more frequently acted with the Republicans 
than with their opponents. He supported Blaine 
and Logan for President and Vice-President, in 
1884. (See Davis, Da rid.) 

Strike op 1877. — The extensive railroad strike, 
in July, 1877, caused widespread demoralization 
of business, especially in the railroad centers of 
the State and throughout the country generally. 
The newly -organized National Guard was called 
out and rendered efficient service in restoring 
order. Governor Cullom's action in the premises 
was prompt, and has been generally commended 
as eminently wise and discreet. 

Election of 1878.— Four sets of candidates 
were in the field for the offices of State Treasurer 
and Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1878 
— Republican, Democratic, Greenback and Pro- 
hibition. The Republicans were successful, Gen. 
John C. Smith being elected Treasurer, and 
James P. Slade, Superintendent, by pluralities 
averaging about 35,000. The same party also 
elected eleven out of nineteen members of Con- 
gress, and, for the first time in six years, secured 
a majority in each branch of the General Assem- 
bly. At the session of this Legislature, in Janu- 
ary following, John A. Logan was elected to the 



United States Senate as successor to Gen. R. J. 
Oglesby, whose term expired in March following. 
Col. William A. James, of Lake County, served 
as Speaker of the House at this session. (See 
Smith, John. Corson; Slade, JamesP.; also Thirty- 
first General Assembly. ) 

Campaign op 1880. — The political campaign 
of 1880 is memorable for the determined struggle 
made by the friends of General Grant to secure 
his nomination for the Presidency for a third 
term. The Republican State Convention, begin- 
ning at Springfield, May 19, lasted three days, 
ending in instructions in favor of General Grant 
by a vote of 399 to 285. These were nullified, 
however, by the action of the' National Conven- 
tion two weeks later. Governor Cullom was 
nominated for re-election ; John M. Hamilton for 
Lieutenant-Governor; Henry D. Dement for Sec- 
retary of State ; Charles P. Swigert for Auditor ; 
Edward Rutz (for a third term) for Treasurer, 
and James McCartney for Attorney-General. 
(See Dement, Henry D.; Swigert, Charles P.; 
Rutz, Edward, and McCartney, James.) Ex-Sena- 
tor Trumbull headed the Democratic ticket as its 
candidate for Governor, with General L. B. Par- 
sons for Lieutenant-Governor. 

The Republican National Convention met in 
Chicago, June 2. After thirty -six ballots, in 
which 306 delegates stood unwaveringly by Gen- 
eral Grant, James A. Garfield, of Ohio, was 
nominated, with Chester A. Arthur, of New 
York, for Vice-President. Gen. Winfield Scott 
Hancock was the Democratic candidate and Gen. 
James B. Weaver, the Greenback nominee. In 
Illinois. 622,156 votes were cast, Garfield receiv- 
ing a plurality of 40,716. The entire Republican 
State ticket was elected by nearly the same plu- 
ralities, and the Republicans again had decisive 
majorities in both branches of the Legislature. 

No startling events occurred during Governor 
Cullom's second term. The State continued to 
increase in wealth, population and prosperity, 
and the heavy debt, by which it had been bur- 
dened thirty years before, was practically "wiped 
out." 

Election of 1882.— At the election of 1882, 
Gen. John C. Smith, who had been elected State 
Treasurer in 1878, was re-elected for a second 
term, over Alfred Orendorff, while Charles T. 
Strattan, the Republican candidate for State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, was de- 
feated by Henry Raab. The Republicans again 
had a majority in each House of the General 
Assembly, amounting to twelve on joint ballot. 
Loren C. Collins was elected Speaker of the 



278 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



House. In the election of United States Senator, 
which occurred at this session, Governor Cullom 
was chosen as the successor to David Davis, Gen. 
John M. Palmer receiving the Democratic vote. 
Lieut. -Gov. John M. Hamilton thus hecame Gov- 
ernor, nearly in the middle of his term. (See 
Cullom, Shelby M.; Hamilton, John M.; Collins, 
Loren C, and Raab, Henri/. ) 

The "Harper High License Law," enacted by 
the Thirty-third General Assembly (1883), has 
become one of the permanent features of the Illi- 
nois statutes for the control of the liquor traffic, 
and has been more or less closely copied in other 
States. 

Political Campaign of 1884. — In 1884, Gen. 
R. J. Oglesby again became the choice of the 
Republican party for Governor, receiving at 
Peoria the conspicuous compliment of a nomina- 
tion for a third term, by acclamation. Carter H. 
Harrison was the candidate of the Democrats. 
The Republican National Convention was again 
held in Chicago, meeting June 3, 1884; Gen. John 
A. Logan was the choice of the Illinois Repub- 
licans for President, and was put in nomination 
in the Convention by Senator Cullom. The 
choice of the Convention, however, fell upon 
James G. Blaine, on the fourth ballot, his leading 
competitor being President Arthur. Logan was 
then nominated for Vice-President by acclama- 
tion. 

At the election in November the Republican 
party met its first reverse on the National battle- 
field since 1856, Grover Cleveland and Thomas A. 
Hendricks, the Democratic candidates, being 
elected President and Vice-President by the nar- 
row margin of less than 1,200 votes in the State 
of New York. The result was in doubt for sev- 
eral days, and the excitement throughout the 
country was scarcely less intense than it had 
been in the close election of 1876. The Green- 
back and Prohibition parties both had tickets in 
Illinois, polling a total of nearly 23,000 votes. 
The plurality in the State for Blaine was 25,118. 
The Republican State officers elected were Richard 
J. Oglesby, Governor; John C. Smith, Lieuten- 
ant-Governor; Henry D. Dement, Secretary of 
State; Charles P. Swigert, Auditor; Jacob Gross, 
State Treasurer; and George Hunt, Attorney- 
General — receiving pluralities ranging from 14,- 
000 to 25,000. Both Dement and Swigert were 
elected for a second time, while Gross and Hunt 
were chosen for first terms. (See Gross, Jacob, 
and Hunt, George. ) 

Chicago Election Frauds— An incident of 
this election was the fraudulent attempt to seat 



Rudolph Brand (Democrat) as Senator in place of 
Henry W. Leman, in the Sixth Senatorial Dis- 
trict of Cook County. The fraud was exposed 
and Joseph C. Mackin, one of its alleged perpe- 
trators, was sentenced to the penitentiary for four 
years for perjury growing out of the investiga- 
tion. A motive for this attempted fraud was 
found in the close vote in the Legislature for 
United States Senator — Senator Logan being a 
candidate for re-election, while the Legislature 
stood 102 Republicans to 100 Democrats and two 
Greenbackers on joint ballot. A tedious contest 
on tile election of Speaker of the House finally 
resulted in the success of E. M. Haines. Pending 
the struggle over the Senatorship, two seats in 
the House and one in the Senate were rendered 
vacant by death — the deceased Senator and one of 
the Representatives being Democrats, and the 
other Representative a Republican. The special 
election for Senator resulted in filling the vacancy 
with a new member of the same political faith as 
his predecessor ; but both vacancies in the House 
were filled by Republicans. The gain of a Repub- 
lican member in place of a Democrat in the 
House was brought about by the election of 
Captain William H. Weaver Representative from 
the Thirty-fourth District (composed of Mason, 
Menard, Cass and Schuyler Counties) over the 
Democratic candidate, to fill the vacancy caused 
by the death of Representative J. Hemy Shaw, 
Democrat. This was accomplished by what is 
called a "still hunt" on the part of the Repub- 
licans, in which the Democrats, being taken by 
surprise, suffered a defeat. It furnished the sen- 
sation not only of the session, but of special elec- 
tions generally, especially as every county in the 
District was strongly Democratic. This gave the 
Republicans a majority in each House, and the 
re-election of Logan followed, though not until 
two months had been consumed in the contest. 
(See Logan, John A.) 

Oglesby's Third Term. — The only disturbing 
events during Governor Oglesby's third term were 
strikes among the quarrymen at Joliet and 
Lemont, in May, 1885; by the railroad switchmen 
at East St. Louis, in April, 1886, and among the 
employes at the Union Stock- Yards, in November 
of the same year. In each case troops were called 
out and order finally restored, but not until sev- 
eral persons had been killed in the two former, 
and both strikers and employers had lost heavily 
in the interruption of business. 

At the election of 1886, John R. Tanner and 
Dr. Richard Edwards (Republicans) were respec- 
tively elected State Treasurer and State Superin- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



279 



tendent of Public Instruction, by 34,816 plurality 
for the former and 29,928 for the latter. (See 
Tanner, John R.; Edwards, Richard.) 

In the Thirty-fifth General Assembly, which 
met January, 1887, the Republicans had a major- 
ity in each House, and Charles B. Farwell was 
elected to the United States Senate in place of 
Gen. John A. Logan, deceased. (See Farwell, 
Charles B.) 

Fifer Elected Governor. — The political 
campaign of 1888 was a spirited one, though less 
bitter than the one of four years previous. Ex- 
Senator Joseph W. Fifer, of McLean County, and 
Ex-Gov. John M. Palmer were pitted against each 
other as opposing candidates for Governor. (See 
Fifer, Joseph ~\V. ) Prohibition and Labor tickets 
were also in the field The Republican National 
Convention was again held in Chicago, June 
20-25, resulting in the nomination of Benjamin 
Harrison for President, on the eighth ballot. The 
delegates from Illinois, with two or three excep- 
tions, voted steadily for Judge Walter Q. 
Gresham. (See Gresham, Walter Q.) Grover 
Cleveland headed the Democratic ticket as a 
candidate for re-election. At the November elec- 
tion, 747,683 votes were cast in Illinois, giving 
the Republican Electors a plurality of 22,104. 
Fifer's plurality over Palmer was 12,547, and that 
of the remainder of the Republican State ticket, 
still larger. Those elected were Lyman B. Ray, 
Lieutenant-Governor; Isaac N. Pearson, Secre- 
tary of State; Gen. Charles W. Pavey, Auditor; 
Charles Becker, Treasurer, and George Hunt, 
Attorney-General. (See Ray, Lyman B.; Pear- 
son, Isaac N.; Pavey, Charles W; and Becker, 
Charles.) The Republicans secured twenty-six 
majority on joint ballot in the Legislature — the 
largest since 1881. Among the acts of the Legis- 
lature of 1889 were the re-election of Senator 
Cullom to the United States Senate, practically 
w'thout a contest ; the revision of the compulsory 
education law, and the enactment of the Chicago 
drainage law. At a special session held in July, 
• 1890, the first steps in the preliminary legislation 
looking to the holding of the World's Columbian 
Exposition of 1893 in the city of Chicago, were 
taken. (See World's Columbian Exposition.) 

Republican Defeat of 1890. — The campaign 
of 1890 resulted in a defeat for the Republicans on 
both the State and Legislative tickets. Edward 
S. Wilson was elected Treasurer by a plurality of 
9,847 and Prof. Henry Raab, who had been Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction between 1883 and 
1887, was elected for a second term by 34,042. 
Though lacking two of an absolute majority on 



joint ballot in the Legislature, the Democrats 
were able, with the aid of two members belonging 
to the Farmers' Alliance, after a prolonged and 
exciting contest, to elect Ex-Gov. John M. 
Palmer United States Senator, as successor to 
C. B. Farwell. The election took place on March 
11, resulting, on the 154th ballot, in 103 votes for 
Palmer to 100 for Cicero J. Lindley (Republican) 
and one for A. J. Streeter. (See Palmer, Job n M. ) 
Elections of 1892. — At the elections of 1892 
the Republicans of Illinois sustained their first 
defeat on both State and National issues since 
1856. The Democratic State Convention was 
held at Springfield, April 27, and that of the 
Republicans on May 4. The Democrats put in 
nomination John P. Altgeld for Governor; 
Joseph B. Gill for Lieutenant-Governor ; William 
H. Hinrichsen for Secretary of State; Rufus N. 
Ramsay for State Treasurer; David Gore for 
Auditor ; Maurice T. Moloney for Attorney-Gen- 
eral, with John C. Black and Andrew J. Hunter 
for Congressmen-at-large and three candidates for 
Trustees of the University of Illinois. The can- 
didates on the Republican ticket were: For Gov- 
ernor, Joseph W. Fifer; Lieutenant-Governor, 
Lyman B. Ray ; Secretary of State, Isaac N. Pear- 
son; Auditor, Charles W. Pavey; Attorney-Gen- 
eral, George W. Prince; State Treasurer, Henry 
L. Hertz ; Congressmen-at-large, George S. Willits 
and Richard Yates, with three University Trus- 
tees. The first four were all incumbents nomi- 
nated to succeed themselves. The Republican 
National Convention held its session at Minneapo- 
lis June 7-10, nominating President Harrison for 
re-election, while that of the Democrats met 
in Chicago, on June 21, remaining in session 
until June 24, for the third time choosing, as its 
standard-bearer, Grover Cleveland, with Adlai T. 
Stevenson, of Bloomington, III, as his running- 
mate for Vice-President. The Prohibition and 
People's Party also had complete National and 
State tickets in the field. The State campaign 
was conducted with great vigor on both sides, the 
Democrats, under the leadership of Altgeld, mak- 
ing an especially bitter contest upon some features 
of the compulsory school law, and gaining many 
votes from the ranks of the German-Republicans. 
The result in the State showed a plurality for 
Cleveland of 26,993 votes out of a total 873,646— 
the combined Prohibition and People's Party vote 
amounting to 48,077. The votes for the respec- 
tive heads of the State tickets were: Altgeld 
(Dem.), 425,498; Fifer (Rep.), 402,659; Link 
(Pro.), 25,628 ;Barnet (Peo.), 20, 108— plurality for 
Altgeld, 22,808. The vote for Fifer was the high- 



280 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



est given to any Republican candidate on either 
the National or the State ticket, leading that of 
President Harrison by nearly 3,400, while the 
vote for Altgeld, though falling behind that of 
Cleveland, led the votes of all his associates on the 
Democratic State ticket with the single exception 
of Ramsay, the Democratic Candidate for Treas- 
urer. Of the twenty-two Representatives in 
Congress from the State chosen at this time, 
eleven were Republicans and eleven Democrats, 
including among the latter the two Congressmen 
from the State-at-large. The Thirty-eighth Gen- 
eral Assembly stood twenty-nine Democrats to 
twenty-two Republicans in the Senate, and 
seventy-eight Democrats to seventy-five Republic- 
ans in the House. 

The administration of Governor Fifer — the last 
in a long and unbroken line under Republican Gov- 
ernors — closed with the financial and industrial 
interests of the State in a prosperous condition, 
the State out of debt with an ample surplus in its 
treasury. Fifer was the first private soldier of 
the Civil War to be elected to the Governorship, 
though the result of the next two elections have 
shown that he was not to be the last — both of his 
successors belonging to the same class. Governor 
Altgeld was the first foreign-born citizen of the 
State to be elected Governor, though the State 
has had four Lieutenant-Governors of foreign 
birth, viz.: Pierre Menard, a French Canadian; 
John Moore, an Englishman, and Gustavus 
Koerner and Francis A. Hoffman, both Germans. 

Altgeld's Administration. — The Thirty- 
eighth General Assembly began its session, Jan. 
4, 1893, the Democrats having a majority in each 
House. (See Thirty-eighth General Assembly.) 
The inauguration of the State officers occurred on 
January 10. The most important events con- 
nected with Governor Altgeld's administration 
were the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, 
and the strike of railway employes in 1894. Both 
of these have been treated in detail under their 
proper heads. (See Worlds Columbian Exposi- 
tion, and Labor Troubles.) A serious disaster 
befell the State in the destruction by fire, on the 
night of Jan. 3, 1895, of a portion of the buildings 
connected with the Southern Hospital for the 
Insane at Anna, involving a loss to the State of 
nearly 8200,000, and subjecting the inmates and 
officers of the institution to great risk and no 
small amount of suffering, although no lives were 
lost. The Thirty ninth General Assembly, which 
met a few days after the fire, made an appropri- 
ation of §171,970 for the restoration of the build- 
ings destroyed, and work was begun immediately. 



The defalcation of Charles W. Spalding, Treas- 
urer of the University of Illinois, which came to 
light near the close of Governor Altgeld's term, 
involved the State in heavy loss (the exact 
amount of which is not even yet fully known), 
and operated unfortunately for the credit of the 
retiring administration, in view of the adoption of 
a policy which made the Governor more directly 
responsible for the management of the State in- 
stitutions than that pursued by most of his prede- 
cessors. The Governor's course in connection 
with the strike of 1894 was also severely criticised 
in some quarters, especially as it brought him in 
opposition to the policy of the National adminis- 
tration, and exposed him to the charge of sympa- 
thizing with the strikers at a time when they 
were regarded as acting in open violation of law. 

Election of 1894. — The election of 1894 showed 
as surprising a reaction against the Democratic 
party, as that of 1892 had been in an opposite 
direction. The two State offices to be vacated 
this year — State Treasurer and State Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction — were filled by the elec- 
tion of Republicans by unprecedented majorities. 
The plurality for Henry Wulff for State Treas- 
urer, was 133,427, and that in favor of Samuel M. 
Inglis for State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, scarcely 10,000 less. Of twenty-two Repre- 
sentatives in Congress, all but two returned as 
elected were Republicans, and these two were 
unseated as the result of contests. The Legisla- 
ture stood thirty-three Republicans to eighteen 
Democrats in the Senate, and eighty -eight Repub- 
licans to sixty -one Democrats in the House. 

One of the most important acts of the Thirty- 
ninth General Assembly, at the following session, 
was the enactment of a law fixing the compensa 
tion of members of the General Assembly at §1,000 
for each regular session, with five dollars per day 
and mileage for called, or extra, sessions. This 
Legislature also passed acts making appropriations 
for the erection of buildings for the use of the 
State Fair, which had been permanently located 
at Springfield ; for the establishment of t« T o ad- 
ditional hospitals for the insane, one near Rock 
Island and the other ( for incurables) near Peoria ; 
for the Northern and Eastern Illinois Normal 
Schools, and for a Soldiers' Widows' Home at 
Wilmington. 

Permanent Location of the State Fair. — 
In consequence of the absorption of public atten- 
tion — especially among the industrial and manu- 
facturing classes — by the World's Columbian 
Exposition, the holding of the Annual Fair of the 
Illinois State Board of Agriculture for 1893 was 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



381 



omitted for the first time since the Civil War. 
The initial steps were taken by the Board at its 
annual meeting in Springfield, in January of that 
year, looking to the permanent location of the 
Fair ; and, at a meeting of the Board held in Chi- 
cago, in October following, formal specifications 
were adopted prescribing the conditions to be met 
in securing the prize. These were sent to cities 
intending to compete for the location as the basis 
of proposals to be submitted by them. Responses 
were received from the cities of Bloomington, 
Decatur, Peoria and Springfield, at the annual 
meeting in January, 1894, with the result that, 
on the eighth ballot, the bid of Springfield was 
accepted and the Fair permanently located at 
that place by a vote of eleven for Springfield to 
ten divided between five other points. The 
Springfield proposal provided for conveyance to 
the State Board of Agriculture of 155 acres of 
land — embracing the old Sangamon County Fair 
Grounds immediately north of the city — besides 
a cash contribution of §50,000 voted by the San- 
gamon County Board of Supervisors for the 
erection of permanent buildings. Other contri- 
butions increased the estimated value of the 
donations from Sangamon County (including the 
land) to §139,800, not including the pledge of the 
city of Springfield to pave two streets to the gates 
of the Fair Grounds and furnish water free, be- 
sides an agreement on the part of the electric 
light company to furnish light for two years free 
of charge. The construction of buildings was 
begun the same year, and the first Fair held on 
the site in September following. Additional 
buildings have been erected and other improve- 
ments introduced each year, until the grounds 
are now regarded as among the best equipped for 
exhibition purposes in the United States. In the 
meantime, the increasing success of the Fair 
from year to year has demonstrated the wisdom 
of the action taken by the Board of Agriculture 
in the matter of location. 

Campaign of 1896. — The political campaign 
of 1896 was one of almost unprecedented activity 
in Illinois, as well as remarkable for the variety 
and character of the issues involved and the 
number of party candidates in the field. As 
usual, the Democratic and the Republican parties 
were the chief factors in the contest, although 
there was a wide diversity of sentiment in each, 
which tended to the introduction of new issues 
and the organization of parties on new lines. 
The Republicans took the lead in organizing for 
the canvass, holding their State Convention at 
Springfield on April 29 and 30, while the Demo- 



crats followed, at Peoria, on June 23. The former 
put in nomination John R. Tanner for Governor; 
William A. Northcott for Lieutenant-Governor; 
James A. Rose for Secretary of State; James S. 
McCullough for Auditor; Henry L. Hertz for 
Treasurer, and Edward C. Akin for Attorney- 
General, with Mary Turner Carriel, Thomas J. 
Smyth and Francis M. McKay for University 
Trustees. The ticket put in nomination by the 
Democracy for State officers embraced John P. 
Altgeld for re-election to the Governorship ; for 
Lieutenant-Governor, Monroe C. Crawford; Sec- 
retary of State, Finis E. Downing; Auditor, 
Andrew L. Maxwell; Attorney-General, George 
A. Trude, with three candidates for Trustees. 

The National Republican Convention met at St. 
Louis on June 16, and, after a three days' session, 
put in nomination William McKinley, of Ohio, 
for President, and Garret A. Hobart, of New 
Jersey, for Vice-President ; while their Demo- 
cratic opponents, following a policy which had 
been maintained almost continuously by one or 
the other party since 1860, set in motion its party 
machinery in Chicago — holding its National Con- 
vention in that city, July 7-11, when, for the first 
time in the history of the nation, a native of 
Illinois was nominated for the Presidency in the 
person of William J. Bryan of Nebraska, with 
Arthur Sewall, a ship-builder of Maine, for the 
second place on the ticket. The main issues, as 
enunciated in the platforms of the respective 
parties, were industrial and financial, as shown by 
the prominence given to the tariff and monetary 
questions in each. This was the natural result of 
the business depression which had prevailed since 
1893. While the Republican platform adhered to 
the traditional position of the party on the tariff 
issue, and declared in favor of maintaining the 
gold standard as the basis of the monetary system 
of the country, that of the Democracy took a new 
departure by declaring unreservedly for the "free 
and unlimited coinage of both silver and gold at 
the present legal ratio of 16 to 1;" and this be- 
came the leading issue of the campaign. The 
fact that Thomas E. Watson, of Georgia, who 
had been favored by the Populists as a candidate 
for Vice President, and was afterwards formally 
nominated by a convention of that party, with 
Mr. Bryan at its head, was ignored by the Chi- 
cago Convention, led to much friction between 
the Populist and Democratic wings of the party. 
At the same time a very considerable bod} - — in 
influence and political prestige, if not in numbers 
— in the ranks of the old-line Democratic party, 
refused to accept the doctrine of the free-silver 



282 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



section on the monetary question, and, adopting 
the name of "Gold Democrats,'" put in nomination 
a ticket composed of John M. Palmer, of Illinois, 
for President, and Simon B. Buckner, of Ken- 
tucky, for Vice-President. Besides these, the Pro- 
hibitionists, Nationalists, Socialist-Labor Party 
and "Middle-of-the-Road" (or "straight-out'") 
Populists, had more or less complete tickets in the 
field, making a total of seven sets of candidates 
appealing for the votes of the people on issues 
assumed to be of National importance. 

The fact that the two great parties — Democratic 
and Republican — established their principal head- 
quarters for the prosecution of the campaign in 
Chicago, had the effect to make that city and 
the State of Illinois the center of political activ- 
ity for the nation. Demonstrations of an impos- 
ing character were held by both parties. At the 
November election the Republicans carried the 
day by a plurality, in Illinois, of 141,517 for their 
national ticket out of a total of 1,090,869 votes, 
while the leading candidates on the State ticket 
received the following pluralities: John R. Tan- 
ner (for Governor), 113,381; Northcott (for Lieu- 
tenant-Governor), 137,354; Rose (for Secretary of 
State), 136,611; McCullough (for Auditor), 138,- 
013; Hertz (for Treasurer), 116,064; Akin (for 
Attorney -General), 132,650. The Republicans also 
elected seventeen Representatives in Congress to 
three Democrats and two People's Party men. 
The total vote cast, in this campaign, for the "Gold 
Democratic" candidate for Governor was 8,100. 

Gov. Tanner's Administration — The Fortieth 
General Assembly met Jan. 6, 1897, consisting of 
eighty-eight Republicans to sixty-three Demo- 
crats and two Populists in the House, and thirty- 
nine Republicans to eleven Democrats and one 
Populist in the Senate. The Republicans finally 
gained one member in each house by contests. 
Edward C. Curtis, of Kankakee County, was 
chosen Speaker of the House and Hendrick V. 
F'sher, of Henry County, President pro tem. of 
the Senate, with a full set of Republican officers 
in the subordinate positions. The inauguration 
of the newly elected State officers took place on 
the 11th, the inaugural address of Governor 
Tanner taking strong ground in favor of main- 
taining the issues indorsed by the people at the 
late election. On Jan. 20, William E. Mason, 
of Chicago, was elected United States Senator, as 
the successor of Senator Palmer, whose term was 
about to expire. Mr. Mason received the full 
Republican strength (125 votes) in the two 
Houses, to the 77 Democratic votes cast for John 
P. Altgeld. (See Fortieth General Assembly.) 



Among the principal measures enacted by the 
Fortieth General Assembly at its regular session 
were; The "Torrens Land Title System,'" regu- 
lating the conveyance and registration of land 
titles (which see) ; the consolidation of the three 
Supreme Court Districts into one and locating the 
Supreme Court at Springfield, and the Allen 
Street-Railroad Law, empowering City Councils 
and other corporate authorities of cities to grant 
street railway franchises for a period of fifty 
years. On Dec. 7, 1897, the Legislature met in 
special session under a call of the Governor, nam- 
ing five subjects upon which legislation was sug- 
gested. Of these only two were acted upon 
affirmatively, viz. : a law prescribing the manner 
of conducting the election of delegates to nomi- 
nating political conventions, and a new revenue 
law regulating the assessment and collection of 
taxes. The main feature of the latter act is the 
requirement that property shall be entered upon 
the books of the assessor at its cash value, subject 
to revision by a Board of Review, the basis of 
valuation for purposes of taxation being one-fifth 
of this amount. 

The Spanish-American War.— The most not- 
able event in the history of Illinois during the 
year 1898 was the Spanish-American War, and 
the part Illinois played in it. In this contest 
Illinoisans manifested the same eagerness to 
serve their country as did their fathers and fel- 
low citizens in the War of the Rebellion, a third 
of a century ago. The first call for volunteers 
was responded to with alacrity by the men com- 
posing the Illinois National Guard, seven regi- 
ments of infantry, from the First to Seventh 
inclusive, besides one regiment of Cavalry and 
one Battery of Artillery — in all about 9,000 men 
— being mustered in between May 7 and May 21. 
Although only one of these — the First, under the 
command of Col. Henry L. Turner of Chicago — 
saw practical service in Cuba before the surrender 
at Santiago, others in camps of instruction in the 
South stood ready to respond to the demand for 
their service in the field. Under the second call 
for troops two other regiments — the Eighth and 
the Ninth — were organized and the former (com- 
posed of Afro-Americans officered by men of 
their own race) relieved the First Illinois on guard 
duty at Santiago after the surrender. A body of 
engineers from Company E of the Second United 
States Engineers, recruited in Chicago, were 
among the first to see service in Cuba, while 
many Illinoisans belonging to the Naval Reserve 
were assigned to duty on United States war 
vessels, and rendered most valuable service in the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



283 



naval engagements in Cuban waters. The Third 
Regiment (Col. Fred. Bennitt) also took part in 
the movement for the occupation of Porto Rico. 
The several regiments on their return for muster- 
out, after the conclusion of terms of peace with 
Spain, received most enthusiastic ovations from 
their fellow-citizens at home. Besides the regi- 
ments mentioned, several Provisional Regiments 
were organized and stood ready to respond to the 
call of the Government for their services had the 
emergency required. (See War, The Sjxinish 
American.) 

Labor Disturbances. — The principal labor 
disturbances in the State, under Governor Tan- 
ner's administration, occurred during the coal- 
miners' strike of 1897, and the lock-out at the 
Pana and Virden mines in 1898. The attempt to 
introduce colored laborers from the South to 
operate these mines led to violence between the 
adherents of the "Miners' Union" and the mine- 
owners and operators, and their employes, at 
these points, during which it was necessary to 
call out the National Guard, and a number of 
lives were sacrificed on both sides. 

A flood in the Ohio, during the spring of 1898, 
caused the breaking of the levee at Shawneetown, 
111., on the 3d day of April, in consequence of 
which a large proportion of the city was flooded, 
many homes and business houses wrecked or 
greatly injured, and much other property de- 
stroyed. The most serious disaster, however, was 
the loss of some twenty-five lives, for the most 
part of women and children who, being surprised 
in their homes, were unable to escape. Aid was 
promptly furnished by the State Government in 
the form of tents to shelter the survivors and 
rations to feed them ; and contributions of money 
and provisions from the citizens of the State, col- 
lected by relief organizations during the next two 
or three months, were needed to moderate the 
suffering. (See Inundations, Remarkable.) 

Campaign of 1898. — The political campaign of 
1898 was a quiet one, at least nominally conducted 
on the same general issues as that of 1896, al- 
though the gradual return of business prosperity 
had greatly modified the intensity of interest 
with which some of the economic questions of 
the preceding campaign had been regarded. The 
only State officers to be elected were a State- 
Treasurer, a Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
and three State University Trustees — the total 
vote cast for the former being 878,622 against 
1,090,869 for President in 1896. Of the former. 
Floyd K. Whittemore (Republican candidate for 
State Treasurer) received 448,940 to 405,490 for 



M. F. Dunlap (Democrat), with 24,192 divided 
between three other candidates; while Alfred 
Bayliss (Republican) received a plurality of 
68,899 over his Democratic competitor, with 23,- 
190 votes cast for three others. The Republican 
candidates for University Trustees were, of course, 
elected. The Republicans lost heavily in their 
representation in Congress, though electing thir- 
teen out of twenty-two members of the Fifty- 
sixth Congress, leaving nine to their Democratic 
opponents, who were practically consolidated in 
this campaign with the Populists. 

Forty-first General Assembly.— The Forty- 
first General Assembly met, Jan. 4, 1899, and 
adjourned, April 14, after a session of 101 days, 
with one exception (that of 1875), the shortest 
regular session in the history of the State Gov- 
ernment since the adoption of the Constitution of 
1870. The House of Representatives consisted of 
eighty-one Republicans to seventy-one Democrats 
and one Prohibitionist; and the Senate, of thirty- 
four Republicans to sixteen Democrats and one 
Populist — giving a Republican majority on joint 
ballot of twenty-six. Of 176 bills which passed 
both Houses, received the approval of the Gov- 
ernor and became laws, some of the more impor- 
tant were the following: Amending the State 
Arbitration Law by extending its scope and the 
general powers of the Board ; creating the office 
of State Architect at a salary of S5, 000 per annum, 
to furnish plans and specifications for public 
buildings and supervise the construction and 
care of the same ; authorizing the consolidation 
of the territory of cities under township organi- 
zation, and consisting of five or more Congres- 
sional townships, into one township; empowering 
each Justice of the Supreme Court to employ a 
private secretary at a salary of 82,000 per annum, 
to be paid by the State; amending the State 
Revenue Law of 1898; authorizing the establish- 
ment and maintenance of parental or truant 
schools; and empowering the State to establish 
Free Employment Offices, in the proportion of one 
to each city of 50,000 inhabitants, or three in 
cities of 1,000,000 and over. An act was also 
passed requiring the Secretary of State, when an 
amendment of the State Constitution is to be 
voted upon by the electors at any general elec- 
tion, to prepare a statement setting forth the pro- 
visions of the same and furnish copies thereof to 
each County Clerk, whose duty it is to have said 
copies published and posted at the places of voting 
for the information of voters. One of the most 
important acts of this Legislature was the repeal, 
by a practically unanimous vote, of the Street- 



284 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



railway Franchise Law of the previous session - , 
the provisions of which, empowering City Coun- 
cils to grant street-railway franchises extending 
over a period of fifty years, had been severely 
criticised by a portion of the press and excited 
intense hostility, especially in some of the larger 
cities of the State. Although in force nearly two 
years, not a single corporation had succeeded in 
obtaining a, franchise under it. 

A Retrospect and a Look into The Future. — 
The history of Illinois has been traced concisely 
and in outline from the earliest period to the 
present time. Previous to the visit of Joliet and 
Marquette, in 1073, as unknown as Central Africa, 
for a century it continued the hunting ground of 
savages and the home of wild animals common to 
the plains and forests of the Mississippi Valley. 
The region brought under the influence of civili- 
zation, such as then existed, comprised a small 
area, scarcely larger than two ordinarily sized 
counties of the present day. Thirteen years of 
nominal British control (1765-78) saw little change, 
except the exodus of a part of the old French 
population, who preferred Spanish to British rule. 
The period of development began with the 
occupation of Illinois by Clark in 1778. That 
saw the "Illinois County," created for the gov- 
ernment of the settlements northwest of the 
Ohio, expanded into five States, with an area of 
250,000 square miles and a population, in 1890, of 
13.500,000. In 1880 the population of the State 
equaled that of the Thirteen Colonies at the 
close of the Revolution. The eleventh State in 
the Union in this respect in 1850, in 1890 it had 
advanced to third rank. With its unsurpassed 
fertility of soil, its inexhaustible supplies of fuel 
for manufacturing purposes, its system of rail- 
roads, surpassing in extent that of any other State, 
there is little risk in predicting that the next 
forty years will see it advanced to second, if not 
first rank, in both wealth and population. 

But if the development of Illinois on material 
lines has been marvelous, its contributions to the 
Nation in philanthropists and educators, soldiers 
and statesmen, have rendered it conspicuous. A 
long list of these might be mentioned, but two 
names from the ranks of Illinoisans have been, by 
common consent, assigned a higher place than all 
others, and have left a deeper impress upon the 
history of the Nation than any others since the 
days of Washington. These are, Ulysses S. Grant, 
the Organizer of Victory for the Union arms 
and Conqueror of the Rebellion, and Abraham 
Lincoln, the Great Emancipator, the Preserver of 
the Republic, and its Martyred President. 



CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. 

Important Events in Illinois History. 

1073.— Joliet and Marquette reach Illinois from Green Bay by 

way of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. 
1674-5.— Marquette makes a second visit to Illinois and spends 

the winter on the present site of Chicago. 
1680. I, a Salle and Tonty descend the Illinois to Peoria Lake. 
1681.— Tonty begins the erection of Fort St. Louis on " Starved 

Rock " in La Salle County. 
1682.— La Salle and Tonty descend the Illinois and Mississippi 
Rivers to the mouth of the latter, and take possession 
(April 9, 1682) in the name of the King of France 
1700.— First permanent French settlement in Illinois and Mis- 
sion of St. Sulpice established at Cahokia 
1700.— Kaskaskia Indians remove from the Upper Illinois and 
locate near the mouth of the Kaskaskia River. French 
settlement established here the same year becomes the 
town of Kaskaskia and future capital of Illinois. 
1718.— The first Fort Chartres. erected near Kaskaskia. 

1718.— Fort St. Louis, on the Upper Illinois, burned by Indians. 
1754.— Fort Chartres rebuilt and strengthened. 

1765.— The Illinois country surrendered by the French to the 
British under the treaty of 1763. 

1778.— (July 4) Col. George Rogers Clark, at the head of an expe- 
dition organized under authority of Gov. Patrick IlHiiry of 
Virginia, arrives at Kaskaskia. The occupation of Illinois 
by the American troops follows. 

1778.— Illinois County created by Act of the Virginia House of 
Delegates, for the government of the settlements north- 
west of the Ohio River. 

Congress adopts the Ordinance of 1787, organizing the 
Northwest Territory, embracing the present States of 
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. 

1788.— General Arthur St. Clair appointed Governor of North- 
west Territory. 

1790.— St Clair County organized. 

1795.— Randolph County organized. 

1800.— Northwest Territory divided into Ohio and Indiana Ter- 
ritories, Illinois being embraced in the latter. 

1809.— Illinois Territory set off from Indiana, and Ninian 
Edwards appointed Governor. 

1818.— ( Dec. 3) Illinois admitted as a State. 

1820. -State capital removed from Kaskaskia to Vandalia. 

1822-24.— Unsuccessful attempt to make Illinois a slave State. 

1825.— ( April 30) General La Fayette visits Kaskaskia. 

1832.— Black Hawk War. 

1839.— (July 4 i Springfield becomes the third capital of the State 
under an Act of the Legislature passed in 1837. 

1848.— The second Constitution adopted. 

1860.— Abraham Lincoln is elected President. 

1861.— War of the Rebellion begins. 

1863.— i Jan. 1) Lincoln issues his tinal Proclamation of Eman- 
cipation. 

1864— Lincoln's second election to the Presidency. 

1865.— < April 14) Abraham Lincoln assassinated in Washington. 

1865. — ( May 4) President Lincoln's funeral in Springfield. 

1865— The War of the Rebellion ends. 

1868.— Gen. U. S. Grant elected to the Presidency. 

1870.— The third State Constitution adopted. 



1787. 



POPULATION OF ILLINOIS 

At Each Decennial Census from 1810 to 1900. 



1810 (23) 12,282 

1820 (24) 55,162 

1830 (20) 157.445 

1840 (14) 476,183 

1850 (111 851,470 



1860 (4) 1,711,951 

1870 (4) 2,539,891 

1880 (4) 3.077,871 

1890 (3) 3,826,351 

1900 (3) 4,821,550 



Note.— Figures in parenthesis indicate the rank of the State 
in order of population. 



ILLINOIS CITIES 



Having a Population of 10,000 and Over (1900). 



Name. Population. 

Chicago 1,698,755 

Peoria 56,100 

Quincy 36,252 

Springfield ^4 159 

Rock ford 31,051 

Joliet 29,353 

East St Louis. 29,655 

Aurora 'J4 , 1-17 

Bloomington J^'Jsg 

Elgin -J2.433 

Decatur 20.754 

Rock Island 19.498 

Evauston 19,259 



Name. 


Population. 


Galesburg 


18,607 




17.4S1 








16,354 



































HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



286 



INDEX. 



This index relates exclusively to matter embraced in the article under the title "Illinois." Subjects of general State history 
will be found treated at length, under topical heads, in the body of the Encyclopedia. 



Admission of Illinois as a State, 258. 
Altgeld, John P., administration as Gov- 
ernor. 279-80 : defeated for re-election, 281. 
Anderson, Stinaon H..264. 
Anti-Nebraska Editorial Convention. 256. 
Anti-slavery contest of 1822-24; defeat of a 

convention scheme. 260. 
Baker, Col. E. I)., 263; orator at laying 

the corner-stone of State capitol, 264. 
Bateman, Newton, State Superintendent 

of Public Instruction. 270,274,275. 

Beveridge, John L., Congressman and 

Lieutenant-Governor; becomes Governor 

by resignation of Governor Oglesby,276. 

Birkbeck, Morris, 260. 

Bissell, William H., Colonel in Mexican 

War. 265; Governor, 269; death, 270. 
Black Hawk War. 262. 
Blodgett, Henry W., Free Soil member of 

the Legislature. 268. 
Bloomington Convention (18561,269. 
Boisbriant, first French Commandant, 249. 
Bond, Snadrach, 255; Delegate in Congress, 

257; first Governor, 258. 
Breese, Sidney, 259 
Browne, Thomas C, 260. 
Browning. Orville H., in Bloomington 

Convention, 269; U. S. Senator, 273. 
Cahokia, first French settlement at, 252. 
Camp Douglas conspiracy, 273. 
Canal Scrip Fraud, 270. 
Carlin, Thomas, elected Governor, 263. 
Casey, Zadoc, elected to Congress; re- 
signs the Lieutenant-Governorship, 262. 
Charlevoix visits Illinois. 247 
Chicago and Calumet Rivers, importance 

of in estimation of early explorers, 247 
Chicago election frauds, 278. 
Chicago, fire of 1871, 276. 
Chicagou, Indian Chief for whom Chicago 

was named, 248. 
Clark, Col. George Rogers, expedition to 

Illinois; capture of Kaskaskia, 251, 
Coles, Edward, emancipates his slaves; 
candidate for Governor, 25y; his election, 
260; persecuted by his enemies, 261. 
Constitutional Convention of 1818, 258. 
Constitutional Convention of 1847,266. 
Constitutional Convention of 1862,272. 
Constitutional Convention of 1870, 275. 
Cook, Daniel P.. 255; Attorney-General, 

258; elected to Congress, 260-61. 
Craig, Capt. Thomas, expedition against 

Indians at Peoria. 257. 
Cull om, Shelby M., Speaker of General As- 
sembly, 27o; elected Governor, 276; fea- 
tures of his administration; re-elected, 
277; elected to U. S. Senate. 278. 
Davis, David, United States Senator, 277. 
Douglas, Stephen A., 263; Justice Supreme 
Court, 264, U.S.Senator, 266; debates 
with Lincoln, 268-70; re-elected U.S. Sen- 
ator, 270; death, 272. 
Duncan, Joseph, Governor; character of 

his administration, 262-63. 
Early towns, 258. 
Earthquake of 1811.256. 
Edwards. Ninlan, Governor Illinois Terri- 
tory, 255, elected U. S. Senator, 259; 
elected Governor; administration and 
death, 261. 
Ewing, William L. D., becomes acting 
Governor; occupant of many offices, 262. 
Explorers, earlv French, 244-5. 
Farwell, Charles B.,279 
Field-McClernand contest, 264. 
Fifer, Joseph W., elected Governor. 279. 
Fisher, Dr. George. Speaker of Territorial 

House of Representatives, 257. 
Ford, Thomas, Governor: embarrassing 

quesrions of his administration, 264. 
F<>rt Chartres, surrendered to British, 250. 
Fort 1 >earborn massacre, 256-57. 
Fort Gage burned, 251. 
Fort Massac, starting point on the Ohio of 

Clark's expedition, 251. 
Fort St. Louis, 246; raided and burned by 

Indians, 247 
Franklin, Benjamin, Indian Commissioner 

for Illinois in 1775,251. 
French, Augustus C, Governor. 265-7. 
French and ludiau War, 250. 



French occupation; settlement about Kas- 
kaskia and Cahokia, 249. 

French villages, population of in 1765,251. 

Gibault. Pierre, 252. 

Grant, Ulysses S., arrival at Springfield; 
Colonel of Twenty-first Illinois Volun- 
teers, 271; elected President, 275. 

Gresham, Walter Q., supported by Illinois 
Republicans for the Presidency. 279, 

Hamilton, John M.. Lieutenant-Governor, 
277; succeeds Gov. Cullom, 278. 

Hansen-Shaw contest, 260. 

Hardin, John J.. 263; elected to Congress, 
264; killed at Buena Vista, 265. 

Harrison, William Heury. first Governor 
of Indiana Territory, 254. 

Henry, Patrick, Indian Commisaioner for 
Illinois Country; assists in planning 
Clark's expedition, 251; ex-offlcio Gov- 
ernor of territory northwest of the Ohio 
River 

Illinois, its rank in order of admission into 
the Union, area and population. 241; In- 
dian origin of the name; boundaries and 
area; geographical location; navigable 
streams, 242; topography, fauna and 
flora, 243; soil and climate, 243-44; con- 
test for occupation, 244: part of Louisi- 
ana in 1721, 249; surrendered to the 
British in 1765, 251 ; under government of 
Virginia, 252: part of Indiana Territory, 
254; Territorial Government organized; 
Ninian Edwards appointed Governor, 
255; admitted as a State. 258 

Illinois & Michigan Canal, 261. 

Illinois Central Railroad, 267-68. 

"Illinois Country," boundaries defined by 
Captain Pittman, 241; Patrick Henry, 
first American Governor, 252. 

Illinois County organized by Virginia 
House of Delegates, 252. 

Illinois Territory organized; first Territo- 
rial officers, 255. 

Indiana Territory organized. 254; first 
Territorial Legislature elected, 255. 

Indian tribes; location in Illinois, 247. 

Internal improvement scheme, 263. 

Joliet, Louis, accompanied by Marquette, 
visits Illinois in 1673, 245. 

Kane, Elias Kent, 258. 

Kansas-Nebraska contest, 268. 

Kaskaskia Indians remove from Upper 
Illinois to mouth of Kaskaskia, 248. 

Kenton, Simon, guide for Clark's expedi- 
tion against Kaskaskia. 251. 

Labor disturbances, 270, 280, 283. 

La Fayette, visit of, to Kaskaskia, 261. 

La Salle, expedition to Illinois in 1679-80, 
245; buildB Fort Miami, near mouth of 
St. Joseph; disaster of Fort Creve-Creur; 
erection of Fort St. Louis, 246. 

Lincoln, Abraham, Representative in the 
General Assembly, 263; elected to Con- 
gress, 266; unsuccessful candidate for 
the United States Senate; member of 
Bloomington Con v en tion of 1856; 
" House-divided-against-itself " speech, 
269; elected President. 270: departure for 
Washington, 271; elected for a second 
term, 273; assassination and funeral, 274. 

Lincoln- Douglas debates, 270. 

Lockwood, Samuel D., Attorney-General; 
Secretary of State; opponent of pro- 
slavery convention scheme, 260. 

Logan. Gen. John A., prominent Union 
soldier, 272; Congressman-at-large.274-7o; 
elected United States Senator, 276: Re- 
publican nominee for Vice-President; 
third election as Senator, 278. 
" Long Nine,"263. 

Louisiana united with Illinois. 254. 

Lovejoy, Elijah P., murdered at Alton, 263. 

Macalister and Stebbins bonds. 270. 

Marquette, Father Jacques (see Joliet t; 
his mission among the Kaskaskias, 248. 

Mason, William K . U. S. Senator, 282. 

McLean. John, Speaker; first Representa- 
tiveiuCongress; U.S Senator; death, 265. 

Menard, Pierre, 255; President of Terri- 
torial Council, 257; elected Lieutenant- 
Governor, 258; anecdote of, 259. 

Mexicau War, 265. 



Morgan, Col. George, Indian Agent at Kas- 
kaskia in 1776. 251. 
Mormon War, 264-65. 
New Design Settlement, 255. 
New France, 244, 249. 
Nicolet. Jean, French explorei, 244-5- 
Northwest Territory organized; Gen. Ar- 
thur St. Clair appointed Governor, 253; 
first Territorial Legislature; separated 
into Territories of Ohio and Indiana. 254. 

Oglesby, Richard J., soldier in Civil War, 
271; elected Governor, 274; second elec- 
tion; chosen U. S. Senator, 276; third 
election to governorship, 278. 

Ordinance of 1787,253. 

•■ Paincourt " (early name for St Louis) 
settled by French from Illinois, 251. 

Palmer, John M., member of Peace Con- 
ference of 1861, 271; elected Governor; 
prominent events of his administration, 
^75; unsuccessful Democratic candidate 
for Governor; elected U. S. Senator, 279; 
candidate for President. 282. 

Peace Conference of 1861,271. 

Peace conventions of 1863,273. 

Perrot. Nicholas, explorer, 245. 

Pit iman, Capt. Philip, defines the bounda- 
ries of the "Illinois Country." 241. 

Pope, Nathaniel, Secretary of IUinoisTer- 
ritory. 255; Delegate in Congress; serv- 
ice infixing northern boundary, 258. 

Prairies, origin of, 243. 

Randolph County organized, 254. 

Renault, Philip F., first importer of Afri- 
can slaves to Illinois. 249. 

RepublicanState Convention of 1856, 269. 

Reynolds, John, elected Governor; resigns 
to take seat in Congress, 262; Speaker of 
Illinois Houseof Representatives. 268. 

Richardson, William A., candidate for 
Governor, 270; U.S.Senator, 272. 

Rocheblave, Chevalier de, last British 
Commandant in Illinois, 251; sent as a 
prisoner of war to Williamsburg, 252. 

Shawneetown Bank, 257. 

Shawneetown flood, 283. 

Shields, Gen. James, 263; elected U. S. Sen- 
ator, 267; defeated for re-election, 269. 

Southern Hospitalfor Insane burned, 280. 

Spanish-American War, 281. 

Springfield, third State capital, 263; erec- 
tion of new state capitol at, authorizeu, 
275: State Bank, 259. 

St. Clair, Arthur, first Governor of North- 
west Territory, 253; visits Illinois, 254. 

St. Clair County organized, 254. 

State debt reaches its maximum, 268. 

State Fair permanently located, 281. 

Streams and navigation, 242. 

Supreme Court revolutionized, 264. 

Tanner, John R., State Treasurer, 278; 
elected Governor, 281-2. 

Thomas, Jesse B., 255; President of Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1818, 258; 
elected United States Senator, 259. 

Todd, Col. John. County-Lieutenant of Illi- 
nois County, 252. 

Tonty, Henry de( see La Salle). 

Treaty with Indians near Alton, 257. 

Trumbull, Lyman, Secretary of State. 264; 
elected United States Senator, 269-70; 
Democratic candidate for Governor, 277. 

Vandalia.the second State capital, 259. 

War of 1812, 256; expeditions to Peoria 
Lake, 257. 

War of the Rebellion; some prominent 
Illinois actors; number of troops fur- 
nished by Illinois; important battles par- 
ticipated in, 271 72; some officers who 
fell;, Grierson raid. 272, 

Warren, Hooper, editor Ed wards ville 
Spectator, 26o. 

Wayne, Gen Anthony. 254. 

Whig mass-meeting at Springfield, 264. 

Wilmot Proviso, action of Illinois Legisla- 
ture upon, 267. 

Wood. John, Lieutenant-Governor, fills 
Bissell's unexpired term 270. 

Y:ites, Richard, at Bloomington Conven- 
tion of 1856. 269; Governor, 270; prorogues 
Legislature of 1863; elected United States 
Senator, 27:>. 



286 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ILES, Elijah, pioneer merchant, was born in 
Kentucky, March 28, 1796; received the rudiments 
of an education in two winters' schooling, and 
began his business career by purchasing 100 head 
of yearling cattle upon which, after herding 
them three years in the valleys of Eastern Ken- 
tucky, he realized a profit of nearly 83,000. In 
1818 he went to St. Louis, then a French village 
of 2,500 inhabitants, and, after spending three 
years as clerk in a frontier store at "Old Frank- 
lin," on the Missouri River, nearly opposite the 
present town of Boonville, in 1821 made a horse- 
back tour through Central Illinois, finally locating 
at Springfield, which had just been selected by 
a board of Commissioners as the temporary 
county seat of Sangamon County. Here he soon 
brought a stock of goods by keel-boat from St. 
Louis and opened the first store in the new town. 
Two years later (1823), in conjunction with 
Pascal P. Enos, Daniel P. Cook and Thomas Cox, 
he entered a section of land comprised within the 
present area of the city of Springfield, whicli 
later became the permanent county-seat and 
finally the State capital. Mr. lies became the 
first postmaster of Springfield, and, in 1826, was 
elected State Senator, served as Major in the 
Winnebago War (1827), enlisted as a private in 
the Black Hawk War (1831-32), but was soon 
advanced to the rank of Captain In 1830 he 
sold his store to John Williams, who had been 
his clerk, and, in 1838-39, built the "American 
House," which afterwards became the temporary 
stopping-place of many of Illinois' most famous 
statesmen. He invested largely in valuable 
farming lands, and, at his death, left a large 
estate. Died, Sept. 4, 1883. 

ILLINOIS ASYLUM FOR INCURABLE IN- 
SANE, an institution founded under an act of the 
General Assembly, passed at the session of 1895, 
making an appropriation of 865,000 for the pur- 
chase of a site and the erection of buildings with 
capacity for the accommodation of 200 patients. 
The institution was located by the Trustees at 
Bartonville, a suburb of the city of Peoria, and 
the erection of buildings begun in 1896. Later 
these were found to be located on ground which 
had been undermined in excavating for coal, and 
their removal to a different location was under- 
taken in 1898. The institution is intended to 
relieve the other hospitals for the Insane by the 
reception of patients deemed incurable. 

ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL, a water- 
way connecting Lake Michigan with the Illinois 
River, and forming a connecting link in the 
water-route between the St. Lawrence and the 



Gulf of Mexico. Its summit level is about 580 
feet above tide water. Its point of beginning is 
at the South Branch of the Chicago River, about 
five miles from the lake. Thence it flows some 
eight miles to the valley of the Des Plaines, fol- 
lowing the valley to the mouth of the Kankakee 
(forty-two miles), thence to its southwestern 
terminus at La Salle, the head of navigation on 
the Illinois. Between these points the canal has 
four feeders — the Calumet, Des Plaines, Du Page 
and Kankakee. It passes through Lockport, 
Joliet, Morris, and Ottawa, receiving accessions 
from the waters of the Fox River at the latter 
point. The canal proper is 96 miles long, and it 
has five feeders whose aggregate length is 
twenty-five miles, forty feet wide and four feet 
deep, with four aqueducts and seven dams. The 
difference in level between Lake Michigan and 
the Illinois River at La Salle is one hundred and 
forty-five feet. To permit the ascent of vessels, 
there are seventeen locks, ranging from three 
and one half to twelve and one-half feet in lift, 
their dimensions being 110x18 feet, and admitting 
the passage of boats carrying 150 tons. At Lock- 
port, Joliet, Du Page, Ottawa and La Salle are 
large basins, three of which supply power to fac- 
tories. To increase the water supply, rendered 
necessary by the high summit level, pumping 
works were erected at Bridgeport, having two 
thirty-eight foot independent wheels, each capa- 
ble of delivering (through buckets of ten feet 
length or width) 15,000 cubic feet of water per 
minute. These pumping works were erected in 
1848, at a cost of S15.000, and were in almost con- 
tinuous use until 1870. It was soon found that 
these machines might be utilized for the benefit 
of Chicago, by forcing the sewage of the Chicago 
River to the summit level of the canal, and allow- 
ing its place to be filled by pure water from the 
lake. This pumping, however, cost a large sum, 
and to obviate this expense 82,955,340 was ex- 
pended by Chicago in deepening the canal be- 
tween 1865 and 1871, so that the sewage of the 
south division of the city might be carried through 
the canal to the Des Plaines. This sum was 
returned to the City by the State after the great 
fire of 1871. (As to further measures for carry- 
ing off Chicago sewage, see Chicago Drainage 
Canal.) 

In connection with the canal three locks and 
dams have been built on the Illinois River, — one 
at Henry, about twenty-eight miles below La 
Salle ; one at the mouth of Copperas Creek, about 
sixty miles below Henry; and another at La 
Grange. The object of these works (the first 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



287 



two being practically an extension of the canal) 
is to furnish slack-water navigation through- 
out the year. The cost of that at Henry (§400,000) 
was defrayed by direct appropriation from the 
State treasury. Copperas Creek dam cost §410,831, 
of which amount the United States Government 
paid $62,300. The General Government also con- 
structed a dam at La Grange and appropriated 
funds for the building of another at Kampsville 
Landing, with a view to making the river thor- 
oughly navigable the year round. The beneficial 
results expected from these works have not been 
realized and their demolition is advocated. 

History. ■ — The early missionaries and fur- 
traders first directed attention to the nearness of 
the waters of Lake Michigan and the Illinois. 
The project of the construction of a canal was 
made the subject of a report by Albert Gallatin, 
Secretary of the Treasury in 1808, and, in 1811, a 
bill on the subject was introduced in Congress in 
connection with the Erie and other canal enter- 
prises. In 1822 Congress granted the right of 
way across the public lands "for the route of a 
canal connecting the Illinois River with the 
south bend of Lake Michigan," which was fol- 
lowed five years later by a grant of 300,000 acres 
of land to aid in its construction, which was to 
be undertaken by the State of Illinois. The 
earliest surveys contemplated a channel 100 miles 
long, and the original estimates of cost varied 
between §639,000 and §716,000. Later surveys 
and estimates (1833) placed the cost of a canal 
forty feet wide and four feet deep at §4,040,000. 
In 1836 another Board of Commissioners was 
created and surveys were made looking to the 
construction of a waterway sixty feet wide at the 
surface, thirty-six feet at bottom, and six feet in 
depth. Work was begun in June of that year; 
was suspended in 1841 ; and renewed in 1846, 
when a canal loan of §1,000,000 was negotiated. 
The channel was opened for navigation in April, 
1848, by which time the total outlay had reached 
§6,170,226. By 1871, Illinois had liquidated its 
entire indebtedness on account of the canal and 
the latter reverted to the State. The total cost 
up to 1879 — including amount refunded to Chi- 
cago — was §9,513,831, while the sum returned to 
the State from earnings, sale of canal lands, etc., 
amounted to §8,819,731. In 1882 an offer was 
made to cede the canal to the United States upon 
condition that it should be enlarged and ex- 
tended to the Mississippi, was repeated in 1887, 
but has been declined. 

ILLINOIS AND MISSISSIPPI CANAL (gener- 
ally known as "Hennepin Canal"), a projected 



navigable water-way in course of construction 
(1899) by the General Government, designed to 
connect the Upper Illinois with the Mississippi 
River. Its object is to furnish a continuous 
navigable water-channel from Lake Michigan, at 
or near Chicago, by way of the Illinois & Michi- 
gan Canal (or the Sanitary Drainage Canal) and 
the Illinois River, to the Mississippi at the mouth 
of Rock River, and finally to the Gulf of Mexico. 

The Route. — The canal, at its eastern end, 
leaves the Illinois River one and three-fourths 
miles above the city of Hennepin, where the 
river makes the great bend to the south. Ascend- 
ing the Bureau Creek valley, the route passes 
over the dividing ridge between the Illinois River 
and the Mississippi to Rock River at the mouth 
of Green River; thence by slack- water down 
Rock River, and around the lower rapids in that 
stream at Milan, to the Mississippi. The esti- 
mated length of the main channel between its 
eastern and western termini is seventy-five miles 
— the distance having been reduced by changes 
in the route after the first survey. To this is to 
be added a "feeder" extending from the vicinity 
of Sheffield, on the summit-level (twenty-eight 
miles west of the starting point on the Illinois), 
north to Rock Falls on Rock River opposite the 
city of Sterling in Whiteside County, for the 
purpose of obtaining an adequate supply of water 
for the main canal on its highest level. The 
length of this feeder is twenty-nine miles and, as 
its dimensions are the same as those of the main 
channel, it will be navigable for vessels of the 
same class as the latter. A dam to be constructed 
at Sterling, to turn water into the feeder, will 
furnish slack-water navigation on Rock River to 
Dixon, practically lengthening the entire route 
to that extent. 

History. — The subject of such a work began to 
be actively agitated as early as 1871, and, under 
authority of various acts of Congress, preliminary 
surveys began to be made by Government engi- 
neers that year. In 1890 detailed plans and esti- 
mates, based upon these preliminary surveys, 
were submitted to Congress in accordance with 
the river and harbor act of August, 1888. This 
report became the basis of an appropriation in 
the river and harbor act of Sept. 19, 1890, for 
carrying the work into practical execution. 
Actual work was begun on the western end of the 
canal in July, 1892, and at the eastern end in the 
spring of 1894. Since then it has been prosecuted 
as continuously as the appropriations made by 
Congress from year to year would permit. Ac- 
cording to the report of Major Marshall, Chief of 



288 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Engineers in charge of the work, for the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 1898, the construction of the 
canal around the lower rapids of Rock River (four 
and one-half miles), with three locks, three 
swing bridges, two dams, besides various build- 
ings, was completed and that portion of the canal 
opened to navigation on April 17. 1895. In the 
early part of 1899, the bulk of the excavation 
and masonry on the eastern section was practi- 
cally completed, the feeder line under contract, 
and five out of the eighteen bridges required to 
be constructed in place; and it was estimated 
that the whole line, with locks, bridges, culverts 
and aqueducts, will be completed within two 
years, at the farthest, by 1902. 

Dimensions, Methods of Construction, Cost. 
etc. — As already stated, the length of the main 
line is seventy-five miles, of which twenty-eight 
miles (the eastern section) is east of the junction 
of the feeder, and forty-seven miles (the western 
section) west of that point — making, with the 
twenty-nine miles of feeder, a total of one hun- 
dred and four miles, or seven miles longer than 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The rise from the 
Illinois River datum to the summit-level on the 
eastern section is accomplished by twenty-one 
locks with a lift of six to fourteen feet each, to 
reach an altitude of 196 feet ; while the descent 
of ninety-three feet to the low-water level of the 
Mississippi on the western end is accomplished 
through ten locks, varying from six to fourteen 
feet each. The width of the canal, at the water 
surface, is eighty feet, with a depth below the 
surface-line of seven feet. The banks are rip- 
rapped with stone the entire length of the canal. 
The locks are one hundred and seventy feet long, 
between the quoins, by thirty-five feet in width, 
admitting the passage of vessels of one hundred 
and forty feet in length and thirty-two feet beam 
and each capable of carrying six hundred tons of 
freight. 

The bulk of the masonry employed in the con- 
struction of locks, as well as abutments for 
bridges and aqueducts, is solid concrete manufac- 
tured in place, while the lock-gates and aque- 
ducts proper are of steel— the use of these 
materials resulting in a large saving in the first 
cost as to the former, and securing greater solid- 
ity and permanence in all. The concrete work, 
already completed, is found to have withstood 
the effects of ice even more successfully than 
natural stone. The smaller culverts are of iron 
piping and the framework of all the bridges of 
steel. 
The earlier estimates placed the entire cost of 



construction of the canal, locks, bridges, build- 
ings, etc., at §5,068,000 for the main channel and 
$1,858,000 for the Rock River feeder — a total of 
§6,926,000. This has been reduced, however, by 
changes in the route and unexpected saving in 
the material employed for masonry work. The 
total expenditure, as shown by official reports, 
up to June 30, 1898, was §1,748,905 13. The 
amount expended up to March 1, 1899, approxi- 
mated §2,500,000, while the amount necessary to 
complete the work (exclusive of an unexpended 
balance) was estimated, in round numbers, at 
§3,500,000. 

The completion of this work, it is estimated, 
will result in a saving of over 400 miles in water 
transportation between Chicago and the western 
terminus of the canal. In order to make the 
canal available to its full capacity between lake 
points and the Mississippi, the enlargement of 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal, both as to width 
and depth of channel, will be an indispensable 
necessity ; and it is anticipated that an effort will 
be made to secure action in this direction by the 
Illinois Legislature at its next session. Another 
expedient likely to receive strong support will be, 
to induce the General Government to accept the 
tender of the Illinois & Michigan Canal and, by 
the enlargement of the latter through its whole 
length — or, from Lockport to the Illinois River 
at La Salle, with the utilization of the Chicago 
Drainage Canal — furnish a national water- way 
between the lakes and the Gulf of Mexico of 
sufficient capacity to accommodate steamers and 
other vessels of at least 600 tons burthen. 

ILLINOIS BAND, THE, an association consist- 
ing of seven young men, then students in Yale 
College, who, in the winter of 1828-29, entered 
into a mutual compact to devote their lives to the 
promotion of Christian education in the West, 
especially in Illinois. It was composed of Theron 
Baldwin, John F. Brooks, Mason Grosvenor, 
Elisha Jenney, William Kirby, Julian M. Sturte- 
vant and Asa Turner All of these came to Illi- 
nois at an early day, and one of the first results 
of their efforts was the founding of Illinois Col- 
lege at Jacksonville, in 1829, with which all 
became associated as members of the first Board 
of Trustees, several of them so remaining to the 
close of their lives, while most of them were con- 
nected with the institution for a considerable 
period, either as members of the faculty or finan- 
cial agents — Dr. Sturtevant having been Presi- 
dent for thirty-two years and an instructor or 
professor fifty-six years. (See Baldwin, Theron; 
Brooks, John F.; and Sturtevant, Julian M.) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



289 



ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD, a corpo- 
ration controlling the principal line of railroad 
extending through the entire length of the State 
from north to south, besides numerous side 
branches acquired by lease during the past few 
years. The main lines are made up of three gen- 
eral divisions, extending from Chicago to Cairo, 
111. (364.73 miles); from Centralia to Dubuque, 
Iowa, (340.77 miles), and from Cairo to New 
Orleans, La. (547.79 miles) — making a total of 
1,253.29 miles of main line, of which 705.5 miles 
are in Illinois. Besides this the company con- 
trols, through lease and stock ownership, a large 
number of lateral branches which are operated 
by the company, making the total mileage 
officially reported up to June 30, 1898, 3,130.21 
miles. — (History.) The Illinois Central Railroad 
is not only one of the lines earliest projected in 
the history of the State, but has been most inti- 
mately connected with its development. The 
project of a road starting from the mouth of the 
Ohio and extending northward through the State 
is said to have been suggested by Lieut. -Gov. 
Alexander M. Jenkins as early as 1832; was 
advocated by the late Judge Sidney Breese and 
others in 1835 under the name of the Wabash & 
Mississippi Railroad, and took the form of a 
charter granted by the Legislature in January, 
1836, to the first "Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pany," to construct a road from Cairo to a point 
near the southern terminus of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal. Nothing was done under this 
act, although an organization was effected, with 
Governor Jenkins as President of the Company. 
The Company surrendered its charter the next 
year and the work was undertaken by the State, 
under the internal improvement act of 1837, and 
considerable money expended without complet- 
ing any portion of the line. The State having 
abandoned the enterprise, the Legislature, in 
1843, incorporated the "Great Western Railway 
Company" under what came to be known as tho 
"Holbrook charter," to be organized under the 
auspices of the Cairo City & Canal Company, 
the line to connect the termini named in the 
charter of 1836, via Vandalia, Shelbyville, 
Decatur and Bloomington. Considerable money 
was expended under this charter, but the scheme 
again failed of completion, and the act was 
repealed in 1845. A charter under the same 
name, with some modification as to organization, 
was renewed in 1849. — In January, 1850, Senator 
Douglas introduced a bill in the United States 
Senate making a grant to the State of Illinois of 
alternate sections of land along the line of a 



proposed road extending from Cairo to Dunleith in 
the northwest corner of the State, with a branch 
to Chicago, which bill passed the Senate in May 
of the same year and the House in September, 
and became the basis of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road Company as it exists to-day. Previous to 
the passage of this act, however, the Cairo City 
& Canal Company had been induced to execute a 
full surrender to the State of its rights and privi- 
leges under the "Holbrook charter." This was 
followed in February, 1851, by the act of the 
Legislature incorporating the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company, and assigning thereto (under 
specified conditions) the grant of lands received 
from the General Government. This grant 
covered alternate sections within six miles of the 
line, or the equivalent thereof (when such lands 
were not vacant), to be placed on lands within 
fifteen miles of the line. The number of acres 
thus assigned to the Company was 2,595,000, 
(about 3,840 acres per mile), which were con- 
veyed to Trustees as security for the performance 
of the work. An engineering party, organized 
at Chicago, May 21, 1851, began the prelim- 
inary survey of the Chicago branch, and 
before the end of the year the whole line was 
surveyed and staked out The first contract for 
grading was let on March 15, 1852, being for that 
portion between Chicago and Kensington (then 
known as Calumet), 14 miles. This was opened 
for traffic, May 24, 1852, and over it the Michigan 
Central, which had been in course of construction 
from the east, obtained trackage rights to enter 
Chicago. Later, contracts were let for other 
sections, some of them in June, and the last on 
Oct. 14, 1852. In May, 1853, the section from 
La Salle to Bloomington (61 miles) was com- 
pleted and opened for business, a temporary 
bridge being constructed over the Illinois near 
La Salle, and cars hauled to the top of the bluff 
with chains and cable by means of a stationary 
engine. In July, 1854, the Chicago Division was 
put in operation to Urbana, 128 miles; the main 
line from Cairo to La Salle (301 miles), completed 
Jan. 8, 1855, and the line from La Salle to Dunleith 
(now East Dubuque), 146.73 miles, on June 12, 
1855— the entire road (705.5 miles) being com- 
pleted, Sept. 27, 1856.— (Financial Statement.) 
The share capital of the road was originally 
fixed at §17,000,000, but previous to 1869 it had 
been increased to §25,500,000, and during 1873-74 
to 529. 000, 000. The present . capitalization (1898) 
is S163,352,593, of which 852,500,000 is in stock, 
§52,680,925 in bonds, and §51,367,000 in miscel 
laneous obligations. The total cost of the road 



290 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in Illinois, as shown by a report made in 1889, was 
535,110,609. By the terms of its charter the 
corporation is exempt from taxation, but in lieu 
thereof is required to pay into the State treasury, 
semi annually, seven per cent upon the gross 
earnings of the line in Illinois. The sum thus 
paid into the State treasury from Oct. 81, 1855, 
when the first payment of §29,751.59 was made, 
up to and including Oct. 31, 1898, aggregated 
§17,315,193.24. The last payment (October, 1898), 
amounted to $334,527.01. The largest payment 
in the history of the road was that of October, 
1893, amounting, for the preceding six months, to 
8450,176 34. The net income of the main line in 
Illinois, for the year ending June 30, 1898, was 
812,299.021, and the total expenditures within the 
State $12,831,161.— (Leased Lines) The first 
addition to the Illinois Central System was made 
in 1867 in the acquisition, by lease, of the Dubuque 
& Sioux City Railroad, extending from Dubuque 
to Sioux Falls, Iowa. Since then it has extended 
its Iowa connections, by the construction of new 
lines and the acquisition or extension of others. 
The most important addition to the line outside 
of the State of Illinois was an arrangement 
effected, in 1872, with the New Orleans, Jackson & 
Great Northern, and the Mississippi Central Rail- 
roads — with which it previously had traffic con- 
nections — giving it control of a line from Jackson, 
Tenn., to New Orleans, La. At first, connection 
was had between the Illinois Central at Cairo and 
the Southern Divisions of the system, by means 
of transfer steamers, but subsequently the gap 
was filled in and the through line opened to traffic 
in December, 1873. In 1874 the New Orleans, 
Jackson & Great Northern and the Mississippi 
Central roads were consolidated under the title 
of the New Orleans, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad, 
but the new corporation defaulted on its interest 
in 1876. The Illinois Central, which was the 
owner of a majority of the bonds of the constitu- 
ent lines which went to make up the New Orleans, 
St Louis & Chicago Railroad, then acquired 
ownership of the whole line by foreclosure pro- 
ceedings in 1877, and it was reorganized, on Jan. 
1, 1878, under the name of the Chicago, St. Louis 
& New Orleans Railroad, and placed in charge of 
one of the Vice-Presidents of the Illinois Central 
Company. — (Illinois Branches.) The more im- 
portant branches of the Illinois Central within the 
State include: (1) The Springfield Division from 
Chicago to Springfield (111.47 miles), chartered 
in 1867, and opened in 1871 as the Gilman, Clinton 
& Springfield Railroad ; passed into the hands of 
n. receiver in 1873, sold under foreclosure in 1876, 



and leased, in 1878, for fifty years, to the Illinois 
Central Railroad: (2) The Rantoul Division from 
Leroy to the Indiana State line (66.21 miles in 
Illinois), chartered in 1876 as the Havana, Ran- 
toul & Eastern Railroad, built as a narrow-gauge 
line and operated in 1881 ; afterwards changed to 
standard-gauge, and controlled by the Wabash, 
St. Louis & Pacific until May, 1884, when it passed 
into the hands of a receiver ; in December of the 
same year taken in charge by the bondholders ; in 
1885 again placed in the hands of a receiver, and, 
in October, 1886, sold to the Illinois Central : (3) 
The Chicago, Havana & Western Railroad, from 
Havana to Champaign, with a branch from White- 
heath to Decatur (total, 131.62 miles), constructed 
as the western extension of the Indianapolis, 
Bloomington & Western, and opened in 1873 ; sold 
under foreclosure in 1879 and organized as the 
Champaign, Havana & Western; in 1880 pur- 
chased by the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific; in 
1884 taken possession of by the mortgage trustees 
and, in September, 1886, sold under foreclosure to 
the Illinois Central Railroad: (4) The Freeport 
Division, from Chicago by way of Freeport to 
Madison, Wis. (140 miles in Illinois), constructed 
under a charter granted to the Chicago, Madison 
& Northern Railroad (which see), opened for 
traffic in 1888, and transferred to the Illinois 
Central Railroad Company in January, 1889 : (5) 
The Kankakee & Southwestern (131.26 miles), 
constructed from Kankakee to Bloomington 
under the charters of the Kankakee & Western 
and the Kankakee & Southwestern Railroads; 
acquired by the Illinois Central in 1878, begun in 
1880, and extended to Bloomington in 1883 ; and 
(6) The St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute (which 
see under its old name). Other Illinois branch 
lines of less importance embrace the Blue Island; 
the Chicago & Texas; the Mound City ; the South 
Chicago; the St. Louis, Belleville & Southern, 
and the St. Charles Air-Line, which furnishes 
an entrance to the City of Chicago over an ele- 
vated track. The total length of these Illinois 
branches in 1898 was 919.72 miles, with the main 
lines making the total mileage of the company 
within the State 1,624.22 miles. For several years 
up to 1895 the Illinois Central had a connection 
with St. Louis over the line of the Terre Haute & 
Indianapolis from Effingham, but this is now 
secured by way of the Springfield Division and 
the main line to Pana, -whence its trains pass over 
the old Indianapolis & St. Louis — now the Cleve- 
land, Cinciunati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway. 
Between June 30, 1897 and April 30, 1898, branch 
lines in the Southern States (chiefly in Kentucky 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



291 



and Tennessee), to the extent of 670 miles, were 
added to the Illinois Central System. The Cairo 
Bridge, constructed across the Ohio River near 
its mouth, at a cost of 83,000,000, for the purpose of 
connecting the Northern and Southern Divisions 
of the Illinois Central System, and one of the 
most stupendous structures of its kind in the 
world, belongs wholly to the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company. (See Cairo Bridge.) 

ILLINOIS COLLEGE, an institution of learn- 
ing at Jacksonville, 111., which was the first to 
graduate a collegiate class in the history of the 
State. It had its origin in a movement inaugu- 
rated about 1827 or 1828 to secure the location, at 
some point in Illinois, of a seminary or college 
which would give the youth of the State the 
opportunity of acquiring a higher education. 
Some of the most influential factors in this move- 
ment were already citizens of Jacksonville, or 
contemplated becoming such. In January, 1828, 
the outline of a plan for such an institution was 
drawn up by Rev. John M. Ellis, a home missionary 
of the Presbyterian Church, and Hon. Samuel D. 
Lockwood, then a Justice of the Supreme Court 
of the State, as a basis for soliciting subscriptions 
for the organization of a stock-company to carry 
the enterprise into execution. The plan, as then 
proposed, contemplated provision for a depart- 
ment of female education, at least until a separate 
institution could be furnished — which, if not .a 
forerunner of the co-educational system now so 
much in vogue, at least foreshadowed the estab- 
lishment of the Jacksonville Female Seminary, 
which soon followed the founding of the college. 
A few months after these preliminary steps were 
taken, Mr. Ellis was brought into communication 
with a group of young men at Yale College (see 
"Illinois Band") who had entered into a com- 
pact to devote their lives to the cause of educa- 
tional and missionary work in the West, and out 
of the union of these two forces, soon afterwards 
effected, grew Illinois College. The organization 
of the "Illinois" or "Yale Band," was formally 
consummated in February, 1829, and before the 
close of the year a fund of §10,000 for the purpose 
of laying the foundation of the proposed institu- 
tion in Illinois had been pledged by friends of 
education in the East, a beginning had been made 
in the erection of buildings on the present site of 
Illinois College at Jacksonville, and, in Decem- 
ber of the same year, the work of instruction of 
a preparatory class had been begun by Rev. Julian 
M. Sturtevant, who had taken the place of "avant- 
courier" of the movement. A year later (1831) 
Rev. Edward Beecher, the oldest son of the inde- 



fatigable Lyman Beecher, and brother of Henry 
Ward — already then well known as a leader in 
the ranks of those opposed to slavery — had be- 
come identified with the new enterprise and 
assumed the position of its first President. Such 
was the prejudice against "Yankees" in Illinois 
at that time, and the jealousy of theological influ- 
ence in education, that it was not until 1835 that 
the friends of the institution were able to secure 
a charter from the Legislature. An ineffectual 
attempt had been made in 1830, and when it was 
finally granted, it was in the form of an "omni- 
bus bill" including three other institutions, but 
with restrictions as to the amount of real estate 
that might be held, and prohibiting the organiza- 
tion of theological departments, both of which 
were subsequently repealed. (See Early Col- 
leges. ) The same year the college graduated its 
first class, consisting of two members — Richard 
Yates, afterwards War Governor and United 
States Senator, and Rev. Jonathan Spillman, the 
composer of "Sweet Afton." Limited as was this 
first output of alumni, it was politically and 
morally strong. In 1843 a medical department 
was established, but it was abandoned five years 
later for want of adequate support. Dr. Beecher 
retired from the Presidency in 1844, when he was 
succeeded by Dr. Sturtevant, who continued in 
that capacity until 1876 (thirty-two years), when 
he became Professor Emeritus, remaining until 
1885 — his connection with the institution cover- 
ing a period of fifty -six years. Others who have 
occupied the position of President include Rufus 
C. Crampton (acting), 1876-82; Rev. Edward A. 
Tanner, 1882-92; and Dr. John E. Bradley, the 
incumbent from 1892 to 1899. Among the earli- 
est and influential friends of the institution, 
besides Judge Lockwood already mentioned, may 
be enumerated such names as Gov. Joseph Dun- 
can, Thomas Mather, Winthrop S. Gilman, 
Frederick Collins and William H. Brown (of 
Chicago), all of whom were members of the early 
Board of Trustees. It was found necessary to 
maintain a preparatory department, for many 
years to fit pupils for the college classes proper, 
and, in 1866, Whipple Academy was established 
and provided with a separate building for this 
purpose. The standard of admission to the col- 
lege course has been gradually advanced, keeping 
abreast, in this respect, of other American col- 
leges. At present the institution has a faculty of 
15 members and an endowment of some §150,000, 
with a library (1898) numbering over 15,000 vol- 
umes and property valued at §360,000. Degrees 
are conferred in both classical and scientific 



292 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



courses in the college proper. The list of alumni 
embraces some 750 names, including many who 
have been prominent in State and National 
affairs. 

ILLINOIS COUNTY, the name given to the 
first civil organization of the territory northwest 
of the Ohio River, after its conquest by Col. George 
Rogers Clark in 1778. This was done by act of 
the Virginia House of Delegates, passed in 
October of the same year, which, among other 
things, provided as follows: "The citizens of the 
commonwealth of Virginia, who are already set- 
tled, or shall hereafter settle, on the western side of 
the Ohio, shall be included in a distinct county 
which shall be called Illinois County ; and the 
Governor of this commonwealth, with the advice 
of the Council, may appoint a County-Lieutenant 
or Coinmandant-in-chief of the county during 
pleasure, who shall take the oath of fidelity to 
this commonwealth and the oath of office accord- 
ing to the form of their own religion. And all 
civil offices to which the inhabitants have been 
accustomed, necessary for the preservation of the 
peace and the administration of justice, shall be 
chosen by a majority of the citizens of their re- 
spective districts, to be convened for that purpose 
by the County-Lieutenant or Commandant, or his 
deputy, and shall be commissioned by said 
County-Lieutenant." As the Commonwealth of 
Virginia, by virtue of Colonel Clark's conquest, 
then claimed jurisdiction over the entire region 
west of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi, 
Illinois County nominally embraced the territory 
comprised within the limits of the present States 
of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wiscon- 
sin, though the settlements were limited to the 
vicinity of Kaskaskia, Vincennes (in the present 
State of Indiana) and Detroit. Col. John Todd, 
of Kentucky, was appointed by Gov. Patrick 
Henry, the first Lieutenant-Commandant under 
this act, holding office two years. Out of Illinois 
County were subsequently organized the follow- 
ing counties by "order" of Gov. Arthur St. Clair, 
after his assumption of the duties of Governor, 
following the passage, by Congress, of the Ordi- 
nance of 1787, creating the Northwest Territory. 
viz. : 
Name County-Seat Date of Organization 



Washington 


Marietta 


July 27, 1788 


Hamilton 


Cincinnati 
( Cahokia 


Jan. 4, 1790 


St. Clair 


J Prairie du Rocher 
f Kaskaskia 


April 27, 1790 


Knox 


Post £t. Vincennes 


June 20, 1790 


Bandolpb 


Kaskaskia 


Oct. 5, 1795 



Washington, originally comprising the State of 
Ohio, was reduced, on the organization of Hamil- 
ton County, to the eastern portion, Hamilton 



County embracing the west, with Cincinnati 
(originally called "Losantiville," near old Fort 
Washington) as the county-seat. St. Clair, the 
third county organized out of this territory, at 
first had virtually three county-seats, but divi- 
sions and jealousies among the people and officials 
in reference to^the place of deposit for the records, 
resulted in the issue, five years later, of an order 
creating the new county of Randolph, the second 
in the "Illinois Country" — these (St. Clair and 
Randolph) constituting the two counties into 
which it was divided at the date of organization 
of Illinois Territory. Out of these events grew 
the title of "Mother of Counties" given to Illinois 
County as the original of all the counties in the 
five States northwest of the Ohio, while St. Clair 
County inherited the title as to the State of 
Illinois. (See Illinois: also St. Clair, Arthur, 
and Todd, (Col.) John.) 

ILLINOIS FARMERS' RAILROAD. (See 
Jacksonville & St. Louis Railway.) 

ILLINOIS FEMALE COLLEGE, a flourishing 
institution for the education of women, located 
at Jacksonville and incorporated in 1847. While 
essentially unsectarian in teaching, it is con- 
trolled by the Methodist Episcopal denomination. 
Its first charter was granted to the "Illinois Con- 
ference Female Academy" in 1847, but four years 
later the charter was amended and the name 
changed to the present cognomen. The cost of 
building and meager support in early years 
brought on bankruptcj'. The friends of the insti- 
tution rallied to its support, however, and the 
purchasers at the foreclosure sale (all of whom 
were friends of Methodist education) donated the 
property to what was technically a new institu- 
tion. A second charter was obtained from the 
State in 1803, and the restrictions imposed upon 
the grant were such as to prevent alienation of 
title, by either conveyance or mortgage. While 
the college has only a small endowment fund 
(82,000) it owns 560,000 worth of real property, 
besides S9.000 invested in apparatus and library. 
Preparatory and collegiate departments are main- 
tained, both classical and scientific courses being 
established in the latter. Instruction is also 
given in fine arts, elocution and music. The 
faculty (1898) numbers 15, and there are about 170 
students. 

ILLINOIS FEMALE REFORM SCHOOL. (See 
Home for Female Offenders.) 

ILLINOIS INDIANS, a confederation belong- 
ing to the Algonquin family and embracing five 
tribes, viz. : the Cahokias, Kaskaskias, Mitcha- 
gamies, Peorias and Tamaroas. They early occu 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



203 



pied Illinois, with adjacent portions of Iowa, 
Wisconsin and Missouri. The name is derived 
from Illini, "man," the Indian plural "ek" being 
changed by the French to "ois. " They were 
intensely warlike, being almost constantly in 
conflict with the Winnebagoes, the Iroquois, 
Sioux and other tribes. They were migratory 
and depended for subsistence largely on the sum- 
mer and winter hunts. They dwelt in rudely 
constructed cabins, each accommodating about 
eight families. They were always faithful allies 
of the French, whom they heartily welcomed in 
1673. French missionaries labored earnestly 
among them — notably Fathers Marquette, Allouez 
and Gravier — who reduced their language to 
grammatical rules. Their most distinguished 
Chief was Chicagou, who was sent to France, 
where he was welcomed with the honors accorded 
to a foreign prince. In their wars with the 
Foxes, from 1712 to 1719, they suffered severely, 
their numbers being reduced to 3,000 souls. The 
assassination of Pontiac by a Kaskaskian in 1765, 
was avenged by the lake tribes in a war of ex- 
termination. After taking part with the Miamis 
in a war against the United States, they partici- 
pated in the treaties of Greenville and Vincennes, 
and were gradually removed farther and farther 
toward the West, the small remnant of about 175 
being at present (1896) on the Quapaw reservation 
in Indian Territory. (See also Cahokias; Foxes; 
Iroquois; Kaskaskias; Mitchaganiies; Peorias; 
Tamaroas: and Winnebagoes.) 

ILLINOIS INSTITUTION FOR THE EDU- 
CATION OF THE BLIND, located at Jackson- 
ville. The institution had its inception in a school 
for the blind, opened in that town in 1847, by 
Samuel Bacon, who was himself blind. The 
State Institution was created by act of the Legis- 
lature, passed Jan. 13, 1849, which was introduced 
by Richard Yates, then a Representative, and 
was first opened in a rented house, early in 1850, 
under the temporary supervision of Mr. Bacon. 
Soon afterward twenty-two acres of ground were 
purchased in the eastern part of the city and the 
erection of permanent buildings commenced. By 
January, 1854, they were ready for use, but fif- 
teen years later were destroyed by fire. Work on 
a new building was begun without unnecessary 
delay and the same was completed by 1874. 
Numerous additions of wings and shops have 
since been made, and the institution, in its build- 
ings and appointments, is now one of the most 
complete in the country. Instruction (as far as 
practicable) is given in rudimentary English 
branches, and in such mechanical trades and 



avocations as may best qualify the inmates to be- 
come self-supporting upon their return to active 
life. 

ILLINOIS MASONIC ORPHANS' HOME, an 
institution established in the city of Chicago 
under the auspices of the Masonic Fraternity of 
Illinois, for the purpose of furnishing a home for 
the destitute children of deceased members of the 
Order. The total receipts of the institution, dur- 
ing the year 1895, were $29,20498, and the 
expenditures, $27,358.70. The number of bene- 
ficiaries in the Home, Dec. 31, 1895, was 61. The 
Institution owns real estate valued at $75,000. 

ILLINOIS MIDLAND RAILROAD. (See Terre 
Haute & Peoria Railroad.) 

ILLINOIS RIVER, the most important stream 
within the State ; has a length of about 500 miles, 
of which about 245 are navigable. It is formed 
by the junction of the Kankakee and Des Plaines 
Rivers at a point in Grundy County, some 45 
miles southwest of Chicago. Its course is west, 
then southwest, and finally south, until it 
empties into the Mississippi about 20 miles north 
of the mouth of the Missouri. The Illinois & 
Michigan Canal connects its waters with Lake 
Michigan. Marquette and Joliet ascended the 
stream in 1673 and were probably its first white 
visitants. Later (1679-82) it was explored by 
La Salle, Tonty, Hennepin and others. 

ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. (See Chicago, 
Peoria & St. Louis Railroad of Illinois.) 

ILLINOIS SANITARY COMMISSION, a vol 
untary organization formed pursuant to a sug- 
gestion of Governor Yates, shortly after the 
battle of Fort Donelson (1862). Its object was 
the relief of soldiers in actual service, whether on 
the march, in camp, or in hospitals. State Agents 
were appointed for the distribution of relief, for 
which purpose large sums were collected and dis- 
tributed. The work of the Commission was later 
formally recognized by the Legislature in the 
enactment of a law authorizing the Governor to 
appoint "Military State Agents," who should 
receive compensation from the State treasury. 
Many of these "agents" were selected from the 
ranks of the workers in the Sanitary Commission, 
and a great impetus was thereby imparted to its 
voluntary work. Auxiliary associations were 
formed all over the State, and funds were readily 
obtained, a considerable proportion of which was 
derived from "Sanitary Fairs." 

ILLINOIS SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND 
MANUAL TRAINING FOR BOYS, an institution 
for the training of dependent boys, organized 
under the act of March 28, 1895, which was in 



294 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



effect a re-enactment of the statute approved in 
1883 and amended in 1885. Its legally defined 
object is to provide a home and proper training 
for such boys as may be committed to its charge. 
Commitments are made by the County Courts of 
Cook and contiguous counties. The school is 
located at Glenvvood, in the county of Cook, and 
was first opened for the reception of inmates in 
1888. Its revenues are derived, in part, from 
voluntary contributions, and in part from pay- 
ments by the counties sending boys to the institu- 
tion, which payments are fixed by law at ten 
dollars per month for each boy, during the time 
he is actually an inmate. In 1898 nearly one-half 
of the entire income came from the former 
source, but the surplus remaining in the treasury 
at the end of any fiscal year is never large. The 
school is under the inspectional control of the 
State Commissioners of Public Charities, as 
though it were an institution founded and main- 
tained by the State. The educational curriculum 
closely follows that of the ordinary grammar 
schools, pupils being trained in eight grades, sub- 
stantially along the lines established in the public 
schools. In addition, a military drill is taught, 
with a view to developing physical strength, 
command of limbs, and a graceful, manly car- 
riage. Since the Home was organized there have 
been received (down to 1899), 2,333 boys. The 
industrial training given the inmates is both 
agricultural and mechanical, — the institution 
owning a good, fairly-sized farm, and operating 
well equipped industrial shops for the education 
of pupils. A fair proportion of the boys devote 
themselves to learning trades, and not a 
few develop into excellent workmen. One of the 
purposes of the school is to secxire homes for those 
thought likely to prove creditable members of 
respectable households. During the eleven years 
of its existence nearly 2,200 boys have been placed 
in homes, and usually with the most satisfactory 
results. The legal safeguards thrown around 
the ward are of a comprehensive and binding 
sort, so far as regards the parties who take the 
children for either adoption or apprenticeship— 
the welfare of the ward always being the object 
primarily aimed at. Adoption is preferred to 
institutional life by the administration, and the 
result usually justifies their judgment. Many of 
the pupils are returned to their families or 
friends, after a mild course of correctional treat- 
ment. The system of government adopted is 
analogous to that of the "cottage plan" employed 
in many reformatory institutions throughout the 
country. An "administration building" stands 



in the center of a group of structures, each of 
which has its own individual name: — Clancy 
Hall, "Wallace, Plymouth, Beecher, Pope, Windsor, 
Lincoln, Sunnyside and Sheridan. While never 
a suppliant for benefactions, the Home has always 
attracted the attention of philanthropists who 
are interested in the care of society's waifs. The 
average annual number of inmates is about 275. 

ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, the 
leading educational institution of the Methodist 
Church in Illinois, south of Chicago; incorpo- 
rated in 1853 and located at Bloomington. It is 
co-educational, has a faculty of 34 instructors, 
and reports 1,106 students in 1896 — 458 male and 
648 female. Besides the usual literary and scien- 
tific departments, instruction is given in theology, 
music and oratory. It also has preparatory and 
business courses. It has a library of 6,000 vol- 
umes and reports funds and endowment aggre- 
gating §187,999, and property to the value of 
1380,999. 

ILLINOIS & INDIANA RAILROAD. (See 
Indiana, Decatur d- Western Railway.) 

ILLINOIS & SOUTHEASTERN RAILROAD. 
(See Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad.) 

ILLINOIS & SOUTHERN IOWA RAILROAD. 
(See Wabash Railroad.) 

ILLINOIS & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD & COAL 
COMPANY. (See Louisi-ille, Evansrille & St. 
Louis (consolidated) Railroad.) 

ILLINOIS k WISCONSIN RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway.) 

ILLIOPOLIS, a village in Sangamon County, 
on the Wabash Railway, 20 miles east of Spring- 
field. It occupies a position nearly in the geo- 
graphical center of the State and is in the heart 
of what is generally termed the corn belt of Cen- 
tral Illinois. It has banks, several churches, a 
graded school and three newspapers. Population 
(1880), 686; (1890), 689; (1900), 744. 

INDIAN MOUNDS. (See Mound-Builders, 
Works of The.) 

INDIAN TREATIES. The various treaties 
made by the General Government with the 
Indians, which affected Illinois, may be summa- 
rized as follows: Treaty of Greenville, August 3, 
1795— ceded 11,808,409 acres of land for the sum 
of §210,000; negotiated by Gen. Anthony Wayne 
with the Delawares, Ottawas, Miamis, Wyandots, 
Shawnees, Pottawatomies, Chippewas, Kaskas- 
kias, Kickapoos, Piankeshaws and Eel River 
Indians. First Treaty of Fort Wayne, June 7, 
1803— ceded 2,038,400 acres in consideration of 
$4,000; negotiated by Governor Harrison with 
the Delawares, Kickapoos, Miamis, Pottawato- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



295 



mies, and Shawnees: First Treaty of Vincennes, 
August 13, 1803— ceded 8,911,850 acres for $12,000; 
negotiated by Governor Harrison with the Caho- 
kias, Kaskaskias and Mitchagamies . First Treaty 
of St. Louis, Nov. 3, 1804— ceded 14,803,520 acres 
in consideration of $22,234; negotiated by Gov- 
ernor Harrison with the Sacs and Foxes: Second 
Treaty of Vincennes, Dec. 30, 1805— ceded 2,676, 150 
acres for §4, 100; negotiated by Governor Harrison 
with the Piankeshaws : Second Treaty of Fort 
Wayne, Sept. 30, 1809 — ceded 2,900,000 acres; 
negotiated by Governor Harrison with the Dela- 
wares, Eel River, Miamis, Pottawatomies and 
Weas: Third Treaty of Vincennes, Dec. 9, 1809 
—ceded 138,240 acres for $27,000; negotiated by 
Governor Harrison with the Kickapoos: Second 
Treaty of St. Louis, Aug. 24, 1816— ceded 1,418,400 
acres in consideration of $12,000; negotiated by 
Governor Edwards, William Clark and A. Chou- 
teau with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawato- 
mies: Treaty of Edwardsville, Sept. 30, 1818— 
ceded 6,865,280 acres for $6,400; negotiated by 
Governor Edwards and A. Chouteau with the 
Illinois and Peorias: Treaty of St. Mary's, Oct. 
2, 1818— ceded 11,000,000 acres for $33,000; nego- 
tiated by Gen. Lewis Cass and others with the 
Weas: Treaty of Fort Harrison, Aug. 30, 1819— 
negotiated by Benjamin Parke with the Kicka- 
poos of the Vermilion, ceding 3,173,120 acres for 
$23,000: Treaty of St. Joseph, Sept. 20, 1828— 
ceded 990,720 acres in consideration of $189,795; 
negotiated by Lewis Cass and Pierre Menard with 
the Pottawatomies : Treaty of Prairie du Chien, 
Jan. 2, 1830— ceded 4,160,000 acres for $390,601; 
negotiated by Pierre Menard and others with 
the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawatomies: 
First Treaty of Chicago, Oct. 20, 1832— ceded 
1,536,000 acres for $460,348; negotiated with 
the Pottawatomies of the Prairie: Treaty of 
Tippecanoe, Oct. 27, 1832— by it the Pottawato- 
mies of Indiana ceded 737,000 acres, in consider- 
ation of $406,121 : Second Treaty of Chicago, Sept. 
26, 1833 — by it the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pot- 
tawatomies ceded 5,104,960 acres for $7,624,289: 
Treaties of Fort Armstrong and Prairie du Chien, 
negotiated 1829 and '32— by which the Winne- 
bagoes ceded 10,346,000 acres in exchange for 
$5,195,252: Second Treaty of St. Louis, Oct. 27, 
1832 — the Kaskaskias and Peorias ceding 1,900 
acres in consideration of $155,780. (See also 
Greenville, Treaty of.) 

INDIAN TRIBES. (See Algonquins: Illinois 
Indians; Kaskaskias; Kickapoos; Miamis; Outa- 
gamies; Piankeshaws; Pottawatomies; Sacs and 
Foxes; Weas: IVinnebagoes.) 



INDIANA, BLOOMINUTON & WESTERN 
RAILWAY. (See Peoria & Eastern Railroad. ) 

INDIANA, DECATUR & WESTERN RAIL- 
WAY. The entire length of line is 152.5 miles, of 
which 75.75 miles (with yard-tracks and sidings 
amounting to 8 86 miles) lie within Illinois. It 
extends from Decatur almost due east to the 
Indiana State line, and has a single track of 
standard gauge, with a right of way of 100 feet 
The rails are of steel, well adapted to the traffic, 
and the ballasting is of gravel, earth and cinders. 
The bridges (chiefly of %vood) are of standard 
design and well maintained. The amount of 
capital stock outstanding (1898) is $1,824,000, or 
11,998 per mile; total capitalization (including 
stock and all indebtedness) 3,733,983. The total 
earnings and income in Illinois, $240,850. (His- 
tory.) The first organization of this road em- 
braced two companies — the Indiana <fe Illinois and 
the Illinois & Indiana — which were consolidated, 
in 1853, under the name of the Indiana & Illinois 
Central Railroad Company. In 1875 the latter 
was sold under foreclosure and organized as the 
Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield Railway 
Company, at which time the section from Decatur 
to Montezuma, Ind., was opened. It was com- 
pleted to Indianapolis in 1880. In 1882 it was 
leased to the Indiana, Bloomington & Western 
Railroad Company, and operated to 1885, when 
it passed into the hands of a receiver, was sold 
under foreclosure in 1887 and reorganized under 
the name of the Indianapolis, Decatur & West- 
ern. Again, in 1889, default was made and the 
property, after being operated by trustees, was 
sold in 1894 to two companies called the Indiana, 
Decatur & Western Railway Company (in Indi- 
ana) and the Decatur & Eastern Railway Com- 
pany (in Illinois). These were consolidated in 
July, 1895, under the present name (Indiana, 
Decatur & Western Railway Company). In 
December, 1895, the entire capital stock was 
purchased by the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton 
Railway Company, and the line is now operated 
as a part of that system. 

INDIANA, ILLINOIS & IOWA RAILROAD. 
This line extends from Streator Junction 1.8 
miles south of Streator, on the line of the Streator 
Division of the Wabash Railroad, easterly to the 
Indiana State Line. The total length of the line 
is 151.78 miles, of which 69.61 miles are in Illi- 
nois. Between Streator Junction and Streator, 
the line is owned by the Wabash Company, but 
this company pays rental for trackage facilities. 
About 75 per cent of the ties are of white-oak, 
the remainder being of cedar ; the rails are 56-lb. 



290 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS 



steel, an J the ballasting is of broken stone, gravel, 
sand, cinders and earth. A policy of permanent 
improvements has been adopted, and is being 
carried forward. The principal traffic is the 
transportation of freight. The outstanding capi- 
tal stock (June 30, 1898) was $3,597,800; bonded 
debt, §1,800,000; total capitalization, 85,517,739; 
total earnings and income in Illinois for 1898, 
$413,967; total expenditures in the State, $303,- 
344 — (History.) This road was chartered Dec. 
27, 1881, and organized by the consolidation of 
three roads of the same name (Indiana, Illinois & 
Iowa, respectively), opened to Momence, 111., in 
1882, and through its entire length, Sept. 15, 1883. 
INDIANA & ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Indiana, Decatur &• Western Bail- 
way. ) 

INDIANA & ILLINOIS RAILROAD. (See 
Indiana, Decatur & Western Railway.) 

INDIANA & ILLINOIS SOUTHERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See St. Louis, Indianapolis & Eastern 
Railroad.) 

INDIANAPOLIS, BLOOMINGTON & WEST- 
ERN RAILROAD. (See Illinois Central Rail- 
road; also Peoria & Eastern Railroad.) 

INDIANAPOLIS, DECATUR & SPRING- 
FIELD RAILROAD. (See Indiana, Decatur & 
Western Railway.) 

INDIANAPOLIS, DECATUR & WESTERN 
RAILWAY. (See Indiana, Decatur & Western 
Railway.) 

INDIANAPOLIS & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. 
(See St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad.) 

INDUSTRIAL HOME FOR THE BLIND, a 
State Institution designed to furnish the means 
of employment to dependent blind persons of 
both sexes, established under authority of an act 
of the Legislature passed at the session of 1893. 
The institution is located at Douglas Park Boule- 
vard and West Nineteenth Street, in the city of 
Chicago. It includes a four-story factory with 
steam-plant attached, besides a four-story build- 
ing for residence purposes. It was opened in 
1894, and, in December, 1897, had 62 inmates, of 
whom 12 were females. The Fortieth General 
Assembly appropriated $13,900 for repairs, appli- 
ances, library, etc., and $8,000 per annum for 
ordinary expenses 

INGERSOLL, Ebon C, Congressman, was born 
in Oneida County, N. Y., Dec. 12, 1831. His first 
remove was to Paducah, Ky., where he com- 
pleted his education. He studied law and was 
admitted to the bar ; removing this time to Illi- 
nois and settling in Gallatin County, in 1842. In 
1856 he was elected to represent Gallatin County 



in the lower house of the General Assembly ; in 
1862 was the Republican candidate for Congress 
for the State -at-large, but defeated by J. C. 
Allen; and, in 1864, was chosen to fill the unex- 
pired term of Owen Lovejoy, deceased, as Repre- 
sentative in the Thirty-eighth Congress. He was 
re-elected to the Thirty-ninth, Fortieth and 
Forty-first Congresses, his term expiring, March 
4, 1871. He was a brother of Col. Robert G. 
Ingersoll, and was, for some years, associated with 
him in the practice of law at Peoria, his home. 
Died, in Washington, May 31, 1879. 

INGERSOLL, Robert Green, lawyer and sol- 
dier, was born at Dresden, Oneida County, N. Y., 
August 11, 1833. His father, a Congregational 
clergyman of pronounced liberal tendencies, 
removed to the West in 1843, and Robert's boy- 
hood was spent in Wisconsin and Illinois. After 
being admitted to the bar, he opened an office at 
Shawneetown, in partnership with his brother 
Ebon, afterwards a Congressman from Illinois. 
In 1857 they removed to Peoria, and, in 1860, 
Robert G. was an unsuccessful Democratic can- 
didate for Congress. In 1862 he was commis- 
sioned Colonel of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, 
which had been mustered in in December, 1861, 
and, in 1864, identified himself with the Repub- 
lican party. In February, 1867, he was appointed 
by Governor Oglesby the first Attorney-General 
of the State under the new law enacted that year. 
As a lawyer and orator he won great distinction. 
He nominated James G. Blaine for the Presidency 
in the Republican Convention of 1876, at Cincin- 
nati, in a speech that attracted wide attention by 
its eloquence. Other oratorical efforts which 
added greatly to his fame include "The Dream of 
the Union Soldier," delivered at a Soldiers' 
Reunion at Indianapolis, his eulogy at his brother 
Ebon's grave, and his memorial address on occa- 
sion of the death of Roscoe Conkling. For some 
twenty years he was the most popular stump 
orator in the West, and his services in political 
campaigns were in constant request throughout 
the Union. To the country at large, in his later 
years, he was known as an uncompromising 
assailant of revealed religion, by both voice and 
pen. Among his best-known publications are 
"The Gods" (Washington. 1878); "Ghosts" 
(1879); "Mistakes of Moses" (1879); "Prose 
Poems and Selections" (1884); "The Brain and 
the Bible" (Cincinnati, 1882). Colonel Ingersoll's 
home for some twenty years, in the later part of 
his life, was in the city of New York. Died, 
suddenly, from heart disease, at his summer 
home at Dobb's Ferry, Long Island, July 21, 1899 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



297 



INCJLIS, Samuel M., Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, born at Marietta, Pa., August 15, 
1838; received his early education in Ohio and, 
in 1850, came to Illinois, graduating with first 
honors from the Mendota Collegiate Institute in 
1861. The following year he enlisted in the One 
Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry, but, hav- 
ing been discharged for disability, his place was 
filled by a brother, who was killed at Knoxville, 
Tenn. In 1863 he took charge of an Academy at 
Hillsboro, meanwhile studying law with the late 
Judge E. Y. Rice; in 1868 he assumed the super- 
intendency of the public schools at Greenville, 
Bond County, remaining until 1883, when he 
became Professor of Mathematics in the Southern 
Normal University at Carbondale, being trans- 
ferred, three years later, to the chair of Literature, 
Rhetoric and Elocution. In 1894 he was nomi- 
nated as the Republican candidate for State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, receiving 
a plurality at the November election of 123,593 
votes over his Democratic opponent. Died, sud- 
denly, at Kenosha, Wis., June 1, 1898. 

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT POLICY, a 
name given to a scheme or plan of internal im- 
provement adopted by the Tenth General Assem- 
bly (1837), in compliance with a general wish of 
the people voiced at many public gatherings. It 
contemplated the construction of an extensive 
system of public works, chiefly in lines of rail- 
road which were not demanded by the commerce 
or business of the State at the time, but which, it 
was believed, would induce immigration and 
materially aid in the development of the State's 
latent resources. The plan adopted provided for 
the construction of such works by the State, and 
contemplated State ownership and management 
of all the lines of traffic thus constructed. The 
bill passed the Legislature in February, 1837, 
but was disapproved by the Executive and the 
Council of Revision, on the ground that such 
enterprises might be more successfully under- 
taken and conducted by individuals or private 
corporations. It was, however, subsequently 
passed over the veto and became a law, the dis- 
astrous effects of whose enactment were felt for 
many years. The total amount appropriated by 
the act was $10,200,000, of which $400,000 was 
devoted to the improvement of waterways; $250,- 
000 to the improvement of the "Great Western 
Mail Route"; $9,350,000 to the construction of 
railroads, and $200,000 was given outright to 
counties not favored by the location of railroads 
or other improvements within their borders In 
addition, the sale of $1,000,000 worth of canal 



lands and the issuance of $500,000 in canal bonds 
were authorized, the proceeds to be used in the 
construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, 
$500,000 of this amount to be expended in 1838. 
Work began at once. Routes were surveyed and 
contracts for construction let, and an era of reck- 
less speculation began. Large sums were rapidly 
expended and nearly $6,500,000 quickly added to 
the State debt. The system was soon demon- 
strated to be a failure and was abandoned for 
lack of funds, some of the "improvements" 
already made being sold to private parties at a 
heavy loss. This scheme furnished the basis of 
the State debt under which Illinois labored for 
many years, and which, at its maximum, reached 
nearly $17,000,000. (See Macallister & Stebbi7is 
Bonds; State Debt; Tenth General Assembly; 
Eleventh General Assembly.) 

INUNDATIONS, REMARKABLE. The most 
remarkable freshets (or floods) in Illinois history 
have been those occurring in the Mississippi 
River ; though, of course, the smaller tributaries 
of that stream have been subject to similar con- 
ditions. Probably the best account of early 
floods has been furnished by Gov. John Reynolds 
in his "Pioneer History of Illinois," — he having 
been a witness of a number of them. The first 
of which any historical record has been pre- 
served, occurred in 1770. At that time the only 
white settlements within the present limits of 
the State were in the American Bottom in the 
vicinity of Kaskaskia, and there the most serious 
results were produced. Governor Reynolds says 
the flood of that year (1770) made considerable 
encroachments on the east bank of the river 
adjacent to Fort Chartres, which had originally 
been erected by the French in 1718 at a distance 
of three-quarters of a mile from the main 
channel. The stream continued to advance in 
this direction until 1772, when the whole bottom 
was again inundated, and the west wall of the 
fort, having been undermined, fell into the river. 
The next extraordinary freshet was in 1784, when 
the American Bottom was again submerged and 
the residents of Kaskaskia and the neighboring 
villages were forced to seek a refuge on the bluffs 
— some of the people of Cahokia being driven to 
St. Louis, then a small French village on Spanish 
soil. The most remarkable flood of the present 
century occurred in May and June, 1844, as the 
result of extraordinary rains preceded by heavy 
winter snows in the Rocky Mountains and rapid 
spring tha%vs. At this time the American Bot- 
tom, opposite St. Louis, was inundated from bluff 
to bluff, and large steamers passed over the sub- 



298 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



merged lands, gathering up cattle and other kinds 
of property and rescuing the imperiled owners. 
Some of the villages affected by this flood — as 
Cahokia, Prairie du Rocher and Kaskaskia — have 
never fully recovered from the disaster. Another 
considerable flood occurred in 1826, but it was 
inferior to those of 1784 and 1844. A notable 
flood occurred in 1851, when the Mississippi, 
though not so high opposite St. Louis as in 1844, 
is said to have been several feet higher at Quincy 
than in the previous year — the difference being 
due to the fact that the larger portion of the 
flood of 1844 came from the Missouri River, its 
effects being most noticeable below the mouth of 
that stream. Again, in 1868, a flood did con- 
siderable damage on the Upper Mississippi, reach- 
ing the highest point since 1851. Floods of a more 
or less serious character also occurred in 1876, 
1880 and again in 1893. Although not so high as 
some of those previously named, the loss was pro- 
portionately greater owing to the larger area of 
improved lands. The flood of 1893 did a great 
deal of damage at East St. Louis to buildings and 
railroads, and in the destruction of other classes 
of property.— Floods in the Ohio River have been 
frequent and very disastrous, especially in the 
upper portions of that stream — usually resulting 
from sudden thaws and ice-gorges in the early 
spring. With one exception, the highest flood in 
the Ohio, during the present century, was that of 
February, 1832, when the water at Cincinnati 
reached an altitude of sixty-four feet three 
inches. The recorded altitudes of others of more 
recent occurrence have been as follows: Dec. 
17, 1847 — sixty -three feet seven inches; 
1862— fifty-seven feet four inches; 1882— fifty- 
eight feet seven inches. The highest point 
reached at New Albany, Ind., in 1883, was 
seventy-three feet — or four feet higher than the 
flood of 1832. The greatest altitude reached in 
historic times, at Cincinnati, was in 1884 — the re- 
corded height being three-quarters of an inch in 
excess of seventy -one feet. Owing to the smaller 
area of cultivated lands and other improvements 
in the Ohio River bottoms within the State of 
Illinois, the loss has been comparatively smaller 
than on the Mississippi, although Cairo has suf- 
fered from both streams. The most serious dis- 
asters in Illinois territory from overflow of the 
Ohio, occurred in connection with the flood of 
1883, at Shawneetown, when, out of six hundred 
houses, all but twenty-eight were flooded to the 
second story and water ran to a depth of fifteen 
feet in the main street. A levee, which had been 
constructed for the protection of the city at great 



expense, was almost entirely destroyed, and an 
appropriation of 860,000 was made by the Legis- 
lature to indemnify the corporation. On April 
3, 1898, the Ohio River broke through the levee 
at Shawneetown, inundating the whole city and 
causing the loss of twenty-five lives. Much 
suffering was caused among the people driven 
from their homes and deprived of the means of 
subsistence, and it was found necessary to send 
them tents from Springfield and supplies of food 
by the State Government and by private contri- 
butions from the various cities of the State. The 
inundation continued for some two or three 
weeks. — Some destructive floods have occurred 
in the Chicago River — the most remarkable, since 
the settlement of the city of Chicago, being that 
of March 12, 1849. This was the result of an ice- 
gorge in the Des Plaines River, turning the 
waters of that stream across "the divide" into 
Mud Lake, and thence, by way of the South 
Branch, into the Chicago River. The accumula- 
tion of waters in the latter broke up the ice, 
which, forming into packs and gorges, deluged 
the region between the two rivers. "When the 
superabundant mass of waters and ice in the Chi- 
cago River began to flow towards the lake, it bore 
before it not only the accumulated pack-ice, but 
the vessels which had been tied up at the -wharves 
and other points along the banks for the winter. 
A contemporaneous history of the event says that 
there were scattered along the stream at the time, 
four steamers, six propellers, two sloops, twenty- 
four brigs and fifty-seven canal boats. Those in 
the upper part of the stream, being hemmed in 
by surrounding ice, soon became a part of the 
moving mass; chains and hawsers were snapped 
as if they had been whip-cord, and the whole 
borne lakeward in indescribable confusion. The 
bridges at Madison, Randolph and Wells Streets 
gave way in succession before the immense 
mass, adding, as it moved along, to the general 
wreck by falling spars, crushed keels and crashing 
bridge timbers. "Opposite Kinzie wharf," says 
the record, "the river was choked with sailing- 
craft of every description, piled together in inex- 
tricable confusion." While those vessels near 
the mouth of the river escaped into the lake with 
comparatively little damage, a large number of 
those higher up the stream were caught in the 
gorge and either badly injured or totally wrecked. 
The loss to the city, from the destruction of 
bridges, was estimated at 820,000, and to vessels at 
$88,000 — a large sum for that time. The wreck 
of bridges compelled a return to the primitive 
system of ferries or extemporized bridges made 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



299 



of boats, to furnish means of communication 
between the several divisions of the city — a con- 
dition of affairs which lasted for several months. 
— Floods about the same time did considerable 
damage on the Illinois, Fox and Rock Rivers, 
-their waters being higher than in 1838 or 1833, 
which were memorable flood years on these in- 
terior streams. On the former, the village of 
Peru was partially destroyed, while the bridges 
on Rock River were all swept away. A flood in 
the Illinois River, in the spring of 1855, resulted in 
serious damage to bridges and other property in 
the vicinity of Ottawa, and there were extensive 
inundations of the bottom lands along that 
stream in 1859 and subsequent years. — In Febru- 
ary, 1857, a second flood in the Chicago River, 
similar to that of 1849, caused considerable dam- 
age, but was less destructive than that of the 
earlier date, as the bridges were more substan- 
tially constructed. — One of the most extensive 
floods, in recent times, occurred in the Mississippi 
River during the latter part of the month of 
April and early in May, 1897. The value of prop- 
erty destroyed on the lower Mississippi was 
estimated at many millions of dollars, and many 
lives were lost. At Warsaw, 111., the water 
reached a height of nineteen feet four inches 
above low- water mark on April 24, and, atQuincy, 
nearly nineteen feet on the 28th, while the river, 
at points between these two cities, was from ten 
to fifteen miles wide. Some 25,000 acres of farm- 
ing lands between Quincy and Warsaw were 
flooded and the growing crops destroyed. At 
Alton the height reached by the water was 
twenty-two feet, but in consequence of the 
strength of the levees protecting the American 
Bottom, the farmers in that region suffered less 
than on some previous years. 

IPATA,a town in Fulton County, on one of the 
branches of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, 10 miles west-southwest of Lewistown, 
and some 44 miles north of Jacksonville. The 
county abounds in coal, and coal-mining, as well 
as agriculture, is a leading industry in the sur- 
rounding country. Other industries are the 
manufacture of flour and woolen goods; two 
banks, four churches, a sanitarium, and a weekly 
newspaper are also located here. Population 
(1880) 075; (1890), 667; (1900), 749. 

IRON MANUFACTURES. The manufacture 
of iron, both pig and castings, direct from the 
furnace, has steadily increased in this State. In 
1880, Illinois ranked seventh in the list of States 
producing manufactured iron, while, in 1890, it 
had risen to fourth place, Pennsylvania (which 



produces nearly fifty per cent of the total product 
of the country) retaining the lead, with Ohio and 
Alabama following. In 1890 Illinois had fifteen 
complete furnace stacks (as against ten in 1880), 
turning out 674,506 tons, or seven per cent of the 
entire output. Since then four additional fur- 
naces have been completed, but no figures are at 
hand to show the increase in production. During 
the decade between 1880 and 1890, the percentage 
of increase in output was 616.53. The fuel used 
is chiefly the native bituminous coal, which is 
abundant and cheap. Of this, 674,506 tons were 
used; of anthracite coal, only 38,618 tons. Of 
the total output of pig-iron in the State, during 
1890, 616,659 tons were of Bessemer. Charcoal 
pig is not made in Illinois. 

IRON MOUNTAIN, CHESTER & EASTERN 
RAILROAD. (See Wabash, Chester & Western 
Railroad.) 

IROQUOIS COUNTY, a large county on the 
eastern border of the State; area, 1,120 square 
miles; population (1900), 38,014. In 1830 two 
pioneer settlements mere made almost simultane- 
ously, — one at Bunkum (now Concord) and the 
other at Milford. Among those taking up homes 
at the former were Gurdon S. Hubbard, Benja- 
min Fry, and Messrs. Cartwright, Thomas, New- 
comb, and Miller. At Milford located Robert 
Hill, Samuel Rush, Messrs. Miles, Pickell and 
Parker, besides the Cox, Moore and Stanley 
families. Iroquois County was set off from Ver- 
milion and organized in 1833, — named from the 
Iroquois Indians, or Iroquois River, which flows 
through it. The Kickapoos and Pottawatomies 
did not remove west of the Mississippi until 
1836-37, but were always friendly. The seat of 
government was first located at Montgomery, 
whence it was removed to Middleport, and finally 
to Watseka. The county is well timbered and 
the soil underlaid by both coal and building 
stone. Clay suitable for brick making and the 
manufacture of crockery is also found. The 
Iroquois River and the Sugar, Spring and Beaver 
Creeks thoroughly drain the county. An abun- 
dance of pure, cold water may be found anywhere 
by boring to the depth of from thirty to eighty 
feet, a fact which encourages grazing and the 
manufacture of dairy products. The soil is rich, 
and well adapted to fruit growing. The prin- 
cipal towns are Gilman (population 1,112), Wat- 
seka (2,017), and Milford (957). 

IROQUOIS RIVER, (sometimes called Picka- 
mink), rises in Western Indiana and runs 
westward to Watseka, 111. ; thence it Hows north- 
ward throusrh Iroouois and part of Kankakee 



300 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Counties, entering the Kankakee River some five 
miles southeast of Kankakee. It is nearly 120 
miles long. 

IRVING, a village in Montgomery County, on 
the iine of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, 
54 miles east-northeast of Alton, and 17 miles 
east by north of Litchfield; has five churches, 
flouring and saw mills, creamery, and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1890), 630; (1900), 675. 

ISHAM, Edward S., lawyer, was born at 
Bennington, Vt., Jan. 15, 1836; educated at 
Lawrence Academy and Williams College, Mass., 
taking his degree at the latter in 1857; was 
admitted to the bar at Rutland, Vt. , in 1858, 
coming to Chicago the same year. Mr. Isham 
was a Representative in the Twenty-fourth 
General Assembly (1864-66) and, in 1881, his 
name was prominently considered for a position 
on the Supreme bench of the United States. He 
is the senior member of the firm of Isham, Lin- 
coln & Beale, which has had the management of 
some of the most important cases coming before 
the Chicago courts. 

JACKSON, Huntington Wolcott, lawyer, born 
in Newark, N. J., Jan. 28, 1841, being descended 
on the maternal side from Oliver Wolcott, one of 
the signers of the Declaration of Independence ; 
received his education at Phillips Academy, 
Andover, Mass., and at Princeton College, leav- 
ing the latter at the close of his junior year to 
enter the army, and taking part in the battles of 
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, 
a part of the time being on the staff of Maj.-Gen. 
John Newton, and, later, with Sherman from 
Chattanooga to Atlanta, finally receiving the 
rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel for gallant and 
meritorious service. Returning to civil life in 
1865, he entered Harvard Law School for one 
term, then spent a year in Europe, on his return 
resuming his legal studies at Newark, N. J. ; 
came to Chicago in 1867, and the following year 
was admitted to the bar ; has served as Supervisor 
of South Chicago, as President of the Chicago 
Bar Association, and (by appointment of the 
Comptroller of the Currency) as receiver and 
attorney of the Third National Bank of Chicago. 
Under the will of the late John Crerar he became 
an executor of the estate, and a trustee of the 
Crerar Library. Died at Newark, N. J., Jan 3, 1901. 

JACKSON COUNTY, organized in 1816, and 
named in honor of Andrew Jackson; area, 580 
square miles; population (1900), 33,871. It lies 
in the southwest portion of the State, the Mis- 
sissippi River forming its principal western 



boundary. The bottom lands along the river are 
wonderfully fertile, but liable to overflow. It is 
crossed by a range of hills regarded as a branch 
of the Ozark range. Toward the east the soil is 
warm, and well adapted to fruit-growing. One 
of the richest beds of bituminous coal in the State 
crops out at various points, varying in depth from 
a few inches to four or five hundred feet below the 
surface. Valuable timber and good building 
stone are found and there are numerous saline 
springs. Wheat, tobacco and fruit are principal 
crops. Early pioneers, with the date of their 
arrival, were as follows: 1814, W. Boon; 1815, 
Joseph Duncan (afterwards Governor) ; 1817, 
Oliver Cross, Mrs. William Kimmel, S. Lewis, E. 
Harrold, George Butcher and W. Eakin; 1818, 
the Bysleys, Mark Bradley, James Hughes and 
John Barron. Brownsville was the first county- 
seat and an important town, but owing to a dis- 
astrous fire in 1843, the government was removed 
to Murphysboro, where Dr. Logan (father of Gen. 
John A. Logan) donated a tract of land for 
county-buildings. John A. Logan was born here. 
The principal towns (with their respective popu- 
lation, as shown by the United States Census of 
1890), were: Murphysboro, 3,880; Carbondale, 
2,382; and Grand Tower, 634. 

JACKSONVILLE, the county-seat of Morgan 
County, and an important railroad center; popu- 
lation (1890) about 13,000. The town was laid 
out in 1825, and named in honor of Gen. Andrew 
Jackson. The first court house was erected in 
1826, and among early lawyers were Josiah Lam- 
born, John J. Hardin, Stephen A. Douglas, and 
later Richard Yates, afterwards the "War Gov- 
ernor" of Illinois. It is the seat of several im- 
portant State institutions, notably the Central 
Hospital for the Insane, and Institutions for the 
Education of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind — 
besides private educational institutions, including 
Illinois College, Illinois Conference Female Col- 
lege (Methodist), Jacksonville Female Academy, 
a Business College and others. The city has 
several banks, a large woolen mill, carriage fac- 
tories, brick yards, planing mills, and two news- 
paper establishments, each publishing daily and 
weekly editions. It justly ranks as one of the 
most attractive and interesting cities of the State, 
noted for the hospitality and intelligence of its 
citizens. Although immigrants from Kentucky 
and other Southern States predominated in its 
early settlement, the location there of Illinois 
College and the Jacksonville Female Academy, 
about 1830, brought to it many settlers of New 
England birth, so that it early came to be 




INSTITUTION FOR DEAF AND DUMB. JACKSONVILL1 







\ 





A h A A A A A AAA A A A A A A 



Main Building and Girls' Cottage. 
INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND, JACKSONVILLE. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



301 



regarded as more distinctively New England in 
the character of its population than any other 
town in Southern Illinois. Pop. (1000), 15,078. 

JACKSONVILLE FEMALE ACADEMY, an 
institution for the education of young ladies, at 
Jacksonville, the oldest of its class in the State. 
The initial steps for its organization were taken 
in 1830, the year after the establishment of Illinois 
College. It may be said to have been an offshoot 
of the latter, these two constituting the originals 
of that remarkable group of educational and 
State Institutions which now exist in that city. 
Instruction began to be given in the Academy in 
May, 1833, under the principalship of Miss Sarah 
C. Crocker, and, in 1835, it was formally incorpo- 
rated by act of the Legislature, being the first 
educational institution to receive a charter from 
that body; though Illinois, McKendree and 
Shurtleff Colleges were incorporated at a later 
period of the same session. Among its founders 
appear the names of Gov. Joseph Duncan, Judge 
Samuel D. Lockwood, Rev. Julian M. Sturtevant 
(for fifty years the President or a Professor of Illi- 
nois College), John P. Wilkinson, Rev. John M. 
Ellis, David B. Ayers and Dr. Ero Chandler, all 
of whom, except the last, were prominently 
identified with the early history of Illinois Col- 
lege. The list of the alumna? embraces over five 
hundred names. The Illinois Conservatory of 
Music (founded in 1871) and a School of Fine Arts 
are attached to the Academy, all being under the 
management of Prof. E. F. Bullard, A.M. 

JACKSONVILLE, LOUISVILLE & ST. LOUIS 
RAILWAY. (See Jacksonville & St. Lotus Rail- 
way. ) 

JACKSONVILLE, NORTHWESTERN & 
SOUTHEASTERN RAILROAD. (See Jackson- 
ville & St. Louis Railway.) 

JACKSONVILLE A ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. 
Originally chartered as the Illinois Farmers' Rail- 
road, and constructed from Jacksonville to 
Waverly in 1870; later changed to the Jacksonville, 
Northwestern & Southeastern and track extended 
to Virden (31 miles) ; in 1879 passed into the 
hands of a new company under the title of the 
Jacksonville Southeastern, and was extended as 
follows: to Litchfield (1880), 23 miles; to Smith- 
boro (1882), 29 miles; to Centralia (1883), 29 miles 
— total, 112 miles. In 1887 a section between 
Centralia and Driver's (16V4 miles) was con- 
structed by the Jacksonville Southeastern, and 
operated under lease by the successor to that 
line, but, in 1893, was separated from it under 
the name of the Louisville & St. Louis Railway. 
By the use of five miles of trackage on the Louis- 



ville & Nashville Railroad, connection was 
obtained between Driver's and Mount Vernon. 
The same year (1887) the Jacksonville Southeast- 
ern obtained control of the Litchfield, Carrollton 
& Western Railroad, from Litchfield to Columbi- 
ana on the Illinois River, and the Chicago, Peoria 
& St. Louis, embracing lines from Peoria to St. 
Louis, via Springfield and Jacksonville. The 
Jacksonville Southeastern was reorganized in 1890 
under the name of the Jacksonville, Louisville 
& St. Louis Railway, and, in 1893, was placed in 
the hands of a receiver. The Chicago, Peoria & 
St. Louis Divisions were subsequently separated 
from the Jacksonville line and placed in charge 
of a separate receiver. Foreclosure proceedings 
began in 1894 and. during 1896, the road was sold 
under foreclosure and reorganized under its pres- 
ent title. (See Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Rail- 
road of Illinois.) The capital stock of the 
Jacksonville & St. Louis Railway (June 30, 1897) 
was $1,500,000; funded debt, §2, 300, 000— total, 
$3,800,000. 

JAMES, Colin D., clergyman, was born in Ran- 
dolph County, now in West Virginia, Jan. 15, 
1808; died at Bonita, Kan., Jan. 30, 1888. He was 
the son of Rev. Dr. William B. James, a pioneer 
preacher in the Ohio Valley, who removed to 
Ohio in 1812, settling first in Jefferson County in 
that State, and later (1814) at Mansfield. Subse- 
quently the family took up its residence at Helt's 
Prairie in Vigo (now Vermilion) County, Ind. 
Before 1830 Colin D. James came to Illinois, and, 
in 1834, became a minister of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, remaining in active ministerial 
work until 1871, after which he accepted a super- 
annuated relation. During his connection with 
the church in Illinois he served as station preacher 
or Presiding Elder at the following points: Rock 
Island (1834); Platteville (1836); Apple River 
(1837) ; Paris (1838, '42 and '43) ; Eugene (1839) ; 
Georgetown (1840); Shelbyville (1841); Grafton 
(1844 and '45) ; Sparta District (1845-47) ; Lebanon 
District (1848-49) ; Alton District (1850) ; Bloom- 
ington District (1851-52) ; and later at Jackson- 
ville, Winchester, Greenfield, Island Grove, 
Oldtown, Heyworth, Normal, Atlanta, McLean 
and Shirley. During 1861-62 he acted as agent 
for the Illinois Female College at Jacksonville, 
and, in 1871, for the erection of a Metho- 
dist church at Normal. He was twice married. 
His first wife (Eliza A. Plasters of Living- 
ston) died in 1849. The following year he mar- 
ried Amanda K. Casad, daughter of Dr. Anthony 
W. Casad. He removed from Normal to Evans- 
ton in 1876, and from the latter place to 



302 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Kansas in 1879. Of his surviving children, 
Edmund J. is (1898) Professor in the University 
of Chicago; John N. is in charge of the mag- 
netic laboratory in the National Observatory 
at Washington, D. C. ; Benjamin B. is Professor 
in the State Normal School at St. Cloud, Minn., 
and George F. is instructor in the Cambridge 
Preparatory School of Chicago. 

JAMES, Edmund Janes, was born, May 21, 
1855, at Jacksonville, Morgan County, 111., the 
fourtli son of Rev. Colin Dew James of the Illi- 
nois Conference, grandson on his mother's side 
of Rev. Dr. Anthony Wayne Casad and great- 
grandson of Samuel Stites (all of whose sketches 
appear elsewhere in this volume) ; was educated 
in the Model Department of the Illinois State 
Normal School at Bloomington (Normal), from 
which he graduated in June, 1873, and entered 
the Northwestern University, at Evanston, 111., 
in November of the same year. On May 1, 1874, 
he was appointed Recorder on the United States 
Lake Survey, where he continued during one 
season engaged in work on the lower part of Lake 
Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence. He entered 
Harvard College, Nov. 2, 1874, but went to 
Europe in August, 1875, entering the University 
of Halle, Oct. 16, 1875, where he graduated, 
August 4, 1877, with the degrees of A.M. and 
Ph.D. On his return to the United States he was 
elected Principal of the Public High School in 
Evanston, 111., Jan. 1, 1878, but resigned in June, 
1879, to accept a position in the Illinois State 
Normal School at Bloomington as Professor of 
Latin and Greek, and Principal of the High 
School Department in connection with the Model 
School. Resigning this position at Christmas 
time, 1882, he went to Europe for study ; accepted 
a position in the University of Pennsylvania as 
Professor of Public Administration, in Septem- 
ber, 1883, where he remained for over thirteen 
years. While here he was, for a time, Secretary 
of the Graduate Faculty and organized the in- 
struction in this Department. He was also 
Director of the Wharton School of Finance and 
Economy, the first attempt to organize a college 
course in the field of commerce and industry. 
During this time he officiated as editor of "The 
Political Economy and Public Law Series" issued 
by the University of Pennsylvania. Resigning 
his position in the University of Pennsylvania on 
Feb. 1, 1896, he accepted that of Professor of Pub- 
lic Administration and Director of the University 
Extension Division in the University of Chicago, 
where he has since continued. Professor James 
has been identified with the progress of economic 



studies in the United States since the early 
eighties. He was one of the organizers and one 
of the first Vice-Presidents of the American 
Economic Association. On Dec. 14, 1889, he 
founded the American Academy of Political and 
Social Science with headquarters at Philadelphia, 
became its first President, and has continued such 
to the present time. He was also, for some years, 
editor of its publications. The Academy has 
now become the largest Association in the world 
devoted to the cultivation of economic and social 
subjects. He was one of the originators of, and 
one of the most frequent contributors to, "Lalor's 
Cyclopaedia of Political Science"; was also the 
pioneer in the movement to introduce into the 
United States the scheme of public instruction 
known as University Extension; was the first 
President of the American Society for the Exten- 
sion of University Teaching, under whose auspices 
the first effective extension work was done in this 
country, and has been Director of the Extension 
Division in the University of Chicago since Febru- 
ary, 1896. He has been especially identified with 
the development of higher commercial education 
in the United States. From his position as 
Director of the Wharton School of Finance and 
Economy he has affected the course of instruc- 
tion in this Department in a most marked way. 
He was invited by the American Bankers" 
Association, in the year 1892, to make a careful 
study of the subject of Commercial Education in 
Europe, and his report to this association on the 
Education of Business Men in Europe, republished 
by the University of Chicago in the year 1898, 
has become a standard authority on this subject. 
Owing largely to his efforts, departments similar 
to the Wharton School of Finance and Economy 
have been established under the title of College 
of Commerce, College of Commerce and Politics, 
and Collegiate Course in Commerce, in the Uni- 
versities of California and Chicago, and Columbia 
University. He has been identified with the 
progress of college education in general, espe- 
cially in its relation to secondary and elementary 
education, and was one of the early advocates of 
the establishment of departments of education in 
our colleges and universities, the policy of which 
is now adopted by nearly all the leading institu- 
tions. He was, for a time, State Examiner of 
High Schools in Illinois, and was founder of "The 
Illinois School Journal," long one of the most 
influential educational periodicals in the State, 
now changed in name to "School and Home." 
He has been especially active in the establish- 
ment of public kindergartens in different cities, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



303 



and has been repeatedly offered the headship of 
important institutions, among them being the 
University of Iowa, the University of Illinois, 
and the University of Cincinnati. He has served 
as Vice-President of the National Municipal 
League; of the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science, and the American 
Economic Association, and of the Board of Trus- 
tees of the Illinois State Historical Library ; is a 
member of the American Philosophical Society, 
of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, of the 
National Council of Education, and of the British 
Association for the Advancement of Science. He 
was a member of the Committee of Thirteen of 
the National Teachers' Association on college 
entrance requirements; is a member of various 
patriotic and historical societies, including the 
Sons of the American Revolution, the Society of 
the Colonial "Wars, the Holland and the Huguenot 
Society. He is the author of more than one hun- 
dred papers and monographs on various economic, 
educational, legal and administrative subjects. 
Professor James was married, August 22, 1879, to 
Anna Margarethe Lange, of Halle, Prussia, 
daughter of the Rev. Wilhelm Roderich Lange, 
and granddaughter of the famous Professor Ger- 
lach of the University of Halle. 

JAMESON, John Alexander, lawyer and jur- 
ist, was born at Irasburgh, Vt., Jan. 25, 1824; 
graduated from the University of Vermont in 
1846. After several years spent in teaching, he 
began the study of law, and graduated from the 
Dane Law School (of Harvard College) in 1853. 
Coming west the same year he located at Free- 
port, 111., but removed to Chicago in 185G. In 
1865 he was elected to the bench of the Superior 
Court of Chicago, remaining in office until 1883. 
During a portion of this period he acted as lec- 
turer in the Union College of Law at Chicago, 
and as editor of "The American Law Register." 
His literary labors were unceasing, his most 
notable work being entitled "Constitutional Con- 
ventions; their History, Power and Modes of 
Proceeding." He was also a fine classical 
scholar, speaking and reading German, French, 
Spanish and Italian, and was deeply interested 
in charitable and reformatory work. Died, sud- 
denly, in Chicago, June 16, 1890. 

JARROT, Nicholas, early French settler of St. 
Clair County, was born in France, received a 
liberal education and, on account of the disturbed 
condition there in the latter part of the last cen- 
tury, left his native country about 1790. After 
spending some time at Baltimore and New 
Orleans, he arrived at Cahokia, 111., in 1794, and 



became a permanent settler there He early be- 
came a Major of militia and engaged in trade 
with the Indians, frequently visiting Prairie du 
Chien, St. Anthony's Falls (now Minneapolis) and 
the Illinois River in his trading expeditions, and, 
on one or two occasions, incurring great risk of 
life from hostile savages. He acquired a large 
property, especially in lands, built mills and 
erected one of the earliest and finest brick houses 
in that part of the country. He also served as 
Justice of the Peace and Judge of the County 
Court of St. Clair County. Died, in 1823 —Vital 
(Jarrot), son of the preceding, inherited a large 
landed fortune from his father, and was an 
enterprising and public-spirited citizen of St. 
Clair County during the last generation. He 
served as Representative from St. Clair County 
in the Eleventh, Twentieth, Twenty-first and 
Twenty-second General Assemblies, in the first 
being an associate of Abraham Lincoln and 
always his firm friend and admirer. At the 
organization of the Twenty-second General 
Assembly (1857), he received the support of the 
Republican members for Speaker of the House in 
opposition to Col. W. R. Morrison, who was 
elected. He sacrificed a large share of his prop- 
erty in a public-spirited effort to build up a 
rolling mill at East St. Louis, being reduced 
thereby from affluence to poverty. President 
Lincoln appointed him an Indian Agent, which 
took him to the Black Hills region, where he 
died, some years after, from toil and exposure, at 
the age of 73 years. 

JASPER COUNTY, in the eastern part of 
Southern Illinois, having an area of 506 square 
miles, and a population (in 1900) of 20, 160. It was 
organized in 1831 and named for Sergeant Jasper 
of Revolutionary fame. The county was placed un- 
der township organization in 1860. The first Board 
of County Commissioners consisted of B. Rey- 
nolds, W. Richards and George Mattingley. The 
Embarras River crosses the county. The general 
surface is level, although gently undulating in 
some portions. Manufacturing is carried on in a 
small way; but the people are principally inter- 
ested in agriculture, the chief products consisting 
of wheat, potatoes, sorghum, fruit and tobacco. 
Wool-growing is an important industry. Newton 
is the county-seat, with a population (in 1890) of 
1,428. 

JAYXE, (Dr.) Gershom, early physician, was 
born in Orange County, N. Y., October, 1791 ; served 
as Surgeon in the War of 1812, and came to Illinois 
in 1819, settling in Springfield in 1821 ; was one 
of the Commissioners appointed to construct the 



304 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



first State Penitentiary (1827), and one of the first 
Commissioners of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. 
His oldest daughter (Julia Maria) became the 
wife of Senator Trumbull. Dr. Jayne died at 
Springfield, in 1867.— Dr. William (Jayne), son of 
the preceding, was born in Springfield, 111., Oct. 8, 
1826; educated by private tutors and at Illinois 
College, being a member of the class of 18-17, later 
receiving the degree of A.M. He was one of the 
founders of the Phi Alpha Society while in that 
institution ; graduated from the Medical Depart- 
ment of Missouri State University; in 1860 was 
elected State Senator for Sangamon County, and, 
the following year, was appointed by President 
Lincoln Governor of the Territory of Dakota, 
later serving as Delegate in Congress from that 
Territory. In 1869 he was appointed Pension 
Agent for Illinois, also served for four terms as 
Mayor of his native city, and is now "Vice-Presi- 
dent of the First National Bank, Springfield. 

JEFFERSON COUNTY, a south-central county, 
t?ut off from Edwards and White Counties, in 
.IS19, when it was separately organized, being 
named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. Its area is 
580 square miles, and its population (lyOO), 28,133. 
The Big Muddy River, with one or two tributa- 
ries, flows; tnrough the county in a southerly direc- 
tion. Aioug the banks of streams a variety of 
hardwood timber is found. The lailroad facilities 
are advantageous. Tne surface is level and the 
soil rich. Cereals and truit are easily produced. 
A fine bed of limestone (seven to fifteen feet 
thick) crosses the middle ot tne county. It has 
been quarried and round well adapted to building 
purposes. The county possesses an abundance of 
running water, much of which is slightly im- 
pregnated with salt. The upper coal measure 
underlies the entire county, but the seam is 
scarcely more than two reet thick at any point. 
The chief industry is agriculture, though lumber 
is manufactured to some extent. Mount Vernon, 
the county -seat, was incorporated as a city in 1872. 
Its population in 1890 was 3,233. It has several 
manufactories and is the seat of the Appellate 
Court for the Southern Judicial District of the 
State. 

JEFFERY, Edward Turner, Railway President 
and Manager, born in Liverpool, Eng., April 6, 
1843, his father being an engineer in the British 
navy ; about 1850 came with his widowed mother 
to Wheeling, Va , and, in 1856, to Chicago, where 
he secured employment as oflfice-boy in the 
machinery department of the Illinois Central 
Railroad. Here he finally became an apprentice 
and, passing through various grades of the me- 



chanical department, in May, 1877, became General 
Superintendent of the Road, and, in 1885, General 
Manager of the entire line. In 1889 he withdrew 
from the Illinois Central and, for several years 
past, has been President and General Manager of 
the Denver & Rio Grande Railway, with head- 
quarters at Denver, Colo. Mr. Jeffery's career as 
a railway man has been one of the most conspicu- 
ous and successful in the history of American 
railroads. 

JENKINS, Alexander M., Lieutenant-Governor 
(1834-36), came to Illinois in his youth and located 
in Jackson County, being for a time a resident of 
Brownsville, the first county-seat of Jackson 
County, where he was engaged in trade. Later 
he studied law and became eminent in his pro- 
fession in Southern Illinois. In 1830 Mr. Jenkins 
was elected Representative in the Seventh General 
Assembly, was re-elected in 1832, serving during 
his second term as Speaker of the House, and took 
part the latter year in the Black Hawk War as 
Captain of a company. In 1834 Mr. Jenkins was 
elected Lieutenant-Governor at the same time 
with Governor Duncan, though on an opposing 
ticket, but resigned, in 1836, to become President 
of the first Illinois Central Railroad Company, 
which was chartered that year. The charter of 
the road was surrendered in 1837, when the State 
had in contemplation the policy of building a 
system of roads at its own cost For a time he 
was Receiver of Public Moneys in the Land Office 
at Edwardsville, and, in 1847, was elected to the 
State Constitutional Convention of that year. 
Other positions held by him included that of Jus- 
tice of the Circuit Court for the Third Judicial 
Circuit, to which he was elected in 1859, and 
re-elected in 1861, but died in office, February 13, 
1864. Mr. Jenkins was an uncle of Gen. John A. 
Logan, who read law with him after his return 
from the Mexican War. 

JENNEY, William Le Baron, engineer and 
architect, born at Fairhaven, Mass., Sept. 25, 
1832; was educated at Phillips Academy, An- 
dover, graduating in 1849; at 17 took a trip 
around the world, and, after a year spent in the 
Scientific Department of Harvard College, took a 
course in the Ecole Centrale des Artes et Manu- 
factures in Paris, graduating in 1856. He then 
served for a year as engineer on the Tehuantepee 
Railroad, and, in 1861, was made an Aid on the 
staff of General Grant, being transferred the next 
year to the staff of General Sherman, with whom 
he remained three years, participating in many 
of the most important battles of the war in tin- 
West. Later, he was engaged in the preparation 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



305 



of maps of General Sherman's campaigns, which 
were published in the "Memoirs" of the latter. 
In 1808 he located in Chicago, and has since given 
his attention almost solely to architecture, the 
result being seen in some of Chicago's most 
noteworthy buildings. 

JERSEY COUNTY, situated in the western 
portion of the middle division of the State, 
bordering on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. 
Originally a part of Greene County, it was sepa- 
rately organized in 1839, with an area of 360 square 
miles. There were a few settlers in the county 
as early as 1816-17 Jerseyville, the county-seat, 
was platted in 1834, a majority of the early resi- 
dents being natives of, or at least emigrants from, 
New Jersey The mild climate, added to the 
character of the soil, is especially adapted to 
fruit growing and stock-raising The census of 
1900 gave the population of the county as 14,612 
and of Jerseyville, 3,517. Grafton, near the 
junction of the Mississippi with the Illinois, had 
a population of 927. The last mentioned town is 
noted for its stone quarries, which employ a 
number of men. 

JERSEIYILLE, a city and county -seat of Jer- 
sey County, the point of junction of the Chicago 
& Alton and the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis 
Railways, 19 miles north of Alton and 45 miles 
north of St. Louis, Mo. The city is in an agri 
cultural district, but has manufactories of flour, 
plows, carriages and wagons, shoe factory and 
watch-making machinery. It contains a hand- 
some courthouse, completed in 1894, nine 
churches, a graded public school, besides a sep- 
arate school for colored children, a convent, 
library, telephone system, electric lights, artesian 
wells, and three papers. Population (1890), 3,207; 
(1900), 3,517; (1903, est), 4,117. 

JO DAYIESS COUNTY, situated in the north- 
west corner of the State ; has an area of 663 square 
miles; population (1900), 24,533. It was first 
explored by Le Seuer, who reported the discovery 
of lead in 1700. Another Frenchman (Bouthil- 
lier) was the first permanent white settler, locat- 
ing on the site of the present city of Galena in 
1820. About the same time came several Ameri- 
can families; a trading post was established, and 
the hamlet was known as Fredericks' Point, so 
called after one of the pioneers. In 1822 the 
Government reserved from settlement a tract 10 
miles square along the Mississippi, with a view of 
controlling the mining interest. In 1823 mining 
privileges were granted upon a royalty of one- 
sixth, and the first smelting furnace was erected 
the same year. Immigration increased rapidly 



and, inside of three years, the ''Point" had a popu- 
lation of 150, and a post-office was established 
with a fortnightly mail to and from Vandalia, 
then the State capital. In 1827 county organiza- 
tion was effected, the county being named in 
honor of Gen. Joseph Hamilton Daviess, who was 
killed in the Battle of Tippecanoe The original 
tract, however, has been subdivided until it now 
constitutes nine counties. The settlers took an 
active part in both the Winnebago and Black 
Hawk Wars. In 1846-47 the mineral lands were 
placed on the market by the Government, and 
quickly taken by corporations and individuals 
The scenery is varied, and the soil (particularly 
in the east) well suited to the cultivation of 
grain. The county is well wooded and well 
watered, and thoroughly drained by the Fever 
and Apple Rivers. The name Galena was given 
to the county-seat (originally, as has been said, 
Fredericks' Point) by Lieutenant Thomas, Gov- 
ernment Surveyor, in 1827, in which year it was 
platted. Its general appearance is picturesque. 
Its early growth was extraordinary, but later 
(particularly after the growth of Chicago) it 
received a set-back. In 1841 it claimed 2,000 
population and was incorporated , in 1870 it had 
about 7,000 population, and, in 1900, 5,005. The 
names of Grant, Rawlins and E. B. Washburne 
are associated with its history. Other important 
towns in the county are Warren (population 
1,327), East Dubuque (1,146) and Elizabeth (659) 

JOHNSON, Caleb C, lawyer and legislator, 
was born in Whiteside County, 111., May 23, 1844, 
educated in the common schools and at the 
Military Academy at Fulton, 111. ; served during 
the Civil War in the Sixty-ninth and One Hun- 
dred and Fortieth Regiments Illinois Volunteers ; 
in 1877 was admitted to the bar and, two years 
later, began practice. He has served upon the 
Board of Township Supervisors of Whiteside 
County; in 1884 was elected to the House of 
Representatives of the Thirty-fourth General 
Assembly, was re-elected in 1886, and again in 
1896. He also held the position of Deputy Col- 
lector of Internal Revenue for his District during 
the first Cleveland administration, and was a 
delegate to the Democratic National Convention 
of 1888. 

JOHNSON, (Rev.) Herrick, clergyman and 
educator, was born near Fonda, N. Y., Sept. 21, 
1832; graduated at Hamilton College, 1857, and 
at Auburn Theological Seminary, 1860 ; held Pres- 
byterian pastorates in Troy, Pittsburg and Phila- 
delphia; in 1874 became Professor of Homiletics 
and Pastoral Theology in Auburn Theological 



306 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Seminary, and, in 1880, accepted a pastorate in 
Chicago, also becoming Lecturer on Sacred Rhet- 
oric in McCormick Theological Seminary. In 
1883 he resigned his pastorate, devoting his atten- 
tion thereafter to the duties of his professorship. 
He was Moderator of the Presbyterian General 
Assembly at Springfield, in 1882, and has served 
as President, for many years, of the Presbyterian 
Church Board of Aid for Colleges, and of the 
Board of Trustees of Lake Forest University. 
Besides many periodical articles, he has published 
several volumes on religious subjects. 

JOHNSON, Hosmer A., M.D., LL.D., physi- 
cian, was born near Buffalo, N Y., Oct. 6, 1822; 
at twelve removed to a farm in Lapeer County, 
Mich. In spite of limited school privileges, at 
eighteen he secured a teachers' certificate, and, 
by teaching in the winter and attending an 
academy in the summer, prepared for college, 
entering the University of Michigan in 1846 and 
graduating in 1849. In 1850 he became a student 
of medicine at Rush Medical College in Chicago, 
graduating in 1852, and the same year becoming 
Secretary of the Cook County Medical Society, 
and, the year following, associate editor of "The 
Illinois Medical and Surgical Journal." For 
three years he was a member of the faculty of 
Rush, but, in 1858, resigned to become one of the 
founders of a new medical school, which has now 
become a part of Northwestern University. 
During the Civil War, Dr. Johnson was Chair- 
man of the State Board of Medical Examiners ; 
later serving upon the Board of Health of Chi- 
cago, and upon the National Board of Health. He 
was also attending physician of Cook County 
Hospital and consulting physician of the Chicago 
Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary. At the time 
of the great fire of 1871, lie was one of the Direct- 
ors of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society. His 
connections with local, State and National Soci- 
eties and organizations (medical, scientific, social 
and otherwise) were very numerous. He trav- 
eled extensively, both in this country and in 
Europe, during his visits to the latter devoting 
much time to the study of foreign sanitary con- 
ditions, and making further attainments in medi- 
cine and surgery. In 1883 the degree of LL.D. 
was conferred upon him by Northwestern Uni- 
versity. During his later years, Dr. Johnson was 
engaged almost wholly in consultations. Died, 
Feb. 2G, 1891. 

JOHNSON COUNTY, lies in the southern por- 
tion of the State, and is one of the smallest 
counties, having an area of only 340 square miles, 
and a population (1900) of 15,067— named for Col. 



Richard M Johnson. Its organization dates back 
to 1812. A dividing ridge (forming a sort of 
water shed) extends from east to west, the 
waters of the Cache and Bay Rivers running 
south, and those of the Big Muddy and Saline 
toward the north. A minor coal seam of variable 
thickness (perhaps a spur from the regular coal- 
measures) crops out here and there. Sandstone 
and limestone are abundant, and, under cliffs 
along the bluffs, saltpeter has been obtained in 
small quantities. Weak copperas springs are 
numerous. The soil is rich, the principal crops 
being wheat, corn and tobacco. Cotton is raised 
for home consumption and fruit-culture receives 
some attention. Vienna is the county-seat, with 
a population, in 1890, of 828. 

JOHNSTON, Noah, pioneer and banker, was 
born in Hardy County, Va., Dec. 20, 1799, and, 
at the age of 12 years, emigrated with his father 
to Woodford County, Ky. In 1824 he removed 
to Indiana, and, a few years later, to Jefferson 
County, 111., where he began farming. He sub- 
sequently engaged in merchandising, but proving 
unfortunate, turned his attention to politics, 
serving first as County Commissioner and then as 
County Clerk. In 1838 he was elected to the 
State Senate for the counties of Hamilton and 
Jefferson, serving four years ; was Enrolling and 
Engrossing Clerk of the Senate during the session 
of 1844-45, and, in 1846, elected Representative in 
the Fifteenth General Assembly. The following 
year he was made Paymaster in the United States 
Army, serving through the Mexican War; in 
1852 served with Abraham Lincoln and Judge 
Hugh T. Dickey of Chicago, on a Commission 
appointed to investigate claims against the State 
for the construction of the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal, and, in 1854, was appointed Clerk of the 
Supreme Court for the Third Division, being 
elected to the same position in 1861. Other posi- 
tions held by him included those of Deputy United 
States Marshal under the administration of Presi- 
dent Polk, Commissioner to superintend the con- 
struction of the Supreme Court Building at Mount 
Vernon, and Postmaster of that city. He was 
also elected Representative again in 1866. The 
later years of his life were spent as President of 
the Mount Vernon National Bank. Died, No- 
vember, 1891, in his 92d year. 

JOLIET, the county-seat of Will County, situ- 
ated in the Des Plaines River Valley, 36 miles 
southwest of Chicago, on the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal, and the intersecting point of five lines of 
railway. A good quality of calcareous building 
stone underlies the entire region, and is exten- 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



30 f . 



sively quarried. Gravel, sand, and clay are also 
easily obtained in considerable quantities. 
Within twenty miles are productive coal mines. 
The Northern Illinois Penitentiary and a female 
penal institute stand just outside the city limits 
on the north. Joliet is an important manufac- 
turing center, the census of 1900 crediting the 
city with 455 establishments, having 615,452,196 
capital, employing 6,523 hands, paying §3,957,529 
wages and 817,891,836 for raw material, turning 
out an annual product valued at 827, 765, 104 The 
leading industries are the manufacture of foundry 
and machine-shop products, engines, agricultural 
implements, pig-iron. Bessemer steel, steel 
bridges, rods, tin cans, wallpaper, matches, beer, 
saddles, paint, furniture, pianos, and stoves, 
besides quarrying and stone cutting. The Chi- 
cago Drainage Canal supplies valuable water- 
power. The city has many handsome public 
buildings and private residences, among the 
former being four high schools, Government 
postoffice building, two public libraries, and two 
public hospitals. It also has two public and two 
school parks. Population (1880), 11,657; (1890), 
23,254, (including suburbs), 34,473; (1900), 29,353. 

JOLIET, AURORA & NORTHERN RAIL- 
WAY. (See Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway.) • 

JOLIET, Louis, a French explorer, born at 
Quebec, Canada, Sept. 21, 1645, educated at the 
Jesuits' College, and early engaged in the fur- 
trade. In 1669 he was sent to investigate the 
copper mines on Lake Superior, but his most 
important service began in 1073, when Frontenac 
commissioned him to explore. Starting from the 
missionary station of St. Ignace, with Father 
Marquette, he went up the Fox River within the 
present State of Wisconsin and down the Wis- 
consin to the Mississippi, which he descended as 
far as the mouth of the Arkansas. He was the 
first to discover that the Mississippi flows to the 
Gulf rather than to the Pacific. He returned to 
Green Bay via the Illinois River, and (as believed) 
the sites of the present cities of Joliet and Chicago. 
Although later appointed royal hydrographer 
and given the island of Anticosti, he never 
revisited the Mississippi. Some historians assert 
that this was largely due to the influential jeal- 
ousy of La Salle. Died, in Canada, in May, 1700. 

JOLIET & BLUE ISLAND RAILWAY, con 
stituting a part of and operated by the Calumet 
& Blue Island— a belt line, 21 miles in length, of 
standard gauge and laid with 60-lb. steel rails. 
The company provides terminal facilities at Joliet, 
although originally projected to merely run from 
that city to a connection with the Calumet & 



Blue Island Railway. The capital stock author- 
ized and paid in is $100,000. The company's 
general offices are in Chicago. 

JOLIET & NORTHERN INDIANA RAIL- 
ROAD, a road running from Lake, Ind., to Joliet, 
111., 45 miles (of which 29 miles are in Illinois), 
and leased in perpetuity, from Sept. 7, 1854 (the 
date of completion), to the Michigan Central Rail- 
road Company, which owns nearly all its stock. 
Its capital stock is 8300,000, and its funded debt, 
$80,000. Other forms of indebtedness swell the 
total amount of capital invested (1895) to $1,- 
143,201. Total earnings and income in Illinois in 
1894, S89.017; total expenditures, §62,370. (See 
Michigan Central Railroad.) 

JONES, Alfred M., politician and legislator, 
was born in New Hampshire, Feb. 5, 1837, brought 
to McHenry County, 111., at 10 years of age, and, 
at 16, began life in the pineries and engaged in 
rafting on the Mississippi. Then, after two 
winters in school at Rockford, and a short season 
in teaching, he spent a year in the book and 
jewelry business at Warren, Jo Daviess County. 
The following year (1858) he made a trip to Pike's 
Peak, but meeting disappointment in his expec- 
tations in regard to mining, returned almost 
immediately. The next few years were spent in 
various occupations, including law and real 
estate business, until 1872, when he was elected 
to the Twenty-eighth General Assembly, n-nd 
re-elected two years later. Other positions 
successively held by him were those of Commis- 
sioner of the Joliet Penitentiary, Collector of 
Internal Revenue for the Sterling District, and 
United States Marshal for the Northern District 
of Illinois. He was, for fourteen years, a member 
of the Republican State Central Committee, dur- 
ing twelve years of that period being its chair- 
man. Since 1885, Mr. Jones has been manager 
of the Bethesda Mineral Springs at Waukesha, 
Wis., but has found time to make his mark in 
Wisconsin politics also. 

JONES, John Rice, first English lawyer in Illi- 
nois, was born in Wales, Feb. 11, 1759; educated 
at Oxford in medicine and law, and, after prac- 
ticing the latter in London for a short time, came 
to America in 1784, spending two years in Phila- 
delphia, where he made the acquaintance of 
Dr. Benjamin Rush and Benjamin Franklin; in 
1786, having reached the Falls of the Ohio, he 
joined Col. George Rogers Clark's expedition 
against the Indians on the Wabash. This having 
partially failed through the discontent and 
desertion of the troops, he remained at Vincennes 
four years, part of the time as Commissary 



308 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



General of the garrison there. In 1790 he went to 
Kaskaskia, but eleven years later returned to Vin- 
cennes, being commissioned the same year by 
Gov. William Henry Harrison, Attorney-General 
of Indiana Territory, and, in 1805, becoming a 
member of the first Legislative Council. He was 
Secretary of the convention at Vincennes, in 
December, 1802, which memorialized Congress to 
suspend, for ten years, the article in the Ordi- 
nance of 1787 forbidding slavery in the Northwest 
Territory. In 1808 he removed a second time to 
Kaskaskia, remaining two years, when he located 
within the present limits of the State of Missouri 
(then the Territory of Louisiana), residing suc- 
cessively at St. Genevieve, St. Louis and Potosi, 
at the latter place acquiring large interests in 
mineral lands. He became prominent in Mis- 
souri politics, served as a member of the Conven- 
tion which framed the first State Constitution, 
was a prominent candidate for United States 
Senator before the first Legislature, and finally 
elected by the same a Justice of the Supreme 
Court, dying in office at St. Louis, Feb. 1, 1824. 
He appears to have enjoyed an extensive practice 
among the early residents, as showrj by the fact 
that, the year of his return to Kaskaskia, he paid 
taxes on more than 16,000 acres of land in Monroe 
County, to say nothing of his possessions about 
Vincennes and his subsequent acquisitions in 
Missouri. He also prepared the first revision of 
laws for Indiana Territory when Illinois com- 
posed a part of it. — Rice (Jones), son of the pre- 
ceding by a first marriage, was born in Wales, 
Sept. 28, 1781; came to America with his par- 
ents, and was educated at Transylvania University 
and the University of Pennsylvania, taking a 
medical degree at the latter, but later studying 
law at Litchfield, Conn., and locating at Kaskas- 
kia in 1806. Described as a young man of brilliant 
talents, he took a prominent part in politics and, 
at a special election held in September, 1808, was 
elected to the Indiana Territorial Legislature, by 
the party known as "Divisionists'"— i. e., in favor 
of the division of the Territory — which proved 
successful in the organization of Illinois Territory 
the following year. Bitterness engendered in 
this contest led to a challenge from Shadrach 
Bond (afterwards first Governor of the State) 
which Jones accepted; but the affair was ami- 
cably adjusted on the field without an exchange of 
shots. One Dr. James Dunlap, who had been 
Bond's second, expressed dissatisfaction with the 
settlement; a bitter factional fight was main- 
tained between the friends of the respective 
parties, ending in the assassination of Jones, who 



was shot by Dunlap on the street in Kaskaskia, 
Dec. 7, 1808 — Jones dying in a few minutes, 
while Dunlap fled, ending his days in Texas. — 
Gen. John Rice (Jones), Jr., another son, was 
born at Kaskaskia, Jan. 8, 1792, served under 
Capt. Henry Dodge in the War of 1812, and, in 
1831, went to Texas, where he bore a conspicuous 
part in securing the independence of that State 
from Mexico, dying there in 1845 — the year of its 
annexation to the United States. — George 
Wallace (Jones), fourth son of John Rice Jones 
(1st), was born at Vincennes, Indiana Territory, 
April 12, 1804; graduated at Transylvania Uni- 
versity, in 1825; served as Clerk of the United 
States District Court in Missouri in 1826, and as 
Aid to Gen. Dodge in the Black Hawk War ; in 
1834 was elected Delegate in Congress from 
Michigan Territory (then including the present 
States of Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa), later 
serving two terms as Delegate from Iowa Terri- 
tory, and, on its admission as a State, being elected 
one of the first United States Senators and re- 
elected in 1852; in 1859, was appointed by Presi- 
dent Buchanan Minister to Bogota, Colombia, 
but recalled in 1861 on account of a letter to 
Jefferson Davis expressing sympathy with the 
cause of the South, and was imprisoned for two 
months in Fort Lafayette. In 1838 he was the sec- 
ond of Senator Cilley in the famous Cilley-Graves 
duel near Washington, which resulted in the 
death of the former. After his retirement from 
office, General Jones' residence was at Dubuque, 
Iowa, where he died, July 22, 1896, in the 93d 
year of his age. 

JONES, Michae'j early politician, was a Penn- 
sylvanian by birth, who came to Illinois in Terri- 
torial days, and, as early as 1809, was Register of 
the Land Office at Kaskaskia; afterwards 
removed to Shawneetown and represented 
Gallatin County as a Delegate to the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1818 and as Senator in the 
first four General Assemblies, and also as Repre- 
sentative in the Eighth. He was a candidate for 
United States Senator in 1819, but was defeated 
by Governor Edwards, and was a Presidential 
Elector in 1820. He is represented to have been a 
man of considerable ability but of bitter passions, 
a supporter of the scheme for a pro-slavery con- 
stitution and a bitter opponent of Governor 
Edwards. 

JONES, J. Russell, capitalist, was born at 
Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio, Feb. 17, 1823 ; 
after spending two years as clerk in a store in his 
native town, came to Chicago in 1838 ; spent the 
next two years at Rockton, when he accepted a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



309 



clerkship in a leading mercantile establishment 
at Galena, finally being advanced to a partner- 
ship, which was dissolved in 1856. In 1860 he 
was elected, as a Republican, Representative in 
the Twenty-second General Assembly, and, in 
March following, was appointed by President 
Lincoln United States Marshal for the Northern 
District of Illinois. In 1869, by appointment of 
President Grant, he became Minister to Belgium, 
remaining in office until 1875, when he resigned 
and returned to Chicago. Subsequently he 
declined the position of Secretary of the Interior, 
but was appointed Collector of the Port of Chi- 
cago, from which he retired in 1888. Mr. Jones 
served as member of the National Republican 
Committee for Illinois in 1868. In 1863 he organ- 
ized the West Division Street Railway, laying 
the foundation of an ample fortune. 

JONES, William, pioneer merchant, was born 
at Charlemont, Mass., Oct. 22, 1789, but-spent his 
boyhood and early manhood in New York State, 
ultimately -locating at Buffalo, where he engaged 
in business as a grocer, and also held various 
public positions. In 1831 he made a tour of 
observation westward by way of Detroit, finally 
reaching Fort Dearborn, which he again visited 
in 1832 and in "33, making small investments each 
time in real estate, which afterwards appreciated 
immensely in value. In 1834, in partnership 
with Byram King of Buffalo, Mr. Jones engaged 
in the stove and hardware business, founding in 
Chicago the firm of Jones & King, and the next 
year brought his family. While he never held 
any important public office, he was one of the 
most prominent of those early residents of Chicago 
through whose enterprise and public spirit the 
city was made to prosper. He held the office of 
Justice of the Peace, served in the City Council, 
was one of the founders of the city fire depart- 
ment, served for twelve years (1840-52) on the 
Board of School Inspectors (for a considerable 
time as its President), and contributed liberally 
to the cause of education, including gifts of 
$50,000 to the old Chicago University, of which 
he was a Trustee and, for some time, President of 
its Executive Committee. Died, Jan. 18, 1868. — 
Fernando (Jones), son of the preceding, was born 
at Forestville, Chautauqua County, N. Y., May 
26, 1820, having, for some time in his boyhood, 
Millard Fillmore (afterwards President) as his 
teacher at Buffalo, and, still later, Reuben E. Fen- 
ton (afterwards Governor and a United States 
Senator) as classmate. After coming to Chicago, 
in 1835, he was employed for some time as a clerk 
in Government offices and by the Trustees of the 



Illinois & Michigan Canal; spent a season at 
Canandaigua Academy, N. Y. ; edited a periodical 
at Jackson, Mich., for a year or two, but finally 
coming to Chicago, opened an abstract and title 
office, in which he was engaged at the time of the 
fire of 1871, and which, by consolidation with two 
other firms, became the foundation of the Title 
Guarantee and Trust Company, which still plays 
an important part in the real-estate business of 
Chicago. Mr. Jones has held various public posi- 
tions, including that of Trustee of the Hospital 
for the Insane at Jacksonville, and has for years 
been a Trustee of the University of Chicago.-Kiler 
Kent (Jones), another son, was one of the found- 
ers of "The Gem of the Prairies" newspaper, out 
of which grew "The Chicago Tribune"; was for 
many years a citizen of Quincy, 111. , and promi- 
nent member of the Republican State Central 
Committee, and, for a time, one of the publishers 
of "The Prairie Farmer." Died, in Quincy, 
August 20, 1886. 

JOJiESBORO, the county -seat of Union County, 
situated about a mile west of the line of the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad. It is some 30 miles north 
of Cairo, with which it is connected by the Mobile 
& Ohio R. R. It stands in the center of a fertile 
territory, largely devoted to fruit-growing, and is 
an important shipping-point for fruit and early 
vegetables ; has a silica mill, pickle factory a.nd a 
bank. There are also four churches, and one 
weekly newspaper, as well as a graded school. 
Population (1900), 1.130. 

JOSLTN, Merritt L., lawyer, was born in 
Livingston County, N. Y., in 1827, came to Illi- 
nois in 1839, his father settling in McHenry 
County, where the son, on arriving at manhood, 
engaged in the practice of the law. The latter 
became prominent in political circles and, in 
1856, was a Buchanan Presidential Elector. On 
the breaking out of the war he allied himself 
with the Republican party ; served as a Captain 
in the Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
and, in 1864, was elected to the Twenty-fourth 
General Assembly from McHenry County, later 
serving as Senator during the sessions of the 
Thirtieth and Thirty-first Assemblies (1876-80). 
After the death of President Garfield, he was 
appointed by President Arthur Assistant Secre- 
tary of the Interior, serving to the close of the 
administration. Returning to his home at Wood- 
stock, 111., he resumed the practice of his profes- 
sion, and, since 1889, has discharged the duties of 
Master in Chancery for McHenry County 

JOUETT, Charles, Chicago's first lawyer, was 
born in Virginia in 1772, studied law at Charlottes- 



310 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ville in that State; in 1802 was appointed by 
President Jefferson Indian Agent at Detroit and, 
in 1805, acted as Commissioner in conducting a 
treaty with the Wyandottes, Ottawas and other 
Indians of Northwestern Ohio and Michigan at 
Maumee City, Ohio. In the fall of the latter year 
he was appointed Indian Agent at Fort Dearborn, 
serving there until the year before the Fort Dear- 
born Massacre. Removing to Mercer County, 
Ky., in 1811, he was elected to a Judgeship there, 
but, in 1815, was reappointed by President Madi- 
son Indian Agent at Fort Dearborn, remaining 
until 1818, when he again returned to Kentucky. 
In 1819 he was appointed to a United States 
Judgeship in the newly organized Territory of 
Arkansas, but remained only a few months, when 
he resumed his residence in Kentucky, dying 
there, May 28, 1834. 
JOURNALISM. (See Neicspapers, Early.) 
JUDD, JJornian Duel, lawyer, legislator, For- 
eign Minister, was born at Rome, N. Y., Jan. 10, 
1815, where he read law and was admitted to the 
bar. In 1836 he removed to Chicago and com- 
menced practice in the (then) frontier settle- 
ment. He early rose to a position of prominence 
and influence in public affairs, holding various 
municipal offices and being a member of the 
State Senate from 1844 to 1860 continuously. In 
1860 he was a Delegate-at -large to the Republican 
National Convention, and, in 1861, President Lin- 
coln appointed him Minister Plenipotentiary to 
Prussia, where he represented this country for 
four years. He was a warm personal friend of 
Lincoln, and accompanied him on his memorable 
journey from Springfield to Washington in 1861. 
In 1870 he was elected to the Forty-first Congress. 
Died, at Chicago, Nov. 10, 1878. 

JUDD, S. Corning, lawyer and politician, born 
in Onondaga County, N. Y., July 21, 1827; was 
educated at Aurora Academy, taught for a time in 
Canada and was admitted to the bar in New York 
in 1848; edited "The Syracuse Daily Star" in 1849, 
and, in 1850, accepted a position in the Interior 
Department in Washington. Later, he resumed 
his place upon "The Star," but, in 1854, removed 
to Lewistown, Fulton County, 111., and began 
practice with his brother-in-law, the late W C. 
Goudy. In 1873 he removed to Chicago, entering 
into partnership with William Fitzhugh White- 
house, son of Bishop Whitehouse, and became 
prominent in connection with some ecclesiastical 
trials which followed. In 1860 he was a Demo- 
cratic candidate for Presidential Elector and, 
during the war, was a determined opponent of 
the war policy of the Government, as such mak- 



ing an unsuccessful campaign for Lieutenant- 
Governor in 1864. In 1885 he was appointed 
Postmaster of the city of Chicago, serving until 
1889. Died, in Chicago, Sept. 22, 1895. 

JUDICIAL SYSTEM, THE. The Constitution 
of 1818 vested the judicial power of the State in 
one Supreme Court, and such inferior courts as 
the Legislature might establish. The former 
consisted of one Chief Justice and three Associ- 
ates, appointed by joint ballot of the Legislature ; 
but, until 1825, when a new act went into effect, 
they were required to perform circuit duties in 
the several counties, while exercising appellate 
jurisdiction in their united capacity. In 1824 the 
Legislature divided the State into five circuits, 
appointing one Circuit Judge for each, but, two 
years later, these were legislated out of office, and 
circuit court duty again devolved upon the 
Supreme Judges, the State being divided into 
four circuits. In 1829 a new act authorized the 
appointment of one Circuit Judge, who was 
assigned to duty in the territory northwest of the 
Illinois River, the Supreme Justices continuing 
to perform circuit duty in the four other circuits. 
This arrangement continued until 1835, when the 
State was divided into six judicial circuits, and, 
five additional Circuit Judges having been 
elected, the Supreme Judges were again relieved 
from circuit court service. After this no mate- 
rial changes occurred except in the increase of the 
number of circuits until 1841, the whole number 
then being nine. At this time political reasons 
led to an entire reorganization of the courts. An 
act passed Feb. 10, 1841, repealed all laws author- 
izing the election of Circuit Judges, and provided 
for the appointment of five additional Associate 
Judges of the Supreme Court, making nine in 
all ; and, for a third time, circuit duties devolved 
upon the Supreme Court Judges, the State being 
divided at the same time into nine circuits. 

By the adoption of the Constitution of 1848 the 
judiciary system underwent an entire change, all 
judicial officers being made elective by the 
people. The Constitution provided for a Supreme 
Court, consisting of three judges, Circuit Courts, 
County Courts, and courts to be held by Justices 
of the Peace. In addition to these, the Legisla- 
ture had the power to create inferior civil and 
criminal courts in cities, but only upon a uniform 
plan. For the election of Supreme Judges, the 
State was divided into three Grand Judicial Divi- 
sions. The Legislature might, however, if it saw 
fit, provide for the election of all three Judges on 
a general ticket, to be voted throughout the 
State-at-large ; but this power was never exer- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



311 



cised. Appeals lay from the Circuit Courts to the 
Supreme Court for the particular division in 
which the county might be located, although, by 
unanimous consent of all parties in interest, an 
appeal might be transferred to another district. 
Nine Circuit Courts were established, but the 
number might be increased at the discretion of 
the General Assembly. Availing itself of its 
constitutional power and providing for the needs 
of a rapidly growing community, the Legislature 
gradually increased the number of circuits to 
thirty. The term of office for Supreme Court 
Judges was nine, and, for Circuit Judges, six 
years. Vacancies were to be filled by popular 
election, unless the unexpired term of the 
deceased or retiring incumbent was less than one 
year, in which case the Governor was authorized 
to appoint. Circuit Courts were vested with 
appellate jurisdiction from inferior tribunals, and 
each was required to hold at least two terms 
annually in each county, as might be fixed by 
statute. 

The Constitution of 1870, without changing the 
mode of election or term of office, made several 
changes adapted to altered conditions. As 
regards the Supreme Court, the three Grand 
Divisions were retained, but the number of 
Judges was increased to seven, chosen from a like 
number of districts, but sitting together to con- 
stitute a full court, of which four members con- 
stitute a quorum. A Chief Justice is chosen by 
the Court, and is usually one of the Judges 
nearing the expiration of his term. The minor 
officers include a Reporter of Decisions, and one 
Clerk in each Division. By an act passed in 1897, 
the three Supreme Court Divisions were consoli- 
dated in one, the Court beiug required to hold its 
sittings in Springfield, and hereafter only one 
Clerk will be elected instead of three as hereto- 
fore. The salaries of Justices of the Supreme 
Court are fixed by law at $5, 000 each. 

The State was divided in 1873 into twenty-seven 
circuits (Cook County being a circuit by itself), 
and one or more terms of the circuit court are 
required to be held each year in each county in 
the State. The jurisdiction of the Circuit Courts 
is both original and appellate, and includes mat- 
ters civil and criminal, in law and in equity. 
The Judges are elected by districts, and hold office 
for six years In 1877 the State was divided into 
thirteen judicial circuits (exclusive of Cook 
County), but without reducing the number of 
Judges (twenty-six) already in office, and the 
election of one additional Judge (to serve two 
years) was ordered in each district, thus increas- 



ing the number of Judges to thirty-nine. Again 
in 1897 the Legislature passed an act increasing 
the number of judicial circuits, exclusive of Cook 
County, to seventeen, while the number of 
Judges in each circuit remained the same, so 
that the whole number of Judges elected that 
year outside of Cook County was fifty-one. The 
salaries of Circuit Judges are §3,500 per year, 
except in Cook County, where they are §7,000. 
The Constitution also provided for the organiza- 
tion of Appellate Courts after the year 1874, hav- 
ing uniform jurisdiction in districts created for 
that purpose. These courts are a connecting 
link between the Circuit and the Supreme Courts, 
and greatly relieve the crowded calendar of the 
latter. In 1877 the Legislature established four 
of these tribunals: one for the County of Cook; 
one to include all the Northern Grand Division 
except Cook County; the third to embrace the 
Central Grand Division, and the fourth the South- 
ern. Each Appellate Court is held by three Cir- 
cuit Court Judges, named by the Judges of the 
Supreme Court, each assignment covering three 
years, and no Judge either allowed to receive 
extra compensation or sit in review of his own 
rulings or decisions. Two terms are held in each 
District every year, and these courts have no 
original jurisdiction. 

Cook County. — The judicial system of Cook 
County is different from that of the rest of the 
State. The Constitution of 1870 made the county 
an independent district, and exempted it from 
being subject to any subsequent redistricting. 
The bench of the Circuit Court in Cook County, 
at first fixed at five Judges, has been increased 
under the Constitution to fourteen, who receive 
additional compensation from the county treas- 
ury. The Legislature has the constitutional 
right to increase the number of Judges according 
to population. In 1849 the Legislature estab- 
lished the Cook County Court of Common Pleas. 
Later, this became the Superior Court of Cook 
County, which now (1898) consists of thirteen 
Judges. For this court there exists the same 
constitutional provision relative to an increase of 
Judges as in the case of the Circuit Court of Cook 
Count} - . 

JUDY, Jacob, picneer, a nativ3 of Switzer- 
land, who, having come to the United States at 
an early day, remained some years m Maryland, 
when, in 1786, he started west, spending two 
years near Louisville, Ky., finally arriving at 
Kaskaskia, 111., in 1788. In 1793 he removed to 
New Design, in Monroe Count}', and, in 1800, 
located within the present limits of JIadisoD 



312 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



County, where he died in 1807. — Samuel (Judy), 
son of the preceding, born August 19, 1773, was 
brought by his father to Illinois in 1788, and after- 
wards became prominent in political affairs and 
famous as an Indian fighter. On the organization 
of Madison County he became one of the first 
County Commissioners, serving many years. He 
also commanded a body of "Rangers" in the 
Indian campaigns during the War of 1812, gain- 
ing the title of Colonel, and served as a member 
from Madison County in the Second Territorial 
Council (181415). Previous to 1811 he built the 
first brick house within the limits of Madison 
County, which still stood, not many years since, 
a few miles from Edwardsville. Colonel Judy 
died in 1838. — Jacob (Judy), eldest son of Samuel, 
was Register of the Land Office at Edwardsville, 
1845-49. — Thomas (Judy), younger son of Samuel, 
was born, Dec. 19, 1804, and represented Madison 
County in the Eighteenth General Assembly 
(1852-54). His death occurred Oct. 4, 1880. 

JUDY, James William, soldier, was born in 
Clark County, Ky., May 8, 1822— his ancestors 
on his father's side being from Switzerland, and 
those on his mother's from Scotland ; grew up on 
a farm and, in 1S52, removed to Menard County, 
111., where he has since resided. In August, 1862, 
he enlisted as a private soldier, was elected Cap- 
tain of his company, and, on its incorporation as 
part of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regi- 
ment Illinois Volunteers at Camp Butler, was 
chosen Colonel by acclamation. The One Hun- 
dred and Fourteenth, as part of the Fifteenth 
Army Corps under command of that brilliant 
soldier, Gen. Wm. T. Sherman, was attached to 
the Army of the Tennessee, and took part in the 
entire siege of Vicksburg, from May, 1863, to the 
surrender on the 3d of July following. It also 
participated in the siege of Jackson, Miss., and 
numerous other engagements. After one year's 
service, Colonel Judy was compelled to resign by 
domestic affliction, having lost two children by 
death within eight days of each other, while 
others of his family were dangerously ill. On 
his retirement from the arm} - , lie became deeply 
interested in thorough-bred cattle, and is now the 
most noted stock auctioneer in the United States 
— having, in the past thirty years, sold more 
thorough -bred cattle than an}' other man living 
— his operations extending from Canada to Cali- 
fornia, and from Minnesota to Texas. Colonel 
Judy was elected a member of the State Board of 
Agriculture in 1874, and so remained continu- 
ously until 1S90 — except two years — also serving 
as President of the Board from 1894 to 1896. He 



bore a conspicuous part in securing the location 
of the State Fair at Springfield in 1894, and the 
improvements there made under his administra- 
tion have not been paralleled in any other State. 
Originally, and up to 1856, an old-line Whig, 
Colonel Judy has since been an ardent Repub- 
lican ; and though active in political campaigns, 
has never held a political office nor desired one, 
being content with the discharge of his duty as a 
patriotic private citizen. 

KANAN, Michael F., soldier and legislator, was 
born in Essex County, N. Y., in November, 1837, 
at twenty years of age removed to Macon County, 
111., and engaged in farming. During the Civil 
War he enlisted in the Forty-first Illinois Volun- 
teers (Col. I. C. Pugh's regiment), serving nearly 
four years and retiring with the rank of Captain. 
After the war he served six years as Mayor of the 
city of Decatur. In 1894 he was elected State 
Senator, serving in the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth 
General Assemblies. Captain Kanan was one of 
the founders of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
and a member of the first Post of the order ever 
established — that at Decatur. 

KANE, a village of Greene County, on the 
Jacksonville Division of the Chicago & Alton 
Railway, 40 miles south of Jacksonville. It has 
a bank and a weekly paper. Population (1880), 
408; (1890), 551; (1900), 588. 

KANE, Elias Kent, early United States Sena- 
tor, is said by Lanman's "Dictionary of Congress" 
to have been born in New York, June 7, 1796. 
The late Gen. Geo. W. Smith, of Chicago, a rela- 
tive of Senator Kane's by marriage, in a paper 
read before the Illinois State Bar Associatior 
(1895), rejecting other statements assigning the 
date of the Illinois Senator's birth to various 
years from 1786 to 1796, expresses the opinion, 
based on family letters, that he was really born 
in 1794. He was educated at Yale College, gradu- 
ating in 1812, read law in New York, and emi- 
grated to Tennessee in 1813 or early in 1814, but, 
before the close of the latter year, removed to Illi- 
nois, settling at Kaskaskia. His abilities were 
recognized by his appointment, early in 1818, as 
Judge of the eastern circuit under the Territorial 
Government. Before the close of the same year 
he served as a member of the first State Consti- 
tutional Convention, and was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Bond the first Secretary of State under the 
new State Government, but resigned on the 
accession of Governor Coles in 1822. Two years 
later he was elected to the General Assembly as 
Representative from Randolph County, but 



HISTOBICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



313 



resigned before the close of the year to accept a 
seat in the United States Senate, to which he was 
elected in 1824, and re-elected in 1830. Before 
the expiration of his second term (Dec. 12, 1835), 
having reached the age of a little more than 40 
years, he died in Washington, deeply mourned 
by his fellow-members of Congress and by his 
constituents. Senator Kane was a cousin of the 
distinguished Chancellor Kent of New York, 
through his mother's family, while, on his 
father's side, he was a relative of the celebrated 
Arctic explorer, Elisha Kent Kane. 

KANE COUNTY, one of the wealthiest and 
most progressive counties in the State, situated in 
the northeastern quarter. It has an area of 540 
square miles, and population (1900) of 78,792; 
was named for Senator Elias Kent Kane. Tim- 
ber and water are abundant, Fox River flowing 
through the county from north to south. Immi- 
gration began in 1833, and received a new impetus 
in 1835, when the Pottawatomies were removed 
west of the Mississippi. A school was established 
in 1834, and a church organized in 1835. County 
organization was effected in June, 1836, and the 
public lands came on the market in 1842. The 
Civil War record of the county is more than 
creditable, the number of volunteers exceeding 
the assessed quota. Farming, grazing, manufac- 
turing and dairy industries chiefly engage the 
attention of the people. The county has many 
flourishing cities and towns. Geneva is the county- 
seat. (See Aurora, Dundee, Eldora, Elgin, Geneva 
and St. Charles.) 

KANGLEY, a village of La Salle County, on 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway, three 
miles northwest of Streator. There are several 
coal shafts here. Population (1900), 1,004. 

KANKAKEE, a city and county-seat of Kanka- 
kee County, on Kankakee River and 111. Cent. 
Railroad, at intersection of the "Big Four" with 
the Indiana, 111. & Iowa Railroad, 56 miles south of 
Chicago. It is an agricultural and stock-raising 
region, near extensive coal fields and bog iron 
ore; has water-power, flour and paper mills, agri- 
cultural implement, furniture, and piano fac- 
tories, knitting and novelty works, besides two 
quarries of valuable building stone. The East- 
ern Hospital for the Insane is located here. 
There are four papers, four banks, five schools, 
water-works, gas and electric light, electric car 
lines, and Government postoffice building. Popu- 
lation (1890), 9,025; (1900), 13,595. 

KANKAKEE COUNTY, a wealthy and popu- 
lous county in the northeast section of the State, 
having an area of 680 square miles — receiving its 



name from its principal river. It was set apart 
from Will and Iroquois Counties under the act 
passed in 1851, the owners of the site of the 
present city of Kankakee contributing $5,000 
toward the erection of count}' buildings. Agri- 
culture, manufacturing and coal-mining are the 
principal pursuits. The first white settler was 
one Noah Vasseur, a Frenchman, and the first 
American, Thomas Durham. Population (1880), 
25,047; (1890), 28,732; (1900), 37,154. 

KANKAKEE RIYER, a sluggish stream, rising 
in St. Joseph Count)', Ind. , and flowing west- 
southwest through English Lake and a flat marshy 
region, into Illinois. In Kankakee County it 
unites with the Iroquois from the south and the 
Des Plaines from the north, after the junction 
with the latter, taking the name of the Illinois. 

KANKAKEE & SEtfECA RAILROAD, a line 
lying wholly in Illinois, 42.08 miles in length. It 
has a capital stock of §10,000, bonded debt of 
$050,000 and other forms of indebtedness (1895) 
reaching $557,629; total capitalization, $1,217,629. 
This road was chartered in 1881, and opened in 
1882. It connects with the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, and the Chicago, 
Rock Island & Pacific, and is owned jointly by 
these two lines, but operated by the former (See 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Rail- 
road.) 

KANSAS, a village in Edgar County, on the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis and 
the Chicago & Ohio River Railways, 156 miles 
northeast of St. Louis, 104 miles west of Indian- 
apolis, 13 miles east of Charleston and 11 miles 
west -southwest of Paris. The surrounding region 
is agricultural and stock-raising. Kansas has tile 
works, two grain elevators, a canning factory, 
and railway machine shops, beside four churches, 
a collegiate institute, a National bank and a 
weekly newspaper. Population (1880) , 723 ; (1890) , 
1,037; (1900), 1,049. 

KASKASKIA, a village of the Illinois Indians, 
and later a French trading post, first occupied in 
1700. It passed into the hands of the British 
after the French-Indian War in 1765, and was 
captured by Col. George Rogers Clark, at the head 
of a force of Virginia troops, in 1778. (See Clark, 
George Rogers.) At that time the white inhab- 
itants were almost entirely of French descent. 
The first exercise of the elective franchise in Illi- 
nois occurred here in the year last named, and, in 
1*04, the United States Government opened a 
land office there. For many years the most 
important commercial town in the Territory, it 
remained the Territorial and State capital down 



314 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



to 1819. when the seat of government was re- 
moved to Vandalia. Originally situated on the 
west side of the Kaskaskia River, some six miles 
from the Mississippi, early in 1899 its site had 
been swept away by the encroachments of the 
latter stream, so that all that is left of the princi- 
pal town of Illinois, in Territorial days, is simply 
its name. 

KASKASKIA INDIANS, one of the five tribes 
constituting the Illinois confederation of Algon 
cmin Indians. About the year 1700 they removed 
from what is now La Salle County, to Southern 
Illinois, where the}- established themselves along 
the banks of the river which bears their name. 
They were finally removed, with their brethren 
of the Illinois, west of the Mississippi, and, as a 
distinct tribe, have become extinct. 

KASKASKIA RIVER,' rises in Champaign 
County, and flows southwest through the coun- 
ties of Douglas, Coles, Moultrie, Shelby, Fayette, 
Clinton and St. Clair, thence southward through 
Randolph, and empties into the Mississippi River 
near Chester. It is nearly 300 miles long, and 
flows through a fertile, undulating country, which 
forms part of the great coal field of the State. 

KEITH, Edson, Sr., merchant and manufac- 
turer, born at Barre, Vt., Jan. 28, 1833, was edu- 
cated at home and in the district schools; spent 
1830-54 in Montpelier, coming to Chicago the 
latter year and obtaining employment in a retail 
dry-goods store. In 1800 he assisted in establish- 
ing the firm of Keith, Faxon & Co., now Edson 
Keith & Co. ; is also President of the corporation 
of Keith Brothers & Co., a Director of the Metro- 
politan National Bank, and the Edison Electric 
Light Company. — Elbridge Gr. (Keith), banker, 
brother of the preceding, was born at Barre, Vt., 
July 10, 1840; attended local schools and Barre 
Academy ; came to Chicago in 1857, the next year 
taking a position as clerk in the house of Keith, 
Faxon & Co., in 1865 becoming a partner and, in 
1884, being chosen President of the Metropolitan 
National Bank, where he still remains. Mr. 
Keith was a member of the Republican National 
Convention of 1880, and belongs to several local 
literary, political and social clubs ; was also one 
of the Directors of the "World's Columbian Expo- 
sition of 1892-93. 

KEITHSBURG, a town in Mercer County on 
the Mississippi River, at the intersection of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quiucy and the Iowa Cen- 
tral Railways; 100 miles west-northwest of 
Peoria. Principal industries are fisheries, ship- 
ping, manufacture of pearl buttons and oilers ; has 
one paper. Pop. (1900), 1,566; (1903, est.), 2,000. 



KELLOGG, Hiram Huntington, clergyman 
and educator, was born at Clinton (then Whites- 
town), N. Y, in February, 1803. graduated at 
Hamilton College and Auburn Seminary, after 
which he served for some years as pastor at 
various places in Central New York. Later, he 
established the Young Ladies' Domestic Seminary 
at Clinton, claimed to be the first ladies' semi- 
nary in the State, and the first experiment in the 
country uniting manual training of girls with 
scholastic instruction, antedating Mount Hoi 
yoke, Oberlin and other institutions which adopted 
this system. Color was no bar to admission to 
the institution, though the daughters of some of 
the wealthiest families of the State were among 
its pupils. Mr. Kellogg was a co laborer with 
Gerritt Smith, Beriah Green, the Tappans, Garri- 
son and others, in the effort to arouse public senti- 
ment in opposition to slavery. In 1836 he united 
with Prof. George W. Gale and others in the 
movement for the establishment of a colony and 
the building up of a Christian and anti-slavery 
institution in the West, which resulted in the 
location of the town of Galesburg and the found, 
ing there of Knox College. Mr. Kellogg was 
chosen the first President of the institution and, 
in 1841, left his thriving school at Clinton to 
identify himself with the new enterprise, which, 
in its infancy, was a manual-labor school. In the 
W T est he soon became the ally and co- laborer of 
such men as Owen Lovejoy, Ichabod Codding, 
Dr. C. V. Dyer and others, in the work of extirpat- 
ing slavery. In 1843 he visited England as a 
member of the World's Peace Convention, re- 
maining abroad about a year, during which time 
he made the acquaintance of Jacob Bright and 
others of the most prominent men of that day in 
England and Scotland. Resigning the Presidency 
of Knox College in 1847, he returned to Clinton 
Seminary, and was later engaged in various busi- 
ness enterprises until 1861, when he again re- 
moved to Illinois, and was engaged in preaching 
and teaching at various points during the 
remainder of his life, dying suddenly, at his 
home school at Mount Forest, 111., Jan. 1, 1881. 

KELLOGG, William Pitt, was born at Orwell, 
Vt., Dec. 8, 1831, removed to Illinois in 1848, 
studied law at Peoria, was admitted to the bar in 
1854, and began practice in Fulton County. He 
was a candidate for Presidential Elector on the 
Republican ticket in 1856 and 1860, being elected 
the latter year. Appointed Chief Justice of 
Nebraska in 1861, he resigned to accept the 
colonelcy of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry Fail- 
ing health caused his retirement from the army 




1. — Old Kaskaskia from Garrison Hill | 1893). 2. Kaskaskia Hotel, where LaFayette \\ :i- feted in 1825. 
'■i. — First Illinois State House, 1818. I. Interior of Room I 1893), where LaFayette Banquet was held. 
5. — Picnv Menard Mansion. 6. House of Chief Ducoign, last of the Cascasquias (Kaskaskias) . 





1.— Remnant of Old Kaskaskia (1898). 2.- -View on Principal Street (1891). 3.— Gen. John Edgar's House 
(1891). 4.— House of Gov. Bond (1891). 5.— "Chenu Mansion," where LaFayette was entertained, as it 
appeared in 1898. 6.— Old State House (1900). 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



315 



after the battle of Corinth. In 1865 he was 
appointed Collector of the Port at New Orleans. 
Thereafter he became a conspicuous figure in 
both Louisiana and National politics, serving as 
United States Senator from Louisiana from 1808 
to 1871, and as Governor from 1872 to 1870, during 
the stormiest period of reconstruction, and mak- 
ing hosts of bitter personal and political enemies 
as well as warm friends. An unsuccessful attempt 
was made to impeach him in 1870. In 1877 he was 
elected a second time to the United States Senate 
by one of two rival Legislatures, being awarded 
his seat after a bitter contest. At the close of his 
term (1883) he took his seat in the lower house to 
which he was elected in 1882, serving until 1885. 
While retaining his residence iu Louisiana, Mr. 
Kellogg has spent much of his time of late years 
in Washington City. 

KENDALL COUNTY, a northeastern county, 
with an area of 330 square miles and a population 
(1900) of 11,467. The surface is rolling and the 
soil fertile, although generally a light, sandy 
loam. The county was organized in 1841, out of 
parts of Kane and La Salle, and was named in 
honor of President Jackson's Postmaster General. 
The Fox River (running southwestwardly 
through the county), with its tributaries, affords 
ample drainage and considerable water power; 
the railroad facilities are admirable; timber is 
abundant. Yorkville and Oswego have been 
rivals for the county-seat, the distinction finally 
resting with the former. Among the pioneers 
may be mentioned Messrs. John Wilson, Ed- 
ward Anient, David Carpenter, Samuel Smith, 
the Wormley and Pierce brothers, and E. 
Morgan. 

KENDRICK, Adin A., educator, was born at 
Ticonderoga, N. Y. , Jan. 7, 1836; educated at 
Granville Academy, N. Y., and Middlebury Col- 
lege; removed to Janesville, Wis., in 1857, studied 
law and began practice at Monroe, in that State, 
a year later removing to St. Louis, where he con- 
tinued practice for a short time. Then, having 
abandoned the law, after a course in the Theolog- 
ical Seminary at Rochester, N. Y. . in 1861 he 
became pastor of the North Baptist Church in 
Chicago, but, in 1865, removed to St. Louis, 
where he remained in pastoral work until 1872, 
when he assumed the Presidency of Shurtleff 
College at Upper Alton, 111. 

KENNEY, a village and railway station in 
Dewitt County, at the intersection of the Spring- 
field Division of the Illinois Central and the 
Peoria. Decatur & Evansville Railroads, 30 miles 
northeast of Springfield. The town lias two banks 



and two newspapers ; the district is agricultural. 
Population (1880), 418; (1890), 497; (1900), 584. 

KENT, (Rev.) Aratus, pioneer and Congrega- 
tional missionary, was born in Suffield, Conn, in 
1794, educated at Yale and Princeton and, in 1829, 
as a Congregational missionary, came to the 
Galena lead mines — then esteemed "a place so 
hard no one else would take it." In less than two 
years he had a Sunday-school with ten teachers 
and sixty to ninety scholars, and had also estab- 
lished a day-school, which he conducted himself. 
In 1831 he organized the First Presbyterian 
Church of Galena-, of which he remained pastor 
until 1848, when he became Agent of the Home 
Missionary Society. He was prominent in laying 
the foundations of Beloit College and Rockford 
Female Seminary, meanwhile contributing freely 
from his meager salary to charitable purposes. 
Died at Galena, Nov. 8, 1869. 

KEOKUK, (interpretation, "The Watchful 
Fox"), a Chief of the Sacs and Foxes, born on 
Rock River, about 1780. He had the credit of 
shrewdness and bravery, which enabled him 
finally to displace his rival, Black Hawk. He 
always professed ardent friendship for the whites, 
although this was not infrequently attributed to 
a far-seeing policy. He earnestly dissuaded 
Black Hawk from the formation of his confeder- 
acy, and when the latter was forced to surrender 
himself to the United States authorities, he was 
formally delivered to the custody of Keokuk. By 
the Rock Island treaty, of September, 1832, Keo- 
kuk was formally recognized as the principal 
Chief of the Sacs and Foxes, and granted a reser- 
vation on the Iowa River, 40 miles square. Here 
he lived until 1845, when he removed to Kansas, 
where, in June, 1848, he fell a victim to poison, 
supposedly administered by some partisan of 
Black Hawk. (See Black Hawk and Black Hawk 
War.) 

KERFOOT, Samuel H., real-estate operator, 
was born in Lancaster, Pa., Dec. 18, 1823, and 
educated under the tutorship of Rev. Dr. Muh- 
lenburg at St. Paul's College, Flushing, Long 
Island, graduating at the age of 19. He was 
then associated with a brother in founding St. 
James College, in Washington County, Md., but, 
in 1848, removed to Chicago and engaged in the 
real-estate business, in which he was one of the 
oldest operators at the time of his death, Dec. 28, 
1896. He was one of the founders and a life 
member of the Chicago Historical Society and of 
the Chicago Academy of Sciences, and associated 
with other learned and social organizations. He 
was also a member of the original Real Estate 



316 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and Stock Board of Chicago and its first Presi- 
dent. 

KEWANEE, a city in Henry County, on the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 131 
miles southwest of Chicago. Agriculture and 
coal-mining are chief industries of the surround- 
ing country. The city contains eighteen churches, 
six graded schools, a public library of 10,000 
volumes, three national banks, one weekly and 
two daily papers. It has extensive manufactories 
employing four to five thousand hands, the out- 
put including tubing and soil-pipe, boilers, pumps 
and heating apparatus, agricultural implements, 
etc. Population (1890), 4,569 ; (1900), 8,382 ; (1903, 
est.), 10,000. 

KEYES, Willard, pioneer, was born at New- 
fane, Windsor County, Vt., Oct. 28, 1792; spent 
his early life on a farm, enjoying only such edu- 
cational advantages as could be secured by a few 
months' attendance on school in winter ; in 1817 
started west by way of Mackinaw and, crossing 
Wisconsin (then an unbroken wilderness), finally 
reached Prairie du Chien, after which he spent a 
year in the "pineries. " In 1819 he descended the 
Mississippi with a raft, his attention en route 
being attracted by the present site of the city of 
Quincy, to which, after two years spent in exten- 
sive exploration of the "Military Tract" in the 
interest of certain owners of bounty lands, he 
again returned, finding it still unoccupied. 
Then, after two years spent in farming in Pike 
County, in 182-1 he joined his friend, the late 
Gov. John Wood, who had built the first house in 
Quincy two years previous. Mr. Keyes thus 
became one of the three earliest settlers of 
Quincy, the other two being John Wood and a 
Major Rose. On the organization of Adams 
County, in January, 1825, he was appointed a 
member of the first Board of County Commission- 
ers, which held its first meeting in his house. 
Mr. Keyes acquired considerable landed property 
about Quincy, a portion of which he donated to 
the Chicago Theological Seminary, thereby fur- 
nishing means for the erection of "Willard Hall" 
in connection with that institution. His death 
occurred in Quincy, Feb. 7, 1872. 

KICKAPOOS, a tribe of Indians whose eth- 
nology is closely related to that of the Mascou- 
tins. The French orthography of the word was 
various, the early explorers designating them as 
"Kic-a-pous, " "Kick-a-poux," "Kick-a-bou," and 
"Quick-a-pous." The significance of the name is 
uncertain, different authorities construing it to 
mean "the otter's foot" and the "rabbit's ghost," 
according to dialect. From 1602, when the tribe 



was first visited by Samuel Champlain, the Kicka- 
poos were noted as a nation of warriors. They 
fought against Christianization, and were, for 
some time, hostile to the French, although they 
proved efficient allies of the latter during the 
French and Indian War. Their first formal 
recognition of the authority of the United States 
was in the treaty of Edwardsville (1819), in which 
reference was made to the treaties executed at 
Vincennes (1805 and 1809). Nearly a century 
before, they had left their seats in Wisconsin and 
established villages along the Rock River and 
near Chicago (171215). At the time of the 
Edwardsville treaty they had settlements in the 
valleys of the Wabash, Embarras, Kaskaskia, 
Sangamon and Illinois Rivers. While they 
fought bravel} - at the battle of Tippecanoe, their 
chief military skill lay in predatory warfare. As 
compared with other tribes, they were industri- 
ous, intelligent and cleanly. In 1832-33 they 
were removed to a reservation in Kansas. Thence 
many of them drifted to the southwest, join- 
ing roving, plundering bands. In language, 
manners and customs, the Kickapoos closely 
resembled the Sacs and Foxes, with whom some 
ethnologists believe them to have been more or 
less closely connected. 

KILPATRICK, Thomas M., legislator and 
soldier, was born in Crawford County, Pa., June 
1, 1807. He learned the potter's trade, and, at 
the age of 27, removed to Scott County, 111. He 
was a deep thinker, an apt and reflective student 
of public affairs, and naturally eloquent. He 
was twice elected to the State Senate (1840 and 
'44), and, in 1846, was the Whig candidate for 
Governor, but was defeated by Augustus C. 
French, Democrat. In 1850 he emigrated to 
California, but, after a few years, returned to 
Illinois and took an active part in the campaigns 
of 1858 and 1860. On the outbreak of the Civil 
War he was commissioned Colonel of the Twenty- 
eighth Illinois Volunteers, for which regiment he 
had recruited a company. He was killed at the 
battle of Shiloh. April 6, 1862, while leading a 
charge. 

KO'DERHOOK, a village and railway station 
in Pike County, on the Hannibal Division of the 
Wabash Railway, 13 miles east of Hannibal. 
Population (1890), 473; (1900), 370. 

KIX(x, John Lyle, lawyer, was born in Madison, 
Ind., in 1825 — the son of a pioneer settler who 
was one of the founders of Hanover College 
and of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary 
there, which afterwards became the "Presby- 
terian Theological Seminary of the Northwest,' 5 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



O 1 *■ 



now the McCormick Theological Seminary of 
Chicago. After graduating at Hanover, Mr, King 
began the study of law with an uncle at Madison, 
and the following year was admitted to the bar. 
In 1852 he was elected to the Indiana Legislature 
and, while a member of that body, acted as Chair- 
man of the Committee to present Louis Kossuth, 
the Hungarian patriot and exile, to the Legisla- 
ture; also took a prominent part, during the next 
few years, in the organization of the Republican 
party. Removing to Chicago in 1850, he soon 
became prominent in his profession there, and, in 
1800, was elected City Attorney over Col. James A. 
Mulligan, who became eminent a year ortwo later, 
in connection with the war for the Union. Hav- 
ing a fondness for literature, Mr. King wrote much 
for the press and, in 1878, published a volume of 
sporting experiences with a party of professional 
friends in the woods and waters of Northern Wis- 
consin and Michigan, under the title, "Trouting 
on the Brule River, or Summer Wayfaring in the 
Northern Wilderness." Died in Chicago, April 17, 
1892. 

KING, William H., lawyer, was born at Clifton 
Park, Saratoga County, N.Y., Oct. 2:?, 1817; gradu- 
ated from Union College in 1840, studied law at 
Waterford and, having been admitted to the bar 
the following year, began practice at the same 
place. In 1S53 he removed to Chicago, where he 
held a number of important positions, including 
the Presidency of the Chicago Law Institute, the 
Chicago Bar Association, the Chicago Board of 
Education, and the Union College Alumni 
Association of the Northwest. In 1870 he was 
elected to the lower branch of the Twenty- 
seventh General Assembly, and, during the ses- 
sions following the fire of 1871 prepared the act 
for the protection of titles to real estate, made 
necessary by the destruction of the records in the 
Recorder's office. Mr. King received the degree 
of LL.D from his Alma Mater in 1879. Died, in 
Chicago, Feb. 6, 1892. 

KINGMAN, Martin, was born at Deer Creek, 
Tazewell County, 111., April 1, 1844; attended 
school at Washington, 111., then taught two or 
three years, and, in June, 1802, enlisted in the 
Eighty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, serv- 
ing three years without the loss of a day — a part 
of the time on detached service in charge of an 
ambulance corps and, later, as Assistant Quarter- 
master. Returning from the war with the rank 
of First Lieutenant, in August, 1805, he went to 
Peoria, where he engaged in business and has re- 
mained ever since. He is now connected with the 
following business concerns: Kingman & Co., 



manufacturers and dealers in farm machinery 
buggies, wagons, etc. , The Kingman Plow Com- 
pany, Bank of Illinois, Peoria Cordage Companj 
Peoria General Electric Company, and National 
Hotel Company, besides various outside enter- 
prises — all large concerns in each of which he is a 
large stockholder and a Director. Mr. Kingman 
was Canal Commissioner for six years — this being 
his only connection with politics. During 1898 he 
was also chosen Lieutenant-Colonel of the Peoria 
Provisional Regiment organized for the Spanish- 
American War. His career in connection with 
the industrial development of Peoria has been 
especially conspicuous and successful. 

KINKADE (or Kinkead), William, a native of 
Tennessee, settled in what is now Lawrence 
County, in 1817, and was elected to the State 
Senate in 1822, but appears to have served only 
one session, as he was succeeded in the Fourth 
General Assembly by James Bird. Although a 
Tennesseean by birth, he was one of the most 
aggressive opponents of the scheme for making 
Illinois a slave State, being the only man who 
made a speech against the pro-slavery convention 
resolution, though this was cut short by the 
determination of the pro-conventionists to permit 
no debate. Mr. Kinkade was appointed Post- 
master at Lawrenceville by President John 
Quincy Adams, and held the position for many 
years. He died in 1840. 

KINMUNDY, a city in Marion County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 229 miles south of 
Chicago and 24 miles northeast of Centralia. 
Agriculture, stock-raising, fruit-growing and 
coal-mining are the principal industries of the 
surrounding country. Kinmundy has flouring 
mills and brick-making plants, with other 
manufacturing establishments of minor impor- 
tance. There are five churches, a bank and a 
weekly newspaper. Population (1880), 1,090; 
(1890), 1.045; (1900), 1,221. 

KINNEY, William, Lieutenant-Governor of 
Illinois from 1820 to 1830 ; was born in Kentucky in 
1781 and came to Illinois early in life, finally 
settling in St. Clair Count}'. Of limited educa- 
tional advantages, he was taught to read by his 
wife after marriage. He became a Baptist 
preacher, was a good stump-orator; served two 
sessions in the State Senate (the First and Third), 
was a candidate for Governor in 1834, but was 
defeated by Joseph Duncan ; in 1838 was elected 
by the Legislature a member of the Board of 
Public Works, becoming its President. Died 
in 1843.— William C. (Kinney), son of the preced- 
ing, was born in Illinois, served as a member of 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the Constitutional Convention of 1847 and as 
Representative in the Nineteenth General Assem- 
bly (1855), and, in 1857, was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Bissell Adjutant-General of the State, 
dying in office the following year. 

KINZIE, John, Indian-trader and earliest citi- 
zen of Chicago, was born in Quebec, Canada, in 
1763. His father was a Scotchman named 
McKenzie, but the son dropped the prefix "Mc," 
and the name soon came to be spelled "Kinzie" 
— an orthography recognized by the family. Dur- 
ing his early childhood his father died, and his 
mother gave him a stepfather by the name of 
William Forsythe. When ten years old he left 
home and, for three years, devoted himself to 
learning the jeweler's trade at Quebec. Fasci- 
nated by stories of adventure in the West, he 
removed thither and became an Indian-trader. 
In 1804 he established a trading post at what is 
now the site of Chicago, being the first solitary 
white settler. Later he established other posts 
on the Rock, Illinois and Kankakee Rivers. He 
was twice married, and the father of a numerous 
family. His daughter Maria married Gen. 
David Hunter, and his daughter-in-law, Mrs. 
John H. Kinzie, achieved literary distinction as 
the authoress of "Wau Bun," etc. (N. Y. 1850.) 
Died in Chicago, Jan. 6, 1828.— John Harris 
(Kinzie), son of the preceding, was born at Sand- 
wich, Canada, July 7, 1803, brought by his par- 
ents to Chicago, and taken to Detroit after the 
massacre of 1812, but returned to Chicago in 
1816. Two years later his father placed him at 
Mackinac Agency of the American Fur Com- 
pany, and, in 1824, he was transferred to Prairie 
du Chien. The following year he was Sub-Agent 
of Indian affairs at Fort Winnebago, where he 
witnessed several important Indian treaties. In 
1830 he went to Connecticut, where he was 
married, and, in 1833, took up his permanent resi- 
dence in Chicago, forming a partnership with 
Gen. David Hunter, his brother-in-law, in the 
forwarding business. In 1841 he was appointed 
Registrar of Public Lands by President Harrison, 
but was removed by Tyler. In 1848 he was 
appointed Canal Collector, and. in 1849, President 
Taylor commissioned him Receiver of Public 
Moneys. In 1861 he was commissioned Pay- 
master in the army by President Lincoln, which 
office he held until his death, which occurred on 
a railroad train near Pittsburg, Pa., June 21, 1865. 
KIRBY, Edward P., lawyer and legislator, 
was born in Putnam County, 111., Oct. 28, 1834— 
the son of Rev. William Kirby, one of the found- 
ers and early professors of Illinois College at 



Jacksonville; graduated at Illinois College in 
1Sj4, then taught several years at St. Louis and 
Jacksonville; was admitted to the bar in 1864, 
and, in 1873, was elected County Judge of Morgan 
County as a Republican; was Representative in 
the General Assembly from Morgan County 
(lsDl-93) ; also served for several years as Trustee 
of the Central Hospital for the Insane and, for a 
long period, as Trustee and Treasurer of Illinois 
College. 

KIRK, (Gen.) Edward >*., soldier, was born of 
Quaker parentage in Jefferson County, Ohio, Feb. 
29, 1828; graduated at the Friends' Academy, at 
Mount Pleasant in the same State, and, after 
teaching for a time, began the study of law, 
completing it at Baltimore, Md., where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1853. A year later he 
removed to Sterling, 111., where he continued in 
his profession until after the battle of the first 
Bull Run, when he raised a regiment. The quota 
of the State being already full, this was not im- 
mediately accepted ; but, after some delay, was 
mustered in in September, 1861, as the Thirty- 
fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, with the 
subject of this sketch as Colonel. In the field he 
soon proved himself a brave and dashing officer; 
at the battle of Shiloh, though wounded through 
the shoulder, he refused to leave the field. After 
remaining with the army several days, inflam- 
matory fever set in, necessitating his removal to 
the hospital at Louisville, where he lay between 
life and death for some time. Having partially 
recovered, in August, 1862, he set out to rejoin 
his regiment, but was stopped en route by an 
order assigning him to command at Louisville. 
In November following he was commissioned 
Brigadier-General for "heroic action, gallantry 
and ability" displayed on the field. In the last 
days of December, 1862, he had sufficiently re- 
covered to take part in the series of engagements 
at Stone River, where he was again wounded, 
this time fatally. He was taken to his home in 
Illinois, and, although he survived several 
months, the career of one of the most brilliant 
and promising soldiers of the war was cut short 
by his death, July 21, 1863. 

KIRKLAND, Joseph, journalist and author, 
was born at Geneva, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1830 — the son 
of Prof. William Kirkland of Hamilton College; 
was brought by his parents to Michigan in 1835, 
where he remained until 1856, when he came to 
the city of Chicago. In 1861 he enlisted as a 
private in the Twelfth Illinois Infantry (three- 
months' men), was elected Second Lieutenant, 
but later became Aid-de-Camp on the staff of 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



319 



General McClellan, serving there and on the staff 
of General Fitz-John Porter until the retirement 
of the latter, meanwhile taking part in the Pen- 
insular campaign and in the battle of Antietam. 
Returning to Chicago he gave attention to some 
coal-mining property near Danville, but later 
studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1880. 
A few years later he produced his first novel, 
and, from 1890, devoted his attention solely to 
literary pursuits, for several years being liter- 
ary editor of "The Chicago Tr ; _bune. " His works 
— several of which first appeared as serials in the 
magazines — include "Zury, the Meanest Man in 
Spring County" (1885); "The MoVeys" (1887); 
"The Captain of Co. K." (1889), besides the "His- 
tory of the Chicago Massacre of 1812," and "The 
Story of Chicago" — the latter in two volumes. At 
the time of his death he had just concluded, in 
collaboration with Hon. John Moses, the work of 
editing a two-volume "History of Chicago," pub- 
lished by Messrs. Munsell & Co. (1895). Died, in 
Chicago, April 29, 1894— Elizabeth Stansbury 
(Kirkland), sister of the preceding — teacher and 
author — was born at Geneva, N. Y..came to Chicago 
in 1867 and, five years later, established a select 
school for young ladies, out of which grew what 
is known as the "Kirkland Social Settlement," 
which was continued until her death, July 30, 
1896. She was the author of a number of vol- 
umes of decided merit, written with the especial 
object of giving entertainment and instruction to 
the young — including "Six Little Cooks," "Dora's 
Housekeeping," "Speech and Manners," a Child's 
"History of France," a "History of England," 
"History of English Literature." etc. At her 
death she left a "History of Italy" ready for the 
hands of the publishers. 

KIRKPATRICK, John, pioneer Methodist 
preacher, was born in Georgia, whence he emi- 
grated in 1802; located at Springfield, 111., at an 
early day, where he built the first horse-mill in 
that vicinity; in 1829 removed to Adams County, 
and finally to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he died in 
1845. Mr. Kirkpatrick is believed to have been the 
first local Methodist preacher licensed in Illinois. 
Having inherited three slaves (a woman and two 
boys) while in Adams County, he brought them 
to Illinois and gave them their freedom. The 
boys were bound to a man in Quincy to learn a 
trade, but mysteriously disappeared — presumably 
having been kidnaped with the connivance of 
the man in whose charge they had been placed. 

KIRKWOOI), a city in Warren County, once 
known as "Young America," situated about six 
miles southwest of Monmouth, on the Chicago, 



Burlington & Quincy Railroad; is a stock-ship- 
ping point and in an agricultural region. The 
town has two banks, five churches, and two 
weekly newspapers. Pop. (1890), 949; (1900), 1,008. 

KISHWAUKEE RIVER, rises in McHenry 
County, runs west through Boone, and enters 
Rock River in Winnebago County, eight miles 
below Rockford. It is 75 miles long. An afflu- 
ent called the South Kishwaukee River runs 
north -northeast and northwest through De Kalb 
County, and enters the Kiskwaukee in Winne- 
bago County, about eight miles southeast of 
Rockford. 

KITCHELL, Wickliff, lawyer and Attorney- 
General of Illinois, was born in New Jersey, 
May 21, 1789. Feb. 29, 1812, he was married, 
at Newark, N. J., to Miss Elizabeth Ross, 
and the same year emigrated west, passing 
down the Ohio on a flat-boat from Pittsburg, 
Pa., and settled near Cincinnati In 1814 
he became a resident of Southern Indiana, 
where he was elected sheriff, studied law 
and was admitted to the bar, finally becom- 
ing a successful practitioner. In 1817 he removed 
to Palestine. Crawford County, 111., where, in 
1820, he was elected Representative in the Second 
General Assembly, and was also a member of the 
State Senate from 1828 to 1832. In 183S he re- 
moved to Hillsboro, Montgomery County, was 
appointed Attorney-General in 1839, serving until 
near the close of the following year, when he 
resigned to take his seat as Representative in 
the Twelfth General Assembly. Between 184G 
and 1854 he was a resident of Fort Madison, Iowa, 
but the latter year returned to Hillsboro. During 
his early political career Mr. Kitchell had been a 
Democrat ; but, on the passage of the Kansas- Neb- 
raska act, became an earnest Republican. Pub- 
lic-spirited and progressive, he was in advance of 
his time on many public questions. Died, Jan. 
2, 1869. — Alfred (Kitchell), son of the preceding, 
lawyer and Judge, born at Palestine, 111. , March 
29, 1820; was educated at Indiana State Univer- 
sity and Hillsboro Academy, admitted to the bar 
in 1841, and, the following year, commenced 
practice at Olney; was elected State's Attorney 
in 1843, through repeated re-elections holding the 
office ten years ; was a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847 and, in 1849, was 
elected Judge of Richland County ; later assisted 
in establishing the first newspaper published in 
Olney, and in organizing the Republican party 
there in 1856; in 1859 was elected Judge of the 
Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit, serving one term. 
He was also influential in procuring a charter for 



320 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, and in the con- 
struction of the line, being an original corporator 
and subsequently a Director of the Company. 
Later he removed to Galesburg, where he died, 
Nov. 11, 1876. —Edward (Kitchell), another son, 
was born at Palestine, 111 , Dec. 21, 1829; was 
educated at Hillsboro Academy until 1846, when 
he removed with his father"s family to Fort 
Madison, Iowa, but later returned to Hillsboro to 
continue his studies; in 1852 made the trip across 
the plains to California to engage in gold mining, 
but the following year went to Walla Walla, 
Washington Territory, where he opened a law 
office; in 1854 returned to Illinois, locating at 
Olney, Richland County, forming a partnership 
with Horace Hay ward, a relative, in the practice 
of law. Here, having taken position against the 
repeal of the Missouri Compromise, he became, 
in 1856, the editor of the first Republican news- 
paper published in that part of Illinois known as 
"Egypt," with his brother, Judge Alfred Kitchell, 
being one of the original thirty-nine Republicans 
in Richland County. In 1862 he assisted in 
organizing the Ninety-eighth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers at Centralia, which, in the following 
year having been mounted, became a part of the 
famous "Wilder Brigade." At first he was com- 
missioned Lieutenant-Colonel, but succeeded to 
the command of the regiment after the wounding 
of Colonel Funkhouser at Chickamauga in Sep- 
tember, 1863; was finally promoted to the colo- 
nelcy in July, 1865, and mustered out with the 
rank of Brigadier-General by brevet. Resuming 
the practice of his profession at Olney, he was, 
in 1866, the Republican candidate for Congress in 
a district strongly Democratic ; also served as 
Collector of Internal Revenue for a short time 
and, in 1868, was Presidential Elector for the 
same District. Died, at Olney, July 11, 1869.— 
John Wickliff (Kitchell), youngest son of Wick- 
liff Kitchell, was born at Palestine, Crawford 
County, 111. , May 30, 1835, educated at Hillsboro, 
read law at Fort Madison, Iowa, and admitted to 
the bar in that State. At the age of 19 years he 
served as Assistant Clerk of the House of Repre- 
sentatives at Springfield, and was Reading Clerk 
of the same body at the session of 1861. Previous 
to the latter date he had edited "The Montgomery 
County Herald." and later, "The Charleston 
Courier." Resigning his position as Reading 
Clerk in 1861, he enlisted under the first call of 
President Lincoln in the Ninth Illinois Volun- 
teers, served as Adjutant of the regiment and 
afterwards as Captain of his company. At the 
expiration of his term of enlistment he established 



"The Union Monitor" at Hillsboro, which he con- 
ducted until drafted into the service in 1864, 
serving until the close of the war. In 1866 he 
removed to Pana (his present residence), resum- 
ing practice there; was a candidate for the State 
Senate the same year, and, in 1870, was the 
Republican nominee for Congress in that District. 

KNICKERBOCKER, Joshua C, lawyer, was 
born in Gallatin, Columbia County, N. Y., Sept. 
26, 1*27; brought by his father to Alden, McHenry 
County, 111., in 1844, and educated in the com- 
mon schools of that place ; removed to Chicago in 
1860, studied law and was admitted to practice in 
1862 ; served on the Board of Supervisors and in 
the City Council and, in 1868, was elected Repre- 
sentative in the General Assembly, serving one 
term. He was also a member of the State Board 
of Education from 1875 to "77, and the latter 
year was elected Probate Judge for Cook County, 
serving until his death, Jan. 5, 1890. 

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS, a secret semi -mili- 
tary and benevolent association founded in the 
City of Washington, D. C, Feb. 19, 1864, Justus 
H. Rathbone (who died Dec. 9, 1889) being its 
recognized founder. The order was established 
in Illinois, May 4, 1869, by the organization of 
"Welcome Lodge, No. 1," in the city of Chicago. 
On July 1, 1869, this Lodge had nineteen mem- 
bers. At the close of the year four additional 
Lodges had been instituted, having an aggregate 
membership of 245. Early in the following year, 
on petition of these five Lodges, approved by the 
Grand Chancellor, a Grand Lodge of the Order 
for the State of Illinois was instituted in Chicago, 
witli a membership of twenty-nine Past Chancel- 
lors as representatives of the five subordinate 
Lodges — the total membership of these Lodges at 
that date being 382. December 31, 1870, the 
total membership in Illinois had increased to 850. 
June 30, 1895, the total number of Lodges in the 
State was 525, and the membership 38.441. The 
assets belonging to the Lodges in Illinois, on 
Jan. 1, 1894, amounted to §418,151.77. 

KNOWLTON, Dexter A., pioneer and banker, 
was born in Fairfield, Herkimer County, N. Y. , 
March 3, 1812, taken to Chautauqua County in 
infancy and passed his childhood and youth on a 
farm. Having determined on a mercantile ca- 
reer, he entered an academy at Fredonia, paying 
his own way ; in 1838 started on a peddling tour 
for the West, and, in the following year, settled 
at Freeport, 111., where he opened a general store; 
in 1843 began investments in real estate, finally 
laying off sundry additions to the city of Free 
port, from which he realized large profits. He 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



321 



was also prominently connected with the Galena 
& Chicago Union Railroad and, in 1850, became 
a Director of the Company, remaining in office 
some twelve years. In 1852 he was the Free-Soil 
candidate for Governor of Illinois, but a few years 
later became extensively interested in the Con- 
gress & Empire Spring Company at Saratoga, 
N. Y. ; then, after a four years' residence in 
Brooklyn, returned to Freeport in 1870, where he 
engaged in banking business, dying in that city, 
March 10, 1876. 

KNOX, Joseph, lawyer, was born at Blanford, 
Mass., Jan. 11, 1805; studied law with his 
brother, Gen. Alanson Knox, in his native town, 
was admitted to the bar in 1828, subsequently 
removing to Worcester, in the same State, where 
he began the practice of his profession. In 1837 
he removed west, locating at Stephenson, now 
Rock Island, 111. , where he continued in practice 
for twenty-three years. During the greater part 
of that time he was associated with Hon. John 
"W. Drury, under the firm name of Knox & Druiy, 
gaining a wide reputation as a lawyer throughout 
Northern Illinois. Among the important cases in 
which he took part during his residence in Rock 
Island was the prosecution of the murderers of 
Colonel Daveuport in 1845. In 1852 he served as a 
Democratic Presidential Elector, but in the next 
campaign identified himself with the Republican 
party as a supporter of John C. Fremont for the 
Presidency. In 18G0 he removed to Chicago and, 
two years later, was appointed State's Attorney 
by Governor Yates, remaining in office until suc- 
ceeded by his partner, Charles H. Reed. After 
coming to Chicago he was identified with a num- 
ber of notable cases. His death occurred, August 
6, 1881. 

KNOX COLLEGE, a non-sectarian institution 
for the higher education of the youth of both 
sexes, located at Galesburg, Knox County. It 
was founded in 1837, fully organized in 1841, and 
graduated its first class in 1846. The number of 
graduates from that date until 1894, aggregated 
867. In 1893 it had 663 students in attendance, 
and a faculty of 20 professors. Its library con- 
tains about 6,000 volumes. Its endowment 
amounts to §300,000 and its buildings are valued 
at §150,000. Dr. Newton Bateman was at its 
head for more than twenty years, and, on his res- 
ignation (1893), John H. Finley, Ph.D., became 
its President, but resigned in 1899. 

KNOX COUNTY, a wealthy interior county 
west of the Illinois River, having an area of 720 
square miles and a population (1900) of 43,612. It 
was named in honor of Gen. Henrv Knox. Its 



territorial limits were defined by legislative 
enactment in 1825, but the actual organization 
dates from 1830, when Riggs Pennington, Philip 
Hash.and Charles Hansford were named the first 
Commissioners. Knoxville was the first county- 
seat selected, and here (in the winter of 1830-31) 
was erected the first court house, constructed 
of logs, two stories in height, at a cost of 
$192. The soil is rich, and agriculture flour- 
ishes. The present county-seat (1899) is Gales- 
burg, well known for its educational institutions, 
the best known of which are Knox College, 
founded in 1837 r and Lombard University, 
founded in 1851. A flourishing Episcopal Semi- 
nary is located at Knoxville, and Hedding Col- 
lege at Abingdon. 

KNOXVILLE, a city in Knox County, on the 
Galesburg-Peoria Division of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad, 50 miles west of 
Peoria, and 5 miles east of Galesburg; was 
formerly the county-seat, and still contains the 
fair grounds and almshouse. The municipal gov- 
ernment is composed of a mayor, six aldermen, 
with seven heads of departments. It has electric 
lighting and street-car service, good water-works, 
banks, numerous churches, three public schools, 
and is the seat of St. Mary's school for girls, and 
St. Alban's, for boys. Population (1890), 1,728 ; 
(1900), 1,857. 

KOERNER, Oustavus, lawyer and Lieutenant- 
Governor, was born in Germany in 1809, and 
received a university education. He was a law- 
yer by profession, and emigrated to Illinois in 
1833, settling finally at Belleville. He at once 
affiliated with the Democratic party, and soon 
became prominent in politics. In 1842 he was 
elected to the General Assembly, and three years 
later was appointed to the bench of the State 
Supreme Court. In 1852 he was elected Lieuten- 
ant-Governor on the ticket headed by Joel A. 
Matteson; but, at the close of his term, became 
identified with the Republican party and was a 
staunch Union man during the Civil War, serving 
for a time as Colonel on General Fremont's and 
General Halleck's staffs. In 1862 President Lin- 
coln made him Minister to Spain, a post which he 
resigned in January, 1865. He was a member of 
the Chicago Convention of 1860 that nominated 
Lincoln for the Presidency; was a Republican 
Presidential Elector in 1868, and a delegate to the 
Cincinnati Convention of 1872 that named Horace 
Greeley for the Presidency. In 1807 he served as 
President of the first Board of Trustees of the 
Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and, in 1870, was 
elected to the Legislature a second time. The 



322 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



following year he was appointed a member of the 
first Board of Railroad and Warehouse Commis- 
sioners, and served as its President. He is the 
author of "Collection of the Important General 
Laws of Illinois, with Comments" (in German, 
St. Louis, 1838); "From Spain" (Frankfort on- 
the-Main, I860); "Das Deutsche Element in den 
Vereiningten Staaten" (Cincinnati, 1880; second 
edition, New York, 1885) ; and a number of mono- 
graphs. Died, at Belleville, April 9, 1896. 

KOHLSAAT, Christian C, Judge of United 
States Court, was born in Edwards County, 111., 
Jan. 8, 1844 — his father being a native of Germany 
who settled in Edwards County in 1825, while his 
mother was born in England. The family 
removed to Galena in 1854, where young Kohlsaat 
attended the public schools, later taking a course 
in Chicago University, after which he began the 
study of law. In 1867 he became a reporter on 
"The Chicago Evening Journal," was admitted 
to the bar in the same year, and, in 1S68, accepted 
a position in the office of the County Clerk, where 
he kept the records of the County Court under 
Judge Bradwell's administration. During the 
sessions of the Twenty-seventh General Assembly 
(1871-72) , he served as First Assistant Enrolling 
and Engrossing Clerk of the House, after which 
he began practice; in 1881 was the Republican 
nominee for County Judge, but was defeated by 
Judge Prendergast; served as member of the 
Board of West Side Park Commissioners, 1884-90 ; 
in 1890 was appointed Probate Judge of Cook 
County (as successor to Judge Knickerbocker, 
who died in January of that year), and was 
elected to the office in November following, and 
re-elected in 1894, as he was again in 1898. Early 
in 1899 he was appointed, by President MeKinley, 
Judge of the United States District Court for the 
Northern District of Illinois, as successor to Judge 
Grosscup, who had been appointed United States 
Circuit Judge in place of Judge Showalter, 
deceased. 

KOHLSAAT, Herman H., editor and news- 
paper publisher, was born in Edwards County, 
111. , March 22, 1853, and taken the following year 
to Galena, where he remained until 12 years of 
age, when the family removed to Chicago. Here, 
after attending the public schools some three 
years, he became a cash-boy in the store of Car- 
son, Pirie & Co., a year later rising to the position 
of cashier, remaining two years. Then, after 
having been connected with various business 
concerns, he became the junior member of the 
firm of Blake, Shaw & Co. , for whom he had been 
a traveling salesman some five years. In 1880 he 



became associated with the Dake Bakery, in con- 
nection with which lie laid the foundation of an 
extensive business by establishing a system of 
restaurants and lunch counters in the business 
portions of the city. In 1891, after a somewhat pro- 
tracted visit to Europe, Mr Kohlsaat bought a con- 
trolling interest in "The Chicago Inter Ocean," 
but withdrew early in 1894. In April, 1895, he be- 
came principal proprietor of "The Chicago Times- 
Herald," as the successor of the late James W. 
Scott, wbo died suddenly in New York, soon after 
effecting a consolidation of Chicago's two Demo- 
cratic papers, "The Times" and "Herald," in one 
concern. Although changing the political status 
of the paper from Democratic to Independent, 
Mr. Kohlsaat's liberal enterprise has won for it 
an assured success. He is also owner and pub- 
lisher of "The Chicago Evening Post." His 
whole business career has been one of almost 
phenomenal success attained by vigorous enter- 
prise and high-minded, honorable methods. Mr. 
Kohlsaat is one of the original incorporators of 
the University of Chicago, of which he continues 
to be one of the Trustees. 

KROME, William Henry, lawyer, born of Ger- 
man parentage, in Louisville, Ky., July 1, 1842; 
in 1851 was brought by his father to Madison 
County, 111., where he lived and worked for some 
years on a farm. He acquired his education in 
the common schools and at McKendree College, 
graduating from the latter in 1863. After spend- 
ing his summer months in farm labor and teach- 
ing school during the winter, for a year or two, 
he read law for a time with Judge M. G. Dale of 
Edwardsville, and, in 1866, entered the law 
department of Michigan University, gradu- 
ating in 1869, though admitted the year previous 
to practice by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Mr. 
Krome has been successively the partner of 
Judge John G. Irwin, Hon. W. F. L. Hadley (late 
Congressman from the Eighteenth District) and 
C. W. Terry. He has held the office of Mayor of 
Edwardsville (1873), State Senator (1874-78), and, 
in 1893, was a prominent candidate before the 
Democratic judicial convention for the nomina- 
tion for Justice of the Supreme Court, to succeed 
Justice Scholfield, deceased. He is also President 
of the Madison County State Bank. 

KUEFFNER, William C, lawyer and soldier, 
was born in Germany and came to St. Clair 
County, 111., in 1861 Early in 1865 he was com- 
missioned Colonel of the One Hundred and Forty- 
ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, one of the 
latest regiments organized for the Civil War, and 
was soon after promoted to the rank of Brevet 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



323 



Brigadier-General, serving until January, 1866. 
Later, General Kueffner studied law at St. Louis, 
and having graduated in 1871, established himself 
in practice at Belleville, where he has since 
resided. He was a successful contestant for a 
seat in the Republican National Convention of 
1880 from the Seventeenth District. 

KUYKENDALL, Andrew J., lawyer and legis- 
lator, was born pf pioneer parents in Gallatin 
(now Hardin) County, 111., March 3, 1815; was 
self-educated chiefly, but in his early manhood 
adopted the law as a profession, locating at 
Vienna in Johnson County, where he continued 
to reside to the end of his life. In 1843 he was 
elected a Representative in the Thirteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly, and re-elected two years later; in 
1850 became State Senator, serving continuously 
in the same body for twelve years; in 1861 en- 
listed, and was commissioned Major, in the 
Thirty-first Illinois Volunteers (Gen. John A. 
Logan's regiment), but was compelled to resign, 
in May following, on acount of impaired health. 
Two years later ( 1864) he was elected Represent- 
ative in the Thirty-ninth Congress, serving one 
term; and, after several years in private life, was 
again returned to the State Senate in 1878, serving 
in the Thirty-first and Thirty-second General 
Assemblies. In all. Major Kuykendall saw 
twenty years' service in the State Legislature, of 
which sixteen were spent in the Senate and four 
in the House, besides two years in Congress. A 
zealous Democrat previous to the war, he was an 
ardent supporter of the war policy of the Govern- 
ment, and, in 1864, presided over the "Union" 
(Republican) State Convention of that year. He 
was also a member of the Senate Finance Com- 
mittee in the session of 1859, which had the duty 
of investigating the Matteson "canal scrip fraud. " 
Died, at Vienna, 111., May 11, 1891. 

LABOR TROUBLES. 1. The Railroad 
Strike of 1877. — By this name is generally char- 
acterized the labor disturbances of 1877, which, 
beginning at Pittsburg in July, spread over the 
entire country, interrupting transportation, and, 
for a time, threatening to paralyze trade. Illi- 
nois suffered severely. The primary cause of the 
troubles was the general prostration of business 
resulting from the depression of values, which 
affected manufacturers and merchants alike. A 
reduction of expenses became necessary, and the 
wages of employes were lowered. Dissatisfaction 
and restlessness on the part of the latter ensued, 
which found expression in the ordering of a strike 
among railroad operatives on a larger scale than 



had ever been witnessed in this country. In Illi- 
nois, Peoria, Decatur, Braidwood, East St. Louis, 
Galesburg, La Salle and Chicago were the prin- 
cipal points affected. In all these cities angry, 
excited men formed themselves into mobs, which 
tore up tracks, took possession of machine shops, 
in some cases destroyed roundhouses, applied the 
torch to warehouses, and, for a time, held com- 
merce by the throat, not only defying the law, 
but even contending in arms against the military 
sent to disperse them. The entire force of the 
State militia was called into service, Major- 
General Arthur C. Ducat being in command. 
The State troops were divided into three brigades, 
commanded respectively by Brigadier-Generals 
Torrence, Bates and Pavey. General Ducat 
assumed personal command at Braidwood, where 
were sent the Third Regiment and the Tenth 
Battalion, who suppressed the riots at that point 
with ease. Col. Joseph W. Stambaugh and 
Lieut. -Col. J. B. Parsons were the respective 
regimental commanders. Generals Bates and 
Pavey were in command at East St. Louis, 
where the excitement was at fever heat, the 
mobs terrorizing peaceable citizens and destroy- 
ing much property. Governor Cullom went to 
this point in person. Chicago, however, was the 
chief railroad center of the State, and only 
prompt and severely repressive measures held in 
check one of the most dangerous mobs which 
ever threatened property and life in that city. 
The local police force was inadequate to control 
the rioters, and Mayor Heath felt himself forced 
to call for aid from the State. Brig. -Gen. Joseph 
T. Torrence then commanded the First Brigade, 
I. N. G., with headquarters at Chicago. Under 
instructions from Governor Cullom, he promptly 
and effectively co-operated with the municipal 
authorities in quelling the uprising. He received 
valuable support from volunteer companies, some 
of which were largely composed of Union veter- 
ans. The latter were commanded by such ex- 
perienced commanders as Generals Reynolds, 
Martin Beem, and O. L. Mann, and Colonel Owen 
Stuart. General Lieb also led a company of 
veterans enlisted by himself, and General Shaff- 
ner and Major James H. D. Daly organized a 
cavalry force of 150 old soldiers, who rendered 
efficient service. The disturbance was promptly 
subdued, transportation resumed, and trade once 
more began to move in its accustomed channels 
2. The Strike of 1894. — This was an uprising 
which originated in Chicago and was incited by a 
comparatively young labor organization called 
the American Railway Union. In its inception it 



324 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was sympathetic, its ostensible motive, at the 
outset, being the righting of wrongs alleged to 
have been suffered by employes of the Pullman 
Palace Car Company. The latter quit work on 
May 11, and, on June 22, the American Railway 
Union ordered a general boycott against all rail- 
road companies hauling Pullman cars after June 
26. The. General Managers of the lines entering 
Chicago took prompt action (June 25) looking 
toward mutual protection, protesting against the 
proposed boycott, and affirming their resolution 
to adhere to existing contracts, any action on the 
part of the strikers to the contrary notwithstand- 
ing. Trouble began on the 20th. The hauling of 
freight was necessarily soon discontinued; sub- 
urban traffic was interrupted ; switching bad to 
be done by inexperienced bands under police or 
military protection (officials and clerks some- 
times throwing the levers), and in the presence of 
large crowds of law-defying hoodlums gathered 
along the tracks, avowedly through sympathy 
with the strikers, but actually in the hope of 
plunder. Trains were sidetracked, derailed, and, 
in not a few instances, valuable freight was 
burned. Passengers were forced to undergo the 
inconvenience of being cooped up for hours in 
crowded cars, in transit, without food or water, 
sometimes almost within sight of their destina- 
tion, and sometimes threatened with death should 
they attempt to leave their prison houses. The 
mobs, intoxicated by seeming success, finally ven- 
tured to interfere with the passage of trains 
carrying the United States mails, and, at this 
juncture, the Federal authorities interfered. 
President Cleveland at once ordered the protec- 
tion of all mail trains by armed guards, to be 
appointed by the United States Marshal. An 
additional force of Deputy Sheriffs was also sworn 
in by the Sheriff of Cook County, and the city 
police force was augmented. The United States 
District Court also issued a restraining order, 
directed against the officers and members of the 
American Railway Union, as well as against all 
other persons interfering with the business of 
railroads carrying the mails. Service was readily 
accepted by the officers of the Union, but the 
copies distributed among the insurgent mob were 
torn and trampled upon. Thereupon the Presi- 
dent ordered Federal troops to Chicago, both to 
protect Government property (notably the Sub- 
treasury) and to guard mail trains. The Gov- 
ernor (John P. Altgeld) protested, but without 
avail. A few days later, the Mayor of Chicago 
requested the State Executive to place a force of 
State militia at his control for the protection of 



property and the prevention of bloodshed. Gen- 
eral Wheeler, with the entire second division of 
the I. N. G., at once received orders to report to 
the municipal authorities. The presence of the 
militia greatly incensed the turbulent crowds, 
yet it proved most salutary. The troops displayed 
exemplary firmness under most try r ing circum- 
stances, dispersing jeering and threatening 
crowds by physical force or bayonet charges, the 
rioters being fired upon only twice. Gradually 
order was restored. The disreputable element 
subsided, and wiser and more conservative coun- 
sels prevailed among the ranks of the strikers. 
Impediments to traffic were removed and trains 
were soon running as though no interruption had 
occurred. The troops were withdrawn (first the 
Federal and afterwards those of the State), and 
the courts were left to deal with the subject in 
accordance with the statutes. The entire execu- 
tive board of the American Railway Union were 
indicted for conspiracy, but the indictments were 
never pressed. The officers, however, were all 
found guilty of contempt of court in having dis- 
obeyed the restraining order of the Federal 
court, and sentenced to terms in the county jail. 
Eugene V. Debs, the President of the Union, was 
convicted on two charges and given a sentence 
of six months on each, but the two sentences were 
afterward made concurrent. The other members 
of the Board received a similar sentence for three 
months each. All but the Vice-President, George 
W. Howard, served their terms at Woodstock, 
McHenry County. Howard was sent to the Will 
County jail at Joliet. 

LACEY, Lyman, lawyer and jurist, was born in 
Tompkins County, N. Y., May 6, 1832. In 1837 
his parents settled in Fulton County, 111. He 
graduated from Illinois College in 1835 and was 
admitted to the bar in 1856, commencing practice 
at Havana, Mason County, the same year. In 
1862 he was elected, as a Democrat, to represent 
the counties of Mason and Menard in the lower 
house of the Legislature; was elected to the Cir- 
cuit Court bench in 1873, and re-elected in 1879, 
'85 and '91 ; also served for several years upon 
the bench of the Appellate Court. 

LACON, a city and county-seat of Marshall 
County, situated on the Illinois River, and on the 
Dwight and Lacon branch of the Chicago & 
Alton Railroad, 130 miles southwest of Chicago. 
A pontoon bridge connects it with Sparland on 
the opposite bank of the Illinois. The surround- 
ing country raises large quantities of grain, for 
which Lacon is a shipping point. The river is 
navigable by steamboats to this point. The city 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



325 



has grain elevators, woolen mills, marble works, 
a carriage factory and a national bank. It also has 
water works, an excellent telephone system, good 
drainage, and is lighted by electricity. There 
are seven churches, a graded school and two 
weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 1814; 
(1890), 1,649, (1900), 1,601. 

LA FAYETTE (Marquis de), VISIT OF. An 
event of profound interest in the history of Illi- 
nois, during the year 1825, was the visit to the 
State by the Marquis de La Fayette, who had 
been the ally of the American people during 
their struggle for independence. The distin- 
guished Frenchman having arrived in the coun- 
try during the latter part of 1824, the General 
Assembly in session at Vandalia, in December of 
that year, adopted an address inviting him to 
visit Illinois. This was communicated to La 
Fayette by Gov. Edward Coles, who had met the 
General in Europe seven years before. Governor 
Coles' letter and the address of the General 
Assembly were answered with an acceptance by 
La Fayette from Washington, under date of Jan. 
16, 1825. The approach of the latter was made by 
way of New Orleans, the steamer Natchez (by 
which General La Fayette ascended the Mis- 
sissippi) arriving at the old French village of 
Carondelet, below St. Louis, on the 28th of April. 
Col. William S. Hamilton, a son of Alexander 
Hamilton, and at that time a Representative in 
the General Assembly from Sangamon County, 
as well as an Aid-de-Camp on the staff of Gov- 
ernor Coles, was dispatched from the home of the 
latter at Edwardsville, to meet the distinguished 
visitor, which he did at St. Louis. On Saturday, 
April 30, the boat bearing General La Fayette, 
with a large delegation of prominent citizens of 
Missouri, left St. Louis, arriving at Kaskaskia, 
where a reception awaited him at the elegant 
residence of Gen. John Edgar, Governor Coles 
delivering an address of welcome. The presence 
of a number of old soldiers, who had fought under 
La Fayette at Brandywine and Yorktown, consti- 
tuted an interesting feature of the occasion. This 
was followed by a banquet at the tavern kept by 
Colonel Sweet, and a closing reception at the house 
of William Morrison, Sr., a member of the cele- 
brated family of that name, and one of the lead- 
ing merchants of Kaskaskia. Among those 
participating in the reception ceremonies, who 
were then, or afterwards became, prominent 
factors in State history, appear the names of Gen. 
John Edgar, ex-Governor Bond, Judge Nathaniel 
Pope, Elias Kent Kane, ex-Lieutenant-Governor 
Menard, Col. Thomas Mather and Sidney Breese, 



a future United States Senator and Justice of the 
Supreme Court. The boat left Kaskaskia at 
midnight for Nashville, Tenn., Governor Coles 
accompanying the party and returning with it to 
Shawneetown, where an imposing reception was 
given and an address of welcome delivered by 
Judge James Hall, on May 14, 1825. A few 
hours later General La Fayette left on his way up 
the Ohio. 

LAFAYETTE, BLOOMINUTON & MISSIS- 
SIPPI RAILROAD. (See Lake Erie & Western 
Railroail. ) 

LAFLIN, Matthew, manufacturer, was born 
at Southwick, Hampden County, Mass., Dec. 16, 
1803; in his youth was clerk for a time in the 
store of Laflin & Loomis, powder manufacturers, 
at Lee, Mass., later becoming a partner in the 
Canton Powder Mills. About 1832 he engaged in 
the manufacture of axes at Saugerties, N. Y., 
which proving a failure, he again engaged in 
powder manufacture, and, in 1S0T, came to Chi- 
cago, where he finally established a factory— his 
firm, in 1840, becoming Laflin & Smith, and. 
later, Laflin, Smith & Co. Becoming largely 
interested in real estate, he devoted his atten- 
tion chiefly to that business after 1849, with 
great success, not only in Chicago but else- 
where, having done much for the develop- 
ment of Waukesha, Wis., where he erected one 
of the principal hotels — the "Fountain Spring 
House" — also being one of the original stock- 
holders of the Elgin Watch Company. Mr. 
Laflin was a zealous supporter of the Government 
during the war for the preservation of the Union, 
and, before his death, made a donation of §75,- 
000 for a building for the Chicago Academy of 
Sciences, which was erected in the western part 
of Lincoln Park. Died, in Chicago, May 20, 1897. 

LA GRAJfOE, a village in Cook County, and 
one of the handsomest suburbs of Chicago, from 
which it is distant 15 miles, south-southwest, on 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. The 
streets are broad and shaded and there are many 
handsome residences. The village is lighted by 
electricity, and has public water-works, seven 
churches, a high school and a weekly paper. 
Population (1880), 531; (1890), 2,314; (1900), 3,969. 

LA HARPE, a city in Hancock County, on the 
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway, 70 miles west 
by south from Peoria and 20 miles south-south- 
east of Burlington, Iowa. Brick, tile and cigars 
constitute the manufactured output. La Harpe 
has two banks, five churches, a graded and a 
high school, a seminary, and two newspapers. 
Population (1880). 958; (1890), 1,118; (1900), 1,591. 



326 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



LAKE COUNTY, in the extreme northeast 
corner of the State, having an area of 490 square 
miles, and a population (1900) of 34,504. It was 
cut off from McHenry County and separately 
organized in 1839. Pioneer settlers began to 
arrive in 1839, locating chiefly along the Des 
Plaines River. The Indians vacated the region 
the following year. The first County Commission- 
ers (E. E. Hunter, "William Brown and E. C. 
Berrey) located the county-seat at Libertyville, 
but, in 1841, it was removed to Little Fort, now 
Waukegan. The county derives its name from 
the fact that some forty small lakes are found 
within its limits. The surface is undulating and 
about equally divided between sand, prairie and 
second-growth timber. At Waukegan there are 
several maufacturing establishments, and the 
Glen Flora medicinal spring attracts many in- 
valids. Highland Park and Lake Forest are resi- 
dence towns of great beauty situated on the lake 
bluff, populated largely by the families of Chicago 
business men. 

LAKE ERIE & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD. 
(See Lake Erie & Western Railroad.) 

LAKE ERIE & WESTERN RAILROAD. Of 
the 710.61 miles which constitute the entire 
length of this line, only 118.6 are within Illinois. 
This portion extends from the junction of the 
Peoria & Pekin Union Railway, on the east side 
of the Illinois River opposite Peoria, to the Indi- 
ana State line. It is a single-track road of 
standard gauge. About one-sixth of the line in 
Illinois is level, the grade nowhere exceeding 40 
feet to the mile. The track is of 56 and 60-pound 
steel rails, and lightly ballasted. The total 
capital of the road (1898)— including §23,680,000 
capital stock, $10,875,000 bonded debt and a float- 
ing debt of SI, 479,809— was §36,034,809, or §50,- 
708 per mile. The total earnings and income in 
Illinois for 1898 were §559,743, and the total 
expenditures for the same period, §457,713. — 
(History.) The main line of the Illinois Division 
of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad was acquired 
by consolidation, in 1880, of the Lafayette, Bloom- 
ington & Mississippi Railroad (81 miles in length), 
which had been opened in 1871, with certain Ohio 
and Indiana lines. In May, 1885, the line thus 
formed was consolidated, without change of name, 
with the Lake Erie & Mississippi Railroad, organ- 
ized to build an extension of the Lake Erie & 
Western from Bloomington to Peoria (43 miles). 
The road was sold under foreclosure in 1886, and 
the present company organized, Feb. 9, 1887. 

LAKE FOREST, a city in Lake County, on 
Lake Michigan and Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 



way, 28 miles north by west from Chicago. It is 
the seat of Lake Forest University; has four 
schools, five churches, one bank, gas and electric 
light system, electric car line, water system, fire 
department and hospital. Population (1890), 
1,203; (1900), 2,215; (1904, est.), 2,800. 

LAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY, an institution 
of learning comprising six distinct schools, viz. : 
Lake Forest Academy, Ferry Hall Seminary, 
Lake Forest College, Rush Medical College, Chi- ■ 
cago College of Dental Surgery, and the Chicago 
College of Law. The three first named are 
located at Lake Forest, while the three profes- 
sional schools are in the city of Chicago. The 
college charter was granted in 1857, but the 
institution was not opened until nineteen years 
later, and the professional schools, which were 
originally independent, were not associated until 
1887. In 1894 there were 316 undergraduates at 
Lake Forest, in charge of forty instructors. Dur- 
ing the same year there were in attendance at the 
professional schools, 1,557 students, making a 
total enrollment in the University of 1,873. 
While the institution is affiliated with the Pres- 
byterian denomination, the Board of Trustees is 
self-perpetuating. The Academy and Seminary 
are preparatory schools for the two sexes, re- 
spectively. Lake Forest College is co-educational 
and organized upon the elective plan, having 
seventeen departments, a certain number of 
studies being required for graduation, and work 
upon a major subject being required for three 
years. The schools at Lake Forest occupy fifteen 
buildings, standing within a campus of sixty-five 
acres. 

LAKE MICHIGAN, one of the chain of five 
great northern lakes, and the largest lake lying 
wholly within the United States. It lies between 
the parallels of 41° 35' and 46° North latitude, its 
length being about 335 miles. Its width varies 
from 50 to 88 miles, its greatest breadth being 
opposite Milwaukee. Its surface is nearly 600 
feet above the sea-level and its maximum depth 
is estimated at 840 feet. It has an area of about 
20,000 square miles. It forms the eastern bound- 
ary of Wisconsin, the western boundary of the 
lower peninsula of Michigan and a part of the 
northern boundary of Illinois and Indiana. Its 
waters find their outlet into Lake Huron through 
the straits of Mackinaw, at its northeast extrem- 
ity, and are connected with Lake Superior by the 
Sault Ste. Marie River. It contains few islands, 
and these mainly in its northern part, the largest 
being some fifteen miles long. The principal 
rivers which empty into this lake are the Fox, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



327 



Menominee, Manistee, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, 
Grand and St. Joseph. Chicago, Milwaukee, 
Racine and Manitowoc are the chief cities on its 
banks. 

LAKE SHORE & MICHIGAN SOUTHERN 
RA I LWAY. The main line extends from Buffalo, 
N. Y., to Chicago, 111., a distance of 539 miles, 
with various branches of leased and proprietary- 
lines located in the States of Michigan, New 
York and Ohio, making the mileage of lines 
operated 1,415.63 miles, of which 862. 15 are owned 
by the company — only 14 miles being in Illinois. 
The total earnings and income in Illinois, in 1898, 
were $453,946, and the expenditures for the same 
period, §360,971. — (History.) The company was 
formed in 1869, from the consolidation of the 
Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana, the 
Cleveland, Painesville & Ashtabula, and the 
Buffalo & Erie Railroad Companies. The propri- 
etary roads have been acquired since the consoli- 
dation. 

LAMB, James L., pioneer merchant, was born 
in Connellsville, Pa., Nov. 7, 1800; at 12 years of 
age went to Cincinnati to serve as clerk in the 
store of a distant relative, came to Kaskaskia, 111., 
in 1820, and soon after engaged in mercantile 
business with Thomas Mather, who had come to 
Illinois two years earlier. Later, the firm estab- 
lished a store at Chester and shipped the first 
barrels of pork from Illinois to the New Orleans 
market. In 1831 Mr. Lamb located in Springfield, 
afterwards carrying on merchandising and pork- 
packing extensively ; also established an iron 
foundry, which continued in operation until a few 
years ago. Died, Dec. 3, 1873. 

LAMB, Martha J. R. N., magazine editor and 
historian, was born (Martha Joan Reade Nash) at 
Plainfield, Mass., August 13, 1829, received a 
thorough education and, after her marriage in 
1852 to Charles A. Lamb, resided for eight years 
in Chicago, 111., where she was one of the prin- 
cipal founders of the Home for the Friendless and 
Half Orphan Asylum, and Secretary of the 
Sanitary Fair of 1863. In 1866 she removed to 
New York and gave her after life to literary work, 
from 1883 until her death being editor of "The 
Magazine of American History," besides furnish- 
ing numerous papers on historical and other sub- 
jects ; also publishing some sixteen volumes, one 
of her most important works being a "History o f . 
New York City," in two volumes. She was a 
member of nearly thirty historical and other 
learned societies. Died, Jan. 2, 1893. 

LAMBORN, Josiah, early lawyer and Attor- 
ney-General; born in Washington County, Ky., 



and educated at Transylvania University; was 
Attorney-General of the State by appointment of 
Governor Carlin, 1840-43, at that time being a 
resident of Jacksonville. He is described by his 
contemporaries as an able and brilliant man, but 
of convivial habits and unscrupulous to such a 
degree that his name was mixed up with a num- 
ber of official scandals. Separated from his 
family, he died of delirium tremens, at White- 
hall, Greene County. 

LAMOILLE, a village of Bureau County, on the 
Mendota-Fulton branch of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy Railway, 9 miles northwest of Men- 
dota; in rich farming and stock-raising region; 
has a bank, three churches, fine school-building, 
and a newspaper. Pop. (1890), 516; (1900), 576. 

LAMON, Ward Hill, lawyer, was born at 
Mill Creek, Frederick County, W. Va., Jan. 6, 
1828; received a common school education and 
was engaged in teaching for a time ; also began 
the study of medicine, but relinquished it for the 
law. About 1847-48 he located at Danville, 111., 
subsequently read law with the late Judge Oliver 
L. Davis, attending lectures at the Louisville 
Law School, where he had Gen. John A. Logan 
for a class-mate. On admission to the bar, he 
became the Danville partner of Abraham Lincoln 
— the partnership being in existence as early as 
1852. In 1859 he removed to Bloomington, and, 
in the Presidential campaign of 1860, was a zeal- 
ous supporter of Mr. Lincoln. In February, 1861, 
he was chosen by Mr. Lincoln to accompany him 
to Washington, making the perilous night jour- 
ney through Baltimore in Mr. Lincoln's company. 
Being a man of undoubted courage, as well as 
almost giant stature, he soon received the ap- 
pointment of Marshal of the District of Columbia, 
and, in the first weeks of the new administration, 
made a confidential visit to Colonel Anderson, 
then in command at Fort Sumter, to secure 
accurate information as to the situation there. 
In May, 1861, he obtained authority to raise a 
regiment, of which he was commissioned Colonel, 
remaining in the field to December, when he 
returned to the discharge of his duties as Marshal 
at Washington, but was absent from Washington 
on the night of the assassination — April 14, 1865. 
Resigning his office after this event, he entered 
into partnership for the practice of law with the 
late Jeremiah S. Black of Pennsylvania. Some 
years later he published the first volume of a pro- 
posed Life of Lincoln, using material which he 
obtained from Mr. Lincoln's Springfield partner. 
William H. Herndon, but the second volume was 
never issued. His death occurred at Martins- 



328 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



burg, W. Va., not far from his birthplace. May 
7, 1893. Colonel Lamon married a daughter of 
Judge Stephen T. Logan, of Springfield. 

LANARK, a city in Carroll Count)-, 19 miles by 
rail southwest of Freeport, and 7 miles east of 
Mount Carroll The surrounding country is 
largely devoted to grain-growing, and Lanark 
has two elevators and is an important shipping- 
point. Manufacturing of various descriptions is 
carried on. The city has two banks (one Na- 
tional an'd one State), eight churches, a graded 
and high school, and a weekly newspaper. Popu- 
lation (1880), 1,198; (1890), 1,295; (1900), 1,306. 

LANDES, Silas Z., ex-Congressman, was born 
in Augusta County, Va., May 15, 1842. In early 
youth he removed to Illinois, and was admitted 
to the bar of this State in August, 1863, and has 
been in active practice at Mount Carmel since 
1864. In 1872 he was elected State's Attorney 
for Wabash County, was re-elected in 1876, and 
again in 1880. He represented the Sixteenth Illi- 
nois District in Congress from 1885 to 1889, being 
elected on the Democratic ticket. 

LANDRIGAN, John, farmer and legislator, was 
born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1832, and 
brought to America at one year of age, his 
parents stopping for a time in New Jersey. His 
early life was spent at Lafayette, Ind. After 
completing his education in the seminary there, 
he engaged in railroad and canal contracting. 
Coming to Illinois in 1858, he purchased a farm 
near Albion, Edwards County, where he has 
since resided. He has been twice elected as a 
Democrat to the House of Representatives (1868 
and '74) and twice to the State Senate (1870 
and '96), and has been, for over twenty years, 
a member of the State Agricultural Society — 
for four years of that time being President 
of the Board, and some sixteen years Vice-Presi- 
dent. 

LANE, Albert Grannls, educator, was born in 
Cook County, 111., March 15, 1841, and educated 
in the public schools, graduating with the first 
class from the Chicago High School in 1858. He 
immediately entered upon the business of teach- 
ing as Principal, but, in 1869, was elected Super- 
intendent of Schools for Cook County. After 
three years' service as cashier of a bank, he was 
elected County Superintendent, a second time, in 
1*77. and regularly every four years thereafter 
until 1890. In 1891 he was chosen Superintend- 
ent of Schools for the city of Chicago, to fill the 
vacancy caused by the resignation of Superin- 
tendent Howland — a position which he continued 
to fill until the appointment of E. B. Andrews, 



Superintendent, when he became First Assistant 
Superintendent. 

LANE, Edward, ex-Congressman, was born in 
Cleveland, Ohio, March 27, 1842, and became a 
resident of Illinois at the age of 16. After receiv- 
ing an academic education he studied law and 
was admitted to the Illinois bar in February, 
1865. Since then he has been a successful prac- 
titioner at Hillsboro. From 1869 to 1873 he served 
as County Judge. In 1886 he was the successful 
Democratic candidate for Congress from the 
Seventeenth Illinois District and re-elected for 
three successive terms, but was defeated by 
Frederick Remann (Republican) in 1894, and 
again by V. F. L. Hadley, at a special election, in 
1895, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of 
Mr. Remann. 

LANPHIER, Charles H., journalist, was born 
at Alexandria, Va., April 14, 1820; from 4 years 
of age lived in Washington City ; in 1836 entered 
the office as an apprentice of "The State Regis- 
ter" at Vandalia, 111., (then owned by his brother- 
in-law, William Walters). Later, the paper was 
removed to Springfield, and Walters, having 
enlisted for the Mexican war in 1846, died at St. 
Louis, en route to the field. Lanphier, having 
thus succeeded to the management, and, finally, 
to the proprietorship of the paper, was elected 
public printer at the next session of the Legisla- 
ture, and, in 1847, took into partnership George 
Walker, who acted as editor until 1858. Mr. Lan- 
phier continued the publication of the paper until 
1863, and then sold out. During the war he 
was one of the State Board of Army Auditors 
appointed b)- Governor Yates ; was elected 
Circuit Clerk in 1864 and re-elected in 1868, 
and, in 1872, was Democratic candidate for 
County Treasurer but defeated with the rest of 
his party. 

LARCOM, Lucy, author and teacher, born at 
Beverly, Mass., in 1826; attended a grammar 
school and worked in a cotton mill at Lowell, 
becoming one of the most popular contributors to 
"The Lowell Offering," a magazine conducted by 
the factory girls, thereby winning the acquaint- 
ance and friendship of the poet Whittier. In 
1846 she came to Illinois and, for three years, was 
a student at Monticello Female Seminary, near 
Alton, meanwhile teaching at intervals in the 
v : cinity. Returning to Massachusetts she caught 
for six years; in 1865 established "Our Young 
Folks," of which she was editor until 1S74. Her 
books, both poetical and prose, have taken a 
high rank for their elevated literary and moral 
tone. Died, in Boston, April 17, 1893. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



329 



LARXED, Edward Channing, lawyer, was born 
in Providence, R. I., July 14, 1820; graduated at 
Brown University in 1840 ; was Professor of Mathe- 
matics one year in Kemper College, Wis., then 
studied law and, in 1847, came to Chicago. He 
was an earnest opponent of slavery and gained 
considerable deserved celebrity by a speech 
which he delivered in 1851, in opposition to the 
fugitive slave law. He was a warm friend of 
Abraham Lincoln and, in 1860, made speeches in 
his support ; was an active member of the Union 
Defense Committee of Chicago during the war, 
and, in 1861, was appointed by Mr. Lincoln 
United States District Attorney of the Northern 
District of Illinois, but compelled to resign by- 
failing health. Being absent in Europe at the 
time of the fire of 1871, he returned immediately 
and devoted his attention to the work of the 
Relief and Aid Society. Making a second visit to 
Europe in 1872-73, he wrote many letters for the 
press, also doing much other literary work in 
spite of declining health. Died at Lake Forest, 
111., September, 1884. 

LA SALLE, a city in La Salle County, 99 miles 
southwest of Chicago, situated on the Illinois 
River at southern terminus of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, and at intersection of three 
trunk lines of railroads. Bituminous coal 
abounds and is extensively mined ; zinc smelting 
and the manufacture of glass and hydraulic and 
Portland cement are leading industries; also has 
a large ice trade with the South annually. It is 
connected with adjacent towns by electric rail- 
ways, and with Peoria by daily river packets. 
Population (1890). 9,855; (1900), 10,446. 

LA SALLE, Reni Robert Cavelier, Sieur de, 
a famous explorer, born at Rouen, France, in 
1643; entered the Jesuit order, but conceiving 
that he had mistaken his vocation, came to 
America in 1066. He obtained a grant of land 
about the Lachine Rapids of the St. Lawrence, 
above Montreal. It was probably his intention 
to settle there as a grand seigneur ; but, becoming 
interested in stories told him by some Seneca 
Indians, he started two years later in quest of a 
great waterway, which he believed led to the 
South Sea (Pacific Ocean) and afforded a short 
route to China. He passed through Lake Ontario, 
and is believed to have discovered the Ohio. The 
claim that he reached the Illinois River at this 
time has been questioned. Having re-visited 
France in 1677 he was given a patent of nobility 
and extensive land-grants in Canada. In 1679 he 
visited the Northwest and explored the great 
lakes, finally reaching the head of Lake Michi- 



gan and erecting a fort near the mouth of the St. 
Joseph River. From there he made a portage to 
the Illinois, which he descended early in 1680 to 
Lake Peoria, where he began the erection of a 
fort to which, in consequence of the misfortunes 
attending the expedition, was given the name of 
Creve-Cceur. Returning from here to Canada for 
supplies, in the following fall he again appeared 
in Illinois, but found his fort at Lake Peoria a 
ruin and his followers, whom he had left there, 
gone. Compelled again to return to Canada, in 
the latter part of 1681 he set out on his third 
expedition to Illinois, and making the portage by 
way of the Chicago and Des Plaines Rivers, 
reached "Starved Rock,'' near the present city of 
Ottawa, where his lieutenant, Tonty, had already 
begun the erection of a fort. In 1682, accom- 
panied by Tonty, he descended the Illinois and 
Mississippi Rivers, reaching the Gulf of Mexico on 
April 9. He gave the region the name of Louisi- 
ana. In 1683 he again returned to France and 
was commissioned to found a colony at the mouth 
of the Mississippi, which he unsuccessfully 
attempted to do in 1684, the expedition finally 
landing about Matagorda Bay in Texas. After 
other fruitless attempts (death and desertious 
having seriously reduced the number of his colo- 
nists) , while attempting to reach Canada, he was 
murdered by his companions near Trinity River 
in the present State of Texas, March 19, 1687. 
Another theory regarding La Salle's ill-starred 
Texas expedition is, that he intended to establish 
a colony west of the Mississippi, with a view to 
contesting with the Spaniards for the possession 
of that region, but that the French government 
failed to give him the support which had been 
promised, leaving him to his fate. 

LA SALLE COUXTr, one of the wealthiest 
counties in the northeastern section, being second 
in size and in population in the State It was 
organized in 1831, and has an area of 1,152 square 
miles; population (1900), 87,776. The history of 
this region dates back to 1675, when Marquette 
established a mission at an Indian village on the 
Illinois River about where Utica now stands, 
eight miles west of Ottawa. La Salle (for whom 
the county is named) erected a fort here in 1682, 
which was, for many years, the headquarters for 
French missionaries and traders. Later, the 
Illinois Indians were well-nigh exterminated 
by starvation, at the same point, which has be- 
come famous in Western history as "Starved 
Rock."' The surface of the county is undulat- 
ing and slopes toward the Illinois River. The 
soil is rich, and timber abounds on the bluffs and 



330 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



along the streams. Water is easily procured. 
Four beds of coal underlie the entire count}', and 
good building stone is quarried at a depth of 150 
to 200 feet. Excellent hydraulic cement is made 
from the calciferous deposit, Utica being espe- 
cially noted for this industry. The First Ameri- 
can settlers came about the time of Captain Long's 
survey of a canal route (1816). The Illinois & 
Michigan Canal was located by a joint corps of 
State and National engineers in 1830. (See Illi- 
nois & Michigan Canal.) During the Black 
Hawk War, La Salle County was a prominent 
base of military operations. 

LATHROP, William, lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., April 
17, 1825. His early education was acquired in 
the common schools. Later he read law and was 
admitted to the bar, commencing practice in 
1851, making his home in Central New York until 
his removal to Illinois. In 1856 he represented 
the Rockford District in the lower house of the 
General Assembly, and, in 1876, was elected, as a 
Republican, to represent the (then) Fourth Illi- 
nois District in Congress. 

LA YANTUM, the name given, in the latter 
part of the seventeenth century, to the principal 
village of the Illinois Indians, situated on the 
Illinois River, near the present town of Utica, in 
La Salle County. (See Starved Rock.) 

LAWLER, Frank, was born at Rochester, 
N. Y., June 25, 1842. His first active occupation 
was as a news-agent on railroads, which business 
he followed for three years. He learned the 
trade of a ship-calker, and was elected to the 
Presidency of the Ship-Carpenters' and Ship- 
Calkers' Association. While yet a young man he 
settled in Chicago and, in 1869, was appointed to 
a clerical position in the postoffice in that city ; 
later, served as a letter carrier, and as a member 
of the City Council (1876-84). In 1884 he was 
elected to Congress from the Second District, 
which he represented in that body for three suc- 
cessive terms. While serving his last year in 
Congress (1890) he was an unsuccessful candidate 
on the Democratic ticket for Sheriff of Cook 
County; in 1893 was an unsuccessful applicant 
for the Chicago postmastership, was defeated as 
an Independent- Democrat for Congress in 1894, 
but, in 1895, was elected Alderman for the Nine- 
teenth Ward of the city of Chicago. Died, Jan. 
17, 1896. 

LAWLER, (Gen.) Michael K., soldier, was 
born in County Kildare, Ireland, Nov. 16, 1814, 
brought to the United States in 1816, and, in 1819, 
to Gallatin County, 111. , where his father began 



farming. The younger Lawler early evinced a 
military taste by organizing a military company 
in 1842, of which he served as Captain three or 
four years. In 1846 he organized a company for the 
Mexican War, which was attached to the Third 
Regiment Illinois Volunteers (Colonel Forman's), 
and, at the end of its term of enlistment, raised 
a company of cavalry, .with which he served 
to the end of the war — in all, seeing two and 
a half years' service. He then resumed the 
peaceful life of a farmer; but, on the breaking 
out of the rebellion, again gave proof of his patri- 
otism by recruiting the Eighteenth Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry — the first regiment organized in 
the Eighteenth Congressional District — of which 
he was commissioned Colonel, entering into the 
three years' service in May, 1861. His regiment 
took part in most of the early engagements in 
Western Kentucky and Tennessee, including the 
capture of Fort Donelson, where it lost heavily, 
Colonel Lawler himself being severely wounded. 
Later, he was in command, for some time, at 
Jackson, Tenn., and, in November, 1862, was com- 
missioned Brigadier-General "for gallant and 
meritorious service." He was also an active 
participant in the operations against Vicksburg, 
and was thanked on the field by General Grant 
for his service at the battle of Big Black, pro- 
nounced by Charles A. Dana (then Assistant 
Secretary of War) "one of the most splendid 
exploits of the war. ' ' After the fall of Vicksburg 
he took part in the siege of Jackson, Miss., and 
in the campaigns on the Teche and Red River, and 
in Texas, also being in command, for six months, 
at Baton Rouge, La. In March, 1865, he was 
brevetted Major-General, and mustered out, 
January, 1866, after a service of four years and 
seven months. He then returned to his Gallatin 
County farm, where he died, July 26, 1882. 

LAWLER, Thomas G., soldier and Com- 
mander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, was born in Liverpool, Eng., April 
7, 1844; was brought to Illinois by his parents 
in childhood, and, at 17 years of age, enlisted 
in the Nineteenth Illinois Volunteers, serv- 
ing first as a private, then as Sergeant, later 
being elected First Lieutenant, and (although 
not mustered in, for two months) during the 
Atlanta campaign being in command of his com- 
pany, and placed on the roll of honor by order of 
General Rosecrans. He participated in every 
battle in which his regiment was engaged, and, 
at the battle of Missionary Ridge, was the first 
man of his command over the enemy's works. 
After the war he became prominent as an officer 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



331 



of the Illinois National Guard, organizing the 
Rockford Rifles, in 1876, and serving as Colonel of 
the Third Regiment for seven years; was ap- 
pointed Postmaster at Rockford by President 
Hayes, but removed by Cleveland in 1885; re- 
appointed by Harrison and again displaced on the 
accession of Cleveland. He was one of the 
organizers of G. L. Nevius Post, G. A. R., of 
which he served as Commander twenty -six years; 
in 1882 was elected Department Commander for 
the State of Illinois and, in 1894, Commander-in- 
Chief, serving one year. 

LAWRENCE, Charles B., jurist, was born at 
Vergennes, Vt. , Dec. 17, 1820. After two years 
spent at Middlebury College, he entered the 
junior class at Union College, graduating from 
the latter in 1841. He devoted two years to 
teaching in Alabama, and began reading law at 
Cincinnati in 1843, completing his studies at St. 
Louis, where he was admitted to the bar and 
began practice in 1844. The following year he 
removed to Quincy, 111., where he was a promi- 
nent practitioner for ten years. The years 
1856-58 he spent in foreign travel, with the pri- 
mary object of restoring his impaired health. On 
his return home he began farming in Warren 
County, with the same end in view. In 1861 he 
accepted a nomination to the Circuit Court bench 
and was elected without opposition. Before the 
expiration of his term, in 1864, he was elected a 
Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court for the 
Northern Grand Division, and, in 1870, became 
Chief Justice. At this time his home was at 
Galesburg. Failing of a re-election in 1873, he 
removed to Chicago, and at once became one of 
the leaders of the Cook County bar. Although 
persistently urged by personal and political 
friends, to permit his name to be used in connec- 
tion with a vacancy on the bench of the United 
States Supreme Court, he steadfastly declined. 
In 1877 he received the votes of the Republicans 
in the State Legislature for United States Senator 
against David Davis, who was elected. Died, at 
Decatur, Ala., April 9, 1883. 

LAWRENCE COUNTY, one of the eastern 
counties in the "southern tier," originally a part 
of Edwards, but separated from the latter in 
1821, and named for Commodore Lawrence. In 
1900 its area was 360 square miles, and its popu- 
lation, 16,523. The first English speaking settlers 
seem to have emigrated from the colony at Vin- 
cennes, Ind. St. Francisville, in the southeast- 
ern portion, and Allison prairie, in the northeast, 
were favored by the American pioneers. Settle- 
ment was more or less desultory until after the 



War of 1812. Game was abundant and the soil 
productive. About a dozen negro families found 
homes, in 1819, near Lawrenceville, and a Shaker 
colony was established about Charlottesville the 
same year. Among the best remembered pio- 
neers are the families of Lautermann, Chubb, 
Kincaid, Buchanan and Laus — the latter having 
come from South Carolina. Toussaint Dubois, 
a Frenchman and father of Jesse K. Dubois, State 
Auditor (1857-64), was a large land proprietor at 
an early day, and his house was first utilized as a 
court house. The county is richer in historic 
associations than in populous towns. Lawrence- 
ville, the county-seat, was credited with 865 
inhabitants by the census of 1890. St. Francis- 
ville and Sumner are flourishing towns. 

LAWRENCEVILLE, the county-seat of Law- 
rence County, is situated on the Embarras River, 
at the intersection of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railways, 9 miles west of 
Vincennes, Ind., and 139 miles east of St. Louis. 
It has a courthouse, four churches, a graded 
school and two weekly newspapers. Population 
(1890), 865; (1900), 1,300; (1903, est.), 1,600. 

LAWSON, Victor F., journalist and newspaper 
proprietor, was born in Chicago, of Scandinavian 
parentage, Sept 9, 1850. After graduating at the 
Chicago High School, he prosecuted his studies 
at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., and at 
Harvard University. In August, 1876, he pur- 
chased an interest in "The Chicago Daily News," 
being for some time a partner of Melville E. 
Stone, but became sole proprietor in 1888, pub- 
lishing morning and evening editions. He 
reduced the price of the morning edition to one 
cent, and changed its name to "The Chicago 
Record." He has always taken a deep interest 
in the cause of popular education, and, in 1888, 
established a fund to provide for the distribution 
of medals among public school children of Chi- 
cago, the award to be made upon the basis of 
comparative excellence in the preparation of 
essays upon topics connected with American 
history. 

LEBANON, a city in St. Clair County, situated 
on Silver Creek, and on the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern Railroad, 11 miles northeast of 
Belleville and 24 miles east of St. Louis; is lo- 
cated in an agricultural and coal-mining region. 
Its manufacturing interests are limited, a flour- 
ing mill being the chief industry of this charac- 
ter. The city has electric lights and electric 
trolley line connecting with Belleville and St. 
Louis; also has a bank, eight churches, two 



332 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



newspapers and is an important educational cen- 
ter, being the seat of McKendree College, founded 
in 1828. Population (1890), 1.C36; (1900), 1,812. 

LEE COUNTY, one of the third tier of counties 
south of the Wisconsin State line, named for 
Richard Henry Lee of Revolutionary fame : area, 
740 square miles; population (1900), 29,894. It 
was cut off from Ogle County, and separately 
organized in 1839. In 1840 the population was 
but little over 2,000. Charles F. Ingals, Nathan 
R. Whitney and James P. Dixon were the first 
Count} r -Cornrnissioners. Agriculture is the prin- 
cipal pursuit, although stone quarries are found 
here and there, notably at Ashton. The county- 
seat is Dixon, where, in 1828, one Ogee, a half- 
breed, built a cabin and established a ferry across 
the Rock River. In 1830, John Dixon, of New 
York, purchased Ogee's interest for §1,800. Set- 
tlement and progress were greatly retarded by 
the Black Hawk War, but immigration fairly set 
in in 1838. The first court house was built in 
1840, and the same year the United States Land 
Office was removed from Galena to Dixon, Colo., 
John Dement, an early pioneer, being appointed 
Receiver. Dixon was incorporated as a city in 
1859, and, in 1900, had a population of 7,917. 

LEGISLATIVE APPORTIONMENT. (See 
Apportionment, Legislative. ) 

LEGISLATURE. (See General Assemblies.) 

LELAND, a village of La Salle County, on the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway, 29 miles 
southwest of Aurora. Population (1900), 634. 

LELAND, Edwin S., lawyer and Judge, was 
born at Dennysville, Me., August 28, 1812, and 
admitted to the bar at Dedham, Mass., in 1834. 
In 1835 he removed to Ottawa, 111., and, in 1839, 
to Oregon, Ogle County, where he practiced for 
four years. Returning to Ottawa in 1843, he 
rapidly rose in his profession, until, in 1852, he 
was elected to the Circuit Court bench to fill the 
unexpired term of Judge T. Lyle Dickey, who 
had resigned. In 1866 Governor Oglesby ap- 
pointed him Circuit Judge to fill the unexpired 
term of Judge Hollister. He was elected by 
popular vote in 1867, and re-elected in 1873, being 
assigned to the Appellate Court of the Second 
District in 1877. He was prominently identified 
with the genesis of the Republican party, whose 
tenets he zealously championed. He was also 
prominent in local affairs, having been elected 
the first Republican Mayor of Ottawa (1856), 
President of the Board of Education and County 
Treasurer. Died, June, 24, 1889. 

LEMEN, James, Sr., pioneer, was born in Berk- 
eley County, Va., Nov. 20, 1760; served as a soldier 



in the War of the Revolution, being present at 
the surrender of Cornwallis at Y'orktown in 1781 ; 
in 1786 came to Illinois, settling at the village of 
New Design, near the present site of Waterloo, in 
Monroe County. He was a man of enterprise 
and sterling integrity, and ultimately became the 
head of one of the most prominent and influential 
families in Southern Illinois. He is said to have 
been the first person admitted to the Baptist 
Church by immersion in Illinois, finally becoming 
a minister of that denomination. Of a family of 
eight children, four of his sons became ministers. 
Mr. Lemen's prominence was indicated by the 
fact that he was approached by Aaron Burr, with 
offers of large rewards for his influence in found- 
ing that ambitious schemer's projected South- 
western Empire, but the proposals were 
indignantly rejected and the scheme denounced. 
Died, at Waterloo, Jan. 8, 1822.— Robert (Lemen), 
oldest son of the preceding, was born in Berkeley 
Count}', Va., Sept. 25, 1783; came with his father 
to Illinois, and, after his marriage, settled in St. 
Clair County. He held a commission as magis- 
trate and, for a time, was United States Marshal 
for Illinois under the administration of John 
Quincy Adams. Died in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair 
County, August 24, I860.— Rev. Joseph (Lemen), 
the second son, was born in Berkeley County, 
Va., Sept. 8, 1785, brought to Illinois in 1786, and, 
on reaching manhood, married Mary Kinney, a 
daughter of Rev. William Kinney, who after- 
wards became Lieutenant-Governor of the State. 
Joseph Lemen settled in Ridge Prairie, in the 
northern part of St. Clair County, and for many 
years supplied the pulpit of the Bethel Baptist 
church, which had been founded in 1809 on the 
principle of opposition to human slavery. His 
death occurred at his home, June 29, 1861. — Rev. 
James (Lemen), Jr., the third son, was born in 
Monroe County, 111., Oct. 8, 1787; early united 
with the Baptist Church and became a minister 
— assisting in the ordination of his father, whose 
sketch stands at the head of this article. He 
served as a Delegate from St. Clair County in the 
first State Constitutional Convention (1818), and as 
Senator in the Second, Fourth and Fifth General 
Assemblies. He also preached extensively in 
Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky, and assisted in 
the organization of many churches, although his 
labors were chiefly within his own. Mr. Lemen 
was the second child of American parents born in 
Illinois — Enoch Moore being the first. Died, 
Feb. 8, 1870.— William (Lemen), the fourth son, 
born in Monroe County, 111., in 1791; served as a 
soldier in the Black Hawk War. Died in Monroe 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



333 



County, in 1837. — Rev. Josiah (Lemen), the 
fifth son, born in Monroe County, 111., August 15, 
1794, was a Baptist preacher. Died near Du- 
quoin, July 11, 1867. — Rev. Moses (Lemen), the 
sixth son, born in Monroe County, 111., in 1797; 
became a Baptist minister early in life, served as 
Representative in the Sixth General Assembly 
(1928-30) for Monroe County. Died, in Montgom- 
ery County, 111., March 5, 1859. 

LEMONT, a city in Cook County, 25 miles 
southwest of Chicago, on the Des Plaines River 
and the Chicago & Alton Railroad. A thick 
vein of Silurian limestone (Athens marble) is 
extensively quarried here, constituting the chief 
industry. Owing to the number of industrial 
enterprises, Lemont is at times the temporary 
home of a large number of workmen. The city 
has a bank, electric lights, six churches, two 
papers, five public and four private schools, one 
business college, aluminum and concrete works. 
Population of the township (1890), 5,539; (1900), 
4,441. 

LE MOYNE, John V., ex-Congressman, was 
born in Washington County, Pa., in 1828, and 
graduated from Washington College, Pa., in 
1847. He studied law at Pittsburg, where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1852. He at once removed 
to Chicago, where he continued a permanent 
resident and active practitioner. In 1872 he was 
a candidate for Congress on the Liberal Repub- 
lican ticket, but was defeated by Charles B. Far- 
well, Republican. In 1874 he was again a 
candidate against Mr. Farwell. Both claimed 
the election, and a contest ensued which was 
decided by the House in favor of Mr. Le Moyne. 

LENA, a village in Stephenson County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 13 miles northwest of 
Freeport and 38 miles east of Galena. It is in a 
farming and dairying district, but has some 
manufactures, the making of caskets being the 
principal industry in this line. There are six 
churches, two Ranks, and two newspapers. Pop- 
ulation (1890), 1,270; (1900), 1,252, 

LEONARD, Edward F., Railway President, 
was born in Connecticut in 1836 ; graduated from 
Union College, N. Y., was admitted to the bar 
and came to Springfield, 111., in 1858; served for 
several years as clerk in the office of the State 
Auditor, was afterwards connected with the con- 
struction of the "St. Louis Short Line" (now a 
part of the Illinois Central Railway), and was 
private secretary of Governor Cullom during his 
first term. For several years he has been Presi- 
dent of the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad, 
with headquarters at Peoria. 



LEROT, a city in McLean County, 15 miles 
southwest of Bloomington; has two banks, sev- 
eral churches, a graded school and a plow factory. 
Two weekly papers are published there. Popu 
lation (1880), 1,068; (1890), 1,258; (1900), 1,629. 

LEVER F.TT, Washington and Warren, edu- 
cators and twin-brothers, whose careers were 
strikingly similar; born at Brookline, Mass., Dec. 
19, 1805, and passed their boyhood on a farm; in 
1827 began a preparatory course of study under 
an elder brother at Roxbury, Mass., entered 
Brown University as freshmen, the next year, and 
graduated in 1832. Warren, being in bad health, 
spent the following winter in South Carolina, 
afterwards engaging in teaching, for a time, and 
in study in Newton Theological Seminary, while 
Washington served as tutor two years in his 
Alma Mater and in Columbian College in Wash- 
ington, D. C, then took a course at Newton, 
graduating there in 1836. The same year he 
accepted the chair of Mathematics in Shurtleff 
College at Upper Alton, remaining, witli slight 
interruption, until 1868. Warren, after suffering 
from hemorrhage of the lungs, came west in the 
fall of 1837, and, after teaching for a few months 
at Greenville, Bond County, in 1839 joined his 
brother at Shurtleff College as Principal of the 
preparatory department, subsequently being 
advanced to the chair of Ancient Languages, 
which he continued to occupy until June, 1868, 
when he retired in the same year with his brother. 
After resigning he established himself in the book 
business, which was continued until his death, 
Nov. 8, 1872. Washington, the surviving brother, 
continued to be a member of the Board of Trus- 
tees of Shurtleff College, and to discharge the 
duties of Librarian and Treasurer of the institu- 
tion. Died, Dec. 13, 1889. 

LEWIS INSTITUTE, an educational institu- 
tion based upon a bequest of Allen C. Lewis, in 
the city of Chicago, established in 1895. It main- 
tains departments in law, the classics, prepara- 
tory studies and manual training, and owns 
property valued at $1,600,000, with funds and 
endowment amounting to §1,100,000. No report 
is made of the number of pupils. 

LEWIS, John H., ex-Congressman, was born 
in Tompkins County, N. Y., July 21, 1830. 
When six years old he accompanied his parents 
to Knox County, 111., where lie attended the 
public schools, read law, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1860. The same year he was elected Clerk 
of the Circuit Court of Knox County. In 1874 he 
was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly, and, in 1880, was the successful Repub- 



334 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



lican candidate for Congress from the old Ninth 
District. In 1882, he was a candidate for re- 
election from the same district (then the Tenth), 
but was defeated by Nicholas E. Worthington, 
his Democratic opponent. 

LEWISTOWN, the county-seat of Fulton 
County, located on two lines of railway, fifty 
miles southwest of Peoria and sixty miles north- 
west of Springfield. It contains flour and saw- 
mills, carriage and wagon, can-making, 
duplex-scales and evener factories, six churches 
and four newspapers, one issuing a daily edition ; 
also excellent public schools. Population (1880), 
1.771; (1890), 2,166; (1900), 2,504, 

LEXINGTON, a city in McLean County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad, 110 miles south of 
Chicago and 16 miles northeast of Bloomington. 
The surrounding region is agricultural and stock- 
raising, and the town has a flourishing trade in 
horses and other live-stock. Tile is manufac- 
tured here, and the town has two banks, five 
churches, a high school and two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1890), 1,187; (1900), 1,415. 

LIBERTYVILLE, a village of Lake County, on 
the main line of the Chicago & Madison Division 
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, 
35 miles north-northwest of Chicago. The region 
is agricultural. The town has some manufac- 
tures, two banks and a weekly paper. Popula- 
tion (1890), 550; (1900), 864. 

LIBRARIES. (Statistical.)— A report of the 
Commissioner of Education for 1895-96, on the 
subject of "Public, Society and School Libraries 
in the United States," presents some approximate 
statistics of libraries in the several States, based 
upon the reports of librarians, so far as they 
could be obtained in reply to inquiries sent out 
from the Bureau of Education in Washington. 
As shown by the statistical tables embodied in 
this report, there were 348 libraries in Illinois 
reporting 300 volumes and over, of which 134 
belonged to the smallest class noted, or those con- 
taining less than 1,000 volumes. The remaining 
214 were divided into the following classes: 

Containing 300, 000 and less than 500, 000 volumes 1 

100,000 " " 300,000 " 2 

50,000 " " 100,000 " 1 

25,000 " " 50,000 " 5 

10,000 " " 25,000 " 27 

5,000 " " 10,000 " 34 

1,000 " " 5,000 " 144 

A general classification of libraries of 1,000 
volumes and over, as to character, divides them 
into, General, 91; School, 36; College, 42; College 
Society, 7; Law, 3; Theological, 7; State. 2; Asy- 



lum and Reformatory, 4; Young Men's Christian 
Association, 2; Scientific, 6; Historical, 3; Soci- 
ety, 8; Medical, Odd Fellows and Social, 1 each. 
The total number of volumes belonging to the 
class of 1,000 volumes and over was 1,822,580 with 
447,168 pamphlets; and, of the class between 300 
and 1,000 volumes, 66,992 — makinga grand total of 
1,889,572 volumes. The library belonging to the 
largest (or 300,000) class, is that of the University 
of Chicago, reporting 305,000 volumes, with 
180,000 pamphlets, while the Chicago Public 
Library and the Newberry Library belong to the 
second class, reporting, respectively, 217,065 vol- 
umes with 42,000 pamphlets, and 135,244 volumes 
and 35.654 pamphlets. (The report of the Chi- 
cago Public Library for 1898 shows a total, for 
that year, of 235,385 volumes and 44,069 pam- 
phlets. ) 

As to sources of support or method of adminis- 
tration, 42 of the class reporting 1,000 volumes 
and over, are supported by taxation ; 27, by appro- 
priations by State, County or City; 20, from 
endowment funds; 54, from membership fees and 
dues; 16, from book-rents; 26, from donations, 
leaving 53 to be supported from sources not 
stated. The total income of 131 reporting on this 
subject is §787,262; the aggregate endowment 
of 17 of this class is §2,283.197, and the value of 
buildings belonging to 36 is estimated at 82,981,- 
575. Of the 214 libraries reporting 1,000 volumes 
and over, 88 are free, 28 are reference, and 158 
are both circulating and reference. 

The free public libraries in the State containing 
3,000 volumes and over, in 1896, amounted to 39. 
The following list includes those of this class con- 
taining 10,000 volumes and over: 

Chicago, Public Librarv . . (1896) 217,065 

Peoria, " " 57.r,o4 

Springfield, " " 28,639 

Rockford, " " 28,000 

Quincy, " " and Reading Room 19.4(10 

Galesburg " " 18.4t9 

Elgin, Gail Borden Public Library . . 17,000 

Bloomington, Withers " " "... 16.068 

Evanston, Free " " ... 15,515 

Decatur, " " " ... 14,766 

Belleville, " " . . . 14,511 

Aurora, " " ... 14,350 

Rock Island, " " ... 12,634 

Joliet, " " ... 22,325 

The John Crerar Library (a scientific reference 
library) — established in the City of Chicago in 
1894, on the basis of a bequest of the late John 
Crerar, estimated as amounting to fully 83,000,- 
000 — is rapidly adding to its resources, having, 
in the four years of its history, acquired over 
40,000 volumes. With its princely endowment, 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



335 



it is destined, in the course of a few years, to be 
reckoned one of the leading libraries of its class 
in the United States, as it is one of the most 
modern and carefully selected. 

The Newberry and Chicago Historical Society 
Libraries fill an important place for reference pur- 
poses, especially on historical subjects. A tardy 
beginning has been made in building up a State 
Historical Library in Springfield; but, owing to 
the indifference of the Legislature and the meager 
support it has received- the State which was, for 
nearly a hundred years, the theater of the most 
important events in the development of the Mis- 
sissippi Valley, has, as yet, scarcely accomplished 
anything worthy of its name in collecting and 
preserving the records of its own history. 

In point of historical origin, next to the Illinois 
State Library, which dates from the admission 
of the State into the Union in 1818, the oldest 
library in the State is that of the McCormick 
Theological Seminary, which is set down as hav- 
ing had its origin in 1825, though this occurred 
in another State. The early State College Li- 
braries follow next in chronological order: Shurt- 
leff College, at Upper Alton, 1827 ; Illinois College, 
at Jacksonville, 1829; McKendree College, at 
Lebanon, 1834; Rockford College, 1849; Lombard 
University, at Galesburg, 1852. In most cases, 
however, these are simply the dates of the estab- 
lishment of the institution, or the period at which 
instruction began to be given in the school which 
finally developed into the college. 

The school library is constantly becoming a 
more important factor in the liberal education of 
the youth of the State. Adding to this the "Illi- 
nois Pupils' Reading Circle," organized by the 
State Teachers' Association some ten years ago, 
but still in the experimental stage, and the sys- 
tem of "traveling libraries," set on foot at a later 
period, there is a constant tendency to enlarge 
the range of popular reading and bring the public 
library, in some of its various forms, within the 
reach of a larger class. 

The Free Public Library Law of Illinois. 
— The following history and analysis of the Free 
Public Library Law of Illinois is contributed, for 
the "Historical Encyclopedia," by E. S. Willcox, 
Librarian of the Peoria Public Library : 

The Library Law passed by the Legislature 
of Illinois in 1872 was the first broadly planned, 
comprehensive and complete Free Public Li- 
brary Law placed on the statute book of any 
State in the Union. It is true. New Hamp- 
shire, in 1849, and Massachusetts, in 1851, 
had taken steps in this direction, with three or 
four brief sections of laws, permissive in their 



character rather than directive, but lacking the 
vitalizing qualities of our Illinois law, in that 
they provided no sufficiently specific working 
method — no sailing directions — for starting and 
administering such free public libraries. They 
seem to have had no influence on subsequent 
library legislation, while, to quote the language 
of Mr. Fletcher in his "Public Libraries in 
America," "the wisdom of the Illinois law, in this 
regard, is probably the reason why it has been so 
widely copied in other States." 

By this law of 1872 Illinois placed herself at the 
head of her sister States in encouraging the 
spread of general intelligence among the people; 
but it is also a record to be equally proud of, that, 
within less than five years after her admission to 
the Union, Dec. 3, 1818 — that is, at the first ses- 
sion of her Third General Assembly — a general 
Act was passed and approved, Jan. 31, 1823, 
entitled : "An act to incorporate such persons as 
may associate for the purpose of procuring and 
erecting public libraries in this State," with the 
following preamble- 

"Whereas, a disposition for improvement In useful 
knowledge lias manifested itself in various parts of this 
State, by associating for procuring and erecting public 
libraries; and, whereas, it is of the utmost importance to 
the public that the sources of information should be multi- 
plied, and institutions for that purpose encouraged and pro- 
moted: Seel. Be it enacted," etc. 

Then follow ten sections, covering five and a 
half pages of the published laws of that session, 
giving explicit directions as to the organizing 
and maintaining of such Associations, with pro- 
visions as enlightened and liberal as we could ask 
for to-day. The libraries contemplated in this act 
are, of course, subscription libraries, the only 
kind known at that time, free public libraries 
supported by taxation not having come into 
vogue in that early day. 

It is the one vivifying quality of the Illinois 
law of 1872, that it showed how to start a free 
public library, how to manage it when started 
and how to provide it with the necessary funds. 
It furnished a full and minute set of sailing 
directions for the ship it launched, and, moreover, 
was not loaded down with useless limitations. 

With a few exceptions — notably the Boston 
Public Library, working under a special charter, 
and an occasional endowed library, like the Astor 
Library — all public libraries in those days were 
subscription libraries, like the great Mercantile 
Libraries of New York, St. Louis and Cincinnati, 
with dues of from 83 to 810 from each member 
per year. With dues at S4 a year, our Peoria 
Mercantile Library, at its best, never had over 
286 members in any one year. Compare this with 
our present public membership of 6,500, and it 
will be seen that some kind of a free public 
library law was needed. That was the conclu- 
sion I, as one of the Directors of the Peoria Mer- 
cantile Library, came to in 1869. We had tried 
every expedient for years, in the way of lecture 
courses, concerts, spelling matches, "Drummer 
Boy of Shiloh," and begging, to increase our 
membership and revenue. So far, and no farther, 
seemed to be the rule with all subscription 
libraries. They did not reach the masses who 
needed them most. And, for this manifest rea- 



33b 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



son : the necessary cost of annual dues stood in 
the way; the women and young people who 
wanted something to read, who thirsted for 
knowledge, and who are the principal patrons of 
the free public library to-day, did not hold the 
family purse-strings, while the men. who did 
hold the purse-strings, did not particularly care 
for books. 

It was my experience, derived as a Director in 
the Peoria Mercantile Library when it was still a 
small, struggling subscription library, that sug- 
gested the need of a State law authorizing cities 
and towns to tax themselves for the support of 
public libraries, as they already did for the sup- 
port of public schools. When, in 1870, I 
submitted the plan to some of my friends, they 
pronounced it Quixotic — the people would never 
consent to pay taxes for libraries. To which I 
replied, that, until sometime in the '50's, we 
had no free public schools in this State. 

I then drew up the form of a law, substantially 
as it now stands; and, after submitting it to 
Justin Winsor, then of the Boston Public Li- 
brary ; William F. Poole, then in Cincinnati, and 
William T. Harris, then in St. Louis, I placed it 
in the hands of my friend, Mr. Samuel Caldwell, 
in December, 1870, who took it with him to 
Springfield, promising to do what he could to get 
it through the Legislature, of which he was a 
member from Peoria. The bill was introduced 
by Mr. Caldwell, March 23, 1871, as House bill 
No. 563, and as House bill No. 563 it finally 
received the Governor's signature and became a 
law, March 7, 1872. 

The essential features of our Illinois law are: 

/. Tlie power of initiative in starting a free 
public library lies in the City Council, and not in 
an appeal to the voters of the city at a general 
election. 

It is a weak point in the English public libra- 
ries act that this initiative is left to the electors or 
voters of a city, and, in several London and pro- 
vincial districts, the proposed law has been 
repeatedly voted down by the very people it was 
most calculated to benefit, from fear of a little 
extra taxation. 

II. The amount of tax to be levied is permissive, 
not mandatory. 

We can trust to the public spirit of our city 
authorities, supported by an intelligent public 
sentiment, to provide for the library needs. A 
mandatory law, requiring the levying of a certain 
fixed percentage of the city's total assessment, 
might invite extravagance, as it has in several 
instances where a mandatory law is in force. 

III. Tlie Library Board has exclusive control of 
library appropriation*. 

This is to be interpreted that Public Library 
Boards are separate and distinct departments of 
the city administration; and experience has 
shown that they are as capable and honest in 
handling money as School Boards or City 
Councils. 

IV. Library Boards consist of nine members to 
serve for ili in years. 

V. Tlir members of the Board are appointed by 
tin- Mayor, subject to the approval of the City 
' 'united, from the citizens at large with reference 
to their fitness for such office. 



VI. An annual report is to be made by the 
Board to the City Council, stating tin condition 
of their trust on the first day of June of each 
year. 

This, with slight modifications adapting it to 
villages, towns and townships, is, in substance, 
the Free Public Library Law of Illinois. Under 
its beneficent operation flourishing free public 
libraries have been established in the principal 
cities and towns of our State — slowly, at first, 
but, of late years, more rapidly as their usefulness 
has become apparent. 

No argument is now needed to show the im- 
portance — the imperative necessity — of the widest 
possible diffusion of intelligence among the people 
of a free State. Knowledge and ignorance — the 
one means civilization, the other, barbarism. 
Give a man the taste for good books and the 
means of gratifying it, and you can hardly fail of 
making him a better, happier man and a wiser 
citizen. You place him in contact with the best 
society in every period of history ; you set before 
him nobler examples to imitate and safer paths 
to follow. 

We have no way of foretelling how many and 
how great benefits will accrue to society and the 
State, in the future, from the comparatively 
modern introduction of the free public library 
into our educational system; but when some 
youthful Abraham Lincoln, poring over ^3&op's 
Fables, Weems' Life of Washington and a United 
States History, by the flickering light of a pine- 
knot in a log-cabin, rises at length to be the hope 
and bulwark of a nation, then we learn what the 
world may owe to a taste for books. In the gen- 
eral spread of intelligence through our free 
schools, our free press and our free libraries, lies 
our only hope that our free American institutions 
shall not decay and perish from the earth. 

"Knowledge is the only good, ignorance the only evil." 
" Let knowledge grow from more to more." 

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 

The office of Lieutenant-Governor, created by the 
Constitution of 1818, has been retained in each of 
the subsequent Constitutions, being elective by 
the people at the same time with that of Gov- 
ernor. The following is a list of the Lieutenant- 
Governors of the State, from the date of its 
admission into the Union to the present time 
(1899), with the date and length of each incum- 
bent's term: Pierre Menard, 1818-22; Adolphus 
Frederick Hubbard, 1822-26; William Kinney, 
1826-30; Zadoc Casey, 1830-33; William Lee D. 
Ewing (succeeded to the office as President of the 
Senate), 1833-34; Alexander M. Jenkins, 1834-36; 
William H. Davidson (as President of the 
Senate), 1836-38; Stinson H. Anderson, 1838-42; 
John Moore, 1842-46; Joseph B. Wells, 1846-49; 
William McMurtry, 1849-53; Gustavus Koerner, 
1853-57; John Wood, 1857-60; Thomas A. Mar- 
shall (as President of the Senate), Jan. 7-14, 1861 ; 
Francis A. Hoffman, 1861-65; William Bross, 
1865-69; John Dougherty, 1869-73; John L. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



337 



Beveridge, Jan. 13-23, 1873; John Early (as 
President of the Senate). 1873-75; Archibald A. 
Glenn (as President of the Senate), 1875-77; 
Andrew Shuman, 1877-81 ; John M. Hamilton. 
J881-83; William J. Campbell (as President of 
the Senate), 1883-85; John C. Smith, 1885-89; 
Lyman B. Ray, 1889-93; Joseph B. Gill, 1893-97; 
William A. Northcott, 1897 — . 

LIMESTONE. Illinois ranks next to Pennsyl- 
vania in its output of limestone, the United 
States Census Report for 1890 giving the number 
of quarries as 104, and the total value of the 
product as $2,190,604. In the value of stone used 
for building purposes Illinois far exceeds any 
other State, the greater proportion of the output 
in Pennsylvania being suitable only for flux. 
Next to its employment as building stone, Illinois 
limestone is chiefly used for street-work, a small 
percentage being used for flux, and still less for 
bridge-work, and but little for burning into lime. 
The quarries in this State employ 3,383 hands, and 
represent a capital of $3,316,016, in the latter par- 
ticular also ranking next to Pennsylvania. The 
quarries are found in various parts of the State, 
but the most productive and most valuable are in 
the northern section. 

LINCOLN, an incorporated city, and county- 
seat of Logan County, at the intersection of the 
Chicago & Alton, the Champaign and Havana 
and the Peoria, Decatur and Evansville Divi- 
sions of the Illinois Central Railroad; is 28 miles 
northeast of Springfield, and 157 miles southwest 
of Chicago. The surrounding country is devoted 
to agriculture, stock-raising and coal-mining. 
Considerable manufacturing is carried on, among 
the products being flour, brick and drain tile. 
The city has water-works, fire department, gas 
and electric lighting plant, telephone system, 
machine shops, eighteen churches, good schools, 
three national banks, a public library, electric 
street railways, and several newspapers. Besides 
possessing good schools, it is the seat of Lincoln 
University (a Cumberland Presbyterian institu- 
tion, founded in 1865) The Odd Fellows' 
Orphans' Home and the Illinois (State) Asylum 
for Feeble-Minded Children are also located here. 
Population (1890), 6,725; (1900), 8,962; (1903, est.), 
12,000. 

LINCOLN, Abraham, sixteenth President of the 
United States, was born in Hardin County, Ky., 
Feb. 12, 1809, of Quaker-English descent, his 
grandfather having emigrated from Virginia to 
Kentucky about 1780, where he was killed by the 
Indians in 1784. Thomas Lincoln, the father of 
Abraham, settled in Indiana in 1816, and removed 



to Macon County in 1830. Abraham was the 
issue of his father's first marriage, his mother's 
maiden name being Nancy Hanks. The early 
occupations of the future President were varied. 
He served at different times as farm-laborer, flat- 
hoatman, country salesman, merchant, surveyor 
lawyer, State legislator, Congressman and Presi- 
dent. In 1832 be enlisted for the Black Hawk 
War, and was chosen Captain of his company 
was an unsuccessful candidate for the Legislature 
the same year, but elected two years later 
About this time he turned his attention to the 
study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1836, 
and, one year later, began practice at Springfield. 
By successive re-elections he served in the House 
until 1842, when he declined a re-election. In 
1838, and again in 1840, he was the Whig candi- 
date for Speaker of the House, on both occasions 
being defeated by William L. D. Ewing. In 1841 
he was an applicant to President William Henry 
Harrison for the position of Commissioner of the 
General Land Office, the appointment going to 
Justin Butterfield. His next official position was 
that of Representative in the Thirtieth Congress 
(1847-49). From that time he gave his attention 
to his profession until 1855, when he was a lead- 
ing candidate for the United States Senate in 
opposition to the principles of the Nebraska Bill, 
but failed of election, Lyman Trumbull being 
chosen. In 1856, he took a leading part in the 
i organization of the Republican party at Bloom- 
ington, and, in 1858, was formally nominated by 
the Republican State Convention for the United 
States Senate, later engaging in a joint debate 
with Senator Douglas on party issues, during 
which they delivered speeches at seven different 
cities of the State. Although he again failed to 
secure the prize of an election, owing to the char- 
acter of the legislative apportionment then in 
force, which gave a majority of the Senators and 
Representatives to a Democratic minority of the 
voters, his burning, incisive utterances on the 
subject of slavery attracted the attention of the 
whole country, and prepared the way for the 
future triumph of the Republican party. Previ- 
ous to this he had been four times (1840, '44, '52, 
and '56) on the ticket of his party as candidate 
fi>r Presidential Elector. In 1860, he was the 
nominee of the Republican party for the Presi- 
dency and was chosen by a decisive majority in 
the Electoral College, though receiving a minor- 
ity of the aggregate popular vote. Unquestion- 
ably his candidacy was aided by internal 
dissensions in the Democratic party. His election 
and his inauguration (on March 4, 1861) were 



338 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



made a pretext for secession, and he met the 
issue with promptitude and firmness, tempered 
with kindness and moderation towards the se- 
cessionists. He was re-elected to the Presidency 
in 1864, the vote in the Electoral College standing 
212 for Lincoln to 21 for his opponent, Gen. 
George B. McClellan. The history of Mr. Lin- 
coln's life in the Presidential chair is the history 
of the whole country during its most dramatic 
period. Next to his success in restoring the 
authority of the Government over the whole 
Union, history will, no doubt, record his issuance 
of the Emancipation Proclamation of January, 
1863, as the most important and far-reaching act 
of his administration. And yet to this act, which 
has embalmed his memory in the hearts of the 
lovers of freedom and human justice in all ages 
and in all lands, the world over, is due his death 
at the hands of the assassin, J. Wilkes Booth, in 
Washington City, April 15, 1865, as the result of 
an assault made upon him in Ford's Theater the 
evening previous — his death occurring one week 
after the fall of Richmond and the surrender of 
Lee's army — just as peace, with the restoration of 
the Union, was assured. A period of National 
mourning ensued, and he was accorded the honor 
of a National funeral, his remains being finally 
laid to rest in a mausoleum in Springfield. His 
profound sympathy with every class of sufferers 
during the War of the Rebellion ; his forbearance 
in the treatment of enemies; his sagacity in 
giving direction to public sentiment at home and 
in dealing with international questions abroad; 
his courage in preparing the ray for the removal 
of slavery — the bone of contention between the 
warring sections — have given him a place in the 
affections of the people beside that of Washington 
himself, and won for him the respect and admi- 
ration of all civilized nations. 

LINCOLN, Robert Todd, lawyer, member of 
the Cabinet and Foreign Minister, the son of 
Abraham Lincoln, was born in Springfield, 111., 
August 1, 1843, and educated in the home schools 
and at Harvard University, graduating from the 
latter in 1864. During the last few months of 
the Civil War, he served on the staff of General 
Grant with the rank of Captain. After the war 
he studied law and, on his admission to the bar, 
settled in Chicago, finally becoming a member of 
the firm of Lincoln & Isham. In 1880, he was 
chosen a Presidential Elector on the Republican 
ticket, and, in March following, appointed Secre- 
tary of War by President Garfield, serving to the 
close of the term. In 1889 he became Minister to 
England by appointment of President Harrison, 



gaining high distinction as a diplomatist. This 
was the last public office held by him. After tbe 
death of George M. Pullman he became Acting 
President of the Pullman Palace Car Company, 
later being formally elected to that office, which 
(1899) he still holds. Mr. Lincoln's name has 
been frequently mentioned in connection with 
the Republican nomination for the Presidency, 
but its use has not been encouraged by him. 

LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS DEBATE, a name 
popularly given to a series of joint discussions 
between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Doug- 
las, held at different points in the State during the 
summer and autumn of 1858, while both were 
candidates for the position of United States Sena- 
tor. The places and dates of holding these 
discussions were as follows: At Ottawa, August 
21 ; at Freeport, August 27 ; at Jonesboro, Sept. 
15 ; at Charleston, Sept. 18 ; at Galesburg, Oct. 7 ; 
at Quincy, Oct. 13 ; at Alton, Oct. 15. Immense 
audiences gathered to hear these debates, which 
have become famous in the political history of 
the Nation, and the campaign was the most noted 
in tli" history of any State. It resulted in the 
securing by Douglas of a re-election to the Senate; 
but his answers to the shrewdly-couched interrog- 
atories of Lincoln lad to the alienation of his 
Southern following, the disruption of the Demo- 
cratic party in 1860, and the defeat of his Presi- 
dential aspirations, with the placing of Mr. 
Lincoln prominently before the Nation as a 
sagacious political leader, and his final election 
to the Presidency. 

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, an institution located 
at Lincoln, Logan County, 111., incorporated in 
1865. It is co-educational., has a faculty of eleven 
instructors and, for 1896-8, reports 209 pupils — 
ninety-one male and 118 female. Instruction 
is given in the classics, the sciences, music, fine 
arts and preparatory studies. The institution 
has a library of 3,000 volumes, and reports funds 
and endowment amounting to 860,000, with 
property valued at 855,000. 

LIN'DER, Usher F., lawyer and politician, was 
born in Elizabethtown. Hardin County, Ky. (ten 
miles from the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln), 
March 20, 1809; came to Illinois in 1835, finally 
locating at Charleston, Coles County ; after travel- 
ing the circuit a few months was elected Repre- 
sentative in the Tenth General Assembly (1836), 
but resigned before the close of the session to 
accept the office of Attorney-General, which he 
held less than a year and a half, when he resigned 
that also. Again, in 1846, he was elected to the 
Fifteenth General Assembly and re-elected to the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



339 



Sixteenth and Seventeenth, afterwards giving his 
attention to the practice of his profession. Mr. 
Linder, in his best days, was a fluent speaker with 
some elements of eloquence which gave him a 
wide popularity as a campaign orator. Originally 
a Whig, on the dissolution of that party he 
became a Democrat, and, in 1860, was a delegate 
to the Democratic National Convention at 
Charleston, S. C, and at Baltimore. During the 
last four years of his life he wrote a series of 
articles under the title of "Reminiscences of the 
Early Bench and Bar of Illinois," which was pub- 
lished in book form in 1876. Died in Chicago, 
June 5, 1876. 

LINEGAR, Pavid T., legislator, was born in 
Ohio, Feb. 13, 1830; came to Spencer County, 
Ind., in 1840, and to Wayne County, 111., in 1858, 
afterward locating at Cairo, where he served as 
Postmaster during the Civil War ; was a Repub- 
lican Presidential Elector in 1873, but afterwards 
became a Democrat, and served as such in the 
lower branch of the General Assembly (1880-86). 
Died at Cairo, Feb. 2, 1886. 

LIPPI1VCOTT, Charles E., State Auditor, was 
born at Edwardsville, 111., Jan. 36, 1835; attended 
Illinois College at Jacksonville, but did not 
graduate; in 1849 graduated from the St. Louis 
Medical College, and began the practice of medi- 
cine at Chandlerville, Cass County. In 1852 he 
went to California, remaining there five years, 
taking an active part in the anti-slavery contest, 
and serving as State Senator (1853-55). In 1857, 
having returned to Illinois, he resumed practice 
at Chandlerville, and, in 1861, under authority of 
Governor Yates, recruited a company which was 
attached to the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry as 
Company K, and of which he was commissioned 
Captain, having declined the lieutenant-colo- 
nelcy. Within twelve months he became Colonel, 
and, on Sept. 16, 1865, was mustered out as brevet 
Brigadier-General. In 1866 he reluctantly con- 
sented to lead the Republican forlorn hope as a 
candidate for Congress in the (then) Ninth Con- 
gressional District, largely reducing the Demo- 
cratic majority. In 1867 he was elected Secretary 
of the State Senate, and the same year chosen 
Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives at 
Washington. In 1868 he was elected State Audi- 
tor, and re-elected in 1873 ; also served as Perma- 
nent President of the Republican State Conven- 
tion of 1878. On the establishment of the Illinois 
Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Quincy, he became 
its first Superintendent, assuming his duties in 
March, 1887, but died Sept. 13, following, as a 
result of injuries received from a runaway team 



while driving through the grounds of the institu- 
tion a few days previous. — Emily Webster 
Chandler (Lippincott), wife of the preceding, 
was born March 13, 1833, at Chandlerville, Cass 
County, 111., the daughter of Dr. Charles Chand- 
ler, a prominent physician widely known in that 
section of the State ; was educated at Jacksonville 
Female Academy, and married, Dec. 25, 1851, to 
Dr. (afterwards General) Charles E. Lippincott. 
Soon after the death of her husband, in Septem- 
ber, 1887, Mrs. Lippincott, who had already 
endeared herself by her acts of kindness to the 
veterans in the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, was 
appointed Matron of the institution, serving until 
her death, May 21, 1895. The respect in which 
she was held by the old soldiers, to whose com- 
fort and necessities she had ministered in hos- 
pital and elsewhere, was shown in a most touching 
manner at the time of her death, and on the 
removal of her remains to be laid by the side of 
her husband, in Oak Ridge Cemetery at Spring- 
field. 

LIPPINCOTT, (Rev.) Thomas, early clergy- 
man, was born in Salem, N. J., in 1791; in 1817 
started west, arriving in St. Louis in February, 
1818 ; the same year established himself in mer- 
cantile business at Milton, then a place of some 
importance near Alton. This place proving 
unhealthy, he subsequently removed to Edwards- 
ville, where he was for a time employed as clerk 
in the Land Office. He afterwards served as 
Secretary of the Senate (1832-23). That he was a 
man of education and high intelligence, as well 
as a strong opponent of slavery, is shown by his 
writings, in conjunction with Judge Samuel D. 
Lockwood, George Churchill and others, in oppo- 
sition to the scheme for securing the adoption of 
a pro-slavery Constitution in Illinois in 1824. In 
1825 he purchased from Hooper Warren "The 
Edwardsville Spectator," which he edited for a 
year or more, but soon after entered the ministry 
of the Presbyterian Church and became an influ- 
ential factor in building up that denomination in 
Illinois. He was also partly instrumental in 
securing the location of Illinois College at Jack- 
sonville. He died at Pana, 111., April 13, 1869. 
Gen. Charles E. Lippincott, State Auditor 
(1869-77), was a son of the subject of this sketch. 

LIQUOR LAWS. In the early history of the 
State, the question of the regulation of the sale of 
intoxicants was virtually relegated to the control 
of the local authorities, who granted license, col- 
lected fees, and fixed the tariff of charges. As 
early as 1851, however, the General Assembly, 
with a view to mitigating what it was felt had 



340 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



become a growing evil, enacted a law popularly 
known as the "quart law," which, it was hoped, 
would do away with the indiscriminate sale of 
liquor by the glass. The law failed to meet the 
expectation of its framers and supporters, and, in 
1855, a prohibitory law was submitted to the elect- 
ors, which was rejected at the polls. Since that 
date a general license system has prevailed, except 
in certain towns and cities where prohibitory 
ordinances were adopted. The regulations gov- 
erning the traffic, therefore, have been widely 
variant in different localities. The Legislature, 
however, has always possessed the same constitu- 
tional power to regulate the sale of intoxicants, 
as aconite, henbane, strychnine, or other poisons. 
In 1879 the Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union began the agitation of the license question 
from a new standpoint. In March of that year, a 
delegation of Illinois women, headed by Miss 
Frances E. Willard, presented to the Legislature 
a monster petition, signed by 80,000 voters and 
100,000 women, praying for the amendment of 
the State Constitution, so as to give females above 
the age of 21 the right to vote upon the granting 
< f licenses in the localities of their residences. 
Miss Willard and Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, of Iowa, 
addressed the House in its favor, and Miss 
Willard spoke to the Senate on the same lines. 
The measure was defeated in the House by a vote 
of fifty-five to fifty-three, and the Senate took no 
action. In 1881 the same bill was introduced 
anew, but again failed of passage. Nevertheless, 
persistent agitation was not without its results. 
In 1883 the Legislature enacted what is generally 
termed the "High License Law," by the provi- 
sions of which a minimum license of 8300 per 
annum was imposed for the sale of alcoholic 
drinks, and $150 for malt liquors, with the 
authority on the part of municipalities to impose 
a still higher rate by ordinance. This measure 
was made largely a partisan issue, the Repub- 
licans voting almost solidly for it, and the Demo- 
crats almost solidly opposing it. The bill was 
promptly signed by Governor Hamilton. The 
liquor laws of Illinois, therefore, at the present 
time are based upon local option, high license and 
local supervision. The criminal code of the State 
contains the customary provisions respecting the 
sale of stimulants to minors and other prohibited 
parties, or at forbidden times, but, in the larger 
cities, many of the provisions of the State law 
are rendered practically inoperative by the 
municipal ordinances, or absolutely nullified by 
the indifference or studied neglect of the local 
officials. 



LITCHFIELD, the principal city of Montgom- 
ery County, at the intersection of Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis, the Wabash and the Illinois 
Central, with three other short-line railways, 48 
miles south of Springfield and 47 miles northeast 
of St. Louis. The surrounding country is fer- 
tile, undulating prairie, in which are found coal, 
oil and natural gas. A coal mine is operated 
within the corporate limits. Grain is extensively 
raised, and Litchfield has several elevators, flour- 
ing mills, a can factory, briquette works, etc. 
The output of the manufacturing establishments 
also includes foundry and machine shop prod- 
ucts, brick and tile, brooms, ginger ale and cider. 
The city is lighted by both gas and electricity, 
and has a Holly water-works system, a public 
library and public parks, two banks, twelve 
churches, high and graded schools, and an Ursu- 
line convent, a Catholic hospital, and two 
monthly, two weekly, and two daily periodicals. 
Population (1890), 5,811; (1900), 5,918; (1903, 
est ), 7,000. 

LITCHFIELD, CARROLLTON & WESTERN 
RAILROAD, a line which extends from Colum- 
biana, on the Illinois River, to Barnett, 111., 51.5 
miles; is of standard gauge, the track being laid 
with fifty-six pound steel rails. It was opened 
for business, in three different sections, from 1883 
to 1887, and for three years was operated in con- 
nection with the Jacksonville Southeastern 
Railway. In May, 1890, the latter was sold under 
foreclosure, and, in November, 1893, the Litch- 
field, Carrollton & Western reverted to the 
former owners. Six months later it passed into 
the hands of a receiver, by whom (up to 1898) it 
has since been operated. The general offices 
are at Carlinville 

LITTLE, George, merchant and banker, was 
bom in Columbia, Pa., in 1808; came to Rush- 
ville, 111., in 1836, embarking in the mercantile 
business, which he prosecuted sixty years. In 
1865 he established the Bank of Rushville, of 
which he was President, in these two branches of 
business amassing a large fortune. Died, March 
5, 1896. 

LITTLE VERMILION RIVER rises in Ver- 
milion County, 111., and flows eastwardly into 
Indiana, emptying into the Wabash in Vermilion 
County, Ind. 

LITTLE WABASH RIVER, rises in Effingham 
and Cumberland Counties, flows east and south 
through Clay, Wayne and White, and enters the 
Wabash River about 8 miles above the mouth of 
the latter. Its estimated length is about 180 
miles. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



341 



LITTLER, David T., lawyer and State Senator, 
was born at Clifton, Greene County, Ohio, Feb. 
7, 1836; was educated in the common schools in 
his native State and, at twenty-one, removed to 
Lincoln, 111., where he worked at the carpenter"s 
trade for two years, meanwhile studying law. He 
was admitted to the bar in 1860, soon after was 
elected a Justice of the Peace, and later appointed 
Master in Chancer}'. In 1866 he was appointed 
by President Johnson Collector of Internal 
Revenue for the Eighth District, but resigned in 
1868, removing to Springfield the same year, 
where he entered into partnership witli the late 
Henry S. Greene, Milton Hay being admitted to 
the firm soon after, the partnership continuing 
until 1881. In 1882 Mr. Littler was elected 
Representative in the Thirty-fourth General 
Assembly from Sangamon County, was re-elected 
in 1886, and returned to the Senate in 1894, serv- 
ing in the latter body four years. In both Houses 
Mr. Littler took a specially prominent part in 
legislation on the revenue question. 

LIVERMORE, Mary Ashton, reformer and phi- 
lanthropist, was born (Mary Ashton Rice) in 
Boston, Mass., Dec. 19, 1821; taught for a time in 
a female seminary in Charlestown, and spent two 
years as a governess in Southern Virginia; later 
married Rev. Daniel P. Livermore, a Universalist 
minister, who held pastorates at various places in 
Massachusetts and at Quincy, 111., becoming 
editor of "The New Covenant" at Chicago, in 
1857. During this time Mrs. Livermore wrote 
much for denominational papers and in assisting 
her husband; in 1862 was appointed an agent, 
and traveled extensively in the interest of the 
United States Sanitary Commission, visiting 
hospitals and camps in the Mississippi Valley; 
also took a prominent part in the great North- 
western Sanitary Fair at Chicago in 1863. Of 
late years she has labored and lectured exten- 
sively in the interest of woman suffrage and tem- 
perance, besides being the author of several 
volumes, one of these being "Pen Pictures of 
Chicago" (1865). Her home is in Boston. 

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, situated about mid- 
way between Chicago and Springfield. The sur- 
face is rolling toward the east, but is level in the 
west; area, 1,026 square miles; population (1900), 
42,035, named for Edward Livingston. It was 
organized in 1837, the first Commissioners being 
Robert Breckenridge, Jonathan Moon and Daniel 
Rockwood. Pontiac was selected as the county- 
seat, the proprietors donating ample lands and 
$3,000 in cash for the erection of public buildings. 
Vermilion River and Indian Creek are the prin- 



cipal streams. Coal underlies the entire county, 
and shafts are in successful operation at various 
points. It is one of the chief agricultural coun- 
ties of the State, the yield of oats and corn being 
large. Stock-raising is also extensively carried 
on. The development of the county really dates 
from the opening of the Chicago & Alton Rail- 
road in 1854, since which date it has been crossed 
by numerous other lines. Pontiac, the county- 
seat, is situated on the Vermilion, is a railroad 
center and the site of the State Reform School. 
Its population in 1890 was 2,784. Dwight has 
attained a wide reputation as the seat of the 
parent "Keeley" Institute for the cure of the 
liquor habit. 

LOCKPORT, a village in Will County, laid out 
in 1837 and incorporated in 1853- situated 33 
miles southwest of Chicago, on the Des Plaines 
River, the Illinois & Michigan Canal, the Atchi- 
son, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Chicago & Alton 
Railroads. The surrounding region is agricul- 
tural; limestone is extensively quarried. Manu- 
factures are flour, oatmeal, brass goods, paper 
and strawboard. It has ten churches, a public 
and high school, parochial schools, a bank, gas 
plant, electric car lines, and one weekly paper. 
The controlling works of the Chicago Drainage 
Canal and offices of the Illinois & Michigan Canal 
are located here. Population (1890), 2.449; 
(1900), 2,659. 

LOCKWOOD, Samuel Drake, jurist, was born 
at Poundridge, Westchester County, N. Y., 
August 2, 1789, left fatherless at the age of ten, 
after a few months at a private school in New 
Jersey, he went to live with an uncle (Francis 
Drake) at Waterford, N. Y., with whom he 
studied law, being admitted to the bar at Batavia, 
N. Y., in 1811. In 1813 he removed to Auburn, 
and later became Master in Chancery. In 1818 
he descended the Ohio River upon a flat-boat in 
company with William H. Brown, afterwards of 
Chicago, and walking across the country from 
Shawneetown, arrived at Kaskaskia in Decem- 
ber, but finally settled at Carmi, where he 
remained a year. In 1821 he was elected Attor- 
ney-General of the State, but resigned the fol- 
lowing year to accept the position of Secretary of 
State, to which he was appointed by Governor 
Coles, and which he filled only three months, 
when President Monroe made him Receiver of 
Public Moneys at Edwardsville. About the same 
time he was also appointed agent of the First 
Board of Canal Commissioners. The Legislature 
of 1824-25 elected him Judge of the Supreme 
Court, his service extending until the adoption 



342 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of the Constitution of 1848, which he assisted in 
framing as a Delegate from Morgan County. In 
1851 he was made State Trustee of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, which office he held until his 
death. He was always an uncompromising 
antagonist of slavery and a leading supporter of 
Governor Coles in opposition to the plan to secure 
a pro-slavery Constitution in 1824. His personal 
and political integrity was recognized by all 
parties. From 1828 to 1853 Judge Lockwood was 
a citizen of Jacksonville, where he proved him- 
self an efficient friend and patron of Illinois Col- 
lege, serving for over a quarter of a century as 
one of its Trustees, and was also influential in 
securing several of the State charitable institu- 
tions there. His later years were spent at 
Batavia, where he died, April 23, 1874, in the 85th 
year of his age. 

LODA, a village of Iroquois County, on the 
Chicago Division of the Illinois Central Railway, 
4 miles north of Paxton. The region is agricul- 
tural, and the town has considerable local trade. 
It also has a bank and one weekly paper. 
Population (1880), 635; (1890), 598; (1900). 668. 

LOGAN, Cornelius Ambrose, physician and 
diplomatist, born at Deerfield, Mass., August 6, 
1836, the son of a dramatist of the same name ; 
was educated at Auburn Academy and served as 
Medical Superintendent of St. John's Hospital, 
Cincinnati, and, later, as Professor in the Hos- 
pital at Leavenworth, Kan. In 1873 he was 
appointed United States Minister to Chili, after- 
wards served as Minister to Guatemala, and again 
(1881) as Minister to Chili, remaining until 1883. 
He was for twelve years editor of "The Medical 
Herald," Leavenworth, Kan., and edited the 
works of his relative, Gen. John A. Logan (1886), 
besides contributing to foreign medical publi- 
cations and publishing two or three volumes on 
medical and sanitary questions. Resides in 
Chicago. 

LOGAN, John, physician and soldier, was born 
in Hamilton County, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1809; at six 
years of age was taken to Missouri, his family 
settling near the Grand Tower among the Shaw- 
nee and Delaware Indians. He began business 
as clerk in a New Orleans commission house, but 
returning to Illinois in 1830, engaged in the 
blacksmith trade for two years; in 1831 enlisted 
in the Ninth Regiment Illinois Militia and took 
part in the Indian troubles of that year and the 
Black Hawk War of 1832, later being Colonel of 
the Forty-fourth Regiment State Militia. At the 
close of the Black Hawk War he settled in 
Carlinville, and having graduated in medicine, 



engaged in practice in that place until 1801. At 
the beginning of the war he raised a company 
for the Seventh Illinois Volunteers, but the quota 
being already full, it was not accepted. He was 
finally commissioned Colonel of the Thirty- 
second Illinois Volunteers, and reported to Gen- 
eral Grant at Cairo, in January, 1862, a few weeks 
later taking part in the battles of Forts Henry 
and Donelson. Subsequently he had command 
of the Fourth Division of the Army of the Ten- 
nessee under General Hurlbut. His regiment 
lost heavily at the battle of Shiloh, he himself 
being severely wounded and compelled to leave 
the field. In December, 1864, he was discharged 
with the brevet rank of Brigadier-General. In 
1866 Colonel Logan was appointed by President 
Johnson United States Marshal for the Southern 
District of Illinois, serving until 1870, when he 
resumed the practice of his profession at Carlin- 
ville. Originally a Democrat, he became a 
Republican on the organization of that party, 
serving as a delegate to the first Republican State 
Convention at Bloomington in 1856. He was a 
man of strong personal characteristics and an 
earnest patriot. Died at his home at Carlinville, 
August 24, 1885. 

LOGAN, John Alexander, soldier and states- 
man, was born at old Brownsville, the original 
county -seat of Jackson County, 111., Feb. 9, 1826, 
the son of Dr. John Logan, a native of Ireland 
and an early immigrant into Illinois, where he 
attained prominence as a public man. Young 
Logan volunteered as a private in the Mexican 
War, but was soon promoted to a lieutenancy, 
and afterwards became Quartermaster of his 
regiment. He was elected Clerk of Jackson 
County in 1849, but resigned the office to prose- 
cute his law studies. Having graduated from 
Louisville University in 1851, he entered into 
partnership with his uncle, Alexander M. Jenk- 
ins ; was elected to the Legislature as a Democrat 
in 1852, and again in 1856, having been Prosecut- 
ing Attorney in the interim. He was chosen a 
Presidential Elector on the Democratic ticket in 
1856, was elected to Congress in 1858, and again 
in 1800, as a Douglas Democrat. During the 
special session of Congress in 1801, he left his 
seat, and fought in the ranks at Bull Run. In 
September, 1801, he organized the Thirty-first 
Regiment Illinois Infantry, and was commis- 
sioned by Governor Yates its Colonel. His mili- 
tary career was brilliant, and he rapidly rose to 
lie Major-General. President Johnson tendered 
him the mission to Mexico, which he declined. 
In 1806 he was elected as a Republican to Con- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



343 



gress for the State-at-large, and acted as one of 
the managers in the impeachment trial of the 
President; was twice re-elected and, in 1871, was 
chosen United States Senator, as he was again in 
1879. In 1884 he was an unsuccessful candidate 
for the Presidential nomination at the Republican 
Convention in Chicago, but was finally placed on 
the ticket for the Vice-Presidency with James G. 
Blaine, the ticket being defeated in November 
following. In 1885 he was again elected Senator, 
but died during his term at Washington, Dec. 26, 
1886. General Logan was the author of "The 
Great Conspiracy" and of "The Volunteer Soldier 
of America." In 1897 an equestrian statue was 
erected to his memory on the Lake Front Park in 
Chicago. 

LOGAN, Stephen Trigg, eminent Illinois jurist, 
was born in Franklin County, Ky., Feb. 24, 1800; 
studied law at Glasgow, Ky., and was admitted 
to the bar before attaining Lis majority. After 
practicing in his native State some ten years, in 
1832 he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Sanga- 
mon County, one year later opening an office at 
Springfield. In 1835 he was elevated to the 
bench of the First Judicial Circuit ; resigned two 
years later, was re-commissioned in 1839, but 
again resigned. In 1842, and again in 1844 
and 1846, he was elected to the General Assem- 
bly ; also served as a member of the Consti- 
tutional Convention of 1847. Between 1841 
and 1844 he was a partner of Abraham Lin- 
coln. In 1854 he was again chosen a member 
of the lower house of the Legislature, was 
a delegate to the Republican National Conven- 
tion in I860, and, in 1861, was commissioned 
by Governor Yates to represent Illinois in the 
Peace Conference, which assembled in Wash- 
ington. Soon afterward he retired to private 
life. As an advocate his ability was widely 
recognized. Died at Springfield, July 17, 1880. 

LOGAN COUNTY, situated in the central part 
of the State, and having an area of about 620 
square miles. Its surface is chiefly a level or 
moderately undulating prairie, with some high 
ridges, as at Elkhart. Its soil is extremely fertile 
and well drained by numerous creeks. Coal- 
mining is successfully carried on. The other 
staple products are corn, wheat, oats, hay, cattle 
and pork. Settlers began to locate in 1819-22, 
and the county was organized in 1839, being 
originally cut off from Sangamon. In 1840 a 
portion of Tazewell was added and, in 1845, a 
part of De Witt County. It was named in honor 
of Dr. John Logan, father of Senator John A. 
Logan. Postville was the first county-seat, but, 



in 1847, a change was made to Mount Pulaski, 
and, later, to Lincoln, which is the present capi- 
tal. Population (1890), 25,489; (1900), 28,680. 

LOMBARD, a village of Dupage Count}', on the 
Chicago & Great Western and the Chicago & 
Nortli western Railways. Population (1880), 378; 
(1890), 515; (1900), 590. 

LOMBARD UNIVERSITY, an institution at 
Galesburg under control of the Universalist 
denomination, founded in 1851. It has prepara- 
tory, collegiate and theological departments. 
The collegiate department includes both classical 
and scientific courses, with a specially arranged 
course of three years for young women, who con- 
stitute nearly half the number of students. The 
University has an endowment of §200,000, and 
owns additional property, real and personal, of 
the value of $100,000. In 1898 it reported a fac- 
ulty of thirteen professors, with an attendance of 
191 students. 

LONDON MILLS, a village and railway station 
of Fulton County, on the Fulton Narrow Gauge 
and Iowa Central Railroads, 19 miles southeast 
of Galesburg. The district is agricultural; the 
town has two banks and a weekly newspaper; 
fine brick clay is mined. Pop. (1900), 528. 

LONG, Stephen Harriinan, civil engineer, was 
born in Hopkinton, N. H., Dec. 30, 1784; gradu 
ated at Dartmouth College in 1809, and, after 
teaching some years, entered the United States 
Army in December, 1814, as a Lieutenant in the 
Corps of Engineers, acting as Assistant Professor 
of Mathematics at West Point; in 1816 was trans- 
ferred to the Topographical Engineers with the 
brevet rank of Major. From 1818 to 1823 he had 
charge of explorations between the Mississippi 
River and the Rocky Mountains, and, in 1823-24, 
to the sources of the Mississippi. One of the 
highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains was named 
in his honor. Between 1827 and 1830 he was 
employed as a civil engineer on the Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad, and from 1837 to 1840, as Engineer- 
in-Chief of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, in 
Georgia, where he introduced a system of curves 
and a new kind of truss bridge afterwards gener- 
ally adopted. On the organization of the Topo- 
graphical Engineers as a separate corps in 1838, 
he became Major of that body, and, in 1861, chief, 
with the rank of Colonel. An account of his 
first expedition to the Rocky Mountains (1819-20) 
by Dr. Edwin James, was published in 1823, and 
the following year appeared "Long's Expedition 
to the Source of St. Peter's River, Lake of the 
Woods. Etc." He was a member of the Ameri- 
can Philosophical Society and the author of the 



344 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tirst original treatise on railroad building ever 
published in this country, under the title of 
"Railroad Manual" (1829). During the latter 
days of his life his home was at Alton, 111. , where 
he died, Sept. 4, 1864. Though retired from 
active service in June, 1863, he continued in the 
discharge of important duties up to his death. 

LONGENECKER, Joel M., lawyer, was born in 
Crawford County. 111., June 12, 1847; before 
reaching his eighteenth year he enlisted in the 
Fifth Illinois Cavalry, servinguntil the close of the 
war. After attending the high school at Robinson 
and teaching for some time, he began the study 
of law and was admitted to the bar at Olney in 
1870 ; served two years as City Attorney and four 
(1877-81) as Prosecuting Attorney, in the latter 
year removing to Chicago. Here, in 1884, he be- 
came the assistant of Luther Laflin Mills in the 
office of Prosecuting Attorney of Cook County, 
retaining that position with Mr. Mills' successor, 
Judge Grinnell. On the promotion of the latter 
to the bench, in 1886, Mr. Longenecker succeeded 
to the office of Prosecuting Attorney, continuing 
in that position until 1892. While in this office 
he conducted a large number of important crimi- 
nal cases, the most important, perhaps, being the 
trial of the murderers of Dr. Cronin, in which he 
gained a wide reputation for skill and ability as 
a prosecutor in criminal cases. 

LOOMIS, (Rev.) Hubbell, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born in Colchester, Conn., May 31, 
1775; prepared for college in the common schools 
and at Plainfield Academy, in his native State, 
finally graduating at Union College, N. Y. , in 
1799 — having supported himself during a con- 
siderable part of his educational course by 
manual labor and teaching. He subsequently 
studied theology, and, for twenty-four years, 
served as pastor of a Congregational church at 
Willington, Conn., meanwhile fitting a number 
of young men for college, including among them 
Dr. Jared Sparks, afterwards President of Har- 
vard College and author of numerous historical 
works. About 1829 his views on the subject of 
baptism underwent a change, resulting in his 
uniting himself with the Baptist Church. Com- 
ing to Illinois soon after, he spent some time at 
Kaskaskia and Edwardsville, and, in 1832, located 
at Upper Alton, where he became a prominent 
factor in laying the foundation of Shurtleff Col- 
lege, first by the establishment of the Baptist 
Seminary, of which he was the Principal for 
several years, and later by assisting, in 1835, to 
secure the charter of the college in which the 
seminary was merged. His name stood first on 



the list of Trustees of the new institution, and, 
in proportion to his means, he was a liberal con- 
tributor to its support in the period of its infancy. 
The latter years of his life were spent among his 
books in literary and scientific pursuits. Died at 
Upper Alton, Dec. 15, 1872, at the advanced age 
of nearly 98 years. — A son of his — Prof. Elias 
Loomls — an eminent mathematician and natural- 
ist, was the author of "Loomis' Algebra" and 
other scientific text-books, in extensive use in the 
colleges of the country. He held professorships 
in various institutions at different times, the last 
being that of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy 
in Yale College, from 1860 up to his death in 1889. 

LORIMER, William, Member of Congress, was 
born in Manchester, England, of Scotch parent- 
age, April 27, 1861; came with his parents to 
America at five years of age, and, after spending 
some years in Michigan and Ohio, came to Chi- 
cago in 1870, where he entered a private school. 
Having lost his father by death at twelve years 
of age, he became an apprentice in the sign-paint- 
ing business; was afterwards an employe on a 
street-railroad, finally engaging in the real-estate 
business and serving as an appointee of Mayor 
Roche and Mayor Washburne in the city water 
department. In 1892 he was the Republican 
nominee for Clerk of the Superior Court, but was 
defeated. Two years later he was elected to the 
Fifty- fourth Congress from the Second Illinois 
District, and re-elected in 1896, as he was again 
in 1898. His plurality in 1896 amounted to 26,736 
votes. 

LOUISVILLE, the county-seat of Clay County ; 
situated on the Little Wabash River and on the 
Springfield Division of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern Railroad. It is 100 miles south- 
southeast of Springfield and 7 miles north of 
Flora; has a courthouse, three churches, a high 
school, a savings bank and two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1890). 637; (1900) 646. 

LOUISVILLE, EVAXSVILLE & NEW AL- 
BANY RAILROAD. (See Louisville, Evansville 
& St. Louis (Consolidated) Railroad.) 

LOUISVILLE, EVANSVILLE & ST. LOUIS 
(Consolidated) RAILROAD. The length of this 
entire line is 358.55 miles, of which nearly 150 
miles are operated in Illinois. It crosses the State 
from East St. Louis to Mount Carmel, on the 
Wabash River. Within Illinois the system uses 
a single track of standard gauge, laid with steel 
rails on white-oak ties. The grades are usually 
light, although, as the line leaves the Mississippi 
bottom, the gradient is about two per cent or 
105.6 feet per mile. The total capitalization 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



345 



(1898) was §18,236,246, of which §4,247.909 was in 
stock and §10,568,350 in bonds.— (History.) The 
original corporation was organized in both Indi- 
ana and Illinois in 1869, and the Illinois section of 
i.he line opened from Mount Carmel to Albion (18 
miles) in January, 1873. The Indiana division 
was sold under foreclosure in 1876 to the Louis- 
ville, New Albany & St. Louis Railway Com- 
pany, while the Illinois division was reorganized 
in 1878 under the name of the St. Louis, Mount 
Carmel & New Albany Railroad. A few months 
later the two divisions were consolidated under 
the name of the former. In 1881 this line was 
again consolidated with the Evansville, Rockport 
& Eastern Railroad (of Indiana), taking the name 
of the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis Railroad. 
In 1889, by a still further consolidation, it 
absorbed several short lines in Indiana and Illi- 
nois — those in the latter State being the Illinois 
& St. Louis Railroad and Coal Company, the 
Belleville, Centralia & Eastern (projected from 
Belleville to Mount Vernon) and the Venice & 
Carondelet — the new organization assuming the 
present name — Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis 
(Consolidated) Railroad. 

LOUISVILLE & NASHVILLE RAILROAD, a 
corporation operating an extensive system of 
railroads, chiefly south of the Ohio River and 
extending through Kentucky and Tennessee 
into Indiana. The portion of the line in Illinois 
(known as the St. Louis, Evansville & Nashville 
line) extends from East St. Louis to the Wabash 
River, in White County (133.64 miles), with 
branches from Belleville to O'Fallon (6.07 miles), 
and from McLeansboro to Shawneetown (40.7 
miles) — total, 180.41 miles. The Illinois Divi- 
sion, though virtually owned by the operating 
line, is formally leased from the Southeast & St. 
Louis Railway Company, whose corporate exist- 
ence is merely nominal. The latter cornpany 
acquired title to the property after foreclosure 
in November, 1880, and leased it in perpetuity to 
the Louisville & Nashville Company. The total 
earnings and income of the leased line in Illinois, 
for 1898, were $1,052,789, and the total expendi- 
tures (including §47,198 taxes) were §657,125. 

LOUISVILLE & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. (See 
Jacksonville it' St. Louis Railway.) 

LOVEJOY, Elijah Parish, minister and anti- 
slavery journalist, was born at Albion, Maine, 
Nov. 9, 1802 — the son of a Congregational minis- 
ter. He graduated at Waterville College in 1826, 
came west and taught school in St. Louis in 
1827, and became editor of a Whig paper there in 
1829. Later, he studied theology at Princeton 



and was licensed as a Presbyterian minister in 
1833. Returning to St. Louis, he started "The 
Observer"— a religious weekly, which condemned 
slave-holding. Threats of violence from the 
pro-slavery party induced him to remove his 
paper, presses, etc., to Alton, in July, 1836. Three 
times within twelve months his plant was de- 
stroyed by a mob. A fourth press having been 
procured, a number of his friends agreed to pro- 
tect it from destruction in the warehouse where 
it was stored. On the evening of Nov. 7, 1837, a 
mob, having assembled about the building, sent 
one of their number to the roof to set it on fire. 
Lovejoy, with two of his friends, stepped outside 
to reconnoiter, when he was shot down by parties 
in ambush, breathing his last a few minutes 
later. His death did much to strengthen the 
anti-slavery sentiment north of Mason and 
Dixon's line. His party regarded him as a 
martyr, and his death was made the text for 
many impassioned and effective appeals in oppo- 
sition to an institution which employed moboc- 
racy and murder in its efforts to suppress free 
discussion. (See Alton Riots.) 

LOVEJOY, Owen, clergyman and Congressman, 
was born at Albion, Maine, Jan. 6, 1811. Being 
the son of a clergyman of small means, he was 
thrown upon his own resources, but secured a 
collegiate education, graduating at Bowdoin 
College. In 1836 he removed to Alton, 111., join 
ing his brother, Elijah Parish Lovejoy, who was 
conducting an anti-slavery and religious journal 
there, and whose assassination by a pro-slavery 
mob he witnessed the following year. (See Alton 
Riots and Elijah P. Lovejoy.) This tragedy 
induced him to devote his life to a crusade 
against slavery. Having previously begun the 
study of theology, he was ordained to the minis- 
try and officiated for several years as pastor of a 
Congregational church at Princeton. In 1847 he 
was an unsuccessful candidate for the Constitu- 
tional Convention on the "Liberty" ticket, but, in 
1854, was elected to the Legislature upon that 
issue, and earnestly supported Abraham Lincoln 
for United States Senator. Upon his election to 
the Legislature he resigned his pastorate at 
Princeton, his congregation presenting him with 
a solid silver service in token of their esteem. In 
1856 he was elected a Representative in Congress 
by a majority of 7,000, and was re-elected for 
three successive terms. As an orator he had few 
equals in the State, while his courage in the 
support of his principles was indomitable. In 
the campaigns of 1856, '58 and '60 he rendered 
valuable service to the Republican party, as he 



346 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



did later in upholding the cause of the Union in 
Congress. He died in Brooklyn, N. Y., March 25, 
1864. 

LOVIXUTOX, a village of Moultrie County, on 
the Terre Haute-Peoria branch of the Vandalia 
Line and the Beaient & Altamont Division of the 
Wabash Railway, 23 miles southeast of Decatur. 
The town has two banks, a newspaper, water- 
works, electric lights, telephones and volunteer 
fire department. Pop. (1890), 767; (1900), 815. 

LUDLAM, (Dr.) Reuben, physician and author, 
was born at Camden. N. J., Oct. 11, 1831, the son 
of Dr. Jacob Watson Ludlam, an eminent phy- 
sician who, in his later years, became a resident 
of Evanston, 111. The younger Ludlam, having 
taken a course in an academy at Bridgeton, 
N. J., at sixteen years of age entered upon the 
study of medicine with his father, followed by a 
course of lectures at the University of Pennsyl- 
vania, where he graduated, in 1852. Having 
removed to Chicago the following year, he soon 
after began an investigation of the homoeopathic 
system of medicine, which resulted in its adop- 
tion, and, a few years later, had acquired such 
prominence that, in 1859, he was appointed Pro- 
fessor of Physiology and Pathology in the newly 
established Hahnemann Medical College in the 
city of Chicago, with which he continued to be 
connected for nearly forty years. Besides serving 
as Secretary of the institution at its inception, he 
had, as early as 1854, taken a position as one of the 
editors of "The Chicago Homoeopath,'' later 
being editorially associated with "The North 
American Journal of Homoeopathy," published in 
New York City, and "The United States Medical 
and Surgical Journal' of Chicago. He also 
served as President of numerous medical associ- 
ations, and, in 1877, was appointed by Governor 
Cullom a member of the State Board of Health, 
serving, by two subsequent reappointments, for a 
period of fifteen years. In addition to his labors 
as a lecturer and practitioner, Dr. Ludlam was 
one of the most prolific authors on professional 
lines in the city of Chicago, besides numerous 
monographs on special topics, having produced a 
"Course of Clinical Lectures on Diphtheria" 
(1863); "Clinical and Didactic Lectures on the 
Diseases of Women" (1871), and a translation 
from the Frencli of "Lectures on Clinical Medi- 
cine" (1880). The second work mentioned is 
recognized as a valuable textbook, and has 
passed through seven or eight editions. A few 
years after his first connection with the Hahne 
mann Medical College, Dr. Ludlam became Pro- 
fessor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and, on the 



death of President C. S. Smith, was chosen 
President of the institution. Died suddenly from 
heart disease, while preparing to perform a surgi- 
cal operation on a patient in the Hahnemann 
Medical College, April 29, 1899. 

LUXDY, Benjamin, early anti-slavery journal- 
ist, was born in New Jersey of Quaker par- 
entage; at 19 worked as a saddler at Wheeling, 
Va., where he first gained a practical knowledge 
of the institution of slavery; later carried on 
business at Mount Pleasant and St. Clairsville, O., 
where, in 1815, he organized an anti-slavery 
association under the name of the "Union 
Humane Society," also contributing anti-slavery 
articles to "The Philanthropist," a paper pub- 
lished at Mount Pleasant. Removing to St. 
Louis, in 1819, he took a deep interest in the con- 
test over the admission of Missouri as a slave State. 
Again at Mount Pleasant, in 1821, he began the 
issue of "The Genius of Universal Emancipation, " 
a monthly, which he soon removed to Jonesbor- 
ough, Tenn., and finally to Baltimore in 1824, 
when it became a weekly. Mr. Lundy's trend 
towards colonization is shown in the fact that he 
made two visits (1825 and 1829) to Hayti, with a 
view to promoting the colonization of emanci- 
pated slaves in that island. Visiting the East in 
1828, he made the acquaintance of William Lloyd 
Garrison, who became a convert to his views and 
a firm ally. The following winter he was as- 
saulted by a slave-dealer in Baltimore and nearly 
killed ; soon after removed his paper to Washing- 
ton and, later, to Philadelphia, where it took the 
name of "The National Enquirer," being finally 
merged into "The Pennsylvania Freeman." In 
1838 his property was burned by the pro-slavery 
mob which fired Pennsylvania Hall, and, in the 
following winter, he removed to Lowell, La Salle 
Co., 111., with a view to reviving his paper there, 
but the design was frustrated by his early death, 
which occurred August 22, 1839. The paper 
however, was revived by Zebina Eastman under 
the name of "The Genius of Liberty," but was re- 
moved to Chicago, in 1842, and issued under the 
name of "The Western Citizen." (See Eastman, 
Zebina.) 

LTJJfT, Orrinsrton, capitalist and philanthro- 
pist, was born in Bowdoinham, Maine, Dec. 24, 
1815; came to Chicago in 1842, and engaged in 
the grain commission business, becoming a mem- 
ber of the Board of Trade at its organization. 
Later, he became interested in real estate oper- 
ations, fire and life insurance and in railway 
enterprises, being one of the early promoters of 
the Chicago & Galena Union, now a part of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



347 



Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He also took 
an active part in municipal affairs, and, during 
the War, was an efficient member of the "War 
Finance Committee." A liberal patron of all 
moral and benevolent enterprises, as shown by 
his cooperation with the "Relief and Aid Soci- 
ety" after the fire of 1871, and his generous bene- 
factions to the Young Men's Christian Association 
and feeble churches, his most efficient service 
was rendered to the cause of education as repre- 
sented in the Northwestern University, of which 
he was a Trustee from its organization, and much 
of the time an executive officer. To his noble 
benefaction the institution owes its splendid 
library building, erected some years ago at a 
cost of $100,000. In the future history of Chi- 
cago, Mr. Lunt's name will stand beside that of 
J. Young Scammon, Walter L. Newberry, John 
Crerar, and others of its most liberal benefactors. 
Died, at his home in Evanston, April 5, 1897. 

LUSK, John T., pioneer, was born in South 
Carolina, Nov. 7, 1784; brought to Kentucky in 
1791 by his father (James Lusk), who established 
a ferry across the Ohio, opposite the present town 
of Golconda, in Pope County, 111. Lusk's Creek, 
which empties into the Ohio in that vicinity, 
took its name from this family. In 1805 the sub- 
ject of this sketch came to Madison County, 111., 
and settled near Edwardsville. During the War 
of 1812-14 he was engaged in the service as a 
"Ranger." When Edwardsville began its 
growth, he moved into the town and erected a 
house of hewn logs, a story and a half high and 
containing three rooms, which became the first 
hotel in the town and a place of considerable 
historical note. Mr. Lusk held, at different 
periods, the positions of Deputy Circuit Clerk, 
County Clerk, Recorder and Postmaster, dying, 
Dec. 22, 1857. 

LUTHERANS, The. While this sect in Illi- 
nois, as elsewhere, is divided into many branches, 
it is a unit in accepting the Bible as the only in- 
fallible rule of faith, in the use of Luther's small 
Catechism in instruction of the young, in the 
practice of infant baptism and confirmation at 
an early age, and in acceptance of the Augsburg 
Confession. Services are conducted, in various 
sections of the country, in not less than twelve 
different languages. The number of Lutheran 
ministers in Illinois exceeds 400, who preach 
in the English, German, Danish, Swedish, Fin- 
nish and Hungarian tongues. The churches 
over which they preside recognize allegiance 
to eight distinct ecclesiastical bodies, denomi- 
nated synods, as follows: The Northern, South- 



ern, Central and Wartburg Synods of the 
General Synod; the Illinois-Missouri District of 
the Synodical Conference; the Synod for the 
Norwegian Evangelical Church; the Swedish- 
Augustana, and the Indiana Synod of the General 
Council. To illustrate the large proportion of the 
foreign element in this denomination, reference 
may be made to the fact that, of sixty-three 
Lutheran churches in Chicago, only four use the 
English language. Of the remainder, thirty- 
seven make use of the German, ten Swedish, nine 
Norwegian and three Danish. The whole num- 
ber of communicants in the State, in 1892, was 
estimated at 90,000. The General Synod sustains 
a German Theological Seminary in Chicago. 
(See also Religious Denominations. 

LYONS, a village of Cook County, 12 miles 
southwest of Chicago. Population (1880), 486; 
(1890), 732; (1900), 951 

MACALISTER & STEBBINS BONDS, the 

name given to a class of State indebtedness 
incurred in the year 1841, through the hypothe- 
cation, by John D.Whiteside (then Fund Com- 
missioner of the State of Illinois), with Messrs. 
Macalister & Stebbins, brokers of New York 
City, of 804 interest-bearing bonds of 81,000 each, 
payable in 1865, upon which the said Macalister 
& Stebbins advanced to the State 8261,560.83. 
This was done with the understanding that the 
firm would make further advances sufficient to 
increase the aggregate to forty per cent of the 
face value of the bonds, but upon which no 
further advances were actually made. In addi- 
tion to these, there were deposited with the same 
firm, within the next few months, with a like 
understanding, internal improvement bonds and 
State scrip amounting to §109,215.44 — making the 
aggregate of State securities in their hands S913,- 
215.44, upon which the State had received only 
the amount already named — being 28.64 per cent 
of the face value of such indebtedness. Attempts 
having been made by the holders of these bonds 
(with whom they had been hypothecated by 
Macalister & Stebbins), to secure settlement on 
their par face value, the matter became the sub- 
ject of repeated legislative acts, the most impor- 
tant of which were passed in 1847 and 1849 — both 
reciting, in their respective preambles, the history 
of the transaction. The last of these provided 
for the issue to Macalister & Stebbins of new 
bonds, payable in 1865, for the amount of princi- 
pal and interest of the sum actually advanced 
and found to be due. conditioned upon the sur- 
render, by them, of the original bonds and other 



348 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



evidences of indebtedness received by them in 
1841. This the actual holders refused to accept, 
and brought the case before the Supreme Court 
in an effort to compel the Governor (who was 
then ex-offlcio Fund Commissioner) to recognize 
the full face of their claim. This the Supreme 
Court refused to do, on the ground that, the 
executive being a co-ordinate branch of the Gov- 
ernment, they had no authority over his official 
acts. In 1839 a partial refunding of these bonds, 
to the amount of $114,000, was obtained from 
Governor Bissell, who, being an invalid, was 
probably but imperfectly acquainted with their 
history and previous legislation on the subject. 
Representations made to him led to a suspension 
of the proceeding, and, as the bonds were not 
transferable except on the books of the Funding 
Agency in the office of the State Auditor, they 
were treated as illegal and void, and were ulti- 
mately surrendered by the holders on the basis 
originally fixed, without loss to the State. In 
1865 an additional act was passed requiring the 
presentation, for payment, of the portion of the 
original bonds still outstanding, on pain of for- 
feiture, and this was finally done. 

MACK, Alonzo TV., legislator, was born at More- 
town, Vt., in 1822; at 16 years of age settled at 
Kalamazoo, Mich. , later began the study of medi- 
cine and graduated at Laporte, Ind., in 1844. 
Then, having removed to Kankakee, 111., he 
adopted the practice of law ; in 1858 was elected 
Representative, and, in 1860 and '64, to the 
Senate, serving through five continuous sessions 
(1858-68). In 1862 he assisted in organizing the 
Seventy-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, of 
which he was commissioned Colonel, but resigned, 
in January following, to take his seat in the 
Senate. Colonel Mack, who was a zealous friend 
of Governor Yates, was one of the leading spirits 
in the establishment of "The Chicago Repub- 
lican, " in May, 18G5, and was its business mana- 
ger the first year of its publication, but disagreeing 
with the editor, Charles A. Dana, both finally 
retired. Colonel Mack then resumed the practice 
of law in Chicago, dying there, Jan. 4, 1871. 

MACKINAW, the first county-seat of Tazewell 
County, at intersection of two railroad lines, 18 
miles southeast of Peoria. The district is agri- 
cultural and stock-raising. There are manufacto- 
ries of farm implements, pressed brick, harness, 
wagons and carriages, also a State bank and a 
weekly paper. Population (1890), 545; (1900), 859. 

MAC MILLAN, Thomas C, Clerk of United 
States District Court, was born at Stranraer, 
Scotland, Oct. 4, 1850; came with his parents, in 



1857, to Chicago, where he graduated from the 
High School and spent some time in the Chicago 
University; in 1873 became a reporter on "The 
Chicago Inter Ocean;" two years later accom- 
panied an exploring expedition to the Black Hills 
and, in 1875-76, represented that paper with 
General Crook in the campaign against the Sioux 
After an extended tour in Europe, he assumed 
charge of the "Curiosity Shop" department of 
"The Inter Ocean, " served on the Cook County 
Board of Education and as a Director of the Chi 
cago Public Library, besides eight years in the 
General Assembly— 1885-89 in the House and 1889- 
93 in the Senate. In January, 1896, Mr. MacMillan 
was appointed Clerk of the United States District 
Court at Chicago. He has been a Trustee of Illi- 
nois College since 1886, and, in 1885, received the 
honorary degree of A.M. from that institution. 

MACOMB, the county-seat of McDonough 
County, situated on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, 59 miles northeast of Quincy, 
39 miles southwest of Galesburg. The principal 
manufactures are sewer-pipes, drain-tile, pot- 
tery, and school-desk castings. The city has 
interurban electric car line, banks, nine churches, 
high school and four newspapers; is the seat of 
Western Illinois State Normal School, and West- 
ern Preparatory School and Business College. 
Population (1890), 4,052; (1900), 5,375. 

MACON, a village in Macon County, on the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad, 10 miles soutli by west of 
Decatur. Macon County is one of the most fer- 
tile in the corn belt, and the city is an important 
shipping-point for corn. It has wagon and cigar 
factories, four churches, a graded school, and a 
weekly paper. Population (1890), 819, (1900), 705. 

MACON COUNTY, situated near the geograph- 
ical center of the State. The census of 1900 gave 
its area as 580 square miles, and its population, 
44,003. It was organized in 1829, and named for 
Nathaniel Macon, a revolutionary soldier and 
statesman. The surface is chiefly level prairie, 
although in parts there is a fair growth of timber. 
The county is well drained by the Sangamon 
River and its tributaries. The soil is that high 
grade of fertility which one might expect in the 
corn belt of the central portion of the State. 
Besides corn, oats, rye and barley are extensively 
cultivated, while potatoes, sorghum and wool are 
among the products. Decatur is the county-seat 
and principal city in the heart of a rich agricul- 
tural region. Maroa, in the northern part of the 
county, enjoys considerable local trade. 

MACOUPIN COUNTY, a south-central county, 
with an area of 864 square miles and a population 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



349 



of 42,250 in 1900. The word Macoupin is of 
Indian derivation, signifying '"white potato. " 
The county, originally a part of Madison, and 
later of Greene, was separately organized in 1829, 
under the supervision of Seth Hodges, William 
Wilcox and Theodorus Davis. The first court 
house (of logs) was erected in 1830. It contained 
but two rooms, and in pleasant weather juries 
were wont to retire to a convenient grove to 
deliberate upon their findings. The surface of 
the county is level, with narrow belts of timber 
following the course of the streams. The soil is 
fertile, and both corn and wheat are extensively 
raised While agriculture is the chief industry 
in the south, stock-raising is successfully carried 
on in the north. Carlinville is the county-seat 
and Bunker. Hill, Stanton, Virden and Girard the 
other principal towns. 

MAC VEAGH, Franklin, merchant, lawyer 
and politician, was born on a farm in Chester 
County, Pa., graduated from Yale University in 
1862, and, two years later, from Columbia Law 
School, New York. He was soon compelled to 
abandon practice on account of ill-health, and 
removed to Chicago, in September, 1865, where he 
embarked in business as a wholesale grocer. In 
1874 he was chosen President of the Volunteer 
Citizens' Association, which inaugurated many 
important municipal reforms. He was thereafter 
repeatedly urged to accept other offices, among 
them the mayorality, but persistently refused 
until 1894, when he accepted a nomination for 
United States Senator by a State Convention of 
the Democratic Party. He made a thorough can- 
vass of the State, but the Republicans having 
gained control of the Legislature, he was 
defeated. He is the head of one of the most 
extensive wholesale grocery establishments in 
the city of Chicago. 

MADISON COUNTY, situated in the southwest 
division of the State, and bordering on the Mis- 
sissippi River. Its area is about 740 square miles. 
The surface of the county is hilly along the Mis- 
sissippi bluffs, but generally either level or only 
slightly undulating in the interior. The "Ameri- 
can Bottom" occupies a strip of country along 
the western border, four to six miles wide, as far 
north as Alton, and is exceptionally fertile. The 
county was organized in 1812, being the first 
county set off from St. Clair County after the 
organization of Illinois Territory, in 1809, and the 
third within the Territory. It was named in 
honor of James Madison, then President of the 
United States. At that time it embraced sub- 
stantially the whole of the northern part of the 



State, but its limits were steadily reduced by 
excisions until 1843. The soil is fertile, corn, 
wheat, oats, hay, and potatoes being raised and 
exported in large quantities. Coal seams under- 
lie the soil, and carboniferous limestone crops out 
in the neighborhood of Alton. American settlers 
began first to arrive about 1800, the Judys, Gill- 
hams and Whitesides being among the first, gen- 
erally locating in the American Bottom, and 
laying the foundation for the present county. 
In the early history of the State, Madison County 
was the home of a large number of prominent 
men who exerted a large influence in shaping its 
destiny. Among these were Governor Edwards, 
Governor Coles, Judge Samuel D. Lockwood, and 
many more whose names are intimately inter- 
woven with State history. The county-seat is at 
Edwardsville, and Alton is the principal city. 
Population (1890), 51,535; (1900), 64,694. 

MAGRUDER, Benjamin D., Justice of the 
Supreme Court, was born near Natchez, Miss., 
Sept. 27, 1838; graduated from Yale College in 
1856, and, for three years thereafter, engaged in 
teaching in his father's private academy at 
Baton Rouge, La., and in reading law. In 1859 
he graduated from the law department of the 
University of Louisiana, and the same year 
opened an office at Memphis, Tenn. At the out- 
break of the Civil War, his sympathies being 
strongly in favor of the Union, he came North, 
and, after visiting relatives at New Haven, 
Conn., settled at Chicago, in June, 1861. While 
ever radically loyal, he refrained from enlisting 
or taking part in political discussions during the 
war, many members of his immediate family 
being in the Confederate service. He soon 
achieved and easily maintained a high standing 
at the Chicago bar ; in 1868 was appointed Master 
in Chancery of the Superior Court of Cook 
County, and, in 1885, was elected to succeed 
Judge T. Lyle Dickey on the bench of the 
Supreme Court, being re-elected for a full term 
of nine years in 1888, and again in 1897. He was 
Chief Justice in 1891-92. 

MAKANDA, a village of Jackson County, on 
the Illinois Central Railway, 49 miles north of 
Cairo, in South Pass, in spur of Ozark Mountains. 
It is in the midst of a rich fruit-growing region, 
large amounts of this product being shipped there 
and at Cobden. The place has a bank and a 
weekly paper. Population (1900), 528. 

MALTBY, Jasper A., soldier, was born in Ash- 
tabula County, Ohio, Nov. 3, 1826, served as a 
private in the Mexican War and was severely 
wounded at Chapultepec. After his discharge he 



350 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



established himself in the mercantile business at 
Galena, 111. ; in 1861 entered the volunteer service 
as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Forty-fifth Illinois 
Infantry, was wounded at Fort Donelson, pro- 
moted Colonel in November, 1862, and wounded 
a second time at Vicksburg; commissioned 
Brigadier-General in August, 1863; served 
through the subsequent campaigns of the Army 
of the Tennessee, and was mustered out, January, 
1866. Later, he was appointed by the commander 
of the district Mayor of Vicksburg, dying in that 
office, Dec. 12, 1867. 

MANCHESTER, a town of Scott County, on 
the Jacksonville Division of the Chicago & Alton 
Railway, 16 miles south of Jacksonville; has 
some manufactures of pottery. Population 
(1890), 408; (1900), 430. 

MANIERE, George, early Chicago lawyer and 
jurist, born of Huguenot descent, at New Lon- 
don, Conn., in 1817. Bereft of his father in 1831, 
his mother removed to New York City, where he 
began the study of law, occasionally contributing 
to "The New York Mirror," then one of the 
leading literary periodicals of the country. In 
1835 he removed to Chicago, where he completed 
his professional studies and was admitted to the 
bar in 1839. His first office was a deputyship in 
the Circuit Clerk"s office ; later, he was appointed 
Master in Chancer}-, and served one term as 
Alderman and two terms as City Attorney. 
While filling the latter office he codified the 
municipal ordinances. In 1855 he was elected 
Judge of the Circuit Court and re-elected in 1861 
without opposition. Before the expiration of his 
second terra he died, May 21, 1863. He held the 
office of School Commissioner from 1844 to 1852, 
during which time, largely through his efforts, 
the school system was remodeled and the im- 
paired school fund placed in a satisfactory con- 
dition. He was one of the organizers of the 
Union Defense Committee in 1861, a member of 
the first Board of Regents of the (old) Chicago 
University, and prominently connected with 
several societies of a semi-public character. He 
was a polished writer and Was, for a time, in edi- 
torial control of "The Chicago Democrat." 

MANN, James 12 ., lawyer and Congressman, was 
born on a farm near Bloomington, 111., Oct. 20, 
1856, whence his father moved to Iroquois County 
in 1867 ; graduated at the University of Illinois 
in 1876 and at the Union College of Law in Chi- 
cago, in 1881, after which he established himself 
in practice in Chicago, finally becoming the head 
of the law firm of Mann, Hayes & Miller; in 1888 
was elected Attorney of the village of Hyde Park 



and, after the annexation of that municipality to 
the city of Chicago, in 1892 was elected Alderman 
of the Thirty-second Ward, and re-elected in 
1894, while in the City Council becoming one of 
its most prominent members; in 1894, served as 
Temporary Chairman of the Republican State 
Convention at Peoria, and, in 1895, as Chairman 
of the Cook County Republican Convention. In 
1896 he was elected, as a Republican, to the Fifty- 
fifth Congress, receiving a plurality of 28,459 
over the Free Silver Democratic candidate, and 
26,907 majority over all. In 1898 he was a can- 
didate for re-election, and was again successful, by 
over 17,000 plurality, on a largely reduced vote. 
Other positions held by Mr. Mann, previous to his 
election to Congress, include those of Master in 
Chancery of the Superior Court of Cook County 
and General Attorney of the South Park Com- 
missioners of the city of Chicago. 

MANN, Orrin L., lawyer and soldier, was born 
in Geauga County, Ohio., and, in his youth, 
removed to the vicinity of Ann Arbor, Mich., 
where he learned the blacksmith trade, but, 
being compelled to abandon it on account of an 
injury, in 1851 began study with the late Dr. 
Hinman, then in charge of the Wesleyan Female 
College, at Albion, Mich. Dr. Hinman having, 
two years later, become President of the North- 
western University, at Evanston, Mr. Mann 
accompanied his preceptor to Chicago, continuing 
his studies for a time, but later engaging in 
teaching; in 1856 entered the University of 
Michigan, but left in his junior year. In 1860 he 
took part in the campaign which resulted in the 
election of Lincoln ; early in the following spring 
had made arrangements to engage in the lumber- 
trade in Chicago, but abandoned this purpose at 
the firing on Fort Sumter; then assisted in 
organizing the Thirty-ninth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers (the "Yates Phalanx"). which having 
been accepted after considerable delay, he 
was chosen Major. The regiment was first 
assigned to duty in guarding the Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad, but afterwards took part in the 
first battle of Winchester and in operations in 
North and South Carolina. Having previously 
been commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, Major 
Mann was now assigned to court-martial duty at 
Newbern and Hilton Head. Later, he partici- 
pated in the siege of Forts Wagner and Gregg, 
winning a brevet Brigadier-Generalship for 
meritorious service. The Thirty-ninth, having 
"veteranized" in 1864, was again sent east, and 
being assigned to the command of Gen. B. F. 
Butler, took part in the battle of Bermuda 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



351 



Hundreds, where Colonel Mann was seriously 
wounded, necessitating a stay of several months 
in hospital. Returning to duty, he was assigned 
to the staff of General Ord, and later served as 
Provost Marshal of the District of Virginia, with 
headquarters at Norfolk, being finally mustered 
out in December, 1865. After the war he 
engaged in the real estate and loan business, 
but, in I860, was appointed Collector of Internal 
Revenue for the Chicago District, serving until 
1868, when he was succeeded by General Corse. 
Other positions held by him have been : Represent- 
ative in the Twenty-ninth General Assembly 
(1874-76), Coroner of Cook County (1878-80), and 
Sheriff (1880 82). General Mann was injured by 
a fall, some years since, inducing partial paraly- 
sis. 

MANNING, Joel, first Secretary of the Illinois 
& Michigan Canal Commissioners, was born in 
1793, graduated at Union College, N. Y., in 1818, 
and came to Southern Illinois at an early day, 
residing for a time at Brownsville, Jackson 
County, where he held the office of County- 
Clerk. In 1836 he was practicing law, when he 
was appointed Secretary of the first Board of 
Commissioners of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, 
remaining in office until 1845. He continued to 
reside at Lockport, Will County, until near the 
close of his life, when he removed to Joliet, dying 
there, Jan. 8, 1869. 

MANNING, Julius, lawyer, was born in Can- 
ada, near Chateaugay, N. Y., but passed his 
earlier years chiefly in the State of New York, 
completing his education at Middlebury College, 
Vt. ; in 1839 came to Knoxville, 111. , where he 
served one term as County Judge and two terms 
(1842-46) as Representative in the General Assem- 
bly. He was also a Democratic Presidential 
Elector in 1848. In 1853 he removed to Peoria, 
where he was elected, in 1861, a Delegate to the 
State Constitutional Convention of the following 
year. Died, at Knoxville, July 4, 1862. 

MANSFIELD, a village of Piatt County, at 
the intersection of the Peoria Division of the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis and 
the Chicago Division of the Wabash Railways, 
32 miles southeast of Bloomington. It is in the 
heart of a rich agricultural region ; has one news- 
paper. Population (1890), 533; (1900), 708. 

MANTENO, a village of Kankakee County, 
on the Illinois Central Railroad, 47 miles south 
of Chicago; a shipping point for grain, live- 
stock, small fruits and dairy products; has 
one newspaper. Population (1880), 632; (1890), 
627; (1900), 932. 



MA0.U0N, a village of Knox County, on the 
Peoria Division of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railway, 16 miles southeast of Gales- 
burg. The region is agricultural. The town has 
banks and a weekly paper. Population (1880), 
548; (1890), 501, (1900), 475. 

MARCY, (Dr.) Oliver, educator, was born in 
Coleraine, Mass., Feb. 13, 1820; received his early 
education in the grammar schools of his native 
town, graduating, in 1842, from the Wesleyan 
University at Middletown, Conn. He early mani- 
fested a deep interest in the natural sciences and 
became a teacher in an academy at Wilbraham, 
Mass., where he remained until 1862, meanwhile 
making numerous trips for geologic investigation 
One of these was made in 1849, overland, to 
Puget Sound, for the purpose of securing data 
for maps of the Pacific. Coast, and settling dis- 
puted questions as to the geologic formation of 
the Rocky Mountains. During this trip he visited 
San Francisco, making maps of the mountain 
regions for the use of the Government. In 1862 
he was called to the professorship of Natural 
History in the Northwestern University, at 
Evanston, remaining there until his death. The 
institution was then in its infancy, and he taught 
mathematics in connection with his other duties. 
From 1890 he was Dean of the faculty. He 
received the degee of LL.D. from the University 
of Chicago in 1876. Died, at Evanston, March 
19, 1899. 

MAREDOSIA (MARAIS de OGEE), a peculiar 
depression (or slough) in the southwestern part of 
Whiteside County, connecting the Mississippi 
and Rock Rivers, through which, in times of 
freshets, the former sometimes discharges a part 
of its waters into the latter. On the other hand, 
when Rock River is relatively higher, it some- 
times discharges through the same channel into 
the Mississippi. Its general course is north and 
south. — Cat-Tail Slougrh, a similar depression, 
runs nearly parallel with the Maredosia, at a dis- 
tance of five or six miles from the latter. The 
highest point in the Maredosia above low water 
in the Mississippi is thirteen feet, and that in the 
Cat-Tail Slough is twenty-six feet. Each is 
believed, at some time, to have served as a 
channel for the Mississippi. 

MARENGO, a city of McHenry County, settled 
in 1835, incorporated as a town in 1857 and, as a 
city, in 1893; lies 68 miles northwest of Chicago, 
on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. It is 
in the heart of a dairying and fruit-growing dis- 
trict; has a foundry, stove works, condensed 
milk plant, canning factory, water-works, elec- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



trie lights, has six churches, good schools and 
two weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 1,264 ; 
(1890), 1, 445; (1900), 2,005. 

MARINE, a village of Madison County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 27 miles northeast of 
St. Louis. Several of its earliest settlers were 
sua captains from the East, from whom the 
"Marine Settlement" obtained its name. Popu- 
lation (1880) 774; (1890.), 637; (1900), 666. 

MARION, the county-seat of Williamson 
County, 172 miles southeast of Springfield, on the 
Illinois Central and Chicago A: Eastern Illinois 
Railroads; in agricultural and coal region; has 
cotton and woolen mills, electric cars, water- 
works, ice and cold-storage plant, dry pressed 
hrick factory, six churches, a graded school, and 
three newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,338; (1900), 2,510. 

MARION COUNTY, located near the center of 
the southern half of the State, with an area of 
580 square miles ; was organized in 1823, and, by 
the census of 1900, had a population of 30,446. 
About half the county is prairie, the chief prod- 
ucts being tobacco, wool and fruit. The 
remainder is timbered land. It is watered by the 
tributaries of the Kaskaskia and Little Wabash 
Rivers. The bottom lands have a heavy growth 
of choice timber, and a deep, rich soil. A large 
portion of the county is underlaid with a thin 
vein of coal, and the rocks all belong to the upper 
coal measures. Sandstone and building sand are 
also abundant. Ample shipping facilities are 
afforded by the Illinois Central and theBaltimore & 
Ohio (S.W.) Railroads. Salem is the county-seat, 
but Centralia is the largest and most important 
town, being a railroad junction and center of an 
extensive fruit-trade. Sandoval is a thriving 
town at the junction of the Illinois Central and 
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroads. 

MARISSA, a village of St. Clair County, on the 
St Louis & Cairo Short Line Railroad, 39 miles 
southeast of St. Louis. It is in a farming and 
mining district; has two banks, a newspaper and 
a magazine. Population (1890), 876; (1900), 1,086. 

MAROA, a city in Macon County, on the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad, 13 miles north of Decatur 
and 31 miles south of Bloomington. The city has 
three elevators, an agricultural implement fao- 
tory, water-works system, electric light plant, 
telephone service, two banks, one newspaper, 
three churches and a graded school. Population 
(1880), 870; (1890), 1,164; (1900), 1,213. 

MARQUETTE, (Father) Jacques, a French 
missionary and explorer, born at Laon, France, 
in 1637. He became a Jesuit at the age of 17, and, 
twelve years later (1666), was ordained a priest. 



The same year he sailed for Canada, landing at 
Quebec. For eighteen months he devoted him- 
self chiefly to the study of Indian dialects, and, 
in 1668, accompanied a party of Nez-Perces to 
Lake Superior, where he founded the mission of 
Sault Ste. Marie. Later, after various vicissi- 
tudes, he went to Mackinac, and, in that vicinity, 
founded the Mission of St. Ignace and built a 
rude church. In 1673 he accompanied Joliet on 
his voyage of discovery down the Mississippi, the 
two setting out from Green Bay on May 17, and 
reaching the Mississippi, by way of the Fox and 
Wisconsin Rivers, June 17. (For an interesting 
translation of Marquette's quaint narrative of the 
expedition, see Shea's "Discovery and Explo- 
ration of the Mississippi,'' N. Y., 1852.) In Sep- 
tember, 1673, after leaving the Illinois and stop- 
ping for some time among the Indians near 
"Starved Rock," he returned to Green Bay much 
broken in health. In October, 1674, under orders 
from his superior, he set out to establish a mis- 
sion at Kaskaskia on the Upper Illinois. In 
December he reached the present site of Chicago, 
where he was compelled to halt because of 
exhaustion. On March 29, 1675, he resumed his 
journey, and reached Kaskaskia, after much 
suffering, on April 8. After laboring indefati- 
gably and making many converts, failing health 
compelled him to start on his return to Macki- 
nac. Before the voyage was completed he died, 
May 18, 1675, at the mouth of a stream which 
long bore his name — but is not the present Mar 
quette River — on the eastern shore of Lake Michi- 
gan. His remains were subsequently removed to 
Point St. Ignace. He was the first to attempt to 
explain the lake tides, and modern science has 
not improved his theory. 

MARSEILLES, a city on the Illinois River, in 
La Salle County, 8 miles east of Ottawa, and 77 
miles southwest of Chicago, on the line of the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Ex- 
cellent water power is furnished by a dam across 
the river. The city has several factories, among 
the leading products being flour, paper and 
agricultural implements. Coal is mined in the 
vicinity. The grain trade is large, sufficient to 
support three elevators. There are three papers 
(one daily). Population (1890), 2,210; (1900), 
2,559; (1903, est.), 3,100. 

MARSH, Benjamin F., Congressman, born in 
Wythe Township, Hancock County, 111. , was edu- 
cated at private schools and at Jubilee College, 
leaving the latter institution one year before 
graduation. He read law under the tutelage of his 
brother, Judge J. W. Marsh, of Warsaw, and was 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



353 



admitted to the bar in 1860. The same year he was 
an unsuccessful candidate for State's Attorney. 
Immediately upon the first call for troops in 1861, 
he raised a company of cavalry, and, going to 
Springfield, tendered it to Governor Yates. No 
cavalry having been called for, the Governor felt 
constrained to decline it. On his way home Mr. 
Marsh stopped at Quincy and enlisted as a private 
in the Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, in which regi- 
ment he served until July 4, 1861, when Gov- 
ernor Yates advised him by telegraph of his 
readiness to accept his cavalry company. 
Returning to Warsaw he recruited another com- 
pany within a few days, of which he was com- 
missioned Captain, and which was attached to 
the Second Illinois Cavalry. He served in the 
army until January, 1866, being four times 
wounded, and rising to the rank of Colonel. On 
his return home he interested himself in politics. 
In 1869 he was a Republican candidate for the 
State Constitutional Convention, and. in 1876, 
was elected to represent the Tenth Illinois Dis- 
trict in Congress, and re-elected in 1878 and 1880. 
In 1885 he was appointed a member of the Rail- 
road and Warehouse Commission, serving until 
1889. In 1894 he was again elected to Congress 
from his old district, which, under the new 
apportionment, had become the Fifteenth, was 
re-elected in 1896, and again in 1898. In the 
Fifty-fifth Congress he was a member of the 
House Committee on Military Affairs and Chair- 
man of the Committee on Militia. 

MARSH, William, jurist, was born at Moravia, 
N. Y., May 11, 1822; was educated at Groton 
Academy and Union College, graduating from 
the latter in 1842. He studied law, in part, in 
the office of Millard Fillmore, at Buffalo, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1845, practicing at Ithaca 
until 1854, when he removed to Quincy, 111. Here 
he continued in practice, in partnership, at differ- 
ent periods, with prominent lawyers of that city, 
until elected to the Circuit bench in 1885, serv- 
ing until 1891. Died, April 14, 1894. 

MARSHALL, the county -seat of Clark County, 
and an incorporated city, 16 \i miles southwest of 
Terre Haute, Ind., and a point of intersection of 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati. Chicago & St. Louis 
and the Vandalia Railroads. The surrounding 
country is devoted to farming and stock-raising. 
The city has woolen, flour, saw and planing mills, 
and milk condensing plant. It has two banks, 
eight churches and a good public school system, 
which includes city and township high schools, 
and three newspapers. Population (1890), 1,900; 
(1900), 2,077. 



MARSHALL, Samuel S., lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born in Gallatin County, 111., in 
1824; studied law and soon after located at 
McLeansboro. In 1846 he was chosen a member 
of the lower house of the Fifteenth General 
Assembly, but resigned, early in the following 
year, to become State's Attorney, serving until 
1848; was Judge of the Circuit Court from 1851 
to 1854, and again from 1861 to 1865; was delegate 
from the State-at-large to the Charleston and 
Baltimore Conventions of 1860, and to the 
National Union Convention at Philadelphia in 
1866. In 1861 he received the complimentary 
vote of his party in the Legislature for United 
States Senator, and was similarly honored in the 
Fortieth Congress (1867) by receiving the Demo- 
cratic support for Speaker of the House. He 
was first elected to Congress in 1854, re-elected in 
1856, and, later, served continuously from 1865 to 
1875, when he returned to the practice of his 
profession. Died, July 26, 1890. 

MARSHALL COUNTY, situated in the north- 
central part of the State, with an area of 400 
square miles — named for Chief Justice John Mar- 
shall. Settlers began to arrive in 1827, and 
county organization was effected in 1839. The 
Illinois River bisects the county, which is also 
drained by Sugar Creek. The surface is gener- 
ally level prairie, except along the river, although 
occasionally undulating. The soil is fertile, 
corn, wheat, hay and oats forming the staple 
agricultural products. Hogs are raised in great 
number, and coal is extensively mined. Lacon 
is the county -seat. Population (1880), 15,053; 
(1890), 13,653; (1900), 16,370. 

MARTIN, (Gen.) James S., ex Congressman 
and soldier, was born in Scott County, Va., 
August 19, 1826, educated in the common 
schools, and, at the age of 20, accompanied his 
parents to Southern Illinois, settling in Marion 
County. He served as a non-commissioned 
officer in the war with Mexico. In 1849, he was 
elected Clerk of the Marion County Court, which 
office he filled for twelve years. By profession he 
is a lawyer, and has been in active practice when 
not in public or military life. For a number of 
years he was a member of the Republican State 
Central Committee. In 1862 he was commis- 
sioned Colonel of the One Hundred and Eleventh 
Illinois Volunteers, and, at the close of the war, 
brevetted Brigadier-General. On his return home 
he was elected County Judge of Marion County, 
and, in 1868, appointed United States Pension 
Agent. The latter post he resigned in 1872, hav- 
ing been elected, as a Republican, to represent 



354 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the Sixteenth District in the Forty-third Con- 
gress. He was Commander of the Grand Army 
for the Department of Illinois in 1889-90. 

MARTINSVILLE, a village of Clark County, 
on the Terre Haute & Indianapolis (Vandalia) 
Railroad. 11 miles southwest of Marshall; has 
two banks and one newspaper. Population (1880), 
663; (1890), 779; (1900). 1,000. 

MASCOTJTAH, a city in St. Clair County, 25 
miles from St. Louis and 11 miles east of Belle- 
ville, on the line of the Louisville & Nashville 
Railroad. Coal-mining and agriculture are the 
principal industries of the surrounding country. 
The city has flour mills, a brickyard, dairy, 
school, churches, and electric line. Population 
(1880), 2,558; (1890), 2,032; (1900), 2,171. 

MASON, Roswell B., civil engineer, was born 
in Oneida County, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1805; in his 
boyhood was employed as a teamster on the Erie 
Canal, a year later (1822) accepting a position as 
rodman under Edward F. Gay, assistant-engineer 
in charge of construction. Subsequently he was 
employed on the Schuylkill and Morris Canals, 
on the latter becoming assistant-engineer and, 
finally, chief and superintendent. Other works 
with which Mr. Mason was connected in a similar 
capacity were the Pennsylvania Canal and the 
Housatonic, New York & New Haven and the 
Vermont Valley Railroads. In 1851 he came 
west and took charge of the construction of the 
Illinois Central Railroad, a work which required 
five years for its completion. The next four 
years were spent as contractor in the construction 
of roads in Iowa and Wisconsin, until 1S60, when 
he became Superintendent of the Chicago & 
Alton Railroad, but remained only one year, in 
1861 accepting the position of Controller of the 
land department of the Illinois Central Railroad, 
which he retained until 18G7. The next two 
years were occupied in the service of the State in 
lowering the summit of the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal. In 1869 he was elected Mayor of the city 
of Chicago, and it was in the closing days of 
his term that the great fire of 1871 occurred, 
testing his executive ability to the utmost. From 
1873 to 1883 he served as one of the Trustees of 
the Illinois Industrial University, and was one of 
the incorporators, and a life-long Director, of the 
Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the North- 
west. Died, Jan. 1, 1892.— Edward Gay (Mason), 
son of the preceding, was born at Bridgeport, 
Conn., August 23, 1839; came with his father's 
family, in 1852, to Chicago, where he attended 
school for several years, after which he entered 
Yale College, graduating there in I860. He then 



studied law, and, later, became a member of the 
law firm of Mattocks & Mason, but subsequently, 
in conjunction with two brothers, organized the 
firm of Mason Brothers, for the prosecution of a 
real-estate and law business. In 1881 Mr. Mason 
was one of the organizers of the Chicago Musical 
Festival, which was instrumental in bringing 
Theodore Thomas to Chicago. In 1887 he became 
President of the Chicago Historical Society, as the 
successor of Elihu B. Washburne, retaining the 
position until his death, Dec. 18, 1898. During 
his incumbency, the commodious building, now 
occupied by the Historical Society Library, was 
erected, and he added largely to the resources of 
the Society by the collection of rare manuscripts 
and other historical records. He was the author 
of several historical works, including "Illinois in 
the Eighteenth Century," "Kaskaskia and Its 
Parish Records," besides papers on La Salle and 
the first settlers of Illinois, and "The Story of 
James Willing — An Episode of the American 
Revolution." He also edited a volume entitled 
"Early Chicago and Illinois," which was pub- 
lished under the auspices of the Chicago Histor- 
ical Society. Mr. Mason was, for several years, a 
Trustee of Yale University and, about the time of 
his death, was prominently talked of for President 
of that institution, as successor to President 
Timothy Dwight. 

MASON, William E., United States Senator, 
was born at Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, 
N. Y., July 7, 1850, and accompanied his parents 
to Bentonsport, Iowa, in 1858. He was educated 
at the Bentonsport Academy and at Birmingham 
College. From 1SG6 to 1870 he taught school, the 
last two j-ears at Des Moines. In that city he 
studied law with Hon. Thomas F. Withrow, who 
afterward admitted him to partnership. In 1872 
he removed to Chicago, where he has since prac- 
ticed his profession. He soon embarked in poli- 
tics, and, in 1878, was elected to the lower house 
of the General Assembly, and, in 1882, to the 
State Senate. In 1884 he was the regular Repub- 
lican candidate for Congress in the Third Illinois 
District (then strongly Republican), but, owing 
to party dissensions, was defeated by James H. 
Ward, a Democrat. In 1886, and again in 1888, 
he was elected to Congress, but, in 1890, was 
defeated for re-election by Allan C. Durborow. 
He is a vigorous and effective campaign speaker. 
In 1897 he was elected United States Senator, 
receiving in the Legislature 125 votes to 77 for 
John P. Altgeld. the Democratic candidate. 

MASON CITY, a prosperous city in Mason 
County, at the intersection of the Chicago & 



IIISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



355 



Alton and the Havana branch of the Illinois 
Central Railroads, 18 miles west by north of 
Lincoln, and about 30 miles north of Springfield. 
Being in the heart of a rich corn-growing district, 
it is an important shipping point for that com- 
modity. It has four churches, two banks, two 
newspapers, brick works, flour-mills, grain-ele- 
vators and a carriage factory. Population (1880), 
1,714; (1890), 1,869; (1900), 1,890. 

MASON COUNTY, organized in 1841, with a 
population of about 2,000; population (1900), 
17,491, and area of 560 square miles, — named for a 
county in Kentucky. It lies a little northwest 
of the center of the State, the Illinois and Sanga- 
mon Rivers forming its west and its south bound- 
aries. The soil, while sandy, is fertile. The 
chief staple is corn, and the comity offers excel- 
lent opportunities for viticulture. The American 
pioneer of Mason County was probably Maj. 
Ossian B Ross, who settled at Havana in 1832. 
Not until 1837, however, can immigration be said 
to have set in rapidly. Havana was first chosen 
as the county seat, but Bath enjoyed the honor 
for a few years, the county offices being per- 
manently removed to the former point in 1851. 
Mason City is an important shipping point on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad 

MASONS, ANCIENT ORDER OF FREE AND 
ACCEPTED. (See Free-Masons.) 

MASSAC COUNTY, an extreme southern 
county of the State and one of the smallest, its 
area, being but little more than 240 square miles, 
with a population (1900) of 13,110— named for 
Fort Massac, within its borders. The surface is 
hilly toward the north, but the bottom lands 
along the Ohio River are swampy and liable to 
frequent overflows. A considerable portion of the 
natural resources consists of timber — oak, wal- 
nut, poplar, hickory, cypress and Cottonwood 
abounding. Saw-mills are found in nearly every 
town, and considerable grain and tobacco are 
raised. The original settlers were largely from 
Ohio, Kentucky and North Carolina, and hospi- 
tality is traditional. Metropolis, on the Ohio 
River, is the county -seat. It was laid off in 1839, 
although Massac County was not separately 
organized until 1843. At Massac City may be 
seen the ruins of the early French fort of that 
name. 

MASSAC COUNTY REBELLION, the name 
commonly given to an outbreak of mob violence 
which occurred in Massac County, in 1845-46. An 
arrested criminal having asserted that an organ- 
ized band of thieves and robbers existed, and 
having given the names of a large number of the 



alleged members, popular excitement rose to 
fever heat. A company of self-appointed "regu- 
lators" was formed, whose acts were so arbitrary 
that, at the August election of 1846, a Sheriff and 
County Clerk were elected on the avowed issue 
of opposition to these irregular tactics. This 
served to stimulate the "regulators" to renewed 
activity. Many persons were forced to leave the 
county on suspicion, and others tortured into 
making confession. In consequence, some leading 
"regulators" were thrown into jail, only to be soon 
released by their friends, who ordered the Sheriff 
and County Clerk to leave the county. The feud 
rapidly grew, both in proportions and in inten- 
sity. Governor French made two futile efforts to 
restore order through mediation, and the ordinary 
processes of law were also found unavailing. 
Judge Scates was threatened with lynching 
Only 60 men dared to serve in the Sheriff's posse, 
and these surrendered upon promise of personal 
immunity from violence. This pledge was not 
regarded, several members of the posse being led 
away as prisoners, some of whom, it was believed, 
were drowned in the Ohio River. All the incarcer- 
ated "regulators" were again released, the Sheriff 
and his supporters were once more ordered to 
leave, and fresh seizures and outrages followed 
each other in quick succession. To remedy this 
condition of affairs, the Legislature of 1847 enacted 
a law creating district courts, under the provi- 
sions of which a Judge might hold court in any 
county in his circuit. This virtually conferred 
upon the Judge the right to change the venue at 
his own discretion, and thus secure juries unbiased 
by local or partisan feeling. The effect of this 
legislation was highly beneficial in restoring 
quiet, although the embers of the feud still 
smoldered and intermittently leaped into flame 
for several years thereafter. 

MATHENY, Charles R., pioneer, was born in 
Loudoun County, Va., March 6, 1786, licensed as a 
Methodist preacher, in Kentucky, and, in 1805, 
came to St. Clair County (then in Indiana Terri- 
tory), as a missionary. Later, he studied law and 
was admitted to the bar; served in the Third 
Territorial (1817) and the Second State Legisla- 
tures (1820-22) ; removed, in 1821, to the newly 
organized county of Sangamon, where he was 
appointed the first County Clerk, remaining in 
office eighteen years, also for some years holding, 
at the same time, the offices of Circuit Clerk, 
Recorder and Probate Judge. Died, while 
County Clerk, in 1839.— Noah W. (Matheny), son 
of the preceding, was born in St. Clair County, 111., 
July 31, 1815; was assistant of his father in the 



350 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



County Clerk's office in Sangamon County, and, 
on the death of the latter, (November, 1839), was 
elected his successor, and re-elected for eight con- 
secutive terms, serving until 1873. Died, April 
30, 1877— James H. (Matheny), another son, 
born Oct. 30, 1818, in St. Clair County ; served in 
his youth as Clerk in various local offices; was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1847, 
elected Circuit Clerk in 1852, at the close of his 
term beginning the practice of law; was com- 
missioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the One Hundred 
and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteers, in October, 
1802, and, after the siege of Vicksburg, served as 
Judge Advocate until July, 1864, when he 
resigned. He then returned to his profession, 
but, in 1873, was elected County Judge of Sanga- 
mon County, holding the office by repeated re- 
elections until his death, Sept. 7, 1890, — having 
resided in Springfield 68 years. 

MATHER, Thomas, pioneer merchant, was 
born, April 24, 1795, at Simsbury, Hartford 
County, Conn. ; in early manhood was engaged 
for a time in business in New York City, but, in 
the spring of 1818, came to Kaskaskia, 111., where 
he soon after became associated in business with 
James L. Lamb and others. This firm was 
afterwards quite extensively engaged in trade 
with New Orleans. Later he became one of the 
founders of the town of Chester. In 1820 Mr. 
Mather was elected to the lower branch of the 
Second General Assembly from Randolph 
County, was re-elected to the Third (serving for 
a part of the session as Speaker), and again to the 
Fourth, but, before the expiration of his last term, 
resigned to accept an appointment from Presi- 
dent John Quincy Adams as Commissioner to 
locate the military road from Independence to 
Santa Fe, and to conclude treaties with the 
Indians along the line. In the Legislature of 
1822 he was one of the most determined oppo- 
nents of the scheme for securing a pro-slavery 
Constitution. In 1828 he was again elected to 
the House and, in 1832, to the Senate for a term 
oi four years. He also served as Colonel on the 
staff of Governor Coles, and was supported for the 
United States Senate, to fill the vacancy caused 
by the death of John McLean, in 1830. Having 
removed to Springfield in 1835, he became promi- 
nent in business affairs there in connection with 
his former partner, Mr. James L. Lamb; in 1837 
was appointed a member of the first Board of 
Fund Commissioners for the State under the 
internal improvement system; also served seven 
years as President of the Springfield branch of 
the State Bank ; was connected, as a stock- 



holder, with the construction of the Sangamon & 
Morgan (now Wabash) Railroad, extending from 
Springfield to the Illinois river at Naples, and 
was also identified, financially, with the old Chi- 
cago & Galena Union Railroad. From 1835 until 
his death, Colonel Mather served as one of the 
Trustees of Illinois College at Jacksonville, and 
was a liberal contributor to the endowment of 
that institution. His death occurred during a 
visit to Philadelphia, March 28, 1853. 

MATTESON, Joel Aldrich, ninth regularly 
elected Governor of Illinois (1853-57), was born 
in Watertown, N. Y., August 8, 1808; after some 
experience in business and as a teacher, in 1831 
he went to South Carolina, where he was foreman 
in the construction of the first railroad in that 
State. In 1834 he removed to Illinois, where he 
became a contractor on the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal, and also engaged in manufacturing at 
Juliet. After serving three terms in the State 
Senate, he was elected Governor in 1852, and, in 
1855, was defeated by Lyman Trumbull for the 
United States Senatorship. At the close of his 
gubernatorial term he was complimented by the 
Legislature, and retired to private life a popular 
man. Later, there were developed grave scandals 
in connection with the refunding of certain 
canal scrip, with which his name — unfortunately 
— was connected. He turned over property to 
the State of the value of nearly 8250,000, for its 
indemnification." He finally took up his resi- 
dence in Chicago, and later spent considerable 
time in travel in Europe. He was for many 
years the lessee and President of the Chicago & 
Alton Railroad. Died in Chicago, Jan. 31, 1873. 

MATTHEWS, Asa C, ex-Comptroller of the 
United States Treasury, was born in Pike County, 
111., March 22, 1833; graduated from Illinois Col- 
lege in 1855, and was admitted to the bar three 
years later. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, 
he abandoned a remunerative practice at Pitts- 
field to enlist in the army, and was elected and 
commissioned a Captain in the Ninety-ninth Illi- 
nois Volunteers. He rose to the rank of Colonel, 
being mustered out of the service in August, 
1865. He was appointed Collector of Internal 
Revenue in 1869, and Supervisor for the District 
composed of Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, in 
1875. Being elected to the Thirtieth General 
Assembly in 1876, he resigned his office, and was 
re-elected to the Legislature in 1878. On the 
death of Judge Higbee, Governor Hamilton 
appointed Mr. Matthews to fill the vacancy thus 
created on the bench of the Sixth Circuit, his 
term expiring it 1885. In 1888 he was elected to 



HISTOKK'AL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



:357 



the Thirty-sixth General Assembly and was 
chosen Speaker of the House. In May, 1889, 
President Harrison named him First Comp- 
troller of the United States Treasury, and the 
House, by a unanimous vote, expressed its grati- 
fication at his selection. Since retiring from 
office, Colonel Matthews has devoted his attention 
to the practice of his profession at Pittsfield. 

MATTHEWS, Milton W., lawyer and journal- 
ist, was born in Clark County, 111., March 1, 184G, 
educated in the common schools, and, near the 
close of the war, served in a 100-days' regiment; 
began teaching in Champaign County in 18(i"i. 
studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1867 ; 
in 1873 was appointed Master in Chancery, served 
two terms as Prosecuting Attorney, and, in 1888, 
was elected to the State Senate, meanwhile, from 
1879, discharging the duties of editor of "The 
Champaign County Herald," of which he was 
also proprietor. During his last session in the 
State Senate (1891-92) he served as President pro 
tem. of that body; was also President of the 
State Press Association and served on the staff of 
Governor Fifer, with the rank of Colonel of the 
Illinois National Guard. Died, at Urbana, May 
10, 1892. 

MATTOON, an important city in Coles County, 
172 miles west of south from Chicago and 56 miles 
west of Terre Haute, Ind. ; a point of junction for 
three lines of railway, and an important shipping 
point for corn and broom corn, which are botli 
extensively grown in the surrounding region. It 
has several banks, foundries, machine shops, 
brick and tile works, flour-mills, grain-elevators, 
with two daily and four weekly newspapers; also 
has good graded schools and a high school. The 
repair shops of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chi- 
cago & St. Louis Railroad are located here. 
Population (1890), 6,833; (1900), 9,622. 

MAXWELL, Philip, M.D., pioneer physician, 
was born at Guilford, Vt., April 3, 1799, graduated 
in medicine and practiced for a time at Sackett's 
Harbor, also serving in the New York Legisla- 
ture; was appointed Assistant Surgeon at Fort 
Dearborn, in 1833, remaining intil the abandon- 
ment of the fort at the end of 1836. In 1838 he 
was promoted Surgeon, and served with Gen. 
Zachary Taylor in the campaign against the Semi- 
noles in Florida, but resumed private practice in 
Chicago in 1844; served two terms as Represent- 
ative in the General Assembly (1848-52) and, in 
1855, settled on the shores of Lake Geneva, Wis., 
where he died, Nov. 5, 1859. 

MAY, William L., early lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born in Kentucky, came at an early day 



to Edwardsville, 111., and afterwards to Jackson- 
ville; was elected from Morgan County to the 
Sixth General Assembly (1828), and the next year 
removed to Springfield, having been appointed by 
President Jackson Receiver of Public Moneys for 
the Land Office there He was twice elected to 
Congress (1834 and '36), the first year defeating 
Benjamin Mills, a brilliant lawyer of Galena. 
Later, May became a resident of Peoria, but 
finally removed to California, where lie died. 

MAYO, Walter L., legislator, was born in Albe- 
marle County Va., March 7, 1810; came to 
Edwards County, 111., in 1828, and began teach- 
ing. He took part in the Black Hawk War 
(1831-32), being appointed by Governor Reynolds 
Quartermaster of a battalion organized in that 
section of the State. He had previously been 
appointed County Clerk of Edwards County to fill 
a vacancy, and continued, by successive re-elec- 
tions, to occupy the position for thirty-seven 
years — also acting, for a portion of the time, as 
Circuit Clerk, Judge of Probate and County Treas- 
urer. In 1870 he was elected Representative in 
the Twenty-seventh General Assembly for the 
Edwards County District. On the evening of Jan. 
18, 1878, he mysteriously disappeared, having 
been last seen at the Union Depot at East St. 
Louis, when about to take the train for his home 
at Albion, and is supposed to have been secretly 
murdered. No trace of his body or of the crime 
was ever discovered, and the affair has remained 
one of the mysteries of the criminal history of 
Illinois. 

MAYWOOl), a village of Cook County, and 
suburb of Chicago, 10 miles west of that city, on 
the Chicago & Northwestern and the Chicago 
Great Western Railways; has churches, two 
weekly newspapers, public schools and some 
manufactures. Population (1900), 4,532. 

McALLISTER, William K., jurist, was born in 
Washington County, N. Y., in 1818. After 
admission to the bar he commenced practice at 
Albion, N. Y., and, in 1854, removed to Chicago. 
In 1866 he was a candidate for the bench of the 
Superior Court of that city, but was defeated by 
Judge Jameson. Two years later he was chosen 
Judge of the Recorder's Court, and, in 1870, was 
elected a Justice of the Supreme Court, which 
position he resigned in 1875, having been elected 
a Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County to 
fill a vacancy. He was re-elected for a full term 
and assigned to Appellate Court duty in 1879. 
He was elected for a third time in 1885, but, 
before the expiration of his term, he died, Oct. 
29. 1888. 



358 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



McARTHDR, John, soldier, was born in Ers- 
kme. Scotland, Nov. IT, 1820; worked at his 
father's trade of blacksmith until 23 j-ears old, 
when, coming to the United States, he settled in 
Chicago. Here he became foreman of a boiler- 
making establishment, later acquiring an estab- 
lishment of his own. Having joined the Twelfth 
Illinois Volunteers at the beginning of the war, 
with a company of which he was Captain, he 
was chosen Lieutenant-Colonel, still later Colonel, 
and, in March, 18C2, promoted to Brigadier-Gen- 
eral for gallantly in the assault on Fort Donelson, 
where he commanded a brigade. At Shiloh lie 
was wounded, but after having his wound dressed, 
returned to the fight and succeeded to the com- 
mand of the Second Division when Gen. \V. H. L. 
Wallace fell mortally wounded. He commanded 
a division of McPherson's corps in the operations 
against Vicksburg, and bore a conspicuous part in 
the battle of Nashville, where he commanded a 
division under Gen. A. J. Smith, winning a brevet 
Major-Generalship by his gallantry. General 
McArthur was Postmaster of Chicago from 1873 
to 1877. 

McCAGG, Ezra Butler, lawyer, was born at 
Kinderhook, N Y., Nov. 22, 1825; studied law at 
Hudson, and, coming to Chicago in 1847, entered 
the law office of J. Young Scammon, soon after- 
wards becoming a member of the firm of Scam- 
mon & McCagg. During the war Mr. McCagg 
was an active member of the United States Sani- 
tary Commission, and (for some years after the 
fire of 1871) of the Relief and Aid Society; is also 
a life-member and officer of the Chicago Histori- 
cal Society, besides being identified with several 
State and municipal boards. His standing in his 
profession is shown by the fact that he has been 
more than once offered a non-partisan nomina- 
tion for Justice of the Supreme Court, but has de- 
clined. He occupies a high rank in literary circles, 
as well as a connoisseur in art, and is the owner of a 
large private library collected since the destruction 
of one of the best in the West by the fire of 1871. 

McCARTNEY, James, lawyer and ex-Attorney 
General, was born of Scotch parentage in the 
north of Ireland, Feb. 14, 1835; at two years of 
age was brought to the United States and, until 
1845, resided in Pennsylvania, when his parents 
removed to Trumbull County, Ohio. Here he 
spent his youth in general farm work, meanwhile 
attending a high school and finally engaging in 
teaching. In 1856 he began the study of law at 
Warren, Ohio, which he continued a year later in 
the office of Harding & Reed, at Monmouth, 111. ; 
was admitted to the bar in January, 1858, and 



began practice at Monmouth, removing the fol- 
lowing year toGalva. In April, 1861, he enlisted 
in what afterwards became the Seventeenth 
Regiment Illinois Volunteers, was commissioned 
a First Lieutenant, but, a year later, was com- 
pelled to resign on account of ill-health. A few 
months later he re-enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Twelfth Illinois, being soon promoted to a 
captaincy, although serving much of the time as 
Judge Advocate on courts-martial, and, for one 
year, as Acting Assistant Adjutant-General in the 
Army of the Ohio. At the conclusion of his term 
of service in the army, he resumed the practice 
of his profession at Fairfield, 111. ; in 1880 was 
nominated and elected, as a Republican, Attorney- 
General of the State, and, during his last year in 
office, began the celebrated "Lake Front suits" 
which finally terminated successfully for the 
city of Chicago. Since retiring from office, Gen- 
eral McCartney has been engaged in the practice 
of his profession, chiefly in Springfield and Chi- 
cago, having been a resident of the latter city 
since 1890. 

McCARTNEY, Robert Wilson, lawyer and 
jurist, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, 
March 19, 1843, spent a portion of his boyhood in 
Pennsylvania, afterwards returning to Youngs- 
town, Ohio, where he enlisted as a private in the 
Sixth Ohio Cavalry. He was severely wounded 
at the battle of Gettysburg, lying two days and 
nights on the field and enduring untold suffering. 
As soon as able to take the field he was commis- 
sioned, by Governor Curtin, a Captain in the 
Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving in 
the army of the Potomac to the close of the war, 
and taking part in the grand review at Washing- 
ton in May, 1865. After the war he took a course 
in a business college at Pittsburg, removed to 
Cleveland and began the study of law, but soon 
came to Illinois, and, having completed his law 
studies with his brother, J. T. McCartney, at 
Metropolis, was admitted to the bar in 1868 ; also 
edited a Republican paper there, became inter- 
ested in lumber manufacture and was one of the 
founders of the First National Bank of that city. 
In 1873 he was elected County Judge of Massac 
County, serving nine years, when (1882) he was 
elected Representative in the Thirty-third Gen- 
eral Assembly. At the close of his term in the 
Legislature he was elected Judge of the Circuit 
Court for the first Circuit, serving from 1885 to 
1891. Died, Oct. 27, 1893. Judge McCartney 
was able, public-spirited and patriotic. The city 
of Metropolis owes to him the Free Public Library 
bearing his name. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



359 



McCLAUGHRY, Robert Wilson, penologist, 
was born at Fountain Green, Hancock County, 
111., July 22, 1839, being descended from Scotch- 
Irish ancestry —his grandfather, who was a native 
of the North of Ireland, having come to America 
in his youth and served in the War of the Revolu- 
tion. The subject of this sketch grew up on a 
farm, attending school in the winter until 1854, 
then spent the next two winters at an academy, 
and, in 1850, began a course in Monmouth Col- 
lege, where he graduated in 18(10. The following 
year he spent as instructor in Latin in the same 
institution, but, in 1861, became editor of "The 
Carthage Republican,'' a Democratic paper, 
which he made a strong advocate of the cause of 
the Union, meanwhile, both by his pen and on 
the stump, encouraging enlistments in the army. 
About the first of July, 1862, having disposed of 
his interest in the paper, he enlisted in a company 
of which he was unanimously chosen Captain, 
and which, with four other companies organized 
in the same section, became the nucleus of the 
One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteers. 
The regiment having been completed at Camp 
Butler, he was elected Major, and going to the 
field in the following fall, took part in General 
Sherman's first movement against Vicksburg by 
way of Chickasavv T Bayou, in December, 1862. 
Later, as a member of Osterhaus' Division of Gen- 
eral McClernand's corps, he participated with his 
regiment in the capture of Arkansas Post, and in 
the operations against Vicksburg which resulted 
in the capture of that stronghold, in July, 1863. 
He then joined the Department of the Gulf under 
command of General Banks, but was compelled 
by sickness to return north. Having sufficiently 
recovered, he spent a few months in the recruit- 
ing service (1864), but, in May of that year, was 
transferred, by order of President Lincoln, to the 
Pay Department, as Additional-Paymaster, with 
the rank of Major, being finally assigned to duty 
at Springfield, where he remained, paying off Illi- 
nois regiments as mustered out of the service, 
until Oct. 13, 1865, when he was honorably dis- 
charged. A few weeks later he was elected 
County Clerk of Hancock Count}-, serving four 
years. In the meantime he engaged in the stone 
business, as head of the firm of R. W. McClaughry 
& Co., furnishing stone for the basement of the 
State Capitol at Springfield and for bridges across 
the Mississippi at Quincy and Keokuk — later 
being engaged in the same business at St. Gene- 
vieve, Mo., with headquarters at St. Louis. Com- 
pelled to retire by failing health, he took up his 
residence at Monmouth in 1873, but, in 1874, was 



called to the wardenship of the State Peniten- 
tiary at Joliet. Here lie remained until December, 
1888, when he resigned to accept the superin- 
tendency of the Industrial Reformatory at 
Huntingdon, Pa., but, in May, 1891, accepted 
from Mayor Washburne the position of Chief of 
Police in Chicago, continuing in service, under 
Mayor Harrison, until August, 1893, when he 
became Superintendent of the Illinois State 
Reformatory at Pontiac. Early in 1897 he was 
again offered and accepted the position of Warden 
of the State Penitentiary at Joliet. Here he re- 
mained until 1899, when he received from Presi- 
dent McKinley the appointment of Warden of the 
Military Prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., 
which position he now (1899) occupies. Major Mc- 
Claughry's administration of penal and reforma- 
tory institutions lias been eminently satisfactoiy, 
and he has taken rank as one of the most success- 
ful penologists in the country. 

McCLELLAX, Robert H., lawyer and banker, 
was born in Washington County, N. Y., Jan. 3, 
1823; graduated at Union College, Schenectady, 
in 1847, and then studied law with Hon. Martin I. 
Townsend, of Troy, being admitted to the liar in 
1850. The same year he removed to Galena, 111. ; 
during his first winter there, edited "The Galena 
Gazette," and the following spring formed a 
partnership with John M. Douglas, afterwards 
General Solicitor and President of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, which ended with the removal 
of the latter to Chicago, when Mr McClellan 
succeeded him as local attorney of the road at 
Galena. In 1834 Mr. McClellan became President 
of the Bank of Galena — later the "National Bank 
of Galena" — remaining for over twenty years. 
He is also largely interested in local manufac- 
tories and financial institutions elewhere. He 
served as a Republican Representative in the 
Twenty -second General Assembly (1861-62), and 
as Senator (1876-80), and maintained a high rank 
as a sagacious and judicious legislator. Liberal, 
public-spirited and patriotic, his name has been 
prominently connected with all movements for 
the improvement of his locality and the advance- 
ment of the interests of the State. 

McCLERXAXD, John Alexander, a volunteer 
officer in the Civil War and prominent Demo- 
cratic politician, was born in Breekemidge 
County, Ky., May 30, 1812, brought to Shawnee- 
town in 1816, was admitted to the bar in 1832. 
and engaged in journalism for a time. He served 
in the Black Hawk War, and was elected to the 
Legislature in 1836, and again in 1840 and '42. 
The latter year he was elected to Congress, serv- 



360 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF. ILLINOIS. 



ing four consecutive terms, but declining a 
renomination, being about to remove to Jackson- 
ville, where he resided from 1851 to 1856. Twice 
(1840 and '52) he was a Presidential Elector on 
the Democratic ticket. In 1856 he removed to 
Springfield, and, in 1859, re-entered Congress as 
Representative of the Springfield District; was 
re-elected in 1860, but resigned in 1861 to accept 
a commission as Brigadier-General of Volunteers 
from President Lincoln, being promoted Major- 
General early in 1862. He participated in the 
1 Kit ties of Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and 
before Vicksburg. and was in command at the 
capture of Arkansas Post, but was severely criti- 
cised for some of his acts during the Vicksburg 
campaign and relieved of his command by Gen- 
eral Grant. Having finally been restored by 
order of President Lincoln, he participated in the 
campaign in Louisiana and Texas, but resigned 
his commission in 1864. General McClernand 
presided over the Democratic National Conven- 
tion of 1876, and, in 1886, was appointed by Presi- 
dent Cleveland one of the members of the Utah 
Commission, serving through President Harri- 
son's administration. He was also elected 
Circuit Judge in 1S70, as successor to Hon. B. S. 
Edwards, who had resigned. Died Sept. 20, 1900. 
MiCLURl*, Alexander C, soldier and pub- 
lisher, was born in Philadelphia but grew up in 
Pittsburg, where his father was an iron manu- 
facturer. He graduated at Miami University, 
Oxford, Ohio., and, after studying law for a time 
with Chief Justice Lowrie of Pennsylvania, came 
to Chicago in 1859, and entered the bookstore of 
S. C. Griggs & Co., as a junior clerk. Early in 
1861 he enlisted as a private in the War of the 
Rebellion, but the quota of three-months' men 
being already full, his services were not accepted. 
In August, 1862, he became a member of the 
"Crosby Guards," afterwards incorporated in the 
Eighty -eighth Illinois Infantry (Second Board of 
Trade Regiment), and was unanimously elected 
Captain of Company H. After the battle of 
Perryville, he was detailed as Judge Advocate at 
Nashville, and, in the following year, offered the 
position of Assistant Adjutant-General on the 
staff of General McCook, afterwards serving in a 
similar capacity on the staffs of Generals Thomas, 
Sheridan and Baird. He took part in the defense 
i if Chattanooga and, at the battle of Missionary 
Ridge, had two horses shot under him; was also- 
with the Fourteenth Army Corps in the Atlanta 
campaign, and, at the request of Gen. Jeff. C. 
Davis, was promoted to the rank of Colonel and 
brevetted Brigadier-General — later, being pre- 



sented with a sword bearing the names of the 
principal battles in which he was engaged, 
besides being especially complimented in letters 
by Generals Sherman, Thomas, Baird. Mitchell, 
Davis and others. He was invited to enter the 
regular army at the close of the war, but pre- 
ferred to return to private life, and resumed his 
former position with S. C. Griggs & Co., soon 
after becoming a junior partner in the concern, 
of which he has since become the chief. In the 
various mutations through which this extensive 
firm has gone, General MeClurg has been a lead- 
ing factor until now (and since 1887) he stands 
at the head of the most extensive publishing firm 
west of New York. 

McCONJiEL, Murray, pioneer and lawyer, was 
born in Orange County, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1798, and 
educated in the common schools; left home at 
14 years of age and, after a year at Louisville, 
spent several years flat-boating, trading and 
hunting in the West, during this period visiting 
Arkansas, Texas and Kansas, finally settling on a 
farm near Herculaneum, Mo. In 1823 he located 
in Scott (then a part of Morgan) County, 111., but 
when the town of Jacksonville was laid out, 
became a citizen of that place. During the Black 
Hawk War (July and August, 1832), he served on 
the staff of Gen. J. D. Henry with the rank of 
Major; in 1837 was appointed by Governor Dun- 
can a member of the Board of Public Works for 
the First Judicial District, in this capacity having 
charge of the construction of the railroad between 
Meredosia and Springfield (then known as the 
Northern Cross Railroad) — the first public rail- 
road built in the State, and the only one con- . 
structed during the "internal improvement" era 
following 1837. He also held a commission from 
Governor French as Major-General of State Mi- 
litia, in 1855 was appointed by President Pierce 
Fifth Auditor of the Treasury Department, but 
retired in 1859. In 1832, on his return from 
the Black Hawk War, he was elected a Repre- 
sentative in the State Legislature from Morgan 
County, and, in 1864, was elected to the State 
Senate for the District composed of Morgan, 
Menard, Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, 
serving until 1868. Though previously a Demo- 
crat and a delegate to the Democratic National 
Convention of 1860, he was an earnest supporter 
of the war policy of the Government, and was 
one of four Democratic Senators, in the General 
Assembly of 1865, who voted for the ratification 
of the Thirteenth Amendment of the National 
Constitution, prohibiting slavery in the United 
States. His death occurred by assassination, by 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



361 



some unknown person, in his office at Jackson- 
ville, Feb. 9, 1869.— John Ludlum (McConnel), 
son of the preceding, was bom in Jacksonville, 
111., Nov. 11, 1826, studied law and graduated at 
Transylvania Law School; in 1846 enlisted as a 
private in the Mexican War, became First Lieu- 
tenant and was promoted Captain after the battle 
of Buena Vista, where he was twice wounded. 
After the war he returned to Jacksonville and 
wrote several books illustrative of Western life 
and character, which were published between 
1850 and 1853. At the time of his death — Jan. 
17, 1862 — he was engaged in the preparation of a 
"History of Early Explorations in America," hav- 
ing special reference to the labors of the early 
Roman Catholic missionaries. 

McCONNELL, (Gen). Jolin, soldier, was born 
in Madison Count}-, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1824, and came 
with his parents to Illinois when about sixteen 
years of age. His father (James McConnell) was 
a native of Ireland, who came to the United 
States shortly before the War of 1812, and, after 
remaining in New York until 1840, came to San- 
gamon County, 111., locating a few miles south of 
Springfield, where he engaged extensively in 
sheep-raising. He was an enterprising and pro- 
gressive agriculturist, and was one of the founders 
of the State Agricultural Society, being President 
of the Convention of 1852 which resulted in its 
organization. His death took place, Jan. 7, 1867. 
The subject of this sketch was engaged with his 
father and brothers in the farming and stock 
business until 1861, when he raised a company 
for the Third Illinois Cavalry, of which he was 
elected Captain, was later promoted Major, serv- 
ing until March, 1863, during that time taking 
part in some of the important battles of the war 
in Southwest Missouri, including Pea Ridge, and 
was highly complimented by his commander, 
Gen. G. M. Dodge, for bravery. Some three 
months after leaving the Third Cavalry, he was 
commissioned by Governor Yates Colonel of the 
Fifth Illinois Cavalry, and, in March, 1865, was 
commissioned Brevet Brigadier-General, his com- 
mission being signed by President Lincoln on 
April 14, 1865, the morning preceding the night 
of his assassination. During the latter part of 
his service, General McConnell was on duty in 
Texas, being finally mustered out in October, 
1865. After the death of his father, and until 
1879, he continued in the business of sheep-raising 
and farming, being for a time the owner of 
several extensive farms in Sangamon County, 
but. in 1879, engaged in the insurance business 
in Springfield, where he died. March 14, 1898. 



McCONNELL, Samuel P., son of the preceding, 
was born at Springfield, 111., on July 5, 1849. 
After completing his literary studies he read law 
at Springfield in the office of Stuart, Edwards & 
Brown, and was admitted to the bar in 1872, soon 
after establishing himself in practice in Chicago. 
After various partnerships, in which he was asso- 
ciated with leading lawyers of Chicago, he was 
elected Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court, 
in 1889. to fill the vacancy caused by the death of 
Judge W. K. McAllister, serving until 1894, when 
he resigned to give his attention to private prac- 
tice. Although one of the youngest Judges upon 
the bench. Judge McConnell was called upon, 
soon after Iris election, to preside at the trial of 
the conspirators in the celebrated Cronin murder 
case, in which he displayed great ability. He has 
also had charge, as presiding Judge, of a number 
of civil suits of great importance affecting cor- 
porations. 

McCORMICK, Cyrus Hall, inventor and manu- 
facturer, born in Rockbridge County, Va., Feb. 15, 
1809. In youth he manifested unusual mechani- 
cal ingenuity, and early began attempts at the 
manufacture of some device for cutting grain, his 
first finished machine being produced in 1831. 
Though he had been manufacturing for years 
in a small way, it was not until 1844 that his 
first machine was shipped to the West, and, 
in 1847, he came to Chicago with a view to 
establishing its manufacture in the heart of the 
region where its use would be most in demand. 
One of his early partners in the business was 
William B. Ogden, afterwards so widely known 
in connection with Chicago's railroad history. 
The business grew on his hands until it became 
one of the largest manufacturing interests in the 
United States. Mr. McCormick was a Democrat, 
and, in 1860, he bought "The Chicago Times." 
and having united it with "The Herald," which 
he already owned, a few months later sold the 
consolidated concern to Wilbur F. Storey. "The 
Interior," the Northwestern mouthpiece of the 
Presbyterian faith, had been founded by a joint 
stock-company in 1870, but was burned out in 
1871 and removed to Cincinnati. In January, 
1872, it was returned to Chicago, and, at the 
beginning of the following year, it became the 
property of Mr. McCormick in conjunction with 
Dr. Gray, who has been its editor and manager 
ever since. Mr. McCormick's most liberal work 
was undoubtedly the endowment of the Presby- 
terian Theological Seminary in Chicago, which 
goes by his name. His death occurred. May 13, 
1884, after a business life of almost unprece- 



362 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



dented success, and after conferring upon the 
agriculturists of the country a boon of inestimable 
value. 

Mccormick theolocjical seminary, a 

Presbyterian school of theology in Chicago, be- 
ing the outgrowth of an institution originally con- 
nected with Hanover College, Ind., in 1830. In 
1859 the late Cyrus H. McCormick donated §100,- 
000 to the school, and it was removed to Chicago, 
where it was opened in September, with a class 
of fifteen students. Since then nearly S300.000 
have been contributed toward a building fund by 
Mr. McCormick and his heirs, besides numerous 
donations to the same end made by others. The 
number of buildings is nine, four being for the 
general purposes of the institution (including 
dormitories), and five being houre3 for the pro- 
fessors. The course of instruction covers three 
annual terms of seven months each, and includes 
didactic and polemic theology, biblical and 
ecclesiastical history, sacred rhetoric and pastoral 
theology, church government and the sacra- 
ments, New Testament literature and exegesis, 
apologetics and missions, and homiletics. The 
faculty consists of eight professors, one adjunct 
professor, and one instructor in elocution and 
vocal culture. Between 200 and 300 students are 
enrolled, including post-graduates. 

McCULLOCH, David, lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Cumberland County, Pa., Jan. 25, 1832; 
received his academic education at Marshall Col- 
lege, Mercersburg, Pa. , graduating in the class of 
1852. Then, after spending some six months as 
a teacher in his native village, he came west, 
arriving at Peoria early in 1853. Here he con- 
ducted a private school for two years, when, in 
1855, he began the study of law in the office of 
Manning & Merriman, being admitted to the bar 
in 1857. Soon after entering upon his law studies 
he was elected School Commissioner for Peoria 
County, serving, by successive re-elections, three 
terms (1855-61). At the close of this period he 
was taken into partnership with his old precep- 
tor, Julius Manning, who died, July 4, 1862. In 
1877 he was elected Circuit Judge for the Eighth 
Circuit, under the law authorizing the increase of 
Judges in each circuit to three, and was re- 
elected in 1879, serving until 1885. Six years of 
this period were spent as a Justice of the Appellate 
Court for the Third Appellate District. On 
retiring from the bench, Judge McCulloch entered 
into partnership with his son, E. D. McCulloch, 
which is still maintained. Politically, Judge 
McCulloch was reared as a Democrat, but during 
the Civil War became a Republican. Since 1886 



he has been identified with the Prohibition Party, 
although, as the result of questions arising during 
the Spanish-American War, giving a cordial 
support to the policy of President McKinley. In 
religious views he is a Presbyterian, and is a mem- 
ber of the Board of Directors of the McCormick 
Theological Seminary at Chicago. 

McCTFLLOUGH, James Skiles, Auditor of 
Public Accounts, was born in Mercersburg, 
Franklin County, Pa. , May 4, 1843 ; in 1854 came 
with his father to Urbana, 111., and grew up on a 
farm in that vicinity, receiving such education as 
could be obtained in the public schools. In 1862, 
at the age of 19 years, he enlisted as a private in 
Company G, Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, and served during the next three years 
in the Departments of the Mississippi and the Gulf, 
meanwhile participating in the campaign against 
Vicksburg, and, near the close of the war, in the 
operations about Mobile. On the 9th of April, 
1865, while taking part in the assault on Fort 
Blakely, near Mobile, his left arm was torn to 
pieces by a grape-shot, compelling its amputation 
near the shoulder. His final discharge occurred 
in July, 1865. Returning home he spent a year in 
school at Urbana, after which he was a student in 
the Soldiers' College at Fulton, 111., for two years. 
He then (1868) entered the office of the County 
Clerk of Champaign County as a deputy, remain- 
ing until 1873, when he was chosen County Clerk, 
serving by successive re-elections until 1896. The 
latter year he received the nomination of the 
Republican Party for Auditor of Public Accounts, 
and, at the November election, was elected by a 
plurality of 138,000 votes over his Democratic 
opponent. He was serving his sixth term as 
County Clerk when chosen Auditor, having 
received the nomination of his party on each 
occasion without opposition. 

McDANXOLI), John J., lawyer and ex-Con- 
gressman, was born in Brown County, 111., August 
29, 1851, acquired his early education in the com- 
mon schools of his native county and in a private 
school ; graduated from the Law Department of 
the Iowa State University in 1874, and was 
admitted to the bar in Illinois the same year, 
commencing practice at Mount Sterling. In 1885 
he was made Master in Chancery, in 1886, elected 
County Judge, and re-elected in 1890, resigning 
his seat in October, 1892, to accept an election by 
the Democrats of the Twelfth Illinois District as 
Representative in the Fifty-third Congress. 
After retiring from Congress (March 4, 1895), Mr. 
McDannold removed to Chicago, where he 
engaged in the practice of his profession. 



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HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



363 



MeDOXOUGH COUNTY, organized under an 
act passed, Jan. 25, 1836, and attached, for judicial 
purposes, to Schuyler County until 1830. Its 
present area is 580 square miles — named in honor 
of Commodore McDonough. The first settlement 
in the county was at Industry, on the site of 
which William Carter (the pioneer of the 
county) built a cabin in 1826. James and John 
Vance and William Job settled in the vicinity in 
the following year. Out of this settlement grew 
Blandinsville. William Pennington located on 
Spring Creek in 1828, and, in 1831, James M. 
Campbell erected the first frame house on the 
site of the present city of Macomb. The first 
sermon, preached by a Protestant minister in the 
county, was delivered in the Job settlement by 
Rev. John Logan, a Baptist. Among the early 
officers were John Huston, County Treasurer; 
William Southward, Sheriff; Peter Hale, Coro- 
ner, and Jesse Bartlett, Surveyor. The first 
term of the Circuit Court was held in 1830, and 
presided over by Hon. Richard M. Young. The 
first railway to cross the count}- was the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy (1857). Since then other 
lines have penetrated it, and there are numerous 
railroad centers and shipping points of consider- 
able importance. Population (1880), 25,037; 
(1890), 27,167; (1900), 28,412. 

SlcPOUGALL, James Alexander, lawyer and 
United States Senator, was born in Bethlehem, 
Albany County, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1817; educated 
at the Albany grammar school, studied law and 
settled in Pike County, 111., in 1837; was Attor- 
ney-General of Illinois four years (1843-47); then 
engaged in engineering and, in 1849, organized 
and led an exploring expedition to the Rio del 
Norte, Gila and Colorado Rivers, finally settling 
at San Francisco and engaging in the practice of 
law. In 1850 he was elected Attorney-General of 
California, served several terms in the State 
Legislature, and, in 1852, was chosen, as a Demo- 
crat, to Congress, but declined a re-election ; in 
1860 was elected United States Senator from Cali- 
fornia, serving as a War Democrat until 1867. 
At the expiration of his senatorial term he retired 
to Albany, N. Y., where he died, Sept. 3, 1867. 
Though somewhat irregular in habits, he was, at 
times, a brilliant and effective speaker, and, dur- 
ing the War of the Rebellion, rendered valuable 
aid to the Union cause. 

McFARLAXD, Andrew, M.D., alienist, was 
born in Concord, N. H., July 14, 1817, graduated 
at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 
1841, and, after being engaged in general practice 
for a few years, was invited to assume the man- 



agement of the New Hampshire Asylum for the 
Insane at Concord. Here he remained some 
eight years, during which he acquired consider- 
able reputation in the treatment of nervous and 
mental disorders. In 1854 lie was offered and 
accepted the position of Medical Superintendent 
of the Illinois State (now Central) Hospital f<* 
the Insane at Jacksonville, entering upon his 
duties in June of that year, and continuing his 
connection with that institution for a period of 
more than sixteen years. Having resigned his 
position in the State Hospital in June, 1870, he 
soon after established the Oaklawn Retreat, at 
Jacksonville, a private institution for the treat- 
ment of insane patients, which he conducted 
with a great degree of success, and with which 
he was associated during the remainder of his 
life, dying, Nov. 22, 1891. Dr. McFarland's serv- 
ices were in frequent request as a medical expert 
in cases before the courts, invariably, however, 
on the side of the defense. The last case in which 
he appeared as a witness was at the trial of Charles 
F. Guiteau, the assassin of President Garfield, 
whom he believed to be insane. 

McGAHEY, David, settled in Crawford County, 
111., in 1817, and served as Representative from 
that County in the Third and Fourth General 
Assemblies (1822-26), and as Senator in the 
Eighth and Ninth (1832-36). Although a native 
of Tennessee, Mr. McGahey was a strong opponent 
of slavery, and, at the session of 1822, was one of 
those who voted against the pro-slavery Constitu- 
tion resolution. He continued to reside in Law- 
rence County until his death in 1851. — James D. 
(McGahey), a sou of the preceding, was elected 
to the Ninth General Assembly from Crawford 
County, in 1834, but died during his term of 
service. 

McGAXX, Lawrence Edward, ex-Congressman, 
was born in Ireland, Feb. 2, 1852. His father 
having died in 1884, the following year his 
mother emigrated to the United States, settling 
at Milford, Mass., where he attended the public 
schools. In 1865 he came to Chicago, and, for 
fourteen years, found emploj'ment as a shoe- 
maker. In 1879 he entered the municipal service 
as a clerk, and, on Jan. 1, 1885, was appointed 
City Superintendent of Streets, resigning in May, 
1891. He was elected in 1892, as a Democrat, to 
represent the Second Illinois District in the 
Fifty-second Congress, and re-elected to the Fifty- 
third. In 1894 he was a candidate for re-election 
and received a certificate of election by a small 
majority over Hugh R. Belknap (Republican). 
An investigation having shown his defeat, he 



364 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



magnanimously surrendered his seat to his com- 
petitor without a contest. He lias large business 
interests in Chicago, especially in street railroad 
property, being President of an important elec- 
tric line. 

McHENRY, a village in McHenry County, situ- 
ated on the Fox River and the Chicago & North- 
western Railway. The river is here navigable for 
steamboats of light draft, which ply between the 
town and Fox Lake, a favorite resort for sports- 
men. The town has bottling works, a creamery, 
marble and granite works, cigar factory, flour 
mills, brewery, bank, four churches, and one 
weekly paper. Pop. (1890), 979; (1900), 1,013. 

McHENRY, William, legislator and soldier of 
the Black Hawk War, came from Kentucky to 
Illinois in 1809, locating in White County, and 
afterwards became prominent as a legislator and 
soldier in the War of 1812, and in the Black Hawk 
War of 1832, serving in the latter as Major of 
the "Spy Battalion" and participating in the 
battle of Bad Axe. He also served as Represent- 
ative in the First, Fourth, Fifth and Ninth Gen- 
eral Assemblies, and as Senator in the Sixth and 
Seventh. While serving his last term in the 
House (1835), he died and was buried at Vandalia, 
then the State capital. McHenry County— organ- 
ized by act of the Legislature, passod at a second 
session during the winter of 1835-36 — was named 
in his honor 

McHENRY COUNTY, lies in the northern por- 
tion of the State, bounded on the north by Wis- 
consin—named for Gen. William McHenry. Its 
area is 624 square miles. With what is now the 
County of Lake, it was erected into a county in 
1836. the county-seat being at McHenry. Three 
years later the eastern part was set off as the 
County of Lake, and the county-seat of McHenry 
County removed to Woodstock, the geograph- 
ical center. The soil is well watered by living 
springs and is highly productive. Hardwood 
groves are numerous Fruits and berries are 
extensively cultivated, but the herbage is espe- 
cially adapted to dairying, Kentucky blue grass 
being indigenous. Large quantities of milk are 
daily shipped to Chicago, and the annual pro- 
duction of butter and cheese reaches into the 
millions of pounds. The geological formations 
comprise the drift and the Cincinnati and Niagara 
groups of rocks Near Fox River are found 
gravel ridges Vegetable remains and logs of 
wood have been found at various depths in the 
drift deposits; in one instance a cedar log. seven 
inches in diameter, having been discovered forty- 
two feet below the surface. Peat is found every- 



where, although the most extensive deposits are 
in the northern half of the county, where they 
exist in sloughs covering several thousands of 
acres. Several lines of railroad cross the county, 
and every important village is a railway station. 
Woodstock, Marengo, and Harvard are the prin- 
cipal towns. Population (1880), 24,908; (1890), 
26,114; (1900), 29,759. 

McINTOSH, (Capt.) Alexander, was born in 
Fulton County, N. Y , in 1822; at 19 years of 
age entered an academy at Gahvay Center, 
remaining three years; in 1845 removed to Joliet, 
111., and, two years later, started "The Joliet 
True Democrat," but sold out the next year, and, 
in 1849, went to California. Returning in 1852, he 
bought back "The True Democrat," which he 
edited until 1857, meanwhile (1856) having been 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder 
of Will County. In 1863 he was appointed by 
President Lincoln Captain and Assistant Quarter- 
master, serving under General Sherman in 1864 
and in the "March to the Sea," and, after the 
war, being for a time Post Quartermaster at 
Mobile. Having resigned in 1866, he engaged in 
mercantile business at Wilmington, Will County ; 
but, in I860, bought "The Wilmington Independ- 
ent," which he published until 1873. The next 
year he returned to Joliet, and, a few months 
after, became political editor of "The Joliet 
Republican," and was subsequently connected, in 
a similar capacity, with other papers, including 
"The Phoenix'" and "The Sun" of the same city. 
Died, in Joliet, Feb. 2, 1899. 

McKENDREE, William, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, was born in Virginia, in 1757, enlisted as 
a private in the War of the Revolution, but later 
served as Adjutant and in the commissar}- depart- 
ment. He was converted at 30 years of age, and 
the next year began preaching in his native 
State, being advanced to the position of Presiding 
Elder; in 1800 was transferred to the West, Illi- 
nois falling within his District. Here he remained 
until his elevation to the episcopacy in 1808. 
McKendree College, at Lebanon, received its 
name from him, together with a donation of 480 
acres of land. Died, near Nashville, Tenn. , March 
5, 1835. 

McKENDREE COLLEGE, one of the earliest of 
Illinois colleges, located at Lebanon and incorpo- 
rated in 1835. Its founding was suggested by 
Rev. Peter Cartwright. and it may be said to 
have had its inception at the Methodist Episcopal 
Conference held at Mount Carmel, in September, 
1827. The first funds for its establishment were 
subscribed by citizens of Lebanon, who contrib- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



365 



uted from their scanty means, SI, 385. Instruc- 
tion began, Nov. 24, 1838, under Rev. Edward 
Ames, afterwards a Bishop of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. In 1830 Bishop McKendree made 
a donation of land to the infant institution, and 
the school was named in his honor. It cannot be 
said to have become really a college until 1836, 
and its first class graduated in 1841. University 
powers were granted it by an amendment to its 
charter in 1839. At present the departments are 
as follows: Preparatory, business, classical, 
scientific, law, music and oratory. The institu- 
tion owns property to the value of $90,000, includ- 
ing an endowment of 825,000, and has about 200 
students, of both sexes, and a faculty of ten 
instructors. (See Colleges, Early.) 

McLAREN, William Edward, Episcopal Bishop, 
was born at Geneva, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1831; gradu- 
ated at Washington and Jefferson College (Wash- 
ington, Pa.) in 1851, and, after six years spent in 
teaching and in journalistic work, entered Alle- 
gheny Theological Seminary, graduating and 
entering the Presbyterian ministrj' in 1860. For 
three years he was a missionary at Bogota, South 
America, and later in charge of churches at 
Peoria, 111., and Detroit, Mich. Having entered 
the Protestant Episcopal Church, he was made a 
deacon in July, 18T2, and ordained priest the fol- 
lowing October, immediately thereafter assuming 
the pastorate of Trinity Church, Cleveland, Ohio. 
In July, 1875, he was elected Bishop of the Prot- 
estant Episcopal Diocese of Illinois, which then 
included the whole State. Subsequently, the 
dioceses of Quincy and Springfield were erected 
therefrom, Bishop McLaren remaining at the 
head of the Chicago See. During his episcopate, 
church work has been active and effective, and 
the Western Theological Seminary in Chicago 
has been founded. His published works include 
numerous sermons, addresses and poems, besides 
a volume entitled "Catholic Dogma the Antidote 
to Doubt" (New York, 1884). 

McLAUGHLIX, Robert K., early lawyer and 
State Treasurer, was born in Virginia, Oct. 25, 
1779; before attaining his majority went to Ken- 
tucky, and. about 1815, removed to Illinois, set- 
tling finally at Belleville, where he entered upon 
the practice of law. The first public position 
held by him seems to-have been that of Enrolling 
and Engrossing Clerk of both Houses of the Third 
(or last) Territorial Legislature (1816-18). In 
August, 1819, he entered upon the duties of State 
Treasurer, as successor to John Thomas, who had 
been Treasurer during the whole Territorial 
period, serving until January, 1823. Becoming a 



citizen of Vandalia, by the removal thither of the 
State capital a few months later, he continued to 
reside there the remainder of his life. He subse- 
quently represented the Fayette District as 
Representative in the Fifth General Assembly, 
and as Senator in the Sixth, Seventh and Tenth, 
and, in 1837, became Register of the Land Office 
at Vandalia, serving until 1845. Although an 
uncle of Gen. Joseph Duncan, he became a can- 
didate for Governor against the latter, in 1834, 
standing third on the list. He married a Miss 
Bond, a niece of Gov. Shadrach Bond, under 
whose administration he served as State Treasurer. 
Died, at Vandalia, May 29, 1862. 

McLE AN, a village pi McLean County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railway, 14 miles southwest of 
Bloomington, in a farming, dairying and stock- 
growing district; has one weekly paper. Popu- 
lation (1890), 500; (1900), 532. 

McLEAN, John, early United States Senator, 
was born in North Carolina in 1791, brought by 
his father to Kentucky when four years old, and. 
at 23, was admitted to the bar and removed to 
Illinois, settling at Shawneetown in 1815. Pos- 
sessing oratorical gifts of a high order and an 
almost magnetic power .over men, coupled with 
strong common sense, a keen sense of humor and, 
great command of language, he soon attained 
prominence at the bar and as a popular speaker. 
In 1818 he was elected the first Representative in 
Congress from the new State, defeating Daniel P. 
Cook, but served only a few months, being de- 
feated by Cook at the next election. He was 
three times elected to the Legislature, serving 
once as Speaker. In 1824 he was chosen United 
States Senator to succeed Governor Edwards (who 
had resigned), serving one year. In 1828 he was 
elected for a second time by a unanimous vote, 
but lived to serve only one session, dying at 
Shawneetown, Oct. 4, 1830. In testimony of the 
public appreciation of the loss which the State 
had sustained by his death, McLean County was 
named in his honor. 

McLEAN COUNTY, the largest county of the 
State, having an area of 1166 square miles, is 
central as to the region north of the latitude of 
St. Louis and about midway between that city 
and Chicago — was named for John McLean, an 
early United States Senator. The early immi- 
grants were largely from Ohio, although Ken- 
tucky and New York were well represented. The 
county was organized in 1830, the population at 
that time being about 1,200. The greater portion 
of the surface is high, undulating prairie, with, 
occasional groves and belts of timber. On the 



366 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



creek bottoms are found black walnut, sycamore, 
buckeye, black ash and elm, while the sandy 
ridges are covered with scrub oak and black-jack. 
The soil is extremely fertile (generally a rich, 
brown loam) , and the entire county is underlaid 
with coal. The chief occupations are stock-rais- 
ing, coal-mining, agriculture and manufactures. 
Sugar and Mackinaw Creeks, with their tribu- 
taries, afford thorough drainage. Sand and 
gravel beds are numerous, but vary greatly in 
depth. At Chenoa one has been found, in boring 
for coal, thirty feet thick, overlaid by forty-five 
feet of the clay common to this formation. The 
upper seam of coal in the Bloomington shafts is 
No. 6 of the general section, and the lower, No. 4 ; 
the latter averaging four feet in thickness. The 
principal towns are Bloomington (the county- 
seat). Normal, Lexington, LeRoy and Chenoa. 
Population (1800), 03,036; (1900), 67,843. 

MeLEAN'SBORO, a city and the county-seat of 
Hamilton County, upon a branch of the Louis- 
ville & Nashville Railroad, 102 miles east south- 
east of St. Louis and about 48 miles southeast of 
Centralia. The people are enterprising and pro- 
gressive, the city is up-to-date and prosperous, 
supporting three banks and six churches. Two 
weekly newspapers are published here. Popula- 
tion (1880). 1,341; (1890), 1,355; (1900), 1,758. 

McMULLIN, James C, Railway Manager, was 
born at Watertown. N. Y., Feb. 13, 183(1; began 
work as Freight and Ticket Agent of the Great 
Western Railroad (now Wabash), at Decatur, 111., 
May, 1857, remaining until 1860, when he 
accepted the position of Freight Agent of the 
Chicago & Alton at Springfield. Here he re- 
mained until Jan. 1, 1863, when he was trans- 
ferred in a similar capacity to Chicago; in 
September, 1864, became Superintendent of the 
Northern Division of the Chicago & Alton, after- 
wards successively filling the positions of Assist- 
ant General Superintendent (1867), General 
Superintendent (1868-78) and General Manager 
(1878-83). The latter year he was elected Vice- 
President, remaining in office some ten years, 
when ill-health compelled his retirement. Died, 
in Chicago, Dec. 30, 1896. 

McMURTRY, William, Lieutenant-Governor, 
was born in Mercer County, Ky., Feb 20, 1801 ; 
removed from Kentucky to Crawford County, 
Ind., and, in 1829, came to Knox County, 111., 
settling in Henderson Township. He was elected 
Representative in the Tenth General Assembly 
(1836), and to the Senate in 1842, serving in the 
Thirteenth and Fourteenth General Assemblies. 
In 1848 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor on 



the same ticket with Gov. A. C. French, being 
the first to hold the office under the Constitution 
adopted that year. In 1862 he assisted in raising 
the One Hundred and Second Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers, and, although advanced in years, 
was elected Colonel, but a few weeks later was 
compelled to accept a discharge on account of 
failing health. Died, April 10, 1875. 

McNEELEY, Thompson \V., lawyer and ex-Con- 
gressman, was born in Jacksonville, 111., Oct. 5, 
1835, and graduated at Lombard University, 
Galesburg, at the age of 21. The following year 
he was licensed to practice, but continued to pur- 
sue his professional studies, attending the Law 
University at Louisville, Ky., from which insti- 
tution he graduated in 1859. He was a member 
of the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and 
chairman of the Democratic State Central Com- 
mittee in 1878. From 1869 to 1873 he represented 
his District in Congress, resuming his practice 
at Petersburg, Menard County, after his retire- 
ment. 

Mc>'ULTA, John, soldier and ex-Congressman, 
was born in New York City, Nov. 9, 1837, received 
an academic education, was admitted to the bar, 
and settled at Bloomington, in this State, while 
yet a young man. On May 3, 1861, he enlisted as 
a private in the Union army, and served until 
August 9, 1865, rising, successively, to the rank 
of Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel and 
Brevet Brigadier-General. From 1869 to 1873 he 
was a member of the lower house of the General 
Assembly from McLean County, and, in 1872, was 
elected to the Forty -third Congress, as a Repub- 
lican. General McNulta has been prominent in 
the councils of the Republican party, standing 
second on the ballot for a candidate for Governor, 
in the State Convention of 1888, and serving as 
Permanent President of the State Convention of 
1890. In 1896 he was one of the most earnest 
advocates of the nomination of Mr. McKinley for 
President. Some of his most important work, 
within the past few years, has been performed in 
connection with receiverships of certain railway 
und other corporations, especially that of the 
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, from 1884 
to 1890. He is now (1898) Receiver of the National 
Bank of Illinois, Chicago. Died Feb. 22, 1900. 

McPHERSON, Simeon J., clergyman, de- 
scended from the Clan McPherson of Scotland, 
was born at Mumford, Monroe County, N. Y., Jan. 
19, 1850; prepared for college at Leroy and Fulton, 
and graduated at Princeton, N. J. , in 1874. Then, 
after a year*s service as teacher of mathematics 
at his Alma Mater, he entered the Theological 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



367 



Seminary there, and graduated from that depart- 
ment in 1879, having in the meantime traveled 
through Europe, Egypt and Palestine. He was 
licensed to preach by the Rochester Presbytery 
in 1877, and spent three years (1879-82) in pas- 
toral labor at East Orange, N. J ; when he ac- 
cepted a call to the Second Presbyterian Church 
of Chicago, remaining until the early part of 1899, 
when he tendered his resignation to accept the 
position of Director of the Lawrenceville Prepar- 
atory Academy of Princeton College, N. J. 

McROBERTS, .Install, jurist, was born in 
Monroe County, 111., June 12, 1820; graduated 
from St. Mary's College (Mo.) in 1839; studied 
law at Danville, 111., with bis brother Samuel, 
and, in 1842, entered the law department of 
Transylvania University, graduating in 1844, 
after which he at once began practice. In 184G 
he was elected to the State Senate for the Cham- 
paign and Vermilion District, at the expiration of 
his term removing to Joliet. In 1852 he was 
appointed by Governor Matteson Trustee of the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal, which office he held 
for four years. In 1866 he was appointed Circuit 
Court Judge by Governor Oglesby, to fill a va- 
cancy, and was re-elected in 1867, '73, '79, and '85, 
but died a few months after his last election. 

McROBERTS, Samuel, United States Sena- 
tor, was born in Monroe County, 111., Feb. 20, 
1799; graduated from Transylvania University in 
1819; in 1821, was elected the first Circuit Clerk 
of his native county, and, in 1825, appointed 
Circuit Judge, which office he held for three 
years. In 1828 he was elected State Senator, 
representing the district comprising Monroe, 
Clinton and Washington Counties. Later he was 
appointed United States District Attorney by 
President Jackson, but soon resigned to become 
Receiver of Public Moneys at Danville, by 
appointment of President Van Buren, and, in 
1839, Solicitor of the General Land Office at 
"Washington. Resigning the latter office in the 
fall of 1841, at the next session of the Illinois 
Legislature he was elected United States Senator 
to succeed John M. Robinson, deceased. Died, at 
Cincinnati, Ohio, March 22, 1843, being suc- 
ceeded by James Semple. 

McYICKER, James Hubert, actor and theat- 
rical manager, was born in New York City, Feb. 
14, 1822; thrown upon his own resources by the 
death of his father in infancy and the necessity 
of assisting to support his widowed mother, he 
early engaged in various occupations, until, at 
the age of 15, he became an apprentice in the 
office of "The St. Louis Republican," three years 



later becoming a journeyman printer. He first 
appeared on the stage in the St. Charles Theater, 
New Orleans, in 1843; two years later was prin- 
cipal comedian in Rice's Theater, Chicago, re- 
maining until 1852, when he made a tour of the 
country, appearing in Yankee characters. About 
1855 he made a tour of England and, on his 
return, commenced building his first Chicago 
theater, which was opened, Nov. 3, 1857, and was 
conducted with varied fortune until burned down 
in the great fire of 1871. Rebuilt and remodeled 
from time to time, it burned down a second time 
in August, 1890, the losses from these several fires 
having imposed upon Mr. McVicker a heavy 
burden. Although an excellent comedian, Mr. 
McVicker did not appear on the stage after 1882, 
from that date giving his attention entirely to 
management. He enjoyed in an eminent degree 
the respect and confidence, not only of the 
profession, but of the general public. Died -in 
Chicago, March 7, 1896. 

McWILLIAMS, David, banker, Dwight, 111., 
was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Jan. 14, 1834 ; 
was brought to Illinois in infancy and grew up on 
a farm until 14 years of age, when he entered the 
office of the Pittsfield (Pike County) "Free Press" 
as an apprentice. In 1849 he engaged in the 
lumber trade with his father, the management of 
which devolved upon him a few years later. In 
the early 50's he was, for a time, a student in 
Illinois College at Jacksonville, but did not 
graduate ; in 1855 removed to Dwight, Livingston 
County, then a new town on the line of the Chi- 
cago & Alton Railroad, which had been completed 
to that point a few months previous. Here he 
erected the first store building in the town, and 
put in a $2,000 stock of goods on borrowed capi- 
tal, remaining in the mercantile business for 
eighteen years, and retaining an interest in the 
establishment seven years longer. In the mean- 
time, while engaged in merchandising, he began 
a banking business, which was enlarged on his 
retirement from the former, receiving his entire 
attention. The profits derived from his banking 
business were invested in farm lands until he 
became one of the largest land-owners in Living- 
ston County. Mr. McWilliams is one of the 
original members of the first Methodist Episcopal 
Church organized at Dwight, and has served as a 
lay delegate to several General Conferences of 
that denomination, as well as a delegate to the 
Ecumenical Council in London in 1881 ; has also 
been a liberal contributor to the support of vari- 
ous literary and theological institutions of the 
church, and has served for many years as a Trus- 



m 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tee of the Northwestern University at Evanston. 
In politics he is a zealous Republican, and has 
repeatedly served as a delegate to the State Con- 
ventions of that party, including the Bloomington 
Convention of 1856, and was a candidate for 
Presidential Elector for the Ninth District on the 
Blaine ticket in 1884. He has made several ex- 
tended tours to Europe and other foreign coun- 
tries, the last including a trip to Egypt and the 
Holy Land, during 1898-99. 

MECHANICSBURU, a village of Sangamon 
County, near the Wabash Railway, 13 miles east 
of Springfield. Population (1880), 396; (1890), 
426; (1900), 470. 

MEDILL, Joseph, editor and newspaper pub- 
lisher, was born, April 6, 1823, in the vicinity (now 
a part of the city) of St. John, N. B. , of Scotch- 
Irish parentage, but remotely of Huguenot 
descent. At nine years of age he accompanied 
his parents to Stark County, Ohio, where he 
enjoyed such educational advantages as belonged 
to that region and period. He entered an acad- 
emy with a view to preparing for college, but his 
family having suffered from a fire, he was com- 
pelled to turn his attention to business; studied 
law, was admitted to the bar in 1846, and began 
practice at New Philadelphia, in Tuscarawas 
County. Here he caught the spirit of journalism 
by frequent visits to the office of a local paper, 
learned to set type and to work a hand-press. In 
1849 he bought a paper at Coshocton, of which he 
assumed editorial charge, employing his brothers 
as assistants in various capacities. The name of 
this paper was "The Coshocton Whig," which 
he soon changed to "The Republican," in which 
he dealt vigorous blows at political and other 
abuses, which several times brought upon him 
assaults from his political opponents — that being 
the style of political argument in those days. 
Two years later, having sold out "The Repub- 
lican," he established "The Daily Forest City" at 
Cleveland — a Whig paper with free-soil proclivi- 
ties. The following year "The Forest City" was 
consolidated with "The Free- Democrat," a Free- 
Soil paper under the editorship of John C. 
Vaughan, a South Carolina Abolitionist, the new 
paper taking the name of "The Cleveland 
Leader." Mr. Medill, with the co-operation of 
Mr. Vaughan, then went to work to secure the 
consolidation of the elements opposed to slavery 
in one compact organization. In this he was 
aided by the introduction of the Kansas- Nebraska 
Bill in Congress, in December, 1853, and, before 
its passage in May following, Mr. Medill had 
begun to agitate the question of a union of all 



opposed to that measure in a new party under the 
name "Republican." During the winter of 
1854-55 he received a call from Gen. J. D. Web- 
ster, at that time part owner of "The Chicago 
Tribune," which resulted in his visiting Chicago 
a few months later, and his purchase of an inter- 
est in the paper, his connection with the concern 
dating from June 18, 1855. He was almost 
immediately joined by Dr. Charles H. Ray, who 
had been editor of "The Galena Jefferson ian," 
and, still later, by J. C. Vaughan and Alfred 
Cowles. who had been associated with him on 
"The Cleveland Leader." Mr. Medill assumed 
the position of managing editor, and, on the 
retirement of Dr. Ray, in 1863, became editor-in- 
chief until 1866, when he gave place to Horace 
White, now of "The New York Evening Post." 
During the Civil War period he was a zealous 
supporter of President Lincoln's emancipation 
policy, and served, for a time, as President of the 
"Loyal League," which proved such an influ- 
ential factor in upholding the hands of the Gov- 
ernment during the darkest period of the 
rebellion. In 1869 Mr. Medill was elected to the 
State Constitutional Convention, and, in that 
body, was the leading advocate of the principle 
of "minority representation" in the election of 
Representatives, as it was finally incorporated 
in the Constitution. In 1871 he was appointed 
by President Grant a member of the first Civil 
Service Commission, representing a principle to 
which he ever remained thoroughly committed. 
A few weeks after the great fire of the same 
year, he was elected Mayor of the city of Chicago. 
The financial condition of the city at the time, 
and other questions in issue, involved great diffi- 
culties and responsibilities, which he met in a 
way to command general approval. During his 
administration the Chicago Public Library was 
established, Mr. Medill delivering the address at 
its opening, Jan. 1, 1873. Near the close of his 
term as Mayor, he resigned the office and spent 
the following year in Europe. Almost simultane- 
ously with his return from his European trip, he 
secured a controlling interest in "The Tribune," 
resuming control of the paper, Nov. 9, 1874, 
which, as editor-in-chief, he retained for the 
remainder of his life of nearly twenty-five years. 
The growth of the paper in business and influence, 
from the beginning of his connection with it, was 
one of the marvels of journalism, making it easily 
one of the most successful newspaper ventures 
in the United States, if not in the world. Early 
in December, 1898, Mr. Medill went to San 
Antonio, Texas, hoping to receive relief in that 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



369 



mild climate from a chronic disease which had 
been troubling him for years, but died in that 
city, March 16, 1899, within three weeks of hav- 
ing reached his 76th birthday. The conspicuous 
features of his character were a strong individu- 
ality and indomitable perseverance, which led 
him never to accept defeat. A few weeks previ- 
ous to his death, facts were developed going to 
show that, in 1881, he was offered, by President 
Garfield, the position of Postmaster-General, 
which was declined, when he was tendered the 
choice of any position in the Cabinet except two 
which had been previously promised; also, that 
he was offered a position in President Harrison's 
Cabinet, in 1889. 

MEDILL, (Maj.) William H., soldier, was 
born at Massillon, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1835; in 1855, 
came to Chicago and was associated with "The 
Prairie Farmer." Subsequently he was editor of 
"The Stark County (Ohio) Republican," but 
again returning to Chicago, at the beginning of 
the war, was employed on "The Tribune," of 
which his brother (Hon. Joseph Medill) was 
editor. After a few months' service in Barker's 
Dragoons (a short-time organization), in Septem- 
ber, 1861, he joined the Eighth Illinois Cavalry 
(Colonel Farnsworth's), and, declining an election 
as Major, was chosen Senior Captain. The regi- 
ment soon joined the Army of the Potomac. By 
the promotion of his superior officers Captain 
Medill was finally advanced to the command, 
and, during the Peninsular campaign of 1862, led 
his troops on a reconnoissance within twelve miles 
of Richmond. At the battle of Gettysburg he 
had command of a portion of his regiment, acquit- 
ting himself with great credit. A few days after, 
while attacking a party of rebels who were 
attempting to build a bridge across the Potomac 
at Williamsburg, he received a fatal wound 
through the lungs, dying at Frederick City, July 
16, 1863. 

MEEKER, Moses, pioneer, was born in New- 
ark, N. J., June 17, 1790; removed to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, in 1817, engaging in the manufacture of 
white lead until 1822, when he headed a pioneer 
expedition to the frontier settlement at Galena, 
111., to enter upon the business of smelting lead- 
ore. He served as Captain of a company in the 
Black Hawk War, later removing to Iowa 
County, Wis., where he built the first smelting 
works in that Territory, served in the Territorial 
Legislature (1840-43) and in the first Constitu- 
tional Convention (1846). A "History of the 
Early Lead Regions," by him, appears in the 
sixth volume of "The Wisconsin Historical Soci- 



ety Collections." Died, at Shullsburg, Wis., 
July 7, 1865. 

MELROSE, a suburb of Chicago, 11 miles west 
of the initial station of the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad, upon which it is located. It 
has two or three churches, some manufacturing 
establishments and one weekly paper. Popula- 
tion (1890), 1,050; (1900), 2,592. 

MEMBRE, Zenobius, French missionary, was 
born in France in 1645; accompanied La Salle on 
his expedition to Illinois in 1679, and remained at 
Fort Creve-Ceeur with Henry de Tonty ; descended 
the Mississippi with La Salle in 1682; returned to 
France and wrote a history of the expedition, 
and, in 1684, accompanied La Salle on his final 
expedition; is supposed to have landed with La 
Salle in Texas, and there to have been massacred 
by the natives in 1687. (See La Salle and Tonty.) 

MENARD, Pierre, French pioneer and first 
Lieutenant-Governor, was born at St. Antoine, 
Can., Oct. 7, 1766; settled at Kaskaskia, in 1790, 
and engaged in trade. Becoming interested in 
politics, he was elected to the Territorial Council 
of Indiana, and later to the Legislative Council of 
Illinois Territory, being presiding officer of the 
latter until the admission of Illinois as a State. 
He was, for several years, Government Agent, 
and in this capacity negotiated several important 
treaties with the Indians, of whose characteris- 
tics he seemed to have an intuitive perception. He 
was of a nervous temperament, impulsive and 
generous. In 1818 he was elected the first Lieu- 
tenant-Governor of the new State. His term of 
office having expired, he retired to private life 
and the care of his extensive business. He died 
at Kaskaskia, in June, 1844, leaving what was 
then considered a large estate. Among his assets, 
however, were found a large number of promis- 
sory notes, which he had endorsed for personal 
friends, besides many uncollectable accounts 
from poor people, to whom he had sold goods 
through pure generosity. Menard County was 
named for him, and a statue in his honor stands 
in the capitol grounds at Springfield, erected by 
the son of his old partner — Charles Pierre Chou- 
teau, of St. Louis. 

MENARD COUNTY, near the geographical 
center of the State, and originally a part of 
Sangamon, but separately organized in 1839, the 
Provisional Commissioners being Joseph Wat- 
kins, William Engle and George W. Simpson. 
Thp count}' was named in honor of Pierre Menard, 
who settled at Kaskaskia prior to the Territorial 
organization of Illinois. (See Menard, Pierre.) 
Cotton was an important crop until 1830, when 



370 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



agriculture underwent a change. Stock-raising 
is now extensively carried on. Three fine veins 
of bituminous coal underlie the county. Among 
early American settlers may be mentioned the 
Clarys, Matthew Rogers, Amor Batterton, Solo- 
mon Pruitt and William Gideon. The names of 
Meadows, Montgomery, Green, Boyer and Grant 
are also familiar to early settlers. The county 
furnished a company of eighty-six volunteers for 
the Mexican War. The county-seat is at Peters- 
burg. The area of the county is 320 square miles, 
and its population, under the last census, 14,336. 
In 1829 was laid out the town of Salem, now 
extinct, but for some years the home of Abraham 
Lincoln, who was once its Postmaster, and who 
marched thence to the Black Hawk War as 
Captain of a company. 

MENDON, a town of Adams County, on the 
Burlington & Quincy Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railway, 15 miles northeast 
of Quincy ; has a bank and a newspaper ; is sur- 
rounded by a farming and stock-raising district. 
Population (1880), 652; (1890) 640; (1900), G27. 

MEXDOTA, a city in La Salle County founded 
in 1853, at the junction of the Chicago, Burlington 
& Quincy with its Rochelle and Fulton branches 
and the Illinois Central Railway, 80 miles south- 
west of Chicago. It has eight churches, three 
graded and two high schools, and a public li 
brary Wartburg Seminary (Lutheran, opened 
in 1853) is located here. The chief industrial 
plants are two iron foundries, machine shops, 
plow works and a brewery. The city has three 
banks and four weekly newspapers. The sur- 
rounding country is agricultural and the city has 
considerable local trade. Population (1890), 
3,542; (1900), 3,736. 

MERCER COUNTY, a western county, with an 
area of 555 square miles and a population (1900) 
of 20,945— named for Gen. Hugh Mercer. The 
Mississippi forms the western boundary, and 
along this river the earliest American settlements 
were made. William Dennison, a Pennsylvanian, 
settled in New Boston Township in 1828, and, 
before the expiration of a half dozen years, the 
Vannattas, Keith, Jackson, Wilson, Fallow, 
Bridges, Perry and Fleharty had arrived. Mer- 
cer County was separated from Warren, and 
specially organized in 1825. The soil is a rich, 
black loam, admirably adapted to the cultivation 
of cereals. A good quality of building stone is 
found at various points. Aledo is the county- 
seat. The county lies on the outskirts of the 
Illinois coal fields and mining was commenced 
in 1845. 



MERCY HOSPITAL, located in Chicago, and 
the first permanent hospital in the State — char- 
tered in 1847 or 1848 as the "Illinois General 
Hospital of the Lakes." No steps were taken 
toward organization until 1850, when, with a 
scanty fund scarcely exceeding §150, twelve beds 
were secured and placed on one floor of a board- 
ing house, whose proprietress was engaged as 
nurse and stewardess. Drs. N. S. Davis and 
Daniel Brainard were, respectively, the first 
physician and surgeon in charge. In 1851 the 
hospital was given in charge of the Sisters "of 
Mercy, who at once enlarged and improved the 
accommodations, and, in 1852, changed its name 
to Mercy Hospital. Three or four years later, a 
removal was made to a building previously occu- 
pied as an orphan asylum. Being the only pub- 
lic hospital in the city, its wards were constantly 
overcrowded, and, in 1869, a more capacious and 
better arranged building was erected. This 
edifice it has continued to occupy, although many 
additions and improvements have been, and are 
still being, made. The Sisters of Mercy own the 
grounds and buildings, and manage the nursing 
and all the domestic and financial affairs of the 
institution. The present medical staff (1896) 
consists of thirteen physicians and surgeons, 
besides three internes, or resident practitioners. 

MEREDOSIl, a town in Morgan County, on 
the east bank of the Illinois River and on the 
Wabash Railway, some 58 miles west of Spring- 
field; is a grain shipping point and fishing and 
hunting resort It was the first Illinois River 
point to be connected with the State capital by 
railroad in 1838. Population (1890), 621 ; (1900), 700. 

MERRIAM, (Col.) Jonathan, soldier, legisla- 
tor and farmer, was born in Vermont, Nov. 1, 
1834; was brought to Springfield, 111., when two 
years old, living afterwards at Alton, his parents 
finally locating, in 1841, in Tazewell County, 
where he now resides — when not officially em- 
ployed — pursuing the occupation of a farmer. He 
was educated at Wesleyan University, Blooming- 
ton, and at McKendree College; entered the 
Union army in 1862, being commissioned Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel of the One Hundred and Seven- 
teenth Illinois Infantry, and serving to the close 
of the war. During the Civil War period lie was 
one of the founders of the "Union League of 
America," which proved so influential a factoi 
in sustaining the war policy of the Government. 
He was also a member of the State Constitutional 
Convention of 1869-70; an unsuccessful Repub- 
lican nominee for Congress in 1870; served as 
Collector of Internal Revenue for the Springfield 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



371 



District from 1873 to '83, was a Representative in 
the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth General Assem- 
blies, and, in 1897, was appointed, by President 
McKinley, Pension Agent for the State of Illinois, 
with headquarters in Chicago.- Thoroughly pa- 
triotic and of incorruptible integrity, he has won 
the respect and confidence of all in every public 
position he has been called to fill. 

MERRILL, Stephen Mason, Methodist Episco- 
pal Bishop, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, 
Sept. 16, 1835, entered the Ohio Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in 18G4, as a travel- 
ing preacher, and, four years later, became editor 
of "The Western Christian Advocate," at Cin- 
cinnati. He was ordained Bishop at Brooklyn in 
1872, and, after two years spent in Minnesota, 
removed to Chicago, where he still resides. The 
degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by Ohio 
Wesleyan University, in 1868, and that of LL.D. 
by the Northwestern University, in 1886. He has 
published "Christian Baptism" (Cincinnati, 
1876); "New Testament Idea of Hell" (1878); 
"Second Coming of Christ" (1879); "Aspects of 
Christian Experience" (1882); "Digest of Metho- 
dist Law" (1885) ; and "Outlines of Thought on 
Probation" (1886). 

MERRITT, John W., journalist, was born in 
New York City, July 4, 1806; studied law and 
practiced, for a time, with the celebrated James 
T. Brady as a partner. In 1841 he removed to 
St. Clair County, 111., purchased and, from 1848 
to '51, conducted "The Belleville Advocate"; 
later, removed to Salem, 111., where he established 
"The Salem Advocate" ; served as Assistant Sec- 
retary of the State Constitutional Convention of 
1862, and as Representative in the Twenty-third 
General Assembly. In 1864 he purchased "The 
State Register" at Springfield, and was its editor 
for several years. Died, Nov. 16, 1878. — Thomas 
E. (Merritt), son of the preceding, lawyer and 
politician, was born in New York City, April 29, 
1834; at six years of age was brought by his 
father to Illinois, where he attended the common 
schools and later learned the trade of carriage- 
painting. Subsequently he read law, and was 
admitted to the bar, at Springfield, in 1862. In 
1868 he was elected, as a Democrat, to the lower 
house of the General Assembly from the Salem 
District, and was re-elected to the same body in 
1870, '74, '76, '86 and '88. He also served two 
terms in the Senate (1878- '86), making an almost 
continuous service in the General Assembly of 
eighteen years. He has repeatedly been a mem- 
ber of State conventions of his party, and stands 
as one of its trusted representatives. — Maj.-Gen. 



Wesley (Merritt), another son, was born in New 
York, June 16, 1836, came with his father to Illi- 
nois in childhood, and was appointed a cadet at 
West Point Military Academy from this State, 
graduating in 1860 ; became a Second Lieutenant 
in the regular army, the same year, and was pro- 
moted to the rank of First Lieutenant, a year 
later. After the beginning of the Civil War, he 
was rapidly promoted, reaching the rank of 
Brigadier-General of Volunteers in 1862, and 
being mustered out, in 1866, with the brevet rank 
of Major-General. He re-entered the regular 
army as Lieutenant-Colonel, was promoted to a 
colonelcy in 1876, and, in 1887, received a com- 
mission as Brigadier-General, in 1897 becoming 
Major-General. He was in command, for a time, 
of the Department of the Missouri, but, on his 
last promotion, was transferred to the Depart- 
ment of the East, with headquarters at Gov- 
ernor's Island, N. Y. Soon after the beginning 
of the war with Spain, he was assigned to the 
command of the land forces destined for the 
Philippines, and appointed Military Governor of 
the Islands. Towards the close of the year he 
returned to the United States and resumed his old 
command at New York. 

MESSINGER, John, pioneer surveyor and car- 
tographer, was born at West Stockbridge, Mass., 
in 1771, grew up on a farm, but secured a good 
education, especially in mathematics. Going to 
Vermont in 1783, he learned the trade of a car- 
penter and mill- wright ; removed to Kentucky in 
1799, and, in 1802, to Illinois (then a part of Indi- 
ana Territory), locating first in the American 
Bottom and, later, at New Design within the 
present limits of Monroe County. Two years 
later he became the proprietor of a mill, and, 
between 1804 and 1806, taught one of the earliest 
schools in St. Clair County. The latter year he 
took up the vocation of a surveyor, which he fol- 
lowed for many years as a sub-contractor under 
William Rector, surveying much of the land in 
St. Clair and Randolph Counties, and, still later, 
assisting in determining the northern boundary 
of the State. He also served for a time as a 
teacher of mathematics in Rock Spring Seminary ; 
in 1821 published "A Manual, or Hand-Book, 
intended for Convenience in Practical Survey- 
ing," and prepared some of the earlier State and 
county maps. In 1808 he was elected to the 
Indiana Territorial Legislature, to fill a vacancy, 
and took part in the steps which resulted in set- 
ting up a separate Territorial Government for 
Illinois, the following year. He also received an 
appointment as the first Surveyor of St. Clair 



372 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



County under the new Territorial Government; 
was chosen a Delegate from St. Clair County to 
the Convention of 1818, which framed the first 
State Constitution, and, the same year, was 
elected a Representative in the First General 
Assembly, serving as Speaker of that body. 
After leaving New Design, the later years of his 
life were spent on a farm two and a half miles 
north of Belleville, where he died in 1846. 

METAMORA, a town of Woodford County, on 
a branch of t lie Chicago & Alton Railroad, 19 
miles east-northeast of Peoria and some thirty 
miles northwest of Bloomington; is center of a 
fine farming district. The town has a creamery, 
soda factory, one bank, three churches, two 
newspapers, schools and a park. Population 
(1880) 828; (1900), 758. Metamora was the 
county-seat of Woodford County until 1899, when 
the seat of justice was removed to Eureka. 

METCALF, Andrew W., lawyer, was born in 
Guernsey County, Ohio, August 6, 1828; educated 
at Madison College in his native State, graduating 
in 1846, and, after studying law at Cambridge, 
Ohio, three years, was admitted to the bar in 
1850. The following year he went to.Appleton, 
Wis. , but remained only a year, when he removed 
to St. Louis, then to Edwardsville, and shortly 
after to Alton, to take charge of the legal busi- 
ness of George T. Brown, then publisher of "The 
Alton Courier. " In 1853 he returned to Edwards- 
ville to reside permanently, and, in 1859, was 
appointed by Governor Bissell State's Attorney 
for Madison County, serving one year. In 1864 
he was elected State Senator for a term of four 
years ; was a delegate to the Republican National 
Convention of 1872, and, in 1876, a lay delegate 
from the Southern Illinois Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church to the General Con- 
ference at Baltimore ; has also been a Trustee of 
McKendree College, at Lebanon, 111., for more 
than twenty-five years. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, one of 
the most numerous Protestant church organiza- 
tions in the United States and in Illinois. Rev. 
Joseph Lillard was the first preacher of this sect 
to settle in the Northwest Territory, and Capt. 
Joseph Ogle was the first class-leader (1795). It 
is stated that the first American preacher in the 
American Bottom was Rev. Hosea Riggs (1796). 
Rev. Benjamin Young took charge of the first 
Methodist mission in 1803, and, in 1804, this mis- 
sion was attached to the Cumberland (Tenn.) 
circuit. Revs. Joseph Oglesby and Charles R. 
Matheny were among the early circuit riders. In 
1820 there were seven circuits in Illinois, and, in 



1830, twenty-eight, the actual membership 
exceeding 10,000. The first Methodist service in 
Chicago was held by Rev. Jesse Walker, in 1826. 
The first Methodist society in that city was 
organized by Rev. Stephen R. Beggs, in June, 

1831. By 1835 the number of circuits had in- 
creased to 61, with 370 ministers and 15,000 mem- 
bers. Rev. Peter Cartwright was among the 
early revivalists. The growth of this denomi- 
nation in the State has been extraordinary. By 
1890, it had nearly 2,000 churches, 937 ministers, 
and 151,000 members — the total number of Metho- 
dists in the United States, by the same census, 
being 4,980,240. The church property owned in 
1890 (including parsonages) approached $111,000,- 
000, and the total contributions were estimated 
at 82,073,923. The denomination in Illinois sup- 
ports two theological seminaries and the Garrett 
Biblical Institute at Evanston. "The North- 
western Christian Advocate." with a circulation 
of some 30,000, is its official organ in Illinois. 
(See also Religious Denominations.) 

METROPOLIS CITY, the county-seat of Massac 
County, 156' miles southeast of St. Louis, situated 
on the Ohio River and on the St. Louis and 
Paducah Division of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road. The city was founded in 1839, on the site 
of old Fort Massac, which was erected by the 
French, aided by the Indians, about 1711. Its 
industries consist largely of various forms of 
wood-working. Saw and planing mills are a 
commercial factor; other establishments turn 
out wheel, buggy and wagon material, barrel 
staves and heads, boxes and baskets, and veneers. 
There are also flouring mills and potteries The 
city has a public library, two banks, water- 
works, electric lights, numerous churches, high 
school and graded schools, ami three papers. 
Population (1880), 2,668; (1890), 3,573; (1900), 4,069. 

MEXICAN WAR. Briefly stated, this war 
originated in the annexation of Texas to the 
United States, early in 1846. There was a dis- 
agreement as to the western boundary of Texas. 
Mexico complained of encroachment upon her 
territory, and hostilities began with the battle of 
Palo Alto, May 8, and ended with the treaty of 
peace, concluded at Guadalupe Hidalgo, near the 
City of Mexico, Feb. 2, 1848. Among the most 
prominent figures were President Polk, under 
whose administration annexation was effected, 
and Gen. Zachary Taylor, who was chief in com- 
mand in the field at the beginning of the war, and 
was elected Polk's successor. Illinois furnished 
more than her full quota of troops for the strug- 
gle. May 13, 1846, war was declared. On May 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



373 



25, Governor Ford issued his proclamation calling 
for the enlistment of three regiments of infantry, 
the assessed quota of the State. The response 
was prompt and general. Alton was named as 
the rendezvous, and Col. (afterwards General) 
Sylvester Churchill was the mustering officer. 
The regiments mustered in were commanded, 
respectively, by Col. John J. Hardin, Col. Wm. H. 
Bissell (afterwards Governor) and Col. Ferris 
Forman. An additional twelve months' regiment 
(the Fourth) was accepted, under command of 
Col. E. D. Baker, who later became United States 
Senator from Oregon, and fell at the battle of 
Ball's Bluff, in October, 1861. A second call was 
made in April, 1847, under which Illinois sent 
two more regiments, for the war, towards the 
Mexican frontier. These were commanded by 
Col. Edward W. B. Newby and Col. James 
Collins. Independent companies were also 
tendered and accepted. Besides, there were 
some 150 volunteers who joined the regiments 
already in the field. Commanders of the inde- 
pendent companies were Capts. Adam Dunlap, 
of Schuyler County; Wyatt B. Stapp, of War- 
ren ; Michael K. Lawler, of Shawneetovvn, and 
Josiah Little. Col. John J. Hardin, of the First, 
was killed at Buena Vista, and the official mor- 
tuary list includes many names of Illinois' best 
and bravest sons. After participating in the 
battle of Buena Vista, the Illinois troops shared 
in the triumphal entry into the City of Mexico, 
on Sept. 16, 1847, and (in connection with those 
from Kentucky) were especially complimented in 
General Taylor's official report. The Third and 
Fourth regiments won distinction at Vera Cruz, 
Cerro Gordo and the City of Mexico. At the 
second of these battles, General Shields fell 
severely (and, as supposed for a time, mortally) 
wounded. Colonel Baker succeeded Shields, led 
a gallant charge, and really turned the day at 
Cerro Gordo. Among the officers honorably 
named by General Scott, in his official report, were 
Colonel Forman, Major Harris, Adjutant Fondey, 
Capt. J. S. Post, and Lieutenants Hammond and 
Davis. All the Illinois troops were mustered out 
between May 25, 1847 and Nov. 7, 1848, the inde- 
pendent companies being the last to quit the 
service. The total number of volunteers was 
6,123, of whom 86 were killed, and 160 wounded, 
12 of the latter dying of their wounds. Gallant 
service in the Mexican War soon became a pass- 
port to political preferment, and some of the 
brave soldiers of 1846-47 subsequently achieved 
merited distinction in civil life. Many also be- 
came distinguished soldiers in the War of the 



Rebellion, including such names as John A. 
Logan, Richard J. Oglesby, M. K. Lawler, James 
D. Morgan, W. H. L. Wallace, B. M. Prentiss, 
W. R. Morrison, L. F. Ross, and others. The 
cost of the war, with §15,000,000 paid for territory 
annexed, is estimated at §166,500,000 and the 
extent of territory acquired, nearly 1,000,000 
square miles — considerably more than the 
whole of the present territory of the Republic of 
Mexico. 

MEYER, John, lawyer and legislator, was born 
in Holland, Feb. 27, 1852; came to Chicago at the 
age of 12 years; entered the North western Uni- 
versity, supporting himself by labor during vaca- 
tions and by teaching in a night school, until his 
third year in the university, when he became a 
student in the Union College of Law, being 
admitted to the bar in 1879; was elected from 
Cook County to the Thirty-fifth General Assembly 
(1884), and re-elected to the Thirty-sixth, Thirty- 
eighth and Thirty-ninth, being chosen Speaker of 
the latter (Jan. 18, 1895). Died in office, at Free- 
port, 111., July 3, 1895, during a special session of 
the General Assembly. 

.11 1 AM IS, The. The preponderance of author- 
ity favors the belief that this tribe of Indians was 
originally a part of the Ill-i-ni or Illinois, but the 
date of their separation from the parent stock 
cannot be told. It is likely, however, that it 
occurred before the French pushed their explo- 
rations from Canada westward and southward, 
into and along the Mississippi Valley. Father 
Dablon alludes to the presence of Miamis (whom 
he calls Ou-mi-a-mi) in a mixed Indian village, 
near the mouth of Fox River of Wisconsin, in 
1670. The orthography of their name is varied. 
The Iroquois and the British generally knew 
them as the '"Twightwees," and so they were 
commonly called by the American colonists. 
The Weas and Piankeshaws were of the same 
tribe When La Salle founded his colony at 
Starved Rock, the Miamis had villages which 
could muster some 1,950 warriors, of which the 
Weas had 500 and the Piankeshaws 150, the re- 
maining 1,300 being Miamis proper. In 1671 
(according to a written statement by Charlevoix 
in 1721), the Miamis occupied three villages- 
— one on the St. Joseph River, one on the Mau- 
mee and one on the "Ouabache" (Wabash). 
They were friendly toward the French until 
1694, when a large number of them were 
massacred by a party of Sioux, who carried 
firearms which had been furnished them by 
the Frenchmen. The breach thus caused was 
never closed. Having become possessed of guns 



374 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



themselves, the Miamis were able, not only to 
hold their own, but also to extend their hunting 
grounds as far eastward as the Scioto, alternately 
warring with the French, British and Americans. 
General Harrison says of them that, ten years 
before the treaty of Greenville, they could have 
brought upon the field a body of 3,000 "of the 
finest light troops in the world," but lacking in 
discipline and enterprise. Border warfare and 
smallpox, however, had, by that date (1795), 
greatly reduced their numerical strength. The 
main seat of the Miamis was at Fort Wayne, 
whose residents, because of their superior num- 
bers and intelligence, dominated all other bands 
except the Piankeshaws. The physical and 
moral deterioration of the tribe began immedi- 
ately after the treaty of Greenville. Little by 
little, they ceded their lands to the United States, 
the money received therefor being chiefly squan- 
dered in debauchery. Decimated by vice and 
disease, the remnants of this once powerful abo- 
riginal nation gradually drifted westward across 
the Mississippi, whence their valorous sires had 
emigrated two centuries before. The small rem- 
nant of the band finally settled in Indian Terri- 
tory, but they -have made comparatively little 
progress toward civilization. (See also Pianke- 
shaws; Weas.) 

MICHAEL REESE HOSPITAL, located in 
Chicago, under care of the association known as 
the United Hebrew Charities. Previous to 1871 
this association maintained a small hospital for 
the care of some of its beneficiaries, but it was 
destroyed in the conflagration of that year, and no 
immediate effort to rebuild was made. In 1880, 
however, Michael Reese, a Jewish gentleman 
who had accumulated a large fortune in Cali- 
fornia, bequeathed §97,000 to the organization. 
With this sum, considerably increased by addi- 
tions from other sources, an imposing building 
was erected, well arranged and thoroughly 
equipped for hospital purposes. The institution 
thus founded was named after its principal bene- 
factor. Patients are received without discrimi- 
nation as to race or religion, and more than half 
those admitted are charity patients. The present 
medical staff consists of thirteen surgeons and 
physicians, several of whom are eminent 
specialists. 

MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD. The 
main line of this road extends from Chicago 
to Detroit, 270 miles, with trackage facilities 
from Kensington, 14 miles, over the line of the 
Illinois Central, to its terminus in Chicago. 
Branch lines (leased, proprietary and operated) in 



Canada, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois swell the 
total mileage to 1,643.56 miles.— (History.) The 
company was chartered in 1846, and purchased 
from the State of Michigan the line from Detroit 
to Kalamazoo, 144 miles, of which construction had 
been begun in 1836. The road was completed to 
Michigan City in 1850, and, in May, 1852, reached 
Kensington, 111. As at present constituted, the 
road (with its auxiliaries) forms an integral part 
of what is popularly known as the "Vanderbilt 
System." Only 35 miles of the entire line are 
operated in Illinois, of which 29 belong to the 
Joliet & Northern Indiana branch (which see). 
The outstanding capital stock (1898) was $18,- 
738,000 and the funded debt, §19,101,000. Earn- 
ings in Illinois the same year, 8484.002; total 
operating expenses, §540,905; taxes, §24,250. 

MICHIGAN, LAKE. (See Lake Michigan.) 

MIHALOTZY, Geza, soldier, a native of Hun- 
gary and compatriot of Kossuth in the Magyar 
struggle; came to Chicago in 1848, in 1861 enlisted 
in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Volunteers (first "Hecker regiment"), and, on 
the resignation of Colonel Hecker, a few weeks 
later, was promoted to the Colonelcy. A trained 
soldier, he served with gallantry and distinction, 
but was fatally wounded at Buzzard's Roost, Feb. 
24, 1864, dying at Chattanooga, March 11, 1864. 

MILAN, a town of Rock Island County, on the 
Rock Island & Peoria Railway, six miles south of 
Rock Island. It is located on Rock River, has 
several mills, a bank and a newspaper. Popula- 
tion (1880), 845; (1890), 692; (1900), 719. 

M1LBURN, (Rev.) William Henry, clergy- 
man, was born in Philadelphia, Sept. 26, 1826. 
At the age of five years he almost totally lost 
sight in both eyes, as the result of an accident, 
and subsequent malpractice in their treatment. 
For a time he was able to decipher letters with 
difficulty, and thus learned to read. In the face 
of such obstacles he carried on his studies until 
12 years of age, when he accompanied his father's 
family to Jacksonville, 111., and, five years later, 
became an itinerant Methodist preacher. For a 
time he rode a circuit covering 200 miles, preach- 
ing, on an average, ten times a week, for §100 per 
year. In 1845, while on a Mississippi steamboat, 
he publicly rebuked a number of Congressmen, 
who were his fellow passengers, for intemperance 
and gaming. This resulted in his being made 
Chaplain of the House of Representatives. From 
1848 to 1850 he was pastor of a church at Mont- 
gomery, Ala., during which time lie was tried 
for heresy, and later became pastor of a "Free 
Church." Again, in 1853, he was chosen Chap- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



:J75 



lain of Congress. While in Europe, in 1859, he 
took orders in the Episcopal Church, but returned 
to Methodism in 1871. He has since been twice 
Chaplain of the House (1885 and '87) and three 
times (1893, "95 and '97) elected to the same posi- 
tion in the Senate He is generally known as 
"the blind preacher" and achieved considerable 
prominence by his eloquence as a lecturer on 
"What a Blind Man Saw in Europe." Among 
his published writings are, "Rifle, Axe and Sad- 
dlebags" (1856), "Ten Years of Preacher Life" 
(1858) and "Pioneers, Preachers and People of the 
Mississippi Valley" (I860). 

MILCHRIST, Thomas E., lawyer, was born in 
the Isle of Man in 1839, and, at the age of eight 
years, came to America with his parents, who 
settled in Peoria, 111. Here he attended school 
and worked on a farm until the beginning of the 
Civil War, when he enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Twelfth Illinois Volunteers, serving until 
1865, and being discharged with the rank of Cap- 
tain. After the war he read law with John I. 
Bennett — then of Galena, but later Master in 
Chancery of the United States Court at Chicago 
— was admitted to the bar in 1867, and, for a 
number of years, served as State's Attorney in 
Henry County. In 1888 he was a delegate from 
Illinois to the Republican National Convention, 
and the following year was appointed by Presi- 
dent Harrison United States District Attorney 
for the Northern District of Illinois. Since 
retiring from office in 1893, Mr. Milchrist has been 
engaged in private practice in Chicago. In 1898 
he was elected a State Senator for the Fifth Dis- 
trict (city of Chicago) in the Forty-first General 
Assembly. 

MILES, Nelson A., Major-General, was born 
at Westminster, Mass., August 8, 1839, and, at 
the breaking out of the Civil War, was engaged 
in mercantile pursuits in the city of Boston. In 
October, 1861, he entered the service as a Second 
Lieutenant in a Massachusetts regiment, dis- 
tinguished himself at the battles of Fair Oaks, 
Charles City Cross Roads and Malvern Hill, 
in one of which he was wounded. In Sep- 
tember, 1862, he was Colonel of the Sixty- 
first New York, which he led at Fredericksburg 
and at Chancellorsville, where he was again 
severely wounded. He commanded the First 
Brigade of the First Division of the Second Army 
Corps in the Richmond campaign, and was made 
Brigadier-General, May 12, 1864, and Major- 
General, by brevet, for gallantry shown at Ream's 
Station, in December of the same year. At the 
close of the war he was commissioned Colonel of 



the Fortieth United States Infantry, and distin- 
guished himself in campaigns against the Indians; 
became a Brigadier-General in 1880, and Major- 
General in 1890, in the interim being in command 
of the Department of the Columbia, and, after 
1890, of the Missouri, with headquarters at Chi- 
cago. Here he did much to give efficiency and 
importance to the post at Fort Sheridan, and, in 
1894, rendered valuable service in checking the 
strike riots about Chicago. Near the close of the 
year he was transferred to the Department of the 
East, and, on the retirement of General Schofield 
in 1895, was placed in command of the army, 
with headquarters in Washington. During the 
Spanish-American war (1898) General Miles gave 
attention to the fitting out of troops for the Cuban 
and Porto Rican campaigns, and visited Santiago 
during the siege conducted by General Shafter, 
but took no active command in the field until the 
occupation of Porto Rico, which was conducted 
with rare discrimination and good judgment, and 
with comparatively little loss of life or suffering 
to the troops. 

MILFORD, a prosperous village of Iroquois 
County, on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Rail- 
road, 88 miles south of Chicago; is in a rich farm- 
ing region; has water and sewerage systems, 
electric lights, two brick and tile works, three 
large grain elevators, flour mill, three churches, 
good schools, a public library and a weekly news- 
paper. It is an important shipping point for 
grain and live-stock. Population (1890), 957; 
(1900). 1,077. 

MILITARY BOUNTY LANDS. (See Military 
Tract. ) 

MILITARY TRACT, a popular name given to 
a section of the State, set apart under an act of 
Congress, passed, May 6, 1812, as bounty-lands for 
soldiers in the war with Great Britain commenc- 
ing the same year. Similar reservations in the 
Territories of Michigan and Louisiana (now 
Arkansas) were provided for in the same act. 
The lands in Illinois embraced in this act were 
situated between the Illinois and Mississippi 
Rivers, and extended from the junction of these 
streams due north, by the Fourth Principal Merid- 
ian, to the northern boundary of Township 15 
north of the "Base Line." This "base line'' 
started about opposite the present site of Beards- 
town, and extended to a point on the Mississippi 
about seven miles north of Quincy. The north- 
ern border of the "Tract" was identical with 
the northern boundary of Mercer County, which, 
extended eastward, reached the Illinois about 
the present village of De Pue, in the southeastern 



376 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



part of Bureau County, where the Illinois makes 
a great bend towards the south, a few miles west 
of the city of Peru. The distance between the 
Illinois and the Mississippi, by this line, was about 
90 miles, and the entire length of the "Tract," 
from its northern boundary to the junction of 
the two rivers, was computed at 169 miles, — con- 
sisting of 90 miles north of the "base line'* and T9 
miles south of it, to the junction of the rivers. 
The "Tract" was surveyed in 1815-16. It com- 
prised 207 entire townships of six miles square, 
each, and 61 fractional townships, containing an 
area of 5,360,000 acres, of which 3,500,000 acres— 
a little less than two-thirds — were appropriated to 
military bounties. The residue consisted partly 
of fractional sections bordering on rivers, partly of 
fractional quarter-sections bordering on township 
lines, and containing more or less than 160 acres, 
and partly of lands that were returned by the sur- 
veyors as unfit for cultivation. In addition to 
this, there were large reservations not coming 
within the above exceptions, being the overplus 
of lands after satisfying the military claims, and 
subject to entry and purchase on the same con- 
ditions as other Government lands. The "Tract" 
thus embraced the present counties of Calhoun, 
Pike, Adams, Brown, Schuyler, Hancock, Mc- 
Donough, Fulton, Peoria, Stark, Knox, Warren, 
Henderson and Mercer, with parts of Henry, 
Bureau, Putnam and Marshall — or so much of 
them as was necessary to meet the demand for 
bounties. Immigration to this region set in quite 
actively about 1823, and the development of some 
portions, for a time, was very rapid ; but later, its 
growth was retarded by the conflict of "tax- 
titles" and bounty-titles derived by purchase 
from the original holders. This led to a great 
deal of litigation, and called for considerable 
legislation ; but since the adjustment of these 
questions, this region has kept pace with the most 
favored sections of the State, and it now includes 
some of the most important arid prosperous towns 
and cities and many of the finest farms in 
Illinois. 

MILITIV. Illinois, taught by the experiences 
i if the War of 1812 and the necessity of providing 
for protection of its citizens against the incur- 
sions of Indians on its borders, began the adop- 
tion, at an early date, of such measures as were 
then common in the several States for the main- 
tenance of a State militia. The Constitution of 
1818 made the Governor "Commander-in-Chief 
of the army and navy of this State," and declared 
that the militia of the State should "consist of 
all free male able-bodied persons (negroes, mu 



lattoes and Indians excepted) resident in the 
State, oetween the ages of 18 and 45 years, " and 
this classification was continued in the later con- 
stitutions, except that of 1870, which omits all 
reference to the subject of color. In each there 
is the same general provision exempting persons 
entertaining "conscientious scruples against 
bearing arms," although subject to payment of 
an equivalent for such exemption. The first law 
on the subject, enacted by the first General 
Assembly (1819), provided for the establishment 
of a general militia system for the State ; and the 
fact that this was modified, amended or wholly 
changed by acts passed at the sessions of 1821, 
'23, '25, '26, '27, '29, '33, '37 and '39, shows the 
estimation in which the subject was held. While 
many of these acts were of a special character, 
providing for a particular class of organization, 
the general law did little except to require per- 
sons subject to military duty, at stated periods, to 
attend county musters, which were often con- 
ducted in a very informal manner, or made the 
occasion of a sort of periodical frolic. The act of 
July, 1833 (following the Black Hawk War), 
required an enrollment of "all free, white, male 
inhabitants of military age (except such as might 
be exempt under the Constitution or laws)"; 
divided the State into five divisions by counties, 
each division to be organized into a certain speci- 
fied number of brigades. This act was quite 
elaborate, covering some twenty-four pages, and 
provided for regimental, battalion and company 
musters, defined the duties of officers, manner of 
election, etc. The act of 1837 encouraged the 
organization of volunteer companies. The Mexi- 
can War (1845-47) gave a new impetus to this 
class of legislation, as also did the War of the 
Rebellion (1861-65). While the office of Adju- 
tant-General had existed from the first, its duties 
■ — except during the Black Hawk and Mexican 
Wars — were rather nominal, and were discharged 
without stated compensation, the incumbent 
being merely Chief-of-staff to the Governor as 
Commander-in-Chief. The War of the Rebellion 
at once brought it into prominence, as an impor- 
tant part of the State Government, which it has 
since maintained. The various measures passed, 
during this period, belong rather to the history of 
the late war than to the subject of this chapter. 
In 1865, however, the office was put on a different 
footing, and the important part it had played, 
during the preceding four years, was recognized 
by the passage of "an act to provide for the ap- 
pointment, and designate the work, fix the pay 
and prescribe the duties, of the Adjutant-General 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



377 



of Illinois." During the next four years, its 
most important work was the publication of 
eight volumes of war records, containing a com- 
plete roster of the officers and men of the various 
regiments and other military organizations from 
Illinois, with an outline of their movements and 
a list of the battles in which they were engaged. 
To the Adjutant-General's office, as now adminis- 
tered, is entrusted the custody of the war- 
records, battle-flags and trophies of the late war. 
A further step was taken, in 1877, in the passage 
of an act formulating a military code and provid- 
ing for more thorough organization. Modifying 
amendments to this act were adopted in 1879 and 
1885. While, under these laws, "all able-bodied 
male citizens of this State, between the ages of 18 
and 45" (with certain specified exceptions), are 
declared "subject to military duty, and desig- 
nated as the Illinois State Militia," provision is 
made for the organization of a body of "active 
militia," designated as the "Illinois National 
Guard," to consist of "not more than oighty-four 
companies of infantry, two batteries of artillery 
and two troops of cavalry," recruited by volun- 
tary enlistments for a period of three years, with 
right to re-enlist for one or more years. The 
National Guard, as at present constituted, con- 
sists of three brigades, with a total force of about 
9,000 men, organized into nine regiments, besides 
the batteries and cavalry already mentioned. 
Gatling guns are used by the artillery and breech- 
loading rifles by the infantry. Camps of instruc- 
tion are held for the regiments, respectively — one 
or more regiments participating — each year, 
usually at "Camp Lincoln" near Springfield, 
when regimental and brigade drills, competitive 
rifle practice and mock battles are had. An act 
establishing the "Naval Militia of Illinois," to 
consist of "not more than eight divisions or com- 
panies," divided into two battalions of four divi- 
sions each, was passed by the General Assembly 
of 1893 — the whole to be under the command of 
an officer with the rank of Commander. The 
commanding officer of each battalion is styled a 
"Lieutenant-Commander," and both the Com- 
mander and Lieutenant-Commanders have their 
respective staffs — their organization, in other 
respects, being conformable to the laws of the 
United States. A set of "Regulations," based 
upon these several laws, has been prepared by the 
Adjutant-General for the government of the 
various organizations. The Governor is author- 
ized, by law, to call out the militia to resist inva- 
sion, or to suppress violence and enforce execution 
of the laws, when called upon by the civil author- 



ities of any city, town or county. This authority, 
however, is exercised with great discretion, and 
only when the local authorities are deemed unable 
to cope with threatened resistance to law The 
officers of the National Guard, when called into 
actual service for the suppression of riot or the 
enforcement of the laws, receive the same com- 
pensation paid to officers of the United States 
army of like grade, while the enlisted men receive 
$2 per day During the time they are at any 
encampment, the officers and men alike receive 
SI per day. with necessary subsistence and cost 
of transportation to and from the encampment. 
(For list of incumbents in Adjutant-General's 
office, see Adjutants-General; see, also, Spanish- 
American War ) 

MILLER, James H., Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, was born in Ohio, May 29, 1843; 
in early life came to Toulon, Stark County, 111.,, 
where he finally engaged in the practice of law. 
At the beginning of the Rebellion he enlisted in 
the Union army, but before being mustered into 
the service, received an injury which rendered 
him a cripple for life. Though of feeble physical 
organization and a sufferer from ill-health, he 
was a man of decided ability and much influence. 
He served as State's Attorney of Stark County 
(1872-76) and, in 1884, was elected Representative 
in the Thirty-fourth General Assembly, at the 
following session being one of the most zealous 
supporters of Gen. John A. Logan, in the cele- 
brated contest which resulted in the election of 
the latter, for the third time, to the United States 
Senate. By successive re-elections he also served 
in the Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth General 
Assemblies, during the session of the latter being 
chosen Speaker of the House, as successor to 
A. C. Matthews, who had been appointed, during 
the session, First Comptroller of the Treasury at 
Washington. In the early part of the summer 
of 1890, Mr. Miller visited Colorado for the bene- 
fit of his health, but, a week after his arrival at 
Manitou Springs, died suddenly, June 27, 1890. 

MILLS, Benjamin, lawyer and early poli- 
tician, was a native of Western Massachusetts, 
and described by his contemporaries as a highly 
educated and accomplished lawyer, as well as a 
brilliant orator. The exact date of his arrival in 
Illinois cannot be determined with certainty, but 
he appears to have been in the "Lead Mine 
Region" about Galena, as early as 1826 or '27, and 
was notable as one of the first "Yankees" to 
locate in that section of the State. He was 
elected a Representative in the Eighth General 
Assembly (1832), his district embracing the 



378 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



counties of Peoria, Jo Daviess, Putnam, La Salle 
and Cook, including all the State north of Sanga- 
mon (as it then stood), and extending from the 
Mississippi River to the Indiana State line. At 
this session occurred the impeachment trial of 
Theophilus W. Smith, of the Supreme Court, Mr. 
Mills acting as Chairman of the Impeachment 
Committee, and delivering a speech of great 
power and brilliancy, which lasted two or three 
days. In 1834 he was a candidate for Congress 
from the Northern District, but was defeated by 
William L. May (Democrat), as claimed by Mr. 
Mill's friends, unfairly. He early fell a victim 
to consumption and, returning to Massachusetts, 
died in Berkshire County, in that State, in 1841. 
Hon. R. H. McClellan, of Galena, says of him: 
"He was a man of remarkable ability, learning 
and eloquence," while Governor Ford, in his 
"History of Illinois," testifies that, "by common 
consent of all his contemporaries, Mr. Mills was 
regarded as the most popular and brilliant lawyer 
of his day at the Galena bar." 

MILLS, Henry A., State Senator, was born at 
New Hartford, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1827; 
located at Mount Carroll, Carroll County, 111., in 
1856, finally engaging in the banking business at 
that place. Having served in various local 
offices, he was, in 1874, chosen State Senator for 
the Eleventh District, but died at Galesburg 
before the expiration of his term, July 7, 1877. 

MILLS, Luther Laflin, lawyer, was born at 
North Adams, Mass., Sept. 3, 1848; brought to 
Chicago in infancy, and educated in the public 
schools of that city and at Michigan State Uni- 
versity. In 1868 he began the study of law, was 
admitted to practice three years later, and, in 
1876, was elected State's Attorney, being re- 
elected in 1880. While in this office he was con- 
nected with some of the most important cases 
ever brought before the Chicago courts. 
Although he has held no official position except 
that already mentioned, his abilities at the bar 
and on the rostrum are widely recognized, and 
his services, as an attorney and an orator, have 
been in frequent demand. 

MILLSTADT, a town in St. Clair County, on 
branch of Mobile & Ohio Railroad, 14 miles south- 
southeast of St. Louis; has electric lights, 
churches, schools, bank, newspaper, coal mines, 
and manufactures flour, beer and butter. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,186; (1900), 1.172. 

MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL RAILWAY. (See 
Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway.) 

MIXER, Orlin H., State Auditor, was born in 
Vermont, May 13, 1825; from 1834 to '51 he lived 



in Ohio, the latter year coming to Chicago, where 
he worked at his trade of watch- maker. In 1855 
he went to Central America and was with Gen- 
eral William Walker at Greytown. Returning to 
Illinois, he resumed his trade at Springfield; in 
1857 he was appointed, by Auditor Dubois, chief 
clerk in the Auditor's office, serving until 1864, 
when he was elected State Auditor as successor 
to his chief. Retiring from office in 1869, he 
gave attention to his private business. He was 
one of the founders and a Director of the Spring- 
field Iron Company. Died in 1879. 

MINTER, a village of Tazewell County, at the 
intersection of the Jacksonville Division of the 
Chicago & Alton and the Terre Haute & Peoria 
Railroads, 26 miles southeast of Peoria; is in fine 
farming district and has several grain elevators, 
some manufactures, two banks and a newspaper. 
Population (1890). 664; (1900), 746. 

MINONK, a city in Woodford County, 29 miles 
north of Bloomington and 53 miles northeast of 
Peoria, on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and 
the Illinois Central Railways. The surrounding 
region is agricultural, though much coal is 
mined in the vicinity. The city has brick yards, 
tile factories, steam flouring-mills, several grain 
elevators, two private banks and two weekly 
newspapers. Population (1880), 1,913; (1890), 
2,316; (1900), 2,546. 

MINORITY REPRESENTATION, a method of 
choosing members of the General Assembly and 
other deliberative bodies, designed to secure rep- 
resentation, in such bodies, to minority parties. 
In Illinois, this method is limited to the election 
of members of the lower branch of the General 
Assembly — except as to private corporations, 
which may, at their option, apply it in the election 
of Trustees or Directors. In the apportionment 
of members of the General Assembly (see Legis- 
lative Apportionment), the State Constitution 
requires that the Senatorial and Representative 
Districts shall be identical in territory, each of 
such Districts being entitled to choose one Sena- 
tor and three Representatives. The provisions of 
the Constitution, making specific application of 
the principle of "minority representation" (or 
"cumulative voting, " as it is sometimes called), 
declares that, in the election of Representatives, 
"each qualified voter may cast as many votes for 
one candidate as there are Representatives, or 
(he) may distribute the same, or equal parts 
thereof, among the candidates as he shall see 
fit." (State Constitution, Art. TV, sections 7 and 
8.) In practice, this provision gives the voter 
power to cast three votes for one candidate , two 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



379 



votes for one candidate and one for another, or 
one and a half votes to each of two candidates. 
or he may distribute his vote equally among 
three candidates (giving one to each); but no 
other division is admissible without invalidating 
his ballot as to this office. Other forms of minor- 
ity representation have been proposed by various 
writers, among whom Mr. Thomas Hare, John 
Stuart Mill, and Mr. Craig, of England, are most 
prominent; but that adopted in Illinois seems to 
be the simplest and most easy of application. 

MINSHALL, William A., legislator and jurist, 
a native of Ohio who came to Rushville, 111., at 
an early day, and entered upon the practice of 
law ; served as Representative in the Eighth, 
Tenth and Twelfth General Assemblies, and as 
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention 
of 1847. He was elected Judge of the Circuit 
Court for the Fifth Circuit, under the new Con- 
stitution, in 1848, and died in office, early in 1853, 
being succeeded by the late Judge Pinkney H. 
Walker. 

MISSIONARIES, EARLY. The earliest Chris- 
tian missionaries in Illinois were of the Roman 
Catholic faith. As a rule, these accompanied the 
French explorers and did not a little toward the 
extension of French dominion. They were usually 
members of one of two orders — the "Recollects," 
founded by St. Francis, or the "Jesuits," founded 
by Loyola. Between these two bodies of ecclesi- 
astics existed, at times, a strong rivalry; the 
former having been earlier in the field, but hav- 
ing been virtually subordinated to the latter by 
Cardinal Richelieu. The controversy between 
the two orders gradually involved the civil 
authorities, and continued until the suppression 
of the Jesuits, in France, in 1764. The most noted 
of the Jesuit missionaries were Fathers Allouez, 
Gravier, Marquette, Dablon, Pinet, Rasle, Lamo- 
ges, Binneteau and Marest. Of the Recollects, 
the most conspicuous were Fathers Membre, 
Douay, Le Clerq, Hennepin and Ribourde. 
Besides these, there were also Father Bergier and 
Montigny, who, belonging to no religious order, 
were called secular priests. The first Catholic 
mission, founded in Illinois, was probably that at 
the original Kaskaskia, on the Illinois, in the 
present county of La Salle, where Father Mar- 
quette did missionary work in 1673, followed by 
Allouez in 1677. (See AUouez, Claude Jean.) 
The latter was succeeded, in 1688, by Father Grav- 
ier, who was followed, in 1692, by Father Sebas- 
tian Rasle, but who, returning in 1694, remained 
until 1695, when he was succeeded by Pinet 
and Binneteau. In 1700 Father Marest was 



in charge of the mission, and the number of 
Indians among whom he labored was, that year, 
considerably diminished by the emigration of the 
Kaskaskias to the south. Father Gravier, about 
this time, labored among the Peorias, but was 
incapacitated by a wound received from the 
medicine man of the tribe, which finally resulted 
in his death, at Mobile, in 1706. The Peoria station 
remained vacant for a time, but was finally filled 
by Father Deville. Another early Catholic mis- 
sion in Illinois was that at Cahokia. While the 
precise date of its establishment cannot be fixed 
with certainty, there is evidence that it was in 
existence in 1700, being the earliest in that region. 
Among the early Fathers, who ministered to the 
savages there, were Pinet, St. Cosme, Bergier and 
Lamoges. This mission was at first called the 
Tamaroa, and, later, the mission of St. Snlpice. 
It was probably the first permanent mission in the 
Illinois Country. Among those in charge, down 
to 1718, were Fathers de Montigny, Damon (prob- 
ably), Varlet, de la Source, and le Mercier. In 
1707, Father Mermet assisted Father Marest at 
Kaskaskia, and, in 1720, that mission became a 
regularly constituted parish, the incumbent being 
Father de Beaubois. Rev. Philip Boucher 
preached and administered the sacraments at 
Fort St Louis, where he died in 1719, having 
been preceded by Fathers Membre and Ribourde 
in 1680, and by Fathers Douay and Le Clerq in 
1687-88. The persecution and banishment of the 
early Jesuit missionaries, by the Superior Council 
of Louisiana (of which Illinois had formerly been 
a part), in 1763, is a curious chapter in State his- 
tory. That body, following the example of some 
provincial legislative bodies in France, officially 
declared the order a dangerous nuisance, and 
decreed the confiscation of all its property, in- 
cluding plate and vestments, and the razing of 
its churches, as well as the banishment of its 
members. This decree the Louisiana Council 
undertook to enforce in Illinois, disregarding the 
fact that that territory had passed under the 
jurisdiction of Great Britain. The Jesuits seem 
to have offered no resistance, either physical or 
legal, and all members of the order in Illinois 
were ruthlessly, and without a shadow of author- 
ity, carried to New Orleans and thence deported 
to France. Only one— Father Sebastian Louis 
Meurin — was allowed to return to Illinois ; and he, 
only after promising to recognize the ecclesiastical 
authority of the Superior Council as supreme, 
and to hold no communication with Quebec or 
Rome. The labors of the missionaries, apart 
from spiritual results, were of great value. They 



380 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



perpetuated the records of early discoveries, 
reduced the language, and even dialects, of the 
aborigines, to grammatical rules, and preserved 
the original traditions and described the customs 
of the savages. (Authorities: Shea and Kip's 
"Catholic Missions," "Magazine of Western His- 
tory," Winsor's "America," and Shea's "Catholic 
Church in Colonial Days.") 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER. (Indian name, "Missi 
Sipi," the "Great Water.") Its head waters are 
in the northern part of Minnesota, 1,680 feet 
above tide-water. Its chief source is Itasca 
Lake, which is 1,575 feet higher than the sea, 
and which is fed by a stream having its source 
within one mile of the head waters of the Red 
River of the North. From this sheet of water to 
the mouth of the river, the distance is variously 
estimated at from 3,000 to 3,160 miles. Lake 
Itasca is in lat. 4? 10' north and Ion. 95' 20' west 
from Greenwich. The river at first runs north- 
ward, but soon turns toward the east and expands 
into a series of small lakes. Its course, as far as 
Crow Wing, is extremely sinuous, below which 
point it runs southward to St. Cloud, thence south- 
eastward to Minneapolis, where occur the Falls of 
St. Anthony, establishing a complete barrier to 
navigation for the lower Mississippi. In less than 
a mile the river descends 66 feet, including a per- 
pendicular fall of 17 feet, furnishing an immense 
water power, which is utilized in operating flour- 
ing-mills and other manufacturing establish- 
ments. A few miles below St. Paul it reaches 
the western boundary of Wisconsin, where it 
expands into the long and beautiful Lake Pepin, 
bordered by picturesque limestone bluffs, some 
400 feet high. Below Dubuque its general direc- 
tion is southward, and it forms the boundary 
between the States of Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas 
and the northern part of Louisiana, on the 
west, and Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mis- 
sissippi, on the east. After many sinuous turn 
ings in its southern course, it enters the Gulf of 
Mexico by three principal passes, or mouths, at 
the southeastern extremity of Plaquemines 
Parish, La., in lat. 29" north and Ion. 89 12' 
west. Its principal affluents on the right are the 
Minnesota, Iowa, Des Moines, Missouri, Arkansas 
and Red Rivers, and, on the left, the Wisconsin, 
Illinois and Ohio. The Missouri River is longer 
than that part of the Mississippi above the point 
of junction, the distance from its source to the 
delta of the latter being about 4,300 miles, which 
exceeds that of any other river in the world. 
The width of the stream at St. Louis is about 
3,500 feet, at the mouth of the Ohio nearly 4,500 



feet, and at New Orleans about 2, 500 feet. The 
mean velocity of the current between St. Louis 
and the Gulf of Mexico is about five to five and 
one-half miles per hour. The average depth ' 
below Red River is said to be 121 feet, though, in 
the vicinity of New Orleans, the maximum is said 
to reach 150 feet. The principal rapids below the 
Falls of St. Anthony are at Rock Island and the 
Des Moines Rapids above Keokuk, the former 
having twenty-two feet fall and the latter 
twenty-four feet. A canal around the Des 
Moines Rapids, along the west bank of the river, 
aids navigation. The alluvial banks which pre- 
vail on one or both shores of the lower Mississippi, 
often spread out into extensive "bottoms" which 
are of inexhaustible fertility. The most impor- 
tant of these above the mouth of the Ohio, is the 
"American Bottom," extending along the east 
bank from Alton to Chester. Immense sums 
have been spent in the construction of levees for 
the protection of the lands along the lower river 
from overflow, as also in the construction of a 
system of jetties at the mouth, to improve navi- 
gation by deepening the channel. 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE, THE, one of 
the best constructed railroad bridges in the West, 
spanning the Mississippi from Pike, 111. , to Loui- 
siana, Mo. The construction company was char- 
tered, April 25, 1872, and the bridge was ready for 
the passage of trains on Dec. 24, 1873. On Dec. 
3, 1877, it was leased in perpetuity by the Chicago 
& Alton Railway Company, which holds all its 
stock and $150,000 of its bonds as an investment, 
paying a rental of §60,000 per annum, to be applied 
in the payment of 7 per cent interest on stock and 
6 per cent on bonds. In 1894, 871,000 was paid for 
rental, §16,000 going toward a sinking fund. 

MOBILE & OHIO RAILROAD. This company 
operates 160.6 miles of road in Illinois, of which 
151.6 are leased from the St. Louis & Cairo Rail- 
road. (See St. Louis A' Cairo Railroad.) 

MOLINE, a flourishing manufacturing city in 
Rock Island County, incorporated in 1872, on the 
Mississippi above . Rock Island and opposite 
Davenport, Iowa; is 168 miles south of west from 
Chicago, and the intersecting point of three 
trunk lines of railway. Moline, Rock Island and 
Davenport are connected by steam and street 
railways, bridges and ferries. All three obtain 
water-power from the Mississippi. The region 
around Moline is rich in coal, and several pro- 
ductive mines are operated in the vicinity. It is 
an important manufacturing point, its chief out- 
puts being agricultural implements, filters, malle- 
able iron, steam engines, vehicles, lumber, organs 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



381 



(pipe and reed), paper, lead-roofing, wind-mills, 
milling machinery, and furniture. The city has 
admirable water- works, several churches, good 
schools, gas and electric light plants, a public 
library, five banks, three daily and weekly 
papers. It also has an extensive electric power 
plant, electric street cars and interurban line. 
Population (1890), 12.000; (1900), 17,248. 

MOLONEY, Maurice T., ex-Attorney-General, 
was born in Ireland, in 1849; came to America in 
1867, and, after a course in the Seminar}' of "Our 
Lady of the Angels" at Niagara Falls, studied 
theology ; then taught for a time in Virginia and 
studied law at the University of that State, 
graduating in 1871, finally locating at Ottawa, 
111, where he served three years as State"s Attor- 
ney of La Salle County, and, in 1892, was nomi- 
nated and elected Attorney-General on the 
Democratic State ticket, serving until January, 
1897. 

MOMEN'CE, a town in Kankakee County, situ- 
ated on the Kankakee River and at the intersec- 
tion of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois and the 
Indiana, Illinois & Iowa Railroads, 54 miles south 
of Chicago; has water power, a flouring mill, 
enameled brick factory, railway repair shops, two 
banks, two newspapers, five churches and two 
schools. Population (1890), 1,635; (1900), 2,026. 

MONMOUTH, the county-seat of Warren 
County, 26 miles east of the Mississippi River; at 
point of intersection of two lines of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy and the Iowa Central Rail- 
ways. The Santa Fe enters Monmouth on the 
Iowa Central lines. The surrounding couutry is 
agricultural and coal yielding. The city has 
manufactories of agricultural implements, sewer- 
pipe, pottery, paving brick, and cigars. Mon- 
mouth College (United Presbyterian) was 
chartered in 1857, and the library of this institu- 
tion, with that of Warren County (also located 
at Monmouth) aggregates 30.000 volumes. There 
are three national banks, two daily, three weekly 
and two other periodical publications. An ap- 
propriation was made by the Fifty-fifth Congress 
for the erection of a Government building at 
Monmouth. Population (1890), 5.936; (1900), 7,460. 

MONMOUTH COLLEGE, an educational insti- 
tution, controlled by the United Presbyterian 
denomination, but non-sectarian ; located at Mon- 
mouth. It was founded in 1850, its first class 
graduating in 1858. Its Presidents have been 
Drs. D. A. Wallace (1856-78) and J. B. McMichael, 
the latter occupying the position from 1878 until 
1897. In 1896 the faculty consisted of fifteen 
instructors and the number of students was 289. 



The college campus covers ten acres, tastefully 
laid out. The institution confers four degrees — 
A.B., B.S., M.B., and B.L. For the conferring 
of the first three, four years' study is required ; 
for the degree of B.L., three years. 

MONROE, George D., State Senator, was born 
in Jefferson County, N. Y. , Sept. 24, 1844, and 
came with his parents to Illinois in 1849. His 
father having been elected Sheriff of Will County 
in 1864, he became a resident of Joliet, serving 
as a deputy in his father's office. In 1865 he 
engaged in merchandising as the partner of his 
father, which was exchanged, some fifteen years 
later, for the wholesale groceiw trade, and, finally, 
for the real-estate and mortgage-loan business, in 
which he is still employed. He has also been 
extensively engaged in the stone business some 
twenty years, being a large stockholder in the 
Western Stone Company and Vice-President of 
the concern. In 1894 Mr. Monroe was elected, as 
a Republican, to the State Senate from the 
Twenty-fifth District, serving in the Thirty-ninth 
and Fortieth General Assemblies, and proving 
himself one of the most influential members of 
that body. 

MONROE COUNTY, situated in the southwest 
part of the State, bordering on the Mississippi — 
named for President Monroe. Its area is about 
380 square miles. It was organized in 1810 and 
included within its boundaries several of the 
French villages which constituted, for many 
years, a center of civilization in the West. 
American settlers, however, began to locate in 
the district as early as 1781. The county has a 
diversified surface and is heavily timbered. The 
soil is fertile, embracing both upland and river 
bottom. Agriculture and the manufacture and 
shipping of lumber constitute leading occupations 
of the citizens. Waterloo is the county-seat. 
Population (1890), 12.948: (1900), 13,847. 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, an interior county, 
situated northeast of St. Louis and south of 
Springfield; area 702 square miles, population 
(1900), 30,836 — derives its name from Gen. Richard 
Montgomery. The earliest settlements by Ameri- 
cans were toward the close of 1816, county organi- 
zation being effected five years later. The entire 
population, at that time, scarcely exceeded 100 
families. The surface is undulating, well watered 
and timbered. The seat of county government is 
located at Hillsboro. Litchfield is an important 
town. Here are situated car-shops and some 
manufacturing establishments. Conspicuous in 
the county's history as pioneers were Harris 
Reavis, Henry Pyatt, John Levi, Aaron Casey 



382 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



John Tillson, Hiram Rountree, the Wrights 
(Joseph and Charles), the Hills (John and 
Henry), William McDavid and John Russell. 

MONTICELLO, a city and the county-seat of 
Piatt County, on the Sangamon River, midway 
between Chicago and St. Louis, on the Kankakee 
and Bloomington Division of the Illinois Central, 
and the Chicago and St. Louis Division of the 
Wabash Railways. It lies within the ' 'corn belt, " 
and stock-raising is extensively carried on in the 
surrounding country. Among the city industries 
are a foundry and machine shops, steam flour and 
planing mills, broom, cigar and harness-making, 
and patent fence and tile works. The city is 
lighted by electricity, has several elevators, an 
excellent water system, numerous churches and 
good schools, with banks and three weekly 
papers. Population (1890), 1,613; (1900), 1,982. 

MONTICELLO FEMALE SEMINARY, the 
second institution established in Illinois for the 
higher education of women — Jacksonville Female 
Seminary being the first. It was founded 
through the munificence of Capt. Benjamin 
Godfrey, who donated fifteen acres for a site, at 
Godfrey, Madison County, and gave §53,000 
toward erecting and equipping the buildings. 
The institution was opened on April 11, 1838, 
with sixteen young lady pupils, Rev. Theron 
Baldwin, one of the celebrated "Yale Band," 
being the first Principal. In 1845 he was suc- 
ceeded by Miss Philena Fobes, and she, in turn, 
by Miss Harriet N. Haskell, in 1866, who still 
remains in charge. In November, 1883, the 
seminary building, with its contents, was burned ; 
but the institution continued its sessions in tem- 
porary quarters until the erection of a new build- 
ing, which was soon accomplished through the 
generosity of alumn® and friends of female edu- 
cation throughout the country. The new struc- 
ture is of stone, three stories in height, and 
thoroughly modern. The average number of 
pupils is 150, with fourteen instructors, and the 
standard of the institution is of a high character. 

MOORE, Clifton H., lawyer and financier, was 
born at Kirtland, Lake County, Ohio, Oct. 26, 
1817; after a brief season spent in two academies 
and one term in the Western Reserve Teachers' 
Seminary, at Kirtland, in 1839 he came west 
and engaged in teaching at Pekin, 111., while 
giving his leisure to the study of law. He spent 
the next year at Tremont as Deputy County and 
Circuit Clerk, was admitted to the bar at Spring- 
field in 1841, and located soon after at Clinton, 
DeWitt County, which has since been his home. 
In partnership with the late Judge David Davis, 



of Bloomington, Mr Moore, a few years later, 
began operating extensively in Illinois lands, and 
is now one of the largest land proprietors in 
the State, besides being interested in a number 
of manufacturing ventures and a local bank. 
The only official position of importance he has 
held is that of Delegate to the State Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1869-70. He is an enthusi- 
astic collector of State historical and art treasures, 
of which he possesses one of the most valuable 
private collections in Illinois. 

MOORE, Henry, pioneer lawyer, came to Chi- 
cago from Concord, Mass.. in 1834, and was 
almost immediately admitted to the bar, also 
acting for a time as a clerk in the office of Col. 
Richard J. Hamilton, who held pretty much all 
the county offices on the organization of Cook 
County. Mr. Moore was one of the original 
Trustees of Rush Medical College, and obtained 
from the Legislature the first charter for a gas 
company in Chicago. In 1838 he went to Ha- 
vana, Cuba, for the benefit of his failing health, 
but subsequently returned to Concord, Mass., 
where he died some years afterward. 

MOORE, James, pioneer, was born in the State 
of Maryland in 1750 ; was married in his native 
State, about 1772, to Miss Catherine Biggs, later 
removing to Virginia. In 1777 he came to the 
Illinois Country as a spy, preliminary to the con- 
templated expedition of Col. George Rogers 
Clark, which captured Kaskaskia in July, 177s 
After the Clark expedition (in which he served 
as Captain, by appointment of Gov. Patrick 
Henry), he returned to Virginia, where he 
remained until 1781, when he organized a party 
of emigrants, which he accompanied to Illinois, 
spending the winter at Kaskaskia. The following 
year they located at a point in the northern part 
of Monroe County, which afterwards received 
the name of Bellefontaine. After his arrival in 
Illinois, he organized a company of "Minute 
Men," of which he was chosen Captain. He was 
a man of prominence and influence among the 
early settlers, but died in 1788. A numerous and 
influential family of his descendants have grown 
up in Southern Illinois — John (Moore), son of 
the preceding, was born in Maryland in 1773, and 
brought by his father to Illinois eight years later. 
He married a sister of Gen. John D. Whiteside, 
who afterwards became State Treasurer, and -also 
served as Fund Commissioner of the State of Illi- 
nois under the internal improvement system. 
Moore was an officer of the State Militia, and 
served in a company of rangers during the War 
of 1812; was also the first County Treasurer of 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



383 



Monroe County. Died, July 4, 1833.— James B. 
(Moore), the third son of Capt. James Moore, was 
born in 1780, and brought to Illinois by his par- 
euts; in his early manhood he followed the 
business of keel-boating on the Mississippi and 
Ohio Rivers, visiting New Orleans, Pittsburg and 
other points ; became a prominent Indian fighter 
during the War of 1812, and was commissioned 
Captain by Governor Edwards and authorized to 
raise a company of mounted rangers; also 
served as Sheriff of Monroe County, by appoint- 
ment of Governor Edwards, in Territorial days ; 
was Presidential Elector in 1820, and State Sena- 
tor for Madison County in 1836-40, dying in the 
latter year. — Enoch (Moore), fourth son of Capt. 
James Moore, the pioneer, was born in the old 
block-house at Bellefontaine in 1782, being the 
first child born of American parents in Illinois; 
served as a "ranger" in the company of his 
brother, James B. ; occupied the office of Clerk of 
the Circuit Court, and afterwards that of Judge 
of Probate of Monroe County during the Terri- 
torial period ; was Delegate to the Constitutional 
Convention of 1818, and served as Representative 
from Monroe County in the Second General 
Assembly, later filling various county offices for 
some twenty years. He died in 1848. 

MOORE, Jesse H., clergyman, soldier and Con- 
gressman, born near Lebanon, St. Clair County, 
111., April 22, 1817, and graduated from McKen- 
dree College in 1842. For thirteen years he was 
a teacher, during portions of this period being 
successively at the head of three literary insti- 
tutions in the West. In 1849 he was ordained a 
minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but 
resigned pastorate duties in 1862, to take part in 
the War for the Union, organizing the One Hun- 
dred and Fifteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, 
of which he was commissioned Colonel, also serving 
as brigade commander during the last year of the 
war, and being brevetted Brigadier-General at its 
close. After the war he re-entered the ministry, 
but, in 1868, while Presiding Elder of the Decatur 
District, he was elected to the Forty-first Con- 
gress as a Republican, being re-elected in 1870; 
afterwards served as Pension Agent at Spring- 
field, and, in 1881, was appointed United States 
Consul at Callao, Peru, dying in office, in that 
city, July 11, 1883. 

MOORE, John, Lieutenant-Governor (1842-46) ; 
was born in Lincolnshire, Eng. , Sept. 8, 1793; 
came to America and settled in Illinois in 1830, 
spending most of his life as a resident of Bloom- 
ington. In 1838 he was elected to the lower 
branch of the Eleventh General Assembly from 



the McLean District, and, in 1840, to the Senate. 
but before the close of his term, in 1842, was 
elected Lieutenant-Governor with Gov. Thomas 
Ford. At the outbreak of the Mexican War he 
took a conspicuous part in recruiting the Fourth 
Regiment Illinois Volunteers (Col. E. D. Baker's), 
of which he was chosen Lieutenant-Colonel, 
serving gallantly throughout the struggle. In 
1848 he was appointed State Treasurer, as succes- 
sor of Milton Carpenter, who died in office. In 
1850 ha was elected to the same office, and con- 
tinued to discharge its duties until 1857, when he 
was succeeded by James Miller. Died, Sept. 23, 
1863. 

MOORE, Risdon, pioneer, was born in Dela- 
ware in 1760 ; removed to North Carolina in 1789, 
and, a few years later, to Hancock County, Ga., 
where he served two terms in the Legislature. 
He emigrated from Georgia in 1812, and settled 
in St. Clair County, 111. — besides a family of fif- 
teen white persons, bringing with him eighteen 
colored people — the object of his removal being 
to get rid of slavery. He purchased a farm in 
what was known as the "Turkey Hill Settle- 
ment," about four miles east of Belleville, where 
he resided until his death in 1828. Mr. Moore 
became a prominent citizen, was elected to the 
Second Territorial House of Representatives, and 
was chosen Speaker, serving as such for two ses- 
sions (1814-15). He was also Representative from 
St. Clair County in the First, Second and Third 
General Assemblies after the admission of Illinois 
into the Union. In the last of these he was one 
of the most zealous opponents of the pro-slavery 
Convention scheme of 1822-24. He left a numer- 
ous and highly respected family of descendants, 
who were afterwards prominent in public affairs. — 
William (Moore), his son, served as a Captain in 
the War of 1812, and also commanded a company 
in the Black Hawk War. He represented St. 
Clair County in the lower branch of the Ninth 
and Tenth General Assemblies; was a local 
preacher of the Methodist Church, and was Presi- 
dent of the Board of Trustees of McKendree Col- 
lege at the time of his death in 1849. — Risdon 
(Moore), Jr., a cousin of the first named Risdon 
Moore, was a Representative from St. Clair County 
in the Fourth General Assembly and Senator in 
the Sixth, but died before the expiration of his 
term, being succeeded at the next session by 
Adam W. Snyder. 

MOORE, Stephen Richey, lawyer, was born of 
Scotch ancestry, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept. 22 
1832; in 1851, entered Farmers' College near Cin- 
cinnati, graduating in 1856, and, having qualified 



384 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS 



himself for the practice of law, located the fol- 
lowing year at Kankakee, 111., which has since 
been his home. In 185N he was employed in 
defense of the late Father Chiniquy, who recently 
died in Montreal, in one of the celebrated suits 
begun against him by dignitaries of the Roman 
Catholic Church. Mr. Moore is a man of strik- 
ing appearance and great independence of char- 
acter, a Methodist in religious belief and has 
generally acted politically in co-operation witli 
the Democratic party, though strongly anti- 
slavery in his views. In 1872 he was a delegate 
to the Liberal Republican Convention at Cin- 
cinnati which nominated Mr. Greeley for the 
Presidency, and, in 1896, participated in the same 
way in the Indianapolis Convention which nomi- 
nated Gen. John M. Palmer for the same office, in 
the following campaign giving the "Gold Democ- 
racy" a vigorous support. 

MORAN, Thomas A., lawyer and jurist, was 
born at Bridgeport, Conn., Oct. 7, 1839; received 
his preliminary education in the district schools 
of "Wisconsin (to which State his father's family 
had removed in 1846), and at an academy at 
Salem, Wis. ; began reading law at Kenosha in 
1859, meanwhile supporting himself by teaching. 
In May, 1865, he graduated from the Albany 
(N. Y.) Law School, and the same year com- 
menced practice in Chicago, rapidly rising to the 
front rank of his profession. In 1879 he was 
elected a Judge of the Cook Count}' Circuit Court, 
and re-elected in 1885. At the expiration of his 
second term he resumed private practice. "While 
on the bench he at first heard only common law 
cases, but later divided the business of the equity 
side of the court with Judge Tuley. In June, 
1886, he was assigned to the bench of the Appel- 
late Court, of which tribunal he was, for a year, 
Chief Justice. 

MORGAN, James Rarty, soldier, was born in 
Boston, Mass., August 1, 1810, and, at 16 years of 
age, went for a three years' trading voyage on 
the ship "Beverly." When thirty days out a 
mutiny arose, and shortly afterward the vessel 
was burned. Morgan escaped to South America, 
and, after many hardships, returned to Boston. 
In 1834 he removed to Quincy, 111., and engaged 
in mercantile pursuits; aided in raising the 
"Quincy Grays" during the Mormon difficulties 
(1844-45) ; during the Mexican War commanded a 
company in the First Regiment Illinois Volun- 
teers; in 1861 became Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Tenth Regiment in the three months' service, 
and Colonel on reorganization of the regiment 
for three years; was promoted Brigadier-General 



in July, 1862, for meritorious service ; commanded 
a brigade at Nashville, and, in March, 1865, was 
brevetted Major-General for gallantry at Benton- 
ville, N. C, being mustered out, August 24, 1865. 
After the war he resumed business at Quincy, 
111., being President of the Quincy Gas Company 
and Vice-President of a bank; was also Presi- 
dent, for some time, of the Society of the Army 
of the Cumberland. Died, at Quincy, Sept. 12, 1896. 

MORGAN COUNTY, a central county of the 
State, lying west of Sangamon, and bordering on 
the Illinois River — named for Gen. Daniel Mor- 
gan; area, 580 square miles; population (1900), 
35,006. The earliest American settlers were 
probably Elisha and Seymour Kellogg, who 
located on Mauvaisterre Creek in 1818. Dr. George 
Caldwell came in 1820, and was the first phy- 
sician, and Dr. Ero Chandler settled on the pres- 
ent site of the city of Jacksonville in 1821. 
Immigrants began to arrive in large numbers 
about 1822, and, Jan. 31, 1823 the county was 
organized, the first election being held at the 
house of James G. Swinerton, six miles south- 
west of the present city of Jacksonville. Olm- 
stead's Mound was the first county-seat, but this 
choice was only temporary. Two years later, 
Jacksonville was selected, and has ever since so 
continued. (See Jacksonville.) Cass County 
was cut off from Morgan in 1837, and Scott 
County in 1839. About 1837 Morgan was tli6 
most populous county in the State. The county 
is nearly equally divided between woodland and 
prairie, and is well watered. Besides the Illinois 
River on its western border, there are several 
smaller streams, among them Indian, Apple, 
Sandy and Mauvaisterre Creeks. Bituminous 
coal underlies the eastern part of the county, and 
thin veins crop out along the Illinois River 
bluffs. Sandstone has also been quarried. 

MORGAN PARK, a suburban village of Cook 
County, 13 miles south of Chicago, on the Chi- 
cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway ; is the seat 
of the Academy (a preparatory branch) of the 
University of Chicago and the Scandinavian De- 
partment of the Divinity School connected with 
the same institution. Population (1880), 187; 
(1890), 1,027; (1900), 2.329. 

MORMONS, a religious sect, founded by Joseph 
Smith, Jr., at Fayette, Seneca County, N. Y., 
August 6, 1830, sty ling themselves the "Church of 
Jesus Christ of Latter-Da)' Saints. " Membership 
in 1892 was estimated at 230,000, of whom some 
20,000 were outside of the United States. Their 
religious teachings are peculiar. They avow faith 
in the Trinity and in the Bible (as by them 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



385 



interpreted). The)- believe, however, that the 
"Book of Mormon" — assumed to be of divine 
origin and a direct revelation to Smith — is of 
equal authority with the Scriptures, if not supe- 
rior to them. Among their ordinances are 
baptism and the laying-on of hands, and, in their 
church organization, they recognize various orders 
— apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangel- 
ists, etc. They also believe in the restoration of 
the Ten Tribes and the literal re assembling of 
Israel, the return and rule of Christ in person, 
and the rebuilding of Ziou in America. Polyg- 
amy is encouraged and made an article of faith, 
though professedly not practiced under existing 
laws in the United States. The supreme power 
is vested in a President, who has authority in 
temporal and spiritual affairs alike ; although 
there is less effort now than formerly, on the part 
of the priesthood, to interfere in temporalities. 
Driven from New York in 1831, Smith and his 
followers first settled at Kirtland, Ohio. There, 
for a time, the sect flourished and built a temple; 
but, within seven years, their doctrines and prac- 
tices excited so much hostility that they were 
forced to make another removal. Their next 
settlement was at Far West. Mo. ; but here the 
hatred toward them became so intense as to 
result in open war. From Missouri they 
recrossed the Mississippi and founded the city 
of Nauvoo, near Commerce, in Hancock County, 
111. The charter granted by the Legislature was 
an extraordinary instrument, and well-nigh made 
the city independent of the State. Nauvoo soon 
obtained commercial importance, in two years 
becoming a city of some 16,000 inhabitants. The 
Mormons rapidly became a powerful factor in 
State politics, when there broke out a more 
bitter public enmity than the sect had yet en- 
countered. Internal dissensions also sprang up. 
and, in 1844, a discontented Mormon founded a 
newspaper at Nauvoo, in which he violently 
assailed the prophet and threatened him with 
exposure. Smith's answer to this was the de- 
struction of the printing office, and the editor 
promptly secured a warrant for his arrest, return- 
able at Carthage. Smith went before a friendly 
justice at Nauvoo, who promptly discharged him, 
but he positively refused to appear before the 
Carthage magistrate. Thereupon the latter 
issued a second warrant, charging Smith with 
treason. This also was treated with contempt. 
The militia was called out to make the arrest, and 
the Mormons, who had formed a strong military 
organization, armed to defend their leader. 
After a few trifling clashes between the soldiers 



and the "Saints," Smith was persuaded to sur- 
render and go to Carthage, the county-seat, where 
he was incarcerated in the county jail. Within 
twenty- four hours (on Sunday, June 27, 1844), a 
mob attacked the prison. Joseph Smith and his 
brother Hyrum were killed, and some of their 
adherents, who had accompanied them to jail, 
were wounded. Brigham Young (then an 
apostle) at once assumed the leadership and, 
after several months of intense popular excite- 
ment, in the following year led his followers 
across the Mississippi, finally locating (1847) in 
Utah. (See also Nauvoo.) There their history 
has not been free from charges of crime; but, 
whatever may be the character of the leaders, 
they have succeeded in building up a prosperous 
community in a region which they found a vir- 
tual desert, a little more than forty years ago. 
The polity of the Church has been greatly modi- 
fied in consequence of restrictions placed upon it 
by Congressional legislation, especially in refer- 
ence to polygamy, and by contact with other 
communities. (See Smith, Joseph.) 

MORRIS, a city and the county-seat of Grundy 
County, on the Illinois River, the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, and the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railroad, 61 miles southwest of Chicago. 
It is an extensive grain market, and the center of 
a region rich in bituminous coal. There is valu- 
able water-power here, and much manufacturing 
is done, including builders' hardware, plows, iron 
specialties, paper car-wheels, brick and tile, flour 
and planing-mills, oatmeal and tanned leather, 
There are also a normal and scientific school, two 
national banks and three daily and weekly news- 
papers. Population (1880), 3,486; (1890), 3,653; 
(1900), 4,273. 

MORRIS, Buckner Smith, early lawyer born 
at Augusta, Ky., August 19, 1800; was admitted 
to the bar in 1827, and, for seven years thereafter, 
continued to reside in Kentucky, serving two 
terms in the Legislature of that State. In 1834 
he removed to Chicago, took an active part in 
the incorporation of the city, and was elected its 
second Mayor in 1838. In 1840 he was a Whig 
candidate for Presidential Elector. Abraham 
Lincoln running on the same ticket, and, in 
1852, was defeated as the Whig candidate for 
Secretary of State. He was elected a Judge of 
the Seventh Circuit in 1851, but declined a re- 
nomination in 1855. In 1856 he accepted the 
American (or Know-Nothing) nomination for 
Governor, and, in I860, that of the Bell-Everett 
party for the same office. He was vehemently 
opposed to the election of either Lincoln or 



386 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Breckenridge to the Presidency, believing that 
civil war would result in either event. A shadow 
was thrown across his life, in 1864, by his arrest 
and trial for alleged complicity in a rebel plot to 
burn and pillage Chicago and liberate the 
prisoners of war held at Camp Douglas. The 
trial, however, which was held at Cincinnati, 
resulted in his acquittal. Died, in Kentucky, 
Dec. 18, 1879. Those who knew Judge Morris, in 
his early life in the city of Chicago, describe him 
as a man of genial and kindly disposition, in spite 
of his opposition to the abolition of slavery — a 
fact which, no doubt, had much to do with his 
acquittal of the charge of complicity with the 
Camp Douglas conspiracy, as the evidence of his 
being in communication with the leading con- 
spirators appears to have been conclusive. (See 
Camp Douglas Conspiracy.) 

MORRIS, Freeman P., lawyer and politician, 
was born in Cook County, 111., March 19, 1854, 
labored on a farm and attended the district 
school in his youth, but completed his education 
in Chicago, graduating from the Union College 
of Law, and was admitted to practice in 1874, 
when he located at Watseka, Iroquois County. 
In 1884 he was elected, as a Democrat, to the 
House of Representatives from the Iroquois Dis- 
trict, and has since been re-elected in 1888, '94, 
'96, being one of the most influential members of 
his party in that body. In 1893 he was appointed 
by Governor Altgeld Aid-de-Camp, with the rank 
of Colonel, on his personal staff, but resigned in 
1896. 

MORRIS, Isaac Newton, lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born at Bethel. Clermont County, 
Ohio, Jan. 22, 1812; educated at Miami Univer- 
sity, admitted to the bar in 1835, and the next 
year removed to Quincy, 111. ; was a member and 
President of the Board of Canal Commissioners 
(1842-43), served in the Fifteenth General Assem- 
bly (1846-48) ; was elected to Congress as a Demo- 
crat in 1856, and again in 1858, but opposed the 
admission of Kansas under the Lecompton Con- 
stitution ; in 1868 supported General Grant — who 
had been his friend in boyhood — for President, 
and, in 1870, was appointed a member of the 
Union Pacific Railroad Commission. Died, Oct. 
29, 1S7!» 

MORRISON, a city, the county-seat of White- 
side County, founded in 1855; is a station on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, 124 miles 
west of Chicago. Agriculture, dairying and 
stock-raising are the principal pursuits in the 
surrounding region. The city has good water- 
works, sewerage, electric lighting and several 



manufactories, including carriage and refriger 
ator works; also has numerous churches, a large 
graded school, a public library and adequate 
banking facilities, and two weekly papers. 
Greenhouses for cultivation of vegetables for 
winter market are carried on. Pop. (1900), 2,308. 

MORRISON, Isaac L., lawyer and legislator, 
born in Barren County, Ky., in 1826; was edu- 
cated in the common schools and the Masonic 
Seminary of his native State; admitted to the 
bar, and came to Illinois in 1851, locating at 
Jacksonville, where he has become a leader of 
the bar and of the Republican party, which he 
assisted to organize as a member of its first State 
Convention at Bloomington, in 1856. He was also 
a delegate to the Republican National Convention 
of 1864, which nominated Abraham Lincoln for 
the Presidency a second time. Mr. Morrison was 
three times elected to the lower house of the 
General Assembly (1876, '78 and '82), and, by his 
clear judgment and incisive powers as a public 
speaker, took a high rank as a leader in that 
body. Of late years, he has given his attention 
solely to the practice of his profession in 
Jacksonville 

MORRISON, .limit's Lowery Donaldson, poli- 
tician, lawyer and Congressman, was born at Kas- 
kaskia, 111., April 12, 1816; at the age of 16 was 
appointed a midshipman in the United States 
Navy, but leaving the service in 1836, read law 
with Judge Nathaniel Pope, and was admitted to 
the bar, practicing at Belleville. He was elected 
to the lower house of the General Assembly from 
St. Clair County, in 1844, and to the State Senate 
in 1848, and again in '54. In 1852 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate for the Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernorship on the Whig ticket, but, on the disso- 
lution of that party, allied himself with the 
Democracy, and was, for many years, its leader in 
Southern Illinois. In 1855 he was elected to Con- 
gress to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna- 
tion of Lyman Trumbull, who had been elected to 
the United States Senate. In 1860 he was a can- 
didate before the Democratic State Convention 
for the nomination for Governor, but was defeated 
by James C. Allen. After that year lie took no 
prominent part in public affairs. At the outbreak 
of the Mexican War he was among the first to 
raise a company of volunteers, and was commis- 
sioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment 
(Colonel Bissell's). For gallant services at Buena 
Vista, the Legislature presented him with a 
sword. He took a prominent part in the incor- 
poration of railroads, and, it is claimed, drafted 
and introduced in the Legislature the charter of 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



387 



the Illinois Central Railroad in 1851. Died, at 
St. Louis, Mo., August 14, 1888. 

MORRISON, William, pioneer merchant, came 
from Philadelphia, Pa., to Kaskaskia, 111., in 1790, 
as representative of the mercantile house of 
Bryant & Morrison, of Philadelphia, and finally 
established an extensive trade throughout the 
Mississippi Valley, supplying merchants at St. 
Louis, St. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau and New- 
Madrid. He is also said to have sent an agent 
with a stock of goods across the plains, with a 
view to opening up trade with the Mexicans at 
Santa Fe, about 1804, but was defrauded by the 
agent, who appropriated the goods to his own 
benefit without accounting to his employer. 
He became the principal merchant in the Terri- 
tory, doing a thriving business in early days, 
when Kaskaskia was the principal supply point 
for merchants throughout the valley. He is de- 
scribed as a public-spirited, enterprising man, to 
whom was due the chief part of the credit for 
securing construction of a bridge across the Kas- 
kaskia River at the town of that name. He died 
at Kaskaskia in 1837, and was buried in the ceme- 
tery there. — Robert (Morrison), a brother of the 
preceding, came to Kaskaskia in 1793, was 
appointed Clerk of the Common Pleas Court in 
1801, retaining the position for many years, 
besides holding other local offices. He was the 
father of Col. James L. D. Morrison, politician 
and soldier of the Mexican War, whose sketch is 
given elsewhere. — Joseph (Morrison), the oldest 
son of William Morrison, went to Ohio, residing 
there several years, but finally returned to Prairie 
du Rocher, where he died in 1845. — James, 
another son, went to Wisconsin ; William located 
at Belleville, dying there in 1843; while Lewis* 
another son, settled at Covington, Washington 
County, 111., where he practiced medicine up to 
1851; then engaged in mercantile business at 
Chester, dying there in 1856. 

MORRISON, William Ralls, ex-Congressman, 
Inter-State Commerce Commissioner, was born, 
Sept. 14, 1825, in Monroe County, 111., and edu- 
cated at McKendree College ; served as a private 
in the Mexican War, at its close studied law, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1805; in 1852 was 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe 
County, but resigned before the close of his term, 
accepting the office of Representative in the State 
Legislature, to which he was elected in 1854; was 
re-elected in 1856, and again in 1858, serving as 
Speaker of the House during the session of 1859. 
In 1861 he assisted in organizing the Forty-ninth 
Regiment Illinois Volunteers and was commis- 



sioned Colonel. The regiment was mustered in, 
Dec. 31, 1861, and took part in the battle of Fort 
Donelson in February following, where he was 
severely wounded. While yet in the service, in 
1862, he was elected to Congress as a Democrat, 
when he resigned his commission, but was de- 
feated for re-election, in 1864, by Jehu Baker, as 
he was again in 1866. In 1870 he was again 
elected to the General Assembly, and, two years 
later (1872), returned to Congress from the Belle- 
ville District, after which he served in that body, 
by successive re-elections, nine terms and until 
1887, being for several terms Chairman of the 
House Ways and Means Committee and promi- 
nent in the tariff legislation of that period. In 
March, 1887, President Cleveland appointed him 
a member of the first Inter-State Commerce Com- 
mission for a period of five years; at the close of 
his term he was reappointed, by President Harri- 
son, for a full term of six years, serving a part of 
the time as President of the Board, and retiring 
from office in 1898. 

MORRISON VILLE, a town in Christian 
County, situated on the Wabasli Railway, 40 
miles southwest of Decatur and 20 miles north- 
northef.st of Litchfield Grain is extensively 
raised in the surrounding region, and Morrison- 
ville, with its elevators and mill, is an important 
shipping-point. It has brick and tile works, 
electric lights, two banks, five churches, graded 
and high schools, and a weekly paper. Popula- 
tion (1890), 844; ,1900), 934; (1903, est.), 1,200. 

MORTON, a village of Tazewell County, at the 
intersection of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 
and the Terre Haute & Peoria Railroads, 10 miles 
southeast of Peoria; has factories, a bank and a 
newspaper. Population (1890), 657; (1900), 894. 

MORTON, Joseph, pioneer farmer and legisla- 
tor, was born in Virginia, August 1, 1801 ; came 
to Madison County, 111. , in 1819, and the follow- 
ing year to Morgan County, when he engaged in 
farming in the vicinity of Jacksonville. He 
served as a member of the House in the Tenth 
and Fifteenth General Assemblies, and as Senator 
in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth. He was a 
Democrat in politics, but, on questions of State 
and local policy, was non-partisan, faithfully 
representing the interests of his constituents. 
Died, at his home near Jacksonville, March 2, 1881 

MOSES, Adolph, lawyer, was born in Speyer. 
Germany, Feb. 27, 1837, and, until fifteen years 
of age, was educated in the public and Latin 
schools of his native country ; in the latter part 
of 1852, came to America, locating in New- 
Orleans, and, for some years, being a law student 



:;.xs 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in Louisiana University, under the preceptorship 
of Randall Hunt and other eminent lawyers of 
that State. In the early days of the Civil War 
he espoused the cause of the Confederacy, serving 
some two years as an officer of the Twenty -first 
Louisiana Regiment. Coming north at the expi- 
ration of this period, he resided for a time in 
Quincy, 111., but, in 1869, removed to Chicago, 
where he took a place in the front rank at the 
bar, and where he has resided ever since. 
Although in sympathy with the general princi- 
ples of the Democratic party, Judge Moses is an 
independent voter, as shown by the fact that he 
voted for General Grant for President in 1868, 
and supported the leading measures of the Repub- 
lican party in 1896. He is the editor and pub- 
lisher of "The National Corporation Reporter," 
established in 1890, and which is devoted to the 
interests of business corporations. 

MOSES, John, lawyer and author, was born at 
Niagara Falls, Canada, Sept. 18, 1825; came to 
Illinois in 1837, his family locating first at Naples, 
Scott County. He pursued the vocation of a 
teacher for a time, studied law, was elected Clerk 
of the Circuit Court for Scott County in 1856, and 
served as County Judge from 1857 to 1861. The 
latter year he became the private secretary of 
Governor Yates, serving until 1863, during that 
period assisting in the organization of seventy- 
seven regiments of Illinois Volunteers. While 
serving in this capacity, in company with Gov- 
ernor Yates, he attended the famous conference 
of loyal Governors, held at Altoona, Pa., in Sep- 
tember, 1862, and afterwards accompanied the 
Governors in their call upon President Lincoln, a 
few days after the issue of the preliminary proc- 
lamation of emancipation. Having received the 
appointment, from President Lincoln, of Assessor 
of Internal Revenue for the Tenth Illinois Dis- 
trict, he resigned the position of private secretary 
to Governor Yates. In 1874 he was chosen 
Representative in the Twenty-ninth General 
Assembly for the District composed of Scott, 
Pike and Calhoun Counties ; served as a delegate 
to the National Republican Convention at Phila- 
delphia, in 1872, and as Secretary of the Board of 
Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners for 
three years (1880-83). He was then appointed 
Special Agent of the Treasury Department, and 
assigned to duty in connection with the customs 
revenue at Chicago. In 1887 he was chosen Sec- 
retary of the Chicago Historical Society, serving 
until 1893. While connected with the Chicago 
Historical Library he brought out the most com- 
plete History of Illinois yet published, in two 



volumes, and also, in connection with the late 
Major Kirkland, edited a History of Chicago in 
two large volumes. Other literary work done by 
Judge Moses, includes "Personal Recollections of 
Abraham Lincoln" and "Richard Yates, the 
War Governor of Illinois," in the form of lectures 
or addresses. Died in Chicago, July 3, 1898. 

MOULTON, Samuel TV., lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born at Wenham, Mass., Jan. 20, 1822, 
where he was educated in the public schools. 
After spending some years in the South, he 
removed to Illinois (1845), where he studied law, 
and was admitted to the bar, commencing prac- 
tice at Shelbyville. From 1852 to 1859 he was a 
member of the lower house of the General Assem- 
bly ; in 1857, was a Presidential Elector on the 
Buchanan ticket, and was President of the State 
Board of Education from 1859 to 1876. In is<>4 
he was elected, as a Republican, Representative in 
Congress for the State-at-large, being elected 
again, as a Democrat, from the Shelbyville Dis- 
trict, in 1880 and '82. During the past few years 
(including the campaign of 1896) Mr. Moulton 
has acted in cooperation with the Republican 
party. 

MOULTRIE COUNTY, a comparatively small 
county in the eastern section of the middle tier of 
the State — named for a revolutionary hero. Area, 
340 square miles, and population (by the census 
of 1900), 15,224. Moultrie was one of the early 
"stamping grounds" of the Kickapoos, who were 
always friendly to English-speaking settlers. The 
earliest immigrants were from the Southwest, 
but arrivals from Northern States soon followed. 
County organization was effected in 1843, both 
Shelby and Macon Counties surrendering a portion 
of territory. A vein of good bituminous coal 
underlies the county, but agriculture is the more 
important industry. Sullivan is the county-seat, 
selected in 1845. In 1890 its population was about 
1,700. Hon. Richard J. Oglesby (former Gover- 
nor, Senator and a Major-General in the Civil 
War) began the practice of law here. 

MOUND-BUILDERS, WORKS OF THE. One 
of the most conclusive evidences that the Mis- 
sissippi Valley was once occupied by a people 
different in customs, character and civilization 
from the Indians found occupying the soil when 
the first white explorers visited it, is the exist- 
ence of certain artificial mounds and earthworks, 
of the origin and purposes of which the Indians 
seemed to have no knowledge or tradition. These 
works extend throughout the valley from the 
Allegheny to the Rocky Mountains, being much 
more numerous, however, in some portions than 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



389 



in others, and also varying greatly in form. This 
fact, with the remains found in some of them, has 
been regarded as evidence that the purposes of 
their construction were widely variant. They 
have consequently been classified by archaeolo- 
gists as sepulchral, religious, or defensive, while 
some seem to have had a purpose of which 
writers on the subject are unable to form any 
satisfactory conception, and which are, therefore, 
still regarded as an unsolved mystery. Some of 
the most elaborate of these works are found along 
the eastern border of the Mississippi Valley, 
especially in Ohio ; and the fact that they appear 
to belong to the defensive class, has led to the 
conclusion that this region was occupied by a race 
practically homogeneous, and that these works 
were designed to prevent the encroachment of 
hostile races from beyond the Alleghenies. Illi- 
nois being in the center of the valley, compara- 
tively few of these defensive works are found 
here, those of this character which do exist being 
referred to a different era and race. (See Forti- 
fications,. Prehistoric.) While these works are 
numerous in some portions of Illinois, their form 
and structure give evidence that they were 
erected by a peaceful people, however bloody 
may have been some of the rites performed on 
those designed for a religious purpose. Their 
numbers also imply a dense population. This is 
especially true of that portion of the American 
Bottom opposite the city of St. Louis, which is 
the seat of the most remarkable group of earth 
works of this character on the continent. The 
central, or principal structure of this group, is 
known, locally, as the great "Cahokia Mound," 
being situated near the creek of that name which 
empties into the Mississippi just below the city 
of East St. Louis. It is also called "Monks' 
Mound," from the fact that it was occupied early 
in the present century by a community of Monks 
of La Trappe. a portion of whom succumbed to 
the malarial influences of the climate, while the 
survivors returned to the original seat of their 
order. This mound, from its form and com- 
manding size, has been supposed to belong to the 
class called "temple mounds," and has been de- 
scribed as "the monarch of all similar structures" 
and the "best representative of its class in North 
America." The late William McAdams, of 
Alton, who surveyed this group some years since, 
in his "Records of Ancient Races," gives the fol- 
lowing description of this principal structure: 

"In the center of a great mass of mounds and 
earth-works there stands a mighty pyramid 
whose base covers nearly sixteen acres of ground. 



It is not exactly square, being a parallelogram a 
little longer north and south than east and west. 
Some thirty feet above the base, on the south side, 
is an apron or terrace, on which now grows an 
orchard of considerable size. This terrace is 
approached from the plain by a graded roadway. 
Thirty feet above this terrace, and on the west 
side, is another much smaller, on which are now 
growing some forest trees. The top, which con- 
tains an acre and a half, is divided into two 
nearly equal parts, the northern part being four 
or five feet the higher. . . . On the north, 
east and south, the structure still retains its 
straight side, that probably has changed but little 
since the settlement of the country by white 
men, but remains in appearance to-day the same 
as centuries ago. The west side of the pyramid, 
however, has its base somewhat serrated and 
seamed by ravines, evidently made by rainstorms 
and the elements. From the second terrace a 
well, eighty feet in depth, penetrates the base of 
the structure, which is plainly seen to be almost 
wholly composed of the black, sticky soil of the 
surrounding plain. It is not an oval or conical 
mound or hill, but a pyramid with straight 
sides." The approximate height of this mound 
is ninety feet. When first seen by white men, 
this was surmounted by a small conical mound 
some ten feet in height, from which human 
remains and various relics were taken while 
being leveled for the site of a house. Messrs. 
Squier and Davis, in their report on "Ancient 
Monuments of the Mississippi Valley," published 
by the Smithsonian Institute (1848), estimate the 
contents of the structure at 20,000,000 cubic feet. 
A Mr. Breckenridge, who visited these mounds 
in 1811 and published a description of them, esti- 
mates that the construction of this principal 
mound must have required the work of thousands 
of laborers and years of time. The upper terrace, 
at the time of his visit, was occupied by the 
Trappists as a kitchen garden, and the top of the 
structure was sown in wheat. He also found 
numerous fragments of flint and earthern ves- 
sels, and concludes that "a populous city once 
existed here, similar to those of Mexico described 
by the first conquerors. The mounds were sites 
of temples or monuments to great men. " Accord- 
ing to Mr. McAdams, there are seventy-two 
mounds of considerable size within two miles of 
the main structure, the group extending to the 
mouth of the Cahokia and embracing over one 
hundred in all. Most of these are square, rang- 
ing from twenty to fifty feet in height, a few are 
oval and one or two conical. Scattered among 



390 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the mounds are also a number of small lakes, 
evidently of artificial origin. From the fact 
that there were a number of conspicuous 
mounds on the Missouri side of the river. 
on the present site of the city of St. Louis 
and its environs, it is believed that they all 
belonged to the same system and had a common 
purpose; the Cahokia Mound, from its superior 
size, being the center of the group — and probably 
used for sacrificial purposes. The whole number 
of these structures in the American Bottom, 
whose outlines were still visible a few years ago, 
was estimated by Dr. J. W. Foster at nearly two 
hundred, and the presence of so large a number 
in close proximity, has been accepted as evidence 
of a large population in the immediate vicinity. 
Mr. McAdams reports the finding of numerous 
specimens of pottery and artificial ornaments and 
implements in the Cahokia mounds and in caves 
and mounds between Alton and the mouth of the 
Illinois River, as well as on the latter some 
twenty-five miles from its mouth. Among the 
relics found in the Illinois River mounds was a 
burial vase, and Mr. McAdams says that, in 
thirty years, he has unearthed more than a 
thousand of these, many of which closely 
resemble those found in the mounds of Europe. 
Dr. Foster also makes mention of an ancient 
cemetery near Chester, in which "'each grave, 
when explored, is found to contain a cist enclos- 
ing a skeleton, for the most part far gone in 
decay. These cists are built up and covered with 
slabs of limestone, which here abound. " — Another 
noteworthy group of mounds — though far inferior 
to the Cahokia group — exists near Hutsonville in 
Crawford County. As described in the State 
Geological Survey, this group consists of fifty- 
five elevations, irregularly dispersed over an area 
of 1,000 by 1.400 to 1,500 feet, and varying from 
fourteen to fifty feet in diameter, the larger ones 
having a height of five to eight feet. From their 
form and arrangement these are believed to have 
been mounds of habitation. In the southern por- 
tion of this group are four mounds of peculiar 
construction and larger size, each surrounded 
by a low ridge or earthwork, with openings facing 
towards each other, indicating that they were 
defense-works. The location of this group — a 
few miles from a prehistoric fortification at 
Merom, on the Indiana side of the Wabash, to 
which the name of "Fort Azatlan" has been 
given — induces the belief that the two groups, 
like those in the American Bottom and at St. 
Louis, were parts of the same system. — Professor 
Engelman, in the part of the State Geological 



Survey devoted to Massac County, alludes to a 
remarkable group of earthworks in the Black 
Bend of the Ohio, as an "extensive" system of 
"fortifications and mounds which probably 
belong to the same class as those in the Missis- 
sippi Bottom opposite St. Louis and at other 
points farther up the Ohio." In the report of 
Government survey by Dan W. Beckwith, in 1834, 
mention is made of a very large mound on the 
Kankakee River, near the mouth of Rock Creek, 
now a part of Kankakee County. This had a 
base diameter of about 100 feet, with a height of 
twenty feet, and contained the remains of a 
large number of Indians killed in a celebrated 
battle, in which the Illinois and Chippewas, and 
the Delawares and Shawnees took part. Near 
by were two other mounds, said to contain the 
remains of the chiefs of the two parties. In this 
case, mounds of prehistoric origin had probably 
been utilized as burial places by the aborigines at 
a comparatively recent period. Related to the 
Kankakee mounds, in location if not in period of 
construction, is a group of nineteen in number on 
the site of the present city of Morris, in Grundy 
County. Within a circuit of three miles of 
Ottawa it has been estimated that there were 
3,000 mounds — though many of these are believed 
to have been of Indian origin. Indeed, the whole 
Illinois Valley is full of these silent monuments 
of a prehistoric age, but they are not generally of 
the conspicuous character of those found in the 
vicinity of St. Louis and attributed to the Mound 
Builders. — A very large and numerous group of 
these monuments exists along the bluffs of the 
Mississippi River, in the western part of Rock 
Island and Mercer Counties, chiefly between 
Drury's Landing and New Boston. Mr. J. E. 
Stevenson, in "The American Antiquarian," a 
few years ago, estimated that there were 2,500 of 
these within a circuit of fifty miles, located in 
groups of two or three to 100, varying in diameter 
from fifteen to 150 feet, with an elevation of two 
to fifteen feet. There are also numerous burial 
and sacrificial mounds in the vicinity of Chilli- 
cothe, on the Illinois River, in the northeastern 
part of Peoria County. — There are but few speci- 
mens of the animal or effigy mounds, of which so 
many exist in Wisconsin, to be found in Illinois ; 
and the fact that these are found chiefly on Rock 
River, leaves no doubt of a common origin with 
the Wisconsin groups. The most remarkable of 
these is the celebrated "Turtle Mound," within 
the present limits of the city of Rockford — though 
some regard it as having more resemblance to an 
alligator. This figure, which is maintained in a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



891 



good state of preservation by the citizens, has an 
extreme length of about 150 feet, by fifty in 
width at the front legs and thirty-nine at the 
hind legs, and an elevation equal to the height 
of a man. There are some smaller mounds in 
the vicinity, and some bird effigies on Rock River 
some six miles below Rockford. There is also an 
animal effigy near the village of Hanover, in Jo 
Daviess County, with a considerable group of 
round mounds and embankments in the immedi- 
ate vicinity, besides a smaller effigy of a similar 
character on the north side of the Pecatonica in 
Stephenson County, some ten miles east of Free- 
port. The Rock River region seems to have been 
a favorite field for the operations of the mound- 
builders, as shown by the number and variety of 
these structures, extending from Sterling, in 
Whiteside County, to the Wisconsin State line. A 
large number of these were to be found in the 
vicinity of the Kishwaukee River in the south- 
eastern part of Winnebago County. The famous 
prehistoric fortification on Rock River, just 
beyond the Wisconsin boundary — which seems to 
have been a sort of counterpart of the ancient 
Fort Azatlan on the Indiana side of the Wabash 
— appears to have had a close relation to the 
works of the mound-builders on the same stream 
in Illinois. 

MOUND CITY, the county-seat of Pulaski 
County, on the Ohio River, seven miles north of 
Cairo; is on a branch line of the Illinois Central 
and the Cleveland, Cincinnati. Chicago & St. 
Louis Railroad. The chief industries are lumber- 
ing and ship-building; also has furniture, canning 
and other factories. One of the United States 
National Cemeteries is located here. The town 
has a bank and two weekly papers. Population 
(1890). 2,550; (1900), 2,705; (1903, est.), 3,500. 

MOUNT CARMEL, a city and the county-seat 
of Wabash County; is the point of junction of 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati. Chicago & St. Louis 
and the Southern Railroads, 132 miles northeast 
of Cairo, and 24 miles southwest of Vincennes, 
Ind. ; situated on the Wabash River, which sup- 
plies good water-power for saw mills, flouring 
mills, and some other manufactures. The town 
has railroad shops and two daily newspapers. 
Agriculture and lumbering are the principal 
pursuits of the people of the surrounding district. 
Population (1890), 3,376; (1900), 4,311. 

MOUNT CARROLL, the county-seat of Carroll 
County, an incorporated city, founded in 1843; 
is 128 miles southwest of Chicago, on the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Farming, 
stock-raising and mining are the principal indus- 



tries. It has five churches, excellent schools, 
good libraries, two daily and two semi-weekly 
newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,836; (1900)* 1,965. 

MOUNT CARROLL SEMINARY, a young 
ladies' seminary, located at Mount Carroll, Carroll 
County; incorporated in 1852; had a faculty of 
thirteen members in 1896, with 126 pupils, prop- 
erty valued at §100,000, and a library of 5,000 
volumes. 

MOUNT MORRIS, a town in Ogle County, situ- 
ated on the Chicago & Iowa Division of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 108 miles 
west by north from Chicago, and 24 miles south- 
west of Rockford; is the seat of Mount Morris 
College and flourishing public school; has hand- 
some stone and brick buildings, three churches 
and two newspapers. Population (1900), 1,048. 

MOUNT OLIVE, a village of Macoupin County, 
on the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis and the 
Wabash Railways, 68 miles southwest of Decatur ; 
in a rich agricultural and coal-mining region. 
Population (1880), 709; (1890), 1,986 ;(1900), 2,935. 

MOUNT PULASKI, a village and railroad junc- 
tion in Logan County, 21 miles northwest of 
Decatur and 24 miles northeast of Springfield. 
Agriculture, coal-mining and stock-raising are 
leading industries. It is also an important ship- 
ping point for grain, and contains several 
elevators and flouring mills. Population (1880), 
1,125; (1890), 1,357; (1900), 1,643. 

MOUNT STERLING, a city, the county -seat of 
Brown County, midway between Quincy and 
Jacksonville, on the Wabash Railway. It is sur- 
rounded by a rich farming country, and has ex- 
tensive deposits of clay and coal. It contains six 
churches and four schools (two large public, and 
two parochial). The town is lighted by elec- 
tricity and has public water-works. Wagons, 
brick, tile and earthenware are manufactured 
here, and three weekly newspapers are pub- 
lished. Population (1880), 1,445; (1890), 1,655; 
(1900), 1,960. 

MOUNT VERNON, a city and county-seat of 
Jefferson County, on three trunk lines of railroad, 
77 miles east-southeast of St. Louis; is the center 
of a rich agricultural and coal region; has many 
flourishing manufactories, including car-works, a 
plow factory, flouring mills, pressed brick fac- 
tory, canning factory, and is an important ship- 
ping-point for grain, vegetables and fruits. The 
Appellate Court for the Southern Grand Division 
is held here, and the city has nine churches, fine 
school buildings, a Carnegie library, two banks, 
heating plant, two daily and three weekly papers. 
Population (1890). 3,233; (1900). 5.216. 



392 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



MOl'XT VERNON ii GRAYVILLE RAILROAD. 

(See Peoria, Decatur &■ Evansville Railway.) 

MOWEA0.UA, a village of Shelby County, on 
the Illinois Central Railroad, 10 miles south of 
Decatur; is in rich agricultural and stock-raising 
section ; has coal mine, three banks and two 
newspapers. Population (1890), 848; (1900), 1,478. 
MUDD, (Col.) John J., soldier, was born in 
St. Charles County, Mo., Jan. 9, 1820; his father 
having died in 1833, his mother removed to Pike 
County, 111., to free her children from the influ- 
ence of slavery. In 1849, and again in 1850, he 
made the overland journey to California, each 
time returning by the Isthmus, his last visit ex- 
tending into 1851. In 1854 he engaged in the 
commission business in St. Louis, as head of the 
firm of Mudd & Hughes, but failed in the crash 
of 1857; then removed to Chicago, and, in 1861, 
was again in prosperous business. While on a 
business visit in New Orleans, in December, 1860, 
he had an opportunity of learning the growing 
spirit of secession, being advised by friends to 
leave the St. Charles Hotel in order to escape a 
mob. In September, 1861, he entered the army 
as Major of the Second Illinois Cavalry (Col. 
Silas Noble), and, in the next few months, was 
stationed successively at Cairo, Bird's Point and 
Paducah, Ky. , and, in February, 1862, led the 
advance of General McClernand's division in the 
attack on Fort Donelson. Here he was severely 
wounded ; but. after a few weeks in hospital at St. 
Louis, was sufficiently recovered to rejoin his 
regiment soon after the battle of Shiloh. Unable 
to perform cavalry duty, he was attached to the 
staff of General McClernand during the advance 
on Corinth, but, in October following, at the head 
of 400 men of his regiment, was transferred to 
the command of General McPherson. Early in 
1863 he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
soon after to a colonelcy, taking part in the 
movement against Vicksburg. June 13, he was 
again severely wounded, but, a few weeks later, 
was on duty at New Orleans, and subsequently 
participated in the operations in Southwestern 
Louisiana and Texas. On May 1, 1864, he left 
Baton Rouge for Alexandria, as Chief of Staff to 
General McClernand, but two days later, while 
approaching Alexandria on board the steamer, 
was shot through the head and instantly killed. 
He was a gallant soldier anil greatly beloved by 
his troops. 

MULBERRY GROVE, a village of Bond County, 
on the Terre Haute & Indianapolis (Vandalia) 
Railroad, 8 miles northeast of Greenville; has a 
local newspaper. Pop (1890), 750; (1900), 632. 



MULLIGAN, James A., soldier, was born of 
Irish parentage at Utica, N. Y., June 25, 1830; in 
1836 accompanied his parents to Chicago, and, 
after graduating from the Universit}' of St. 
Mary's of the Lake, in 1850, began the study of 
law. In 1851 he accompanied John Lloyd Ste- 
phens on his expedition to Panama, and on his 
return resumed his professional studies, at the 
same time editing "The Western Tablet," a 
weekly Catholic paper. At the outbreak of the 
Rebellion he recruited, and was made Colonel of 
the Twenty-third Illinois Regiment, known as 
the Irish Brigade. He served with great gallan- 
try, first in the West and later in the East, being 
severely wounded and twice captured. He 
declined a Brigadier-Generalship, preferring to 
remain with his regiment. He was fatally 
wounded during a charge at the battle of Win- 
chester. While being carried off the field he 
noticed that the colors of his brigade were en- 
dangered. "Lay me down and save the flag," he 
ordered. His men hesitated, but he repeated the 
command until it was obeyed. Before they 
returned he had been borne away by the enemy, 
and died a prisoner, at Winchester, Va. , July 26, 
1864. 

MUNN, Daniel W., lawyer and soldier, was 
born in Orange County, Vt. , in 1834; graduated 
at Thetford Academy in 1852, when he taught 
two years, meanwhile beginning the study of 
law. Removing to Coles County, 111., in 1855. he 
resumed his law studies, was admitted to the bar 
in 1858, and began practice at Hillsboro, Mont- 
gomery Count} 7 . In 1862 he joined the One 
Hundred and Twenty-sixth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers, with the rank of Adjutant, but the 
following year was appointed Colonel of the First 
Alabama Cavalry. Compelled to retire from the 
service on account of declining health, he re- 
turned to Cairo, 111. , where he became editor of 
"The Daily News"; in 1866 was elected to the 
State Senate, serving four years; served as Presi- 
dential Elector in 1868 ; was the Republican nomi- 
nee for Congress in 1870, and the following year 
was appointed by President Grant Supervisor of 
Internal Revenue - for the District including the 
States of Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. 
Removing to Chicago, he began practice there in 
1875, in which he has since been engaged. He 
has been prominently connected with a number 
of important cases before the Chicago courts. 

MUNN. Sylvester W., lawyer, soldier and legis- 
lator, was born about 1818, and came from Ohio 
at thirty years of age, settling at Wilmington, 
Will County, afterwards removing to Joliet, 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



393 



where he practiced law. During the War he 
served as Major of the Yates Phalanx (Thirty- 
ninth Illinois Volunteers) ; later, was State's 
Attorney for Will County and State Senator in 
the Thirty-first and Thirty-second General 
Assemblies. Died, at Joliet, Sept. 11, 1888. He . 
was a member of the Illinois State Bar Associ- 
ation from its organization. 

MURPHY, Everett J., ex-Member of Con- 
gress, was born in Nashville, 111., July 24, 1852; 
in early youth removed to Sparta, where he was 
educated in the high schools of that place ; at the 
age of fourteen he became clerk in a store; in 
1877 was elected City Clerk of Sparta, but the 
next year resigned to become Deputy Circuit 
Clerk at Chester, remaining until 1882, when he 
was elected Sheriff of Randolph County. In 
1886 he was chosen a Representative in the Gen- 
eral Assembly, and, in 1889, was appointed, by 
Governor Fifer, Warden of the Southern Illinois 
Penitentiary at Chester, but retired from this 
position in 1892, and removed to East St. Louis. 
Two years later he was elected as a Republican 
to the Fifty-fourth Congress for the Twenty-first 
District, but was defeated for re-election by a 
small majority in 1896, by Jehu Baker, Democrat 
and Populist. In 1899 Mr. Murphy was appointed 
Warden of the State Penitentiary at Joliet, to 
succeed Col. R. W. McClaughry 

MURPHYSBORO, the county-seat of Jackson 
County, situated on the Big Muddy River and on 
main line of the Mobile & Ohio, the St. Louis 
Division of the Illinois Central, and a branch of 
the St. Louis Valley Railroaas, 52 miles north of 
Cairo and 90 miles south-southeast of St. Louis. 
Coal of a superior quality is extensively mined in 
the vicinity. The city has a foundry, machine 
shops, skewer factory, furniture factory, Hour 
and saw mills, thirteen churches, four schools, 
three banks, two daily and three weekly news- 
papers, city and rural free mail delivery. Popu- 
lation (1890), 3,380; (1900). 6.463; (1903, est), 7,500. 

MURPHYSBORO & SHAWXEETOWN RAIL. 
ROAD. (See Carbondale & Shawneetdum, St. 
Louis Southern and St. Louis. Alton & Terre 
Haute Railroads.) 

NAPERVILLE, a city of Du Page County, on 
the west branch of the Du Page River and on the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 30 miles 
west-southwest of Chicago, and 9 miles east of 
Aurora. It has three banks, a weekly newspaper, 
stone quarries, couch factory, and nine churches; 
is also the seat of the Northwestern College, an 
institution founded in 1861 by the Evangelical 



Association ; the college now has a normal school 
department. Population (1890), 2,216; (1900), 2,629 

NAPLES, a town of Scott County, on the Illi- 
nois River and the Hannibal and Naples branch 
of the Wabash Railway. 21 miles west of Jackson- 
ville. Population (1890). 452; (1900), 398. 

NASHVILLE, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Washington County, on the Centralia & 
Chester and the Louisville & Nashville Railways; 
is 120 miles south of Springfield and 50 miles east 
by south from St. Louis. It stands in a coal- 
producing and rich agricultural region There 
are two coal mines within the corporate limits, 
and two large flouring mills do a considerable 
business. There are numerous churches, public 
schools, including a high school, a State bank, 
and four weekly papers. Population (1880), 
2,222; (1890), 2,084; (1900), 2,184. 

NAUVOO, a city in Hancock County, at the 
head of the Lower Rapids on the Mississippi, 
between Fort Madison and Keokuk, Iowa. It 
was founded by the Mormons in 1840, and its 
early growth was rapid. After the expulsion of 
the "Saints" in 1846, it was settled by a colony of 
French Icarians, who introduced the culture of 
grapes on a large scale. They were a sort of 
communistic order, but their experiment did not 
prove a success, and in a few years they gave 
place to another class, the majority of the popu- 
lation now being of German extraction. The 
chief industries are agriculture and horticulture. 
Large quantities of grapes and strawberries are 
raised and shipped, and considerable native wine 
is produced. Population (1880), 1,402; (1890), 
1,208; (per census 1900), 1,321. (See • also Mor- 
mons. ) 

NAVIGABLE STREAMS (by Statute). Fol- 
lowing the example of the French explorers, who 
chiefly followed the water-ways in their early 
explorations, the early permanent settlers of Illi- 
nois, not only settled, to a great extent, on the 
principal streams, but later took especial pains to 
maintain their navigable character by statute. 
This was, of course, partly due to the absence of 
improved highways, but also to the belief that, 
as the country developed, the streams would 
become extremely valuable, if not indispensable, 
especially in the transportation of heavy commod- 
ities. Accordingly, for the first quarter century 
after the organization of the State Government, 
one of the questions receiving the attention of 
the Legislature, at almost every session, was the 
enactment of laws affirming the navigability of 
certain streams now regarded as of little impor- 
tance, or utterly insignificant, as channels of 



394 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



transportation. Legislation of this character 
began with the first General Assembly (1819), 
and continued, at intervals, with reference to 
one or two of the more important interior rivers 
of the State, as late as 1867. Besides the Illinois 
and Wabash, still recognized as navigable 
streams, the following were made the subject of 
legislation of this character: Beaucoup Creek, a 
branch of the Big Muddy, in Perry and Jackson 
Counties (law of 1819); Big Bay, a tributary of 
the Ohio in Pope County (Acts of 1833); Big 
Muddy, to the junction of the East and West 
Forks in Jefferson County (1835), with various 
subsequent amendments ; Big Vermilion, declared 
navigable (1831); Bon Pas. a branch of the 
Wabash, between Wabash and Edwards Coun- 
ties (1831) ; Cache River, to main fork in Johnson 
County (1819); Des Plaines, declared navigable 
(1839); Embarras (1831), with various subsequent 
acts in reference to improvement; Fox River, 
declared navigable to the Wisconsin line (1840), 
and Fox River Navigation Company, incorpo 
rated (1855); Kankakee and Iroquois Navigation 
& Manufacturing Company, incorporated (1847), 
with various changes and amendments (1851-65) ; 
Kaskaskia (or Okaw), declared navigable to a 
point in Fayette County north of Vandalia ( 1819), 
with various modifying acts (1823-67); Macoupin 
Creek, to Carrollton and Alton road (1837); 
Piasa, declared navigable in Jersey and Madison 
Counties (1861); Rock River Navigation Com- 
pany, incorporated (1841), with subsequent acts 
(1845-67) ; Sangamon River, declared navigable 
to Third Principal Meridian — east line of Sanga- 
mon County — (1822), and the North Fork of same 
to Champaign County (1845); Sny-Carty (a bayou 
of the Mississippi), declared navigable in Pike 
and Adams Counties (1859); Spoon River, navi- 
gable to Cameron's mill in Fulton County (1835), 
with various modifying acts (1845-53); Little 
Wabash Navigation Company, incorporated 
and river declared navigable to McCawley's 
bridge — probably in Clay County — (1826), with 
various subsequent acts making appropriations 
for its improvement; Skillet Fork (a branch 
of the Little Wabash), declared navigable 
to Slocum's Mill in Marion County (1837), and 
to Ridgway Mills (1846). Other acts passed at 
various times declared a number of unim- 
portant streams navigable, including Big Creek 
in Fulton County, Crooked Creek in Schuyler 
County, Lusk's Creek in Pope County, McKee's 
Creek in Pike County, Seven Mile Creek in Ogle 
County, besides a number of others of similar 
character. 



NEALE, THOMAS M., pioneer lawyer, was 
born in Fauquier County, Va., 1796; while yet a 
child removed with his parents to Bowling Green, 
Ky., and became a common soldier in the War of 
1812; came to Springfield, 111., in 1824, and began 
the practice of law ; served as Colonel of a regi- 
ment raised in Sangamon and Morgan Counties 
for the Winnebago War (1827), and afterwards as 
Surveyor of Sangamon County, appointing 
Abraham Lincoln as his deputy. He also served 
as a Justice of the Peace, for a number of years, 
at Springfield. Died, August 7, 1840. 

NEECE, William H„ ex-Congressman, was 
born, Feb. 26, 1831, in what is now a part of 
Logan County, 111., but which was then within the 
limits of Sangamon ; was reared on a farm and 
attended the public schools in McDonough 
County; studied law and was admitted to the 
bar in 1858, and has been ever since engaged in 
practice. His political career began in 1861, 
when he was chosen a member of the City Coun. 
cil of Macomb. In 1864 he was elected to the 
Legislature, and, in 1869, a member of the Con- 
stitutional Convention. In 1871 he was again 
elected to the lower house of the General Assem- 
bly, and, in 1878, to the State Senate. From 1883 
to 1887 he represented the Eleventh Illinois Dis- 
trict in Congress, as a Democrat, but was defeated 
for re-election in 1890 by William H. Gest, 
Republican. 

NEGROES. (See Slavery and Slave Laws.) 

NEOGA,a village of Cumberland County, at the 
intersection of the Illinois Central and the Toledo, 
St. Louis & Western Railways, 20 miles southwest 
of Charleston ; has a bank, two newspapers, some 
manufactories, and ships grain, hay, fruit and 
live-stock. Pop. (1890), 829; (1900), 1,126 

NEPONSET, a village and station on the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, in Bureau 
County, 4 miles southwest of Mendota. Popula- 
tion (1880), 652; (1890), 542; (1900), 516. 

NEW ALBANY & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. 
(See Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis (Consoli- 
dated) Railroad.) 

NEW ATHENS, a village of St. Clair County, 
on the St. Louis & Cairo "Short Line" (now Illi- 
nois Central) Railroad, at the crossing of the Kas- 
kaskia River, 31 miles southeast of St. Louis ; has 
one newspaper and considerable grain trade. 
Population (1880), 603; (1890), 624; (1900), 856. 

NEW BERLIN, a village of Sangamon County, 
on the Wabash Railway, 17 miles west of Spring- 
field. Population (1880), 403; (1900), 533. 

NEWBERRY LIBRARY, a large reference li- 
brary, located in Chicago, endowed by Walter L. 



o 



5 



O 



a 








Art Institute. 



Public Library. 

Armour Institute. 
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 



Court-House 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



395 



Newberry, an early business man of Chicago, who 
left half of his estate (aggregating over §2,000,000) 
for the purpose. The property bequeathed was 
largely in real estate, which has since greatly in- 
creased in value. The library was established in 
temporary quarters in 1887, and the first section 
of a permanent building was opened in the 
autumn of 1893. By that time there had been 
accumulated about 160,000 books and pamphlets. 
A collection of nearly fifty portraits — chiefly of 
eminent Americans, including many citizens of 
Chicago — was presented to the library by G. P. A. 
Healy, a distinguished artist, since deceased. 
The site of the building occupies an entire block, 
and the original design contemplates a handsome 
front on each of the four streets, with a large 
rectangular court in the center. The section 
already completed is massive and imposing, and 
its interior is admirably adapted to the purposes 
of a library, and at the same time rich and 
beautiful. When completed, the building will 
have a capacity for four to six million volumes. 

NEWBERRY, Walter C, ex-Congressman, was 
born at Sangerfield, Oneida County, N. Y., Dec. 
23, 1835. Early in the Civil War he enlisted as a 
private, and rose, step by step, to a colonelcy, and 
was mustered out as Brevet Brigadier-General. 
In 1890 he was elected, as a Democrat, to represent 
the Fourth Illinois District in the Fifty-second 
Congress (1891-93). His home is in Chicago. 

NEWBERRY, Walter L., merchant, banker and 
philanthropist, was born at East Windsor, Conn., 
Sept. 18, 1804, descended from English ancestry. 
He was President Jackson's personal appointee 
to the United States Military Academy at West 
Point, but was prevented from taking the exami- 
nation by sickness. Subsequently he embarked in 
business at Buffalo, N. Y., going to Detroit in 
1828, and settling at Chicago in 1833. After 
engaging in general merchandising for several 
years, he turned his attention to banking, in 
which he accumulated a large fortune. He was 
a prominent and influential citizen, serving 
several terms as President of the Board of Edu- 
cation, and being, for six years, the President of 
the Chicago Historical Society. He died at sea, 
Nov. 6, 1868, leaving a large estate, one-half of 
which he devoted, by will, to the founding of a 
free reference library in Chicago. (See Newberry 
Library. ) 

NEW BOSTON, a city of Mercer County, on 
the Mississippi River, at the western terminus of 
the Galva and New Boston Division of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railway. Population 
(1890), 445; (1900), 703. 



NEW BRIGHTON, a village of St. Clair County 
and suburb of East St. Louis. Population (1890), 
868. 

NEW BURNSIDE, a village of Johnson County, 
on the Cairo Division of the Cleveland, Cincin- 
nati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, 53 miles 
northeast of Cairo. Population (1880), 650; 
(1890), 596; (1900), 468. 

NEW DOUGLAS, a village in Madison County, 
on the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Railroad ; in 
farming and fruit-growing region ; has coal mine, 
flour mill and newspaper. Population (1900), 469. 

NEWELL, John, Railway President, was born 
at West Newbury, Mass., March 31, 1830, being 
directly descended from "Pilgrim" stock. At 
the age of 16 he entered the employment of the 
Cheshire Railroad in New Hampshire. Eighteen 
months later he was appointed an assistant engi- 
neer on the Vermont Central Railroad, and placed 
in charge of the construction of a 10-mile section 
of the line. His promotion was rapid, and, in 
1850, he accepted a responsible position on the 
Champlain & St. Lawrence Railroad. From 1850 
to 1856 he was engaged in making surveys for 
roads in Kentucky and New York, and, during 
the latter year, held the position of engineer of 
the Cairo City Company, of Cairo, 111. In 1857 he 
entered the service of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road Company, as Division Engineer, where his 
remarkable success attracted the attention of the 
owners of the old Winona & St. Peter Railroad 
(now a part of the Chicago & Northwestern 
system), who tendered him the presidency. This 
he accepted, but, in 1864, was made President of 
the Cleveland & Toledo Railroad. Four years 
later, he accepted the position of General Superin- 
tendent and Chief Engineer of the New York 
Central Railroad, but resigned, in 1869, to become 
Vice-President of the Illinois Central Railroad. 
In 1871 he was elevated to the presidency, but 
retired in September, 1874, to accept the position 
of General Manager of the Lake Shore & Michigan 
Southern Railroad, of which he was elected 
President, in May, 1883, and continued in office 
until the time of his death, which occurred at 
Youngstown, Ohio, August 25, 1894. 

NEWHALL, (Dr.) Horatio, early physician 
and newspaper publisher, came from St. Louis, 
Mo., to Galena, 111., in 1827, and engaged in min- 
ing and smelting, but abandoned this business, 
the following year, for the practice of his profes- 
sion; soon afterward became interested in the 
publication of "The Miners' Journal," and still 
later in "The Galena Advertiser," with which 
Hooper Warren and Dr. Philleo were associated. 



396 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



In 1830 he became a Surgeon in the United States 
Army, and was stationed at Fort Winnebago, 
but retired from the service, in 1832, and returned 
to Galena. When the Black Hawk War broke 
out he volunteered his services, and, bj- order of 
General Scott, was placed in charge of a military 
hospital at Galena, of which he had control until 
the close of the war. The difficulties of the posi- 
tion were increased by the appearance of the 
Asiatic cholera among the troops, but he seems 
to have discharged his duties with satisfaction 
to the military authorities. He enjoyed a wide 
reputation for professional ability, and had an 
extensive practice. Died, Sept. 19, 18T0. 

NEWMAN, a village of Douglas County, on the 
Cincinnati, Hamilton <fc Dayton Railway. 52 miles 
east of Decatur; iias a bank, a newspaper, can- 
ning factory, broom factory, electric lights, and 
large trade in agricultural products and live- 
stock. Population (1890), 990; (1900), 1,166. 

NEWSPAPERS, EARLY. The first newspaper 
published in the Northwest Territory, of which 
the present State of Illinois, at the time, com- 
posed a part, was "The Centinel of the Northwest 
Territory," established at Cincinnati by William 
Maxwell, the first issue appearing in November, 
1793. This was also the first newspaper published 
west of the Allegheny Mountains. In 1796 it was 
sold to Edmund Freeman and assumed the name 
of "Freeman's Journal." Nathaniel Willis 
(grandfather of N. P. Willis, the poet) estab- 
lished "The Scioto Gazette," at Chillicothe, in 
1796. "The Western Spy and Hamilton Gazette" 
was the third paper in Northwest Territory (also 
within the limits of Ohio), founded in 1799. 
Willis's paper became the organ of the Terri- 
torial Government on the removal of the capital 
to Chillicothe, in 1800. 

The first newspaper in Indiana Territory (then 
including Illinois) was established by Elihu Stout 
at Vincennes, beginning publication, July 4, 1804. 
It took the name of "The Western Sun and Gen- 
eral Advertiser," but is now known as "The 
Western Sun," having had a continuous exist- 
ence for ninety-five years. 

The first newspaper published in Illinois Terri- 
tory was "The Illinois Herald," but, owing to the 
abselrce of early files and other specific records, 
the date of its establishment has been involved 
in some doubt. Its founder was Matthew Dun- 
can (a brother of Joseph Duncan, who was after- 
wards a member of Congress and Governor of the 
State from 1834 to 1S3S), and its place of pub- 
lication Kaskaskia. at that time the Territorial 
capital. Duncan, who was a nativeof Kentucky, 



brought a press and a primitive printer's outfit 
with him from that State. Gov. John Reynolds, 
who came as a boy to the "Illinois Country" in 
1800, while it was still a part of the "Northwest 
Territory," in his "Pioneer History of Illinois," 
has fixed the date of the first issue of this 
paper in 1809, the same year in which Illinois 
was severed from Indiana Territory and placed 
under a separate Territorial Government. There 
is good reason, however, for believing that the 
Governor was mistaken in this statement. If 
Duncan brought his press to Illinois in 1809 — 
which is probable — it does not seem to have been 
employed at once in the publication of a news- 
paper, as Hooper Warren (the founder of the 
third paper established in Illinois) says it "was 
for years only used for the public printing." 
The earliest issue of "The Illinois Herald" known 
to be in existence, is No. 32 of Vol. II, and bears 
date, April 18, 1816. Calculating from these 
data, if the paper was issued continuously from 
its establishment, the date of the first issue would 
have been Sept. 6, 1814. Corroborative evidence 
of this is found in the fact that "The Missouri 
Gazette." the original of the old "Missouri Repub- 
lican" (now "The St. Louis Republic"), which 
was established in 1808, makes no mention of the 
Kaskaskia paper before 1814, although communi- 
cation between Kaskaskia and St. Louis was 
most intimate, and these two were, for several 
years, the only papers published west of Vin- 
cennes, Ind. 

In August, 1817, "The Herald" was sold to 
Daniel P. Cook and Robert Blackwell. and the 
name of the paper was changed to "The Illinois 
Intelligencer." Cook — who had previously been 
Auditor of Public Accounts for the Territory, and 
afterwards became a Territorial Circuit Judge, 
the first Attorney-General under the new State 
Government, and, for eight years, served as the 
only Representative in Congress from Illinois — 
for a time officiated as editor of "The Intelli- 
gencer," while Blackwell (who had succeeded 
to the Auditorship) had charge of the publication. 
The size of the paper, which had been four pages 
of three wide columns to the page, was increased, 
by the new publishers, to four columns to the 
page. On the removal of the State capital to 
Vandalia, in 1820, "The Intelligencer" was 
removed thither also, and continued under its 
later name, afterwards becoming, after a change 
of management, an opponent of the scheme for 
the calling of a State Convention to revise the 
State Constitution with a view to making Illinois 
a slave State. (See Slavery and Slave Laws.) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



397 



The second paper established on Illinois soil 
was "The Shawnee Chief," which began publica- 
tion at Shawneetown, Sept. 5, 1818, with Henry 
Eddy — who afterwards became a prominent law- 
yer of Southern Illinois — as its editor. The name 
of "The Chief" was soon afterwards changed to 
"The Illinois Emigrant," and some years later, 
became "The Shawneetown Gazette." Among 
others who were associated with the Shawnee- 
town paper, in early days, was James Hall, after- 
wards a Circuit Judge and State Treasurer, and, 
without doubt, the most prolific and popular 
writer of his day in Illinois. Later, he estab- 
lished "The Illinois Magazine" at Vandalia, sub- 
sequently removed to Cincinnati, and issued under 
the name of "The Western Monthly Magazine." 
He was also a frequent contributor to other maga- 
zines of that period, and author of several vol- 
umes, including "Legends of the West" and 
"Border Tales." During the contest over the 
slavery question, in 1823-24, "The Gazette" 
rendered valuable service to the anti-slavery 
party by the publication of articles in opposition 
to the Convention scheme, from the pen of Morris 
Birkbeck and others. 

The third Illinois paper— and, in 1823-24, the 
strongest and most influential opponent of the 
scheme for establishing slavery in Illinois — was 
"The Edwardsville Spectator," which began pub- 
lication at Edwardsville, Madison County, May 
23, 1819. Hooper Warren was the publisher and 
responsible editor, though he received valuable 
aid from the pens of Governor Coles, George 
Churchill, Rev. Thomas Lippincott, Judge 
Samuel D. Lockwood, Morris Birkbeck and 
others. (See Warren, Hooper.) Warren sold 
"The Spectator" to Rev. Thomas Lippincott in 
1825, and was afterwards associated with papers 
at Springfield, Galena, Chicago and elsewhere. 

The agitation of the slavery question (in part, 
at least) led to the establishment of two new 
papers in 1822. The first of these was "The 
Republican Advocate," which began publication 
at Kaskaskia, in April of that year, under the 
management of Elias Kent Kane, then an aspir- 
ant to the United States Senatorship. After his 
election to that office in 1824, "The Advocate" 
passed into the hands of Robert K. Fleming, who, 
after a period of suspension, established "The 
Kaskaskia Recorder," but, a year or two later, 
removed to Vandalia. "The Star of the West" 
was established at Edwardsville, as an opponent 
of Warren's "Spectator," the first issue making 
its appearance, Sept. 14, 1822, with Theophilus W. 
Smith, afterwards a Justice of the Supreme 



Court, as its reputed editor. A few months later 
it. passed into new hands, and, in August, 1823, 
assumed the name of "The Illinois Republican. " 
Both "The Republican Advocate" and "The 
Illinois Republican" were zealous organs of the 
pro slavery party. 

With the settlement of the slavery question in 
Illinois, by the election of 1824, Illinois journal- 
ism may be said to have entered upon a new era. 
At the close of this first period there were only 
five papers published in the State — all established 
within a period of ten years ; and one of these 
("The Illinois Republican," at Edwardsville) 
promptly ceased publication on the settlement of 
the slavery question in opposition to the views 
which it had advocated. The next period of fif- 
teen years (1825-40) was prolific in the establish- 
ment of new newspaper ventures, as might be 
expected from the rapid increase of the State in 
population, and the development in the art of 
printing during the same period. "The Western 
Sun," established at Belleville (according to one 
report, in December, 1825, and according to 
another, in the winter of 1827-28) by Dr. Joseph 
Green, appears to have been the first paper pub- 
lished in St. Clair County. This was followed 
by "The Pioneer," begun, April 25, 1829, at Rock 
Spring, St. Clair County, with the indomitable 
Dr. John M. Peck, author of "Peck's Gazetteer," 
as its editor. It was removed in 1836 to Upper 
Alton, when it took the name of "The Western 
Pioneer and Baptist Banner." Previous to this, 
however, Hooper Warren, having come into pos- 
session of the material upon which he had printed 
"The Edwardsville Spectator," removed it to 
Springfield, and, in the winter of 1826-27, began 
the publication of the first paper at the present 
State capital, which he named "The Sangamo 
Gazette." It had but a brief existence. During 
1830, George Forquer, then Attorney-General of 
the State, in conjunction with his half-brother, 
Thomas Ford (afterwards Governor), was engaged 
in the publication of a paper called "The Cour- 
ier," at Springfield, which was continued only a 
short time. The earliest paper nortli of Spring- 
field appears to have been "The Hennepin Jour- 
nal," which began publication, Sept. 15, 1827. 
"The Sangamo Journal" — now "The Illinois 
State Journal," and the oldest paper of continu- 
ous existence in the State — was established at 
Springfield by Simeon and Josiah Francis (cous- 
ins from Connecticut), the first issue bearing 
date, Nov. 10, 1831. Before the close of the same 
year James G. Edwards, afterwards the founder 
of "The Burlington (Iowa) Hawkeye, " began the 



39S 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



publication of "The Illinois Patriot" at Jackson- 
ville. Another paper, established the same year, 
was "The Gazette" at Vandalia, then the State 
capital. (See Forquer, George; Ford, Thomas; 
Francis, Simeon.) 

At this early date the development of the lead 
mines about Galena had made that place a center 
of great business activity. On July 8, 1828, 
James Jones commenced the issue of "The 
Miners' Journal, " the first paper at Galena. Jones 
died of cholera in 1833, and his paper passed into 
other hands. July 20, 1829, "The Galena Adver- 
tiser and Upper Mississippi Herald" began pub- 
lication, with Drs. Horatio Newhall and Addison 
Philleo as editors, and Hooper Warren as pub- 
lisher, but appears to have been discontinued 
before the expiration of its first year. "The 
Galenian" was established as a Democratic paper 
by Philleo, in May, 1832, but ceased publication in 
September, 1836. "The Northwestern Gazette 
and Galena Advertiser," founded in November, 
1834, by Loring and Bartlett (the last named 
afterwards one of the founders of "The Quincy 
Whig"), has had a continuous existence, being 
now known as "The Galena Advertiser." Benja- 
min Mills, one of the most brilliant lawyers of 
his time, was editor of this paper during a part 
of the first year of its publication. 

Robert K. Fleming, who has already been 
mentioned as the successor of Elias Kent Kane 
in the publication of "The Republican Advocate, " 
at Kaskaskia, later published a paper for a short 
time at Vandalia, but, in 1827, removed his 
establishment to Edwardsville, where he began 
the publication of "The Corrector." The latter 
was continued a little over a year, when it was 
suspended. He then resumed the publication of 
"The Recorder" at Kaskaskia. In December, 
1833, he removed to Belleville and began the pub- 
lication of "The St. Clair Gazette," which after- 
wards passed, through various changes of owners, 
under the names of "The St. Clair Mercury" and 
"Representative and Gazette." This was suc- 
ceeded, in 1839, by "The Belleville Advocate," 
which has been published continuously to the 
present time. 

Samuel S. Brooks (the father of Austin Brooks, 
afterwards of "The Quincy Herald") at differ- 
ent times published papers at various points 
in the State. His first enterprise was "The 
Crisis" at Edwardsville, which he changed 
to "The Illinois Advocate," and, at the close 
of his first year, sold out to Judge John 
York Sawyer, who united it with "The Western 
Plowboy," which he had established a few 



months previous. "The Advocate" was removed 
to Vandalia, and, on the death of the owner (who 
had been appointed State Printer), was consoli- 
dated with "The Illinois Register," which had 
been established in 1836. The new paper took the 
name of "The Illinois Register and People's 
Advocate," in 1839 was removed to Springfield, 
and is now known as "The Illinois State Regis- 
ter." 

Other papers established between 1830 and 1840 
include: "The Vandalia Whig" (1831); "The 
Alton Spectator." the first paper published in 
Alton (January, 1834) ; "The Chicago Demo- 
crat," by John Calhoun (Nov. 26, 1833); "The 
Beardstown Chronicle and Illinois Bounty Land 
Advertiser," by Francis A. Arenz (July 29, 1833) ; 
"The Alton American" (1833); "The White 
County News," at Carmi (1833); "The Danville 
Enquirer" (1833); "The Illinois Champion," at 
Peoria (1834); "The Mount Carmel Sentinel and 
Wabash Advocate" (1834); "The Illinois State 
Gazette and Jacksonville News," at Jacksonville 
(1835); "The Illinois Argus and Bounty Land 
Register," at Quincy (1835); "The Rushville 
Journal and Military Tract Advertiser" (1835); 
"The Alton Telegraph" (1836); "The Alton 
Observer" (1836); "The Carthaginian," at Car- 
thage (1836) ; "The Bloomington Observer" (1837) ; 
"The Backwoodsman," founded by Prof. John 
Russell, at Grafton, and the first paper published 
in Greene County (1837); "The Quincy Whig" 
(1838); "The Illinois Statesman." at Paris, Edgar 
County (1838); "The Peoria Register" (1838). 
The second paper to be established in Chicago 
was "The Chicago American," whose initial 
number was issued, June 8, 1835, with Thomas O. 
Davis as proprietor and editor. In July, 1837, it 
passed into the hands of William Stuart & Co. , 
and, on April 9, 1839, its publishers began the 
issue of the first dail}- ever published in Chicago. 
"The Chicago Express" succeeded "The Ameri- 
can" in 1842, and, in 1844, became the forerunner 
of "The Chicago Journal." The third Chicago 
paper was "The Commercial Advertiser," 
founded by Hooper Warren, in 1836. It lived 
only about a year. Zebina Eastman, who was 
afterwards associated with Warren, and became 
one of the most influential journalistic opponents 
of slavery, arrived in the State in 1839, and, in 
the latter part of that year, was associated with 
the celebrated Abolitionist, Benjamin Lundy, in 
the preliminary steps for the issue of "The 
Genius of Universal Emancipation," projected 
by Lundy at Lowell, in La Salle County. Lundy's 
untimely death, in August, 1839, however, pre- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



399 



vented him from seeing the consummation of his 
plan, although Eastman lived to carry it out in 
part. A paper whose career, although extending 
only a little over one year, marked an era in Illi- 
nois journalism, was "The Alton Observer," its 
history closing with the assassination of its 
editor, Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, on the night of 
Nov. 8, 1837, while unsuccessfully attempting to 
protect his press from destruction, for the fourtli 
time, by a pro-slavery mob. Humiliating as was 
this crime to every law-abiding Illinoisan, it 
undoubtedly strengthened the cause of free 
speech and assisted in hastening the downfall of 
the institution in whose behalf it was committed. 
That the development in the field of journal- 
ism, within the past sixty years, has more than 
kept pace with the growth in population, is 
shown by the fact that there is not a county in 
the State without its newspaper, while every 
town of a few hundred population has either one 
or more. According to statistics for 1898, there 
were 605 cities and towns in the State having 
periodical publications of some sort, making a 
total of 1,709, of which 174 were issued daily, 34 
semi-weekly, 1,205 weekly, 28 semi-monthly, 238 
monthly, and the remainder at various periods 
ranging from tri-weekly to eight times a year. 

NEWTON, the county-seat of Jasper County, 
situated on the Embarras River, at the intersec- 
tion of subsidiary lines of the Illinois Central 
Railroad from Peoria and Effingham; is an in- 
corporated city, was settled in 1828, and made the 
county-seat in 1836. Agriculture, coal-mining 
and dairy farming are the principal pursuits in 
the surrounding region. The city has water- 
power, which is utilized to some extent in manu- 
facturing, but most of its factories are operated 
by steam. Among these establishments are flour 
and saw mills, and grain elevators. There are a 
half-dozen churches, a good public school system, 
including parochial school and high school, 
besides two banks and three weekly papers. 
Population (1890), 1,428; (1900), 1,630. 

NEW YORK, CHICAGO & ST. LOUIS RAIL- 
WAY (Nickel Plate), a line 522.47 miles in length, 
of which (1898) only 9.96 miles are operated in 
Illinois. It owns no track in Illinois, but uses 
the track of the Chicago & State Line Railroad 
(9.96 miles in length), of which it has financial 
control, to enter the city of Chicago. The total 
capitalization of the New York, Chicago & St. 
Louis, in 1898, is §50,222,568, of which $19,425,000 
is in bonds. — (History.) The New York, Chi- 
cago & St. Louis Railroad was incorporated under 
the laws of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, 



Indiana and Illinois in 1881, construction begun 
immediately, and the road put in operation in 
1882. In 1885 it passed into the hands of a 
receiver, was sold under foreclosure in 1887, and 
reorganized by the consolidation of various east- 
ern lines with the Fort Wayne & Illinois Railroad, 
forming the line under its present name. The 
road between Buffalo, N. Y'. , and the west line of 
Indiana is owned by the Company, but, for its 
line in Illinois, it uses the track of the Chicago & 
State Line Railroad, of which it is the lessee, as 
well as the owner of its capital stock. The main 
line of the "Nickel Plate" is controlled by the 
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, which 
owns more than half of both the preferred and 
common stock. 

NIANTIC, a town in Macon County, on the 
Wabash Railway, 27 miles east of Springfield. 
Agriculture is the leading industry. The town 
has three elevators, three churches, school, coal 
mine, a newspaper and a bank. Pop. (1900), 654. 
NICOLAY, John George, author, was born in 
Essingen, Bavaria, Feb. 26, 1832; at 6 years of age 
was brought to the United States, lived for a 
time in Cincinnati, attending the public schools 
there, and then came to Illinois ; at 16 entered the 
office of "The Pike County Free Press" at Pitts- 
field, and, while still in his minority, became 
editor and proprietor of the paper. In 1857 he 
became Assistant Secretary of State under O. M. 
Hatch, the first Republican Secretary, but during 
Mr. Lincoln's candidacy for President, in 1860, 
aided him as private secretary, also acting as a 
correspondent of "The St. Louis Democrat." 
After the election he was formally selected by 
Mr. Lincoln as his private secretary, accompany- 
ing him to Washington and remaining until Mr. 
Lincoln's assassination. In 1865 he was appointed 
LTnited States Consul at Paris, remaining until 
1869; on his return for some time edited "The 
Chicago Republican" ; was also Marshal of the 
United States Supreme Court in Washington 
from 1872 to 1887. Mr. Nicolay is author, in col- 
laboration with John Hay, of "Abraham Lincoln: 
A History," first published serially in "The Cen- 
tury Magazine," and later issued in ten volumes; 
of "The Outbreak of the Rebellion" in "Cam- 
paigns of the Civil War," besides numerous maga- 
zine articles. He lives in Washington, D. C. 

NICOLET, Jean, early French explorer, came 
from Cherbourg, France, in 1618, and, for several 
years, lived among the Algonquins, whose lan- 
guage he learned and for whom he acted as 
interpreter. On July 4, 1634, he discovered Lake 
Michigan, then called the "Lake of the Illinois," 



400 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and visited the Chippewas, Menominees and 
Winnebagoes, in the region about Green Bay, 
among whom he was received kindly. From the 
Mascoutins, on the Fox River (of Wisconsin), he 
learned of the Illinois Indians, some of whose 
northern villages he also visited. He subse- 
quently returned to Quebec, where he was 
drowned, in October, 1642. He was probably the 
first Caucasian to visit Wisconsin and Illinois. 

NILES, Nathaniel, lawyer, editor and soldier, 
born at Plainfield, Otsego County, N. Y., Feb. 4, 
1817; attended an academy at Albany, from 1830 
to '34, was licensed to practice law and removed 
west in 1837, residing successively at Delphi and 
Frankfort, Ind., and at Owensburg, Ky., until 
1842, when he settled in Belleville, 111. In 1846 
he was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the 
Second Regiment Illinois Volunteers (Colonel 
Bissell's) for the Mexican War, but, after the 
battle of Buena Vista, was promoted by General 
Wool to the captaincy of an independent com- 
pany of Texas foot. He was elected Chief Clerk 
of the House of Representatives at the session of 
1849, and the same year was chosen County 
Judge of St. Clair County, serving until 1861. 
With the exception of brief periods from 1851 to 
'59, he was editor and part owner of "The Belle- 
ville Advocate." a paper originally Democratic, 
but which became Republican on the organiza- 
tion of the Republican party. In 1861 he was 
appointed Colonel of the Fifty-fourth Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, but the completion of its 
organization having been delayed, he resigned, 
and, the following }'ear, was commissioned Colo- 
nel of the One Hundred and Thirtieth, serving 
until May, 1864, when he resigned — in March, 
1865, receiving the compliment of a brevet Briga- 
dier-Generalship. During the winter of 1862 63 
he was in command at Memphis, but later took 
part in the Vicksburg campaign, and in the cam- 
paigns on Red River and Bayou Teche. After 
the war he served as Representative in the 
General Assembly from St. Clair County (1865-66) ; 
as Trustee of the Institution for the Deaf and 
Dumb at Jacksonville; on the Commission for 
building the State Penitentiary at Joliet, and as 
Commissioner (by appointment of Governor 
Oglesby) for locating the Soldiers' Orphans' 
Home. His later years have been spent chiefly 
in the practice of his profession, with occasional 
excursions into journalism. Originally an anti- 
slavery Democrat, he became one of the founders 
of the Republican party in Southern Illinois. 

NIXON, William Penn, journalist, Collector of 
Customs, was born in Wayne County, Ind., of 



North Carolina and Quaker ancestry, early in 
1832. In 1853 he graduated from Farmers' (now 
Belmont) College, near Cincinnati, Ohio. After 
devoting two years to teaching, he entered the 
law department of the University t»i Pennsyl- 
vania (1855), graduating in 1859. For nine years 
thereafter he practiced law at Cincinnati, during 
which period he was thrice elected to the Ohio 
Legislature. In 1868 he embarked in journalism, 
he and his older brother, Dr. O. W. Nixon, with 
a few friends, founding "The Cincinnati Chron- 
icle." A few years later "The Times" was pur- 
chased, and the two papers were consolidated 
under the name of "The Times-Chronicle." In 
May, 1872, having disposed of his interests in 
Cincinnati, he assumed the business manage- 
ment of "The Chicago Inter Ocean," then a new 
venture and struggling for a foothold. In 1875 
he and his brother, Dr. O. W. Nixon, secured a 
controlling interest in the paper, when the 
former assumed the position of editor-in-chief, 
which he continued to occupy until 1897, when 
he was appointed Collector of Customs for the 
City of Chicago — a position which he now holds. 

NOKOMIS, a city of Montgomery County, on 
the "Big Four" main line and " 'Frisco" Rail- 
roads, 81 miles east by north from St. Louis and 
52 miles west of Mattoon; in important grain- 
growing and hay-producing section; has water- 
works, electric lights, three flour mills, two 
machine shops, wagon factory, creamery, seven 
churches, high school, two banks and three 
papers; is noted for shipments of poultry, butter 
and eggs. Population (1890), 1,305; (1900), 1,371. 

NORMAL, a city in McLean County. 2 miles 
north of Bloomington and 124 southwest of Chi- 
cago; at intersecting point of the Chicago & 
Alton and the Illinois Central Railroads. It lies 
in a rich coal and agricultural region, and has 
extensive fruit-tree nurseries, two canning fac- 
tories, one bank, hospital, and four periodicals. 
It is the seat of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, 
founded in 1869, and the Illinois State Normal 
University, founded in 1857; has city and rural 
mail deliverv. Pop. (1890), 3,459; (1900), 3,795. 

NORMAL ' UNIVERSITIES. (See Southern 
Illinois Normal University; State Normal Uni- 
m rsity.) 

NORTH ALTON, a village of Madison County 
and suburb of the city of Alton. Population 
(1880), 838; (1890), 762; (1900), 904. 

NORTHCOTT, William A., Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, was born in Murfreesboro, Tenn. , Jan. 28, 
1854 — the son of Gen. R. S. Northcott, whose 
loyalty to the Union, at the beginning of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



4(11 



Rebellion, compelled him to leave his Southern 
home and seek safety for himself and family in 
the North. He went to West Virginia, was com- 
missioned Colonel of a regiment and served 
through the war, being for some nine months a 
prisoner in Libby Prison. After acquiring his 
literary education in the public schools, the 
younger Northcott spent some time in the Naval 
Academy at Annapolis, Md., after which he was 
engaged in teaching. Meanwhile, he was prepar- 
ing for the practice of law and was admitted to 
the bar in 1877, two years later coming to Green- 
ville, Bond County, 111., which has since been his 
home. In 1880, by appointment of President 
Hayes, he served as Supervisor of the Census for 
the Seventh District ; in 1882 was elected State's 
Attorney for Bond County and re-elected suc- 
cessively in '84 and '88 ; in 1890 was appointed on 
the Board of Visitors to the United States Naval 
Academy, and, by selection of the Board, 
delivered the annual address to the graduating 
class of that year. In 1892 he was the Repub- 
lican nominee for Congress for the Eighteenth Dis- 
trict, but was defeated in the general landslide of 
that year. In 1896 he was more fortunate, being 
elected Lieutenant-Governor by the vote of the 
State, receiving a plurality of over 137,000 over 
his Democratic opponent. 

NORTH PEORIA, formerly a suburban village 
in Peoria County. 2 miles north of the city of 
Peoria; annexed to the cit} r of Peoria in 1900. 

NORTHERN BOUNDARY QUESTION, THE. 
The Ordinance of 1787, making the first specific 
provision, by Congress, for the government of the 
country lying northwest of the Ohio River and 
east of the Mississippi (known as the Northwest 
Territory), provided, among other things. (Art. 
V., Ordinance 1787), that "there shall be formed 
in the said Territory not less than three nor more 
than five States." It then proceeds to fix the 
boundaries of the proposed States, on the assump- 
tion that there shall be three in number, adding 
thereto the following proviso: "Provided, how- 
ever, and it is further understood and declared, 
that the boundaries of these three States shall be 
subject so far to be altered that, if Congress shall 
hereafter find it expedient, they shall have 
authority to form one or two States in that part 
of the said Territory which lies north of an east 
and west line drawn through the southerly bend 
or extreme of Lake Michigan." On the basis of 
this provision it has been claimed that the north- 
ern boundaries of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio 
should have been on the exact latitude of the 
southern limit of Lake Michigan, and that the 



failure to establish this boundary was a violation 
of the Ordinance, inasmuch as the fourteenth sec- 
tion of the preamble thereto declares that "the 
following articles shall be considered as articles 
of compact between the original States and the 
people and States in the said Territory, and for- 
ever remain unalterable, unless by common con- 
sent." — In the limited state of geographical 
knowledge, existing at the time of the adoption of 
the Ordinance, there seems to have been con- 
siderable difference of opinion as to the latitude 
of the southern limit of Lake Michigan. The 
map of Mitchell (1755) had placed it on the paral- 
lel of 42° 20', while that of Thomas Hutchins 
(1778) fixed it at 41° 37'. It was officially estab- 
lished by Government survey, in 1835, at 41' 37' 
07.9". As a matter of fact, the northern bound- 
ary of neither of the three States named was finally 
fixed on the line mentioned in the proviso above 
quoted from the Ordinance — that of Ohio, where 
it meets the shore of Lake Erie, being a little 
north of 41° 44'; that of Indiana at 41° 46' (some 
10 miles north of the southern bend of the lake), 
and that of Illinois at 42° 30'— about 61 miles 
north of the same line. The boundary line 
between Ohio and Michigan was settled after a 
bitter controversy, on the admission of the latter 
State into the Union, in 1837, in the acceptance 
by her of certain conditions proposed by Congress. 
These included the annexation to Michigan of 
what is known as the "Upper Peninsula," 
lying between Lakes Michigan and Superior, 
in lieu of a strip averaging six miles on her 
southern border, which she demanded from 
Ohio. — The establishment of the northern bound- 
ary of Illinois, in 1818, upon the line which now 
exists, is universally conceded to have been due 
to the action of Judge Nathaniel Pope, then the 
Delegate in Congress from Illinois Territory. 
While it was then acquiesced in without ques- 
tion, it has since been the subject of considerable 
controversy and has been followed by almost 
incalculable results. The "enabling act," as 
originally introduced early in 1818, empowering 
the people of Illinois Territory to form a State 
Government, fixed the northern boundary of the 
proposed State at 41° 39', then the supposed lati- 
tude of the southern extremity of Lake Michigan. 
While the act was under consideration in Com- 
mittee of the Whole, Mr. Pope offered an amend- 
ment advancing the northern boundary to 42° 
30'. The object of his amendment (as he ex- 
plained) was to gain for the new State a coast 
line on Lake Michigan, bringing it into political 
and commercial relations with the States east of 



402 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



it — Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York — 
thus "affording additional security to the per- 
petuity of the Union." He argued that the 
location of the State between the Mississippi, 
Wabash and Ohio Rivers — all flowing to the 
south — would bring it in intimate communica- 
tion with the Southern States, and that, in the 
event of an attempted disruption of the Union, it 
was important that it should be identified with 
the commerce of the Lakes, instead of being left 
entirely to the waters of the south-flowing 
rivers. "Thus, " said he, "a rival interest would be 
created to check the wish for a Western or South- 
ern Confederacy. Her interests would thus be 
balanced and her inclinations turned to the 
North." He recognized Illinois as already "the 
key to the West," and he evidently foresaw that 
the time might come when it would be the Key- 
stone of the Union. While this evinced wonder- 
ful foresight, scarcely less convincing was his 
argument that, in time, a commercial emporium 
would grow up upon Lake Michigan, which would 
demand an outlet by means of a canal to the Illi- 
nois River— a work which was realized in the 
completion of the Illinois & Michigan Canal 
thirty years later, but which would scarcely have 
been accomplished had the State been practically 
cut off from the Lake and its chief emporium 
left to grow up in another commonwealth, or not 
at all. Judge Pope's amendment was accepted 
without division, and, in this form, a few days 
later, the bill became a law. — The almost super- 
human sagacity exhibited in Judge Pope's argu- 
ment, has been repeatedly illustrated in the 
commercial and political history of the State 
since, but never more significantly than in the 
commanding position which Illinois occupied 
during the late Civil War, with one of its citi- 
zens in the Presidential chair and another leading 
its 250,000 citizen soldiery and the armies of the 
Union in battling for the perpetuity of the 
Republic— a position which more than fulfilled 
every prediction made for it. — The territory 
affected by this settlement of the northern 
boundary, includes all that part of the State 
north of the northern line of La Salle County, 
and embraces the greater portion of the fourteen 
counties of Cook, Dupage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, 
Boone, DeKalb, Lee, Ogle, Winnebago, Stephen- 
son, Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside, with por- 
tions of Kendall, Will and Rock Island— estimated 
at 8,500 square miles, or more than one-seventh 
of the present area of the State. It has been 
argued that this territory belonged to the State 
of Wisconsin under the provisions of the Ordi- 



nance of 1787, and there were repeated attempts 
made, on the part of the Wisconsin Legislature 
and its Territorial Governor (Doty), between 1839 
and 1843, to induce the people of these counties to 
recognize this claim. These were, in a few 
instances, partially successful, although no official 
notice was taken of them by the authorities of Illi- 
nois. The reply made to the Wisconsin claim by 
Governor Ford— who wrote his "History of Illi- 
nois" when the subject was fresh in the public 
mind— was that, while the Ordinance of 1787 
gave Congress power to organize a State north of 
the parallel running through the southern bend 
of Lake Michigan, "there is nothing in the Ordi- 
nance requiring such additional State to be 
organized of the territory north of that line." In 
other words, that, when Congress, in 1818, 
authorized the organization of an additional 
State north of and in (i. e., within) the line 
named, it did not violate the Ordinance of 1787, 
but acted in accordance with it — in practically 
assuming that the new State "need not neces- 
sarily include the whole of the region north of 
that line. ' ' The question was set at rest by Wis- 
consin herself in the action of her Constitutional 
Convention of 1847-48, in framing her first con- 
stitution, in form recognizing the northern 
boundary of Illinois as fixed by the enabling act 
of 1818. 

NORTHERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, 
an institution for the treatment of the insane, 
created by Act of the Legislature, approved, April 
16. 1869. The Commissioners appointed by Gov- 
ernor Palmer to fix its location consisted of 
August Adams, B. F. Shaw, W. R. Brown, M. L. 
Joslyn, D. S. Hammond and William Adams. 
After considering many offers and examining 
numerous sites, the Commissioners finally selected 
the Chisholm farm, consisting of about 155 acres, 
1*4 miles from Elgin, on the west side of Fox 
River, and overlooking that stream, as a site — 
this having been tendered as a donation by the 
citizens of Elgin. Plans were adopted in the 
latter part of 1869, the system of construction 
chosen conforming, in the main, to that of the 
United States Hospital for the Insane at Wash- 
ington, D. C. By January, 1872, the north wing 
and rear building were so far advanced as to per- 
mit the reception of sixty patients. The center 
building was ready for occupancy in April, 1873, 
and the south wing before the end of the follow- 
ing year. The total expenditures previous to 
1876 had exceeded §637,000, and since that date 
liberal appropriations have been made for addi- 
tions, repairs and improvements, including the 




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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



403 



addition of between 300 and 400 acres to the lands 
connected with the institution The first Board 
of Trustees consisted of Charles N. Holden, 
Oliver Everett and Henry W. Sherman, with Dr. 
E. A. Kilbourne as the first Superintendent, and 
Dr. Richard A. Dewey (afterwards Superintend- 
ent of the Eastern Hospital at Kankakee) as his 
Assistant. Dr. Kilbourne remained at the head 
of the institution until his death, Feb. 27, 1890, 
covering a period of nineteen years. Dr. Kil- 
bourne was succeeded by Dr. Henry J. Brooks, 
and he, by Dr. Loewy, in June, 1893, and the 
latter by Dr. John B. Hamilton (former Super- 
vising Surgeon of the United States Marine Hos- 
pital Service) in 1897. Dr. Hamilton died in 
December, 1898. (See Hamilton, John B.) The 
total value of State property, June 30, 1894, was 
$882,745.66, of which $701,330 was in land and 
buildings. Under the terms of the law estab- 
lishing the hospital, provision is made for the 
care therein of the incurably insane, so that it is 
both a hospital and an asylum. The whole num- 
ber of patients under treatment, for the two years 
preceding June 30, 1894, was 1,797, the number 
of inmates, on Dec. 1, 1897, 1,054, and the average 
daily attendance for treatment, for the year 1896, 
1,296. The following counties comprise the dis- 
trict dependent upon the Elgin Hospital : Boone, 
Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Kane, Ken- 
dall, Lake, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winne- 
bago. 

NORTHERN ILLINOIS NORMAL SCHOOL, 
an institution, incorporated in 1884, at Dixon, Lee 
County, 111., for the purpose of giving instruction 
in branches related to the art of teaching. Its 
last report claims a total of 1,639 pupils, of whom 
885 were men and 744 women, receiving instruc- 
tion from thirty -six teachers. The total value of 
property was estimated at more than $200,000, of 
which $160,000 was in real estate and $45,000 in 
apparatus. Attendance on the institution has 
been affected by the establishment, under act of 
the Legislature of 1895, of the Northern State 
Normal School at DeKalb (which see). 

NORTHERN PENITENTIARY, THE, an insti- 
tution for the confinement of criminals of the 
State, located at Joliet, Will County. The site 
was purchased by the State in 1857, and com- 
prises some seventy -two acres. Its erection was 
found necessary because of the inadequacy of the 
first penitentiary, at Alton. (See Alton Peni- 
tentiary.) The original plan contemplated a 
cell-house containing 1,000 cells, which, it was 
thought, would meet the public necessities for 
many years to come. Its estimated cost was 



$550,000; but, within ten years, there had been 
expended upon the institution the sum of $934,- 
000, and its capacity was taxed to the utmost. 
Subsequent enlargements have increased the 
cost to over $1,600,000, but by 1877, the institution 
had become so overcrowded that the erection of 
another State penal institution became positively 
necessary. (See Southern Penitentiary.) The 
prison has always been conducted on "the 
Auburn system," which contemplates associate 
labor in silence, silent meals in a common refec- 
tory, and (as nearly as practicable) isolation at 
night. The system of labor has varied at differ- 
ent times, the "lessee system," the "contract 
system" and the "State account plan" being 
successively in force. (See Convict Labor. ) The 
whole number of convicts in the institution, at 
the date of the official report of 1895, was 1,566. 
The total assets of the institution, Sept. 30, 1894, 
were reported at $2,121,308.86, of which $1,644,- 
601.11 was in real estate. 

NORTH & SOUTH RAILROAD. (See St. 
Louis, Peoria & NorViern Railway.) 

NORTHERN STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, an 
institution for the education of teachers of the 
common schools, authorized to be established by 
act of the Legislature passed at the session of 
1895. The act made an appropriation of $50,000 
for the erection of buildings and other improve- 
ments. The institution was located at DeKalb, 
DeKalb County, in the spring of 1896, and the 
erection of buildings commenced soon after — 
Isaac F. Ellwood, of DeKalb, contributing $20,- 
000 in cash, and J. F. Glidden, a site of sixty- 
seven acres of land. Up to Dec. 1, 1897, the 
appropriations and contributions, in land and 
money, aggregated $175,000. The school was 
expected to be ready for the reception of pupils 
in the latter part of 1899, and, it is estimated, will 
accommodate 1,000 students. 

NORTHWEST TERRITORY. The name 
formerly applied to that portion of the United 
States north and west of the Ohio River and east 
of the Mississippi, comprising the present States 
of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wiscon- 
sin. The claim of the Government to the land 
had been acquired partly through conquest, by 
the expedition of Col. George Rogers Clark 
(which see), under the auspices of the State of 
Virginia in 1778; partly through treaties with the 
Indians, and partly through cessions from those 
of the original States laying claim thereto. The 
first plan for the government of this vast region 
was devised and formulated by Thomas Jefferson, 
in his proposed Ordinance of 1784, which failed 



404 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of ultimate passage. But three years later a 
broader scheme was evolved, and the famous 
Ordinance of 1787, with its clause prohibiting the 
extension of slavery beyond the Ohio River, 
passed the Continental Congress. This act has 
been sometimes termed "The American Magna 
Charta,'" because of its engrafting upon the 
organic law the principles of human freedom and 
equal rights. The plan for the establishment of 
a, distinctive territorial civil government in a 
new Territory— the first of its kind in the new 
republic — was felt to be a tentative step, and too 
much power was not granted to the residents. 
All the officers were appointive, and each official 
was required to be a land-owner. The elective 
franchise (but only for members of the General 
Assembly) could first be exercised only after the 
population had reached 5,000. Even then, every 
elector must own fifty acres of land, and every 
Representative, 200 acres. More liberal provisions, 
however, were subsequently incorporated by 
amendment, in 1809. The first civil government 
in the Northwest Territory was established by act 
of the Virginia Legislature, in the organization 
of all the country west of the Ohio under the 
name "Illinois County," of which the Governor 
was authorized to appoint a "County Lieuten- 
ant" or "Commandant-in-Chief." The first 
"Commandant" appointed was Col. John Todd, 
of Kentucky, though he continued to discharge 
the duties for only a short period, being killed in 
the battle of Blue Licks, in 1782. After that the 
Illinois Country was almost without the semblance 
of an organized civil government, imtil 1788, 
when Gen. Arthur St. Clair was appointed the 
first Governor of Northwest Territory, under the 
Ordinance of 1787, serving until the separation of 
this region into the Territories of Ohio and Indi- 
ana in 1800, when William Henry Harrison 
became the Governor of the latter, embracing all 
that portion of the original Northwest Territory 
except the State of Ohio. During St. Clair's 
administration (1790) that part of the present State 
of Illinois between the Mississippi and Illinois 
Rivers on the west, and a line extending north 
from about the site of old Fort Massac, on the 
Ohio, to the mouth of the Mackinaw River, in the 
present county of Tazewell, on the east, was 
erected into a county under the name of St. 
Clair, with three county-seats, viz. : Cahokia, 
Kaskaskia and Prairie du Rocher. (See St. Clair 
County. ) Between 1830 and 1834 the name North- 
west Territory was applied to an unorganized 
region, embracing the present State of Wisconsin, 
attached to Michigan Territory for governmental 



purposes. (See Illinois County; St Clair, Arthur: 
and Todd, John.) 

NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE, located at 
Naperville, Du Page County, and founded in 
1865, under the auspices of the Evangelical Asso- 
ciation. It maintains business, preparatory and 
collegiate departments, besides a theological 
school. In 1898 it had a faculty of nineteen profes 
sors and assistants, with some 360 students, less 
than one-third of the latter being females, though 
both sexes are admitted to the college on an equal 
footing. The institution owns property to the 
value of §207,000, including an endowment of 
§85,000. 

NORTHWESTERN GRAND TRUNK RAIL- 
WAT. (See Chicago & Grand Trunk Railway.) 

NORTHWESTERN NORMAL, located at Gene 
seo, Henry County, 111., incorporated in 1884; in 
1894 had a faculty of twelve teachers with 171 
pupils, of whom ninety were male and eighty-one 
female. 

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, an impor- 
tant educational institution, established at 
Evanston, in Cook County, in 1851. In 1898 it 
reported 2,599 students (1,980 male and 619 
female), and a faculty of 234 instructors. 
It embraces the following departments, all of 
which confer degrees: A College of Liberal 
Arts; two Medical Schools (one for women 
exclusively) ; a Law School ; a School of Phar- 
macy and a Dental College. The Garrett Bibli- 
cal Institute, at which no degrees are con- 
ferred, constitutes the theological department of 
the University. The charter of the institution 
requires a majority of the Trustees to be mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the 
University is the largest and wealthiest of the 
schools controlled by that denomination. The 
College of Liberal Arts and the Garrett Biblical 
Institute are at Evanston ; the other departments 
(all professional) are located in Chicago. In the 
academic department (Liberal Arts School), pro- 
vision is made for both graduate and post-gradu- 
ate courses. The Medical School was formerly 
known as the Chicago Medical College, and its 
Law Department was originally the Union Col- 
lege of Law, both of which have been absorbed 
by the University, as have also its schools of 
dentistry and pharmacy, which were formerly 
independent institutions. The property owned by 
the University is valued at §4,870.000, of which 
§1,100,000 is real estate, and §2,250,000 in endow- 
ment funds. Its income from fees paid by students 
in 1898 was §215,288, and total receipts from all 
sources, §482,389. Co-education of the sexes pre- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



405 



vails in the College of Liberal Arts. Dr. Henry 
Wade Rogers is President. 

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL 
SCHOOL, located in Chicago; was organized in 
1859 as Medical School of the Lind (now Lake 
Forest) University. Three annual terms, of five 
months each, at first constituted a course, 
although attendance at two only was compul- 
sory. The institution first opened in temporary 
quarters, Oct. 9, 1859, with thirteen professors 
and thirty-three students. By 1803 more ample 
accommodations were needed, and the Trustees 
of the Lind University being unable to provide a 
building, one was erected by the faculty. In 
1864 the University relinquished all claim to the 
institution, which was thereupon incorporated as 
the Chicago Medical College. In 1868 the length 
of the annual terms was increased to six months, 
and additional requirements were imposed on 
candidates for both matriculation and gradu- 
ation. The same year, the college building was 
sold, and the erection of a new and more commo- 
dious edifice, on the grounds of the Mercy Hos- 
pital, was commenced. This was completed in 
1870, and the college became the medical depart- 
ment of the Northwestern University. The 
number of professorships had been increased to 
eighteen, and that of undergraduates to 107. 
Since that date new laboratory and clinical build- 
ings have been erected, and the growth of the 
institution has been steady and substantial. 
Mercy and St. Luke's Hospital, and the South 
Side Free Dispensary afford resources for clinical 
instruction. The teaching faculty, as constituted 
in 1898, consists of about fifty instructors, in- 
cluding professors, lecturers, demonstrators, and 
assistants. 

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY WOMAN'S 
MEDICAL SCHOOL, an institution for the pro 
fessional education of women, located in 
Chicago. Its first corporate name was the 
"Woman's Hospital Medical College of Chicago," 
and it was in close connection with the Chicago 
Hospital for Women and Children. Later, it 
severed its connection with the hospital and took 
the name of the "Woman's Medical College of 
Chicago." Co-education of the sexes, in medicine 
and surgery, was experimentally tried from 1868 
to 1870, but the experiment proved repugnant to 
the male students, who unanimously signed a 
protest against the continuance of the system. 
The result was the establishment of a separate 
school for women in 1870, with a faculty of six- 
teen professors. The requirements for graduation 
were fixed art four years of medical study, includ- 



ing three annual graded college terms of six 
months each. The first term opened in the 
autumn of 1870, with an attendance of twenty 
students. The original location of the school 
was in the "North Division" of Chicago, in tem- 
porary quarters. After tlif fire of 1871 a removal 
was effected to the "West Division," where (in 
1878-79) a modest, but well arranged building was 
erected. A larger structure was built in 1884. 
and, in 1891, the institution became a part of the 
Northwestern University. The college, in all its 
departments, is organized along the lines of the 
best medical schools of the country. In 1896 
there were twenty-four professorships, all capably 
filled, and among the faculty are some of the 
best known specialists in the country. 

NORTON, Jesse 0., lawyer, Congressman and 
Judge, was born at Bennington, Vt., April 25, 
1812, and graduated from Williams College in 
1835. He settled at Joliet in 1839, and soon 
became prominent in the affairs of Will County. 
His first public office was that of City Attorney, 
after which he served as County Judge (1846-50). 
Meanwhile, he was chosen a Delegate to the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1847. In 1850 he was 
elected to the Legislature, and, in 1852, to Con- 
gress, as a Whig. His vigorous opposition to the 
repeal of the Missouri Compromise resulted in 
his re-election as a Representative in 1854. At 
the expiration of his second term (1857) he was 
chosen Judge of the eleventh circuit, to fill the 
unexpired term of Judge Randall, resigned. He 
was once more elected to Congress in 1862, but 
disagreed with his party as to the legal status of 
the States lately in rebellion. President Johnson 
appointed him United States Attorney for the 
Northern District of Illinois, which office he filled 
until 1869. Immediately upon his retirement he 
began private practice at Chicago, where he died, 
August 3, 1875. 

NORWOOD PARK, a village of Cook County, 
on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad (Wis- 
consin Division), 11 miles northwest of Chicago. 
Incorporated in City of Chicago, 1893. 

NO YES, George Clement, clergyman, was born 
at Landaff, N. H., August 4, 1833, brought by 
his parents to Pike County, 111., in 1844, and, at 
the age of 16, determined to devote his life to the 
ministry ; in 1851, entered Illinois College at Jack- 
sonville, graduating with first honors in the class 
of 1855. In the following autumn he entered 
Union Theological Seminary in New York, and, 
having graduated in 1858. was ordained the same 
year, and installed pastor of the First Presby- 
terian Church at Laporte, Ind. Here he remained 



406 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ten years, when he accepted a call to the First 
Presbyterian Church of Evanston, 111., then a 
small organization which developed, during the 
twenty years of his pastorate, into one of the 
strongest and most influential churches in Evans- 
ton. For a number of years Dr. Noyes was an 
editorial writer and weekly correspondent of 
"The New York Evangelist," over the signature 
of "Clement." He was also, for several years, an 
active and very efficient member of the Board of 
Trustees of Knox College. The liberal bent of 
his mind was illustrated in the fact that he acted 
as counsel for Prof. David Swing, during the cele- 
brated trial of the latter for heresy before the 
Chicago Presbytery — his argument on that 
occasion winning encomiums from all classes of 
people. His death took place at Evanston, Jan. 
14, 1889, as the result of an attack of pneumonia, 
and was deeply deplored, not only by his own 
church and denomination, but by the whole com- 
munity. Some two weeks after it occurred a 
union meeting was held in one of the churches at 
Evanston, at which addresses in commemoration 
of his services were delivered by some dozen 
ministers of that village and of Chicago, while 
various social and literary organizations and the 
press bore testimony to his high character. He 
was a member of the Literary Society of Chicago, 
and, during the last year of his life, served as its 
President. Dr. Noyes was married, in 1858, to a 
daughter of David A. Smith, Esq., an honored 
citizen and able lawyer of Jacksonville. 

OAKLAND, a city of Coles County on the Van- 
dalia Line and the Toledo, St. Louis & Western 
Railroad, 15 miles northeast of Charleston; is in 
grain center and broom-corn belt ; the town has 
two banks and one daily and two weekly papers. 
Pop. (1890), 995;(1900), 1,198. 

OAK PARK, a village of Cook County, and 
popular residence suburb of Chicago, 9 miles 
west of the initial station of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad, on which it is located ; is 
also upon the line of the Wisconsin Central Rail- 
road. The place has numerous churches, pros- 
perous schools, a public library, telegraph and 
express offices, banks and two local papers. 
Population (1880), 1,888; (1890), 4,771. 

OBERLY, John H., journalist and Civil Serv- 
ice Commissioner, was born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, Dec. 6, 1837; spent part of his boyhood in 
Allegheny County, Pa., but, in 1853, began learn- 
ing the printer's trade in the office of "The Woos- 
ter (Ohio) Republican, " completing it at Memphis, 
Tenn , and becoming a journeyman printer in 



1857. He worked in various offices, including 
the Wooster paper, where he also began the study 
of law, but, in 1860, became part proprietor of 
"The Bulletin" job office at Memphis, in which 
he had been employed as an apprentice, and, 
later, as foreman. Having been notified to leave 
Memphis on account of his Union principles 
after the beginning of the Civil War, he returned 
to Wooster, Ohio, and conducted various papers 
there during the next four years, but, in 1865, 
came to Cairo, 111., where he served for a time as 
foreman of "The Cairo Democrat," three years 
later establishing "The Cairo Bulletin." Although 
the latter paper was burned out a few months later, 
it was immediately reestablished. In 1872 he 
was elected Representative in the Twenty -eighth 
General Assembly, and, in 1877, was appointed 
by Governor Cullom the Democratic member of 
the Railroad and Warehouse Commission, serving 
four years, meanwhile (in 1880) being the Demo- 
cratic candidate for Secretary of State. Other 
positions held by him included Mayor of the city 
of Cairo (1869) ; President of the National Typo- 
graphical Union at Chicago (1865), and at Mem- 
phis (1866); delegate to the Democratic National 
Convention at Baltimore (1872), and Chairman of 
the Democratic State Central Committee 
(1882-84). After retiring from the Railroad and 
Warehouse Commission, he united in founding 
"The Bloomington (111.) Bulletin," of which he 
was editor some three years. During President 
Cleveland's administration he was appointed a 
member of the Civil Service Commission, being 
later transferred to the Commissionership of 
Indian Affairs. He was subsequently connected 
in an editorial capacity with "The Washington 
Post," "The Richmond (Va.) State," "The Con- 
cord (N. H.) People and Patriot" and "The Wash- 
ington Times." While engaged in an attempt to 
reorganize "The People and Patriot," he died at 
Concord, N. H., April 15, 1899. 

ODD FELLOWS. "Western Star" Lodge, No. 
1, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Alton, June 11. 
1836. In 1838 the Grand Lodge of Illinois was 
instituted at the same place, and reorganized, at 
Springfield, in 1842. S. C. Pierce was the first 
Grand Master, and Samuel L. Miller, Grand Sec- 
retary. Wildey Encampment, No. 1, was organ- 
ized at Alton in 1838, and the Grand Encampment, 
at Peoria, in 1850, with Charles H. Constable 
Grand Patriarch. In 1850 the subordinate branches 
of the Order numbered seventy-six, with 3,291 
members, and $25,392.87 revenue. In 1895 the 
Lodges numbered 838, the membership 50.544. 
with §475,252.18 revenue, of which §135,018.40 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



407 



was expended for relief. The Encampment 
branch, in 1895, embraced 179 organizations with 
a membership of 6,812 and §23,865.25 revenue, of 
which §6,781.40 was paid out for relief. The 
Rebekah branch, for the same year, comprised 422 
Lodges, with 22,000 members and §43,215.65 
revenue, of which §3,122.79 was for relief. The 
total sum distributed for relief by the several 
organizations (1895) was $144,972.59. The Order 
was especially liberal in its benefactions to the 
sufferers by the Chicago fire of 1871, an appeal to 
its members calling forth a generous response 
throughout the United States. (See Odd Felloivs' 
Orphans Home.) 

ODD FELLOWS' ORPHANS' HOME, a benevo 
lent institution, incorporated in 1889, erected at 
Lincoln, 111., under the auspices of the Daughters 
of Rebekah (see Odd Fellows), and dedicated 
August 19, 1S92. The building is four stories in 
height, has a capacity for the accommodation of 
fifty children, and cost §36,524.76, exclusive of 
forty acres of land valued at §8,000. 

ODELL, a village of Livingston County, and 
station on the Chicago & Alton Railway, 82 
miles south-southwest of Chicago. It is in a 
grain and stock-raising region. Population (1880), 
908; (1890), 800; (1900), 1,000. 

ODIN, a village of Marion County, at the cross- 
ing of the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central 
and the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Rail- 
ways, 214 miles south by west from Chicago; in 
fruit belt; has coal-mine, two fruit evaporators, 
bank and a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 1,180. 

O'FALLON, a village of St. Clair County, on 
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway, 18 
miles east of St. Louis; has interurban railway, 
electric lights, water-works, factories, coal-mine, 
bank and a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 1,267. 

OGDEN, William Butler, capitalist and Rail- 
way President, born at Walton, N. Y., June 15, 
1805. He was a member of the New York Legis- 
lature in 1834, and, the following year, removed 
to Chicago, where he established a land and trust 
agency. He took an active part in the various 
enterprises centering around Chicago, and, on 
the incorporation of the city, was elected its first 
Mayor. He was prominently identified with the 
construction of the Galena & Chicago Union 
Railroad, and, in 1847, became its President. 
"While visiting Europe in 1853, he made a careful 
study of the canals of Holland, which convinced 
him of the desirability of widening and deepen- 
ing the Illinois & Michigan Canal and of con- 
structing a ship canal across the southern 
peninsula of Michigan. In 1855 he became Presi- 



dent of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac 
Railroad, and effected its consolidation with the 
Galena & Chicago Union. Out of this consoli- 
dation sprang the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
way Company, of which he was elected President. 
In 1850 he presided over the National Pacific 
Railroad Convention, and, upon the formation of 
the Union Pacific Railroad Company, he became 
its President. He was largely connected with 
the inception of the Northern Pacific line, in the 
success of which he was a firm believer. He 
also controlled various other interests of public 
importance, among them the great lumbering 
establishments at Peshtigo, Wis., and, at the time 
of his death, was the owner of what was probably 
the largest plant of that description in the world. 
His benefactions were numerous, among the 
recipients being the Rush Medical College, of 
which he was President; the Theological Semi- 
nary of the Northwest, the Chicago Historical 
Society, the Academy of Sciences, the University 
of Chicago, the Astronomical Society, and many 
other educational and benevolent institutions 
and organizations in the Northwest. Died, in 
New York City, August 3, 1877. (See Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad.) 

OGLE, Joseph, pioneer, was born in Virginia 
in 1741, came to Illinois in 1785, settling in the 
American Bottom within the present County of 
Monroe, but afterwards removed to St. Clair 
County, about the site of the present town of 
O'Fallon, 8 miles north of Belleville; was selected 
by his neighbors to serve as Captain in their 
skirmishes with the Indians. Died, at his home 
in St. Clair County, in February, 1821. Captain 
Ogle had the reputation of being the earliest con- 
vert to Methodism in Illinois. Ogle County, in 
Northern Illinois, was named in his honor. — 
Jacob (Ogle), son of the preceding, also a native 
of Virginia, was born about 1772, came to Illinois 
with his father in 1785, and was a "Ranger" in 
the War of 1812. He served as a Representative 
from St. Clair County in the Third General 
Assembly (1822), and again in the Seventh 
(1830), in the former being an opponent of the 
pro-slavery convention scheme. Beyond two 
terms in the Legislature he seems to have held 
no public office except that of Justice of the 
Peace. Like his father, he was a zealous Metho- 
dist and highly respected. Died, in 1844, aged 72 
years. 

OGLE COUNTY, next to the "northern tier"" of 
counties of the State and originally a part of Jo 
Daviess. It was separately organized in 1837, 
and Lee County was carved from its territory in 



408 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1839. In 1900 its area was T80 square miles, and 
its population 29,129. Before the Black Hawk 
War immigration was slow, and life primitive. 
Peoria was the nearest food market. New grain 
was "ground" on a grater, and old pounded 
with an extemporized pestle in a wooden mortar. 
Rock River flows across the county from north- 
east to southwest. A little oak timber grows 
along its banks, but, generally speaking, the sur- 
face is undulating prairie, with soil of a rich 
loam. Sandstone is in ample supply, and all the 
limestones abound. An extensive peat-bed has 
been discovered on the Killbuck Creek. Oregon, 
the county-seat, has fine water-power. The other 
principal towns are Rochelle, Polo, Forreston and 
Mount Morris. 

OGLESBY, Richard James, Governor and 
United States Senator, was born in Oldham 
County, Ky., July 25, 1824; left an orphan at the 
age of 8 years ; in 1836 accompanied an uncle to 
Decatur, 111., where, until 1844, he worked at 
farming, carpentering and rope-making, devoting 
his leisure hours to the study of law. In 1845 he 
was admitted to the bar and began practice at 
Sullivan, in Moultrie County. In 1846 he was 
commissioned a Lieutenant in the Fourth Regi- 
ment, Illinois Volunteers (Col. E. D. Baker's regi- 
ment), and served through the Mexican War, 
taking part in the siege of Vera Cruz and the 
battle of Cerro Gordo. In 1847 he pursued a 
course of study at the Louisville Law School, 
graduating in 1848. He was a "forty-niner" in 
California, but returned to Decatur in 1851. In 
1858 he made an unsuccessful campaign for Con- 
gress in the Decatur District. In 1860 he was 
elected to the State Senate, but early in 1861 
resigned his seat to accept the colonelcy of the 
Eighth Illinois Volunteers. Through gallantry 
(notably at Forts Henry and Donelson and at 
Corinth) he rose to be Major-General, being se- 
verely wounded in the last-named battle. He 
resigned his commission on account of disability, 
in May, 1864, and the following November was 
elected Governor, as a Republican. In 1872 he 
was re-elected Governor, but, two weeks after 
his inauguration, resigned to accept a seat in the 
United States Senate, to which he was elected 
by the Legislature of 1873. In 1884 he was 
elected Governor for the third time— being the 
only man in the history of the State who (up to 
the present time— 1899) has been thus honored. 
After the expiration of his last term as Governor, 
he devoted his attention to his private affairs at 
his home at Elkhart, in Logan County, where he 
.lied. April 24, 1899, deeply mourned by personal 



and political friends in all parts of the Union, 
who admired his strict integrity and sterling 
patriotism. 

OHIO, INDIANA & WESTERN RAILWAY. 
(See Peoria & Eastern Railroad.) 

OHIO RIVER, an affluent of the Mississippi, 
formed by the union of the Monongahela and 
Allegheny Rivers, at Pittsburg, Pa. At this point 
it becomes a navigable stream about 400 yards 
wide, with an elevation of about 700 feet above 
sea- level. The beauty of the scenery along its 
banks secured for it, from the early French 
explorers (of whom La Salle was one), the name 
of "La Belle Riviere." Its general course is to 
the southwest, but with many sinuosities, form- 
ing the southern boundary of the States of Ohio, 
Indiana and Illinois, and the western and north- 
ern boundary of West Virginia and Kentucky, 
until it enters the Mississippi at Cairo, in latitude 
37° N., and about 1,200 miles above the mouth of 
the latter stream. The area which it drains is 
computed to be 214,000 square miles. Its mouth 
is 268 feet above the level of the sea. The current 
is remarkably gentle and uniform, except near 
Louisville, where there is a descent of twenty- 
two feet within two miles, which is evaded by 
means of a canal around the falls. Large steam- 
boats can navigate its whole length, except in low 
stages of water and when closed by ice in winter. 
Its largest affluents are the Tennessee, the Cum- 
berland, the Kentucky, the Great Kanawha and 
the Green Rivers, from the south, and the Wa- 
bash, the Miami, Scioto and Muskingum from the 
north. The principal cities on its banks are Pitts- 
burg, Wheeling, Cincinnati, Louisville, Evans- 
ville, New Albany, Madison and Cairo. It is 
crossed by bridges at Wheeling, Cincinnati and 
Cairo. The surface of the Ohio is subject to a 
variation of forty-two to fifty-one feet between 
high and low water. Its length is 975 miles, and 
its width varies from 400 to 1,000 yards. (See 
7m undations, Remarkable. ) 

OHIO & MISSISSIPPI RAILWAY. (See Bal- 
timore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad.) 

OLNEY, an incorporated city and the county- 
seat of Richland County, 31 miles west of Vin- 
cennes, Ind., and 117 miles east of St. Louis, Mo., 
at the junction of the Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western and the Peoria Division of the Illinois 
Central and the Ohio River Division ef the Cin- 
cinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad ; is in the 
center of the fruit belt and an important shipping 
point for farm produce and live-stock ; has flour 
mills, a furniture factory and railroad repair 
shops, banks, a public library, churches and five 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



409 



newspapers, one issuing daily and another semi- 
weekly editions. Population (1890), 3,831 ; (1900), 
4,260. 

OMELYENY, John, pioneer and head of a 
numerous family which became prominent in 
Southern Illinois; was a native of Ireland who 
came to America about 1798 or 1799. After resid- 
ing in Kentucky a few years, he removed to Illi- 
nois, locating in what afterwards became Pope 
County, whither his oldest son, Samuel, had 
preceded him about 1797 or 1798. The latter for 
a time followed the occupation of flat-boating, 
carrying produce to New Orleans. He was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1818 
from Pope County, being the colleague of Hamlet 
Ferguson. A year later he removed to Randolph 
County, where he served as a member of the 
County Court, but, in 1820-22, we find him a 
member of the Second General Assembly from 
Union County, having successfully contested the 
seat of Samuel Alexander, who had received the 
certificate of election. He died in 1828. — Edward 
(Omelveny), another member of this family, and 
grandson of the elder John Omelveny, represented 
Monroe County in the Fifteenth General Assem- 
bly (1846-48), and was Presidential Elector in 
1852, but died sometime during the Civil War. — 
Harvey K. S. (Omelveny), the fifth son of Wil- 
liam Omelveny and grandson of John, was born 
in Todd County, Ky., in 1823, came to Southern 
Illinois, in 1852, and engaged in the practice of 
law, being for a time the partner of Senator 
Thomas E. Merritt, at Salem. Early in 1858 he 
was elected a Justice of the Circuit Court to 
succeed Judge Breese, who had been promoted to 
the Supreme Court, but resigned in 1861. He 
gained considerable notoriety by his intense 
hostility to the policy of the Government during 
the Civil War, was a Delegate to the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1862, and was named as a 
member of the Peace Commission proposed to be 
appointed by the General Assembly, in 1863, to 
secure terms of peace with the Southern Con- 
federacy. He was also a leading spirit in the 
peace meeting held at Peoria, in August, 1863. 
In 1869 Mr. Omelveny removed to Los Angeles, 
Cal., which has since been his home, and where 
he has carried on a lucrative law practice. 

ONARGA, a town in Iroquois County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 85 miles south by west 
from Chicago, and 43 miles north by east from 
Champaign. It is a manufacturing town, flour, 
wagons, wire-fencing, stoves and tile being 
among the products. It has a bank, eight 
churches, a graded school, a commercial college, 



and a weekly newspaper. Population (1880), 
1,061; (1890), 994; (1900), 1,270. 

ONEIDA, a city in Knox County, on the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 12 miles 
northeast of Galesburg; has wagon, pump and 
furniture factories, two banks, electric lights, 
several churches, a graded school, and a weekly 
paper. The surrounding country is rich prairie, 
where coal is mined about twenty feet below the 
surface. Pop. (1890), 699; (1900), 785. 

OCJUAWKA, the county-seat of Henderson 
County, situated on the Mississippi River, about 
15 miles above Burlington, Iowa, and 32 miles 
west of Galesburg. It is in a farming region, 
but has some manufactories. The town has 
five churches, a graded school, a bank and three 
newspapers. Population (1900), 1,010. 

ORDINANCE OF 1787. This is the name 
given to the first organic act, passed by Congress, 
for the government of the territory northwest of 
the Ohio River, comprising the present States of 
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. 
The first step in this direction was taken in the 
appointment, by Congress, on March 1, 1784, of a 
committee, of which Thomas Jefferson was Chair- 
man, to prepare a plan for the temporary govern- 
ment of the region which had been acquired, by 
the capture of Kaskaskia, by Col. George Rogers 
Clark, nearly six 3'ears previous. The necessity 
for some step of this sort had grown all the more 
urgent, in consequence of the recognition of the 
right of the United States to this region by the 
Treaty of Paris of 1783, and the surrender, by Vir- 
ginia, of the title she had maintained thereto on 
account of Clark's conquest under her auspices— 
a right which she had exercised by furnishing 
whatever semblance of government so far existed 
northwest of the Ohio. The report submitted 
from Jefferson's committee proposed the division 
of the Territory into seven States, to which was 
added the proviso that, after the year 1800. "there 
shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude 
in any of said States, otherwise than in punish- 
ment of crime whereof the party shall have been 
duly convicted." This report failed of adoption, 
however, Congress contenting itself with the 
passage of a resolution providing for future 
organization of this territory into States by the 
people — the measures necessary for temporary 
government being left to future Congressional 
action. While the postponement, in the reso- 
lution as introduced by Jefferson, of the inhi- 
bition of slavery to the year 1800, has been 
criticised, its introduction was significant, as 
coming from a representative from a slave State, 



410 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and being the first proposition in Congress look- 
ing to restriction, of any character, on the subject 
of slavery. Congress having taken no further 
step under the resolution adopted in 1784, the 
condition of the country (thus left practically 
without a responsible government, while increas- 
ing in population) became constantly more 
deplorable. An appeal from the people about 
Kaskaskia for some better form of government, 
in 1786, aided by the influence of the newly 
organized "Ohio Company,'* who desired to en- 
courage emigration to the lands which they were 
planning to secure from the General Government, 
at last brought about the desired result, in the 
passage of the famous "Ordinance," on the 13th 
day of July, 1787. While making provision for a 
mode of temporary self-government by the 
people, its most striking features are to be found 
in the six "articles" — a sort of "Bill of Rights" — 
with which the document closes. These assert: 
(1) the right of freedom of worship and religious 
opinion; (2) the right to the benefit of habeas 
coitus and trial by jury; to proportionate repre- 
sentation, and to protection in liberty and prop- 
erty; (3) that "religion, morality and knowledge, 
being necessary to good government and the 
happiness of mankind, schools and the means of 
education shall forever be encouraged" ; (4) that 
the States, formed within the territory referred 
to, "shall forever remain a part of this confeder- 
acy of the United States of America, subject to 
the Articles of Confederation and to such alter- 
ations therein as shall be constitutionally made" ; 
(5) prescribe the boundaries of the States to be 
formed therein and the conditions of their admis- 
sion into the Union; and (6 — and most significant 
of all) repeat the prohibition regarding the 
introduction of slavery into the Northwest Terri- 
tory, as proposed by Jefferson, but without any 
qualification as to time. There has been consider- 
able controversy regarding the authorship of this 
portion of the Ordinance, into which it is not 
necessary to enter here. While it has been char- 
acterized as a second and advanced Declaration 
of Independence — and probably no single act of 
Congress was ever fraught with more important 
and far-reaching results — it seems remarkable 
that a majority of the States supporting it and 
securing its adoption, were then, and long con- 
tinued to be, slave States. 

OREOON, the county-seat of Ogle County, 
situated on Rock River and the Minneapolis 
Branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- 
road, 100 miles west from Chicago. The sur- 
rounding region is agricultural; the town has 



water power and manufactures flour, pianos, steel 
tanks, street sprinklers, and iron castings. It has 
two banks, water-works supplied by flowing 
artesian wells, cereal mill, and two weekly news- 
papers ; has also obtained some repute as a summer 
resort. Pop. (1880), 1,088; (1890), 1,566; (1900),1,577. 

ORION, a village of Henry County, at the inter- 
section of the Rock Island Division of the Chicago 
Burlington & Quincy and the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Railways, 19 miles southeast of 
Rock Island. Pop. (1890), 624; (1900), 584. 

OSBORN, William Henry, Railway President, 
was born at Salem, Mass., Dec. 21, 1820. After 
receiving a high school education in his native 
town, he entered the counting room of the East 
India house of Peele, Hubbell & Co. ; was subse- 
quently sent to represent the firm at Manila, 
finally engaging in business on his own account, 
during which he traveled extensively in Europe. 
Returning to the United States in 1853, he took 
up his residence in New York, and, having mar- 
ried the daughter of Jonathan Sturges, one of the 
original incorporators and promoters of the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad, he soon after became asso- 
ciated with that enterprise. In August, 1854, he 
was chosen a Director of the Company, and, on 
Dec. 1, 1855, became its third President, serving 
in the latter position nearly ten years (until July 
11, 1865), and, as a Director, until 1877 — in all, 
twenty-two years. After retiring from his con- 
nection w T ith the Illinois Central Railroad, Mr. 
Osborn gave his attention largely to enterprises 
of an educational and benevolent character in aid 
of the unfortunate classes in the State of New 
York. 

OSBORN, Thomas 0., soldier and diplomatist, 
was born in Licking County, Ohio, August 11, 
1832; graduated from the Ohio University at 
Athens, in 1854; studied law at Crawfordsville, 
Ind., with Gen. Lew Wallace, was admitted to 
the bar and began practice in Chicago. Early in 
the war for the Union he joined the "Yates 
Phalanx," which, after some delay on account of 
the quota being full, was mustered into the serv- 
ice, in August, 1861, as the Thirty-ninth Illinois 
Volunteers, the subject of this sketch being com- 
missioned its Lieutenant-Colonel. His promotion 
to the colonelcy soon followed, the regiment 
being sent east to guard the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad, where it met the celebrated Stonewall 
Jackson, and took part in many important en- 
gagements, including the battles of Winchester, 
Bermuda Hundreds, and Drury's Bluff, besides 
the sieges of Charleston and Petersburg. At 
Bermuda Hundreds Colonel Osborn was severely 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



411 



wounded, losing the use of his right arm. He 
bore a conspicuous part in the operations about 
Richmond which resulted in the capture of the 
rebel capital, his services being recognized 'by 
promotion to the brevet rank of Major-General. 
At the close of the war he returned to the prac- 
tice of law in Chicago, but, in 1874, was appointed 
Consul-General and Minister-Resident to the 
Argentine Republic, remaining in that position 
until June, 1885, when he resigned, resuming his 
residence in Chicago. 

OSWEGO, a village in Kendall County, on the 
Aurora and Streator branch of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railway, 6 miles south of 
Aurora. Population (1890), 641; (1900), 618. 

OTTAWA, the county-seat and principal city 
of La Salle County, being incorporated as a vil- 
lage in 1838, and, as a city, in 1853. It is located 
at the confluence of the Illinois and Fox Rivers 
and on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. It is the 
intersecting point of the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railway and the Streator branch of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, 98 miles east of 
Rock Island and 83 miles west-southwest of Chi- 
cago. The surrounding region abounds in coal. 
Sand of a superior quality for the manufacture of 
glass is found in the vicinity and the place has 
extensive glass works. Other manufactured 
products are brick, drain-tile, sewer-pipe, tile- 
roofing, pottery, pianos, organs, cigars, wagons 
and carriages, agricultural implements, hay 
carriers, hay presses, sash, doors, blinds, cabinet 
work, saddlery and harness and pumps. The city 
has some handsome public buildings including 
the Appellate (formerly Supreme) Court House 
for the Northern Division. It also has several 
public parks, one of which (South Park) contains 
a medicinal spring. There are a dozen churches 
and numerous public school buildings, including 
a high school. The city is lighted by gas and 
electricity, has electric street railways, good 
sewerage, and water-works supplied from over 
150 artesian wells and numerous natural springs. 
It has one private and two national banks, five 
libraries, and eight weekly newspapers (three 
German), of which four issue daily editions. Pop. 
(1890), 9,985; (1900), 10,588. 

OTTAWA, CHICAGO & FOX RIVER VALLEY 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago, Burlington <C- Quincy 
Railroad.) 

OUTAGAMIES, a name given, by the French, 
to the Indian tribe known as the Foxes. (See 
Sacs and Foxes. ) 

OWEX, Thomas J. V., early legislator and 
Indian Agent, was born in Kentucky, April 5, 



1801 ; came to Illinois at an early day, and, in 
1830, was elected to the Seventh General Assem- 
bly from Randolph County; the following year 
was appointed Indian Agent at Chicago, as suc- 
cessor to Dr. Alexander Wolcott, who had died in 
the latter part of 1830. Mr. Owen served as 
Indian Agent until 1833; was a member of the 
first Board of Town Trustees of the village of Chi- 
cago, Commissioner of School Lands, and one of 
the Government Commissioners who conducted 
the treaty with the Pottawatomie and other 
tribes of Indians at Chicago, in September, 1833. 
Died, in Chicago, Oct. 15, 1835. 

PADDOCK, Gaius, pioneer, a native of Massa- 
chusetts, was born in 1758; at the age of 17 he 
entered the Colonial Army, serving until the 
close of the Revolutionary War, and being in 
Washington's command at the crossing of the 
Delaware. After the war he removed to Ver- 
mont; but, in 1815, went to Cincinnati, and, a 
year later, to St. Charles, Mo. Then, after hav- 
ing spent about a year at St. Louis, in 1818 he 
located in Madison County, 111., at a point after- 
wards known as "Paddock's Grove," and which 
became one of the most prosperous agricultural 
sections of Southern Illinois. Died, in 1831. 

PAIJfE, (Gen.) Eleazer A., soldier, was born in 
Parkman, Geauga County, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1815; 
graduated at West Point Military Academy, in 
1839, and was assigned to the First Infantry, 
serving in the Florida War (1839-40), but resigned, 
Oct. 11, 1840. He then studied law and practiced 
at Painesville, Ohio, (1843-48), and at Monmouth, 
111., (1848-61), meanwhile serving in the lower 
branch of the Eighteenth General Assembly 
(1853-53). Before leaving Ohio, he had been 
Deputy United States Marshal and Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the State Militia, and, in Illinois, 
became Brigadier-General of Militia (1845-48). 
He was appointed Colonel of the Ninth Illinois in 
April, 1861, and served through the war, being 
promoted Brigadier-General in September, 1861. 
The first duty performed by his regiment, after 
this date, was the occupation of Paducah, Ky., 
where he was in command. Later, it took part 
in the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, 
the battles of Shiloh, New Madrid and Corinth, 
and also in the various engagements in Northern 
Georgia and in the "march to the sea." From 
November, 1862, to May, 1864, General Paine was 
guarding railroad lines in Central Tennessee, 
and, during a part of 1864, in command of the 
AVestern District of Kentucky. He resigned, 
April 5, lsd.",, and died in Jersey City, Dec. 16, 



412 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1882. A sturdy Union man, he performed his 
duty as a soldier with great zeal and efficiency. 

PALATINE, a village of Cook County, on the 
Wisconsin Division of the Chicago & Northwest- 
ern Railroad, 2G miles northwest from Chicago. 
There are flour and planing mills here ; dairying 
and farming are leading industries of the sur- 
rounding country. Population (1880), 731; (1890), 
891; (1900), 1,020. 

PALESTINE, a town in Crawford County, about 
2 miles from the Wabash River, 7 miles east of 
Robinson, and 35 miles southwest of Terre Haute, 
on the Illinois Central Railway ; has five churches, 
a graded school, a bank, weekly newspaper, flour 
mill, cold storage plant, canning factory, garment 
factory, and municipal light and power plant. 
Pop. (1890), 732; (1900), 979. 

PALMER, Frank W., journalist, ex-Congress- 
man and Public Printer, was born at Manchester, 
Dearborn County, Ind., Oct. 11, 1827; learned the 
printer's trade at Jamestown, N. Y., afterwards 
edited "The Jamestown Journal," and served 
two terms in the New York Legislature ; in 1858 
removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and edited "The 
Dubuque Times," was elected to Congress in 1860, 
and again in 1868 and 1872, meanwhile having 
purchased "The Des Moines Register," which he 
edited for several years. In 1873 he removed to 
Chicago and became editor of "The Inter Ocean," 
remaining two years; in 1877 was appointed Post- 
master of the city of Chicago, serving eight years. 
Shortly after the accession of President Harrison, 
in 1889, he was appointed Public Printer, continu- 
ing in office until the accession of President Cleve- 
land in 1893, when he returned to newspaper work, 
but resumed his old place at the head of the 
Government Printing Bureau after the inaugura- 
tion of President McKinley in 1897. 

PALMER, John McAuley, lawyer, soldier and 
United States Senator, was born in Scott County, 
Ky., Sept. 13, 1817; removed with his father to 
Madison County, 111., in 1831, and, four years 
later, entered Shurtleff College, at Upper Alton, 
as a student ; later taught and studied law, being 
admitted to the bar in 1839. In 1843 he was 
elected Probate Judge of Macoupin County, also 
served in the State Constitutional Convention of 
1847 ; after discharging the duties of Probate and 
County Judge, was elected to the State Senate, to 
fill a vacancy, in 1852, and re-elected in 1854, as 
an Anti-Nebraska Democrat, casting his vote for 
Lyman Trumbull for LTnited States Senator in 
■ 1855, but resigned his seat in 1856; was President 
of the first Republican State Convention, held at 
Bloomington in the latter year, and appointed a 



delegate to the National Convention at Philadel- 
phia ; was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress 
in 1859, and chosen a Presidential Elector on the 
Republican ticket in 1860; served as a member of 
the National Peace Conference of 1861 ; entered 
the army as Colonel of the Fourteenth Regiment 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was promoted Briga- 
dier General, in November, 1861, taking part in 
the campaign in Tennessee up to Chickamauga, 
assuming the command of the Fourteenth Army 
Corps with the rank of Major-General, but was 
relieved at his own request before Atlanta. In 
1865 he was assigned, by President Lincoln, to 
command of the Military Department of Ken- 
tucky, but, in September, 1866, retired from the 
service, and, in 1867, became a citizen of Spring- 
field. The following year he was elected Gov- 
ernor, as a Republican, but, in 1872, supported 
Horace Greeley for President, and has since co- 
operated with the Democratic party. He was 
three times the unsuccessful candidate of his 
party for United States Senator, and was their 
nominee for Governor in 1888, but defeated. In 
1890 he was nominated for United States Senator 
by the Democratic State Convention and elected 
in joint session of the Legislature, March 11, 1891, 
receiving on the 154th ballot 101 Democratic and 
two Farmers' Mutual Alliance votes. He became 
an important factor in the campaign of 1896 as 
candidate of the "Sound Money" Democracy for 
President, although receiving no electoral votes, 
proving his devotion to principle. His last years 
were occupied in preparation of a volume of 
personal recollections, which was completed, 
tinder the title of "The Story of an Earnest Life,'' 
a few weeks before his death, which occurred at 
his home in Springfield, September 25, 1900. 

PALMER, Potter, merchant and capitalist, 
was born in Albany County, N. Y., in 1825; 
received an English education and became a 
junior clerk in a country store at Durham, 
Greene County, in that State, three years later 
being placed in charge of the business, and finally 
engaging in business on his own account. Com- 
ing to Chicago in 1852, he embarked in the dry- 
goods business on Lake Street, establishing the 
house which afterwards became Field, Leiter & 
Co. (now Marshall Field & Co.), from which here- 
tired, in 1865, with the basis of an ample fortune, 
which has since been immensely increased by 
fortunate operations in real estate. Mr. Palmer 
was Second Vice-President of the first Board of 
Local Directors of the World's Columbian Expo- 
sition in 1891. — Mrs. Bertha M. Honore (Palmer i. 
wife of the preceding, is the daughter of H. H. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



413 



Honore, formerly a prominent real-estate owner 
and operator of Chicago. She is a native of 
Louisville, Ky., where her girlhood was chiefly 
spent, though she was educated at a convent near 
Baltimore, Md. Later she came with her family 
to Chicago, and, in 1870, was married to Potter 
Palmer. Mrs. Palmer has been a recognized 
leader in many social and benevolent movements, 
but won the highest praise by her ability and 
administrative skill, exhibited as President of the 
Board of Lady Managers of the World's Colum- 
bian Exposition of 1893. 

PALMYRA, a village of Macoupin County, on 
the Springfield Division of the St. Louis, Chicago 
& St. Paul Railway, 33 miles southwest from 
Springfield ; has some local manufactories, a bank 
and a newspaper. Population (1900), 813. 

PANA, an important railway center and prin- 
cipal city of Christian County, situated in the 
southeastern part of the County, and at the inter- 
secting point of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwest- 
ern, the Illinois Central and the Cleveland, 
Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroads, 35 
miles south by west from Decatur, and 43 miles 
southeast of Springfield. It is an important ship- 
ping-point for grain and has two elevators. Its 
mechanical establishments include two flouring 
mills, a foundry, two machine shops and two 
planing mills. The surrounding region is rich in 
coal, which is extensively mined. Pana has 
banks, several churches, graded schools, and 
three papers issuing daily and weekly editions. 
Population (1890), 5,077; (1900), 5,530. 

PANA, SPRINGFIELD & NORTHWESTERN 
RAILROAD. (See Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western Railroad.) 

PARIS, a handsome and flourishing city, the 
county-seat of Edgar County. It is an important 
railway center, situated on the "Big Four" and 
the Vandalia Line, 160 miles south of Chicago, 
and 170 miles east-northeast of St. Louis; is in 
the heart of a wealthy and populous agricultural 
region, and has a prosperous trade. Its industries 
include foundries, three elevators, flour, saw and 
planing mills, glass, broom, and corn product 
factories. The city has three banks, three daily 
and four weekly newspapers, a court house, ten 
churches, and graded schools. Pop. (1890), 4,990; 
(1900), 6,105. 

PARIS & DECATUR RAILROAD. (See Terre 
Haute & Peoria Railroad.) 

PARIS & TERRE HAUTE RAILROAD. (See 
Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad.) 

PARKS, ({avion D. A., lawyer, was born at 
Bristol, Ontario County, N. Y., Sept. 17, 1817; 



went to New Y'ork City in 1838, where he com- 
pleted his legal studies and was admitted to the 
bar, removing to Lockport, 111, in 1842. Here 
he successively edited a paper, served as Master 
in Chancery and in an engineering corps on the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal ; was elected County 
Judge in 1849, removed to Joliet, and, for a time, 
acted as an attorney of the Chicago & Rock 
Island, the Michigan Central and the Chicago 
& Alton Railroads; was also a Trustee of the 
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Jackson- 
ville; was elected Representative in 1852, became 
a Republican and served on the first Republican 
State Central Committee (1856); the same year 
was elected to the State Senate, and was a 
Commissioner of the State Penitentiary in 1864. 
In 1872 Mr. Parks joined in the Liberal-Repub- 
lican movement, was defeated for Congress, and 
afterwards acted with the Democratic party. 
Died, Dec. 28, 1895. 

PARKS, Lawson A., journalist, was born at 
Mecklenburg, N. C, April 15, 1813; learned the 
printing trade at Charlotte, in that State ; came 
to St. Louis in 1833, and, in 1836, assisted in estab- 
lishing "The Alton Telegraph," but sold his 
interest a few years later. Then, having offi- 
ciated as pastor of Presbyterian churches for some 
years, in 1854 he again became associated with 
"The Telegraph," acting as its editor. Died at 
Alton, March 31, 1875. 

PARK RIDGE, a suburban village on the Wis- 
consin Division of the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad, 13 miles northwest of Chicago. Popu- 
lation (1880), 457; (1890), 987; (J900), 1,340. 

PARTRIDGE, Charles Addison, journalist and 
Assistant Adjutant-General of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, was born in Westford, Chittenden 
County, Vt. , Dec. 8, 1843; came with his parents 
to Lake County, 111., in 1844, and spent his boy- 
hood on a farm, receiving his education in the 
district school, with four terms in a high school 
at Burlington, Wis. At 16 he taught a winter 
district school near his boyhood home, and at 18 
enlisted in what became Company C of the 
Ninety-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, being 
mustered into the service as Eighth Corporal at 
Rockford. His regiment becoming attached to 
the Army of the Cumberland, he participated 
with it in the battles of Chickamauga and the 
Atlanta campaign, as well as those of Franklin 
and Nashville, and has taken a just pride in the 
fact that he never fell out on the march, took 
medicine from a doctor or was absent from his 
regiment during its term of service, except for 
four months while recovering from a gun-shot 



414 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



wound received ax Chickamauga. He was pro- 
moted successively to Sergeant, Sergeant-Major, 
and commissioned Second Lieutenant of his old 
company, of which his father was First Lieuten- 
ant for six months and until forced to resign on 
account of impaired health. Receiving his final 
discharge, June 28, 1865, he returned to the farm, 
where he remained until 1809, in the meantime 
being married to Miss Jennie E. Earle, in 1806, 
and teaching school one winter. In 1809 he was 
elected County Treasurer of Lake County on the 
Republican ticket, and re-elected in 1871 ; in 
January of the latter year, purchased an interest 
in "The Waukegan Gazette," with which he 
remained associated some fifteen years, at first as 
the partner of Rev. A. K. Fox, and later of his 
younger brother, H. E. Partridge. In 1877 he 
was appointed, by President Hayes, Postmaster 
at Waukegan, serving four years; in 1886 was 
elected to the Legislature, serving (by successive 
elections) as Representative in the Thirty-fifth, 
Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh General Assem- 
blies, being frequently called upon to occupy the 
Speaker's chair, and, especially during the long 
Senatorial contest of 1891, being recognized as a 
leader of the Republican minority. In 1888 he 
was called to the service of the Republican State 
Central Committee (of which he had previously 
been a member), as assistant to the veteran Secre- 
tary, the late Daniel Shepard, remaining until 
the death of his chief, when he succeeded to the 
secretaryship. During the Presidential campaign 
of 1892 he was associated with the late William 
J. Campbell, then the Illinois member of the 
Republican National Committee, and was en- 
trusted by him with many important and confi- 
dential missions. Without solicitation on his 
part, in 1894 he was again called to assume the 
secretaryship of the Republican State Central 
Committee, and bore a conspicuous and influ- 
ential part in winning the brilliant success 
achieved by the party in the campaign of that 
year. From 1893 to 1895 he served as Mayor of 
Waukegan; in 1896 became Assistant Adjutant- 
General of the Grand Army of the Republic for 
the Department of Illinois — a position which he 
held in 1889 under Commander James S. Martin, 
and to which he lias been re-appointed by succes- 
sive Department Commanders up to the present 
time. Mr. Partridge's service in the various 
public positions held by him, has given him an 
acquaintance extending to every county in the 
State. 

PATOKA, a village of Marion County, on the 
Western branch of the Illinois Central Railway, 



15 miles south of Vandalia. There are flour and 
saw mills here ; the surrounding country is agri- 
cultural. Population (1890), 502: (1900), 640. 

PATTERSOX, Robert Wilson, D.D., LL.D., 
clergyman, was born in Blount County, Tenn., 
Jan. 21, 1814; came to Bond Count}', 111, with 
his parents in 1822, his father dying two years 
later ; at 18 had had only nine months' schooling, 
but graduated at Illinois College in 1837 ; spent a 
year at Lane Theological Seminary, another as 
tutor in Illinois College, and then, after two years 
more at Lane Seminary and preaching in Chicago 
and at Monroe, Mich., in 1842 established the 
Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago, of which 
he remained the pastor over thirty years. In 
1850 he received a call to the chair of Didactic 
Theology at Lane Seminary, as successor to Dr. 
Lyman Beeeher, but it was declined, as was a 
similar call ten years later. Resigning his pastor- 
ship in 1873, he was, for several years. Professor of 
Christian Evidences and Ethics in the Theological 
Seminary of the Northwest ; in 1876-78 served as 
President of Lake Forest University (of which he 
was one of the founders), and, in 1880-83, as 
lecturer in Lane Theological Seminary. He 
received the degree of D.D. from Hamilton Col- 
lege, N. Y., in 1854, that of LL.D. from Lake 
Forest University, and was Moderator of the 
Presbyterian General Assembly (X. S.)at Wil- 
mington, Del, in 1859. Died, at Evanston, 111, 
Feb. 24, 1894. 

PAYEY, Charles W., soldier and ex-State 
Auditor, was born in Highland County, Ohio, 
Nov. 8, 1835 ; removed to Illinois in 1859, settling 
in the vicinity of Mount Vernon, and, for a time, 
followed the occupation of a farmer and stock- 
raiser. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Eighti- 
eth Illinois Volunteers for the Civil War, and 
became First Lieutenant of Company E. He was 
severely wounded at the battle of Sand Mountain 
and, having been captured, was confined in Libby 
Prison, at Salisbury, N. C, and at Danville, 
Va. , for a period of nearly two years, enduring 
great hardship and suffering. Having been 
exchanged, he served to the close of the war as 
Assistant Inspector-General on the Staff of Gen- 
eral Rousseau, in Tennessee. He was a delegate 
to the Republican National Convention of 1880, 
which nominated General Garfield for the Presi- 
dency, and was one of the famous "306" who 
stood by General Grant in that struggle. In 1882 
he was appointed by President Arthur Collector 
of Internal Revenue for the Southern District, 
and, in 1888, was nominated and elected State 
Auditor on the Republican ticket, but was de- 



IIISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



415 



feated for re-election in the "land-slide" of 1892. 
General Pavey has been prominent in "G. A. R. " 
councils, and held the position of Junior Vice- 
Commander for the Department of Illinois in 

1878, and that of Senior Vice-Commander in 

1879. He also served as Brigadier-General of the 
National Guard, for Southern Illinois, during the 
railroad strike of 1877. In 1897 he received from 
President McKinley the appointment of Special 
Agent of the Treasury Department. His home 
is at Mount Vernon, Jefferson County. 

PAWNEE, a village of Sangamon County, at 
the eastern terminus of the Auburn & Pawnee 
Railroad, 19 miles south of Springfield. The town 
has a bank and a weekly paper. Population ( 1900), 
595; (1903, est.), 1,000. 

PAWNEE RAILROAD, a short line in Sanga- 
mon County, extending from Pawnee to Auburn 
(9 miles), where it forms a junction with the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad. The company was 
organized and procured a charter in December, 
1888, and the road completed the following year. 
The cost was §101,774. Capital stock authorized, 
$100,000; funded debt (1895), §50,000. 

PAW PAW, a village of Lee County, at the 
junction of two branches of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railway, 8 miles northwest of 
Earlville. The town is in a farming region, but 
has a bank and one weekly paper. Population 
(1890), 635; (1900), 765. 

PAXTON, the county-seat of Ford County, is 
situated at the intersection of the Chicago Divi- 
sion of the Illinois Central and the Lake Erie & 
Western Railroads, 103 miles south by west from 
Chicago, and 49 miles east of Bloomington. It 
contains a court house, two schools, water-works, 
electric light and water-heating system, two 
banks, nine churches, and one daily newspaper. 
It is an important shipping-point for the farm 
products of the surrounding territory, which is a 
rich agricultural region. Besides brick and tile 
works and flour mills, factories for the manu- 
facture of carriages, buggies, hardware, cigars, 
brooms, and plows are located here. Pop. (1890), 
2,187; (1900), 3,036. 

PATSON, a village in Adams County, 15 miles 
southeast of Quincy ; the nearest railroad station 
being Fall Creek, on the Quincy and Louisiana 
Division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railway; has one newspaper. Population (1900), 
465. 

PAYSON, Lewis E., lawyer and ex-Congress- 
man, was born at Providence, R. I., Sept. 17, 
1840; came to Illinois at the age of 13, and. after 
passing through the common schools, attended 



Lombard University, at Galesburg, for two years. 
He was admitted to the bar at Ottawa in 1862, 
and, in 1865, took up his residence at Pontiac. 
From 1869 to 1873 he was Judge of the Livingston 
County Court, and, from 1881 to 1891, represented 
his District in Congress, being elected as a 
Republican, but, in 1890, was defeated by his 
Democratic opponent, Herman W. Snow. Since 
retiring from Congress he has practiced his pro- 
fession in Washington, D. C. 

PEABODY, Selim Hobart, educator, was born 
in Rockingham County, Vt., August 20, 1829; 
after reaching 13 years of age, spent a year in a 
Boston Latin School, then engaged in various 
occupations, including teaching, until 1848, when 
he entered the University of Vermont, graduat- 
ing third in his class in 1852; was appointed Pro- 
fessor of Mathematics and Engineering in the 
Polytechnic College at Philadelphia, in 1854, 
remaining three years, when he spent five years 
in Wisconsin, the last three as Superintendent of 
Schools at Racine. From 1865 to 1871 he was 
teacher of physical science in Chicago High 
School, also conducting night schools for work- 
ing men ; in 1871 became Professor of Physics and 
Engineering in Massachusetts Agricultural Col- 
lege, but returned to the Chicago High School in 
1874 ; in 1876 took charge of the Chicago Acad- 
emy of Sciences, and, in 1878, entered the Illinois 
Industrial University (now University of Illinois), 
at Champaign, first as Professor of Mechanical 
Engineering, in 1880 becoming President, but 
resigning in 1891. During the World's Colum'- 
bian Exposition at Chicago, Professor Peabody 
was Chief of the Department of Liberal Arts, 
and, on the expiration of his service there, 
assumed the position of Curator of the newly 
organized Chicago Academy of Sciences, from 
which he retired some two years later. 

PEARL, a village of Pike County, on the Kan- 
sas City branch of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 
14 miles west of Roodhouse. Population (1890), 
928; (1900), 722. 

PEARSON, Isaac N., ex-Secretary of State, was 
born at Centreville, Pa., July 27, 1842; removed 
to Macomb, McDonough County, 111., in 1858, and 
has ever since resided there. In 1872 he was 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, and re-elected 
in 1876. Later he engaged in real-estate and 
banking business. He was a member of the lower 
house in the Thirty-third, and of the Senate in 
the Thirty-fifth, General Assembly, but before the 
expiration of his term in the latter, was elected 
Secretary of State, on the Republican ticket, in 
1888. In 1892 he was a candidate for re-election, 



41G 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



but was defeated, although, next to Governor 
Filer, he received the largest vote cast for any 
candidate for a political office on the Republican 
State ticket. 

PEARSON, John M., ex-Raihvay and Ware- 
house Commissioner, born at Newburyport, 
Mass., in 1832— the son of a ship-carpenter; was 
educated in his native State and came to Illinois 
in 1849, locating at the city of Alton, where he 
was afterwards engaged in the manufacture of 
agricultural implements. In 1873 he was ap- 
pointed a member of the first Railway and Ware- 
house Commission, serving four years; in 1878 
was elected Representative in the Thirty-first 
General Assembly from Madison County, and 
was re-elected, successively, in 1880 and '82. He 
was appointed a member of the first Board of 
Live-Stock Commissioners in 1885, serving until 
1893, for a considerable portion of the time as 
President of the Board. Mr. Pearson is a life- 
long Republican and prominent member of the 
Masonic fraternity. His present home is at 
Godfrey. 

PEARSONS, Daniel K., M.D., real-estate oper- 
ator and capitalist, was born at Bradfordton, Vt., 
April 14, 1820 ; began teaching at 16 years of age, 
and, at 21, entered Dartmouth College, taking a 
two years' course. He then studied medicine, 
and, after practicing a short time in his native 
State, removed to Chicopee, Mass., where he 
remained from 1843 to 1857. The latter year he 
came to Ogle County, 111., and began operating 
in real estate, finally adding to this a loan busi- 
ness for Eastern parties, but discontinued this 
line in 1877. He owns extensive tracts of timber 
lands in Michigan, is a Director in the Chicago 
City Railway Company and American Exchange 
Bank, besides being interested in other financial 
institutions. He has been one of the most liberal 
supporters of the Chicago Historical Society, and 
a princely contributor to various benevolent and 
educational institutions, his gifts to colleges, in 
different parts of the country, aggregating over a 
million dollars. 

PECATONICA, a town in Pecatonica Township, 
Winnebago County, on the Pecatonica River. It 
is on the Chicago <fe Northwestern Railway, mid- 
way beween Freeport and Rockford, being 14 
miles from each. It contains a carriage factory, 
machine shop, condensed milk factory, a bank, 
six churches, a graded school, and a weekly news- 
paper. Pop. (1890), 1,059; (1900), 1,045. 

PECATONICA RIVER, a stream formed by the 
confluence of two branches, both of which rise 
in Iowa County, Wis. They unite a little north 



of the Illinois State line, whence the river runs 
southeast to Freeport, then east and northeast, 
until it enters Rock River at Rockton. From the 
headwaters of either branch to the mouth of the 
river is about 50 miles. 

PECK, Ebenezer, early lawyer, was born in 
Portland, Maine, May 22, 1805; received an aca- 
demical education, studied law and was admitted 
to the bar in Canada in 1827. He was twice 
elected to the Provincial Parliament and made 
King's Counsel in 1833 ; came to Illinois in 1835, 
settling in Chicago; served in the State Senate 
(1838-40), and in the House (1840-42 and 1858-60); 
was also Clerk of the Supreme Court (1841-45), 
Reporter of Supreme Court decisions (1849-63), 
and member of the Constitutional Convention of 
1869 70. Mr. Peck was an intimate personal 
friend of Abraham Lincoln, by whom he was 
appointed a member of the Court of Claims, at 
Washington, serving until 1875. Died, May 25, 
1881. 

PECK, Ferdinand Wythe, lawyer and finan- 
cier, was born in Chicago, July 15, 1848 — the son 
of Philip F. W. Peck, a pioneer and early mer- 
chant of the metropolis of Illinois ; was educated 
in the public schools, the Chicago University 
and Union College of Law, graduating from 
both of the last named institutions, and being 
admitted to the bar in 1869. For a time he 
engaged in practice, but his father having died in 
1871, the responsibility of caring for a large 
estate devolved upon him and has since occupied 
his time, though he has given much attention to 
the amelioration of the condition of the poor of 
his native city, and works of practical benevo- 
lence and public interest. He is one of the 
founders of the Illinois Humane Society, has been 
President and a member of the Board of Control 
of the Chicago Athenseum, member of the Board 
of Education, President of the Chicago Union 
League, and was an influential factor in securing 
the success of the World's Columbian Exposition 
at Chicago, in 1893, serving as First Vice-Presi- 
dent of the Chicago Board of Directors, Chair- 
man of the Finance Committee, and member of 
the Board of Reference and Control. Of late 
years, Mr. Peck has been connected with several 
important building enterprises of a semi-public 
character, which have added to the reputation of 
Chicago, including the Auditorium, Stock Ex- 
change Building and others in which he is a 
leading stockholder, and in the erection of which 
he has been a chief promoter. In 1898 he was 
appointed, by President McKinley, the United 
States Commissioner to the International Expo- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



417 



sition at Paris of 1900, a.s successor to the late 
Maj. M. P. Handy, and the success which has 
followed his discharge of the duties of that 
position, has demonstrated the fitness of his 
selection. 

PECK, George It., railway attorney, born in 
Steuben County, N. Y., in 1843; was early taken 
to Wisconsin, where he assisted in clearing his 
father's farm ; at 16 became a country school- 
teacher to aid in freeing the same farm from 
debt; enlisted at 19 in the First Wisconsin Heavy 
Artillery, later becoming a Captain in the Thirty- 
first Wisconsin Infantry, with which he joined in 
"Sherman's March to the Sea." Returning home 
at the close of the war, he began the study of 
law at Janesville, spending six years there as a 
student. Clerk of the Circuit Court and in prac- 
tice. From there he went to Kansas and, between 
1871 and '74, practiced h is prof ession at Independ- 
ence, when he was appointed by President Grant 
United States District Attorney for the Kansas 
District, but resigned this position, in 1879, to 
return to general practice. In 1881 he became 
General Solicitor of the Atchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe Railroad, removing to Chicago in 
1893. In 1895 he resigned his position with the 
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad to accept 
a similar position with the Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul Railway Company, which (1898) he 
still holds. Mr. Peck is recognized as one of the 
most gifted orators in the West, and, in 1897, was 
chosen to deliver the principal address at the un- 
veiling of the Logan equestrian statue in Lake 
Front Park, Chicago; has also officiated as orator 
on a number of other important public occasions, 
always acquitting himself with distinction. 

PECK, John Mason, D.D., clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born in Litchfield, Conn., Oct. 31, 1789; 
removed to Greene County, N. Y., in 1811, where 
he united with the Baptist Church, the same 
year entering on pastoral work, while prosecuting 
his studies and supporting himself by teaching. 
In 1814 he became pastor of a church at Amenia. 
N. Y., and, in 1817, was sent west as a mission- 
ary, arriving in St. Louis in the latter part of the 
same year. During the next nine years he trav- 
eled extensively through Missouri and Illinois, as 
an itinerant preacher and teacher, finally locating 
at Rock Spring. St. Clair County, where, in 1826, 
he established the Rock Spring Seminary for the 
education of teachers and ministers. Out of this 
grew Shurtleff College, founded at Upper Alton 
in 1835, in securing the endowment of which Dr. 
Peck traveled many thousands of miles and col- 
lected $20,000, and of which he served as Trustee 



for many years. Up to 1843 he devoted much 
time to aiding in the establishment of a theolog- 
ical institution at Covington, Ky., and, for two 
years following, was Corresponding Secretary and 
Financial Agent of the American Baptist Publi- 
cation Society, with headquarters in Philadelphia. 
Returning to the West, he served as pastor of sev- 
eral important churches in Missouri, Illinois and 
Kentucky. A man of indomitable will, unflag- 
ging industry and thoroughly upright in conduct, 
for a period of a quarter of a century, in the early 
history of the State, probably no man exerted a 
larger influence for good and the advancement 
of the cause of education, among the pioneer citi- 
zens of all classes, than Dr. Peck. Though giving 
his attention so constantly to preaching and 
teaching, he found time to write much, not only 
for the various publications with which he was, 
from time to time, connected, but also for other 
periodicals, besides publishing "A Guide for Emi- 
grants" (1831), of which a new edition appeared 
in 1836, and a "Gazetteer of Illinois" (Jackson- 
ville, 1834, and Boston, 1837), which continue to 
be valued for the information they contain of the 
condition of the country at that time. He was 
an industrious collector of historical records in 
the form of newspapers and pamphlets, which 
were unfortunately destroyed by fire a few years 
before his death. In 1852 he received the degree 
of D. D. from Harvard University. Died, at Rock 
Spring, St. Clair County, March 15, 1858. 

PECK, Philip F. W., pioneer merchant, was 
born in Providence. R. I., in 1809, the son of a 
wholesale merchant who had lost his fortune by 
indorsing for a friend. After some years spent 
in a mercantile house in New York, he came to 
Chicago on a prospecting tour, in 1830; the fol- 
lowing year brought a stock of goods to the 
embryo emporium of the Northwest — then a small 
backwoods hamlet — and, by trade and fortunate 
investments in real estate, laid the foundation of 
what afterwards became a large fortune. He 
died, Oct. 23, 1871, as the result of an accident 
occurring about the time of the great fire of two 
weeks previous, from which he was a heavy 
sufferer pecuniarily. Three of his sons, Walter L. , 
Clarence I. and Ferdinand W. Peck, are among 
Chicago's most substantial citizens. 

PEKIX, a flourishing city, the county-seat of 
Tazewell County, and an important railway cen- 
ter, located on the Illinois River, 10 miles south 
of Peoria and 56 miles north of Springfield. 
Agriculture and coal-mining are the chief occu- 
pations in the surrounding country, but the city 
itself is an important grain market with large 



418 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



general shipping interests. It has several dis- 
tilleries, besides grain elevators, malt-houses, 
brick and tile works, lumber yards, planing mills, 
marble works, plow and wagon works, and a 
factory for corn products. Its banking facilities 
are adequate, and its religious and educational 
advantages are excellent. The city has a public 
library, park, steam-heating plant, three daily 
and four weekly papers. Pop. (1890), 6,347 ; (1900), 
8,420. 

PEKIN, LINCOLN & DECATUR RAILROAD. 
(See Peoria, Decatur & Evantsville Railway.) 

PELL, Gilbert T., Representative in the Third 
Illinois General Assembly (1822) from Edwards 
County, and an opponent of the resolution for a 
State Convention adopted by the Legislature at 
that session, designed to open the door for the 
admission of slavery. Mr. Pell was a son-in-law 
of Morris Birkbeck, who was one of the leaders 
in opposition to the Convention scheme, and very 
naturally sympathized with his father-in-law. 
He was elected to the Legislature, for a second 
term, in 1838, but subsequently left the State, 
dying elsewhere, when his widow removed to 
Australia. 

PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD. As to oper- 
ations of this corporation in Illinois, see Calumet 
River; Pittsburg. Fort Wayne & Chicago; South 
Chicago & Southern, and Pittsburg, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railways. The whole num- 
ber of miles owned, leased and operated by the 
Pennsylvania System, in 1898, was 1,987.21, of 
which only 61.34 miles were in Illinois. It owns, 
however, a controlling interest in the stock of 
the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway (which 
see). 

PEORIA, the second largest city of the State 
and the county -seat of Peoria County, is 160 miles 
southwest of Chicago, and at the foot of an expan- 
sion of the Illinois River known as Peoria Lake. 
The site of the town occupies an elevated plateau, 
having a water frontage of four miles and extend- 
ing back to a bluff, which rises 230 feet above the 
river level and about 120 feet above the highest 
point of the main site. It was settled in 1778 or 
'79, although, as generally believed, the French 
missionaries had a station there in 1711. There 
was certainly a settlement there as early as 1725, 
when Renault received a grant of lands at Pimi- 
teoui, facing the lake then bearing the same 
name as the village. From that date until 1812, 
the place was continuously occupied as a French 
village, and is said to have been the most impor- 
tant point for trading in the Mississippi Valley. 
The original village was situated about a mile and 



a half above the foot of the lake ; but later, the pres- 
ent site was occupied, at first receiving the name 
of "La Ville de Maillet," from a French Canadian 
who resided in Peoria, from 1765 to 1801 (the time 
of his death), and who commanded a company of 
volunteers in the Revolutionary War. The popu- 
lation of the old town removed to the new site, 
and the present name was given to the place by 
American settlers, from the Peoria Indians, who 
were the occupants of the country when it was 
first discovered, but who had followed their cog- 
nate tribes of the Illinois family to Cahokia and 
Kaskaskia, about, a century before American 
occupation of this region. In 1812 the town is 
estimated to have contained- about seventy dwell- 
ings, with a population of between 200 and 
300, made up largely of French traders, 
hunters and voyageurs, with a considerable 
admixture of half-breeds and Indians, and a few 
Americans. Among the latter were Thomas 
Forsyth, Indian Agent and confidential adviser 
of Governor Edwards ; Michael La Croix, son-in- 
law of Julian Dubuque, founder of the city of 
Dubuque ; Antoine Le Claire, founder of Daven- 
port, and for whom Le Claire, Iowa, is named; 
William Arundel, afterwards Recorder of St. 
Clair County, and Isaac Darnielle, the second law- 
yer in Illinois. — In November, 1812, about half 
the town was burned, by order of Capt. Thomas 
E. Craig, who had been directed, by Governor 
Edwards, to proceed up the river in boats with 
materials to build a fort at Peoria. At the same 
time, the Governor himself was at the head of a 
force marching against Black Partridge's vil- 
lage, which he destroyed. Edwards had no com- 
munication with Craig, who appears to have 
acted solely on his own responsibility. That the 
latter's action was utterly unjustifiable, there can 
now be little doubt. He alleged, by way of 
excuse, that his boats had been fired upon from 
the shore, at night, by Indians or others, who 
were harbored by the citizens. The testimony 
of the French, however, is to the effect that it 
was an unprovoked and cowardly assault, insti- 
gated by wine which the soldiers had stolen from 
the cellars of the inhabitants. The bulk of those 
who remained after the fire were taken by Craig 
to a point below Alton and put ashore. This 
occurred in the beginning of winter, and the 
people, being left in a destitute condition, were 
subjected to great suffering. A Congressional 
investigation followed, and the French, having 
satisfactorily established the fact that they were 
not hostile, were restored to their possessions. — In 
1813 a fort, designed for permanent occupancy, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



419 



was erected and named Fort Clark, in honor of 
Col. George Rogers Clark. It had one (if not 
two) blockhouses, with magazines and quarters 
for officers and men. It was finally evacuated in 
1818, and was soon afterwards burned by the 
Indians. Although a trading-post had been 
maintained here, at intervals, after the affair of 
1813, there was no attempt made to rebuild the 
town until 1819, when Americans began to 
arrive. — In 1824 a post of the American Fur Com- 
pany was established here by John Hamlin, the 
company having already had, for five years, a 
station at Wesley City, three miles farther down 
the river. Hamlin also traded in pork and other 
products, and was the first to introduce keel- 
boats on the Illinois River. By transferring his 
cargo to lighter draft boats, when necessary, he 
made the trip from Peoria to Chicago entirely by 
water, going from the Des Plaines to Mud Lake, 
and thence to the South Branch of the Chicago 
River, without unloading. In 1834 the town had 
but seven frame houses and twenty-one log 
cabins. It was incorporated as a town in 1835 
(Rudolphus Rouse being the first President), and, 
as the City of Peoria, ten years later (Win. Hale 
being the first Mayor). — Peoria is an important 
railway and business center, eleven railroad lines 
concentrating here. It presents many attractive 
features, such as handsome residences, fine views 
of river, bluff and valley scenery, with an elab- 
orate system of parks and drives. An excellent 
school system is liberally supported, and its public 
buildings (national, county and city) are fine and 
costly. Its churches are elegant and well 
attended, the leading denominations being 
Methodist Episcopal, Congregational, Presby- 
terian, Baptist. Protestant and Reformed Episco- 
pal, Lutheran, Evangelical and Roman Catholic. 
It is the seat of Bradley Polytechnic Institute, a 
young and flourishing scientific school affiliated 
with the University of Chicago, and richly en- 
dowed through the munificence of Mrs. Lydia 
Bradley, who devotes her whole estate, of at 
least a million dollars, to this object. Right Rev. 
John L. Spaulding, Bishop of the Roman Catho- 
lic diocese of Peoria, is erecting a handsome and 
costly building for the Spaulding Institute, a 
school for the higher education of young men. — 
At Bartonville, a suburb of Peoria, on an eleva- 
tion commanding a magnificent view of the Illi- 
nois River valley for many miles, the State has 
located an asylum for the incurable insane. It is 
now in process of erection, and is intended to be 
one of the most complete of its kind in the world. 
Peoria lies in a corn and coal region, is noted for 



the number and extent of its distilleries, and, in 
1890, ranked eighth among the grain markets of 
the country. It also has an extensive commerce 
with Chicago, St. Louis and other important 
cities; was credited, by the census of 1890, with 
554 manufacturing establishments, representing 
90 different branches of industry, with a capital 
of $15,072,567 and an estimated annual product of 
$55,504,523. Its leading industries are the manu- 
facture of distilled and malt liquors, agricultural 
implements, glucose and machine-shop products. 
Its contributions to the internal revenue of the 
country are second only to those of the New York 
district. Population (1870), 22,849; (1880), 29,259; 
(1890), 41, 024; (1900), 56,100. 

PEORIA COUNTY, originally a part of Fulton 
County, but cut off in 1825. It took its name 
from the Peoria Indians, who occupied that region 
when it was first discovered. As first organized, 
it included the present counties of Jo Daviess and 
Cook, with many others in the northern part of 
the State. At that time there were less than 
1,500 inhabitants in the entire region; and John 
Hamlin, a Justice of the Peace, on his return 
from Green Bay (whither he had accompanied 
William S. Hamilton, a son of Alexander Hamil- 
ton, with a drove of cattle for the fort there), 
solemnized, at Chicago, the marriage of Alex- 
ander Wolcott, then Indian Agent, with a 
daughter of John Kinzie. The original 'Peoria 
County has been subdivided into thirty counties, 
among them being some of the largest and rich- 
est in the State. The first county officer was 
Norman Hyde, who was elected Judge of the 
Probate Court by the Legislature in January, 
1825. His commission from Governor Coles was 
dated on the eighteenth of that month, but he 
did not qualify until June 4, following, when he 
took the oath of office before John Dixon, Circuit 
Clerk, who founded the city that bears his name. 
Meanwhile, Mr. Hyde had been appointed the 
first Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court, 
and served in that capacity until entering upon 
his duties as Probate Judge. The first election 
of county officers was held, March 7, 1825, at the 
house of William Eads. Nathan Dillon, Joseph 
Smith, and William Holland were chosen Com- 
missioners; Samuel Fulton Sheriff, and William 
Phillips Coroner. The first County Treasurer 
was Aaron Hawley, and the first general election 
of officers took place in 1826. The first court 
house was a log cabin, and the first term of 
the Circuit Court began Nov. 14, 1825, John 
York Sawyer sitting on the bench, with John 
Dixon, Clerk; Samuel Fulton, Sheriff; and John 



420 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Twiney, the Attorney-General, present. Peoria 
County is, at present, one of the wealthiest and 
most populous counties in the State. Its soil is 
fertile and its manufactures numerous, especially 
at Peoria, the county-seat and principal city 
(which see) . The area of the county is 615 square 
miles, and its population (1880), 55,353; (1890), 
70,378; (19C0). 88,608. 

PEORIA LAKE, an expansion of the Illinois 
River, forming the eastern boundary of Peoria 
County, which it separates from the counties of 
Woodford and Tazewell. It is about 20 miles 
long and 2}4 miles broad at the widest part. 

PEORIA, ATLANTA & DECATLR RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad.) 

PEORIA, DECATLR & EVANSVILLE RAIL- 
WAY. The total length of this line, extending 
from Peoria, 111., to Evansville, Ind., is 330.87 
miles, all owned by the company, of which 273 
miles are in Illinois. It extends from Pekin, 
southeast to Grayville, on the Wabash River — is 
single track, unballasted, and of standard gauge. 
Between Pekin and Peoria the company uses the 
tracks of the Peoria & Pekin Union Railway, of 
which it is one-fourth owner. Between Hervey 
City and Midland Junction it has trackage privi 
leges over the line owned jointly by the Peoria, 
Decatur & Evansville and the Terre Haute & 
Peoria Companies (7.5 miles). Between Midland 
Junction and Decatur (2.4 miles) the tracks of 
the Illinois Central are used, the two lines having 
terminal facilities at Decatur in common. The 
rails are of fifty-two and sixty-pound steel. — 
(History. ) The main line of the Peoria, Decatur 
& Evansville Railway is the result of the consoli- 
dation of several lines built under separate char- 
ters. (1) The Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur Railroad, 
chartered in 1807, built in 1869-71, and operated 
the latter year, was leased to the Toledo, Wabash 
& Western Railway, but sold to representatives 
of the bond-holders, on account of default on 
interest, in 1876, and reorganized as the Pekin, 
Lincoln & Decatur Railway. (2) The Decatur, 
Sullivan & Mattoon Railroad, (projected from 
Decatur to Mattoon), was incorporated in 1871, 
completed from Mattoon to Hervey City, in 1872, 
and, the same year, consolidated with the Chi- 
cago & Great Southern; in January, 1874, the 
Decatur line passed into the hands of a receiver, 
and, in 1877, having been sold under foreclosure, 
was reorganized as the Decatur, Mattoon & South- 
ern Railroad. In 1879 it was placed in the hands 
of trustees, but the Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur 
Railway having acquired a controlling interest 
during the same year, the two lines were con- 



solidated under the name of the Peoria, Decatur 
& Evansville Railway Company. (3) The Gray- 
ville & Mattoon Railroad, chartered in 1857, was 
consolidated in 1872 with the Mount Vernon & 
Grayville Railroad (projected), the new corpo- 
ration taking the name of the Chicago & Illinois 
Southern (already mentioned). In 1872 the latter 
corporation was consolidated with the Decatur, 
Sullivan & Mattoon Railroad, under the name of 
the Chicago & Illinois Southern Railway. Both 
consolidations, however, were set aside by decree 
of the United States District Court, in 1876, and 
the partially graded road and franchises of the 
Grayville & Mattoon lines sold, under foreclosure, 
to the contractors for the construction ; 20 miles 
of the line from Olney to Newton, were completed 
during the month of September of that year, and 
the entire line, from Grayville to Mattoon, in 
1878. In 1880 this line was sold, under decree of 
foreclosure, to the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville 
Railway Company, which had already acquired 
the Decatur & Mattoon Division —thus placing 
the entire line, from Peoria to Grayville, in the 
hands of one corporation. A line under the name 
of the Evansville & Peoria Railroad, chartered in 
Indiana in 1880, was consolidated, the same year, 
with the Illinois corporation under the name of 
the latter, and completed from Grayville to 
Evansville in 1882. (4) The Chicago & Ohio 
River Railroad — chartered, in 1869, as the Dan- 
ville, Olney & Ohio River Railroad — was con- 
structed, as a narrow-gauge line, from Kansas to 
West Liberty, in 1878-81 ; in the latter year was 
changed to standard gauge and completed, in 
1883, from Sidell to Olney (86 miles). The same 
year it went into the hands of a receiver, was sold 
under foreclosure, in February, 1886, and reorgan- 
ized, in May following, as the Chicago & Ohio 
River Railroad ; was consolidated with the Peoria, 
Decatur & Evansville Railway, in 1893, and used 
as the Chicago Division of that line. The property 
and franchises of the entire line passed into the 
hands of receivers in 1894, and are still (1898) 
under their management. 

PEORIA, PEKIN & JACKSONVILLE RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Rail- 
road of Illinois.) 

PEORIA & BUREAU VALLEY RAILROAD, a 
short line, 46.7 miles in length, operated by the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Com- 
pany, extending from Peoria to Bureau Junction, 
111. It was incorporated, Feb. 12, 1853, com- 
pleted the following year, and leased to the Rock 
Island in perpetuity, April 14, 1854, the annual 
rental being $125,000. The par value of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



421 



capital stock is SI, 500,000. Annual dividends of 
8 per cent are guaranteed, payable semi-annu- 
ally. (See Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
Railway.) 

PEORIA & EASTERN RAILROAD. Of this 
line the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railroad Company is the lessee. Its total 
length is 350^2 miles, 132 of which lie in Illinois 
— 123 being owned by the Company. That por- 
tion within this State extends east from Pekin to 
the Indiana State line, in addition to which tile 
Company has trackage facilities over the line of 
the Peoria & Pekin Union Railway (9 miles) to 
Peoria. The gauge is standard. The track is 
single, laid with sixty and sixty-seven-pound 
steel rails and ballasted almost wholly with 
gravel. The capital stock is §10,000,000. In 1895 
it had a bonded debt of S13, 603,000 and a floating 
debt of 81,261,130, making a total capitalization 
of $24,864,130.— (History.) The original of this 
corporation was the Danville, Urbana, Blooming- 
ton & Pekin Railroad, which was consolidated, 
in July, 1869, with the Indianapolis, Crawfords- 
ville & Danville Railroad — the new corporation 
taking the name of the Indianapolis, Blooming- 
ton & Western — and was opened to Pekin the 
same year. In 1874 it passed into the hands of a 
receiver, was sold under foreclosure in 1879, and 
reorganized as the Indiana, Bloomington & 
Western Railway Company. The next change 
occurred in 1881, when it was consolidated with 
an Ohio corporation (the Ohio, Indiana & Pacific 
Railroad), again undergoing a slight change of 
name in its reorganization as the Indiana, Bloom- 
ington & Western Railroad Company. In 1886 
it again got into financial straits, was placed in 
charge of a receiver and sold to a reorganization 
committee, and, in January, 1887, took the name 
of the Ohio. Indiana & Western Railway Com- 
pany. The final reorganization, under its present 
name, took place in February, 1890, when it was 
leased to the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & 
St. Louis Railway, by which it is operated. 
(See Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway.) 

PEORIA & HANNIBAL RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. ) 

PEORIA & OQUAWKA RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad.) 

PEORIA & PEKIN UNION RAILWAY. A line 
connecting the cities of Peoria and Pekin, which 
are only 8 miles apart. It was chartered in 1880, 
and acquired. by purchase, the tracks of the Peoria, 
Pekin & Jacksonville and the Peoria & Spring- 
field Railroads, between the two cities named in 



its title, giving it control of two lines, which are 
used by nearly all the railroads entering both 
cities from the east side of the Illinois River. The 
mileage, including both divisions, is 18.14 miles, 
second tracks and sidings increasing the total to 
nearly 60 miles. The track is of standard gauge, 
about two-thirds being laid with steel rails. The 
total cost of construction was §4,350,987. Its 
total capitalization (1898) was 84, 177,763, includ- 
ing §1,000,000 in stock, and a funded debt of 
$2,904,000. The capital stock is held in equal 
amounts (each 2,500 shares) by the Wabash, the 
Peoria, Decatur & Evansville, the Chicago, 
Peoria & St. Louis and the Peoria & Eastern com- 
panies, with 1,000 shares by the Lake Erie & 
Western. Terminal charges and annual rentals 
are also paid by the Terre Haute & Peoria and 
the Iowa Central Railways. 

PEORIA & SPRINGFIELD RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad of Illinois.) 

PEOTONE, a village of Will County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 41 miles south-southwest 
from Chicago; has some manufactures, a bank 
and a newspaper. The surrounding country is 
agricultural. Population (1890), 717; (1900), 1,003. 

PERCY, a village of Randolph County, at the 
intersection of the Wabash, Chesapeake & West- 
ern and the Mobile & Ohio Railways. Population 
(1890), 360; (1900), 660. 

PERROT, Nicholas, a French explorer, wno 
visited the valley of the Fox River (of Wisconsin) 
and the country around the great lakes, at various 
times between 1670 and 1690. He was present, 
as a guide and interpreter, at the celebrated con- 
ference held at Sault Ste. Marie, in 1671, which 
was attended by fifteen Frenchmen and repre- 
sentatives from seventeen Indian tribes, and at 
which the Sieur de Lusson took formal possession 
of Lakes Huron and Superior, with the surround- 
ing region and "all the country southward to the 
sea," in the name of Louis XIV. of France. 
Perrot was the first to discover lead in the West, 
and, for several years, was Commandant in the 
Green Bay district. As a chronicler he was 
intelligent, interesting and accurate. His writ 
ings were not published until 1864, but have 
always been highly prized as authority. 

PERRY, a town of Pike County ; has a bank 
and a newspaper. Population (1880), 770; (1890), 
705; (1900), 642. 

PERRY COUNTY, lies in the southwest quarter 
of the State, with an area of 440 square miles and 
a population (1900) of 19,830. It was organized 
as a county in 1827, and named for Com. Oliver 
H. Perry. The general surface is rolling. 



422 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



although flat prairies occupy a considerable por- 
tion, interspersed with "post-oak flats." Limestone 
is found in the southern, and sandstone in the 
northern, sections, but the chief mineral wealth 
of the county is coal, which is abundant, and, at 
several points, easily mined, some of it being of 
a superior quality. Salt is manufactured, to some 
extent, and the chief agricultural output is 
wheat. Pinckneyville, the county-seat, has a 
central position and a population of about 1,300. 
Duquoir is the largest city. Beaucoup Creek is 
the principal stream, and the county is crossed 
by several lines of railroad. 

PERU, a city in La Salle County, at the head 
of navigation on the Illinois River, which is here 
spanned by a handsome bridge. It is distant 100 
miles southwest from Chicago, and the same dis- 
tance north-northeast from Springfield. It is 
connected by street cars with La Salle, one mile 
distant, which is the terminus of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal. It is situated in a rich coal- 
mining region, is an important trade center, and 
has several manufacturing establishments, includ- 
ing zinc smelting works, rolling mills, nickeloid 
factory, metal novelty works, gas engine factory, 
tile works, plow, scale and patent-pump factories, 
foundries and machine shops, flour and saw mills, 
clock factory, etc. Two national banks, with a 
combined capital of $200,000, are located at Peru, 
and one daily and one weekly paper. Population 
(1870), 3,650; (1880), 4,682; (1890), 5,550, (1900), 
6,863. 

PESOTTJM, a village in Champaign County, on 
the Illinois Central Railroad, 5 miles south of 
Tolono. Population (1890), 575. 

PETERSBURG, a city of Menard County, and 
the county-seat, on the Sangamon River, at the 
intersection Chicago & Alton with the Chicago, 
Peoria & St. Louis Railway ; 23 miles northwest 
of Springfield and 28 miles northeast of Jackson- 
ville. The town was surveyed and platted by 
Abraham Lincoln in 1837, and is the seat of the 
"Old Salem" Chautauqua. It has machine shops, 
two banks, two weekly papers and nine churches 
The manufactures include woolen goods, brick 
and drain-tile, bed-springs, mattresses, and 
canned goods. Pop. (1890), 2,342, (1900), 2,807. 

PETERS, Onslow, lawyer and jurist, was born 
in Massachusetts, graduated at Brown Univer- 
sity, and was admitted to the bar and practiced 
law in his native State until 1837, when he set- 
tled at Peoria, 111. He served in the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847. was elected to the 
bench of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit in 1853, 
and re-elected in 1855. Died, Feb. 28, 1856. 



PHILLIPS, David L , journalist and politician, 
was born where the town of Marion, Williamson 
County, 111., now stands, Oct. 28, 1823; came to 
St. Clair County in childhood, his father settling 
near Belleville ; began teaching at an early age, 
and, when about 18, joined the Baptist Church, 
and, after a brief course with the distinguished 
Dr. Peck, at his Rock Spring Seminary, two years 
later entered the ministry, serving churches in 
Washington and other Southern Illinois counties, 
finally taking charge of a church at Jonesboro. 
Though originally a Democrat, his advanced 
views on slavery led to a disagreement with his 
church, and he withdrew ; then accepted a posi- 
tion as paymaster in the construction department 
of the Illinois Central Railroad, finally being 
transferred to that of Land Agent for the South- 
ern section, in this capacity visiting different 
parts of the State from one end of the main line 
to the other. About 1854 he became associated 
with the management of "The Jonesboro Ga- 
zette," a Democratic paper, which, during his con- 
nection with it (some two years), he made an 
earnest opponent of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. 
At the Anti-Nebraska Editorial Convention 
(which see), held at Decatur, Feb. 22, 1856, he 
was appointed a member of their State Central 
Committee, and, as such, joined in the call for the 
first Republican State Convention, held at Bloom- 
ington in May following, where he served as 
Vice-President for his District, and was nomi- 
nated for Presidential Elector on the Fremont 
ticket. Two years later (1858) he was the 
unsuccessful Republican candidate for Congress 
in the Southern District, being defeated by John 
A. Logan ; was again in the State Convention of 
1860, and a delegate to the National Convention 
which nominated Abraham Lincoln for President 
the first time; was appointed by Mr. Lincoln 
United States Marshal for the Southern District 
in 1861, and re appointed in 1865, but resigned 
after Andrew Johnson's defection in 1866. Dur- 
ing 1862 Mr. Phillips became part proprietor of 
"The State Journal" at Springfield, retaining 
this relation until 1878, at intervals performing 
editorial service; also took a prominent part in 
organizing and equipping the One Hundred and 
Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers (sometimes 
called the "Phillips Regiment"), and, in 1865, 
was one of the committee of citizens sent to 
escort the remains of President Lincoln to 
Springfield. He joined in the Liberal Republican 
movement at Cincinnati in 1872, but, in 1876, 
was in line with his former party associates, and 
served in that year as an unsuccessful candidate 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



423 



for Congress, in the Springfield District, in oppo- 
sition to William M. Springer, early the following 
year receiving the appointment of Postmaster 
for the city of Springfield from President Hayes. 
Died, at Springfield, June 19, 1880. 

PHILLIPS, George S., author, was born at 
Peterborough. England, in January, 1N10; gradu- 
ated at* Cambridge, and came to the United 
States, engaging in journalism. In 1845 he 
returned to England, and, for a time, was editor 
of "The Leeds Times," still later being Principal 
of the People's College at Huddersfield. Return- 
ing to the United States, he came to Cook County, 
and, about 1866-68, was a writer of sketches over 
the nom de plume of "January Searle" for "The 
Chicago Republican" — later was literary editor 
of "The New York Sun" for several years. His 
mind becoming impaired, he was placed in an 
asylum at Trenton, N. J., finally dying at Morris- 
town, N. J., Jan. 14, 1889. Mr. Phillips was the 
author of several volumes, chiefly sketches of 
travel and biography. 

PHILLIPS, Jesse J., lawyer, soldier and 
jurist, was born in Montgomery County, 111., 
May 22, 1837. Shortly after graduating from the 
Hillsboro Academy, he read law, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1860. In 1861 he organized 
a company of volunteers, of which he was 
chosen Captain, and which was attached to the 
Ninth Illinois Infantry. Captain Phillips was 
successively advanced to the rank of Major, 
Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel; resigned on 
account of disability, in August, 1864, but was 
brevetted Brigadier-General at the close of the 
war. His military record was exceptionally 
brilliant He was wounded three times at 
Shiloh, and was personally thanked and compli- 
mented by Generals Grant and Oglesby for gal- 
lantry and efficient service. At the termination 
of the struggle he returned to Hillsboro and 
engaged in practice. In 1866, and again in 1868, 
he was the Democratic candidate for State Treas- 
urer, but was both times defeated. In 1879 he 
was elected to the bench of the Kfth Judicial 
Circuit, and reelected in 1880. In 1890 he was 
assigned to the bench of the Appellate Court of 
the Fourth District, and, in 1893, was elected a 
Justice of the Supreme Court, to fill the vacancy 
created by the death of Justice John M. Scholfield, 
his term expiring in 1897, when he was re-elected 
to succeed himself. Judge Phillips' present term 
will expire in 1906. 

PHILLIPS, Joseph, early jurist, was born in 
Tennessee, received a classical and legal edu- 
cation, and served as a Captain in the War of 



1812; in 1816 was appointed Secretary of Illinois 
Territory, serving until the admission of Illinois 
as a State, when he became the first Chief Jus- 
tice of the Supreme Court, serving until July, 
1822, when he resigned, being succeeded on the 
bench by John Reynolds, afterwards Governor. 
In 1822 he was a candidate for Governor in the 
interest of the advocates of a pro-slavery amend- 
ment of the State Constitution, but was defeated 
by Edward Coles, the leader of the anti-slavery 
part}-. (See Coles, Edward, and Slavery and Slave 
Laws.) He appears from the "Edwards Papers" 
to have been in Illinois as late as 1832, but is 
said eventually to have returned to Tennessee. 
The date of his death is unknown. 

PIANKESHAWS, THE, a branch of the Miami 
tribe of Indians. Their name, like those of their 
brethren, underwent many mutations of orthog- 
raphy, the tribe being referred to, variously, as 
the "Pou-an-ke-kiahs," the "Pi-an-gie-shaws," 
the "Pi-an-qui-shaws," and the "Py-an-ke- 
shaws. " They were less numerous than the 
W T eas, their numerical strength ranking lowest 
among the bands of the Miamis. At the time La 
Salle planted his colony around Starved Rock, 
their warriors numbered loO. Subsequent to the 
dispersion of this colony they (alone of the Miamis) 
occupied portions of the present territory of Illi- 
nois, having villages on the Vermilion and 
Wabash Rivers. Their earliest inclinations 
toward the whites were friendly, the French 
traders having intermarried with women of the 
tribe soon after the advent of the first explor- 
ers. Col. George Rogers Clark experienced little 
difficulty in securing their allegiance to the new 
government which he proclaimed. In the san- 
guinary raids (usually followed by reprisals), 
which marked Western history during the years 
immediately succeeding the Revolution, the 
Piankeshaws took no part ; yet the outrages, per- 
petrated upon peaceable colonists, had so stirred 
the settlers' blood, that all Indians were included 
in the general thirst for vengeance, and each was 
unceremoniously dispatched as soon as seen. The 
Piankeshaws appealed to Washington for protec- 
tion, and the President issued a special procla- 
mation in their behalf. After the cession of the 
last remnant of the Miami territory to the United 
States, the tribe was removed to a Kansas reser- 
vation, and its last remnant finally found a home 
in Indian Territory. (See also Miamis; Weas.) 

"PIASA BIRD," LEGEND OF THE. When 
the French explorers first descended the Upper 
Mississippi River, they found some remarkable 
figures depicted upon the face of the bluff, just 



424 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



above the site of the present city of Alton, which 
excited their wonder and continued to attract 
interest long after the country was occupied by 
the whites. The account given of the discov- 
ery by Marquette, who descended the river from 
the mouth of the Wisconsin, in June, 16T3, is as 
follows: "As we coasted along" (after passing 
the mouth of the Illinois) "rocks frightful for 
their height and length, we saw two monsters 
painted on one of the rocks, which startled us at 
first, and upon which the boldest Indian dare not 
gaze long. They are as large as a calf, with horns 
on the head like a deer, a frightful look, red 
eyes, bearded like a tiger, the face somewhat 
like a man's, the body covered with scales, and 
the tail so long that it twice makes the turn of 
the body, passing over the head and down be- 
tween the legs, ending at last in a fish's tail. 
Green, red and black are the colors employed. 
On the whole, these two monsters are so well 
painted that we could not believe an)- Indian to 
have been the designer, as good painters in 
France would find it hard to do as well. Besides 
this, they are painted so high upon the rock that 
it is hard to get conveniently at them to paint 
theni." As the Indians could give no account of 
the origin of these figures, but had their terror 
even more excited at the sight of them than Mar- 
quette himself, they are supposed to have been 
the work of some prehistoric race occupying the 
country long before the arrival of the aborigines 
whom Marquette and his companions found in 
Illinois. There was a tradition that the figures 
were intended to represent a creature, part beast 
and part bird, which destroyed immense numbers 
of the inhabitants by swooping down upon them 
from its abode upon the rocks. At last a chief is 
said to have offered himself a victim for his 
people, and when the monster made its appear- 
ance, twenty of his warriors, concealed near by, 
discharged their arrows at it, killing it just 
before it reached its prey. In this manner the 
life of the chief was saved and his people were 
preserved from further depredations ; and it was 
to commemorate this event that the figure of the 
bird was painted on the face of the cliff on whose 
summit the chief stood. This story, told in a 
paper by Mr. John Russell, a pioneer author of 
Illinois, obtained wide circulation in this country 
and in Europe, about the close of the first 
quarter of the present century, as the genuine 
"Legend of the Piasa Bird." It is said, however, 
that Mr. Russell, who was a popular writer of 
fiction, acknowledged that it was drawn largely 
from his imagination. Many prehistoric relics 



and human remains are said, by the late William 
McAdams, the antiquarian of Alton, to have 
been found in caves in the vicinity, and it seems 
a well authenticated fact that the Indians, when 
passing the spot, were accustomed to discharge 
their arrows — and,, later, their firearms — at the 
figure on the face of the cliff. Traces of this 
celebrated pictograph were visible as late as 1840 
to 1845, but have since been entirely quarried 
away. 

PIATT COUNTY, organized in 1841, consist- 
ing of parts of Macon and Dewitt Counties. Its 
area is 440 square miles; population (1900), 17,706. 
The first Commissioners were John Hughes, W. 
Bailey and E. Peck. John Piatt, after whose 
family the county was named, was the first 
Sheriff. The North Fork of the Sangamon River 
flows centrally through the county from north- 
east to southwest, and several lines of railroad 
afford transportation for its products. Its re- 
sources and the occupation of the people are 
almost wholly agricultural, the surface being 
level prairie and the soil fertile. Monticello, the 
county-seat, has a population of about 1,700. 
Other leading towns are Cerro Gordo (939) and 
Bement (1,129). 

PICKETT, Thomas Johnson, journalist, was 
born in Louisville, Ky., March 17, 1821; spent 
six years (1830-36) in St. Louis, when his family 
removed to Peoria; learned the printer's trade in 
the latter city, and, in 1840, began the publica- 
tion of "The Peoria News," then sold out and 
established "The Republican" (afterwards "The 
Transcript") ; was a member of the Anti-Nebraska 
Editorial Convention held at Decatur, Feb. 22, 
1856, serving on the Committee on Resolutions, 
and being appointed on the State Central Com- 
mittee, which called the first Republican State 
Convention, held at Bloomington, in May follow- 
ing, and was there appointed a delegate to the 
National Convention at Philadelphia, which 
nominated General Fremont for President. 
Later, he published papers at Pekin and Rock 
Island, at theriatter place being one of the first to 
name Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency; was 
elected State Senator in 1860, and, in 1862, com- 
missioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Sixty-ninth 
Illinois Volunteers, being transferred, as Colonel, 
to the One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois 
(100-days' men), and serving at Camp Douglas 
during the "Conspiracy" excitement. After the 
war, Colonel Pickett removed to Paducah, Ky., 
published a paper there called "The Federal 
Union." was appointed Postmaster, and, later, 
Clerk of the United States District Court, and 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



425 



was the Republican nominee for Congress, in that 
District, in 1874. Removing to Nebraska in 1879, 
he at different times conducted several papers in 
that State, residing for the most part at Lincoln. 
Died, at Ashland. Neb., Dec. 24, 1891. 

PIERSON, David, pioneer banker, was born at 
Cazenovia, N. Y., July 9, 1806; at the age of 13 
removed west with his parents, arriving at St. 
Louis, June 3, 1820. The family soon after set- 
tled near Collinsville, Madison County, 111., where 
the father having died, they removed to the vi- 
cinity of Carrollton, Greene County, in 1821. Here 
they opened a farm, but, in 1827, Mr. Pierson 
went to the lead mines at Galena, where he re- 
mained a year, then returning to Carrollton. In 
1834, having sold his farm, he began merchandis- 
ing, still later being engaged in the pork and 
grain trade at Alton. In 1854 he added the bank- 
ing business to his dry-goods trade at Carrollton, 
also engaged in milling, and, in 1862-63, erected 
a woolen factory, which was destroyed by an 
incendiary fire in 1872. Originally an anti-slavery 
Clay Whig, Mr. Pierson became a Republican on 
the organization of that party in 1856, served for 
a time as Collector of Internal Revenue, was a 
delegate to the National Republican Convention 
at Philadelphia in 1872, and a prominent candi- 
date for the Republican nomination for Lieuten- 
ant-Governor in 1876. Of high integrity and 
unswerving patriotism, Mr. Pierson was generous 
in his benefactions, being one of the most liberal 
contributors to the establishment of the Langston 
School for the Education of Freedmen at Holly 
Springs, Miss., soon after the war. He died at 
Carrollton, May 8, 1891— Oman (Pierson), a son 
of the subject of this sketch, was a member of 
the Thirty-second General Assembly (1881) from 
Greene County, and is present cashier of the 
Greene County National Bank at Carrollton. 

PIGGOTT, Isaac N., early politician, was born 
about 1792; served as an itinerant Methodist 
preacher in Missouri and Illinois, between 1819 
and 1824, but finally located southwest of Jersey - 
ville and obtained a license to run a ferry be- 
tween Grafton and Alton; in 1828 ran as a 
candidate for the State Senate against Thomas 
Cariin (afterwards Governor) ; removed to St. 
Louis in 1858, and died there in 1874. 

PIKE COUNTY, situated in the western por- 
tion of the State, lying between the Illinois and 
Mississippi Rivers, having an area of 795 square 
miles — named in honor of the explorer, Capt. 
Zebulon Pike The first American settlers came 
about 1820, and, in 1821, the county was organ- 
ized, at first embracing all the country north and 



west of the Illinois River, including the present 
county of Cook. Out of this territory were finally 
organized about one fourth of the counties of the 
State. Coles' Grove (now Gilead, in Calhoun 
County) was the first county-seat, but the seat of 
justice was removed, in 1824, to Atlas, and to 
Pittsfield in 1833. The surface is undulating, in 
some portions is hilly, and diversified with prai 
ries and hardwood timber. Live-stock, cereals 
and hay are the staple products, while coal and 
Niagara limestone are found in abundance. 
Population (1890), 31.000; (1900), 31,595. 

PILLSBURY, Nathaniel Joy, lawyer and 
judge, was born in York County, Maine, Oct. 21, 
1834; in 1855 removed to Illinois, and, in 1858, 
began farming in Livingston County. He began 
the study of law in 1863, and, after admission to 
the bar, commenced practice at Pontiac. He 
represented La Salle and Livingston Counties in 
the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, and, in 
1873, was elected to the bench of the Thirteenth 
Judicial Circuit. He was re-elected in 1879 and 
again in 1885. He was assigned to the bench of 
the Appellate Court in 1877, and again in 1879 
and '85. He was severely wounded by a shot 
received from strikers on the line of the Chicago 
& Alton Railroad, near Chicago, in 1886, resulting 
in his being permanently disabled physically, in 
consequence of which he declined a re-election to 
the bench in 1891 

PINCKNEYYILLE, a city and the county-seat 
of Perry County, situated at the intersection of 
the Paducah Division Illinois Central and the 
Wabash, Chester & Western Railways, 10 miles 
west-northwest of Duquoin. Coal-mining is 
carried on in the immediate vicinity, and flour, 
carriages, plows and dressed lumber are among 
the manufactured products. Pinckneyville has 
two banks — one of which is national — two weekly 
newspapers, seven churches, a graded and a high 
school. Population (1880), 964; (1890), 1,298; 
(1900), 2,357. 

PITTSBURG, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO & 
ST. LOUIS RAILROAD, one of the Pennsyl- 
vania Company's lines, operating 1,403 miles of 
road, of which 1,090 miles are owned and the 
remainder leased — length of line in Illinois, 28 
miles. The Company is the outgrowth of a con- 
solidation, in 1890, of the Pittsburg. Cincinnati & 
St. Louis Railway with the Chicago, St. Louis & 
Pittsburg, the Cincinnati & Richmond and the 
Jefferson ville Madison & Indianapolis Railroads. 
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company controls 
the entire line through ownership of stock. 
Capital stock outstanding, in 1898. $47,791,601; 



426 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



funded debt, §48,433,000; floating debt, $2,214,703 
—total capital $98,500,584. — (History.) The 
Chicago, St. Louis & Pittsburg Railroad, em- 
bracing the Illinois division of this line, was made 
up of various corporations organized under the 
laws of Illinois and Indiana. One of its compo- 
nent parts was the Chicago & Great Eastern 
Railway, organized, in 1865, by consolidation of 
the Galena & Illinois River Railroad (chartered 
in 1857), the Chicago & Great Eastern Railway 
of Indiana, the Cincinnati & Chicago Air-Line 
(organized 1860), and the Cincinnati, Logans- 
port & Chicago Railway. In 1869. the consoli- 
dated line was leased to the Pittsburg, Cincinnati 
& St. Louis Railway Company, and operated 
under the name of the Columbus, Chicago & 
Indiana Central between Bradford. Ohio, and 
Chicago, from 1869 until its consolidation, under 
the present name, in 1890. (See Pennsylvania 
Railroad I 

PITTSBURG, FORT WAYNE & CHICAGO 
RAILROAD. (See Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chi- 
cago Railway.) 

PITTSBURG, FORT WAYNE & CHICAGO 
RAILWAY. The total length of this line is 
nearly 470 miles, but only a little over 16 miles 
are within Illinois. It was operated by the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad Company as lessee. The entire 
capitalization in 1898 was §52,549,990; and the 
earnings in Illinois, 8472,228. — (History.) The 
Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway is the 
result of the consolidation, August 1, 1856, of the 
Ohio & Pennsylvania, the Ohio & Indiana and 
the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Companies, 
under the name of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & 
Chicago Railroad. The road was opened through 
its entire length, Jan. 1, 1859; was sold under 
foreclosure in 1861 ; reorganized under its present 
title, in 1862, and leased to the Pennsylvania 
Railroad Company, for 999 years, from July 1, 
1869. (See Pennsylvania Railroad.) 

PITTSFIELD, the county-seat of Pike County, 
situated on the Hannibal & Naples branch of the 
Wabash Railway, about 40 miles southeast of 
Quincy, and about the same distance south of 
west from Jacksonville. Its public buildings 
include a handsome court house and graded and 
high school buildings. The city has an electric 
light plant, city water-works, a flour mill, a 
National and a State bank, nine churches, and 
four weekly newspapers. Pop. (1890), 2,295; 
(1900), 2.293. 

PLAINFIELD, a village of Will County, on the 
Elgin. Joliet & Eastern Railroad and an interur- 
ban electric line. 8 miles northwest of Joliet; is 



in a dairying section; has a bank and one news- 
paper. Pop. (1890), 852; (1900), 920. 

PLANO, a city iu Kendall County, situated 
near the Fox River, and on the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy Railroad, 14 miles west-southwest 
of Aurora. There are manufactories of agri- 
cultural implements and bedsteads. The city has 
banks, several churches, graded and high schools, 
and a weekly newspaper. Pop. (1890), 1,825; 
(1900), 1,634; (1903, est.), 2,250. 

PLEASANT PLAINS, a village of Sangamon 
County, on Springfield Division Baltimore & Ohio 
S. W. Railroad, 16 miles northwest of Spring- 
field; in rich farming region; has coal-shaft, 
bank, five churches, college and two newspapers. 
Population (1890), 518; (1900), 575. 

PLEASANTS, George Washington, jurist, was 
born in Harrodsburg, Ky., Nov. 24, 1823; received 
a classical education at Williams College, Mass 
graduating in 1842; studied law in New York 
City, and was admitted to the bar at Rochester. 
N. Y., in 1845, establishing himself in practice at 
Williamstown, Mass., where he remained until 
1849. In 1851 he removed to Washington, D. C, 
and. after residing there two years, came to Illi- 
nois, locating at Rock Island, which has since 
been his home. In 1861 he was elected, as a 
Republican, to the State Constitutional Conven- 
tion which met at Springfield in January follow- 
ing, and, in 1867, was chosen Judge for the Sixth 
(now Tenth) Judicial Circuit, having served by 
successive re-elections until June, 1897, retiring 
at the close of his fifth term— a record for length 
of service seldom paralleled in the judicial his- 
tory of the State. The last twenty years of this 
period were spent on the Appellate bench. For 
several years past Judge Pleasants has been a 
sufferer from failing eyesight, but has been faith- 
ful in attendance on his judicial duties. As a 
judicial officer and a man. his reputation stands 
among the highest. 

PLUMB, Ralph, soldier and ex-Congressman, 
was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., March 29, 
1816. After leaving school he became a mer- 
chant's clerk, and was himself a merchant for 
eighteen years. From New York he removed to 
Ohio, where he was elected a member of the 
Legislature in 1855, later coming to Illinois. 
I luring the Civil War he served four years in the 
Union army as Captain and Quartermaster, being 
brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel at its close. He 
made his home at Streator, where he was elected 
Mayor (1881-1883). There he engaged in coal- 
mining and has been connected with several 
important enterprises. From 1885 to 1889 he 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



427 



represented the Eighth Illinois District in Con- 
gress, after which he retired to private life. 

PLYMOUTH, a village of Hancock County, on 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway, 41 
miles northeast of Quincy ; is trade center of rich 
farming district; has two hanks, electric lights, 
water-works, and one paper. Pop. (1900), 8."i4. 

POIXTE DE SAIBLE, Jean Baptiste, a negro 
and Indian-trader, reputed to have been the first 
settler on the present site of the city of Chicago. 
He is said to have been a native of San Domingo, 
but is described by his contemporaries as "well 
educated and handsome," though dissipated. He 
appears to have been at the present site of Chi- 
cago as early as 1794, his house being located on 
the north side near the junction of the North and 
South branches of the Chicago River, where he 
carried on a considerable trade with the Indians. 
About 1796 he is said to have sold out to a French 
trader named Le Mai, and joined a countryman 
of his, named Glamorgan, at Peoria, where he died 
soon after. Glamorgan, who was the reputed 
owner of a large Spanish land-grant in the vicin- 
ity of St. Louis, is said to have been associated 
with Point de Saible in trade among the Peorias, 
before the latter came to Chicago. 

POLO, a city in Ogle County, at intersection 
of the Illinois Central and the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Northern Railways, 23 miles south of Free- 
port and 12 miles north of Dixon. The 
surrounding region is devoted to agriculture and 
stock-raising, and Polo is a shipping point for 
large quantities of cattle and hogs. Agricultural 
implements (including harvesters) and buggies 
are manufactured here. The city has banks, one 
weekly and one semi weekly paper, seven 
churches, a graded public and high school, and a 
public library. Pop. (1890), 1,728; (1900), 1,869. 

POXTIAC, an Ottawa chief, born on the 
Ottawa River, in Canada, about 1720. While jet 
a young man he became the principal Chief of 
the allied Ottawas, Ojibwaysand Pottawatomies. 
He was always a firm ally of the French, to 
whose interests he was devotedly attached, 
defending them at Detroit against an attack of 
the Northern tribes, and (it is generally believed) 
leading the Ottawas in the defeat of Braddock. 
He reluctantly acquiesced in the issue of the 
French and Indian War, although at first strongly 
disposed to dispute the progress of Major Rogers, 
the British officer sent to take possession of the 
western forts. In 1702 he dispatched emissaries 
to a large number of tribes, whom he desired to 
unite in a league for the extermination of the 
English. His proposals were favorably received, 



and thus was organized what is commonly 
spoken of as the "Conspiracy of Pontiac." He 
himself undertook to lead an assault upon Detroit. 
The garrison, however, was apprised of his inten- 
tion, and made preparations accordingly. Pontiac 
thereupon laid siege to the fort, but was unable 
to prevent the ingress of provisions, the Canadian 
settlers furnishing supplies to both besieged and 
besiegers with absolute impartiality. Finally a 
boat-load of ammunition and supplies was landed 
at Detroit from Lake Erie, and the English made 
an unsuccessful sortie on July 31, 1763. Altera 
desultory warfare, lasting for nearly three 
months, the Indians withdrew into Indiana, 
where Pontiac tried in vain to organize another 
movement. Although Detroit had not been 
taken, the Indians captured Forts Sandusky, St. 
Joseph, Miami, Ouiatanon, LeBoeuf and Venango, 
besides the posts of Mackinaw and Presque Isle. 
The garrisons at all these points were massacred 
and innumerable outrages perpetrated elsewhere. 
Additional British troops were sent west, and 
the Indians finally brought under control 
Pontiac was present at Oswego when a treaty was 
signed with Sir William Johnson, but remained 
implacable. His end was tragic. Broken in 
heart, but still proud in spirit and relentless in 
purpose, he applied to the former (and last) 
French Governor of Illinois, the younger St. 
Ange, who was then at St. Louis, for co-operation 
and support in another raid against the British. 
Being refused aid or countenance, according to a 
story long popularly received, he returned to the 
vicinity of Cahokia, where, in 1769, he was mur- 
dered by a Kaskaskia Indian in consideration of 
a barrel of liquor. N. Matson, author of several 
volumes bearing on early history in Illinois, cit- 
ing Col. Joseph N. Bourassa, an educated half- 
breed of Kansas, as authority for his statement, 
asserts that the Indian killed at Cahokia was an 
impostor, and that the true Pontiac was assassi- 
nated by Kineboo, the Head Chief of the Illinois, 
in a council held on the Des Plaines River, near 
the present site of Joliet. So well convinced, it 
is said, was Pierre Chouteau, the St. Louis Indian 
trader, of the truth of this last story, that he 
caused a monument, which he had erected over 
the grave of the false Pontiac, to be removed. 
Out of the murder of Pontiac, whether occurring 
at Cahokia or Joliet, it is generally agreed, 
resulted the extermination of the Illinois and the 
tragedy of ' 'Starved Rock. ' ' (See Starved Hock. ) 
POXTIAC, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Livingston County. It stands on the 
bank of the Vemillion River, and is also a point 



428 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of intersection of the Chicago & Alton, the 
Wabash and the Illinois Central Railroads It is 
33 miles north-northeast from Blooniington and 
93 miles south-southwest of Chicago. The sur- 
rounding region is devoted to agriculture, stock- 
raising and coal-mining. Pontiae has four banks 
and four weekly newspapers (two issuing daily 
editions), numerous churches and good schools. 
Various kinds of manufacturing are conducted, 
among the principal establishments being flour- 
ing mills, three shoe factories, straw paper and 
candy factories and a foundry. The State Re- 
formatory for Juvenile Offenders is located here. 
Pop. (1890), 2,784; (1900), 4,266. 

POOL, Orval, merchant and banker, was born 
in Union County, Ky., near Shawneetcwn, 111., 
Feb. 17, 1809, but lived in Shawneetown from seven 
years of age; in boyhood learned the saddler's 
trade, but, in 1843, engaged in the dry-goods 
business, J. McKee Peeples and Thomas S. Ridg- 
way becoming his partners in 1846. In 1850 he 
retired from the dry-goods trade and became an 
extensive dealer in produce, pork and tobacco. 
In 1871 he established the Gallatin County 
National Bank, of which he was the first Presi- 
dent. Died, June 30, 1871. 

POOLE, William Frederick, bibliographer, 
librarian and historical writer, was born at 
Salem, Mass., Dec. 24, 1821, graduated from Yale 
College in 1849, and, at the close of his sophomore 
year, was appointed assistant librarian of his col- 
lege society, which owned a library of 10,000 vol- 
umes. Here he prepared and published the first 
edition of his now famous "Index to Periodical 
Literature." A second and enlarged addition 
was published in 1853, and secured for its author 
wide fame, in both America and Europe. In 1852 
he was made Librarian of the Boston Mercantile 
Library, and, from 1856 to 1869, had charge of the 
Boston Athenaeum, then one of the largest li- 
braries in the United States, which he relinquished 
to engage in expert library work. He organized 
libraries in several New England cities and 
towns, at the United States Naval Academy, and 
the Cincinnati Public Library, finally becoming 
Librarian of the latter institution. In October, 
1873, he assumed charge of the Chicago Public 
Library, then being organized, and, in 1887, 
became Librarian of the Newberry Library, 
organizing this institution and remaining at its 
head until his death, which occurred, March 1, 
1894. The degree of LL.D. was conferred on him 
by the Northwestern University in 1882. Dr. 
Poole took a prominent part in the organization 
of library associations, and was one of the Vice- 



Presidents of the International Conference of 
Librarians, held in London in 1871. His advice 
was much sought in relation to library architec- 
ture and management. He wrote much on topics 
connected with his profession and on historical 
subjects, frequently contributing to "The North 
American Review." In 1874-75 he edited a liter- 
ary paper at Chicago, called "The Owl," and was 
later a constant contributor to "The Dial." He 
was President of the American Historical Society 
and member of State Historical Societies and of 
other kindred associations. 

POPE, Xathaniel, first Territorial Secretary of 
Illinois, Delegate in Congress and jurist, was born 
at Louisville, Ky., in 1774; graduated with high 
honor from Transylvania University, at Lexing- 
ton, Ky., read law with his brother, Senator John 
Pope, and, in 1804, emigrated to New Orleans, 
later living, for a time, at Ste. Genevieve, Mo. In 
1808 he became a resident of Kaskaskia and, the 
next year, was appointed the first Territorial 
Secretary of Illinois. His native judgment was 
strong and profound and his intellect quick and 
far-reaching, while both were thoroughly trained 
and disciplined by study. In 1816 he was elected 
a Territorial Delegate to Congress, and proved 
himself, not only devoted to the interests of his 
constituents, but also a shrewd tactician. He was 
largely instrumental in securing the passage of 
the act authorizing the formation of a State 
government, and it was mainly through his 
efforts that the northern boundary of Illinois was 
fixed at lat. 42° 30' north, instead of the southern 
bend of Lake Michigan. Upon the admission of 
Illinois into the Union, he was made United 
States Judge of the District, which then embraced 
the entire State. This office he filled with dig- 
nity, impartiality and acceptability until his 
death, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lii- 
cretia Yeatman, in St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 23, 1850. 
Pope County was named in his honor. — Gen. John 
(Pope), son of the preceding, was born in Louis- 
ville, Ky., March 16, 1822; graduated at the United 
States Military Academy, 1842, and appointed 
brevet Second Lieutenant of Topographical 
Engineers; served in Florida (1842-44), on the 
northeast boundary survey, and in the Mexican 
War (1846-47), being promoted First Lieutenant 
for bravery at Monterey and Captain at Buena 
Vista. In 1849 he conducted an exploring expe- 
dition in Minnesota, was in charge of topograph- 
ical engineering service in New Mexico (1851-53), 
and of the survey of a route for the Union Pacific 
Railway (1853-59), meanwhile experimenting on 
the feasibilitv of artesian wells on the "Staked 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



429 



Plains" in Northwestern Texas. He was a zeal- 
ous friend of Abraham Lincoln in the political 
campaign of 1860, and was court-martialed for 
criticising the policy of President Buchanan, in a 
paper read before a literary society in Cincinnati, 
the proceedings being finally dropped on the 
recommendation of the (then) Secretary of War, 
Joseph Holt. In 1861 he was one of the officers 
detailed by the War Department to conduct Mr. 
Lincoln to the capital, and, in May following, 
was made Brigadier-General of Volunteers and 
assigned to command in Missouri, where he per- 
formed valuable service in protecting railroad 
communications and driving out guerrillas, gain- 
ing an important victory over Sterling Price at 
Blackwater, in December of that year; in 1862 
had command of the land forces co-operating 
with Admiral Foote, in the expedition against 
New Madrid and Island No. 10, resulting in the 
capture of that stronghold with 6,500 prisoners, 
125 cannon and 7,000 small arms, thereby win- 
ning a Major-General's commission. Later, hav- 
ing participated in the operations against Corinth, 
he was transferred to command of the Army of 
Virginia, and soon after commissioned Briga- 
dier-General in the regular army. Here, being 
forced to meet a greatly superior force under 
General Lee, he was subjected to reverses which 
led to his falling back on Washington and a 
request to be relieved of his command. For fail- 
ure to give him proper support, Gen. Fitzjohn 
Porter was tried by court-martial, and, having 
been convicted, was cashiered and declared for- 
ever disqualified from holding any office of trust 
or profit under the United States Government — 
although this verdict was finally set aside and 
Porter restored to the army as Colonel, by act of 
Congress, in August, 1886. General Pope's sub- 
sequent service was performed chiefly against 
the Indians in the Northwest, until 1865, when he 
took command of the military division of Mis 
souri, and, in June following, of the Department 
of the Missouri, including all the Northwestern 
States and Territories, from which he was 
relieved early in 1866. Later, he held command, 
under the Reconstruction Acts, in Georgia, Ala- 
bama and Florida (1867-68) ; the Department of the 
Lakes ( 1868-70) ; Department of the Missouri (1870- 
84) ; and Department of the Pacific, from 1884 to 
his retirement, March 16, 1886. General Pope 
published "Explorations from the Red River to 
the Rio Grande" and "Campaigns in Virginia" 
(1863). Died, at Sandusky, Ohio, Sept 23, 1892. 

POPE COUNTY, lies on the southern border of 
the State, and contains an area of about 360 



square miles — named in honor of Judge Nathaniel 
Pope. It was erected in 1816 (two years before 
the admission of Illinois as a State) from parts of 
Gallatin and Johnson Counties. The county-seat 
was first located at Sandsville, but later changed 
to Golconda. Robert Lacy, Benoni Lee and 
Thomas Ferguson were the first Commissioners ; 
Hamlet Ferguson was chosen Sheriff ; John Scott, 
Recorder; Thomas C. Browne, Prosecuting- Attor- 
ney, and Samuel Omelveney, Treasurer. The 
highest land in Southern Illinois is in the north- 
eastern part of this county, reaching an elevation 
of 1,046 feet. The bluffs along the Ohio River are 
bold in outline, and the ridges are surmounted by 
a thick growth of timber, notably oak and hick- 
ory. Portions of the bottom lands are submerged, 
at times, during a part of the year and are 
covered with cypress timber. The remains of 
Indian mounds and fortifications are found, and 
some interesting relics have been exhumed. Sand- 
stone is quarried in abundance, and coal is found 
here and there. Mineral springs (with copperas 
as the chief ingredient) are numerous. Iron is 
found in limited quantities, among the rocks 
toward the south, while spar and kaolin clay are 
found in the north. The chief agricultural 
products are potatoes, corn and tobacco. Popu- 
lation (1890), 14016; (1900), 13,585. 

POR T B YROX, a village of Rock Island County, 
on the Mississippi River and the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railway, 16 miles above Rock 
Island ; has lime kilns, grain elevator, two banks, 
academy, public schools, and a newspaper. Pop. 
(1900), 732. The (Illinois) Western Hospital for 
the Insane is located at Wateitown, t.velve miles 
below Port Byron. 

PORTER, (Key.) Jeremiah, pioneer clergy- 
man, was born at Hadley, Mass., in 1804; gradu- 
ated from Williams College in 1825, and studied 
theology at both Andover and Princeton semi- 
naries, graduating from the latter in 1831. The 
same year he made the (then) long and perilous 
journey to Fort Brady, a military post at the 
Sault Ste. Marie, where he began his work as a 
missionary. In 1833 he came to Chicago, where 
he remained for two years, organizing the First 
Presbyterian Church of Chicago, with a member- 
ship of twenty-six persons. Afterwards he had 
pastoral charge of churches at Peoria and Farm- 
ington. While in Chicago he was married to 
Miss Eliza Chappell, one of the earliest teachers 
in Chicago. From 1840 to '58 he was located at 
Green Bay, Wis., accepting a call from a Chicago 
Church in the year last named. In 1861 he was 
commissioned Chaplain in the volunteer service 



430 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



by Governor Yates, and mustered out in 1865. 
The next five years were divided between'labors 
at Brownsville, Tex., in the service of the Sani- 
tary Commission, and a pastorate at Prairie du 
Chien. In 1870 he was commissioned Chaplain 
in the regular army, remaining in the service 
(with occasional leaves of absence) until 1882, 
when he was retired from active service on 
account of advanced age. His closing years were 
spent at the homes of his children in Detroit and 
Beloit; died at the latter city, July 25, 1893, at 
the age of 89 years. 

POSEY, (Gen.) Thomas, Continental and 
Revolutionary soldier, was born in Virginia, July 
9, 1750 ; in 1774 took part in Lord Dunmore's expe- 
dition against the Indians, and, later, in various 
engagements of the Revolutionary War, being 
part of the time under the immediate command 
of Washington ; was with General Wayne in the 
assault on Stony Point and present at Cornwallis' 
surrender at Yorktown ; also served, after the war, 
with Wayne as a Brigadier-General in the North- 
west Territory. Removing to Kentucky, he 
served in the State Senate, for a time being 
presiding officer and acting Lieutenant-Governor ; 
later (1812), was elected United States Senator 
from Louisiana, and, from 1813 to '16, served as 
Territorial Governor of Indiana Died, at the 
home of his son-in-law, Joseph M. Street, at 
Shawneetown, 111. , March 18, 1818, where he lies 
buried. At the time of his death General Posey 
was serving as Indian Agent. 

POST, Joel S., lawyer and soldier of the Mexi- 
can War; was born in Ontario (now Wayne) 
County, N. Y., April 27, 1816; in 1828 removed 
with his father to Washtenaw County, Mich., 
remaining there until 1839, when he came to 
Macon County, 111. The following year, he com- 
menced the study of law with Judge Charles 
Emmerson, of Decatur, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1841. In 1846 he enlisted in the Mexican 
War, and served as Quartermaster of the Fourth 
Regiment (Col. E. D. Baker's) ; in 1856 was elected 
to the State Senate, and, at the following session, 
was a leading supporter of the measures which 
resulted in the establishment of the State Nor- 
mal School at Bloomington. Capt. Post's later 
years were spent at Decatur, where he died, 
June 7, 1886. 

POST, Philip Sidney, soldier and Congress- 
man, was born at Florida, Orange County, N. Y., 
March 19, 1833; at the age of 22 graduated from 
Union College, studied law at Poughkeepsie Law 
School, and, removing to Illinois, was admitted 
to the bar in 1856 At the outbreak of the Civil 



War lie enlisted, and was commissioned Second 
Lieutenant in the Fifty-ninth Illinois Volunteers. 
He was a gallant, fearless soldier, and was re- 
peatedly promoted for bravery and meritorious 
service, until he attained the rank of brevet 
Brigadier-General. He participated in many 
important battles and was severely wounded at 
Pea Ridge and Nashville. In 1865 he was in com- 
mand in Western Texas. After the close of the 
war he entered the diplomatic service, being 
appointed Consul-General to Austria-Hungary 
in 1874, but resigned in 1879, and returned to his 
home in Galesburg. From 1882 to 1886 he was a 
member of the Republican State Central Com- 
mittee, and, during 1886, was Commander of the 
Department of Illinois, G. A. R. He was elected 
to Congress from the Tenth District on the Repub- 
lican ticket in 1886, serving continuously by re- 
election until his death, which occurred in 
Washington, Jan. 6, 1895. 

POST, Truman Marcelliis, D.D., clergyman, 
was born at Middlebury, Vt., June 3, 1810; gradu- 
ated at Middlebury College in 1829, was Principal 
of Castleton Academy for a year, and a tutor at 
Middlebury two years, meanwhile studying law. 
After a winter spent in Washington, listening to 
the orators of the time in Congress and before the 
Supreme Court, including Clay, Webster, Wirt 
and their contemporaries, he went west in 1833, 
first visiting St. Louis, but finally settling at 
Jacksonville, 111., where he was admitted to the 
bar, but soon after accepted the Professorship of 
Classical Languages in Illinois College, and 
later that of History ; then began the study of 
theology, was ordained in 1840, and assumed the 
pastorship of the Congregational Church in Jack- 
sonville. In 1847 he was called to the pastorate 
of the Third Presbyterian Church of St. Louis, 
and, in 1851, to the First Congregational Church, 
of which the former furnished the nucleus. For 
a year or two after removing to St. Louis, he 
continued his lectures on history at Illinois Col- 
lege for a short period each year ; also held the 
professorship of Ancient and Modern History in 
Washington University, in St. Louis; in 1873-75 
was Southworth lecturer on Congregationalism 
in Andover Theological Seminary and, for sev- 
eral years, Professor of Ecclesiastical History in 
Chicago Theological Seminary. His splendid 
diction and his noble style of oratory caused 
him to be much sought after as a public lecturer 
or platform speaker at college commencements, 
while his purity of life and refinement of charac- 
ter attracted to him all with whom he came in 
personal contact. He received the degree of 



HISTORICAL KNOYCLOPHDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



431 



D.D. from Middlebury College in 1855; was a fre- 
quent contributor to "The Biblical Repository" 
and other religious publications, and, besides 
numerous addresses, sermons and pamphlets, he 
was the author of a volume entitled "The Skep- 
tical Era in Modern History" (New York, 1856). 
He resigned his pastorate in January, 1882, but 
continued to be a frequent speaker, either in the 
pulpit or on the lecture platform, nearly to the 
period of his death, which occurred in St. Louis, 
Dec. 31, 1886. For a quarter of a century he was 
one of the Trustees of Monticello Female Semi- 
nary, at Godfrey, 111., being, for a considerable 
portion of the time, President of the Board. 

POTTAWATOMIES, THE, an Indian tribe, 
one of the three subdivisions of the Ojibwas (or 
Ojibbeways), who, in turn, constituted a numer- 
ous family of the Algonquins. The other 
branches were the Ottawa and the Chippewas. 
The latter, however, retained the family name, 
and hence some writers have regarded the "Ojib- 
beways" and the "Chippewas" as essentially 
identical. This interchanging of names has been 
a prolific source of error. Inherently, the dis- 
tinction was analogous to that existing between 
genus and species, although a confusion of 
nomenclature has naturally resulted in errors 
more or less serious. These three tribes early 
■separated, the Pottawatomies going south from 
Green Bay along the western shore of Lake 
Michigan. The meaning of the name is, "we are 
making a fire, " and the word is a translation into 
the Pottawatomie language of the name first 
given to the tribe by the Miamis. These Indians 
were tall, fierce and haughty, and the tribe was 
divided into four branches, or clans, called by 
names which signify, respectively, the golden 
carp, the tortoise, the crab and the frog. Accord- 
ing to the "Jesuit Relations," the Pottawatomies 
were first met by the French, on the north of 
Lake Huron, in 1639-40. More than a quarter of 
a century later (1666) Father Allouez speaks of 
them as dwellers on the shores of Lake Michigan. 
The same Father described them as idolatrous 
and polygamous, yet as possessing a rude civility 
and as being kindly disposed toward the French. 
This friendship continued unbroken until the 
expulsion of the latter from the Northwest. 
About 1678 they spread southward from Green 
Bay to the head of Lake Michigan, a portion of 
the tribe settling in Illinois as far south as the 
Kankakee and Illinois Rivers, crowding the 
Wimiebagoes and the Sacs and Foxes on the west, 
and advancing, on the east, into the country of 
the Miamis as far as the Wabash and the 



Maumee. They fought on the side of the 
French in the French and Indian War, and 
later took part in the conspiracy of Pontiac 
to capture and reduce the British posts, and 
were so influenced by Tecumseh and the Prophet 
that a considerable number of their warri 
ors fought against General Harrison at Tippe- 
canoe. During the War of 1812 they actively 
supported the British. They were also prominent 
at the Chicago massacre. Schoolcraft says of 
them, "They were foremost at all treaties where 
lands were to be ceded, clamoring for the lion's 
share of all presents and annuities, particularly 
where these last were the price paid for the sale 
of other lands than their own." The Pottawato- 
mies were parties to the treaties at Chicago in 
1832 and 1833, and were among the last of the 
tribes to remove beyond the Mississippi, their 
final emigration not taking place until 1838. In 
1846 the scattered fragments of this tribe coalesced 
with those of the Chippewas and Ottawas, and 
formed the Pottawatomie nation. They ceded all 
their lands, wherever located, to the United States, 
for §850,000, agreeing to accept 576,000 acres in 
Kansas in lieu of 587,000 of this amount. Through 
the rapacity and trespasses of white settlers, this 
reservation was soon dismembered, and the lands 
passed into other hands. In 1867, under an ena- 
bling act of Congress, 1,400 of the nation (then 
estimated at 2,500) became citizens. Their pres- 
ent location is in the southeastern part of Okla- 
homa. 

POWELL, John Wesley, Ph.D., LL.D., geolo- 
gist and anthropologist, was born at Mount Morris 
N. Y., March 24, 1834, the son of a Methodist 
itinerant preacher, passing his early life at vari- 
ous places in Ohio, Wisconsin and Illinois ; studied 
for a time in Illinois College (Jacksonville), and 
subsequently in Wheaton College, but, in 1854, 
began a special course at Oberlin, Ohio, teaching 
at intervals in public schools. Having a predi- 
lection for the natural sciences, he spent much 
time in making collections, which he placed in 
various Illinois institutions. Entering the army 
in 1861 as a private of the Twentieth Illinois 
Volunteers, he later became a Captain of the 
Second Illinois Artillery, being finally promoted 
Major. He lost his right arm at the battle of 
Shiloh, but returned to his regiment as soon as 
sufficiently recovered, and continued in active 
service to the close of the war. In I860 he became 
Professor of Geology and Curator of the Museum 
in Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, 
but resigned to accept a similar position in the 
State Normal University. In 1867 he began his 



432 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



greatest work in connection with science by 
leading a class of pupils to the mountains of 
Colorado for the study of geology, which he fol- 
lowed, a year later, by a more thorough survey of 
the canon of the Colorado River than had ever 
before been attempted. This led to provision by 
Congress, in 1870, for a topographical and geo- 
logical survey of the Colorado and its tributaries, 
which was appropriately placed under his direc- 
tion. Later, he was placed in charge of the 
Bureau of Ethnology in connection with the 
Smithsonian Institute, and, again in 18S1, was 
assigned to the directorship of the United States 
Geological Survey, later becoming Director of the 
Bureau of Ethnology, in connection with the 
Smithsonian Institute in Washington City, 
where (1899) he still remains. In 1886 Major 
Powell received the degree of Ph.D. from Heidel- 
berg University, and that of LL.D. from Har- 
vard the same year. He is also a member of the 
leading scientific associations of the country, 
while his reports and addresses fill numerous 
volumes issued by the Government. 

POWELL, William Henry, soldier and manu- 
facturer, was born in South Wales, May 10, 1825; 
came to America in 1830, was educated in the 
common schools of Tennessee, and (1856-61) was 
manager of a manufacturing company at Iron- 
ton, Ohio; in 1861, became Captain of a West 
Virginia cavalry company, and was advanced 
through the grades of Major, Lieutenant-Colonel 
and Colonel ; was wounded while leading a charge 
at Wytheville, Va., left on the field, captured and 
confined in Libby Prison six months. After ex- 
change he led a cavalry division in the Army of 
the Shenandoah ; was made Brigadier-General in 
October, 1864; after the war settled in West Vir- 
ginia, and was a Republican Presidential Elector 
in 1868. He is now at the head of a nail mill and 
foundry in Belleville, and was Commander of the 
Grand Army of the Republic for the Department 
of Illinois during 1895-96. 

PRAIRIE CITY, a village in McDonough 
County, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, 23 miles southwest from Galesburg and 
17 miles northeast of Macomb; has a carriage 
factory, flour mill, elevators, lumber and stock 
yards, a nursery, a bank, four churches and two 
weekly papers. Pop (1890), 812; (1900), 818. 

PRAIRIE IHJ POST, (in English, Bridge 
Prairie), an early French settlement, one mile 
south of Cahokia. It was commenced about 1760, 
located on the banks of a creek, on which was 
the first mill, operated by water-power, in that 
section, having been erected by missionaries 



from St. Sulpice, in 1754. In 1765 the village 
contained fourteen families. In 1844 it was 
inundated and nearly destroyed. 

PRAIRIE du ROCHER, (in English, Prairie of 
the Rock), an early French village in what is 
now Monroe County, which began to spring up 
near Fort Chartres (see Fort Chartres), anil by 
1722 had grown to be a considerable settlement. 
It stood at the foot of the Mississippi bluffs, about 
four miles northeast of the fort. Like other 
French villages in Illinois, it had its church and 
priest, its common field and commons. Many of 
the houses were picturesque cottages built of 
limestone. The ancient village is now extinct ; 
yet, near the outlet of a creek which runs through 
the bluff, may be seen the vestiges of a water mill, 
said to have been erected by the Jesuits during 
the days of French occupation. 

PRENTICE, William S., Methodist Episcopal 
clergyman, was born in St Clair County, 111., in 
1819; licensed as a Methodist preacher in 1849, 
and filled pastorates at Paris, Danville, Carlin- 
ville, Springfield, Jacksonville and other places — 
the* latter part of his life, serving as Presiding 
Elder ; was a delegate to the General Conference 
of 1860, and regularly re-elected from 1872 to the 
end of his life. During the latter part of his life 
his home was in Springfield. Died, June 28, 1887. 

PRENTISS, Benjamin Mayberry, soldier, was 
born at Belleville, Wood County, Va., Nov. 23, 
1819; in 1835 accompanied his parents to Mis- 
souri, and, in 1841, removed to Quincy, 111., where 
he learned a trade, afterwards embarking in the 
commission business. In 1844-45 he was Lieuten- 
ant of a company sent against the Mormons at 
Nauvoo, later serving as Captain of Volunteers in 
the Mexican War. In 1860 he was an unsuccess- 
ful Republican candidate for Congress; at the 
outbreak of the Civil War tendered his services 
to Governor Yates, and was commissioned Colonel 
of the Tenth Illinois Volunteers, was almost 
immediately promoted to Brigadier-General and 
placed in command at Cairo, so continuing until 
relieved by General Grant, in September, 1861. 
At the battle of Shiloh, in April following, he 
was captured with most of his command, after a 
most vigorous fight with a superior rebel force, 
but, in 1862, was exchanged and brevetted Major- 
General of Volunteers. He was a member of the 
court-martial that tried Gen. Fitzjohn Porter, 
and, as commander at Helena, Ark. , defeated the 
Confederate Generals Holmes and Price on July 
3, 1863. He resigned his commission, Oct. 28, 
1863. In 1869 he was appointed by President 
Grant Pension Agent at Quincy, serving four 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



433 



years. At present (1898) General Prentiss' resi- 
dence is at Bethany, Mo., where he served as 
Postmaster, during the administration of Presi- 
dent Benjamin Harrison, and was reappointed by 
President McKinley. Died Feb. 8, 1901. 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. (See Elections.) 
PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL, located at Chi- 
cago, was organized in 1883 by a number of 
wealthy and liberal Presbyterians, "for the pur- 
pose of affording medical and surgical aid to sick 
and disabled persons, and to provide them, while 
inmates of the hospital, with the ministrations 
of the gospel, agreeably to the doctrines and 
forms of the Presbyterian Church." Rush Med- 
ical College offered a portion of its ground as a site 
(see Bush Medical College), and through generous 
subscriptions, a well-planned building was 
erected, capable of accommodating about 250 
patients. A corridor connects the college and 
hospital buildings. The medical staff comprises 
eighteen of Chicago's best known physicians and 
surgeons. 

PRESBYTERIANS, THE. The first Presby- 
terian society in Illinois was organized by'Rev. 
James McGready, of Kentucky, in 181G, at 
Sharon, White County. Revs. Samuel J. Mills 
and Daniel Smith, also Presbyterians, had visited 
the State in 1814, as representatives of the Massa- 
chusetts Missionary Society, but had formed no 
society. The members of the Sharon church 
were almost all immigrants from the South, and 
were largely of Scotch-Irish extraction. Two 
other churches were established in 1819 — one at 
Shoal Creek, Bond County, and the other at 
Edwardsville. In 1825 there were but three 
Presbyterian ministers in Illinois — Revs. Stephen 
Bliss, John Brich and B. F. Spilman. Ten years 
later there were 80 churches, with a membership 
of 2,500 and 60 ministers. In 1880 the number of 
churches had increased to 487; but, in 1890, (as 
shown b}- the United States census) there were 
less. In the latter year there were 405 ministers 
and 52,945 members. The Synod of Illinois is the 
highest ecclesiastical court of the denomination 
in the State, and. under its jurisdiction, the 
church maintains two seminaries: one (the Mc- 
Cormick) at Chicago, and the other (the Black- 
burn University) at Carlinville. The organ of 
the denomination is "The Interior," founded by 
Cyrus H. McCormick, and published weekly at 
Chicago, with William C. Gray as editor. The 
Illinois Synod embraced within its jurisdiction 
(1895) eleven Presbyteries, to which were attached 
483 churches, 464 ministers and a membership of 
63,247. (See also Religious Denominations.) 



PRICKETT, Abraham, pioneer merchant, was 
born near Lexington, Ky., came to Madison 
County, 111., in 1808; was employed for a time in 
the drug business in St. Louis, then opened a 
store at Edwardsville, where, in 1813, he received 
from the first County Court of Madison County, 
a license to retail merchandise. In 1818, he served 
as one of the three Delegates from Madison 
County to the Convention which framed the first 
State Constitution, and, the same year, was 
elected a Representative in the First General 
Assembly; was also Postmaster of the town of 
Edwardsville for a number of years. In 1825 he 
removed to Adams County and laid out an addi- 
tion to the city of Quincy; was also engaged 
there in trade with the Indians. In 1836, while 
engaged on a Government contract for the re- 
moval of snags and other obstructions to the navi- 
gation of Red River, he died at Natchitoches, La. 
— George W. (Prickett) a son of the preceding, 
and afterwards a citizen of Chicago, is said to 
have been the first white child born in Edwards- 
ville.— Isaac (Prickett), a brother of Abraham, 
came to St. Louis in 1815, and to Edwardsville in 
1818, where he was engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness with his brother and, later, on his own 
account. He held the offices of Postmaster, Pub- 
lic Administrator, Quartermaster-General of 
State Militia, Inspector of the State Penitentiary, 
and, from 1838 to '42, was Receiver of Public 
Moneys at Edwardsville, dying in 1844. 

PRICKETT, David, pioneer lawyer, was born 
in Franklin County, Ga., Sept. 21, 1800; in early 
childhood was taken by his parents to Kentucky 
and' from there to Edwardsville, 111. He gradu- 
ated from Transylvania University, and, in 1821. 
began the practice of law ; was the first Supreme 
Court Reporter of Illinois. Judge of the Madison 
County Probate Court, Representative in the 
General Assembly (1826-28), Aid-de-Camp to 
General Whiteside in the Black Hawk War, 
State's Attorney for Springfield Judicial Circuit 
(1837), Treasurer of the Board of Canal Commis- 
sioners (1840), Director of the State Bank of Illi- 
nois (1842), Clerk of the House of Representatives 
for ten sessions and Assistant Clerk of the same 
at the time of his death, March 1, 1847. 

PRINCE, David, physician and surgeon, was 
born in Brooklyne. Windham County, Conn., 
June 21, 1816; removed with his parents to 
Canandaigua, N. Y., and was educated in the 
academy there; began the study of medicine in 
the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New 
York, finishing at the Ohio Medical College, Cin- 
cinnati, where he was associated, for a year and a 



434 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



half, with the celebrated surgeon, Dr. Muzzy. In 
1843 he came to Jacksonville, 111., and, for two 
years, was Professor of Anatomy in the Medical 
Department of Illinois College; later, spent five 
years practicing in St. Louis, and lecturing on 
surgery in the St. Louis Medical College, when, 
returning to Jacksonville in 1852, he established 
himself in practice there, devoting special atten- 
tion to surgery, in which he had already won a 
wide reputation. During the latter part of the 
Civil War he served, for fourteen months, as 
Brigade Surgeon in the Army of the Potomac, 
and, on the capture of a portion of his brigade, 
voluntarily surrendered himself that he might 
attend the captives of his command in Libby 
Prison. After the close of the war he was 
employed for some months, by the Sanitary Com- 
mission, in writing a medical history of the war. 
He visited Europe twice, first in 1881 as a dele- 
gate to the International Medical Congress in 
London, and again as a member of the Copen- 
hagen Congress of 1884 — at each visit making 
careful inspection of the hospitals in London, 
Paris, and Berlin. About 1867 he established a 
Sanitarium in Jacksonville for the treatment of 
surgical cases and chronic diseases, to which he 
gave the closing years of his life. Thoroughly 
devoted to his profession, liberal, public-spirited 
and sagacious in the adoption of new methods, he 
stood in the front rank of his profession, and his 
death was mourned by large numbers who had 
received the benefit of his ministrations without 
money and without price. He was member of 
a number of leading professional associations, 
besides local literary and social organizations. 
Died, at Jacksonville, Dec. 19, 1889. 

PRINCE, Edward, lawyer, was born at West 
Bloomfield, Ontario County, N. Y., Dec. 8, 1832; 
attended school at Payson, 111., and Illinois Col- 
lege, Jacksonville, graduating from the latter in 
1852; studied law at Quincy, and after admission 
to the bar in 1853, began dealing in real estate. 
In 1861 he offered his services to Governor Yates, 
was made Captain and Drill-master of cavalry 
and, a few months later, commissioned Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, tak- 
ing part, as second in command, in the celebrated 
"Grierson raid" through Mississippi, in 1863, 
serving until discharged with the rank of Colonel 
of his regiment, in 1864. After the war he gave 
considerable attention to engineering and the 
construction of a system of water-works for the 
city of Quincy. where he now resides. 

PRINCE, lieorge W., lawyer and Congressman, 
born in Tazewell County, 111., March 4, 1854; was 



educated in the public schools and at Knox Col- 
lege, graduating from the latter in 1878. He 
then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 
1880; was elected City Attorney of Galesburg the 
following year ; served as chairman of the Knox 
County Republican Central Committee in 1884, 
and, in 1888, was elected Representative in the 
General Assembly and re-elected two years later. 
In 1892 he was the Republican nominee for 
Attorney-General of the State of Illinois, but was 
defeated with the rest of the State ticket; at 
a special election, held in April, 1895. he was 
chosen Representative in Congress from the 
Tenth District to fill the vacancy caused by the 
death of Col. Philip Sidney Post, which had 
occurred in January preceding. In common with 
a majority of his colleagues, Mr. Prince was 
re-elected in 1896, receiving a plurality of nearly 
16,000 votes, and was elected for a third term in 
November, 1898. 

PRIXCETOX, a city and the county-seat of 
Bureau County, on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, 22 miles west-southwest of 
Mendota, and 104 miles west-southwest of Chi- 
cago; has a court house, gas-works, electric 
lights, graded and high schools, numerous 
churches, three newspapers and several banks 
Coal is mined five miles east, and the manufac- 
tures include flour, carriages and farm imple- 
ments. Pop. (1890), 3,396; (1900), 4,023. Prince- 
ton is populated with one of the most intelligent 
and progressive communities in the State. It 
was the home of Owen Lovejoy during the greater 
part of his life in Illinois. 

PRINCETOX & WESTERN RAILWAY. (See 
Chicago it' Northwestern Railway.) 

PRIXCEVILLE, a village of Peoria County, on 
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Rock 
Island & Peoria Railways. 22 miles northwest of 
Peoria; is a trade center for a prosperous agricul- 
tural region. Population (1890), 641; (1900), 735 

PROPHETSTOWN, a town in Whiteside 
County, on Rock River and the Fulton Branch 
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 45 
miles northwest of Mendota; has some manu- 
factures, three banks and two newspapers. Pop. 
(1890), 694; (1900), 1,143. 

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION. fSee 
Minority Representation. ) 

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The 
pioneer Episcopal clergyman in this State was the 
Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, who was made Bishop 
of Illinois in 1835. and was the founder of Jubi- 
lee College. (See Chase, Rev. Philander.) The 
State at present is organized under the provincial 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



435 



system, the province comprising the dioceses of 
Chicago, Quincy and Springfield. At its head 
(1898) is the Rt. Rev. William E. McLaren, Bishop 
of Chicago. Rev. George F. Seymour of Spring- 
field is Bishop of the Springfield Diocese, with 
C. R. Hale, Coadjutor at Cairo, and Rev. Alex- 
ander Burgess, Bishop of the Quincy Diocese, with 
residence at Peoria. The numerical strength of 
the church in Illinois is not great, although 
between 1880 and 1890 its membership was almost 
doubled. In 1840 there were but eighteen 
parishes, with thirteen clergymen and a member- 
ship of 267. By 1880 the number of parishes had 
increased to 89, there being 127 ministers and 
9,812 communicants. The United States Census 
of 1890 showed the following figures: Parishes. 
197; clergymen, 150, membership, 18,609. Total 
contributions (1890) for general church and mis- 
sion work, $373,798. The chief educational insti- 
tution of the denomination in the West is the 
Western Theological Seminary at Chicago. (See 
also Religious Denominations.) 

PRYOR, Joseph Everett, pioneer and early 
steamboat captain, was born in Virginia, August 
10, 1787 — the son of a non-commissioned officer of 
the Revolution, who emigrated to Kentucky about 
1790 and settled near Louisville, which was then 
a fort with some twenty log cabins. In 1813 the 
son located where Golconda, Pope County, now 
stands, and early in life adopted the calling of a 
boatman, which he pursued some forty years. 
At this time he held a commission as a "Falls 
Pilot," and piloted the first steamer that ascended 
the Ohio River from New Orleans. During his 
long service no accident happened to any steamer 
for which he was responsible, although the Mis- 
sissippi then bristled with snags. He owned and 
commanded the steamer Telegraph, which was 
sunk, in 1835, by collision with the Duke of 
Orleans on the Mississippi, but, owing to his pres- 
ence of mind and the good discipline of his crew, 
no lives were lost. The salient features of his 
character were a boundless benevolence mani- 
fested to others, and his dauntless courage, dis- 
played not only in the face of dangers met in his 
career as a boatman, but in his encounters with 
robbers who then infested portions of Southern 
Illinois. He had a reputation as a skillful pilot 
and popular commander not excelled by any of 
his contemporaries. He died, at his home in Pope 
County, Oct. 5. 1851, leaving one daughter, now 
Mrs. Cornelia P. Bozman, of Cairo, 111. 

PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, SUPERINTEND- 
ENTS OF. (See Superintendents of Public 
Instruction.) 



PUGH, Isaac C, soldier, was born in Christian 
County, Ky., Nov. 23, 1805; came to Illinois, in 
1821, with his father, who first settled in Shelby 
County, but, in 1829, removed to Macon County, 
where the subject of this sketch resided until his 
death, at Decatur, Nov. 14, 1874. General Pugh 
served in three wars — first in the Black Hawk 
War of 1832; then, with the rank of Captain and 
Field Officer in the Fourth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers (Col. E. D. Baker's) in the war with 
Mexico, and. during the Civil War, entering upon 
the latter as Colonel of the Forty-first Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, in September, 1861, and 
being mustered out with the rank of full Briga- 
dier-General in August, 1864, when his regiment 
was consolidated with the Fifty-third. He took 
part with his regiment in the battles of Fort 
Donelson and Shiloh, and in the operations 
around Vicksburg, being wounded at the latter. 
In the year of his retirement from the army 
(1864) he was elected a Representative in the 
Twenty-fourth General Assembly, and. the fol- 
lowing year, was chosen County-Clerk of Macon 
County, serving four years. 

PUGH, Jonathan H., pioneer lawyer, was born 
in Bath County, Ky., came to Bond County, 111., 
finally locating at Springfield in 1823, and being 
the second lawyer to establish himself in practice 
in that city. He served in the Third, Fifth, 
Sixth and Seventh General Assemblies, and was 
defeated for Congress by Joseph Duncan (after- 
wards Governor), in 1831. Died, in 1833. Mr. 
Pugh is described by his contemporaries as a man 
of brilliant parts, an aide lawyer and a great wit. 

PULASKI COUNTY, an extreme southern 
county and one of the smallest in the State, 
bordering on the Ohio River and having an area 
of 190 square miles and a population (1900), of 
14,554. It was cut off from Alexander County in 
1843, and named in honor of a Polish patriot who 
had aided the Americans during the Revolution. 
The soil is generally rich, and the surface varied 
with much low land along the Cache and the Ohio 
Rivers. Wheat, corn and fruit are the principal 
crops, while considerable timber is cut upon the 
bottom lands. Mound City is the county-seat 
and was conceded a population, by the census of 
1890, of 2,550. Only the lowest, barren portion of 
the carboniferous formation extends under the 
soil, the coal measures being absent. Traces of 
iron have been found and sulphur and copperas 
springs abound. 

PULLMAN, a former suburb (now a part of 
the South Division) of the city of Chicago. 13.8 
miles south of the initial station of the Illinois 



436 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Central Railroad. The Pullman Palace Car Com- 
pany began the erection of buildings here in l ssl1 
and, on the 1st of January, 1881, the first family 
settled in the future manufacturing city. Within 
the next few years, it became the center of the 
largest manufacturing establishments in the 
country, including the Pullman Car Works, the 
Allen Paper Car Wheel Works and extensive 
steel forging works, employing thousands of 
mechanics. Large numbers of sleeping and din- 
ing cars, besides ordinary passenger coaches and 
freight cars, were manufactured here every year, 
not only for use on the railroads of the United 
States, but for foreign countries as well. The 
town was named for the late George M. Pullman, 
the founder of the car-works, and was regarded 
as a model city, made up of comfortable homes 
erected by the Palace Car Company for the use of 
its employes. It was well supplied with school- 
houses, and churches, and a public library was 
established there and opened to the public in 
1883. The town was annexed to the city of Chi- 
cago in 1890. 

PULLMAN, Georgre Mortimer, founder of the 
Pullman Palace Car Company, was born at Broc- 
ton, N. Y., March 3, 1831, enjoyed ordinary edu- 
cational advantages in his boyhood and, at 
fourteen years of age, obtained employment as a 
clerk, but a year later joined his brother in the 
cabinet-making business at Albion. His father, 
who was a house-builder and house-mover, hav- 
ing died in 1853, young Pullman assumed the 
responsibility of caring for the family and, hav- 
ing secured a contract for raising a number of 
buildings along the Erie Canal, made necessary 
by the enlargement of that thoroughfare, in this 
way acquired some capital and experience which 
was most valuable to him in after years. Com- 
ing to Chicago in 18511, when the work of raising 
the grade of the streets in the business portion of 
the city had been in progress for a year or two. 
he found a new field for the exercise of his 
inventive skill, achieving some marvelous trans- 
formations in a number of the principal business 
blocks in that part of the city. As early as 1858, 
Mr. Pullman had had his attention turned to 
devising some means for increasing the comforts 
of night-travel upon railways, and, in 1859, he 
remodeled two old day-coaches into a species of 
sleeping-cars, which were used upon the Alton 
Road. From 1860 to 1863 he spent in Colorado 
devoting his engineering skill to mining; but 
returning to Chicago the latter year, entered 
upon his great work of developing the idea of the 
sleeping-car into practical reality. The first 



car was completed and received the name of the 
•'Pioneer.'" This car constituted a part of the 
funeral train which took the remains of Abraham 
Lincoln to Springfield, 111., after his assassination 
in April, 1865. The development of the "Pull- 
man palace sleeping-car," the invention of the 
dining-car, and of vestibule trains, and the build- 
ing up of the great industrial town which bears 
his name, and is now a part of the city of Chi- 
cago, constituted a work of gradual development 
which resulted in some of the most remarkable 
achievements in the history of the nineteentli 
century, both in a business sense and in promot- 
ing the comfort and safety of the traveling pub- 
lic, as well as in bettering the conditions of 
workingmen. He lived to see the results of his 
inventive genius and manufacturing skill in use 
upon the principal railroads of the United States 
and introduced upon a number of important lines 
in Europe also. Mr. Pullman was identified with 
a number of other enterprises more or less closely 
related to the transportation business, but the 
Pullman Palace Car Company was the one with 
which he was most closely connected, and by 
which he will be longest remembered. He was 
also associated with some of the leading educa- 
tional and benevolent enterprises about the city 
of Chicago, to which he contributed in a liberal 
manner during his life and in his will. His 
death occurred suddenly, from heart disease, at 
his home in Chicago, Oct. 19, 1897. 

PURPLE, Norman H., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Litchfield County, Conn., read law and 
was admitted to the bar in Tioga County, Pa., 
settled at Peoria, 111., in 1836, and the following 
year was appointed Prosecuting Attorney for the 
Ninth Judicial District, which then embraced 
the greater portion of the State east of Peoria. 
In 1844 he was a Presidential Elector, and, in 
1845, Governor Ford appointed him a Justice of 
the Supreme Court, vice Jesse B. Thomas, Jr., 
who had resigned. As required by law, he at the 
same time served as Circuit Judge, his district 
embracing all the counties west of Peoria, and 
his home being at Quincy. After the adoption of 
the Constitution of 1848 he returned to Peoria and 
resumed practice. He compiled the Illinois 
Statutes relating to real property, and, in 1857, 
made a compilation of the general laws, gener- 
ally known to the legal profession as the "Purple 
Statutes." He subsequently undertook to com- 
pile and arrange the laws passed from 1857 to '63. 
and was engaged on this work when overtaken 
by death, at Chicago, Aug 9, 1863. He was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1862, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



43S 



and, during the last ten years of his life, promi- 
nent atr the Chicago bar. 

PUTERBAUGH, Sabin I)., judge and author, 
was born in Miami County, Ohio, Sept. 28, 1834 ; 
at 8 years of age removed with his parents to Taze- 
well County, 111; settled in Pekin in 1853, where 
he read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1836. 
At the outbreak of the rebellion he was commis- 
sioned, by Governor Yates. Major of the Eleventh 
Illinois Cavalry, and took part in numerous 
engagements in Western Tennessee and Missis- 
sippi, including the battles of Shiloh and Corinth. 
Resigning his commission in 1802, he took up his 
residence at Peoria, where he resumed practice 
and began the preparation of his first legal work 
— "Common Law Pleading and Practice." In 
1864 he formed a partnership with Col. Robert G. 
Ingersoll, which continued until 1867, when Mr. 
Puterbaugh was elected Circuit Court Judge. 
He retired from the bench in 1873 to resume pri- 
vate practice and pursue his work as an author. 
His first work, having already run through three 
editions, was followed by "Puterbaugh's Chan- 
cery Pleading and Practice," the first edition of 
which appeared in 1874, and "Michigan Chancery 
Practice," which appeared in 1881. In 1880 he 
was chosen Presidential Elector on the Republi- 
can ticket. Died, Sept. 25, 1892. Leslie D. 
(Puterbaugh), a son of Judge Puterbaugh, is 
Judge of the Circuit Court of the Peoria Circuit. 
PUTNAM COUNTY, the smallest county in the 
State, both as to area and population, containing 
only 170 square miles; population (1900), 4,746. 
It lies near the center of the north half of the 
State, and was named in honor of Gen. Israel 
Putnam. The first American to erect a cabin 
within its limits was Gurdon S. Hubbard, who 
was in business there, as a fur-trader, as early as 
1825, but afterwards became a prominent citizen 
of Chicago. The county was created by act of 
the Legislature in 1825, although a local govern- 
ment was not organized until some years later. 
Since that date, Bureau, Marshall and Stark 
Counties have been erected therefrom. It is 
crossed and drained by the Illinois River. The 
surface is moderately undulating and the soil 
fertile. Corn is the chief staple, although wheat 
and oats are extensively cultivated. Coal is 
mined and exported. Hennepin is the county- 
seat 

QUINCY, the principal city of Western Illinois, 
and the county seat of Adams County. It was 
founded in 1822 — the late Gov. John Wood erect- 
ing the first log-cabin there — and was incorporated 



in 1 839. The site is naturally one of the most beauti- 
ful in the State, the principal part of the city being 
built on a limestone bluff having an elevation 
of 125 to 150 feet, and overlooking the Mississippi 
for a long distance. Its location is 112 miles west 
of Springfield and 264 miles southwest of Chi- 
cago. Besides being a principal shipping point 
for the river trade north of St. Louis, it is the 
converging point of several important railway 
lines, including the Wabash, four branches of the 
Chicago, Burlington &.Quincy, and the Quincy, 
Omaha & Kansas City, giving east and west, as 
well as north and south, connections. At the 
present time (1904) several important lines, or 
extensions of railroads already constructed, are in 
contemplation, which, when completed, will add 
largely to the commercial importance of the city. 
The city is regularly laid out, the streets inter- 
secting each other at right angles, and being 
lighted with gas and electricity. Water is 
obtained from the Mississippi. There are several 
electric railway lines, four public parks, a fine 
railway bridge across the Mississippi, to which a 
wagon bridge has been added within the past two 
years; two fine railway depots, and several elegant 
public buildings, including a handsome county 
court-house, a Government building for the use 
of the Post-office and the United States District 
Court. The Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Home 
is located here, embracing a large group of cot 
tages occupied by veterans of the Civil War, 
besides hospital and administration buildings for 
the use of the officers. The city has more than 
thirty churches, three libraries (one free-public 
and two college), with excellent schools and 
other educational advantages. Among the 
higher institutions of learning are the Chaddock 
College (Methodist Episcopal) and the St. Francis 
Solanus College (Roman Catholic). There are 
two or three national banks, a State bank with a 
capital of 8300,0(10, beside two private banks, four 
or five daily papers, with several weekly and one 
or two monthly publications. Its advantages as a 
shipping point by river and railroad have made it 
one of the most important manufacturing cen- 
ters west of Chicago. The census of 1890 showed 
a total of 374 manufacturing establishments, 
having an aggregate capital of 86, 187.845, employ- 
ing 5,058 persons, and turning out an annual 
product valued at 810,160,492. The cost of 
material used was 85,597,990, and the wages paid 
$2,383,571. The number of different industries 
reported aggregated seventy-six, the more impor- 
tant being foundries, carriage and wagon fac- 
tories, agricultural implement works, cigar and 



438 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tobacco factories, flour-mills, breweries, brick- 
yards, linie works, saddle and harness shops, 
paper mills, furniture factories, organ works, and 
artificial-ice factories. Population (1880), 27,268; 
(1890), 31,494; (1900), 36,252. 

QUINCY, ALTON & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD. 
(See Chicago, Burlington &■ Quincy Railroad.) 

QUINCY & CHICAGO RAILROAD. (See Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.) 

QUINCY & TOLEDO RAILROAD. (See 
Wabash Railroad. ) 

QUINCY & WARSAW RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago, Burlington c£- Quincy Railroad.) 

RAAB, Henry, ex-State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, was born in Wetzlar, Rhen- 
ish Prussia, June 20, 1837 ; learned the trade of a 
curlier with his father and came to the United 
States in 1853, finally locating at Belleville, 111. . 
where, in 1857, he became a teacher in the pub- 
lic schools; in 1873 was made Superintendent of 
schools for that city, and, in 1882, was elected 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction on 
the Democratic ticket, declined a renomination 
in 1886; was nominated a second time in 1890, 
and re-elected, but defeated by S. M. Inglis in 
1894. In the administration of his office, Pro- 
fessor Raab showed a commendable freedom from 
partisanship. After retiring from the office of 
State Superintendent, he resumed a position in 
connection with the public schools of Belleville. 

RADISSON, Pierre Esprit, an early French 
traveler and trader, who is said to have reached 
the Upper Mississippi on his third voyage to the 
West in 1658-59. The period of his explorations 
extended from 1652 to 1684, of which he prepared 
a narrative which was published by the Prince 
Society of Boston in 1885, under the title of 
"Radisson's Voyages." He and his brother-in- 
law, Medard C'houart, first conceived the idea of 
planting a settlement at Hudson's Bay. (See 
( 'hiiuart. Medard.) 

RAILROAD AND WAREHOUSE COMMIS- 
SION, a Board of three Commissioners, appointed 
by the executive (by and with the advice and con- 
sent of the Senate), under authority of an act ap- 
proved, April 13, 1871, for the enforcement of the 
provisions of the Constitution and laws in relation 
to railroads and warehouses. The Commission's 
powers are partly judicial, partly executive. The 
following is a summary of its powers and duties: 
To establish a schedule of maximum rates, equi- 
table to shipper and carrier alike; to require 
yearly reports from railroads and warehouses, 
to hear and pass upon complaints of extortion and 



unjust discrimination, and (if necessary) enforce 
prosecutions therefor; to secure the safe condi- 
tion of railway road-beds, bridges and trestles ; to 
hear and decide all manner of complaints relative 
to intersections and to protect grade-crossings; 
to insure the adoption of a safe interlocking sys- 
tem, to be approved by the Commission; to 
enforce proper rules for the inspection and regis- 
tration of grain throughout the State. The prin- 
cipal offices of the Commission are at the State 
capital, where monthly sessions are held. For 
the purpose of properly conducting the grain 
inspection department, monthly meetings are 
also held at Chicago, where the offices of a Grain 
Inspector, appointed by the Board, are located. 
Here all business relating to this department is 
discussed and necessary special meetings are 
held. The inspection department has no revenue 
outside of fees, but the latter are ample for its 
maintenance. Fees for inspection on arrival 
( "inspection in") are twenty-five cents per car- 
load, ten cents per wagon-load, and forty cents 
per 1,000 bushels from canal-boat or vessels. For 
inspection from store ("inspected out") the fees 
are fifty cents per 1,000 bushels to vessels; 
thirty-five cents per car-load, and ten cents per 
wagon- load to teams. While there are never 
wanting some cases of friction between the trans- 
portation companies and warehousemen on the 
one hand, and the Commission on the other, 
there can be no question that the formation of 
the latter has been of great value to the receiv- 
ers, shippers, forwarders and tax-payers of the 
State generally. Similar regulations in regard to 
the inspection of grain in warehouses, at East St. 
Louis and Peoria, are also in force. The first 
Board, created under the act of 1871, consisted of 
Gustavus Koerner, Richard P. Morgan and David 
S. Hammond, holding office until 1873. Other 
Boards have been as follows: 1873-77 — Henry D. 
Cook (deceased 1873, and succeeded by James 
Steele), David A. Brown and John M. Pearson; 
1877-83 — William M. Smith, George M. Bogue and 
John H. Oberly (retired 1881 and succeeded by 
William H. Robinson) ; 1883-85— Wm. N. Brain- 
ard, E. C. Lewis and Charles T. Stratton; 1885-89 
— John I. Rinaker, Benjamin F. Marsh and Wm. T. 
Johnson (retired in 1887 and succeeded by Jason 
Rogers); 1889-93— John R. Wheeler, Isaac N. 
Phillips and W. S. Crim (succeeded, 1891, by John 
R. Tanner) ; 1893-97— W. S. Cantrell, Thomas F. 
Gahan and Charles F. Lape (succeeded, 1895, by 
George W. Fithian) ; 1897-99— Cicero J. Lindley, 
Charles S. Rannells and James E. Bidwell. (See 
also Grain Inspection.) 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



439 



RAILROADS (IN GENERAL). The existing 
railroad system of Illinois had its inception in the 
mania for internal improvement which swept 
over the country in 1836-37, the basis of the plan 
adopted in Illinois (as in the Eastern States) being 
that the State should construct, maintain, own 
and operate an elaborate system. Lines were to 
be constructed from Cairo to Galena, from Alton 
to Mount Carmel, from Peoria to Warsaw, from 
Alton to the Central Railroad, from Belleville 
to Mount Carmel, from Bloomington to Mack- 
inaw Town, and from Meredosia to Springfield. 
The experiment proved extremely unfortunate 
to the financial interests of the State, and laid the 
foundation of an immense debt under which it 
staggered for many years. The Northern Cross 
Railroad, extending from Meredosia to Spring- 
field, was the only one so far completed as to be in 
operation. It was sold, in 1847, to Nicholas H. 
Ridgely, of Springfield for §21,100, he being the 
highest bidder. This line formed a nucleus of 
the existing Wabash system. The first road to 
be operated by private parties (outside of a prim- 
itive tramway in St. Clair County, designed for 
the transportation of coal to St. Louis) was the 
Galena & Chicago Union, chartered in 1836. This 
was the second line completed in the State, and 
the first to run from Chicago. The subsequent 
development of the railway system of Illinois 
was at first gradual, then steady and finally 
rapid. A succinct description of the various 
lines now in operation in the State may be found 
under appropriate headings. At present Illinois 
leads all the States of the Union in the extent of 
railways in operation, the total mileage (1897) of 
main track being 10,785.43 — or 19 miles for each 
100 square miles of territory and 25 miles for each 
10,000 inhabitants — estimating the population 
(1898) at four and a quarter millions. Every one 
of the 102 counties of the State is traversed by at 
least one railroad except three — Calhoun, Hardin 
and Pope. The entire capitalization of the 111 
companies doing business in the State in 1896, 
(including capital stock, funded debt and current 
liabilities), was 82,669,164,142— equal to 867,556 
per mile. In 1894, fifteen owned and ten leased 
lines paid dividends of from four to eight per 
cent on common, and from four to ten per cent 
on preferred, stock — the total amount thus paid 
aggregating 825,321,752. The total earnings ;rnd 
income, in Illinois, of all lines operated in the 
State, aggregated 177,508,537, while the total 
expenditure within the State was 871,463,367. 
Of the 58,263,860 tons of freight carried, 11,611,- 
798 were of agricultural products and 17,179,366 



mineral products. The number of passengers 
(earning revenue) carried during the year, was 
83,281,655. The total number of railroad em- 
ployes (of all classes) was 61,200. The entire 
amount of taxes paid by railroad companies for 
the year was 83,846,379. From 1836, when the 
first special charter was granted for the con- 
struction of a railroad in Illinois, until 1869 — 
after which all corporations of this character 
came under the general incorporation laws of the 
State in accordance with the Constitution of 1870 
— 293 special charters for the construction of 
railroads were granted by the Legislature, besides 
numerous amendments of charters already in 
existence. (For the history of important indi- 
vidual lines see each road under its corporate 
name. ) 

RALSTON, Virgil Young, editor and soldier, 
was born, July 16, 1828, at Vanceburg, Ky. ; was 
a student in Illinois College one year (1846-47), 
after which he studied law in Quincy and prac- 
ticed for a time ; also resided some time in Cali- 
fornia; 1855-57 was one of the editors of "The 
Quincy Whig," and represented that paper in the 
Editorial Convention at Decatur, Feb. 22, 1856. 
(See Anti-Nebraska Editorial Convention.) In 
1861, he was commissioned a Captain in the Six- 
teenth Illinois Volunteers, but soon resigned on 
account of ill-health ; later, enlisted in an Iowa 
regiment, but died in hospital at St. Louis, from 
wounds and exposure, April 19, 1864. 

RAMSAY, It nfiis N., State Treasurer, was born 
on a farm in Clinton County, 111., May 20, 1838; 
received a collegiate education at Illinois and 
McKendree Colleges, and at Indiana State Uni- 
versity; studied law with ex-Gov. A. C. French, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1865, but soon 
abandoned the law for banking, in which he was 
engaged both at Lebanon and Carlyle, limiting 
his business to the latter place about 1890. He 
served one term (from 1865) as County Clerk, and 
two terms (1889 and '91) as Representative in the 
General Assembly, and, in 1892, was nominated 
as a Democrat and elected State Treasurer. Died 
in office, at Carlyle, Nov. 11, 1894. 

RAMSEY, a village of Fayette County, at the 
intersection of the Illinois Central and the Toledo, 
St. Louis & Western Railroads, 12 miles north of 
Vandalia; the district is agricultural; has one 
newspaper. Pop. (1890), 598; (1900), 747. 

RANDOLPH COUNTY, lies in the southwest 
section of the State, and borders on the Missis- 
sippi River; area 560 square miles; named for 
Beverly Randolph. It was set off from St. Clair 
County in 1795, being the second county organ- 



440 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



lzed in the territory which now constitutes the 
State of Illinois. From the earliest period of Illi- 
nois history, Randolph County has been a pivotal 
point. In the autumn of 1700 a French and 
Indian settlement was established at Kaskaskia, 
which subsequently became the center of French 
influence in the Mississippi "Valley. In 1722 
Prairie du Rocher was founded by the French. 
It was in Randolph County that Fort Chartres 
was built, in 1720, and it was here that Col. 
George Rogers Clark's expedition for the seizure 
of the "Illinois Country" met with success in the 
capture of Kaskaskia. American immigration 
began with the close of the Revolutionary War. 
Among the early settlers were the Cranes (Icha- 
bod and George;, Gen. John Edgar, the Dodge 
family, the Morrisons, and John Rice Jones. 
Toward the close of the century came Shadracli 
Bond (afterwards the first Governor of the State) 
with his uncle of the same name, and the 
Menards (Pierre and Hippolyte), the first of 
whom subsequently became Lieutenant - Gov- 
ernor. (See Bond, Shadracli; Menard, Pierre.) 
In outline, Randolph County is triangular, while 
its surface is diversified. Timber and building 
stone are abundant, and coal underlies a consid- 
erable area. Chester, the county-seat, a city of 
3,000 inhabitants, is a place of considerable trade 
and the seat of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary. 
The county is crossed by several railroad lines, 
and transportation facilities are excellent. Pop- 
ulation (1890). 25,049; (1900), 28,001. 

RANSOM, (Gen.) Thomas Edward Greenfield, 
soldier, was born at Norwich, Vt., Nov. 29, 1834; 
educated at Norwich University, an institution 
under charge of his father, who was later an 
officer of the Mexican War and killed at Chapul- 
tepec. Having learned civil engineering, he 
entered on his profession at Peru, 111., in 1851; 
in 1855 became a member of the real-estate firm 
of A. J. Galloway & Co., Chicago, soon after 
removing to Fayette County, where he acted as 
agent of the Illinois Central Railroad. Under 
the first call for volunteers, in April, 1861, he 
organized a company, which having been incor- 
porated in the Eleventh Illinois, he was elected 
Major, and, on the reorganization of the regiment 
for the three-years' service, was commissioned 
Lieutenant-Colonel, in this capacity having com- 
mand of his regiment at Fort Donelson, where he 
was severely wounded and won deserved pro- 
motion to a colonelcy, as successor to Gen. W. H. 
L. Wallace, afterwards killed at Shiloh. Here 
Colonel Ransom again distinguished himself by 
his braver}-, and though again wounded while 



leading his regiment, remained in command 
through the day. His service was recognized by 
promotion as Brigadier - General. He bore a 
prominent part in the siege of Vicksburg and in 
the Red River campaign, and, later, commanded 
the Seventh Army Corps in the operations about 
Atlanta, but finally fell a victim to disease and 
his numerous wounds, dying in Chicago, Oct. 29, 
1864, having previously received the brevet rank 
of Major-General. General Ransom was con- 
fessedly one of the most brilliant officers contrib- 
uted by Illinois to the War for the Union, and 
was pronounced, by both Grant and Sherman, one 
of the ablest volunteer generals in their com- 
mands. 

RANTOUL, a city in Champaign County, at 
the junction of the main line of the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad, with its West Lebanon and Leroy 
branch, 14 miles north-northeast of Champaign 
and 114 miles south by west of Chicago. It has 
a national bank, seven churches, opera house, 
graded school, two weekly papers, machine shops, 
flouring and flax mills, tile factories, and many 
handsome residences. Pop. (1900), 1,207. 

RASLE, Sebastian, a Jesuit missionary, born 
in France, in 1658; at his own request was 
attached to the French missions in Canada in 
1689, and, about 1691 or '92, was sent to the Illi- 
nois Country, where he labored for two years, 
traveling much and making a careful study of 
the Indian dialects. He left many manuscripts 
descriptive of his journeyings and of the mode of 
life and character of the aborigines. From Illi- 
nois he was transferred to Norridgewock. Maine, 
where he prepared a dictionary of the Abenaki 
language in three volumes, which is now pre- 
served in the library of Harvard College. His 
influence over his Indian parishioners was great, 
and his use of it, during the French and Indian 
War, so incensed the English colonists in Massa- 
chusetts that the Governor set a price upon his 
head. On August 12, 1724, he was slain, with 
seven Indian chiefs who were seeking to aid his 
escape, during a night attack upon Norridge- 
wock by a force of English soldiers from Fort 
Richmond, his mutilated body being interred the 
next day by the Indians. In 1833, the citizens of 
Norridgewock erected a monument to his mem- 
ory on the spot where he fell. 

RASTER, Herman, journalist, was born in Ger- 
many in 1828; entered journalism and came to 
America in 1851, being employed on German 
papers in Buffalo and New York City; in 1867 
accepted the position of editor-in-chief of "The 
Chicago Staats Zeitung," which he continued to 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



441 



till until June, 1890, when he went to Europe for 
the benefit of his health, dying at Dresden, July 
24, 1891. While employed on papers in this 
country during the Civil War, he acted as the 
American correspondent of papers at Berlin, 
Bremen, Vienna, and other cities of Central 
Europe. He served as delegate to both State and 
National Conventions of the Republican party, 
and, in 18(39, received from President Grant the 
appointment of Collector of Internal Revenue for 
the Chicago District, but, during the later years 
of his life, cooperated with the Democratic 
party. 

RAUCH, John Henry, physician and sanitary 
expert, born in Lebanon, Pa., Sept. 4, 1828, and 
graduated in medicine at the University of Penn- 
sylvania, in 1849. The following year he removed 
to Iowa, settling at Burlington. He was an 
active member of the Iowa State Medical Society', 
and, in 1851, prepared and published a "Report 
on the Medical and Economic Botany of Iowa," 
and, later, made a collection of ichthyologic 
remains of the Upper Mississippi and Missouri for 
Professor Agassiz. From 1857 to 1800 he filled 
the chair of Materia Medica and Medical Botany 
at Rush Medical College, Chicago, occupying the 
same position in 1859 in the Chicago College of 
Pharmacy, of which he was one of the organ- 
izers. During the Civil War he served, until 
1864, as Assistant Medical Director, first in the 
Army of the Potomac, and later in Louisiana, 
being brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel at the close of 
the struggle. Returning to Chicago, he aided in 
reorganizing the city's health service, and, in 
1867, was appointed a member of the new Board 
of Health and Sanitary Inspector, serving until 
1876. The latter year he was chosen President of 
the American Public Health Association, and, 
in 1877, a member of the newly created State 
Board of Health of Illinois, and elected its first 
President. Later, he became Secretary, and con- 
tinued in that office during his connection with 
the Board. In 1878-79 he devoted much attention 
to the yellow-fever epidemic, and was instru- 
mental in the formation of the Sanitary Council 
of the Mississippi, and in securing the adoption 
of a system of river inspection by the National 
Board of Health. He was a member of many 
scientific bodies, and the author of numerous 
monographs and printed addresses, chiefly in the 
domain of sanitary science and preventive med- 
icine Among them may be noticed "Intra- 
mural Interments and Their Influence on Health 
and Epidemics." "Sanitary Problems of Chi- 
oagor" "Prevention of Asiatic Cholera in North 



America, ' ' and a series of reports as Secretary of 
the State Board of Health. Died, at Lebanon, 
Pa., March 24, 1894. 

RAUM, (Gen.) Green Berry, soldier and author, 
was born at Golconda, Pope County, 111., Dec. 3, 
1829, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 
1853, but, three years later, removed with his 
family to Kansas. His Free-State proclivities 
rendering him obnoxious to the pro-slavery party 
there, he returned to Illinois in 1857, settling at 
Harrisburg, Saline County. Early in the Civil 
War he was commissioned a Major in the Fifty- 
sixth Illinois Volunteers, was subsequently pro- 
moted to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy, and, later, 
advanced to a Brigadier-Generalship, resigning 
his commission at the close of the war (May 6, 
1865). He was with Rosecrans in the Mississippi 
campaign of 1862, took a conspicuous part in the 
battle of Corinth, participated in the siege of 
Vicksburg and was wounded at Missionary Ridge. 
He also rendered valuable service during the 
Atlanta campaign, keeping lines of communi- 
cation open, re-enforcing Resaca and repulsing an 
attack by General Hood. He was with Sherman 
in the "March to the Sea," and with Hancock, in 
the Shenandoah Valley, when the war closed. In 
1866 General Raum became President of the pro- 
jected Cairo & Vincennes Railroad, an enterprise 
of which he had been an active promoter. He 
was elected to Congress in 1866 from the South- 
ern Illinois District (then the Thirteenth), serv- 
ing one term, and the same year presided over the 
Republican State Convention, as he did again in 
1876 and in 1880 — was also a delegate to the 
National Conventions at Cincinnati and Chicago 
the last two years just mentioned. From August 
2, 1876, to May 31, 1883, General Raum served as 
Commissioner of Internal Revenue at Washing- 
ton, in that time having superintended the col- 
lection of 8800.000,000 of revenue, and the 
disbursement of 830,000,000. After retiring from 
the Commissionership, he resumed the practice 
of law in Washington. In 1889 he was appointed 
Commissioner of Pensions, remaining to the 
close of President Harrison's administration, 
when he removed to Chicago and again engaged 
in practice. During the various political cam- 
paigns of the past thirty years, his services have 
been in frequent request as a campaign speaker, 
and he has canvassed a number of States in the 
interest of the Republican part}'. Besides his 
official reports, he is author of "The Existing 
Conflict Between Republican Government and 
Southern Oligarchy" (Washington, 1884), and a, 
number of magazine articles. 



442 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



RAUM, John, pioneer and early legislator, was 
born in Hummelstown, Pa., July 14, 1793. and 
died at Golconda, 111., March 14, 1869. Having 
received a liberal education in his native State, 
the subject of this sketch settled at Shawueetown, 
111., in 1823, but removed to Golconda, Pope 
County, in 1826. He had previously served three 
years in the War of 1812, as First Lieutenant of 
the Sixteenth Infantry, and, while a resident of 
Illinois, served in the Black Hawk War of 1832 as 
Brigade Major. He was also elected Senator 
from the District composed of Pope and Johnson 
Counties in the Eighth General Assembly (1833), 
as successor to Samuel Alexander, who had 
resigned. The following year he was appointed 
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Pope County, and 
was also elected Clerk of the County Court the 
same year, holding both offices for many years, 
and retaining the County Clerkship up to his 
death, a period of thirty-five years. He was 
married March 22, 1827, to Juliet C. Field, and 
was father of Brig. -Gen. Green B. Raum, and 
Maj. John M. Raum, both of whom served in the 
volunteer army from Illinois during the Civil 
War. 

RAWLINS, John Aaron, soldier, Secretary of 
War, was born at East Galena, Feb. 13, 1831, the 
son of a small farmer, who was also a charcoal- 
burner. The son, after irregular attendance on 
the district schools and a year passed at Mount 
Morris Academy, began the study of law. He 
was admitted to the bar at Galena in 1854, and at 
once began practice. In 1857 he was elected City 
Attorney of Galena, and nominated on the Doug- 
las electoral ticket in 1860. At the outbreak of 
the Civil War he favored, and publicly advocated, 
coercive measures, and it is said that it was 
partly through his influence that General Grant 
early tendered his services to the Government. 
He served on the staff of the latter from the time 
General Grant was given command of a brigade 
until the close of the war, most of the time being 
its chief, and rising in rank, step by step, until, 
in 1863, he became a Brigadier-General, and, in 
1865, a Major-General. His long service on the 
staff of General Grant indicates the estimation 
in which he was held by his chief. Promptly on 
the assumption of the Presidency by General 
Grant, in March, 1869. he was appointed Secre- 
tary of War, but consumption had already 
obtained a hold upon his constitution, and he sur- 
vived only six months, dying in office, Sept. 6, 
1869. 

RAY, Charles H., journalist, was born at Nor- 
wich, Chenango County, N. Y.. March 12, 1821; 



came west in 1843, studied medicine and began 
practice at Muscatine, Iowa, afterwards locating 
in Tazewell County, 111., also being associated, 
for a time, with the publication of a temperance 
paper at Springfield. In 1847 he removed to 
Galena, soon after becoming editor of "The 
Galena Jeffersonian, " a Democratic paper, with 
which he remained until 1854. He took strong 
ground against the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, and, at 
the session of the Legislature of 1855, served as 
Secretary of the Senate, also acting as corre- 
spondent of "The New York Tribune"; a few 
months later became associated with Joseph 
Medill and John C. Vaughau in the purchase and 
management of "The Chicago Tribune," Dr. Ray 
assuming the position of editor-in-chief. Dr. 
Ray was one of the most trenchant and powerful 
writers ever connected with the Illinois press, 
and his articles exerted a wide influence during 
the period of the organization of the Republican 
party, in which he was an influential factor. He 
was a member of the Convention of Anti-Neb- 
raska editors held at Decatur, Feb. 22, 1856, and 
served as Chairman of the Committee on Reso- 
lutions. (See Anti-Nebraska Editorial Conven- 
tion.) At the State Republican Convention held 
at Bloomington, in May following, he was 
appointed a member of the State Central Com- 
mittee for that year ; was also Canal Trustee by 
appointment of Governor Bissell, serving from 
1857 to 1861. In November, 1863, he severed his 
connection with "The Tribune" and engaged in 
oil speculations in Canada which proved finan- 
cially disastrous. In 1865 he returned to the paper 
as an editorial writer, remaining only for a short 
time. In 1868 he assumed the management of 
"The Chicago Evening Post," with which he 
remained identified until his death, Sept. 23, 
1870. 

RAY, Lyman Beecher, ex-Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, was born in Crittenden County, Vt., 
August 17, 1831 ; removed to Illinois in 1852, and 
has since been engaged in mercantile business in 
this State. After filling several local offices he 
was elected to represent Grundy County in the 
lower house of the Twenty-eighth General 
Assembly (1872), and, ten years later, was chosen 
State Senator, serving from 1883 to 1887, and 
being one of the recognized party leaders on the 
floor. In 1888, he was elected Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor on the Republican ticket, his term expiring 
in 1893. His home is at Morris, Grundy County. 

RAY, William H., Congressman, was born in 
Dutchess County, N. Y., Dec. 14, 1812; grew to 
manhood in his native State, receiving a limited 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



443 



education ; in 1834 removed to Rushville, 111. , 
engaging in business as a merchant and, later, as 
a banker ; was a member of the first State Board 
of Equalization (1867-69), and, in 1872, was 
elected to Congress as a Republican, representing 
his District from 1873 to 1875. Died, Jan. 25, 
1881. 

RATMOM), a village of Montgomery County, 
on the St. Louis Division of the Wabash Railway, 
50 miles southwest of Decatur ; has electric lights, 
some manufactures and a weekly paper Con- 
siderable coal is mined here and grain and fruit 
grown in the surrounding country. Population 
(1880), 543; (1890), 841; (1900), 906. 

RAYMOND, (Rev.) Miner, D.D., clergyman 
and educator, was born in New York City, 
August 29, 1811, being descended from a family 
of Huguenots (known by the name of "Rai- 
monde"'), who were expelled from France On 
account of their religion. In his youth he 
learned the trade of a shoemaker with his father, 
at Rensselaerville, N. Y. He united with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at the age of 17, 
later taking a course in the Wesleyan Academy 
at Wilbraham, Mass., where he afterwards 
became a teacher. In 1838 he joined the New 
England Conference and, three years later, began 
pastoral work at Worcester, subsequently occu- 
pying pulpits in Boston and Westfield. In 1848, 
on the resignation of Dr. Robert Allyn (after- 
wards President of McKendree College and of the 
Southern Illinois Normal University at Carbon- 
dale), Dr.Raymond succeeded to the principalship 
of the Academy at Wilbraham, remaining there 
until 1864, when he was elected to the chair of 
systematic theology in the Garrett Biblical Insti- 
tute at Evanston, 111., his connection with the 
latter institution continuing until 1895, when he 
resigned. For some three years of this period he 
served as pastor of the First Methodist Church 
at Evanston. His death occurred, Nov. 25, 1897. 

REAVIS, Logan Criah, journalist, was born 
in the Sangamon Bottom, Mason County. 111.. 
March 26, 1831; in 1855 entered the office of 'The 
Beardstown Gazette," later purchased an interest 
in the paper and continued its publication under 
the name of "The Central Illinoian," until 1857, 
when he sold out and went to Nebraska. Return- 
ing, in I860, he repurchased his old paper and 
conducted it until 1*66, when he sold out for the 
last time. The remainder of his life was devoted 
chief!}' to advocating the removal of the National 
Capital to St. Louis, which he did by lectures and 
the publication of pantphlets and books on the 
subject; also published a "Life of Horace 



Greeley," another of General Harney, and two 
or three other volumes. Died in St. Louis, 
April 25, 1889. 

RECTOR, the name of a prominent and influ- 
ential family who lived at Kaskaskia in Terri- 
torial days. According to Governor Reynolds, 
who has left the most detailed account of them in 
his "Pioneer History of Illinois." they consisted 
of nine brothers and four daughters, all of whom 
were born in Fauquier County, Va., some of 
them emigrating to Ohio, while others came to 
Illinois, arriving at Kaskaskia in 1806. Reynolds 
describes them as passionate and impulsive, but 
possessed of a high standard of integrity and a 
chivalrous and patriotic spirit.— William, the 
oldest brother, and regarded as the head of the 
family, became a Deputy Surveyor soon after 
coming to Illinois, and took part in the Indian 
campaigns between 1812 and 1814. In 1816 he 
was appointed Surveyor-General of Illinois, Mis- 
souri and Arkansas, and afterwards removed to 
St. Louis. — Stephen, another of the brothers, 
was a Lieutenant in Captain Moore's Company 
of Rangers in the War of 1812, while Charles 
commanded one of the two regiments organized 
by Governor Edwards, in 1812, for the expedition 
against the Indians at the head of Peoria Lake. 
— Nelson, still another brother, served in the 
same expedition on the staff of Governor 
Edwards. Stephen, already mentioned, was a 
member of the expedition sent to strengthen 
Prairie du Chien in 1814, and showed great cour- 
age in a fight with the Indians at Rock Island. 
During the same year Nelson Rector and Captain 
Samuel Whiteside joined Col. Zachary Taylor 
(afterwards President) in an expedition on the 
Upper Mississippi, in which they came in conflict 
with the British and Indians at Rock Island, in 
which Captain Rector again displayed the cour- 
age so characteristic of his family. On the 1st of 
March, 1814, while in charge of a surveying party 
on Saline Creek, in Gallatin County, according to 
Reynolds, Nelson was ambushed by the Indians 
and, though severely wounded, was carried away 
by his horse, and recovered. — Elias, another mem- 
ber of the family, was Governor Edwards' first 
Adjutant-General, serving a few months in 1809, 
when he gave place to Robert Morrison, but was 
reappointed in 1810. serving for more than three 
years.— Thomas, one of the younger members, 
had a duel with Joshua Barton on "Bloody 
Island," sometime between 1812 and 1814, in 
which he killed his antagonist. (See Duds.) A 
portion of this historic family drifted into Arkan- 
sas, where they became prominent, one of their 



Ui 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



descendants serving as Governor of that State 
during the Civil War period. 

RED BID, a city in Randolph County, on the 
Mobile & Ohio Railroad, some 37 miles .south- 
southeast of St. Louis, and 21 miles south of Belle- 
ville; has a carriage factory and two flouring 
mills, electric lights, a hospital, two banks, five 
churches, a graded school and a weekly news- 
paper. Pop. (1890), 1,176; (1900), 1,169. 

REEVES, Owen T., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Ross County, Ohio, Dec. IS, 1S29; gradu- 
ated at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Dela- 
ware, in 1850. afterwards serving as a tutor in 
that institution and as Principal of a High 
School at Chillicothe. In 1854 he came to Bloom- 
ington, 111., and, as a member of the School 
Board, assisted in reorganizing the school system 
of that city ; also has served continuously, for 
over 40 years, as one of the Trustees of the Illi- 
nois Wesleyan University, being a part of the 
time President of the Board. In the meantime, lie 
had begun the practice of law, served as City 
Attorney and member of the Board of Supervis- 
ors. July 1, 1862, he enlisted in the Seventieth 
Illinois Volunteers (a 100-days' emergency regi- 
ment), was elected Colonel and mustered out, 
with his command, in October, 1862. Colonel 
Reeves was subsequently connected with the 
construction of the Lafayette, Bloomington & 
Mississippi Railroad (now a part of the Illinois 
Central), and was also one of the founders of the 
Law Department of the Wesleyan University. 
In 1877 he was elected to the Circuit bench, serv- 
ing continuously, by repeated re-elections, until 
1891 — during the latter part of his incumbency 
being upon the Appellate bench. 

REEVES, Walter, Member of Congress and 
lawyer, was born near Brownsville, Pa., Sept. 25, 
1848 ; removed to Illinois at 8 years of age and 
was reared on a farm; later became a teacher 
and lawyer, following his profession at Streator; 
in 1894 he was nominated by the Republicans of 
the Eleventh District for Congress, as successor to 
the Hon. Thomas J. Henderson, and was elected, 
receiving a majority over three competitors. 
Mr. Reeves was re-elected in 1896, and again in 
lS'.is. 

REFORMATORY', ILLINOIS STATE, a prison 
for the incarceration of male offenders under 21 
years of age, who are believed to be susceptible of 
reformation. It is the successor of the "State 
Reform School," which was created by act of 
the Legislature of 1867, but not opened for the 
admission of inmates until 1871. It is located at 
Pontiac. The number of inmates, in 1872, was 165, 



which was increased to 324 in 1890. The results, 
while moderately successful, were not altogether 
satisfactory. The appropriations made for con- 
struction, maintenance, etc., were not upon a 
scale adequate to accomplish what was desired, 
ami, in 1891, a radical change was effected. 
Previous to that date the limit, as to age, was 16 
years. The law establishing the present reforma- 
tory provides for a system of indeterminate sen- 
tences, and a release upon parole, of inmates 
who, in the opinion of the Board of Managers, 
may be safely granted conditional liberation. 
The inmates are divided into two classes. (1) 
those between the ages of 10 and 16, and (2) those 
between 16 and 21. The Board of Managers is 
composed of five members, not more than three of 
whom shall be of the same party, their term of 
office to be for ten years. The course of treat- 
ment is educational (intellectually, morally and 
industrially), schools being conducted, trades 
taught, and the inmates constantly impressed 
with the conviction that, only through genuine 
and unmistakable evidence of improvement, can 
they regain their freedom. The reformatory 
influence of the institution may be best inferred 
from the results of one year's operation. Of 146 
inmates paroled, 15 violated their parole and 
became fugitives, 6 were returned to the 
Reformatory, 1 died, and 124 remained in 
employment and regularly reporting. Among 
the industries carried on are painting and glaz- 
ing, masonry and plastering, gardening, knit- 
ting, chair-caning, broom-making, carpentering, 
tailoring and blacksmithing. The grounds of the 
Reformatory contain a vein of excellent coal. 
which it is proposed to mine, utilizing the clay, 
thus obtained, in the manufacture of brick, 
which can be employed in the construction of 
additional needed buildings. The average num- 
ber of inmates is about 800. and the crimes for 
which they are sentenced range, in gravity, from 
simple assault, or petit larceny, to the most seri- 
ous offenses known to the criminal code, with 
the exception of homicide. The number of 
inmates, at the beginning of the year 1895. was 
812. An institution of a similar character, for 
the confinement of juvenile female offenders, was 
established under an act of the Legislature 
passed at the session of 1893. and located at Gen- 
eva, Kane County. (See Home for Juvenile 
Female Offenders.) 

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. The State 
constitution contains the familiar guaranty of 
absolute freedom of conscience. The chief 
denominations have grown in like ratio with the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



145 



population, as may be seen from figures given 
below. The earliest Christian services held were 
conducted by Catholic missionaries, who attested 
the sincerity of their convictions (in many 
instances) by the sacrifice of their lives, either 
through violence or exposure. The aborigines, 
however, were not easily Christianized ; and, 
shortly after the cession of Illinois by France to 
Great Britain, the Catholic missions, being gener- 
ally withdrawn, ceased to exert much influence 
upon the red men, although the French, who 
remained in the ceded territory, continued to 
adhere to their ancient faith. (See Early Mis- 
sionaries.) One of the first Protestant sects to 
hold service in Illinois, was the Methodist Epis- 
copal; Rev. Joseph Lillard coming to Illinois in 
1793, and Rev. Hosea Riggs settling in the 
American Bottom in 1796. (For history of 
Methodism in Illinois, see Methodist Episcopal 
Church.) The pioneer Protestant preacher, 
however, was a Baptist — Elder James Smith — 
who came to New Design in 1787. Revs. David 
Badgley and Joseph Chance followed him in 
1796, and the first denominational association 
was formed in 1807. (As to inception and growth 
of this denomination in Illinois, see also Bap- 
tists.) In 1814 the Massachusetts Missionary 
Society sent two missionaries to Illinois — Revs. 
Samuel J. Mills and Daniel Smith. Two years 
later (1816), the First Presbyterian Church was 
organized at Sharon, by Rev. James McGready, 
of Kentucky. (See also Presbyterians. ) The 
Congregationalists began to arrive with the tide 
of immigration that set in from the Eastern 
States, early in the '30's. Four churches were 
organized in 1833, and the subsequent growth of 
the denomination in the State, if gradual, has 
been steady. (See Congregationalists.) About 
the same time came the Disciples of Christ (some- 
times called, from their founder, "Campbellites"). 
They encouraged free discussion, were liberal and 
warm hearted, and did not require belief in any 
particular creed as a condition of membership. 
The sect grew rapidly in numerical strength. 
(See Disciples of Christ. ) The Protestant Episco- 
palians obtained their first foothold in Illinois, in 
1835, when Rev. Philander Chase (afterward con- 
secrated Bishop) immigrated to the State from 
the East. (See Protestant Episcopal Church.) 
The Lutherans in Illinois are chiefly of German 
or Scandinavian birth or descent, as may be 
inferred from the fact that, out of sixty-four 
churches in Chicago under care of the Missouri 
Synod, only four use the English language. They 
are the only Protestant sect maintaining (when- 



ever possible) a system of parochial schools. (See 
Lutherans.) There are twenty-six other religious 
bodies in the State, exclusive of the Jews, who 
have twelve synagogues and nine rabbis. Ac- 
cording to the census statistics of 1890, these 
twenty-six sects, with their numerical strength, 
number of buildings, ministers, etc., are as fol- 
lows: Anti-Mission Baptists, 3,800 members, 78 
churches and 63 ministers; Church of God, 1,200 
members, 39 churches, 34 ministers; Dunkards, 
121,000 members, 155 churches, 83 ministers; 
Friends ("Quakers") 2,655 members, 25 churches, 
Free Methodists, 1,805 members, 38 churches, 84 
ministers; Free- Will Baptists. 4,694 members. 107 
churches, 72 ministers; Evangelical Association, 
15,904 members, 143 churches, 152 ministers; 
Cumberland Presbyterians, 11,804 members, 198 
churches, 149 ministers; Methodist Episcopal 
(South) 3.927 members, 34 churches. 33 minis- 
ters; Moravians, 720 members, 3 churches, 3 
ministers; New Jerusalem Church (Swedenborgi- 
ans), 662 members, 14 churches, 8 ministers; 
Primitive Methodist, 230 members, 2 churches, 2 
ministers; Protestant Methodist, 5,000 members. 
91 churches, 106 ministers ; Reformed Church in 
United States, 4,100 members, 34 churches, 19 
ministers; Reformed Church of America, 2,200 
members, 24 churches, 23 ministers; Reformed 
Episcopalians, 2,150 members, 13 churches, 11 
ministers; Reformed Presbyterians, 1,400 mem- 
bers, 7 churches, 6 ministers; Salvation Army, 
1,980 members; Second Adventists, 4,500 mem- 
bers, 64 churches, 35 ministers; Seventh Day 
Baptists, 320 members, 7 churches, 11 ministers; 
Universalists, 3,160 members, 45 churches, 37 
ministers; Unitarians, 1,225 members. 19 
churches, 14 ministers; United Evangelical, 
30,000 members, 129 churches, 108 ministers; 
United Brethren, 16,500 members, 275 churches, 
260 ministers ; United Presbyterians, 11,250 mem- 
bers, 203 churches, 199 ministers; Wesleyan 
Methodists, 1,100 members, 16 churches, 33 min- 
isters. (See various Churches under their proper 
names ; also Roman Catholic Church. ) 

REND, William Patrick, soldier, capitalist, 
and coal-operator, was born in County Leitrim, 
Ireland, Feb. 10, 1840, brought to Lowell, Mass., 
in boyhood, and graduated from the high school 
there at 17; taught for a time near New York 
City and later in Maryland, where he began a 
course of classical study. The Civil War coming 
on, he enlisted in the Fourteenth Regiment New 
York Volunteers, serving most of the time as a 
non-commissioned officer, and participating in the 
battles of the second Bull Run, Malvern Hill, 



440 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chaneellorsville. 
After the war he came to Chicago and secured 
employment in a railway surveyor's office, later 
acting as foreman of the Northwestern freight 
depot, and finally embarking in the coal business, 
which was conducted with such success that he 
became the owner of some of the most valuable 
mining properties in the country. Meanwhile 
he has taken a deep interest in the welfare of 
miners and other classes of laborers, and has 



sought to promote arbitration and conciliation 
between employers and employed, as a means of 
averting disastrous strikes. He was especially 
active during the long strike of 1897, in efforts to 
bring about an understanding between the 
miners and the operators. For several years 
he held a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of 
the Illinois National Guard until compelled, by 
the demands of his private business, to tender 
his resignation. 



REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. 



The following table presents the names, residence. Districts represented, politics (except as to earlier ones), and length of 
term or terms of service of Illinois Representatives in the lower House of Congress, from the organization of Illinois 
as a Territory down to the present time; iD, Democrat; W, Whig; R, Republican; G-B, Greenback; P, Populist). 



Shadrach Bund 

Benjamin Stephenson 

Nathaniel Pope 

John McLean 

Daniel P. Cook 

Joseph Duncan 

Joseph Duncan 

William L. May,D 

Charles Slade 

Juhn Reynolds, D 

John Rev imids, J) 

Zadoc Casey, D 

Adam W.Snyder, D 

John T. Stuart, W 

John T. Stuart, O.P 

Robert Sm i th , D 

John A. McClernanil, 1> .. 
John A. McClernand, D .. 

Orlando B. FlCklln, 1» 

Orlando B. Fieklin, D 

John Wentworth, D 

John Wentworth, D 

John Wentworth, R 

Stephen A. Douglas, D 

William A. Richardson, D. 
William A. Richardson, i> 

Joseph P. Hoge, D — 

John J. Hardin, AV 

Edward D. Baker, W 

Edward D. Baker, W 

John Henry, W 

Thomas J. Turuer.D 

Abraham Lincoln, W 

William 11. BiSSeil, D 

William H.Bissell.D 

Timothy R. Young, 1> 

Thomas L. Harris, I> 

Thomas I,. Harris, D 

Willis Al ifn, D 

Willis Allen. D 

RichardS. Maloney, l> ... 
Thompson Campbell, D... 

Richard Yates, W 

Richard Yates, W 

E. B. Washburne, R 

E. B. Washburne, R 



Jesse O. Norton, R 

Jesse O. Norton, R 

James Knox, it 

James C. Allen, 1) 

James C. Allen. 1> 

James H. Woodworth, R. 

Jacob C. Davis, D 

Lyman Trumbull, B 

J. L. D. Morrison, D 

SamuelS. Marshall, D, ... 
Samuel s. Marshall, n. ... 
Samuel S. Marshall, D. ... 
John F. Farnsworth, i: ... 
John F. Farnsworth, R ... 

Owen Lovejoy, R 

Owen Lovejov, R 

William Kellogg, R 

Isaac N. Morris. D 

Charles D. Hodges, J> 
Aaron Shaw, D 



Residence. 




Kaskaskia 

Edwardsville 

Kaskaskia 

Shawneetown 

Kaskaskia 

JacksonA Morgan Cos 

Jacksonville 

Springfield 

Helleville 

Belleville 

Belleville 

Mt. Vernon 

Belleville '. 

Springfield 

Springfield 

Alton 

Shawneetown 

Springfield 

t Iharleston 

Charleston 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Quincy 

Rushville and Quincy 

Quincy 

<ialena 

Jacksonville 

Springfield 

i ialena 

Jacksonville 

Freeport 

Springfield 

Belleville 

Belleville 

Marshall 

Petersburg 

Petersburg 

Marion 

Marion 

Belvidere 

Galena 

Jacksonville 

Jacksonville 

'ialena. 

Galena 



Joliet 

Joliet 

Knoxville 

Palestine 

Palestine 

< !hicago 

QUlOCy 

Belleville 

Belleville 

McLeansboro.. 
McLeansboro . 
M'-Leunsboro.. 

Chicago 

st. Charles 

Princeton 

Princeton 

Canton 

Quincy . 

Carroll ton 

Lawrenceville. . 



Territory . 
Territory. 
Territory. 

State 

State 

State 

Third 

Third 

First 

First 

First 

Second .. . 

First 

Tnird .... 
Eighth ... 

First 

Second ... 

Sixtn 

Third 

Third 

Fourth ... 

Second 

First 

Fifth 

Fifth 

Sixth 

Sixth 

Seventh . . 
Seventh .. 

Sixth 

Seventh .. 

Sixth 

Seventh... 

First 

Eighth.... 
Third. ... 
Seventh . . 

Sixth 

Second.... 

Ninth 

Fourth.... 

Sixth 

Seventh... 

sixth 

First 

Third 



1813-14. 
1814-16 . 
1816-18 . 
1818-19.. 
L819-27 . 

i«7-:t3.. 
1833-34.. 
1834-39., 
1833-34.. 
1834-37.. 
L839-43 . 
1833-43.. 
1837-39.. 



1839-43.. 
1863-65 . 
1843-49.. 
I I : .1 
1859-62.. 
1843-49 . 
1851-53.. 



l- 15-46 

1849-51 

Feb. to Mar.. 

1847-49 

1847-49 



Third 

Sixth 

Fourth 

Seventh , 

State-at-large 

Second 

Fifth 

Eighth 

Eighth , 

Ninth 

Eleventh 

Nineteenth ... 

Second 

Second 

Third 

Fifth 

Fourth 

Fifth 

Sixth 

Seventh ... 



1843-51 . 
[853-55 
L865-67, . 
1M3-47.. 
1847-56.. 
isi;i-'i3.. 
1843-45. 
1 343- 15.. 



1849-53., 
1853-55.. 

1849-51.. 



1849-51.. 
1855-58. . 
1851-53. 
1653-55.. 
1851-53 . 
1851-53.. 
L851-5 !.. 
1853-55.. 

1853-63.. 
1SI13-G9.. 



1853-57 

1863-65 

l>..".:;-."»7 

1853-57 

lSli3-65 

18.55-57 

lSo<i-57 

1855 

1855-57 

IS55-59 

1865-73 

1873-75 

1N57-H1 

1863-73 ... 

1857-63 

1863-65 

1857-63 

1857-61 

Jan, to Mar., 1859. 
1857-59 



Made Rec'r of Pub. Moneys. 
Made Rec'r of Pub. Moneys. 



Elected U. S. Senator, 1824 and *29. 



Elected Governor; resigned. 

To succeed Duncan. 

Died; term completed by Reynolds. 

One and one-half terms. 



Resigned, Dec, '61 ; succeeded by A. L. Knapp. 



E1MU.S. Sen,, Apr., '47 ;suc.by\V. A. Richardson 
Res'd,Aug.,'56; term rilled by Jacob C. Davis. 



Resigned, Dec, '46; succeeded by John Henry. 
Served Baker's unexpired term. 



Died, Nov.24, '58; sue. by Chas. D. Hodges. 



j Resignd. March it, "<;;i to accept French niis- 
( sion; term filled by H. C. Burchard. 



To till unexpired term of Richardson. 
Chosen U. S. Senator; resigned. 
Filled Trumbull's unexpired term. 



Died, Mar., '64; term filled by E.C.Ingersoll. 
Filled unexpired term of Thos. L. Harris. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



447 



Aaron Shaw. D 

James C. Robinson, D. 
James C. Robiuson. D. 
James C. Robinson, D. 
James C. Robinaon, D. 
Philip B. Fouke. D.. 
Joli n A. Logan, R 

John A. Logan, D 



Residence. 



Lawrenceville . 

Marshall 

Marshall 

Spri ngfield — . 

Springfield 

Belleville 

Benton 

Carbondale 



Isaac N. Arnold, R 

Isaac N. Arnold. R 

William J. Allen, D 

William J. Allen, D 

A. L. Knapp, D 

A. L. Knapp. D 

Charles M. Harris, R 

Ebon C. Ingersoll, R , 

John R. Eden, D 

John R. Eden, D 

John R. Eden, D 

Lewis W. Rosfl, D 

William R. Morrison, D 

William R. Morrison, I> ... 
William R. Morrison, D — 

S. W. Moulton, R 

S. W. Moulton, D 

S. W. Moulton, D 

AbnerC. Harding. R 

Burton C. Cook. R 

H. P. H. Bromwell.R 

Shelby M. Cullom, R 

Anthony Thornton, D 

Jehu Baker, R 

Jehu Baker, R 

Jehu Baker, P 

A. J. Kuvkendall, R 

Norman B. Juild, R 

Albert G. Burr, D 

Green B. Raum, R 

Horatio C. Burchard, R.... 
Horalio C. Burchard, R.... 

John B. Hawley. R 

John B. Hawley, R 

Je*se H. Moore, R 

Thomas W. McNeeley, D. 

JohnB. Hay, R 

John M. Crebs, D 

John L. Beveridge, R 

Charles B. Farwell. R 

Charles B. Farwell, R 

Charles B. Farwell, R 

Brad. N. Stevens, R 

Henry Snapp, R 

Edward Y. Rice. D 

John B. Rice, R 

B.G. Caulfield. D 

Jasper D. Ward, R 

Stephen A. Hurlbut, R 

Franklin Corwin, R 

Greenbury L. Fort, R 

Granville Barriere, R 

William H. Ray, R 

Robert M. K napp, D 

Robert M. K napp, D 

John McNulta, R 

Joseph G. Cannon, R 

Joseph G. Cannon, R 

Joseph G.Cannon, R 

Joseph G. Cannon, R 

James S. Martin, R 

Isaac Clements, R 

Carter H. Harrison, D 

John V. Le Moyne. D 

T.J. Henderson, R 

T.J. Henderson, R 

Alexander Campbell, G.B. 
Richard H. Whiting. R.... 

John C. Bagbv, D 

Scott Wike, D 

Scott Wike, D 

William M. Springer. D. . 
William M. Springer, D. 

Adlai E. Stevenson, D ' Bloomington 

Adlai E. Stevenson, JJ Bloomington . 

William A. J Sparks, D.... Carlyle 

William Hartzell.D .. .. Chester 

William B. Anderson, D .. Mt. Vernon... 

William Aldrich. R Chicago 

Carter H Harrison, D — Chicago 

Lorenz Brentano. R Chicago 

William Lathrop. R Rockford 

PhilipC Haves. R I Morris 

Thomas A- Boyd. R Lewiston 

Beniamin F Marsh. R- .. 'Warsaw 



Chicago 

Chicago 

Marion 

Marion 

Jersey ville 

Jersey ville 

Oquawka 

Peoria 

Sullivan 

Sullivan 

Sullivan 

Lewistown 

Waterloo 

Waterloo 

Waterloo 

Shelbvville 

Sbelbyville 

Shelby ville 

Monmouth 

Ottawa . . 

Charleston 

Springfield 

Sbelbyville 

Belleville 

Belleville 

Belleville 

Vienna 

Chicago 

Carrollton 

Metropolis 

Freeport 

Freeport 

Rock Island 

Rock Island 

Decatur 

Petersburg 

Belleville 

Carmi 

Evanston 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Princeton 

Joliet 

Hillsboro 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Belvidere 

Peru 

Lacon 

Canton 

Bushville 

Jerseyville 

Jersey ville 

Bloomington 

Tuscola and Danville 

Danville 

Danville 

Danville 

Salem 

Carbondale 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Princeton A Geneseo. 

Princeton 

La Salle 

Peoria 

Rushville 

Pittsfield 

Pittsfield 

Springfield 

Springfield 



Sixteenth.. 
Seventh ... 
Eleventh.. 
Eighth .... 
Twelfth. 
Eighth .... 
Ninth 



State-at-large. 

Second 

First 

Ninth 

Thirteenth 

Fifth 

Tenth 

Fourth 

Fifth.' 

Seventh 

Fifteenth 

Seventeenth... 

Ninth 

Twelfth 

Seventeenth. . . 
Eighteenth — 
State-at-large. 

Fifteenth 

Seventeenth .. 

Fourth 

Sixth 

Seventh 

Eighth 

Tenth 

Twelfth 

Eighteenth.... 
Twenty-first . 
Thirteenth — 

First 

Tenth 

Thirteenth 

Third 

Fifth 

Fourth 

Sixth 

Seventh 

Ninth 

Twelfth 

Thirteenth 

State-at-large 

First 

Third 

Third 

Fifth 

Sixth 

Tenth 

First 

First 

Second 

Fourth 

Seventh 

Eighth 

Ninth 

Tenth 

Eleventh 

Eleventh 

Thirteenth... 
fourteenth ... 

Fifteenth 

Fif.eenth 

Twelfth 

Si \ teenth 

Eighteenth ... 

Second 

Third 

Sixth 

Seventh 

Seventh 

Ninth 

Tenth 

Eleventh 

Twelfth 

Twelfth.... -. 
Thirteenth. .. 
Thirteenth.... 
Thirteenth... 

Sixteenth 

Eighteenth ... 
Nineteenth.. . 
First 

Second 

Third .. 

Fourth 

Seventh 

Ninth 

Tenth 



1883-85.. 

1859-63.. 

iM,;i-r,.V 
1871-73.. 
1873-75 . 
1859-63. 
1859-62. 

1869-71. 
1861-63. 
1863-65. 
1S62-63. 
1863-65. 
1861-63. 
1863-65. 
1863-65. 
1861-71.. 
1863-65. 



1m,:;-i;9 
1863-65.. 



1883-87.. 
1865-67.. 

1881-83.. 
1883-85.. 
l.si;,-,-ii!l.. 
1865-71.. 

5-69.. 
1865-71.. 

5-67. 
1865-69.. 

7-89.. 
1897-99.. 

5-G7.. 
1867-71.. 
1867-71. 
1867-69.. 
1869-73.. 

■3-79.. 
1869-73.. 



1869-73 

1869-73.... 
1869-73.... 
1869-73.... 

1871-73 

1871-73 

1873-76 

1881-83. 



1871-73., 
1S71 73. 



is::; 74. 
1874-77.. 



1873-77.. 
1873-75.. 
1873-81.. 
1873-75.. 



1873-75.. 



1873-75.. 
1877-79.. 
1873-75.. 
1873-83.. 
1883-91 - 
1893-95.. 



1895. 

1873-75.. 

1873-75.. 

1875 79. 

1876 77 
1875-83. 
1883-95. 
1875-77. 
1875-77.. 
1875-77.. 
1875-77.. 
IS.VI 93 

1875-83. 
1883-95 . 
1875-77. 
1879-81.. 
1875-83.. 
1 S7.5 79. 
1875-77. 

in;t-n:;. 

I^77-7H. 

1S77-79.. 

1S77-79.. 

1877-81. 

1S77-S1 

1877-83.. 



Served Logan's unexpired term. 



Served McClemand's unexpired term. 



Res'd, Apr. '62; term filled by W. J. Allen. 
Chosen U. S. Senator. 1871; resigned; term 
filled by John L. Beveridge. 



1864-'G5 filled Lovejoy's unexpired term. 



Re-elected, '711 but res'd before beg'ug of term. 



Filled unexpired term of Waahburne. 



Served unexpired term of Logan, 

May, 76, seat awarded to J. V. Le Moyne. 



Filled unexpired term of B. C. Cook. 



Died Dec, '74; succeeded by B. G. Caulfield. 
From 1874-75 served out Rice's term. 



Awarded seat, vice Farwell . 



44R 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Benjamin P. Marsh, R — 

Ben jam in F. Marsh. R 

Thomas F. Tipton, R....\. 

R, W. Townshend, D 

' . - ■■ R, Davis. R 

George R. Davis. R 

Hiram Barber, R 

John C. Sherwin, R 

R. fit. A. Hawk.R 

James W. Singleton, D 

A. P. Forsvthe, G. B 

JohnR. Thomas, R 

John R. Thomas. R 

William Cullen,R 

William Cnllen.R 

Lew is E. Pay son, R 

Lewis E. Payson. R 

John H. Lewis, R 

Dietrich C. Smith. R 

R. W. Dunham, R 

John F. Finerty. R 

( ieorge E. Adams. R 

l; uben Ellwood, R 

RohprtR. Hitt,R 

Robert R. Hitt, R 

N. E. Worthington, D 

William II. Neece, D 

J.U11HS M. Ri.ifgs, D 

Jonathan H.Rowell.R — 

Drank Lawler.D 

James II. Ward. D 

Albert J. Hopkins, R 

Albert J. Hopkins, R 

Ralph Plumb, R 

si 1 as G. Landes, D 

William E. Mason, R 

Philip Sidney Post. R 

William H.Gest, R 

George A. Anderson, D... 

Edward Lane. D 

Abner Taylor, R 

Charles A. Hill, R 

< Jeo. W. Filhian, D 

Williams. Forman. D 

James R. Williams. I) 

James R. Williams. D — 

George W. Smith, R 

George W. Smith. R 

Lawrence E. MeGann, D. . 
Allan C. Durborow. Jr.. D. 
WalterC. Newberry, D... 

Lewis Steward, Ind 

Herman W. Snow. R 

Benjamin T. Cable, D 

Owen Scott, D 

Samuel T. Busey, D 

JohnC. Black.D 

Andrew J. Hunter, D 

Andrew J. Hunter. D 

J. Frank Aldrich. R 

.!uli us Goldzier. D 

Robert A. Childs, R 

Hamilton K. Wheeler. R.. 

John J. McDannold, D 

Benjamin P. Funk. R 

William Lorimer, R 

Hugh R.Belknap. R 

Charles W . Woodman. R 

Geo. E. White, R 

Edward D. Cooke, R 

George E. Foss, R 

George W. Prince, R 

Walter Reeves, R 

Vespasian Warner, R .... 

J V. Graff. R 

Finis E. Downing, D 

James A. Connolly, R — 

Frederick Remann, R 

Wm. F. L. Hadley, R .... 

Benson Wood, R 

Orlando Burrell.R 

Everett J. Murphy, R — 

James R. Mann, R 

Daniel \V. Mills, R 

Thomas M. Jett, D 

James R. Campbell, D... 

George P. Foster, R 

Thomas Cusack, D 

Edgar T. Noonan, D 

HenryS D.utell, R 

W. E. Williams, D 

B. F. Caldwell, D 

Joseph B. Crowley, D 

W. A. Rodenberg, R 



Warsaw 

Warsaw 

Bloominj;toii 

Shawneetown — . 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Geneva ami Elgin. 

Mt. Carroll 

Quincy 

Isabel 

Metropolis 

Metropolis 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Pontiac 

Pontiac 

Knoxville 

Pekin 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Sycamore 

Mt. Morris. ... — 

Mt. Morris 

Peoria 

Macomb 

Winchester 

Bloomington 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Aurora 

Aurora 

Streator 

Mt. Carmel 

Chicago 

Galesbnrg 

Rock Island 

Quincy 

Hillsboro 

Chicago 

Joliet 

Newton 

Nashville 

Carmi 

Carmi 

Murphysboro 

Murphysboro 

Chicago, 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Piano 

Sheldon 

Rock Island.... .. 

Bloomington 

Urbana 

Chicago 

Paris ■ 

Paris 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Hinsdale 

Kankakee 

Mt. Sterling 

Bloomington 

Chicago , 

Chicago . ... 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Galesburg 

Streator 

Clinton 

Pekin 

Virginia 

Springfield 

i Yandaha 

Ed wards ville 

Effingham 

Carmi 

[East St. Louis... 

j Chicago 

Chicago 

Hillsboro 

McLeansboro 

Chicago 

JG'hicago 

.Chicago 

Chicago 

Pittsfield 

Chatham 

Robinson 

East St. Louis -- 



Eleventh 

Fifteenth 

Thirteenth ... 

Nineteenth ... 

Second 

Third 

Third 

Fourth 

Fifth 

Eleventh ... . 

Fifteenth 

Eighteenth ... 

Twentieth 

Seventh 

Eighth 

Eighth 

Ninth 

Ninth 

Thirteenth... 

First 

Second 

Fourth 

Fifth 

sixth 

Ninth 

Tenth 

Eleventh 

Twelfth 

Fourteenth... 

Second 

Third 

Fifth 

Eighth 

Eighth 

Sixteenth 

Third 

Tenth 

Eleventh 

Twelfth 

Seventeenth. . 

First ... 

Eighth 

Sixteenth 

Eighteenth .... 

Eighteenth.... 

Nineteenth — 

Twentieth 

Twenty-sec' nd 

Second 

Third 

Fourth 

Eighth 

Ninth 

Eleventh 

Fourteenth — 

Fifteenth 

State-at-large 

State-at-large 
Nineteenth... 

First 

Fourth 

. Eighth 

. Ninth 

. Twelfth. 

. Fourteenth... 

Second 

. Third 

. Fourth 

. Fifth 

. Sixtii 

. Seventh 

. Tenth 

. Eleventh 

. Thirteenth 

. [Fourteenth .... 

. |sixteenth 

. Seventeenth... 

. Eighteenth .... 
. Eighteenth 

, Nineteenth. ... 

. Twentieth 

. Twenty-first ., 

. First 

. Second 

, . Eighteenth 

, . Twentieth 

, . Third 

, . Fourth 

.. Fifth 

.. sixth 

. . Sixteenth 

. Seventeenth.. 
Ni neteenth ... 

. Twenty first.. 



i ■> i 95 

1895— 

lb?;-:;) 

L877-89 

1879 83 

1883-85 

1879-81 

1879-83 

1879-8U 

1879 83 

1879-81 

1879 S3 

1*83-89 

1881 83 

1883-S5 

1881 83 

1883-91 

1881-83 

L881-S3. 

1883-89 

1883-85 

1883-9] 

1882-85 

1882-95 

1895— 

1883-87 

1883-87 

1883-87 

1883-91... 

1S85-91 

1885-87 

1885-95 

1895— 

1885-89 

1885-89 

1887-91 

1887-95 

1887-91 

1887-89 ,.. 

1887-95 

1889-93 

1889-91 

1889-95 

1889-95 

1889-95 

1899— 

1889-95 

1895- 

18(11-95 

1S91-95 , 

1MU-93 

1891-93 

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D91-93 

1891-93 

1891-93 

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1893-95 

1S97-99 

1893-97 

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1893-95 

1893-95 

t893-95 

1893-95 

1895— 

1895-99 

1895-97 

1895-99 

1805-98 

1895— 

1895— 

1895— 

1895— 

189-5— 

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lo95— 

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.1899— 

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1899- 

1899— 



Died, '82*; succeeded by R. R. Hitt. 



Succeeded R. M. A. Hawk, deceased. 



Died, Jan. 6,1895. 



Awarded seat after con. with L. E. MeGann. 
Died] June 4*, '98; siic'd. by Henry S. Boutell. 



Diedriuiy iV.'^'aV suc'd. by W. F. L. Hadley. 
Elected tofill vacancy. 



Succeeded E. D. Cooke, deceased. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



449 



REYNOLDS, John, Justice of Supreme Court 
and fourth Governor of Illinois, was born of Irish 
ancestr}', in Montgomery County, Pa., Feb. 26, 
1789, and brought by his parents to Kaskaskia, 
111., in 1800, spending the first nine years of his 
life in Illinois on a farm. After receiving a com- 
mon school education, and a two years' course of 
study in a college at Knoxville, Tenn., he studied 
law and began practice. In 1812-13 he served as 
a scout in the campaigns against the Indians, 
winning for himself the title, in after life, of "The 
Old Ranger." Afterwards he removed to 
Cahokia, where he began the practice of 
law, and, in 1818, became Associate Justice of the 
first Supreme Court of the new State. Retiring 
from the bench in 1825, he served two terms in 
the Legislature, and was elected Governor in 
1830, in 1832 personally commanding the State 
volunteers called for service in the Black Hawk 
War. Two weeks before the expiration of his 
term (1831), he resigned to accept a seat in Con- 
gress, to which he had been elected as the suc- 
cessor of Charles Slade, who had died in office, 
and was again elected in 1838, always as a Demo- 
crat. He also served as Representative in the 
Fifteenth General Assembly, and again in the 
Eighteenth (1852-54), being chosen Speaker of the 
latter. In 1858 he was the administration (or 
Buchanan) Democratic candidate for State Su- 
perintendent of Public Instruction, as opposed to 
the Republican and regular (or Douglas) Demo- 
cratic candidates. For some years he edited a 
daily paper called "The Eagle," which was pub- 
lished at Belleville. While Governor Reynolds 
acquired some reputation as a "classical scholar," 
from the time spent in a Tennessee College at 
that early day, this was not sustained by either 
his colloquial or written style. He was an 
ardent champion of slavery, and, in the early 
days of the Rebellion, gained unfavorable notori- 
ety in consequence of a letter written to Jefferson 
Davis expressing sympathy with the cause of 
"secession." Nevertheless, in spite of intense 
prejudice and bitter partisanship on some ques- 
tions, he possessed many amiable qualities, as 
shown by his devotion to temperance, and his 
popularity among persons of opposite political 
opinions. Although at times crude in style, and 
not always reliable in his statement of historical 
facts and events, Governor Reynolds has rendered 
a valuable service to posterity by his writings 
relating to the early history of the State, espe- 
cially those connected with his own times. His 
best known works are: "Pioneer History of Illi- 
nois" (Belleville, 1848); "A Glance at the Crystal 



Palace, and Sketches of Travel" (1854); and "My 
Life and Times" (185:)). His death occurred at 
Belleville, May 8, 1865. 

REYNOLDS, John Parker, Secretary and 
President of State Board of Agriculture, was born 
at Lebanon, Ohio, March 1, 18211, and graduated 
from the Miami University at the age of 18. In 
1840 he graduated from the Cincinnati Law 
School, and soon afterward began practice. He 
removed to Illinois in 1854, settling first in Win- 
nebago County, later, successively in Marion 
County, in Springfield and in Chicago. From 
1860 to 1870 he was Secretary of the State Agri- 
cultural Society, and, upon the creation of the 
State Board of Agriculture in 1871, was elected 
its President, filling that position until 1888, 
when he resigned. He has also occupied numer- 
ous other posts of honor and of trust of a public 
or semi-public character, having been President 
of the Illinois State Sanitary Commission during 
the War of the Rebellion, a Commissioner to the 
Paris Exposition of 1867, Chief Grain Inspector 
from 1878 to 1882, and Secretary of the Inter- 
State Industrial Exposition Company of Chicago, 
from the date of its organization (1873) until its 
final dissolution. His most important public 
service, in recent years, was rendered as Director- 
in-Chief of the Illinois exhibit in the World's 
Columbian Exposition of 1893. 

REYNOLDS, Joseph Smith, soldier and legis- 
lator, was born at New Lenox, 111., Dec. 3, 1839; 
at 17 years of age went to Chicago, was educated 
in the high school there, within a month after 
graduation enlisting as a private in the Sixty- 
fourth Illinois Volunteers. From the ranks he 
rose to a colonelcy through the gradations of 
Second-Lieutenant and Captain, and, in July, 
1865, was brevetted Brigadier-General. He was 
a gallant soldier, and was thrice wounded. On 
his return home after nearly four years' service, 
he entered the law department of the Chicago 
University, graduating therefrom and beginning 
practice in 1866. General Reynolds has been 
prominent in public life, having served as a 
member of both branches of the General Assem- 
bly, and having been a State Commissioner to the 
Vienna Exposition of 1873. He is a member of 
the G. A. R., and, in 1875, was elected Senior 
Vice-Commander of the order for the United 
States. 

REYNOLDS, William Morton, clergyman, was 
born in Fayette County, Pa. , March 4, 1812 ; after 
graduating at Jefferson College, Pa., in 1832, was 
connected with various institutions in that State, 
as well as President of Capital University at 



450 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Columbus, Ohio, ; then, coming to Illinois, was 
President of the Illinois State University at 
Springfield, 1857-60, after which he became Prin- 
cipal of a female seminary in Chicago. Previ- 
ously a Lutheran, he took orders in the Protestant 
Episcopal Church in 1864, and served several 
parishes until his death. In his early life he 
founded, and, for a time, conducted several reli- 
gious publications at Gettysburg, Pa., besides 
issuing a number of printed addresses and other 
published works. Died at Oak Park, near Chi- 
cago, Sept. 5, 1876. 

RHOADS, (Col.) Franklin Lawrence, soldier 
and steamboat captain, was born in Harrisburg, 
Pa., Oct. 11, 1824; brought to Pekin, Tazewell 
Count}', 111., in 1836, where he learned the print- 
er's trade, and, on the breaking out of the 
Mexican War, enlisted, serving to the close. 
Returning home he engaged in the river trade, 
and. for fifteen years, commanded steamboats on 
the Illinois, Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. In 
April, 1861. he was commissioned Captain of a 
company of three months' men attached to the 
Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and, on the 
reorganization of the regiment for the three- 
years' service, was commissioned Lieutenant- 
Colonel, soon after being promoted to the colo- 
nelcy, as successor to Col. Richard J. Oglesbj-, who 
had been promoted Brigadier-General. After 
serving through the spring campaign of 1862 in 
Western Kentucky and Tennessee, he was com- 
pelled by rapidly declining health to resign, when 
he located in Shawneetown, retiring in 1874 to 
his farm near that city. During the latter years 
of his life he was a confirmed invalid, dying at 
Shawneetown, Jan. 6, 1879. 

KHOADS, Joshua, M.D., A.M., physician and 
educator, was born in Philadelphia, Sept. 14, 
1806; studied medicine and graduated at the 
University of Pennsylvania with the degree of 
M.D., also receiving the degree of A.M., from 
Princeton ; after several 3 7 ears spent in practice 
as a physician, and as Principal in some of the 
public schools of Philadelphia, in 1839 he was 
elected Principal of the Pennsylvania Institution 
for the Blind, and, in 1850, took charge of the 
State Institution for the Blind at Jacksonville, 
111., then in its infancy. Here he remained until 
1874, when he retired. Died, February 1, 1876. 

RICE, Edward Y., lawyer and jurist, born in 
Logan County, Ky., Feb. 8, 1820, was educated in 
the common schools and at Shurtleff College, 
after which he read law with John M. Palmer at 
Carlinville, and was admitted to practice, in 1845, 
at Hillsboro ; in 1847 was elected County Recorder 



of Montgomery County, and, in 1848, to the Six- 
teenth General Assembly, serving one term. 
Later he was elected County Judge of Montgom- 
ery County, was Master in Chancery from 1853 to 
1857, and the latter year was elected Judge of the 
Eighteenth Circuit, being re-elected in 1861 and 
again in 1867. He was also a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, and, at the 
election of the latter year, was chosen Repre- 
sentative in the Forty-second Congress as a 
Democrat. Died, April 16, 1883. 

RICE, John B., theatrical manager, Mayor of 
Chicago, and Congressman, was born at Easton, 
Md., in 1809. By profession he was an actor, 
and, coming to Chicago in 1847, bu.ilt.and opened 
there the first theater. In 1857 he retired from 
the stage, and, in 1865, was elected Mayor of 
Chicago, the city of his adoption, and re-elected 
in 1867. He was also prominent in the early 
stages of the Civil War in the measures taken to 
raise troops in Chicago. In 1872 he was elected 
to the Forty-third Congress as a Republican, but, 
before the expiration of his term, died, at Nor- 
folk, Va., on Dec. 6, 1874. At a special election 
to fill the vacancy, Bernard G. Caulfield was 
chosen to succeed him. 

RICHARDSON, William A., lawyer and poli- 
tician, born in Fayette County, Ky., Oct. 11, 
1811, was educated at Transylvania University, 
came to the bar at 19, and settled in Schuyler 
County, 111., becoming State's Attorney in 1835; 
was elected to the lower branch of the Legislature 
in 1836, to the Senate in 1838, and to the House 
again in 1844, from Adams County — the latter 
year being also chosen Presidential Elector on 
the Polk and Dallas ticket, and, at the succeeding 
session of the General Assembly, serving as 
Speaker of the House. He entered the Mexican 
War as Captain, and won a Majority through 
gallantry at Buena Vista. From 1847 to 1856 
(when he resigned to become a candidate for 
Governor), he was a Democratic Representative 
in Congress from the Quincy District ; re-entered 
Congress in 1861, and, in 1863, was chosen 
United States Senator to fill the unexpired term 
of Stephen A. Douglas. He was a delegate to the 
National Democratic Convention of 1868, but 
after that retired to private life, acting, for a 
short time, as editor of '"The Quincy Herald." 
Died, at Quincy, Dec. 27, 1875. 

RICHLAND COUNTY, situated in the south- 
east quarter of the State, and has an area of 361 
square miles. It was organized from Edwards 
County in 1841. Among the early pioneers may 
be mentioned the Evans brothers, Thaddeus 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



451 



Morehouse, Hugh Calhoun and son, Thomas 
Gardner, James Parker, Cornelius De Long, 
James Gilmore and Elijah Nelson. In 1820 
there were but thirty families in the district. 
The first frame houses — the Nelson and More- 
house homesteads — were built in 1821, and, some 
years later, James Laws erected the first brick 
house. The pioneers traded at Vincennes, but, 
in 1825, a store was opened at Stringtown by 
Jacob May ; and the same year the first school was 
opened at Watertown, taught by Isaac Chaun- 
cey. The first church was erected by the Bap- 
tists in 1822, and services were conducted by 
William Martin, a Kentuckian. For a long time 
the mails were carried on horseback by Louis 
and James Beard, but, in 1824, Mills and Whet- 
sell established a line of four-horse stages. The 
principal road, known as the "trace road," lead- 
ing from Louisville to Cahokia, followed a 
buffalo and Indian trail about where the main 
street of Olney now is. Olney was selected as 
the county-seat upon the organization of the 
county, and a Mr. Lilly built the first house 
there. The chief branches of industry followed 
by the inhabitants are agriculture and fruit- 
growing. Population (1880), 15,545; (1890), 
15,019; (1900), 16,391. 

RIDGE FARM, a village of Vermillion County, 
at junction of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago 
& St. Louis and the Toledo, St. Louis & Western 
Railroads, 174 miles northeast of St. Louis; has 
electric light plant, planing mill, elevators, bank 
and two papers. Pop. (1900). 933; (1904), 1.300. 

RIDGELY, a manufacturing and mining sub- 
urb of the city of Springfield. An extensive 
rolling mill is located there, and there are several 
coal-shafts in the vicinity. Population(1900), 1,169. 

RIDGELY, Charles, manufacturer and capi- 
talist, born in Springfield, 111., Jan. 17, 1836; was 
educated in private schools and at Illinois Col- 
lege ; after leaving college spent some time as a 
clerk in his father's bank at Springfield, finally 
becoming a member of the firm and successively 
Cashier and Vice-President. In 1870 he was 
Democratic candidate for State Treasurer, but 
later has affiliated with the Republican party. 
About 1872 he became identified with the Spring- 
field Iron Company, of which he has been Presi- 
dent for many years ; has also been President of 
the Consolidated Coal Company of St. Louis and, 
for some time, was a Director of the Wabash Rail- 
road. Mr. Ridgely is also one of the Trustees of 
Illinois College. 

RIDGELY, Nicholas H., early banker, was 
born in Baltimore, Md., April 27, 1800; after 



leaving school was engaged, for a time, in the 
dry-goods trade, but, in 1829, came to St. Louis 
to assume a clerkship in the branch of the 
United States Bank just organized there. In 
1835 a branch of the State Bank of Illinois was 
established at Springfield, and Mr. Ridgely 
became its cashier, and, when it went into liqui- 
dation, was appointed one of the trustees to wind 
up its affairs. He subsequently became Presi- 
dent of the Clark's Exchange Bank in that city, 
but this having gone into liquidation a few years 
later, he went into the private banking business 
as head of the "Ridgely Bank," which, in 1866, 
became the "Ridgely National Bank," one of the 
strongest financial institutions in the State out- 
side of Chicago. After the collapse of the inter- 
nal improvement scheme, Mr. Ridgely became 
one of the purchasers of the "Northern Cross 
Railroad" (now that part of the Wabash system 
extending from the Illinois river to Springfield), 
when it was sold by the State in 1847, paying 
therefor §21,100. He was also one of the Spring- 
field bankers to tender a loan to the State at the 
beginning of the war in 1861. He was one of the 
builders and principal owner of the Springfield 
gas-light system. His business career was an 
eminently successful one, leaving an estate at 
his death, Jan. 31, 1888, valued at over $2,000,000. 

RIDGWAY, a village of Gallatin County, on the 
Shawneetown Division of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern Railway, 12 miles northwest of 
Shawneetown ; has a bank and one newspaper. 
Pop. (1890), 523; (1900). 839; (1903, est.), 1,000 

RIDGWAY, Thomas S., merchant, banker and 
politician, was born at Carmi, 111, August 30, 
1826. His father having died when he was but 4 
years old and his mother when he was 14, his 
education was largely acquired through contact 
with the world, apart from such as he received 
from his mother and during a year's attendance 
at a private school. When he was 6 years of age 
the family removed to Shawneetown, where he 
ever afterwards made his home. In 1845 he em- 
barked in business as a merchant, and the firm 
of Peeples & Ridgway soon became one of the 
most prominent in Southern Illinois. In 1865 the 
partners closed out their business and organized 
the first National Bank of Shawneetown, of 
which, after the death of Mr. Peeples in 1875, 
Mr. Ridgway was President. He was one of 
the projectors of the Springfield & Illinois South- 
eastern Railway, now a part of the Baltimore & 
Ohio Southwestern system, and, from 1867 to 
1874, served as its President. He was an ardent 
and active Republican, and served as a delegate 



452 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



to every State and National Convention of his 
party from 1868 to 1896. In 1874 he was elected 
State Treasurer, the candidate for Superintendent 
of Public Instruction on the same ticket being 
defeated. In 1876 and 1880 he was an unsuccess- 
ful candidate for his party's nomination for Gov- 
ernor. Three times he consented to lead the 
forlorn hope of the Republicans as a candidate 
for Congress from an impregnably Democratic 
stronghold. For several years he was a Director 
of the McCormick Theological Seminary, at Chi- 
cago, and, for nineteen years, was a Trustee of the 
Southern Illinois Normal University at Carbon- 
dale, resigning in 1893. Died, at Shawneetown, 
Nov. 17, 1897. 

RIGGS, James M., ex-Congressman, was born 
in Scott County, 111., April 17, 1839, where he 
received a common school education, supple- 
mented by a partial collegiate course. He is a 
practicing lawyer of Winchester. In 1864 he was 
elected Sheriff, serving two years. In 1871-72 he 
represented Scott County in the lower house of 
the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, and was 
State's Attorney from 1872 to 1876. In 1882, and 
again in 1884, he was the successful Democratic 
candidate for Congress in the Twelfth Illinois 
District. 

RIGGS, Scott, pioneer, was born in North 
Carolina about 1790; removed to Crawford 
County, 111, early in 1815, and represented that 
county in the First General Assembly (1818-20). 
In 1825 he removed to Scott County, where he 
continued to reside until his death, Feb. 24, 1872. 

RIXAKER, John I., lawyer and Congressman, 
born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 18. 1830. Left an 
orphan at an early age, he came to Illinois in 
1836, and, for several years, lived on farms in 
Sangamon and Morgan Counties; was educated 
at Illinois and McKendree Colleges, graduating 
from the latter in 1851; in 1852 began reading 
law with John M. Palmer at Carlinville, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1854. In August, 1862, he 
recruited the One Hundred and Twenty-seconu 
Illinois Volunteers, of which he was commis- 
sioned Colonel. Four months later he was 
wounded in battle, but served with his regiment 
through the war, and was bre vetted Brigadier- 
General at its close. Returning from the war he 
resumed the practice of his profession at Carlin- 
ville. Since 1858 he has been an active Repub- 
lican; has twice (1872 and '76) served his party 
as a Presidential Elector — the latter year for the 
State-at-large — and, in 1874. accepted a nomina- 
tion for Congress against William R. Morrison, 
largely reducing the normal Democratic major- 



ity. At the State Republican Convention of 1880 
he was a prominent, but unsuccessful, candidate 
for the Republican nomination for Governor. I; 
1894 he made the race as the Republican candi- 
date for Congress in the Sixteenth District and, 
although his opponent was awarded the certifi- 
cate of election, on a bare majority of 60 vote? on 
the face of the returns, a re-count, ordered by the 
Fifty-fourth Congress, showed a majority for 
General Rinaker, and he was seated near the 
close of the first session. He was a candidate 
for re-election in 1896, but defeated in a strongly 
Democratic District. 

RIPLEY, Edward Payson, Railway President, 
was born in Dorchester (now a part of Boston), 
Mass., Oct. 30, 1845, being related, on his mother's 
side, to the distinguished author. Dr. Edward 
Payson. After receiving his education in the 
high school of his native place, at the age of 17 
he entered upon a commercial life, as clerk in a 
wholesale dry-goods establishment in Boston. 
About the time he became of age, lie entered into 
the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad as a 
clerk in the freight department in the Boston 
office, but, a few years later.assumed a responsible 
position in connection with the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy line, finally becoming General 
Agent for the business of that road east of 
Buffalo, though retaining his headquarters at 
Boston. In 1878 he removed to Chicago to accept 
the position of General Freight Agent of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy System, with which 
he remained twelve years, serving successively as 
General Traffic Manager and General Manager, 
until June 1, 1890, when he resigned to become 
Third Vice-President of the Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul line. This relation was continued 
until Jan. 1. 1896, when Mr. Ripley accepted 
the Presidency of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa 
Fe Railroad, which (1899) lie now holds. Mr. 
Ripley was a prominent factor in securing the 
location of the World's Columbian Exposition at 
Chicago, and, in April, 1891, was chosen one of 
the Directors of the Exposition, serving on the 
Executive Committee and the Committee of 
Ways and Means and Transportation, being Chair- 
man of the latter. 

RIVERSIDE, a suburban town on the Des 
Plaines River and the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railway, 11 miles west of Chicago ; has 
handsome parks, several churches, a bank, 
two local papers and numerous fine residences. 
Population (1890), 1,000; (1900), 1,551 

RIVERTON, a village in Clear Creek Town- 
ship, Sangamon County, at the crossing of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



453 



Wabash Railroad over the Sangamon River, 6}4 
miles east-northeast of Springfield. It has four 
churches, a nursery, and two coal mines Popu- 
lation (1880), 705; (1890), 1,127. (1000), 1 511; (1903, 
est), about 2,000. 

RIVES, John Cook, early banker and journal- 
ist, was born in Franklin County, Va., May 24, 
1795; in 1806 removed to Kentucky, where he 
grew up under care of an uncle, Samuel Casey. 
He received a good education and was a man < if 
high character and attractive manners. In his 
early manhood he came to Illinois, and was con- 
nected, for a time, with the Branch State Bank 
at Edwardsville, but, about 1824, removed to 
Shawneetown and held a position in the bank 
there; also studied law and was admitted to 
practice. Finally, having accepted a clerkship 
in the Fourth Auditor's Office in Washington, 
he removed to that city, and, in 1830, became 
associated with Francis P. Blair, Sr., in the 
establishment of "The Congressional Globe" (the 
predecessor of "The Congressional Record"), of 
which he finally became sole proprietor, so 
remaining until 1864. Like his partner, Blair, 
although a native of Virginia and a life-long 
Democrat, he was intensely loyal, and contrib- 
uted liberally of his means for the equipment of 
soldiers from the District of Columbia, and for 
the support of their families, during the Civil 
War. His expenditures for these objects have 
been estimated at some §30,000. Died, in Prince 
George's County, Md., April 10, 1864. 

ROANOKE, a village of Woodford County, on 
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, 26 
miles northeast of Peoria; is in a coal district; 
has two banks, a coal mine, and one newspaper 
Population (1880), 355; (1890), 831; (1900), 966. 

RORR, Thomas Patten, Sanitary Agent, was 
born in Bath, Maine, in 1819; came to Cook 
County, 111., in 1838, and, after arriving at man- 
hood, established the first exclusive wholesale 
grocery house in Chicago, remaining in the busi- 
ness until 1850. He then went to California, 
establishing himself in mercantile business at 
Sacramento, where he remained seven years, 
meanwhile being elected Ma}'or of that city. 
Returning to Chicago on the breaking out of the 
war, he was appointed on the staff of Governor 
Yates with the rank of Major, and. while serv- 
ing in this capacity, was instrumental in giving 
General Grant the first duty he performed in the 
office of the Adjutant-General after his arrival 
from Galena. Later, he was assigned to duty as 
Inspector-General of Illinois troops with the rank 
of Colonel, having general charge of sanitary 



affairs until the close of the war, when he was 
appointed Cotton Agent for the State of Georgia, 
and, still later. President of the Board of Tax 
Commissioners for that State. Other positions 
held by him were those of Postmaster and Col- 
lector of Customs at Savannah, Ga. ; he was also 
one of the publishers of "The New Era," a 
Republican paper at Atlanta, and a prominent 
actor in reconstruction affairs. Resigning the 
Collectorship, he was appointed by the President 
United States Commissioner to investigate Mexi- 
can outrages on the Rio Grande border; was sub- 
sequently identified with Texas railroad interests 
as the President of the Corpus Christi & Rio 
Grande Railroad, and one of the projectors of the 
Chicago, Texas & Mexican Central Railway, being 
thus engaged until 1872. Later he returned to 
California, dying near Glenwood, in that State, 
April 10, 1895, aged 75 years and 10 months. 

ROBERTS, William Charles, clergyman and 
educator, was born in a small village of Wales, 
England., Sept. 23, 1832; received his primary 
education in that country, but, removing to 
America during his minority, graduated from 
Princeton College in 1855, and from Princeton 
Theological Seminary in 1858. After filling vari- 
ous pastorates in Delaware, New Jersey and Ohio, 
in 1881 he was elected Corresponding Secretary 
of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, 
the next year being offered the Presidency of 
Rutgers College, which he declined. In 1887 he 
accepted the presidency of Lake Forest Univer- 
sity, which he still retains. From 1859 to 1863 
he was a Trustee of Lafayette College, and, in 
1866, was elected to a trusteeship of his Alma 
Mater. He has traveled extensively in the 
Orient, and was a member of the first and third 
councils of the Reformed Churches, held at Edin- 
burgh and Belfast. Besides occasional sermons 
and frequent contributions to English, Ameri- 
can, German and Welsh periodicals, Dr. Roberts 
has published a Welsh translation of the West- 
minster shorter catechism and a collection of 
letters on the great preachers of Wales, which 
appeared in Utica, 1868. He received the degree 
of D.D., from Union College in 1872, and that of 
LL.D., from Princeton, in 1SS7. 

ROBINSOX, an incorporated city and the 
county -seat of Crawford Courty, 25 miles north- 
west of Vincennes, Ind , and 44 miles south of 
Paris, 111. ; is on two lines of railroad and in the 
heart of a fruit and agricultural region The 
city has water-works, electric lights, two banks 
and three weekly newspapers Population (1890) 
1,387; (1900), 1,683; (1904), about 2,000. 



454 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ROBINSON, James C, lawyer and former 
Congressman, was born in Edgar County, 111., in 
1822, read law and was admitted to the bar in 
1850. He served as a private during the Mexican 
War, and, in 1858, was elected to Congress as a 
Democrat, as he was again in 1860, '62, '70 and 
'72. In 1864 he was the Democratic nominee for 
Governor. He was a fluent sjieaker, and attained 
considerable distinction as an advocate in crimi- 
nal practice. Died, at Springfield, Nov. 3, 1886. 

ROBINSON, John M., United States Senator, 
born in Kentucky in 1793, was liberally educated 
and became a lawyer by profession. In early life 
he settled at Carmi, 111., where he married. He 
was of fine physique, of engaging manners, and 
personally popular. Through his association 
with the State militia he earned the title of 
"General." In 1830 he was elected to the United 
States Senate, to fill the unexpired term of John 
McLean. His immediate predecessor was David 
Jewett Baker, appointed by Governor Edwards, 
who served one month but failed of election by 
the Legislature. In 1834 Mr. Robinson was re- 
elected for a full term, which expired in 1841. 
In 1843 he was elected to a seat upon the Illinois 
Supreme bench, but died at Ottawa, April 27, of 
the same year, within three months after his 
elevation. 

ROCHELLE, a city of Ogle County and an 
intersecting point of the Chicago & Northwestern 
and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railways. 
It is 75 miles west of Chicago, 27 miles south of 
Rockford, and 23 miles east by north of Dixon. 
It is in a rich agricultural and stock-raising 
region, rendering Rochelle an important ship 
ping point. Among its industrial establish- 
ments are water-works, electric lights, a flouring 
mill and silk-underwear factory The city has 
three banks, five churches and three newspapers. 
Pop. (1890), 1,789; (1900), 2,073; (1903), 2,500. 

ROCHESTER, a village and early settlement 
in Sangamon County, laid out in 1819; in rich 
agricultural district, on the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern Railroad, 1% miles southeast of 
Springfield; has a bank, two churches, one school, 
and a newspaper. Population (1900) 365 

ROCK FALLS, a city in Whiteside County, on 
Rock River and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad ; has excellent water-power, a good 
public school system with a high school, banks 
and a weekly newspaper. Agricultural imple- 
ments, barbed wire, furniture, flour and paper are 
its chief manufactures. Water for the navigable 
feeder of the Hennepin Canal is taken from Rock 
River at this point. Pop. (1900), 2,176. 



ROCKFORD, a flourishing manufacturing 
city, the county -seat of Winnebago County ; lies 
on both sides of the Rock River, 92 miles west of 
Chicago. Four trunk lines of railroad — the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy, the Chicago & North- 
western, the Illinois Central and the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul — intersect here. Excellent 
water-power is secured by a dam across the river, 
and communication between the two divisions of 
the city is facilitated by three railway and three 
highway bridges. Water is provided from five 
artesian wells, a reserve main leading to the 
river. The city is wealthy, prosperous and pro- 
gressive. The assessed valuation of property, in 
1893, was §6,531,235. Churches are numerous and 
schools, both public and private, are abundant 
and well conducted. The census of 1890 showed 
87,715.069 capital invested in 246 manufacturing 
establishments, which employed 5,223 persons and 
turned out an annual product valued at $8,888,- 
904. The principal industries are the manufac- 
ture of agricultural- implements and furniture, 
though watches, silver-plated ware, paper, flour 
and grape sugar are among the other products. 
Pop. (1880), 13,129; (1890), 23,584; (1900), 31,051. 

ROCKFORD COLLEGE, located at Rockford, 
111., incorporated in 1847; in 1898 had a faculty 
of 21 instructors with 161 pupils. The branches 
taught include the classics, music and fine arts. 
It has a library of 6, 150 volumes, funds and en- 
dowment aggregating 550.880 and property 
valued at §240,880, of which §150,000 is real 
estate. 

ROCK ISLAND, the principal city and county- 
seat of Rock Island County, on the Mississippi 
River, 182 miles west by south from Chicago ; is 
the converging point of five lines of railroad, and 
the western terminus of the Hennepin Canal. 
The name is derived from an island in the Missis- 
sippi River, opposite the city, 3 miles long, which 
belongs to the United States Government and 
contains an arsenal and armory. The river 
channel north of the island is navigable, the 
southern channel having been dammed by the 
Government, thereby giving great water power 
to Rock Island and Moline. A combined railway 
and highway bridge spans the river from Rock 
Island to Davenport, Iowa, crossing the island, 
while a railway bridge connects the cities a mile 
below. The island was the site of Fort Arm- 
strong during the Black Hawk War, and was also 
a place for the confinement of Confederate prison- 
ers during the Civil War. Rock Island is in a re- 
gion of much picturesque scenery and has exten- 
sive manufactures of lumber, agricultural imple- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



455 



merits, iron, carriages and wagons and oilcloth; 
also five banks and three newspapers, two issuing 
daily editions. Pop. (1890), 13,634; (1900), 19,493. 

ROCK ISLAND COUNTY, in the northwestern 
section of the State bordering upon the Missis- 
sippi River (which constitutes its northwestern 
boundary for more than 60 miles), and having an 
area of 440 square miles. In 1816 the Govern- 
ment erected a fort on Rock Island (an island in 
the Mississippi, 3 miles long and one-half to 
three-quarters of a mile wide), naming it Fort 
Armstrong. It has always remained a military 
post, and is now the seat of an extensive arsenal 
and work-shops. In the spring of 1828, settle- 
ments were made near Port Byron by John and 
Thomas Kinney, Archibald Allen and George 
Harlan. Other early settlers, near Rock Island 
and Rapids City, were J. W. Spencer, J. W. Bar- 
riels, Benjamin F. Pike and Conrad Leak; and 
among the pioneers were Wells and Michael Bart- 
lett, Joel Thompson, the Simms brothers and 
George Davenport. The country was full of 
Indians, this being the headquarters of Black 
Hawk and the initial point of the Black Hawk 
War. (See Black Hawk, and Black Hawk War. ) 
By 1829 settlers were increased in number and 
county organization was effected in 1835, Rock 
Island (then called Stephenson) being made the 
county-seat. Joseph Conway was the first 
County Clerk, and Joel Wells, Sr., the first Treas- 
urer. The first court was held at the residence 
of John W. Barriels, in Farnhamsburg. The 
county is irregular in shape, and the soil and 
scenery greatly varied. Coal is abundant, the 
water-power inexhaustible, and the county's 
mining and manufacturing interests are very 
extensive. Several lines of railway cross the 
county, affording admirable transportation facili- 
ties to both eastern and western markets. Rock 
Island and Moline (which see) are the two prin- 
cipal cities in the county, though there are 
several other important points. Coal Valley is 
the center of large mining interests, and Milan is 
also a manufacturing center. Port Byron is one 
of the oldest towns in the county, and has con- 
siderable lime and lumber interests, while Water- 
town is the seat of the Western Hospital for the 
Insane. Population of the county (1880), 38,302; 
(1890), 41,917; (1900), 55,219. 

ROCK ISLAND & PEORIA RAILWAY, a 
standard-guage road, laid with steel rails, extend- 
ing from Rock Island to Peoria, 91 miles. It is 
lessee of the Rock Island & Mercer County Rail- 
road, running from Milan to Cable, 111., giving it 
a total length of 118 miles — with Peoria Terminal, 



121.10 miles.— (History.) The company is a 
reorganization (Oct. 9, 1877) of the Peoria & 
Rock Island Railroad Company, whose road was 
sold under foreclosure, April 4, 1877. The latter 
Road was the result of the consolidation, in 1809, 
of two corporations — the Rock Island & Peoria 
and the Peoria & Rock Island Railroad Compa- 
nies — the new organization taking the latter 
name. The road was opened through its entire 
length, Jan. 1, 1872, its sale under foreclosure and 
reorganization under its present name taking 
place, as already stated, in 1877. The Cable 
Branch was organized in 1876, as the Rock Island 
& Mercer County Railroad, and opened in De- 
cember of the same year, sold under foreclosure in 
1877, and leased to the Rock Island & Peoria Rail- 
road, July 1, 1885, for 999 years, the rental for 
the entire period being commuted at $450,000. — 
(Financial.) The cost of the entire road and 
equipment was 52,654,487. The capital stock 
(1898) is 11,500,000; funded debt, $600,000; other 
forms of indebtedness increasing the total capital 
invested to $2,181,066. 

ROCK RIVER, a stream which rises in Wash- 
ington County, Wis., and flows generally in a 
southerly direction, a part of its course being very 
sinuous. After crossing the northern boundary 
of Illinois, it runs southwestward, intersecting 
the counties of Winnebago, Ogle, Lee, Whiteside 
and Rock Island, and entering the Mississippi 
three miles below the city of Rock Island. 
It is about 375 miles long, but its navigation is 
partly obstructed by rapids, which, however, 
furnish abundant water-power. The principal 
towns on its banks are Rockford, Dixon and 
Sterling. Its valley is wide, and noted for its 
beauty and fertility. 

ROCKTON, a village in Winnebago County, at 
the junction of two branches of the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, on Rock River, 
13 miles north of Rockford ; has manufactures of 
paper and agricultural implements, a feed mill, 
and local paper. Pop. (1890), 892; (1900), 936. 

ROE, Edward Reynolds, A.B., M.D., physician, 
soldier and author, was born at Lebanon, Ohio. 
June 22, 1813; removed with his father, in 1819, 
to Cincinnati, and graduated at Louisville Med- 
ical Institute in 1842; began practice at Anderson. 
Ind., but soon removed to Shawneetown, 111., 
where he gave much attention to geological 
research and made some extensive natural his- 
tory collections. From 1848 to '52 he resided at 
Jacksonville, lectured extensively on his favorite 
science, wrote for the press and, for two years 
(1850-52), edited "The Jacksonville Journal." still 



456 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



later editing the newly established "Constitu- 
tionalist"' for a few months. During a part of 
this period he was lecturer on natural science at 
Shurtleff College ; also delivered a lecture before 
the State Legislature on the geology of Illinois, 
which was immediately followed by the passage 
of the act establishing the State Geological 
Department. A majority of both houses joined 
in a request for his appointment as State Geolo- 
gist, but it was rejected on partisan grounds — 
he, then, being a Whig. Removing to Blooming- 
ton in 1852, Dr. Roe became prominent in educa- 
tional matters, being the first Professor of Natural 
Science in the State Normal University, and also 
a Trustee of the Illinois Wesleyan University. 
Having identified himself with the Democratic 
party at this time, he became its nominee for 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 
1860, but, on the inception of the war in 1861, he 
promptly espoused the cause of the Union, raised 
three companies (mostly Normal students) which 
were attached to the Thirty-third Illinois (Nor- 
mal) Regiment ; was elected Captain and succes- 
sively promoted to Major and Lieutenant-Colonel. 
Having been dangerously wounded in the assault 
at Vicksburg, on May 22, 1863, and compelled to 
return home, he was elected Circuit Clerk by the 
combined vote of both parties, was re-elected 
four years later, became editor of "The Bloom- 
ington Pantagraph" and, in 1870, was elected to 
the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, where 
he won distinction by a somewhat notable 
humorous speech in opposition to removing the 
State Capital to Peoria. In 1871 he was ap- 
pointed Marshal for the Southern District of Illi- 
nois, serving nine years. Dr. Roe was a somewhat 
prolific author, having produced more than a 
dozen works which have appeared in book form. 
One of these, "Virginia Rose; a Tale of Illinois 
in Early Days," first appeared as a prize serial in 
"The Alton Courier" in 1852. Others of his more 
noteworthy productions are: "The Gray and the 
Blue"; "Brought to Bay*'; "From the Beaten 
Path"; "G. A. R. ; or How She Married His 
Double"; "Dr. Caldwell; or the Trail of the 
Serpent" ; and "Prairie-Land and Other Poems." 
He died in Chicago, Nov 6, 1893. 

ROGERS, George Clarke, soldier, was born in 
Grafton County, N H., Nov. 22, 1838; but was 
educated in Vermont and Illinois, having re- 
moved to the latter State early in life. While 
teaching he studied law and was admitted to the 
bar in 1800; was the first, in 1861, to raise a com- 
pany in Lake County for the war, which was 
mustered into the Fifteenth Illinois Volunteers ; 



was chosen Second-Lieutenant and later Captain ; 
was wounded four times at Shiloh, but refused to 
leave the field, and led his regiment in the final 
charge; was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel and 
soon after commissioned Colonel for gallantry at 
Hatchie. At Champion Hills he received three 
wounds, from one of which he never fully re- 
covered ; took a prominent part in the operations 
at Allatoona and commanded a brigade nearly 
two years, including the Atlanta campaign, 
retiring with the rank of brevet Brigadier-Gen- 
eral. Since the war has practiced law in Illinois 
and in Kansas. 

ROGERS, Henry Wade, educator, lawyer and 
author, was born in Central New York in 1853 ; 
entered Hamilton College, but the following 
year became a student in Michigan University, 
graduating there in 1874, also receiving the 
degree of A.M., from the same institution, in 
1877. In 1883 he was elected to a professorship 
in the Ann Arbor Law School, and, in 1885, was 
made Dean of the Faculty, succeeding Judge 
Cooley, at the age of 32. Five years later he was 
tendered, and accepted, the Presidency of the 
Northwestern University, at Evanston, being the 
first layman chosen to the position, and succeed- 
ing a long line of Bishops and divines. The same 
year (1890). Wesleyan University conferred upon 
him the honorary degree of LL.D. He is a mem- 
ber of the American Bar Association, has served 
for a number of years on its Committee on Legal 
Education and Admission to the Bar, and was 
the first Chairman of the Section on Legal Edu- 
cation. President Rogers was the General Chair- 
man of the Conference on the Future Foreign 
Policy of the United States, held at Saratoga 
Springs, N. Y., in August, 1898. At the Con- 
gress held in 1893, as auxiliary to the Columbian 
Exposition, he was chosen Chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Law Reform and Jurisprudence, and 
was for a time associate editor of "The American 
Law Register," of Philadelphia. He is also the 
author of a treatise on "Expert Testimony," 
which has passed through two editions, and has 
edited a work entitled "Illinois Citations," 
besides doing much other valuable literary work 
of a similar character. 

ROGERS, John Gorin, jurist, was born at 
Glasgow, Ky., Dec. 28, 1818, of English and early 
Virginian ancestry ; was educated at Center Col- 
lege, Danville, Ky., and at Transylvania Univer- 
sity, graduating from the latter institution in 
1841, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. For 
sixteen years he practiced in his native town, 
and, in 1857, removed to Chicago, where he soon 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



457 



attained professional prominence. In 1870 he 
was elected a Judge of the Cook County Circuit 
Court, continuing on the bench, through repeated 
re-elections, until his death, which occurred 
suddenly, Jan. 10, 1887, four years before the 
expiration of the term for which he had been 
elected. 

ROGERS PARK, a village and suburb 9 miles 
north of Chicago, on Lake Michigan and the 
Chicago & Northwestern and the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railways ; has a bank and two 
weekly newspapers ; is reached by electric street- 
car line from Chicago, and is a popular residence 
suburb. Annexed to City of Chicago, 1893. 

ROLL, John E., pioneer, was born in Green 
Village, N. J., June 4, 1814; came to Illinois in 
1830, and settled in Sangamon County. He 
assisted Abraham Lincoln in the construction of 
the flat-boat with which the latter descended the 
Mississippi River to New Orleans, in 1831. Mr. 
Roll, who was a mechanic and contractor, built 
a number of houses in Springfield, where he has 
since continued to reside. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. The earliest 
Christians to establish places of worship in Illi- 
nois were priests of the Catholic faith. Early 
Catholic missionaries were explorers and histori- 
ans as well as preachers. (See Allouez; Bergier; 
Early Missionaries; Gravier; Marquette.) The 
church went hand in hand with the represent- 
atives of the French Government, carrying in 
one hand the cross and in the other the flag of 
Fiance, simultaneously disseminating the doc- 
trines of Christianity and inculcating loyalty to 
the House of Bourbon. For nearly a hundred 
years, the self-sacrificing and devoted Catholic 
clergy of the seventeenth and eighteenth cen- 
turies ministered to the spiritual wants of the 
early French settlers and the natives. They were 
not without factional jealousies, however, and a 
severe blow was dealt to a branch of them in the 
order for the banishment of the Jesuits and the 
confiscation of their property. (See Early Mis- 
sionaries.) The subsequent occupation of the 
country by the English, with the contemporane- 
ous emigration of a considerable portion of the 
French west of the Mississippi, dissipated many 
congregations. Up to 1830 Illinois was included 
in the diocese of Missouri ; but at that time it was 
constituted a separate diocese, under the episco- 
pal control of Rt. Rev. Joseph Rosatti. At that 
date there were few, if any, priests in Illinois. 
But Bishop Rosatti was a man of earnest purpose 
and rare administrative ability. New parishes 
were organized as rapidly as circumstances 



would permit, and the growth of the church has 
been steady. By 1840 there were thirty-one 
parishes and twenty priests. In 1896 there are 
reported 698 parishes, 764 clergymen and a 
Catholic population exceeding 850,000. (See also 
Religious Denom inations. ) 

ROODHOUSE, a city in Greene County, 21 
miles south of Jacksonville, and at junction of 
three divisions of the Chicago & Alton Railroad; 
is in fertile agricultural and coal-mining region; 
city contains a flouring mill, grain-elevator, stock- 
yards, railway shops, water-works, electric light 
plant, two private banks, fine opera house, good 
school buildings, one daily and two weekly 
papers. Pop. (1890), 2,360; (1900), 2,351. 

ROODHOUSE, John, farmer and founder of 
the town of Roodhouse, in Greene County, 111., 
was born in Yorkshire, England, brought to 
America in childhood, his father settling in 
Greene County, 111., in 1831. In his early man- 
hood he opened a farm in Tazewell County, but 
finally returned to the paternal home in Greene 
County, where, on the location of the Jackson- 
ville Division of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 
he laid out the town of Roodhouse, at the junc- 
tion of the Louisiana and Kansas City branch 
with the main line. 

ROOT, George Frederick, musical composer 
and author, was born at Sheffield, Mass., August 
30, 1820. He was a natural musician, and, while 
employed on his father's farm, learned to play on 
various instruments. In 1838 he removed to Bos- 
ton, where he began his life-work. Besides 
teaching music in the public schools, he was 
employed to direct the musical service in two 
churches. From Boston he removed to New 
York, and, in 1850, went to Paris for purposes of 
musical study. In 1853 he made his first public 
essay as a composer in the song, "Hazel Dell,'* 
which became popular at once. From this time 
forward his success as a song-writer was assured. 
His music, while not of a high artistic character, 
captivated the popular ear and appealed strongly 
to the heart. In 1860 he took up his residence in 
Chicago, where he conducted a musical journal 
and wrote those "war songs" which created and 
perpetuated his fame. Among the best known 
are "Rally Round the Flag"; "Just Before the 
Battle, Mother"; and "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp." 
Other popular songs by him are "Rosalie, the 
Prairie Flower"; "A Hundred Years Ago" ; and 
"The Old Folks are Gone." Besides songs he 
composed several cantatas and much sacred 
music, also publishing many books of instruction 
and numerous collections of vocal and instru- 



458 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



mental music. In 1872 the University of Chicago 
conferred on him the degree of Mus. Doc. Died, 
near Portland, Maine, August 6, 1895. 

ROOTS, Benajah Guernsey, civil engineer, 
and educator, was born in Onondaga County 
N. Y., April 20, 1811, and educated in the schools 
and academies of Central New York; began 
teaching in 1827, and, after spending a year at 
sea for the benefit of his health, took a course in 
law and civil engineering. He was employed as 
a civil engineer on the Western Railroad of 
Massachusetts until 1838, when he came to Illi- 
nois and obtained employment on the railroad 
projected from Alton to Shawneetown, under 
the "internal improvement system" of 1837. 
When that was suspended in 1839, he settled on 
a farm near the present site of Tamaroa, Perry 
County, and soon after opened a boarding school, 
continuing its management until 1846, when he 
became Principal of a seminary at Sparta. In 
1851 he went into the service of the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad, first as resident engineer in 
charge of surveys and construction, later as land 
agent and attorney. He was prominent in the 
introduction of the graded school system in Illi- 
nois and in the establishment of the State Nor- 
mal School at Bloomington and the University of 
Illinois at Champaign ; was a member of the 
State Board of Education from its organization, 
and served as delegate to the National Repub- 
lican Convention of 1868. Died, at his home in 
Perry County, 111., May 9, 1888.— Philander Keep 
(Roots), son of the preceding, born in Tolland 
County, Conn., June 4, 1838, brought to Illinois 
the same year and educated in his father's school, 
and in an academy at Carrollton and the Wes- 
leyan University at Bloomington ; at the age of 
17 belonged to a corps of engineers employed on 
a Southern railroad, and, during the war, served 
as a civil engineer in the construction and repair 
of military roads. Later, he was Deputy Sur- 
veyor-General of Nebraska; in 1871 became Chief 
Engineer on the Cairo & Fulton (now a part of 
the Iron Mountain) Railway; then engaged in 
the banking business in Arkansas, first as cashier 
of a bank at Fort Smith and afterwards of the 
Merchants' National Bank at Little Rock, of 
which his brother, Logan H, was President. — 
Logan H. (Roots), another son, born near Tama- 
roa, Perry County, 111., March 22, 1841, was edu- 
cated at home and at the State Normal at 
Bloomington, meanwhile serving as principal 
of a high school at Duquoin ; in 1862 enlisted in 
the Eighty-first Illinois Volunteers, serving 
through the war and acting as Chief Commissary 



for General Sherman on the "March to the Sea," 
and participating in the great review in Wash- 
ington, in May, 1865. After the conclusion of 
the war he was appointed Collector of Internal 
Revenue for the First Arkansas District, was 
elected from that State to the Fortieth and 
Forty-first Congresses (1868 and 1870) — being, at 
the time, the youngest member in that body — and 
was appointed United States Marshal by Presi- 
dent Grant. He finally became President of the 
Merchants' National Bank at Little Rock, with 
which he remained nearly twenty years. Died, 
suddenly, of congestion of the brain, May 30, 
1893, leaving an estate valued at nearly one and 
a half millions, of which he gave a large share to 
charitable purposes and to the city of Little 
Rock, for the benefit of its hospitals and the im- 
provement of its parks. 

ROSE, James A., Secretary of State, was born 
at Golconda, Pope County, 111., Oct. 13, 1850. 
The foundation of his education was secured in 
the public schools of his native place, and, after 
a term in the Normal University at Normal, III., 
at the age of 18 he took charge of a country 
school. Soon he was chosen Principal of the 
Golconda graded schools, was later made County 
Superintendent of Schools, and re-elected for a 
second term. During his second term he was 
admitted to the bar, and, resigning the office of 
Superintendent, was elected State's Attorney 
without opposition, being re-elected for another 
term. In 1889, by appointment of Governor 
Fifer, he became one of the Trustees of the 
Pontiac Reformatory, serving until the next 
year, when he was transferred to the Board of 
Commissioners of the Southern Illinois Peniten- 
tiary at Chester, which position he continued to 
occupy until 1893. In 1896 he was elected Secre- 
tary of State on the Republican ticket, his term 
extending to January, 1901. 

ROSEVILLE, a village in Warren County, on 
the Rock Island Division of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy Railroad, 17 miles northwest of. 
Bushnell; has water and electric-light plants, two 
banks, public library and one newspaper Region 
agricultural and coal-mining. Pop. (1900), 1,014. 

ROSS, Leonard Fulton, soldier, born in Fulton 
County, 111., July 18, 1823; was educated in the 
common schools and at Illinois College, Jackson- 
ville, studied law and admitted to the bar in 1815 ; 
the following year enlisted in the Fourth Illinois 
Volunteers for the Mexican War, became First 
Lieutenant and was commended for services at 
Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo; also performed im- 
portant service as bearer of dispatches for Gen- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



459 



eral Taylor. After the war he served six years 
as Probate Judge. In May, 1861, he enlisted in 
the war for the Union, and was chosen Colonel 
of the Seventeenth Illinois Volunteers, serving 
with it in Missouri and Kentucky; was commis- 
sioned Brigadier-General a few weeks after the 
capture of Fort Donelson, and, after the evacu- 
ation of Corinth, was assigned to the command 
of a division with headquarters at Bolivar, Tenn. 
He resigned in July, 1863, and, in 1867, was 
appointed by President Johnson Collector of 
Internal Revenue for the Ninth District; has 
been three times a delegate to National Repub- 
lican Conventions and twice defeated as a candi- 
date for Congress in a Democratic District. 
Since the war he has devoted his attention 
largely to stock-raising, having a large stock- 
faim in Iowa. In his later years was President 
of a bank at Lewistown, 111. Died Jan. 17, 1901. 
ROSS, (Col.) William, pioneer, was born at 
Monson, Hampden County, Mass., April 24, 1792; 
removed with his father's family, in 1805, to 
Pittsfield, Mass., where he remained until his 
twentieth year, when he was commissioned an 
Ensign in the Twenty-first Regiment United 
States Infantry, serving through the War of 
1812-14, and participating in the battle of Sack- 
ett's Harbor. During the latter part of his serv- 
ice he acted as drill-master at various points. 
Then, returning to Pittsfield, he carried on the 
business of blacksmithing as an employer, mean- 
while filling some local offices. In 1820, a com- 
pany consisting of himself and four brothers, 
with their families and a few others, started for 
the West, intending to settle in Illinois. Reach- 
ing the head-waters of the Allegheny overland, 
they transferred their wagons, teams and other 
property to flat-boats, descending that stream 
and the Ohio to Shawneetown, 111. Here they 
disembarked and, crossing the State, reached 
Upper Alton, where they found only one house, 
that of Maj. Charles W. Hunter. Leaving their 
families at Upper Alton, the brothers proceeded 
north, crossing the Illinois River near its mouth, 
until they reached a point in the western part of 
the present county of Pike, where the town of 
Atlas was afterwards located. Here they 
erected four rough log-cabins, on a beautiful 
prairie not far from the Mississippi, removing 
their families thither a few weeks later. They 
suffered the usual privations incident to life in a 
new country, not excepting sickness and death 
of some of their number. At the next session of 
the Legislature (1820-21) Pike County was estab- 
lished, embracing all that part of the State west 



and north of the Illinois, and including the 
present cities of Galena and Chicago. The Ross 
settlement became the nucleus of the town of 
Atlas, laid out by Colonel Ross and his associates 
in 1823, at an early day the rival of Quincy, and 
becoming the second county -seat of Pike County, 
so remaining from 1824 to 1833, when the seat of 
justice was removed to Pittsfield. During this 
period Colonel Ross was one of the most promi- 
nent citizens of the county, holding, simultane- 
ously or successively, the offices of Probate 
Judge, Circuit and County Clerk, Justice of the 
Peace, and others of a subordinate character. 
As Colonel of Militia, in 1832, he was ordered by 
Governor Reynolds to raise a company for the 
Black Hawk War, and, in four days, reported at 
Beardstown with twice the number of men 
called for. In 1834 he was elected to the lower 
branch of the General Assembly, also serving in 
the Senate during the three following sessions, a 
part of the time as President pro tern, of the last- 
named body. While in the General Assembly he 
was instrumental in securing legislation of great 
importance relating to Military Tract lands. 
The year following the establishment of the 
county-seat at Pittsfield (1834) he became a citi- 
zen of that place, which he had the privilege of 
naming for his early home. He was a member 
of the Republican State Convention of 1856, and a 
delegate to the National Republican Convention 
of 1860, which nominated Mr. Lincoln for Presi- 
dent the first time. Beginning life poor he 
acquired considerable property ; was liberal, pub- 
lic-spirited and patriotic, making a handsome 
donation to the first company organized in Pike 
County, for the suppression of the Rebellion. 
Died, at Pittsfield, May 31, 1873. 

ROSSVILLE, a village of Vermillion County, 
on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, 19 
miles north of Danville; has electric-light plant, 
water-works, tile and brick-works, two banks and 
two newspapers. Pop. (1890), 879; (1900), 1,435. 

ROUNDS, Sterling Parker, public printer, 
was born in Berkshire, Vt. , June 27, 1828 ; about 
1840 began learning the printer's trade at Ken- 
osha, Wis., and, in 1845, was foreman of the State 
printing office at Madison, afterward working in 
offices in Milwaukee, Racine and Buffalo, going 
to Chicago in 1851. Here he finally established 
a printer's warehouse, to which he later added an 
electrotype foundry and the manufacture of 
presses, also commencing the issue of "Round's 
Printers' Cabinet," a trade-paper, which was 
continued during his life. In 1881 he was ap- 
pointed by President Garfield Public Printer at 



460 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Washington, serving until 1885, when he removed 
to Omaha, Neb., and was identified with '"The 
Republican," of that city, until his death, Dec. 
17, 1887. 

ROUNTREE, Hiram, County Judge, born in 
Rutherford County, N. C, Dec. 22, 1794; was 
brought to Kentucky in infancy, where he grew 
to manhood and served as an Ensign in the War 
of 1812 under General Shelby. In 1817 he re- 
moved to Illinois Territory, first locating in 
Madison County, where he taught school for two 
years near Edwardsville, but removed to Fayette 
County about the time of the removal of the 
State capital to Vandalia. On the organization 
of Montgomery County, in 1821, he was appointed 
to office there and ever afterwards resided at 
Hillsboro. For a number of years in the early 
history of the county, he held (at the same time) 
the offices of Clerk of the County Commissioners 
Court, Clerk of the Circuit Court, County 
Recorder, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, 
Master in Chancery and Judge of Probate, besides 
that of Postmaster for the town of Hillsboro. In 
1826 he was elected Enrolling and Engrossing 
Clerk of the Senate and re-elected in 1830 ; served 
as Delegate in the Constitutional Convention of 
1847, and the next year was elected to the State 
Senate, serving in the Sixteenth and Seven- 
teenth General Assemblies. On retiring from 
the Senate (1852), he was elected County Judge 
without opposition, was re-elected to the same 
office in 1861, and again, in 1865, as the nominee 
of the Republicans. Judge Rountree was noted 
for his sound judgment and sterling integrity. 
Died, at Hillsboro, March 4, 1873. 

ROUTT, John L., soldier and Governor, was 
born at Eddyville, Ky., April 25, 1826, brought 
to Illinois in infancy and educated in the com- 
mon schools. Soon after coming of age he was 
elected and served one term as Sheriff of McLean 
County; in 1862 enlisted and became Captain of 
Company E, Ninety -fourth Illinois Volunteers. 
After the war he engaged in business in Bloom- 
ington, and was appointed by President Grant, 
successively, United States Marshal for the 
Southern District of Illinois, Second Assistant 
Postmaster-General and Territorial Governor of 
Colorado. On the admission of Colorado as a 
State, he was elected the first Governor under the 
State Government, and re-elected in 1890 — serv- 
ing, in all, three years. His home is in Denver. 
He has been extensively and successfully identi- 
fied with mining enterprises in Colorado. 

ROWELL, Jonathan H., ex-Congressman, was 
born at Haverhill, N. H., Feb. 10, 1833. He is a 



graduate of Eureka College and of the Law 
Department of the Chicago University. During 
the War of the Rebellion he served three years as 
company officer in the Seventeenth Illinois 
Infantry. In 1868 he was elected State's Attor- 
ney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, and, in 1880, 
was a Presidential Elector on the Republican 
ticket. In 1882 he was elected to Congress from 
the Fourteenth Illinois District and three times 
re-elected, serving until March, 1891. His home 
is at Bloomington. 

ROWETT, Richard, soldier, was born in Corn- 
wall, England, in 1830, came to the United 
States in 1851, finally settling on a farm near 
Carlinville, 111., and becoming a breeder of 
thorough-bred horses. In 1861 he entered the 
service as a Captain in the Seventh Illinois 
Volunteers and was successively promoted 
Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel; was 
wounded in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and 
Allatoona, especially distinguishing himself at the 
latter and being brevetted Brigadier-General for 
gallantry. After the war he returned to his 
stock-farm, but later held the positions of Canal 
Commissioner, Penitentiary Commissioner, Rep- 
resentative in the Thirtieth General Assem- 
bly and Collector of Internal Revenue for the 
Fourth (Quincy) District, until its consolidation 
with the Eighth District by President Cleveland. 
Died, in Chicago, July 13, 1887. 

RUSH MEDICAL COLLEGE, located in Chi- 
cago ; incorporated by act of March 2, 1837, the 
charter having been prepared the previous year 
by Drs. Daniel Brainard and Josiah C. Goodhue. 
The extreme financial depression of the following 
year prevented the organization of a faculty 
until 1843. The institution was named in honor 
of Dr. Benjamin Rush, the eminent practitioner, 
medical author and teacher of Philadelphia in the 
latter half of the eighteenth century. The first 
faculty consisted of four professors, and the first 
term opened on Dec. 4, 1843, with a class of 
twenty-two students. Three years' study was 
required for graduation, but only two annual 
terms of sixteen weeks each need be attended at 
the college itself. Instruction was given in a 
few rooms temporarily opened for that purpose. 
The next year a small building, costing between 
$3,000 and §4,000, was erected. This was re-ar- 
ranged and enlarged in 1855 at a cost of $15,000. 
The constant and rapid growth of the college 
necessitated the erection of a new building in 
1867, the cost of which was $70,000. This was 
destroyed in the fire of 1871, and another, costing 
$54,000, was erected in 1876 and a free dispensary 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



461 



added. In 1844 the Presbyterian Hospital was 
located on a portion of the college lot, and the 
two institutions connected, thus insuring abun- 
dant and stable facilities for clinical instruction. 
Shortly afterwards, Rush College became the 
medical department of Lake Forest University. 
The present faculty (1898) consists of 95 profes- 
sors, adjunct professors, lecturers and instructors 
of all grades, and over 600 students in attend- 
ance. The length of the annual terms is six 
months, and four years of study are required for 
graduation, attendance upon at least three col- 
lege terms being compulsory. 

RUSHVILLE, the county-seat of Schuyler 
County, 50 miles northeast of Quincy and 11 
miles northwest of Beardstown ; is the southern 
terminus of the Buda and Rushville branch of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. The 
town was selected as the county-seat in 1826, 
the seat of justice being removed from a place 
called Beardstown, about five miles eastward 
(not the present Beardstown in Cass County), 
where it had been located at the time of the 
organization of Schuyler County, a year previous. 
At first the new seat of justice was called Rush- 
ton, in honor of Dr. Benjamin Rush, but after- 
wards took its present name. It is a coal-mining, 
grain and fruit-growing region, and contains 
several manufactories, including flour-mills, brick 
and tile works; also has two banks (State and 
private) and a public library. Four periodicals 
(one daily) are published here. Population 
(1880), 1,662; (1890), 2,031; (1900), 2,292. 

RUSSELL, John, pioneer teacher and author, 
was born at Cavendish, Vt., July 31, 1793, and 
educated in the common schools of his native 
State and at Middlebury College, where he gradu- 
ated in 1818 — having obtained means to support 
himself, during his college course, by teaching 
and by the publication, before he had reached his 
20th year, of a volume entitled "The Authentic 
History of Vermont State Prison. " After gradu- 
ation he taught for a short time in Georgia ; but, 
early in the following year, joined his father on 
the way to Missouri. The next five years he 
spent in teaching in the "Bonhommie Bottom" 
on the Missouri River. During this period he 
published, anonymously, in "The St. Charles Mis- 
sourian," a temperance allegory entitled "The 
Venomous Worm" (or "The Worm of the Still"), 
which gained a wide popularity and was early 
recognized by the compilers of school-readers as 
a sort of classic. Leaving this locality he taught 
a year in St. Louis, when he removed to Vandalia 
(then the capital of Illinois), after which he spent 



two years teaching in the Seminary at Upper 
Alton, which afterwards became Shurtleff College. 
In 1828 he removed to Greene County, locating 
at a point near the Illinois River to which he 
gave the name of Bluffdale. Here he was li- 
censed as a Baptist preacher, officiating in this ca- 
pacity only occasionally, while pursuing his 
calling as a teacher or writer for the press, to 
which he was an almost constant contributor 
during the last twenty-five years of his life. 
About 1837 or 1838 he was editor of a paper called 
"The Backwoodsman" at Grafton— then a part 
of Greene County, but now in Jersey County— to 
which he afterwards continued to be a contribu- 
tor some time longer, and, in 1841-42, was editor 
of "The Advertiser, * at Louisville, Ky. He was 
also, for several years, Principal of the Spring 
Hill Academy in East Feliciana Parish, La., 
meanwhile serving for a portion of the time as 
Superintendent of Public Schools. He was the 
author of a number of stories and sketches, some 
of which went through several editions, and, at 
the time of his death, had in preparation a his- 
tory of "The Black Hawk War," "Evidences of 
Christianity" and a "History of Illinois." He 
was an accomplished linguist, being able to read 
with fluency Greek, Latin, French, Spanish and 
Italian, besides having considerable familiarity 
with several other modern languages. In 1862 
he received from the University of Chicago the 
degree of LL.D. Died, Jan. 2, 1863, and was 
buried on the old homestead at Bluffdale. 

RUSSELL, Martin J., politician and journal- 
ist, born in Chicago, Dec. 20, 1845. He was a 
nephew of Col. James A. Mulligan (see Mulligan, 
James A.) and served with credit as Adjutant- 
General on the staff of the latter in the Civil 
War. In 1870 he became a reporter on "The 
Chicago Evening Post," and was advanced to 
the position of city editor. Subsequently he was 
connected with "The Times," and "The Tele- 
gram" ; was also a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation of Hyde Park before the annexation of 
that village to Chicago, and has been one of the 
South Park Commissioners of the city last named. 
After the purchase of "The Chicago Times" by 
Carter H. Harrison he remained for a time on 
the editorial staff. In 1894 President Cleveland 
appointed him Collector of the Port of Chicago. 
At the expiration of his term of office he resumed 
editorial work as editor-in-chief of "The Chron- 
icle," the organ of the Democratic party in 
Chicago. Died June 25, 1900. 

RUTHERFORD, Friend S., lawyer and sol 
dier, was born in Schenectady. X. Y., Sept. 25, 



462 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1820; studied law in Troy and removed to Illi- 
nois, settling at Edwardsville, and finally at 
Alton; was a Republican candidate for Presi- 
dential Elector in 1856, and, in 1860, a member of 
the National Republican Convention at Chicago, 
which nominated Mr. Lincoln for the Presidency. 
In September, 1862, he was commissioned Colonel 
of the Ninety-seventh Illinois Volunteers, and 
participated in the capture of Port Gibson and in 
the operations about Vicksburg — also leading in 
the attack on Arkansas Post, and subsequently 
serving in Louisiana, but died as the result of" 
fatigue and exposure in the service, June 20, 
lsC.4, one week before his promotion to the rank 
of Brigadier-General.— Reuben C. (Rutherford), 
brother of the preceding, was born at Troy, N. Y., 
Sept. 29, 1823, but grew up in Vermont and New 
Hampshire ; received a degree in law when quite 
young, but afterwards fitted himself as a lec- 
turer on physiology and hygiene, upon which he 
lectured extensively in Michigan, Illinois and 
other States after coming west in 1849. During 
1854-55, in co-operation with Prof. J. B. Turner 
and others, he canvassed and lectured extensively 
throughout Illinois in support of the movement 
which resulted in the donation of public lands, 
by Congress, for the establishment of "Industrial 
Colleges" in the several States. The establish- 
ment of the University of Illinois, at Champaign, 
was the outgrowth of this movement. In 1856 he 
located at Quincy, where he resided some thirty 
years; in 1861, served for several months as the 
first Commissary of Subsistence at Cairo; was 
later associated with the State Quartermaster's 
Department, finally entering the secret service of 
the War Department, in which he remained until 
1867, retiring with the rank of brevet Brigadier- 
General. In 1886, General Rutherford removed 
to New York City, where he died, June 24, 1895. — 
(ieorge Y. (Rutherford), another brother, was 
born at Rutland, Vt., 1830; was first admitted to 
the bar, but afterwards took charge of the con- 
struction of telegraph lines in some of the South- 
ern States; at the beginning of the Civil War 
became Assistant Quartermaster-General of the 
State of Illinois, at Springfield, under ex-Gov. 
John Wood, but subsequently entered the 
Quartermaster's service of the General Govern- 
ment in Washington, retiring after the war with 
the rank of Brigadier-General. He then returned 
to Quincy, 111., where he resided until 1872. when 
he engaged in manufacturing business at North- 
ampton, Mass., but finally removed to California 
for the benefit of his failing health. Died, at St. 
Helena, Cal. . August 28, 1872. 



RUTLAND, a village of La Salle County, on 
the Illinois Central Railroad. 25 miles south of La 
Salle; has a bank, five churches, school, and a 
newspaper, with coal mines in the vicinity. Pop. 
(1890), 509; (1900), 893; (1903), 1,093. 

RUTLEDGE, (Rev.) William J., clergyman, 
Army Chaplain, born in Augusta County, Va. , 
June 24, 1820; was converted at the age of 12 
years and, at 21, became a member of the Illinois 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
serving various churches in the central and west- 
ern parts of the State — also acting, for a time, as 
Agent of the Illinois Conference Female College 
at Jacksonville. From 1861 to 1863 he was Chap- 
lain of the Fourteenth Regiment Illinois Volun- 
teers. Returning from the war, he served as 
pastor of churches at Jacksonville, Bloomington, 
Quincy, Rushville, Springfield, Griggsville and 
other points; from 1881 to '84 was Chaplain of 
the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet. Mr. 
Rutledge was one of the founders of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, and served for many years 
as Chaplain of the order for the Department of 
Illinois. In connection with the ministry, he 
has occupied a supernumerary relation since 
1885. Died in Jacksonville, April 14, 1900. 

RUT/, Edward, State Treasurer, was born in 
a village in the Duchy of Baden, Germany, May 
5, 1829; came to America in 1848, locating on a 
farm in St. Clair County, 111. ; went to California 
in 1857. and, early in 1801, enlisted in the Third 
United States Artillery at San Francisco, serving 
witli the Army of the Potomac until his discharge 
in 1864, and taking part in every battle in which 
his command was engaged. After his return in 
1865, he located in St. Clair County, and was 
elected County Surveyor, served three consecu- 
tive terms as County Treasurer, and was elected 
State Treasurer three times — 1872, '76 and '80. 
About 1892 he removed to California, where he 
now resides. 

RYAN, Edward G., early editor and jurist, 
born at Newcastle House, County Meath, Ireland, 
Nov. 13, 1810; was educated for the priesthood, 
but turned his attention to law, and, in 1830, 
came to New York and engaged in teaching 
while prosecuting his legal studies; in 1836 re- 
moved to Chicago, where he was admitted to the 
bar and was, for a time, associated in practice 
with Hugh T. Dickey. In April, 1840, Mr. Ryan 
assumed the editorship of a weekly paper in Chi- 
cago called "The Illinois Tribune," which he 
conducted for over a year, and which is remem- 
bered chiefly on account of its bitter assaults on 
Judge John Pearson of Danville, who had 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



4G3 



aroused the hostility of some members of the 
Chicago bar by his rulings upon the bench. 
About 1842 Ryan removed to Milwaukee, Wis., 
where he was, for a time, a partner of Matthew 
H. Carpenter (afterwards United States Senator), 
and was connected with a number of celebrated 
trials before the courts of that State, including 
the Barstow-Bashford case, which ended with 
Bashford becoming the first Republican Governor 
of Wisconsin. In 1874 he was appointed Chief 
Justice of Wisconsin, serving until his death, 
which occurred at Madison, Oct. 19, 1880. He 
was a strong partisan, and, during the Civil War, 
was an intense opponent of the war policy of the 
Government. In spite of infirmities of temper, 
he appears to have been a man of much learning 
and recognized legal ability. 

RYAN, James, Roman Catholic Bishop, born 
in Ireland in 1848 and emigrated to America in 
childhood; was educated for the priesthood in 
Kentucky, and. after ordination, was made a pro- 
fessor in St. Joseph's Seminary, at Bardstown, 
Ky. In 1878 he removed to Illinois, attaching 
himself to the diocese of Peoria, and having 
charge of parishes at Wataga and Danville. In 
1881 he became rector of the Ottawa parish, 
within the episcopal jurisdiction of the Arch- 
bishop of Chicago. In 1888 he was made Bishop 
of the see of Alton, the prior incumbent (Bishop 
Baltes) having died in 1886. 

SACS AND FOXES, two confederated Indian 
tribes, who were among the most warlike and 
powerful of the aborigines of the Illinois Country. 
The Foxes called themselves the Musk-wah-ha- 
kee, a name compounded of two words, signify- 
ing "those of red earth." The French called 
them Ou-ta-ga-mies, that being their spelling of 
the name given them by other tribes, the mean- 
ing of which was "Foxes," and which was 
bestowed upon them because their totem (or 
armorial device, as it may be called) was a fox. 
They seem to have been driven westward from 
the northern shore of Lake Ontario, by way of 
Niagara and Mackinac, to the region around 
Green Bay, Wis. — Concerning their allied breth- 
ren, the Sacs, less is known. The name is vari- 
ously spelled in the Indian dialects — Ou-sa-kies, 
Sauks, etc. — and the term Sacs is unquestionably 
an abbreviated corruption. Black Hawk be- 
longed to this tribe. The Foxes and Sacs formed 
a confederation according to aboriginal tradition, 
on what is now known as the Sac River, near 
Green Bay, but the date of the alliance cannot 
be determined. The origin of the Sacs is equally 



uncertain. Black Hawk claimed that his tribe 
originally dwelt around Quebec, but, as to the 
authenticity of this claim, historical authorities 
differ widely. Subsequent to 1070 the history of 
the allied tribes is tolerably well defined. Their 
characteristics, location and habits are described 
at some length by Father Allouez, who visited 
them in 166(3-67. He says that the) r were numer- 
ous and warlike, but depicts them as "penurious, 
avaricious, thievish and quarrelsome." That 
• they were cordially detested by their neighbors 
is certain, and Judge James Hall calls them "the 
Ishmaelites of the lakes. " They were unfriendly 
to the French, who attached to themselves other 
tribes, and, through the aid of the latter, had 
well-nigh exterminated them, when the Sacs and 
Foxes sued for peace, which was granted on 
terms most humiliating to the vanquished. By 
1718, however, they were virtually in possession 
of the region around Rock River in Illinois, and, 
four years later, through the aid of the Mascou- 
tinsand Kickapoos, they had expelled the Illinois, 
driving the last of that ill-fated tribe across the 
Illinois River. They abstained from taking part 
in the border wars that marked the close of the 
Revolutionary War, and therefore did not par- 
ticipate in the treaty of Greenville in 1795. At 
that date, according to Judge Hall, they claimed 
the country as far west as Council Bluffs, Iowa, 
and as far north as Prairie du Chien. They 
offered to co-operate with the United States 
Government in the War of 1812, but this offer 
was declined, and a portion of the tribe, under 
the leadership of Black Hawk, enlisted on the 
side of the British. The Black Hawk War proved 
their political ruin. By the treaty of Rock Island 
they ceded vast tracts of land, including a large 
part of the eastern half of Iowa and a large body 
of land east of the Mississippi. (See Black Hawk 
War; Indian Treaties.) In 1842 the Government 
divided the nation into two bands, removing both 
to reservations in the farther West. One was 
located on the Osage River and the other on the 
south side of the Nee-ma-ha River, near the 
northwest corner of Kansas. From these reser- 
vations, there is little doubt, many of them have 
silently emigrated toward the Rocky Mountains, 
where the hoe might be laid aside for the rifle, 
the net and the spear of the hunter. A few 
years ago a part of these confederated tribes 
were located in the eastern part of Oklahoma. 

SAILOR SPRINGS. a village and health resort 
in Clay Count)', 5 miles north of Clay City, has 
an academy and a local paper. Population (1900), 
419; (1903, est), 550. 



464 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



SALEM, an incorporated city, the county-seat 
of Marion County, on the Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western the Chicago & Eastern Illinois and the 
Illinois Southern Railroads, 71 miles east of St. 
Louis, and 16 miles northeast of Centralia; in 
agricultural and coal district. A leading indus- 
try is the culture, evaporation and shipment of 
fruit. The city has flour-mills, two banks and 
three weekly newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,493; 
(1900), 1,642. 

SALINE COUNTY, a southeastern county, 
organized in 1817, having an area of 380 square 
miles. It derives its name from the salt springs 
which are found in every part of the county. 
The northern portion is rolling and yields an 
abundance of coal of a quality suitable for smith- 
ing. The bottoms are swampy, but heavily 
timbered, and saw-mills abound. Oak, hickory, 
sweet gum, mulberry, locust and sassafras are 
the prevailing varieties. Fruit and tobacco are 
extensively cultivated. The climate is mild and 
humid, and the vegetation varied. The soil of 
the low lands is rich, and, when drained, makes 
excellent farming lands. In some localities a 
good gray sandstone, soft enough to be worked, 
is quarried, and millstone grit is frequently found. 
In the southern half of the county are the Eagle 
Mountains, a line of hills having an altitude of 
some 450 to 500 feet above the level of the Mis- 
sissippi at Cairo, and believed by geologists to 
have been a part of the upheaval that gave birth 
to the Ozark Mountains in Missouri and Arkan- 
sas. The highest land in the county is 864 feet 
above sea-level. Tradition says that these hills 
are rich in silver ore, but it has not been found 
in paying quantities. Springs strongly impreg- 
nated with sulphur are found on the slopes. The 
county-seat was originally located at Raleigh, 
which was platted in 1848, but it was subse- 
quently 7 removed to Harrisburg. which was laid 
out in 1859. Population of the county (1880), 
15,940; (1890), 19,342; (1900), 21,685. 

SALINE RIVER, a stream formed by the con- 
fluence of two branches, both of which flow 
through portions of Saline County, uniting in 
Gallatin County. The North Fork rises in Hamil- 
ton County and runs nearly south, while the 
South Fork drains part of Williamson County, 
and runs east through Saline. The river (which 
is little more than a creek), thus formed, runs 
southeast, entering the Ohio ten miles below 
Shawneetown. 

SALT MANUFACTURE. There is evidence 
going to show that the saline springs, in Gallatin 
County, were utilized by the aboriginal inhabit- 



ants in the making of salt, long before the advent 
of white settlers. There have been discovered, at 
various points, what appear to be the remains of 
evaporating kettles, composed of hardened clay 
and pounded shells, varying in diameter from 
three to four feet. In 1812, with a view to en- 
couraging the manufacture of salt from these 
springs, Congress granted to Illinois the use of 
36 square miles, the fee still remaining in the 
United States. These lands were leased by the 
State to private parties, but the income derived 
from them was comparatively small and fre- 
quently difficult of collection. The workmen 
were mostly slaves from Kentucky and Tennes- 
see, who are especially referred to in Article VI., 
Section 2, of the Constitution of 1818. The salt 
made brought $5 per 100 pounds, and was shipped 
in keel-boats to various points on the Ohio, Mis- 
sissippi, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, while 
many purchasers came hundreds of miles on 
horseback and carried it away on pack animals. 
In 1827, the State treasury being empty and the 
General Assembly having decided to erect a peni- 
tentiary at Alton, Congress was petitioned to 
donate these lands to the State in fee, and per- 
mission was granted "to sell 30,000 acres of the 
Ohio Salines in Gallatin County, and apply the 
proceeds to such purposes as the Legislature 
might by law direct." The sale was made, one- 
half of the proceeds set apart for the building of 
the penitentiary, and one-half to the improve- 
ment of roads and rivers in the eastern part of 
the State. The manufacture of salt was carried 
on, however — for a time by lessees and subse- 
quently by owners — until 1873, about which time 
it was abandoned, chiefly because it had ceased 
to be profitable on account of competition with 
other districts possessing superior facilities. 
Some salt was manufactured in Vermilion County 
about 1824. The manufacture has been success- 
fully carried on in recent years, from the product 
of artesian wells, at St. John, in Perry County. 

SANDOVAL, a village of Marion Comity, at 
the crossing of the western branch of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, and the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern, 6 miles north of Centralia. The 
town has coal mines and some manufactures, 
with banks and one newspaper. Population 
(1880), 564; (1890), 834; (1900), 1,258. 

SANDSTONE. The quantity of sandstone quar- 
ried in Illinois is comparatively insignificant, its 
value being less than one-fifth of one per cent of 
the value of the output of the entire country. 
In 1S90 the State ranked twenty-fifth in the list 
of States producing this mineral, the total value 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



405 



of the stone quarried being but §17,896, repre- 
senting 141,(505 cubic feet, taken from ten quar- 
ries, which employed forty -six hands, and had an 
aggregate capital invested of 849,400. 

SANDWICH, a city in De Kalb County, incor- 
porated in 1ST;:, on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quiucy Railroad, 08 miles southwest of Chicago. 
The principal industries are the manufacture of 
agricultural implements, hay-presses, corn-shell- 
ers, pumps and wind-mills. Sandwich has two 
private banks, two weekly and one semi-weekly 
papers. Pop. (1890), 2,516; (1900), 2,520; (1903), 
2,865. 

SANGAMON COUNTY, a central county, 
organized under act of June 30, 1821, from parts 
of Bond and Madison Counties, and embracing 
the present counties of Sangamon, Cass, Menard, 
Mason, Tazewell, Logan, and parts of Morgan, 
McLean, Woodford, Marshall and Putnam. It 
was named for the river flowing through it. 
Though reduced in area somewhat, four years 
later, it extended to the Illinois River, but was 
reduced to its present limits by the setting apart 
of Menard, Logan and Dane (now Christian) 
Counties, in 1839. Henry Funderburk is believed 
to have been the first white settler, arriving 
there in 1817 and locating in what is now Cotton 
Hill Township, being followed, the next year, by 
William Drennan, Joseph Dodds, James McCoy, 
Robert Pulliam and others. John Kelly located 
on the present site of the city of Springfield in 
1818, and was there at the time of the selection 
of that place as the temporary seat of justice in 
1821. Other settlements were made at Auburn, 
Island Grove, and elsewhere, and population 
began to flow in rapidly. Remnants of the Potta- 
watomie and Kickapoo Indians were still there, 
but soon moved north or west. County organi- 
zation was effected in 1821, the first Board of 
County Commissioners being composed of Wil- 
liam Drennan, Zachariah Peter and Samuel Lee. 
John Reynolds (afterwards Governor) held the 
first, term of Circuit Court, with John Taylor, 
Sheriff; Henry Starr, Prosecuting Attorney, and 
Charles R. Matheny, Circuit Clerk. A United 
States Land Office was established at Springfield 
in 1823, with Pascal P. Enos as Receiver, the 
first sale of lands taking place the same year. 
The soil of Sangamon County is exuberantly fer- 
tile, with rich underlying deposits of bituminous 
coal, which is mined in large quantities. The 
chief towns are Springfield, Auburn, Riverton, 
Illiopolis and Pleasant Plains. The area of the 
county is 800 square miles. Population (1880), 
52,894; (1890), 61,195; (1900), 71,593. 



SANGAMON RIAER, formed by the union of 
the North and South Forks, of which the former 
is the longer, or main branch. The North Fork 
rises in the northern part of Champaign County, 
whence it runs southwest to the city of Decatur, 
thence westward through Sangamon County, 
forming the north boundary of Christian County, 
and emptying into the Illinois River about 9 miles 
above Beardstown. The Sangamon is nearly 240 
miles long, including the North Fork. The 
South Fork flows through Christian Count}', and 
joins the North Fork about 6 miles east of 
Springfield. In the early history of the State the 
Sangamon was regarded as a navigable stream, 
and its improvement was one of the measures 
advocated by Abraham Lincoln in 1832, when he 
was for the first time a candidate (though unsuc- 
cessfully) for the Legislature. In the spring of 
1832 a small steamer from Cincinnati, called the 
"Talisman,'* ascended the river to a point near 
Springfield. The event was celebrated with 
great rejoicing by the people, but the vessel 
encountered so much difficulty in getting out of 
the river that the experiment was never 
repeated. 

SANGAMON & MORGAN RAILROAD. (See 
Wabash Railroad. ) 

SANGER, Lorenzo P., railway and canal con- 
tractor, was born at Littleton, N. H, March 2, 
1809 ; brought in childhood to Livingston County, 
N. Y. , where his father became a contractor on 
the Erie Canal, the son also being employed upon 
the same work. The latter subsequently became 
a contractor on the Pennsylvania Canal on his 
own account, being known as "the boy contract- 
or." Then, after a brief experience in mercantile 
business, and a year spent in the construction of a 
canal in Indiana, in 1836 he came to Illinois, and 
soon after became an extensive contractor on the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal, having charge of rock 
excavation at Lockport. He was also connected 
with the Rock River improvement scheme, and 
interested in a line of stages between Chicago 
and Galena, which, having been consolidated 
with the line managed by the firm of Fink & 
Walker, finally became the Northwestern Stage 
Company, extending its operations throughout 
Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa 
and Missouri — Mr. Sanger having charge of the 
Western Division, for a time, with headquarters 
at St. Louis. In 1851 he became the head of the 
firm of Sanger, Camp & Co., contractors for the 
construction of the Western (or Illinois) Division 
of the Ohio & Mississippi (now the Baltimore & 
Ohio Southwestern) Railway, upon which he 



466 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was employed for several years. Other works 
with which he was connected were the North 
Missouri Railroad and the construction of the 
State Penitentiary at Joliet, as member of the 
firm of Sanger &• Casey, for a time, also lessees of 
convict labor. In 1862 Mr. Sanger received from 
Governor Yates, by request of President Lincoln, 
a commission as Colonel, and was assigned to 
staff duty in Kentucky and Tennessee. After 
the war he became largely interested in stone 
quarries adjacent to Joliet; also had an extensive 
contract, from the City of Chicago, for deepening 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Died, at Oakland, 
Cal, March 23, 1875, whither he had gone for the 
benefit of his health. — James Young (Sanger), 
brother of the preceding, was born at Sutton, 
Vt., March 14, 1814; in boyhood spent some time 
in a large mercantile establishment at Pittsburg, 
Pa., later being associated with his father and 
elder brother in contracts on the Erie Canal and 
similar works in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indi- 
ana. At the age of 22 he came with his father's 
family to St. Joseph. Mich., where they estab- 
lished a large supply store, and engaged in 
bridge-building and similar enterprises. At a 
later period, in connection with his father and 
his brother, L. P. Sanger, he was prominently 
connected with the construction of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal — the aqueduct at Ottawa and 
the locks at Peru being constructed by them. 
About 1850 the Construction Company, of which 
he and his brother, L. P. Sanger, were leading 
members, undertook the construction of the Ohio 
& Mississippi (now Baltimore & Ohio Southwest- 
ern) Railroad, from St. Louis to Vincennes, Ind., 
and were prominently identified with other rail- 
road enterprises in Southern Illinois, Missouri and 
California. Died, July 3, 1867, when consum- 
mating arrangements for the performance of a 
large contract on the Union Pacific Railroad. 

SANITARY COMMISSION. (See Illinois San- 
itary Commission.) 

SANITARY DISTRICT OF CHICAGO. (See 
Chicago Drainage Canal.) 

SAUGANASH, the Indian name of a half-breed 
known as Capt. Billy Caldwell, the son of a 
British officer and a Pottawatomie woman, born 
in Canada about 1780; received an education 
from the Jesuits at Detroit, and was able to 
speak and write English and French, besides 
several Indian dialects; was a friend of Tecum- 
seh's and, during the latter part of his life, a 
devoted friend of the whites. He took up his 
residence in Chicago about 1820, and, in 1826, 
was a Justice of the Peace, while nominally a 



subject of Great Britain and a Chief of the Otta- 
was and Pottawatomies. In 1828 the Govern- 
ment, in consideration of his services, built for 
him the first frame house ever erected in Chicago, 
which he occupied until his departure with his 
tribe for Council Bluffs in 1836. By a treaty, 
made Jan. 2, 1830, reservations were granted by 
the Government to Sauganash, Shabona and 
other friendly Indians (see Shabona)- and 1,240 
acres on the North Branch of Chicago River set 
apart for Caldwell, which he sold before leaving 
the country. Died, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, 
Sept. 28, 1841. 

SAVAGE, George S. F., D.D., clergyman, was 
born at Cromwell, Conn., Jan. 29, 1817; gradu- 
ated at Yale College in 1844; studied theology at 
Andover and New Haven, graduating in 1847; 
was ordained a home missionary the same year 
and spent twelve years as pastor at St. Charles, 
111., for four years being corresponding editor of 
"The Prairie Herald" and "The Congregational 
Herald." For ten years he was in the service of 
the American Tract Society, and, during the Civil 
War, was engaged in sanitary and religious work 
in the army. In 1870 he was appointed Western 
Secretary of the Congregational Publishing 
Society, remaining two years, after which he be- 
came Financial Secretary of the Chicago Theo- 
logical Seminary. He has also been a Director 
of the institution since 1854, a Trustee of Beloit 
College since 1850, and, for several years, editor 
and publisher Of "The Congregational Review." 

SAVANNA, a city in Carroll County, situated 
on the Mississippi River and the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Northern and the Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul Railways; is 10 miles west of Mount 
Carroll and about 20 miles north of Clinton, 
Iowa. It is an important shipping-point and con- 
tains several manufactories of machinery, lumber, 
flour, etc. It has two State banks, a public 
library, churches, two graded schools, township 
high school, and two daily and weekly news- 
papers. Pop. (1890), 3,097; (1900), 3,325. 

SAYBROOK, a village of McLean County, on 
the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, 26 miles east 
of Bloomington; district agricultural; county 
fairs held here; the town has two banks and two 
newspapers. Pop. (1890). 851; (1900), 879. 

SCATES, Walter Bennett, jurist and soldier, 
was born at South Boston, Halifax County. Va., 
Jan. 18, 1808 ; was taken in infancy to Hopkins- 
ville, Ky. , where he resided until 1831, having 
meanwhile learned the printer's trade at Nash- 
ville and studied law at Louisville. In 1831 he 
removed to Frankfort, Franklin County, 111., 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



467 



where, for a time, he was County Surveyor. In 
1836, having been appointed Attorney-General, 
he removed to Vandalia, then the seat of govern- 
ment, but resigned at the close of the same year 
to accept the judgeship of the Third Judicial 
Circuit, and took up his residence at Shawnee- 
town. In 1841 he was one of five new Judges 
added to the Supreme Court bench, the others 
being Sidney Breese, Stephen A. Douglas, 
Thomas Ford and Samuel H. Treat. In that 
year he removed to Mount Vernon, Jefferson 
County, and, in January, 1847, resigned his seat 
upon the bench to resume practice. The same 
year he was a member of the Constitutional Con- 
vention and Chairman of the Committee on 
Judiciary. In June, 1854, he again took a seat 
upon the Supreme Court bench, being chosen to 
succeed Lyman Trumbull, but resigned in May, 
1857, and resumed practice in Chicago. In 
1862 he volunteered in defense of the Union, 
received a Major's commission and was assigned 
to duty on the staff of General McClernand ; was 
made, Assistant Adjutant-General and mustered 
out in January, 1866. In July, 1866, President 
Johnson appointed him Collector of Customs at 
Chicago, which position lie filled until July 1, 
1869, when he was removed by President Grant, 
during the same period, being ex-officio custodian 
of United States funds, the office of Assistant 
Treasurer not having been then, created. Died, 
at Evanston, Oct. 26, 1886. 

SCAMMON, Jonathan Young:, lawyer and 
banker, was born at Whitefield, Maine, July 27, 
1812; after graduating at Waterville (now Colby) 
University in 1831, he studied law and was 
admitted to the bar at Hallowell. in 1835 remov- 
ing to Chicago, where he spent the remainder of 
his life. After a year spent as deputy in the 
office of the Circuit Clerk of Cook County, during 
which he prepared a revision of the Illinois stat- 
utes, he was appointed attorney for the State 
Bank of Illinois in 1837, and, in 1839, became 
reporter of the Supreme Court, which office he 
held until 1845. In the meantime, he was associ- 
ated with several prominent lawyers, his first 
legal firm being that of Scammon, McCagg & 
Fuller, which was continued up to the fire of 
1871. A large operator in real estate and identi- 
fied with many enterprises of a public or benevo- 
. lent character, his most important financial 
venture was in connection with the Chicago 
Marine & Fire Insurance Company, which con- 
ducted an extensive banking business for many 
years, and of which he was the President and 
leading spirit. As a citizen lie was progressive, 



public-spirited and liberal. He was one of the 
main promoters and organizers of the old Galena 
& Chicago Union Railway, the first railroad to 
run west from Lake Michigan; was also promi- 
nently identified with the founding of the Chi- 
cago public school system, a Trustee of the (old) 
Chicago University, and one of the founders of 
the Chicago Historical Society, of the Chicago 
Academy of Sciences and the Chicago Astro- 
nomical Society — being the first President 
of the latter body. He erected, at a cost of 
§30,000, the Fort Dearborn Observatory, in 
which he caused to be placed the most power- 
ful telescope which had at that time been brought 
to the West. He also maintained the observatory 
at his own expense. He was the pioneer of 
Swedenborgianism in Chicago, and, in politics, a 
staunch Whig, and, later, an ardent Republican. 
In 1844 lie was one of the founders of "The Chi- 
cago American," a paper designed to advance 
the candidacy of Henry Clay for the Presidency ; 
and, in 1872, when "The Chicago Tribune" 
espoused the Liberal Republican cause, he started 
"The Inter-Ocean" as a Republican organ, being, 
for some time, its sole proprietor and editor-in- 
chief. He was one of the first to encourage the 
adoption of the homeopathic system of medicine 
in Chicago, and was prominently connected with 
the founding of the Hahnemann Medical College 
and the Hahnemann Hospital, being a Trustee in 
both for many years. As a member of the Gen- 
eral Assembly he secured the passage of many 
important measures, among them being legisla- 
tion looking toward the bettering of the currency 
and the banking system. He accumulated a 
large fortune, but lost most of it by the fire of 
1871 and the panic of 1873. Died, in Chicago, 
March 17, 1890. 

SCARRITT, Nathan, pioneer, was born in Con- 
necticut, came to Edwardsville, 111., in 1820, and, 
in 1821, located in Scarritt's Prairie, Madison 
County. His sons afterward became influential 
in business and Methodist church circles. Died, 
Dec. 12, 1847. 

SCENERY, NATURAL. Notwithstanding the 
uniformity of surface which characterizes a 
country containing no mountain ranges, but 
which is made up largely of natural prairies, 
there are a number of localities in Illinois where 
scenery of a picturesque, and even bold and 
rugged character, may be found. One of the 
most striking of these features is produced by a 
spur or low range of hills from the Ozark Moun- 
tains of Missouri, projected across the southern 
part of the State from the vicinity of Grand 



468 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Tower in Jackson County, through the northern 
part of Union, and through portions of William- 
son, Johnson, Saline, Pope and Hardin Counties. 
( I rand Tower, the initial point in the western 
part of the State, is an isolated cliff of limestone, 
standing out in the channel of the Mississippi, 
and forming an island nearly 100 feet above low- 
water level. It lias been a conspicuous landmark 
for navigators ever since the discovery of the 
Mississippi. "Fountain Bluff," a few miles 
above Grand Tower, is another conspicuous point 
immediately on the river bank, formed by some 
isolated hills about three miles long by a mile 
and a half wide, which have withstood the forces 
that excavated the valley now occupied by the 
Mississippi. About half a mile from the lower 
end of this hill, with a low valley between them, 
is a smaller eminence known as the "Devil's 
Bake Oven." The main chain of bluffs, known 
as the "Back Bone," is about five miles from the 
river, and rises to a height of nearly 700 feet 
above low-tide in the Gulf of Mexico, or more 
than 400 feet above the level of the river at 
Cairo. "Bald Knob" is a very prominent inland 
bluff promontory near Alta Pass on the line of 
the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, in the northern part 
of Union County, with an elevation above tide- 
water of 985 feet. The highest point in this 
range of hills is reached in the northeastern part 
of Pope County — the elevation at that point (as 
ascertained by Prof. Rolfe of the State University 
at Champaign) being 1,046 feet. — There is some 
striking scenery in the neighborhood of Grafton 
between Alton and the mouth of the Illinois, as 
well as some distance up the latter stream — 
though the landscape along the middle section of 
the Illinois is generally monotonous or only 
gently undulating, except at Peoria and a few 
other points, where bluffs rise to a considerable 
height. On the Upper Illinois, beginning at 
Peru, the scenery again becomes picturesque, 
including the celebrated "Starved Rock," the 
site of La Salle's Fort St. Louis (which see). 
Tins rock rises to a perpendicular height of 
about 135 feet from the surface of the river at the 
ordinary stage. On the opposite side of the river, 
about four miles below Ottawa, is "Buffalo 
Rock," an isolated ridge of rock about two miles 
long by forty to sixty rods wide, evidently once 
an island at a period when the Illinois River 
occupied the whole valley. Additional interest 
is given to both these localities by their associ- 
ation with early history. Deer Park, on the Ver- 
milion River — some two miles from where it 
empties into the Illinois, just below "Starved 



Rock" — is a peculiar grotto-like formation, caused 
by a ravine which enters the Vermilion at this 
point. Ascending this ravine from its mouth, 
for a quarter of a mile, between almost perpen 
dicular walls, the road terminates abruptly at a 
dome-like overhanging rock which widens at this 
point to about 150 feet in diameter at the base, 
with a height of about 75 feet. A clear spring 
of water gushes from the base of the cliff, and, at 
certain seasons of the year, a beautiul water-fall 
pours from the cliffs into a little lake at the bot- 
tom of the chasm. There is much other striking 
scenery higher up, on both the Illinois and Fox 
Rivers. — A point which arrested the attention of 
the earliest explorers in this region was Mount 
Joliet, near the city of that name. It is first 
mentioned by St. Cosme in 1698, and has been 
variously known as Monjolly, Mont Jolie, Mount 
Juliet, and Mount Joliet. It had an elevation, in 
early times, of about 30 feet with a level top 
1,300 by 225 feet. Prof. O. H. Marshall, in "The 
American Antiquarian," expresses the opinion 
that, originally, it was an island in the river, 
which, at a remote period, swept down the valley 
of the Des Plaines. Mount Joliet was a favorite 
rallying point of Illinois Indians, who were 
accustomed to hold their councils at its base. — 
The scenery along Rock River is not striking 
from its boldness, but it attracted the attention 
of early explorers by the picturesque beauty of 
its groves, undulating plains and sheets of water. 
The highest and most abrupt elevations are met 
with in Jo Daviess County, near the Wisconsin 
State line. Pilot Knob, a natural mound about 
three miles south of Galena and two miles from 
the Mississippi, has been a landmark well known 
to tourists and river men ever since the Upper 
Mississippi began to be navigated. Towering 
above the surrounding bluffs, it reaches an alti- 
tude of some 430 feet above the ordinary level of 
Fever River. A chain of some half dozen of these 
mounds extends some four or five miles in a north- 
easterly direction from Pilot Knob, "VVaddel's and 
Jackson's Mounds being conspicuous among 
them. There are also some castellated rocks 
around the city of Galena which are very strik- 
ing. Charles Mound, belonging to the system 
already referred to, is believed to be the highest 
elevation in the State. It stands near the Wis 
consin State line, and, according to Prof. Rolfe, 
has an altitude of 314 feet above the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad at Scales' Mound Station, and, 1,257 
feet above the Gulf of Mexico. 

SCHAUMBERG, a village in Schaumberg 
Township, Cook County. Population. 573. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



469 



SCHNEIDER, George, journalist and banker, 
was born at Pirmasens, Bavaria, Dec. 13, 1823. 
Being sentenced to death for his participation in 
the attempted rebellion of 1848, he escaped to 
America in 1849, going from New York to Cleve- 
land, and afterwards to St. Louis. There, in con- 
nection with his brother, he established a German 
daily — "The New Era" — which was intensely 
anti-slavery and exerted a decided political influ- 
ence, especially among persons of German birth. 
In 1851 he removed to Chicago, where he became 
editor of "The Staats Zeitung," in which he 
vigorously opposed the Kansas-Nebraska bill on 
its introduction by Senator Douglas. His attitude 
and articles gave such offense to the partisan 
friends of this measure, that "The Zeitung" was 
threatened with destruction by a mob in 1855. 
He early took advanced ground in opposition to 
slavery, and was a member of the convention of 
Anti-Nebraska editors, held at Decatur in 1856, 
and of the first Republican State Convention, held 
at Bloomington the same year, as well as of the 
National Republican Conventions of 1856 and 
1860, participating in the nomination of both 
John C. Fremont and Abraham Lincoln for the 
Presidency. In 1861 he was a member of the 
Chicago Union Defense Committee, and was 
appointed, by Mr. Lincoln, Consul-General at 
Elsinore, Denmark. Returning to America in 
1862, he disposed of his interest in "The Staats 
Zeitung" and was appointed the first Collector of 
Internal Revenue for the Chicago District. On 
retiring from this office he engaged in banking, 
subsequently becoming President of the National 
Bank of Illinois, with which he was associated 
for a quarter of a century. In 1877 President 
Hayes tendered him the ministry to Switzerland, 
which he declined. In 1880 he was chosen Presi- 
dential Elector for the State-at-large, also serving 
for a number of years as a member of the Repub- 
lican State Central Committee. 

SCHOFIELD, John McAllister, Major-General, 
was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., Sept 29, 
1831; brought to Bristol, Kendall County, 111., in 
1843, and, two years later, removed to Freeport; 
graduated from the United States Military Acad- 
emy, in 1853, as classmate of Generals McPherson 
and Sheridan ; was assigned to the artillery ser- 
vice and served two years in Florida, after which 
he spent five years (1855-60) as an instructor at 
West Point. At the beginning of the Civil War 
he was on leave of absence, acting as Professor 
of Physics in Washington University at St. 
Louis, but, waiving his leave, he at once returned 
to duty and was appointed mustering officer; 



then, by permission of the War Department, 
entered the First Missouri Volunteers as Major, 
serving as Chief of Staff to General Lyon in the 
early battles in Missouri, including Wilson's 
Creek. His subsequent career included the 
organization of the Missouri State Militia (1862), 
command of the Army of the Frontier in South- 
west Missouri, command of the Department of 
the Missouri and Ohio, participation in the 
Atlanta campaign and co-operation with Sher- 
man in the capture of the rebel Gen. Joseph E. 
Johnston in North Carolina— his army having 
been transferred for this purpose, from Tennessee 
by way of Washington. After the close of the 
war he went on a special mission to Mexico 
to investigate the French occupation of that 
country ; was commander of the Department of 
the Potomac, and served as Secretary of War, by 
appointment of President Johnson, from June, 
1868, to March, 1869. On retiring from the Cabi- 
net he was commissioned a full Major-General 
and held various Division and Department com- 
mands until 1886, when, on the death of General 
Sherman, he succeeded to the command of the 
Army, with headquarters at Washington. 
He was retired under the age limit, Sept. '-9, 
1895. His present home is in Washington. 

SCHOLFIELD, John, jurist, was born in Clark 
County, 111. , in 1834 ; acquired the rudiments of 
an education in the common schools during boy- 
hood, meanwhile gaining some knowledge of the 
higher branches through toilsome application to 
text-books ■without a preceptor. At the age of 
20 he entered the law school at Louisville, Ky., 
graduating two years later, and beginning prac- 
tice at Marshall, 111. He defrayed his expenses 
at the law school from the proceeds of the sale of 
a small piece of land to which he had fallen heir. 
In 1856 he was elected State's Attorney, and, in 
1860, was chosen to represent his county in the 
Legislature. After serving one term he returned 
to his professional career and succeeded in build 
ing up a profitable practice. In 1869-70 he repre- 
sented Clark and Cumberland Counties in the 
Constitutional Convention, and, in 1870, became 
Solicitor for the Vandalia Railroad. In 1873 he 
was elected to fill the vacancy on the bench of the 
Supreme Court of the State for the Middle Grand 
Division, caused by the resignation of Judge 
Anthony Thornton, and re-elected without oppo- 
sition in 1879 and 1888. Died, in office, Feb. 13, 
1893. It has been claimed that President Cleve- 
land would have tendered him the Chief Justice- 
ship of the United States Supreme Court, had he 
not insistently declined to accept the honor. 



470 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



SCHOOL-HOUSES, EARLY. The primitive 
school-houses of Illinois were built of logs, and 
were extremely rude, as regards both structure 
and furnishing. Indeed, the earliest pioneers 
rarely erected a special building to be used as a 
school-house. An old smoke-house, an abandoned 
dwelling, an old block-house, or the loft or one 
end of a settler's cabin not unf requently answered 
the purpose, and the church and the court-house 
were often made to accommodate the school. 
When a school-house, as such, was to be built, the 
men of the district gathered at the site selected, 
bringing their axes and a few other tools, with 
their ox-teams, and devoted four or five days to 
constructing a house into which, perhaps, not a 
nail was driven. Trees were cut from the public 
lands, and, without hewing, fashioned into a 
cabin. Sixteen feet square was usually con- 
sidered the proper dimensions. In the walls 
were cut two holes, one for a door to admit light 
ami air, and the other for the open fireplace, from 
which rose a chimney, usually built of sticks and 
mud, on the outside. Danger of fire was averted 
by thickly lining the inside of the chimney with 
clay mortar. Sometimes, but only with great 
labor, stone was substituted for mortar made 
from the clay soil. The chimneys were always 
wide, seldom less than six feet, and sometimes 
extending across one entire end of the building. 
The fuel used was wood cut directly from the 
forest, frequently in its green state, dragged to 
the spot in the form of logs or entire trees to be 
cut by the older pupils in lengths suited to the 
width of the chimney. Occasionally there was 
no chimney, the fire, in some of the most primi- 
tive structures, being built on the earth and the 
smoke escaping through a hole in the roof. In 
such houses a long board was set up on the wind- 
ward side, and shifted from side to side as the 
wind varied. Stones or logs answered for 
andirons, clapboards served as shovels, and no 
one complained of the lack of tongs. Roofs were 
made of roughly split clapboards, held in place 
by "weight poles" laid on the boards, and by sup- 
ports starting from "eaves poles." The space 
between the logs, which constituted the walls of 
the building, was filled in with blocks of wood 
or "chinking," and the crevices, both exterior 
and interior, daubed over with clay mortar, in 
which straw was sometimes mixed to increase its 
adhesiveness. On one side of the structure one 
or two logs were sometimes cut out to allow the 
admission of light ; and, as glass could not always 
be procured, rain and snow were excluded and 
light admitted by the use of greased paper. Over 



this space a board, attached to the outer wall by 
leather hinges, was sometimes suspended to keep 
out the storms. The placing of a glass window 
in a country school-house at Edwardsville, in 
1824, was considered an important event. Ordi- 
narily the floor was of the natural earth, although 
this was sometimes covered with a layer of clay, 
firmly packed down. Only the more pretentious 
school- houses had "puncheon floors"; i. e., floors 
made of split logs roughly hewn. Few had 
"ceilings" (so-called), the latter being usually 
made of clapboards, sometimes of bark, on which 
was spread earth, to keep out the cold. The 
seats were also of puncheons (without backs) 
supported on four legs made of pieces of poles 
inserted through augur holes. No one had a desk, 
except the advanced pupils who were learning to 
write. For their convenience a broader and 
smoother puncheon was fastened into the wall 
by wooden pins, in such a way that it would 
slope downward toward the pupil, the front being 
supported by a brace extending from the wall. 
When a pupil was writing he faced the wall. 
When he had finished this task, he "reversed him- 
self" and faced the teacher and his schoolmates. 
These adjuncts completed the furnishings, with 
the exception of a split-bottomed chair for the 
teacher (who seldom had a desk) and a pail, or 
"piggin," of water, with a gourd for a drinking 
cup. Rough and uncouth as these structures 
were, they were evidences of public spirit and of 
appreciation of the advantages of education. 
They were built and maintained by mutual aid 
and sacrifice, and, in them, some of the great men 
of the State and Nation obtained that primary 
training which formed the foundation of their 
subsequent careers. (See Education.) 

SCHUYLER COUNTY, located in the western 
portion of the State, has an area of 430 square 
miles, and was named for Gen. Philip Schuyler. 
The first American settlers arrived in 1803, and. 
among the earliest pioneers, were Calvin Hobart, 
William II. Taylor and Orris McCartney. The 
county was organized from a portion of Pike 
County, in 1825, the first Commissioners being 
Thomas Blair, Thomas McKee and Samuel Hor- 
ney. The Commissioners appointed to locate the 
county-scat, selected a site in the eastern part of 
the county about one mile west of the present 
village of Pleasant View, to which the name of 
Beardstown was given, and where the earliest 
court was held, Judge John York Sawyer presid- 
ing, with Hart Fellows as Clerk, and Orris Mc- 
Cartney, Sheriff. This location, however, proving 
unsatisfactory, new Commissioners were ap- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



471 



pointed, who, in the early part of 1836, selected 
the present site of the city of Rushville, some 
five miles west of the point originally chosen. 
The new seat of justice was first called Rushton, 
in honor of Dr. Benjamin Rush, but the name 
was afterwards changed to Rushville. Ephraim 
Eggleston was the pioneer of Rushville. The 
surface of the county is rolling, and the region 
contains excellent farming land, which is well 
watered by the Illinois River and numerous 
creeks. Population (1890), 16,013; (1900), 16,129. 

SCHWATKA, Frederick, Arctic explorer, was 
born at Galena, 111., Sept. 29, 1849; graduated 
from the United States Military Academy in 1871, 
and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 
Third Cavalry, serving on the frontier until 1877, 
meantime studying law and medicine, being 
admitted to the bar in 1875, and graduating in 
medicine in 1876. Having his interest excited by 
reports of traces of Sir John Franklin's expedi- 
tion, found by the Esquimaux, he obtained leave 
of absence in 1878, and, with Wm. H. Gilder as 
second in command, sailed from New York in the 
"Eothen," June 19, for King William's Land. 
The party returned, Sept. 22, 1880, having found 
and buried the skeletons of many of Franklin's 
part}', besides discovering relics which tended to 
clear up the mystery of their fate. During this 
period he made a sledge journey of 3,251 miles. 
Again, in 1883, he headed an exploring expedition 
up the Yukon River. After a brief return to 
army duty he tendered his resignation in 1885, 
and the next year led a special expedition to 
Alaska, under the auspices of "The New York 
Times," later making a voyage of discovery 
among the Aleutian Islands. In 18S9 he con- 
ducted an expedition to Northern Mexico, where 
he found many interesting relics of Aztec civili- 
zation and of the cliff and cave-dwellers. He 
received the Roquette Arctic Medal from the 
Geographical Society of Paris, and a medal from 
the Imperial Geographical Society of Russia ; also 
published several volumes relating to his re- 
searches, under the titles, "Along Alaska's 
Great River"; "The Franklin Search Under 
Lieutenant Schwatka" ; "Nimrod of the North" ; 
and "Children of the Cold." Died, at Portland, 
Ore., Nov. 2, 1892. 

SCOTT, James W., journalist, was born in 
Walworth County, Wis., June 26, 1849, the son 
of a printer, editor and publisher. While a boy 
he accompanied his father to Galena, where the 
latter established a newspaper, and where he 
learned the printer's trade. After graduating 
from the Galena high school, he entered Beloit 



College, but left at the end of his sophomore year. 
Going to New York, he became interested in flori- 
culture, at the same time contributing short 
articles to horticultural periodicals. Later he 
was a compositor in Washington. His first news- 
paper venture was the publication of a weekly 
newspaper in Maryland in 1872. Returning to 
Illinois, conjointly with his father he started 
"The Industrial Press" at Galena, but, in 1875, 
removed to Chicago. There he purchased "The 
Daily National Hotel Reporter," from which he 
withdrew a few years later. In May, 1881, in 
conjunction with others, he organized The Chi- 
cago Herald Company, in which he ultimately 
secured a controlling interest. His journalistic 
and executive capability soon brought additional 
responsibilities. He was chosen President of the 
American Newspaper Publishers' Association, of 
the Chicago Press Club, and of the United Press 
— the latter being an organization for the collec- 
tion and dissemination of telegraphic news to 
journals throughout the United States and Can- 
ada. He was also conspicuously connected with 
the preliminary organization of the World's 
Columbian Exposition, and Chairman of the 
Press Committee. In 1893 he started an evening 
paper at Chicago, which he named "The Post." 
Early in 1895 he purchased "The Chicago Times," 
intending to consolidate it with "The Herald," 
but before the final consummation of his plans, 
he died suddenly, while on a business visit in 
New York, April 14, 1895. 

SCOTT, John M., lawyer and jurist, was born 
in St. Clair County, 111., August 1, 1824; his 
father being of Scotch-Irish descent and his 
mother a Virginian. His attendance upon dis- 
trict schools was supplemented by private tuition, 
and his early education was the best that the 
comparatively new country afforded. He read 
law at Belleville, was admitted to the bar in 
1848, removed to McLean County, which con- 
tinued to be his home for nearly fifty years. He 
served as County School Commissioner from 1849 
to 1852, and, in the latter year, waselected County 
Judge. In 1856 he was an unsuccessful Repub- 
lican candidate for the State Senate, frequently 
speaking from the same platform with Abraham 
Lincoln. In 1862 he was elected Judge of the 
Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, to 
succeed David Davis on the elevation of the 
latter to the bench of the United States Supreme 
Court, and was re-elected in 1867. In 1870, a 
new judicial election being rendered necessary 
by the adoption of the new Constitution, Judge 
Scott was chosen Justice of the Supreme Court 



472 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



for a term of nine years ; was re-elected in 1879, 
but declined a renomination in 1888. The latter 
years of his life were devoted to his private 
affairs. Died, at Bloomington, Jan. 21, 1898. 
Shortly before his death Judge Scott published a 
volume containing a History of the Illinois 
Supreme Court, including brief sketches of the 
earl}* occupants of the Supreme Court bench and 
early lawyers of the State. 

SCOTT, Matthew Thompson, agriculturist 
and real-estate operator, was born at Lexington, 
Ky., Feb. 24, 1828; graduated at Centre College 
in 1840, then spent several years looking after his 
father's landed interests in Ohio, when he came 
to Illinois and invested largely in lands for him- 
self and others. He laid out the town of Chenoa 
in 1856; lived in Springfield in 1870-72, when he 
removed to Bloomington, where he organized the 
McLean County Coal Company, remaining as its 
head until his death ; was also the founder of 
"The Bloomington Bulletin,'" in 1878. Died, at 
Bloomington, May 21, 1891. 

SCOTT, Owen, journalist and ex-Congressman, 
was born in Jackson Township, Effingham 
County, 111. , July 6, 1848, reared on a farm, and, 
after receiving a thorough common-school edu- 
cation, became a teacher, and was, for eight 
years, Superintendent of Schools for his native 
county. In January, 1874, he was admitted to 
the bar, but abandoned practice, ten years later, 
to engage in newspaper work. His first publi- 
cation was "The Effingham Democrat," which he 
left to become proprietor and manager of "The 
Bloomington Bulletin." He was also publisher 
of "The Illinois Freemason," a monthly periodi- 
cal. Before removing to Bloomington he filled 
the offices of City Attorney and Mayor of Effing- 
ham, and also served as Deputy Collector of 
Internal Revenue. In 1890 he was elected as a 
Democrat from the Fourteenth Illinois District 
to the Fifty-second Congress. In 1892 he was a 
candidate for re-election, but was defeated by his 
Republican opponent, Benjamin F. Funk. Dur- 
ing the past few years, Mr. Scott has been editor 
of "The Bloomington Leader." 

SCOTT COUNTY, lies in the western part of 
the State adjoining the Illinois River, and has an 
area of 248 square miles. The region was origi- 
nally owned by the Kickapoo Indians, who 
ceded it to the Government by the treaty of 
Edwardsville. July 30, 1819. Six months later 
(in January, 1820) a party of Kentuckians settled 
near Lynnville (now in Morgan County), their 
names being Thomas Stevens, James Scott, 
Alfred Miller, Thomas Allen, John Scott and 



Adam Miller. Allen erected the first house in the 
county, John Scott the second and Adam Miller 
the third. About the same time came Stephen 
M. Umpstead, whose wife was the first white 
woman in the county. Other pioneers were 
Jedediah Webster, Stephen Pierce, Joseph Dens- 
more, Jesse Roberts, and Samuel Bogard. The 
country was rough and the conveniences of civi- 
lization few and remote. Settlers took their corn 
to Edwardsville to be ground, and went to Alton 
for their mail. Turbulence early showed itself, 
and, in 1822, a band of "Regulators" was organized 
from the best citizens, who meted out a rough 
and ready sort of justice, until 1830, occasionally 
shooting a desperado at his cabin door. Scott 
County was cut off from Morgan and organized 
in 1839. It contains good farming land, much of 
it being originally timbered, and it is well 
watered by the Illinois River and numerous 
small streams. Winchester is the county-seat. 
Population of the county (1880), 10,741; (1890), 
10,304; (1900), 10,455. 

SCRIPPS, John L., journalist, was born near 
Cape Girardeau, Mo., Feb. 18, 1818; was taken to 
Rushville, 111., in childhood, and educated at 
McKendree College; studied law and came to 
Chicago in 1847, with the intention of practicing, 
but, a year or so later, bought a third interest in 
"The Chicago Tribune," which had been estab- 
lished during the previous year. In 1852 he 
withdrew from "The Tribune," and, in conjunc- 
tion witli William Bross (afterwards Lieuten- 
ant-Governor), established "The Daily Demo- 
cratic Press," which was consolidated with "The 
Tribune" in July, 1858, under the name of "The 
Press and Tribune," Mr. Scripps remaining one 
of the editors of the new concern. In 1861 he 
was appointed, by Mr. Lincoln, Postmaster of the 
city of Chicago, serving until 1865, when, having 
sold his interest in "The Tribune," he engaged in 
the banking business as a member of the firm of 
Scripps, Preston & Kean. His health, however, 
soon showed signs of failure, and he died, Sept. 
21, 1866, at Minneapolis, Minn., whither he had 
gone in hopes of restoration. Mr. Scripps was a 
finished and able writer who did much to elevate 
the standard of Chicago journalism. 

SCRO(»(»S, George, journalist, was born at 
Wilmington, Clinton, County, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1842 
— the son of Dr. John W. Scroggs, who came to 
Champaign County, 111., in 1851, and, in 1858, 
took charge of "The Central Illinois Gazette." In 
1866-67 Dr. Scroggs was active in securing the 
location of the State University at Champaign, 
afterwards serving as a member of the first Board 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



473 



of Trustees of that institution. The son, at the 
age of 15, became an apprentice in his father's 
printing office, continuing until 1862, when he 
enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and 
Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being 
promoted through the positions of Sergeant-Major 
and Second Lieutenant, and finally serving on 
the staffs of Gen. Jeff. C. Davis and Gen. James 
D. Morgan, but declining a commission as Adju- 
tant of the Sixtieth Illinois. He participated in 
the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Mission 
Ridge and the march with Sherman to the sea, in 
the latter being severely wounded at Bentonville, 
N. C. He remained in the service until July, 
1863, when he resigned; then entered the Uni- 
versity at Champaign, later studied law, mean- 
while writing for "The Champaign Gazette and 
Union," of which he finally became sole propri- 
etor. In 1877 he was appointed an Aid-de-Camp 
on the staff of Governor Cullorn, and, the follow- 
ing year, was elected to the Thirty-first General 
Assembly, but, before the close of the session 
(1879), received the appointment of United States 
Consul to Hamburg. Germany. He was com- 
pelled to surrender this position, a year later, on 
account of ill-health, and, returning home, died, 
Oct. 15, 1880. 

SEATOXYILLE, a village in Hall Township, 
Bureau County. Population (1900>, 909. 

SECRETARIES OF STATE. The following is 
a list of the Secretaries of State of Illinois from 
its admission into the Union down to the present 
time (1899), with the date and duration of the 
term of each incumbent: Elias Kent Kane, 
1818-22; Samuel D. Lockwood, 1822-23; David 
Blackwell, 1823-24; Morris Birkbeck, October, 
1824 to January, 1825 (failed of confirmation by 
the Senate) , George Forquer, 1825-28; Alexander 
Pope Field, 1828-40; Stephen A. Douglas, 1840-41 
(served three months — resigned to take a seat on 
the Supreme bench); Lyman Trumbull, 184143; 
Thompson Campbell, 1843-46; Horace S. Cooley, 
1846-50; David L. Gregg, 1850-53; Alexander 
Starne, 1853-57 ; Ozias M. Hatch, 1857-65 ; Sharon 
Tyndale, 1865-69; Edward Rummel, 1869-73; 
George H. Harlow, 1873-81; Henry D. Dement, 
1881-89; Isaac N. Pearson, 1889-93; William H. 

Hinrichsen, 1893-97; James A. Rose, 1897 . 

Nathaniel Pope and Joseph Phillips were the only- 
Secretaries of Illinois during the Territorial 
period, the former serving from 1809 to 1816, and 
the latter from 1816 to 1818. Under the first Con- 
stitution (1818) the office of the Secretary of 
State was filled by appointment by the Governor, 
by and with the advice and consent of the 



Senate, but without limitation as to term of 
office. By the Constitution of 1848, and again by 
that of 1870, that officer was made elective by 
the people at the same time as the Governor, for 
a term of four years. 

SECRET TREASONABLE SOCIETIES. Early 
in the War of the Rebellion there sprang up, at 
various points in the Northwest, organizations of 
persons disaffected toward the National Govern- 
ment. They were most numerous in Ohio, Indi- 
ana, Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri. At first 
they were known by such titles as "Circles of 
Honor," "Mutual Protective Associations," etc. 
But they had kindred aims and their members 
were soon united in one organization, styled 
"Knights of the Golden Circle." Its secrets 
having been partially disclosed, this body ceased 
to exist — or, it would be more correct to say, 
changed its name — being soon succeeded (1863) 
by an organization of similar character, called 
the "American Knights." These societies, as 
first formed, were rather political than military. 
The "American Knights" had more forcible 
aims, but this, in turn, was also exposed, and the 
order was re-organized under the name of "Sons 
of Liberty." The last named order started in 
Indiana, and. owing to its more perfect organi- 
zation, rapidly spread over the Northwest, 
acquiring much more strength and influence than 
its predecessors had done. The ultimate author- 
ity of the organization was vested in a Supreme 
Council, whose officers were a "supreme com- 
mander," "secretary of state," and "treasurer." 
Each State represented formed a division, under a 
"deputy grand commander. ' ' States were divided 
into military districts, under "major-generals." 
County lodges were termed "temples." The 
order was virtually an officered army, and its 
aims were aggressive. It had its commander-in- 
chief, its brigades and its regiments. Three 
degrees were recognized, and the oaths of secrecy 
taken at each initiation surpassed, in binding 
force, either the oath of allegiance or an oath 
taken in a court of justice. The maintenance of 
slavery, and forcible opposition to a coercive 
policy by the Government in dealing with seces- 
sion, were the pivotal doctrines of the order. Its 
methods and purposes were to discourage enlist- 
ments and resist a draft ; to aid and protect 
deserters; to disseminate treasonable literature; 
to aid the Confederates in destroying Government 
property. Clement L. Vallandigham, the expat- 
riated traitor, was at its head, and, in 1864, 
claimed that it had a numerical strength of 400,- 
000, of whom 65,000 were in Illinois Many overt 



474 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



acts were committed, but the organization, hav- 
ing been exposed and defeated in its objects, dis- 
banded in I860. (See Camp Douglas Conspiracy. ) 
SELHY, Paul, editor, was born in Pickaway 
County, Ohio, July 20, 1825; removed with his 
parents, in 1837, to Van Buren County, Iowa, but, 
at the age of 19, went to Southern Illinois, where 
he spent four years teaching, chiefly in Madison 
County. In 1848 he entered the preparatory 
department of Illinois College at Jacksonville, 
but left the institution during his junior year to 
assume the editorship of ''The Morgan Journal," 
at Jacksonville, with which he remained until 
the fall of 1858, covering the period of the 
organization of the Republican party, in which 
"The Journal'* took an active part. He was a 
member of the Anti-Nebraska (afterwards known 
as Republican) State Convention, which met at 
Springfield, in October, 1854 (the first ever held in 
the State), and, on Feb. 22, 1856, attended and 
presided over a conference of Anti-Nebraska 
editors of the State at Decatur, called to devise a 
line of policy for the newly organizing Repub- 
lican party. (See Ant i- Nebraska Editorial 
Convention.) This body appointed the first 
Republican State Central Committee and desig- 
nated the date of the Bloomington Convention 
of May 29, following, which put in nomination 
the first Republican State ticket ever named in 
Illinois, which ticket was elected in the following 
November (See Bloomington Convention.) In 
1859 he prepared a pamphlet giving a history of 
the celebrated Canal scrip fraud, which was 
widely circulated. (See Canal Scrip Fraud.) 
Going South in the fall of 1859, he was engaged 
in teaching in the State of Louisiana until the 
last of June, 1861. Just two weeks before the 
fall of Fort Sumter he was denounced to his 
Southern neighbors as an "abolitionist" and 
falsely charged with having been connected with 
the "underground railroad," in letters from 
secession sympathizers in the North, whose per- 
sonal and political enmity he had incurred while 
conducting a Republican paper in Illinois, some 
of whom referred to Jefferson Davis, Senator 
Slidell, of Louisiana, and other Southern leaders 
as vouchers for their characters. He at once 
invited an investigation by the Board of Trus- 
tees of the institution, of which he was the 
Principal, when that body — although composed, 
for the most part, of Southern men — on the basis 
of testimonials from prominent citizens of Jack- 
sonville, and other evidence, adopted resolutions 
declaring the charges prompted by personal hos- 
tility, and delivered the letters of his accusers into 



his hands. Returning North with his family in 
July, 1861, he spent some nine months in the com- 
missary and transportation branches of the ser- 
vice at Cairo and at Paducah, Ky. In July, 1862, 
he became associate editor of "The Illinois State 
Journal" at Springfield, remaining until Novem- 
ber, 1865. The next six months were spent as 
Assistant Deputy Collector in the Custom House 
at New Orleans, but, returning North in June. 
1866, he soon after became identified with the 
Chicago press, serving, first upon the staff of "The 
Evening Journal" and, later, on "The Repub- 
lican." In May, 1868, he assumed the editorship 
of "The Quincy Whig," ultimately becoming 
part proprietor of that paper, but, in January, 
1874, resumed his old place on "The State Jour 
nal," four years later becoming one of its propri- 
etors. In 1880 he was appointed by President 
Hayes Postmaster of Springfield, was reappointed 
by Arthur in 1884, but resigned in 1886. Mean- 
while he had sold his interest in "The Journal," 
but the following year organized a new company 
for its purchase, when he resumed his former 
position as editor. In 1889 he disposed of his 
holding in "The Journal," finally removing to 
Chicago, where he has been employed in literary 
work. In all he has been engaged in editorial 
work over thirty-five years, of which eighteen 
were spent upon "The State Journal." In 1860 
Mr. Selby was complimented by his Alma Mater 
with the honorary degree of A. M. He has been 
twice married, first to Miss Erra Post, of Spring- 
field, who died in November, 1865, leaving two 
daughters, and, in 1870, to Mrs. Mary J. Hitch- 
cock, of Quincy, by whom he had two children, 
both of whom died in infancy. 

SEMPLE, James, United States Senator, was 
born in Green County, Ky., Jan. 5, 1798, of Scotch 
descent ; after learning the tanner's trade, studied 
law and emigrated to Illinois in 1818, removing 
to Missouri four years later, where he was ad- 
mitted to the bar. Returning to Illinois in 1828, 
he began practice at Edwardsville, but later 
became a citizen of Alton. During the Black 
Hawk AVar he served as Brigadier-General. He 
was thrice elected to the lower house of the 
Legislature (1832, '34 and '36), and was Speaker 
during the last two terms. In 1833 he was 
elected Attorney-General by the Legislature, but 
served only until the following year, and, in 
1837, was appointed Minister to Granada, South 
America. In 1843 he was appointed, and after- 
wards elected, United States Senator to fill the 
unexpired term of Samuel McRoberts, at the 
expiration of his term (1847) retiring to private 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



475 



life. He laid out the town of Elsah, in Jersey 
County, just south of which lie owned a large 
estate on the Mississippi bluffs, where he died, 
Dec. 20, 1866. 

SENECA (formerly Crotty), a village of La 
Salle County, situated on the Illinois River, the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal and the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railways, 13 miles east of 
Ottawa. It has a graded school, several 
churches, a bank, some manufactures, grain 
warehouses, coal mines, telephone system and 
one newspaper. Pop. (1890), 1,190; (1900), 1,036. 

SENN, (Dr.) Nicholas, physican and surgeon, 
was born in the Canton of St. Gaul, Switzerland, 
Oct. 31, 1844; was brought to America at 8 years 
of age. his parents settling at Washington, Wis. 
He received a grammar school education at Fond 
du Lac, and, in 1864, began the study of medi- 
cine, graduating at the Chicago Medical College 
in 1868. After some eighteen months spent as 
resident physician in the Cook County Hospital, 
he began practice at Ashford, Wis., but removed 
to Milwaukee in 1874, where he became attending 
physician of the Milwaukee Hospital. In 1877 he 
visited Europe, graduated the following year from 
the University of Munich, and, on his return, 
became Professor of the Principles of Surgery 
and Surgical Pathology in Rush Medical College 
in Chicago — also has held the chair of the Prac- 
tice of Surgery in the same institution. Dr. 
Senn has achieved great success and won an 
international reputation in the treatment of 
difficult cases of abdominal surgery. He is the 
author of a number of volumes on different 
branches of surgery which are recognized as 
standard authorities. A few years ago he pur- 
chased the extensive library of the late Dr. Will- 
iam Baum, Professor of Surgery in the University 
of Gottingen, which he presented to the New- 
berry Library of Chicago. In 1893, Dr. Senn was 
appointed Surgeon-General of the Illinois 
National Guard, and has also been President of 
the Association of Military Surgeons of the 
National Guard of the United States, besides 
being identified with various other medical 
bodies. Soon after the beginning of the Spanish- 
American War, he was appointed, by President 
McKinley, a Surgeon of Volunteers with the rank 
of Colonel, and rendered most efficient aid in the 
military branch of the service at Camp Chicka- 
mauga and in the Santiago campaign. 

SEXTON, (Col.) James A., Commander-in- 
Chief of Grand Army of the Republic, was born 
in the city of Chicago, Jan. 5, 1844; in April, 



1861, being then only a little over 17, enlisted as a 
private soldier under the first call for troops 
issued by President Lincoln ; at the close of his 
term was appointed a Sergeant, with authority to 
recruit a company which afterwards was attached 
to the Fifty-first Volunteer Infantry. Later, he 
was transferred to the Sixty-seventh with the 
rank of Lieutenant, and, a few months after, to 
the Seventy-second with a commission as Captain 
of Company D, which be had recruited. As com- 
mander of his regiment, then constituting a part 
of the Seventeenth Army Corps, he participated 
in the battles of Columbia, Duck Creek, Spring 
Hill, Franklin and Nashville, and in the Nash- 
ville campaign. Both at Nashville and Frauklin 
he was wounded, and again, at Spanish Fort, by a 
piece of shell which broke his leg. His regiment 
took part in seven battles and eleven skirmishes, 
and, while it went out 967 strong in officers and 
men, it returned with only 332. all told, although 
it had been recruited by 234 men. He was known 
as "The boy Captain," being only 18 years old 
when he received his first commission, and 21 
when, after participating in the Mobile cam- 
paign, he was mustered out with the rank of 
Lieutenant-Colonel. A fter the close of the war 
he engaged in planting in the South, purchasing 
a plantation in Lowndes County, Ala., but, in 
1867, returned to Chicago, where he became a 
member of the firm of Cribben, Sexton & Co., 
stove manufacturers, from which he retired in 
1898. In 1884 he served as Presidential Elector 
on the Republican ticket for the Fourth District, 
and, in 1889, was appointed, by President Harrison, 
Postmaster of the city of Chicago, serving over 
five years. In 1888 he was chosen Department 
Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic 
for the State of Illinois, and, ten years later, to 
the position of Commander-in-Chief of the order, 
which he held at the time of his death. He had 
also been, for a number of years, one of the Trus- 
tees of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Quincy, 
and, during most of the time, President of the 
Board. Towards the close of the year 1898, he 
was appointed by President McKinley a member 
of the Commission to investigate the conduct of 
the Spanish-American War, but. before the Com- 
mission had concluded its labors, was taken with 
"the grip," which developed into pneumonia, 
from which he died in Washington, Feb. 5, 1899. 
SEYMOUR, George Franklin, Protestant Epis- 
copal Bishop, was born in New York City, Jan. 5, 
1829; graduated from Columbia College in 1850, 
and from the General Theological Seminary 
(New York) in 1854. He received both minor 



470 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and major orders at the hands of Bishop Potter, 
being made deacon in 1854 and ordained priest in 
1855. For several years he was engaged in mis- 
sionary work. During this period he was promi- 
nently identified with the founding of St. 
Stephen's College. After serving as rector in 
various parishes, in 1865 he was made Professor 
of Ecclesiastical History in the New York Semi- 
nary, and, ten years later, was chosen Dean of 
the institution, still retaining his professorship. 
Racine College conferred upon him the degree of 
S.T.D., in 18G7, and Columbia that of LL.D. in 
1878. In 1874 he was elected Bishop of Illinois, 
but failed of confirmation in the House of Depu- 
ties. Upon the erection of the new diocese of 
Springfield (1877) he accepted and was conse- 
crated Bishop at Trinity Church, N. Y., June 11, 
1878. He was a prominent member of the Third 
Pan- Anglican Council (London, 1885), and has 
done much to foster the growth and extend the 
influence of his church in his diocese. 

SHABBOXA, a village of De Kalb County, on 
the Iowa Division of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, 25 miles west of Aurora. 
Population (1890), 502; (1900), 587. 

SHABONA (or Shabbona), an Ottawa Chief, 
was born near the Maumee River, in Ohio, about 
1775, and served under Tecumseh from 1807 to 
the battle of the Thames in 1813. In 1810 he 
accompanied Tecumseh and Capt. Billy Caldwell 
(see Sauganash) to the homes of the Pottawato- 
mies and other tribes within the present limits of 
Illinois and Wisconsin, to secure their co-oper- 
ation in driving the white settlers out of the 
country. At the battle of the Thames, he was by 
the side of Tecumseh when he fell, and both he 
and Caldwell, losing faith in their British allies, 
soon after submitted to the United States through 
General Cass at Detroit. Shabona was opposed 
to Black Hawk in 1832, and did much to thwart 
the plans of the latter and aid the whites. Hav- 
ing married a daughter of a Pottawatomie chief, 
who had a village on the Illinois River east of 
the present city of Ottawa, he lived there for 
some time, but finally removed 25 miles north to 
Shabona's Grove in De Kalb County. Here he 
remained till 1837, when he removed to Western 
Missouri. Black Hawk's followers having a 
reservation near by, hostilities began between 
them, in which a son and nephew of Shabona 
were killed. He finally returned to his old home 
in Illinois, but found it occupied by whites, who 
drove him from the grove that bore his name. 
Some friends then bought for him twenty acres 
of land on Mazon Creek, near Morris, where he 



died, July 27, 1859. He is described as a noble 
specimen, of his race. A life of him has been 
published by N, Matson (Chicago, 1878). 

SHANNON, a village of Carroll County, on the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, 18 miles 
southwest of Freeport. It is an important trade 
center, has a bank and one newspaper. Popu- 
lation (1890), 591; (1900), 678. 

SHAW, Aaron, former Congressman, born in 
Orange County, N. Y., in 1811; was educated at 
the Montgomery Academy, studied law and was 
admitted to the bar at Goshen in that State. In 
1833 he removed to Lawrence County, 111. He 
has held various important public offices. He 
was a member of the first Internal Improvement 
Convention of the State; was chosen State's 
Attorney by the Legislature, in which body he 
served two terms ; served four years as Judge of 
the Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit; was elected to 
the Thirty-fifth Congress in 1856, and to the 
Forty-eighth in 1882, as a Democrat. 

SHAW, James, lawyer, jurist, was born in Ire- 
land, May 3, 1832, brought to this country in in- 
fancy and grew up on a farm in Cass County, 111. ; 
graduated from Illinois College in 1857, and, after 
admission to the bar, began practice at Mount 
Carroll. In 1870 he was elected to the lower 
house of the General Assembly, being re-elected 
in 1872, '76 and '78. He was Speaker of the 
House during the session of 1877, and one of the 
Republican leaders on the floor during the suc- 
ceeding session. In 1872 he was chosen a Presi- 
dential Elector, and, in 1891, to a seat on the 
Circuit bench from the Thirteenth Circuit, 
and, in 1897 was re-elected for the Fifteenth 
Circuit. 

SHAWNEETOWN, a city and the county-seat 
of Gallatin County, on the Ohio River 120 miles 
from its mouth and at the terminus of the Shaw- 
neetown Divisions of the Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western and the Louisville & Nashville Railroads; 
is one of the oldest towns in the State, having 
been laid out in 1808, and noted for the number 
of prominent men who resided there at an early 
day. Coal is extensively mined in that section, 
and Shawneetown is one of the largest shipping 
points for lumber, coal and farm products 
between Cairo and Louisville, navigation being 
open the year round. Some manufacturing is 
done here; the city has several mills, a foundry 
and machine shop, two or three banks, several 
churches, good schools and two weekly papers. 
Since the disastrous floods of 1884 and 1898, Shaw- 
neetown has reconstructed its levee system on a 
substantial scale, which is now believed to furnish 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



477 



ample protection against the recurrence of similar 
disaster. Pop. (1900), 1,698; (1903, est.), 2,200. 

SHEAHAX, James W., journalist, was born in 
Baltimore. Md., spent his earl} - life, after reaching 
manhood, in Washington City as a Congressional 
Reporter, and, in 1847, reported the proceedings 
of the Illinois State Constitutional Convention at, 
Springfield. Through the influence of Senator 
Douglas he was induced, in 1854, to accept the 
editorship of ''The Young America" newspaper 
at Chicago, which was soon after changed to 
"The Chicago Times." Here he remained until 
the fall of 1860, when, "The Times" having been 
sold and consolidated with "The Herald," a 
Buchanan-Breckenridge organ, he established a 
new paper called "The Morning Post." This he 
made representative of the views of the "War 
Democrats" as against "The Times," which was 
opposed to the war. In May, 1865, he sold the 
plant of "The Post" and it became "The Chicago 
Republican" — now "Inter Ocean." A few 
months later. Mr. Sheahan accepted a position as 
chief writer on the editorial staff of "The Chicago 
Tribune," which he retained until his death, 
June 17, 1883. 

SHEFFIELD, a prosperous village of Bureau 
County, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
Railroad, 44 miles east of Rosk Island; has valu- 
able coal mines, a bank and one newspaper. 
Population (1890), 993; (1900), 1,265. 

SHELBY COUNTY, lies south of the center of 
the State, and contains an area of 776 square 
miles. The tide of immigration to this county 
was at first from Kentucky, Tennessee and North 
Carolina, although later it began to set in from 
the Northern States. The first cabin in the 
county was built by Simeon Wakefield on what is 
now the site of Williamsburg, first called Cold 
Spring. Joseph Daniel was the earliest settler in 
what is now Shelbyville, pre-empting ten acres, 
which he soon afterward sold to Joseph Oliver, 
the pioneer merchant of the county, and father 
of the first white child born within its limits. 
Other pioneers were Shimei Wakefield, Levi 
Casey and Samuel Hall. In lieu of hats the early 
settlers wore caps made of squirrel or coon skin, 
with the tails dangling at the backs, and he was 
regarded as well dressed who boasted a fringed 
buckskin shirt and trousers, with moccasins. 
The county was formed in 1827, and Shelbyville 
made the county-seat. Both county and town 
are named in honor of Governor Shelby, of Ken- 
tucky. County Judge Joseph Oliver held the 
first court in the cabin of Barnett Bone, and 
Judge Theophilus W. Smith presided over the 



first Circuit Court in 1828. Coai is abundant, 
and limestone and sandstone are also found. The 
surface is somewhat rolling and well wooded. 
The Little Wabash and Kaskaskia Rivers flow 
through the central and southeastern portions. 
The county lies in the very heart of the great 
corn belt of the State, and has excellent transpor- 
tation facilities, being penetrated by four lines of 
railway. Population (1880), 30,270; (1890), 31,- 
191; (1900), 32,126. 

SHELBYYILLE, the county-seat and an incor- 
porated city of Shelby County, on the Kaskaskia 
River and two lines of railway, 32 miles southeast 
of Decatur. Agriculture is carried on exten- 
sively, and there is considerable coal mining in 
the immediate vicinity. The city has two flour- 
ing mills, a handle factory, a creamery, one 
National and one State bank, one daily and four 
weekly papers and one monthly periodical, an 
Orphans' Home, ten churches, two graded 
schools, and a public library. Population (1890), 
3,162; (1900), 3,546. 

SHELDON, a village of Iroquois County, at the 
intersection of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago 
A St. Louis and the Toledo, Peoria & Western 
Railways, 9 miles east of Watseka; has two banks 
and a newspaper. The region is agricultural. 
Pop. (1890), 910; (1900), 1,103. 

SHELDON, Benjamin R., jurist, was born in 
Massachusetts in 1813, graduated from Williams 
College in 1831, studied law at the Yale Law 
School, and was admitted to practice in 1836. 
Emigrating to Illinois, he located temporarily at 
Hennepin, Putnam County, but soon removed to 
Galena, and finally to Rockford. In 1848 he was 
elected Circuit Judge of the Sixth Circuit, which 
afterwards being divided, he was assigned to the 
Fourteenth Circuit, remaining until 1870, when 
he was elected a Justice of the Supreme Court, 
presiding as Chief Justice in 1877. He was re- 
elected in 1879, but retired in 1888, being suc- 
ceeded by the late Justice Bailey. Died, April 
13, 1897. 

SHEPPARD, Nathan, author and lecturer, was 
born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 9, 1834; graduated 
at Rochester Theological Seminary in 1859 ; dur- 
ing the Civil War was special correspondent of 
"The New York World" and "The Chicago Jour- 
nal" and "Tribune," and, during the Franco- 
German War, of "The Cincinnati Gazette;" also 
served as special American correspondent of 
"The London Times," and was a contributor to 
"Frazer's Magazine" and "Temple Bar." In 1873 
he became a lecturer on Modern English Liter- 
ature and Rhetoric in Chicago University and, 



478 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



four years later, accepted a similar position in 
Allegheny College; also spent four years in 
Europe, lecturing in the principal towns of Great 
Britain and Ireland. In 1884 he founded the 
"Athenaeum" at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., of 
which he was President until his death, early in 
1888. "The Dickens Reader," "Character Read- 
ings from George Eliot" and "Essays of George 
Eliot" were among the volumes issued by him 
between 1881 and 1887. Died in New York City, 
Jan. 24, 1888. 

SHERMAX, Alson Smith, early Chicago Mayor, 
was born at Barre, Vt., April 21, 1811, remaining 
there until 1836, when he came to Chicago and 
began business as a contractor and builder. Sev- 
eral years later he opened the first stone quarries 
at Lemont, 111. Mr. Sherman spent many years 
in the service of Chicago as a public official. 
From 1840 to 1842 he was Captain of a company 
of militia ; for two years served as Chief of the 
Fire Department, and was elected Alderman in 
1842, serving again in 1846. In 1844, he was 
chosen Mayor, his administration being marked 
by the first extensive public improvements made 
in Chicago. After his term as Mayor he did 
much to secure a better water supply for the 
city. He was especially interested in promoting 
common school education, being for several years 
a member of the City School Board. He was 
Vice-President of the first Board of Trustees of 
Northwestern University. Retired from active 
pursuits, Mr. Sherman is now (1899) spending a 
serene old age at Waukegan, 111. — Oren (Sherman) 
brother of the preceding and early Chicago mer- 
chant, was born at Barre, Vt. , March 5, 1816. 
After spending several years in a mercantile 
house in Montpelier, Vt., at the age of twenty he 
came west, first to New Buffalo, Mich., and, in 
1836, to Chicago, opening a dry-goods store there 
the next spring. With various partners Mr. 
Sherman continued in a general mercantile busi- 
ness until 1853, at the same time being extensively 
engaged in the provision trade, one-half the entire 
transactions in pork in the city passing through 
his hands. Next he engaged in developing stone 
quarries at Lemont, 111. ; also became extensively 
interested in the marble business, continuing in 
this until a few years after the panic of 1873, 
when he retired in consequence of a shock of 
paralysis. Died, in Chicago, Dec. 15, 1898. 

SHERMAN, Elijah B., lawyer, was born at 
Fairfield, Vt., June 18, 1832— his family being 
distantly related to Roger Sherman, a signer of 
the Declaration of Independence, and the late 
G^n. W. T. Sherman; gained his education in the 



common schools and at Middlebury College, 
where he graduated in 1860 ; began teaching, but 
soon after enlisted as a private in the war for the 
Union; received a Lieutenant's commission, and 
served until captured on the eve of the battle at 
Antietam, when he was paroled and sent to Camp 
Douglas, Chicago, awaiting exchange. During 
this period he commenced reading law and, hav 
ing resigned his commission, graduated from the 
law department of Chicago University in 1864 
In 1876 he was elected Representative in the 
General Assembly from Cook County, and re- 
elected in 1878, and the following year appointed 
Master in Chancery of the United States District 
Court, a position which he still occupies He has 
repeatedly been called upon to deliver addresses 
on political, literary and patriotic occasions, one 
of these being before the alumni of his alma 
mater, in 1884, when he was complimented with 
the degree of LL.D. 

SHIELDS, James, soldier and United States 
Senator, was born in Ireland in 1810, emigrated 
to the United States at the age of sixteen, and 
began the practice of law at Kaskaskia in 1832. 
He was elected to the Legislature in 1836, and 
State Auditor in 1839. In 1843 he became a 
Judge of the Supreme Court of the State, and, in 
1845, was made Commissioner of the General 
Land Office. In July, 1846. he was commissioned 
Brigadier-General in the Mexican War gaining 
the brevet of Major-General at Cerro-Gordo, 
where he was severely wounded. He was again 
wounded at Chapultepec, and mustered out in 
1848. The same year he was appointed Governor 
of Oregon Territory. In 1849 the Democrats in 
the Illinois Legislature elected him Senator, and 
he resigned his office in Oregon. In 1856 he 
removed to Minnesota, and, in 1858, was chosen 
United States Senator from that State, his term 
expiring in 1859, when he established a residence 
in California. At the outbreak of the Civil War 
(1861) he was superintending a mine in Mexico, 
but at once hastened to Washington to tender his 
services to the Governmnet. He was commis 
sioned Brigadier-General, and served with dis- 
tinction until March, 1863, when the effect of 
numerous wounds caused him to resign. He sub- 
sequently removed to Missouri, practicing law at 
Carrollton and serving in the Legislature of that 
State in 1874 and 1879. In the latter year he was 
elected United States Senator to fill out the unex 
pired term of Senator Bogy, who had died in 
office — serving only six weeks, but being the only 
man in the history of the country who filled the 
office of United States Senator from three differ- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



479 



ent States. Died, at Ottumwa, Iowa, June 1, 
1879. 

SHIPMAN, a town of Macoupin County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railway, 19 miles north-north- 
east of Alton and 14 miles southwest of Carlin- 
ville. Population (1890), 410; (1900), 396. 

SHIPMAN, George E., M.D., physician and 
philanthropist, born in New York City, March 4, 
1820; graduated at the University of New York 
in 1839, and took a course in the College of Phy- 
sicians and Surgeons; practiced for a time at 
Peoria, 111., but, in 1840, located in Chicago, where 
he assisted in organizing the first Homeopathic 
Hospital in that city, and, in 1855, was one of the 
first Trustees of Hahnemann College. In 1871 he 
established, in Chicago, the Foundlings' Home at 
his own expense, giving to it the latter years of 
his life. Died, Jan. 20, 1893. 

SHOREY, Daniel Lewis, lawyer and philan- 
thropist, was born at Jonesborough, Washington 
County, Maine, Jan. 31, 1824; educated at Phil- 
lips Academy, Andover, Mass., and at Dartmouth 
College, graduating from the latter in 1851 ; 
taught two years in Washington City, meanwhile 
reading law, afterwards taking a course at Dane 
Law School, Cambridge ; was admitted to the bar 
in Boston in 1854, the next year locating at 
Davenport, Iowa, where he remained ten years. 
In 1865 he removed to Chicago, where he prose- 
cuted his profession until 1890, when he retired. 
Mr. Shorey was prominent in the establishment 
of the Chicago Public Library, and a member of 
the first Library Board; was also a prominent 
member of the Chicago Literary Club, and was a 
Director in the new University of Chicago and 
deeply interested in its prosperity. Died, in Chi- 
cago, March 4, 1899. 

SHORT, (Rev.) William F., clergyman and 
educator, was born in Ohio in 1829, brought to 
Morgan County, 111., in childhood, and lived upon 
a farm until 20 years of age, when he entered 
McKendree College, spending his senior year, 
however, at Wesleyan University, Bloomington, 
where he graduated in 1854. He had meanwhile 
accepted a call to the Missouri Conference Semi- 
nary at Jackson. Mo. ; where he remained three 
years, when he returned to Illinois, serving 
churches at Jacksonville and elsewhere, for a 
part of the time being Presiding Elder of the 
Jacksonville District. In 1875 he was elected 
President of Illinois Female College at Jackson- 
ville, continuing in that position until 1893, when 
he was appointed Superintendent of the Illinois 
State Institution for the Blind at the same place, 
but resigned early in 1897. Dr. Short received 



the degree of D.D., conferred upon him by Ohio 
Wesleyan University. 

SHOUP, George L., United States Senator, 
was born at Kittanning, Pa., June 15, 1836, came 
to Illinois in 1852, his father locating on a stock- 
farm near Galesburg; in 1859 removed to Colo- 
rado, where he engaged in mining and mercantile 
business until 1861, when he enlisted in a com- 
pany of scouts, being advanced from the rank of 
First Lieutenant to the Colonelcy of the Third 
Colorado Cavalry, meanwhile serving as r<elegate 
to the State Constitutional Convention of 1864. 
Retiring to private life, he again engaged in mer- 
cantile and mining business, first in Nevada and 
then in Idaho; served two terms in the Terri- 
torial Legislature of the latter, was appointed 
Territorial Governor in 1889 and, in 1890, was 
chosen the first Governor of the State, in October 
of the same year being elected to the United 
States Senate, and re-elected in 1895 for a second 
term, which ends in 1901. Senator Shoup is one 
of the few Western Senators who remained faith- 
ful to the regular Republican organization, during 
the political campaign of 1896. 

SHOWALTER, Johu W., jurist, was born in 
Mason County, Ky., Feb. 8, 1844; resided some 
years in Scott County in that State, and was 
educated in the local schools, at Maysville and 
Ohio University, finally graduating at Yale Col- 
lege in 1867; came to Chicago in 1869, studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in 1870. He 
returned to Kentucky after the fire of 1871, but, 
in 1872, again came to Chicago and entered the 
employment of the firm of Moore & Caulneld, 
with whom he had been before the fire. In 1879 
he became a member of the firm of Abbott, 
Oliver & Showalter (later, Oliver & Showalter), 
where he remained until his appointment as 
United States Circuit Judge, in March, 1895. 
Died, in Chicago, Dec. 12, 1898. 

SHUMAN, Andrew, journalist and Lieutenant- 
Governor, was born at Manor, Lancaster County, 
Pa., Nov. 8, 1830. His father dying in 1837, he 
was reared by an uncle. At the age of 15 he 
became an apprentice in the office of "The Lan- 
caster Union and Sentinel." A year later he ac- 
companied his employer to Auburn, N.Y., working 
for two years on "The Daily Advertiser" of that 
city, then known as Governor Seward's "home 
organ." At the age of 18 he edited, published 
and distributed — during his leisure hours — a 
small weekly paper called "The Auburnian." At 
the conclusion of his apprenticeship he was em- 
ployed, for a year or two, in editing and publish- 
ing "The Cayuga Chief," a temperance journal. 



480 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



In 1851 he entered Hamilton College, but, before 
the completion of his junior year, consented, at 
the solicitation of friends of William H. Seward, 
to assume editorial control of "The Syracuse 
Daily Journal. "' In July, 1856, he came to Chi- 
cago, to accept an editorial position on "The 
Evening Journal" of that city, later becoming 
editor-in-chief and President of the Journal Com- 
pany. From 1865 to 1870 (first by executive 
appointment and afterward by popular election) 
lie was a Commissioner of the Illinois State Peni- 
tentiary at Joliet, resigning the office four years 
before the expiration of his term. In 1876 he 
was elected Lieutenant-Governor on the Repub- 
lican ticket. Owing to declining health, he 
abandoned active journalistic work in 1888, 
dying in Chicago, May 5, 1890. His home during 
the latter years of his life was at Evanston. 
Governor Shuman was author of a romance 
entitled "Loves of a Lawyer," besides numerous 
addresses before literary, commercial and scien- 
tific associations. 

SHUMWAY, Dorice Dwight, merchant, was 
born at Williamsburg, Worcester County, Mass., 
Sept. 28, 1813, descended from French Huguenot 
ancestry ; came to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1837, and 
to Montgomery County, 111., in 1841; married a 
daughter of Hiram Rountree, an early resident 
of Hillsboro, and, in 1843, located in Christian 
County ; was engaged for a time in merchandis- 
ing at Taylorville. but retired in 1858, thereafter 
giving his attention to a large landed estate. In 
1846 he was chosen Representative in the General 
Assembly, served in the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1847, and four years as County Judge of 
i Christian County. Died, May 9, 1870. — Hiram 
P. (Shumway), eldest son of the preceding, was 
born in Montgomery County, 111.. June, 1842; 
spent his boyhood on a farm in Christian County 
and in his father's store at Taylorville; took an 
academy course and, in 1864, engaged in mercan- 
tile business; was Representative in the Twenty- 
eighth General Assembly and Senator in the 
Thirty sixth and Thirty-seventh, afterwards 
removing to Springfield, where he engaged in 
the stone business. 

SHURTLEFF COLLEGE, an institution 
located at Upper Alton, and the third estab- 
lished in Illinois. It was originally incorporated 
as the "Alton College" in 1831, under a special 
charter which was not accepted, but re-incorpo- 
rated in 1835, in an "omnibus bill" with Illi- 
nois and McKendree Colleges. (See Early Col- 
leges.) Its primal origin was a school at Rock 
Spring in St. Clair County, founded about 1824, 



by Rev. John M. Peck. This became the "Rock 
Spring Seminary" in 1827, and. about 1831, was 
united with an academy at Upper Alton. This 
was the nucleus of "Alton" (afterward "Shurt- 
leff") College. As far as its denominational 
control is concerned, it has always been domi- 
nated by Baptist influence. Dr. Peck's original 
idea was to found a school for teaching theology 
and Biblical literature, but this project was at 
first inhibited by the State. Hubbard Loomis 
and John Russell were among the first instruc- 
tors. Later, Dr. Benjamin Shurtlefi donated the 
college $10,000, and the institution was named in 
his honor. College classes were not organized 
until 1840, and several } r ears elapsed before a class 
graduated. Its endowment in 1898 was over 
§126,000, in addition to §125,000 worth of real and 
personal property. About 255 students were in 
attendance. Besides preparatory and collegiate 
departments, the college also maintains a theo- 
logical school. It has a faculty of twenty 
instructors and is co-educational. 

SIBLEY, a village of Ford County, on the Chi- 
cago Division of the Wabash Railway, 105 miles 
south-southwest of Chicago; has banks and a 
weekly newspaper. The district is agricultural. 
Population (1890), 404; (1900), 444. 

SIBLEY, Joseph, lawyer and jurist, was born 
at Westfield, Mass., in 1818; learned the trade of 
a whip-maker and afterwards engaged in mer- 
chandising. In 1843 he began the study of law 
at Syracuse, N. Y., and, upon admission to the 
bar, came west, finally settling at Nauvoo. Han- 
cock County. He maintained a neutral attitude 
during the Mormon troubles, thus giving offense 
to a section of the community. In 1847 he was 
an unsuccessful candidate for the Legislature, 
but was elected in 1850, and re-elected in 1852. 
In 1853 he removed to Warsaw, and, in 1855, was 
elected Judge of the Circuit Court, and reelected 
in 1861, '67 and '73, being assigned to the bench 
of the Appellate Court of the Second District, in 
1877. His residence, after 1865, was at Quincy, 
where he died, June 18, 1897. 

SIDELL, a village of Vermillion County, on the 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois and Cincinnati, Hamil- 
ton & Dayton Railroads; has a bank, electric 
light plant and a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 776. 

SIDNEY, a village of Champaign County, on 
the main line of the Wabash Railway, at the junc- 
tion of a branch to Champaign, 48 miles east-north- 
east of Decatur. It is in a farming district ; has a 
bank and a newspaper. Population, (1900), 564. 

SIM, (Dr.) William, pioneer physician, was 
born at Aberdeen. Scotland, in 1795, came to 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



481 



America in early manhood, and was the first phy- 
sician to settle at Golconda, in Pope County, 
which he represented in the Fourth and Fifth 
General Assemblies (1824 and '28). He married 
a Miss Elizabeth Jack of Philadelphia, making 
the journey from Golconda to Philadelphia for 
that purpose on horseback. He had a family of 
five children, one son, Dr. Francis L. Sim. rising 
to distinction as a physician, and, for a time, 
being President of a Medical College at Memphis, 
Tenn. The elder Dr. Sim died at Golconda, in 
1868. 

SIMS, James, early legislator and Methodist 
preacher, was a native of South Carolina, but 
removed to Kentucky in early manhood, thence 
to St. Clair County, 111., and, in 1820, to Sanga- 
mon County, where he was elected, in 1822, as the 
first Representative from that county in the 
Third General Assembly. At the succeeding ses- 
sion of the Legislature, he was one of those who 
voted against the Convention resolution designed 
to prepare the way for making Illinois a slave 
State. Mr. Sims resided for a time in Menard 
County, but finally removed to Morgan. 

SINGER, Horace M., capitalist, was born in 
Schnectady, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1823; came to Chicago 
in 1836 and found employment on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, serving as superintendent of 
repairs upon the Canal until 1853. While thus 
employed he became one of the proprietors of 
the stone-quarries at Lemont, managed by the 
firm of Singer & Talcott until about 1890, when 
they became the property of the Western Stone 
Company. Originally a Democrat, he became a 
Republican during the Civil War, and served as a 
member of the Twenty-fifth General Assembly 
(1867) for Cook County, was elected County Com- 
missioner in 18T0, and was Chairman of the 
Republican County Central Committee in 1880. 
He was also associated with several financial 
institutions, being a director of the First National 
Bank and of the Auditorium Company of Chi- 
cago, and a member of the Union League and 
Calumet Clubs. Died, at Pasadena, Cal., Dec. 
28, 1896. 

SINGLETON, James W., Congressman, born 
at Paxton, Va., Nov. 23, 1811; was educated at 
the Winchester (Va. ) Academy, and removed to 
Illinois in 1833, settling first at Mount Sterling, 
Brown County, and, some twenty years later, 
near Quincy. By profession he was a lawyer, 
and was prominent in political and commercial 
affairs. In his later years he devoted consider- 
able attention to stock-raising. He was elected 
Brigadier-General of the Illinois militia in 1844, 



being identified to some extent with the "Mor- 
mon War"; was a member of the Constitutional 
Conventions of 1847 and 1862, served six terms in 
the Legislature, and was elected, on the Demo- 
cratic ticket, to Congress in 1878, and again in 
1880. In 1882 he ran as an independent Demo- 
crat, but was defeated by the regular nominee of 
his party, James M. Riggs. During the War of 
the Rebellion he was one of the most conspicuous 
leaders of the "peace party." He constructed 
the Quincy & Toledo (now part of the Wabash) 
and the Quincy, Alton & St. Louis (now part of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy) Railways, 
being President of both companies. His death 
occurred at Baltimore, Md., April 4, 1892. 

SINNET, John S., pioneer, was born at Lex- 
ington, Ky., March 10, 1796; at three years of age, 
taken by his parents to Missouri ; enlisted in the 
War of 1812, but, soon after the war, came to 
Illinois, and, about 1818, settled in what is now 
Christian County, locating on land constituting 
a part of the present city of Taylorville. In 1840 
he removed to Tazewell County, dying there, Jan. 
13, 1872. 

SKINNER, Mark, jurist, was born at Manches- 
ter, Vt., Sept. 13, 1813; graduated from Middle- 
bury College in 1833, studied law, and, in 1836, 
came to Chicago; was admitted to the bar in 
1839, became City Attorney in 1840, later Master 
in Chancery for Cook County, and finally L T nited 
States District Attorney under President Tyler. 
As member of the House Finance Committee in 
the Fifteenth General Assembly (1846-48), he 
aided influentially in securing the adoption of 
measures for refunding and paying the State 
debt. In 1851 he was elected Judge of the Court 
of Common Pleas (now Superior Court) of Cook 
County, but declined a re-election in 1853. Origi- 
nally a Democrat, Judge Skinner was an ardent 
opponent of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill and a 
liberal supporter of the Government policy dur- 
ing the rebellion. He liberally aided the United 
States Sanitary Commission and was identified 
with all the leading charities of the citj r . 
Among the great business enterprises with which 
he was officially associated were the Galena & Chi- 
cago Union and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railways (in each of which he was a Director), 
the Chicago Marine & Fire Insurance Company, 
the Gas-Light and Coke Company and others. 
Died, Sept. 16, 1887. Judge Skinner's only sur- 
viving son was killed in the trenches before 
Petersburg, the last year of the Civil War. 

SKINNER, Otis Ainsworth, clergyman and 
author, was born at Royalton, Vt., July 3, 1807; 



482 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



taught for some time, became a Universalist 
minister, serving churches in Baltimore, Boston 
and New York between 1831 and 1857; then 
came to Elgin, 111., was elected President of Lom- 
bard University at Galesburg, but the following 
year took charge of a church at Joliet. Died, at 
Naperville, Sept. 18, 1861. He wrote several vol- 
umes on religious topics, and, at different times, 
edited religious periodicals at Baltimore, Haver- 
hill, Mass., and Boston. 

SKINNER, Ozias C, lawyer and jurist, was 
born at Floyd, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1817; in 
1836, removed to Illinois, settling in Peoria 
County, where he engaged in farming. In 1838 
he began the study of law at Greenville, Ohio, 
and was admitted to the bar of that State in 1840. 
Eighteen months later he returned to Illinois, 
and began practice at Carthage, Hancock County, 
removing to Quincy in 1844. , During the "Mor- 
mon War" he served as Aid-de-camp to Governor 
Ford. In 1848 he was elected to the lower house 
of the Sixteenth General Assembly, and, for a 
short time, served as Prosecuting Attorney for 
the district including Adams and Brown Coun- 
ties. In 1851 he was elected Judge of the (then) 
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, and, in 1855, suc- 
ceeded Judge S. H. Treat on the Supreme bench, 
resigning this position in April, 1858, two months 
before the expiration of bis term. He was a 
large land owner and had extensive agricultural 
interests. He built, and was the first President 
of the Carthage & Quincy Railroad, now a part 
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy system. He 
was a prominent member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1869, serving as Chairman of the 
Committee on Judiciary. Died in 1877. 

SLADE, Charles, early Congressman; his early 
history, including date and place of birth, are 
unknown. In 1820 he was elected Representative 
from Washington County in the Second General 
Assembly, and, in 1826, was re-elected to the 
same body for Clinton and Washington. In 1832 
he was elected one of the three Congressmen 
from Illinois, representing the First District. 
After attending the first session of the Twenty- 
third Congress, while on his way home, he was 
attacked with cholera, dying near Vincennes, 
Ind., July 11, 1834. 

SLADE, James P., ex-State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, was born at Westerlo, Albany 
County, N. Y., Feb. 9, 1837, and spent his boy- 
hood with his parents on a farm, except while 
absent at school; in 1856 removed to Belleville, 
111., where he soon became connected with the 
public schools, serving for a number of years as 



Principal of the Belleville High School. While 
connected with the Belleville schools, he was 
elected County Superintendent, remaining in 
office some ten years ; later had charge of Abnira 
College at Greenville, Bond County, served six 
years as Superintendent of Schools at East St. 
Louis and, in 1878, was elected State Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction as the nominee of the 
Republican party. On retirement from the 
office of State Superintendent, he resumed his 
place at the head of Almira College, but, for the 
past few years, has been Superintendent of 
Schools at East St. Louis. 

SLAVERY AGITATION OF 1823-24. (See 
Shn-cry and Slave Lawn. ) 

SLAVERY AND SLAVE LAWS. African slaves 
were first brought into the Illinois country by a 
Frenchman named Pierre F. Renault, about 
1722. At that time the present State formed a 
part of Louisiana, and the traffic in slaves was 
regulated by French royal edicts. When Great 
Britain acquired the territory, at the close of the 
French and Indian War, the former subjects of 
France were guaranteed security for their per- 
sons "and effects," and no interference with 
slavery was attempted. Upon the concpuest of 
Illinois by Virginia (see Clark, George Rogers), 
the French very generally professed allegiance to 
that commonwealth, and, in her deed of cession 
to the United States, Virginia expressly stipulated 
for the protection of the "rights and liberties" 
of the French citizens. This was construed as 
recognizing the right of property in negro 
slaves. Even the Ordinance of 1787, while pro- 
hibiting slavery in the Northwest Territory, pre- 
served to the settlers (reference being especially 
made to the French and Canadians) "of the Kas- 
kaskias, St. Vincents and neighboring villages, 
their laws and customs, now (then) in force, 
relative to the descent and conveyance of prop- 
erty. ' ' A conservative construction of this clause 
was, that while it prohibited the extension of 
slavery and the importation of slaves, the status 
of those who were at that time in involuntary 
servitude, and of their descendants, was left un- 
changed. There were those, however, who denied 
the constitutionality of the Ordinance in toto, 
on the ground that Congress had exceeded its 
powers in its passage. There was also a party 
which claimed that all children of slaves, born 
after 1787, were free from birth In 1794 a con- 
vention was held at Vincennes, pursuant to a call 
from Governor Harrison, and a memorial to Con- 
gress was adopted, praying for the repeal — or, at 
least a modification — of the sixth clause of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



483 



Ordinance of 1787. The first Congressional Com- 
mittee, to which this petition was referred, 
reported adversely upon it; but a second commit- 
tee recommended the suspension of the operation 
of the clause in question for ten years. But no 
action was taken by the National Legislature, 
and, in 1807, a counter petition, extensively 
signed, was forwarded to that body, and Congress 
left the matter in statu quo. It is worthy of note 
that some of the most earnest opponents of the 
measure were Representatives from Southern 
Slave States, John Randolph, of Virginia, being 
one of them. The pro-slavery party in the State 
then prepared what is popularly known as the 
"Indenture Law," which was one of the first acts 
adopted by Governor Edwards and his Council, 
and was re-enacted by the first Territorial Legis- 
lature in 1812. It was entitled, "An Act relating 
to the Introduction of Negroes and Mulattoes into 
this Territory," and gave permission to bring 
slaves above 15 years of age into the State, when 
they might be registered and kept in servitude 
within certain limitations. Slaves under that 
age might also be brought in, registered, and held 
in bondage until they reached the age of 35, if 
males, and 30, if females. The issue of registered 
slaves were to serve their mother's master until 
the age of 30 or 28, according to sex. The effect 
of this legislation was rapidly to increase the 
number of slaves. The Constitution of 1818 pro- 
hibited the introduction of slavery thereafter — 
that is to say, after its adoption. In 1822 the 
slave-holding party, with their supporters, began 
to agitate the question of so amending the 
organic law as to make Illinois a slave State. To 
effect such a change the calling of a convention 
was necessary, and, for eighteen months, the 
struggle between "conventionists" and their 
opponents was bitter and fierce. The question 
was submitted to a popular vote on August 2, 
1824, the result of the count showing 4,972 votes 
for such convention and 6,640 against. This 
decisive result settled the question of slave-hold- 
ing in Illinois for all future time, though the 
existence of slavery in the State continued to be 
recognized by the National Census until 1840. 
The number, according to the census of 1810, was 
168; in 1820 they had increased to 917. Then 
the number began to diminish, being reduced in 
1830 to 747, and, in 1840 (the last census which 
shows any portion of the population held in 
bondage), it was 331. 

Hooper Warren — who has been mentioned else- 
where as editor of "The Edwardsville Spectator," 
and a leading factor in securing the defeat of the 



scheme to make Illinois a slave State in 1822 — in 
an article in the first number of "The Genius of 
Liberty" (January, 1841), speaking of that con- 
test, says there were, at its beginning, only three 
papers in the State — "The Intelligencer" at Van- 
dalia, "The Gazette" at Shawneetown, and "The 
Spectator" at Edwardsville. The first two of 
these, at the outset, favored the Convention 
scheme, while "The Spectator" opposed it. The 
management of the campaign on the part of the 
pro-slavery party was assigned to Emanuel J. 
West, Theophilus W. Smith and Oliver L. Kelly, 
and a paper was established by the name of "The 
Illinois Republican." with Smith as editor. 
Among the active opponents of the measure were 
George Churchill. Thomas Lippincott, Samuel D. 
Lockwood, Henry Starr (afterwards of Cincin- 
nati), Rev. John M. Peck and Rev. James 
Lemen, of St. Clair County. Others who con- 
tributed to the cause were Daniel P. Cook, Morris 

Birkbeck, Dr. Hugh Steel and Burton of 

Jackson County, Dr. Henry Perrine of Bond; 
William Leggett of Edwardsville (afterwards 
editor of "The New York Evening Post"), Ben- 
jamin Lundy (then of Missouri), David Blackwell 
and Rev. John Dew, of St. Clair County. Still 
others were Nathaniel Pope (Judge of the United 
States District Court), William B. Archer, Wil- 
liam H. Brown and Benjamin Mills (of Vandalia), 
John Tillson, Dr. Horatio Newhall, George For- 
quer. Col. Thomas Mather, Thomas Ford, Judge 
David J. Baker, Charles W. Hunter and Henry H. 
Snow (of Alton). This testimony is of interest 
as coming from one who probably had more to do 
with defeating the scheme, with the exception of 
Gov. Edward Coles. Outside of the more elabor- 
ate Histories of Illinois, the most accurate and 
detailed accounts of this particular period are to 
be found in "Sketch of Edward Coles" by the late 
E. B. Washburne, and "Early Movement in Illi- 
nois for the Legalization of Slavery," an ad- 
dress before the Chicago Historical Society 
(1864), by Hon. William H. Brown, of Chicago. 
(See also, Coles, Edward; Warren, Hooper ; Brown, 
William H.; Churchill, George; Lippincott, 
Tliomas; and Newspapers, Early, elsewhere in this 
volume. ) 

SLOAN, Wesley, legislator and jurist, was 
born in Dorchester County, Md., Feb. 20,, 1806. 
At the age of 17, having received a fair academic 
education, he accompanied his parents to Phila- 
delphia, where, for a year, he was emploj'ed in a 
wholesale grocery. His father dying, he returned 
to Maryland and engaged in teaching, at the 
same time studying law, and being admitted to 



484 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the bar in 1831. He came to Illinois in 1838, 
going first to Chicago, and afterward to Kaskas- 
kia, finally settling at Golconda in 1839, which 
continued to be his home the remainder of his 
life. In 1848 he was elected to the Legislature, 
and re-elected in 1850, '52, and '56, serving three 
times as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. 
He was one of the members of the first State 
Board of Education, created by Act of Feb. is, 
1857, and took a prominent part in the founding 
and organization of the State educational insti- 
tutions. In 1857 lie was elected to the bench of 
the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, and re-elected in 
1861, but declined a re-election for a third term. 
Died, Jan. 15, 1887. 

SMITH, Aimer, jurist, was born at Orange, 
Franklin County, Mass., August 4, 1843, of an 
old New England family, whose ancestors came 
to Massachusetts Colony about 1630; was edu- 
cated in the 2>ublic schools and at Middlebury 
College, Vt. , graduating from the latter in 1866. 
A fter graduation he spent a year as a teacher in 
Newton Academy, at Shoreham, Vt., coming to 
Chicago in 1867, and entering upon the study of 
law, being admitted to the bar in 1868. The next 
twenty-five years were spent in the practice of 
his profession in Chicago, within that time serv- 
ing as the attorney of several important corpo- 
rations. In 1893 he was elected a Judge of the 
Circuit Court of Cook County, and re-elected 
in 1897, his term of service continuing until 
1903. 

SMITH, (Dr.) Charles Oilman, physician, was 
born at Exeter. N. H, Jan. 4, 1828, received his 
early education at Phillips Academy, in his native 
place, finally graduating from Harvard Univer- 
sity in 1847. He soon after commenced the study 
of medicine in the Harvard Medical School, but 
completed his course at the University of Penn- 
sylvania in 1851. After two years spent as 
attending physician of the Alms House in South 
Boston, Mass. , in 1853 he came to Chicago, where 
he soon acquired an extensive practice. During 
the Civil War he was one of six physicians 
employed by the Government for the treatment 
of prisoners of war in hospital at Camp Douglas. 
In 1868 he visited Europe for the purpose of 
observing the management of hospitals in Ger- 
many, France and England, on his return being 
invited to lecture in the Woman's Medical College 
in Chicago, and also becoming consulting phy- 
sician in the Women's and Children's Hospital, 
as well as in the Presbyterian Hospital — a position 
which he continued to occupy for the remainder 
of his life, gaining a wide reputation in the treat- 



ment of women's and children's diseases. Died, 
Jan. 10, 1894. 

SMITH, David Allen, lawyer, was born near 
Richmond, Va. , June 18, 1809; removed with his 
father, at an early day, to Pulaski, Tenn. ; at 17 
went to Courtland, Lawrence County, Ala., 
where he studied law with Judge Bramlette and 
began practice. His father, dying about 1831, left 
him the owner of a number of slaves whom, in 
1837, he brought to Carlinville, 111., and emanci- 
pated, giving bond that they should not become 
a charge to the State. In 1839 he removed to 
Jacksonville, where he practiced law until his 
death. Col. John J Hardin was his partner at 
the time .of his death on the battle-field of Buena 
Vista. Mr. Smith was a Trustee and generous 
patron of Illinois College, for a quarter of a cen- 
tury, but never held any political office. As a 
lawyer he was conscientious and faithful to the 
interests of his clients; as a citizen, liberal, pub- 
lic-spirited and patriotic. He contributed liber- 
ally to the support of the Government dur- 
ing the war for the Union. Died, at Anoka, 
Minn., July 13, 1865, where he had gone to 
accompany an invalid son. — Thomas William 
(Smith), eldest son of the preceding, born at 
Courtland, Ala., Sept. 27, 1832; died at Clear- 
water, Minn., Oct. 29, 1865. He graduated at 
Illinois College in 1852, studied law and served 
as Captain in the Tenth Illinois Volunteers, 
until, broken in health, he returned home to 
die. 

SMITH, Dietrich C, ex-Congressman, was 
born at Ostfriesland, Hanover, April 4. 1840. in 
boyhood came to the United States, and, since 
1849, has been a resident of Pekin, Tazewell 
County. In 1861 he enlisted in the Eighth Illi- 
nois Volunteers, was promoted to a Lieutenancy, 
and, while so serving, was severely wounded at 
Shiloh. Later, he was attached to the One Hun- 
dred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and was 
mustered out of service as Captain of Company C 
of that regiment. His business is that of banker 
and manufacturer, besides which he has had con- 
siderable experience in the construction and 
management of railroads. He was a member of 
the Thirtieth General Assembly, and, in 1880, was 
elected Representative in Congress from what 
was then the Thirteenth District, on the Repub- 
lican ticket, defeating Adlai E. Stevenson, after- 
wards Vice-President. In 1882, his county (Taze- 
well) having been attached to the district for 
many years represented by Wm. M. Springer, he 
was defeated by the latter as a candidate for re- 
election. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



485 



SMITH, George, one of Chicago's pioneers and 
early bankers, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scot- 
land, March 8, 1808. It was his early intention 
to study medicine, and he entered Aberdeen Col- 
lege with this end in view, but was forced to quit 
the institution at the end of two years, because 
of impaired vision. In 1833 he came to America, 
and, in 1834, settled in Chicago, where he resided 
until 1861, meanwhile spending one year in Scot- 
land. He invested largely in real estate in Chi- 
cago and Wisconsin, at one time owning a 
considerable portion of the present site of Mil- 
waukee. In 1837 he secured the charter for the 
Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company, 
whose headquarters were at Milwaukee. He was 
really the owner of the company, although Alex- 
ander Mitchell, of Milwaukee, was its Secretary. 
Under this charter Mr. Smith was able to issue 
$1,500,000 in certificates, which circulated freely 
as currency. In 1839 he founded Chicago's first 
private banking house. About 1843 he was inter- 
ested in a storage and commission business in 
Chicago, with a Mr. Webster as partner. He 
was a Director in the old Galena & Chicago 
Union Railroad (now a part of the Chicago & 
Northwestern), and aided it, while in course of 
construction, by loans of money ; was also a 
charter member of the Chicago Board of Trade, 
organized in 1848. In 1854, the State of Wiscon- 
sin having prohibited the circulation of the Wis- 
consin Marine and Fire Insurance certificates 
above mentioned. Mr. Smith sold out the com- 
pany to his partner, Mitchell, and bought two 
Georgia bank charters, which, together, em- 
powered him to issue S3, 000, 000 in currency. The 
notes were duly issued in Georgia, and put into 
circulation in Illinois, over the counter of George 
Smith & Co.'s Chicago bank. About 1856 Mr. 
Smith began winding up his affairs in Chicago, 
meanwhile spending most of his time in Scotland, 
but, returning in 1860, made extensive invest- 
ments in railroad and other American securities, 
which netted him large profits. The amount of 
capital which he is reputed to have taken with 
him to his native land has been estimated at 
§10,000,000, though he retained considerable 
tracts of valuable lands in Wisconsin and about 
Chicago. Among those who were associated 
with him in business, either as employes or 
otherwise, and who have since been prominently 
identified with Chicago business affairs, were 
Hon. Charles B. Farwell, E. I. Tinkham (after- 
wards a prominent banker of Chicago), E. W. 
Willard, now of Newport, R. I., and others. Mr. 
Smith made several visits, during the last forty 



years, to the United States, but divided his time 
chiefly between Scotland' (where he was the 
owner of a castle) and London. Died Oct. 7, 1899. 

SMITH, George W., soldier, lawyer and State 
Treasurer, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan. 
8, 1837. It was his intention to acquire a col- 
legiate education, but his father's business 
embarrassments having compelled the abandon- 
ment of his studies, at 17 of years age he went 
to Arkansas and taught school for two years. In 
1856 he returned to Albany and began the study 
of law, graduating from the law school in 18-">8. 
In October of that year he removed to Chicago, 
where he remained continuously in practice, with 
the exception of the years 1863-65, when he was 
serving in the Union army, and 1807-68, when he 
filled the office of State Treasurer. He was mus- 
tered into service, August 27, 1862, as a Captain in 
the Eighty-eighth Illinois Infantry — the second 
Board of Trade regiment. At Stone River, he 
was seriously wounded and captured. After 
four days' confinement, he was aided by a negro 
to escape. He made his way to the Union lines, 
but was granted leave of absence, being incapaci- 
tated for service. On his return to duty he 
joined his regiment in the Chattanooga cam- 
paign, and was officially complimented for his 
bravery at Gordon's Mills. At Mission Ridge he 
was again severely wounded, and was once more 
personally complimented in the official report. 
At Kenesaw Mountain (June 27, 1864), Capt. 
Smith commanded the regiment after the killing 
of Lieutenant-Colonel Chandler, and was pro- 
moted to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy for bravery on 
the field. He led the charge at Franklin, and 
was brevetted Colonel, and thanked by the com- 
mander for his gallant service. In the spring of 
1865 he was brevetted Brigadier-General, and, in 
June following, was mustered out. Returning 
to Chicago, he resumed the practice of his pro- 
fession, and gained a prominent position at the 
bar In 1866 he was elected State Treasurer, and, 
after the expiration of his term, in January, 
1869, held no public office. General Smith was, 
for many years, a Trustee of the Chicago Histor- 
ical Society, and Vice-President of the Board. 
Died, in Chicago, Sept. 16, 1898. 

SMITH, George W., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born in Putnam County, Ohio, August 1*. 
1846. When he was four years old, his father 
removed to Wayne County. III., settling on a 
farm. He attended the common schools and 
graduated from the literary department of Mc- 
Kendree College, at Lebanon, in 1868. In his 
youth he learned the trade of a blacksmith, but 



486 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



later determined to study law. After reading for 
a time at Fairfield, 111., he entered the Law 
Department of the Bloomington (Ind.) Univer- 
sity, graduating there in 1870. The same year he 
was admitted to the bar in Illinois, and has since 
practiced at Murphysboro. In 1880 he was a 
Republican Presidential Elector, and, in 1888, was 
elected a Republican Representative to Congress 
from the Twentieth Illinois District, and has 
been continuously re-elected, now (1899) serving 
his sixth consecutive term as Representative 
from the Twenty-second District. 

SMITH, Giles Alexander, soldier, and Assist- 
ant Postmaster-General, was born in Jefferson 
County, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1829; engaged in dry- 
goods business in Cincinnati and Bloomington, 
111., in 1861 being proprietor of a hotel in the 
latter place; became a Captain in the Eighth 
Missouri Volunteers, was engaged at Forts Henry 
and Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth, and promoted 
Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel in 1862; led his 
regiment on the first attack on Vicksburg, and 
was severely wounded at Arkansas Post ; was pro- 
moted Brigadier-General in August, 1863, for 
gallant and meritorious conduct; led a brigade 
of the Fifteenth Army Corps at Chattanooga and 
Missionary Ridge, as also in the Atlanta cam- 
paign, and a division of the Seventeenth Corps in 
the "March to the Sea." After the surrender of 
Lee he was transferred to the Twenty fifth Army 
Corps, became Major-General in 1865, and 
resigned in 1866, having declined a commission 
as Colonel in the regular army ; about 1869 was 
appointed, by President Grant. Second Assistant 
Postmaster-General, but resigned on account of 
failing health in 1872. Died, at Bloomington, 
Nov. 8, 1876. General Smith was one of the 
founders of the Society of the Army of the 
Tennessee. 

SMITH, Gnstavus Adolphns, soldier, was born 
in Philadelphia, Dec. 26, 1820; at 16 joined two 
brothers who had located at Springfield, Ohio, 
where he learned the trade of a carriage-maker. 
In December, 1837, he arrived at Decatur, 111., 
but soon after located at Springfield, where he 
resided some six years. Then, returning to 
Decatur, he devoted his attention to carriage 
manufacture, doing a large business with the 
South, but losing heavily as the result of the 
war. An original Whig, he became a Democrat 
on the dissolution of the Whig party, but early 
took ground in favor of the Union after the firing 
on Fort Sumter; was offered and accepted the 
colonelcy of the Thirty-fifth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers, at the same time assisting Governor 



Yates in the selection of Camp Butler as a camp 
of recruiting and instruction. Having been 
assigned to duty in Missouri, in the summer of 
1861, he proceeded to Jefferson City, joined Fre- 
mont at Carthage in that State, and made a 
forced march to Springfield, afterwards taking 
part in the campaign in Arkansas and in the 
battle of Pea Ridge, where he had a horse shot 
under him and was severely (and, it was supposed, 
fatally) wounded, not recovering until 1868. 
Being compelled to return home, he received 
authority to raise an independent brigade, but 
was unable to accompany it to the field. In Sep- 
tember, 1862, he was commissioned a Brigadier- 
General by President Lincoln, "for meritorious 
conduct,*' but was unable to enter into active 
service on account of his wound. Later, he was 
assigned to the command of a convalescent camp 
at Murfreesboro, Tenn., under Gen. George H. 
Thomas. In 1864 he took part in securing tho 
second election of President Lincoln, and, in the 
early part of 1865, was commissioned by Gov- 
ernor Oglesby Colonel of a new regiment (the 
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Illinois), but, on 
account of his wounds, was assigned to court- 
martial duty, remaining in the service until 
January, 1866, when he was mustered out with 
the brevet rank of Brigadier-General. During 
the second year of his service he was presented 
with a magnificent sword by the rank and file of 
his regiment (the Thirty-fifth), for brave and gal- 
lant conduct at Pea Ridge. After retiring from 
the army, he engaged in cotton planting in Ala- 
bama, but was not successful ; in 1868, canvassed 
Alabama for General Grant for President, but 
declined a nomination in his own favor for Con- 
gress. In 1870 he was appointed, by General 
Grant, United States Collection and Disbursing 
Agent for the District' of New Mexico, where he 
continued to reside. 

S3IITH, John Corson, soldier, ex-Lieutenant- 
Governor and ex-State Treasurer, was born in 
Philadelphia. Feb. 13, 1832. At the age of 16 he 
was apprenticed to a carpenter anil builder. In 
1854 he came to Chicago, and worked at his trade, 
for a time, but soon removed to Galena, where he 
finally engaged in business as a contractor. In 
1862 he enlisted as a private in the Seventy-fourth 
Illinois Volunteers, but, having received author- 
ity from Governor Yates, raised a company, of 
which he was chosen Captain, and which was 
incorporated in the Ninety-sixth Illinois Infan- 
try. Of this regiment he was soon elected Major. 
After a short service about Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and Covington and Newport, Ky., the Ninety- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



487 



sixth was sent to the front, and took part (among 
other battles) in the second engagement at Fort 
Donelson and in the bloody fight at Franklin, 
Tenn. Later, Major Smith was assigned to staff 
duty under Generals Baird and Steedman, serv- 
ing through the Tullahoma campaign, and par- 
ticipating in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Being promoted 
to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy, he rejoined his regi- 
ment, and was given command of a brigade. In 
the Atlanta campaign he served gallantly, tak- 
ing a conspicuous part in its long series of bloody 
engagements, and being severely wounded at 
Kenesaw Mountain. In February, 1865, he was 
brevetted Colonel, and, in June, 1865, Brigadier- 
General. Soon after his return to Galena he was 
appointed Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue, 
but was legislated out of office in 1872. In 1873 
he removed to Chicago and embarked in business. 
In 1874 76. he was a member (and Secretary) of 
the Illinois Board of Commissioners to the Cen- 
tennial Exposition at Philadelphia. In 1875 he 
was appointed Chief Grain-Inspector at Chicago, 
and held the office for several years. In 1872 and 
'76 he was a delegate to the National Republican 
Conventions of those years, and, in 1878, was 
elected State Treasurer, as he was again in 1882. 
In 1884 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor, serv- 
ing until 1889. He is a prominent Mason, Knight 
Templar and Odd Fellow, as well as a distin- 
guished member of the Order of Nobles of the 
Mystic Shrine, and was prominently connected 
with the erection of the "Masonic Temple Build- 
ing" in Chicago. 

SMITH, John Eugene, soldier, was born in 
Switzerland, August 3, 1816, the son of an officer 
who had served under Napoleon, and after the 
downfall of the latter, emigrated to Philadelphia, 
The subject of this sketch received an academic 
education and became a jeweler ; in 1(^61 entered 
the volunteer service as Colonel of the Forty-fifth 
Illinois Infantry ; took part in the capture of 
Forts Henry and Donelson, in the battle of Shiloh 
and siege of Corinth ; was promoted a Brigadier- 
General in November, 1862, and placed in com- 
mand of a division in the Sixteenth Army Corps ; 
led the Third Division of the Seventeenth Army 
Corps in the Vicksburg campaign, later being 
transferred to the Fifteenth, and taking part in 
the battle of Missionar)- Ridge and the Atlanta 
and Carolina campaigns of 1864-65. He received 
the brevet rank of Major-General of Volunteers 
in January, 1865, and, on his muster-out from the 
volunteer service, became Colonel of the Twenty- 
seventh United States Infantry, being transferred, 



in 1870, to the Fourteenth. In 1867 his services 
at Vicksburg and Savannah were further recog- 
nized by conferring upon him the brevets of Brig- 
adier and Major-General in the regular army. 
In May, 1881, he was retired, afterwards residing 
in Chicago, where he died, Jan. 29, 1897. 

SMITH, Joseph, the founder of the Mormon 
sect, was born at Sharon, Vt., Dec. 23, 1805. In 
1815 his parents removed to Palmyra, N. Y., and 
still later to Manchester. He early showed a 
dreamy mental cast, and claimed to be able to 
locate stolen articles by means of a magic stone. 
In 1820 he claimed to have seen a vision, but his 
pretensions were ridiculed by his acquaintances. 
His story of the revelation of the golden plates 
by the angel Moroni, and of the latter's instruc- 
tions to him, is well known. With the aid of 
Martin Harris and Oliver Cowdery he prepared 
the "Book of Mormon," alleging that he had 
deciphered it from heaven-sent characters, 
through the aid of miraculous spectacles. This 
was published in 1830. In later years Smith 
claimed to have received supplementary reve- 
lations, which so taxed the credulity of his fol- 
lowers that some of them apostatized. He also 
claimed supernatural power, such as exorcism, 
etc. He soon gained followers in considerable 
numbers, whom, in 1832, he led west, a part 
settling at Kirtland, Ohio, and the remainder in 
Jackson County, Mo. Driven out of Ohio five 
years later, the bulk of the sect found the way to 
their friends in Missouri, whence they were 
finally expelled after many conflicts with the 
authorities. Smith, with the other refugees, fled 
to Hancock County, 111., founding the city of 
Nauvoo, which was incorporated in 1840. Here 
was begun, in the following .year, the erection of a 
great temple, but again he aroused the hostility 
of the authorities, although soon wielding con- 
siderable political power. After various unsuc- 
cessful attempts to arrest him in 1844, Smith and 
a number of his followers were induced to sur- 
render themselves under the promise of protection 
from violence and a fair trial. Having been 
taken to Carthage, the county -seat, all were dis 
charged under recognizance to appear at court 
except Smith and his brother Hyrum, who were 
held under the new charge of "treason, " and were 
placed in jail. So intense had been the feeling 
against the Mormons, that Governor Ford called 
out the militia to preserve the peace; but it is 
evident that the feeling among the latter was in 
sympathy with that of the populace. Most of 
the militia were disbanded after Smith's arrest, 
one company being left on duty at Carthage, 



488 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



from whom only eight men were detailed to 
guard the jail. In this condition of affairs a mob 
of 150 disguised men, alleged to be from Warsaw, 
appeared before the jail on the evening of June 
■27, and, forcing the guards — who made only a 
feeble resistance, — Joseph Smith and his brother 
Hyrum were both shot down, while a friend, who 
hail remained with them, was wounded. The fate 
of Smith undoubtedly went far to win for him 
the reputation of martyr, and give a new impulse 
to the Mormon faith. (See Mormons; Nauvoo.) 

SMITH, Justin Alnierin, D.D., clergyman 
and editor, was born at Ticonderoga, N. Y., Dec. 
29, 1819, educated at New Hampton Literary and 
Theological Institute and Union College, gradu- 
ating from the latter in 1S43 ; served a year as 
Principal of the Union Academy at Bennington, 
Vt. followed by four years of pastoral work, 
when he assumed the pastorate of the First Bap- 
tist church at Rochester, N. Y., where he 
remained five years. Then (1853) he removed to 
Chicago to assume the editorship of "The Chris- 
tian Times" (now "The Standard"), with which 
he was associated for the remainder of his life. 
Meanwhile he assisted in organizing three Baptist 
churches in Chicago, serving two of them as 
pastor for a considerable period; made an ex- 
tended tour of Europe in 1SG9, attending the 
Vatican Council at Borne ; was a Trustee and 
one of the founders of the old Chicago Univer- 
sity, and Trustee and Lecturer of the Baptist 
Theological Seminary ; was also the author of 
several religious works. Died, at Morgan Park, 
near Chicago, Feb. 4, 1896. 

SMITH, Terry II., lawyer and politician, was 
born in Augusta, Oneida County, N. Y., March 
18, 1828; entered Hamilton College at the age of 
14 and graduated, second in his class, at 18 ; began 
reading law and was admitted to the bar on com- 
ing of age in 1S49. Then, removing to Appleton, 
Wis., when 23 years of age he was elected a 
Judge, served later in both branches of the 
Legislature, and, in 1857, became Vice-President 
of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lie Railway, 
retaining the same position in the reorganized 
corporation when it became the Chicago & 
Northwestern. In 1856 Mr. Smith came to Chi- 
cago and resided there till his death, on Palm 
Sunday of 1885. He was prominent in railway 
circles and in the councils of the Democratic 
party, being the recognized representative of Mr. 
Tilden's interests in the Northwest in the cam- 
paign of 1876. 

SMITH, Robert, Congressman and lawyer, 
was born at Petersborough, N. H., June 12, 1802; 



was educated and admitted to the bar in his 
native town, settled at Alton, 111., in 1832, and 
engaged in practice. In 1836 he was elected to 
the General Assembly from Madison County, 
and re-elected in 1838. In 1842 he was elected to 
the Twenty-eighth Congress, and twice re-elected, 
serving three successive terms. During the Civil 
War he was commissioned Paymaster, with the 
rank of Major, and was stationed at St. Louis. 
He was largely interested in the construction of 
water power at Minneapolis, Minn., and also in 
railroad enterprises in Illinois. He was a promi- 
nent Mason and a public-spirited citizen. Died, 
at Alton, Dec. 20. 18G7. 

SMITH, Samuel Lisle, lawyer, was born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., in 1817, and, belonging to a 
wealthy family, enjoyed superior educational 
advantages, taking a course in the Yale Law 
School at an age too early to admit of his receiv- 
ing a degree. In 1830 he came to Illinois, to li » >k 
after some landed interests of his father's in the 
vicinity of Peru. Returning east within the next 
two years, he obtained his diploma, and, again 
coming west, located in Chicago in 1838, and, 
for a time, occupied an office with the well-known 
law firm of Butterfield & Collins. In 1839 he was 
elected City Attorney and, at the great Whig 
meeting at Springfield, in June. 1840, was one of 
the principal speakers, establishing a reputation 
as one of the most brilliant campaign orators in 
the West. As an admirer of Henry Clay, he was 
active in the Presidential campaign of 1844, and 
was also a prominent speaker at the River and 
Harbor Convention at Chicago, in 1847. With a 
keen sense of humor, brilliant, witty and a mas- 
ter of repartee and invective, he achieved popu- 
larity, both at the bar and on the lecture 
platform, and had the promise of future success, 
which was unfortunately marred by his convivial 
habits. Died of cholera, in Chicago, July 30, 1854. 
Mr. Smith married the daughter of Dr. Potts, of 
Philadelphia, an eminent clergyman of the 
Episcopal Church. 

SMITH, Sidney, jurist, was born in Washing- 
ton County, N. Y„ May 12, 1829; studied law and 
was admitted to the bar at Albion, in that State, 
in 1851 ; came to Chicago in 1856 and entered 
into partnership with Grant Goodrich and Will- 
iam W. Farwell, both of whom were afterwards 
elected to places on the bench — the first in the 
Superior, and the latter in the Circuit Court. In 
1879 Judge Smith was elected to the Superior 
Court of Cook County, serving until 1885, when 
he became the attorney of the Chicago Board of 
Trade. He was the Republican candidate for 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



489 



Mayor, in opposition to Carter H. Harrison, in 
1885, and is believed by many to have been 
honestly elected, though defeated on the face of 
the returns. A recount was ordered by the court, 
but so much delay was incurred and so many 
obstacles placed in the way of carrying the order 
into effect, that Judge Smith abandoned the con- 
test in disgust, although making material gains 
as far as it had gone. During his professional 
career he was connected, as counsel, with some of 
the most important trials before the Chicago 
courts ; was also one of the Directors of the Chi- 
cago Public Library, on its organization in 1871. 
Died suddenly, in Chicago, Oct. 6, 1898. 

SMITH, Theophilns Washington, Judge and 
politician, was born in New York City, Sept. 28, 
1784, served for a time in the United States navy, 
was a law student in the office of Aaron Burr, 
was admitted to the bar in his native State in 
1805, and, in 1816, came west, finally locating at 
Edwardsville, where he soon became a prominent 
figure in early State history. In 1820 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate before the Legislature for 
the office of Attorney-General, being defeated by 
Samuel D. Loekwood, but was elected to the 
State Senate in 1822, serving four years. In 1823 
he was one of the leaders of the "Conventionist" 
party, whose aim was to adopt a new Constitution 
which would legalize slavery in Illinois, during 
this period being the editor of the leading organ 
of the pro-slavery party. In 1825 he was elected 
one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme 
Court, but resigned, Dec. 25, 1842. He was im- 
peached in 1832 on charges alleging oppressive 
conduct, corruption, and other high misdemean- 
ors in office, but secured a negative acquittal, a 
two-thirds vote being necessary to conviction. 
The votfe in the Senate stood twelve for convic- 
tion (on a part of the charges) to ten for acquittal, 
four being excused from voting. During the 
Black Hawk War he served as Quartermaster- 
General on the Governor's staff. As a jurist, he 
was charged by his political opponents with 
being unable to divest himself of his partisan 
bias, and even with privately advising counsel, in 
political causes, of defects in the record, which 
they (the counsel) had not discovered. He was 
also a member of the first Board of Commission- 
ers of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, appointed in 
1823. Died, in Chicago, May 6, 1846. 

SMITH, William Henry, journalist, Associ- 
ated Press Manager, was born in Columbia 
County, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1833; at three years of age 
was taken by his parents to Ohio, where he 
enjoyed the best educational advantages that 



State at the time afforded. After completing his 
school course he began teaching, and, for a time, 
served as tutor iu a Western college, but soon 
turned his attention to journalism, at first as 
assistant editor of a weekly publication at Cincin- 
nati, still later becoming its editor, and, in 1855, 
city editor of "The Cincinnati Gazette," with 
which he was connected in a more responsible 
position at the beginning of the war, incidentally 
doing work upon 'The Literary Review." His 
connection with a leading paper enabled him to 
exert a strong influence in support of the Govern- 
ment. This he used most faithfully in assisting 
to raise troops in the first years of the war, and, 
in 1863, in bringing forward and securing the 
election of John Brough as a Union candidate for 
Governor in opposition to Clement L. Vallandi- 
gham, the Democratic candidate. In 1864 he was 
nominated and elected Secretary of State, being 
re-elected two years later. After retiring from 
office he returned to journalism at Cincinnati, as 
editor of "The Evening Chronicle," from which 
he retired in 1870 to become Agent of the West- 
ern Associated Press, with headquarters, at first 
at Cleveland, but later at Chicago. His success 
in this line was demonstrated by the final union 
of the New York and Western Associated Press 
organizations under his management, continuing 
until 1893, when he retired. Mr. Smith was a 
strong personal friend of President Hayes, by 
whom he was appointed Collector of the Port of 
Chicago in 1877. While engaged in official duties 
he found time to do considerable literary work, 
having published, several years ago, "The St. Clair 
Papers," in two volumes, and a life of Charles 
Hammond, besides contributions to periodicals. 
After retiring from the management of the 
Associated Press, he was engaged upon a "His- 
tory of American Politics" and a "Life of Ruther- 
ford B. Hayes," which are said to have been well 
advanced at the time of his death, which took 
place at his home, at Lake Forest, 111., July 27, 
1896. 

SMITH, William M., merchant, stock- breeder 
and politician, was born near Frankfort, Ky., 
May 23, 1827; in 1846 accompanied his father's 
family to Lexington, McLean County, III, where 
they settled. A few years later he bought forty 
acres of government land, finally increasing his 
holdings to 800 acres, and becoming a breeder of 
fine stock. Still later he added to his agricultural 
pursuits the business of a merchant. Having 
early identified himself with the Republican 
party, he remained a firm adherent of its prin- 
ciples during the Civil War, and. while declining 



490 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



a commission tendered him by Governor Yates, 
devoted his time and means liberally to the re- 
cruiting and organization of regiments for serv- 
ice in the field, and procuring supplies for the 
sick and wounded. In 1866 he was elected to the 
lower house of the Legislature, and was re-elected 
in 1868 and '70, serving, during his last term, as 
Speaker. In 1877 he was appointed by Governor 
Cullom a member of the Railroad and Warehouse 
Commission, of which body he served as President 
until 1883. He was a man of remarkably genial 
temperament, liberal impulses, and wide popu- 
larity. Died, March 25, 1886. 

SMITH, 'William Sooy, soldier and civil engi- 
neer, was born at Tarlton, Pickaway County, 
Ohio, July 22, 1830; graduated at Ohio University 
in 1849. and, at the United States Military Acad- 
emy, in 1853, having among his classmates, at the 
latter, Generals McPherson, Schofield and Sheri- 
dan. Coming to Chicago the following year, he 
first found employment as an engineer on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, but later became assist- 
ant of Lieutenant-Colonel Graham in engineer 
service on the lakes ; a year later took charge of 
a select school in Buffalo; in 1857 made the first 
surveys for the International Bridge at Niagara 
Falls, then went into the service of extensive 
locomotive and bridge- works at Trenton, N. J., 
in their interest making a visit to Cuba, and also 
superintending the construction of a bridge 
across the Savannah River. The war intervening, 
he returned North and was appointed Lieutenant- 
Colonel and assigned to duty as Assistant Adju- 
tant-General at Camp Denison, Ohio, but, in 
June, 1862, was commissioned Colonel of the 
Thirteenth Ohio Volunteers, participating in the 
West Virginia campaigns, and later, at Shiloh and 
Perryville. In April, 1862, he was promoted 
Brigadier-General of volunteers, commanding 
divisions in the Army of the Ohio until the fall 
of 1862, when he joined Grant and took part in 
the Vicksburg campaign, as commander of the 
First Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps. 
Subsequently he was made Chief of the Cavalry 
Department, serving on the staffs of Grant and 
Sherman, until compelled to resign, in 1864, on 
account of impaired health. During the war 
General Smith rendered valuable service to the 
Union cause in great emergencies, by his knowl- 
edge of engineering. On retiring to private life 
he resumed his profession at Chicago, and since 
has been employed by the Government on some 
of its most stupendous works on the lakes, and 
has also planned several of the most important 
railroad bridges across the Missouri and other 



streams. He has been much consulted in refer- 
ence to municipal engineering, and his name is 
connected with a number of the gigantic edifices 
in Chicago. 

SMITHBORO, a village and railroad junction 
in Bond County, 3 miles east of Greenville. 
Population, 393; (1900), 314. 

SJiAPP, Henry, Congressman, born in Livings- 
ton County, N. Y., June 30, 1822, came to Illinois 
with his father when 11 years old, and, having 
read law at Joliet, was admitted to the bar in 
1847. He practiced in Will County for twenty 
years before entering public life. In 1868 he was 
elected to the State Senate and occupied a seat in 
that body until his election, in 1871, to the Forty- 
second Congress, by the Republicans of the (then) 
Sixth Illinois District, as successor to B. C. Cook, 
who had resigned. Died, at Joliet, Nov. 23, 1895. 

SNOW, Herman W., ex-Congressman, was born 
in La Porte County, Ind., July 3, 1836, but was 
reared in Kentucky, working upon a farm for 
five years, while yet in his minority becoming a 
resident of Illinois. For several years he was a 
school teacher, meanwhile studying law and 
being admitted to the bar. Early in the war he 
enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and 
Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, rising to the 
rank of Captain. His term of service having 
expired, he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Fifty-first Illinois, and was mustered out with 
the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. After the close 
of the war he resumed teaching at the Chicago 
High School, and later served in the General 
Assembly (1873-74) as Representative from Wood- 
ford County. In 1890 he was elected, as a Demo- 
crat, to represent the Ninth Illinois District in 
Congress, but was defeated by his Republican 
opponent in 1892. 

SNOWHOOK, William B., first Collector of 
Customs at Chicago, was born in Ireland in 1804 ; 
at the age of eight years was brought to New 
York, where he learned the printer's trade, 
and worked for some time in the same office 
with Horace Greeley. At 16 he went back to 
Ireland, remaining two years, but, returning to 
the United States, began the study of law ; was 
also employed on the Passaic Canal; in 1836, 
came to Chicago, and was soon after associated 
with William B. Ogden in a contract on the Illi- 
nois & Michigan Canal, which lasted until 1841. 
As early as 1840 he became prominent as a leader 
in the Democratic party, and, in 1846, received 
from President Polk an appointment as first Col- 
lector of Customs for Chicago (having previously 
served as Special Surveyor of the Port, while 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



491 



attached to the District of Detroit) ; in 1853, was 
re-appointed to the Collectorship by President 
Pierce, serving two years. During the "Mormon 
War" (1844) he organized and equipped, at his 
own expense, the Montgomery Guards, and was 
commissioned Colonel, but the disturbances were 
brought to an end before the order to march. 
From 1856 he devoted his attention chiefly to his 
practice, but, in 1862, was one of the Democrats 
of Chicago who took part in a movement to sus- 
tain the Government by stimulating enlistments ; 
was also a member of the Convention which 
nominated Mr. Greeley for President in 1872. 
Died, in Chicago, May 5, 1882. 

SNYDER, Adam Wilson, pioneer lawyer, and 
early Congressman, was born at Connellsville, 
Pa., Oct. 6, 1799. In early life he followed the 
occupation of wool-curling for a livelihood, 
attending school in the winter. In 1815, he emi- 
grated to Columbus, Ohio, and afterwards settled 
in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair County, 111. Being 
offered a situation in a wool-curling and fulling 
mill at Cahokia, he removed thither in 1817. He 
formed the friendship of Judge Jesse B. Thomas, 
and, through the latter's encouragement and aid, 
studied law and gained a solid professional, poli- 
tical, social and financial position. In 1830 he 
was elected State Senator from St. Clair County, 
and re-elected for two successive terms. He 
served through the Black Hawk War as private, 
Adjutant and Captain. In 1833 he removed to 
Belleville, and, in 1834, was defeated for Congress 
by Governor Reynolds, whom he, in turn, defeated 
in 1836. Two years later Reynolds again defeated 
him for the same position, and, in 1840, he was 
elected State Senator. In 1841 he was the Demo- 
cratic nominee for Governor. The election was 
held in August, 1842, but, in May preceding, he 
died at his home in Belleville. His place on the 
ticket was filled by Thomas Ford, who was 
elected. — William H. (Snyder), son of the pre- 
ceding, was born in St. Clair County, 111., July 
12, 1825 ; educated at McKendree College, studied 
law with Lieutenant-Governor Koerner, and was 
admitted to practice in 1845; also served for a 
time as Postmaster of the city of Belleville, and, 
during the Mexican War, as First-Lieutenant and 
Adjutant of the Fifth Illinois Volunteers. From 
1850 to "54 he represented his county in the Legis- 
lature; in 1855 was appointed, by Governor Mat- 
teson, State's Attorney - , which position he filled 
for two years. He was an unsuccessful candidate 
for the office of Secretary of State in 1856, and, 
in 1857, was elected a Judge of the Twenty- 
fourth Circuit, was re-elected for the Third Cir- 



cuit in '73, '79 and '85. He was also a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. Died, 
at Belleville, Dec. 24, 1892. 

SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' HOME, a State 
charitable institution, founded by act of the 
Legislature in 1885, and located at Quincy, 
Adams County. The object of its establish- 
ment was to provide a comfortable home for 
such disabled or dependent veterans of the 
United States land or naval forces as had 
honorably served during the Civil War. It 
was opened for the reception of veterans on 
March 3, 1887, the first cost of site and build- 
ings having been about 8350,000. The total num 
ber of inmates admitted up to June 30, 1894, was 
2,813; the number in attendance during the two 
previous years 988, and the whole number present 
on Nov. 10, 1894, 1,088. The value of property at 
that time was $393,636.08. Considerable appro- 
priations have been made for additions to the 
buildings at subsequent sessions of the Legisla- 
ture. The General Government pays to the State 
.8100 per year for each veteran supported at the 
Home. 

SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME, ILLINOIS, an 
institution, created by act of 1865, for the main- 
tenance and education of children of deceased 
soldiers of the Civil War. An eighty -acre tract, 
one mile north of Normal, was selected as the 
site, and the first principal building was com- 
pleted and opened for the admission of benefici- 
aries on June 1, 1869. Its first cost was S135.000, 
the site having been donated. Repairs and the 
construction of new buildings, from time to 
time, have considerably increased this sum. In 
1875 the benefits of the institution were extended, 
by legislative enactment, to the children of sol- 
diers who had died after the close of the war. 
The aggregate number of inmates, in 1894, was 
572, of whom 323 were males and 249 females. 

SOLDIERS' WIDOWS' HOME. Provision was 
made for the establishment of this institution by 
the Thirty-ninth General Assembly, in an act, 
approved, June 13, 1895, appropriating §20.000 for 
the purchase of a site, the erection of buildings 
and furnishing the same. It is designed for the 
reception and care of the mothers, wives, widows 
and daughters of such honorably discharged 
soldiers or sailors, in the United States service, as 
may have died, or may be physically or men- 
tally unable to provide for the families natu- 
rally dependent on them, provided that such 
persons have been residents of the State for 
at least one year previous to admission, and 
are without means or ability for self-support. 



49* 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



The affairs of the Home are managed by a 
board of five trustees, of whom two are men and 
three women, the former to be members of the 
Grand Army of the Republic and of different 
political parties, and the latter members of the 
Women's Relief Corps of this State. The institu- 
tion was located at Wilmington, occupying a 
site of seventeen acres, where it was formally 
opened in a house of eighteen rooms. March 11, 
1S96, with twenty-six applications for admit- 
tance. The plan contemplates an early enlarge- 
ment by the erection of additional cottages. 

SORENTO, a village of Bond County, at the 
intersection of the Jacksonville & St. Louis and 
the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Railways, 14 
miles southeast of Lilchfield; has a bank and a 
newspaper. Its interests are agricultural and 
mining. Pop. (1890), 538; (1900), 1,000. 

SOULARD, James Gaston, pioneer, born of 
French ancestry in St. Louis, Mo., July 15, 1798; 
resided there until 1821, when, having married 
the daughter of a soldier of the Revolution, he 
received an appointment at Fort Snelling, near 
the present city of St. Paul, then under command 
of Col. Snelling, who was his wife's brother-in- 
law. The Fort was reached after a tedious jour- 
ney by flat-boat and overland, late in the fall of 
1821, his wife accompanying him. Three years 
later they returned to St. Louis, where, being an 
engineer, he was engaged for several years in 
surveying. In 1827 he removed with his family 
to Galena, for the next six years had charge of a 
store of the Gratiot Brothers, early business men 
of that locality. Towards the close of this period 
he received the appointment of County Recorder, 
also holding the position of County Surveyor and 
Postmaster of Galena at the same time. His 
later years were devoted to farming and horti- 
culture, his death taking place, Sept. 17, 1878. 
Mr. Soulard was probably the first man to engage 
in freighting between Galena and Chicago. 
"The Galena Advertiser'' of Sept. 14, 1829, makes 
mention of a wagon-load of lead sent by him to 
Chicago, his team taking back a load of salt, the 
paper remarking: "This is the first wagon that 
has ever passed from the Mississippi River to 
Chicago." Great results were predicted from 
the exchange of commodities between the lake 
and the lead mine district. — Mrs. Eliza M. 
Hunt (Soulard), wife of the preceding, was born 
at Detroit, Dec. 18, 1804, her father being Col. 
Thomas A. Hunt, who had taken part in the 
Battle of Bunker Hill and remained in the army 
until his death, at St. Louis, in 1807. His descend- 
ants have maintained their connection with the 



army ever since, a son being a prominent artillery 
officer at the Battle of Gettysburg. Mrs. Soular 
was married at St. Louis, in 1820, and survive 
her husband some sixteen years, dying at Galena 
August 11, 1894. She had resided in Galen? 
nearly seventy years, and at the date of her 
death, in the 90th year of her age, she was that 
city's oldest resident. 

SOUTH CHICAGO & WESTERN INDIANA 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago & Western Indiana 
Railroad.) 

SOUTH DANVILLE, a suburb of the city of 
Danville, Vermilion County. Population (1890), 
799; (1000), 898. 

SOUTHEAST & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. (See 
Louisville ct' Nashville Railroad.) 

SOUTH ELGIN, a village of Kane County, 
near the city of Elgin. Population (1900), 515. 

SOUTHERN COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, 
located at Albion, Edwards County, incorporated 
in 1891; had a faculty of ten teachers with 219 
pupils (1897-98) — about equally male and female. 
Besides classical, scientific, normal, music and 
fine arts departments, instruction is given in pre- 
paratory studies and business education. Its 
property is valued at 816.500. 

SOUTHERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, 
located at Anna, Union County, founded by act 
of the Legislature in 1869. The original site com- 
prised 290 acres and cost a little more than 
822,000, of which one-fourth was donated by citi- 
zens of the county. The construction of build- 
ings was begun in 1869, but it was not until 
March, 1875, that the north wing (the first com- 
pleted) was ready for occupancy. Other portions 
were completed a year later. The Trustees pur- 
chased 160 additional acres in 1883. The first 
cost (up to September, 1876) was nearly §635,000. 
In 1881 one wing of the main building was de- 
stroyed by fire, and was subsequently rebuilt; the 
patients being, meanwhile, cared for in temporary 
wooden barracks. The total value of lands and 
buildings belonging to the State, June 30, 1894, 
was estimated at $738,580, and, of property of all 
sorts, at §833,700. The wooden barracks were 
later converted into a permanent ward, additions 
made to the main buildings, a detached building 
for the accommodation of 300 patients erected, 
numerous outbuildings put up and general im- 
provements made. A second fire on the night of 
Jan. 3, 1895, destroyed a large part of the main 
building, inflicting a loss upon the State of 
§175,000. Provision was made for rebuilding by 
the Legislature of that year. The institution has 
capacity for about 750 patients. 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



493 



SOUTHERN ILLINOIS NORMAL UNIVER- 
SITY, established in 1869, and located, after 
competitive bidding, at Carbondale, which offered 
lands and bonds at first estimated to be of the 
value of §229.000, but which later depreciated, 
through shrinkage, to $75,000. Construction was 
commenced in May, 1870, and the first or main 
building was completed and appropriately dedi- 
cated in July, 1874. Its cost was $265,000, but it 
was destroyed by fire, Nov. 26, 1883. In Febru- 
ary, 1887, a new structure was completed at a cost 
of §150,000. Two normal courses of instruction 
are given — classical and scientific — each extend- 
ing over a period of four years. The conditions 
of admission require that the pupil shall be 16 
years of age, and shall possess the qualifications 
enabling him to pass examination for a second- 
grade teacher's certificate. Those unable to do so 
ma)' enter a preparatory department for six 
months. Pupils who pledge themselves to teach 
in the public schools, not less than half the time 
of their attendance at the University, receive 
free tuition with a small charge for incidentals, 
while others pay a tuition fee. The number of 
students in attendance for the year 1897-98 was 
720, coming from forty-seven counties, chiefly in 
the southern half of the State, with represent- 
atives from eight other States. The teaching 
faculty for the same year consisted, besides the 
President, of sixteen instructors in the various 
departments, of whom five were ladies and 
eleven gentlemen. 

SOUTHERN PENITENTIARY, THE, located 
near Chester, on the Mississippi River. Its erec- 
tion was rendered necessary by the overcrowding 
of the Northern Penitentiary. (See Northern 
Penitentiary.) The law providing for its estab- 
lishment required the Commissioners to select a 
site convenient of access, adjacent to stone and 
timber, and having a high elevation, with a never 
failing supply of water. In 1877, 122 acres were 
purchased at Chester, and the erection of build- 
ings commenced. The first appropriation was of 
$200,000, and $300,000 was added in 1879. By 
March, 1878, 200 convicts wei - e received, and 
their labor was utilized in the completion of the 
buildings, which are constructed upon approved 
modern principles. The prison receives convicts 
sent from the southern portion of the State, and 
has accommodation for some 1,200 prisoners. In 
connection with this penitentiary is an asylum 
for insane convicts, the erection of which was 
provided for by the Legislature in 1889. 

SOUTH (iROVE, a village of De Kalb County. 
Population (1890), 730. 



SPALDIXG, Jesse, manufacturer. Collector of 
Customs and Street Railway President, was born 
at Athens, Bradford County, Pa., April 15, 1833; 
early commenced lumbering on the Susquehanna, 
and, at 23, began dealing on bis own account. In 
1857 he removed to Chicago, and soon after bought 
the property of the New York Lumber Company 
at the mouth of the Menominee River in Wiscon- 
sin, where, with different partners, and finally 
practically alone, he has carried on the business 
of lumber manufacture on a large scale ever 
since. In 1881 he was appointed, by President 
Arthur, Collector of the Port of Chicago, and, in 
1889, received from President Harrison an 
appointment as one of the Government Directors 
of the Union Pacific Railway. Mr. Spalding was 
a zealous supporter of the Government during 
the War of the Rebellion and rendered valuable 
aid in the construction and equipment of Camp 
Douglas and the barracks at Chicago for the 
returning soldiers, receiving Auditor's warrants 
in payment, when no funds in the State treasury 
were available for the purpose. He was associ- 
ated with William B. Ogden and others in the 
project for connecting Green Bay and Sturgeon 
Bay by a ship canal, which was completed in 
1882, and, on the death of Mr. Ogden, succeeded 
to the Presidency of the Canal Company, serving 
until 1893, when the canal was turned over to the 
General Government. He has also been identified 
with many other public enterprises intimately 
connected with the development and prosperity 
of Chicago, and, in July, 1899, became President 
of the Chicago Union Traction Company, having 
control of the North and West Chicago Street 
Railway Systems. 

SPALDING, John Lancaster, Catholic Bishop, 
was born in Lebanon, Ky., June 2, 1840; educated 
in the United States and in Europe, ordained a 
priest in the Catholic Church in 1863, and there- 
upon attached to the cathedral at Louisville, as 
assistant. In 1869 he organized a congregation 
of colored people, and built for their use the 
Church of St. Augustine, having been assigned 
to that parish as pastor. Soon afterwards he was 
appointed Secretary to the Bishop and made 
Chancellor of the Diocese. In 1873 he was trans- 
ferred from Louisville to New York, where he 
was attached to the missionary parish of St. 
Michael's. He had, by this time, achieved no little 
fame as a pulpit orator and lecturer. When 
the diocese of Peoria, 111., was created, in 1877, the 
choice of the Pope fell upon him for the new see, 
and he was consecrated Bishop, on May 1 of that 
year, by Cardinal McCloskey at New York. His 



494 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



administration has been characterized by both 
energy and success. He has devoted much atten- 
tion to the subject of emigration, and has brought 
about the founding of many new settlements in 
the far West. He was also largely instrumental 
in bringing about the founding of the Catholic 
University at Washington. Ho is a frequent 
contributor to the reviews, and the author of a 
number of religious works. 

SPANISH INVASION OF ILLINOIS. In the 
month of June, 1779, soon after the declaration 
of war between Spain and Great Britain, an expe- 
dition was organized in Canada, to attack the 
Spanish posts along the Mississippi. Simultane- 
ously, a force was to be dispatched from Pensa- 
cola against New Orleans, then commanded by 
a young Spanish Colonel, Don Bernardo de 
Galvez. Secret instructions had been sent to 
Britisli Commandants, all through the Western 
country, to co-operate with both expeditions. De 
Galvez, having learned of the scheme through 
intercepted letters, resolved to forestall the attack 
by becoming the assailant. At the head of a 
force of 670 men, lie set out and captured Baton 
Rouge, Fort Manchac and Natchez, almost with- 
out opposition. The British in Canada, being 
ignorant of what had been going on in the South, 
in February following dispatched a force from 
Mackinac to support the expedition from Pensa- 
cola, and, incidentally, to subdue the American 
rebels while en route. Cahokia and Kaskaskia 
were contemplated points of attack, as well as 
the Spanish forts at St. Louis and St. Genevieve. 
This movement was planned by Capt. Patrick 
Sinclair, commandant at Mackinac, but Captain 
Hesse was placed in charge of the expedition, 
which numbered some 750 men, including a force 
of Indians led by a chief named Wabasha. The 
British arrived before St. Louis, early on the 
morning of May 20, 1760, taking the Spaniards 
by surprise. Meanwhile Col. George Rogers 
Clark, having been apprised of the project, 
arrived at Cahokia from the falls of the Ohio, 
twenty-four hours in advance of the attack, his 
presence and readiness to co-operate with the 
Spanish, no doubt, contributing to the defeat of 
the expedition. The accounts of what followed 
are conflicting, the number of killed on the St. 
Louis shore being variously estimated from seven 
or eight to sixty -eight — the last being the esti- 
mate of Capt. Sinclair in his official report. All 
agree, however, that the invading party was 
forced to retreat in great haste. Colonel Mont- 
gomery, who had been in command at Cahokia, 
with a force of 350 and a party of Spanish allies, 



pursued the retreating invaders as far as the 
Rock River, destroying many Indian villages on 
the way. This movement on the part of the 
British served as a pretext for an attempted re- 
prisal, undertaken by the Spaniards, with the aid 
of a number of Cahokians, early in 1781. Starting 
early in January, this latter expedition crossed 
Illinois, with the design of attacking Fort St. 
Joseph, at the head of Lake Michigan, which had 
been captured from the English by Thomas Brady 
and afterwards retaken. The Spaniards were com- 
manded by Don Eugenio Pourre, and supported 
by a force of Cahokians and Indians. The fort 
was easily taken and the British flag replaced by 
the ensign of Spain. The affair was regarded as 
of but little moment, at the time, the post being 
evacuated in a few days, and the Spaniards 
returning to St. Louis. Yet it led to serious 
international complications, and the "conquest'' 
was seriously urged by the Spanish ministry as 
giving that country a right to the territory trav- 
ersed. This claim was supported by France 
before the signing of the Treaty of Paris, but 
was defeated, through the combined efforts of 
Messrs. Jay, Franklin and Adams, the American 
Commissioners in charge of the peace negoti- 
ations with England. 

SPARKS, (Capt.) David R., manufacturer and 
legislator, was born near Lanesville, Ind., in 
1823; in 1836, removed with his parents to Ma- 
coupin County, 111. ; in 1847, enlisted for the 
Mexican War, crossing the plains to Santa Fe, 
New Mexico. In 1850 he made the overland trip 
to California, returning the " next year by the 
Isthmus of Panama. In 1855 he engaged in the 
milling business at Staunton, Macoupin County, 
but, in 1860, made a third trip across the plains 
in search of gold, taking a quartz-mill which was 
erected near where Central City, Colo., now is, 
and which was the second steam-engine in that 
region. He returned home in time to vote for 
Stephen A. Douglas for President, the same year, 
but became a stalwart Republican, two weeks 
later, when the advocates of secession began to 
develop their policy after the election of Lincoln. 
In 1861 he enlisted, under the call for 500, 000 vol- 
unteers following the first battle of Bull Run, and 
was commissioned a Captain in the Third Illinois 
Cavalry (Col. Eugene A. Carr), serving two and a 
half years, during which time he took part in 
several hard-fought battles, and being present at 
the fall of Vicksburg. At the end of his service 
he became associated with his former partner in 
the erection of a large flouring mill at Litchfield, 
but, in 1869, the firm bought an extensive flour- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



495 



ing mill at Alton, of which he became the princi- 
pal owner in 1881, and which has since been 
greatly enlarged and improved, until it is now one 
of the most extensive establishments of its kind 
in the State. Capt. Sparks was elected to the 
House of Representatives in 1888, and to the State 
Senate in 1894, serving in the sessions of 1895 and 
'97; was also strongly supported as a candidate 
for the Republican nomination for Congress in 
1896. 

SPARKS, William A. J., ex-Congressman, was 
born near New Albany, Ind., Nov. 19, 1828, at 8 
years of age was brought by his parents to Illi- 
nois, and shortly afterwards left an orphan. 
Thrown on his own resources, he found work 
upon a farm, his attendance at the district 
schools being limited to the winter months. 
Later, he passed through MeKendree College, 
supporting himself, meanwhile, by teaching, 
graduating in 1850. He read law with Judge 
Sidney Breese, and was admitted to the bar in 
1851. His first public office was that of Receiver 
of the Land Office at Edwardsville to which he 
was appointed by President Pierce in 1853, re- 
maining until 1856, when he was chosen Presi- 
dential Elector on the Democratic ticket. The 
same year he was elected to the lower house of 
the General Assembly, and, in 1863-64, served in 
the State Senate for the unexpired term of James 
M. Rodgers, deceased. He was a delegate to the 
National Democratic Convention in 1868, and a 
Democratic Representative in Congress from 1875 
to 1883. In 1885 he was appointed, by President 
Cleveland, Commissioner of the General Land 
Office in Washington, retiring, by resignation, in 
1887. His home is at Carlyle. 

SPARTA & ST. GENEVIEVE RAILROAD. 
(See Centralia & Chester Railroad.) 

SPEED, Joshua Fry, merchant, and intimate 
friend of Abraham Lincoln; was educated in the 
local schools and at St. Joseph's College, Bards- 
town, Ky., after which he spent some time in a 
wholesale mercantile establishment in Louisville. 
About 1835 he came to Springfield, 111., where he 
engaged in the mercantile business, later becom- 
ing the intimate friend and associate of Abraham 
Lincoln, to whom he offered the privilege of 
sharing a room over his store, when Mr. Lincoln 
removed from New Salem to Springfield, in 1836. 
Mr. Speed returned to Kentucky in 1842, but the 
friendship with Mr. Lincoln, which was of a 
most devoted character, continued until the 
death of the latter. Having located in Jefferson 
Count}", Ky., Mr. Speed was elected to the Legis- 
lature in 1848, but was never again willing to 



accept office, though often solicited to do so. In 
1851 he removed to Louisville, where he acquired 
a handsome fortune in the real-estate business. 
On the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, he 
heartily embraced the cause of the Union, and, 
during the war, was entrusted with many deli- 
cate and important duties in the interest of the 
Government, by Mr. Lincoln, whom he frequently 
visited in Washington. His death occurred at 
Louisville, May 29, 1882. — James (Speed), an 
older brother of the preceding, was a prominent 
Unionist of Kentucky, and, after the war, a 
leading Republican of that State, serving as dele- 
gate to the National Republican Conventions of 
1872 and 1876. In 1864 he was appointed Attor- 
ney-General by Mr Lincoln and served until 1866, 
when he resigned on account of disagreement 
witli President Johnson. He died in 1887, at the 
age of 75 years. 

SPOOX RIVER, rises in Bureau County, flows 
southward through Stark County into Peoria, 
thence southwest through Knox, and to the south 
and southeast, through Fulton County, entering 
the Illinois River opposite Havana. It is about 
150 miles long. 

SPRINGER, (Rev.) Francis, D.D., educator 
and Army Chaplain, born in Franklin County, 
Pa., March 19, 1810; was left an orphan at an 
early age, and educated at Pennsylvania College, 
Gettysburg; entered the Lutheran ministry in 
1836, and, in 1839, removed to Springfield, 111., 
where he preached and taught school; in 1847 
became President of Hillsboro College, which, in 
1852, was removed to Springfield and became Illi- 
nois State University, now known as Concordia 
Seminary. Later, he served for a time as Super- 
intendent of Schools for the city of Springfield, 
but, in September, 1861, resigned to accept the 
Chaplaincy of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry ; by suc- 
cessive resignations and appointments, held the 
positions of Chaplain of the First Arkansas Infan- 
try (1863-64) and Post Chaplain at Fort Smith, 
Ark., serving in the latter position until April, 
1867, when he was commissioned Chaplain of the 
United States Army. This position he resigned 
while stationed at Fort Harker, Kan. , August 23, 
1867. During a considerable part of his incum- 
bency as Chaplain at Fort Smith, he acted as 
Agent of the Bureau of Refugees and Freedmen,. 
performing important service in caring for non- 
combatants rendered homeless by the vicissitudes 
i if war. After the war he served, for a time, as 
Superintendent of Schools for Montgomery 
County, 111. ; was instrumental in the founding 
of Carthage (111.) College, and was a member of 



490 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



its Board of Control at the time of his death. He 
was elected Chaplain of the Illinois House of 
Representatives at the session of the Thirty-fifth 
General Assembl}- (1887), and Chaplain of the 
(hand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of 
Illinois for two consecutive terms (1890-'92). 
He was also member of the Stephenson Post, 
No. 30, G. A. R., at Springfield, and served as its 
Chaplain from January, 1884, to his death, which 
occurred at Springfield, Oct. 21, 18S2. 

SPRINGER, William McKendree, ex-Congress- 
man, Justice of United States Court, was born in 
Sullivan County, Ind. , May 30, 1836. In 1848 he 
removed with his parents to Jacksonville, 111., 
was fitted for college in the public high school at 
Jacksonville, under the tuition of the late Dr. 
Bateman, entered Illinois College, remaining 
three years, when he removed to the Indiana 
State University, graduating there in 1858. The 
following year he was admitted to the bar and 
commenced practice in Logan County, but soon 
after removed to Springfield. He entered public 
life as Secretary of the Constitutional Convention 
of 1862. In 1871-72 he represented Sangamon 
County in the Legislature, and, in 1874, was 
elected to Congress from the Thirteenth Illinois 
District as a Democrat. From that time until 
the close of the Fifty-third Congress (1895), he 
served in Congress continuously, and was recog- 
nized as one of the leaders of liis party on the 
floor, being at the head of many important com- 
mittees when that party was in the ascendanc}', 
and a candidate for the Democratic caucus nomi- 
nation for Speaker, in 1893. In 1894 he was the 
candidate of his party for Congress for the 
eleventh time, but was defeated by his Repub- 
lican opponent, James A. Connolly. In 1895 
President Cleveland appointed him United 
States District Judge for Indian Territory. 

SPRINGFIELD, the State capital, and the 
county-seat of Sangamon County, situated five 
miles south of the Sangamon River and 185 miles 
southwest of Chicago; is an important railway 
center. The first settlement on the site of the 
present city was made bj' John Kelly in 1819. 
On April 10, 1821. it was selected, by the first 
Board of County Commissioners, as the temporary 
county-seat of Sangamon County, the organi- 
zation of which had been authorized by act of 
the Legislature in January previous, and the 
name Springfield was given to it. In 1823 the 
selection was made permanent. The latter year 
the first sale of lands took place, the original site 
being entered by Pascal P. Enos, Elijah lies and 
Thomas Cox. The town was platted about the 



same time, and the name "Calhoun" was given to 
a section in the northwest quarter of the present 
city — this being the "hey-day" of the South 
Carolina statesman's greatest popularity — but 
the change was not popularly accepted, and the 
new name was soon dropped. It was incorpo- 
rated as a town, April 2, 1832, and as a city. April 
6, 1840; and re-incorporated, under the general, 
law in 1882. It was made the State capital by 
act of the Legislature, passed at the session of 
1837, which went into effect, July 4, 1839, and the 
Legislature first convened there in December of 
the latter year. The general surface is flat, 
though there is rolling ground to the west. The 
city has excellent water-works, a paid fire-depart- 
ment, six banks, electric street railways, gas and 
electric lighting, commodious hotels, fine 
churches, numerous handsome residences, beauti- 
ful parks, thorough sewerage, and is one of the 
best paved and handsomest cities in the State. 
The city proper, in 1890, contained an area of four 
square miles, but has since been enlarged by the 
annexation of the following suburbs: North 
Springfield, April 7, 1891 ; West Springfield, Jan. 
4, 1898 ; and South Springfield and the village of 
Laurel, April 5, 1898. These additions give to 
the present city an area of 5.84 square miles. 
The population of the original city, according to 
the census of 1880, was 19,743, and, in 1890, 24,963, 
while that of the annexed suburbs, at the last 
census, was 2,109 — making a total of 29,072. The 
latest school census (1898) showed a total popu- 
lation of 33,375 — population by census (1900), 
34.159. Besides the State House, the city has a 
handsome United States Government Building 
for United States Court and post-office purposes, 
a county courthouse (the former State capitol). 
a city hall and (State) Executive Mansion. 
Springfield was the home of Abraham Lincoln. 
His former residence has been donated to the 
State, and his tomb and monument are in the 
beautiful Oak Ridge cemetery, adjoining the 
city. Springfield is an important coal-mining 
center, and has many important industries, 
notably a watch factory, rolling mills, and exten- 
sive manufactories of agricultural implements 
and furniture. It is also the permanent location 
of the State Fairs, for which extensive buildings 
have been erected on the Fair Grounds north of 
the city. There are three daily papers — two morn- 
ing and one evening — published here, besides 
various other publications, Pop. (1900), 34.159. 

SPRINGFIELD, EFFINGHAM & SOUTH- 
EASTERN RAILROAD. (See St. Louis. Indian- 
apolis & Eastern Railroad. ) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



497 



SPRINGFIELD A ILLINOIS SOUTHEAST- 
ERN RAILROAD. (See Baltimore & Ohio 

Southwestern Railroad. ) 

SPRINGFIELD & NORTHWESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago, Peoria & St Louis 

Railroad of Illinois.) 

SPRING VALLEY, an incorporated city in 
Bureau County, at intersection of the Chicago & 
Northwestern, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and the 
Toluca, Marquette & Northern Railways, 100 
miles southwest of Chicago. It lies in a coal- 
mining region and has important manufacturing 
interests as well. It has two banks, electric 
street and interurban railways, and two news- 
papers. Population (1890), 3,837; (1900), 6,214. 

ST. AGATHA'S SCHOOL, an institution for 
young ladies, at Springfield, under the patronage 
of the Bishop of the Episcopal Church, incorpo- 
rated in 1889. It has a faculty of eight teachers 
giving instruction in the preparatory and higher 
branches, including music and fine arts. It 
reported fifty-five pupils in 1894, and real estate 
valued at $15,000. 

ST. ALBAN'S ACADEMY, a boys' and young 
men's school at Knoxville, 111., incorporated in 
1896 under the auspices of the Episcopal Church ; 
in 1898 had a faculty of seven teachers, with 
forty-five pupils, and property valued at .861,100, 
of which $54,000 was real estate. Instruction is 
given in the classical and scientific branches, 
besides music and preparatory studies. 

ST. ANNE, a village of Kankakee County, 
at the crossing of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois 
and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railways, 60 miles south of Chicago. The 
town has two banks, tile and brick factory, and a 
weekly newspaper. Pop. (1900), 1,000. 

ST. CHARLES, a city in Kane County, on both 
sides of Fox River, at intersection of the Chicago 
& Northwestern and the Chicago Great Western 
Railways; 38 miles west of Chicago and 10 miles 
south of Elgin. The river furnishes excellent 
water-power, which is being utilized by a number 
of important manufacturing enterprises. The 
city is connected with Chicago and many towns 
in the Fox River valley by interurk n electric 
trolley lines; is also the seat of the State Home 
for Boys. Pop. (1890), 1,690; (1900), 2,675. 

ST. CLAIR, Arthur, first Governor of the 
Northwest Territory, was born of titled ancestry 
at Thurso. Scotland, in 1T34 ; came to America in 
1757 as an ensign, having purchased his commis- 
sion, participate'! in the capture of Louisburg, 
Canada, in 1758, and fought under Wolfe at 



Quebec. In 1764 he settled in Pennsylvania, 
where he amassed a moderate fortune, and be- 
came prominent in public affairs. He served with 
distinction during the Revolutionary War, rising 
to the rank of Major-General, and succeeding 
General Gates in command at Ticonderoga, but, 
later, was censured by Washington for his hasty 
evacuation of the post, though finally vindicated 
by a military court. His Revolutionary record, 
however, was generally good, and even distin- 
guished. He represented Pennsylvania in the 
Continental Congress, and presided over that 
body in 1787. He served as Governor of the 
Northwest Territory (including the present State 
of Illinois) from 1789 to 1802. As an executive 
he was not successful, being unpopular because 
of his arbitrariness. In November, 1791, he 
suffered a serious defeat by the Indians in the 
valley between the Miami and the Wabash. In 
this campaign he was badly crippled by the gout, 
and had to be carried on a litter; he was again 
vindicated by a Congressional investigation. His 
first visit to the Illinois Country was made in 
1790, when he organized St. Clair County, which 
was named in his honor. In 1802 President Jef- 
ferson removed him from the governorship of 
Ohio Territory, of which he had continued to be 
the Governor after its separation from Indiana 
and Illinois. The remainder of his life was 
spent in comparative penury. Shortly before his 
decease, he was granted an annuity by the Penn- 
sylvania Legislature and by Congress. Died, at 
Greensburg. Pa., August 31, 1818. 

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, the first county organ- 
ized within the territory comprised in the pres- 
ent State of Illinois — the whole region west 
of the Ohio River having been first placed under 
civil jurisdiction, under the name of "Illinois 
County," by an act of the Virginia House of 
Delegates, passed in October, 1778, a few months 
after the capture of Kaskaskia by Col. George 
Rogers Clark. (See Illinois; also Clark, Ccorrje 
Rogers.) St. Clair County was finally set oft 
by an order of Gov. Arthur St Clair, on occa- 
sion of his first visit to the "Illinois Country,'', 
in April, 1790 — more than two years after his 
assumption of the duties of Governor of the 
Northwest Territory, which then comprehended 
the "Illinois Country" as well as the whole 
region within the present States of Ohio, Indiana. 
Michigan and Wisconsin. Governor St. Clair's 
order, which bears date, April 27, 1790, defines 
the boundaries of the new county — which took 
his own name — as follows: "Beginning at the 
mouth of the Little Michillimackanack River, 



498 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



running thence southerly in a direct line to the 
mouth of the little river above Fort Massac upon 
the Ohio River; thence with the said river to its 
junction with the Mississippi; thence up the 
Mississippi to the mouth of the Illinois, and so up 
the Illinois River to the place of beginning, with 
all the adjacent islands of said rivers. Illinois and 
Mississippi." The "Little Miehillimackanack,*' 
the initial point mentioned in this description — 
also variously spelled "Makina" and "Macki- 
naw," the latter being the name by which the 
stream is now known — empties into the Illinois 
River on the south side a few miles below 
Pekin, in Tazewell County. The boundaries 
of St. Clair County, as given by Gov. St. Clair, 
indicate the imperfect knowledge of the topog- 
raphy of the "Illinois Country" existing in 
that day, as a line drawn south from the mouth 
nf the Mackinaw River, instead of reaching the 
Ohio "above Fort Massac," would have followed 
the longitude of the present city of Springfield, 
striking the Mississippi about the northwestern 
corner of Jackson County, twenty-five miles west 
of the mouth of the Ohio. The object of Gov- 
ernor St. Clair's order was, of course, to include 
the settled portions of the Illinois Country in the 
new county ; and, if it had had the effect intended, 
the eastern border of the county would have fol- 
lowed a line some fifty miles farther eastward, 
along the eastern border of Marion, Jefferson, 
Franklin, Williamson and Johnson Counties, 
reaching the Ohio River about the present site of 
Metropolis City in Massac County, and embracing 
about one-half of the area of the present State of 
Illinois. For all practical purposes it embraced 
all the Illinois Country, as it included that por- 
tion in which the white settlements were located. 
(See St. Clair, Arthur; also Illinois Country.) 
The early records of St. Clair County are in the 
French language; its first settlers and its early 
civilization were French, and the first church to 
inculcate the doctrine of Christianity was the 
Roman Catholic. The first proceedings in court 
under the common law were had in 1796. The 
first Justices of the Peace were appointed in 1807, 
and, as there was no penitentiary, the whipping- 
post and pillory played an important part in the 
code of penalties, these punishments being im- 
partially meted out as late as the time of Judge 
(afterwards Governor) Reynolds, to "the lame, the 
halt and the blind," for such offenses as the lar- 
ceny of a silk handkerchief. At first three 
places — Cahokia, Prairie du Rocher and Kaskas- 
kia — were named as county-seats by Governor St. 
Clair; but Randolph County having been set off 



in 1895, Cahokia became the county-seat of the 
older county, so remaining until 1813, when 
Belleville was selected as the seat of justice. At 
that time it was a mere cornfield owned by 
George Blair, although settlements had previously 
been established in Ridge Prairie and at Badgley. 
Judge Jesse B. Thomas held his first court in a 
log-cabin, but a rude court house was erected in 
1814, and, the same year, George E. Blair estab- 
lished a hostelry, Joseph Kerr opened a store, 
and, in 1817, additional improvements were 
inaugurated b}' Daniel Murray and others, from 
Baltimore. John H. Dennis and the Mitchells 
and Wests (from Virginia) settled soon after- 
ward, becoming farmers and mechanics. Belle- 
ville was incorporated in 1819. In 182.") Governor 
Edwards bought the large landed interests of 
Etienne Personeau, a large French land-owner, 
ordered a new survey of the town and infused fresh 
life into its development. Settlers began to arrive 
in large numbers, mainly Virginians, who brought 
with them their slaves, the right to hold which 
was, fur many years, a fruitful and jjerennial 
source of strife. Emigrants from Germany 
began to arrive at an early day, and now a large 
proportion of the population of Belleville and St. 
Clair County is made up of that nationality. The 
county, as at present organized, lies on the west- 
ern border of the south half of the State, immedi- 
ately opposite St. Louis, and comprises some 680 
square miles. Three-fourths of it are underlaid 
by a vein of coal, six to eight feet thick, and 
about one hundred feet below the surface. Con- 
siderable wheat is raised. The principal towns 
are Belleville, East St. Louis, Lebanon and Mas- 
coutah. Population of the county (1880), 61,806; 
(1890), 66,571; (1000). SG,685. 

ST. JOHX, an incorporated village of Perry 
County, on the Illinois Central Railway, one mile 
north of Duquoin. Coal is mined and salt manu- 
factured here. Population about 500. 

ST. JOSr.PH, a village of Champaign Count}', 
on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway, 10 miles east of Champaign; has inter- 
urban railroad connection. Pop. (1900), 637. 

ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, (Chicago), founded 
in 1860, by the Sisters of Charity. Having been de- 
stroyed in the fire of 1871, it was rebuilt in the 
following year. In 1892 it was reconstructed, en- 
larged and made thoroughly modern in its appoint- 
ments. It can accommodate about 250 patients. 
The Sistersattend to the nursing, and conduct the 
domestic and financial affairs. The medical staff 
comprises ten physicans and surgeons, among 
whom are some of the most eminent in Chicago. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



499 



ST. LOUIS, ALTON & CHICAGO RAILROAD. 

(See Chicago & Alton Railroad. ) 

ST. LOUIS, ALTON & SPRINGFIELD RAIL- 
ROAD. (See St. Louis. Chicago <fc St. Paul 
Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS, ALTON & TERRE HAUTE 
RAILOAD, a corporation formerly operating an 
extensive system of railroads in Illinois. The Terre 
Haute & Alton Railroad Company (the original 
corporation) was chartered in January, 1851, 
work begun in 1852, and the main line from 
Terre Haute to Alton (172.5 miles) completed, 
March 1, 1856. The Belleville & Illinoistown 
branch (from Belleville to East St. Louis) was 
chartered in 1852, and completed between the 
points named in the title, in the fall of 1854. 
This corporation secured authority to construct 
an extension from Illinoistown (now East St. 
Li mis) to Alton, which was completed in October, 
1850, giving the first railroad connection between 
Alton & St. Louis. Simultaneously with this, 
these two roads (the Terre Haute & Alton and 
the Belleville & Illinoistown) were consolidated 
under a single charter by special act of the Legis- 
lature in February, 1854, the consolidated line 
taking the name of the Terre Haute, Alton & St. 
Louis Railroad. Subsequently the road became 
financially embarassed, was sold under foreclosure 
and reorganized, in 1862, under the name of the 
St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad. June 
1, 1867, the main line (from Terre Haute to St. 
Louis) was leased for niety-nine years to the 
Indianapolis & St. Louis Railway Company (an 
Indiana corporation) guaranteed by certain other 
lines, but the lease was subsequently broken by 
the insolvency of the lessee and some of the 
guarantors. The Indianapolis & St. Louis went 
into the hands of a receiver in 1882, and was sold 
under foreclosure, in July of the same year, its 
interest being absorbed by the Cleveland, Cin- 
cinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, by which 
the main line is now operated. The properties 
officially reported as remaining in the hands of 
the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad, 
June 30, 1895, beside the Belleville Branch (14.40 
miles), included the following leased and subsidi- 
ary lines: Belleville & Southern Illinois — "Cairo 
Short Line" (56.40 miles) ; Belleville & Eldorado, 
(50.20 miles); Belleville & Carondelet (17.30 
miles); St. Louis Southern and branches (47.27 
miles), and Chicago, St. Louis & Paducah Kail- 
way (53.50 miles). All these have been leased, 
since the close of the fiscal year 1895, to the Illi- 
nois Central. (For sketches of these several 
roads see headings of each. ) 



ST. LOUIS, CHICAGO & ST. PAUL RAIL- 
ROAD, (Bluff Line), a line running from Spring- 
field to Granite City, 111., (opposite St. Louis), 
102.1 miles, witli a branch from Lock Haven to 
Grafton, 111., 8.4 miles — total length of line in 
Illinois, 110.5 miles. The track is of standard 
gauge, laid with 56 to 70-pound steel rails. — (His- 
tory. ) The road was originally incorporated 
under the name of the St. Louis, Jerseyville & 
Springfield Railroad, built from Bates to Grafton 
in 1882, and absorbed by the Wabash, St. Louis & 
Pacific Railway Company ; was surrendered by the 
receivers of the latter in 1886, and passed under 
the control of the bond-holders, by whom it was 
transferred to a corporation known as the St. 
Louis & Central Illinois Railroad Company. In 
June, 1887, the St. Louis, Alton & Springfield 
Railroad Company was organized, with power to 
build extensions from Newbern to Alton, and 
from Bates to Springfield, which was done. In 
October, 1890, a receiver was appointed, followed 
by a reorganization under the present name (St. 
Louis, Chicago & St. Paul). Default was made 
on the interest and, in June following, it was 
again placed in the hands of receivers, by whom 
it was operated until 1898. The total earnings 
and income for the fiscal year 1897.-98 were 
§318,815, operating expenses, §373,270; total 
capitalization, S4,853,526, of which, 81,500,000 
was in the form of stock and §1,235 000 in income 
bonds. 

ST. LOUIS, INDIANAPOLIS & EASTERN 
RAILROAD, a railroad line 90 miles in length, 
extending from Switz City, Ind., to Effingham, 
111. — 56 miles being within the State of Illinois. 
It is of standard gauge and the track laid chiefly 
with iron rails. — (History.) The orginal corpo- 
ration was chartered in 1869 as the Springfield, 
Effingham & Quincy Railway Company. It waa 
built as a narrow-gauge line by the Cincinnati, 
Effingham & Quincy Construction Company, 
which went into the hands of a receiver in 1878. 
The road was completed by the receiver in 1880, 
and, in 1885, restored to the Construction Com- 
pany by the discharge of the receiver. For a 
short time it was operated in connection with 
the Bloomfield Railroad of Indiana, but was 
reorganized in 1886 as the Indiana & Illinois 
Southern Railroad, and the gauge changed to 
standard in 1887. Having made default in the 
payment of interest, it was sold under foreclosure 
in 1890 and purchased in the interest of the bond- 
holders, by whom it was conveyed to the St. 
Louis. Indianapolis & Eastern Railroad Company, 
in whose name the line is operated. Its business 



500 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



is limited, and chiefly local. The total earnings 
in 189S were $65,5S3 and the expenditures $69,112. 
Its capital stock was §740,900; bonded debt, 
8978,000, other indebtedness increasing the total 
capital investment to 81,810,736. 

ST. LOUIS, JACKSONVILLE & CHICAGO 
RAILROAD. (See ( 7i icago & Alton Railroad. ) 

ST. LOUIS, JERSEYVILLE & SPRINGFIELD 
RAILROAD. (See St. Louis, Chicago & St. Paul 
Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS, MOUNT CARMEL & SEW AL- 
BANY RAILROAD. (See Louisville. Evansville 
<fe St. Louis (Consolidated) Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS, PEORIA & NORTHERN RAIL- 
WAY, known as "Peoria Short Line," a corpo- 
ration organized, Feb. 29, 1896, to take over and 
unite the properties of the St. Louis & Eastern, 
the St. Louis & Peoria and the North and South 
Railways, and to extend the same due north 
from Springfield to Peoria (60 miles), and thence 
to Fulton or East Clinton, 111. , on the Upper Mis- 
sissippi. The line extends from Springfield to 
Glen Carbon (84.46 miles), with trackage facilities 
over the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad 
and the Merchants' Terminal Bridge (18 miles) 
to St. Louis.— (History.) This road has been 
made up of three sections or divisions. (1) The 
initial section of the line was constructed under 
the name of the St. Louis & Chicago Railroad of 
Illinois, incorporated in 1885, and opened from 
Mount Olive to Alhambra in 1887. It passed 
into the hands of a receiver, was sold under fore- 
closure in 1889, and reorganized, in 1890. as the St. 
Louis & Peoria Railroad. The St. Louis & East- 
ern, chartered in 1889, built the line from Glen 
Carbon to Marine, which was opened in 1893 ; the 
following year, bought the St. Louis & Peoria 
line, and, in 1895, constructed the link (8 miles) 
between Alhambra and Marine. (3) The North 
& South Railroad Company of Illinois, organized 
in 1890, as successor to the St. Louis & Chicago 
Railway Company, proceeded in the construction 
of the line (50.46 miles) from Mt. Olive to Spring- 
field, which was subsequently leased to the Chi- 
cago, Peoria & St. Louis, then under the 
management of the Jacksonville, Louisville & St. 
Louis Railway. The latter corporation having 
defaulted, the property passed into the hands of 
a receiver. By expiration of the lease in Decem- 
ber, 1896, the property reverted to the proprietary 
Company, which took possession, Jan. 1, 1896. 
The St. Louis & Southeastern then bought the 
line outright, and it was incorporated as a part of 
the new organization under the name of the St. 
Louis, Peoria & Northern Railway, the North 



& South Railroad going out of existence. In 
May, 1899, the St. Louis, Peoria & Northern was 
sold to the reorganized Chicago & Alton Railroad 
Company, to be operated as a short line between 
Peoria & St. Louis. 

ST. LOUIS, ROCK ISLAND & CHICAGO 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS SOUTHERN RAILROAD, a line 
running from Pinckneyville, 111., via Murphys- 
boro. to Carbondale. The company is also the 
lessee of the Carbondale & Shawneetown Rail- 
road, extending from Carbondale to Marion, 17.5 
miles — total, 50.5 miles. The track is of standard 
gauge and laid with 56 and 60-pound steel rails. 
The company was organized in August, 1886, to 
succeed to the property of the St. Louis Coal Rail- 
road (organized in 1879) and the St. Louis Central 
Railway ; and was leased for 980 years from Dec. 
1, 1886, to the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute 
Railroad Company, at an annual rental equal to 
thirty per cent of the gross earnings, with a mini- 
mum guarantee of 832,000, which is sufficient 
to pay the interest on the first mortgage bonds. 
During the year 1896 this line passed under lease 
from the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Rail- 
road Company, into the hands of the 1 Illinois 
Central Railroad Company. 

st. Louis, Springfield & vincennes 

RAILROAD COMPANY, a corporation organized 
in July, 1899, to take over the property of the 
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway in the 
State of Illinois, known as the Ohio & Mississippi 
and the Springfield & Illinois Southeastern 
Railways — the former extending from Vin- 
cennes, Ind., to East St. Louis, and the latter 
from Beardstown to Shawneetown. The prop- 
erty was sold under foreclosure, at Cincinnati, 
July 10, 1899, and transferred, for purposes of 
reorganization, into the hands of the new cor- 
poration, July 28, 1899. (For history of the 
several lines see Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern 
Railway.) 

ST. LOUIS, VANDALIA & TERRE HAUTE 
RAILROAD. This line extends from East St. 
Louis eastward across the State, to the Indiana 
State line, a distance of 158.3 miles. The Terre 
Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company is the 
lessee. The track is single, of standard gauge, 
and laid with steel rails. The outstanding capi- 
tal stock, in 1898, was 53,924,058, the bonded debt, 
$4,496,000, and the floating debt, 5218.480.— (His- 
tory ) The St. Louis, Vandalia & Terre Haute 
Railroad was chartered in 1865, opened in 1870 
and leased to the Terre Haute & Indianapolis 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



501 



Railroad, for itself and the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. 

ST. LOUIS & CAIRO RAILROAD, extends 
from East St. Louis to Cairo, 111., 151.6 miles, with 
a branch from Millstadt Junction to High Prairie, 
9 miles. The track is of standard gauge and laid 
mainly with steel rails. — (History.) The origi- 
nal charter was granted to the Cairo & St. Louis 
Railroad Company, Feb. 16, 1865, and the road 
opened, March 1, 1875. Subsequently it passed 
into the hands of a receiver, was sold under fore- 
closure, July 14, 1881, and was taken charge of 
by a new company under its present name, Feb. 
1, 1882. On Feb. 1, 1886, it was leased to the 
Mobile & Ohio Railroad Company for forty five 
years, and now constitutes the Illinois Division 
of that line, giving it a connection with St. 
Louis. (See Mobile & Ohio Railway.) 

ST. LOUIS & CENTRAL ILLINOIS RAIL- 
ROAD. (See St. Louis, Chicago & St. Paul 
Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS & CHICAGO RAILROAD (of 
Illinois). (See St. Louis, Peoria & Northern 
Railway. ) 

ST. LOUIS & EASTERN RAILROAD. (See 
St. Louis. Peoria ct' Northern Railway.) 

ST. LOUIS & PEORIA RAILWAY. (See 
St. Louis, Peoria &• Northern Railway.) 

ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL, located in Chicago. 
It was chartered in 1865, its incorporators, in 
their initial statement, substantially declaring 
their object to be the establishment of a free hos- 
pital under the control of the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, which should be open to the 
afflicted poor, without distinction of race or 
creed. The hospital was opened on a small scale, 
but steadily increased until 1879, when re-incor- 
poration was effected under the general law. In 
1885 a new building was erected on land donated 
for that purpose, at a cost exceeding §150,000, 
exclusive of $20,000 for furnishing. While its 
primary object has been to afford accommoda- 
tion, with medical and surgical care, gratuitously, 
to the needy poor, the institution also provides a 
considerable number of comfortable, well-fur- 
nished private rooms for patients who are able 
and willing to pay for the same. It contains an 
amphitheater for surgical operations and clinics, 
and has a free dispensary for out-patients. Dur- 
ing the past few years important additions 
have been made, the number of beds increased, 
and provision made for a training school for 
nurses. The medical staff (1896) consists of 
thirteen physicians and surgeons and two 
pathologists. 



ST. MART'S SCHOOL, a young ladies' semi- 
nary, under the patronage of the Episcopal 
Church, at Knoxville. Knox County, 111. ; was 
incorporated in 1858. in 1898 had a faculty of four- 
teen teachers, giving instruction to 113 pupils. 
The branches taught include the classics, the 
sciences, fine arts, music and preparatory studies. 
The institution has a library of 2,200 volumes, 
and owns property valued at SI 30, 500, of which 
$100,000 is real estate. 

STAGER, Anson, soldier and Telegraph Super- 
intendent, was born in Ontario County, N. Y., 
April 20, 1825; at 16 years of age entered the serv- 
ice of Henry O'Reilly, a printer who afterwards 
became a pioneer in building telegraph lines, and 
with whom he became associated in various enter- 
prises of this character. Having introduced 
several improvements in the construction of bat- 
teries and the arrangement of wires, he-was, in 
1852, made General Superintendent of the princi- 
pal lines in the West, and, on the organization of 
the Western Union Company, was retained in 
this position. Early in the Civil War he was 
entrusted with the management of telegraph 
lines in Southern Ohio and along the Virginia 
border, and, in October following, was appointed 
General Superintendent of Government tele- 
graphs, remaining in this position until Septem- 
ber, 1868, his services being recognized in his 
promotion to a brevet Brigadier-Generalship of 
Volunteers. In 1869 General Stager returned to 
Chicago and, in addition to his duties as General 
Superintendent, engaged in the promotion of a 
number of enterprises connected with the manu- 
facture of electrical appliances and other- 
branches of the business. One of these was the 
consolidation of the telephone companies, of 
which he became President, as also of the West- 
ern Edison Electric Light Company, besides being 
a Director in several other corporations. Died, 
in Chicago, March 26, 1885. 

STANDISH, John Yan Ness, a lineal descendant 
of Capt. Miles Standish, the Pilgrim leader, was 
born at Woodstock, Vt., Feb. 26, 1825. His early 
years were spent on a farm, but a love of knowl- 
edge and books became his ruling passion, and he 
devoted several years to study, in the "Liberal 
Institute" at Lebanon, N. H., finally graduating, 
with the degree of A. B., at Norwich University 
in the class of 1847. Later, he received the 
degree of A.M., in due course, from his Alma 
Mater in 1855; that of Ph.D. from Knox College, 
in 1883, of LL.D from St. Lawrence University 
in 1893, and from Norwich, in 1898. Dr. Standish 
chose the profession of a teacher, and has spent 



502 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



over fifty years in its pursuit in connection with 
private and public schools and the College, of 
which more than forty years were as Professor and 
President of Lombard University at Galesburg. 
He has also lectured and conducted Teachers' 
Institutes all over the State, and, in 1859, was 
elected President of the State Teachers' Associ- 
ation. He made three visits to the Old World — 
in 1879, '82-83, and '91-92— and, during his second 
trip, traveled over 40,000 miles, visiting nearly 
every country of Europe, including the "Land of 
the Midnight Sun," besides Northern Africa 
from the Mediterranean to the Desert of Sahara, 
Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Asia Minor. A lover 
of art, he has visited nearly all the principal 
museums and picture galleries of the world. In 
politics he is a Republican, and, in opposition to 
manj- college men, a firm believer in the doctrine 
of protection. In religion, he is a Universalist. 

STAPP, James T. B., State Auditor, was born 
in "Woodford County, Ky., April 13, 1804; at the 
age of 12 accompanied his widowed mother to 
Kaskaskia, III., where she settled; before he was 
20 years old, was employed as a clerk in the office 
of the State Auditor, and, upon the resignation of 
that officer, was appointed his successor, being 
twice thereafter elected by the Legislature, serv- 
ing nearly five years. He resigned the auditor- 
ship to accept the Presidency of the State Bank 
at Vandalia, which post he filled for thirteen 
years; acted as Aid-de-camp on Governor Rey- 
nolds staff in the Black Hawk War, and served 
as Adjutant of the Third Illinois Volunteers dur- 
ing the war with Mexico. President Taylor 
appointed Mr. Stapp Receiver of the United 
States Land Office at Vandalia, which office he 
held during the Fillmore administration, resign- 
ing in 1855. Two years later he removed to 
Decatur, where he continued to reside until his 
death in 1876. A handsome Methodist chapel, 
erected by him in that city, hears his name. 

STARK COUNTY, an interior county in the 
northern half of the State, lying west of the Illi- 
nois River; has an area of 290 square miles. It 
has a rich, alluvial soil, well watered by numer- 
ous small streams. The principal industries are 
agriculture and stock-raising, and the chief 
towns are Toulon and Wyoming. The county 
was erected from Putnam and Knox in 1839, and 
named in honor of General Stark, of Revolution- 
ary fame. The earliest settler was Isaac B. 
Essex, who built a cabin on Spoon River, in 1828, 
and gave his name to a township. Of other pio- 
neer families, the Buswells, Smiths, Spencers and 



Eastmans came from New England ; the Thom- 
ases, Moores, Holgates, Fullers and Whittakers 
from Pennsylvania; the Coxes from Ohio; the 
Perrys and Parkers from Virginia ; the McClana- 
hans from Kentucky; the Hendersons from Ten- 
nessee ; the Lees and Hazens from New Jersey ; 
the Halls from England, and the Turnbulls and 
Olivers from Scotland. The pioneer church was 
the Congregational at Toulon. Population ( 1880), 
11,207; (1890), 9,982; (1900), 10,186. 

STARVED ROCK, a celebrated rock or cliff on 
the south side of Illinois River, in La Salle 
County, upon which the French explorer. La 
Salle, and his lieutenant, Tonty, erected a fort in 
1682, which they named Fort St. Louis. It was 
one mile north of the supposed location of the 
Indian village of La Vantum, the metropolis, so 
to speak, of the Illinois Indians about the time of 
the arrival of the first French explorers. The 
population of this village, in 1680, according to 
Father Membre, was some seven or eight thou- 
sand. Both La Vantum and Fort St. Louis were 
repeatedly attacked by the Iroquois. The Illinois 
were temporarily driven from La Vantum, but 
the French, for the time being, successfully 
defended their fortification. In 1702 the fort u as 
abandoned as a military post, but continued to 
be used as a French trading-post until 1718, 
when it was burned by Indians. The Illinois 
■were not again molested until 1722, when the 
Foxes made an unsuccessful attack upon them. 
The larger portion of the tribe, however, resolved 
to cast in their fortunes with other tribes on the 
Mississippi River. Those who remained fell an 
easy prey to the foes by whom they were sur- 
rounded. In 1769 they were attacked from the 
north by tribes who desired to avenge the murder 
of Pontiac. Finding themselves hard pressed, 
they betook themselves to the bluff where Fort 
St. Louis had formerly stood. Here they were 
besieged for twelve days, when, destitute of food 
or water, they made a gallant but hopeless sortie. 
According to a tradition handed' down among the 
Indians, all were massacred by the besiegers in 
an attempt to escape by night, except one half- 
breed, who succeeded in evading his pursuers. 
This sanguinary catastrophe has given the rock 
its popular name. Elmer Baldwin, in his History 
of La Salle County (1877), says: "The bones of 
the victims lay scattered about the cliff in pro- 
fusion after the settlement by the whites, and 
are still found mingled plentifully with the soil." 
(See La Salle, Robert Cavelier; Tonty; Fort St. 
Louis.) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



503 



STARXE, Alexander, Secretary of State and 
State Treasurer, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., 
Nov. 21, 1813; in the spring of 1836 removed to 
Illinois, settling at Griggsville, Pike County, 
where he opened a general store. From 1839 to 
'42 he served as Commissioner of Pike County, 
and, in the latter year, was elected to the lower 
house of the General Assembly, and re-elected in 
1844. Having, in the meanwhile, disposed of his 
store at Griggsville and removed to Pittsfield, he 
was appointed, by Judge Purple, Clerk of the 
Circuit Court, and elected to the same office for 
four years, when it was made elective. In 1852 
he was elected Secretary of State, when he 
removed to Springfield, returning to Griggsville 
at the expiration of his term in 1857, to assume 
the Presidency of the old Hannibal and Naples 
Railroad (now a part of the Wabash system). 
He represented Pike and Brown Counties in the 
Constitutional Convention of 1862, and the same 
year was elected State Treasurer. He thereupon 
again removed to Springfield, where he resided 
until his death, being, with his sons, extensively 
engaged in coal mining. In 1870, and again in 
1872, he was elected State Senator from San- 
gamon County. He died at Springfield, March 
31, 1886. 

STATE BANK OF ILLINOIS. The first legis- 
lation, having for its object the establishment of 
a bank within the territory which now consti- 
tutes the State of Illinois, was the passage, by 
the Territorial Legislature of 1816, of an act 
incorporating the "Bank of Illinois at Shawnee- 
town, with branches at Edwardsville and Kas- 
kaskia." In the Second General Assembly of 
the State (1820) an act was passed, over the 
Governor's veto and in defiance of the adverse 
judgment of the Council of Revision, establish- 
ing a State Bank at Vandalia with branches at 
Shawneetovvn, Edwardsville, and Brownsville in 
Jackson County. This was, in effect, a recharter- 
ing of the banks at Shawneetown and Edwards- 
ville. So far as the former is concerned, it seems 
to have been well managed; but the official 
conduct of the officers of the latter, on the basis 
of charges made by Governor Edwards in 1826, 
was made the subject of a legislative investiga- 
tion, which (although it resulted in nothing) 
seems to have had some basis of fact, in view of 
the losses finally sustained in winding up its 
affairs — that of the General Government amount- 
ing to §54,000 Grave charges were made in this 
connection against men who were then, or 
afterwards became, prominent in State affairs, 
including one Justice of the Supreme Court and 
one (still later) a United States Senator. The 



experiment was disastrous, as, ten years later 
(1831), it was found necessary for the State to 
incur a debt of §100,000 to redeem the outstand- 
ing circulation. Influenced, however, by the 
popular demand for an increase in the "circu- 
lating medium," the State continued its experi- 
ment of becoming a stockholder in banks 
managed by its citizens, and accordingly we find 
it, in 1835, legislating in the same direction for 
the establishing of a central "Bank of Illinois" 
at Springfield, with branches at other points as 
might be required, not to exceed six in number. 
One of these branches was established at Van- 
dalia and another at Chicago, furnishing the first 
banking institution of the latter city. Two 
years later, when the State was entering upon 
its scheme of internal improvement, laws were 
enacted increasing the capital stock of these 
banks to §4,000,000 in the aggregate. Following 
the example of similar institutions elsewhere, 
they suspended specie payments a few months 
later, but were protected by "stay laws" and 
other devices until 1842, when the internal 
improvement scheme having been finally aban- 
doned, they fell in general collapse. The State 
ceased to be a stock-holder in 1843, and the banks 
were put in course of liquidation, though it 
required several years to complete the work. 

STATE CAPITALS. The first State capital of 
Illinois was Kaskaskia, where the first Territorial 
Legislature convened, Nov. 25, 1812. At that 
time there were but five counties in the State — 
St. Clair and Randolph being the most important, 
and Kaskaskia being the county-seat of the 
latter. Illinois was admitted into the Union as a 
State in 1818, and the first Constitution provided 
that the seat of government should remain at 
Kaskaskia until removed by legislative enact- 
ment. That instrument, however, made it obli- 
gatory upon the Legislature, at its first session, 
to petition Congress for a grant of not more than 
four sections of land, on which should be erected 
a town, which should remain the seat of govern- 
ment for twenty years. The petition was duly 
presented and granted; and, in accordance with 
the power granted by the Constitution, a Board 
of five Commissioners selected the site of the 
present city of Vandalia, then a point in the 
wilderness twenty miles north of any settle- 
ment. But so great was the faith of speculators 
in the future of the proposed city, that town lots 
were soon selling at S100 to S780 each. The Com- 
missioners, in obedience to law, erected a plain 
two-story frame building — scarcely more than a 
commodious shanty — to which the State offices 
were removed in December, 1820. This building 



504 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was burned, Dec. 9, 1823, and a brick structure 
erected in its place. Later, when the question of 
a second removal of the capital began to be agi- 
tated, the citizens of Vandalia assumed the risk 
of erecting a new, brick State House, costing 
116,000. Of this amount $6,000 was reimbursed 
by the Governor from the contingent fund, and 
the balance ($10,000) was appropriated in 1837, 
when the seat of government was removed to 
Springfield, by vote of the Tenth General Assem- 
bly on the fourth ballot. The other places receiv- 
ing the principal vote at the time of the removal 
to Springfield, were Jacksonville, "Vandalia, 
Peoria, Alton and Illiopolis — Springfield receiv- 
ing the largest vote at each ballot. The law 
removing the capital appropriated $50,000 from 
the State Treasury, provided that a like amount 
should be raised by private subscription and 
guaranteed by bond, and that at least two acres 
of land should be donated as a site. Two State 
Houses have been erected at Springfield, the first 
cost of the present one (including furnishing) 
having been a little in excess of $4, 000, 000. 
Abraham Lincoln, who was a member of the 
Legislature from Sangamon County at the time, 
was an influential factor in securing the removal 
of the capital to Springfield 

STATE DEBT. The State debt, which proved 
so formidable a burden upon the State of Illinois 
for a generation, and, for a part of that period, 
seriously checked its prosperity, was the direct 
outgrowth of the internal improvement scheme 
entered upon in 1837. (See Internal Improvement 
Policy. ) At the time this enterprise was under- 
taken the aggregate debt of the State was less 
than $400,000 — accumulated within the preceding 
six years. Two years later (1838) it had increased 
to over $6,500,000, while the total valuation of 
real and personal property, for the purposes of 
taxation, was less than $60,000,000, and the aggre- 
gate receipts of the State treasury, for the same 
year, amounted to less than $150,000. At the 
same time, the disbursements, for the support of 
the State Government alone, had grown to more 
than twice the receipts. This disparity continued 
until the declining credit of the State forced upon 
the managers of public affairs an involuntary 
economy, when the means could no longer be 
secured for more lavish expenditures. The first 
bonds issued at the inception of the internal 
improvement scheme sold at a premium ©f 5 per 
cent, but rapidly declined until they were hawked 
in the markets of New York and London at a dis- 
count, in some cases falling into the hands of 
brokers who failed before completing their con- 



tracts, thus causing a direct loss to the State. If 
the internal improvement scheme was ill-advised, 
the time chosen to carry it into effect was most 
unfortunate, as it came simultaneously with the 
panic of 1837, rendering the disaster all the more 
complete. Of the various works undertaken by 
the State, only the Illinois & Michigan Canal 
brought a return, all the others resulting in more 
or less complete loss. The internal improvement 
scheme was abandoned in 1839-40, but not until 
State bonds exceeding $13,000,000 had been 
issued. For two years longer the State struggled 
with its embarrassments, increased by the failure 
of the State Bank in February, 1842, and, by that 
of the Bank of Illinois at Shawneetown, a few 
months later, with the proceeds of more than two 
and a half millions of the State's bonds in their 
possession. Thus left without credit, or means 
even of paying the accruing interest, there were 
those who regarded the State as hopelessly bank- 
rupt, and advocated repudiation as the only 
means of escape. Better counsels prevailed, how- 
ever; the Constitution of 1848 put the State on a 
basis of strict economy in the matter of salaries 
and general expenditures, with restrictions upon 
the Legislature in reference to incurring in- 
debtedness, while the beneficent "two-mill tax" 
gave assurance to its creditors that its debts 
would be paid. While the growth of the State, 
in wealth and population, had previously been 
checked by the fear of excessive taxation, it now 
entered upon a new career of prosperity, in spite 
of its burdens— its increase in population, be- 
tween 1850 and 1860, amounting to over 100 per 
cent. The movement of the State debt after 1840 
— when the internal improvement scheme was 
abandoned — chiefly by accretions of unpaid inter- 
est, has been estimated as follows: 1842, $15,- 
637,950; 1844, $14,633,969; 1846, $16,389,817; is4s, 
$16,661,795. It reached its maximum in 1853— 
the first year of Governor Matteson's administra- 
tion — when it was officially reported at $16,724,- 
177. At this time the work of extinguishment 
began, and was prosecuted under successive 
administrations, except during the war, when 
the vast expense incurred in sending troops to 
the field caused an increase. During Governor 
Bissell's administration, the reduction amounted 
to over $3,000,000; during Oglesby's, to over five 
and a quarter million, besides two and a quarter 
million paid on interest. In 1880 the debt had 
been reduced to $281,059.11, and, before the close 
of 1S82, it had been entirely extinguished, except 
a balance of $18,500 in bonds, which, having been 
called in years previously and never presented for 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



505 



payment, are supposed to have been lost. (See 
Macalister and Stebbins Bonds.) 

STATE GUARDIANS FOR GIRLS, a bureau 
organized for the care of female juvenile delin- 
quents, by act of June 2, 1893. The Board consists 
of seven members, nominated by the Executive 
and confirmed by the Senate, and who consti- 
tute a body politic and corporate. Not more than 
two of the members may reside in the same Con- 
gressional District and, of the seven members, 
four must be women. (See also Home for Female 
Juvenile Offenders.) The term of office is six 
years. 

STATE HOUSE, located at Springfield. Its 
construction was begun under an act passed by 
the Legislature in February, 1867, and completed 
in 1887. It stands in a park of about eight acres, 
donated to the State by the citizens of Spring- 
field. A provision of the State Constitution of 
1870 prohibited the expenditure of any sum in 
excess of $3,500,000 in the erection and furnishing 
of the building, without previous approval of such 
additional expenditure by the people. This 
amount proving insufficient, the Legislature, at 
its session of 1885, passed an act making an addi- 
tional appropriation of $531,712, which having 
been approved by popular vote at the general 
election of 1886, the expenditure was made and 
the capitol completed during the following year, 
thus raising the total cost of construction and fur- 
nishing to a little in excess of 14,000,000. The 
building is cruciform as to its ground plan, and 
classic in its style of architecture ; its extreme 
dimensions (including porticoes), from north Jto 
south, being 379 feet, and, from east to west, 286 
feet. The walls are of dressed Joliet limestone, 
while the porticoes, which are spacious and 
lofty, are of sandstone, supported by polished 
columns of gray granite. The three stories of 
the building are surmounted by a Mansard roof, 
with two turrets and a central dome of stately 
dimensions. Its extreme height, to the top of 
the iron flag-staff, which rises from a lantern 
springing from the dome, is 364 feet. 

STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY, an institu- 
tion for the education of teachers, organized 
under an act of the General Assembly, passed 
Feb. 18, 1857. This act placed the work of 
organization in the hands of a board of fifteen 
persons, which was styled "The Board of Educa- 
tion of the State of Illinois," and was constituted 
as follows : C. B. Denio of Jo Daviess County ; 
Simeon "Wright of Lee; Daniel Wilkins of Mc- 
Lean ; Charles E. Hovey of Peoria ; George P. Rex 
of Pike; Samuel W. Moulton of Shelby; John 



Gillespie of Jasper; George Bunsen of St. Clair,- 
Wesley Sloan of Pope; Ninian W. Edwards of 
Sangamon; John R. Eden of Moultrie; Flavel 
Moseley and William Wells of Cook; Albert R. 
Shannon of White; and the Superintendent oV 
Public Instruction, ex-officio. The object of the 
University, as defined in the organizing law, is 
to qualify teachers for the public schools of the 
State, and the course of instruction to be given 
embraces "the art of teaching, and all branches 
which pertain to a common-school education.; in 
the elements of the natural sciences, including 
agricultural chemistry, animal and vegetable 
physiology ; in the fundamental laws of the 
United States and of the State of Illinois in 
regard to the rights and duties of citizens, and 
such other studies as the Board of Education may, 
from time to time, prescribe." Various cities 
competed for the location of the institution, 
Bloomington being finally selected, its bid, in- 
cluding 160 acres of land, being estimated as 



equivalent to $141,'; 



The corner-stone was 



laid on September 29, 1857, and the first building 
was ready for permanent occupancy in Septem- 
ber, 1860. Previously, however, it had been 
sufficiently advanced to permit of its being used, 
and the first commencement exercises were held 
on June 29 of the latter year. Three years 
earlier, the academic department had been organ- 
ized under the charge of Charles E. Hovey. The 
first cost, including furniture, etc., was not far 
from $200,000. Gratuitous instruction is given to 
two pupils from each count}', and to three from 
each Senatorial District. The departments are : 
Grammar school, high school, normal department 
and model school, all of which are overcrowded. 
The whole number of students in attendance on 
the institution during the school year, 1897-98, 
was 1,197, of whom 891 were in the normal 
department and 306 in the practice school depart- 
ment, including representatives from 86 coun- 
ties of the State, with a few pupils from other 
States on the payment of tuition. The teaching 
faculty (including the President and Librarian) 
for the same year, was made up of twenty-six 
members — twelve ladies and fourteen gentlemen. 
The expenditures for the year 1897-98 aggregated 
$47,626.92, against $66,528.69 for 1896-97. Nearly 
$22,000 of the amount expended during the latter 
year was on account of the construction of a 
gymnasium building. 

STATE PROPERTY. The United States Cen- 
sus of 1890 gave the value of real and personal 
property belonging to the State as follows: Pub 
lie lands, $328,000; buildings, $22,164,000; mis- 



506 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



cellaneous property, §2,650,000— total, S23.142.000. 
The land may be subdivided thus: Camp-grounds 
of the Illinois National Guard near Springfield 
(donated), 840,000; Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
§168,000; Illinois University lands, in Illinois 
(donated by the General Government), 841.000. in 
Minnesota (similarly donated), 879,000. The 
buildings comprise those connected with the 
charitable, penal and educational institutions of 
the State, besides the State Arsenal, two build- 
ings • for the use of the Appellate Courts (at 
Ottawa and Mount Vernon), the State House, 
the Executive Mansion, and locks and dams 
erected at Henry and Copperas Creek. Of the 
miscellaneous property, 8120,000 represents the 
equipment of the Illinois National Guard; 81, 959,- 
000 the value of the movable property of public 
buildings; 8350,000 the endowment fund of the 
University of Illinois; and 821,000 the movable 
property of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The 
figures given relative to the value of the public 
buildings include only the first appropriations 
for their erection. Considerable sums have 
since been expended upon some of them in repairs, 
enlargements and improvements. 

STATE TREASURERS. The only Treasurer 
of Illinois during the Territorial period was John 
Thomas, who served from 1812 to 1818, and 
became the first incumbent under the State 
Government. Under the Constitution of 1818 
the Treasurer was elected, biennially, by joint vote 
of the two Houses of the General Assembly ; by 
the Constitution of 1848, this officer was made 
elective by the people for the same period, with- 
out limitations as to number of terms ; under the 
Constitution of 1870, the manner of election and 
duration of term are unchanged, but the incum- 
bent is ineligible to re-election, for two years 
from expiration of the term for which he may 
have been chosen. The following is a list of the 
State Treasurers, from the date of the admission 
of the State into the Union down to the present 
time (1899), with the date and duration of the 
term of each: John Thomas, 1818-19; Robert K. 
McLaughlin, 1819-23; Abner Field, 1823 27; 
James Hall, 1827-31; John Dement, 1831-36; 
Charles Gregory, 1836-37; John D. Whiteside, 
1837-41; Milton Carpenter, 1841-48; John Moore, 
1848-57; James Miller, 1857-59; William Butler, 
1859-63; Alexander Starne, 1863-65; James H. 
Beveridge, 1865-67; George W. Smith, 1867-69; 
Erastus N. Bates, 1869-73; Edward Rutz, 1873-75; 
Thomas S. Ridgway, 1875-77; Edward Rutz. 
1877-79, John C. Smith. 1879-81; Edward Rutz, 
1881-83, John C. Smith. 1883-85; Jacob Gross, 



1885-87; John R. Tanner, 1887-89; Charles 
Becker, 1889-91; Edward S. Wilson, 1891-93; 
Rufus N. Ramsay, 1893-95 ; Henry Wulff, 1895-97 ; 
Henry L. Hertz, 1897-99; Floyd K. Whittemore, 
1899- . 

STAUNTON, a village in the southeast corner 
of Macoupin County, on the Chicago, Peoria & 
St. Louis and the Wabash Railways; is 36 milps 
northeast of St. Louis, and 14 miles southwest of 
Litchfield. Agriculture and coal-mining are the 
industries of the surrounding region. Staunton 
has two banks, eight churches and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1880), 1,358 ; (1890), 2,209 ; 
(1900), 2,786 

STEEL PRODUCTION. In the manufacture 
of steel, Illinois has long ranked as the second 
State in the Union in the amount of its output, 
and, during the period between 1880 and 1890, 
the increase in production was 241 per cent. In 
1880 there were but six steel works in the State; 
in 1890 these had increased to fourteen ; and the 
production of steel of all kinds (in tons of 2,000 
pounds) had risen from 254,569 tons to 868,250. 
Of the 3.837,039 tons of Bessemer steel ingots, or 
direct castings, produced in the United States in 
1890, 22 per cent were turned out in Illinois, 
nearly all the steel produced in the State being 
made by that process. From the tonnage of 
ingots, as given above, Illinois produced 622,260 
pounds of steel rails, — more than 30 per cent of 
the aggregate for the entire country. This fact 
is noteworthy, inasmuch as the competition in 
the manufacture of Bessemer steel rails, since 
1880, has been so great that many rail mills have 
converted their steel into forms other than rails, 
experience having proved their production to 
any considerable extent, during the past few 
years, unprofitable except in works favorably 
located for obtaining cheap raw material, or 
operated under the latest and most approved 
methods of manufacture. Open-hearth steel is 
no longer made in Illinois, but the manufacture 
of crucible steel is slightly increasing, the out- 
put in 1890 being 445 tons, as against 130 in 1880. 
For purposes requiring special grades of steel the 
product of the crucible process will be always 
in demand, but the high cost of manufacture 
prevents it, in a majority of instances, from 
successfully competing in price with the other 
processes mentioned. 

STEPHENSON, Benjamin, pioneer and early 
politician, came to Illinois from Kentucky in 
1809, and was appointed the first Sheriff of 
Randolph County by Governor Edwards under 
the Territorial Government; afterwards served 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



507 



as a Colonel of Illinois militia during the War of 
1812; represented Illinois Territory as Delegate 
in Congress, 1814-16, and, on his retirement from 
Congress, became Register of the Land Office at 
Edwardsville, finally dying at Edwardsville — Col. 
James W. (Stephenson), a son of the preceding, 
was a soldier during the Black Ilawk War, after- 
wards became a prominent politician in the north- 
western part of the State, served as Register of 
the Land Office at Galena and, in 1838, received 
the Democratic nomination for Governor, but 
withdrew before the election. 

STEPHENSON, (Dr.) Benjamin Franklin, 
physician and soldier, was born in Wayne 
County, 111., Oct. 30, 1822, and accompanied his 
parents, in 1825, to Sangamon County, where the 
family settled. His early educational advantages 
were meager, and he did not study his profession 
(medicine) until after reaching his majority, 
graduating from Rush Medical College, Chicago, 
in 1850. He began practice at Petersburg, but, 
in April, 1862, was mustered into the volunteer 
army as Surgeon of the Fourteenth Illinois 
Infantry. After a little over two years service he 
was mustered out in June, 1864, when lie took up 
his residence in Springfield, and, for a year, was 
engaged in the drug business there. In 1865 he 
resumed professional practice. He lacked tenac- 
ity of purpose, however, was indifferent to money, 
and always willing to give his own services and 
orders for medicine to the poor. Hence, his prac- 
tice was not lucrative. He was one of the leaders 
in the organization of the Grand Army of the 
Republic (which see), in connection with which 
he is most widely known ; but his services in its 
cause failed to receive, during his lifetime, the 
recognition which they deserved, nor did the 
organization promptly flourish, as he had hoped. 
He finally returned with his family to Peters- 
burg. Died, at Rock Creek, Menard, County, 111., 
August 30, 1871. 

STEPHENSON COUNTY, a northwestern 
county, with an area of 560 square miles. The 
soil is rich, productive and well timbered. Fruit- 
culture and stock-raising are among the chief 
industries. Not until 1827 did the aborigines quit 
the locality, and the county was organized, ten 
years later, and named for Gen. Benjamin 
Stephenson. A man named Kirker, who had 
been in the employment of Colonel Gratiot as a 
lead-miner, near Galena, is said to have built the 
first cabin within the present limits of what was 
called Burr Oak Grove, and set himself up as an 
Indian-trader in 1826, but only remained a short 
time. He was followed, the next year, by Oliver 



W. Kellogg, who took Kirker's place, built a 
more pretentious dwelling and became the first 
permanent settler. Later came William Wad- 
dams, the Montagues, Baker, Kilpatrick, Preston, 
the Goddards, and others whose names are linked 
with the county's early history. The first house 
in Freeport was built by William Baker. Organi- 
zation was effected in 1837, the total poll being 
eighty-four votes. The earliest teacher was Nel- 
son Martin, who is said to have taught a school 
of some twelve pupils, in a house which stood on 
the site of the present city of Freeport. Popula- 
tion (1880), 31,963; (1890), 31,338; (1900), 34,933. 

STERLING, a flourishing city on the north 
bank of Rock River, in Whiteside County, 109 
miles west of Chicago, 29 miles east of Clinton, 
Iowa, and 52 miles east-northeast of Rock Island. 
It lias ample railway facilities, furnished by the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the Sterling & 
Peoria, and the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
roads. It contains fourteen churches, an opera 
house, high and grade schools, Carnegie library, 
Government postoffice building, three banks, 
electric street and interurban car lines, electric 
and gas lighting, water-works, paved streets and 
sidewalks, fire department and four newspaper 
offices, two issuing daily editions. It has fine 
water-power, and is an important manufacturing 
center, its works turning out agricultural imple- 
ments, carriages, paper, barbed-wire, school furni- 
ture burial caskets, pumps, sash, doors, etc. It 
also has the Sterling Iron Works, besides foundries 
and machine shops. The river here flows through 
charming scenery. Pop (1890), 5,824; (1900), 6,309. 

STEVENS, Bradford A., ex-Congressman, was 
born at Boscawen (afterwards Webster), N. H., 
Jan. 3, 1813. After attending schools in New 
Hampshire and at Montreal, he entered Dart- 
mouth College, graduating therefrom in 1835. 
During the six years following, he devoted him- 
self to teaching, at Hopkinsville. Ky., and New 
York City. In 1843 he removed to Bureau 
County, 111., where he became a merchant and 
farmer. In 1868 he was chairman of the Board 
of Supervisors, and, in 1870, was elected to Con- 
gress, as an Independent Democrat, for the Fifth 
District. 

STEVENSON, Adlai E., ex- Vice-President of 
the United States, was born in Christian County, 
Ky., Oct. 23, 1835. In 1852 he removed with his 
parents to Bloomington, McLean County, 111., 
where the family settled ; was educated at the 
Illinois Wesleyan University and at Centre Col- 
lege, Ky., was admitted to the bar in 1858 and 
began practice at Metamora, Woodford County, 



508 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



where he was Master in Chancery, 1861-65, and 
State's Attorney, 1865-69. In 1864 he was candi- 
date for Presidential Elector on the Democratic 
ticket. In 1869 he returned to Bloomington, 
where he has since resided. In 1874, and again 
in 1876, he was an unsuccessful candidate of his 
party for Congress, but was elected as a Green- 
back Democrat in 1878, though defeated in 1880 
and 1883. In 1877 he was appointed by President 
Hayes a member of the Board of Visitors to 
West Point. During the first administration of 
President Cleveland (1885-89) he was First Assist- 
ant Postmaster General; was a member of the 
National Democratic Conventions of 1884 and 
1892, being Chairman of the Illinois delegation 
the latter year. In 1892 he received his party's 
nomination for the Vice-Presidency, and was 
elected to that office, serving until 1897. Since 
retiring from office he has resumed his residence 
at Bloomington. 

STEWARD, Lewis, manufacturer and former 
Congressman, was born in Wayne County, Pa., 
Nov. 20, 1824, and received a common school 
education. At the age of 14 he accompanied his 
parents to Kendall County, 111., where he after- 
wards resided, being engaged in farming and the 
manufacture of agricultural implements at 
Piano. He studied law but never practiced. In 
1876 he was an unsuccessful candidate for Gov- 
ernor on the Democratic ticket, being defeated 
by Shelby M. Cullom. In 1890 the Democrats of 
the Eighth Illinois District elected him to Con- 
gress. In 1892 he was again a candidate, but was 
defeated by his Republican opponent, Robert A. 
Childs, by the narrow margin of 27 votes, and, 
in 1894, was again defeated, this time being pitted 
against Albert J. Hopkins. Mr. Steward died at 
his home at Piano, August 26, 1896. 

STEWARDSON, a town of Shelby County, at 
the intersection of the Toledo, St. Louis & Kan- 
sas City Railway with the Altamont branch of 
the Wabash, 12 miles southeast of Shelby ville; 
is in a grain and lumber region ; has a bank and 
a weekly paper. Population, (1900), 677. 

STICKNEY, William H., pioneer lawyer, was 
born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 9, 1809, studied law 
and was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati in 
1831, and, in Illinois in 1834, being at that time a 
resident of Shawneetown; was elected State's 
Attorney by the Legislature, in 1839, for the cir- 
cuit embracing some fourteen counties in the 
southern and southeastern part of the State; for 
a time also, about 1835-36, officiated as editor of 
"The Gallatin Democrat," and "The Illinois 
Advertiser," published at Shawneetown. In 1846 



Mr. Stickney was elected to the lower branch of 
the General Assembly from Gallatin County, and, 
twenty-eight years later — having come to Chi- 
cago in 1848 — to the same body from Cook 
County, serving in the somewhat famous Twenty- 
ninth Assembly. He also held the office of 
Police Justice for some thirteen years, from 1860 
onward. He lived to an advanced age, dying in 
Chicago, Feb. 14, 1898, being at the time the 
oldest surviving member of the Chicago bar. 

STILES, Isaac Newton, lawyer and soldier, 
born at Suffield, Conn., July 16, 1833; was ad- 
mitted to the bar at Lafayette, Ind., in 1855, 
became Prosecuting Attorney, a member of the 
Legislature and an effective speaker in the Fre- 
mont campaign of 1856; enlisted as a private sol- 
dier at the beginning of the war, went to the 
field as Adjutant, was captured at Malvern Hill, 
and, after six weeks' confinement in Libby 
prison, exchanged and returned to duty; was 
promoted Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel, 
and brevetted Brigadier-General for meritorious 
service. After the war he practiced his profes- 
sion in Chicago, though almost totally blind. 
Died, Jan. 18, 1895. 

STILLMAX, Stephen, first State Senator from 
Sangamon County, 111., was a native of Massachu- 
setts who came, with his widowed mother, to 
Sangamon County in 1820, and settled near 
Williamsville, where he became the first Post- 
master in the first postoffice in the State north of 
the Sangamon River. In 1822, Mr. Stillman was 
elected as the first State Senator from Sangamon 
County, serving four years, and, at his first session, 
being one of the opponents of the pro-slavery 
Convention resolution. He died, in Peoria, some- 
where between 1835 and 1840. 

STILLMAN VALLEY, village in Ogle County, 
on Chicago Great Western and the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railways; site of first battle 
Black Hawk War; has graded schools, four 
churches, a bank and a newspaper. Pop. , 475. 

STITES, Samuel, pioneer, was born near 
Mount Bethel, Somerset County, N. J., Oct. 31, 
1776; died, August 16, 1839, on his farm, which 
subsequently became the site of the city of Tren- 
ton, in Clinton County, 111. He was descended 
from John Stites, M.D., who was born in Eng- 
land in 1595, emigrated to America, and died at 
Hempstead, L. I., in 1717, at the age of 122 years. 
The family removed to New Jersey in the latter 
part of the seventeenth century. Samuel was a 
cousin of Benjamin Stites, the first white man to 
settle within the present limits of Cincinnati, and 
various members of the family were prominent in 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



509 



the settlement of the upper Ohio Valley as early 
as 1788. Samuel Stites married, Sept. 14, 1794, 
Martha Martin, daughter of Ephraim Martin, 
and grand- daughter of Col. Ephraim Martin, both 
soldiers of the New Jersey line during the Revo- 
lutionary War — with the last named of whom 
he had (in connection with John Cleves Symmes) 
been intimately associated in the purchase and 
settlement of the Miami Valley. In 1800 he 
removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1803 to 
Greene County, and, in 1818, in company with his 
son-in-law. Anthony Wayne Casad, to St. Clair 
County, 111., settling near Union Grove. Later, he 
removed to O'Fallon, and, still later, to Clinton 
County. He left a large family, several members 
of which became prominent pioneers in the 
movements toward Minnesota and Kansas. 

STOLBRAND, Carlos John Mueller, soldier, 
was born in Sweden, May 11, 1821; at the age of 
18, enlisted in the Royal Artillery of his native 
land, serving through the campaign of Schleswig- 
Holstein (1848) ; came to the United States soon 
after, and, in 1861, enlisted in the first battalion 
of Illinois Light Artillery, finally becoming Chief 
of Artillery under Gen. John A. Logan. When 
the latter became commander of the Fifteenth 
Army Corps, Col. Stolbrand was placed at the 
head of the artillery brigade; in February, 1865, 
was made Brigadier-General, and mustered out 
in January, 1866. After the war he went South, 
and was Secretary of the South Carolina Consti- 
tutional Convention of 1868. The same year he 
was a delegate to the Republican National Con- 
vention at Chicago, and a Presidential Elector. 
He was an inventor and patented various im- 
provements in steam engines and boilers; was 
also Superintendent of Public Buildings at 
Charleston, S. C, under President Harrison. 
Died, at Charleston, Feb. 3, 1894. 

STONE, Daniel, early lawyer and legislator, 
was a native of Vermont and graduate of Middle- 
bury College; became a member of the Spring- 
field (111.) bar in 1833, and, in 1836, was elected 
to the General Assembly — being one of the cele- 
brated "Long Nine"' from Sangamon County, and 
joining Abraham Lincoln in his protest against 
a series of pro-slavery resolutions which had been 
adopted by the House. In 1837 he was a Circuit 
Court Judge and, being assigned to the north- 
western part of the State, removed to Galena, 
but was legislated out of office, when he left the 
State, dying a few years later, in Essex County, 
N. J. 

STONE, Horatio 0., pioneer, was born in 
Ontario (now Monroe) County, N. Y., Jan. 2, 



1811 ; in boyhood learned the trade of shoemaker, 
and later acted as overseer of laborers on the 
Lackawanna Canal. In 1831, having located in 
Wayne County, Mich., he was drafted for the 
Black Hawk War, serving twenty-two days under 
Gen. Jacob Brown. In January, 1835, he came 
to Chicago and, having made a fortunate specu- 
lation in real estate in that early day, a few 
months later entered upon the grocery and pro- 
vision trade, which he afterwards extended to 
grain ; finally giving his chief attention to real 
estate, in which he was remarkably successful, 
leaving a large fortune at his death, which 
occurred in Chicago, June 20, 1877. 

STONE, (Rev.) Luther, Baptist clergyman, 
was born in the town of Oxford, Worcester 
County, Mass., Sept. 26, 1815, and spent his boy- 
hood on a farm. After acquiring a common 
school education, he prepared for college at Lei- 
cester Academy, and, in 1835, entered Brown 
University, graduating in the class of 1839. He 
then spent three years at the Theological Insti- 
tute at Newton, Mass. ; was ordained to the 
ministry at Oxford, in 1843, but, coming west the 
next year, entered upon evangelical work in 
Rock Island, Davenport, Burlington and neigh- 
boring towns. Later, he was pastor of the First 
Baptist Church at Rockford, 111. In 1847 Mr. 
Stone came to Chicago and established "The 
Watchman of the Prairies," which survives to- 
day under the name of "The Standard," and has 
become the leading Baptist organ in the West. 
After six years of editorial work, he took up 
evangelistic work in Chicago, among the poor 
and criminal classes. During the Civil War he 
conducted religious services at Camp Douglas, 
Soldiers' Rest and the Marine Hospital. He was 
associated in the conduct and promotion of many 
educational and charitable institutions. He did 
much for the First Baptist Church of Chicago, 
and, during the latter years of his life, was 
attached to the Iinmanuel Baptist Church, 
which he labored to establish. Died, in July, 
1890. 

STONE, Melville E., journalist, banker. Man- 
ager ot Associated Press, born at Hudson, 111., 
August 18, 1848. Coming to Chicago in 1860, he 
graduated from the local high school in 1867, 
and, in 1870, acquired the sole proprietorship of 
a foundry and machine shop. Finding himself 
without resources after the great fire of 1871, he 
embarked in journalism, rising, through the suc- 
cessive grades of reporter, city editor, assistant 
editor and Washington correspondent, to the 
position of editor-in-chief of his own journal. 



510 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



He was connected with various Chicago dailies 
between 1871 and 1875, and, on Christmas Day 
of the latter year, issued the first number of "The 
Chicago Daily News." He gradually disposed of 
his interest in this journal, entirely severing 
his connection therewith in 1888. Since that 
date he has been engaged in banking in the city 
of Chicago, and is also General Manager of the 
Associated Press. 

STONE, Samuel, philanthropist, was born at 
Chesterfield, Mass., Dec. 6, 1798; left an orphan 
at seven years of age, after a short term in Lei- 
cester Academy, and several years in a wholesale 
store in Boston, at the age of 19 removed to 
Rochester, N. Y., to take charge of interests in 
the "Holland Purchase," belonging to his father's 
estate ; in 1843-49, was a resident of [Detroit and 
interested in some of the early railroad enter- 
prises centering there, but the latter year re- 
moved to Milwaukee, being there associated with 
Ezra Cornell in telegraph construction. In 1859 
he became a citizen of Chicago, where he was 
one of the founders of the Chicago Historical 
Society, and a liberal patron of many enterprises 
of a public and benevolent character. Died, May 
4, 1876. 

STONE FORT, a village in the counties of 
Saline and Williamson. It is situated on the Cairo 
Division of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & 
St. Louis Railway, 57 miles northeast of Cairo. 
Population (1900), 479. 

STOREY, Wilbur F., journalist and news- 
paper publisher, was born at Salisbury, Vt. , Dec. 
19, 1819. He began to learn the printer's trade 
at 12, and, before he was 19, was part owner of a 
Democratic paper called "The Herald," published 
at La Porte, Ind. Later, he either edited or con- 
trolled journals published at Mishawaka, Ind., 
and Jackson and Detroit, Mich. In January, 
1861, he became the principal owner of "The 
Chicago Times," then the leading Democratic 
organ of Chicago. His paper soon came to be 
regarded as the organ of the anti-war party 
throughout the Northwest, and, in June, 1863, 
was suppressed by a military order issued by 
General Burnside, which was subsequently 
revoked by President Lincoln. The net result 
was an increase in "The Times' " notoriety and 
circulation. Other charges, of an equally grave 
nature, relating to its sources of income, its char- 
acter as a family newspaper, etc., were repeatedly 
made, but to all these Mr. Storey turned a deaf 
ear. He lost heavily in the fire of 1871, but, in 
1872. appeared as the editor of "The Times," 
then destitute of political ties About 1876 his 



health began to decline. Medical aid failed to 
afford relief, and, in August, 1884, he was ad- 
judged to be of unsound mind, and his estate was 
placed in the hands of a conservator. On the 
27th of the following October (1884), he died at 
his home in Chicago. 

STORRS, Emery Alexander, lawyer, was born 
at Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., August 
12, 1835; began the study of law with his father, 
later pursued a legal course at Buffalo, and, in 
1853, was admitted to the bar; spent two years 
(1857-59) in New York City, the latter year re- 
moving to Chicago, where he attained great 
prominence as an advocate at the bar, as well as 
an orator on other occasions. Politically a 
Republican, he took an active part in Presidential 
campaigns, being a delegate-at- large from Illinois 
to the National Republican Conventions of 1868, 
'72, and '80, and serving as one of the Vice-Presi- 
dents in 1872. Erratic in habits and a master of 
epigram and repartee, many of his speeches are 
quoted with relish and appreciation by those who 
were his contemporaries at the Chicago bar. 
Died suddenly, while in attendance on the Su- 
preme Court at Ottawa, Sept. 12, 1885. 

STRAWJf, Jacob, agriculturist and stock- 
dealer, born in Somerset County, Pa., May 30, 
1800; removed to Licking County, Ohio, in 1817, 
and to Illinois, in 1831, settling four miles south- 
west of Jacksonville. He was one of the first to 
demonstrate the possibilities of Illinois as a live- 
stock state. Unpretentious and despising mere 
show, he illustrated the virtues of industry, fru- 
gality and honesty. At his death — which occurred 
August 23, 1865 — he left an estate estimated in 
value at about 81,000,000, acquired by industry 
and business enterprise. He was a zealous 
Unionist during the war, at one time contributing 
$10,000 to the Christian Commission. 

STREATOR, a city (laid out in 1868 and incor- 
porated in 1882) in the southern part of La Salle 
County, 93 miles southwest of Chicago ; situated 
on the Vermilion River and a central point for 
five railroads. It is surrounded by a rich agri- 
cultural country, and is underlaid by coal seams 
(two of which are worked) and by shale and 
various clay products of value, adapted to the 
manufacture of fire and building-brick, drain- 
pipe, etc. The city is thoroughly modern, having 
gas, electric lighting, street railways, water- 
works, a good fire-department, and a large, im- 
proved public park. Churches and schools are 
numerous, as are also fine public and private 
buildings. One of the chief industries is the 
manufacture of glass, including rolled-plate. 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



511 



window-glass, flint and Bohemian ware and glass 
bottles. Other successful industries are foundries 
and machine shops, flour mills, and clay working 
establishments. There are several banks, and 
three daily and weekly papers are published here. 
The estimated property valuation, in 1884, was 
$12,000,000. Streator boasts some handsome 
public buildings, especially the Government post- 
office and the Carnegie public library building, 
both of which have been erected within the past 
few years. Pop. (1890), 11,414; (1900), 14,079. 

STREET, Joseph M., pioneer and early politi- 
cian, settled at Shawneetown about 1812, coming 
from Kentucky, though believed to have been a 
native of Eastern Virginia. In 1827 he was a 
Brigadier-General of militia, and appears to have 
been prominent in the affairs of that section of 
the State. His correspondence with Governor 
Edwards, about this time, shows him to have been 
a man of far more than ordinary education, with 
a good opinion of his merits and capabilities. He 
was a most persistent applicant for office, making 
urgent appeals to Governor Edwards, Henry Clay 
and other politicians in Kentucky, Virginia and 
Washington, on the ground of his poverty and 
large family. In 1827 he received the offer of 
the clerkship of the new county of Peoria, but, 
on visiting that region, was disgusted with the 
prospect; returning to Shawneetown, bought a 
farm in Sangamon County, but, before the close 
of the year, was appointed Indian Agent at 
Prairie du Chien. This was during the difficul- 
ties with the Winnebago Indians, upon which he 
made voluminous reports to the Secretary of 
War. Mr. Street was a son-in-law of Gen. 
Thomas Posey, a Revolutionary soldier, who was 
prominent in the early history of Indiana and its 
last Territorial Governor. (See Posey, (Gen.) 
Thomas. ) 

STREETER, Alson J., farmer and politician, 
was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., in 1823; 
at the age of two 3'ears accompanied his father to 
Illinois, the family settling at Dixon, Lee County, 
He attended Knox College for three years, and, 
in 1849, went to California, where he spent two 
years in gold mining. Returning to Illinois, he 
purchased a farm of 240 acres near New Windsor, 
Mercer County, to which he has since added sev- 
eral thousand acres. In 1872 he was elected to 
the lower house of the Twenty-eighth General 
Assembly as a Democrat, but, in 1873, allied him- 
self with the Greenback party, whose candidate 
for Congress he was in 1878, and for Governor in 
1880, when he received nearly 3,000 votes more 
than his party's Presidential nominee, in Illinois. 



In 1884 he was elected State Senator by a coali- 
tion of Greenbackers and Democrats in the 
Twenty-fourth Senatorial District, but acted as 
an independent throughout his entire term. 

STRONG, William Emerson, soldier, was born 
at Granville, N. Y., in 1810; from 13 years of age, 
spent his early life in Wisconsin, studied law and 
was admitted to the bar at Racine in 1861. The 
same year he enlisted under the first call for 
troops, took part, as Captain of a Wisconsin Com- 
pany, in the first battle of Bull Run; was 
afterwards promoted and assigned to duty as 
Inspector-General in the West, participated in 
the Vicksburg and Atlanta campaigns, being 
finally advanced to the rank of Brigadier-Gen- 
eral. After some fifteen months spent in the 
position of Inspector-General of the Freedmen's 
Bureau (1865-66), he located in Chicago, and 
became connected with several important busi- 
ness enterprises, besides assisting, as an officer on 
the staff of Governor Cullom, in the organization 
of the Illinois National Guard. He was elected 
on the first Board of Directors of the World's 
Columbian Exposition, and, while making a tour 
of Europe in the interest of that enterprise, died, 
at Florence, Italy, April 10, 1891. 

STUART, John Todd, lawyer and Congress- 
man, born near Lexington, Ky., Nov. 10, 1807 — 
the son of Robert Stuart, a Presbyterian minister 
and Professor of Languages in Transylvania 
University, and related, on the maternal side, to 
the Todd family, of whom Mrs. Abraham Lincoln 
was a member. He graduated at Centre College. 
Danville, in 1826, and, after studying law, re- 
moved to Springfield, 111., in 1828, and began 
practice. In 1832 he was elected Representative 
in the General Assembly, re-elected in 1834, and, 
in 1836, defeated, as the Whig candidate for Con- 
gress, by Wm. L. May, though elected, two years 
later, over Stephen A. Douglas, and again in 1840. 
In 1837, Abraham Lincoln, who had been 
studying law under Mr. Stuart's advice and 
instruction, became his partner, the relation- 
ship continuing until 1841. He served in the 
State Senate, 1849-53, was the Bell-Everett 
candidate for Governor in 1860, and was 
elected to Congress, as a Democrat, for a third 
time, in 1862, but, in 1864, was defeated by 
Shelby M. Cullom, his former pupil. During the 
latter years of his life. Mr. Stuart was head of the 
law firm of Stuart, Edwards & Brown. Died, at 
Springfield, Nov. 28, 188.1 

STURGES, Solomon, merchant and banker, 
was born at Fairfield, Conn., April 21, 1796, early 
manifested a passion for the sea and, in 1810, 



5L> 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



made a voyage, on a vessel of which his brother 
was captain, from New York to Georgetown, 
D. C, intending to continue it to Lisbon. At 
Georgetown he was induced to accept a position 
as clerk with a Mr. Williams, where he was 
associated with two other youths, as fellow-em- 
ployes, who became eminent bankers and 
capitalists— W. W. Corcoran, afterwards the 
well-known banker of Washington, and George 
W. Peabody, who had a successful banking career 
in England, and won a name as one of the most 
liberal and public-spirited of philanthropists. 
During the War of 1812 young Sturges joined a 
volunteer infantry company, where he had, for 
comrades, George W. Peabody and Francis S. Key, 
the latter author of the popular national song, 
"The Star Spangled Banner." In 1814 Mr. 
Sturges accepted a clerkship in the store of his 
brother-in-law, Ebenezer Buckingham, at Put- 
nam, Muskingum County, Ohio, two years later 
becoming a partner in the concern, where he 
developed that business capacity which laid the 
foundation for his future wealth. Before steam- 
ers navigated the waters of the Ohio and Missis- 
sippi Rivers, lie piloted flat-boats, loaded with 
produce and merchandise, to New Orleans, return- 
ing overland During one of his visits to that 
city, he witnessed the arrival of the "Washing- 
ton," the first steamer to descend the Mississippi, 
as. in 1817, he saw the arrival of the "Walk-in- 
the- Water" at Detroit, the first steamer to arrive 
from Buffalo — the occasion of his visit to Detroit 
being to carry funds to General Cass to pay off 
the United States troops. About 1849 he was 
associated with the construction of the Wabash 
& Erie Canal, from the Ohio River to Terre Haute, 
Ind., advancing money for the prosecution of the 
work, for which was reimbursed by the State. In 
1854 he came to Chicago, and, in partnership 
with his brothers-in-law, C. P. and Alvah Buck- 
ingham, erected the first large grain-elevator in 
that city, on laud leased from the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company, following it, two years later, 
by another of equal capacity. For a time, sub- 
stantially all the grain coming into Chicago, by 
railroad, passed into these elevators. In 1857 he 
established the private banking house of Solomon 
Sturges & Sons, which, shortly after his death, 
under the management of his son, George Stur- 
ges, became the Northwestern National Bank of 
Chicago. He was intensely patriotic and, on the 
breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, used 
of his means freely in support of the Govern- 
ment, equipping the Sturges Rifles, an independ- 
ent company, at a cost of 820,000. He was also a 



subscriber to the first loan made by the Govern- 
ment, during this period, taking §100,000 in 
Government bonds. While devoted to his busi- 
ness, he was a hater of shams and corruption, and 
contributed freely to Christian and benevolent 
enterprises. Died, at the home of a daughter, at 
Zanesville, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1864, leaving a large 
fortune acquired by legitimate trade. 

STURTEY ANT, Julian Munson, D.D., LL.D., 
clergyman and educator, was born at Warren, 
Litchfield County, Conn., July 26, 1805; spent his 
youth in Summit County, Ohio, meanwhile pre- 
paring for college ; in 1822, entered Yale College 
as the classmate of the celebrated Elizur Wright, 
graduating in 1S26. After two years as Princi- 
pal of an academy at Canaan, Conn., he entered 
Yale Divinity School, graduating there in 1829; 
then came west, and, after spending a year in 
superintending the erection of buildings, in De- 
cember, 1830, as sole tutor, began instruction to <* 
class of nine pupils in what is now Illinois Col- 
lege, at Jacksonville. Having been joined, the 
following year, by Dr. Edward Beecher as Presi- 
dent, Mr. Sturtevant assumed the chair of Mathe- 
matics, Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, 
which he retained until 1844, when, by the 
retirement of Dr. Beecher, he succeeded to the 
offices of President and Professor of Intellectual 
and Moral Philosophy. Here he labored, inces- 
santly and unselfishly, as a teacher during term 
time, and, as financial agent during vacations, 
in the interest of the institution of which he had 
been one of the chief founders, serving until 1876, 
when he resigned the Presidency, giving his 
attention, for the next ten years, to the duties of 
Professor of Mental Science and Science of Gov- 
ernment, which he had discharged from 1S70. 
In 1886 he retired from the institution entirely, 
having given to its service fifty-six years of his 
life. In 1863, Dr. Sturtevant visited Europe in 
the interest of the Union cause, delivering effec- 
tive addresses at a number of points in England. 
He was a frequent contributor to the weekly 
religious and periodical press, and was the author 
of "Economics, or the Science of Wealth" (1876) 
— a text-book on political economy, and "Keys 
of Sect, or the Church of the New Testament" 
(1879), besides frequently occupying the pulpits 
of local and distant churches — having been early 
ordained a Congregational minister. He received 
the degree of D.D. from the University of Mis- 
souri and that of LL.D. from Iowa University 
Died, in Jacksonville, Feb. 11, 1886.— Julian M. 
(Sturtevant), Jr., son of the preceding, was born 
at Jacksonville, 111. Feb. 2, 1834; fitted for col- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



513 



lege in the preparatory department of Illinois 
College and graduated from the college (proper) 
in 1854. After leaving college he served as 
teacher in the Jacksonville public schools one 
year, then spent a year as tutor in Illinois Col- 
lege, when he began the study of theology at 
Andover Theological Seminary, graduating there 
in 1859, meanwhile having discharged the duties 
of Chaplain of the Connecticut State's prison in 
1858. He was ordained a minister of the Con- 
gregational Church at Hannibal, Mo., in 1860, 
remaining as pastor in that city nine years. He 
has since been engaged in pastoral work in New 
York City (1869-70), Ottawa, 111., (1870-73) ; Den- 
ver, Colo., (1873-77); Grinnell, Iowa, (1877-84); 
Cleveland, Ohio, (1884-90); Galesburg, 111., 
(1890-93), and Aurora, (1893-97). Since leaving 
the Congregational church at Aurora, Dr. Sturte- 
vant has been engaged in pastoral work in Chi- 
cago. He was also editor of "The Congrega- 
tionalist" of Iowa (1881-84), and, at different 
periods, has served as Trustee of Colorado, 
Marietta and Knox Colleges; being still an 
honored member of the Knox College Board. 
He received the degree of D.D from Illinois 
College, in 1879. 

SUBLETTE, a station and village on the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad, in Lee County, 8 miles 
northwest of Mendota. Population, (1900), 306. 

SUFFRAGE, in general, the right or privilege 
of voting. The qualifications of electors (or 
voters), in the choice of public officers in Illinois, 
are fixed by the State Constitution (Art. VII.), 
except as to school officers, which are prescribed 
by law. Under the State Constitution the exer- 
cise of the right to vote is limited to persons who 
were electors at the time of the adoption of the 
Constitution of 1848, or who are native or natu- 
ralized male citizens of the United States, of the 
age of 21 years or over, who have been residents 
of the State one year, of the county ninety days, 
and of the district (or precinct) in which they 
offer to vote, 30 days. Under an act passed in 
1891, women, of 21 years of age and upwards, are 
entitled to vote for school officers, and are also 
eligible to such offices under the same conditions, 
as to age and residence, as male citizens. (See 
Elections; Australian Ballot.) 

SULLIVAN, a city and county-seat of Moultrie 
County, 25 miles southeast of Decatur and 14 
miles northwest of Mattoon; is on three lines of 
railway. It is in an agricultural and stock-rais- 
ing region; contains two State banks and four 
weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 1,305; 
(1890), 1,468; (1900), 2,399; (1900, est), 3,100. 



SULLIVAN, William K., journalist, was born 
at Waterford, Ireland, Nov. 10, 1843 ; educated at 
the Waterford Model School and in Dublin , came 
to the United States in 1863, and, after teaching 
for a time in Kane County, in 1864 enlisted in the 
One Hundred and Forty-first Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers. Then, after a brief season spent in 
teaching and on a visit to his native land, he 
began work as a reporter on New York papers, 
later being employed on "The Chicago Tribune" 
and "The Evening Journal," on the latter, at 
different times, holding the position of city edi- 
tor, managing editor and correspondent. He 
was also a Representative from Cook County in 
the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, for three 
years a member of the Chicago Board of Edu- 
cation, and appointed United States Consul to the 
Bermudas by President Harrison, resigning in 
1892. Died, in Chicago, January 17, 1899. 

SULLIVA>'T, Michael Lucas, agriculturist, 
was born at Franklinton (a suburb of Columbus, 
Ohio), August 6, 1807; was educated at Ohio 
University and Centre College, Ky., and — after 
being engaged in the improvement of an immense 
tract of land inherited from his father near his 
birth-place, devoting much attention, meanwhile, 
to the raising of improved stock — in 1854 sold his 
Ohio lands and bought 80,000 acres, chiefly in 
Champaign and Piatt Counties, 111., where he 
began farming on a larger scale than before. The 
enterprise proved a financial failure, and he was 
finally compelled to sell a considerable portion of 
his estate in Champaign County, known as Broad 
Lands, to John T. Alexander (see Alexander, 
John T.), retiring to a farm of 40,000 acres at 
Burr Oaks, 111. He died, at Henderson, Ky., Jan. 
29, 1879. 

SUMMERFIELD, a village of St. Clair County, 
on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway, 
27 miles east of St Louis ; was the home of Gen. 
Fred. Heeker. Population (1900), 360. 

SUMNER, a city of Lawrence Comity, on the 
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 19 miles 
west of Vincennes, Ind. ; has a fine school house, 
four churches, two banks, two flour mills, tele- 
phones, and one weekly newspaper. Pop. (1890), 
1,037; (1900), 1,268. 

SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUBLIC INSTRUC- 
TION. The office of State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction was created by act of the 
Legislature, at a special session held in 1854, its 
duties previous to that time, from 1845, having 
been discharged by the Secretary of State as 
Superintendent, ex-officio. The following is a list 
of the incumbents from the date of the forma! 



514 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



creation of the office down to the present time 
(1899),. with the date and duration of the term of 
each Ninian W. Edwards (by appointment of 
the Governor), 1854-57; William H. Powell (by 
election), 1857-09; Newton Bateman, 1*59-63; 
John P. Brooks, 1863-G5; Newton Bateman, 
1865-75; Samuel W. Etter, 1875-79; James P. 
Slade, 1879-83; Henry Raab, 1883-87; Richard 
Edwards, 1887-91; Henry Raab, 1891-95; Samuel 
M. Inglis, 1895-98; James H. Freeman, June, 
1898, to January, 1899 (by appointment of the 
Governor, to fill the unexpired term of Prof. 
Inglis, who died in office, June 1, 1898) ; Alfred 
Baylis, 1899—. 

Previous to 1870 the tenure of the office was 
two years, but, by the Constitution adopted that 
year, it was extended to four years, the elections 
occurring on the even years between those for 
Governor and other State officers except State 
Treasurer. 

SUPREME COURT, JUDGES OF THE. The 
following is a list of Justices of the Supreme 
Court of Illinois who have held office since the 
organization of the State Government, with the 
period of their respective incumbencies; Joseph 
Phillips. 1818-22 (resigned); Thomas C. Browne, 
1818 48 (term expired on adoption of new Con- 
stitution) ; William P. Foster, Oct. 9, 1818, to 
July 7, 1819 (resigned), John Reynolds, 1818-25; 
Thomas Reynolds (vice Phillips), 1822-25; Wil- 
liam Wilson (vice Foster) 1819-48 (term expired 
on adoption of new Constitution) ; Samuel D 
Lockwood, 1825-48 (term expired on adoption of 
new Constitution) ; Theophilus W. Smith, 1825-42 
(resigned); Tliomas Ford, Feb. 15, 1841, to Au- 
gust 1, 1842 (resigned) ; Sidney Breese, Feb. 15, 
1841, to Dec. 19, 1842 (resigned) — also (by re-elec- 
tions), 1857-78 (died in office) ; Walter B. Scates, 
1841-47 (resigned)— also (vice Trumbull), 1854-57 
(resigned) ; Samuel H. Treat, 1841-55 (resigned) ; 
Stephen A. Douglas, 1841-42 (resigned); John D. 
Caton (vice Ford) August, 1842, to March, 1843— 
also (vice Robinson and by successive re-elec- 
tions), May, 1843 to January, 1864 (resigned) ; 
James Semple (vice Breese), Jan. 14, 1843, to 
April 16, 1843 (resigned) ; Richard M. Young (vice 
Smith), 1843-47 (resigned) ; John M. Robinson 
(vice Ford), Jan. 14, 1843, to April 27, 1843 (died 
in office); Jesse B. Thomas, Jr., (vice Douglas), 
1S4:;-45 (resigned)— also (vice Young), 1847-48; 
James Shields (vice Semple), 1843-45 (resigned); 
Norman H. Purple (vice Thomas), 1843-48 (retired 
under Constitution of 1848) ; Gustavus Koerner 
(vice Shields), 1845-48 (retired by Constitution); 
William A. Denning (vice Scates), 1847-48 (re- 



tired by Constitution) ; Lyman Trumbull, 1848-53 
(resigned); Ozias C. Skinner (vice Treat), 1855-58 
(resigned); Pinkney H. Walker (vice Skinner), 
1858-85 (deceased); Corydon Beckwith (by ap- 
pointment, vice Caton), Jan. 7, 1864, to June 6, 
1864; Charles B. Lawrence (one term), 1864-73; 
Anthony Thornton, 1870-73 (resigned); John M. 
Scott (two terms), 1870-88; Benjamin R. Sheldon 
(two terms), 1870-88; William K. McAllister, 
1870-75 (resigned) ; John Scholfield (vice Thorn- 
ton), 1873 93 (died); T. Lyle Dickey (vice 
McAllister), 1875-85 (died); David J. Baker (ap- 
pointed, vice Breese), July 9, 1878, to June 2, 
1879— also, 1888-97; John H. Mulkey, 1879-88; 
Damon G. TunniclilTe (appointed, vice Walker), 
Feb. 15, 1885, to June 1, 1885 ; Simeon P. Shope, 
1885-94, Joseph M. Bailey, 1888-95 (died in office). 
The Supreme Court, as at present constituted 
(1899), is as follows: Carroll C. Boggs, elected, 
1897, Jesse J. Phillips (vice Scholfield, deceased) 
elected, 1893, and re-elected, 1897; Jacob W. Wil- 
kin, elected, 1888, and re-elected, 1897; Joseph 
N. Carter, elected, 1894; Alfred M. Craig, elec- 
ted, 1873, and re-elected, 1882 and "91 ; James H. 
Cartwright (vice Bailey), elected, 1895, and re- 
elected, 1897 ; Benjamin D. Magruder (vice 
Dickey), elected, 1885, '88 and '97. The terms of 
Justices Boggs, Phillips, Wilkin, Cartwright and 
Magruder expire in 1906 ; that of Justice Carter 
on 1903; and Justice Craig's, in 1900. Under the 
Constitution of 1818, the Justices of the Supreme 
Court were chosen by joint ballot of the Legisla- 
ture, but, under the Constitutions of 1848 and 
1870, by popular vote for terms of nine years 
each. (See Judicial System; also sketches of 
individual members of the Supreme Court under 
their proper names.) 

SURVEYS, EARLY GOVERNMENT. The first 
United States law passed on the subject of Gov- 
ernment surveys was dated, May 20, 1785. After 
reserving certain lands to be allotted by way of 
pensions and to be donated for school purposes, 
it provided for the division of the remaining pub 
lie lands among the original thirteen States 
This, however, was, in effect, repealed by the Ordi 
nance of 1788. The latter provided for a rectan 
gular system of surveys which, with but little 
modification, has remained in force ever since. 
Briefly outlined, the system is as follows: Town- 
ships, six miles square, are laid out from principal 
bases, each township containing thirty-six sec- 
tions of one square mile, numbered consecutively, 
the numeration to commence at the upper right 
hand corner of the township. The first principal 
meridian (S4 ,">!' west of Greenwich), coincided 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



515 



with the line dividing Indiana and Ohio. The 
second (1° 37' farther west) had direct relation 
to surreys in Eastern Illinois. The third (89° 10' 
30" west of Greenwich) and the fourth (90° 29' 
56" west) governed the remainder of Illinois sur- 
veys. The first Public Surveyor was Thomas 
Hutching, who was called "the geographer." 
(See Hutchins, Thomas.) 

SWEET, (Gen.) Benjamin J., soldier, was 
born at Kirkland, Oneida County, N Y., April 
24, 1832 ; came with hig father, in 1848, to Sheboy- 
gan, Wig , gtudied law, was elected to the State 
Senate in 1859, and, in 1861, enlisted in the Sixth 
Wisconsin Volunteers, being commissioned Major 
in 1862. Later, he resigned and, returning home, 
assisted in the organization of the Twenty-first 
and Twenty-second regiments, being elected 
Colonel of the former, and with it taking part in 
the campaign in Western Kentucky and Tennes- 
see In 1863 he was assigned to command at 
Camp Douglas, and was there on the exposure, 
in November, 1864, of the conspiracy to release 
the rebel prisoners. (See Camp Douglas Conspir- 
acy.) The service which he rendered in the 
defeat of this bold and dangerous conspiracy 
evinced big courage and sagacity, and was of 
inestimable value to the country. After the 
war, General Sweet located at Lombard, near 
Chicago, was appointed Pension Agent at Chi- 
cago, afterwards served ag Supervisor of Internal 
Revenue, and, in 1872, became Deputy Commis- 
sioner of Internal Revenue at Washington. Died, 
in Washington, Jan. 1, 1874. — Miss Ada C. 
(Sweet), for eight yearg (1874-82) the efficient 
Pension Agent at Chicago, is General Sweet's 
daughter. 

SWEETSER, A. C, goldier and Department 
Commander G. A. R., was born in Oxford County, 
Maine, in 1839; came to Bloomington, 111., in 
1857 ; enlisted at the beginning of the Civil War 
in the Eighth Illinoig Volunteerg and, later, in the 
Thirty-ninth; at the battle of Wierbottom 
Church, -Va., in June, 1864, wag ghot through 
both legs, necessitating the amputation of one of 
them. After the war he held several offices of 
trust, including those of City Collector of Bloom- 
ington and Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue 
for the Springfield District; in 1887 was elected 
Department Commander of the Grand Army of 
the Republic for Illinois. Died, at Bloomington, 
March 23, 1896. 

SWETT, Leonard, lawyer, was born near 
Turner, Maine, August 11. 1825, was educated at 
Waterville College (now Colby University), but 
left before graduation, read law in Portland, and, 



while seeking a location in the West, enlisted in 
an Indiana regiment for the Mexican War, being 
attacked by climatic fever, was discharged before 
completing his term of enlistment. He soon 
after came to Bloomington, 111., where he became 
the intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln and 
David Davis, traveling the circuit with them for 
a number of years He early became active in 
State politics, was a member of the Republican 
State Convention of 1856, was elected to the 
lower house of the General Assembly in 1858, 
and, in 1S60, was a zealous supporter of Mr. Lin- 
coln as a Presidential Elector for the State-at 
large. In 1862 he received the Republican 
nomination for Congress in his District, but was 
defeated. Removing to Chicago in 1865, he 
gained increased distinction as a lawyer, espe- 
cially in the management of criminal cases. In 
1872 he was a supporter of Horace Greeley for 
President, but later returned to the Republican 
party, and, in the National Republican Conven- 
tion of 1888, presented the name of Judge 
Gresham for nomination for the Presidency. 
Died, June 8, 1889. 

SWIGERT, Charles Philip, ex- Auditor of Pub- 
lic Accounts, was born in the Province of Baden, 
Germany, Nov. 27, 1843, brought by his parents 
to Chicago, 111., in childhood, and, in his boy- 
hood, attended the Scammon School in that city 
In 1854 his family removed to a farm in Kanka- 
kee County, where, between the ages of 12 and 
18, he assisted his father in "breaking" between 
400 and 500 acres of prairie land. On the break- 
ing out of the war, in 1861, although scarcely 18 
years of age, he enlisted as a private in the Forty - 
gecond Illinoig Volunteer Infantry, and, in April, 
1862, was one of twenty heroic volunteers who 
ran the blockade, on the gunboat Carondelet, at 
Island No. 10, assisting materially in the reduc- 
tion of that rebel stronghold, which resulted in 
the capture of 7,000 prisoners At the battle of 
Farmington, Migs., during the giege of Corinth, 
in May, 1862, he had his right arm torn from itg 
socket by a six-pound cannon-ball, compelling his 
retirement from the army. Returning home, 
after many weeks spent in hospital at Jefferson 
Barracks and Quincy, 111., he received his final 
discharge, Dec. 21, 1862, spent a year in school, 
also took a course in Bryant & Stratton's Com- 
mercial College in Chicago, and having learned 
to write with his left hand, taught for a time in 
Kankakee County ; served as letter-carrier in Chi- 
cago, and for a year as Deputy County Clerk of 
Kankakee County, followed by two terms (1867- 
69) as a student in the Soldiers' College at Fulton 



510 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



III. The latter year he entered upon the duties 
of Treasurer of Kankakee County, serving. by 
successive re-elections, until 1880, when he re- 
signed to take the position of State Auditor, to 
which he was elected a second time in 188-1. In 
all these positions Mr. Swigert has proved him- 
self an upright, capable and high-minded public 
official. Of late years his residence has been in 
Chicago. 

SWING, (Rev.) David, clergyman and pulpit 
orator, was born of German ancestry, at Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, August 23, 1836. After 1837 (his 
father dying about this time), the family resided 
for a time at Reedsburgh, and, later, on a farm 
near Williamsburgh, in Clermont County, in the 
same State. In 1852, having graduated from the 
Miami (Ohio) University, he commenced the 
study of theology, but, in 1854, accepted the 
position of Professor of Languages in his Alma 
Mater, which he continued to fill for thirteen 
years. His first pastorate was in connection witli 
the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Chi- 
cago, which he assumed in 1866. His church 
edifice was destroyed in the great Chicago fire, 
but was later rebuilt. As a preacher he was 
popular ; but, in April, 1874, he was placed on trial, 
before an ecclesiastical court of his own denomi- 
nation, on charges of heresy. He was acquitted 
by the trial court, but, before the appeal taken by 
the prosecution could be heard, he personally 
withdrew from affiliation with the denomination. 
Shortly afterward he became pastor of an inde- 
pendent religious organization known as the 
"Central Church," preaching, first at McVicker*s 
Theatre and, afterward, at Central Music Hall, 
Chicago. He was a fluent and popular speaker 
on all themes, a frequent and valued contributor 
to numerous magazines, as well as the author of 
several volumes. Among his best known books 
are "Motives of Life," "Truths for To-day," and 
"Club Essays." Died, in Chicago, Oct. 3, 1894. 

SYCAMORE, the county-seat of De Kalb 
County (founded in 1836), 56 miles west of Chi- 
cago, at the intersection of the Chicago & North- 
western and the Chicago Great Western Rail- 
roads; lies in a region devoted to agriculture, 
dairying and stock-raising. The city itself con- 
tains several factories, the principal products 
being agricultural implements, flour, insulated 
wire, brick, tile, varnish, furniture, soap and 
carriages and wagons. There are also works for 
canning vegetables and fruit, besides two creamer- 
ies. The town is lighted by electricity, and has 
high -pressure water-works. There are eleven 
churches, three graded public schools and a 



young ladies' seminary. Population ( 1 
3,028; (1890), 2,987; (1900). 3,653. 

TAFT, Lorado, sculptor, was born at Elmwi .. . I 
Peoria County, 111, April 29, 1860; at an early 
age evinced a predilection for sculpture and 
began modeling; graduated at the University of 
Illinois in 1880, then went to Paris and studied 
sculpture in the famous Ecole des Beaux Arts 
until 1885. The following year he settled in Chi 
cago, finally becoming associated with the Chi- 
cago Art Institute. He has been a lecturer on 
art in the Chicago University. Mr. Taft fur- 
nished the decorations of the Horticultural Build- 
ing on the World's Fair Grounds, in 1893. 

TALCOTT, Jlancel, business man, was born 
in Rome, X. Y., Oct. 12, 1817; attended the com- 
mon schools until 17 years of age, when he set 
out for the West, traveling on foot from Detroit 
to Chicago, and thence to Park Ridge, where he 
worked at farming until 1850. Then, having 
followed the occupation of a miner for some time, 
in California, with some success, he united with 
Horace M. Singer in establishing the firm of 
Singer & Talcott, stone-dealers, which lasted dur- 
ing most of his life. He served as a member of 
the Chicago City Council, on the Board of County 
Commissioners, as a member of the Police Board, 
and was one of the founders of the First National 
Bank, and President, for several years, of the 
Stock Yards National Bank. Liberal and public- 
spirited, he contributed freely to works of 
charity. Died, June 5, 1878. 

TALCOTT, (Capt.) William, soldier of the 
War of 1812 and pioneer, was born in Gilead, 
Conn., March 6, 1774; emigrated to Rome, Oneida 
County, N. Y., in 1810, and engaged in farming; 
served as a Lieutenant in the Oneida County 
militia during the War of 1812-14, being stationed 
at Sackett's Harbor under the command of Gen. 
Winfield Scott. In 1835, in company with his 
eldest son, Thomas B. Talcott, he made an ex- 
tended tour through the West, finally selecting a 
location in Illinois at the junction of Rock River 
and the Pecatonica, where the town of Rockton 
now stands — there being only two white families, 
at that time, within the present limits of Winne- 
bago County. Two years later (1837), he brought 
his family to this point, with his sons took up a 
considerable body of Government land and 
erected two mills, to which customers came 
from a long distance. In 1838 Captain Talcott 
took part in the organization of the first Congre- 
gational Church in that section of the State. A 
zealous anti-slavery man, he supported James G- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



517 



Birney (the Liberty candidate for President) in 
1844, continuing to act with that party until the 
organization of the Republican party in 1856; 
was deeply interested in the War for the Union, 
but died before its conclusion, Sept. 2, 1864. — 
Maj. Thomas B. (Talcott), oldest son of the pre- 
ceding, was born at Hebron, Conn , April 17, 
1806; was taken to Rome, N. Y., by his father in 
infancy, and, after reaching maturity, engaged 
in mercantile business with Ins brother in Che 
mung County; in 1833 accompanied his father in 
a tour through the West, finally locating at 
Rockton, where he engaged in agriculture. On 
the organization of Winnebago County, in 1836, 
he was elected one of the first County Commis- 
sioners, and, in 1850, to the State Senate, serving 
four years. He also held various local offices. 
Died, Sept. 30, 1894.— Hon. Wait (Talcott), second 
son of Capt. William Talcott, was born at He- 
bron, Conn., Oct. 17, 1807, and taken to Rome, 
N. Y., where he remained until his 19th year, 
when he engaged in business at Booneville and, 
still later, in Utica; in 1838, removed to Illinois 
and joined his father at Rockton, finally 
becoming a citizen of Rockford, where, in his 
later years, he was extensively engaged in manu- 
facturing, having become, in 1854, with his 
brother Sylvester, a partner of the firm of J. H. 
Manny & Co., in the manufacture of the Manny 
reaper and mower. He was an original anti- 
slavery man and, at one time, a Free-Soil candidate 
for Congress, but became a zealous Republican 
and ardent friend of Abraham Lincoln, whom he 
employed as an attorney in the famous suit of 
McCormick vs. the Manny Reaper Company for 
infringement of patent. In 1854 he was elected 
to the State Senate, succeeding his brother, 
Thomas B., and was the first Collector of Internal 
Revenue in the Second District, appointed by Mr. 
Lincoln in 1862, and continuing in office some 
five years. Though too old for active service in 
the field, during the Civil War, he voluntarily 
hired a substitute to take his place. Mr. Talcott 
was one of the original incorporators and Trus- 
tees of Beloit College, and a founder of Rockford 
Female Seminary, remaining a trustee of each 
for many years. Died, June 7, 1890. — Sylvester 
(Talcott), third son of William Talcott, born at 
Rome, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1810; when of age, engaged 
in mercantile business in Chemung County; in 
1837 removed, with other members of the family, 
to Winnebago County, 111., where he joined his 
father in the entry of Government lands and the 
erection of mills, as already detailed. He became 
one of the first Justices of the Peace in Winne- 



bago County, also served as Supervisor for a 
number of years and, although a farmer, became 
interested, in 1854, with his brother Wait, 
in the Manny Reaper Company at Rockford. 
He also followed the example of his brother, 
just named, in furnishing a substitute for the 
War of the Rebellion, though too old for service 
himself Died, June 19, 1885.— Henry Walter 
(Talcott), fourth son of William Talcott, was 
born at Rome, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1814; came with 
his father to Winnebago County, 111., in 1835, and 
was connected with his father and brothers in busi- 
ness. Died, Dec. 9, 1S70.— Dwight Lewis (Tal- 
cott), oldest son of Henry Walter Talcott, born 
in Winnebago County; at the age of 17 years 
enlisted at Belvidere, in January, 1864, as a soldier 
in the Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; served 
as provost guard some two months at Fort Picker- 
ing, near Memphis, and later took part in many 
of the important battles of that year in Missis- 
sippi and Tennessee. Having been captured at 
Campbellsville, Tenn. , he was taken to Anderson- 
ville, Ga., where he suffered all the horrors of 
that famous prison-pen, until March, 1865, when 
he was released, arriving at home a helpless 
skeleton, the day after Abraham Lincoln's assas- 
sination. Mr. Talcott subsequently settled in 
Muscatine County, Iowa. 

TALLULA, a prosperous village of Menard 
County, on the Jacksonville branch of the Chi- 
cago & Alton Railway, 24 miles northeast of 
Jacksonville; is in the midst of a grain, coal- 
mining, and stock-growing region; has a local 
bank and newspaper. Pop. (1890), 445 ; (1900), 639. 

TAMAROA.a village in Perry County, situated 
at the junction of the Illinois Central with the 
Wabash, Chester & Western Railroad, 8 miles 
north of Duquoin, and 57 miles east-southeast of 
Belleville. It has a bank, a newspaper office, a 
large public school, five churches and two flour- 
ing mills. Coal is mined here and exported in 
large quantities. Pop. (1900), 853. 

TAMAROA & MOUNT VERNON RAILROAD. 
(See Wabash, Chester &■ Western Railroad.) 

TANNER, Edward Allen, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born of New England ancestry, at 
Waverly, 111., Nov. 29, 1S37— being the first child 
who could claim nativity there; was educated 
in the local schools and at Illinois College, 
graduating from the latter in 1857; spent four 
years teaching in his native place and at Jack- 
sonville; then accepted the Professorship of 
Latin in Pacific University at Portland, Oregon, 
remaining four years, when he returned to his 
Alma Mater (1865), assuming there the chair of 



518 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Latin and Rhetoric. In 1881 he was appointed 
financial agent of the latter institution, and. in 
1882, its President. While in Oregon he had 
been ordained a minister of the Congregational 
Church, and, for a considerable period during 
his connection with Illinois College, officiated as 
Chaplain of the Central Hospital for the Insane 
at Jacksonville, besides supplying local and 
other pulpits. He labored earnestly for the 
benefit of the institution under his charge, and, 
during his incumbency, added materially to its 
endowment and resources. Died, at Jackson- 
ville, Feb. 8, 1892. 

TANNER, John R., Governor, was born in 
"Warrick County, Iud., April 4, 1844, and brought 
to Southern Illinois in boyhood, where he grew 
up on a farm in the vicinity of Carbondale, 
enjoying only such educational advantages as 
were afforded by the common school ; in 1863, at 
the age of 19, enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Illi- 
nois Volunteers, serving until June, 1865, when 
he was transferred to the Sixty-first, and finally 
mustered out in September following. All the 
male members of Governor Tanner's family were 
soldiers of the late war, his father dying in a 
rebel prison at Columbus, Miss., one of his bro- 
thers suffering the same fate from wounds at Nash- 
ville, Tenn. , and another brother dying in hospital 
at Pine Bluff, Ark. Only one of this patriotic 
family, besides Governor Tanner, still survives — 
Mr. J. M. Tanner of Clay County, who left the 
service with the rank of Lieutenant of the Thir- 
teenth Illinois Cavalry. Returning from the 
war, Mr. Tanner established himself in business 
as a farmer in Clay County, later engaging suc- 
cessfully in the milling and lumber business as 
the partner of his brother. The public positions 
held by him, since the war, include those of 
Sheriff of Clay County (1870-72), Clerk of the Cir- 
cuit Court (1872-76), and State Senator (1880-83). 
During the latter year he received the appoint- 
ment of United States Marshal for the Southern 
District of Illinois, serving until after the acces- 
sion of President Cleveland in 1885. In 1886, he 
was the Republican nominee for State Treasurer 
and was elected by an unusually large majority ; 
in 1891 was appointed, by Governor Fifer, a 
member of the Railroad and Warehouse Commis- 
sion, but, in 1892, received the appointment of 
Assistant United States Treasurer at Chicago, 
continuing in the latter office until December, 
1893. For ten years (1874-84) he was a member 
of the Republican State Central Committee, re- 
turning to that body in 1894. when he was chosen 
Chairman and conducted the campaign which 



resulted in the unprecedented Republican suc- 
cesses of that year. In 1896 he received the 
nomination of his party for Governor, and was 
elected over Gov. John P. Altgeld, his Demo- 
cratic opponent, by a plurality of over 113,000, 
and a majority, over all, of nearly 90,000 votes. 

TANNER, Tazewell B., jurist, was born in 
Henry County, Va., and came to Jefferson 
County, 111., about 1846 or '47, at first taking a 
position as teacher and Superintendent of Public 
Schools. Later, he was connected with "The 
Jeff ersonian, " a Democratic paper at Mount Ver- 
non, and, in 1849, went to the gold regions of 
California, meeting with reasonable success as a 
miner. Returning in a year or two, he was 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, and, while in 
the discharge of his duties, prosecuted the study 
of law, finally, on admission to the bar, entering 
into partnership with the late Col. Thomas S. 
Casey. In 1854 he was elected Representative in 
the Nineteenth General Assembly, and was in- 
strumental in securing the appropriation for the 
erection of a Supreme Court building at Mount 
Vernon. In 1862 he served as a Delegate to the 
State Constitutional Convention of that year ; was 
elected Circuit Judge in 1873, and, in 1877, was 
assigned to duty on the Appellate bench, but, at 
the expiration of his term, declined a re-election 
and resumed the practice of his profession at 
Mount Vernon. Died, March 25, 1880. 

TAXATION, in its legal sense, the mode of 
raising revenue. In its general sense its purposes 
are the support of the State and local govern- 
ments, the promotion of the public good by 
fostering education and works of public improve- 
ment, the protection of society by the preser- 
vation of order and the punishment of crime, and 
the support of the helpless and destitute. In 
practice, and as prescribed by the Constitution, 
the raising of revenue is required to be done "by 
levying a tax by valuation, so that every person 
and corporation shall pay a tax in proportion to 
the value of his, her or its property— such value 
to be ascertained by some person or persons, to be 
elected or appointed in such manner as the Gen- 
eral Assembly shall direct, and not otherwise." 
(State Constitution, 1870 — Art. Revenue, Sec. 1.) 
The person selected under the law to make this 
valuation is the Assessor of the county or the 
township (in counties under township organiza- 
tion), and he is required to make a return to the 
County Board at its July meeting each year — the 
latter having authority to hear complaints of tax- 
payers and adjust inequalities when found to 
exist. It is made the duty of the Assessor to 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



519 



include in his return, as real-estate, all lands and 
the buildings or other improvements erected 
thereon; and, under the head of personal prop- 
erty, all tangible effects, besides moneys, credits, 
bonds or stocks, shares of stock of companies or 
corporations, investments, annuities, franchises, 
royalties, etc. Property used for school, church 
or cemetery purposes, as well as public buildings 
and other property belonging to the State and 
General Government, municipalities, public 
charities, public libraries, agricultural and scien- 
tific societies, are declared exempt. Nominally, 
all property subject to taxation is required to be 
assessed at its cash valuation; but, in reality, the 
valuation, of late years, has been on a basis of 
twenty-five to thirty-three per cent of its esti- 
mated cash value. In the larger cities, however, 
the valuation is often much lower than this, 
while very large amounts escape assessment 
altogether. The Revenue Act, passed at the 
special session of the Fortieth General Assembly 
(1898), requires the Assessor to make a return of 
ah property subject to taxation in his district, at 
its cash valuation, upon which a Board of Review 
fixes a tax on the basis of twenty per cent of 
such cash valuation. An abstract of the property 
assessment of each county goes before the State 
Board of Equalization, at its annual meeting in 
August, for the purpose of comparison and equal- 
izing valuations between counties, but the Board 
has no power to modify the assessments of indi- 
vidual tax-payers. (See State Board of Equali- 
zation.) This Board has exclusive power to fix 
the valuation for purposes of taxation of the 
capital stock or franchises of companies (except 
certain specified manufacturing corporations) , in- 
corporated under the State laws, together with the 
"railroad track" and "rolling stock" of railroads, 
and the capital stock of railroads and telegraph 
lines, and to fix the distribution of the latter 
between counties in which they lie. — The Consti 
tution of 1848 empowered the Legislature to 
impose a capitation tax, of not less than fifty 
cents nor more than one dollar, upon each free 
white male citizen entitled to the right of suf- 
frage, between the ages of 21 and 60 years, but the 
Constitution of 1870 grants no such power, 
though it authorizes the extension of the "objects 
and subjects of taxation" in accordance with the 
principle contained in the first section of the 
Revenue Article. — Special assessments in cities, 
for the construction of sewers, pavements, etc., 
being local and in the form of benefits, cannot 
be said to come under the head of general tax- 
ation. The same is to be said of revenue derived 



from fines and penalties, which are forms of 
punishment for specific offenses, and go to the 
benefit of certain specified funds. 

TAYLOR; Aimer, ex-Congressnian, is a native 
of Maine, and a resident of Chicago. He has been 
in active business all his life as contractor, builder 
and merchant, and, for some time, a member of 
the wholesale dry-goods firm of J. V. Farwell & 
Co., of Chicago. He was a member of the Thirty- 
fourth General Assembly, a delegate to the 
National Republican Convention of 1884, and 
represented the First Illinois District in the Fifty- 
first arid Fifty -second Congresses, 1889 to 1893. 
Mr. Taylor was one of the contractors for the 
erection of the new State Capitol of Texas. 

TAYLOR, Benjamin Franklin, journalist, poet 
and lecturer, was born at Lowville, N. Y. , July 
19, 1819; graduated at Madison University in 
1839, the next year becoming literary and dra- 
matic critic of "The Chicago Evening Journal." 
Here, in a few years, he acquired a wide reputa- 
tion as a journalist and poet, and was much in 
demand as a lecturer on literary topics. His 
letters from the field during the Rebellion, as 
war correspondent of "The Evening Journal," 
won for him even a greater popularity, and were 
complimented by translation into more than one 
European language. After the war, he gave his 
attention more unreservedly to literature, his 
principal works appearing after that date. His 
publications in book form, including both prose 
and poetry, comprise the following: "Attractions 
of Language" (1845); "January and June" 
(1853); "Pictures in Camp and Field" (1871), 
"The World on Wheels" (1873); "Old Time Pic- 
tures and Sheaves of Rhyme" (1874); "Songs of 
Yesterday" (1877); "Summer Savory Gleaned 
from Rural Nooks" (1879) ; "Between the Gates" 
— pictures of California life — (1881) ; "Dulce 
Domum, the Burden of Song" (1884), and "Theo- 
philus Trent, or Old Times in the Oak Openings, ' 
a novel (1887). The last was in the hands of the 
publishers at his death, Feb. 27, 1887. Among 
his most popular poems are "The Isle of the Long 
Ago," "The Old Village Choir," and "Rhymes of 
the River." "The London Times" complimented 
Mr. Taylor with the title of "The Oliver Gold- 
smith of America." 

TAYLOR, Edmund Dick, early Indian-trader 
and legislator, was born at Fairfield C. H. , Va. , 
Oct. 18, 1802 — the son of a commissary in the 
army of the Revolution, under General Greene, 
and a cousin of General ( later. President) Zachary 
Taylor; left his native State in his youth and, at 
an early day, came to Springfield, 111., where he 



520 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



opened an Indian-trading post and general store ; 
was elected from Sangamon County to the lower 
branch of the Seventh General Assembly (1830) 
and re-elected in 1832 — the latter year being a 
competitor of Abraham Lincoln, whom he 
defeated. In 1834 he was elected to the State 
Senate and, at the next session of the Legislature, 
was one of the celebrated "Long Nine" who 
secured the removal of the State Capital to 
Springfield. He resigned before the close of his 
term to accept, from President Jackson, the ap- 
pointment of Receiver of Public Moneys at Chi- 
cago. Here he became one of the promoters of 
the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (1837), 
serving as one of the Commissioners to secure 
subscriptions of stock, and was also active in 
advocating the construction of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal. The title of "Colonel," by 
which he was known during most of his life, was 
acquired by service, with that rank, on the staff 
of Gov. John Reynolds, during the Black Hawk 
War of 1832. After coming to Chicago, Colonel 
Taylor became one of the Trustees of the Chicago 
branch of the State Bank, and was later identified 
with various banking enterprises, as also a some- 
what extensive operator in real estate. An active 
Democrat in the early part of his career in Illi- 
nois, Colonel Taylor was one of the members of 
his party to take ground against the Kansas-Neb 
raska bill in 1854, and advocated the election of 
General Bissell to the governorship in 1856. In 
1860 he was again in line with his party iu sup- 
port of Senator Douglas for the Presidency, and 
was an opponent of the war policy of the Govern- 
ment still later, as shown by his participation in 
the celebrated "Peace Convention" at Spring- 
field, of June 17, 1863. In the latter years of his 
life he became extensively interested in coal 
lands in La Salle and adjoining counties, and, 
for a considerable time, served as President of the 
Northern Illinois Coal & Mining Company, his 
home, during a part of this period, being at 
Mendota. Died, in Chicago. Dec. 4, 1891. 

TAYLORYILLE, a city and county-seat of 
Christian County, on the Soutli Fork of the Sanga- 
mon River and on the Wabash Railway at its 
point of intersection with the Springfield Division 
of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern. It is 
about 27 miles southeast of Springfield, and 
28 miles southwest of Decatur. It has several 
banks, flour mills, paper mill, electric light and 
gas plants, water-works, two coal mines, carriage 
and wagon shops, a manufactory of farming 
implements, two daily and weekly papers, nine 
churches and five graded and township high 



schools. Much coal is mined in this vicinity. 
Pop. (1890), 2,839; (1900), 4,248. 

TAZEWELL COUNTY, a central county on 
the Illinois River; was first settled in 1823 and 
organized in 1827; has an area of 650 square miles 
— was named for Governor Tazewell of Virginia. 
It is drained by the Illinois and Mackinaw Rivers 
and traversed by several lines of railway. The 
surface is generally level, the soil alluvial and 
rich, but, requiring drainage, especially on the 
river bottoms. Gravel, coal and sandstone are 
found, but, generally speaking, Tazewell is an 
agricultural county. The cereals are extensively 
cultivated; wool is also clipped, and there are 
dairy interests of some importance. Distilling is 
extensively conducted at Pekin, the county-seat, 
which is also the seat of other mechanical indus- 
tries. (See also Pekin.) Population of the 
county (1880), 29,666; (1890), 29,556; (1900), 33,221. 

TEMPLE, John Taylor, M.D., early Chicago 
physician, born in Virginia in 1804, graduated in 
medicine at Middlebury College, Vt., in 1830, and, 
in 1833. arrived in Chicago. At this time he had 
a contract for carrying the United States mail 
from Chicago to Fort Howard, near Green Bay, 
and the following year undertook a similar con- 
tract between Chicago and Ottawa. Having sold 
these out three years later, he devoted his atten- 
tion to the practice of his profession, though 
interested, for a time, in contracts for the con- 
struction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Dr. 
Temple was instrumental in erecting the first 
house (after Rev. Jesse Walker's missionary 
station at Wolf Point), for public religious 
worship in Chicago, and, although himself a 
Baptist, it was used in common by Protestant 
denominations. He was a member of the first 
Board of Trustees of Rush Medical College, 
though he later became a convert to homeopathy, 
and finally, removing to St. Louis, assisted in 
founding the St. Louis School of Homeopathy, 
dying there, Feb. 24, 1877. 

TENURE OF OFFICE. (See Elections.) 

TERRE HAUTE, ALTON & ST. LOUIS 
RAILROAD. (See St. Louis, Alton & Terre 
Haute Railroad.) 

TERRE HAUTE & ALTON RAILROAD (See 
St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad. ) 

TERRE HAUTE & INDIANAPOLIS RAIL- 
ROAD, a corporation operating no line of its own 
within the State, but the lessee and operator of 
the following lines (which see): St. Louis, 
Vandalia & Terre Haute, 158.3 miles; Terre 
Haute & Peoria, 145.12 miles; East St. Louis 
& Carondelet, 12.74 miles — total length of leased 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



521 



lines in Illinois, 316.16 miles. The Terre Haute 
& Indianapolis Railroad was incorporated in 
Indiana in 1847, as the Terre Haute & Rich- 
mond, completed a line between the points 
named in the title, in 1852, and took its present 
name in 186t'. The Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
pany purchased a controlling interest in its stock 
in 1893. 

TERRE HAUTE & PEORIA RAILROAD, 
(Vandalia Line), a line of road extending from 
Terre Haute, Ind., to Peoria, 111., 145.12 miles, 
with 28. 78 miles of trackage, making in all 173.9 
miles in operation, all being in Illinois — operated 
by the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Com- 
pany. The gauge is standard, and the rails are 
steel. (History. ) It was organized Feb. 7, 1887, 
successor to the Illinois Midland Railroad, The 
latter was made up by the consolidation (Nov. 4, 
1874) of three lines: (1) The Peoria, Atlanta & 
Decatur Railroad, chartered in 1869 and opened in 
1874, (2) the Paris & Decatur Railroad, chartered 
in 1861 and opened in December, 1872 ; and (3) the 
Paris & Terre Haute Railroad, chartered in 1873 
and opened in 1874 — the consolidated lines 
assuming the name of the Illinois Midland Rail- 
road. In 1886 the Illinois Midland was sold under 
foreclosure and, in February, 1887, reorganized 
as the Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad. In 1892 
it was leased for ninety-nine years to the Terre 
Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company, and is 
operated as a part of the "Vandalia System." 
The capital stock (1898) was $3,764,200; funded 
debt, §2,230,000,— total capital invested, §6,227,- 
481. 

TEUTOPOLIS, a village of Effingham County, 
on the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad, 4 
miles east of Effingham; was originally settled 
by a colony of Germans from Cincinnati. Popu- 
lation (1900), 498. 

THOMAS, Horace H., lawyer and legislator, 
was born in Vermont, Dec. 18, 1831, graduated at 
Middlebury College, and, after admission to the 
bar, removed to Chicago, where he commenced 
practice. At the outbreak of the rebellion he 
enlisted and was commissioned Assistant Adju- 
tant-General of the Army of the Ohio. At the 
close of the war he took up his lesidence in Ten- 
nessee, serving as Quartermaster upon the staff 
of Governor Brownlow. In 1867 he returned to 
Chicago and resumed practice. He was elected 
a Representative in the Legislature in 1878 and 
re-elected in 1880, being chosen Speaker of the 
House during his latter term. In 1888 he was 
elected State Senator from the Sixth District, 
serving during the sessions of the Thirty-sixth 



and Thirty -seventh General Assemblies. In 
1897, General Thomas was appointed United 
States Appraiser in connection with the Custom 
House in Chicago. 

THOMAS, Jesse Rurgess, jurist and United 
States Senator, was born at Hagerstown, Md., 
claiming direct descent from Lord Baltimore. 
Taken west in childhood, he grew to manhood 
and settled at Lawrenceburg, Indiana Territory, 
in 1803; in 1805 was Speaker of the Territorial 
Legislature and, later, represented the Territory 
as Delegate in Congress. On the organization of 
Illinois Territory (which he had favored), he 
removed to Kaskaskia, was appointed one of the 
first Judges for the new Territory, and, in 1818, 
as Delegate from St. Clair County, presided over 
the first State Constitutional Convention, and, on 
the admission of the State, became one of the 
first United States Senators — Governor Edwards 
being his colleague. Though an avowed advo- 
cate of slavery, he gained no little prominence 
as the author of the celebrated "Missouri Com- 
promise," adopted in 1820. He was re-elected to 
the Senate in 1823, serving until 1829. He sub- 
sequently removed to Mount Vernon, Ohio, where 
he died by suicide, May 4, 1853. —Jesse Rurgess 
(Thomas), Jr., nephew of the United States Sena- 
tor of the same name, was born at Lebanon, Ohio, 
July 31, 1806, was educated at Transylvania 
University, and, being admitted to the bar, 
located at Edwardsville, 111. He first appeared 
in connection with public affairs as Secretary of 
the State Senate in 1830, being re-elected in 1832 ; 
in 1834 was elected Representative in the General 
Assembly from Madison County, but, in Febru- 
ary following, was appointed Attorney-General, 
serving only one year. He afterwards held the 
position of Circuit Judge (1837-39), his home being 
then in Springfield; in 1843 he became Associ- 
ate Justice of the Supreme Court, by appointment 
of the Governor, as successor to Stephen A. Doug- 
las, and was afterwards elected to the same 
office by the Legislature, remaining until 1848. 
During a part of his professional career he was 
the partner of David Prickett and William L. 
May, at Springfield, and afterwards a member of 
the Galena bar, finally removing to Chicago, 
where he died, Feb. 21, 1850.— Jesse R. (Thomas) 
third, clergyman and son of the last named; bom 
at Edwardsville, 111, July 29, 1832; educated at 
Kenyon College, Ohio, and Rochester (N. V.) 
Theological Seminary ; practiced law for a time 
in Chicago, but finally entered the Baptist minis- 
try, serving churches at Waukegan, 111., Brook- 
lyn, N. Y.. and San Francisco (1862-69). He 



522 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



then became pastor of the Michigan Avenue Bap- 
tist Church, in Chicago, remaining until 1874, 
when he returned to Brooklyn. In 1887 he 
became Professor of Biblical History in the 
Theological Seminary at Newton, Mass., where he 
has since resided. He is the author of several 
volumes, and, in 1866, received the degree of D.D. 
from the old University of Chicago. 

THOMAS, John, pioneer and soldier of the 
Black Hawk War, was born in Wythe County, 
Va., Jan. 11, 1800. At the age of 18 he accom- 
panied his parents to St. Clair County, 111., where 
the family located in what was then called the 
Alexander settlement, near the present site of 
Shiloh. When he was 22 he rented a farm 
(although he had not enough money to buy a 
horse) and married. Six years later he bought 
and stocked a farm, and, from that time forward, 
rapidly accumulated real property, until he 
became one of the most extensive owners of farm- 
ing land in St. Clair County. In early life he 
was fond of military exercise, holding various 
offices in local organizations and serving as a 
Colonel in the Black Hawk War. In 1824 he was 
one of the leaders of the party opposed to the 
amendment of the State Constitution to sanction 
slavery, was a zealous opponent of the Kansas- 
Nebraska bill in 1854, and a firm supporter of the 
Republican party from the date of its formation. 
He was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly in 1838, "62, "64. '72 and "74; and to the 
State Senate in 1878, serving four years in the 
latter body. Died, at Belleville, Dec. 16, 1894, in 
the 95th year of his age. 

THOMAS, John R., ex-Congressman, was born 
at Mount Vernon, 111., Oct. 11, 1846. He served 
in the Union Army during the War of the Rebel- 
lion, rising from the ranks to a captaincy. After 
his return home he studied law, and was admit- 
ted to the bar in 1869. From 1872 to 1876 he was 
State's Attorney, and, from 1879 to 1889, repre- 
sented his District in Congress. In 1897, Mr. 
Thomas was appointed by President McKinley 
an additional United States District Judge for 
Indian Territory. His home is now at Vanita, 
in that Territory. 

THOMAS, William, pioneer lawyer and legis- 
lator, was born in what is now Allen County, 
Ky., Nov. 22, 1802; received a rudimentary edu- 
cation, and served as deputy of his father (who 
was Sheriff), and afterwards of the County Clerk ; 
studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1823 ; 
in 1826 removed to Jacksonville, 111., where he 
taught school, served as a private in the Winne- 
bago War (1827). and at the session of 1828-29, 



reported the proceedings of the General Assem- 
bly for "The Tandalia Intelligencer'"; was State's 
Attorney and School Commissioner of Morgan 
County; served as Quartermaster and Commis- 
sary in the Black Hawk War (1831-32), first under 
Gen. Joseph Duncan and, a year later, under 
General Whiteside ; in 1839 was appointed Circuit 
Judge, but legislated out of office two years later. 
It was as a member of the Legislature, however, 
that he gained the greatest prominence, first as 
State Senator in 1834-40, and Representative in 
1846-48 and 1850-52, when he was especially influ- 
ential in the legislation which resulted in estab- 
lishing the institutions for the Deaf and Dumb 
and the Blind, and the Hospital for the Insane 
(the first in the State) at Jacksonville — serving, 
for a time, as a member of the Board of Trustees 
of the latter. He was also prominent in connec- 
tion with many enterprises of a local character, 
including the establishment of the Illinois Female 
College, to which, although without children of 
his own, he was a liberal contributor. During 
the first year of the war he was a member of the 
Board of Army Auditors by appointment of Gov- 
ernor Yates. Died, at Jacksonville, August 22, 
1889. 

THORNTON, Anthony, jurist, was born in 
Bourbon County, Ky., Nov. 9, 1814 — being 
descended from a Virginia family. After the 
usual primary instruction in the common schools, 
he spent two years in a high school at Gallatin, 
Tenn., when he entered Centre College at Dan- 
ville, Ky., afterwards continuing his studies at 
Miami University, Ohio, where he graduated in 
1834. Having studied law with an uncle at 
Paris, Ky., he was licensed to practice in 1836, 
when he left his native State with a view to set- 
tling in Missouri, but, visiting his uncle, Gen. 
William F. Thornton, at Shelbyville, 111., was 
induced to establish himself in practice there. 
He served as a member of the State Constitutional 
Conventions of 1847 and 1862, and as Represent- 
ative in the Seventeenth General Assembly 
(1850-52) for Shelby County. In 1864 he was 
elected to the Thirty-ninth CongTess. and, in 
1870, to the Illinois Supreme Court, but served 
only until 1873, when he resigned. In 1879 
Judge Thornton removed to Decatur, 111., but 
subsequently returned to Shelbyville, where 
(1898) he now resides. 

THORNTON, William Fitzhngh, Commissioner 
of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, was born in 
Hanover County, Va. , Oct. 4, 1789 ; in 1806, went 
to Alexandria, Va. , where he conducted a drug 
business for a time, also acting as associate 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



523 



editor of "The Alexandria Gazette." Subse- 
quently removing to Washington City, he con- 
ducted a paper there in the interest of John 
Quincy Adams for the Presidency. During the 
War of 1812-14 he served as a Captain of cavalry, 
and, for a time, as staff -officer of General Winder. 
On occasion of the visit of Marquis La Fayette to 
America (1824-25) he accompanied the distin- 
guished Frenchman from Baltimore to Rich- 
mond. In 1829 he removed to Kentucky, and, 
in 1833, to Shelby ville, 111., where he soon after 
engaged in mercantile business, to which he 
added a banking and brokerage business in 1859, 
with which he" was actively associated until his 
death. In 1836, he was appointed, by Governor 
Duncan, one of the Commissioners of the Illinois 
& Michigan Canal, serving as President of the 
Board until 1842. In 1840, he made a visit to 
London, as financial agent of the State, in the 
interest of the Canal, and succeeded in making a 
sale of bonds to the amount of §1,000,000 on what 
were then considered favorable terms. General 
Thornton was an ardent Whig until the, organi- 
zation of the Republican party, when he became 
a Democrat. Died, at Shelbyville, Oct. 21, 
1873. 

TILLSON, John, pioneer, was born at Halifax, 
Mass., March 13, 1796; came to Illinois in 1819, 
locating at Hillsboro, Montgomery County, where 
he became a prominent and enterprising operator 
in real estate, doing a large business for eastern 
parties ; was one of the founders of Hillsboro 
Academy and an influential and liberal friend of 
Illinois College, being a Trustee of the latter 
from its establishment until his death ; was sup- 
ported in the Legislature of 1827 for State Treas- 
urer, but defeated by James Hall. Died, at 
Peoria, May 11, 1853.— Christiana Holmes (Till- 
son), wife of the preceding, was born at Kingston, 
Mass., Oct. 10, 1798; married to John Tillson in 
1822, and immediately came to Illinois to reside; 
was a woman of rare culture and refinement, and 
deeply interested in benevolent enterprises. 
Died, in New York City, May 29, 1872— Charles 
Holmes (Tillson), son of John and Christiana 
Holmes Tillson, was born at Hillsboro, 111. , Sept. 
15, 1823; educated at Hillsboro Academy and 
Illinois College, graduating from the latter in 
1844; studied law in St. Louis and at Transyl- 
vania University, was admitted to the bar in St. 
Louis and practiced there some years — also served 
several terms in the City Council, and was a 
member of the National Guard of Missouri in the 
War of the Rebellion. Died, Nov. 25, 1865.— 
John (Tillson), Jr., another son, was born at 



Hillsboro, 111., Oct. 12, 1825; educated at Hills- 
boro Academy and Illinois College, but did not 
graduate from the latter ; graduated from Tran- 
sylvania Law School, Ky., in 1847, and was 
admitted to the bar at Quincy, 111., the same 
year; practiced two years at Galena, when he 
returned to Quincy. In 1861 he enlisted in the 
Tenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, became its 
Lieutenant-Colonel, on the promotion of Col. J. D. 
Morgan to Brigadier-General, was advanced to 
the colonelcy, and, in July, 1865, was mustered 
out with the rank of brevet Brigadier-General ; 
for two years later held a commission as Captain 
in the regular army. During a portion of 1869-70 
he was editor of "The Quincy Whig"; in 1873 
was elected Representative in the Twenty-eighth 
General Assembly to succeed Nehemiah Bushnell, 
who had died in office, and, during the same year, 
was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for 
the Quincy District, serving until 1881. Died, 
August 6, 1892. 

TILLSON, Robert, pioneer, was born in Hali- 
fax County, Mass. , August 12, 1800 ; came to Illi- 
nois in 1822, and was employed, for several years, 
as a clerk in the land agency of his brother, John 
Tillson, at Hillsboro. In 1826 he engaged in the 
mercantile business with Charles Holmes, Jr., in 
St. Louis, but, in 1828, removed to Quincy, 111., 
where he opened the first general store in that 
city; also served as Postmaster for some ten 
years During this period he built the first two- 
story frame building erected in Quincy, up to 
that date. Retiring from the mercantile business 
in 1840 he engaged in real estate, ultimately 
becoming the proprietor of considerable property 
of this character ; was also a contractor for fur- 
nishing cavalry accouterments to the Government 
during the war. Soon after the war he erected 
one of the handsomest business blocks existing 
in the city at that time. Died, in Quincy, Dec. 
27, 1892. 

TINCHER, John L., banker, was born in Ken- 
tucky in 1821 ; brought by his parents to Vermil- 
ion County, Ind., in 1829, and left an orphan at 
17 ; attended school in Coles County, 111 . and 
was employed as clerk in a store at Danville, 
1843-53. He then became a member of the firm 
of Tincher & English, merchants, later establish- 
ing a bank, which became the First National 
Bank of Danville. In 1864 Mr. Tincher was 
elected Representative in the Twenty-fourth 
General Assembly and, two years later, to the 
Senate, being re-elected in 1870. He was also a 
member of the State Constitutional Convention 
of 1869-70. Died, in Springfield, Dec. 17, 1871, 



524 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



while in attendance on the adjourned session of 
that year. 

TIPTON, Thomas F., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Franklin County, Ohio, August 29, 1833; 
has been a resident of McLean County, 111., from 
the age of 10 years, his present home being at 
Bloomington. He was admitted to the bar in 
1857, and, from January, 1867, to December, 1868, 
was State's Attorney for the Eighth Judicial 
Circuit. In 1870 he was elected Judge of the 
same circuit, and under the new Constitution, 
was chosen Judge of the new Fourteenth Circuit. 
From 1877 to 1879 he represented the (then) 
Thirteenth Illinois District in Congress, but, in 
1878, was defeated by Adlai E. Stevenson, the 
Democratic nominee. In 1891 he was re-elected 
to a seat on the Circuit bench for the Bloomington 
Circuit, but resumed practice at the expiration 
of his term in 1897. 

T1SKILWA, a village of Bureau County, on the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, 7 miles 
southwest of Princeton; has creameries and 
cheese factories, churches, school, library, water- 
works, bank and a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 965. 

TODD, (Col.) John, soldier, was born in Mont- 
gomery County, Pa., in 1750; took part in the 
battle of Point Pleasant, Va., in 1774, as Adju- 
tant-General of General Lewis; settled as a 
lawyer at Fincastle, Va., and, in 1775, removed 
to Fayette County, Ky., the next year locating 
near Lexington. He was one of the first two 
Delegates from Kentucky County to the Virginia 
House of Burgesses, and, in 1778, accompanied 
Col. George Rogers Clark on his expedition 
against Kaskaskia and Vincennes. Ill Decem- 
ber, 1778, he was appointed by Gov. Patrick 
Henry, Lieutenant Commandant of Illinois 
County, embracing the region northwest of the 
Ohio River, serving two years; in 1780, was again 
a member of the Virginia Legislature, where he 
procured grants of land for public schools and 
introduced a bill for negro-emancipation. He 
was killed by Indians, at the battle of Blue 
Licks, Ky., August 19, 1782. 

TODD, (Dr.) John, physician, born near Lex- 
ington, Ky., April 27, 1787, was one of the earli- 
est graduates of Transylvania University, also 
graduating at the Medical University of Phila- 
delphia; was appointed Surgeon-General of Ken- 
tucky troops in the War of 1812, and captured at 
tne battle of River Raisin. Returning to Lex- 
ington after his release, he practiced there and 
at Bardstown, removed to Edwardsville, 111., in 
1817, and, in 1827, to Springfield, where he had 
been appointed Register of the Land Office by 



President John Quincy Adams, but was removed 
by Jackson in 1829. Dr. Todd continued to reside 
at Springfield until his death, which occurred, 
Jan. 9, 1865. He was a grandson of John Todd, 
who was appointed Commandant of Illinois 
County by Gov. Patrick Henry in 1778, and an 
uncle of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. — John Rlair 
Smith (Todd), son of the preceding, was born at 
Lexington, Ky., April 4, 1814; came with his 
father to Illinois in 1817; graduated at the United 
States Military Academy in 1837, serving after- 
wards in the Florida and Mexican wars and on 
the frontier; resigned, and was an Indian-trader 
in Dakota, 1856-61 ; the latter year, took his 
seat as a Delegate in Congress from Dakota, 
then served as Brigadier-General of Volun- 
teers, 1861-62; was again Delegate in Congress 
in 1863-65, Speaker of the Dakota Legislature 
in 1867, and Governor of the Territory, 1869-71. 
Died, at Yankton City, Jan. 5, 1872. 

TOLEDO, a village and the county-seat of 
Cumberland County, on the Illinois Central Rail- 
road; founded in 1854; has five churches, a graded 
school, two banks, creamery, flour mill, elevator, 
and two weekly newspapers. There are no manu- 
factories, the leading industry in the surrounding 
country being agriculture. Pop. (1890), 676; 
(1900), 'sis, 

TOLEDO, CINCINNATI & ST. LOUIS RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Toledo, St. Louis &• Kansas City 
Railroad.) 

TOLEDO, PEORIA & WARSAW RAILROAD. 
(See Toledo, Peoria ei Western Railway ) 

TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILROAD. 
(See Toledo, Peoria &• Western Railway.) 

TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILWAY, 
a line of railroad wholly within the State of Illi- 
nois, extending from Effner, at the Indiana State 
line, west to the Mississippi River at Warsaw. 
The length of the whole line is 230. 7 miles, owned 
entirely by the company. It is made up of a 
division from Effner to Peoria (110 9 miles) — 
which is practically an air-line throughout nearly 
its entire length — and the Peoria and Warsaw- 
Division (108.8 miles) with branches from La 
Harpe to Iowa Junction (10.4 miles) and 0.6 of a 
mile connecting with the Keokuk bridge at 
Hamilton. — (History.) The original charter for 
this line was granted, in 1863, under the name of 
the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad ; the main 
line was completed in 1868, and the La Harpe & 
Iowa Junction branch in 1873. Default was 
made in 1873. the road sold under foreclosure, in 
1880, and reorganized as the Toledo, Peoria & 
Western Railroad, and the line leased for 49^ 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



.}■■:■> 



years to the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway 
Company. The latter defaulted in July, 1884, 
and, a year later, the Toledo, Peoria & Western 
was transferred to trustees for the first mortgage 
bond-holders, was sold under foreclosure in 
October, 1886, and, in March, 1887, the present 
company, under the name of the Toledo, Peoria 
& Western Railway Company, was organized for 
the purpose of taking over the property. In 1893 
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company obtained a 
controlling interest in the stock, and, in 1894, an 
agreement, for joint ownership and management, 
was entered into between that corporation and 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- 
pany. The total capitalization, in 1898, was 
§9,712,433, of which $4,076,900 was in stock and 
§4,895,000 in bonds. 

TOLEDO, ST. LOUIS & KANSAS CITY RAIL- 
ROAD. This line crosses the State in a northeast 
direction from East St. Louis to Humrick.'near 
the Indiana State line, with Toledo as its eastern 
terminus. The length of the entire line is 450.72 
miles, of which 179^2 miles are operated in Illi- 
nois. — (History.) The Illinois portion of the 
line grew out of the union of charters granted to 
the Tuscola, Charleston & Vincennes and the 
Charleston, Neoga & St. Louis Railroad Com- 
panies, which were consolidated in 1881 with 
certain Indiana lines under the name of the 
Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad. During 
1882 a narrow-gauge road was constructed from 
Ridge Farm, in Vermilion County, to East St. 
Louis (172 miles). In 1885 this was sold under 
foreclosure and, in June, 1886, consolidated with 
the main line under the name of the Toledo, St. 
Louis & Kansas City Railroad. The whole line 
was changed to standard gauge in 1887-89, and 
otherwise materially improved, but, in 1893, 
went into the hands of receivers. Plans of re- 
organization have been under consideration, but 
the receivers were still in control in 1898. 

TOLEDO, WABASH & WESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Wabash Railroad.) 

TOLONO, a city in Champaign County, situ- 
ated at the intersection of the Wabash and the 
Illinois Central Railroads, 9 miles south of Cham- 
paign and 37 miles east-northeast of Decatur. It 
is the business center of a prosperous agricultural 
region. The town has five churches, a graded 
school, a bank, a button factory, and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1880), 905; (1890), 902; 
(1900), 845. 

TONICA, a village of La Salle County, on the 
Illinois Central Railway, 9 miles south of La Salle; 
the district is agricultural, but the place lias some 



manufactures and a newspaper. Population 
(1890), 473 ; (1900), 497. 

TOXTY, Chevalier Henry de, explorer and sol 
dier, born at Gaeta. Italy, about 1650 What is 
now known as the Tontine system of insurance 
undoubtedly originated with his father. The 
younger Tonty was adventurous, and, even as a 
youth, took part in numerous land and naval 
encounters. In the course of his experience he 
lost a hand, which was replaced by an iron or 
copper substitute. He embarked with La Salle 
in 1678, and aided in the construction of a fort at 
Niagara. He advanced into the country of the 
Illinois and established friendly relations with 
them, only to witness the defeat of his putative 
savage allies by the Iroquois. After various 
encounters (chiefly under the direction of La 
Salle) with the Indians in Illinois, he returned 
to Green Bay in 1681. The same year — under La 
Salle's orders — he began the erection of Fort St. 
Louis, on what is now called "'Starved Rock" in 
La Salle County. In 1682 he descended the Mis- 
sissippi to its mouth, with La Salle, but was 
ordered back to Mackinaw for assistance. In 
1684 he returned to Illinois and successfully 
repulsed the Iroquois from Fort St. Louis. In 
1686 he again descended the Mississippi in search 
of La Salle. Disheartened by the death of his 
commander and the loss of his early comrades, 
he took up his residence with the Illinois Indians. 
Among them he was found by Iberville in 1700, 
as a hunter and fur-trader. He died, in Mobile, 
in September, 1704. He was La Salle's most effi- 
cient coadjutor, and next to his ill-fated leader, 
did more than any other of the early French 
explorers to make Illinois known to the civilized 
world. 

TOPOGRAPHY. Illinois is, generally speak- 
ing, an elevated table-land. If low water at 
Cairo be adopted as the maximum depression, and 
the summits of the two ridges hereinafter men- 
tioned as the highest points of elevation, the alti- 
tude of this table land above the sea-level varies 
from 300 to 850 feet, the mean elevation being 
about 600 feet. The State has no mountain 
chains, and its few hills are probably the result 
of unequal denudation during the drift epoch. 
In some localities, particularly in the valley of 
the upper Mississippi, the streams have cut 
channels from 200 to 300 feet deep through the 
nearly horizontal strata, and here are found pre- 
cipitous scarps, but, for the most part, the 
fundamental rocks are covered by a thick layer 
of detrital material. In the northwest there is a 
broken tract of uneven ground ; the central por- 



526 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tion of the State is almost wholly flat prairie, 
and, in the alluvial lands in the State, there are 
many deep valleys, eroded by the action of 
streams. The surface generally slopes toward 
the south and southwest, but the uniformity is 
broken by two ridges, which cross the State, one 
in either extremity. The northern ridge crosses 
the Rock River at Grand Detour and the Illinois 
at Split Rock, with an extreme altitude of 800 to 
850 feet above sea level, though the altitude of 
Mount Morris, in Ogle County, exceeds 900 feet. 
That in the south consists of a range of hills in 
the latitude of Jonesboro, and extending from 
Shawneetown to Grand Tower. These hills are 
also about 800 feet above the level of the ocean. 
The highest point in the State is in Jo Daviess 
County, just south of the Wisconsin State line 
(near Scale's Mound) reaching an elevation of 
1,257 feet above sea-level, while the highest in 
the south is in the northeast corner of Pope 
County— 1,046 feet — a spur of the Ozark moun- 
tains. The following statistics regarding eleva- 
tions are taken from a report of Prof. C. W. 
Rolfe, of the University of Illinois, based on 
observations made under the auspices of the Illi- 
nois Board of World's Fair Commissioners: The 
lowest gauge of the Ohio river, at its mouth 
(above sea-level), is 268.58 feet, and the mean 
level of Lake Michigan at Chicago 581.28 feet. 
The altitudes of a few prominent points are as 
follows: Highest point in Jackson County, 695 
feet; "Bald Knob" in Union County, 985; high- 
est point in Cook County (Barrington), 818; in La 
Salle County (Mendota), 747; in Livingston 
(Strawn), 770; in Will (Mon.ee), 804; in Pike 
(Arden), 790; in Lake (Lake Zurich), 880; in 
Bureau, 910; in Boone, 1,010; in Lee (Carnahan), 
1,017; in Stephenson (Waddam's Grove), 1,018; 
in Kane (Briar Hill), 974; in Winnebago, 985. 
The elevations of important towns are: Peoria, 
465; Jacksonville, 602; Springfield, 596; Gales- 
burg, 755; Joliet, 537; Rockford, 728; Blooming- 
ton, 821. Outside of the immediate valleys of 
the streams, and a few isolated groves or copses, 
little timber is found in the northern and central 
portions of the State, and such growth as there 
is, lacks the thriftiness characteristic of the for- 
ests in the Ohio valley. These forests cover a 
belt extending some sixty miles north of Cairo, 
and, while they generally include few coniferous 
trees, they abound in various species of oak, 
black and white walnut, white and yellow pop- 
lar, ash, elm, sugar maple, linden, honey locust, 
cottonwood, mulberry, sycamore, pecan, persim- 
mon, and (in the immediate valley of the Ohio) 



the cypress. From a commercial point of view, 
Illinois loses nothing through the lack of timber 
over three-fourths of the State's area. Chicago 
is an accessible market for the product of the 
forests of the upper lakes, so that the supply of 
lumber is ample, while extensive coal-fields sup- 
ply abundant fuel. The rich soil of the prairies, 
with its abundance of organic matter (see Geo- 
logical Formations), more than compensates for 
the want of pine forests, whose soil is ill adapted 
to agriculture. About two-thirds of the entire 
boundary of the State consists of navigable 
waters. These, with their tributary streams, 
ensure sufficient drainage. 

TORRENS LAND TITLE SYSTEM. A system 
for the registration of titles to, and incumbrances 
upon, land, as well as transfers thereof, intended 
to remove all unnecessary obstructions to the 
cheap, simple and safe sale, acquisition and 
transfer of realty. The system has been in suc- 
cessful operation in Canada, Austi-alia, New Zea- 
land and British Columbia for many years, and 
it is also in force in some States in the American 
Union. An act providing for its introduction 
into Illinois was first passed by the Twenty- 
ninth General Assembly, and approved, June 13, 
1895. The final legislation in reference thereto 
was enacted by the succeeding Legislature, and 
was approved, May 1, 1S97. It is far more elabo- 
rate in its consideration of details, and is believed 
to be, in many respects, much better adapted to 
accomplish the ends in view, than was the origi- 
nal act of 1895. The law is applicable only to 
counties of the first and second class, and can be 
adopted in no county except by a vote of a 
majority of the qualified voters of the same — the 
vote "for" or "against" to be taken at either the 
November or April elections, or at an election 
for the choice of Judges. Thus far the only 
county to adopt the system has been Cook, and 
there it encountered strong opposition on the 
part of certain parties of influence and wealth. 
After its adoption, a test case was brought, rais- 
ing the question of the constitutionality of the 
act. The issue was taken to the Supreme Court, 
which tribunal finally upheld the law. — The 
Torrens system substitutes a certificate of regis- 
tration and of transfer for the more elaborate 
deeds and mortgages in use for centuries. Under 
it there can be no actual transfer of a title until 
the same is entered upon the public land regis- 
ter, kept in the office of the Registrar, in which 
case the deed or mortgage becomes a mere power 
of attorney to authorize the transfer to be made, 
upon the principle of an ordinary stock transfer, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



527 



or of the registration of a United States bond, 
the actual transfer and public notice thereof 
being simultaneous. A brief synopsis of the pro- 
visions of the Illinois statute is given below: 
Recorders of deeds are made Registrars, and 
required to give bonds of either 850,000 or $200,- 
000, according to the population of the county. 
Any person or corporation, having an interest in 
land, may make application to any court having 
chancery jurisdiction, to have his title thereto 
registered. Such application must be in writ- 
ing, signed and verified by oath, and must con- 
form, in matters of specification and detail, with 
the requirements of the act. The court may refer 
the application to one of the standing examiners 
appointed by the Registrar, who are required to 
be competent attorneys and to give bond to ex- 
amine into the title, as well as the truth of the 
applicant's statements. Immediately upon the 
filing of the application, notice thereof is given 
by the clerk, through publication and the issuance 
of a summons to be served, as in other proceed- 
ings in chancery, against all persons mentioned 
in the petition as having or claiming any inter- 
est in the property described. Any person inter- 
ested, whether named as a defendant or not, may 
enter an appearance within the time allowed. A 
failure to enter an appearance is regarded as a 
confession by default. The court, in passing 
upon the application, is in no case bound by the 
examiner's report, but may require other and 
further proof ; and, in its final adjudication, passes 
upon all questions of title and incumbrance, 
directing the Registrar to register the title in the 
party in whom it is to be vested, and making 
provision as to the manner and order in which 
incumbrances thereon shall appear upon the 
certificate to be issued. An appeal may be 
allowed to the Supreme Court, if prayed at the 
time of entering the decree, upon like terms as 
in other cases in chancery ; and a writ of error 
may be sued out from that tribunal within two 
years after the entry of the order or decree. 
The period last mentioned may be said to be the 
statutory period of limitation, after which the 
decree of the court must be regarded as final, 
although safeguards are provided for those who 
may have been defrauded, and for a few other 
classes of persons Upon the filing of the order 
or decree of the court, it becomes the duty of the 
Registrar to issue a certificate of title, the form 
of which is prescribed by the act, making such 
notations at the end as shall show and preserve 
the priorities of all estates, mortgages, incum- 
brances and changes to which the owner's title is 



subject. For the purpose of preserving evidence 
of the owner's handwriting, a receipt for the 
certificate, duly witnessed or acknowledged, is 
required of him, which is preserved in the Regis- 
trar's office. In case any registered owner 
should desire to transfer the whole or any part of 
his estate, or any interest therein, he is required 
to execute a conveyance to the transferee, which, 
together with the certificate of title last issued, 
must be surrendered to the Registrar. That 
official thereupon issues a new certificate, stamp- 
ing the word "cancelled" across the surrendered 
certificate, as well as upon the corresponding 
entry in his books of record. When land is first 
brought within the operation of the act, the 
receiver of the certificate of title is required to 
pay to the Registrar one-tenth of one per cent of 
the value of the land, the aggregate so received 
to be deposited with and invested by the County 
Treasurer, arid reserved as an indemnity fund 
for the reimbursement of persons sustaining any 
loss through any omission, mistake or malfea- 
sance of the Registrar or his subordinates. The 
advantage claimed for the Torrens system is, 
chiefly, that titles registered thereunder can be 
dealt with more safely, quickly and inexpensively 
than under the old system ; it being possible to 
close the entire transaction within an hour or 
two, without the need of an abstract of title, 
while (as the law is administered in Cook County) 
the cost of transfer is only §3. It is asserted that 
a title, once registered, can be dealt with almost 
as quickly and cheaply, and quite as safely, as 
shares of stock or registered bonds. 

TOULON, the county-seat of Stark County, on 
the Peoria & Rock Island Railroad, 37 miles north- 
northwest of Peoria, and 11 miles southeast of 
Galva. Eesides the county court- house, the town 
has five churches and a high school, an academy, 
steam granite works, two banks, and two weekly 
papers. Population (1880), 967; (1890), 945; (1900), 
1,057. 

TOWER HILL, a village of Shelby County, on 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
and the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Rail- 
roads, 7 miles east of Pana; has bank, grain ele- 
vators, and coal mine. Pop. (1900), 615. 

TOWNSHENI). Richard W., lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born in Prince George's County, 
Md., April 30, 1840. Between the ages of 10 
and 18 he attended public and private schools 
at Washington, D. C. In 1858 he came to 
Illinois, where he began teaching, at the same 
time reading law with S. S. Marshall, at Mc- 
Leansboro, where he was admitted to the bar 



528 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in ISO-, and where he began practice. From 1863 
to 18G8 he was Circuit Clerk of Hamilton County, 
and, from 1808 to 1S72, Prosecuting Attorney for 
the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. In 1873 he removed 
to Shawneetown, where he became an officer of 
the Gallatin National Bank. From 1C64 to 1875 
he was a member of the Democratic State Cen- 
tral Committee, and a delegate to the National 
Democratic Convention at Baltimore, in 1872. 
For twelve years (1877 to 1889) he represented 
his District in Congress; was re-elected in 1888, 
but died, March 9, 1889, a few days after the 
beginning of his seventh term. 

TRACY, John M., artist, was born in Illinois 
about 1842 ; served in an Illinois regiment during 
the Civil War; studied painting in Paris in 
1866-76; established himself as a portrait painter 
in St. Louis and, later, won a high reputation as 
a painter of animals, being regarded as an author- 
ity on the anatomy of the horse and the dog. 
Died, at Ocean Springs, Miss., March 20, 1893. 

TREASURERS. (See State Treasurers.) 

TREAT, Samuel Hubbel, lawyer and jurist, 
was born at Plainfield, Otsego County, N. Y., 
June 21, 1811, worked on his father's farm and 
studied law at Richfield, where he was admitted 
to practice. In 1834 he came to Springfield, 111. , 
traveling most of the way on foot. Here he 
formed a partnership with George Forquer, who 
had held the offices of Secretary of State and 
Attorney-General. In 1839 he was appointed a 
Circuit Judge, and, on the reorganization of the 
Supreme Court in 1841, was elevated to the 
Supreme bench, being acting Chief Justice at the 
time of the adoption of the Constitution of 1848. 
Having been elected to the Supreme bench under 
the new Constitution, he remained in office until 
March, 1855, when he resigned to take the posi- 
tion of Judge of the United States District Court 
for the Southern District of Illinois, to which he 
had been appointed by President Pierce. This 
position he continued to occupy until his death. 
which occurred at Springfield, March 27, 1887. 
Judge Treafs judicial career was one of the long- 
est in the history of the State, covering a period 
of forty-eight years, of which fourteen were 
spent upon the Supreme bench, and thirty-two 
in the position of Judge of the United States Dis- 
trict Court. 

TREATIES. (See Greenville, Treaty of; Indian 
Treaties. ) 

TREE, Lambert, jurist, diplomat and ex-Con- 
gressman, was born in Washington, D. C, Nov. 
29, 1832, of an ancestry distinguished in the War 
of the Revolution. He received a superior clas- 



sical and professional education, and was admit- 
ted to the bar, at Washington, in October, 1855. 
Removing to Chicago soon afterward, his profes- 
sional career has been chiefly connected with 
that city. In 1864 he was chosen President of 
the Law Institute, and served as Judge of the 
Circuit Court of Cook County, from 1870 to 1875, 
when he resigned. The three following years he 
spent in foreign travel, returning to Chicago in 
1878. In that year, and again in 1880, he was 
the Democratic candidate for Congress from the 
Fourth Illinois District, but was defeated by his 
Republican opponent. In 1885 he was the candi- 
date of his party for United States Senator, but 
was defeated by John A. Logan, by one vote. In 
1884 he was a member of the National Democratic 
Convention which first nominated Grover Cleve- 
land, and, in July, 1885, President Cleveland 
appointed him Minister to Belgium, conferring 
the Russian mission upon him in September, 1888. 
On March 3, 1889, he resigned this post and 
returned home. In 1890 he was appointed by 
President Harrison a Commissioner to the Inter- 
national Monetary Conference at Washington. 
The year before he had attended (although not as 
a delegate) the International Conference, at Brus- 
sels, looking to the suppression of the slave-trade, 
where he exerted all his influence on the side of 
humanity. In 1892 Belgium conferred upon him 
the distinction of "Councillor of Honor" upon its 
commission to the World's Columbian Exposi- 
tion. In 1896 Judge Tree was one of the most 
earnest opponents of the free-silver policy, and, 
after the Spanish- American War, a zealous advo- 
cate of the policy of retaining the territory 
acquired from Spain. 

TR EMONT, a town of Tazewell County, on the 
Peoria Division of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railway, 9 miles southeast 
of Pekin; has two banks, two telephone 
exchanges, and one newspaper. Pop. (1900), 768. 

TRENTON, a town of Clinton County, on the 
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway, 31 miles 
east of St. Louis; in agricultural district; has 
creamery, milk condensery, two coal mines, six 
churches, a public school and one newspaper 
Pop. (1890), 1,384; (1900), 1,706; (1904). about 2,000. 

TROY, a village of Madison County, on the 
Tei re Haute & Indianapolis railroad, 21 miles 
northeast of St. Louis; has churches, a bank and 
a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 1,080. 

TRUITT, James Madison, lawyer and soldier, 
a native of Trimble County, Ky. , was born Feb. 
12. 1842, but lived in Illinois since 1843, his father 
having settled near Carrollton that year; was 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



529 



educated at Hillsboro and at McKendree College; 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventeenth 
Illinois Volunteers in 18(52, and was promoted 
from the ranks to Lieutenant. After the war he 
studied law with Jesse J. Phillips, now of the 
Supreme Court, and, in 1872, was elected to the 
Twenty -eighth General Assembly, and, in 1888, a 
Presidential Elector on the Republican ticket. 
Mr. Truitt has been twice a prominent but unsuc- 
cessful candidate for the Republican nomination 
for Attorney-General. His home is at Hillsboro. 
where he is engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion. Died July 26, 1900. 

TRUMBULL, Lyman, statesman, was born at 
Colchester, Conn., Oct. 12, 1813, descended from 
a historical family, being a grand-nephew of 
Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, of Connecticut, from 
whom the name "Brother Jonathan" was derived 
as an appellation for Americans. Having received 
an academic education in his native town, at the 
age of 16 he began teaching a district school near 
his home, went South four years later, and en- 
gaged in teaching at Greenville, Ga. Here he 
studied law with Judge Hiram Warner, after- 
wards of the Supreme Court, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1837. Leaving Georgia the same year, he 
came to Illinois on horseback, visiting Vandalia. 
Belleville, Jacksonville, Springfield, Tremontand 
La Salle, and finally reaching Chicago, then a 
village of four or five thousand inhabitants. At 
Jacksonville he obtained a license to practice 
from Judge Lockwood, and, after visiting Michi- 
gan and his native State, he settled at Belleville, 
which continued to be his home for twenty years. 
His entrance into public life began with his elec- 
tion as Representative in the General Assembly 
in 1840. This was followed, in February, 1841, 
by his appointment by Governor Carlin, Secre- 
tary of State, as the successor of Stephen A. 
Douglas, who, after holding the position only two 
months, had resigned to accept a seat on the 
Supreme bench. Here he remained two years, 
when he was removed by Governor Ford. March 
4, 1843, but, five years later (1848), was elected a 
Justice of the Supreme Court, was re-elected in 
1852, but resigned in 1853 on account of impaired 
health. A year later (1854) he was elected to 
Congress from the Belleville District as an anti- 
Nebraska Democrat, but, before taking his seat, 
was promoted to the United States Senate, as the 
successor of General Shields in the memorable con- 
test of 1855, which resulted in the defeat of Abra- 
ham Lincoln. Senator Trumbull's career of 
eighteen years in the United States Senate (being 
re-elected in 1861 and 1867) is one of the most 



memorable in the history of that body, covering, 
as it does, the whole history of the war for the 
Union, and the period of reconstruction which 
followed it. During this period, as Chairman of 
the Senate Committee on Judiciary, he had more 
to do in shaping legislation on war and recon- 
struction measures than any other single member 
of that body. While he disagreed with a large 
majority of his Republican associates on the ques- 
tion of Andrew Johnson's impeachment, he was 
always found in sympathy with them on the vital 
questions affecting the war and restoration of the 
Union. The Civil Rights Bill and Freedmen's 
Bureau Bills were shaped by his hand. In 1872 
he joined in the "Liberal Republican" movement 
and afterwards co-operated with the Democratic 
party, being their candidate for Governor in 
1880. From 1863 his home was in Chicago, 
where, after retiring from the Senate, he con- 
tinued in the practice of his profession until his 
death, which occurred in that city, June 25, 1896. 
TUG MILLS. These were a sort of primitive 
machine used in grinding corn in Territorial and 
early State days. The mechanism consisted of an 
upright shaft, into the upper end of which were 
fastened bars, resembling those in the capstan of 
a ship. Into the outer end of each of these bars 
was driven a pin. A belt, made of a broad strip 
of ox-hide, twisted into a sort of rope, was 
stretched around these pins and wrapped twice 
around a circular piece of wood called a trundle 
head, through which passed a perpendicular flat 
bar of iron, which turned the mill-stone, usually 
about eighteen inches in diameter. From the 
upright shaft projected a beam, to which were 
hitched on6 or two horses, which furnished the 
motive power. Oxen were sometimes employed 
as motive power in lieu of horses. These rudi- 
mentary contrivances were capable of grinding 
about twelve bushels of corn, each, per day. 

TULEY, Murray Floyd, lawyer and jurist, was 
born at Louisville, Ky., March 4, 1827, Of English 
extraction and descended from the early settlers 
of Virginia. His father died in 1832, and, eleven 
years later, his mother, having married Col. 
Richard J. Hamilton, for many years a prominent 
lawyer of Chicago, removed with her family to 
that city. Young Tuley began reading law with 
his step-father and completed his studies at the 
Louisville Law Institute in 1847, the same year 
being admitted to the bar in Chicago. About the 
same time he enlisted in the Fifth Illinois Volun 
teers for service in the Mexican War, and was 
commissioned First Lieutenant. The war having 
ended, he settled at Santa Fe, N. M., where he 



530 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



practiced law, also served as Attorney-General 
and in the Territorial Legislature. Returning to 
Chicago in 1854, he was associated in practice, 
successively, with Andrew Harvie, Judge Gary 
and J. N. Barker, and finally as head of the firm 
of Tuley, Stiles & Lewis. From 1869 to 1873 he 
was Corporation Counsel, and during this time 
framed the General Incorporation Act for Cities, 
under which the City of Chicago was reincor- 
porated. In 1879 he was elevated to the bench 
of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and re- 
elected every six years thereafter, his last election 
being in 1897. He is now serving his fourth 
term, some ten years of his incumbency having 
been spent in the capacity of Chief Justice. 

TCNN'ICLIFFE, Damon ft., lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Herkimer County, N. Y. , August 20, 
1829 ; at the age of 20, emigrated to Illinois, set- 
tling in Vermont, Fulton County, where, for a 
time, he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He 
subsequently studied law, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1853. In 1854 he established himself 
at Macomb, McDonough County, where he built 
up a large and lucrative practice. In 1868 he 
was chosen Presidential Elector on the Repub- 
lican ticket, and, from February to June, 1885, 
by appointment of Governor Oglesby, occupied a 
seat on the bench of the Supreme Court, vice 
Pinkney H. Walker, deceased, who had been one 
of his first professional preceptors. 

TURCHUV, John Basil (Ivan Vasilevitch Tur- 
chinoff), soldier, engineer and author, was born 
in Russia, Jan. 30, 1822. He graduated from the 
artillery school at St. Petersburg, in 1841, and 
was commissioned ensign; participated in the 
Hungarian campaign of 1849, and, in 1852, was 
assigned to the staff of the Imperial Guards; 
served through the Crimean "War, rising to the 
rank of Colonel, and being made senior staff 
officer of the active corps. In 1856 he came to 
this country, settling in Chicago, and, for five 
years, was in the service of the Illinois Central 
Railway Company as topographical engineer. In 
1861 he was commissioned Colonel of the Nine- 
teenth Illinois Volunteers, and, after leading his 
regiment in Missouri, Kentucky and Alabama, 
was, on July 7, 1862, promoted to a Brigadier- 
Generalship, being attached to the Army of the 
Cumberland until 1864, when he resigned. After 
the war he was. for six years, solicitor of patents 
at Chicago, but, in 1873, returned to engineering. 
In 1879 he established a Polish colony at Radom, 
in Washington County, in this State, and settled 
as a farmer. He is an occasional contributor to 
the press, writing usually on military or scientific 



subjects, and is the author of the "Campaign and 
Battle of Chickamauga" (.Chicago, 1888). 

TURNER (now WEST CHICAGO), a town and 
manufacturing center in Winrield Township, Du 
Page County, 30 miles west of Chicago, at the 
junction of two divisions of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy. th(^ Elgin, Juliet & Eastern and the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroads. The town 
has a rolling mill, manufactories of wagons and 
pumps, and railroad repair shops. It also has five 
churches, a graded school and two newspapers. 
Pop. (1900), 1,877; with suburb, 2,270. 

TURNER, (Col.) Henry L., soldier and real- 
estate operator, was born at Oberlin, Ohio, 
August 26, 1845, and received a part of his edu- 
cation in the college there. During the Civil 
War he served as First Lieutenant in the One 
Hundred and Fiftieth Ohio Volunteers, and 
later, with the same rank in a colored regiment, 
taking part in the operations about Richmond, 
the capture of Fort Fisher, of Wilmington and of 
Gen. Joe Johnston's army. Coming to Chi- 
cago after the close of the war, he became con- 
nected with the business office of "The Advance, " 
but later was employed in the banking house of 
Jay Cooke & Co., in Philadelphia. On the failure 
of that concern, in 1872, he returned to Chicago 
and bought "The Advance." which he conducted 
some two years, when he sold out and engaged in 
the real estate business, with which he has since 
been identified — being President of the Chicago 
Real Estate Board in 1888. He has also been 
President of the Western Publishing Company 
and a Trustee of Oberlin College. Colonel Turner 
is an enthusiastic member of the Illinois National 
Guard and, on the declaration of war between the 
United States and Spain, in April. 1898, promptly 
resumed his connection with the First Regiment 
of the Guard, and finally led it to Santiago de 
Cuba during the fighting there — his regiment 
being the only one from Illinois to see actual serv- 
ice in the field during the progress of the war. 
Colonel Turner won the admiration of his com- 
mand and the entire nation by the manner in 
which he discharged his duty. The regiment 
was mustered out at Chicago, Nov. 17, 1898, when 
he retired to private life. 

TURNER, John Bice, Railway President, was 
born at Colchester, Delaware County, N. Y., Jan. 
14, 1799; after a brief business career in his 
native State, he became identified with the con- 
struction and operation of railroads. Among the 
works with which he was thus connected, were 
the Delaware Division of the New York & Erie 
and the Trov & Schenectady Roads. In 1843 he 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



531 



came to Chicago, having previously purchased a 
large body of land at Blue Island. In 1847 he 
joined with W. B. Ogden and others, in resusci- 
tating the Galena & Chicago Union Railway, 
which had been incorporated in 1836. He became 
President of the Company in 1850, and assisted in 
constructing various sections of road in Northern 
Illinois and Wisconsin, which have since become 
portions of the Chicago & Northwestern system. 
He was also one of the original Directors of the 
North Side Street Railway Company, organized 
in 1859. Died, Feb. 26, 1871. 

TURNER, Jonathan Baldwin, educator and 
agriculturist, was born in Templeton, Mass., Dec. 
7, 1805; grew up on a farm and, before reaching 
his majority, began teaching in a country school. 
After spending a short time in an academy at 
Salem, in 1827 he entered the preparatory depart- 
ment of Yale College, supporting himself, in part, 
by manual labor and teaching in a gymnasium. 
In 1829 he matriculated in the classical depart- 
ment at Yale, graduated in 1833, and the same 
year accepted a position as tutor in Illinois Col- 
lege at Jacksonville, 111., which had been opened, 
three years previous, by the late Dr. J. M. Sturte- 
vant. In the next fourteen years he gave in- 
struction in nearly every branch embraced in the 
college curriculum, though holding, during most 
of this period, the chair of Rhetoric and English 
Literature. In 1847 he retired from college 
duties to give attention to scientific agriculture, 
in which he had always manifested a deep inter- 
est. The cultivation and sale of the Osage orange 
as a hedge- plant now occupied his attention for 
many years, and its successful introduction in 
Illinois and other Western States — where the 
absence of timber rendered some substitute a 
necessity for fencing purposes — was largely due 
to his efforts. At the same time he took a deep 
interest in the cause of practical scientific edu- 
cation for the industrial classes, and, about 1850, 
began formulating that system of industrial edu- 
cation which, after twelve years of labor and 
agitation, he had the satisfaction of seeing 
recognized in the act adopted by Congress, and 
approved by President Lincoln, in July, 1862, 
making liberal donations of public lands for the 
establishment of "Industrial Colleges" in the 
several States, out of which grew the University 
of Illinois at Champaign. While Professor Tur- 
ner had zealous colaborers in this field, in Illinois 
and elsewhere, to him, more than to any other 
single man in the Nation, belongs the credit for 
this magnificent achievement. (See Education, 
and University of Illinois.) He was also one of 



the chief factors in founding and building up 
the Illinois State Teachers' Association, and the 
State Agricultural and Horticultural Societies. 
His address on "The Millennium of Labor," 
delivered at the first State Agricultural Fair at 
Springfield, in 1853, is still remembered as mark- 
ing an era in industrial progress in Illinois. A 
zealous champion of free thought, in both political 
and religious affairs, he long bore the reproach 
which attached to the radical Abolitionist, only 
to enjoy, in later years, the respect universally 
accorded to those who had the courage and 
independence to avow their honest convictions. 
Prof. Turner was twice an unsuccessful candidate 
for Congress— once as a Republican and once as 
an "Independent" — and wrote much on political, 
religious and educational topics. The evening of 
an honored and useful life was spent among 
friends in Jacksonville, which was his home for 
more than sixty 3'ears, his death taking place in 
that city, Jan. 10, 1899, at the advanced age of 
93 years.— Mrs. Mary Turner Carriel, at the pres- 
ent time (1899) one of the Trustees of the Univer- 
sity of Illinois, is Prof. Turner's only daughter. 

TURNER, Thomas J., lawyer and Congress- 
man, born in Trumbull County, Ohio, April 5, 
1815. Leaving home at the age of 18, he spent 
three years in Indiana and in the mining dis- 
tricts about Galena and in Southern Wisconsin, 
locating in Stephenson County, in 1836, where he 
was admitted to the bar in 1840, and elected 
Probate Judge in 1841. Soon afterwards Gov- 
ernor Ford appointed him Prosecuting Attorney, 
in which capacity he secured the conviction and 
punishment of the murderers of Colonel Daven- 
port. In 1846 he was elected to Congress as a 
Democrat, and, the following year, founded "The 
Prairie Democrat" (afterward "The Freeport 
Bulletin"), the first newspaper published in the 
county. Elected to the Legislature in 1854, he 
was chosen Speaker of the House, the next year 
becoming the first Mayor of Freeport. He was a 
member of the Peace Conference of 1861, and, in 
May of that year, was commissioned, by Governor 
Yates, Colonel of the Fifteenth Illinois Volun- 
teers, but resigned in 1862. He served as a mem- 
ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, 
and, in 1871, was again elected to the Legisla- 
ture, where he received the Democratic caucus 
nomination for United States Senator against 
General Logan. In 1871 he removed to Chicago, 
and was twice an unsuccessful candidate for the 
office of State's Attorney. In February, 1874, he 
went to Hot Springs. Ark., for medical treatment, 
and died there, April 3 following. 



532 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



TUSCOLA, a city and the county-seat of 
Douglas County, located at the intersection of the 
Illinois Central and two other trunk lines <>f rail- 
way, 22 miles south of Champaign, and 36 miles 
east of Decatur. Besides a brick court-house it 
has five churches, a graded school, a national 
bank, two weekly newspapers and two establish- 
ments for the manufacture of carriages and 
wagons Population (1880), 1,457; (1890), 1,897; 
(1900). 2,569. 

TUSCOLA, CHARLESTON & VINCENIVES 
RAILROAD. (See Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas 
City Railroad.) 

TUTHILL, Richard Stanley, jurist, was born 
at Vergennes, Jackson County, 111., Nov. 10, 1841. 
After passing through the common schools of his 
native county, he took a preparatory course in a 
high school at St. Louis and in Illinois College, 
Jacksonville, when he entered Middlebury Col- 
lege, Vt., graduating there in 1863. Immediately 
thereafter he joined the Federal army at Vicks- 
burg, and, after serving for some time in a com- 
pany of scouts attached to General Logan's 
command, was commissioned a Lieutenant in the 
First Michigan Light Artillery, with which he 
served until the close of the war, meanwhile 
being twice promoted. During this time he was 
with General Sherman in the march to Meridian, 
and in the Atlanta campaign, also took part with 
General Thomas in the operations against the 
rebel General Hood in Tennessee, and in the 
battle of Nashville. Having resigned his coin- 
mission in May, 1805, he took up the study of 
law, which he had prosecuted as he had opportu- 
nity while in the army, and was admitted to the 
bar at Nashville in 1866, afterwards serving for 
a time as Prosecuting Attorney on the Nashville 
circuit. In 1873 he removed to Chicago, two 
years later was elected City Attorney and re- 
elected in 1877 ; was a delegate to the Republican 
National Convention of 1880 and, in 1884, was 
appointed United States District Attorney for 
the Northern District, serving until 1886. In 
1887 he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court of 
Cook County to fill the vacancy caused by the 
death of Judge Rogers, was re-elected for a full 
term in 1891, and again in 1897. 

TYNDALE, Sharon, Secretary of State, born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 19, 1816; at the age of 17 
came to Belleville, 111., and was engaged for a 
time in mercantile business, later being employed 
in a surveyor's corps under the internal improve- 
ment system of 1837. Having married in 1839, 
he returned soon after to Philadelphia, where he 
engaged in mercantile business with his father; 



then came to Illinois, a second time, in 1845, spend- 
ing a year or two in business at Peoria. About 
1847 he returned to Belleville and entered upon a 
course of mathematical study, with a view to 
fitting himself more thoroughly for the profession 
of a civil engineer. In 1851 he graduated in 
engineering at Cambridge, Mass., after which he 
was employed for a time on the Sunbury & Erie 
Railroad, and later on certain Illinois railroads. 
In 1857 he was elected County Surveyor of St. 
Clair County, and, in 1861, by appointment of 
President Lincoln, became Postmaster of the city 
of Belleville. He held this position until 1864, 
when he received the Republican nomination for 
Secretary of State and was elected, remaining in 
office four years. He was an earnest advocate, 
and virtually author, of the first act for the regis- 
tration of voters in Illinois, passed at the session 
of 1865. After retiring from office in 1869, he 
continued to reside in Springfield, and was em- 
ployed for a time in the survey of the Oilman, 
Clinton & Springfield Railway — now the Spring- 
field Division of the Illinois Central. At an early 
hour on the morning of April 29, 1871, while 
going from his home to the railroad station at 
Springfield, to take the train for St. Louis, he was 
assassinated upon the street by shooting, as sup- 
posed for the purpose of robbery — his dead body 
being found a few hours later at the scene of the 
tragedy. Mr. Tyndale was a brother of Gen. 
Hector Tyndale of Pennsylvania, who won a 
high reputation by his services during the war. 
His second wife, who survived him, was a 
daughter of Shadrach Penn, an editor of con- 
siderable reputation who was the contemporary 
and rival of George D. Prentice at Louisville, for 
some years. 

"UNDERGROUND RAILROAD," THE. A 
history of Illinois would be incomplete without 
reference to the unique system which existed 
there, as in other Northern States, from forty to 
seventy years ago, known by the somewhat mys- 
terious title of "The Underground Railroad." 
The origin of the term has been traced (probably 
in a spirit of facetiousness) to the expression of 
a Kentucky planter who, having pursued a fugi- 
tive slave across the Ohio River, was so surprised 
by his sudden disappearance, as soon as he had 
reached the opposite shore, that he was led to 
remark. "The nigger must have gone off on an 
underground road." From "underground road'' 
to "underground railroad." the transition would 
appear to have been easy, especially in view of 
the increased facility with which the work was 
performed when railroads came into use. For 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



533 



readers of the present generation, it may be well 
to explain what "The Underground Railroad" 
really was It may be defined as the figurative 
appellation for a spontaneous movement in the 
free States — extending, sometimes, into the 
slave States themselves — to assist slaves in their 
efforts to escape from bondage to freedom. The 
movement dates back to a period close to the 
Revolutionary War, long before it received a 
definite name. Assistance given to fugitives 
from one State by citizens of another, became a 
cause of complaint almost as soon as the Govern- 
ment was organized. In fact, the first President 
himself lost a slave who took refuge at Ports- 
mouth, N. H., where the public sentiment was 
so strong against his return, that the patriotic 
and philosophic "Father of his Country" chose 
to let him remain unmolested, rather than "excite 
a mob or riot, or even uneasy sensations, in the 
minds of well-disposed citizens. " That the mat- 
ter was already one of concern in the minds of 
slaveholders, is shown by the fact that a provision 
was inserted in the Constitution for their concili- 
ation, guaranteeing the return of fugitives from 
labor, as well as from justice, from one State to 
another. 

In 1793 Congress passed the first Fugitive Slave 
Law, which was signed by President Washing- 
ton. This law provided that the owner, his 
agent or attorney, might follow the slave into 
any State or Territory, and, upon oath or affi- 
davit before a court or magistrate, be entitled 
to a warrant for his return. Any person who 
should hinder the arrest of the fugitive, or who 
should harbor, aid or assist him, knowing him 
to be such, was subject to a fine of 8500 for each 
offense. — In 1850, fifty-seven years later, the first 
act having proved inefficacious, or conditions 
having changed, a second and more stringent 
law was enacted. This is the one usually referred 
to in discussions of the subject. It provided for 
an increased fine, not to exceed SI, 000, and im- 
prisonment not exceeding six months, with 
liability for civil damages to the party injured. 
No proof of ownership was required beyond the 
statement of a claimant, and the accused was not 
permitted to testify for himself. The fee of the 
United States Commissioner, before whom the 
case was tried, was ten dollars if he found for 
the claimant: if not, five dollars. This seemed 
to many an indirect form of bribery : clearly, it 
made it to the Judge's pecuniary advantage to 
decide in favor of the claimant. The law made 
it possible and easy for a white man to arrest, 
and carry into slavery, any free negro who could 



not immediately prove, by other witnesses, that 
he was born free, or had purchased his freedom. 

Instead of discouraging the disposition, on 
the part of the opponents of slavery, to aid fugi- 
tives in their efforts to reach a region where 
they would be secure in their freedom, the effect 
of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 (as that of 1793 
had been in a smaller degree) was the very oppo- 
site of that intended by its authors — unless, 
indeed, they meant to make matters worse. The 
provisions of the act seemed, to man} - people, so 
unfair, so one-sided, that they rebelled in spirit 
and refused to be made parties to its enforce 
ment. The law aroused the anti-slavery senti- 
ment of the North, and stimulated the active 
friends of the fugitives to take greater risks in 
their behalf. New efforts on the part of the 
slaveholders were met by a determination to 
evade, hinder and nullify the law. 

And here a strange anomaly is presented. The 
slaveholder, in attempting to recover his slave, 
was acting within his constitutional and legal 
rights. The slave was his pi-operty in law. He 
had purchased or inherited his bondman on the 
same plane with his horse or his land, and, apart 
from the right to hold a human being in bond- 
age, regarded his legal rights to the one as good 
as the other. From a legal standpoint his posi- 
tion was impregnable. The slave was his, repre- 
senting so much of money value, and whoever 
was instrumental in the loss of that slave was, 
both theoretically and technically, a partner in 
robber}'. Therefore he looked on "The Under- 
ground Railway" as the work of thieves, and en 
tertained bitter hatred toward all concerned in its 
operation. On the other hand, men who were, 
in all other respects, good citizens — often relig- 
iously devout and pillars of the church — became 
bold and flagrant violators of the law in relation 
to this sort of property. They set at nought a 
plain provision of the Constitution and the act of 
Congress for its enforcement. Without hope of 
personal gain or reward, at the risk of fine and 
imprisonment, with the certainty of social ostra- 
cism and bitter opposition, they harbored the 
fugitive and helped him forward on every 
occasion. And why'? Because they saw in him 
a man, witli the same inherent right to "life, 
liberty and the pursuit of happiness" that they 
themselves possessed. To them this was a higher 
law than any Legislature, State or National, could 
enact. They denied that there could be truly 
such a thing as property in man. Believing that 
the law violated human rights, they justified 
themselves in rendering it null and void. 



534 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



For the most part, the "Underground Rail- 
road" operators and promoters were plain, 
obscure men, without hope of fame or desire for 
notoriety. Yet there were some whose names 
are conspicuous in history, such as Wendell 
Phillips, Thomas Wentworth Higginson and 
Theodore Parker of Massachusetts ; Gerrit Smith 
and Thurlow Weed of New York; Joshua R. 
Giddings of Ohio, and Owen Lovejoy of Illinois. 
These had their followers and sympathizers in 
all the Northern States, and even in some por- 
tions of the South It is a curious fact, that 
some of the most active spirits connected with 
the "Underground Railroad" were natives of the 
South, or had resided there long enough to 
become thoroughly acquainted with the "insti- 
tution." Levi Coffin, who had the reputation of 
being the "President of the Underground Rail- 
road" — at least so far as the region west of the 
Ohio was concerned — was an active operator on 
the line in North Carolina before his removal 
from that State to Indiana in 1806. Indeed, as a 
system, it is claimed to have had its origin at 
Guilford College, in the "Old North State" in 
1S19, though the evidence of this may not be 
conclusive. 

Owing to the peculiar nature of their business, 
no official reports were made, no lists of officers, 
conductors, station agents or operators preserved, 
and few records kept which are now accessible. 
Consequently, we are dependent chiefly upon the 
personal recollection of individual operators for 
a history of their transactions. Each station on 
the road was the house of a "friend" and it is 
significant, in this connection, that in every 
settlement of Friends, or Quakers, there was 
sure to be a house of refuge for the slave. For 
this reason it was, perhaps, that one of the most 
frequently traveled lines extended from Vir- 
ginia and Maryland through Eastern Pennsyl- 
vania, and then on towards New York or directly 
to Canada. From the proximity of Ohio to 
Virginia and Kentucky, and the fact that it 
offered" the shortest route through free soil to 
Canada, it was traversed by more lines than any 
other State, although Indiana was pretty 
thoroughly "grid ironed" by roads to freedom. 
In all, however, the routes were irregular, often 
zigzag, for purposes of security, and the "con- 
ductor" was any one who conveyed fugitives from 
one station to another The "train" was some- 
times a farm-wagon, loaded with produce for 
market at some town (or depot) on the line, fre- 
quently a closed carriage, and it is related that 
once, in Ohio, a number of carriages conveying 



a large party, were made to represent a funeral 
procession. Occasionally the train ran on foot, 
for convenience of sidetracking into the woods 
or a cornfield, in case of pursuit by a wild loco- 
motive. 

Then, again, there were not wanting law3'ers 
who, in case the operator, conductor or station 
agent got into trouble, were ready, without fee or 
reward, to defend either him or his human 
freight in the courts. These included such 
names of national repute as Salmon P. Chase, 
Thaddeus Stevens, Charles Sumner, William H. 
Seward, Rutherford B. Hayes, Richard H. Dana, 
and Isaac N. Arnold, while, taking the whole 
country over, their "name was legion." And 
there were a few men of wealth, like Thomas 
Garrett of Delaware, willing to contribute money 
by thousands to their assistance. Although 
technically acting in violation of law — or, as 
claimed by themselves, in obedience to a "higher 
law" — the time has already come when there is a 
disposition to look upon the actors as, in a certain 
sense, heroes, and their deeds as fitly belonging 
to the field of romance. 

The most comprehensive collection of material 
relating to the history of this movement has 
been furnished in a recent volume entitled, "The 
Underground Railroad from Slavery to Free- 
dom," by Prof. Wilbur H. Siebert, of Ohio State 
University ; and, while it is not wholly free from 
errors, both as to individual names and facts, it 
will probably remain as the best compilation of 
history bearing on this subject — especially as the 
principal actors are fast passing away. One of 
the interesting features of Prof. Siebert's book is 
a map purporting to give the principal routes 
and stations in the States northwest of the Ohio, 
yet the accuracy of this, as well as the correct- 
ness of personal names given, has been questioned 
by some best informed on the subject. As 
might be expected from its geographical position 
between two slave States — Kentucky and Mis- 
souri — on the one hand, and the lakes offering a 
highway to Canada on the other, it is naturally 
to be assumed that Illinois would be an attract- 
ive field, both for the fugitive and his sympa- 
thizer. 

The period of greatest activity of the system in 
this State was between 1840 and 1861— the latter 
being the year when the pro-slavery part}" in the 
South, by their attempt forcibly to dissolve the 
Union, took the business out of the hands of the 
secret agents of the "Underground Railroad," 
and — in a certain sense — placed it in the hands 
of the Union armies. It was in 1841 that Abra- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



535 



ham Lincoln — then a conservative opponent of 
the extension of slavery — on an appeal from a 
judgment, rendered by the Circuit Court in Taze- 
well County, in favor of the holder of a note 
given for the service of the indentured slave- 
girl "Nance," obtained a decision from the 
Supreme Court of Illinois upholding the doctrine 
that the girl was free under the Ordinance of 
1787 and the State Constitution, and that the 
note, given to the person who claimed to be her 
owner, was void. And it is a somewhat curious 
coincidence that the same Abraham Lincoln, as 
President of the United States, in the second 
year of the War of the Rebellion, issued the 
Proclamation of Emancipation which finally 
resulted in striking the shackles from the limbs 
of every slave in the Union. 

In the practical operation of aiding fugitives 
in Illinois, it was natural that the towns along 
the border upon the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, 
should have served as a sort of entrepots, or 
initial stations, for the reception of this class of 
freight — especially if adjacent to some anti- 
slavery community. This was the case at Ches- 
ter, from which access was easy to Sparta, where 
a colony of Covenanters, or Seceders, was 
located, and whence a route extended, by way of 
Oakdale, Nashville and Centralia, in the direction 
of Chicago. Alton offered convenient access to 
Bond County, where there was a community of 
anti-slavery people at an early day, or the fugi- 
tives could be forwarded northward by way of 
Jerseyville, Waverly and Jacksonville, about 
each of which there was a strong anti-slavery 
sentiment. Quincv, in spite of an intense hos- 
tility among the mass of the community to any- 
thing savoring of abolitionism, became the 
theater of great activity on the part of the 
opponents of the institution, especially after the 
advent there of Dr. David Nelson and Dr. Rich- 
ard Eells, both of whom had rendered themselves 
obnoxious to the people of Missouri by extending 
aid to fugitives. The former was a practical 
abolitionist who, having freed his slaves in his 
native State of Virginia, removed to Missouri and 
attempted to establish Marion College, a few miles 
from Palmyra, but was soon driven to Illinois. 
Locating near Quincy, he founded the "Mission 
Institute" there, at which he continued to dis- 
seminate his anti-slavery views, while educating 
young men for missionary work. The "Insti- 
tute" was finally burned by emissaries from Mis- 
souri, while three young men who had been 
connected with it, having been caught in Mis- 
souri, were condemned to twelve years' confine- 



ment in the penitentiary of that State — partly on 
the testimony of a negro, although a negro was 
not then a legal witness in the courts against a 
white man. Dr. Eells was prosecuted before 
Stephen A. Douglas (then a Judge of the Circuit 
Court), and fined for aiding a fugitive to escape, 
and the judgment against him was Knally con- 
firmed by the Supreme Court after his death, in 
1852, ten years after the original indictment. 

A map in Professor Siebert's book, showing the 
routes and principal stations of the "Undergound 
Railroad," makes mention of the following places 
in Illinois, in addition to those already referred 
to: Carlinville, in Macoupin County; Payson 
and Mendon, in Adams; Washington, in Taze- 
well; Metamora, in Woodford; Magnolia, in Put- 
nam; Galesburg, in Knox; Princeton (the home 
of Owen Love joy and the Bryants), in Bureau; 
and many more. Ottawa appears to have been 
the meeting point of a number of lines, as well 
as the home of a strong colony of practical abo- 
litionists. Cairo also became an important 
transfer station for fugitives arriving by river, 
after the completion of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road, especially as it offered the speediest way of 
reaching Chicago, towards which nearly all the 
lines converged. It was here that the fugitives 
could be most safely disposed of by placing them 
upon vessels, which, without stopping at inter- 
mediate ports, could soon land them on Canadian 
soil. 

As to methods, these differed according to cir- 
cumstances, the emergencies of the occasion, or 
the taste, convenience or resources of the oper- 
ator. Deacon Levi Morse, of Woodford County, 
near Metamora, had a route towards Magnolia, 
Putnam County; and his favorite "car" was a 
farm wagon in which there was a double bottom. 
The passengers were snugly placed below, and 
grain sacks, filled with bran or other light material, 
were laid over, so that the whole presented the 
appearance of an ordinary load of grain on its 
way to market. The same was true as to stations 
and routes. One, who was an operator, says: 
"Wherever an abolitionist happened on a fugi- 
tive, or the converse, there was a station, for the 
time, and the route was to the next anti-slavery 
man to the east or the north. As a general rule, 
the agent preferred not to know anything beyond 
the operation of his own immediate section of the 
road. If he knew nothing about the operations 
of another, and the other knew nothing of his, 
they could not be witnesses in court. 

We have it on the authority of Judge Harvey B. 
Hurd. of Chicago, that runaways were usually 



536 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



forwarded from that city to Canada by way of the 
Lakes, there being several steamers available for 
that purpose. On one occasion thirteen were 
put aboard a vessel under the eyes of a United 
States Marshal and his deputies. The fugitives, 
secreted in a woodshed, one by one took the 
places of colored stevedores carrying wood 
aboard the ship. Possibly the term, "There's a 
nigger in the woodpile," may have originated in 
this incident. Thirteen was an "unlucky num- 
ber" in this instance — for the masters. 

Among the notable trials for assisting runaways 
in violation of the Fugitive Slave Law, in addi- 
tion to the case of Dr. Eells, already mentioned, 
were those of Owen Lovejoy of Princeton, and 
Deacon Cushing of Will County, both of whom 
were defended by Judge James Collins of Chi- 
cago. John Hossack and Dr. Joseph Stout of 
Ottawa, with some half-dozen of their neighbors 
and friends, were tried at Ottawa, in 1839, for 
assisting a fugitive and acquitted on a techni- 
cality. A strong array of attorneys, afterwards 
w tdely known through the northern part of the 
State, appeared for the defense, including Isaac 
N. Arnold, Joseph Knox, B. C. Cook, J. V. Eus- 
tace, Edward S. Leland and E. C. Larned. Joseph 
T. Morse, of Woodford County, was also arrested, 
taken to Peoria and committed to jail, but 
acquitted on trial. 

Another noteworthy case was that of Dr. 
Samuel Willard (now of Chicago) and his father, 
Julius A. Willard, charged with assisting in the 
escape of a fugitive at Jacksonville, in 1843, when 
the Doctor was a student in Illinois College. 
"The National Corporation Reporter," a few 
years ago, gave an account of this affair, together 
with a letter from Dr. Willard, in which he states 
that, after protracted litigation, during which 
the case was carried to the Supreme Court, it was 
ended by his pleading guilty before Judge Samuel 
D. Lockwood, when he was fined one dollar and 
costs —the latter amounting to twenty dollars. 
The Doctor frankly adds: "My father, as well 
as myself, helped many fugitives afterwards." 
It did not always happen, however, that offenders 
escaped so easily. 

Judge Harvey B. Hurd, already referred to, 
and an active anti-slavery man in the days of the 
Fugitive Slave Law. relates the following: Once, 
when the trial of a fugitive was going on before 
Justice Kercheval, in a room on the second floor 
of a two-story frame building on Clark Street in 
the city of Chicago, the crowd in attendance 
filled the room, the stairway and the adjoining 
sidewalk In some way the prisoner got mixed 



in with the audience, and passed down over the 
heads of those on the stairs, where the officers 
were unable to follow. 

In another case, tried before United States 
Commissioner Geo. W. Meeker, the result was 
made to hinge upon a point in the indictment to 
the effect that the fugitive was "copper-colored. " 
The Commissioner, as the story goes, being in- 
clined to favor public sentiment, called for a large 
copper cent, that he might make comparison. 
The decision was, that the prisoner was "off 
color," so to speak, and he was hustled out of the 
room before the officers could re-arrest him, as 
they had been instructed to do. 

Dr. Samuel Willard, in a review of Professor 
Siebert's book, published in "The Dial" of Chi 
cago, makes mention of Henry Irving and Will- 
iam Chauncey Carter as among his active allies 
at Jacksonville, with Rev. Bilious Pond and 
Deacon Lyman of Farmington (near the present 
village of Farmingdale in Sangamon County). 
Luther Ransom of Springfield, Andrew Borders 
of Randolph County, Joseph Gerrish of Jersey 
and William T. Allan of Henry, as their coadju- 
tors in other parts of the State. Other active 
agents or promoters, in the same field, included 
such names as Dr. Charles V. Dyer, Philo Carpen- 
ter, Calvin De Wolf, L. C. P. Fiver. Zrbina East- 
man, James H. Collins, Harvey B. Hurd, J. Young 
Scammon, Col. J. F. Farnsworth and others of 
Chicago, whose names have already been men- 
tioned; Rev. Asa Turner, Deacon Ballard. J. K. 
Van Dorn and Erastus Benton, of Quincy and 
Adams County ; President Ruf us Blanchard of 
Knox College, Galesburg ; John Leeper of Bond ; 
the late Prof. J. B. Turner and Elihu Wolcott of 
Jacksonville; Capt. Parker Morse and his four 
sons— Joseph T., Levi P., Parker. Jr., and Mark 
— of Woodford County; Rev. AVilliam Sloane of 
Randolph ; William Strawn of La Salle, besides a 
host who were willing to aid their fellow men in 
their aspirations to freedom, without advertising 
their own exploits. 

Among the incidents of "Underground Rail- 
road" in Illinois is one which had some importance 
politically, having for its climax a dramatic scene 
in Congress, but of which, so far as known, no 
full account has ever been written. About 1855, 
Ephraim Lombard, a Mississippi planter, but a 
New Englander by birth, purchased a large body 
of prairie land in the northeastern part of Stark 
County, and, taking up his residence temporarily 
in the village of Bradford, began its improve- 
ment. He had brought with him from Mississippi 
a negro, gray -haired and bent with age. a slave 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



537 



of probably no great value. "'Old Mose," as he 
was called, soon came to be well known and a 
favorite in the neighborhood. Lombard boldly 
stated that he had brought him there as a slave ; 
that, by virtue of the Dred Scott decision (then 
of recent date), he had a constitutional right to 
take his slaves wherever he pleased, and that 
•'Old Mose" was just as much his property in 
Illinois as in Mississippi. It soon became evident 
to some, that his bringing of the negro to Illinois 
was an experiment to test the law and the feel- 
ings of the Northern people. This being the case, 
a shrewd play would have been to let him have 
his wajr till other slaves should have been 
brought to stock the new plantation But this 
was too slow a process for the abolitionists, to 
whom the holding of a slave in the free State of 
Illinois appeared an unbearable outrage. It was 
feared that he might take the old negro back to 
Mississippi and fail to bring any others. It was 
reported, also, that '"Old Mose" was ill-treated; 
that he was given only the coarsest food in a 
back shed, as if he were a horse or a dog, instead 
of being permitted to eat at table with the family. 
The prairie citizen of that time was very par 
ticular upon this point of etiquette. The hired 
man or woman, debarred from the table of his or 
her employer, would not have remained a day. 
A quiet consultation with "Old Mose" revealed 
the fact that he would hail the gift of freedom 
joyously. Accordingly, one Peter Risedorf, and 
another equally daring, met him by the light of 
the stars and, before morning, he was placed in 
the care of Owen Lovejoy, at Princeton, twenty 
miles away. From there lie was speedily 
"franked" by the member of Congress to friends 
in Canada. 

There was a great commotion in Bradford over 
the "stealing" of "Old Mose." Lombard and his 
friends denounced the act in terms bitter and 
profane, and threatened vengeance upon the per- 
petrators. The conductors were known only to a 
few, and they kept their secret well. Lovejoy's 
part in the affair, however, soon leaked out. 
Lombard returned to Mississippi, where he 
related his experiences to Mr. Singleton, the 
Representative in Congress from his district. 
During the next session of Congress, Singleton 
took occasion, in a speech, to sneer at Lovejoy as a 
"nigger-stealer," citing the case of "Old Mose. " 
Mr. Lovejoy replied in his usual fervid and 
dramatic style, making a speech which ensured 
his election to Congress for life — "Is it desired to 
call attention to this fact of my assisting fugitive 
slaves'?" he said. "Owen Lovejoy lives at Prince- 



ton, 111., three-quarters of a mile east of the 
village, and he aids every slave that comes to his 
door and asks it. Thou invisible Demon of 
Slavery, dost thou think to cross my humble 
threshold and forbid me to give bread to the 
hungry and shelter to the homeless? I bid you 
defiance, in the name of my God!" 
i With another incident of an amusing charac- 
ter this article may be closed: Hon. J. Young 
Scammon, of Chicago, being accused of conniving 
at the escape of a slave from officers of the law, 
was asked by the court what he would do if sum- 
moned as one of a posse to pursue and capture a 
fugitive. "I would eertainly obey the summons," 
he replied, "but — I should probably stub my toe 
and fall down before I reached him." 

Note.— Those who wish to pursue the subject of the 
" Underground Kailroad " in Illinois further, are referred 
to the work of Dr. Siebert, already mentioned, and to the 
various County Histories which have been issued and may 
be found in the public libraries; also for interesting inci- 
dents, to '• Reminiscences of Levi Coffin," Johnson's 
" From Dixie to Canada," Fetit's Sketches, "Still, Under- 
ground Railroad," and a pamphlet of the same title by 
James H. Fairchild, ex-President of Oberlin College. 

UNDERWOOD, William H., lawyer, legislator 
and jurist, was born at Schoharie Court House, 
N. Y., Feb. 21, 1818, and, after admission to the 
bar, removed to Belleville, 111., where he began 
practice in 1840 The following year he was 
elected State's Attorney, and re-elected in 1843. 
In 1846 he was chosen a member of the lower 
house of the General Assembly, and, in 1848-54, 
sat as Judge of the Second Circuit. During this 
period he declined a nomination to Congress, 
although equivalent to an election. In 1856 he 
was elected State Senator, and re-elected in 1860. 
He was a member of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1869-70, and, in 1870, was again elected to 
the Senate, retiring to private life in 1872. Died, 
Sept. 23, 1875. 

UNION COUNTY, one of the fifteen counties 
into which Illinois was divided at the time of its 
admission as a State — having been organized, 
under the Territorial Government, in January, 
1818. It is situated in the southern division of 
the State, bounded on the west by the Mississippi 
River, and has an area of 400 square miles. The 
eastern and interior portions are drained by the 
Cache River and Clear Creek. The western part 
of the county comprises the broad, rich bottom 
lands lying along the Mississippi, but is subject 
to frequent overflow, while the eastern portion is 
hilly, and most of its area originally heavily tim- 
bered. The county is especially rich in minerals. 
Iron-ore, lead, bituminous coal, chalk, alum and 



538 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



potter's clay are found in considerable abun- 
dance. Several lines of railway (the most impor 
tant being the Illinois Central) either cross or 
tap the county. The chief occupation is agri- 
culture, although manufacturing is carried on to 
a limited extent. Fruit is extensively cultivated. 
Jonesboro is the county-seat, and Cobden and 
Anna important shipping stations. The latter is 
the location of the Southern Hospital for the 
Insane. The population of the county, in 1890, 
was 21,529. Being next to St. Clair, Randolph 
and Gallatin, one of the earliest settled counties 
in the State, many prominent men found their 
first home, on coming into the State, at Jones- 
boro, and this region, for a time, exerted a strong 
influence in public affairs. Pop. (1900), 22,610. 

UNION LEAGUE OF AMERICA, a secret polit- 
ical and patriotic order which had its origin 
early in the late Civil War, for the avowed pur- 
pose of sustaining the cause of the Union and 
counteracting the machinations of the secret 
organizations designed to promote the success of 
the Rebellion. The first regular Council of the 
order was organized at Pekin, Tazewell County, 
June 25, 1802, consisting of eleven members, as 
follows: John W. Glasgow, Dr. D. A. Cheever, 
Hart Montgomery, Maj. Richard N. Cullom 
(father of Senator Cullom), Alexander Small, 
Rev. J. W. M. Vernon, George H. Harlow (after- 
ward Secretary of State), Charles Turner, Col. 
Jonathan Merriam, Henry Pratt and L. F. Gar- 
rett. One of the number was a Union refugee 
from Tennessee, who dictated the first oath from 
memory, as administered to members of a some- 
what similar order which had been organized 
among the Unionists of his own State. It sol- 
emnly pledged the taker, (1) to preserve invio- 
late the secrets and business of the order ; (2) to 
"support, maintain, protect and defend the civil 
liberties of the Union of these United States 
against all enemies, either domestic or foreign, 
at all times and under all circumstances," even 
"if necessary, to the sacrifice of life*'; (3) to aid 
in electing only true Union men to offices of 
trust in the town, county, State and General 
Government; (4) to assist, protect and defend 
any member of the order who might be in peril 
from his connection with the order, and (5) to 
obey all laws, rules or regulations of any Council 
to which the taker of the oath might be attached. 
The oath was taken upon the Bible, the Decla- 
ration of Independence and Constitution of the 
United States, the taker pledging his sacred 
honor to its fulfillment. A special reason for the 
organization existed in the activity, about this 



time, of the "Knights of the Golden Circle,'" a 
disloyal organization which had been introduced 
from the South, and which afterwards took the 
name, in the North, of "American Knights" and 
"Sons of Liberty. " (See Secret Treasonable Soci- 
eties.) Three months later, the organization had 
extended to a number of other counties of the 
State and, on the 25th of September following, 
the first State Council met at Bloomington — 
twelve counties being represented — and a State 
organization was effected. At this meeting the 
following general officers were chosen: Grand 
President — Judge Mark Bangs, of Marshall 
County (now of Chicago) ; Grand Vice-President 
— Prof. Daniel Wilkin, of McLean ; Grand Secre- 
tary — George H. Harlow, of Tazewell; Grand 
Treasurer — H. S. Austin, of Peoria, Grand Mar- 
shal— J. R. Gorin, of Macon; Grand Herald — 
A. Gould, of Henry; Grand Sentinel — John E. 
Rosette, of Sangamon. An Executive Committee 
was also appointed, consisting of Joseph Medill 
of "The Chicago Tribune"; Dr. A. J. McFar- 
land, of Morgan County ; J. K. Warren, of Macon ; 
Rev. J. C. Rybolt, of La Salle ; the President, 
Judge Bangs; Enoch Emery, of Peoria; and 
John E. Rosette. Under the direction of this 
Committee, with Mr. Medill as its Chairman, 
the constitution and by-laws were thoroughly 
revised and a new ritual adopted, which materi- 
ally changed the phraseology and removed some 
of the crudities of the original obligation, as well 
as increased the beauty and impressiveness of 
the initiatory ceremonies. New signs, grips and 
pass-words were also adopted, which were finally 
accepted by the various organizations of the 
order throughout the Union, which, by this time, 
included man}- soldiers in the army, as well as 
civilians. The second Grand (or State) Council 
was held at Springfield, January 14, 1863, with 
only seven counties represented. The limited 
representation was discouraging, but the mem- 
bers took heart from the inspiring words of Gov- 
ernor Yates, addressed to a committee of the 
order who waited upon him. At a special ses- 
sion of the Executive Committee, held at Peoria, 
six days later, a vigorous campaign was 
mapped out, under which agents were sent 
into nearly every county in the State. In Oc- 
tober, 1862, the strength of the order in Illi- 
nois was estimated at three to five thousand ; 
a few months later, the number of enrolled 
members had increased to 50,000 — so rapid 
had been the growth of the order. On March 
25, 1863, a Grand Council met in Chicago — 
404 Councils in Illinois being represented, with 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



539 



a number from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wiscon- 
sin, Iowa and Minnesota. At this meeting a 
Committee was appointed to prepare a plan of 
organization for a National Grand Council, which 
was carried out at Cleveland, Ohio, on the 20th 
of May following — the constitution, ritual and 
signs of the Illinois organization being adopted 
■with slight modifications. The lcvised obligation 
— taken upon the Bible, the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence and the Constitution of the United 
States — bound members of the League to "sup- 
port, protect and defend the Government of the 
United States and the flag thereof, against all 
enemies, foreign and domestic," and to" bear true 
faith and allegiance to the same"; to "defend 
the State against invasion or insurrection"; to 
support only "true and reliable men" for offices 
of trust and profit; to protect and defend 
worthy members, and to preserve inviolate the 
secrets of the order. The address to new mem- 
bers was a model of impressiveness and a powerful 
appeal to their patriotism. The organization 
extended rapidly, not only throughout the North- 
west, but in the South also, especially in the 
army. In 18G4 the number of Councils in Illinois 
was estimated at 1,300, with a membership of 
175,000; and it is estimated that the total mem- 
bership, throughout the Union, was 2,000,000. 
The influence of the silent, but zealous and effect- 
ive, operations of the organization, was shown, 
not only in the stimulus given to enlistments and 
support of the war policy of the Government, 
but in the raising of supplies for the sick and 
wounded soldiers in the field. Within a few 
weeks before the fall of Vicksburg, over $25,000 in 
cash, besides large quantities of stores, were sent 
to Col. John Williams (then in charge of the 
Sanitary Bureau at Springfield), as the direct 
result of appeals made through circulars sent out 
by the officers of the "League." Large contri- 
butions of money and supplies also reached the 
sick and wounded in hospital through the medium 
of the Sanitary Commission in Chicago. Zealous 
efforts were made by the opposition to get at the 
secrets of the order, and, in one case, a complete 
copy of the ritual was published by one of their 
organs ; but the effect was so far the reverse of 
what was anticipated, that this line of attack was 
not continued. During the stormy session of the 
Legislature in 1863, the League is said to have 
rendered effective service in protecting Gov- 
ernor Yates from threatened assassination. It 
continued its silent but effective operations until 
the complete overthrow of the rebellion, when it 
ceased to exist as a political organization. 



UNITED STATES SENATORS. The follow- 
ing is a list of United States senators from Illinois, 
from the date of the admission of the State into 
the Union until 1899, with the date and duration 
of the term of each: Ninian Edwards, 1818-24; 
Jesse B. Thomas, Sr., 1818-29; John McLean, 
1824-25 and 1829-30; Elias Kent Kane, 1825-35; 
David Jewett Baker, Nov. 12 to Dec. 11, 1830; 
John M. Robinson, 1830-41; William L. D. Ewing, 
1835-37; Richard M. Young, 1837-43; Samuel Mc- 
Roberts, 1841-43; Sidney Breese, 1843-49; James 
Semple, 1843-47; Stephen A. Douglas, 1847-61; 
James Shields, 1849-55; Lyman Trumbull, 1855-73; 
Orville H. Browning, 1861-63; William A. Rich- 
ardson, 1863-65 ; Richard Yates, 1865-71 ; John A. 
Logan, 1871-77 and 1879-86; Richard J. Oglesby, 
1873-79; David Davis, 1877-83; Shelby M. Cullom, 
first elected in 1883, and re-elected in '89 and '95, 
his third term expiring in 1901 ; Charles B. Far- 
well, 1887-91; John McAuley Palmer, 1891-97; 
William E. Mason, elected in 1897, for the term 
expiring, March 4, 1903. 

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (The New). One 
of the leading educational institutions of the 
country, located at Chicago. It is the outgrowth 
of an attempt, put forth by the American Educa- 
tional Society (organized at Washington in 1888). 
to supply the place which the original institution 
of the same name had been designed to fill. (See 
University of Chicago— Tlie Old.) The following 
year, Mr. John D. Rockefeller of New York ten- 
dered a contribution of $600, 000 toward the endow- 
ment of the enterprise, conditioned upon securing 
additional pledges to the amount of $400,000 by 
June 1, 1890. The offer was accepted, and the 
sum promptly raised. In addition, a site, covering 
four blocks of land in the city of Chicago, was 
secured — two and one-half blocks being acquired 
by purchase for $282,500, and one and one-half 
(valued at $125,000) donate.! by Mr. Marshall 
Field. A charter was secured and an organiza- 
tion effected, Sept. 10, 1890. The Presidency of 
the institution was tendered to, and accepted by, 
Dr. William R. Harper. Since that time the 
University has been the recipient of other gener- 
ous benefactions by Mr. Rockefeller and others, 
until the aggregate donations (1898) exceed $10,- 
000,000. Of this amount over one-half has been 
contributed by Mr. Rockefeller, while he has 
pledged himself to make additional contributions 
of $2,000,000, conditioned upon the raising of a 
like sum, from other donors, by Jan. 1, 1900. The 
buildings erected on the campus, prior to 1890, 
include a chemical laboratory costing $182,000; a 
lecture hall, S1."0,000; a physical laboratory 



540 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXoIS. 



§150,000; a museum, §100,000; an academy dor- 
mitory, 830,000; three dormitories for women, 
§150,000; two dormitories for men, §100,000, to 
which several important additions were made, 
during 1896 and 97. The faculty embraces over 
150 instructors, selected with reference to their 
fitness for their respective departments from 
among the most eminent scholars in America and 
Europe. Women are admitted as students and 
graduated upon an equality with men. The work 
of practical instruction began in October, 1892, 
with. 589 registered students, coming from nearly 
every Northern State, and including 250 gradu- 
ates from other institutions, to which accessions 
were made, during the year, raising the aggregate 
to over 900. The second year the number ex- 
ceeded 1,100; the third, it rose to 1,750, and the 
fourth (1895-96), to some 2,000, including repre- 
sentatives from every State of the Union, besides 
many from foreign countries. Special features 
of the institution include the admission of gradu- 
ates from other institutions to a post-graduate 
course, and the University Extension Division, 
which is conducted largely by means of lecture 
courses, in other cities, or through lecture centers 
in the vicinity of the University, non-resident 
students having the privilege of written exami- 
nations. The various libraries embrace over 
300,000 volumes, of which nearly 60,000 belong 
to what are called the "Departmental Libraries," 
besides a large and valuable collection of maps 
and pamphlets. 

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (The Old), an 
educational institution at Chicago, under the 
care of the Baptist denomination, for some years 
known as the Douglas University. Senator 
Stephen A. Douglas offered, in 1854, to donate ten 
acres of land, in what was then near the southern 
border of the city of Chicago, as a site for an 
institution of learning, provided buildings cost- 
ing 8100,000, be erected thereon within a stipu- 
lated time. The corner-stone of the main building 
was laid, July 4, 1857, but the financial panic of 
that year prevented its completion, and Mr. Doug- 
las extended the time, and finally deeded the 
land to the trustees without reserve. For eighteen 
years the institution led a precarious existence, 
struggling under a heavy debt. By 1885, mort- 
gages to the amount of §320,000 having accumu- 
lated, the trustees abandoned further effort, and 
acquiesced in the sale of the property under fore- 
closure proceedings. The original plan of the 
institution contemplated preparatory and col- 
legiate departments, together with a college of 
law and a theological school. 



UNIVERSITY OF ILIINOIS, the leading edu- 
cational institution under control of the State, 
located at Urbana and adjoining the city of 
Champaign. The Legislature at the session of 1863 
accepted a grant of 480,000 acres of land under 
Act of Congress, approved July 2, 1862, making an 
appropriation of public lands to States — 30,000 
acres for- each Senator and each Representative in 
Congress — establishing colleges for teaching agri- 
culture and the mechanic arts, though not to the 
exclusion of classical and scientific studies. Land- 
scrip under this grant was issued and placed in 
the hands of Governor Yates, and a Board of 
Trustees appointed under the State law was organ- 
ized in March, 1867, the institution being located 
the same year. Departments and courses of study 
were established, and Dr. John M. Gregory, of 
Michigan, was chosen Regent (President). — The 
landscrip issued to Illinois was sold at an early 
day for what it wonld bring in open market, 
except 25,000 acres, which was located in Ne- 
braska and Minnesota. This has recently been 
sold, realizing a larger sum than was received 
for all the scrip otherwise disposed of. The entire 
sum thus secured for permanent endowment ag- 
gregates §613,026. The University revenues were 
further increased by donations from Congress to 
each institution organized under the Act of 1862, 
of 815,000 per annum for the maintenance of an 
Agricultural Experiment Station, and, in 1890, of 
a similar amount for instruction — the latter to be 
increased $1,000 annually until it should reach 
§25 000. — A mechanical building was erected in 
1871, and this is claimed to have been the first of 
its kind iu America intended for strictly educa- 
tional purposes. What was called "the main 
building" was formally opened in December, 
1873. Other buildings embrace a "Science Hall," 
opened in 1892; a new "Engineering Hall, " 1894; 
a fine Library Building, 1897. Eleven other prin- 
cipal structures and a number of smaller ones 
have been erected as conditions -equired. The 
value of property aggregates nearly §2,500,000, and 
appropriations from the State, for all purposes, 
previous to 1904, foot up §5,123,517.90.— Since 
1871 the institution has been open to women. 
The courses of study embrace agriculture, chem- 
istry, polytechnics, military tactics, natural and 
general sciences, languages and literature, eco- 
nomics, household science, trade and commerce. 
The Graduate School dates from 1891. In 1896 
the Chicago College of Pharmacy was connected 
with the University: a College of Law and a 
Library School were opened in 1897, and the same 
year the Chicago College of Physicians and Sur- 




a .2 

a > 

J3 S 

•- a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



541 



geons ivas affiliated as the College of Medicine — a 
School of Dentistry being added to the latter in 
1901. In 1885 the State Laboratory of Natural 
History was transferred from Normal, 111., and an 
Agricultural Experiment Station entablished in 
1S88, from which bulletins are sent to farmers 
throughout the State who may desire them. — The 
first name of the Institution was "Illinois Indus- 
trial University," but, in 18S5, this was changed 
to "University of Illinois." In 1887 the Trustees 
(of whom there are nine) were made elective by 
popular vote — three being elected every two 
years, each holding office six years. Dr. Gregory, 
having resigned the office of Regent in 1880, was 
succeeded by Dr. Selim H. Peabody, who had 
been Professor of Mechanical and Civil Engineer- 
ing. Dr. Peabody resigned in 1891. The duties 
of Regent were then discharged by Prof. Thomas 
J. Burrill until August, 1894, when Dr. Andrew 
Sloan Draper, former State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction of the State of New "York, was 
installed as President, serving until 1904. — The 
corps of instruction (1904) includes over 100 Pro- 
fessors, 60 Associate and Assistant Professors and 
200 Instructors and Assistants, besides special 
lecturers, demonstrators and clerks. The num- 
ber of students has increased rapidly in recent 
years, as shown by the following totals for suc- 
cessive years from 1890-91 to 1903-04, inclusive: 
519; 583; 714; 743; 810; 852; 1,075: 1,582; 1,824; 
2,234; 2,505; 2,932; 3,289; 3,589. Of the last num- 
ber, 2,271 were men and 718 women. During 
1903-04 there were in all departments at Urbana, 
2 5 1 7 students (256 being in the Preparatory Aca- 
demy) ; and in the three Professional Departments 
in Chicago, 1,042, of whom 694 were in the Col- 
lege of Medicine, 185 in the School of Pharmacy, 
and 163 in the School of Dentistry. The Univer- 
sity Library contains 63,700 volumes and 14,500 
pamphlets, not including 5,350 volumes and 
15 850 pamphlets in the State Laboratory of Nat- 
ural History. — The University occupies a con- 
spicuous and attractive site, embracing 220 acres 
adjacent to the line between Uibana. and Cham- 
paign, and near the residence portion of the two 
cities. The athletic field of 11 acres, on which 
stand the gymnasium and armory, is enclosed 
with an ornamental iron fence. The campus, 
otherwise, is an open and beautiful park with 
fine landscape effects. 

UNORGANIZED COUNTIES. In addition to 
the 102 counties into which Illinois is divided, 
acts were passed by the General Assembly, 
at different times, providing for the organiza- 
tion of a number of others, a few of which 



were subsequently organized under different 
names, but the majority of which were never 
organized at all— the proposition for such or- 
ganization being rejected by vote of the people 
within the proposed boundaries, or allowed to 
lapse by non-action. These unorganized coun- 
ties, with the date of the several acts authorizing 
them, nd the territory which they were in- 
tended to include, were as follows: Allen 
County (1841) — comprising portions of Sanga- 
mon, Morgan and Macoupin Counties; Audobon 
(Audubon) County (1843) — from portions of Mont- 
gomery, Fayette and Shelby ; Benton County 
(1843) — from Morgan, Greene and Macoupin; 
Coffee County (1837) — -with substantially the 
same territory now comprised within the bound- 
aries of Stark County, authorized two years 
later; Dane County (1839) — name changed to 
Christian in 1840; Harrison County (1855) — 
from McLean, Champaign and Vermilion, com- 
prising territory since partially incorporated 
in Ford County; Holmes County (1857) — from 
Champaign and Vermilion; Marquette County 
(1843), changed (1847) to Highland — compris- 
ing the northern portion of Adams, (this act 
was accepted, with Columbus as the county- 
seat, but organization finally vacated) ; Michi- 
gan County (1837) — from a part of Cook; Milton 
County (1843) — from the south part of Vermil- 
ion; Okaw County (1841) — comprising substan- 
tially the same territory as Moultrie, organized 
under act of 1843; Oregon County (1851) — from 
parts of Sangamon, Morgan and Macoupin Coun- 
ties, and covering substantially the same terri- 
tory as proposed to be incorporated in Allen 
County ten years earlier. The last act of this 
character was passed in 1867, when an attempt 
was made to organize Lincoln Count}' out o. 
parts of Champaign and Vermilion, but whicu 
failed for want of an affirmative vote. 

UPPER ALTON, a city of Madison County, 
situated on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, about 
1$ miles northeast of Alton— laid out in 1816. It 
has several churches, and is the seat of Shurtleff 
College and the Western Military Academy, the 
former founded about 1831, and controlled by the 
Baptist denomination. Beds of excellent clay are 
found in the vicinity and utilized in pottery 
manufacture. Pop. (1890), 1,803; (1900), 2,373. 

UPTON, George Putnam, journalist, was born 
at Roxbury, Mass., Oct. 25, 1834; graduated from 
Brown University in 1854, removed to Chicago 
in 1S55, and began newspaper work on "The 
Native American," the following year taking 
the place of city editor of "The Evening Jour- 



542 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



nal." In 1862, Mr. Upton became musical critic 
on "The Chicago Tribune," serving for a time 
also as its war correspondent in the field, later 
(about 1881) taking a place on the general edi- 
torial staff, which he still retains. He is regarded 
as an authority on musical and dramatic topics. 
Mr. Upton is also a stockholder in, and, for sev- 
eral years, has been Vice-President of the "Trib- 
une"' Company. Besides numerous contributions 
to magazines, his works include: "Letters of 
Peregrine Pickle" (1869) ; "Memories, a Story of 
German Love," translated from the German of 
Max Muller (1879) ; "Woman in Music" (1880) ; 
"Lives of German Composers" (3 vols. — 1883-84); 
besides four volumes of standard operas, oratorios, 
cantatas, and symphonies (1885-88). 

URBANA, a flourishing city, the county-seat 
of Champaign County, on the "Big Four," the 
Illinois Central and the Wabash Railways: 130 
miles south of Chicago and 31 miles west of Dan- 
ville; in agricultural and coal-mining region. 
The mechanical industries include extensive rail- 
road shops, manufacture of brick, suspenders and 
lawn-mowers. The Cunningham Deaconesses' 
Home and Orphanage is located here. The city 
has water-works, gas and electric light plants, 
electric car-lines (local and interurban), superior 
schools, nine churches, three banks and three 
newspapers. Urbana is the seat of the University 
of Illinois. Pop. (1890), 3,511; (1900), 5,728. 

USREY, William J., editor and soldier, was 
born at Washington (near Natchez), Miss., May 
16, 1827; was educated at Natchez, and, before 
reaching manhood, came to Macon County, 111., 
where he engaged in teaching until 1846, when 
he enlisted as a private in Company C, Fourth 
Illinois Volunteers, for the Mexican War. In 
1855, he joined with a Mr. Wingate in the estab- 
lishment, at Decatur, of "The Illinois State Chron- 
icle," of which he soon after took sole charge, 
conducting the paper until 1861, when he enlisted 
in the Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteers and was 
appointed Adjutant. Although born and edu- 
cated in a slave State, Mr. Usrey was an earnest 
opponent of slavery, as proved by the attitude of 
his paper in opposition to the Kansas- Nebraska 
Bill. He was one of the most zealous endorsers 
of the proposition for a conference of the Anti- 
Nebraska editors of the State of Illinois, to agree 
upon a line of policy in opposition to the further 
extension of slavery, and, when that body met at 
Decatur, on Feb. 22, 1856, he served as its Secre- 
tary, thus taking a prominent part in the initial 
steps which resulted in the organization of the 
Republican party in Illinois. (See Anti-Nebraska 



Editorial Convention.) After returning from 
the war he resumed his place as editor of "The 
Chronicle," but finally retired from newspaper 
work in 1871. He was twice Postmaster of the 
city of Decatur, first previous to 1850, and again 
under the administration of President Grant; 
served also as a member of the City Council and 
was a member of the local Post of the G. A R., 
and Secretary of the Macon County Association 
of Mexican War Veterans. Died, at Decatur, 
Jan. 20, 1894. 

UTICA, (also called North Utica), a village of 
La Salle County, on the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
Railway, 10 miles west of Ottawa, situated on the 
Illinois River opposite "Starved Rock," also 
believed to stand on the site of the Kaskaskia 
village found by the French Explorer, La Salle, 
when he first visited Illinois. "Utica cement" is 
produced here ; it also has several factories or 
mills, besides banks and a weekly paper. Popu- 
lation (1880), 767; (1890), 1,094; (1900), 1,150. 

VAN ARNAM, John, lawyer and soldier, was 
born at Plattsburg, N. Y., March 3, 1820. Hav- 
ing lost his father at five years of age, he went to 
live with a farmer, but ran away in his boyhood; 
later, began teaching, studied law, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in New York City, beginning 
practice at Marshall, Mich. In 1858 he removed 
to Chicago, and, as a member of the firm of 
Walker, Van Arnam & Dexter, became promi- 
nent as a criminal lawyer and railroad attorney, 
being for a time Solicitor of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy Railroad. In 1862 he assisted in 
organizing the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was commissioned 
its Colonel, but was compelled to resign on 
account of illness. After spending some time in 
California, he resumed practice in Chicago in 
1865. His later years were spent in California, 
dying at San Diego, in that State, April 6, 1890. 

YANDALIA, the principal city and county-seat 
of Fayette County. It is situated on the Kas- 
kaskia River, 30 miles north of Centralia, 62 
miles south by west of Decatur, and 68 miles 
east-northeast of St. Louis. It is an intersecting 
point for the Illinois Central and the St. Louis, 
Vandalia and Terre Haute Railroads. It was the 
capital of the State from 1820 to 1839, the seat of 
government being removed to Springfield, the 
latter year, in accordance with act of the General 
Assembly passed at the session of 1837. It con- 
tains a court house (old State Capitol building), 
six churches, two banks, three weekly papers, a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



543 



graded school, flour, saw and paper mills, foundry, 
stave and heading mill, carriage and wagon 
and brick works. Pop. (1890), 2,144; (1900), 2 665. 

VANDEVEER, Horatio M., pioneer lawyer, 
was born in Washington County, Ind., March 1, 
1816 ; came with his family to Illinois at an ^arly 
age, settling on Clear Creek, now in Christian 
County; taught school and studied law, using 
books borrowed from the late Hon. John T. Stuart 
of Springfield ; was elected first County Recorder 
of Christian County and, soon after, appointed 
Circuit Clerk, filling both offices three years. 
He also held the office of County Judge from 1848 
to 1857 ; was twice chosen Representative in the 
General Assembly (1842 and 1850) and once to the 
State Senate (1862); in 1846, enlisted and was 
chosen Captain of a company for the Mexican 
War, but, having been rejected on account of the 
quota being full, was appointed Assistant-Quarter- 
master, in this capacity serving on the staff of 
General Taylor at the battle of Buena Vista. 
Among other offices held by Mr. Vandeveer, were 
those of Postmaster of Taylorville, Master in 
Chancery, Presidential Elector (1848), Delegate 
to the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and 
Judge of the Circuit Court (1870-79). In 1868 
Judge Vandeveer established the private banking 
firm of H. M. Vandeveer & Co., at Taylorville, 
which, in conjunction with his sons, he continued 
successfully during the remainder of his life. 
Died, March 12, 1894. 

VAN HORNE, William C, Railway Manager 
and President, was born in Will County, 111., 
February, 1843 ; began his career as a telegraph 
operator on the Illinois Central Railroad in 1856, 
was attached to the Michigan Central and Chi- 
cago & Alton Railroads (1858-72), later being 
General Manager or General Superintendent of 
various other lines (1872-79). He next served as 
General Superintendent of the Chicago, Milwau- 
kee & St. Paul, but soon after became General 
Manager of the Canadian Pacific, which he 
assisted to construct to the Pacific Coast; was 
elected Vice-President of the line in 1884, and its 
President in 1888. His services have been recog- 
nized by conferring upon him the order of 
knighthood by the British Government. 

VASSEUR, Noel C, pioneer Indian-trader, was 
born of French parentage in Canada, Dec. 25, 
1799; at the age of 17 made a trip with a trading 
party to the West, crossing "Wisconsin by way of 
the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, the route pursued 
by Joliet and Marquette in 1673 ; later, was associ- 
ated with Gurdon S. Hubbard in the service of 
the American Fur Company, in 1820 visiting the 



region now embraced in Iroquois County, where 
he and Hubbard subsequently established a trad- 
ing post among the Pottawatomie Indians, 
believed to have been the site of the present town 
of Iroquois. The way of reaching their station 
from Chicago was by the Chicago and Des 
Plaines Rivers to the Kankakee, and ascending 
the latter and the Iroquois. Here Vasseur re- 
mained in trade until the removal of the Indians 
west of the Mississippi, in which he served as 
agent of the Government. While in the Iroquois 
region he married Watseka, a somewhat famous 
Pottawatomie woman, for whom the town of 
Watseka was named, and who had previously 
been the Indian wife of a fellow-trader. His 
later years were spent at Bourbonnais Grove, in 
Kankakee County, where he died, Dec. 12, 1879. 

VENICE, a city of Madison County, on the 
Mississippi River opposite St. Louis and 2 miles 
north of East St. Louis; is touched by six trunk 
lines of railroad, and at the eastern approach to 
the new ''Merchants' Bridge," with its round- 
house, has two ferries to St. Louis, street car line, 
electric lights, water-works, some manufactures 
and a newspaper. Pop. (1890), 932; (1900). 2,450. 

VENICE & "CARONDELET RAILROAD. (See 
Louisville, Evamsville & St. Louis (Consolidated) 
Railroad. ) 

VERMILION COUNTY, an eastern county, 
bordering on the Indiana State line, and drained 
by the Vermilion and Little Vermilion Rivers, 
from which it takes its name. It was originally 
organized in 1826, when it extended north to 
Lake Michigan. Its present area is 926 square 
miles. The discovery of salt springs, in 1819, 
aided in attracting immigration to this region, 
but the manufacture of salt was abandoned 
many years ago. Early settlers were Sej-mour 
Treat, James Butler, Henry Johnston, Harvey 
Lidington, Gurdon S. Hubbard and Daniel W. 
Beckwith. James Butler and Achilles Morgan 
were the first County Commissioners. Many 
interesting fossil remains have been found, 
among them the skeleton of a mastodon (1868). 
Fire clay is found in large quantities, and two 
coal seams cross the county. The surface is level 
and the soil fertile. Corn is the chief agricultural 
product, although oats, wheat, rye. and potatoes 
are extensively cultivated. Stock-raising and 
wool-growing are important industries. There 
are also several manufactories, chiefly at Dan- 
ville, which is the county-seat. Coal mining 
is carried on extensively, especially in the vicin- 
ity of Danville. Population (1880), 41,588; (1890), 
49,905; (1900), 65,635. 



544 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



YERMILION RIVER, a tributary of the Illi- 
nois; rises in Ford and the northern part of 
McLean County, and, running northwestward 
through Livingston and the southern part of 
La Salle Counties, enters the Illinois River 
nearly opposite the city of La Salle : has a length 
of about 80 miles. 

VERMILIOX RIVER, an affluent of the Wa- 
bash, formed by the union of the North. Middle 
and South Forks, which rise in Illinois, and 
come together near Danv : lle in this State. It 
flows southeastward, and enters the Wabash in 
Vermilion County, Ind. The main stream is 
about 28 miles long. The South Fork, however, 
which rises in Champaign County and runs east- 
ward, has a length of nearly 75 miles. The 
Little Vermilion River enters the Wabash about 
7 or 8 miles below the Vermilion, which is some- 
times called the Big Vermilion, by way of 
distinction. 

VERMONT, a village in Fulton County, at 
junction of Galesburg and St. Louis Division of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. 24 
miles north of Beardstown; has a carriage manu- 
factory flour and saw-mills, brick and tile works, 
electric light plant, besides two banks, four 
churches, two graded schools, and one weekly 
newspaper. An artesian well lias been sunk here 
to the depth of 2 600 feet Pop. (1900), 1,195. 

VERSAILLES, a town of Brown County, on 
the Wabash Railway. 48 miles east of Quincy; is 
in a timber and agricultural district; has a bank 
and weekly newspaper. Population (1900), 524. 

VIENNA, the county-seat of Johnson County, 
situated on the Cairo and Vincennes branch of 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railroad," 36 miles north-northwest of Cairo. It 
has a court house, several churches, a graded 
school, banks and two weekly newspapers. 
Population (1880). 494; (1890). 828; (1900), 1.217. 

VIGO, Francois, pioneer and early Indian- 
trader, was born at Mondovi, Sardinia (Western 
Italy), in 1747, served as a private soldier, first at 
Havana and afterwards at New Orleans. When 
he left the Spanish army he came to St. Louis, 
then the military headquarters of Spain for Upper 
Louisiana, where he became a partner of Com- 
mandant de Leba, aiid was extensively engaged 
in the fur-trade among the Indians on the Ohio 
and Mississippi Rivers. On the occupation of 
Kaskaskia by Col. George Rogers Clark in 1778, 
he rendered valuable aid to the Americans, turn- 
ing out supplies to feed Clark's destitute soldiers, 
and accepting Virginia Continental money, at 
par, in payment, incurring liabilities in excess of 



820,000. This, followed by the confiscation policy 
of the British Colonel Hamilton, at Vincennes, 
where Vigo had considerable property, reduced 
him to extreme penury. H. W. Beckwith says 
that, towards the close of his life, he lived on his 
littlQ homestead near Vincennes, in great poverty 
but cheerful to the last He was never recom- 
pensed during his life for his sacrifices in behalf 
of the American cause, though a tardy restitution 
was attempted, after his death, by the United 
States Government, for the benefit of his heirs. 
He died, at a ripe old age, at Vincennes, Ind., 
March 22, 1835. 

VILLA RIDGE, a village of Pulaski County, 
on the Illinois Central Railway, 10 miles north of 
Cairo. Population, 500. 

VINCENNES, Jean Baptiste Bissot, a Canadian 
explorer, born at Quebec, January, 1688, of aris- 
tocratic and wealthy ancestry. He was closely 
connected with Louis Joliet — probably his 
brother-in-law, although some historians say that 
he was the latter's nephew. He entered the 
Canadian army as ensign in 1701, and had a long 
and varied experience as an Indian fighter. 
About 1725 he took up his residence on what is 
now the site of the present city of Vincennes, 
Ind., which is named in his honor. Here he 
erected an earth fort and established a trading- 
post. In 1726, under orders, he cooperated with 
D'Artaguiette (then the French Governor of Illi- 
nois) in an expedition against the Chickasaws. 
The expedition resulted disastrously. Vincennes 
and D'Artaguiette were captured and burned 
at the stake, together with Father Senat (a 
Jesuit priest) and others of the command. 
(See also D'Artaguiette; French Governors of 
Illinois.) 

VIRDEN, a city of Macoupin County, on the 
Chicago & Alton and the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroads, 21 miles south by west from 
Springfield, and 31 miles east-southeast of Jack- 
sonville. It has five churches, two banks, two 
newspapers, telephone service, electric lights, 
grain elevators, machine shop, and extensive coal 
mines. Pop (1900),2,280;(schoolcensusl903),3,651. 

VIRGINIA, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Cass County, situated at the intersection of 
the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis, with the Spring- 
field Division of the Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western Railroad, 15 miles north of Jacksonville, 
and 33 miles west-northwest of Springfield. It 
lies in the heart of a rich agricultural region. 
There is a flouring mill here, besides manu- 
factories of wagons and cigars. The city has two 
National and one State bank, five churches, a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



545 



high school, and two weekly papers. Pop (1890), 
1.602; (1900), 1,600. 

VOCKE, William, lawyer, was born at Min- 
den, Westphalia (Germany), in 1839, the son of a 
Government Secretary in the Prussian service. 
Having lost his father at an early age, he emi- 
grated to America in 1856, and, after a short 
stay in New York, came to Chicago, where he 
found employment as a paper-carrier for "The 
Staats-Zeitung, " meanwhile giving his attention 
to the study of law. Later, he became associated 
with a real-estate firm ; on the commencement 
of the Civil War, enlisted as a private in a 
three months' regiment, and, finally, in the 
Twenty -fourth Illinois (the first Hecker regi- 
ment), in which he rose to the rank of Captain. 
Returning from the army, he was employed as 
city editor of "The Staats-Zeitung," but, in 
1865, became Clerk of the Chicago Police Court, 
serving until 1869. Meanwhile he had been 
admitted to the bar, and, on retirement from 
office, began practice, but, in 1870, was elected 
Representative in the Twenty-seventh General 
Assembly, in which he bore a leading part in 
framing "the burnt record act" made necessary 
by the fire of 1871. He has since been engaged 
in the practice of his profession, having been, 
for a number of years, attorney for the German 
Consulate at Chicago, also serving, for several 
years, on the Chicago Board of Education. Mr. 
Vocke is a man of high literary tastes, as shown 
by his publication, in 1869, of a volume of poems 
translated from the German, which has been 
highly commended, besides a legal work on 
"The Administration of Justice in the United 
States, and a Synopsis of the Mode of Procedure 
in our Federal and State Courts and All Federal 
and State Laws relating to Subjects of Interest 
to Aliens," which has been published in the Ger- 
man Language, and is highly valued by German 
lawyers and business men. Mr. Vocke was a 
member of the Republican National Convention 
of 1872 at Philadelphia, which nominated General 
Grant for the Presidency a second time. 

VOLK, Leonard Wells, a distinguished Illinois 
sculptor, born at Wellstown (afterwards Wells), 
N. Y., Nov. 7, 1828. Later, his father, who was 
a marble cutter, removed to Pittsfield, Mass., 
and, at the age of 16, Leonard began work in his 
shop. In 1848 he came west and began model- 
ing in clay and drawing at St. Louis, being only 
self-taught. He married a cousin of Stephen A. 
Douglas, and the latter, in 1855, aided him in 
the prosecution of his art studies in Italy. Two 
years afterward he settled in Chicago, where he 



modeled the first portrait bust ever made in the 
city, having for his subject his first patron — the 
"Little Giant." The next year (1858) he made a 
life size marble statue of Douglas. In I860 he 
made a portrait bust of Ateaham Lincoln, which 
passed into the possession of the Chicago His- 
torical Society and was destroyed in the great fire 
of 1871. In 1868-69, and again in 1871-72, he 
revisited Italy for purposes of study. In 1867 he 
was elected academician of the Chicago Academy, 
and was its President for eight years. He was 
genial, companionable and charitable, and always 
ready to assist his younger and less fortunate pro- 
fessional brethren. His best known works are the 
Douglas Monument, in Chicago, several soldiers' 
monuments in different parts of the country, 
the statuary for the Henry Keep mausoleum at 
Watertown, N. Y., life-size statues of Lincoln 
and Douglas, in the State House at Springfield, 
and numerous portrait busts of men eminent 
in political, ecclesiastical and commercial life. 
Died, at Osceola, Wis., August 18, 1895. 

YOSS, Arno, journalist, lawyer and soldier, 
born in Prussia; April 16, 1821 ; emigrated to the 
United States and was admitted to the bar in 
Chicago, in 1848, the same year becoming editor 
of "The Staats-Zeitung"; was elected City 
Attorney in 1852, and again in 1853; in 1861 
became Major of the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, but 
afterwards assisted in organizing the Twelfth 
Cavalry, of which he was commissioned Colonel, 
still later serving with his command in Vir- 
ginia. He was at Harper's Ferry at the time of 
the capture of that place in September, 1862, but 
succeeded in cutting his way, with his command, 
through the rebel lines, escaping into Pennsyl- 
vania. Compelled by ill-health to leave the serv- 
ice in 1863, he retired to a farm in Will County, 
but, in 1869, returned to Chicago, where he served 
as Master in Chancery and was elected to the 
lower branch of the General Assembly in 1876, 
but declined a re-election in 1878. Died, in Chi- 
cago, March 23, 1888. 

WABASH, CHESTER & WESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD, a railway running from Chester to Mount 
Vernon, 111., 63.33 miles, with a branch extend- 
ing from Chester to Menard. 1.5 miles; total 
mileage, 64.83. It is of standard gauge, and 
almost entirely laid with 60-pound steel rails. — 
(History.) It was organized, Feb. 20, 1878, as 
successor to the Iron Mountain, Chester & East- 
ern Railroad. During the fiscal year 1893-94 the 
Company purchased the Tamaroa & Mount Ver- 
non Railroad, extending from Mount Vernon to 



546 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Tamaroa, 22.5 miles. Capital stock (1898), 81,- 
250,000; bonded indebtedness, $690,000; total 
capitalization, $2,028,573. 

WABASH COUNTY, situated in the southeast 
corner of the State ; area 220 square miles. The 
county was carved out from Edwards in 1824, 
and the first court house built at Centerville, in 
May, 1826. Later, Mount Carmel was made the 
county-seat. (See Mount Carmel.) The Wabash 
River drains the county on the east; other 
streams are the Bon Pas, Coffee and Crawfish 
Creeks. The surface is undulating with a fair 
growth of timber. The chief industries are the 
raising of live-stock and the cultivation of cere- 
als. The wool-crop is likewise valuable. The 
county is crossed by the Louisville, Evansville & 
St. Louis and the Cairo and Vincennes Division 
of the Cleveland. Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railroads. Population (1880), 4,945; (1890), 
11,806; (1900), 12.5S3. 

WABASH RAILROAD, an extensive railroad 
system connecting the cities of Detroit and 
Toledo, on the east, with Kansas City and Council 
Bluffs, on the west, with branches to Chicago, St. 
Louis, Quincy and Altamont, III., and to Keokuk 
and Des Moines, Iowa. The total mileage (1898) 
is 1,874.96 miles, of which 677.4 miles are in Illi- 
nois — all of the latter being the property of the 
company, besides 176.7 miles of yard-tracks, sid- 
ings and spurs. The company has trackage 
privileges over the Toledo, Peoria & Western (6.5 
miles) between Elvaston and Keokuk bridge, and 
over the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (21.8 
miles) between Camp Point and Quincy. — (Ilis- 
TORY.) A considerable portion of this road in 
Illinois is constructed on the line upon which the 
Northern Cross Railroad was projected, in the 
"internal improvement" scheme adopted in 1837, 
and embraces the only section of road completed 
under that scheme — that between the Illinois 
River and Springfield. (1) The construction of 
this section was begun by the State, May 11, 
1837, the first rail laid, May 9, 1838, the road 
completed to Jacksonville, Jan. 1, 1840, and to 
Springfield, May 13, 1842. It was operated for a 
time by "mule power," but the income was in- 
sufficient to keep the line in repair and it was 
finally abandoned. In 1847 the line was sold for 
821,100 toX. H. Ridgelyand Thomas Mather of 
Springfield, and by them transferred to New 
York capitalists, who organized the Sangamon & 
Morgan Railroad Company, reconstructed the 
road from Springfield to Naples and opened it for 
business in 1849. (2) In 1S53 two corporations 
were organized in Ohio and Indiana, respectively. 



under the name of the Toledo & Illinois Railroad 
and the Lake Erie, Wabash & St. Louis Railroad, 
which were consolidated as the Toledo, Wabash 
& Western Railroad, June 25, 1856. In 1858 
these lines were sold separately under foreclo- 
sure, and finally reorganized, under a special char- 
ter granted by the Illinois Legislature, under the 
name of the Great Western Railroad Company. 
(3) The Quincy & Toledo Railroad, extending 
from Camp Point to the Illinois River opposite 
Meredosia, was constructed in 1858-59, and that, 
with the Illinois & Southern Iowa (from Clay- 
ton to Keokuk), was united, July 1, 1865, with 
the eastern divisions extending to Toledo, the 
new organization taking the name of the main 
line, (Toledo, Wabash & Western). (4) The 
Hannibal & Naples Division (49.6 miles), from 
Bluffs to Hannibal, Mo., was chartered in 1863, 
opened for business in 1870 and leased to the 
Toledo, Wabash & Western. The latter defaulted 
on its interest in 1875, was placed in the hands 
of a receiver and, in 1877, was turned over to a 
new company under the name of the Wabash 
Railway Company. (5) In 1868 the company, 
as it then existed, promoted and secured the con- 
struction, and afterwards acquired the owner- 
ship, of a line extending from Decatur to East St. 
Louis (110.5 miles) under the name of the Deca- 
tur & East St. Louis Railroad. (6) The Eel River 
Railroad, from Butler to Logansport, Ind., was 
acquired in 1877, and afterwards extended to 
Detroit under the name of the Detroit, Butler & 
St. Louis Railroad, completing the connection 
from Logansport to Detroit. — In November, 1879, 
the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Com- 
pany was organized, took the property and con- 
solidated it with certain lines west of the 
Mississippi, of which the chief was the St. Louis, 
Kansas City & Northern. A line had been pro- 
jected from Decatur to Chicago as early as 1870, 
but, not having been constructed in 1881, the 
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific purchased what was 
known as the Chicago & Prducah Railroad, 
uniting with the main line at Bement, and (by 
way of the Decatur and St. Louis Division) giv- 
ing a direct line between Chicago and St. Louis. 
At this time the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific wai 
operating the following additional leased lines: 
Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur (67.2 miles); Hannibal 
& Central Missouri (70.2 miles); Lafayette, Mun- 
cie & Bloomington (36.7 miles), and the Lafayette 
Bloomington & Muncie (80 miles). A connection 
between Chicago on the west and Toledo and 
Detroit on the east was established over the 
Grand Trunk road in 1882, but. in 1890, the com- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



547 



pany constructed a line from Montpelier, Ohio, to 
Clark, Ind. (149.7 miles), thence by track lease 
to Chicago (17.5 miles), giving an independent 
line between Chicago and Detroit by what is 
known to investors as the Detroit & Chicago 
Division. 

The total mileage of the Wabash, St. Louis & 
Pacific system, in 1884, amounted to over 3,600 
miles ; but, in May of that year, default having 
been made in the payment of interest, the work 
of disintegration began. The main line east of 
the Mississippi and that on the west were sepa- 
rated, the latter taking the name of the "Wabash 
Western." The Eastern Division was placed in 
the hands of a receiver, so remaining until May, 
1889, when the two divisions, having been 
bought in by a purchasing committee, were 
consolidated under the present name. The total 
earnings and income of the road in Illinois, for 
the fiscal year 1898, were $4,402,621, and the 
expenses $4,836,110. The total capital invested 
(1898) was $139,889,643, including capital stock 
of $52,000,000 and bonds to the amount of $81,- 
534,000. 

WABASH RIVER, rises in northwestern Ohio, 
passes into Indiana, and runs northwest to Hun- 
tington. It then flows nearly due west to Logans- 
port, thence southwest to Covington, finally 
turning southward to Terre Haute, a few miles 
below which it strikes the western boundary of 
Indiana. It forms the boundary between Illinois 
and Indiana (taking into account its numerous 
windings) for some 200 miles. Below Vincennes 
it runs in a south-southwesterly direction, and 
enters the Ohio at the southwest extremity of 
Indiana, near latitude 37° 49' north. Its length 
is estimated at 557 miles. 

WABASH & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD. 
(See Illinois Central Railroad.) 

WABASH, ST. LOUIS & PACIFIC RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Wabash Railroad.) 

WABASH & WESTERN RAILROAD. (See 
Wabash Railroad.) 

WAIT, William Smith, pioneer, and original 
suggestor of the Illinois Central Railroad, was 
born in Portland, Maine, March 5, 1789, and edu- 
cated in the public schools of his native place. 
In his youth he entered a book-publishing house 
in which his father was a partner, and was for a 
time associated with the publication of a weekly 
paper. Later the business was .conducted at 
Boston, and extended over the Eastern, Middle, 
and Southern States, the subject of this sketch 
making extensive tours in the interest of the 
firm. In 1817 he made a tour to the West, 



reaching St. Louis, and, early in the following 
year, visited Bond County, 111., where he made 
his first entry of land from the Government. 
Returning to Boston a few months later, he con- 
tinued in the service of the publishing firm until 

1820, when he again came to Illinois, and, in 

1821, began farming in Ripley Township, Bond 
County. Returning East in 1824, he spent the 
next ten years in the employment of the publish- 
ing firm, with occasional visits to Illinois. In 
1835 he located permanently near Greenville, 
Bond County, and engaged extensively in farm- 
ing and fruit-raising, planting one of the largest 
apple orchards in the State at that early day. In 
1845 he presided as chairman over the National 
Industrial Convention in New York, and, in 
1848, was nominated as the candidate of the 
National Reform Association for Vice-President 
on the ticket with Gerrit Smith of New York, 
but declined. He was also prominent in County 
and State Agricultural Societies. Mr Wait has 
been credited with being one of the first (if not 
the very first) to suggest the construction of the 
Illinois Central Railroad, which he did as early 
as 1835; was also one of the prime movers in the 
construction of the Mississippi & Atlantic Rail- 
road — now the "Vandalia Line" — giving much 
time to the latter enterprise from 1846 for many 
years, and was one of the original incorporators 
of the St. Louis & Illinois Bridge Company. 
Died, July 17, 1865. 

WALKER, Cyrus, pioneer, lawyer, born in 
Rockbridge County, Va., May 14, 1791; was taken 
while an infant to Adair County, Ky., and came 
to Macomb, 111., in 1833, being the second lawyer 
to locate in McDonough County. He had a wide 
reputation as a successful advocate, especially in 
criminal cases, and practiced extensively in the 
courts of Western Illinois and also in Iowa. Died, 
Dec. 1, 1875. Mr. Walker was uncle of the late 
Pinkney H. Walker of the Supreme Court, who 
studied law with him. He was Whig candidate 
for Presidential Elector for the State-at-large in 
1840. 

WALKER, James Barr, clergyman, was born 
in Philadelphia, July 29, 1805; in his youth 
served as errand-boy in a country store near 
Pittsburg and spent four years in a printing 
office ; then became clerk in the office of Mordecai 
M. Noah, in New York, studied law and gradu- 
ated from Western Reserve College, Ohio ; edited 
various religious papers, including "The Watch- 
man of the Prairies" (now "The Advance") of 
Chicago, was licensed to preach by the Presbytery 
of Chicago, and for some time was lecturer on 



648 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



'"Harmony between Science and Revealed Reli 
gion" at Oberlin College and Chicago Theological 
Seminary. He was author of several volumes, 
one of which — "The Philosophy of the Plan of 
Salvation,'" published anonymously under the 
editorship of Prof. Calvin E. Stowe (1855) — ran 
through several editions and was translated into 
five different languages, including Hindustanee. 
Died, at Wheaton, 111., March 6, 1887. 

WALKER, James Monroe, corporation lawyer 
and Railway President, was born at Claremont, 
N. H., Feb. 14, 1820. At fifteen he removed with 
his parents to a farm in Michigan ; was educated 
at Oberlin, Ohio, and at the University of Michi- 
gan, Ann Arbor, graduating from the latter in 
1849. He then entered a law office as clerk and 
student, was admitted to the bar the next year, 
and soon after elected Prosecuting Attorney of 
Washtenaw Count}' ; was also local attorney for 
the Michigan Central Railway, for which, after 
his removal to Chicago in 1853, he became Gen- 
eral Solicitor. Two years later the firm of Sedg- 
wick & Walker, which had been organized in 
Michigan, became attorneys for the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and, until his 
death, Mr. Walker was associated with this com- 
pany, either as General Solicitor, General Counsel 
or President, filling the latter position from 1870 
to 1875. Mr. Walker organized both the Chicago 
and Kansas City stock-yards, and was President 
of these corporations, as also of the Wilmington 
Coal Company, down to the time of his death, 
which occurred on Jan. 22, 1881, as a result of 
heart disease. 

WALKER, (Rev.) Jesse, Methodist Episcopal 
missionary, was born in Rockingham County, 
Va., June 9, 1766; in 180J removed to Tennessee, 
became a traveling preacher in 1802, and, in 
1800, came to Illinois under the presiding-elder- 
ship of Rev. William McKendree (afterwards 
Bishop), locating first at Turkey Hill, St. Clair 
County. In 1807 he held a camp meeting near 
Edwardsville — the first on Illinois soil. Later, 
he transferred his labors to Northern Illinois; 
was at Peoria in 1824; at Ottawa in 1825, and 
devoted much time to missionary work among 
the Pottawatomies, maintaining a school among 
them for a time. He visited Chicago in 1826, and 
there is evidence that he was a prominent resident 
there for several years, occupying a log house, 
which he used as a church and living-room, on 
'Wolf Point" at the junction of the North and 
South Branches of the Chicago River. While 
acting as superintendent of the Fox River mis- 
sion, his residence appears to have been at Plain- 



field, in the northern part of Will County. Died, 
Oct. 5, 1835. 

WALKER, Pinkney H., lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Adair County, Ky., June 18, 1815. 
His boyhood was chiefly passed in farm work and 
as clerk in a general store ; in 1834 he came to Illi- 
nois, settling at Rushville, where he worked in a 
store for four years. In 1838 he removed to 
Macomb, where he began attendance at an acad- 
emy and the study of law with his uncle, Cyrus 
Walker, a leading lawyer of his time. He was 
admitted to the bar in 1839, practicing at Macomb 
until 1848, when he returned to Rushville. In 
1853 he was elected Judge of the Fifth Judicial 
Circuit, to fill a vacancy, and re-elected in 1855. 
This position he resigned in 1858, having been 
appointed, by Governor Bissell, to fill the vacancy 
on the bench of the Supreme Court occasioned by 
the resignation of Judge Skinner. Two months 
later be was elected to the same position, and 
re-elected in 1867 and "76. He presided as Chief 
Justice from January, 1864, to June, '67, and 
again from June, 1874, to June, '75. Before the 
expiration of his last term he died, Feb. 7, 1885. 

WALL, George Willard, lawyer, politician and 
Judge, was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, April 22, 
1839; brought to Perry County, 111., in infancy, 
and received his preparatory education at McKen. 
dree College, finally graduating from the Uni- 
versity of Michigan in 1858, and from the 
Cincinnati Law School in 1859, when he began 
practice at Duquoin, 111. He was a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and, from 
1864 to '68, served as State's Attorney for the 
Third Judicial District ; was also a Delegate to the 
State Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. In 
1872 he was an unsuccessful Democratic candi- 
date for Congress, although running ahead of his 
ticket. In 1877 he was elected to the bench of 
the Third Circuit, and re-elected in '79, '85 and 
'91, much of the time since 1877 being on duty 
upon the Appellate bench. His home is at 
Duquoin. 

WALLACE, (Rev.) Peter, D.D., clergyman 
and soldier; was born in Mason County, Ky., 
April 11 1813; taken in infancy to Brown 
County, Ohio, where he grew up on a farm until 
15 years of age, when he was apprenticed to a 
carpenter; at the age of 20 came to Illinois, 
where he became a contractor and builder, fol- 
lowing this occupation for a number of years. He 
was converted in 1835 at Springfield, 111., and, 
some years later, having decided to enter the 
ministry, was admitted to the Illinois Conference 
as a deacon by Bishop E. S. Janes in 1855. and 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



549 



placed in charge of the Danville Circuit. Two 
years later lie was ordained by Bishop Scott, and, 
in the next few years, held pastorates at various 
places in the central and eastern parts of the 
State. From 1867 to 1874 he was Presiding Elder 
of the Mattoon and Quincy Districts, and, for six 
years, held the position of President of the Board 
of Trustees of Chaddock College at Quincy, from 
which he received the degree of D.D. in 1881. 
In the second year of the Civil War he raised a 
company in Sangamon County, was chosen 
its Captain and assigned to the Seventy-third 
Illinois Volunteers, known as the "preachers' 
regiment" — all of its officers being ministers. In 
1864 he was compelled by ill-health to resign his 
commission. While pastor of the church at Say- 
brook, 111. , he was offered the position of Post- 
master of that place, which he decided to accept, 
and was allowed to retire from the active minis- 
try. On retirement from office, in 1884, he 
removed to Chicago. In 1889 he was appointed 
by Governor Fifer the first Chaplain of the Sol- 
diers' and Sailors' Home at Quincy, but retired 
some four years afterward, when he returned to 
Chicago. Dr. Wallace was an eloquent and 
effective preacher and continued to preach, at 
intervals, until within a short time of his decease, 
which occurred in Chicago, Feb. 21, 1897, in his 
84th year. A zealous patriot, he frequently 
spoke very effectively upon the political rostrum. 
Originally a Whig, he became a Republican on 
the organization of that party, and took pride in 
the fact that the first vote he ever cast was for 
Abraham Lincoln, for Representative in the Legis- 
lature, in 1834. He was a Knight Templar, Vice- 
President of the Tippecanoe Club of Chicago, 
and, at his death, Chaplain of America Post, No. 
708, G. A. R. 

WALLACE, William Henry Lamb, lawyer and 
soldier, was born at Urbana. Ohio, July 8, 1821 ; 
brought to Illinois in 1833, his father settling 
near La Salle and, afterwards, at Mount Morris, 
Ogle County, where young Wallace attended the 
Rock River Seminary ; was admitted to the bar in 
1845 ; in 1846 enlisted as a private in the First Illi- 
nois Volunteers (Col. John J. Hardin's regiment), 
for the Mexican War, rising to the rank of Adju- 
tant and participting in the battle of Buena Vista 
(where his commander was killed), and in other 
engagements. Returning to his profession at 
Ottawa, he served as District Attorney (1852-56), 
then became partner of his father-in-law, Col. 
T. Lyle Dickey, afterwards of the Supreme Court. 
In April, 1861, he was one of the first to answer 
the call for troops by enlisting, and became Colo- 



nel of the Eleventh Illinois (three-months' 
men), afterwards re-enlisting for three years. 
As commander of a brigade he participated in 
the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, in Feb- 
ruary, 1862, receiving promotion as Brigadier- 
General for gallantry. At Pittsburg Landing 
(Shiloh), as commander of Gen. C. F. Smith's 
Division, devolving on him on account of the 
illness of his superior officer, he showed great 
courage, but fell mortally wounded, dying at 
Charleston, Tenn., April 10, 1862. His career 
promised great brilliancy and his loss was greatly 
deplored. -Martin R. M. ( Wallace), brother of 
the preceding, was born at Urbana, Ohio, Sept. 
29, 1829, came to La Salle County, 111., with his 
father's family and was educated in the local 
schools and at Rock River Seminary ; studied law 
at Ottawa, and was admitted to the bar in 1856, 
soon after locating in Chicago. In 1861 he 
assisted in organizing the Fourth Regiment Illi- 
nois Cavalry, of which he became Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and was complimented, in 1865, with the 
rank of brevet Brigadier-General. After the 
war he served as Assessor of Internal Revenue 
(1866-69); County Judge (1869-77) ; Prosecuting 
Attorney (1884); and, for many years past, has 
been one of the Justices of the Peace of the city 
of Chicago. 

WALNUT, a town of Bureau County, on the 
Mendota and Fulton branch of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad, 26 miles west of 
Mendota; is in a farming and stock-raising dis- 
trict; has two banks and two newspapers. Popu- 
lation (1890), 605; (1900), 791. 

WAR OF 1812. Upon the declaration of war 
by Congress, in June, 1812, the Pottawatomies, 
and most of the other tribes of Indians in the 
Territory of Illinois, strongly sympathized with 
the British. The savages had been hostile and 
restless for some time previous, and blockhouses 
and family forts had been erected at a number 
of points, especially in the settlements most 
exposed to the incursions of the savages. Gov- 
ernor Edwards, becoming apprehensive of an 
outbreak, constructed Fort Russell, a few miles 
from Edwardsville. Taking the field in person, 
he made this his headquarters, and collected a 
force of 250 mounted volunteers, who were later 
reinforced by two companies of rangers, under 
Col. William Russell, numbering about 100 men. 
An independent company of twenty-one spies, of 
which John Reynolds — afterwards Governor — 
was a member, was also formed and led by Capt. 
Samuel Judy. The Governor organized his little 
army into two regiments under Colonels Rector 



550 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and Stephenson, Colonel Russell serving as 
second to the commander-in-chief, other mem- 
bers of his staff being Secretary Nathaniel Pope 
and Robert K. McLaughlin. On Oct. 18, 1812, 
Governor Edwards, with his men, set out for 
Peoria, where it was expected that their force 
would meet that of General Hopkins, who had 
been sent from Kentucky with a force of 2,000 
men. En route, two Kickapoo villages were 
burned, and a number of Indians unnecessarily 
slain by Edwards' party. Hopkins had orders to 
disperse the Indians on the Illinois and Wabash 
Rivers, and destroy their villages. He deter- 
mined, however, on reaching the headwaters of 
the Vermilion to proceed no farther. Governor 
Edwards reached the head of Peoria Lake, but, 
failing to meet Hopkins, returned to Fort Russell. 
About the same time Capt. Thomas E. Craig led 
a party, in two boats, up the Illinois River to 
Peoria. His boats, as he alleged, having been 
fired upon in the night by Indians, who were har- 
bored and protected by the French citizens of 
Peoria, he burned the greater part of the village, 
and capturing the population, carried them down 
the river, putting them on shore, in the early part 
of the winter, just below Alton. Other desultory 
expeditions marked the campaigns of 1813 and 
1814. The Indians meanwhile gaining courage, 
remote settlements were continually harassed 
by marauding bands. Later in 1814, an expedi- 
tion, led by Major (afterwards President) Zachary 
Taylor, ascended the Mississippi as far as Rock 
Island, where he found a large force of Indians, 
supported by British regulars with artillery. 
Finding himself unable to cope with so formida- 
ble a foe, Major Taylor retreated down the river. 
On the site of the present town of Warsaw he 
threw up fortifications, which he named Fort 
Edwards, from which point he was subsequently 
compelled to retreat. The same year the British, 
with their Indian allies, descended from Macki- 
nac, captured Prairie du Chien, and burned Forts 
Madison and Johnston, after which they retired 
to Cap au Gris. The treaty of Ghent, signed 
Dec. 24, 1814, closed the war, although no formal 
treaties were made with the tribes until the year 
following. 

WAR OF THE REBELLION. At the outbreak 
of the Civil War, the executive chair, in Illinois, 
was occupied by Gov. Richard Yates. Immedi- 
ately upon the issuance of President Lincoln's 
first call for troops (April 15, 1861), the Governor 
issued his proclamation summoning the Legisla- 
ture together in special session and, the same 
day, issued a call for "six regiments of militia," 



the quota assigned to the State under call of the 
President. Public excitement was at fever heat, 
and dormant patriotism in both sexes was 
aroused as never before. Party lines were 
broken down and, with comparatively few excep- 
tions, the mass of the people were actuated by a 
common sentiment of patriotism. On April 19, 
Governor Yates was instructed, by the Secretary 
of War, to take possession of Cairo as an important 
strategic point. At that time, the State militia 
organizations were few in number and poorly 
equipped, consisting chiefly of independent com- 
panies in the larger cities. The Governor acted 
with great promptitude, and, on April 21, seven 
companies, numbering 595 men, commanded by 
Gen. Richard K. Swift of Chicago, were en route 
to Cairo. The first volunteer company to tender 
its services, in response to Governor Yates' proc- 
lamation, on April 16, was the Zouave Grays of 
Springfield. Eleven other companies were ten- 
dered the same day, and, by the evening of the 
18th, the number had been increased to fifty. 
Simultaneously with these proceedings, Chicago 
bankers tendered to the Governor a war loan of 
8500,000, and those of Springfield, 8100,000. The 
Legislature, at its special session, passed acts in- 
creasing the efficiency of the militia law, and 
provided for the creation of a war fund of S2,- 
000,000. Besides the six regiments already called 
for, the raising of ten additional volunteer regi- 
ments and one battery of light artillery was 
authorized. The last of the six regiments, 
apportioned to Illinois under the first presidential 
call, was dispatched to Cairo early in May. The 
six regiments were numbered the Seventh to 
Twelfth, inclusive — the earlier numbers. First to 
Sixth, being conceded to the six regiments which 
had served in the war with Mexico. The regi- 
ments were commanded, respectively, by Colonels 
John Cook, Richard J. Oglesby, Eleazer A. Paine, 
James D. Morgan, William H. L. Wallace, and 
John McArthur, constituting the "First Brigade 
of Illinois Volunteers." Benjamin M. Prentiss, 
having been chosen Brigadier-General on arrival 
at Cairo, assumed command, relieving General 
Swift. The quota under the second call, consist- 
ing of ten regiments, was mustered into service 
within sixty days, 200 companies being tendered 
immediately. Many more volunteered than could 
be accepted, and large numbers crossed to Mis- 
souri and enlisted in regiments forming ill that 
State. During June and Jul} - the Secretary of 
War authorized Governor Yates to recruit t wen ty- 
two additional regiments (seventeen infantr)' and 
five cavalry), which were promptly raised. On 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



551 



July 22, the clay following the defeat of the Union 
army at Bull Run, President Lincoln called for 
500,000 more volunteers. Governor Yates im- 
mediately responded with an offer to the War 
Department of sixteen more regiments (thirteen 
of infantry and three of cavalry), and a battalion 
of artillery, adding, that the State claimed it as 
her right, to do her full share toward the preser- 
vation of the Union. Under supplemental author- 
ity, received from the Secretary of War in 
August, 1861, twelve additional regiments of in- 
fantry and five of cavalry were raised, and, by De- 
cember, 1861, the State had 43,000 volunteers in 
the field and 17,000 in camps of instruction. 
Other calls were made in July and August, 1862, 
each for 300,000 men. Illinois' quota, under both 
calls, was over 52,000 men, no regard being paid 
to the fact that the State had already furnished 
16.000 troops in excess of its quotas under previ- 
ous calls. Unless this number of volunteers was 
raised by September 1, a draft would be ordered. 
The tax was a severe one, inasmuch as it would 
fall chiefly upon the prosperous citizens, the float- 
ing population, the idle and the extremely poor 
having already followed the army's march, either 
as soldiers or as camp-followers. But recruiting 
was actively carried on, and, aided by liberal 
bounties in many of the counties, in less than a 
fortnight the 52,000 new troops were secured, the 
volunteers coming largely from the substantial 
classes ■ — agricultural, mercantile, artisan and 
professional. By the end of December, fifty nine 
regiments and four batteries had been dispatched 
to the front, besides a considerable number to fill 
up regiments already in the field, which had suf- 
fered severely from battle, exposure and disease. 
At this time, Illinois had an aggregate of over 
135,000 enlisted men in the field. The issue of 
President Lincoln's preliminary proclamation of 
emancipation, in September, 1862, was met by a 
storm of hostile criticism from his political 
opponents, who — aided by the absence of so 
large a proportion of the loyal population of the 
State in the field — were able to carry the elec- 
tions of that year. Consequently, when the 
Twenty-third General Assembly convened in 
regular session at Springfield, on Jan. 5, 1863, a 
large majority of that body was not only opposed 
to both the National and State administrations, 
but avowedly opposed to the further prosecution 
of the war under the existing policy. The Leg- 
islature reconvened in June, but was prorogued 
by Governor Yates Between Oct. 1, 1863, and 
July 1, 1864, 16,000 veterans re-enlisted and 
87,000 new volunteers were enrolled; and, by the 



date last mentioned, Illinois had furnished to the 
Union army 244,496 men, being 14,596 in ex- 
cess of the allotted quotas, constituting fifteen 
per cent of the entire population. These were 
comprised in 151 regiments of infantry, 17 of 
cavalry and two complete regiments of artillery, 
besides twelve independent batteries. The total 
losses of Illinois organizations, during the war, 
has been reported at 34,834, of which 5,874 were 
killed in battle, 4,020 died from wounds, 22,786 
from disease and 2,154 from other causes — being 
a total of thirteen per cent of the entire force of 
the State in the service. The part which Illinois 
played in the contest was conspicuous for patriot- 
ism, promptness in response to every call, and 
the bravery and efficiency of its troops in the 
field — reflecting honor upon the State and its his- 
tory. Nor were its loyal citizens — who, while 
staying at home, furnished moral and material 
support to the men at the front — less worthy of 
praise than those who volunteered. By uphold- 
ing the Government — National and State— and 
by their zeal and energy in collecting and sending 
forward immense quantities of supplies — surgical, 
medical and other — often at no little sacrifice, 
they contributed much to the success of the 
Union arms. (See also Camp Douglas; Camp 
Douglas Conspiracy; Secret Treasonable Soci- 
eties.) 

WAR OF THE REBELLION (History of Illi- 
nois Regiments). The following is a list of the 
various military organizations mustered into the 
service during the Civil War (1861-65), with the 
terms of service and a summary of the more 
important events in the history of each, while 
in the field : 

Seventh Infantry. Illinois having sent six 
regiments to the Mexican War, by courtesy the 
numbering of the regiments which took part in 
the war for the Union began with number 
Seven. A number of regiments which responded 
to the first call of the President, claimed the right 
to be recognized as the first regiment in the 
field, but the honor was finally accorded to that 
organized at Springfield by Col. John Cook, and 
hence his regiment was numbered Seventh. It 
was mustered into the service, April 25, 1861, and 
remained at Mound City during the three months' 
service, the period of its first enlistment. It was 
subsequently reorganized and mustered for the 
three years' service, July 25, 1861, and was 
engaged in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, 
Corinth, Cherokee. Allatoona Pass, Salkahatchie 
Swamp, Benton ville and Columbia. The regi- 
ment re-enlisted as veterans at Pulaski, Tenn., 



552 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Dec. 22, 1863; was mustered out at Louisville, 
July 9, 1865, and paid off and discharged at 
Springfield, Jul}- 11. 

Eighth Infantry. Organized at Springfield, 
and mustered in for three months' service, April 
26, 1861, Richard J. Oglesby of Decatur, being 
appointed Colonel. It remained at Cairo during 
its term of service, when it was mustered out. 
July 25, 1861, it was reorganized and mustered in 
for three years' service. It participated in the 
battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Port Gibson, 
Thompson Hill, Raymond, Champion Hill, Vicks- 
burg, Brownsville, and Spanish Fort ; re-enlisted 
as veterans, March 24, 1864; was mustered out at 
Baton Rouge, May 4, 1866, paid off and dis- 
charged, Slay 13, having served five years. 

Ninth Infantry. Mustered into the service 
at Springfield, April 26, 1861, for the term of 
three months, under Col. Eleazer A. Paine. It 
was reorganized at Cairo, in August, for three 
years, being composed of companies from St. 
Clair, Madison, Montgomery, Pulaski, Alexander 
and Mercer Counties ; was engaged at Fort Donel- 
son, Shiloh, Jackson (Tenn.), Meed Creek 
Swamps, Salem, Wyatt, Florence, Montezuma, 
Athens and Grenada. The regiment was mounted, 
March 15, 1863, and so continued during the 
remainder of its service. Mustered out at Louis- 
ville, July 9, 1865. 

Tenth Infantry. Organized and mustered 
into the service for three months, on April 29, 
1861, at Cairo, and on July 29, 1861, was mustered 
into the service for three years, with Col. James 
D. Morgan in command. It was engaged at 
Sykeston, New Madrid, Corinth, Missionary 
Ridge. Buzzard's Roost, Resaca. Rome, Kenesau , 
Chattahoochie, Savannah and Bentonville. Re- 
enlisted as veterans, Jan. 1, 1864, ami mustered 
out of service, July 4, 1865, at Louisville, and 
received final discharge and pay, July 11, 1865, 
at Chicago. 

Eleventh Infantry. Organized at Spring- 
field and mustered into service, April 30, 1861, 
for three months. July 30, the regiment was 
mustered out, and re-enlisted for three years' 
service. It was engaged at Fort Donelson, 
Shiloh. Corinth, Tallahatchie, Vicksburg, Liver- 
pool Heights, Yazoo City, Spanish Fort and 
Fort Blakely. W. H. L. Wallace, afterwards 
Brigadier-General and killed at Shiloh. was its 
first Colonel. Mustered out of service, at Baton 
Rouge, July 14, 1865 ; paid off and discharged at 
Springfield. 

Twelfth Infantry. Mustered into service 
for three years, August 1, 1861 ; was engaged at 



Columbus, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Lay's 
Ferry. Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw, 
Nickajack Creek, Bald Knob, Decatur, Ezra 
Church, Atlanta, Allatoona and Goldsboro. On 
Jan. 16, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as veter- 
ans. John McArthur was its first Colonel, sue 
ceeded by Augustus L. Chetlain, both teing 
promoted to Brigadier-Generalships. Mustered 
out of service at Louisville, Ky., July 10, 1865, 
and received final pay and discharge, at Spring- 
field, July 18. 

Thirteenth Infantry. One of the regiments 
organized under the act known as the "Ten Regi- 
ment Bill" ; was mustered into service on May 24, 
1861, for three years, at Dixon, with John B. 
Wyman as Colonel ; was engaged at Chickasaw 
Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Rossville and Ringgold Gap. 
Mustered out at Springfield, June 18, 1864, hav- 
ing served three years and two months. 

Fourteenth Infantry. One of the regiments 
raised under the "Ten Regiment Bill," which 
anticipated the requirements of the General 
Government by organizing, equipping and dril- 
ling a regiment in each Congressional District in 
the State for thirty days, unless sooner required 
for service by the United States. It was mustered 
in at Jacksonville for three years, May 25, 1861, 
under command of John M. Palmer as its first 
Colonel ; was engaged at Shiloh, Corinth, Meta- 
mora, Vicksburg, Jackson, Fort Beauregard and 
Meridian; consolidated with the Fifteenth Infan- 
try, as a veteran battalion (both regiments hav- 
ing enlisted as veterans), on July 1, 1864. In 
October, 1864, the major part of the battalion 
was captured by General Hood and sent to 
Andersonville. The remainder participated in 
the "March to the Sea," and through the cam- 
paign in the Carolinas. In the spring of 1865 the 
battalion organization was discontinued, both 
regiments having been filled up by recruits. The 
regiment was mustered out at Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kan., Sept. 16, 1865; and arrived at 
Springfield. 111., Sept. 22, 2865, where it received 
final payment and discharge. The aggregate 
number of men who belonged to this organization 
was 1,980, and the aggregate mustered out at 
Fort Leavenworth, 480. During its four years 
and four months of service, the regiment 
marched 4,490 miles, traveled by rail, 2,330 miles, 
and, by river, 4,490 miles — making an aggregate 
of 11.670 miles. 

Fifteenth Infantry. Raised under the "Ten 
Regiment Act," in the (then) First Congressional 
District ; was organized at Freeport, and mus- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



553 



tered into service, May 24, 1861. It was engaged 
at Sedalia, Shiloh, Corinth, Metamora Hill, 
Vicksburg, Fort Beauregard, Champion Hill, 
Allatoona and Beutonville. In March. 1864, the 
regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and, in July, 

1864, was consolidated with the Fourteenth Infan- 
try as a Veteran Battalion. At Big Shanty and 
Ackworth a large portion of the battalion was 
captured by General Hood. At Raleigh the 
Veteran Battalion was discontinued and the 
Fifteenth reorganized. From July 1, to Sept. 1, 

1865, the regiment was stationed at Forts Leaven- 
worth and Kearney. Having been mustered out 
at Fort Leavenworth, it was sent to Springfield 
for final payment and discharge — having served 
four years and four months. Miles marched, 
4,299; miles by rail, 2,403, miles by steamer, 
4,310; men enlisted from date of organization, 
1.963; strength at date of muster-out, 640. 

Sixteenth Infantry. Organized and mus- 
tered into service at Quincy under the "Ten-Regi- 
ment Act," May 24, 1861. The regiment was 
engaged at New Madrid, Tiptonville, Corinth, 
Buzzards' Roost, Resaca, Rome, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, 
Atlanta, Savannah, Columbia, Fayetteville, 
Averysboro and Bentonville. In December, 
1864, the regiment re-enlisted as veterans; was 
mustered out at Louisville, Ky.. July 8, 1865, 
after a term of service of four years and three 
months, and, a week later, arrived at Spring- 
field, where it received its final pay and discharge 
papers. 

Seventeenth Infantry. Mustered into the 
service at Peoria, 111., on May 24, 1861; was 
engaged at Fredericktown (Mo. ), Greenfield 
(Ark.), Shiloh, Corinth, Hatchie and Vicksburg. 
In May, 1864, the term of enlistment having 
expired, the regiment was ordered to Springfield 
for pay and discharge. Those men and officers 
who re-enlisted, and those whose term had not 
expired, were consolidated with the Eighth Infan- 
try, which was mustered out in the spring of 1866. 

Eighteenth Infantry. Organized under the 
provisions of the "Ten Regiment Bill," at Anna, 
and mustered into the service on May 28, 1861, 
the term of enlistment being for three years. 
The regiment participated in the capture of Fort 
McHenry, and was actively engaged at Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth. It was mustered 
out at Little Rock, Dec. 16. 1865. and Dec. 31, 
thereafter, arrived at Springfield, 111., for pay- 
ment and discharge. The aggregate enlistments 
in the regiment, from its organization to date of 
discharge (rank and file), numbered 2.043. 



Nineteenth Infantry. Mustered into the 
United States service for three years, June 17, 
1861, at Chicago, embracing four companies 
which had been accepted under the call for three 
months' men; participated in the battle of 
Stone River and in the Tullahoma and Chatta- 
nooga campaigns; was also engaged at Davis' 
Cross Roads, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and 
Resaca. It was mustered out of service on July 
9, 1864, at Chicago. Originally consisting of 
nearly 1,000 men, besides a large number of 
recruits received during the war, its strength at 
the final muster-out was less than 350. 

Twentieth Infantry Organized, May 14, 
1861, at Joliet, and June 13, 1861, and mustered 
into the service for a term of three years. It 
participated in the following engagements, bat- 
tles, sieges, etc. : Fredericktown (Mo. ), Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Thomp,son's Planta 
tion, Champion Hills, Big Black River, Vicks- 
burg, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta. Afte< 
marching through the Carolinas, the regiment- 
was finally ordered to Louisville, where it was 
mustered out, July 16, 1865, receiving its final 
discharge at Chicago, on July 24. 

Twenty-first Infantry. Organized under 
the "Ten Regiment Bill," from the (then) Sev- 
enth Congressional District, at Mattoon, and 
mustered into service for three years, June 28, 
1861. Its first Colonel was U. S. Grant, who was 
in command until August 7, when he was com- 
missioned Brigadier-General. It was engaged 
at Fredericktown (Mo. ), Corinth, Perryville. Mur- 
freesboro. Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Jonesboro, 
Franklin and Nashville. The regiment re-enlisted 
as veterans, at Chattanooga, in February, 1864. 
From June, 1864, to December, 1865, it was on 
duty in Texas. Mustered out at San Antonio. 
Dec. 16, 1865, and paid off and discharged at 
Springfield, Jan. 18, 1866. 

Twenty-second Infantry. Organized at 
Belleville, and mustered into service, for three 
years, at Casey ville, 111., June 25, 1861; was 
engaged at Belmont, Charleston (Mo), Sikestown, 
Tiptonville, Farmington, Corinth, Stone River, 
Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, New 
Hope Church, and all the battles of the Atlanta 
campaign, except Rocky Face Ridge. It was 
mustered out at Springfield, July 7, 1864, the vet- 
erans and recruits, whose term of service had not 
expired, being consolidated with the Forty -second 
Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers. 

Twenty-third Infantry. The organization 
of the Twenty-third Infantry Volunteers com- 
menced, at Chicago under the popular name of 



554 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the "Irish Brigade," immediately upon the 
opening of hostilities at Sumter. The formal 
muster of the regiment, under the command of 
Col. James A. Mulligan, was made, June 15, 1861, 
at Chicago, when it was occupying barracks 
known as Kane*s brewery near the river on 
West Polk Street. It was early ordered to North- 
ern Missouri, and was doing garrison duty at 
Lexington, when, in September, 1861, it surren- 
dered with the rest of the garrison, to the forces 
under the rebel General Price, and was paroled. 
From Oct. 8, 1861, to June 14, 1862, it was detailed 
to guard prisoners at Camp Douglas. Thereafter 
it participated in engagements in the Virginias, 
as follows: at South Fork, Greenland Gap, Phi- 
lippi, Hedgeville, Leetown, Maryland Heights, 
Snicker's Gap, Kernstown, Cedar Creek, Win- 
chester, Charlestown, Berryville, Opequan Creek, 
Fisher's Hill, Harrisonburg, Hatcher's Run and 
Petersburg. It also took part in the siege of 
Richmond and the pursuit of Lee, being present 
at the surrender at Appomattox. In January 
and February, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as 
veterans, at Greenland Gap, W. Va. In August, 
1864, the ten companies of the Regiment, then 
numbering 440, were consolidated into five com- 
panies and designated, "Battalion, Twenty-third 
Regiment, Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry." 
The regiment was thanked by Congress for its 
part at Lexington, and was authorized to inscribe 
Lexington upon its colors. (See also Mulligan, 
James A.) 

Twenty-fourth Infantry, (known as the 
First Hecker Regiment). Organized at Chicago, 
with two companies — to-wit: the Union Cadets 
and the Lincoln Rifles — from the three months' 
service, in June, 1861, and mustered in, July 8, 
1861. It participated in the battles of Perryville, 
Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Resaca, Kenesaw 
Mountain and other engagements in the Atlanta 
campaign. It was mustered out of service at 
Chicago, August 6, 1864. A fraction of the regi- 
ment, which had been recruited in the field, and 
whose term of service had not expired at the date 
of muster-out, was organized into one company 
and attached to the Third Brigade. First Divi- 
sion, Fourteenth Army Corps, and mustered out 
at Camp Butler, August 1, 1865. 

Twenty-fifth Infantry. Organized from 
the counties of Kankakee, Iroquois, Ford, Vermil- 
ion, Douglas, Coles, Champaign and Edgar, and 
mustered into service at St. Louis, August 4. 1861. 
It participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Stone 
River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, in the 
siege of Corinth, the battle of Kenesaw Moun- 



tain, the siege of Atlanta, and innumerable skir- 
mishes ; was mustered out at Springfield, Sept. 5, 
1864. During its three years' service the regi- 
ment traveled 4,962 miles, of which 3,252 were on 
foot, the remainder by steamboat and railroad. 

Twenty-sixth Infantry*. Mustered into serv- 
ice, consisting of seven companies, at Springfield, 
August 31, 1861. On Jan. 1, 1864, the regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans. It was authorized by the 
commanding General to inscribe upon its ban- 
ners "New Madrid" ; "Island No. 10;" "Farming- 
ton;" "Siege of Corinth;" "Iuka;" "Corinth — 
3d and 4th, 1862," "Resaca;" "Kenesaw;" "Ezra 
Church;" "Atlanta;" "Jonesboro;" "Griswold- 
ville;" "McAllister;" "Savannah;" "Columbia," 
and "Bentonville." It was mustered out at 
Louisville, July 20, 1865, and paid off and 
discharged, at Springfield, July 28 — the regiment 
having marched, during its four years of service, 
6,931 miles, and fought twenty-eight hard battles,' 
besides innumerable skirmishes. 

Twenty-seventh Infantry. First organized, 
with only seven companies, at Springfield, 
August 10, 1861, and organization completed by 
the addition of three more companies, at Cairo, 
on September 1. It took part in the battle of Bel- 
mont, the siege of Island No. 10, and the battles 
of Farmington, Nashville Murfreesboro, Chicka- 
mauga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge. 
Resaca, Calhoun, Adairsville, Dallas, Pine Top 
Mountain and Kenesaw Mountain, as well as in 
the investment of Atlanta; was relieved from 
duty, August 25, 1864, while at the front, and 
mustered out at Springfield, September 20. Its 
veterans, with the recruits whose term of serv- 
ice had not expired, were consolidated with the 
Ninth Infantry. 

Twenty-eighth Infantry*. Composed of 
companies from Pike, Fulton, Schuyler, Mason, 
Scott and Menard Counties; was organized at 
Springfield, August 15, 1861, and mustered into 
service for three years. It participated in the 
battles of Shiloh and Metamora, the siege of 
Vicksburg and the battles of Jackson, Mississippi, 
and Fort Beauregard, and in the capture of 
Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and Mobile. From 
June, 1864, to March, 1866, it was stationed in 
Texas, and was mustered out at Brownsville, in 
that State, March 15, 1866, having served four 
years and seven months. It was discharged, at 
Springfield, May 13, 1866. 

Twenty'-ninth Infantry. Mustered into serv- 
ice at Springfield, August 19, 1861, and was 
engaged at Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and in the 
sieges of Corinth, Vicksburg and Mobile. Eight 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



555 



companies were detailed for duty at Holly Springs, 
and were there captured by General Van Dorn, 
in December, 1862, but were exchanged, six 
months later. In January, 1864, the regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans, and, from June, 1864, to 
November, 1865, was on duty in Texas. It was 
mustered out of service in that State, Nov. 6, 
1865, and received final discharge on November 28. 

Thirtieth Infantry. Organized at Spring- 
field, August 28, 1861 ; was engaged at Belmont, 
Fort Donelson, the siege of Corinth, Medan 
Station, Raymond, Champion Hills, the sieges of 
Vicksburg and Jackson, Big Shanty, Atlanta, 
Savannah, Pocotaligo, Orangeburg, Columbia, 
Cheraw, and Fayetteville ; mustered out, July 
17, 1865, and received final payment and discharge 
at Springfield, July 27, 1865. 

Thirty-first Infantry. Organized at Cairo, 
and there mustered into service on Sept. 18, 
1861 ; was engaged at Belmont, Fort Donelson, 
Shiloh, in the two expeditions against Vicks- 
burg, at Thompson's Hill, Ingram Heights, Ray- 
mond, Jackson, Champion Hill, Big Shanty, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Lovejoy Station and 
Jonesboro; also participated in the "March to 
the Sea" and took part in the battles and skir- 
mishes at Columbia, Cheraw, Fayetteville and 
Bentonville. A majority of the regiment re- 
enlisted as veterans in March, 1864. It was 
mustered out at Louisville, July 19, 1865, and 
finally discharged at Springfield, July 23. 

Thirty-second Infantry. Organized at 
Springfield and mustered into service, Dec. 31, 
1861. By special authority from the War Depart- 
ment, it originally consisted of ten companies of 
infantry, one of cavalry, and a battery. It was 
engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, in the sieges 
of Corinth and Vicksburg, and in the battles of 
La Grange, Grand Junction, Metamora, Harrison- 
burg, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, 
Allatoona, Savannah, Columbia, Cheraw and 
Bentonville. In January, 1864, the regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans, and, in June, 1865, was 
ordered to Fort Leavenworth. Mustered out 
there, Sept. 16, 1865, and finally discharged at 
Springfield. 

Thirty-third Infantry. Organized and mus- 
tered into service at Springfield in September, 
1861; was engaged at Fredericktown (Mo.), Port 
Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, the 
assault and siege of Vicksburg. siege of Jackson, 
Fort Esperanza, and in the expedition against 
Mobile. The regiment veteranized at Vicksburg, 
Jan 1, 1864; was mustered out, at the same point, 
Nov. 24, 1865, and finally discharged at Spring- 



field, Dec. 6 and 7, 1865. The aggregate enroll- 
ment of the regiment was between 1,900 and 
2,000. 

Thirty-fourth Infantry. Organized at 
Springfield, Sept. 7, 1861 , was engaged at Shiloh, 
Corinth, Murfreesboro, Rocky Face Ridge, Re- 
saca, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, 
Jonesboro, and, after participating in the '"March 
to the Sea" and through the Carolinas, took part 
in the battle of Bentonville. After the surrender 
of Johnston, the regiment went with Sherman's 
Army to Washington, D. C. , and took part in the 
grand review, May 24, 1865; left Washington, 
June 12, and arrived at Louisville, Ky., June 18, 
where it was mustered out, on July 12 ; was dis- 
charged and paid at Chicago, July 17, 1865. 

Thirty-fifth Infantry. Organized at De- 
catur on July 3, 1861, and its services tendered to 
the President, being accepted by the Secretary of 
War as "Col. G. A. Smith's Independent Regi- 
ment of Illinois Volunteers," on July 23, and 
mustered into service at St. Louis, August 12. It 
was engaged at Pea Ridge and in the siege of 
Corinth, also participated in the battles of Perry- 
ville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary 
Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas and 
Kenesaw. Its final muster-out took place at 
Springfield, Sept. 27, 1864, the regiment having 
marched (exclusive of railroad and steamboat 
transportation) 3,056 miles. 

Thirty-sixth Infantry. Organized at Camp 
Hammond, near Aurora, 111., and mustered into 
service, Sept. 23, 1861, for a term of three years. 
The regiment, at its organization, numbered 965 
officers and enlisted men, and had two companies 
of Cavalry ("A" and "B"), 186 officers and 
men. It was engaged at Leetown, Pea Ridge, 
Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, the siege 
of Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face 
Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope Church, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jones- 
boro, Franklin and Nashville. Mustered out, 
Oct. 8, 1865, and disbanded, at Springfield, Oct. 
27, having marched and been transported, during 
its term of service, more than 10,000 miles. 

Thirty-seventh Infantry. Familiarly known 
as "Fremont Rifles"; organized in August, 1861. 
and mustered into service, Sept. 18. The regi- 
ment was presented with battle-flags by the Chi- 
cago Board of Trade. It participated in the 
battles of Pea Ridge, Neosho, Prairie Grove and 
Chalk Bluffs, the siege of Vicksburg, and in the 
battles of Yazoo City and Morgan's Bend. In 
October, 1863, it was ordered to the defense of the 
frontier along the Rio Grande; re-enlisted as 



556 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



veterans in February, 1864; took part in the 
siege and storming of Fort Blakely and the cap- 
ture of Mobile; from July, I860, to May, 1866, 
was again on duty in Texas ; was mustered out 
at Houston, May 15, 1866, and finally discharged 
at Springfield, May 81, having traveled some 
17,000 miles, of which nearly 3,300 were by 
marching. 

Thirty-eighth Infantry. Organized at 
Springfield, in September, 1861. The regiment 
was engaged in the battles of Fredericktown, 
Perryville, Knob Gap, Stone River. Liberty Gap, 
Chickamauga, Pine Top, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro. Franklin and Nashville; 
re-enlisted as veterans in February, 1864 ; from 
June to December, 1805, was on duty in Louisi- 
ana and Texas; was mustered out at Victoria, 
Texas, Dec. 31, 1865, and received final discharge 
at Springfield. 

Thirty-ninth Infantry. The organization of 
this Regiment was commenced as soon as the 
news of the firing on Fort Sumter reached Chi- 
cago. General Thomas O. Osborne was one of its 
contemplated field officers, and labored zealously 
tn get it accepted under the first call for troops, 
but did not accomplish his object. The regiment 
had already assumed the name of the '"Yates 
Phalanx" in honor of Governor Yates. It was 
accepted by the War Department on the day 
succeeding the first Bull Run disaster (July 22, 
1861), and Austin Light, of Chicago, was appointed 
Colonel. Under his direction the organizat ion was 
completed, and the regiment left Camp Mather, 
Chicago, on the morning of Oct. 13, 1861. It par- 
ticipated in the battles of Winchester, Malvern 
Hill (the second), Morris Island, Fort Wagner, 
Drury's Bluff, and in numerous engagements 
before Petersburg and Richmond, including the 
capture of Fort Gregg, and was present at Lee's 
surrender at Appomattox. In the meantime the 
regiment re-enlisted as veterans, at Hilton Head, 
S. C, in September, 1863. It was mustered out 
at Norfolk, Dec. 6, 1865, and received final dis- 
charge at Chicago, December 16. 

Fortieth Infantry. Enlisted from the coun- 
ties of Franklin, Hamilton, Wayne, White, 
Wabash, Marion, Clay and Fayette, and mustered 
into service for three years at Springfield, 
August 10, 1861. It was engaged at Shiloh, in 
the siege of Corinth, at Jackspn (Miss.), in the 
siege of Vicksburg, at Missionary Ridge, New 
Hope Church, Black Jack Knob, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain. Atlanta, Jonesboro, Ezra Chapel, Gris- 
woldville, siege of Savannah, Columbia (S. C), 
and Bentonville. It re-enlisted, as veterans, at 



Scottsboro, Ala., Jan. 1, 1864, and was mustered 
out at Louisville, July 24, 1865, receiving final 
discharge at Springfield. 

Forty-first Infantry. Organized at Decatur 
during July and August, 1861, and was mustered 
into service, August 5. It was engaged at Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, the second 
battle of Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg and 
Jackson, in the Red River campaign, atGuntown. 
Kenesaw Mountain and Allatoona, and partici- 
pated in the "March to the Sea." It re-enlisted, 
as veterans, March 17, 1864, at Vicksburg, and 
was consolidated with the Fifty-third Infantry, 
Jan. 4, 1865, forming Companies G and H. 

Forty'-second Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, July 22, 1861 ; was engaged at Island No. 10, 
the siege of Corinth, battles of Farmington, 
Columbia (Tenn.), was besieged at Nashville, 
engaged at Stone River, in the Tullahoma cam- 
paign, at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky 
Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope 
Church, Pine and Kenesaw Mountains, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro. Lovejoy Station, 
Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. It re- 
enlisted, as veterans, Jan. 1, 1864; was stationed 
in Texas from July to December, 1865 ; was mus- 
tered out at Indianola. in that State, Dec. 16, 
1865, and finally discharged, at Springfield, Jan. 
12, 1866. 

Forty-third Infantry. Organized at Spring- 
field in September, 1861, and mustered into 
service on Oct. 12. The regiment took part in 
the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and in the 
campaigns in West Tennessee, Mississippi and 
Arkansas; was mustered out at Little Rock. 
Nov. 30, 1865, and returned to Springfield for 
final pay and discharge, Dec. 14, 1865. 

Forty-fourth Infantry. Organized in Au- 
gust, 1861, at Chicago, and mustered into service, 
Sept. 13, 1861 ; was engaged at Pea Ridge, 
Perryville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Shelby- 
ville, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Missionary 
Ridge. Buzzard's Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, 
Adairsville. Dallas, New Hope Church, Kene- 
saw Mountain, Gulp's Farm, Chattahoochie 
River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, 
Franklin and Nashville. The regiment re-enlisted 
as veterans in Tennessee, in January, 1864. 
From June to September, 1865, it was stationed 
in Louisiana and Texas, was mustered out at 
Port Lavaca, Sept. 25, 1865, and received final 
discharge, at Springfield, three weeks later. 

Forty-fifth Infantry. Originally called 
the "Washburne Lead Mine Regiment"; was 
organized at Galena, July 23, 1861, and mustered 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



00 I 



into service at Chicago, Dec. 25, 1861. It was 
engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of 
Corinth, battle of Medan, the campaign against 
Vicksburg, the Meridian raid, the Atlanta cam- 
paign, the "March to the Sea," and the advance 
through the Carolinas. The regiment veteran- 
ized in January, 1864; was mustered out of serv- 
ice at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1865, and arrived 
in Chicago, July 15, 1865, for final pay and dis- 
charge. Distance marched in four years, 1,750 
miles. 

Forty-sixth Infantry. Organized at Spring- 
field, Dec. 28, 1861 ; was engaged at Fort Donel- 
son, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, battle of 
Metamora, siege of Vicksburg (where five com- 
panies of the regiment were captured), in the 
reduction of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley, 
and the capture of Mobile. It was mustered in 
as a veteran regiment, Jan. 4, 1864. From May, 

1865, to January, 1866, it was on duty in Louisi- 
ana ; was mustered out at Baton Rouge, Jan. 20, 

1866, and, on Feb. 1, 1860, finally paid and dis- 
charged at Springfield. 

Forty t -seventh Infantry. Organized and 
mustered into service at Peoria, 111., on August 
16, 1861. The regiment took part in the expe- 
dition against New Madrid and Island No. 10; 
also participated in the battles of Farmington, 
Iuka, the second battle of Corinth, the capture 
of Jackson, the siege of Vicksburg, the Red 
River expedition and the battle of Pleasant Hill, 
and in the struggle at Lake Chicot. It was 
ordered to Chicago to assist in quelling an antici- 
pated riot, in 1864, but, returning to the front, 
took part in the reduction of Spanish Fort and 
the capture of Mobile; was mustered out, Jan. 
21. 1866, at Selma, Ala., and ordered to Spring- 
field, where it received final pay and discharge. 
Those members of the regiment who did not re-en- 
list as veterans were mustered out. Oct. 11, 1864. 

Forty-eighth Infantry". Organized at Spring- 
field, September, 1861, and participated in battles 
and sieges as follows; Fort Henry and Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth (siege of), Vicksburg 
(first expedition against), Missionary Ridge, as 
well as in the Atlanta campaign and the "March 
to the Sea" The regiment re-enlisted as veter- 
ans, at Scottsboro, Ala., Jan. 1. 1864; was mus- 
tered out, August 15, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark., 
ami ordered to Springfield for final discharge, 
arriving, August 21, 1865. The distance marched 
was 3,000 miles; moved by water, 5,000; by rail- 
road. 3,450— total, 11,450. 

Forty-ninth Infantry*. Organized at Spring- 
field, 111 , Dec. 31, 1861; was engaged at Fort 



Donelson, Shiloh and Little Rock ; took part in 
the campaign against Meridian and in the Red 
River expedition, being in the battle of Pleasant 
Hill, Jan. 15, 1864; three-fourths of the regiment 
re-enlisted and were mustered in as veterans, 
returning to Illinois on furlough. The non- 
veterans took part in the battle of Tupelo. The 
regiment participated in the battle of Nashville, 
and was mustered out, Sept. 9, 1865, at Paducah, 
Ky., and arrived at Springfield, Sept, 15, 1865, 
for final payment and discharge. 

Fiftieth Infantry*. Organized at Quincy, in 
August, 1861, and mustered into service, Sept. 12, 
1861 ; was engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the 
siege of Corinth, the second battle of Corinth, 
Allatoona and Bentonville, besides many minor 
engagements. The regiment was mounted, Nov. 
17, 1863; re-enlisted as veterans, Jan. 1, 1864, was 
mustered out at Louisville, July 13, 1865, and 
reached Springfield, the following day, for final 
pay and discharge. 

Fifty-first Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, Dec. 24, 1861 ; was engaged at New Madrid, 
Island No. 10, Farmington, the siege of Corinth, 
Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, 
Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jones- 
boro, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. The 
regiment was mustered in as veterans, Feb. 16, 
1864; from July to September, 1865, was on duty 
in Texas, and mustered out, Sept. 25, 1865, at 
Camp Irwin, Texas, arriving at Springfield, 111., 
Oct. 15, 1865, for final payment and discharge. 

Fifty-second Infantry-. Organized at Ge- 
neva in November, 1861, and mustered into serv- 
ice, Nov. 19. The regiment participated in the 
following battles, sieges and expeditions : Shiloh, 
Corinth (siege and second battle of), Iuka, Town 
Creek, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Lay's Ferry, 
Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Nickajack Creek, Decatur, Atlanta, Jonesboro 
and Bentonville. It veteranized, Jan. 9, 1864 ; 
was mustered out at Louisville, July 4, 1865, 
and received final payment and discharge at 
Springfield, July 12. 

Fifty-third Infantry. Organized at Ottawa 
in the winter of 1861-62, and ordered to Chicago, 
Feb. 27, 1862, to complete its organization. It 
took part in the siege of Corinth, and was engaged 
at Davis' Bridge, the siege of Vicksburg, in the 
Meridian campaign, at Jackson, the siege of 
Atlanta, the "March to the Sea," the capture of 
Savannah and the campaign in the Carolinas, 
including the battle of Bentonville. The regi- 
ment was mustered out of service at Louisville. 



558 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



July 22, 1865, and received final discharge, at 
Chicago, July 28. It marched 2,855 miles, and 
was transported b3 _ boat and cars, 4,168 miles. 
Over 1,800 officers and men belonged to the regi- 
ment during its term of service. 

Fifty-fourth Infantry. Organized at Anna, 
in November, 1861, as a part of the "Kentucky 
Brigade," and was mustered into service, Feb. 
18, 1862. No complete history of the regiment 
can be given, owing to the loss of its official 
records. It served mainly in Kentucky, Tennes- 
see, Mississippi and Arkansas, and always effect- 
ively. Three-fourths of the men re-enlisted as 
veterans, in January, 1864. Six companies were 
captured by the rebel General Shelby, in August, 
1864, and were exchanged, the following De- 
cember. The regiment was mustered out at 
Little Rock, Oct. 15, 1865; arrived at Springfield, 
Oct. 26, and was discharged. During its organi- 
zation, the regiment had 1,342 enlisted men and 
71 commissioned officers. 

Fifty-fifth Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, and mustered into service, Oct. 31, 1861. 
The regiment originally formed a part of the 
"Douglas Brigade," being chiefly recruited from 
the young farmers of Fulton, McDonough, 
Grundy, La Salle, De Kalb, Kane and Winnebago 
Counties. It participated in the battles of Shiloh 
and Corinth, and in the Tallahatchie campaign; 
in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas 
Post, around Vicksburg, and at Missionary Ridge ; 
was in the Atlanta campaign, notably in the 
battles of Kenesaw Mountain and Jonesboro. In 
all, it was engaged in thirty-one battles, and was 
128 days under fire. The total mileage traveled 
amounted to 11,965, of which 3,240 miles were 
actually marched. Re-enlisted as veterans, while 
at Larkinsville, Tenn. , was mustered out at Little 
Rock, August 14, 1865, receiving final discharge 
at Chicago, the same month. 

Fifty-sixth Infantry. Organized with com- 
panies principally enlisted from the counties of 
Massac, Pope, Gallatin, Saline, White, Hamilton, 
Franklin and Wayne, and mustered in at Camp 
Mather, near Shawneetown. The regiment par- 
ticipated in the siege, and second battle, of 
Corinth, the Yazoo expedition, the siege of 
Vicksburg — being engaged at Champion Hills, 
and in numerous assaults ; also took part in the 
battles of Missionary Ridge and Resaca, and in 
the campaign in the Carolinas, including the 
battle of Bentonville. Some 200 members of the 
regiment perished in a wreck off Cape Hatteras, 
March 31, 1865. It was mustered out in Arkan- 
sas, August 12, 1865. 



Fifty-seventh Infantry. Mustered into serv- 
ice, Dec. 26, 1861, at Chicago; took part in the 
battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, the siege of 
Corinth, and the second battle at that point ; was 
also engaged at Resaca, Rome Cross Roads and 
Allatoona; participated in the investment and 
capture of Savannah, and the campaign through 
the Carolinas, including the battle of Benton- 
ville. It was mustered out at Louisville, July 7, 
1865, and received final discharge at Chicago, 
July 14. 

Fifty-eighth Infantry. Recruited at Chi- 
cago, Feb. 11, 1862; participated in the battles of 
Fort Donelson and Shiloh, a large number of the 
regiment being captured during the latter engage- 
ment, but subsequently exchanged. It took part 
in the siege of Corinth and the battle of Iuka, 
after which detachments were sent to Springfield 
for recruiting and for guarding prisoners. 
Returning to the front, the regiment was engaged 
in the capture of Meridian, the Red River cam- 
paign, the taking of Fort de Russey, and in many 
minor battles in Louisiana. It was mustered out 
at Montgomery, Ala., April 1, 1866, and ordered 
to Springfield for final payment and discharge. 

Fifty-ninth Infantry. Originally known as 
the Ninth Missouri Infantry, although wholly 
recruited in Illinois. It was organized at St. 
Louis, Sept. 18, 1861, the name being changed to 
the Fifty-ninth Illinois, Feb. 12, 1862, by order of 
the War Department. It was engaged at Pea 
Ridge, formed part of the reserve at Farmington, 
took part at Perryville, Nolansville, Knob Gap 
and Murfreesboro, in the Tullahoma campaign 
and the siege of Chattanooga, in the battles of 
Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Kingston, 
Dallas, Ackworth, Pine Top, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Smyrna, Atlanta, Spring Hill, Franklin and 
Nashville. Having re-enlisted as veterans, the 
regiment was ordered to Texas, in June, 1865, 
where it was mustered out, December, 1865, 
receiving its final discharge at Springfield. 

Sixtieth Infantry. Organized at Anna, 111., 
Feb. 17, 1862; took part in the siege of Corinth 
and was besieged at Nashville. The regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans while at the front, in 
January, 1864; participated in the battles of 
Buzzard's Roost, Ringgold, Dalton, Resaca, 
Rome, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Nickajack, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, 
Jonesboro, Averysboro and Bentonville; was 
mustered out at Louisville, July 31, 1865, and 
received final discharge at Springfield. 

Sixty-first Infantry. Organized at Carroll- 
ton, 111., three full companies being mustered 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



550 



in, Feb. 5, 1862. On February 21, the regiment, 
being still incomplete, moved to Benton Bar- 
racks, Mo. , where a sufficient number of recruits 
joined to make nine full companies. The regiment 
was engaged at Shiloh and Bolivar, took part 
in the Yazoo expedition, and re-enlisted as veter- 
ans early in 1864. Later, it took part in the battle 
of Wilkinson's Pike (near Murfreesboro), and 
other engagements near that point ; was mustered 
out at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 8, 1865, and paid 
off and discharged at Springfield, Septem- 
ber 27. 

Sixty-second Infantry. Organized at Anna, 
111., April 10, 1862; after being engaged in several 
skirmishes, the regiment sustained a loss of 170 
men, who were captured and paroled at Holly 
Springs, Miss., by the rebel General Van Dorn, 
where the regimental records were destroyed. 
The regiment took part in forcing the evacuation 
of Little Rock ; re-enlisted, as veterans, Jan. 9, 
1864 ; was mustered out at Little Rock, March 6, 
1866, and ordered to Springfield for final payment 
and discharge. 

Sixty-third Infantry. Organized at Anna, 
in December. 1861, and mustered into service, 
April 10, 1862. It participated in the first invest- 
ment of Vicksburg, the capture of Richmond 
Hill, La., and in the battle of Missionary Ridge. 
On Jan. 1, 1864, 272 men re-enlisted as veterans. 
It took part in the capture of Savannah and in 
Sherman's march through the Carolinas, partici- 
pating in its important battles and skirmishes; 
was mustered out at Louisville, July 13, 1865, 
reaching Springfield, July 16. The total distance 
traveled was 6,453 miles, of which 2,250 was on 
the march. 

Sixty- fourth Infantry. Organized at Spring- 
field, December, 1861, as the "First Battalion of 
Yates Sharp Shooters." The last company was 
mustered in, Dec. 31, 1861. The regiment was 
engaged at New Madrid, the siege of Corinth, 
Chambers' Creek, the second battle of Corinth, 
Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, the 
siege of Atlanta, the investment of Savannah and 
the battle of Bentonville ; re-enlisted as veterans, 
in January, 1864 ; was mustered out at Louisville, 
July 11, 1865, and finally discharged, at Chicago, 
July 18. 

Sixty- fifth Infantry. Originally known as 
the "Scotch Regiment"; was organized at Chi- 
cago, and mustered in, May 1, 1862. It was cap- 
tured and paroled at Harper's Ferry, and ordered 
to Chicago; was exchanged in April, 1863; took 
part in Burnside's defense of Knoxville; re-en- 
listed as veterans in March, 1864. and participated 



in the Atlanta campaign and the "March to the 
Sea." It was engaged in battles at Columbia 
(Tenn.), Franklin and Nashville, and later near 
Federal Point and Smithtown, N. C. , being mus- 
tered out, July 13, 1865, and receiving final pay- 
ment and discharge at Chicago, July 26, 1865. 

Sixty-sixth Infantry. Organized at Benton 
Barracks, near St. Louis, Mo., during September 
and October, 1861 — being designed as a regiment 
of "Western Sharp Shooters" from Illinois, Mis- 
souri, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana and 
Ohio. It was mustered in, Nov. 23, 1861, was 
engaged at Mount Zion (Mo.), Fort Donelson, 
Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, Iuka, the second 
battle of Corinth, in the Atlanta campaign, the 
"March to the Sea" and the campaign through 
the Carolinas. The regiment was variously 
known as the Fourteenth Missouri Volunteers. 
Birge's Western Sharpshooters, and the Sixty- 
sixth i'linois Infantry. The latter (and final) 
name was conferred by the Secretary of War, 
Nov. 20, 1862. It re-enlisted (for the veteran 
service), in December, 1863, was mustered out at 
Camp Logan, Ky., July 7, 1865, and paid off and 
discharged at Springfield. July 15. 

Sixty-seventh Infantry. Organized at Chi 
cago, June 13, 1862, for three months' service, in 
response to an urgent call for the defense of 
Washington. The Sixty-seventh, by doing guard 
duty at the camps at Chicago and Springfield, 
relieved the veterans, who were sent to the front. 

Sixty-eighth Infantry. Enlisted in response 
to a call made by the Governor, early in the sum- 
mer of 1862, for State troops to serve for three 
months as State Militia, and was mustered in 
earty in June, 1862. It was afterwards mustered 
into the United States service as Illinois Volun- 
teers, by petition of the men, and received 
marching orders, July 5, 1862; mustered out, at 
Springfield, Sept. 26. 1862 — many of the men re- 
enlisting in other regiments. 

Sixty-ninth Infantry. Organized at Camp 
Douglas, Chicago, and mustered into service for 
three months, June 14, 1862. It remained on 
duty at Camp Douglas, guarding the camp and 
rebel prisoners. 

Seventieth Infantry. Organized at Camp 
Butler, near Springfield, and mustered in, July 4, 
1862. It remained at Camp Butler doing guard 
duty. Its term of service was three months. 

Seventy-first Infantry. Mustered into serv- 
ice, July 26, 1862, at Chicago, for three months. 
Its service was confined to garrison duty in Illi- 
nois and Kentucky, being mustereu out at Chi 
cago, Oct. 29, 1862. 



560 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Seventy-second Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, as the First Regiment of the Chicago Board 
of Trade, and mustered into service for three 
years, August 23, 1862. It was engaged at Cham- 
pion Hill, Vicksburg, Natchez, Franklin, Nash- 
ville, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely ; mustered 
out of service, at Vicksburg, August 6, 1865, and 
discharged at Chicago. 

Seventy-third Infantry. Recruited from 
the counties of Adams, Champaign, Christian, 
Hancock, Jackson, Logan, Piatt, Pike, Sanga- 
mon, Tazewell and Vermilion, and mustered into 
service at Springfield, August 21, 1862, 900 strong. 
It participated in the battles of Stone River, 
Perryville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, 
Resaca, Adairsville, Burnt Hickory, Pine and 
Lust Mountains, New Hope Church, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Spring Hill, Frank- 
lin and Nashville ; was mustered out at Nashville, 
June 12, 1865, and, a few days later, vent to 
Springfield to receive pay and final discharge. 

Seventy-fourth Infantry. Organized at 
Rockford, in August, 1862, and mustered into 
service September 4. It was recruited from "Win- 
nebago, Ogle and Stephenson Counties. This regi- 
ment was engaged at Perryville, Murfreesboro 
and Nolansville, took part in the Tullahoma 
campaign, and the battles of Missionary Ridge, 
Resaca, Adairsville. Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Tunnel Hill, and Rocky Face Ridge, the siege of 
Atlanta, and the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin 
and Nashville. It was mustered out at Nashville, 
June 10 1865. with 343 officers and men, the 
aggregate number enrolled having been 1,001. 

Seventy-fifth Infantry. Organized at 
Dixon and mustered into service. Sept. 2, 1862. 
The regiment participated in the battles of Perry- 
ville, Nolansville, Stone River, Lookout Mountain, 
Dalton, Resaca, Marietta. Kenesaw. Franklin and 
Nashville; was mustered out at Nashville, June 
12, 1865, and finally discharged at Chicago, July 
1. following. 

Seventy'-sixth Infantry. Organized at Kan- 
kakee, 111. , in August, 1862, and mustered into the 
service, August 22, 1862; took part in the siege of 
Vicksburg, the engagement at Jackson, the cam- 
paign against Meridian, the expedition to Yazoo 
City, and the capture of Mobile, was ordered to 
Texas in June, 1865, and mustered out at Galves- 
ton, July 22, 1865, being paid off and disbanded 
at Chicago, August 4, 1865— having traveled 
10,000 miles. 

Seventy-sevfnttj Infantry". Organized and 
mustered into service, Sept. 3, 1862, at Peoria; 
was engaged in the battles of Chickasaw Ba3'ou, 



Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg (including 
the battle of Champion Hills), the capture of 
Jackson, the Red River expedition, and the bat- 
tles of Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill ; the 
reduction of Forts Gaines and Morgan, and the 
capture of Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and Mobile. 
It was mustered out of service at Mobile, July 
10, 1865, and ordered to Springfield for final pay- 
ment and discharge, where it arrived, July 22, 1865, 
having participated in sixteen battles and sieges. 

Seventy-eighth Infantry. Organized at 
Quincy, and mustered into service, Sept. 1, 1862; 
participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Rome, 
New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro. Averysboro and 
Bentonville; was mustered out, June 7, 1865, and 
sent to Chicago, where it was paid off and- dis- 
charged, June 12, 1865. 

Seventy-ninth Infantry. Organized at Mat- 
toon, in August. 1862, and mustered into service, 
August 28, 1862; participated in the battles of 
Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Mis- 
sionary Ridge. Rocky Face Ridge Resaca, Kene- 
saw Mountain, Dallas, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, 
Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Franklin and Nashville; was 
mustered out. June 12, 1865; arrived at Camp 
Butler. June 15, and, on June 23, received final 
pay and discharge. 

Eightieth Infantry - . Organized at Centralia, 
111., in August, 1862, and mustered into service, 
August 25, 1862. It was engaged at Perryville, 
Dug's Gap, Sand Mountain and Blunt's Farm, 
surrendering to Forrest at the latter point. After 
being exchanged, it participated in the battles of 
Wauhatchie, Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, 
Adairsville, Cassville, Dallas, Pine Mountain, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station and Nash- 
ville. The regiment traveled 6,000 miles and 
participated in more than twenty engagements. 
It was mustered out of service, June 10, 1865, and 
proceeded to Camp Butler for final pay and 
discharge. 

Eighty-first Lnfantry-. Recruited from the 
counties of Perry, Franklin, Williamson, Jack- 
son, Union, Pulaski and Alexander, and mustered 
into service at Anna. August 26. 1862. It partici- 
pated in the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond, 
Jackson, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, and 
in the siege and capture of Vicksburg. Later, 
the regiment was engaged at Fort de Russey, 
Alexandria, Guntown and Nashville, besides 
assisting in the investment of Mobile. It was 
mustered out at Chicago, August 5, 1864. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



56 : 



Eighty-second Infantry. Sometimes called 
the ".Second Ilecker Regiment." in honor of Col- 
onel Frederick Hecker, its first Colonel, and for 
merly Colonel of the Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry — being chiefly composed of German 
members of Chicago. It was organized at Spring- 
field, Sept. 26. lsiiO. and mustered into service, 
Oct. 23, 1862; participated in the battles of 
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wauhatchie, Or- 
chard Knob, Missionary Ridge. Resaea, New 
Hope Church, Dallas, Marietta, Pine Mountain, 
Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Bentonville ; was 
mustered out of service, June 9, 1865, and 
returned to Chicago, June 16 — having marched, 
during its time of service, 2,503 miles. 

Eighty-third Infantry. Organized at Mon- 
mouth in August, 1862, and mustered into serv- 
ice, August 21. It participated in repelling the 
rebel attack on Fori Donelson, and in numerous 
hard fought skirmishes in Tennessee, but was 
chiefly engaged in the performance of heavy 
guard duty and in protecting lines of communi- 
cation. The regiment was mustered out at Nash- 
ville, June 26, 1865, and finally paid off and 
discharged at Chicago, July 4. following. 

Eighty-fourth Infantry. Organized at 
Quincy. in August, 1862, and mustered into serv- 
ice, Sept. 1, 1862, with 939 men and officers. The 
regiment was authorized to inscribe upon its 
battle-flag the names of Perryville, Stone River, 
Woodbury, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, 
Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Dalton, Buzzard's 
Roost, Resaea, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, Smyrna, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Sta- 
tion, Franklin, and Nashville. It was mustered 
out, June 8, 1805. 

Eighty-fifth Infantry. Organized at Peoria, 
about Sept. 1, 1862, and ordered to Louisville. It 
took part in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, 
Chickamauga, Knoxville, Dalton, Rocky-Face 
Ridge, Resaea, Rome, Dallas, Kenesaw, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah. Ben- 
tonville, Goldsboro and Raleigh; was mustered 
out at Washington. D. C. , June 5, 1865, and 
sent to Springfield, where the regiment was 
paid off and discharged on the 20th of the same 
month. 

Eighty t -sixth Infantry. Mustered into serv- 
ice, August 27, 1862, at Peoria, at which time it 
numbered 923 men, rank and file. It took part 
in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaea. Rome, 
Dallas, K»nesaw, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, 
Averysboro and Bentonville: was mustered out 
on June 6. 1865, at Washington, D. C, arriving 



on June 11, at Chicago, where, ten da3 - s later, the 
men received their pay ami final discharge. 

Eighty-seventh Infantry. Enlisted in Au- 
gust, 1862; was composed of companies from 
Hamilton, Edwards, Wayne and While Counties; 
was organized in the latter part of August. 1862. 
at Shawneetown; mustered in, Oct. 3, 1802, the 
muster to take effect from August 2. It took 
part in the siege and capture of Warrenton and 
Jackson, and in the entire campaign through 
Louisiana and Southern Mississippi, participating 
in the battle of Sabine Cross Roads and in numer- 
ous skirmishes among the bayous, being mustered 
out, June 16, 1865, and ordered to Springfield, 
where it arrived, June 24, 1865, and was paid off 
and disbanded at Camp Butler, on July 2. 

Eighty'-eighth Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, in September, 1862, and known as the 
"Second Board of Trade Regiment." It was 
mustered in. Sept. 4, 1862 ; was engaged at Perry- 
ville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary 
Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaea, Adairsville. 
New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Mud Creek, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp Ground, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Franklin 
and Nashville; was mustered out, June 9, 1805, 
at Nashville, Tenn., and arrived at Chicago, 
June 13, 1805, where it received final pay and 
discharge, June 22, 1805. 

Eighty-ninth Infantry. Called the "Rail- 
road Regiment" ; was organized by the railroad 
companies of Illinois, at Chicago, in August. 
1862, and mustered into service on the 27th of 
that month. It fought at Stone River, Chicka 
mauga, Missionary Ridge, Knoxville, Resaea, 
Rocky Face Ridge, Pickett's Mills, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, 
Lovejoy's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia, Frank- 
lin and Nashville; was mustered out, June 10, 
1805, in the field near Nashville, Tenn. ; arrived 
at Chicago two days later, and was finally dis- 
charged, June 24. after a service of two years, 
nine months and twenty seven days. 

Ninetieth Infantry. Mustered into service 
at Chicago, Sept, 7, 1862; participated in the siege 
of Vicksburg and the campaign against Jackson, 
and was engaged at Missionary Ridge, Resaea, 
Dallas, New Hope Church. Big Shanty, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Marietta, Nickajack Creek, Rosswell. 
Atlanta, Jonesboro and Fort McAllister. After 
the review at Washington, the regiment was 
mustered out, June 6, and returned to Chicago, 
June 9, 1805, where it was finally discharged. 

Ninety-first Infantry. Organized at Camp 
Butler, near Springfield, in August, 1802. and 



562 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



mustered in on Sept. 8, 1862; participated in the 
campaigns against Vicksburg and New Orleans, 
and all along the southwestern frontier in 
Louisiana and Texas, as well as in the investiture 
and capture of Mobile. It was mustered out at 
Mobile, July 12, 1865, starting for home the same 
day, and being Anally paid off and discharged on 
July 28, following. 

Ninety-second Infantry (Mounted). Organ- 
ized and mustered into service, Sept. 4, 1862, 
being recruited from Ogle, Stephenson and Car- 
roll Counties. During its term of service, the 
Ninety-second was in more than sixty battles and 
skirmishes, including Ringgold, Chickamauga, 
and the numerous engagements on the "March 
to the Sea," and during the pursuit of Johnston 
through the Carolinas. It was mustered out at 
Concord, N. C. , and paid and discharged from the 
service at Chicago, July 10, 1865. 

Ninety-third Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, in September, 1862, and mustered in, Oct. 
13, 998 strong. It participated in the movements 
against Jackson and Vicksburg, and was engaged 
at Champion Hills and at Fort Fisher; also was 
engaged in the battles of Missionary Ridge, 
Dallas, Resaca, and many minor engagements, 
following Sherman in his campaign though the 
Carolinas. Mustered out of service, June 23, 
1865, and, on the 25th, arrived at Chicago, receiv- 
ing final payment and discharge, July 7, 1S65, the 
regiment having marched 2,554 miles, traveled 
by water, 2,296 miles, and, by railroad, 1,237 
miles — total, 6,087 miles. 

Ninety-fourth Infantry. Organized at 
Bloomington in August, 1862, and enlisted wholly 
in McLean County. After some warm experi 
ence in Southwest Missouri, the regiment took 
part in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and 
was, later, actively engaged in the campaigns in 
Louisiana and Texas. It participated in the cap- 
ture of Mobile, leading the final assault. After 
several months of garrison duty, the regiment was 
mustered out at Galveston, Texas, on July 17, 
1865, reaching Bloomington on August 9, follow- 
ing, having served just three years, marched 1,200 
miles, traveled by railroad 610 miles, and, by 
steamer, 6,000 miles, and taken part in nine bat- 
tles, sieges and skirmishes. 

Ninety-fifth Infantry. Organized at Rock- 
ford and mustered into service, Sept. 4, 1862. It 
was recruited from the counties of McHenry and 
Boone — three companies from the latter and 
seven from the former. It took part in the cam- 
paigns in Northern Mississippi and against Vicks- 
burg in the Red River expedition, the campaigns 



against Price in Missouri and Arkansas, against 
Mobile and around Atlanta. Among the battles 
in which the regiment was engaged were those 
of the Tallahatchie River, Grand Gulf, Raymond, 
Champion Hills, Fort de Russey, Old River, 
Cloutierville, Mansura, Yellow Bayou, Guntown, 
Nashville, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Kenesaw 
Mountain. Chattahoochie River, Atlanta, Ezra 
Church, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station and Nash- 
ville. The distance traveled by the regiment, 
while in the service, was 9,960 miles. It was 
transferred to the Forty-seventh Illinois Infan- 
try, August 25, 1865. 

Ninety-sixth Infantry. Recruited during 
the months of July and August, 1862, and mus- 
tered into service, as a regiment, Sept. 6, 1862. 
The battles engaged in included Fort Donelson, 
Spring Hill, Franklin, Triune, Liberty Gap, 
Shelbyville, Chickamauga, Wauhatchie, Lookout 
Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, 
Resaca, Kingston, New Hope Church, Dallas, 
Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna 
Camp Ground, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Rough 
and Ready. Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station, Frank- 
lin and Nashville. Its date of final pay and dis- 
charge was June 30, 1865. 

Ninety-seventh Infantry. Organized in 
August and September, 1862, and mustered in on 
Sept. 16 ; participated in the battles of Chickasaw 
Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion 
Hills, Black River, Vicksburg, Jackson and 
Mobile. On July 29, 1865, it was mustered out 
and proceeded homeward, reaching Springfield, 
August 10, after an absence of three years, less a 
few days. 

Ninety-eighth Infantry. Organized at Cen- 
tralia, September, 1862, and mustered in, Sept. 3; 
took part in engagements at Chickamauga, Mc- 
Minnville, Farmington and Selma, besides many 
others of less note. It was mustered out, June 
27, 1865, the recruits being transferred to the 
Sixty-first Illinois Volunteers. The regiment 
arrived at Springfield, June 30, and received final 
payment and discharge, July 7, 1865. 

Ninety-ninth Infantry. Organized in Pike 
County and mustered in at Florence, August 23, 
1862; participated in the following battles and 
skirmishes: Beaver Creek, Hartsville, Magnolia 
Hills, Raymond, Champion Hills, Black River, 
Vicksburg, Jackson, Fort Esperanza, Grand 
Coteau, Fish River, Spanish Fort and Blakely: 
days under fire, 62; miles traveled, 5,900; men 
killed in battle, 38; men died of wounds and 
disease, 149; men discharged for disability, 127: 
men deserted, 35; officers killed in battle, 3; 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



563 



officers died, 2; officers resigned, 26. The regi- 
ment was mustered out at Baton Rouge, July 31, 
1865, and paid off and discharged, August 9, 
following. 

One Hundredth Infantry. Organized at 
Joliet, in August, 1862, and mustered in, August 
30. The entire regiment was recruited in Will 
County. It was engaged at Bardstown, Stone 
River, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and 
Nashville : was mustered out of service, June 12, 
1865, at Nashville, Tenn., and arrived at Chicago, 
June 15, where it received final payment and 
discharge. 

One Hundred and First Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Jacksonville during the latter part of the 
month of August, 1862, and. on Sept. 2, 1862, 
was mustered in. It participated in the battles 
of "Wauhatchie, Chattanooga, Resaca, New Hope 
Church, Kenesaw and Pine Mountains, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Averysboro and Bentonville. 
On Dec. 20, 1862, five companies were captured 
at Holly Springs, Miss., paroled and sent to 
Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and formally exchanged 
in June, 1863. On the 7th of June, 1865, it was 
mustered out, and started for Springfield, where, 
on the 21st of June, it was paid off and disbanded. 

One Hundred and Second Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Knoxville, in August, 1862, and mustered 
in, September 1 and 2. It was engaged at Resaca, 
Camp Creek, Burnt Hickory, Big Shanty, Peach 
Tree Creek and Averysboro; mustered out of 
service June 6, 1865, and started home, arriving 
at Chicago on the 9th, and, June 14, received 
final payment and discharge. 

One Hundred and Third Infantry. Re- 
cruited wholly in Fulton County, and mustered 
into the service, Oct. 2, 1862. It took part in 
the Grierson raid, the sieges of Vicksburg, Jack- 
son, Atlanta and Savannah, and the battles of 
Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Dal- 
las, Kenesaw Mountain and Griswoldsville; was 
also in the campaign through the Carolinas. 
The regiment was mustered out at Louisville, 
June 21, and received final discharge at Chi- 
cago, July 9, 1865. The original strength of 
the regiment was 808, and 84 recruits were 
enlisted. 

One Hundred and Fourth Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Ottawa, in August, 1862, and composed 
almost entirely of La Salle County men. The 
regiment was engaged in the battles of Harts- 
ville, Chickamauga. Lookout Mountain, Mission- 
ary Ridge. Resaca. Peach Tree Creek, Utoy 
Creek, Jonesboro and Bentonville, besides many 
severe skirmishes; was mustered out at Washing- 



ton, D. C, June 6, 1865. and, a few days later, 
received final discharge at Chicago. 

One Hundred and Fifth Infantry. Mus- 
tered into service, Sept. 2, 1862, at Dixon, and 
participated in the Atlanta campaign, being 
engaged at Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and 
Atlanta, and almost constantly skirmishing, 
also took part in the "March to the Sea" and the 
campaign in the Carolinas, including the siege of 
Savannah and the battles of Averysboro and 
Bentonville. It was mustered out at Washing- 
ton, D. C, June 7, 1865, and paid off and dis- 
charged at Chicago, June 17. 

One Hundred and Sixth Infantry Mus- 
tered into service at Lincoln, Sept. 18, 1862. 
eight of the ten companies having been recruited 
in Logan County, the other two being from San- 
gamon and Menard Counties. It aided in the 
defense of Jackson, Tenn., where Company "C" 
was captured and paroled, being exchanged in 
the summer of 1863; took part in the siege of 
Vicksburg, the Yazoo expedition, the capture of 
Little Rock, the battle of Clarendon, and per- 
formed service at various points in Arkansas. It 
was mustered out, July 12, 1865, at Pine Bluff, 
Ark , and arrived at Springfield, July 24, 1865, 
where it received final payment and discharge 

One Hundred and Seventh Infantry. Mus- 
tered into service at Springfield, Sept. 4, 1862; 
was composed of six companies from DeWitt and 
four companies from Piatt County. It was 
engaged at Campbell's Station, Dandridge, 
Rocky-Face Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Atlanta, Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville and 
Fort Anderson, and mustered out, June 21, 1865, 
at Salisbury, N. C, reaching Springfield, for 
final payment and discharge, July 2, 1865. - 

One Hundred and Eighth Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Peoria, and mustered into service, August 
28, 1862; took part in the first expedition against 
Vicksburg and in the battles of Arkansas Post 
(Fort Hindman), Port Gibson and Champion 
Hills ; in the capture of Vicksburg, the battle of 
Guntown, the reduction of Spanish Fort, and the 
capture of Mobile. It was mustered out at Vicks- 
burg, August 5, 1865, and received final discharge 
at Chicago, August 11. 

One Hundred and Ninth Infantry. Re- 
cruited from Union and Pulaski Counties and 
mustered into the service, Sept. 11, 1862. Owing 
to its number being greatly reduced, it was con- 
solidated with the Eleventh Infantry in April. 
1863. (See Eleventh Infa ntry. ) 

One Hundred and Tenth Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Anna and mustered in, Sept. 11, 1862; was 



564 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



engaged at Stone Rirer, Woodbury, and in 
numerous skirmishes in Kentucky and Tennessee. 
In May, 1803, the regiment was consolidated, its 
numbers having been greatly reduced. Subse- 
quently it participated in the battles of Chicka- 
mauga and Missionary Ridge, the battles around 
Atlanta and the campaign through the Carolinas, 
being present at Johnston's surrender. The regi- 
ment was mustered out at Washington, D. C, 
June 5, 1805, and received final discharge at 
Chicago, June 15. The enlisted men whose term 
of service had not expired at date of muster-out, 
were consolidated into four companies and trans- 
ferred to the Sixtieth Illinois Veteran Volunteer 
Infantry. 

One Hundred and Eleventh Infantry. Re- 
cruited from Marion. Clay, Washington, Clinton 
and Wayne Counties, and mustered into the serv- 
ice at Salem. Sept. 18, 1S62. The regiment aided 
in the capture of Decatur, Ala. ; took part in the 
Atlanta campaign, being engaged at Resaca. 
Dallas. Kenesaw, Atlanta and Jonesboro ; partici- 
pated in the "March to the Sea" and the cam- 
paign in the Carolinas, taking part in the battles 
of Fort McAllister and Bentonville. It was mus- 
tered out at Washington, D. C, June 7. 1865, 
receiving final discharge at Springfield, June 27, 
having traveled 3,736 miles, of which 1,836 was 
on the march. 

One Hundred and Twelfth Infantry. Mus- 
tered into service at Peoria,- Sept. 20 and 22, 
1862; participated in the campaign in East Ten 
nessee, under Burnside. and in that against 
Atlanta, under Sherman : was also engaged in 
the battles of Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, 
and the capture of Fort Anderson and Wilming- 
ton. It was mustered out at Goldsboro, N. C, 
June 20, 1865, and finally discharged at Chicago, 
July 7, 1865. 

One Hundred and Thirteenth Infantry 
Left Camp Hancock (near Chicago) for the front. 
Nov. 6, 1862; was engaged in the Tallahatchie 
expedition, participated in the battle of Chicka- 
saw Bayou, and was sent North to guard prison- 
ers and recruit. The regiment also took part in 
the siege and capture of Vicksburg, was mustered 
out, June 20, 1865, and finally discharged at Chi- 
cago, five days later. 

One Hundred and Fourteenth Infantry. 
Organized in July and August, 1862, and mustered 
in at Springfield, Sept. 18, being recruited from 
Cass, Menard and Sangamon Counties. The regi- 
ment participated in the battle of Jackson (Miss. ), 
the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and in the 
battles of Guntown and Harrisville, the pursuit 



of Price through Missouri, the battle of Nash- 
ville, and the capture of Mobile. It was mustered 
out at Vicksburg, August 3, 1865, receiving final 
payment and discharge at Springfield. August 15, 
[865. 

One Hundred and Fifteenth Infantry. 
Ordered to the front from Springfield, Oct. 4, 
1862; was engaged at Chickamauga, Chattanooga, 
Missionary Ridge, Tunnel Hill, Resaca and in all 
the principal battles of the Atlanta campaign, 
and in the defense of Nashville and pursuit of 
Hood; was mustered out of service, June 11, 
1865, and received final pay and discharge, June 
23, 1865, at Springfield. 

One Hundred and Sixteenth Infantry. 
Recruited almost wholly from Macon County, 
numbering '.ISO officers and men when it started 
from Decatur for the front on Nov. 8, 1862. It 
participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, 
Arkansas Post. Champion Hills, Black River 
Bridge, Missionary Ridge. Resaca, Dallas, Big 
Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Stone Mountain. 
Atlanta, Fort McAllister and Bentonville, and 
was mustered out, June 7, 1865, near Washington, 
D. C. 

One Hundred and Seventeenth Infantry. 
Organized at Springfield, and mustered in, Sept. 
19, 1862; participated in the Meridian campaign, 
the Red River expedition (assisting in the cap- 
ture of Fort de Russey), and in the battles of 
Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Franklin. 
Nashville, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. It 
was mustered out at Springfield, August 5, 1865, 
having traveled 9,276 miles, 2,307 of which were 
marched. 

One Hundred and Eighteenth Infantry. 
Organized and mustered into the service at 
Springfield, Nov. 7, 1862; was engaged at Chicka- 
saw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Cham- 
pion Hills, Black River Bridge, Jackson (Miss.), 
Grand Coteau, Jackson (La.), and Amite River. 
The regiment was mounted, Oct. 11, 1863, and 
dismounted, May 22, 1865. Oct. 1, 1865, it was 
mustered out, and finally discharged, Oct. 13. 
At the date of the muster-in, the regiment num- 
bered 820 men and officers, received 283 recruits, 
making a total of 1,103; at muster-out it num- 
bered 523. Distance marched, 2,000 miles; total 
distance traveled, 5,700 miles. 

One Hundred and Nineteenth Infantry. 
Organized at Quincy, in September, 1862, and 
was mustered into the United States service, 
October 10 ; was engaged in the Red River cam- 
paign and in the battles of Shreveport, Yellow 
Bayou, Tupelo, Nashville, Spanish Fort and Fort 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



565 



Blakely. Its final muster-out took place at 
Mobile, August 26, 1865, and its discharge at 
Springfield. 

One Hundred and Twentiety Infantry. 
Mustered into the service, Oct. 28, 1862, at Spring- 
field ; was mustered out, Sept. 7, 186.5, and received 
final pa3'ment and discharge, September 10, at 
S{)ringfield. 

One Hundred and Twenty-first Infan- 
try. (The organization of this regiment was not 
completed.) 

One Hundred and Twenty-second Infan- 
try. Organized at Carlinville, in August, 1862, 
and mustered into the service, Sept. 4, with 960 
enlisted men. It participated in the battles of 
Tupelo and Nashville, and in the capture of 
Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, and was mustered 
out, July 15, 1865, at Mobile, and finally dis- 
charged at Springfield, August 4. 

One Hundred and Twenty-third Infan- 
try*. Mustered into service at Mattoon, Sept. 6, 
1862 ; participated in the battles of Perry ville, 
Milton. Hoover's Gap, and Farmington ; also took 
part in the entire Atlanta campaign, marching 
as cavalry and fighting as infantry. Later, it 
served as mounted infantry in Kentucky, Tennes- 
see and Alabama, taking a prominent part in the 
capture of Selma. The regiment was discharged 
at Springfield, July 11, 1865 — the recruits, whose 
terms had not expired, being transferred to the 
Sixty-first Volunteer Infantry. 

One Hundred and Twenty'-fourth Infan- 
try". Mustered into the service, Sept. 10, 1862, at 
Springfield ; took part in the Vicksburg campaign 
and in the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond and 
Champion Hills, the siege of Vicksburg, the 
Meridian raid, the Yazoo expedition, and the 
capture of Mobile. On the 16th of August, 1865, 
eleven days less than three years after the first 
company went into camp at Springfield, the regi- 
ment was mustered out at Chicago. Colonel 
Howe's history of the battle-flag of the regiment, 
stated that it had been borne 4, 100 miles, in four- 
teen skirimishes, ten battles and two sieges of 
forty-seven days and nights, and thirteen days 
and nights, respectively. 

One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Infan- 
try. Mustered into service, Sept. 3, 1862; par- 
ticipated in the battles of Perryville, Chicka- 
mauga, Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Peach Tree Creek. Atlanta and Jonesboro, and in 
the "Ma**ch to the Sea" and the Carolina cam- 
paign, being engaged at Averysboro and Benton- 
ville. It was mustered out at Washington, D. C. , 
June 9, 1865, and finally discharged at Chicago. 



One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Infan- 
try. Organized at Alton and mustered in, Sept. 4, 
1862, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg. 
Six companies were engaged in skirmish line, near 
Humboldt, Tenn., and the regiment took part in 
the capture of Little Rock and in the fight at 
Clarendon. Ark. It was mustered out July 12, 1865. 

One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Infan- 
try. Mustered into service at Chicago, Sept. 6, 
1862; took part in the first campaign against 
Vicksburg, and in the battle of Arkansas Post, 
the siege of Vicksburg under Grant, the capture 
of Jackson (Miss.), the battles of Missionary 
Ridge and Lookout Mountain, the Meridian raid, 
and in the fighting at Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro; also accom- 
panied Sherman in his march through Georgia 
and the Carolinas, taking part in the battle of 
Bentonville ; was mustered out at Chicago June 
17, 1865. 

One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Infan- 
try*. Mustered in, Dec. 18, 1862, but remained 
in service less than five months, when, its num- 
ber of officers and men having been reduced from 
860 to 161 (largely by desertions), a number of 
officers were dismissed, and the few remaining 
officers and men were formed into a detachment, 
and transferred to another Illinois regiment. 

One Hundred and Twenty*-ninth Infan- 
try*. Organized at Pontiac, in August, 1862, and 
mustered into the service Sept. 8. Prior to May, 
1864, the regiment was chiefly engaged in garri- 
son duty. It marched with Sherman in the 
Atlanta campaign and through Georgia and the 
Carolinas, and took part in the battles of Resaca, 
Buzzard's Roost, Lost Mountain, Dallas, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Averysboro and Benton- 
ville. It received final pay and discharge at Chi- 
cago, June 10, 1865. 

One Hundred and Thirtieth Infantry. 
Organized at Springfield and mustered into 
service, Oct. 25, 1862; was engaged at Port Gib- 
son, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, Vicks- 
burg, Jackson (Miss.), and in the Red River 
expedition. While on this expedition almost the 
entire regiment was captured at the battle of 
Mansfield, and not paroled until near the close of 
the war. The remaining officers and men were 
consolidated with the Seventy-seventh Infantry 
in January, 1865, and participated in the capture 
■ if Mobile. Six months later its regimental re- 
organization, as the One Hundred and Thirtieth, 
was ordered. It was mustered out at New 
Orleans, August 15, 1865, and discharged ;. 
Springfield, August 31. 



566 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



One Hundred and Thirty-first Infan- 
try. Organized in September, 1862, and mus- 
tered into the service, Nov. 13, with 815 men, 
exclusive of officers. In October, 1863, it was 
consolidated with the Twenty-ninth Infantry. 
and ceased to exist as a separate organization. 
Up to that time the regiment had been in but a 
few conflicts and in no pitched battle. 

One Hundred and Thirty-second Infan- 
try. Organized at Chicago and mustered in for 
100 days from June 1, 1864. The regiment re- 
mained on duty at Paducah until the expiration 
of its service, when it moved to Chicago, and 
was mustered out, Oct. IT, 1864. 

One Hundred and Thirty-third Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield, and mustered in 
for one hundred days, May 31, 1864; was engaged 
during its term of service in guarding prisoners 
of war at Rock Island ; was mustered out, Sept. 
4, 1864, at Camp Butler. 

One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Infan- 
try. Organized at Chicago and mustered in, 
May 31, 1864, for 100 days; was assigned to 
garrison duty at Columbus, Ky., and mustered 
out of service, Oct. 25, 1864, at Chicago. 

One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Infan- 
try. Mustered in for 100-days' service at Mat- 
toon, June 6, 1864, having a strength of 852 men. 
It was chiefly engaged, during its term of service, 
in doing garrison duty and guarding railroads. 
It was mustered out at Springfield, Sept. 28, 1864. 

One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Infan- 
try. Enlisted about the first of May, 1864, for 
100 days, and went into camp at Centralia, 111., 
but was not mustered into service until June 1, 
following. Its principal service was garrison 
duty, with occasional scouts and raids amongst 
guerrillas. At the end of its term of service the 
regiment re-enlisted for fifteen days; was mus- 
tered out at Springfield, Oct. 22, 1864, and dis- 
charged eight days later 

One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Infan- 
try. Organized at Quincy, with ex-Gov. John 
Wood as its Colonel, and mustered in, June 5, 
1864, for 100 days. Was on duty at Memphis, 
Tenn , and mustered out of service at Spring- 
field. 111.. Sept. 4, 1864. 

One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Infan- 
try Organized at Quincy, and mustered in, 
June 21, 1864, for 100 days; was assigned to garri- 
son duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and in 
Western Missouri. It was mustered out of serv- 
ice at Springfield, 111., Oct. 14, 1864. 

One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Infan- 
try. Mustered into service as a 100-day's regi- 



ment, at Peoria, June 1, 1S64; was engaged in 
garrison duty at Columbus and Cairo, in making 
reprisals for guerrilla raids, and in the pursuit of 
the Confederate General Price in Missouri. The 
latter service was rendered, at the President's 
request, after the term of enlistment had expired. 
It was mustered out at Peoria, Oct. 25, 1864, hav- 
ing been in the service nearly five months. 

One Hundred and Fourtieth Infantry. 
Organized as a 100-days' regiment, at Springfield, 
June 18, 1864, and mustered into service on that 
date. The regiment was engaged in guarding 
railroads between Memphis and Holly Springs.and 
in garrison duty at Memphis. After the term of 
enlistment had expired and the regiment had 
been mustered out, it aided in the pursuit of 
General Price through Missouri ; was finally dis- 
charged at Chicago, after serving about five 
months 

One Hundred and Forty-first Infan- 
try. Mustered into service as a 100- days' regi- 
ment, at Elgin, June 16, 1864 — strength, 842 men; 
departed for the field, June 27, 1864; was mus- 
tered out at Chicago, Oct. 10, 1864. 

One Hundred and Forty-second Infan- 
try. Organized at Freeport as a battalion of 
eight companies, and sent to Camp Butler, where 
two companies were added and the regiment 
mustered into service for 100 daj-s, June 18, 1864. 
It was ordered to Memphis, Tenn., five days later, 
and assigned to duty at White's Station, eleven 
miles from that city, where it was employed in 
guarding the Memphis & Charleston railroad. 
It was mustered out at Chicago, on Oct, 27, 1864, 
the men having voluntarily served one month 
beyond their term of enlistment. 

One Hundred and Forty-third Infan- 
try". Organized at Mattoon, and mustered in, 
June 11, 1864, for 100 days. It was assigned to 
garrison duty, and mustered out at Mattoon, 
Sept. 26, 1864. 

One Hundred and Forty'-fourth Infan- 
try. Organized at Alton, in 1864, as a one-year 
regiment; was mustered into the service, Oct. 21, 
its strength being 1,159 men. It was mustered 
out, July 14, 1865. 

One Hundred and Forty-fifth Infan- 
try. Mustered into service at Springfield, June 
9, 1864; strength, 880 men. It departed for the 
field, June 12, 1864; was mustered out, Sept. 23, 
1864. 

One Hundred and Forty-sixth Infan- 
try". Organized at Springfield, Sept. 18, 1864, for 
one year. Was assigned to the duty of guarding 
drafted men at Brighton, Quincy, Jacksonville 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



567 



and Springfield, and mustered out at Springfield, 
July 5, I860. 

One Hundred and Forty-seventh Infan- 
try. Organized at Chicago, and mustered into 
service for one year, Feb. 18 and 19, 1865; was 
engaged chiefly on guard or garrison duty, in 
scouting and in skirmishing with guerrillas. 
Mustered out at Nashville, Jan. 22, 1866, and 
received final discharge at Springfield, Feb. 4. 

One Hundred and Forty-eighth Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield, Feb. 21, 1865, for 
the term of one year; was assigned to garrison 
and guard duty and mustered out, Sept. 5, 1865, 
at Nashville, Tenn; arrived at Springfield, Sept. 
9, 1865, where it was paid off and discharged. 

One Hundred and Forty-ninth Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield, Feb. 11, 1865, 
and mustered in for one year; was engaged in 
garrison and guard duty ; mustered out, Jan. 27, 
1866, at Dalton, Ga., and ordered to Springfield, 
where it received final payment and discharge. 

One Hundred and Fiftieth Infantry. 
Organized at Springfield, and mustered in, Feb. 14, 
1865, for one year ; was on duty in Tennessee and 
Georgia, guarding railroads and garrisoning 
towns. It was mustered out, Jan. 16, 1866, at 
Atlanta, Ga., and ordered to Springfield, where it 
received final payment and discharge. 

One Hundred and Fifty-first Infantry. 
This regiment was organized at Quincy, 111., 
and mustered into the United States service, 
Feb. 23, 1865, and was composed of companies 
from various parts of the State, recruited, under 
the call of Dec. 19, 1864. It was engaged in 
guard duty, with a few guerrilla skirmishes, and 
was present at the surrender of General War- 
ford's army, at Kingston, Ga. ; was mustered out 
at Columbus, Ga., Jan. 24, 1866, and ordered to 
Springfield, where it received final payment and 
discharge, Feb. 8, 1866. 

One Hundred and Fifty-second Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield and mustered in, 
Feb. 18, 1865, for one year; was mustered out of 
service, to date Sept. 11, at Memphis, Tenn., and 
arrived at Camp Butler, Sept. 9, 1865, where it 
received final payment and discharge. 

One Hundred and Fifty-third Infan- 
try. Organized at Chicago, and mustered in, 
Feb. 27, 1865, for one year; was not engaged in 
any battles. It was mustered out, Sept. 15, 1865, 
and moved to Springfield, 111., and, Sept. 24, 
received final pay and discharge. 

One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield, Feb. 21, 1865, 
for one year. Sept. 18, 1865, the regiment was 



mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., and ordered to 
Springfield for final payment and discharge, 
where it arrived, Sept. 22; was paid oft and dis- 
charged at Camp Butler, Sept. 29. 

One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield and mustered in 
Feb. 28, 1865, for one year, 904 strong. On Sept. 
4, 1865, it was mustered out of service, and moved 
to Camp Butler, where it received final pay and 
discharge. 

One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Infan- 
try. Organized and mustered in during the 
months of February and March, 1865, from the 
northern counties of the State, for the term of 
one year. The officers of the regiment have left 
no written record of its history, but its service 
seems to have been rendered chiefly in Tennessee 
in the neighborhood of Memphis, Nashville and 
Chattanooga. Judging by the muster-rolls of 
the Adjutant-General, the regiment would appear 
to have been greatly depleted by desertions and 
otherwise, the remnant being finally mustered 
out, Sept. 20, 1865. 

First Cavalry. Organized — consisting of 
seven companies, A, B, C, D, E, F and G — at 
Alton, in 1861, and mustered into the United 
States service, July 3. After some service in 
Missouri, the regiment participated in the battle 
of Lexington, in that State, and was surrendered, 
with the remainder of the garrison, Sept. 20, 1861. 
The officers were paroled, and the men sworn not 
to take up arms again until discharged. No ex- 
change having been effected in November, the 
non-commissioned officers and privates were 
ordered to Springfield and discharged. In June, 
1862, the regiment was reorganized at Benton 
Barracks, Mo., being afterwards employed in 
guarding supply trains and supply depots at 
various points. Mustered out, at Benton Bar- 
racks, July 14, 1862. 

Second Cavalry. Organized at Springfield 
and mustered into service, August 12, 1861, with 
Company M (which joined the regiment some 
months later), numbering 47 commissioned offi- 
cers and 1,040 enlisted men. This number was in- 
creased by recruits and re-enlistments, during its 
four and a half year's term of service, to 2,236 
enlisted men and 145 commissioned officers. It 
was engaged at Belmont ; a portion of the regi- 
ment took part in the battles at Fort Henry, 
Fort Donelson and Shiloh, another portion at 
Merriweather's Ferry, Bolivar and Holly Springs, 
and participated in the investment of Vicksburg. 
In January, 1864, the major part of the regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans, later, participating in the 



5GS 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Red River expedition and the investment of Fort 
Blakely. It was mustered out at San Antonio, 
Tex., Nov. 22, 1865, and finally paid and dis- 
charged at Springfield, Jan. 3, 1866. 

Third Cavalry. Composed of twelve com- 
panies, from various localities in the State, the 
grand total of company officers and enlisted men, 
under the first organization, being 1,433. It was 
organized at Springfield, in August, 1861 ; partici- 
pated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Haines' Bluff, 
Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, 
Black River Bridge, and the siege of Vicksburg. 
In July, 1864, a large portion of the regiment re- 
enlisted as veterans. The remainder were mus- 
tered out, Sept. 5, 1864. The veterans participated 
in the repulse of Forrest, at Memphis, and in the 
battles of Lawrenceburg, Spring Hill, Campbells- 
ville and Franklin. From May to October, 1865, 
engaged in service against the Indians in the 
Northwest The regiment was mustered out at 
Springfield, Oct. 18, 1865. 

Fourth Cavalry. Mustered into service, 
Sept. 26, 1861, and participated in the battles of 
Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Shiloh; in the 
siege of Corinth, and in many engagements of 
less historic note ; was mustered out at Springfield 
in November, 1864. By order of the War Depart- 
ment, of June 18, 1865, the members of the 
regiment whose terms had not expired, were con- 
solidated with the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry. 

Fifth Cavalry. Organized at Camp Butler, 
in November, 1861 ; took part in the Meridian 
raid and the expedition against Jackson, Miss., 
and in numerous minor expeditions, doing effect- 
ive work at Canton, Grenada, Woodville, and 
other points. On Jan. 1, 1864, a large portion of 
the regiment re-enlisted as veterans. Its final 
muster-out took place, Oct. 27, 1865, and it re- 
ceived final payment and discharge, October 30. 
Sixth Cavalry. Organized at Springfield, 
Nov. 19, 1861; participated in Sherman's advance 
upon Grenada ; in the Grierson raid through Mis- 
sissippi and Louisiana, the siege of Port Hudson, 
the battles of Moscow (Tenn), West Point (Miss.), 
Franklin and Nashville; re-enlisted as veterans, 
March 30, 1864; was mustered out at Selma, Ala., 
Nov. 5, 1865, and received discharge, November 
20, at Springfield. 

Seventh Cavalry. Organized at Springfield, 
and was mustered into service, Oct. 13, 1861. It 
participated in the battles of Farmington, Iuka, 
Corinth (second battle) ; in Grierson's raid 
through Mississippi and Louisiana; in the en- 
gagement at Plain's Store (La.), and the invest- 
ment of Port Hudson. In March, 1864, 288 



officers and men re-enlisted as veterans. The 
non-veterans were engaged at Guntown, and the 
entire regiment took part in the battle of Frank- 
lin. After the close of hostilities, it was stationed 
in Alabama and Mississippi, until the latter part 
of October, 1865 ; was mustered out at Nashville, 
and finally discharged at Springfield, Nov. 17, 
1865. 

Eighth Cavalry. Organized at St. Charles, 
111., and mustered in, Sept. 18, 1861. The regi- 
ment was ordered to Virginia, and participated 
in the general advance on Manassas in March, 
1862; was engaged at Mechanicsville, Gaines' 
Hill, Malvern Hill, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Middle- 
town, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg, Sulphur Springs, Warrenton, Rapidan 
Station, Northern Neck, Gettysburg, Williams- 
burg, Funkstown, Falling Water, Chester Gap 
Sandy Hook, Culpepper, Brandy Station, and in 
many raids and skirmishes. It was mustered 
out of service at Benton Barracks, Mo., July 17, 
1865, and ordered to Chicago, where it received 
final payment and discharge. 

Ninth Cavalry Organized at Chicago, in 
the autumn of 1861, and mustered in, November 
30; was engaged at Coldwater, Grenada, Wyatt, 
Saulsbury, Moscow, Guntown, Pontotoc, Tupelo, 
Old Town Creek, Hurricane Creek, Lawrence- 
burg, Campellsville, Franklin and Nashville. 
The regiment re-enlisted as veterans, March 16, 
1864; was mustered out of service at Selma, Ala., 
Oct. 31, 1865, and ordered to Springfield, where 
the men received final payment and discharge. 

Tenth Cavalry. Organized at Springfield in 
the latter part of September, 1861, and mustered 
into service, Nov. 25, 1861 ; was engaged at Prairie 
Grove, Cotton Plant, Arkansas Post, in the 
Yazoo Pass expedition, at Richmond (La.), 
Brownsville, Bayou Metoe, Bayou La Fourche 
and Little Rock. In February, 1864, a large 
portion of the regiment re-enlisted as veter- 
ans, the non-veterans accompanying General 
Banks in his Red River expedition. On Jan. 27, 
1865, the veterans, and recruits were consolidated 
with the Fifteenth Cavahy, and all reorganized 
under the name of the Tenth Illinois Veteran 
Volunteer Cavalry. Mustered out of service at 
San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 22, 1865, and received 
final discharge at Springfield, Jan. 6, 1866. 

Eleventh Cavalry. Robert G. Ingersoll of 
Peoria, and Basil D. Meeks, of Woodford County, 
obtained permission to raise a regiment of 
cavalry, and recruiting commenced in October, 
1861. The regiment was recruited from the 
counties of Peoria, Fulton, Tazewell, Woodford, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



560 



Marshall, Stark, Knox, Henderson and Wan-en; 
was mustered into the service at Peoria, Dec. 20, 
1861, and was lirst under tire at Shiloh. It also 
took part in the raid in the rear of Corinth, and 
in the battles of Bolivar, Corinth (second battle), 
Iuka, Lexington and Jackson (Tenn. ) ; in Mc- 
Pherson's expedition to Canton and Sherman's 
Meridian raid, in the relief of Yazoo City, and in 
numerous less important raids and skirmishes. 
Most of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans in 
December, 1863; the non-veterans being mus- 
tered out at Memphis, in the autumn of 1864. The 
veterans were mustered out at the same place, 
Sept. 30, 1865, and discharged at Springfield, 
October 20. 

Twelfth Cavalry. Organized at Springfield, 
in February, 1862, and remained there guarding 
rebel prisoners until June 25, when it was 
mounted and sent to Martinsburg, Va. It was 
engaged at Fredericksburg. Williamsport, Falling 
Waters, the Rapidan and Stevensburg. On Nov. 
26, 1863, the regiment was relieved from service 
and ordered home to reorganize as veterans. 
Subsequently it joined Banks in the Red River 
expedition and in Davidson's expedition against 
Mobile. While at Memphis the Twelfth Cavalry 
was consolidated into an eight-company organi- 
zation, and the Fourth Cavalry, having previously 
been consolidated into a battalion of five com- 
panies, was consolidated with the Twelfth. The 
consolidated regiment was mustered out at 
Houston, Texas, May 29, 1S66, and, on June 18, 
received final pay and discharge at Springfield. 

Thirteenth Cavalry. Organized at Chicago, 
in December, 1861 ; moved to the front from 
Benton Barracks, Mo., in February, 1862, and 
was engaged in the following battles and skir- 
mishes (all in Missouri and Arkansas) ; Putnam's 
Ferry, Cotton Plant, Union City (twice), Camp 
Pillow, Bloomfield (first and second battles), Van 
Buren, Allen, Eleven Point River, Jackson, 
White River, Chalk Bluff, Bushy Creek, near 
Helena, Grand Prairie. White River, Deadman's 
Lake, Brownsville. Bayou Metoe, Austin, Little 
Rock, Benton, Batesville, Pine Bluff, Arkadel- 
phia, Okolona, Little Missouri River, Prairie du 
Anne, Camden, Jenkins' Ferry, Cross Roads, 
Mount Elba, Douglas Landing and Monticello. 
The regiment was mustered out, August 31, 1865, 
and received final pay and discharge at Spring- 
field. Sept. 13. 1865. 

Fourteenth Cavalry. Mustered into service 
at Peoria, in January and February, 1863; par- 
ticipated in the battle of Cumberland Gap, in the 
defense of Knoxville and the pursuit of Long- 



street, in the engagements at Bean Station and 
Dandridge, in the Macon raid, and in the cavalry 
battle at Sunshine Church. In the latter Gen- 
eral Stoneman surrendered, but the Fourteenth 
cut its way out. On their retreat the men were 
betrayed by a guide and the regiment badly cut 
up and scattered, those escaping being hunted by 
soldiers with bloodhounds. Later, it was engaged 
at Waynesboro and in the battles of Franklin and 
Nashville, and was mustered out at Nashville, 
July 31, 1865, having marched over 10,000 miles, 
exclusive of duty done by detachments. 

Fifteenth Cavalry. Composed of companies 
originally independent, attached to infantry regi- 
ments and acting as such; participated in the 
battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and in the 
siege and capture of Corinth. Regimental or- 
ganization was effected in the spring of 1863, and 
thereafter it was engaged chiefly in scouting and 
post duty. It was mustered out at Springfield, 
August 25, 1864, the recruits (whose term ol 
service had not expired) being consolidated with 
the Tenth Cavalry. 

Sixteenth Cavalry. Composed principally 
of Chicago men — Thieleman's and Schambeck's 
Cavalry Companies, raised at the outset of the 
war, forming the nucleus of the regiment. The 
former served as General Sherman's body-guard 
for some time. Captain Thieleman was made a 
Major and authorized to raise a battalion, the 
two companies named thenceforth being knowj • 
as Thieleman's Battalion. In September, 1862, 
the War Department authorized the extension of 
the battalion to a regiment, and, on the 11th of 
June, 1863, the regimental organization was com- 
pleted. It took part in the East Tennessee cam- 
paign, a portion of the regiment aiding in the 
defense of Knoxville, a part garrisoning Cumber- 
and Gap, and one battalion being captured by 
Longstreet. The regiment also participated in 
the battles of Rocky Face Ridge, Buzzard's 
Roost, Resaca, Kingston, Cassville. Carterville, 
Allatoona, Kenesaw, Lost Mountain, Mines 
Ridge, Powder Springs, Chattahoochie, Atlanta, 
Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville. It arrived 
in Chicago, August 23, 1865, for final payment 
and discharge, having marched about 5,000 miles 
and engaged in thirty-one battles, besides numer- 
ous skirmishes. 

Seventeenth Cavalry. Mustered into serv- 
ice in January and February, 1864; aided in the 
repulse of Price at Jefferson City, Mo. , and was 
engaged at Booneville. Independence, Mine 
Creek, and Fort Scott, besides doing garrison 
duty, scouting and raiding. It was mustered 



570 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



out in November and December, 1865, at Leaven- 
worth, Kan. Gov. John L. Beveridge, who had 
previously been a Captain and Major of the 
Eighth Cavalry, was the Colonel of this regi- 
ment. 

First Light Artillery. Consisted of ten 
batteries. Battery A was organized under the 
first call for State troops, April 21, 1861, but not 
mustered into the three years' service until July 
16; was engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, 
Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the sieges of 
Vicksburg and Jackson, and in the Atlanta cam- 
paign; was in reserve at Champion Hills and 
Nashville, and mustered out July 3, 1865, at 
Chicago. 

Battery B was organized in April, 1861, en- 
gaged at Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, in the 
siege of Corinth and at La Grange, Holly Springs, 
Memphis, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the 
siege of Vicksburg, Mechanicsburg, Richmond 
(La.), the Atlanta campaign and the battle of 
Nashville. The Battery was reorganized by con- 
solidation with Battery A, and mustered out at 
Chicago, July 2, 1865. 

Battery D was organized at Cairo, Sept. 2, 1861 ; 
was engaged at Fort Donelson and at Shiloh, 
and mustered out, July 28, 1865, at Chicago. 

Battery E was organized at Camp Douglas and 
mustered into service, Dec. 19, 1861 ; was engaged 
at Shiloh, Corinth, Jackson, Vicksburg, Gun- 
town, Pontotoc, Tupelo and Nashville, and mus- 
tered out at Louisville, Dec. 24, 1864. 

Battery F was recruited at Dixon and mus- 
tered in at Springfield, Feb. 25, 1862. It took 
part in the siege of Corinth and the Yocona 
expedition, and was consolidated with the other 
batteries in the regiment, March 7, 1865. 

Battery G was organized at Cairo and mus- 
tered in Sept. 28, 1861 ; was engaged in the siege 
and the second battle of Corinth, and mustered 
out at Springfield, July 24, 1865. 

Battery H was recruited in and about Chicago, 
during January and February, 1862 ; participated 
in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, and 
in the Atlanta campaign, the "March to the 
Sea," and through the Carolinas with Sherman. 

Battery I was organized at Camp Douglas and 
mustered in, Feb. 10, 1862; was engaged at 
Shiloh, in the Tallahatchie raid, the sieges of 
Vicksburg and Jackson, and in the battles of 
Chattanooga and Vicksburg It veteranized, 
March 17, 1864, and was mustered out, July 26, 
1865. 

Battery K was organized at Shawneetown and 
mustered in, Jan. 9, 1S62, participated in Burn- 



side's campaign in Tennessee, and in the capture 
of Knoxville. Part of the men were mustered 
out at Springfield in June, 1865, and the re- 
manider at Chicago in July. 

Battery M was organized at Camp Douglas and 
mustered into the service, August 12, 1862, for 
three years. It served through the Chickamauga 
campaign, being engaged at Chickamauga; also 
was engaged at Missionary Ridge, was besieged 
at Chattanooga, and took part in all the impor- 
tant battles of the Atlanta campaign. It was 
mustered out at Chicago, July 24, 1864, having 
traveled 3,102 miles and been under fire 178 days. 

Second Light Artillery. Consisted of nine 
batteries. Battery A was organized at Peoria, 
and mustered into service, May 23, 1861 ; served 
in Missouri and Arkansas, doing brilliant work 
at Pea Ridge. It was mustered out of service at 
Springfield, July 27, 1865. 

Battery D was organized at Cairo, and mustered 
into service in December, 1861 ; was engaged at 
Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jackson, 
Meridian and Decatur, and mustered out at 
Louisville, Nov. 21, 1864. 

Battery E was organized at St. Louis, Mo., in 
August, 1861, and mustered into service, August 
20, at that point. It was engaged at Fort Donel- 
son and Shiloh, and in the siege of Corinth and 
the Yocona expedition — was consolidated with 
Battery A. 

Battery F was organized at Cape Girardeau, 
Mo., and mustered in, Dec. 11, 1861; was engaged 
at Shiloh, in the siege and second battle of 
Corinth, and the Meridian campaign; also 
at Kenesaw, Atlanta and Jonesboro. It was 
mustered out. July 27, 1865, at Springfield. 

Battery H was organized at Springfield, De- 
cember, 1861, and mustered in, Dec. 31, 1861 ; was 
engaged at Fort Donelson and in the siege of 
Fort Pillow; veteranized, Jan. 1, 1864, was 
mounted as cavalry the following summer, and 
mustered out at Springfield, July 29, 1865. 

Battery I was recruited in Will County, and 
mustered into service at Camp Butler, Dec. 31, 
1861. It participated in the siege of Island No. 
10, in the advance upon Cornith, and in the 
battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Lookout 
Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Chattanooga. 
It veteranized, Jan. 1, 1864, marched with Sher- 
man to Atlanta, and thence to Savannah and 
through the Carolinas, and was mustered out at 
Springfield. 

Battery K was organized at Springfield and 
mustered in Dec. 31, 1863; was engaged at Fort 
Pillow, the capture of Clarkston, Mo., and the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



571 



siege of Vicksburg. It was mustered out, July 
14, 1865, at Chicago. 

Battery L was organized at Chicago and mus- 
tered in, Feb. 28, 1862; participated in the ad- 
vance on Corinth, the battle of Hatchie and the 
advance on the Tallahatchie, and was mustered 
out at Chicago, August 9, 1865. 

Battery M was organized at Chicago, and mus- 
tered in at Springfield, June, 1862 ; was engaged 
at Jonesboro, Blue Spring, Blountsville and 
Rogersville, being finally consolidated with 
other batteries of the regiment. 

Chicago Board of Trade Battery. Organ- 
ized through the efforts of the Chicago Board of 
Trade, which raised §15,000 for its equipment, 
within forty-eight hours. It was mustered into 
service, August 1, 1862, was engaged at Law- 
renceburg, Murfreesboro, Stone River, Chicka- 
mauga, Farmington, Decatur (Ga.), Atlanta, 
Lovejoy Station, Nashville, Selma and Columbus 
(Ga. ) It was mustered out at Chicago, June 30, 
1865, and paid in full, July 3, having marched 
5,268 miles and traveled by rail 1,231 miles. The 
battery was in eleven of the hardest battles 
fought in the West, and in twenty-six minor 
battles, being in action forty-two times while on 
scouts, reconnoissances or outpost duty. 

Chicago Mercantile Battery. Recruited 
and organized under the auspices of the Mercan- 
tile Association, an association of prominent and 
patriotic merchants of the City of Chicago. It 
was mustered into service, August 29, 1862, at 
Camp Douglas, participated in the Tallahatchie 
and Yazoo expeditions, the first attack upon 
Vicksburg, the battle of Arkansas Post, the siege 
of Vicksburg, the battles of Magnolia Hills, 
Champion Hills, Black River Bridge and Jackson 
(Miss.); also took part in Banks' Red River ex- 
pedition ; was mustered out at Chicago, and 
received final payment, July 10, 1865, having 
traveled, by river, sea and land, over 11,000 
miles. 

Springfield Light Artillery. Recruited 
principally from the cities of Springfield, Belle- 
ville and Wenona, and mustered into service at 
Springfield, for the term of three years, August 
21, 1862, numbering 199 men and officers. It 
participated in the capture of Little Rock and in 
the Red River expedition, and was mustered out 
at Springfield, 114 strong, June 30, 1865. 

Cogswell's Battery, Light Artillery. 
Organized at Ottawa, 111., and mustered in, Nov. 
11, 1861, as Company A (Artillery) Fifty-third 
Illinois Volunteers, Colonel Cushman command- 
ing the regiment. It participated in the 



advance on Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, the 
battle of Missionary Ridge, and the capture of 
Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, near Mobile. The 
regiment was mustered out at Springfield, August 
14, 1865, having served three years and nine 
months, marched over 7,500 miles, and partici- 
pated in seven sieges and battles. 

Sturges Rifles. An independent company, 
organized at Chicago, armed, equipped and sub- 
sisted for nearly two mouths, by the patriotic 
generosity of Mr. Solomon Sturges ; was mustered 
into service, May 6, 1861 ; in June following, was 
ordered to West Virginia, serving as body- 
guard of General McClellan; was engaged at 
Rich Mountain, in the siege of Yorktown, and in 
the seven days' battle of the Chickahominy. A 
portion of the company was at Antietam, the 
remainder having been detached as foragers, 
scouts, etc. It was mustered out at Washington, 
Nov. 25, 1862. 

WAR, THE SPANISH - AMERICAS. The 
oppressions and misrule which had character- 
ized the administration of affairs by the Spanish 
Government and its agents for generations, in the 
Island of Cuba, culminated, in April, 1898, in 
mutual declarations of war between Spain and 
the United States. The causes leading up to this 
result were the injurious effects upon American 
commerce and the interests of American citizens 
owning property in Cuba, as well as the constant 
expense imposed upon the Government of the 
United States in the maintenance of a large navy 
along the South Atlantic coast to suppress fili- 
bustering, superadded to the friction and unrest 
produced among the people of this country by the 
long continuance of disorders and abuses so near 
to our own shores, which aroused the sympathy 
and indignation of the entire civilized world. 
For three years a large proportion of the Cuban 
population had been in open rebellion against the 
Spanish Government, and, while the latter had 
imported a large army to the island and sub- 
jected the insurgents and their families and 
sympathizers to the grossest cruelties, not even 
excepting torture and starvation itself, their 
policy had failed to bring the insurgents into 
subjection or to restore order. In this condition 
of affairs the United States Government had 
endeavored, through negotiation, to secure a miti- 
gation of the evils complained of, by a modifica- 
tion of the Spanish policy of government in the 
island; but all suggestions in this direction had 
either been resented by Spain as unwarrantable 
interference in her affairs, or promises of reform, 
when made, had been as invariably broken. 



572 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



In the meantime an increasing sentiment had 
been growing up in the United States in favor of 
conceding belligerent rights to the Cuban insur- 
gents, or the recognition of their independence, 
which found expression in measures proposed in 
Congress — all offers of friendly intervention by 
the United States having been rejected by Spain 
with evidences of indignation. Compelled, at 
last, to recognize its inability to subdue the insur- 
rection, the Spanish Government, in November, 
1897, made a pretense of tendering autonomy to 
the Cuban people, with the privilege of amnesty 
to the insurgents on laying down their arms. 
The long duration of the war and the outrages 
perpetrated upon the helpless "reconcentrados," 
coupled with the increased confidence of the 
insurgents in the final triumph of their cause, 
rendered this movement — even if intended to be 
carried out to the letter — of no avail. The 
proffer came too late, and was promptly rejected. 

In this condition of affairs and with a view to 
greater security for American interests, the 
American battleship Maine was ordered to 
Havana, on Jan. 24, 1898. It arrived in Havana 
Harbor the following day, and was anchored at a 
point designated by the Spanish commander. On 
the night of February 15, following, it was blown 
up and destroyed by some force, as shown by after 
investigation, applied from without. Of a crew 
of 354 men belonging to the vessel at the time, 
206 were either killed outright by the explosion, 
or died from their wounds. Not only the Ameri- 
can people, but the entire civilized world, was 
shocked by the catastrophe. An act of horrible 
treachery had been perpetrated against an 
American vessel and its crew on a peaceful mis- 
sion in the harbor of a professedly friendly na- 
tion. 

The successive steps leading to actual hostili- 
ties were rapid and eventful. One of the earliest 
and most significant of these was the passage, by 
a unanimous vote of both houses of Congress, on 
March 9, of an appropriation placing §50,000,000 
in the hands of the President as an emergency 
fund for purposes of national defense. This was 
followed, two days later, by an order for the 
mobilization of the army. The more important 
events following this step were: An order, under 
ilnte of April 5, withdrawing American consuls 
from Spanish stations; the departure, on April 9, 
of Consul-General Fitzhugh Lee from Havana; 
April 19, the adoption by Congress of concurrent 
resolutions declaring Cuba independent and 
directing the President to use the land and naval 
forces of the United States to put an end to 



Spanish authority in the island; April 20, the 
sending to the Spanish Government, by the Presi- 
dent, of an ultimatum in accordance with this 
act; April 21, the delivery to Minister Woodford, 
at Madrid, of his passports without waiting for 
the presentation of the ultimatum, with the 
departure of the Spanish Minister from Washing- 
ton; April 23, the issue of a call by the President 
for 125,000 volunters; April 24, the final declara- 
tion of war by Spain; April 25, the adoption by 
Congress of a resolution declaring that war had 
existed from April 21; on the same date an order 
to Admiral Dewey, in command of the Asiatic 
Squadron at Hongkong, to sail for Manila with a 
view to investing that city and blockading 
Philippine ports. 

The chief events subsequent to the declaration 
of war embraced the following; May 1, the 
destruction by Admiral Dewey's squadron of the 
Spanish fleet in the harbor of Manila; May 19, 
the arrival of the Spanisli Admiral Cervera's fleet 
at Santiago de Cuba; May 25, a second call by 
the President for 75,000 volunteers; July 3, the 
attempt of Cervera's fleet to escape, and its 
destruction off Santiago; July 17, the surrender 
of Santiago to the forces under General Shafter; 
July 30, the statement by the President, through 
the French Ambassador at Washington, of the 
terms on which the United States would consent 
to make peace ; August 9, acceptance of the peace 
terms by Spain, followed, three days later, by the 
signing of the peace protocol; September 9, the 
appointment by the President of Peace Commis- 
sioners on the part of the United States; Sept. 18, 
the announcement of the Peace Commissioners 
selected by Spain; October 1, the beginning of the 
Peace Conference by the representatives of the 
two powers, at Paris, and the formal signing, on 
December 10, of the peace treaty, including the 
recognition by Spain of the freedom of Cuba, 
with the transfer to the United States of Porto 
Rico and her other West India islands, together 
with the surrender of the Philippines for a con- 
sideration of $20,000,000. 

Seldom, if ever, in the history of nations have 
such vast and far-reaching results been accom- 
plished within so short a period. The war, 
which practically began with the destruction of 
the Spanish fleet in Manila Harbor — an event 
which aroused the enthusiasm of the whole 
American people, and won the respect and 
admiration of other nations — was practically 
ended by the surrender of Santiago and the 
declaration by the President of the conditions of 
peace just three months later. Succeeding 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



5T3 



events, up to the formal signing of the peace 
treaty, were merely the recognition of results 
previously determined. 

Histoky of Illinois Regiments. — The part 
played by Illinois in connection with these events 
may be briefly summarized in the history of Illi- 
nois regiments and other organizations. Under 
the first call of the President for 125,000 volun- 
teers, eight regiments — seven of infantry and one 
of cavalry — were assigned to Illinois, to which 
was subsequently added, on application through 
Governor Tanner, one battery of light artil- 
lery. The infantry regiments were made up 
of the Illinois National Guard, numbered 
consecutively from one to seven, and were 
practically mobilized at their home stations 
within forty-eight hours from the receipt of the 
call, and began to arrive at Camp Tanner, near 
Springfield, the place of rendezvous, on April 26, 
the day after the issue of the Governor's call. 
The record of Illinois troops is conspicuous for 
the promptness of their response and the com- 
pleteness of their organization — in this respect 
being unsurpassed by those of any other State. 
Under the call of May 25 for an additional force 
of 75,000 men, the quota assigned to Illinois was 
two regiments, which were promptly furnished, 
taking the names of the Eighth and Ninth. The 
first of these belonged to the Illinois National 
Guard, as the regiments mustered in under the 
first call had done, while the Ninth was one of a 
number of "Provisional Regiments" which had 
tendered their services to the Government. Some 
twenty-five other regiments of this class, more or 
less complete, stood ready to perfect their organi- 
zations should there be occasion for their serv- 
ices. The aggregate strength of Illinois organi- 
zations at date of muster out from the United 
States service was 12,280—11,789 men and 491 
officers. 

First Regiment Illinois Volunteers (orig- 
inally Illinois National Guard) was organized at 
Chicago, and mustered into the United States 
service at Camp Tanner (Springfield), under the 
command of Col. Henry L. Turner, May 13, 1898; 
left Springfield for Camp Thomas (Chickamauga) 
May 17; assigned to First Brigade, Third 
Division, of the First Army Corps; started for 
Tampa, Fla., June 2, but soon after arrival there 
was transferred to Picnic Island, and assigned to 
provost duty in place of the First United States 
Infantry. On June 30 the bulk of the regiment 
embarked for Cuba, but was detained in the har- 
bor at Key West until July 5, when the vessel 
sailed for Santiago, arriving in Guantanamo Bay 



on the evening of the 8th. Disembarking on 
the 10th, the whole regiment arrived on the 
firing line on the 11th, spent several days and 
nights in the trenches before Santiago, and 
were present at the surrender of that city 
on the 17th. Two companies had previously 
been detached for the scarcely less perilous duty 
of service in the fever hospitals and in caring 
for their wounded comrades. The next month 
was spent on guard duty in the captured city, 
until August 25, when, depleted in numbers and 
weakened by fever, the bulk of the regiment was 
transferred by hospital boats to Camp Wikoff, on 
Montauk Point, L. I." The members of the regi- 
ment able to travel left Camp Wikoff, September 
8, for Chicago, arriving two days later, where they 
met an enthusiastic reception and were mustered 
out, November 17, 1,235 strong (rank and file) — a 
considerable number of recruits having joined the 
regiment just before leaving Tampa. The record 
of the First was conspicuous by the fact that it 
was the only Illinois regiment to see service in 
Cuba during the progress of actual hostilities. 
Before leaving Tampa some eighty members of the 
regiment were detailed for engineering duty in 
Porto Rico, sailed for that island on July 12, and 
were among the first to perform service there. 
The First suffered severely from yellow fever 
while in Cuba, but, as a regiment, while in the 
service, made a brilliant record, which was highly 
complimented in the official reports of its com- 
manding officers. 

Second Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry (originally Second I. N. G.). This regi- 
ment, also from Chicago, began to arrive at 
Springfield, April 27, 1898— at that time number- 
ing 1,202 men and 47 officers, under command of 
Col. George M. Moulton; was mustered in 
between May 4 and May 15; on May 17 started 
for Tampa, Fla., but en route its destination was 
changed to Jacksonville, where, as a part of the 
Seventh Army Corps, under command of Gen. 
Fitzhugh Lee, it assisted in the dedication of 
Camp Cuba Libre. October 25 it was transferred 
to Savannah, Ga., remaining at "Camp Lee" until 
December 8, when two battalions embarked for 
Havana, landing on the 15th, being followed, a 
few days later, by the Third Battalion, and sta- 
tioned at Camp Columbia. From Dec. 17 to Jan. 
11, 1899, Colonel Moulton served as Chief of 
Police for the city of Havana. On March 28 to 30 
the regiment left Camp Columbia in detach- 
ments for Augusta, Ga. . where it arrived April 
5, and was mustered out, April 2(5, 1,051 strong 
(rank and file), and returned to Chicago. Dur 



574 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ing its .stay in Cuba the regiment did not lose a 
man. A history of this regiment has been 
written by Rev. H. W. Bolton, its late Chaplain. 

Third Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry, composed of companies of the Illinois 
National Guard from the counties of La Salle. 
Livingston, Kane, Kankakee, McHenry, Ogle, 
Will, and Winnebago, under command of Col. 
Fred Bennitt, reported at Springfield, with 1,170 
men and 50 officers, on April 27 ; was mustered 
in May 7, 1898; transferred from Springfield to 
Camp Thomas (Chickamauga), May 14; on July 
22 left Chickamauga for Porto Rico ; on the 28th 
sailed from Newport News, on the liner St. Louis, 
arriving at Ponce, Porto Rico, on July 31; soon 
after disembarking captured Arroyo, and assisted 
in the capture of Guayama, which was the 
beginning of General Brooke's advance across 
the island to San Juan, when intelligence was 
received of the signing of the peace protocol by 
Spain. From August 13 to October 1 the Third 
continued in the performance of guard duty in 
Porto Rico; on October 22, 986 men and 39 offi- 
cers took transport for home by way of New York, 
arriving in Chicago, November 11, the several 
companies being mustered out at their respective 
home stations. Its strength at final muster-out 
was 1,273 men and officers. This regiment had 
the distinction of being one of the first to see 
service in Porto Rico, but suffered severely from 
fever and other diseases during the three months 
of its stay in the island. 

Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, com- 
posed of companies from Champaign, Coles, 
Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jackson, 
Jefferson, Montgomery, Richland, and St. Clair 
counties; mustered into the service at Spring- 
field, May 20, under command of Col. Casimer 
Andel; started immediately for Tampa, Fla., but 
en route its destination was changed to Jackson- 
ville, where it was stationed at Camp Cuba Libre 
as a part of the Seventh Corps under command of 
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee; in October was transferred 
to Savannah, Ga., remaining at Camp Onward 
until about the first of January, when the regi- 
ment took ship for Havana. Here the regiment 
was stationed at Camp Columbia until April 4, 
1899, when it returned to Augusta, Ga., and was 
mustered out at Camp Mackenzie (Augusta), May 
2, the companies returning to their respective 
home stations. During a part of its stay at 
•Jacksonville, and again at Savannah, the regi- 
ment was employed on guard duty. While at 
Jacksonville Colonel Andel was suspended by 
court-martial, and finally tendered his resigna- 



tion, his place being supplied by Lieut.-Col. Eben 
Swift, of the Ninth. 

Fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry was the first regiment to report, and was 
mustered in at Springfield, May 7, 1898, under 
command of Col. James S. Culver, being finally 
composed of twelve companies from Pike, Chris- 
tian, Sangamon, McLean, Montgomery, Adams. 
Tazewell, Macon, Morgan, Peoria, and Fulton 
counties; on May 14 left Springfield for Camp 
Thomas (Chickamauga, Ga. ), being assigned to 
the command of General Brooke ; August 3 left 
Chickamauga for Newport News, Va., with the 
expectation of embarking for Porto Rico — a 
previous order of July 26 to the same purport 
having been countermanded; at Newport News 
embarked on the transport Obdarn, but again the 
order was rescinded, and, after remaining oo 
board thirty -six hours, the regiment was disem- 
barked. The next move was made to Lexington 
Ky., where the regiment — having lost hope of 
reaching "the front" — remained until Sept 5, 
when it returned to Springfield for final muster- 
out. This regiment was composed of some of the 
best material in the State, and anxious for active 
service, but after a succession of disappoint- 
ments, was compelled to return to its home sta- 
tion without meeting the enemy. After its arrival 
at Springfield the regiment was furloughed for 
thirty days and finally mustered out, October 16, 
numbering 1,213 men and 47 officers. 

Sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry, consisting of twelve companies from the 
counties of Rock Island, Knox, Whiteside, Lee, 
Carroll, Stephenson, Henry, Warren, Bureau, and 
Jo Daviess, was mustered in May 11, 1898, under 
command of Col. D. Jack Foster; on May 17 left 
Springfield for Camp Alger, Va. ; July 5 the 
regiment moved to Charleston, S. C, where a 
part embarked for Siboney, Cuba, but the whole 
regiment was soon after united in General 
Miles' expedition for the invasion of Porto Rico, 
landing at Guanico on July 25, and advancing 
into the interior as far as Adjunta and Utuado. 
After several weeks' service in the interior, the 
regiment returned to Ponce, and on September 7 
took transport for the return home, arrived at 
Springfield a week later, and was mustered out 
November 25, the regiment at that time consist- 
ing of 1,239 men and 49 officers. 

Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry 
(known as the "Hibernian Rifles"). Two 
battalions of this regiment reported at Spring, 
field, April 27, with 33 officers and 765 enlisted 
men, being afterwards increased to the maxi- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



575 



mum; was mustered into the United States serv- 
ice, under command of Col. Marcus Kavanagli, 
May 18, 1898; on May 28 started for Camp Alger, 
Va. ; was afterwards encamped at Thoroughfare 
Gap and Camp Meade ; on September 9 returned 
to Springfield, was furloughed for thirty days, 
and mustered out, October 20, numbering 1,260 
men and 49 officers. Like the Fifth, the Seventh 
saw no actual service in the field. 

Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry (col- 
ored regiment), mustered into the service at 
Springfield under the second call of the Presi- 
dent, July 23, 1898, being composed wholly of 
Afro- Americans under officers of their own race, 
with Col. John R. Marshall in command, the 
muster-roll showing 1,195 men and 76 officers. 
The six companies, from A to F, were from Chi- 
cago, the other five being, respectively, from 
Bloomington, Springfield, Quincy, Litchfield, 
Mound City and Metropolis, and Cairo. The 
regiment having tendered their services to 
relieve the First Illinois on duty at Santiago de 
Cuba, it started for Cuba, August 8, by way of 
New York ; immediately on arrival at Santiago, 
a week later, was assigned to duty, but subse- 
quently transferred to San Luis, where Colone, 
Marshall was made military governor. The 
major part of the regiment remained here until 
ordered home early in March, 1899, arrived at 
Chicago, March 15, and was mustered out, April 
3, 1,226 strong, rank and file, having been in 
service nine months and six days. 

Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry was 
organized from the counties of Southern Illinois, 
and mustered in at Springfield under the second 
call of the President, July 4-11, 1898, under com- 
mand of Col. James R. Campbell; arrived at 
Camp Cuba Libre (Jacksonville, Fla. ), August 9; 
two months later was transferred to Savannah, 
Ga. ; was moved to Havana in December, where 
it remained until May, 1899, when it returned to 
Augusta, Ga., and was mustered out there, May 
20, 1899, at that time consisting of 1,095 men and 
46 officers. From Augusta the several companies 
returned to their respective home stations. The 
Ninth was the only "Provisional Regiment" from 
Illinois mustered into the service during the 
war, the other regiments all belonging to the 
National Guard. 

First Illinois Cavalry was organized at Chi- 
cago immediately after the President's first call, 
seven companies being recruited from Chicago, 
two from Bloomington, and one each from 
Springfield, Elkhart, and Lacon; was mustered in 
at Springfield, May 21, 1898, under command of 



Col. Edward C. Young; left Springfield for Camp 
Thomas, Ga., May 30, remaining there until 
August 24, when it returned to Fort Sheridan, 
near Chicago, where it was stationed until October 
11, when it was mustered out, at that time con- 
sisting of 1,158 men and 50 officers. Although 
the regiment saw no active service in the field, it 
established an excellent record for itself in respect 
to discipline. 

First Engineering Corps, consisting of 80 
men detailed from the First Illinois Volunteers, 
were among the first Illinois soldiers to see serv- 
ice in Porto Rico, accompanying General Miles' 
expedition in the latter part of July, and being 
engaged for a time in the construction of bridges 
in aid of the intended advance across the island. 
On September 8 they embarked for the return 
home, arrived at Chicago, September 17, and 
were mustered out November 20. 

Battery A (I. N. G.), from Danville, 111., was 
mustered in under a special order of the War 
Department, May 12, 1898, under command of 
Capt. Oscar P. Yaeger, consisting of 118 men; 
left Springfield for Camp Thomas, Ga. , May 19, 
and, two months later, joined in General Miles' 
Porto Rico expedition, landing at Guanico on 
August 3, and taking part in the affair at Gua 
yama on the 12th. News of peace having been 
received, the Battery returned to Ponce, where 
it remained until September 7, when it started 
on the return home by way of New York, arrived 
at Danville, September 17, was furloughed for 
sixty days, and mustered out November 25. The 
Battery was equipped with modern breech-load- 
ing rapid-firing guns, operated by practical artil- 
lerists and prepared for effective service. 

Naval Reserves. — One of the earliest steps 
taken by the Government after it became ap- 
parent that hostilities could, not be averted, was 
to begin preparation for strengthening the naval 
arm of the service. The existence of the "Naval 
Militia," first organized in 1893, placed Illinois in 
an exceptionally favorable position for making a 
prompt response to the call of the Government, as 
well as furnishing a superior class of men for 
service — a fact evidenced during the operations 
in the West Indies. Gen. John McNulta. as head 
of the local committee, was active in calling the 
attention of the Navy Department to the value of 
the service to be rendered by this organization, 
which resulted in its being enlisted practically as 
a body, taking the name of "Naval Reserves" — 
all but eighty -eight of the number passing the 
physical examination, the places of these beirg 
promptly filled by new recruits. The first de- 



576 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tachment of over 200 left Chicago May 2, under 
the command of Lieut. -Com. John M. Hawley, 
followed soon after by the remainder of the First 
Battalion, making the whole number from Chi- 
cago 400, with 267, constituting the Second Bat- 
talion, from other towns of the State. The latter 
was made up of' 147 men from Moline, 58 from 
Quincy, and 62 from Alton — making a total from 
the State of 667. This does not include others, 
not belonging to this organization, who enlisted 
for service in the navy during the war, which 
raised the whole number for the State over 1,000. 
The Reserves enlisted from Illinois occupied a 
different relation to the Government from that 
of the "naval militia" of other States, which 
retained their State organizations, while those 
from Illinois were regularly mustered into the 
United States service. The recruits from Illinois 
were embarked at Key West, Norfolk and New 
York, and distributed among fifty-two different 
vessels, including nearly every vessel belonging 
to the North Atlantic Squadron. They saw serv- 
ice in nearly every department from the position 
of stokers in the hold to that of gunners in the 
turrets of the big battleships, the largest number 
(60) being assigned to the famous battleship Ore- 
gon, while the cruiser Yale followed with 47 ; the 
Harvard with 35; Cincinnati, 27; Yankton, 19; 
Franklin, 18 ; Montgomery and Indiana, each, 17 ; 
Hector, 14; Marietta, 11; Wilmington and Lan- 
caster, 10 each, and others down to one each. 
Illinois sailors thus had the privilege of partici- 
pating in the brilliant affair of July 3, which 
resulted in the destruction of Cervera's fleet off 
Santiago, as also in nearly every other event in 
the West Indies of less importance, without the 
loss of a man while in the service, although 
among the most exposed. They were mustered 
out at different times, as they could be spared 
from the service, or the vessels to which they 
were attached went out of commission, a portion 
serving out their full term of one year. The 
Reserves from Chicago retain their organization 
under the name of "Naval Reserve Veterans," 
with headquarters in the Masonic Temple Build- 
ing, Chicago. 

WARD, James H., ex-Congressman, was born 
in Chicago, Nov. 30, 1853, and educated in the 
Chicago public schools and at the University of 
Notre Dame, graduating from the latter in 1873. 
Three years later he graduated from the Union 
College of Law, Chicago, and was admitted to 
the bar. Since then he has continued to practice 
his profession in his native city. In 1879 he was 
elected Supervisor of the town of West Chicago, 



and, in 1884, was a candidate for Presidential 
Elector on the Democratic ticket, and the same 
year, was the successful candidate of his party 
for Congress in the Third Illinois District, serv- 
ing one term. 

WINNEBAGO INDIANS, a tribe of the Da 
cota, or Sioux, stock, which at one time occupied 
a part of Northern Illinois. The word Winne- 
bago is a corruption of the French Ouinebe- 
goutz, Ouimbegouc, etc., the diphthong "ou" 
taking the place of the consonant "w," which is 
wanting in the French alphabet. These were, 
in turn, French misspellings of an Algonquin 
term meaning "fetid," which the latter tribe 
applied to the Winnebagoes because they had 
come from the western ocean — the salt (or 
"fetid") water. In their advance towards the 
East the Winnebagoes early invaded the country 
of the Illinois, but were finally driven north- 
ward by the latter, who surpassed them in num- 
bers rather than in bravery. The invaders 
settled in Wisconsin, near the Fox River, and 
here they were first visited by the Jesuit Fathers 
in the seventeenth century. (See Jesuit Rela- 
tions.) The Winnebagoes are commonly re- 
garded as a Wisconsin tribe; yet, that they 
claimed territorial rights in Illinois is shown by 
the fact that the treaty of Prairia du Chien 
(August 1, 1829), alludes to a Winnebago village 
located in what is now Jo Daviess County, near 
the mouth of the Pecatonica River. While, as a 
rule, the tribe, if left to itself, was disposed to 
live in amity with the whites, it was carried 
away by the eloquence and diplomacy of 
Tecumseh and the cajoleries of "The Prophet."' 
General Harrison especially alludes to the brav- 
ery of the Winnebago warriors at Tippecanoe' 
which he attributees in part, however, to a super- 
stitious faith in "The Prophet." In June or 
July, 1827, an unprovoked and brutal outrage by 
the whites upon an unoffending and practically 
defenseless party of Winnebagoes, near Prairie 
du Chien brought on what is known as the 
'Winnebago War." (See Winnebago IFar.) 
The tribe took no part in the Black Hawk War, 
largely because of the great influence and shrewd 
tactic of their chief, Naw-caw. By treaties 
executed in 1832 and 1837 the Winnebagoes ceded 
to the United States all their lands lying east of 
the Mississippi. They were finally removed west 
of that river, and, after many shiftings of loca- 
tion, were placed upon the Omaha Reservation in 
Eastern Nebraska, where their industry, thrift 
and peaceable disposition elicited high praise 
from Government officials. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



57? 



WARNER, Vespasian, lawyer and Member of 
Congress, was born in De Witt County, 111., April 
23. 1842, and has lived all his life in his native 
county — his present residence being Clinton. 
After a short course in Lombard University, 
while studying law in the office of Hon. Law- 
rence Weldon, at Clinton, he enlisted as a private 
soldier of the Twentieth Illinois Volunteers, in 
June, 1801, serving until July, I860, when he was 
mustered out with the rank of Captain and 
brevet Major. He received a gunshot wound at 
Shiloh, but continued to serve in the Army of 
the Tennessee until the evacuation of Atlanta, 
when lie was ordered North on account of dis- 
ability. His last service was in fighting Indians 
on the plains. After the war he completed his 
law studies at Harvard University, graduating in 
1808, when he entered into a law partnership 
with Clifton H. Moore of Clinton. He served as 
Judge- Advocate General of the Illinois National 
Guard for several years, with the rank of Colonel, 
under the administrations of Governors Hamil- 
ton, Oglesby and Fifer, and, in 1894, was nomi- 
nated and elected, as a Republican, to the 
Fifty-fourth Congress for the Thirteenth District, 
being re-elected in 1890, and again in 1898. In 
the Fifty .-fifth Congress, Mr. Warner was a mem- 
ber of the Committees on Agriculture and Invalid 
Pensions, and Chairman of the Committee on 
Revision of the Laws. 

WARREN, a village in Jo Daviess County, at 
intersection of the Illinois Central and the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railways, 20 miles 
west-northwest of Freeport and 27 miles east by 
north of Galena. The surrounding region is 
agricultural and stock-raising ; there are also lead 
mines in the vicinity. Tobacco is grown to some 
extent. Warren has a flouring mill, tin factory, 
creamery and stone quarries, a State bank, water 
supply from artesian wells, fire department, gas 
plant, two weekly newspapers, five churches, a 
high school, an academy and a public library. 
Pop. (1890), 1,172; (1900), 1,327. 

WARREN, Calvin A., lawyer, was born in 
Essex County, N. Y. , June 3, 1807; in his youth. 
worked for a time, as a typographer, in the office 
of "The Northern Spectator," at Poultney, Vt., 
side by side witli Horace Greeley, afterwards the 
founder of "The New York Tribune." Later, he 
became one of the publishers of "The Palladium" 
at Ballston, N. Y., but, in 1832, removed to 
Hamilton County, Ohio, where he began the 
study of law, completing his course at Transyl- 
vania University, Ky., in 1834, and beginning 
practice at. Batavia, Ohio, as the partner of 



Thomas Morris, then a United States Senator 
from Ohio, whose daughter he married, thereby 
becoming the brother-in-law of the late Isaac N. 
Morris, of Quincy, 111. In 1836, Mr. Warren 
came to Quincy, Adams County, 111 , but soon 
after removed to Warsaw in Hancock County, 
where he resided until 1839, when he returned to 
Quincy. Here he continued in practice, either 
alone or as a partner, at different times, of sev- 
eral of the leading attorneys of that city. 
Although he held no office except that of Master 
in Chancery, which he occupied for some sixteen 
years, the possession of an inexhaustible fund of 
humor, with strong practical sense and decided 
ability as a speaker, gave him great popularity 
at the bar and upon the stump, and made him a 
recognized leader in the ranks of the Democratic 
party, of which he was a life-long member. He 
served as Presidential Elector on the Pierce 
ticket in 1852, and was the nominee of his party 
for the same position on one or two other occa- 
sions. Died, at Quincy, Feb. 22, 1881. 

WARREN, Hooper, pioneer journalist, was 
born at Walpole, N. H, in 1790; learned the print- 
er's trade on the Rutland (Vt.) "Herald"; in 
1814 went to Delaware, whence, three years later, 
he emigrated to Kentucky, working for a time 
on a paper at Frankfort. In lsis he came to St 
Louis and worked in the office of the old "Mis- 
souri Gazette" (the predecessor of "The Repub- 
lican"), and also acted as the agent of a lumber 
company at Cairo, 111. , when the whole popula- 
tion of that place consisted of one family domi- 
ciled on a grounded flat-boat. In March, 1819, 
he established, at Edwardsville, the third paper 
in Illinois, its predecessors being "The Illinois 
Intelligencer," at Kaskaskia, and "The Illinois 
Emigrant," at Shawneetown. The name given 
to the new paper was "The Spectator," and the 
contest over the effort to introduce a pro-slavery 
clause in the State Constitution soon brought it 
into prominence. Backed by Governor Coles, 
Congressman Daniel P. Cook, Judge S. D. Lock- 
wood, Rev. Thomas Lippincott, Judge Wm. H. 
Brown (afterwards of Chicago), George Churchill 
and other opponents of slavery, "The Spectator" 
made a sturdy fight in opposition to the scheme, 
which ended in defeat of the measure by the 
rejection at the polls, in 1824, of the proposition 
for a Constitutional Convention. Warren left 
the Edwardsville paper in 1825, and was. for a 
time, associated with "The National Crisis," an 
anti-slavery paper at Cincinnati, but soon re- 
turned to Illinois and established "The Sangamon 
Spectator" — the first paper ever published at the 



578 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



present State capital. This he sold out in 1829, 
and, for the next three years, was connected 
with "The Advertiser and Upper Mississippi Her- 
ald," at Galena. Abandoning this field in 1*32. 
he removed to Hennepin, where, within the next 
five years, he held the offices of Clerk of the Cir- 
cuit and County Commissioners' Courts and ex- 
officio Recorder of Deeds. In 1836 he began the 
publication of the third paper in Chicago — "The 
Commercial Advertiser" (a weekly) — which was 
continued a little more than a year, when it was 
abandoned, and he settled on a farm at Henry, 
Marshall County. His further newspaper ven- 
tures were, as the associate of Zebina Eastman, in 
the publication of "The Genius of Liberty," at 
Lowell, La Salle County, and "The Western 
Citizen" — afterwards "The Free West" — in Chi- 
cago. (See Eastman, Zebina, and I/undy, Beii- 
juiiiin.) On the discontinuance of "The Free 
West" in 1856, he again retired to his farm at 
Henry, where he spent the remainder of his days. 
While returning home from a visit to Chicago, 
in August, 1864, he was taken ill at Mendota, 
dying there on the 22d of the month. 

WARREN, John Esaias, diplomatist and real- 
estate operator, was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1826, 
graduated at Union College and was connected 
with the American Legation to Spain during the 
administration of President Pierce; in 1859-60 
was a member of the Minnesota Legislature and, 
in 1861-62, Mayor of St. Paul; in 1867, came to 
Chicago, where, while engaged in real-estate 
business, he became known to the press as the 
author of a series of articles entitled "Topics of 
the Time." In 1886 he took up his residence in 
Brussels, Belgium, where he died, July 6, 1896. 
Mr. Warren was author of several volumes of 
travel, of which "An Attache in Spain" and 
"Para" are most important. 

WARREN COUNTY. A western county, 
created by act of the Legislature, in 1825, but 
not fully organized until 1830, having at that time 
about 350 inhabitants; has an area of 540 square 
miles, and was named for Gen. Joseph Warren. 
It is drained by the Henderson River and its 
affluents, and is traversed by the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy (two divisions), the Iowa 
Central and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 
Railroads. Bituminous coal is mined and lime- 
stone is quarried in large quantities The county's 
early development was retarded in consequence 
of having become the "seat of war," during the 
Black Hawk War. The principal products are 
grain and live-stock, although manufacturing is 
carried on to some extent. The county -seat and 



chief city is Monmouth (which see). Roseville 
is a shipping point. Population (1880), 22,933. 
(1890), 21,281; (1900), 23,163. 

WABRENSBIT.G, a town of Macon County, 
on Peoria Division 111. Cent. Railway, 9 miles 
northwest of Decatur; has elevators, canning 
factory, a bank and newspaper. Pop. (1900), 503. 

WARSAW, the largest town in Hancock 
County, and admirably situated for trade. It 
stands on a bluff on the Mississippi River, some 
three miles below Keokuk, and about 40 miles 
above Quincy. It is the western terminus of the 
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway, and lies 116 
miles west-southwest of Peoria. Old Fort 
Edwards, established by Gen. Zachary Taylor, 
during the War of 1812, was located within the 
limits of the present city of Warsaw, opposite the 
mouth of the Des Moines River. An iron 
foundry, a large woolen mill, a plow factory 
and cooperage works are its principal manufac- 
turing establishments. The channel of the Missis- 
sippi admits of the passage of the largest steamers 
up to this point. Warsaw has eight churches, a 
system of common schools comprising one high 
and three grammar schools, a National bank and 
two weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 3,105; 
(1890), 2,721; (1900), 2,335. 

WASHBURN,a villageof Woodford County, on 
a branch of the Chicago & Alton Railway 25 
miles northeast of Peoria; has banks and a 
weekly paper ; the district is agricultural. Popu- 
lation (1890), 598; (1900), 703. 

WASHBURNE, Elihu Benjamin, Congressman 
and diplomatist, was born at Livermore, Maine, 
Sept. 23, 1816; in early life learned the trade of a 
printer, but graduated from Harvard Law School 
and was admitted to the bar in 1840. Coming 
west, he settled at Galena, forming a partnership 
with Charles S. Hempstead, for the practice of 
law, in 1841. He was a stalwart Whig, and, as 
such, was elected to Congress in 1852. He con- 
tinued to represent his District until 1869, taking 
a prominent position, as a Republican, on the 
organization of that party. On account of his 
long service he was known as the "Father of the 
House." administering the Speaker's oath three 
times to Schuyler Colfax and once to James G. 
Blaine. He was appointed Secretary of State by 
General Grant in 1869, but surrendered his port- 
folio to become Envoy to France, in which ca- 
pacity he achieved great distinction. He was the 
only official representative of a foreign govern- 
ment who remained in Paris, during the siege of 
that city by the Germans (1870-71) and the reign 
of the "Commune." For his conduct he was 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



579 



honored by the Governments of France and Ger- 
many alike. On his return to the United States, 
he made his home in Chicago, where he devoted 
his latter years chiefly to literary labor, and 
where he died, Oct. 22, 1887. He was strongly 
favored as a candidate for the Presidency in 1880. 
WASHINGTON, a city in Tazewell County, 
situated at the intersection of the Chicago & 
Alton, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. and the 
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroads. It is 21 
miles west of El Paso, and 12 miles east of Peoria. 
Carriages, plows and farming implements con- 
stitute the manufactured output. It is also an 
important shipping-point for farm products. It 
has electric light and water-works plants, eight 
churches, a graded school, two banks and two 
newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,801 j (1900), 1,451. 

WASHINGTON COUNTY, an interior county of 
Southern Illinois, east of St Louis ; is drained by 
the Kaskaskia River and the Elkhorn, Beaucoup 
and Muddy Creeks; was organized in 1818, and 
has an area of 540 square miles. The surface is 
diversified, well watered and timbered. The 
soil is of variable fertility. Corn, wheat and 
oats are the chief agricultural products. Manu- 
facturing is carried on to some extent, among 
the products being agricultural implements, 
flour, carriages and wagons. The most impor- 
tant town is Nashville, which is also the county- 
seat. Population (1890), 19,262; (1900), 19,526. 
Washington was one of the fifteen counties into 
which Illinois was divided at the organization of 
the State Government, being one of the last 
three created during the Territorial period — the 
other two being Franklin and Union. 

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, a village of Cook 
County, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
and the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railways, 12 miles southwest of Chicago; 
has a graded school, female seminary, military 
school, a car factory, several churches and a 
newspaper. Annexed to City of Chicago, 1890. 

WATAGA, a village of Knox County, on the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 8 miles 
northeast of Galesburg. Population (1900), 545. 
WATERLOO, the county-seat and chief town 
of Monroe County, on the Illinois Division of the 
Mobile & Ohio Railroad, 24 miles east of south 
from St. Louis. The region is chiefly agricultural, 
but underlaid with coal. Its industries embrace 
two flour mills, a plow factory, distillery, cream- 
ery, two ice plants, and some minor concerns. 
The city has municipal water and electric light 
plants, four churches, a graded school and two 
newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,860; (1900). 2,114. 



WATERMAN, Arba Nelson, lawyer and jurist, 
was born at Greensboro, Orleans County, Vt., 
Feb. 3, 1836. After receiving an academic edu- 
cation and teaching for a time, he read law at 
Montpelier and, later, passed through the Albany 
Law School. In 1861 he was admitted to the 
bar, removed to Joliet, 111., and opened an office. 
In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the One Hun- 
dredth Illinois Volunteers, serving with the 
Army of the Cumberland for two years, and 
being mustered out in August, 1864, with the 
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. On leaving the 
army, Colonel Waterman commenced practice in 
Chicago. In 1873-74 he represented the Eleventh 
Ward in the City Council. In 1887 he was elected 
to the bench of the Cook County Circuit Court, 
and was re-elected in 1891 and, again, in 1897. In 
1890 he was assigned as one of the Judges of the 
Appellate Court. 

WATSEKA, the county-seat of Iroquois County, 
situated on the Iroquois River, at the mouth of 
Sugar Creek, and at the intersection of the Chi- 
cago & Eastern Illinois and the Toledo, Peoria & 
Western Railroads, 77 miles south of Chicago, 46 
miles north of Danville and 14 miles east of 
Gilman. It has flour-mills, brick and tile works 
and foundries, besides several churches, banks, a 
graded school and three weekly newspapers. 
Artesian well water is obtained by boring to the 
depth of 100 to 160 feet, and some forty flowing 
streams from these shafts are in the place. Popu- 
lation (1890), 2,017; (1900), 2,505. 

WATTS, Amos, jurist, was born in St. Clair 
County, 111., Oct. 25, 1821, but removed to Wash- 
ington County in boyhood, and was elected County 
Clerk in 1847, '49 and '53, and State's Attorney 
for the Second Judicial District in 1856 and '60 ; 
then became editor and proprietor of a news- 
paper, later resuming the practice of law, and, in 
1873, was elected Circuit Judge, remaining in 
office until his death, at Nashville, 111. Dec. 6, 
1888. 

WAUKEGAN, the county-seat and principal 
city of Lake County, situated on the shore of 
Lake Michigan and on the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad, about 36 miles north by west 
from Chicago, and 50 miles south of Milwaukee: 
is also the northern terminus of the Elgin, Joliet 
& Eastern Railroad and connected by electric 
lines with Chicago and Fox Lake. Lake Michigan 
is about 80 miles wide opposite this point. 
Waukegan was first known as "Little Fort," 
from the remains of an old fort that stood on its 
site. The principal part of the city is built on a 
bluff, which rises abruptly to the height of about 



580 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



fifty feet. Between the bluff and the shore is a 
fiat tract about 400 yards wide which is occupied 
by gardens, dwellings, warehouses and manu- 
factories. The manufactures include steel-wire, 
refined sugar, scales, agricultural implements, 
brass and iron products, sash, doors and blinds, 
leather, beer, etc. ; the city has paved streets, gas 
and electric light plants, three banks, eight or 
ten churches, graded and high schools and two 
newspapers. A large trade in grain, lumber, coal 
and dairy products is carried on. Pop. (1890), 
4,915; (1900), 9,426. 

WAUKEGAN & SOUTHWESTERN RAIL- 
WAY. (See Elgin, Juliet & Eastern Railway.) 

WAVER LY, a city in Morgan County, 18 miles 
southeast of Jacksonville, on the Jacksonville <fc 
St. Louis and the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis 
Railroads. It was originally settled by enter- 
prising emigrants from New England, whose 
descendants constitute a large proportion of the 
population. It is the center of a rich agricultural 
region, has a fine graded school, six or seven 
churches, two banks, two newspapers and tile 
works. Population (1880), 1,124; (1890), 1,337; 
(1900), 1,573. 

WAYNE, (Gen.) Anthony, soldier, was born in 
Chester County, Pa., Jan. 1, 1745, of Anglo-Irish 
descent, graduated as a Surveyor, and first prac- 
ticed his profession in Nova Scotia. During the 
years immediately antecedent to the Revolution 
he was prominent in the colonial councils of his 
native State, to which he had returned in 1707. 
where he became a member of the "Committee of 
Safety." On June 3, 1776, he was commissioned 
Colonel of the Fourth Regiment of Penns3 r lvania 
troops in the Continental army, and, during the 
War of the Revolution, was conspicuous for his 
courage and ability as a leader. One of his most 
daring and successful achievements was the cap- 
ture of Stony Point, in 1779, when — the works 
having been carried and Wayne having received, 
what was supposed to be, his death- wound — he 
entered the fort, supported by his aids. For this 
service he was awarded a gold medal by Con- 
gress. He also took a conspicuous part in the 
investiture and capture of Yorktown. In October, 
1783, he was brevetted Major-General. In 1784 
he was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature. 
A few years later he settled in Georgia, which 
State he represented in Congress for seven 
months, when his seat was declared vacant after 
contest. In April, 1792, he was confirmed as 
General-in-Chief of the United States Army, on 
nomination of President Washington. His con- 
nection with Illinois history began shortly after 



St. Clair's defeat, when he led a force into Ohio 
(1783) and erected a stockade at Greenville, 
which he named Fort Recovery ; his object being 
to subdue the hostile savage tribes. In this he 
was eminently successful and, on August 3, 
1793, after a victorious campaign, negotiated the 
Treaty of Greenville, as broad in its provisions as 
it was far-reaching in its influence. He was a 
daring fighter, and although Washington called 
him "prudent," his dauntlessness earned for him 
the sobriquet of "Mad Anthony." In matters of 
dress he was punctilious, and, on this account, 
he was sometimes dubbed "Dandy Wayne." He 
was one of the few white officers whom all the 
W T estern Indian tribes at once feared and re- 
spected. They named him "Black Snake" and 
"Tornado." He died at Presque Isle near Erie. 
Dec. 15, 1796. Thirteen years afterward his 
remains were removed by one of his sons, and 
interred in Badnor churchyard, in his native 
county. The Pennsylvania Historical Society 
erected a marble monument over his grave, and 
appropriately dedicated it on July 4 of the same 
year. 

WAYNE COUNTY, in the southeast quarter of 
the State ; has an area of 720 square miles ; was 
organized in 1819, and named for Gen. Anthony 
Wayne. The county is watered and drained by 
the Little Wabash and its branches, notably the 
Skillet Fork. At the first election held in the 
county, only fifteen votes were cast. Early life 
was exceedingly primitive, the first settlers 
pounding corn into meal with a wooden pestle, 
a hollowed stump being used as a mortar. The 
first mill erected (of the antique South Carolina 
pattern) charged 25 cents per bushel for grinding. 
Prairie and woodland make up the surface, and 
the soil is fertile. Railroad facilities are furnished 
by the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis and the 
Baltimore & Ohio (Southwestern) Railroads. 
Corn, oats, tobacco, wheat, hay and wool are the 
chief agricultural products. Saw mills are numer- 
ous and there are also carriage and wagon facto- 
ries. Fairfield is the county-seat. Population 
(1880), 21,291; (1890), 23,806; (1900), 27,026. 

WEAS, THE, a branch of the Miami tribe of 
Indians. They called themselves "We-wee- 
hahs, " and were spoken of by the French as "Oui- 
at-a-nons" and "Oui-as." Other corruptions of 
the name were common among the British and 
American colonists. In 1718 they had a village 
at Chicago, but abandoned it through fear of 
their hostile neighbors, the Chippewas and Potta- 
watomies. The Weas were, at one time, brave 
and warlike; but their numbers were reduced by 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



53l 



constant warfare and disease, and, in the end, 
debauchery enervated and demoralized them. 
They were removed west of the Mississippi and 
given a reservation in Miami County, Kan. This 
they ultimately sold, and, under the leadership 
of Baptiste Peoria, united with their few remain- 
ing brethren of the Miamis and with the remnant 
of the Illi-ni under the title of the "confederated 
tribes," and settled in Indian Territory. (See also 
Mia m is; Pia n kesh a ws. ) 

WEBB, Edwin B., early lawyer and politician, 
was born about 1802, came to the vicinity of 
Carmi, White County, 111., about 1828 to 1830, 
and, still later, studied law at Transylvania Uni- 
versity. He held the office of Prosecuting 
Attorney of "White County, and, in 1834, was 
elected to the lower branch of the General 
Assembly, serving, by successive re-elections, 
until 1842, and, in the Senate, from 1842 to '46. 
During his service in the House he was a col- 
league and political and personal friend of 
Abraham Lincoln. He opposed the internal 
improvement scheme of 1837, predicting many 
of the disasters which were actually realized a 
few years later. He was a candidate for Presi- 
dential Elector on the Whig ticket, in 1844 and 
'48, and, in 1852, received the nomination for 
Governor as the opponent of Joel A. Matteson, 
two years later, being an unsuccessful candidate 
for Justice of the Supreme Court in opposition to 
Judge W. B. Scates. While practicing law at 
uurmi, he was also a partner of his brother in 
the mercantile business. Died, Oct. 14, 1858, in 
the 56th year of his age. 

WEBB, Henry Livingston, soldier and pioneer 
(an elder brother of James Watson Webb, a noted 
New York journalist), was born at Claverack, 
N. Y., Feb. 6, 1795; served as a soldier in the 
War of 1812, came to Southern Illinois in 1817, 
and became one of the founders of the town of 
America near the mouth of the Ohio; was Repre- 
sentative in the Fourth and Eleventh General 
Assemblies, a Major in the Black Hawk War and 
Captain of volunteers and, afterwards, Colonel of 
regulars, in the Mexican War. In 1860 he went 
to Texas and served, for a time, in a semi -mili- 
tary capacity under the Confederate Govern- 
ment; returned to Illinois in 1869, and died, at 
Makanda, Oct. 5, 1876. 

WEBSTER, Fletcher, lawyer and soldier, was 
born at Portsmouth, N. H., July 23, 1813; gradu- 
ated at Harvard in 1833, and studied law with 
his father (Daniel Webster) ; in 1837, located at 
Peru, 111., where he practiced three years. His 
father having been appointed Secretary of State 



in 1S41, the son became his private secretary, 
was also Secretary of Legation to Caleb Cushing 
(Minister to China) in 1843, a member of the 
Massachusetts Legislature in 1847, and Surveyor 
of the Port of Boston, 1850-61 , the latter year 
became Colonel of the Twelfth Massachusetts 
Volunteers and was killed in the second battle 
of Bull Run, August 30, 1862. 

WEBSTER, Joseph Dana, civil engineer and 
soldier, was born at Old Hampton, N. H, 
August 25, 1811. He graduated from Dart- 
mouth College in 1832, and afterwards read 
law at Newburyport, Mass. His natural incli- 
nation was for engineering, and, after serv- 
ing for a time in the Engineer and War offices, 
at Washington, was made a United States civil 
engineer (1835) and, on July 7, 1838, entered the 
army as Second Lieutenant of Topographical 
Engineers. He served through the Mexican 
War, was made First Lieutenant in 1849, and 
promoted to a captaincy, in March, 1853. Thir- 
teen months later he resigned, removing to Chi- 
cago, where he made his permanent home, and 
soon after was identified, for a time, with the 
proprietorship of "The Chicago Tribune." He 
was President of the commission that perfected 
the Chicago sewerage system, and designed and 
executed the raising of the grade of a large por- 
tion of the city from two to eight feet, whole 
blocks of buildings being raised by jack screws, 
while new foundations were inserted. At the 
outbreak of the Civil War he tendered his serv- 
ices to the Government and superintended the 
erection of the fortifications at Cairo, 111., and 
Paducah, Ky. On April 7, 1861, he was com- 
missioned Paymaster of Volunteers, with the 
rank of Major, and, in February, 1862, Colonel of 
the First Illinois Artillery. For several months 
he was chief of General Grant's staff, participat- 
ing in the capture of Forts Donelson and Henry, 
and in the battle of Shiloh, in the latter as Chief 
of Artillery. In October. 1862, the War Depart- 
ment detailed him to make a survey of the Illi 
nois & Michigan Canal, and, the following month, 
he was commissioned Brigadier-General of 
Volunteers, serving as Military Governor of Mem- 
phis and Superintendent of military railroads. 
He was again chief of staff to General Grant 
during the Vicksburg campaign, and, from 1864 
until the close of the war, occupied the same 
relation to General Sherman. He was brevetted 
Major-General of Volunteers, March 13, 1865, but, 
resigning Nov. 6, following, returned to Chicago, 
where he spent the remainder of his life. From 
1869 to 1872 he was Assessor of Internal Revenue 



(582 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



there, and, later, Assistant United States Treas- 
urer, and, in July, 1872, was appointed Collector 
of Internal Revenue. Died, at Chicago, March 
12, 1876. 

WELCH, William R., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Jessamine County, Ky., Jan. 22, 1828, 
educated at Transylvania University, Lexington, 
graduating from the academic department in 
1847, and, from the law school, in 1851. In 1864 he 
removed to Carlinville, Macoupin County, 111., 
which place he made his permanent home. In 
1877 he was elected to the bench of the Fifth 
Circuit, and re-elected in 1879 and '85. In 1884 
he was assigned to the bench of the Appellate 
Court for the Second District. Died, Sept. 1, 
1888. 

WELDON, Lawrence, one of the Judges of the 
United States Court of Claims, Washington, 
D. C. , was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 
1829 ; while a child, removed with his parents to 
Madison County, and was educated in the com- 
mon schools, the local academy and at Wittenberg 
College, Springfield, in the same State ; read law 
with Hon. R. A. Harrison, a prominent member 
of the Ohio bar, and was admitted to practice in 
1854, meanwhile, in 1852-53, having served as a 
clerk in the office of the Secretary of State at 
Columbus. In 1854 he removed to Illinois, locat- 
ing at Clinton, DeWitt County, where he engaged 
in practice ; in 1860 was elected a Representative 
in the Twenty-second General Assembly, was 
also chosen a Presidential Elector the same year, 
and assisted in the first election of Abraham 
Lincoln to the Presidency. Early in 1861 he 
resigned his seat in the Legislature to accept the 
position of United States District Attorney for 
the Southern District of Illinois, tendered him by 
President Lincoln, but resigned the latter office 
in 1866 and, the following year, removed to 
Bloomington, where he continued the practice of 
his profession until 1883, when he was appointed, 
by President Arthur, an Associate Justice of the 
United States Court of Claims at Washington — 
a position which he still (1899) continues to fill. 
Judge Weldon is among the remaining few who 
rode the circuit and practiced law with Mr. Lin- 
coln. From the time of coming to the State in 
1854 to 1860, he was one of Mr. Lincoln's most 
intimate traveling companions in the old 
Eighth Circuit, which extended from Sangamon 
County on the west to Vermilion on the east, and 
of which Judge David Davis, afterwards of the 
Supreme Court of the United States and United 
States Senator, was the presiding Justice. The 
Judge holds in his memory many pleasant remi- 



niscences of that day, especially of the eastern 
portion of the District, where he was accustomed 
to meet the late Senator Voorhees, Senator Mc- 
Donald and other leading lawyers of Indiana, as 
well as the historic men whom he met at the 
State capital. 

WELLS, Albert W., lawyer and legislator, was 
born at Woodstock, Conn., May 9, 1839, and 
enjoyed only such educational and other advan- 
tages as belonged to the average New England 
boy of that period. During his boyhood his 
family removed to New Jersey, where he attended 
an academy, later, graduating from Columbia 
College and Law School in New York City, and 
began practice with State Senator Robert Allen 
at Red Bank, N. J. During the Civil War he 
enlisted in a New Jersey regiment and took part 
in the battle of Gettysburg, resuming his profes- 
sion at the close of the war. Coming west in 
1870, he settled in Quincy, 111., where he con- 
tinued practice. In 1886 he was elected to the 
House of Representatives from Adams County, 
as a Democrat, and re-elected two years later. 
In 1890 he was advanced to the Senate, where, 
by reelection in 1894, he served continuously 
until his death in office, March 5, 1897. His 
abilities and long service — covering the sessions 
of the Thirty-fifth to the Fortieth General Assem- 
blies — placed him at the head of the Democratic: 
side of the Senate during the latter part of his 
legislative career. 

WELLS, William, soldier and victim of the 
Fort Dearborn massacre, was born in Kentucky, 
about 1770. When a boy of 12, he was captured 
by the Miami Indians, whose chief, Little Turtle, 
adopted him, giving him his daughter in mar- 
riage when he grew to manhood. He was highly 
esteemed by the tribe as a warrior, and, in 1790, 
was present at the battle where Gen. Arthur St. 
Clair was defeated. He then realized that he 
was fighting against his own race, and informed 
his father-in-law that he intended to ally himself 
with the whites. Leaving the Miamis, he made 
his way to General Wayne, who made him Cap- 
tain of a company of scouts. After the treaty of 
Greenville (1795) he settled on a farm near Fort 
Wayne, where he was joined by his Indian wife. 
Here he acted as Indian Agent and Justice of the 
Peace. In 1812 he learned of the contemplated 
evacuation of Fort Dearborn, and, at the head of 
thirty Miamis, he set out for the post, his inten- 
tion being to furnish a body-guard to the non- 
combatants on their proposed march to Fort, 
Wayne. On August 13, he marched out of the 
fort with fifteen of his dusky warriors behind 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



683 



him, the remainder bringing up the rear. Before 
a mile and a half had been traveled, the party fell 
into an Indian ambuscade, and an indiscrimi- 
nate massacre followed. (See Fort Dearborn.) 
The Miamis fled, and Captain Wells' body was 
riddled with bullets, his head cut off and his 
heart taken out. He was an uncle of Mrs. Heald, 
wife of the commander of Fort Dearborn. 

WELLS, William Harvey, educator, was born 
in Tolland, Conn., Feb. 27, 1812; lived on a farm 
until 17 years old, attending school irregularly, 
but made such progress that he became succes- 
sively a teacher in the Teachers' Seminary at 
Andover and Newburyport, and, finally, Principal 
of the State Normal School at Westfield, Mass. 
In 1856 he accepted the position of Superintend- 
ent of Public Schools for the city of Chicago, 
serving till 1864, when he resigned. He was an 
organizer of the Massachusetts State Teachers' 
Association, one of the first editors of "The 
Massachusetts Teacher" and prominently con- 
nected with various benevolent, educational and 
learned societies ; was also author of several text- 
books, and assisted in the revision of "Webster's 
Unabridged Dictionary." Died, Jan. 21, 1885. 

WENONA, city on the eastern border of Mar- 
shall County, 20 miles south of La Salle , has 
zinc works, public and parochial schools, a 
weekly paper, two banks, and five churches. A 
good quality of soft coal is mined here. Popu- 
lation (1880), 911; (1890), 1,053; (1900), 1,486. 

WENTWORTH, John, early journalist and 
Congressman, was born at Sandwich, N. H, 
March 5, 1815, graduated from Dartmouth Col- 
lege in 1836, and came to Chicago the same year, 
where he became editor of "The Chicago Demo- 
crat," which had been established by John Cal- 
houn three years previous. He soon after became 
proprietor of "The Democrat," of which he con- 
tinued to be the publisher until it was merged 
into "The Chicago Tribune," July 24, 1864. He 
also studied law, and was admitted to the Illinois 
bar in 1841. He served in Congress as a Demo- 
crat from 1843 to 1851, and again from 1853 to 
1855, but left the Democratic party on the repeal 
of the Missouri Compromise. He was elected 
Mayor of Chicago in 1857, and again in 1860, 
during his incumbency introducing a number of 
important municipal reforms ; was a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and twice 
served on the Board of Education. He again 
represented Illinois in Congress as a Republican 
from 1865 to 1867 — making fourteen years of 
service in that body. In 1872 he joined in the 
Greeley movement, but later renewed his alle- 



giance to the Republican party. In 1874. At. Went- 
worth published an elaborate genealogical work 
in three volumes, entitled "History of the Went- 
worth Family." A volume of "Congressional 
Reminiscences" and two by him on "Early Chi- 
cago," published in connection with the Fergus 
Historical Series, contain some valuable informa- 
tion on early local and national history. On 
account of his extraordinary height he received 
the sobriquet of "Long John," by which he was 
familiarly known throughout the State. Died, 
in Chicago, Oct. 16, 1888. 

WEST, Edward M., merchant and banker, was 
born in Virginia, May 2, 1814; came with his 
father to Illinois in 1818 ; in 1829 became a clerk 
in the Recorder's office at Edwardsville, also 
served as deputy postmaster, and, in 1833, took a 
position in the United States Land Office there. 
Two years later he engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness, which he prosecuted over thirty years — 
meanwhile filling the office of County Treasurer, 
ex-officio Superintendent of Schools, and Delegate 
to the Constitutional Convention of 1847. In 1867, 
in conjunction with W. R. Prickett, he established 
a bank at Edwardsville, with which he was con- 
nected until his death, Oct. 31, 1887. Mr. West 
officiated frequently as a "local preacher" of the 
Methodist Church, in which capacity he showed 
much ability as a public speaker. 

WEST, Mary Allen, educator and philanthro- 
pist, was born at Galesburg, 111., July 31, 1837; 
graduated at Knox Seminary in 1854 and taught 
until 1873, when she was elected County Super- 
intendent of Schools, serving nine years. She 
took an active and influential interest in educa- 
tional and reformatory movements, was for two 
years editor of "Our Home Monthly," in Phila- 
delphia, and also a contributor to other journals, 
besides being editor-in-chief of "The Union Sig- 
nal," Chicago, the organ of the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union — in which she held the 
position of President ; was also President, in the 
latter days of her life, of the Illinois Woman's 
Press Association of Chicago, that city having 
become her home in 1885. In 1892, Miss West 
started on a tour of the world for the benefit of 
her health, but died at Tokio, Japan, Dec. 1, 1892. 
WESTERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, 
an institution for the treatment of the insane, 
located at Watertown, Rock Island County, in 
accordance with an act of the General Assembly, 
approved, May 22, 1895. The Thirty-ninth Gen- 
eral Assembly made an appropriation of $100,000 
for the erection of fire-proof buildings, while 
Rock Island County donated a tract of 400 acres 



584 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of land valued at 140,000. The site selected by the 
Commissioners, is a commanding one overlooking 
the Mississippi River, eight miles above Rock 
Island, and live and a half miles from Moline, and 
the buildings are of the most modern style of con- 
struction. Watertown is reached b\- two lines of 
railroad— the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy — besides the 
Mississippi River. The erection of buildings was 
begun in 1896, and they were opened for the 
reception of patients in 1898. They have a ca- 
pacity for 800 patients. 

WESTERN MILITARY ACADEMY, an insti- 
tution located at Upper Alton, Madison County, 
incorporated in 1892, has a faculty of eight mem- 
bers and reports eighty pupils for 1897-98, with 
property valued at 870,000. The institution gives 
instruction in literary and scientific branches, 
besides preparatory and business courses. 

WESTERN NORMAL COLLEGE, located at 
Bushnell, McDonough County; incorporated in 
1888. It is co-educational, has a corps of twelve 
instructors and reported 500 pupils for 1897-98, 
300 males and 200 females. 

WESTERN SPRINGS, a village of Cook 
County, and residence suburb of the city of Chi- 
cago, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- 
road, 15 miles west of the initial station. 
Population (1890), 451; (lliOO), 662. 

WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, 
located in Chicago and controlled by the Protes- 
tant Episcopal Church. It was founded in 1883 
through the munificence of Dr. Tolman Wheeler, 
and was opened for students two years later. It 
has two buildings, of a superior order of archi- 
tecture — one including the school and lecture 
rooms and the other a dormitory. A hospital 
and gymnasium are attached to the latter, and a 
school for boys is conducted on the first floor of 
the main building, which is known as Wheeler 
Hall. The institution is under the general super- 
vision of Rt. Rev. William E. McLaren, Protes- 
tant Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Illinois 

WESTFIELD, village of Clark County, on Cin., 
Ham. & Dayton R. R. , 10 m. s -e. of Charleston; 
seat of Westfield College; has a bank, five 
churches and two newspapers. Pep (1900) 820. 

WEST SALEM, a town of Edwards County, on 
the Peoria-Evansville Div. Ill Cent R. R.. 12 
miles northeast of Albion; lias a bank and a 
weekly paper. Pop. (189(1). 476; (1900), 700. 

WETHERELL, Emma Abbott, vocalist, was 
born in Chicago, Due. 9, 1849; in her childhood 
attracted attention while singing with her father 
(a poor musician) in hotels and on the streets in 



Chicago, Peoria and elsewhere; at 18 years of 
age, went to New York to study, earning her way 
by giving concerts en route, and receiving aid 
and encouragement from Clara Louisa Kellogg; 
in New York was patronized by Henry Ward 
Beecher and others, and aided in securing the 
training of European masters. Compelled to sur- 
mount many obstacles from poverty and other 
causes, her after success in her profession was 
phenomenal. Died, during a professional tour, 
at Salt Lake City, Jan. 5, 1891. Miss Abbott 
married her manager, Eugene Wetherell, who 
died before her. 

WHEATON, a city and the county-seat of Du 
Page County, situated on the Chicago & North- 
western Railway, 25 miles west of Chicago. Agri- 
culture and stock-raising are the chief industries 
in the surrounding region. The city owns a new 
water-works plant (costing 860,000) and has a 
public library valued at §75.000, the gift of a 
resident. Mr. John Quincy Adams; has a court 
house, electric light plant, sewerage and drainage 
system, seven churches, three graded schools, 
four weekly newspapers and a State bank, 
Wheaton is the seat of Wheaton College (which 
see) Population (1880), 1,160; (1890), 1,622; 
(1900). 2 345 

WHEATON COLLEGE, an educational insti- 
tution located at Wheaton, Du Page County, and 
under Congregational control. It was founded 
in 1853, as the Illinois Institute, and was char- 
tered under its present name in 1860. Its early 
existence was one of struggle, but of late years it 
has been established on a better foundation, in 
1898 having 854,000 invested in productive funds, 
and property aggregating 8136 000. The faculty 
comprises fifteen professors, and, in 1898, there 
were 321 students in attendance. It is co-edu- 
cational and instruction is given in business and 
preparatory studies, as well as the fine arts, 
music and classical literature. 

WHEELER, David Hilton, D.D., LL.D., clergy- 
man, was born at Ithaca, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1829; 
graduated at Rock River Seminary, Mount 
Morris, in 1851; edited "The Carroll County 
Republican" and held a professorship in Cornell 
College, Iowa, (1857-61) ; was United States Con- 
sul at Geneva, Switzerland, (1861-66) ; Professorof 
English Literature in Northwestern University 
(1867-75); edited "The Methodist" in New York, 
seven years, and was President of Allegheny 
College (1883-87); received the degree of D.D. 
from Cornell College in 1867, and that of LL.D. 
from the Northwestern University in 1881. He 
is the author of "Brigandage in South Italy" 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



584 



(two volumes, 1864) and "By-Ways of Literature" 
(1883), besides some translations. 

WHEELER, Hamilton K., ex Congressman, 
was born at Ballston, N. Y., August 5, 1848, but 
emigrated with his parents to Illinois in 1852; 
remained on a farm until 19 years of age, his 
educational advantages being limited to three 
months' attendance upon a district school each 
year. In 1871, he was admitted to the bar at 
Kankakee, where he has since continued to prac- 
tice. In 1884 he was elected to represent the Six- 
teenth District in the State Senate, where he 
served on many important committees, being 
Chairman of that on the Judicial Department. 
In 1892 he was elected Representative in Con- 
gress from the Ninth Illinois District, on the 
Republican ticket. 

WHEELING, a town on the northern border of 
Cook County, on the Wisconsin Central Railway. 
Population (1890), 811; (1900), 331. 

WHISTLER, (JIaj.) John, soldier and builder 
of the first Fort Dearborn, was born in Ulster, Ire- 
land, about 1756 ; served under Burgoyne in the 
Revolution, and was with the force surrendered 
by that officer at Saratoga, in 1777. After the 
peace he returned to the United States, settled at 
Hagerstown, Md., and entered the United States 
Army, serving at first in the ranks and being 
severely wounded in the disastrous Indian cam- 
paigns of 1791. Later, he was promoted to a 
captaincy and, in the summer of 1803, sent with 
his company, to the head of Lake Michigan, 
where lie constructed the first Fort Dearborn 
within the limits of the present city of Chicago, 
remaining in command until 1811, when he was 
succeeded by Captain Heald. He received the 
brevet rank of Major, in 1815 was appointed 
military store-keeper at Newport, Ky., and after- 
wards at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, 
where he died, Sept. 3, 1829. Lieut. William 
Whistler, his son, who was with his father, for a 
time, in old Fort Dearborn — but transferred, in 
1809, to Fort Wayne — was of the force included 
in Hull's surrender at Detroit in 1812. After 
his exchange he was promoted to a captaincy, to 
the rank of Major in 1826 and to a Lieutenant-Colo- 
nelcy in 1845, dying at Newport, Ky., in 1863. 
James Abbott McNiel Whistler, the celebrated, 
but eccentric artist of that name, is a grandson 
of the first Major Whistler. 

WHITE, George E., ex-Congressman, was born 
in Massachusetts in 1848; after graduating, at the 
age of 16, he enlisted as a private in the Fifty- 
seventh Massachusetts Veteran Volunteers, serv- 
ing under General Grant in the campaign 



against Richmond from the battle of the Wilder- 
ness until the surrender of Lee. Having taken a 
course in a commercial college at Worcester, 
Mass., in 1867 he came to Chicago, securing em- 
ployment in a lumber yard, but a year later 
began business on his own account, which he has 
successfully conducted. In 1878 he was elected 
to the State Senate, as a Republican, from one of 
the Chicago Districts, and re-elected four years 
later, serving in that body eight years. He 
declined a nomination for Congress in 1884, but 
accepted in 1894, and was elected for the Fifth 
District, as he was again in 1896, but was 
defeated, in 1898, by Edward T. Noonan, Demo- 
crat. 

WHITE, Horace, journalist, was born at Cole- 
brook, N. H, August 10, 1834; in 1853 graduated 
at Beloit College, Wis. , whither his father had 
removed in 1837; engaged in journalism as city 
editor of "The Chicago Evening Journal," later 
becoming agent of the Associated Press, and, in 
1857, an editorial writer on "The Chicago Trib- 
une," during a part of the war acting as its 
Washington correspondent. He also served, in 
1856, as Assistant Secretary of the Kansas 
National Committee, and, later, as Secretary of 
the Republican State Central Committee. In 
1864 he purchased an interest in "The Tribune," 
a year or so later becoming editor-in-chief, but 
retired in October, 1874. After a protracted 
European tour, he united with Carl Schurz and 
E. L. Godkin of "The Nation," in the purchase 
and reorganization of "The New York Evening 
Post," of which he is now editor-in-chief. 

WHITE, Julius, soldier, was born in Cazen- 
ovia, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1816; removed to Illinois 
in 1836, residing there and in Wisconsin, where 
he was a member of the Legislature of 1849; in 
1861 was made Collector of Customs at Chicago, 
but resigned to assume the colonelcy of the 
Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteers, which he 
commanded on the Fremont expedition to South- 
west Missouri. He afterwards served with Gen- 
eral Curtiss in Arkansas, participated in the 
battle of Pea Ridge and was promoted to the 
rank of Brigadier-General. He was subsequently 
assigned to the Department of the Shenandoah, 
but finding his position at Martinsburg, W. Va., 
untenable, retired to Harper's Ferry, voluntarily 
serving under Colonel Miles, his inferior in com- 
mand. When this post was surrendered (Sept. 
15, 1862), he was made a prisoner, but released 
under parole ; was tried by a court of inquiry at 
his own request, and acquitted, the court finding 
that he had acted with courage and capability. 



686 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



He resigned in 1864, and, in March, 1865, was 
brevetted Major-General of Volunteers. Died, 
at Evanston, May 12, 1890. 

WHITE COUNTY, situated in the southeastern 
quarter of the State, and bounded on the east by 
the Wabash River; was organized in 1816, being 
the tenth county organized during the Territorial 
period: area, 500 square miles. The county is 
crossed by three railroads and drained by the 
Wabash and Little Wabash Rivers. The surface 
consists of prairie and woodland, and the soil is, 
for the most part, highly productive. The princi- 
pal agricultural products are corn, wheat, oats, 
potatoes, tobacco, fruit, butter, sorghum and 
wool. The principal industrial establishments 
are carriage factories, saw mills and flour mills. 
Carmi is the county-seat. Other towns are En- 
field, Grayville and Norris City. Population 
(1880), 23.087; (1890), 25,005; (1900), 25.386. 

WHITEHALL, a city in Greene County, at the 
intersection of the Chicago & Alton and the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads, 65 miles 
north of St. Louis and 24 miles south-southwest 
of Jacksonville; in rich farming region; has 
stoneware and sewer-pipe factories, foundry and 
machine shop, flour mill, elevators, wagon shops, 
creamery, water system, sanitarium, heating, 
electric light and power system, nurseries and 
fruit-supply houses, and two poultry packing 
houses; also has five churches, a graded school, 
two banks and three newspapers — one daily. Pop- 
ulation (1890), 1,961 ; (1900), 2.030. 

WHITEHOUSE, Henry John, Protestant Epis- 
copal Bishop, was born in New York City, August 
19, 1803; graduated from Columbia College in 
1821, and from the (New York) General Theolog- 
ical Seminary in 1824. After ordination he was 
rector of various parishes in Pennsylvania and 
New York until 1851, when he was chosen Assist- 
ant Bishop of Illinois, succeeding Bishop Chase 
in 1852. In 1867, by invitation of the Archbishop 
of Canterbury, he delivered the opening sermon 
before the Pan-Anglican Conference held in 
England. During this visit he received the 
degree of D.D. from Oxford University, and that 
of LL.D. from Cambridge. His rigid views as a 
churchman and a disciplinarian, were illustrated 
in his prosecution of Rev. Charles Edward 
Cheney, which resulted in the formation of the 
Reformed Episcopal Church. He was a brilliant 
orator and a trenchant and unyielding controver- 
sialist. Died, in Chicago, August 10, 1874. 

WHITESIDE COUXTY, in the northwestern 
portion of the State bordering on the Mississippi 
River; created by act of the Legislature passed in 



1836, and named for Capt. Samuel Whiteside, a 
noted Indian fighter ; area, 700 square miles. The 
surface is level, diversified by prairies and wood- 
land, and the soil is extremely fertile. The 
county-seat was first fixed at Lyndon, then at 
Sterling, and finally at Morrison, its present 
location. The Rock River crosses the county 
and furnishes abundant water power for numer- 
ous factories, turning out agricultural imple- 
ments, carriages and wagons, furniture, woolen 
goods, flour and wrapping paper. There are also 
distilling and brewing interests, besides saw and 
planing mills. Corn is the staple agricultural 
product, although all the leading cereals are 
extensively grown. The principal towns are 
Morrison, Sterling, Fulton and Rock Falls. Popu- 
lation (1880), 30,885; (1890), 30,854; (1900), 34.710. 

WHITESIDE, William, pioneer and soldier of 
the Revolution, emigrated from the frontier of 
North Carolina to Kentucky, and thence, in 1793, 
to the present limits of Monroe County, 111., 
erecting a fort between Cahokia and Kaskaskia, 
which became widely known as "Whiteside 
Station." He served as a Justice of the Peace, 
and was active in organizing the militia during 
the War of 1812-14, dying at the old Station in 
1815. — John (Whiteside), a brother of the preced- 
ing, and also a Revolutionary soldier, came to 
Illinois at the same time, as also did William B. 
and Samuel, sons of the two brothers, respec- 
tively. All of them became famous as Indian 
fighters. The two latter served as Captains of 
companies of "Rangers" in the War of 1812, 
Samuel taking part in the battle of Rock Island 
in 1S14, and contributing greatly to the success 
of the day. During the Black Hawk War (1832) 
he attained the rank of Brigadier-General. 
Whiteside County was named in his honor. He 
made one of the earliest improvements in Ridge 
Prairie, a rich section of Madison County, and 
represented that county in the First General 
Assembly. William B. served as Sheriff of Madi- 
son County for a number of years. — John D. 
(Whiteside), another member of this historic 
family, became very prominent, serving in the 
lower House of the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and 
Fourteenth General Assemblies, and in the Sen- 
ate of the Tenth, from Monroe County; was a 
Presidential Elector in 1836, State Treasurer 
(1837-41) and a member of the State Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847. General Whiteside, as 
he was known, was the second of James Shields 
in the famous Shields and Lincoln duel (so-called) 
in 1842, and, as such, carried the challenge of the 
former to Mr. Lincoln. (See Duels.) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



587 



WHITING, Lorenzo D., legislator, was born 
in Wayne County, N. Y., Nov. 17, 1819; came to 
Illinois in 1838, but did not settle there perma- 
nently until 1849, when he located in Bureau 
County. He was a Representative from that 
county in the Twenty-sixth General Assembly 
(1869), and a member of the Senate continuously 
from 1871 to 1887, serving in the latter through 
eight General Assemblies. Died at his home 
near Tiskilwa, Bureau County, 111., Oct. 10, 
1889. 

WHITING, Richard H., Congressman, was 
born at West Hartford, Conn., June 17, 1826, and 
received a common school education. In 1862 he 
was commissioned Paymaster in the Volunteer 
Army of the Union, and resigned in 1866. Hav- 
ing removed to Illinois, he was appointed Assist- 
ant Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Fifth 
Illinois District, in February, 1870, and so contin- 
ued until the abolition of the office in 1873. On 
retiring from the Assessorship he was appointed 
Collector of Internal Revenue, and served until 
March 4, 1875, when he resigned to take his seat 
as Republican Representative in Congress from 
the Peoria District, to which he had been elected 
in November, 1874. After the expiration of his 
term he held no public office, but was a member 
of the Republican National Convention of 1884. 
Died, at the Continental Hotel, in New York 
City, May 24, 1888. 

WHITNEY, James W., pioneer lawyer and 
early teacher, known by the nickname of "Lord 
Coke"; came to Illinois in Territorial days (be- 
lieved to have been about 1800) ; resided for some 
time at or near Edwardsville, then became a 
teacher at Atlas, Pike Count}', and, still later, the 
first Circuit and County Clerk of that county. 
Though nominally a lawyer, he had little if any 
practice. He acquired the title, by which he was 
popularly known for a quarter of a century, by 
his custom of visiting the State Capital, during 
the sessions of the General Assembly, when 
he would organize the lobbyists and visit- 
ors about the capital — of which there were an 
unusual number in those days — into what was 
called the "Third House." Having been regu- 
larly chosen to preside under the name of 
"Speaker of the Lobby," he would deliver a mes- 
sage full of practical hits and jokes, aimed at 
members of the two houses and others, which 
would be received with cheers and laughter. 
The meetings of the "Third House," being held 
in the evening, were attended by many members 
and visitors in lieu of other forms of entertain- 
ment. Mr. Whitney's home, in his latter years, 



was at Pittsfield. He resided for a time at 
Quincy. Died, Dec. 13, 1860, aged over 80 years. 

WHITTEMORE, Floyd K.., State Treasurer, is 
a native of New York, came at an early age, with 
his parents, to Sycamore, 111. , where he was edu- 
cated in the high school there. He purposed 
becoming a lawyer, but, on the election of the 
late James H. Beveridge State Treasurer, in 1864, 
accepted the position of clerk in the office. 
Later, he was employed as a clerk in the banking 
house of Jacob Bunn in Springfield, and, on the 
organization of the State National Bank, was 
chosen cashier of that Institution, retaining the 
position some twenty years. After the appoint- 
ment of Hon. John R. Tanner to the position of 
Assistant Treasurer of the United States, at Chi- 
cago, in 1892, Mr. Whittemore became cashier in 
that office, and, in 1865, Assistant State Treas- 
rure under the administration of State Treasurer 
Henry Wulff. In 1898 he was elected State 
Treasurer, receiving a plurality of 43,450 over 
his Democratic opponent. 

WICKERSHAM, (Col.) Dudley, soldier and 
merchant, was born in Woodford County, Ky., 
Nov. 22, 1819; came to Springfield, 111., in 1843, 
and served as a member of the Fourth Regiment 
Illinois Volunteers (Col. E. D. Baker's) through 
the Mexican War. On the return of peace he 
engaged in the dry-goods trade in Springfield, 
until 1861, when he enlisted in the Tenth Regi- 
ment Illinois Cavalry, serving, first as Lieutenant- 
Colonel and then as Colonel, until May, 1864, 
when, his regiment having been consolidated 
with the Fifteenth Cavalry, he resigned. After 
the war, he held the office of Assessor of Internal 
Revenue for several years, after which he en- 
gaged in the grocery trade. Died, in Springfield, 
August 8, 1898. 

WIDEN, Raphael, pioneer and early legislator, 
was a native of Sweden, who, having been taken 
to France at eight years of age, was educated for 
a Catholic priest. Coming to the United States 
in 1815, he was at Cahokia, 111., in 1818, where, 
during the same year, he married into a French 
family of that place. He served in the House of 
Representatives from Randolph County, in the 
Second and Third General Assemblies (1820-24), 
and as Senator in the Fourth and Fifth (1824-28). 
During his last term in the House, he was one of 
those who voted against the pro-slavery Con- 
vention resolution. He died of cholera, at Kas- 
kaskia, in 1833. 

WIKE, Scott, lawyer and ex-Congressman, was 
born at Meadville, Pa., April 6. 1834; at 4 years 
of age removed with his parents to Quincy, 111., 



588 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and, in 1844, to Pike County. Having graduated 
from Lombard University, Galesburg, in 185T, he 
began reading law with Judge O. C. Skinner of 
Quincy. He was admitted to the bar in 1858, 
but, before commencing practice, spent a year at 
Harvard Law School, graduating there in 1859. 
Immediately thereafter he opened an office at 
Pittsfield, 111., and has resided there ever since. 
In politics he has always been a strong Democrat. 
He served two terms in the Legislature (1863-67) 
and, in 1874, was chosen Representative from his 
I listrict in Congress, being re-elected in 1888 and, 
again, in 1890. In 1893 he was appointed by 
President Cleveland Third Assistant Secretary 
of the Treasury, which position he continued 
to fill until March, 1897, when he resumed the 
practice of law at Pittsfield. Died Jan. 15, 1901 
WILEY, (Col.) Benjamin Ladd, soldier, was 
born in Smithfield, Jefferson County, Ohio, 
March 25, 1821, came to Illinois in 1843 and began 
life at Vienna, Johnson County, as a teacher. 
In 1816 he enlisted for the Mexican War, as a 
member of the Fifth (Colonel Newby's) Regiment 
Illinois Volunteers, serving chiefly iu New 
Mexico until mustered out in 1848. A year later 
he removed to Jonesboro, where he spent some 
time at the carpenter's trade, after which he 
became clerk in a store, meanwhile assisting to 
edit "The Jonesboro Gazette" until 1853; then 
became traveling salesman for a St. Louis firm, 
but later engaged in the hardware trade at 
Jonesboro, in which he continued for several 
years. In 1856 he was the Republican candidate 
for Congress for the Ninth District, receiving 
4,000 votes, while Fremont, the Republican can- 
didate for President, received only 825 in the 
same district. In 1857 he opened a real estate 
office in Jonesboro in conjunction with David L. 
Phillips and Col. J. W. Ashley, with which he 
was connected until 1860, when he removed to 
Makanda, Jackson County. In September, 1861, 
he was mustered in as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Fifth Illinois Cavalry, later serving in Missouri 
and Arkansas under Generals Steele and Curtiss, 
being, a part of the time, in command of the First 
Brigade of Cavalry, and. in the advance on Vicks- 
burg, having command of the right wing of 
General Granfs cavalry. Being disabled by 
rheumatism at the end of the siege, he tendered 
his resignation, and was immediately appointed 
Enrolling Officer at Cairo, serving in this capac- 
ity until May, 1865, when he was mustered out. 
In 1869 he was appointed by Governor Palmer 
one of the Commissioners to locate the Southern 
Illinois Hospital for the Insane, and served as 



Secretary of the Board until the institution was 
opened at Anna, in May, 1871. In 1869 he was 
defeated as a candidate for County Judge of 
Jackson County, and, in 1872, for the State Sen- 
ate, by a small majority in a strongly Democratic 
District; in 1876 was the Republican candidate 
for Congress, in the Eighteenth District, against 
William Hartzell. but was defeated by only 
twenty votes, while carrying six out of the ten 
counties comprising the District. In the latter 
years of his life, Colonel Wiley was engaged quite 
extensively in fruit-growing at Makanda, Jack- 
son County, where he died, March 22, 1890. 

WILKIE, Franc Bansrs, journalist, was born 
in Saratoga County, N. Y., July 2, 1830; took a 
partial course at Union College, after which he 
edited papers at Schenectady, N. Y. , Elgin, 111., 
and Davenport and Dubuque, Iowa ; also serving, 
during a part of the Civil War, as the western 
war correspondent of "The New York Times." 
In 1863 he became an editorial writer on "The 
Chicago Times," remaining with that paper, 
with the exception of a brief interval, until 1888 
— a part of the time as its European correspond- 
ent. He was the author of a series of sketches 
over the nom de plume of "Poliuto, " and of a 
volume of reminiscences under the title, 
"Thirty-five Years of Journalism," published 
shortly before his death, which took place, April 
12, 1892. 

WILKIN, Jacob W., Justice of the Supreme 
Court, was born in Licking County, Ohio, June 
7, 1837 ; removed with his parents to Illinois, at 
12 years of age, and was educated at McKendree 
College ; served three years in the War for the 
Union; studied law with Judge Scholfield and 
was admitted to the bar in 1866. In 1872, he was 
chosen Presidential Elector on the Republican 
ticket, and, in 1879, elected Judge of the Circuit 
Court and reelected in 1885 — the latter year 
being assigned to the Appellate bench for the 
Fourth District, where he remained until his 
election to the Supreme bench in 1888, being 
re-elected to the latter office in 1897. His home 
is at Danville. 

WILKINSON, Ira 0., lawyer and Judge, was 
born in Virginia in 1822, and accompanied his 
father to Jacksonville (1835), where he was edu- 
cated. During a short service as Deputy Clerk of 
Morgan County, he conceived a fondness for the 
profession of the law, and, after a course of study 
under Judge William Thomas, was admitted to 
practice in 1847. Richard Yates (afterwards Gov- 
ernor and Senator) was his first partner. In 1845 
he removed to Rock Island, and, six years later, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



589 



was elected a Circuit Judge, being again closen 
to the same position in 1861. At the expiration 
of his second term he removed to Chicago. 
Died, at Jacksonville, August 24, 1894. 

WILKINSON, John P.. early merchant, was 
born, Dec. 14, 1790, in New Kent County, Va., 
emigrated first to Kentucky, and, in 1828, settled 
in Jacksonville, 111., where he engaged in mer- 
cantile business. Mr. Wilkinson was a liberal 
friend of Illinois College and Jacksonville Female 
Academy, of each of which he was a Trustee 
from their origin until his death, which occurred, 
during a business visit to St. Louis, in December, 
1841. 

WILL, Conrad, pioneer physician and early 
legislator, was born in Philadelphia, June 4, 1778; 
about 1804 removed to Somerset County Pa. , and, 
in 1813, to Kaskaskia, 111. He was a physician 
by profession, but having leased the saline lands 
on the Big Muddy, in the vicinity of what after- 
wards became the town of Brownsville, he 
engaged in the manufacture of salt, removing 
thither in 1815, and becoming one of the founders 
of Brownsville, afterwards the first county-seat 
of Jackson County. On the organization of 
Jackson County, in 1816, he became a member of 
the first Board of County Commissioners, and. in 
1818, served as Delegate from that county in the 
Convention which framed the first State Consti- 
tution. Thereafter he served continuously as a 
member of the Legislature from 1818 to "34 — first 
as Senator in the First General Assembly, then 
as Representative in the Second, Third, Fourth 
and Fifth, and again as Senator in the Sixth, 
Seventh, Eighth and Ninth — his career being 
conspicuous for long service. He died in office, 
June 11, 1834. Dr. Will was short of stature, 
fleshy, of jovial disposition and fond of playing 
practical jokes upon his associates, but very 
popular, as shown by his successive elections to 
the Legislature. He has been called "The Father 
of Jackson County." Will County, organized by 
act of the Legislature two years after his death, 
was named in his honor. 

WILL COUNTY, a northeastern county, em- 
bracing 850 square miles, named in honor of Dr. 
Conrad Will, an early politician and legislator. 
Early explorations of the territory were made 
in 1829, when white settlers were few. The bluff 
west of Joliet is said to have been first occupied 
by David and Benjamin Maggard. Joseph 
Smith, the Mormon "apostle," expounded his 
peculiar doctrines at "the Point" in 1831. Sev- 
eral of the early settlers fled from the country 
during (or after) a raid by the Sac Indians. 



There is a legend, seemingly well supported, to 
the effect that the first lumber, sawed to build 
the first frame house in Chicago (that of P. F. W. 
Peck), was sawed at Plainfield. Will County, 
originally a part of Cook, was separately erected 
in 1836, Joliet being made the county-seat. 
Agriculture, quarrying and manufacturing are 
the chief industries. Joliet, Lockport and Wil- 
mington are the principal towns. Population 
(1880), 53.422; (1890), 62,007; (1900). 74,764. 

WILLARD, Frances Elizabeth, teacher and 
reformer, was born at Churchville, N. Y., Sept. 
28, 1839, graduated from the Northwestern 
Female College at Evanston, 111., in 1859, and, in 
1862, accepted the Professorship of Natural 
Sciences in that institution. During 1866-67 she 
was the Principal of the Genessee Wesleyan 
Seminary. The next two years she devoted to 
travel and study abroad, meanwhile contribut- 
ing to various periodicals. From 1871 to 1874 she 
was Professor of ^.-Esthetics in the Northwestern 
University and dean of the Woman's College. 
She was always an enthusiastic champion of 
temperance, and, in 1874, abandoned her profes- 
sion to identify herself with the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union. For five years she was 
Corresponding Secretary of the national body, 
and, from 1879, its President. While Secretary 
she organized the Home Protective Association, 
and prepared a petition to the Illinois Legislature, 
to which nearly 200,000 names were attached, 
asking for the granting to women of the right to 
vote on the license question. In 1878 she suc- 
ceeded her brother, Oliver A. Willard (who had 
died), as editor of "The Chicago Evening Post," 
but, a few months later, withdrew, and, in 1882, 
was elected as a member of the executive com- 
mittee of the National Prohibition party. In 
1886 she became leader of the White Cross Move- 
ment for the protection of women, and succeeded 
in securing favorable legislation, in this direc- 
tion, in twelve States. In 1883 she founded the 
World's Christian Temperance Union, and, in 
1888, was chosen its President, as also President 
of the International Council of Women. The 
latter years of her life were spent chiefly abroad, 
much of the time as the guest and co-worker of 
Lady Henry Somerset, of England, during which 
she devoted much attention to investigating the 
condition of women in the Orient. Miss Willard 
was a prolific and highly valued contributor t" 
the magazines, and (besides numerous pamphlets) 
published several volumes, including "Nineteen 
Beautiful Years" (a tribute to her sister): 
"Woman in Temperance"; "How to Win," and 



500 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



"Woman in the Pulpit." Died, in New York, 
Feb. 18, 1898. 

WILLARD, Samuel, A.M., M.D., LL.D., phy- 
sician and educator, was born in Lunenberg, 
Vt., Dec. 30, 1821— the lineal descendant of Maj. 
Simon Willard, one of the founders of Concord, 
Mass., and prominent in "King Philip's War," 
and of his son, Rev. Dr. Samuel Willard, of the 
Old Soutli Church. Boston, and seventh President 
of Harvard College. The subject of this sketch 
was taken in his infancy to Boston, and, in 1831, 
to Carrollton, 111., where his father pursued the 
avocation of a druggist. After a preparatory 
course at Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, in 1836 
he entered the freshman class in Illinois College 
at Jacksonville, but withdrew the following year, 
re-entering college in 1840 and graduating in the 
class of 1843, as a classmate of Dr. Newton Bate- 
man, afterwards State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction and President of Knox College, and 
Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, now of Elmira, N. Y. 
The next year he spent as Tutor in Illinois Col- 
lege, when he began the study of medicine at 
Quincy, graduating from the Medical Department 
of Illinois College in 1848. During a part of the 
latter year he edited a Free-Soil campaign paper 
("The Tribune") at Quincy, and, later, "The 
Western Temperance Magazine" at the same 
place. In 1849 he began the practice of his pro- 
fession at St. Louis, but the next year removed 
to Collinsville, 111., remaining until 1857, when he 
took charge of the Department of Languages in 
the newly organized State Normal University at 
Normal. The second year of the Civil War (1862) 
he enlisted as a private in the Ninety-seventh 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was soon after 
commissioned as Surgeon with the rank of Major, 
participating in the campaigns in Tennessee and 
in the first attack upon Vicksburg. Being dis- 
abled by an attack of paralysis, in February, 1863, 
he was compelled to resign, when he had suffici- 
ently recovered accepting a position in the office 
of Provost Marshal General Oakes, at Spring- 
field, where he remained until the close of the 
war. He then became Grand Secretary of the 
Independent Order of Odd-Fellows for the State 
of Illinois — a position which he had held from 
1856 to 1862 — remaining under his second appoint- 
ment from 1865 to '69. The next year he served 
as Superintendent of Schools at Springfield, 
meanwhile assisting in founding the Springfield 
public library, and serving as its first librarian. 
In 1870 he accepted the professorship of History 
in the West Side High School of Chicago, 
which, with the exception of two years (1884-86), 



he continued to occupy for more than twenty- 
five years, retiring in 1898. In the meantime, 
Dr. Willard has been a laborious literary worker, 
having been, for a considerable period, editor, or 
assistant-editor, of "The Illinois Teacher," a con- 
tributor to "The Century Magazine" and "The 
Dial" of Chicago, besides having published a 
"Digest of the Laws of Odd Fellowship" in six- 
teen volumes, begun while he was Grand Secre- 
tary of the Order in 1864, and continued in 1872 
and '82; a "Synopsis of History and Historical 
Chart," covering the period from B. C. 800 
to A. D. 1876 — of which he has had a second 
edition in course of preparation. Of late years 
he has been engaged upon a "Historical Diction- 
ary of Names and Places," which will include 
some 12,000 topics, and which promises to be the 
most important work of his life. Previous to the 
war he was an avowed Abolitionist and operator 
on the "Underground Railroad," who made no 
concealment of his opinions, and, on one or two 
occasions, was called to answer for them in 
prosecutions under the "Fugitive Slave Act." 
(See "Underground Railroad.") His friend 
and classmate, the late Dr. Bateman, says of 
him: "Dr. Willard is a sound thinker; a clear 
and forcible writer; of broad and accurate 
scholarship; conscientious, genial and kindly, 
and a most estimable gentleman." 

WILLIAMS, Archibald, lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Montgomery County, Ky., June 10, 
1801 ; with moderate advantages but natural 
fondness for study, he chose the profession of 
law, and was admitted to the bar in Tennessee 
in 1828, coming to Quincy. 111., the following 
year. He was elected to the General Assembly 
three times — serving in the Senate in 1832-36, and 
in the House, 1836-40; was United States District 
Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, by 
appointment of President Taylor, 1849-53; was 
twice the candidate of his party (the Whig) for 
United States Senator, and appointed by Presi- 
dent Lincoln, in 1861, United States District 
Judge for the State of Kansas. His abilities and 
high character were widely recognized. Died, 
in Quincy, Sept. 21, 1863 — His son, John H., an 
attorney at Quincy, served as Judge of the Cir- 
cuit Court 1879-85. — Another son, Abraham Lin- 
coln, was twice elected Attorney-General of 
Kansas. 

WILLIAMS, Erastus Smith, lawyer and ju- 
rist, was born at Salem, N. Y., May 22, 1821. In 
1842 he removed to Chicago, where, after reading 
law, he was admitted to the bar in 1844. In 1854 
he was appointed Master in Chancery, which 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



591 



office he filled until 1863, when he was elected a 
Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. 
After re-election in 1870 he became Chief Justice, 
and, at the same time, heard most of the cases on 
the equity side of the court. In 1879 he was a 
candidate for re-election as a Republican, but 
was defeated with the party ticket. After his 
retirement from the bench he resumed private 
practice. Died, Feb. 24, 1884. 

WILLIAMS, James R., Congressman, was 
born in "White County, 111., Dec. 27, 1850, at the 
age of 25 graduated from the Indiana State Uni- 
versity, at Bloomington, and, in 1876, from the 
Union College of Law, Chicago, since then being 
an active and successful practitioner at Carmi. 
In 1880 he was appointed Master in Chancery and 
served two years. From 1882 to 1886 he was 
County Judge. In 1892 he was a nominee on 
the Democratic ticket for Presidential Elector. 
He was elected to represent the Nineteenth Illi- 
nois District in the Fifty-first Congress at a 
special election held to fill the vacancy occasioned 
by the death of R. W. Townshend, was re-elected 
in 1890 and 1892, but defeated by Orlando Burrell 
(Republican) for re-election in the newly organ- 
ized Twentieth District in 1894. In 1898 he was 
again a candidate and elected to the Fifty -sixth 
Congress. 

WILLIAMS, John, pioneer merchant, was 
born in Bath County, Ky., Sept. 11, 1808; be- 
tween 14 and 16 years of age was clerk in a store 
in his native State; then, joining his parents, 
who had settled on a tract of land in a part of 
Sangamon (now Menard) County, 111., he found 
employment as clerk in the store of Major Elijah 
lies, at Springfield, whom he succeeded in busi- 
ness at the age of 22, continuing it without inter- 
ruption until 1880. In 1856 Mr. Williams was 
the Republican candidate for Congress in the 
Springfield District, and, in 1861, was appointed 
Commissary-General for the State, rendering 
valuable service in furnishing supplies for State 
troops, in camps of instruction and while proceed- 
ing to the field, in the first years of the war ; was 
also chief officer of the Illinois Sanitary Commis- 
sion for two years, and, as one of the intimate 
personal friends of Mr. Lincoln, was chosen to 
accompany the remains of the martyred President, 
from Washington to Springfield, for burial. 
Libei'al, enterprising and public-spirited, his name 
was associated with nearly every public enter- 
prise of importance in Springfield during his 
business career — being one of the founders, and, 
for eleven years President, of the First National 
Bank; a chief promoter in the construction of 



what is now the Springfield Division of the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad, and the Springfield and 
Peoria line; a Director of the Springfield Iron 
Company ; one of the Commissioners who con- 
structed the Springfield water-works, and an 
officer of the Lincoln Monument Association, 
from 1865 to his death, May 29, 1890. 

WILLIAMS, Korman, lawyer, was born at 
Woodstock, Vt., Feb. 1, 1833, being related, on 
both the paternal and maternal sides, to some of 
the most prominent families of New England. 
He fitted for college at Union Academy, Meriden, 
and graduated from the University of Vermont 
in the class of 1855. After taking a course in 
the Albany Law School and with a law firm in 
his native town, he was admitted to practice in 
both New York and Vermont, removed to Chi- 
cago in 1858, and, in 1860, became a member of 
the firm of King, Kales & Williams, still later 
forming a partnership with Gen. John L. Thomp- 
son, which ended with the death of the latter in 
1888. In a professional capacity he assisted in 
the organization of the Pullman Palace Car Com- 
pany, and was a member of its Board of Directors ; 
also assisted in organizing the Western Electric 
Company, and was prominently identified with 
the Chicago Telephone Company and the Western 
Union Telegraph Company. In 1881 he served as 
the United States Commissioner to the Electrical 
Exposition at Paris. In conjunction with his 
brother (Edward H. Williams) he assisted in 
founding the public library at Woodstock, Vt., 
which, in honor of his father, received the name 
of "The Norman Williams Public Library." 
With Col. Huntington W. Jackson and J. Mc- 
Gregor Adams, Mr. Williams was named, in the 
will of the late John Crerar, as an executor of the 
Crerar estate and one of the Trustees of the 
Crerar Public Library, and became its first Presi- 
dent; was also a Director of the Chicago Pub- 
lic Library, and trustee of a number of large 
estates. Mr. Williams was a son-in-law of the 
late Judge John D. Caton, and his oldest daughter 
became the wife of Major-General Wesley Mer- 
ritt, a few months before his death, which oc- 
curred at Hampton Beach, N. H., June 19, 1899 
— his remains being interred in his native town 
of Woodstock, Vt. 

WILLIAMS, Robert Ebenezer, lawyer, born 
Dec. 3, 1825, at Clarksville, Pa. , his grandfathers 
on both sides being soldiers of the Revolutionary 
War. In 1830 his parents removed to Washing- 
ton in the same State, where in boyhood he 
worked as a mechanic in his father's shop, 
attending a common school in the winter until 



692 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



he reached the age of 17 years, when he entered 
Washington College, remaining for more than a 
year. He then began teaching, and, in 1845 
went to Kentucky, where he pursued the business 
of a teacher for four years. Then he entered 
Bethany College in West Virginia, at the same 
time prosecuting his law studies, but left at the 
close of his junior year, when, having been 
licensed to practice, he removed to Clinton, 
Texas. Here he accepted, from a retired lawyer, 
the loan of a law library, which he afterwards 
purchased ; served for two years as State's Attor- 
ney, and, in 1856, came to Bloomington, 111., 
where he spent the remainder of his life in the 
practice of his profession. Much of his time was 
devoted to practice as a railroad attorney, espe- 
cially in connection with the Chicago & Alton and 
the Illinois Central Railroads, in which he 
acquired prominence and wealth. He was a life- 
long Democrat and, in 18G8, was the unsuccessful 
candidate of his party for Attorney-General of 
the State. The last three years of his life he had 
been in bad health, dying at Bloomington, Feb. 
15. 1899. 

WILLIAMS, Samuel, Bank President, was born 
in Adams County, Ohio, July 11, 1820; came to 
Winnebago County, 111., in 1835, and, in 1842, 
removed to Iroquois County, where he held vari- 
ous local offices, including that of County Judge, 
to which he was elected in 1861. During his 
later years he had been President of the Watseka 
Citizens' Bank. Died, June 16, 1896. 

WILLIAMSON, Rollin Samuel, legislator and 
jurist, was born at Cornwall, Vt. , May 23, 1839. 
At the age of 14 he went to Boston, where he 
began life as a telegraph messenger boy. In 
two years he had become a skillful operator, and, 
as such, was employed in various offices in New 
England and New York. In 1857 he came to 
Chicago seeking employment and, through the 
fortunate correction of an error on the part of 
the receiver of a message, secured the position of 
operator and station agent at Palatine, Cook 
County. Here lie read law during his leisure 
time without a preceptor, and, in 1870, was 
admitted to the bar. The same year he was 
elected to the lower House of the General 
Assembly and, in 1872, to the Senate. In 1880 lie 
was elected to the bench of the Superior Court of 
Cook County, and, in 1887, was chosen a Judge 
of the Cook County Circuit Court. Died, Au- 
gust 10, 1889. 

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, in the southern part 
of the State, originally set off from Franklin and 
organized in 1839. The county is well watered, 



the principal streams being the Big Muddy and 
the South Fork of the Saline. The surface is 
undulating and the soil fertile. The region was 
originally well covered with forests. All the 
cereals (as well as potatoes) are cultivated, and 
rich meadows encourage stock-raising. Coal and 
sandstone underlie the entire county. Area, 440 
square miles; population (1880), 19,324- (1890) 
22,226; (1900), 27,796. 

WILLIAMSVILLE, village of Sangamon Coun- 
ty, on Chicago it Alton Railroad, 12 miles north 
of Springfield; has a bank, elevator, 3 churches, 
a newspaper and coal-mines. Pop. (1900), 573. 

WILLIS, Jonathan Clay, soldier and former 
Railroad ami Warehouse Commissioner, was born 
in Sumner County, Tenn., June 27, 1826; brought 
to Gallatin County, 111., in 1834, and settled at 
Golconda in 1843; was elected Sheriff of Pope 
County in 1856, removed to Metropolis in 1859, 
and engaged in the wharf-boat and commission 
business. He entered the service as Quarter- 
master of the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteers in 
1861, but was compelled to resign on account of 
injuries, in 1863 ; was elected Representative ir> 
the Twenty-sixth General Assembly (1868), 
appointed Collector of Internal Revenue in 1869, 
and Railway and Warehouse Commissioner in 
1892, as the successor of John R. Tanner, serving 
until 1893. 

WILMETTE, a village in Cook County, 14 miles 
north of Chicago, on the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad, a handsome suburb of Chicago on the 
shore of Lake Michigan ; principal streets paved 
and shaded with fine forest trees; has public 
library and good schools. Pop. (1900), 2,300. 

WILMINGTON, a city of Will County, on the 
Kankakee River and the Chicago & Alton Rail- 
road, 53 miles from Chicago and 15 south-south- 
west of Joliet; has considerable manufactures, 
two National banks, a graded school, churches 
and one newspaper. Wilmington is the location 
of the Illinois Soldiers' Widows' Home. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,576; (1900), 1,420. 

WILSON, Charles Lush, journalist, was born 
in Fairfield County, Conn., Oct. 10. 1818, edu- 
cated in the common schools and at an academy 
in his native State, and, in 1835, removed to Chi- 
cago, entering the employment of his older 
brothers, who were connected with the construc- 
tion of the Illinois & Michigan Canal at Joliet. 
His brother, Richard L., having assumed charge 
of "The Chicago Daily Journal" (the successor 
of "The Chicago American"), in'1844, Charles L. 
took a position in the office, ultimately securing 
a partnership, which continued until the death 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



593 



of his brother in 1856, when he succeeded to the 
ownership of the paper. Mr. Wilson was an 
ardent friend and supporter of Abraham Lincoln 
for the United States Senate in 1858, but, in 1860, 
favored the nomination of Mr. Seward for the 
Presidency, though earnestly supporting Mr. Lin- 
coln after his nomination. In 1861 he was 
appointed Secretary of the American Legation at 
London, serving with the late Minister Charles 
Francis Adams, until 1864, when lie resigned and 
resumed his connection with "The Journal." In 
.1875 his health began to fail, and three years 
later, having gone to San Antonio, Tex. , in the 
hope of receiving benefit from a change of cli- 
mate, he died in that city, March 9, 1878. — 
Richard Lush (Wilson), an older brother of the 
preceding, the first editor and publisher of "The 
Chicago Evening Journal," the oldest paper of 
consecutive publication in Chicago, was a native 
of New York. Coming to Chicago with his 
brother John L., in 1834, they soon after estab- 
lished themselves in business on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, then in course of construction. 
In 1844 he took charge of "The Chicago Daily 
Journal" for a publishing committee which had 
purchased the material of "The Chicago Ameri- 
can," but soon after became principal proprietor. 
In April, 1847, while firing a salute in honor of 
the victorj- of Buena Vista, lie lost an arm and 
was otherwise injured by the explosion of the can- 
non. Early in 1849, he was appointed, by Presi- 
dent Taylor, Postmaster of the city of Chicago, 
but, having failed of confirmation, was compelled 
to retire in favor of a successor appointed by 
Millard Fillmore, eleven months later. Mr. 
Wilson published a little volume in 1842 entitled 
"A Trip to Santa Fe," and, a few years later, 
a story of travel under the title, "Short Ravel- 
lings from a Long Yarn." Died, December, 1856. 
— John Lush (Wilson), another brother, also a 
native of New York, came to Illinois in 1834, was 
afterwards associated with his brothers in busi- 
ness, being for a time business manager of "The 
Chicago Journal;'" also served one term as Sher- 
iff of Cook County. Died, in Chicago, April 13, 
1888. 

WILSON, Isaac Grant, jurist, was born at 
Middlebury, N. Y., April 26, 1817. graduated 
from Brown University in 1838, and the same 
year came to Chicago, whither his father's 
family had preceded him in 1835. After reading 
law for two years, he entered the senior class at 
Cambridge (Mass.) Law School, graduating in 
1841. In August of that year he opened an 
office at Elgin, and, for ten years "rode the cir- 



cuit." In 1851 he was elected to the bench of 
the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit to fill a vacancy, 
and re-elected for a full term in 1855, and again 
in '61. In November of the latter year he was 
commissioned the first Colonel of the Fifty- 
second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but resigned, 
a few weeks later, and resumed his place upon 
the bench. From 1867 to 1879 he devoted him- 
self to private practice, which was largely in 
the Federal Courts. In 1879 he resumed his seat 
upon the bench (this time for the Twelfth Cir- 
cuit), and was at once designated as one of the 
Judges of the Appellate Court at Chicago, of 
which tribunal he became Chief Justice in 1881. 
In 1885 he was re-elected Circuit Judge, but died, 
about the close of his term, at Geneva, June 8. 
1891. 

WILSON, James Grant, soldier and author, 
was born at Edinburgh, Scotland, April 28, 1832, 
and, when only a year old, was brought by his 
father, William Wilson, to America. The family 
settled at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where James 
Grant was educated at College Hill and under 
private teachers. After finishing his studies he 
became his father's partner in business, but, in 
1855, went abroad, and, shortly after his return, 
removed to Chicago, where he founded the first 
literary paper established in the Northwest. At 
the outbreak of the Civil War, he disposed of his 
journal to enlist in the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, 
of which he was commissioned Major and after- 
wards promoted to the colonelcy. In August, 
1863, while at New Orleans, by advice of General 
Grant, he accepted a commission as Colonel of 
the Fourth Regiment United States Colored 
Cavalry, and was assigned, as Aid-de-camp, to 
the staff of the Commander of the Department of 
the Gulf, filling this post until April, 1865. 
When General Banks was relieved, Colonel Wil- 
son was brevetted Brigadier-General and placed 
in command at Port Hudson, resigning in July, 
1865, since which time his home has been in New- 
York. He is best known as an author, having 
published numerous addresses, and being a fre- 
quent contributor to American and European 
magazines. Among larger works which he has 
written or edited are "Biographical Sketches of 
Illinois Officers"; "Love in Letters"; "Life of 
General U. S. Grant"; "Life and Letters of 
Fitz Greene Halleck"; "Poets and Poetry of 
Scotland"; "Bryant and His Friends" and 
" Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography ' 

WILSON, James Harrison, soldier and mili- 
tary engineer, was born near Shawneetown, 111., 
Sept. 2, 1837. His grandfather, Alexander Wil- 



594 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



son, was one of the pioneers of Illinois, and 
his father (Harrison Wilson) was an ensign dur- 
ing the War of 1812 and a Captain in the Black 
Hawk War. His brother (Bluford Wilson) 
served as Assistant Adjutant-General of Volun- 
teers during the Civil War, and as Solicitor of the 
United States Treasury during the "whisky ring" 
prosecutions. James H. was educated in the 
common schools, at McKendree College, and 
the United States Military Academy at West 
Point, graduating from the latter in 1S60, and 
being assigned to the Topographical Engineer 
Corps. In September, 1861, he was promoted to 
a First Lieutenancy, then served as Chief Topo- 
graphical Engineer of the Port Royal expedition 
until March, 1862; was afterwards attached to 
the Department of the South, being present at 
the bombardment of Fort Pulaski; was Aid-de- 
camp to McClellan, and participated in the bat- 
tles of South Mountain and Antietam ; was made 
Lieutenant-Colonel of Volunteers in November, 
1862; was Chief Topographical Engineer and 
Inspector-General of the Army of the Tennessee 
until October, 1863, being actively engaged in 
the operations around Vicksburg; was made 
Captain of Engineers in May, 1863, and Brigadier- 
General of Volunteers, Oct. 31, following. He 
also conducted operations preliminary to the 
battle of Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge, and 
for the relief of Knoxville. Later, he was placed 
in command of the Third Division of the cavalry 
corps of the Army of the Potomac, serving from 
May to August, 1864, under General Sheridan. 
Subsequently he was transferred to the Depart- 
ment of the Mississippi, where he so distinguished 
himself that, on April 20, 1865, he was made 
Major-General of Volunteers. In twenty-eight 
days he captured five fortified cities, twenty- 
three stands of colors, 288 guns and 6,820 prison- 
ers — among the latter being Jefferson Davis. He 
was mustered out of the volunteer service in 
January, 1866, and, on July 28, following, was 
commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Thirty- 
fifth United States Infantry, being also brevetted 
Major-General in the regular arm}'. On Dec. 31, 
1870, he returned to civil life, and was afterwards 
largely engaged in railroad and engineering oper- 
ations, especially in West Virginia. Promptly 
after the declaration of war with Spain (1898) 
General Wilson was appointed, by the President, 
Major-General of Volunteers, serving until its 
close. He is the author of "China: Travels and 
Investigations in the Middle Kingdom" ; "Life of 
Andrew J. Alexander"; and the "Life of Gen. 
U. S. Grant," in conjunction with Charles A. 



Dana. His home, in recent years, has been in 
New York. 

WILSON, John M., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in New Hampshire in 1802, graduated at 
Bowdoin College in 1824 — the classmate of Frank- 
lin Pierce and Nathaniel Hawthorne ; studied law 
in New Hampshire and came to Illinois in 1835, 
locating at Joliet; removed to Chicago in 1841, 
where he was the partner of Norman B. Judd, 
serving, at different periods, as attorney of the 
Chicago & Rock Island, the Lake Shore & Michi- 
gan Southern and the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railways; was Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas of Cook County, 1853-59, when he became 
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Chicago, 
serving until 1868. Died, Dec. 7, 1883. 

WILSON, John P., lawyer, was born in White- 
side County, 111., July 3, 1844; educated in the 
common schools and at Knox College, Galesburg, 
graduating from the latter in 1865; two years 
later was admitted to the bar in Chicago, and 
speedily attained prominence in his profession. 
During the World's Fair period he was retained 
as counsel by the Committee on Grounds and 
Buildings, and was prominently connected, as 
counsel for the city, with the Lake Front litiga- 
tion. 

WILSON, Robert L., early legislator, was born 
in Washington County, Pa., Sept. 11, 1805, taken 
to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1810, graduated at Frank- 
lin College in 1831, studied law and, in 1833, 
removed to Athens (now in Menard County), 111. ; 
was elected Representative in 1836, and was one 
of the members from Sangamon County, known 
as the "Long Nine," who assisted in securing the 
removal of the State Capital to Springfield. Mr. 
Wilson removed to Sterling, Whiteside County, 
in 1840, was elected five times Circuit Clerk and 
served eight years as Probate Judge. Immedi- 
ately after the fall of Fort Sumter, he enlisted as 
private in a battalion in Washington City under 
command of Cassius M. Clay, for guard duty 
until the arrival of the Seventh New York Regi- 
ment. He subsequently assisted in raising 
troops in Illinois, was appointed Paymaster by 
Lincoln, serving at Washington, St. Louis, and, 
after the fall of Vicksburg, at Springfield — being 
mustered out in November, 1865. Died, in White- 
side County, 1S80. 

WILSON, Robert S., lawyer and jurist, was 
born at Montrose, Susquehanna County, Pa. , Nov. 
6, 1812; learned the printer's art, then studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in Allegheny 
County, about 1833; in 1836 removed to Ann 
Arbor, Mich., where he served as Probate Judge 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



595 



and State Senator ; in 1850 came to Chicago, was 
elected Judge of the Recorder's Court in 1853, 
and re-elected in 1858, serving ten years, and 
proving "a terror to evil-doers." Died, at Law- 
rence, Mich., Dec. 23, 1882. 

WILSON, William, early jurist, was born in 
Loudoun County, Va., April 27, 1794; studied law 
with Hon. John Cook, a distinguished lawyer, 
and minister to France in the early part of the 
century; in 1817 removed to Kentucky, soon after 
came to Illinois, two years later locating in White 
County, near Carmi, which continued to be his 
home during the remainder of his life. In 1819 
he was appointed Associate Justice of the 
Supreme Court as successor to William P. 
Foster, who is described by Governor Ford as 
"a great rascal and no lawyer," and who held 
office only about nine months. Judge Wilson 
was re-elected to the Supreme bench, as Chief- 
Justice, in 1825, being then only a little over 30 
years old, and held office until the reorganization 
of the Supreme Court under the Constitution of 
1848 — a period of over twenty-nine years, and, 
with the exception of Judge Browne's, the long- 
est term of service in the history of the court. 
He died at his home in White County, April 29, 
1857. A Whig in early life, he allied himself 
with the Democratic party on the dissolution of 
the former. Hon. James C. Conkling, of Spring- 
field, says of him, "as a writer, his style was clear 
and distinct; as a lawyer, his judgment was 
sound and discriminating." 

WINCHESTER, a city and county-seat of Scott 
County, founded in 1839, situated on Big Sandy 
Creek and on the line of the Chicago, Burlington 
& Quincy Railroad, 29 miles south of Beardstown 
and 84 miles north by west of St. Louis. While 
the surrounding region is agricultural and largely 
devoted to wheat growing, there is some coal 
mining. Winchester is an important shipping- 
point, having three grain elevators, two flouring 
mills, and a coal mine employing fifty miners. 
There are four Protestant and one Catholic 
church, a court house, a high school, a graded 
school building, two banks and two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1880), 1,626; (1890), 1,542; 
(1900), 1,711. 

WINDSOR, a city of Shelby County at the cross- 
ing of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis and the Wabash Railways, 11 miles north- 
east of Shelbyville. Population (1880), 768; 
fl890), 888; (1900), 866. 

WINES, Frederick Howard, clergyman and 
sociologist, was born in Philadelphia. Pa., April 
9, 1S38, graduated at Washington (Pa.) College 



in 1857, and, after serving as tutor there for a 
short time, entered Princeton Theological Semi- 
nary, but was compelled temporarily to discon- 
tinue his studies on account of a weakness of 
the eyes. The Presbytery of St. Louis licensed 
him to preach in 1860, and, in 1862, he was com- 
missioned Hospital Chaplain in the Union army. 
During 1862-64 he was stationed at Springfield, 
Mo. , participating in the battle of Springfield on 
Jan. 8, 1863, and being personally mentioned for 
bravery on the field in the official report. Re- 
entering the seminary at Princeton in 1864, he 
graduated in 1865, and at once accepted a call to 
the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church of 
Springfield, 111., which he filled for four years. 
In 1869 he was appointed Secretary of the newly 
created Board of Commissioners of Public Chari- 
ties of Illinois, in which capacity he continued 
until 1893, when he resigned. For the next four 
years he was chiefly engaged in literary work, in 
lecturing before universities on topics connected 
with social science, in aiding in the organization 
of charitable work, and in the conduct of a 
thorough investigation into the relations between 
liquor legislation and crime. At an early period 
he took a prominent part in organizing the 
various Boards of Public Charities of the United 
States into an organization known as the National 
Conference of Charities and Corrections, and, at 
the Louisville meeting (1883), was elected its 
President. At the International Penitentiary 
Congress at Stockholm (1878) he was the official 
delegate from Illinois. On his return, as a result 
of his observations while abroad, he submitted 
to the Legislature a report strongly advocating 
the construction of the Kankakee Hospital for 
the Insane, then about to be built, upon the 
"detached ward" or "village" plan, a departure 
from then existing methods, ■which marks an era 
in the treatment of insane in the United States. 
Mr. Wines conducted the investigation into the 
condition and number of the defective, depend- 
ent and delinquent classes throughout the coun- 
try, his report constituting a separate volume 
under the "Tenth Census," and rendered a simi- 
lar service in connection with the eleventh 
census (1890). In 1887 he was elected Secretary 
of the National Prison Association, succeeding to 
the post formerly held b}- his father, Enoch Cobb 
Wines, D.D., LL.D. After the inauguration of 
Governor Tanner in 1897, he resumed his former 
position of Secretary of the Board of Public 
Charities, remaining until 1899, when he again 
tendered his resignation, having received the 
appointment to the position of Assistant Director 



696 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of the Twelfth Census, which he now holds. He 
is the author of "Crime and Reformation" (1895); 
of a voluminous series of reports; also of numer- 
ous pamphlets and brochures, among which may 
be mentioned "The County Jail System; An 
Argument for its Abolition" (1878) ; "The Kanka- 
kee Hospital'* (1882); "Provision for the Insane 
in the United States" (1885); "Conditional 
Liberation, or the Paroling of Prisoners" (1886), 
and "American Prisons in the Tenth Census" 
(1888). 

WINES, Walter B., lawyer (brother of Freder- 
ick H. Wines), was born in Boston, Mass., Oct. 
10, 1848, received his primary education at Willis- 
ton Academy, East HaniD+on, Mass., after which 
he entered Middlebury College, Vt., taking a 
classical course and graduating there. He after- 
wards became a student in the law department 
of Columbia College, N. Y., graduating in 1871, 
being admitted to the bar the same year and 
commencing practice in New York City. In 1879 
he came to Springfield, 111., and was, for a time, 
identified with the bar of that city. Later, he 
removed to Chicago, where he has been engaged 
in literary and journalistic work. 

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, situated in the 
"northern tier," bordering on the Wisconsin 
State line; was organized, under an act passed in 
1836, from La Salle and Jo Daviess Counties, and 
has an area of 552 square miles. The county is 
drained by the Rock and Pecatonica Rivers. 
The surface is rolling prairie and the soil fertile. 
The geology is simple, the quaternary deposits 
being underlaid by the Galena blue and buff 
limestone, adapted for building purposes All 
the cereals are raised in abundance, the chief 
product being corn. The Winnebago Indians 
(who gave name to the county) formerly lived 
on the west side of the Rock River, and the Potta- 
watomies on the east, but both tribes removed 
westward in 1835. (As to manufacturing inter- 
ests see Rockford.) Population (1880), 30,505; 
(1890), 39,938; (1900), 47,845 

WINNEBAGO WAR. The name given to an 
Indian disturbance which had its origin in 1827, 
during the administration of Gov. Ninian 
Edwards. The Indians had been quiet since the 
conclusion of the War of 1812, but a few isolated 
outrages were sufficient to start terrified "run- 
ners" in all directions. In the northern portion 
of the State, from Galena to Chicago (then Fort 
Dearborn) the alarm was intense. The meagre 
militia force of the State was summoned and 
volunteers were called ■ for. Meanwhile, 600 
United States Regular Infantry, under command 



of Gen. Henry Atkinson, put in an appearance. 
Besides the infantry, Atkinson had at his disposal 
some 130 mounted sharpshooters. The origin of 
the disturbance was as follows; The Winne- 
bagoes attacked a band of Cliippewas, who were 
(by treaty) under Government potection, several 
of the latter being killed. For participation in 
this offense, four Winnebago Indians were sum- 
marily apprehended, surrendered to the Cliippe- 
was and shot. Meanwhile, some dispute had 
arisen as to the title of the lands, claimed by the 
Winnebagoes in the vicinity of Gale'ia, which 
had been occupied by white miners. Repeated 
acts of hostility and of reprisal, along the Upper 
Mississippi, intensified mutual distrust. A gather- 
ing of the Indians around two keel-boats, laden 
with supplies for Fort Snelling, which had 
anchored near Prairie du Chien and opposite a 
Winnebago camp, was regarded by the whites as 
a hostile act. Liquor was freely distributed, and 
there is historical evidence that a half-dozen 
drunken squaws were carried off and shamefully 
maltreated. Several hundred warriors assembled 
to avenge the deception which had been practiced 
upon them. They laid in ambush for the boats 
on their return trip. The first passed too rapidly 
to be successfully assailed, but the second 
grounded and was savagely, yet unsuccessfully, 
attacked. The presence of General Atkinson's 
forces prevented an actual outbreak, and, on his 
demand, the great Winnebago Chief, Red Bird, 
with six other leading men of the tribe, sur- 
rendered themselves as hostages to save their 
nation from extermination. A majority of these 
were, after trial, acquitted. Red Bird, however, 
unable to endure confinement, literally pined to 
death in prison, dying on Feb. 16, 1828. He is 
described as having been a savage of superior 
intelligence and noble character. A treaty of 
peace was concluded with the Winnebagoes in a 
council held at Prairie du Chien, a few months 
later, but the affair seems to have produced as 
much alarm among the Indians as it did among 
the whites. (For Winnebago Indians see page 576. ) 

WINNETKA, a village of Cook County, on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway, I6V2 miles 
north of Chicago. It stands eighty feet above 
the level of Lake Michigan, has good schools 
(being the seat of the Winnetka Institute), sev- 
eral churches, and is a popular residence town. 
Population (1880), 584; (1890), 1,079; (1900), 1,833. 

WINSTON, Frederick Bampton, lawyer, was 
born in Liberty County, Ga., Nov. 20, 1830, was 
brought to Woodford County, Ky., in 1835, left 
an orphan at 12, and attended the common 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



59? 



schools until IS, when, returning to Georgia, he 
engaged in cotton manufacture. He finally 
began the study of law with United States Sena- 
tor W. C. Dawson, and graduated from Harvard 
Law School in 1852; spent some time in the office 
of W. M. Evarts in New York, was admitted to 
the bar and came to Chicago in 1853, where he 
formed a partnership with Norman B. Judd, 
afterwards being associated with Judge Henry 
W. Blodgett; served as general solicitor of the 
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, the Chicago, 
Rock Island & Pacific and the Pittsburgh, Fort 
Wayne & Chicago Railways — remaining with the 
latter twenty years. In 1885 he was appointed, 
by President Cleveland, Minister to Persia, but 
resigned the following year, and traveled exten- 
sively in Russia, Scandinavia and other foreign 
countries. Mr. Winston was a delegate to the 
Democratic National Conventions of 1868. '76 and 
'84 ; first President of the Stock Yards at Jersey 
City, for twelve years President of the Lincoln 
Park Commission, and a Director of the Lincoln 
National Bank. 

WISCONSIN CENTRAL LINES. The Wiscon- 
sin Central Company was organized, June 17, 
1887, and subsequently acquired the Minnesota, 
St. Croix & Wisconsin, the Wisconsin & Minne- 
sota, the Chippewa Falls & Western, the St. 
Paul & St. Croix Falls, the Wisconsin Central, the 
Penokee, and the Packwaukee & Montebello Rail- 
roads, and assumed the leases of the Milwaukee 
& Lake Winnebago and the Wisconsin & Minne- 
sota Roads. On July 1, 1888, the company began 
to operate the entire Wisconsin Central system, 
with the exception of the Wisconsin Central 
Railroad and the leased Milwaukee & Lake Win- 
nebago, which remained in charge of the Wis- 
consin Central Railroad mortgage trustees until 
Nov. 1, 1889, when these, too, passed under the 
control of the Wisconsin Central Company. The 
Wisconsin Central Railroad Company is a re- 
organization (Oct. 1, 1879) of a company formed 
Jan. 1, 1871. The Wisconsin Central and the 
Wisconsin Central Railroad Companies, though 
differing in name, are a financial unit; the 
former holding most of the first mortgage bonds 
of the latter, and substantially all its notes, stocks 
and income bonds, but, for legal reasons (such as 
the protection of land titles), it is necessary that 
separate corporations be maintained. On April 
1, 1890, the Wisconsin Central Company executed 
a lease to the Northern Pacific Railroad, but this 
was set aside by the courts, on Sept. 27, 1893, for 
non-payment of rent, and was finally canceled. 
On the same day receivers were appointed to 



insure the protection of all interests. The total 
mileage is 415.46 miles, of which the Company 
owns 258.90— only .10 of a mile in Illinois. A 
line, 58.10 miles in length, with 8.44 miles of 
side-track (total, C6.54 miles), lying wholly within 
tlu- State of Illinois, is operated by the Chicago & 
Wisconsin and furnishes the allied line an en- 
trance into Chicago. 

WITHROW, Thomas F., lawyer, was born in 
Virginia in March, 1833, removed with his parents 
to Ohio in childhood, attended the Western 
Reserve College, and. after the death of his 
father, taught school and worked as a printer, 
later, editing a paper at Mount Vernon. In 1855 
he removed to Janesville, Wis., where he again 
engaged in journalistic work, studied law, was 
admitted to the bar in Iowa in 1857, settled at 
Des Moines and served as private secretary of 
Governors Lowe and Kirkwood. In 1860 he 
became Supreme Court Reporter; served as 
Chairman of the Republican State Central Com- 
mittee in 1863 and. in 1866, became associated 
with the Rock Island Railroad in the capacity of 
local attorney, was made chief law officer of the 
Company in 1873, and removed to Chicago, and, 
in 1890, was promoted to the position of General 
Counsel. Died, in Chicago, Feb. 3, 1893. 

WOLCOTT, (Dr.) Alexander, early Indian 
Agent, was born at East Windsor, Conn., Feb. 
14, 1790; graduated from Yale College in 1809, 
and, after a course in medicine, was commis- 
sioned, in 1812, Surgeon"s Mate in the United 
States Army. In 1820 he was appointed Indian 
Agent at Fort Dearborn (now Chicago), as suc- 
cessor to Charles Jouett — the first Agent— who 
had been appointed a United States Judge in 
Arkansas. The same year he accompanied Gen- 
eral Lewis Cass and Henry Schoolcraft on their 
tour among the Indians of the Northwest ; was 
married in 1823 to Ellen Marion Kinzie, a 
daughter of Col. John Kinzie, the first perma- 
nent settler of Chicago; in 1825 was appointed a 
Justice of the Peace for Peoria County, which 
then included Cook County; was a Judge of 
Election in 1830, and one of the purchasers of a 
block of ground in the heart of the present city 
of Chicago, at the first sale of lots, held Sept. 27, 
1830, but died before the close of the year. Dr. 
Wolcott appears to have been a high-minded and 
honorable man, as well as far in advance of the 
mass of pioneers in point of education and intel- 
ligence. 

WOMAN'S MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CHI- 
CAGO. (See Northwestern University Woman's 
Medical School.) 



598 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



WOMAN SUFFRAGE. (See Suffrage.) 

WOOD, Benson, lawyer and Congressman, was 
born in Susquehanna County, Pa., in 1839; re- 
ceived a common school and academic education ; 
at the age of 20 came to Illinois, and, for two 
years, taught school in Lee County. He then 
enlisted as a soldier in an Illinois regiment, 
attaining the rank of Captain of Infantry; after 
the war, graduated from the Law Department of 
the old Chicago University, and has since been 
engaged in the practice of his profession. He 
was elected a member of the Twenty-eighth Gen- 
eral Assembly (1872) and was a delegate to the 
Republican National Conventions of 18T6 and 
1888 ; also served as Mayor of the city of Effing- 
ham, where he now resides. In 1894 he was 
elected to the Fifty-fourth Congress by the 
Republicans of the Nineteenth District, which has 
uniformly returned a Democrat, and. in office, 
proved himself a most industrious and efficient 
member. Mr. Wood was defeated as a candidate 
for re-election in 1896. 

WOOD, John, pioneer, Lieutenant-Governor 
and Governor, was born at Moravia, N. Y., Dec. 
20. 1798 — his father being a Revolutionary soldier 
who had served as Surgeon and Captain in the 
army. At the age of 21 years young Wood re- 
moved to Illinois, settling in what is now Adams 
County, and building the first log-cabin on the site 
of the present city of Quincy. He was a member 
of the upper house of the Seventeenth and Eight- 
eenth General Assemblies, and was elected Lieu- 
tenant-Governor in 1859 on the same ticket with 
Governor Bissell, and served out the unexpired 
term of the latter, who died in office. (See Bis- 
sell, William H.) He was succeeded by Richard 
Yates in 1861. In February of that year he was 
appointed one of the five Commissioners from 
Illinois to the "Peace Conference" at Wash- 
ington, to consider methods for averting 
civil war. The following May he was appointed 
Quartermaster-General for the State by Governor 
Yates, and assisted most efficiently in fitting out 
the troops for the field. In June, 1864, he was 
commissioned Colonel of the One Hundred and 
Thirt3'-seventh Illinois Volunteers (100-days' men) 
and mustered out of service the following Sep- 
tember. Died, at Quincy, June 11, 1880. He 
was liberal, patriotic and public-spirited. His 
fellow-citizens of Quincy erected a monument to 
his memory, which was appropriately dedicated, 
July 4, 1883. 

WOODFORD COUNTY, situated a little north 
of the center of the State, bounded on the west 
by the Illinois River; organized in 1841; area, 



540 square miles. The surface is generally level, 
except along the Illinois River, the soil fertile 
and well watered. The county lies in the north- 
ern section of the great coal field of the State. 
Eureka is the county-seat. Other thriving cities 
and towns are Metamora, Minonk, El Paso and 
Roanoke. Corn, oats, wheat, potatoes and barley 
are the principal crops. The chief mechanical 
industries are flour manufacture, carriage and 
wagon-making, and saddlery and harness work. 
Population (1890), 21,429; (1900), 21,822. 

WOODHULL, a village of Henry County, on 
Keithsburg branch Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, 15 miles west of Galva; has a bank, 
electric lights, water works, brick and tile works, 
six churches and weekly paper. Pop. (1900), 774. 

WOODMAN, Charles W., lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born in Aalborg, Denmark, March 11, 
1844 ; received his early education in the schools 
of his native country, but took to the sea in 1860, 
following the life of a sailor until 1863, when, 
coming to Philadelphia, he enlisted in the Gulf 
Squadron of the United States. After the war, 
he came to Chicago, and, after reading law for 
some time in the office of James L. High, gradu- 
ated from the Law Department of the Chicago 
University in 1871. Some years later he was 
appointed Prosecuting Attorney for some of the 
lower courts, and, in 1881, was nominated by the 
Judges of Cook County as one of the Justices of 
the Peace for the city of Chicago. In 1894 he 
became the Republican candidate for Congress 
from the Fourth District and was elected, but 
failed to secure a renomination in 1896. Died, in 
Elgin Asylum for the Insane, March 18, 1898. 

WOODS, Robert Mann, was born at Greenville, 
Pa., April 17, 1840; came with his parents to Illi- 
nois in 1842, the family settling at Barry, Pike 
County, but subsequently residing at Pittsfield, 
Canton and Galesburg. He was educated at 
Knox College in the latter place, which was his 
home from 1849 to "58; later, taught school in 
Iowa and Missouri until 1861, when he went to 
Springfield and began the study of law with 
Milton Hay and Shelby M. Cullom. His law 
studies having been interrupted by the Civil 
War, after spending some time in the mustering 
and disbursing office, he was promoted by Gov- 
ernor Yates to a place in the executive office, 
from which he went to the field as Adjutant of 
the Sixty-fourth Illinois Infantry, known as the 
"Yates Sharp-Shooters. " After participating, 
with the Army of the Tennessee, in the Atlanta 
campaign, he took part in the "March to the 
Sea," and the campaign in the Carolinas, includ- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



5'JS 



ing the siege of Savannah and the forcing of the 
Salkahatchie, where he distinguished himself, as 
also in the taking of Columbia, Fayetteville, 
Cheraw, Raleigh and Bentonville. At the latter 
place he had a horse shot under him and won the 
brevet rank of Major for gallantry in the field, 
having previously been commissioned Captain of 
Company A of his regiment. He also served on 
the staffs of Gens. Giles A. Smith, Benjamin F. 
Potts, and William W. Belknap, and was the last 
mustering officer in General Sherman's army. 
In 1867 Major Woods removed to Chicago, where 
he was in business for a number of years, serving 
as chief clerk of Custom House construction 
from 1872 to 1877. In 1879 he purchased "The 
Daily Republican" at Joliet, which he conducted 
successfully for fifteen years. While connected 
with "The Republican," he served as Secretary of 
the Illinois Republican Press Association and in 
various other positions. 

Major Woods was one of the founders of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, whose birth-place 
was in Illinois. (See Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic; also Stephenson, Dr. B. F.) When Dr. 
Stephenson (who had been Surgeon of the Four- 
teenth Illinois Infantry), conceived the idea of 
founding such an order, he called to his assist- 
ance Major Woods, who was then engaged in 
writing the histories of Illinois regiments for the 
Adjutant-General's Report. The Major wrote 
the Constitution and By-laws of the Order, the 
charter blanks for all the reports, etc. The first 
official order bears his name as the first Adjutant- 
General of the Order, as follows: 

Headquarters Department of Illinois 
Grand Army of the Republic. 

Springfield, III., April 1, 1866. 
General Orders ( 

No. 1. J The following named officers are hereby 

appointed and assigned to duty at these headquarters. They 
will be obeyed and respected accordingly: 
Colonel Jules C. Webber, A.D.C. and Chief of Staff. 
Colonel John M. Snyder, Quartermaster-General. 
Major Robert M. Woods, Adjutant-General. 
Captain John A. Lightfoot, Assistant Adjutant-General. 
Captain John S. Phelps, Atd-de-Camp. 
By order of B. F. Stephenson, Department Commander. 

Robert M. Woods, 

Adjutant-General. 

Major Woods afterwards organized the various 
Departments in the West, and it has been con- 
ceded that he furnished the money necessary to 
carry on the work during the first six months of 
the existence of the Order. He has never 
accepted a nomination or run for any political 
office, but is now engaged in financial business in 
Joliet and Chicago, with his residence in the 
former place. 



WOODSON, David Meade, lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Jessamine County, Ky., May 18, 
180G; was educated in private schools and at 
Transylvania University, and read law with his 
father. He served a term in the Kentucky Legis- 
lature in 1832, and, in 1834, removed to Illinois, 
settling at Carrollton, Greene County. In 1839 
he was elected State's Attorney and, in 1840, a 
member of the lower house of the Legislature, 
being elected a second time in 1868. In 1843 he 
was the Whig candidate for Congress in the 
Fifth District, but was defeated by Stephen A. 
Douglas. He was a member of the Constitutional 
Conventions of 1847 and 1869-70. In 1848 he was 
elected a Judge of the First Judicial Circuit, 
remaining in office until 1867. Died, in 1877. 

WOODSTOCK, the county-seat of McHenry 
County, situated on the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railway, about 51 miles northwest of Chicago 
and 32 miles east of Rockford. It contains a 
court house, eight churches, four banks, three 
newspaper offices, foundry and machine shops, 
planing mills, canning works, pickle, cheese and 
butter factories. The Oliver Typewriter Factory 
is located here ; the town is also the seat of the 
Todd Seminary for boys. Population (1890), 
1,683; (1900), 2,502. 

WORCESTER, Linus E., State Senator, was 
born in Windsor, Vt., Dec. 5, 1811, was educated 
in the common schools of his native State and at 
Chester Academy, came to Illinois in 1836, and, 
after teaching three years, entered a dry-goods 
store at Whitehall as clerk, later becoming a 
partner. He was also engaged in various other 
branches of business at different times, including 
the drug, hardware, grocery, agricultural imple- 
ment and lumber business. In 1843 he was 
appointed Postmaster at Whitehall, serving 
twelve years ; was a member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1847, served as County Judge for 
six years from 1853, and as Trustee of the Insti- 
tution for the Deaf and Dumb, at Jacksonville, 
from 1859, by successive reappointments, for 
twelve years. In 1856 he was elected, as a Demo- 
crat, to the State Senate, to succeed John M. 
Palmer, resigned ; was re-elected in 1860, and, at 
the session of 1865, was one of the five Demo- 
cratic members of that body who voted for the 
ratification of the Emancipation Amendment of 
the National Constitution. He was elected 
County Judge a second time, in 1863, and re- 
elected in 1867, served as delegate to the Demo- 
cratic National Convention of 1876, and, for more 
than thirty years, was one of the Directors of the 
Jacksonville branch of the Chicago & Alton 



600 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Railroad, serving from the organization of the 
corporation until his death, which occurred Oct. 
19, 1891. 

WORDEJf, a village of Madison County, on the 
Wabash and the Jacksonville, Louisville & St. 
Louis Railways, 32 miles northeast of St. Louis. 
Population (1890), 522; (1900), 544 

WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. An 
exhibition of the scientific, liberal and mechan- 
ical arts of all nations, held at Chicago, between 
May 1 and Oct. 31, 1893. The project had its 
inception in November, 1885, in a resolution 
adopted by the directorate of the Chicago Inter- 
State Exposition Company. On July 6, 1888, the 
first well defined action was taken, the Iroquois 
Club, of Chicago, inviting the co-operation of six 
other leading clubs of that city in "securing the 
location of an international celebration at Chi- 
cago of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of 
America by Columbus." In July, 1889, a decisive 
step was taken in the appointment by Mayor 
Cregier, under resolution of the City Council, of 
a committee of 100 (afterwards increased to 256) 
citizens, who were charged with the duty of 
promoting the selection of Chicago as the site for 
the Exposition. New York, Washington and St. 
Louis were competing points, but the choice of 
Congress fell upon Chicago, and the act establish- 
ing the World's Fair at that city was signed bj- 
President Harrison on April 25, 1890. Under the 
requirements of the law, the President appointed 
eight Commissioners-at- large, with two Commis- 
sioners and two alternates from each State and 
Territory and the District of Columbia. Col. 
George R. Davis, of Chicago, was elected Direc- 
tor-General by the body thus constituted. Ex- 
Senator Thomas M. Palmer, of Michigan, was 
chosen President of the Commission and John T. 
Dickinson, of Texas, Secretary. This Commis 
sion delegated much of its power to a Board of 
Reference and Control, who were instructed to 
act with a similar number appointed by the 
World's Columbian Exposition. The latter 
organization was an incorporation, with a direc- 
torate of forty-five members, elected annually by 
the stockholders. Lyman J. Gage, of Chicago, 
was the first President of the corporation, and 
was succeeded by W. T. Baker and Harlow N. 
Higinbotham. 

In addition to these bodies, certain powers were 
vested in a Board of Lady Managers, composed 
of two members, with alternates, from each 
State and Territory, besides nine from the city 
of Chicago. Mrs. Potter Palmer was chosen 
President of the latter. This Board was particu- 



larly charged with supervision of women's par- 
ticipation in the Exposition, and of the exhibits 
of women's work. 

The supreme executive power was vested in 
the Joint Board of Control. The site selected 
was Jackson Park, in the South Division of Chi- 
cago, with a strip connecting Jackson and 
Washington Parks, known as the "Midway 
Plaisance, " which was surrendered to "conces- 
sionaires" who purchased the privilege of giving 
exhibitions, or conducting restaurants or selling- 
booths thereon. The total area of the site was 
633 acres, and that of the buildings — not reckon- 
ing those erected by States other than Illinois, 
and by foreign governments — was about 200 
acres. When to this is added the acreage of the 
foreign and State buildings, the total space 
under roof approximated 250 acres. These fig- 
ures do not include the buildings erected by 
private exhibitors, caterers and venders, which 
would add a small percentage to the grand total. 
Forty-seven foreign Governments made appropri- 
ations for the erection of their own buildings and 
other expenses connected with official represen- 
tation, and there were exhibitors from eighty -six 
nations. The United States Government erected 
its own building, and appropriated $500,000 to 
defray the expenses of a national exhibit, besides 
82,500,000 toward the general cost of the Exposi- 
tion. The appropriations by foreign Governments 
aggregated about $6,500,000, and those by the 
States ana Territories, 86,120,000— that of Illinois 
being 8800,000. The entire outlay of the World's 
Columbian Exposition Company, up to March 31, 
1894, including the cost of preliminary organiza 
tiou, construction, operating and post Exposition 
expenses, was §27,151,800. This is, of course, 
exclusive of foreign and State expenditures, 
which would swell the aggregate cost to nearly 
845,000,000. Citizens of Chicago subscribed 
§5,608,206 toward the capital stock of the Exposi- 
tion Company, and the municipality, 85,000,000, 
which was raised by the sale of bonds. (See 
Thirty-sixth General Assembly.) 

The site, while admirably adapted to the pur- 
pose, was, when chosen, a marshy flat, crossed 
b3' low sand ridges, upon which stood occasional 
clumps of stunted scrub oaks. Before the gates 
of the great fair were opened to the public, the 
entire area had been transformed into a dream of 
beauty. Marshes had been drained, filled in and 
sodded ; driveways and broad walks constructed ; 
artificial ponds and lagoons dug and embanked, 
and all the highest skill of the landscape garden- 
er's art hid been called into play to produce 



South Pari, I 
Stat.on 



MAP OF 

GROUNDS OF THE 

}VO^Lp'S pOJ^UMj^IAJV EXpOpiJIOjNI 

AT 

Jackson Park 

showing the General Arrangement 

of 

Buildings and Grounds 

1893. 




JJ4JJ(JLJLXXJLJI_kJ 



Bai^.aroflJ 
Njtions |Y" 



-CoerrtdlWalk^ 



MIDW AY 



J I Street ', ', r .,_. n v ,ii,,.„ I Dutch \ I »'• I 1 
-^ | in Ca.ro; ; Ge,man Vllla g <! [Settlement; W;*.* 



FI AISAXC K 



'u 



[Moorish; ' Turkish 

^Palace! , Village 




HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



601 



varied and striking effects. But the task had 
been a Herculean one. There were seventeen 
principal (or, as they may be called, depart- 
mental) buildings, all of beautiful and ornate 
design, and all of vast size. They were known 
as the Manufacturers' and Liberal Arts, the 
Machinery, Electrical, Transportation, Woman's, 
Horticultural, Mines and Mining, Anthropolog- 
ical, Administration, Art Galleries, Agricultural, 
Art Institute, Fisheries, Live Stock, Dairy and 
Forestry buildings, and the Music Hall and Ca- 
sino. Several of these had large annexes. The 
Manufacturers' Building was the largest. It was 
rectangular (1687 x T8T feet), having a ground 
area of 31 acres and a floor and gallery area of 
44 acres. Its central chamber was 1280x380 
feet, with a nave 107 feet wide, both hall and 
nave being surrounded by a gallery 50 feet wide. 
It was four times as large as the Roman Coliseum 
ami three times as large as St. Peter's at Rome; 
17,000,000 feet of lumber, 13,000,000 pounds of 
steel, and 2,000,000 pounds of iron had been used 
in its construction, involving a cost of §1,800,000. 

It was originally intended to open the Exposi- 
tion, formally, on Oct. 21, 1892, the quadri-centen- 
nial of Columbus' discovery of land on the 
Western Hemisphere, but the magnitude of the 
undertaking rendered this impracticable. Con- 
sequently, while dedicatory ceremonies were held 
on that day, preceded by a monster procession and 
followed by elaborate pyrotechnic displays at 
night, May 1, 1893, was fixed as the opening day 
— the machinery and fountains being put in oper- 
ation, at the touch of an electric button by Presi- 
dent Cleveland, at the close of a short address. 
The total number of admissions from that date 
to Oct. 31, was 27,530,460 — the largest for any 
single day being on Oct. 9 (Chicago Day) amount- 
ing to 761,944. The total receipts from all sources 
(including National and State appropriations, 
subscriptions, etc.), amounted to 828,151,168.75, 
of which 810,626,330.76 was from the sale of tick 
ets, and 83,699,581.43 from concessions. The 
aggregate attendance fell short of that at the 
Paris Exposition of 1889 by about 500,000, while 
the receipts from the sale of tickets and con- 
cessions exceeded the latter by nearly §5,800,000. 
Subscribers to the Exposition stock received a 
return of ten per cent on the same. 

The Illinois building was the first of the State 
buildings to be completed. It was also the 
largest and most costly, but was severely criti- 
cised from an architectural standpoint. The 
exhibits showed the internal resources of the 
State, as well as the development of its govern- 



mental system, and its progress in civilization 
from the days of the first pioneers. The entire 
Illinois exhibit in the State building was under 
charge of the State Board of Agriculture, who 
devoted one-tenth of the appropriation, and a like 
proportion of floor space, to the exhibition of the 
work of Illinois women as scientists, authors, 
artists, decorators, etc. Among special features 
of the Illinois exhibit were : State trophies and 
relics, kept in a fire-proof memorial hall ; the dis- 
play of grains and minerals, and an immense 
topographical map (prepared at a cost of $15,000), 
drafted on a scale of. two miles to the inch, show- 
ing the character and resources of the State, and 
correcting many serious cartographical errors 
previously undiscovered. 

WORTHEN, Amos Henry, scientist and State 
Geologist, was born at Bradford, Vt., Oct. 31, 
1813, emigrated to Kentucky in 1834, and, in 1836, 
removed to Illinois, locating at Warsaw. Teach- 
ing, surveying and mercantile business were his 
pursuits until 1842, when he returned to the 
East, spending two years in Boston, but return- 
ing to Warsaw in 1844. His natural predilections 
were toward the natural sciences, and, after 
coming west, he devoted most of his leisure time 
to the collection and study of specimens of 
mineralogy, geology and conchology. On the 
organization of the geological survey of Illinois 
in 1851, he was appointed assistant to Dr. J. G. 
Norwood, then State Geologist, and, in 1858, suc- 
ceeded to the office, having meanwhile spent 
three years as Assistant Geologist in the first Iowa 
survey. As State Geologist he published seven 
volumes of reports, and was engaged upon the 
eighth when overtaken by death. May 6, 1888. 
These reports, which are as comprehensive as 
they are voluminous, have been reviewed and 
warmly commended by the leading scientific 
periodicals of this country and Europe In 1877 
field work was discontinued, and the State His- 
torical Library and Natural History Museum were 
established, Professor Wort hen being placed in 
charge as curator. He was the author of various 
valuable scientific papers and member of numer- 
ous scientific societies in this country and in 
Europe. 

WORTHIXGTOX, Sicholas Ellsworth, ex-Con- 
gressman, was born in Brooke County, W. Va., 
March 30, 1836, and completed his education at 
Allegheny College, Pa. , studied Law at Morgan- 
town, Va. , and was admitted to the bar in 1860. 
He is a resident of Peoria, and, by profession, a 
lawyer; was County Superintendent of Schools 
of Peoria Countv from 1868 to 1872, and a mem- 



602 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ber of the State Board of Education from 1869 to 
1872. In 1882 he was elected to Congress, as a 
Democrat, from the Tenth Congressional District, 
and re-elected in 1884. In 1886 he was again a 
candidate, but was defeated by his Republican 
opponent, Philip Sidney Post. He was elected 
Circuit Judge of the Tenth Judicial District in 
1891, and re-elected in 1897. In 1894 he served 
upon a commission appointed by President Cleve- 
land, to investigate the labor strikes of that year 
at Chicago. 

WRIGHT, John Stephen, manufacturer, was 
born at Sheffield, Mass., July 16, 1815; came to 
Chicago in 1832, with his father, who opened a 
store in that city ; in 1837, at his own expense, 
built the first school building in Chicago ; in 1840 
established "The Prairie Farmer," which he con- 
ducted for many years in the interest of popular 
education and progressive agriculture. In 1852 
he engaged in the manufacture of Atkins' self- 
raking reaper and mower, was one of the pro- 
moters of the Galena & Chicago Union and the 
Illinois Central Railways, and wrote a volume 
entitled, "Chicago: Past, Present and Future," 
published in 1870. Died, in Chicago, Sept. 26, 1874. 

WULFF, Henry, ex-State Treasurer, was born 
in Meldorf, Germany, August 24, 1854; came to 
Chicago in 1863, and began his political career as 
a Trustee of the town of Jefferson. In 1866 he 
was elected County Clerk of Cook County, and 
re-elected in 1890; in 1894 became the Republican 
nominee for State Treasurer, receiving, at the 
November election of that year, the unprece- 
dented plurality of 133,427 votes over his Demo- 
cratic opponent. 

WYANET, a town of Bureau County, at the 
intersection of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railways, 
7 miles southwest of Princeton. Population 
(1890), 670; (1900), 902. 

WYLIE, (Rev.) Samuel, domestic missionary, 
born in Ireland and came to America in boyhood ; 
was educated at the University of Pennsylvania 
and the Theological Seminary of the Reformed 
Presbyterian Church, and ordained in 1818. 
Soon after this lie came west as a domestic mis- 
sionary and, in 1820, became pastor of a church 
at Sparta, 111., where he remained until his death, 
March 20, 1872, after a pastorate of 52 years. 
During his pastorate the church sent out a dozen 
colonies to form new church organizations else- 
where. He is described as able, eloquent and 
scholarly. 

WYMAN, (Col.) John B., soldier, was born in 
Massachusetts, July 12, 1817, and educated in the 



schools of that State until 14 years of age, when 
he became a clerk in a clothing store in his native 
town of Shrewsbury, later being associated with 
mercantile establishments in Cincinnati, and 
again in his native State. From 1846 to 1850 he 
was emplo}-ed successively as a clerk in the car 
and machine shops at Springfield, Mass., then as 
Superintendent of Construction, and, later, as con- 
ductor on the New York & New Haven Railroad, 
finally, in 1850, becoming Superintendent of the 
Connecticut River Railroad. In 1852 he entered 
the service of the Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pany, assisting in the survey and construction of 
the line under Col. R. B. Mason, the Chief Engi- 
neer, and finally becoming Assistant Superin- 
tendent of the Northern Division. He was one 
of the original proprietors of the town of Amboy, 
in Lee County, and its first Mayor, also serving 
a second term. Having a fondness for military 
affairs, he was usually connected with some mili- 
tary organization — while in Cincinnati being 
attached to a company, of which Prof. O. M. 
Mitchell, the celebrated astronomer (afterwards 
Major-General Mitchell), was Captain. After 
coming to Illinois he became Captain of the Chi- 
cago Light Guards. Having lef* the employ of 
the Railroad in 1858, he was in private business 
at Amboy at the beginning of the Civil War in 
1861. As Assistant- Adjutant General, by appoint- 
ment of Governor Y'ates, he rendered valuable 
service in the early weeks of the war in securing 
arms from Jefferson Barracks and in the organi- 
zation of the three-months' regiments. Then, 
having organized the Thirteenth Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry — the first organized in the State 
for the three years' service — he was commis- 
sioned its Colonel, and, in Jul}- following, entered 
upon the duty of guarding the railroad lines in 
Southwest Missouri and Arkansas. The follow- 
ing year his regiment was attached to General 
Sherman's command in the first campaign 
against Vicksburg. On the second day of the 
Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, he fell mortally 
wounded, dying on the field, Dec. 28, 1862. Colo- 
nel Wyman was one of the most accomplished 
and promising of the volunteer soldiers sent to 
the field from Illinois, of whom so many were 
former employes of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road. 

WYOMING, a town of Stark County, 31 miles 
north-northwest from Peoria, at the junction of 
the Peoria branch Rock Island & Pacific and the 
Rushville branch of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railway; has two high schools, churches, 
two banks, flour mills, water-works, machine 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



603 



shop, and two weekly newspapers. Coal is mined 
here. Pop. (1890), 1,116; (1900), 1,277. 

XEXIA, a village of Clay County, on the Balti- 
more & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 87 miles 
east of St. Louis. Population (1900), 800. 

YATES CITY, a village of Knox County, at the 
junction of the Peoria Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad, with the Rushville 
branch, 23 miles southeast of Galesburg. The 
town has banks, a coal mine, telephone exchange, 
school, churches and a newspaper. Pop. (1890), 
687; (1900), 650. 

YATES, Henry, pioneer, was born in Caroline 
County, Va., Oct. 29, 1786— being a grand-nephew 
of Chief Justice John Marshall ; removed to Fa- 
yette County, Ky. , where he located and laid out 
the town of Warsaw, which afterwards became 
the county-seat of Gallatin County. In 1831 he 
removed to Sangamon County, 111., and, in 1832, 
settled at the site of the present town of Berlin, 
which he laid out the following year, also laying 
out the town of New Berlin, a few years later, on 
the line of the Wabash Railway. He was father 
of Gov. Richard Yates. Died, Sept. 13, 1865.— 
Henry (Yates), Jr., son of the preceding, was born 
at Berlin, 111., March 7, 1835; engaged in merchan- 
dising at New Berlin ; in 1862, raised a company 
of volunteers for the One Hundred and Sixth 
Regiment Illinois Infantry, was appointed Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel and brevetted Colonel and Briga- 
dier-General. He was accidentally shot in 1863, 
and suffered sun-stroke at Little Rock, from 
which he never fully recovered. Died, August 
3, 1871. 

YATES, Richard, former Governor and United 
States Senator, was born at Warsaw, Ky., Jan. 
18, 1815, of English descent. In 1831 he accom- 
panied his father to Illinois, the family settling 
first at Springfield and later at Berlin, Sangamon 
County. He soon after entered Illinois College, 
from which he graduated in 1835, and subse- 
quently read law with Col. John J. Hardin, at 
Jacksonville, which thereafter became his home. 
In 1842 he was elected Representative in the Gen- 
eral Assembly from Morgan County, and was 
re-elected in 1844, and again in 1848. In 1850 he 
was a candidate for Congress from the Seventh 
District and elected over Maj. Thomas L. Harris, 
the previous incumbent, being the only Whig 
Representative in the Thirty-second Congress 
from Illinois. Two years later he was re-elected 
over John Calhoun, but was defeated, in 1854, 
by his old opponent, Harris. He was one of the 



most vigorous opponents of the Kansas-Nebraska 
Bill in the Thirty-third Congress, and an early 
participant in the movement for the organization 
of the Republican party to resist the further 
extension of slavery, being a prominent speaker, 
on the same platform with Lincoln, before the 
first Republican State Convention held at Bloom- 
ington, in May, 1856, and serving as one of the 
Vice-Presidents of that body. In 1860 he was 
elected to the executive chair on the ticket 
headed by Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency, 
and, by his energetic support of the National 
administration in its' measures for the suppression 
of the Rebellion, won the sobriquet of "the Illi- 
nois War-Governor." Ln 1865 he was elected 
United States Senator, serving until 1871. He 
died suddenly, at St. Louis, Nov. 27, 1873, while 
returning from Arkansas, whither he had gone, 
as a United States Commissioner, by appointment 
of President Grant, to inspect a land-subsidy 
railroad. He was a man of rare ability, earnest- 
ness of purpose and extraordinary personal mag- 
netism, as well as of a lofty order of patriotism. 
His faults were those of a nature generous, 
impulsive and warm-hearted. 

YORKYILLE, the county-seat of Kendall 
County, on Fox River and Streator Division of 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 12 miles 
southwest of Aurora; on interurban electric line; 
has water-power, electric lights, a bank, churches 
and weekly newspaper. Pop.(1890) 375; (1900),413. 

YOUXG, Brigham, Mormon leader, was born 
at Whittingham. Vt., June 1, 1801, joined the 
Mormons in 1831 and, the next year, became asso- 
ciated with Joseph Smith, at Kirtland, Ohio, and, 
in 1835, an "apostle." He accompanied a con- 
siderable body of that sect to Independence, Mo., 
but was driven out with them in 1837, settling 
for a short time at Quincy, 111., but later remov- 
ing to Nauvoo, of which he was one of the foun- 
ders. On the assassination of Smith, in 1844, he 
became the successor of the latter, as head of the 
Mormon Church, and, the following year, headed 
the exodus from Illinois, which finally resulted in 
the Mormon settlement in Utah. His subsequent 
career there, where he was appointed Governor 
by President Fillmore, and, for a time, success- 
fully defied national authority, is a matter of 
national rather than State history. He remained 
at the head of the Mormon Church until his 
death at Salt Lake City, August 29, 1877. 

YOUXG, Richard Montgomery, United States 
Senator, was born in Kentucky in 1796, studied 
law and removed to Jonesboro, 111., where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1817; served in the Second 



604 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



General Assembly (1820-22) as Representative 
from Union County ; was a Circuit Judge, 1825-27 ; 
Presidential Elector in 1828 ; Circuit Judge again, 
1829-37; elected United States Senator in 1837 as 
successor to W. L. D. Ewing, serving until 1843, 
when lie was commissioned Justice of the Su- 
preme Court, but resigned in 1847 to become 
Commissioner of the General Land Office at 
Washington. During the session of 1850-51, he 
served as Clerk of the National House of Repre- 
sentatives. Died, in an insane asylum, in Wash- 
ington, in 1853. 

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, 
first permanently organized at Chicago, in 1858, 
although desultory movements of a kindred char- 
acter had previously been started at Peoria, 
Quincy, Chicago and Springfield, some as early 
as 1854. From 1858 to 1872, various associations 
were formed at different points throughout the 
State, which were entirely independent of each 
other. The first effort looking to union and 
mutual aid, was made in 1872, when Robert 
Weidensall, on behalf of the International Com- 
mittee, called a convention, to meet at Blooming- 
ton, November 6-9. State conventions have been 
held annually since 1872. In that of 1875, steps 
were taken looking to the appointment of a 
State Secretary, and, in 1876, Charles M. Morton 
assumed the office. Much evangelistic work was 
done, and new associations formed, the total 
number reported at the Champaign Convention, 
in 1877, being sixty-two. After one year's work 
Mr. Morton resigned the secretaryship, the office 
remaining vacant for three years. The question 
of the appointment of a successor was discussed 
at the Decatur Convention in 1879, and, in April, 
1880, I. B. Brown was made State Secretary, and 
has occupied the position to the present time 
(1899). At the date of his appointment the 
official figures showed sixteen associations in Illi- 
nois, with a total membership of 2,443, and prop- 
erty valued at §126,500, including building funds, 
the associations at Chicago and Aurora owning 
buildings. Thirteen officers were employed, 
none of them being in Chicago. Since 1880 the 
work lias steadily grown, so that five Assistant 
State Secretaries are now employed. In 1886, a 
plan for arranging the State work under depart- 
mental administration was devised, but not put 
in operation until 1890. The present six depart- 
ments of supervision are: General Supervision, 
in charge of the State Secretary and his Assist- 
ants; railroad and city woi'k; counties and 
towns; work among students; corresponding 
membership department, and office work. The 



two last named are under one executive head, 
but each of the others in charge of an Assistant 
Secretary, who is responsible for its development 
The entire work is under the supervision of a 
State Executive Committee of twenty-seven 
members, one-third of whom are elected annually. 
Willis H. Herrick of Chicago has been its chair- 
man for several years. This body is appointed 
by a State convention composed of delegates 
from the local Associations. Of these there were, 
in October, 1898, 116, with a membership of 
15,888. The value of the property owned was 
§2,500,000. Twenty-two occupy their own build- 
ings, of which five are for railroad men and one 
for students. Weekly gatherings for young men 
numbered 248, and there are now representatives 
or correspondents in 665 communities where no 
organization has been effected. Scientific phys- 
ical culture is made a feature by 40 associations, 
and educational work has been largely developed. 
The enrollment in evening classes, during 1898-99, 
was 978. The building of the Chicago branch 
(erected in 1893) is the finest of its class in the 
world. Recently a successful association has 
been formed among coal miners, and another 
among the first grade boys of the Illinois State 
Reformatory, while an extensive work has been 
conducted at the camps of the Illinois National 
Guard. 

ZANE, Charles S., lawyer and jurist, was born 
in Cumberland County, N. J., March 2, 1831, of 
English and New England stock. At the age of 
19 he emigrated to Sangamon County, 111., for a 
time working on a farm and at brick-making. 
From 1852 to '55 he attended McKendree College, 
but did not graduate, and, on leaving college, 
engaged in teaching, at the same time reading 
law. In 1857 he was admitted to the bar and 
commenced practice at Springfield. The follow- 
ing year he was elected City Attornej'. He had 
for partners, at different times, William H. 
Herndon (once a partner of Abraham Lincoln) 
and Senator Shelby M. Cullom. In 1873 he was 
elected a Judge of the Circuit Court for the Fifth 
Judicial Circuit, and was re-elected in 1879. In 
1883 President Arthur appointed him Chief Jus- 
tice of Utah, where he has since resided, though 
superseded by the appointment of a successor by 
President Cleveland. At the first State elec- 
tion in Utah, held in November, 1895, he was 
chosen one of the Judges of the Supreme Court 
of the new Commonwealth, but was defeated 
for re-election, by his Democratic opponent, in 
1898. 




SCENES IN SOUTH PARK. 




' 






WORLD'S FAIR BUILDINGS. 



The Peristyle. 



Administration Building. German Building. 

The Fisheries. 



SUPPLEMENT. 



The following matter, received too late tor insertion in the body ot this work, is added in the form of a supplement. 



COGHLAN, (Capt.) Joseph Bullock, naval 
officer, was bom in Kentucky, and, at the age of 
15 years, came to Illinois, living on a farm for a 
time near Carlyle, in Clinton County. In 1800 he 
was appointed by his uncle, Hon. Philip B. 
Fouke — then a Representative in Congress from 
the Belleville District — to the Naval Academy at 
Annapolis, graduating in 1803, and being pro- 
moted through the successive grades of Ensign, 
Master, Lieutenant, Lieutenant-Commander, and 
Commander, and serving upon various vessels 
until Nov. 18, 1898, when he was commissioned 
Captain and, in 1897, assigned to the command 
of the battleship Raleigh, on the Asiatic Station 
He was thus connected with Admiral Dewey's 
squadron at the beginning of the Spanish- Ameri- 
can War, and took a conspicuous and brilliant part 
in the affair in Manila Bay, on May 1, 1898, which 
resulted in the destruction of the Spanish fleet 
Captain Coghlan's connection with subsequent 
events in the Philippines was in the highest 
degree creditable to himself and the country. 
His vessel (the Raleigh) was the first of Admiral 
Dewey's squadron to return home, coming by 
way of the Suez Canal, in the summer of 1899, he 
and his crew receiving an immense ovation on 
their arrival in New York harbor. 

CRANE, (Rev.) Jaiues Lyons, clergyman, 
army chaplain, was born at Mt. Eaton, Wayne 
County, Ohio, August 30, 1823, united with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Cincinnati in 
1841, and, coming to Edgar County, Illinois, in 
1843, attended a seminary at Paris some three 
years. He joined the Illinois Conference in 1846, 
and was assigned to the Danville circuit, after- 
wards presiding over charges at Grandview, Hills- 
boro, Alton, Jacksonville, and Springfield — at the 
last two points being stationed two or more 
times, besides serving as Presiding Elder of the 
Paris. Danville, and Springfield Districts. The 
importance of the stations which he filled during 
his itinerant career served as evidence of his 
recognized ability and popularity as a preacher. 



In July, 1861, he was appointed Chaplain of the 
Twenty-first Regiment Illinois Volunteers, at 
that time commanded by Ulysses S. Grant as 
Colonel, and, although he remained with the 
regiment only a few months, the friendship then 
established between him and the future com 
mander of the armies of the Union lasted through 
their lives. This was shown by his appointment 
by President Grant in 1869, to the position of 
Postmaster of the city of Springfield, which came 
to him as a personal compliment, being re 
appointed four years afterwards and continuing 
in office eight years. After retiring from the 
Springfield postoffice, he occupied charges at 
Island Grove and Shelbyville, his death occurring 
at the latter place, July 29, 1879, as the result of 
an attack of paralysis some two weeks previous. 
Mr. Crane was married in 1847 to Miss Elizabeth 
Mayo, daughter of CoL J Mayo — a prominent 
citizen of Edgar County, at an early day— his 
wife surviving him some twenty years. Rev 
Charles A. Crane and Rev. Frank Crane, pastors 
of prominent Methodist churches in Boston and 
Chicago, are sons of the subject of this sketch. 

DAWES, Charles Gates, Comptroller of the 
Treasury, was born at Marietta, Ohio, August 27, 
1865; graduated from Marietta College in 1884, 
and from the Cincinnati Law School in 1886; 
worked at civil engineering during his vacations, 
finally becoming Chief Engineer of the Toledo & 
Ohio Railroad. Between 1887 and 1894 he was 
engaged in the practice of law at Lincoln, Neb., 
but afterwards became interested in the gas busi- 
ness in various cities, including Evanston, I1L, 
which became his home. In 1896 he took a lead- 
ing part in securing instructions by the Republi- 
can State Convention at Springfield in favor of 
the nomination of Mr. McKinley for the Presi- 
dency, and during the succeeding campaign 
served as a member of the National Republican 
Committee for the State of Illinois Soon after 
the accession of President McKinley. he was 
appointed Comptroller of the Treasury, a position 



605 



606 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



which he now holds. Mr. Dawes is the son of 
R. B. Dawes, a former Congressman from Ohio, 
and the great-grandson of Manasseh Cutler, who 
was an influential factor in the early history of 
the Northwest Territory, and lias been credited 
with exerting a strong influence in shaping and 
securing the adoption of the Ordinance of 1787. 

DISTIN, (Col.) William L., former Depart- 
ment Commander of Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic for the State of Illinois, was born at 
Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 9, 1843, his father being of 
English descent, while his maternal grandfather 
was a Colonel of the Polish Lancers in the army 
z>f the first Napoleon, who, after the exile of his 
leader, came to America, settling in Indiana. 
The father of the subject of this sketch settled at 
Keokuk, Iowa, where the son grew to manhood 
and in February, 1863. enlisted as a private in the 
Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, having been twice 
rejected previously on account of physical ail- 
ment. Soon after enlistment he was detailed for 
provost-marshal duty, but later took part with 
his regiment in the campaign in Alabama. He 
served for a time in the Fifteenth Army Corps, 
under Gen. John A. Logan, was subsequently 
detailed for duty on the Staff of General Raum, 
and participated in the battles of Resaca and 
Tilton, Ga. Having been captured in the latter, 
he was imprisoned successively at Jacksonville 
(Ga.), Montgomery, Savannah, and finally at 
Andersonville. From the latter he succeeded in 
effecting his escape, but was recaptured and 
returned to that famous prison-pen. Having 
escaped a second time by assuming the name of 
a dead man and bribing the guard, he was again 
captured and imprisoned at various points in Mis- 
sissippi until exchanged about the time of the 
assassination of President Lincoln. He was then 
so weakened by his long confinement and scanty 
fare that he had to be carried on board the 
steamer on a stretcher. At this time he narrowly 
escaped being on board the steamer Sultana, 
which was blown up below Cairo, with 2,100 
soldiers on board, a large proportion of whom lost 
their lives. After being mustered out at Daven- 
port, Iowa, June 28, 1865, he was employed for a 
time on the Des Moines Valley Railroad, and as a 
messenger and route agent of the United States 
Express Company. In 1872 he established him- 
self in business in Quincy, 111., in which he 
proved very successful. Here he became prom- 
inent in local Grand Army circles, and, in 1890, 
was unanimously elected Commander of the 
Department of Illinois. Previous to this he had 
been an officer of the Illinois National Guard, and 



served as Aid-de-Camp, with the rank of 
Colonel, on the staff of Governors Hamilton, 
Oglesby and Fifer. In 1897 Colonel Distin was 
appointed by President McKinley Surveyor-Gen- 
eral for the Territory of Alaska, a position which 
(1899) he still holds. 

DUMMER, Henry E., lawyer, was born at 
Hallowell, Maine, April 9, 1808, was educated in 
Bowdoin College, graduating there in the class of 
1827, after which he took a course in law at Cam- 
bridge Law School, and was soon after admitted 
to the bar. Then, having spent some two years 
in his native State, in 1832 he removed to Illinois, 
settling first in Springfield, where he remained six 
years, being for a part of the time a partner of 
John T. Stuart, who afterwards became the first 
partner in law of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Dum- 
mer had a brother, Richard William Dummer, 
who had preceded him to Illinois, living for a 
time in Jacksonville. In 1838 he removed to 
Beardstown, Cass County, which continued to be 
his home for more than a quarter of a century. 
During his residence there he served as Alder- 
man, City Attorney and Judge of Probate for 
Cass County ; also represented Cass County in the 
Constitutional Convention of 1847, and, in 1860, 
was elected State Senator in the Twenty-second 
General Assembly, serving four years. Mr. 
Dummer was an earnest Republican, and served 
that party as a delegate for the State-at-large to 
the Convention of 1864, at Baltimore, which 
nominated Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency a 
second time. In 1864 he removed to Jackson- 
ville, and for the next year was the law partner 
of David A. Smith, until the death of the latter 
in 1865. In the summer of 1878 Mr. Dummer 
went to Mackinac, Mich. , in search of health, but 
died there August 12 of that year. 

ECKELS, James H., ex-Comptroller of the 
Currency, was born of Scotch-Irish parentage at 
Princeton, 111., Nov. 22, 1858, was educated in 
the common schools and the high school of his 
native town, graduated from the Law School at 
Albany, N. Y., in 1881, and the following year 
began practice at Ottawa, 111. Here he con- 
tinued in active practice until 1893, when he was 
appointed by President Cleveland Comptroller of 
the Currency, serving until May 1, 1898, when he 
resigned to accept the presidency of the Com- 
mercial National Bank of Chicago. Mr. Eckels 
manifested such distinguished ability in the dis- 
charge of his duties as Comptroller that he 
received the notable compliment of being 
retained in office by a Republican administration 
more than a year after the retirement of Presi- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



607 



dent Cleveland, while his selection for a place at 
the head of one of the leading banking institu- 
tions of Chicago was a no less marked recognition 
of his abilities as a financier. He was a Delegate 
from the Eleventh District to the National 
Democratic Convention at Chicago in 1893, and 
repiesented the same district in the Gold Demo- 
cratic Convention at Indianapolis in 1896, and 
assisted in framing the platform there adopted — 
which indicated his views on the financial ques- 
tions involved in the campaign of that year. 

FIELD, Daniel, early merchant, was bom in 
Jefferson County, Kentucky, Nov. 30, 1790, and 
settled at Golconda, 111., in 1818, dying there in 
1855. He was a man of great enterprise, engaged 
in merchandising, and became a large land- 
holder, farmer and stock-grower, and an extensive 
shipper of stock and produce to lower Mississippi 
markets. He married Elizabeth Dailey of 
Charleston, Ind., and raised a large family of 
children, one of whom, Philip D., became Sheriff, 
while another, John, was County Judge of Pope 
County. His daughter, Maria, married Gen. 
Green B. Raum, who became prominent as a 
soldier during the Civil War and, later, as a mem- 
ber of Congress and Commissioner of Internal 
Revenue and Pension Commissioner in Wash- 
ington. 

FIELD, Green B., member of a pioneer family, 
was born within the present limits of the State of 
Indiana in 1787, served as a Lieutenant in the 
War of 1812, was married in Bourbon County, 
Kentucky, to Miss Mary E. Cogswell, the 
daughter of Dr. Joseph Cogswell, a soldier of the 
Revolutionary War, and, in 1817, removed to 
Pope County, Illinois, where he laid off the town 
of Golconda, which became the county-seat. He 
served as a Representative from Pope County in 
the First General Assembly (1818-20), and was 
the father of Juliet C. Field, who became the 
wife of John Raum; of Edna Field, the wife of 
Dr. Tarlton Dunn, and of Green B. Field, who 
was a Lieutenant in Third Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers during the Mexican War. Mr. Field 
was the grandfather of Gen. Green B. Raum, 
mentioned in the preceding paragraph. He died 
of yellow fever in Louisiana in 1823. 

GALE, Stephen Francis, first Chicago book- 
seller and a railway promoter, was born at 
Exeter, N. H, March 8. 1812; at 15 years of age 
became clerk in a leading book-store in Boston; 
came to Chicago in 1835. and soon afterwards 
opened the first book and stationery establish- 
ment in that city, which, in after years, gained 
an extensive trade. In 1843 the firm of S. F. 



Gale & Co. was organized, but Mr. Gale, having 
Juecome head of the Chicago Fire Department, 
retired from business in 1845 As early as 1846 
he was associated with W m. B. Ogden and John 
B. Turner in the steps then being taken to revive 
the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (now a 
part of the Chicago & Northwestern), and, in 
conjunction with these gentlemen, became 
responsible for the means to purchase the charter 
and assets of the road from the Eastern bond- 
holders. Later, he engaged in the construction 
of the branch road from Turner Junction to 
Aurora, became President of the line and ex- 
tended it to Mendota to connect with the Illinois 
Central at that Point. These roads afterwards 
became a part of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy line. A number of years ago Mr. Gale 
returned to his old home in New Hampshire, 
where he has since resided. 

HAY, John, early settler, came to the region of 
Kaskaskia between 1790 and 1800, and became a 
prominent citizen of St. Clair County. He was 
selected as a member of the First Legislative 
Council of Indiana Territory for St. Clair County 
in 1805. In 1809 he was appointed Clerk of the 
Common Pleas Court of St. Clair County, and 
was continued in office after the organization of 
the State Government, serving until his death at 
Belleville in 1845. 

HATS, John, pioneer settler of Northwest Ter- 
ritory, was a native of New York, who came to 
Cahokia, in the "Illinois Country," in 1793, and 
lived there the remainder of his life. His early 
life had been spent in the fur-trade about Macki- 
nac, in the Lake of the Woods region and about 
the sources of the Mississippi. During the War 
of 1812 he was able to furnish Governor Edwards 
valuable information in reference to the Indiana 
in the Northwest. He filled the office of Post- 
master at Cahokia for a number of years, and was 
Sheriff of St. Clair County from 1798 to 1818. 

MOULTON, (Col.) George M., soldier and 
building contractor, was born at Readsburg, Vt., 
March 15, 1851, came early in life to Chicago, and 
was educated in the schools of that city. By pro- 
fession he is a contractor and builder, the firm of 
which he is a member having been connected 
with the construction of a number of large build- 
ings, including some extensive grain elevators. 
Colonel Moulton became a member of the Second 
Regiment Illinois National Guard in June, 1884, 
being elected to the office of Major, which he 
retained until January, 1893, when he was 
appointed Inspector of Rifle Practice on the staff 
of General Wheeler. A year later he was com 



608 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



missioned Colonel of the regiment, a position 
which he occupied at the time of the call by the 
President for troops to serve in the Spanish- 
American War in April, 1898. He promptly 
answered the call, and was sworn into the United 
States service at the head of his regiment early 
in May. The regiment was almost immediately 
ordered to Jacksonville, Fla., remaining there 
and at Savannah, Ga., until early in December, 
when it was transferred to Havana, Cuba. Here 
he was soon after appointed Chief of Police for 
the city of Havana, remaining in office until the 
middle of January, 1899, when he returned to his 
regiment, then stationed at Camp Columbia, near 
the city of Havana. In the latter part of March 
he returned with his regiment to Augusta, Ga., 
where it was mustered out, April 26, 1899, one 
year from the date of its arrival at Springfield. 
After leaving the service Colonel Moulton 
resumed his business as a contractor. 

SHERMAN, Lawrence T., legislator and 
Speaker of the Forty-first General Assembly, was 
bora in Miami County, Ohio, Nov. 6, 1858 ; at 3 
years of age came to Illinois, his parents settling 
at Industry, McDonough County. When he had 
reached the age of 10 years he went to Jasper 
County, where he grew to manhood, received his 
education in the common schools and in the law 



department of McKendree College, graduating 
from the latter, and, in 1881, located at Macomb, 
McDonough County. Here he began his career 
by driving a team upon the street in order to 
accumulate means enabling him to devote his 
entire attention to his chosen profession of law. 
He soon took an active interest in politics, was 
elected County Judge in 1886, and, at the expira 
tion of his term, formed a partnership with 
George D. Tunnicliffe and D. G. TunnicHffe, 
ex-Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1894 he was 
a candidate for the Republican nomination for 
Representative in the General Assembly, but 
withdrew to prevent a split in the party; was 
nominated and elected in 1896, and re-elected in 
1898, and, at the succeeding session of the 
Forty-first General Assembly, was nominated 
by the Republican caucus and elected Speaker, 
as he was again of the Forty-second in 1901. 

VIJJYARD, Philip, early legislator, was born 
in Pennsylvania in 1800, came to Illinois at an 
early day, and settled in Pope County, which he 
represented in the lower branch of the Thirteenth 
and Fourteenth General Assemblies. He married 
Miss Matilda McCoy, the daughter of a prominent 
Illinois pioneer, and served as Sheriff of Pope 
County for a number of years. Died, at Gol- 
conda, in 1863, 



SUPPLEMENT NO. II. 



BLACK HAWK WAR, THE. The episode 
known in history under the name of "The Black 
Hawk War," was the most formidable conflict 
between the whites and Indians, as well as the 
most far-reaching in its results, that ever oc- 
curred upon the soil of Illinois. It takes its 
name from the Indian Chief, of the Sac tribe, 
Black Hawk (Indian name, Makatai Meshekia- 
kiak, meaning "Black Sparrow Hawk"), who 
was the leader of the hostile Indian band and a 
principal factor in the struggle. Black Hawk 
had been an ally of the British during the War 
of 1812-15, served with Tecumseh when the lat- 
ter fell at the battle of the Thames in 1813, and, 
after the war, continued to maintain friendly re- 
lations with his " British father." The outbreak 



in Illinois had its origin in the construction 
put upon the treaty negotiated by Gen. William 
Henry Harrison with the Sac and Fox Indians 
on behalf of the United States Government, No- 
vember 3, 1804, under which the Indians trans- 
ferred to the Government nearly 15,000,000 acres 
of land comprising the region lying between the 
Wisconsin River on the north, Fox River of Illi- 
nois on the east and southeast, and the Mississippi 
on the west, for which the Government agreed to 
pay to the confederated tribes less than $2,500 in 
goods and the insignificant sum of $1,000 per an- 
num in perpetuity. While the validity of the 
treaty was denied on the part of the Indians on the 
ground that it had originally been entered into by 
their chiefs under duress, while held as prisoners 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLINOIS. 



609 



under a charge of murder at Jefferson Barracks, 
during which they had been kept in a state of con- 
stant intoxication, it had been repeatedly reaf- 
firmed by parts or all of the tribe, especially in 
1815, in 1816, in 1822 and in 1823, and finally recog- 
nized by Black Hawk himself in i831. The part of 
the treaty of 1804 which was the immediate cause 
of the disagreement was that which stipulated 
that, so long as the lands ceded under it remained 
the property of the United States (that is, should 
not be transferred to private owners), ' 'the Indians 
belonging to the said tribes shall enjoy the priv- 
ilege of living or hunting upon them." Al- 
though these lands had not been put upon the 
market, or even surveyed, as "squatters" multi- 
plied in this region little respect was paid to the 
treaty rights of the Indians, particularly with 
reference to those localities where, by reason of 
fertility of the soil or some other natural advan- 
tage, the Indians had established something like 
permanent homes and introduced a sort of crude 
cultivation. This was especially the case with 
reference to the Sac village of "Saukenuk" on 
the north bank of Rock River near its mouth, 
where the Indians, when not absent on the chase, 
had lived for over a century, had cultivated 
fields of corn and vegetables and had buried their 
dead In the early part of the last century, it is 
estimated that some five hundred families had 
been accustomed to congregate here, making it 
the largest Indian village in the West. As early 
as 1823 the encroachments of squatters on the 
rights claimed by the Indians under the treaty 
of 1804 began ; their fields were taken possession 
of by the intruders, their lodges turned and their 
women and children whipped and driven away 
during the absence of the men on their annual 
hunts. The dangers resulting from these con- 
flicts led Governor Edwards, as early as 1828, to 
demand of the General Government the expul- 
sion of the Indians from Illinois, which resulted 
in an order from President Jackson in 1829 for 
their removal west of the Mississippi. On appli- 
cation of Col. George Davenport, a trader of 
much influence with the Indians, the time was 
extended to April 1, 1830. During the preceding 
year Colonel Davenport and the firm of Davenport 
and Farnham bought from the United States Gov- 
ernment most of the lands on Rock River occupied 
by Black Hawk's band, with the intention, as has 
been claimed, of permitting the Indians to remain. 
This was not so understood by Black Hawk, who 
was greatly incensed, although Davenport offered 
to take other lands from the Government in ex- 
change or cancel the sale — an arrangement to 



which President Jackson would not consent. On 
their return in the spring of 1830, the Indians 
found whites in possession of their village. Pre- 
vented from cultivating their fields, and their 
annual hunt proving unsuccessful, the following 
winter proved for them one of great hardship. 
Black Hawk, having made a visit to his " British 
father" (the British Agent) at Maiden, Canada, 
claimed to have received words of sympathy and 
encouragement, which induced him to determine 
to regain possession of their fields. In this he 
was encouraged by Neapope, his second in com- 
mand, and by assurance of support from White 
Cloud, a half Sac and half Winnebago — known 
also as " The Prophet " — whose village (Prophet's 
Town) was some forty miles from the mouth 
of Rock River, and through whom Black Hawk 
claimed to have leceived promises of aid in guns, 
ammunition and provisions from the British. 
The reappearance of Black Hawk's band in the 
vicinity of his old haunts, in the spring of 1831, 
produced a wild panic among the frontier settlers. 
Messages were hurried to Governor Reynolds, 
who had succeeded Governor Edwards in De- 
cember previous, appealing for protection against 
the savages. The Governor issued a call for 700 
volunteers " to remove the band of Sac Indians " 
at Rock Island beyond the Mississippi. Al- 
though Gen. E. P. Gaines of the regular army, 
commanding the military district, thought the 
regulars sufficiently strong to cope with the situa- 
tion, the Governor's proclamation was respondea 
to by more than twice the number called for 
The volunteers assembled early in June, 1831, at 
Beardstown, the place of rendezvous named in 
the call, and having been organized into two regi- 
ments under command of Col. James D. Henrj and 
Col. Daniel Lieb, with a spy battalion under Gen. 
Joseph Duncan, marched across the country and, 
after effecting a junction with General Gaines' 
regulars, appeared before Black Hawk's village on 
the 25th of June. In the meantime General 
Gaines, having learned that the Pottawatomies, 
Winnebagos and Kickapoos had promised to join 
the Sacs in their uprising, asked the assistance of 
the battalion of mounted men previously offered 
by Governor Reynolds. The combined armies 
amounted to 2,500 men, while the fighting force 
of the Indians was 300. Finding himself over- 
whelmingly outnumbered, Black Hawk withdrew 
under cover of night to the west side of the Missis- 
sippi After burning the village, General Gaines 
notified Black Hawk of his intention to pursue 
and attack his band, which had the effect to 
bring the fugitive chief to the General's head- 



CIO 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



quarters, where, on June 30, a new treaty was 
entered into by which he bound himself and his 
people to remain west of the Mississippi unless 
permitted to return by the United States. This 
ended the campaign, and the volunteers returned 
to their homes, although the affair had produced 
an intense excitement along the whole frontier, 
and involved a heavy expense. 

The next winter was spent by Black Hawk and 
his band on the site of old Fort Madison, in the 
present State of Iowa. Dissatisfied and humil- 
iated by his repulse of the previous year, in disre- 
gard of his pledge to General Gaines, on April 6, 
1832, at the head of 500 warriors and their fam- 
ilies, he again crossed the Mississippi at Yel- 
low Banks about the site of the present city of 
Oquawka, fifty miles below Rock Island, with the 
intention, as claimed, if not permitted to stop at 
his old village, to proceed to the Prophet's Town 
and raise a crop with the Winnebagoes. Here he 
was met by The Prophet with renewed assurances 
of aid from the Winnebagoes, which was still 
further strengthened by promises from the Brit- 
ish Agent received through a visit by Neapope to 
Maiden the previous autumn. An incident of this 
Invasion was the effective warning given to the 
white settlers by Shabona, a friendly Ottawa 
chief, which probably had the effect to prevent 
a widespread massacre. Besides the towns of 
Galena and Chicago, the settlements in Illinois 
north of Fort Clark (Peoria) were limited to some 
thirty families on Bureau Creek with a few 
cabins at Hennepin, Peru, LaSalle, Ottawa, In- 
dian Creek, Dixon, Kellogg's Grove, Apple Creek, 
and a few other points. Gen. Henry Atkinson, 
commanding the regulars at Fort Armstrong 
(Rock Island), having learned of the arrival of 
Black Hawk a week after he crossed the Missis- 
sippi, at once took steps to notify Governor Rey- 
nolds of the situation with a requisition for an 
adequate force of militia to cooperate with the 
regulars. Under date of April 16, 1832, the Gov- 
ernor issued his call for "a strong detachment of 
militia " to meet by April 22. Beardstown again 
being named as a place of rendezvous. The call 
resulted in the assembling of a force which was 
organized into four regiments under command of 
Cols. John DeWitt. Jacob Fry. John Thomas and 
Samuel M. Thompson, together with a spy bat- 
talion under Maj. James D. Henry, an odd bat- 
talion under Maj. Thomas James and a foot 
battalion under Maj. Thomas Long. To these were 
subsequently added two independent battalions 
of mounted men, under command of Majors 
Isaiah Stillman and David Bailey, which were 



finally consolidated as the Fifth Regiment under 
command of Col. James Johnson. The organiza- 
tion of the first four regiments at Beardstown 
was completed by April 27, and the force under 
command of Brigadier-General Whiteside (but 
accompanied by Governor Reynolds, who was 
allowed pay as Major General by the General 
Government) began its march to Fort Armstrong, 
arriving there May 7 and being mustered into the 
Uni ted States service. Among others accompany- 
ing the expedition who were then, or afterwards 
became, noted citizens of the State, were Vital 
Jarrot, Adjutant-General; Cyrus Edwards, Ord- 
nance Officer; Murray McConnel, Staff Officer, 
and Abraham Lincoln, Captain of a company of 
volunteers from Sangamon County in the Fourth 
Regiment. Col. Zachary Taylor, then commander 
of a regiment of regulars, arrived at Fort Arm- 
strong about the same time with reinforcements 
from Fort Leavenworth and Fort Crawford. The 
total force of militia amounted to 1,935 men, and 
of regulars about 1,000. An interesting story is 
told concerning a speech delivered to the volun- 
teers by Colonel Taylor about this time. After 
reminding them of their duty to obey an order 
promptly, the future hero of the Mexican War 
added: " The safety of all depends upon the obe- 
dience and courage of all. You are citizen sol- 
diers; some of you may fill high offices, or even be 
Presidents some day — but not if you refuse to do 
your duty. Forward, march!" A curious com- 
mentary upon this speech is furnished in the fact 
that, while Taylor himself afterwards became 
President, at least one of his hearers — a volunteer 
who probably then had no aspiration to that dis- 
tinction (Abraham Lincoln) — reached the same 
position during the most dramatic period in the 
nation's history. 

Two days after the arrival at Fort Armstrong, 
the advance up Rock River began, the main force 
of the volunteers proceeding by land under Gen- 
eral Whiteside, w r hile General Atkinson, with 
400 regular and 300 volunteer foot soldiers, pro- 
ceeded by boat, carrying with him the artillery, 
provisions and bulk of the baggage. Whiteside, 
advancing by the east bank of the river, was the 
first to arrive at the Prophet's Town, which, 
finding deserted, he pushed on to Dixon's Ferry 
(now Dixon), where he arrived May 12. Here he 
found the independent battalions of Stillman and 
Bailey with ammunition and supplies of which 
Whiteside stood in need. The mounted battalions 
under command of Major Stillman, having been 
sent forward by Whiteside as a scouting party, 
left Dixon on the 13th and, on the afternoon of 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



611 



the next day, went into camp in a strong position 
near the mouth of Sycamore Creek. As soon dis- 
covered, Black Hawk was in camp at the same 
time, as he afterwards claimed, with about forty 
of his braves, on Sycamore Creek, three miles 
distant, while the greater part of his band were en- 
camped with the more war-like faction of the Pot- 
tawatomies some seven miles farther north on the 
Kishwaukee River. As claimed by Black Hawk 
in his autobiography, having been disappointed in 
his expectation of forming an alliance with the 
Winnebagoes and the Pottawatomies, he had at 
this juncture determined to return to the west 
side of the Mississippi. Hearing of the arrival of 
Stillman's command in the vicinity, and taking 
it for granted that this was the whole of Atkin- 
son's command, he sent out three of his young 
men with a white flag, to arrange a parley and 
convey to Atkinson his offer to meet the latter in 
council These were captured by some of Still- 
man's band regardless of their flag of truce, while 
a party of five other braves who followed to ob- 
serve the treatment received by the flagbearers, 
were attacked and two of their number killed, the 
the other three escaping to their camp. Black 
Hawk learning the fate of his truce party was 
aroused to the fiercest indignation. Tearing the 
flag to pieces with which he had intended to go 
into council with the whites, and appealing to his 
followers to avenge the murder of their comrades, 
he prepared for the attack. The rangers num- 
bered 275 men, while Black Hawk's band has been 
estimated at less than forty. As the rangers 
caught sight of the Indians, they rushed forward 
in pell-mell fashion. Retiring behind a fringe 
of bushes, the Indians awaited the attack. As 
the rangers approached, Black Hawk and his 
party rose up with a war whoop, at the same time 
opening fire on their assailants. The further 
history of the affair was as much of a disgrace to 
Stillman's command as had been their desecra- 
tion of the flag of truce. Thrown into panic by 
their reception by Black Hawk's little band, the 
rangers turned and, without firing a shot, began 
the retreat, dashing through their own camp and 
abandoning everything, which fell into the hands 
of the Indians. An attempt was made by one or 
two officers and a few of their men to check the 
retreat, but without success, the bulk of the fu- 
gitives continuing their mad rush for safety 
through the night until they reached Dixon, 
twenty-five miles distant, while many never 
stopped until they reached their homes, forty 
or fifty miles distant. The casualties to the 
rangers amounted to eleven killed and two 



wounded, while the Indian loss consisted of two 
spies and one of the flag-bearers, treacherously 
killed near Stillman's camp, l'lis ill-starred af- 
fair, which has passed into history 'is "Stillman's 
defeat," produced a general panic alon;; the fron- 
tier by inducing an exaggerated estimatt of tin- 
strength of the Indian force, while it led I lack 
Hawk to form a poor opinion of the courage ;t 
the white troops at the same time that it led to 
an exalted estimate of the prowess of his own 
little band — thus becoming an important factor 
in prolonging the war and in the bloody massacres 
which followed. Whiteside, with Ins force of 
1,400 men, advanced to the scene of the defeat 
the next day and buried the dead, while on the 
19th. Atkinson, with his force of regulars, pro- 
ceeded up Rock River, leaving the remnant of 
Stillman's force to guard the wounded and sup- 
plies at Dixon. No sooner had he left than the 
demoralized fugitives of a few days before de- 
serted their post for their homes, compelling At- 
kinson to return for the protection of his base of 
supplies, while Whiteside was ordered to follow 
the trail of Black Hawk who had started up the 
Kishwaukee for the swamps about Lake Kosh- 
konong, nearly west of Milwaukee within the 
present State of Wisconsin., 

At this point the really active stage of the 
campaign began. Black Hawk, leaving the 
women and children of his band in the fastnesses 
of the swamps, divided his followers into two 
bands, retaining about 200 under his own com- 
mand, while the notorious half-breed, Mike Girt}', 
ledaband of one hundred renegadePottawatomies. 
Returning to the vicinity of Rock Island, he 
gathered some recruits from the Pottawatomies 
and W T innebagoes, and the work of rapine and 
massacre among the frontier settlers began. One 
of the most notable of these was the Indian 
Creek Massacre in LaSalle County, about twelve 
miles north of Ottawa, on May 21, when sixteen 
persons were killed at the Home of William 
Davis, and two young girls — Sylvia and Rachel 
Hall, aged, respectively, 17 and 15 years — were 
carried away captives. The girls were subse- 
quently released, having been ransomed for $2,0no 
in horses and trinkets through a Winnebago 
Chief and surrendered to sub-agent Henry 
Gratiot Great as was the emergency at this 
juncture, the volunteers began to manifest evi- 
dence of dissatisfaction and, claiming that thev 
had served out their term of enlistment, refused 
to follow the Indians into the swamps of Wis 
consin. As the result of a council of war, the 
volunteers were ordered to Ottawa, where they 



612 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



were mustered out on May 28, by Lieut. Robt. 
Anderson, afterwards General Anderson of Fort 
Sumter fame. Meanwhile Governor Reynolds had 
issued his call (with that of 1831 the third,) for 
2.000 men to serve during the war. Gen. 
Winfield Scott was also ordered from the East 
with 1,000 regulars although, owing to cholera 
breaking out among the troops, they did not 
arrive in time to take part in the campaign. The 
rank and file of volunteers responding under the 
new call was 3,148, with recruits and regulars 
then in Illinois making an army of 4,000. Pend- 
ing the arrival of the troops under the new call, 
and to meet an immediate emergency, 300 men 
were enlisted from the disbanded rangers for a 
period of twenty days, and organized into a 
regiment under command of Col. Jacob Fry, 
with James D. Henry as Lieutenant Colonel and 
John Thomas as Major. Among those who en- 
listed as privates in this regiment were Brig.- 
Gen. Whiteside and Capt. Abraham Lincoln. A 
regiment of five companies, numbering 195 men, 
from Putnam County under command of Col. 
John Strawn, and another of eight companies 
from Vermilion County under Col. Isaac R. 
Moore, were organized and assigned to guard 
duty for a period of twenty days. 

The new volunteers were rendezvoused at Fort 
Wilbourn, nearly opposite Peru, June 15, and 
organized into three brigades, each consisting of 
three regiments and a spy battalion. The First 
Brigade (915 strong) was placed under command 
of Brig. -Gen. Alexander Posey, the Second 
under Gen. Milton K. Alexander, and the third 
under Gen. James D. Henry. Others who served 
as officers in some of these several organizations, 
and afterwards became prominent in State his- 
tory, were Lieut. -Col. Gurdon S. Hubbard of the 
Vermilion County regiment ; John A. McClern- 
and, on the staff of General Posey; Maj. John 
Dement ; then State Treasurer ; Stinson H. Ander- 
son, afterwards Lieutenant-Governor; Lieut. - 
Gov. Zadoc Casey; Maj., William McHenry; 
Sidney Breese (afterwards Judge of the State 
Supreme Court and United States Senator) ; W. 
L. D. Ewing (as Major of a spy battalion, after- 
wards United States Senator and State Auditor) ; 
Alexander W. Jenkins (afterwards Lieutenant- 
Governor) ; James W. Semple (afterwards United 
States Senator) ; and William Weatherford (after- 
wards a Colonel in the Mexican War), and many 
more. Of the Illinois troops, Posey's brigade 
was assigned to the duty of dispersing the Indians 
between Galena and Rock River, Alexander's sent 
to intercept Black Hawk up the Rock River, 



while Henry's remained with Gen. Atkinson at 
Dixon. During the next two weeks engage- 
ments of a more or less serious charactei were 
had on the Pecatonica on the southern border of 
the present State of Wisconsin ; at Apple River 
Fort fourteen miles east of Galena, which was 
successfully defended against a force under Black 
Hawk himself, and at Kellogg's Grove the next 
day (June 25), when the same band ambushed 
Maj. Dement's spy battalion, and cam'! near in- 
flicting a defeat, which was prevented by 
Dement's coolness and the timely arrival of re- 
inforcements. In the latter engagement the 
whites lost five killed besides 47 horses which had 
been tethered outside their lines, the loss of the 
Indians being sixteen killed. Skirmishes also 
occurred with varying results, at Plum River 
Fort, Burr Oak Grove, Sinsiniwa and Blue 
Mounds — the last two within the present State of 
Wisconsin. 

Believing the bulk of the Indians to be camped 
in the vicinity of Lake Koshkonong, General 
Atkinson left Dixon June 27 with a combined 
force of regulars and volunteers numbering 2,000 
men — the volunteers being under the command 
of General Henry. They reached the outlet of the 
Lake July 2, but found no Indians, being joined 
two days later by General Alexander's brigade, and 
on the 6th by Gen. Posey's. From here the com- 
mands of Generals Henry and Alexander were 
sent for supplies to Fort Winnebago, at the Port- 
age of the Wisconsin ; Colonel Ewing, with the 
Second Regiment of Posey's brigade descending 
Rock River to Dixon, Posey with the remainder, 
going to Fort" Hamilton for the protection of 
settlers in the lead-mining region, while Atkin- 
son, advancing with the regulars up Lake Koshko- 
nong, began the erection of temporary fortifica- 
tions on Bark River near the site of the present 
village of Fort Atkinson. At Fort Winnebago 
Alexander and Henry obtained evidence of the 
actual location of Black Hawk's camp through 
Pierre Poquette, a half-breed scout and trader 
in the employ of the American Fur Company, 
whom they employed with a number of Winne 
bagos to act as guides. From this point Alex- 
ander's command returned to General Atkinson's 
headquarters, carrying with them twelve day's 
provisions for the main army, while General 
Henry's (600strong), with Major Dodge's battalion 
numbering 150, with an equal quantity of supplies 
for themselves, started under the guidance of 
Poquette and his Winnebago aids to find Black 
Hawk's camp. Arriving on the 18th at the 
Winnebago village on Rock River where Black 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



613 



Hawk and his band had been located, their camp 
was found deserted, the Winnebagos insisting 
that they had gone to Cranberry ( now Horicon) 
Lake, a half-day's march up the river. Messen- 
gers were immediately dispatched to Atkinson's 
headquarters, thirty live miles distant, to ap- 
prise him of this fact. When I hey had proceeded 
about half the distance, they struck a broad, 
fresh trail, which proved to be that of Black 
Hawk's band headed westward toward the Mis- 
sissippi. The guide having deserted them in 
order to warn his tribesmen that further dis- 
sembling to deceive the whites as to 
the whereabouts of the Sacs was use- 
less, the messengers were compelled to follow 
him to General Henry's camp. The discovery pro- 
duced the wildest enthusiasm among the volun- 
teers, and from this time-events followed in rapid 
succession. Leaving as far as possible all incum- 
brances behind, the pursuit of the fu iJves was 
begun without delay, the troops wading through 
swamps sometimes in water to their armpits. 
Soon evidence of the character of the flight the 
Indians were making, in the shape of exhausted 
horses, blankets, and camp equipage cast aside 
along the trail, began to appear, and straggling 
bands of Winnebagos, who had now begun to 
desert Black Hawk, gave information that the 
Indians were only a few miles in advance. On 
the evening of the 20th of July Henry's forces 
encamped at "The Four Lakes," the present 
site of the city of Madison, Wis., Black Hawk's 
force lying in ambush the same night seven or 
eight miles distant. During the next afternoon 
the rear-guard of the Indians under Neapope was 
overtaken and skirmishing continued until the 
bluffs of the Wisconsin were reached. Black 
Hawk's avowed object was to protect the passage 
of the main body of his people across the stream. 
The loss of the Indians in these skirmishes has 
been estimated at 40 to 68, while Black Hawk 
claimed that it was only six killed, the loss of 
the whites being one killed and eight wounded. 
During the night Black Hawk succeeded in 
placing a considerable number of the women and 
children and old men on a raft and in canoes 
obtained from the Winnebagos, and sent them 
down the river, believing that, as non-combat- 
ants, they would be permitted by the regulars 
to pass Fort Crawford, at the mouth of the Wis- 
consin, undisturbed. In this he was mistaken. 
A force sent from the fort under Colonel Ritner to 
intercept them, fired mercilessly upon the help- 
less fugitives, killing fifteen of their number, 
while about fifty were drowned and thirty-two 



women and children made prisoners. The re- 
mainder, escaping into the woods, with few ex- 
ceptions died from starvation and exposure, or 
were massacred by their enemies, the Menomi- 
nees, acting under white officers. During the 
night after the battle of Wisconsin Heights, a 
loud, shrill voice of some one speaking in an un- 
known tongue was heard in the direction where 
Black Hawk's band was supposed to be. This 
caused something of a panic in Henry's camp, as 
it was supposed to come from some one giving 
orders for un attack. It was afterwards learned 
that the speaker was Neapope speaking in the 
Winnebago language in the hope that he might 
be heard by Poquette and the Winnebago guides. 
He was describing the helpless condition of his 
people, claiming that the war had been forced 
upon them, that their women and children were 
starving, and that, if permitted peacefully to re- 
cross the Mississippi, they would give no further 
trouble. Unfortunately Poquette and the other 
guides had left for Fort Winnebago, so that no 
one was there to translate Neapope's appeal and 
it failed of its object. 

General Henry's force having discovered that the 
Indians had escaped — Black Hawk heading with 
the bulk of his warriors towards the Mississippi — 
spent the next and day night on the field, but on 
the following day (July 23) started to meet General 
Atkinson, who had, in the meantime, been noti- 
fied of the pursuit. The head of their columns 
met at Blue Mounds, the same evening, a com- 
plete junction between the regulars and the 
volunteers being effected at Helena, a deserted 
village on the Wisconsin. Here by using the 
logs of the deserted cabins for rafts, the army 
crossed the river on the 27th and the 28th and the 
pursuit of black Hawk's fugitive band was re- 
newed. Evidence of their famishing condition 
was found in the trees stripped of bark for food, 
the carcasses of dead ponies, with here and there 
the dead body of an Indian. 

On August 1, Black Hawk's depleted and famish- 
ing band reached the Mississippi two miles below 
the mouth of the Bad Ax, an insignificant 
stream, and immediately began trying to cross 
the river; but having only two or three canoes, 
the work was slow. About the middle of the 
afternoon the steam transport, "Warrior," ap- 
peared on the scene, having on board a score of 
regulars and volunteers, returning from a visit 
to the village of the Sioux Chief, Wabasha, to 
notify him that his old enemies, the Sacs, were 
headed in that direction. Black Hawk raised the 
white flag in token of surrender but the officer 



614 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in command claiming that he feared treachery or 
an ambush, demanded that Black Hawk should 
come on board. This he was unable to do, as lie 
had no canoe. After waiting a few minutes a 
murderous fire of canister and musketry was 
opened from the steamer on the few Indians on 
shore, who made such feeble resistance as they 
were able. The result was the killing of one 
white man and twenty-three Indians. After this 
exploit the "Warrior'" proceeded to Prairie du 
Chien, twelve or fifteen miles distant, for fuel. 
During the night a few more of the Indians 
crossed the river, but Black Hawk, seeing the 
hopelessness of further resistance, accompanied 
by the Prophet, and taking with him a party of 
ten warriors and thirty-five sqviaws and children, 
fled in the direction of "the dells" of the Wis- 
consin. On the morning of the 2d General Atkinson 
arrived within four or five miles of the Sac 
position Disposing his forces with the regulars 
and Colonel Dodge's rangers in the center, the brig- 
ades of Posey and Alexander on the right and 
Henry's on the left, he began the pursuit, but 
was drawn by the Indian decoys up the river 
from the place where the main body of the 
Indians were trying to cross the stream. This 
had the effect of leaving General Henry in the rear 
practically without orders, but it became the 
means of making his command the prime factors 
in the climax which followed. Some of the spies 
attached to Henry's command having accidental- 
ly discovered the trail of the main body of the fu- 
gitives, he began the pursuit without waiting for 
orders and soon found himself engaged with some 
300 savages, a force nearly equal to his own. It 
was here that the only thing like a regular battle 
occurred. The savages fought with the fury of 
despair, while Henry's force was no doubt nerved 
to greater deeds of courage by the insult which 
they conceived had been put upon them by Gen- 
eral Atkinson. Atkinson, hearing the battle in 
progress and discovering that he was being led 
off on a false scent, soon joined Henry's force 
with his main army, and the steamer " Warrior," 
arriving from Prairie du Chien, opened a fire of 
canister upon the pent-up Indians. The battle 
soon degenerated into a massacre. In the course 
of the three hours through which it lasted, it is es- 
timated that 150 Indians were killed by fire from 
the troops, an equal number of both sexes and 
all ages drowned while attempting to cross the 
river or by being driven into it. while about 50 
(chiefly women and children) were made prison- 
ers. The loss of the whites was 20 killed and 13 
wounded. When the "battle" was nearing its 



close it is said that Black Hawk, having repented 
the abandonment of his people, returned within 
sight of the battle-ground, but seeing the slaugh- 
ter in progress which he was powerless to avert, he 
turned and, with a howl of rage and horror, fled 
into the forest. About 300 Indians (mostly non- 
combatants) succeeded in crossing the river in a 
condition of exhaustion from hunger and fatigue, 
but these were set upon by the Sioux under Chief 
Wabasha, through the suggestion and agency of 
General Atkinson, and nearly one-half their num- 
ber exterminated. Of the remainder many died 
from wounds and exhaustion, while still others 
perished while attempting to reach Keokuk's band 
who had refused to join in Black Hawk's desper- 
ate venture. Of one thousand who crossed to the 
east side of the river with Black Hawk in April, 
it is estimated that not more than 150 survived 
the tragic events of the next four months. 

General Scott, having arrived at Prairie du Chien 
early in August, assumed command and, on 
August 15, mustered out the volunteers at Dixon. 
111. After witnessing the bloody climax at the 
Bad Axe of his ill-starred invasion, Black Hawk 
fled to the dells of the Wisconsin, where he and 
the Prophet surrendered themselves to the Win. 
nebagos, by whom they were delivered to the 
Indian Agent at Prairie du Chien. Having been 
taken to Fort Armstrong on September 21, he 
there signed a treaty of peace. Later he was 
taken to Jefferson Barracks (near St. Louis) in 
the custody of Jefferson Davis, then a Lieutenant 
in the regular army, where he was held a captive 
during the following winter. The connection of 
Davis with the Black Hawk War, mentioned by 
many historians, seems to have been confined to 
this act. In April, 1833, with the Prophet and 
Neapope, he was taken to Washington and then 
to Fortress Monroe, where they were detained as 
prisoners of war until June 4, when they were 
released. Black Hawk, after being taken to many 
principal cities in order to impress him with the 
strength of the American nation, was brought to 
Fort Armstrong, and there committed to the 
guardianship of his rival, Keokuk, but survived 
this humiliation only a few years, dying on a 
small reservation set apart for him in Davis 
County, Iowa, October 3, 1838. 

Such is the story of the Black Hawk War, the 
most notable struggle with the aborigines in Illi- 
nois history. At its beginning both the State 
and national authorities were grossly misled by 
an exaggerated estimate of the strength of Black- 
Hawk's force as to numbers and his plans for 
recovering the site of his old village, while 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



615 



Black Hawk had conceived a low estimate of the 
numbers and courage of his white enemies, es- 
pecially after the Stillman defeat. The cost of 
the war to the State and nation in money has been 
estimated at $2,000,000, and in sacrifice of life 
on both sides at not less than 1.200. The loss of 
life by the troops in irregular skirmishes, and in 
massacres of settlers by the Indians, aggregated 
about 250, while an equal number of regulars 
perished from a visitation of cholera at the 
various stations within the district affected by 
the war, especially at Detroit, Chicago, Fort 
Armstrong and Galena. Yet it is the judgment 
of later historians that nearly all this sacrifice of 
life ami treasure might have been avoided, but 
for a series of blunders due to the blind or un- 
scrupulous policy of officials or interloping squat- 
ters upon lands which the Indians had occupied 
under the treaty of 1804. A conspicious blunder — 
to call it by no harsher name — was 
the violation by Stillman's command of the 
rules of civilized warfare in the attack made 
upon Black Hawk's messengers, sent under 
flag of truce to request a conference to settle 
terms under which he might return to the west 
side of the Mississippi — an act which resulted in 
a humiliating and disgraceful defeat for its 
authors and proved the first step in actual war. 
Another misfortune was the failure to understand 
Neapope's appeal for peace and permission for his 
people to pass beyond the Mississippi the night 
after the battle of Wisconsin Heights; and the 
third and most inexcusable blunder of all, was 
the refusal of the officer in command of the 
" Warrior " to respect Black Hawk's flag of truce 
and request for a conference just before the 
bloody massacre which has gone into history 
under the name of the " battle of the Bad Axe." 
Either of these events, properly availed of, would 
have prevented much of the butchery of that 
bloody episode which has left a stain upon the 
page of history, although this statement implies 
no disposition to detract from the patriotism and 
courage of some of the leading actors upon whom 
the responsibility was placed of protecting the 
frontier settler from outrage and massacre. One 
of the features of the war was the bitter jealousy 
engendered by the unwise policy pursued by 
General Atkinson towards some of the volun- 
teers — especiall} - the treatment of General James 
D. Henry, who, although subjected to repeated 
slights and insults, is regarded by Governor Ford 
and others as the real hero of the war. Too 
brave a soldier to shirk any responsibility and 
too modest to exploit his own deeds, he felt 



deeply the studied purpose of his superior to 
ignore him in the conduct of the campaign — a 
purpose which, as in the affair at the Bad Axe, 
was defeated by accident or by General Henry's 
soldierly sagacity and attention to duty, although 
he gave out to the public no utterance of com- 
plaint. Broken in health by the hardships and 
exposures of the campaign, he went South soon 
after the war and died of consumption, unknown 
and almost alone, in the city of New Orleans, less 
two years later. 

Aside from contemporaneous newspaper ac- 
counts, monographs, and manuscripts on file 
in public libraries relating to this epoch in State 
history, the most comprehensive records of the 
Black Hawk War are to be found in the " Life of 
Black Hawk." dictated by himself (1834) ; Wake- 
field's "History of the War between the United 
States and the Sac and Fox Nations" (1834); 
Drake's" Life of Black Hawk" (1854); Ford's 
"History of Illinois" (1854); Reynolds' " Pio- 
neer History of Illinois; and 'My Own Times"; 
Davidson & Stuve's and Moses' Histories of Illi- 
nois ; Blanchard's ' ' The Northwest and Chicago' ' ; 
Armstrong's "The Sauks and the Black Hawk 
War." and Reuben G. Thwaite's "Story of the 
Black Hawk War" (1892.) 

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, a village in the southern 
part of Cook County, twenty-eight miles south of 
the central part of Chicago, on the Chicago & 
Eastern Illinois, the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern and 
the Michigan Central Railroads; is located in an 
agricultural region, but has some manufactures 
as well as good schools — also has one newspaper. 
Population (1900), 5,100. 

GRANITE, a city of Madison Couuty, located 
five miles north of St. Louis on the lines of the 
Burlington; the Chicago & Alton; Cleveland, 
Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis; Chicago, Peoria 
& St. Louis (Illinois), and the Wabash Railways. 
It is adjacent to the Merchants' Terminal Bridge 
across the Mississippi and has considerable manu- 
facturing and grain-storage business; has two 
newspapers. Population (1900), 3,122. 

HARLEM, a village of Proviso Township, Cook 
County, and suburb of Chicago, on the line of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, nine miles 
west of the terminal station at Chicago. Harlem 
originally embraced the village of Oak Park, now 
a part of the city of Chicago, but, in 1884, was set 
off and incorporated as a village. Consideraole 
manufacturing is done here. Population (1900), 
4,085. 

HARVEY, a city of Cook County, and an im- 
portant manufacturing suburb of the city of Chi- 



616 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



cago, three miles southwest of the southern city 
limits. It is on the line of the Illinois Central 
and the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railways, and 
has extensive manufactures of harvesting, street 
and steam railway machinery, gasoline stoves, 
enameled ware, etc. ; also has one newspaper and 
ample school facilities. Population (1900), 5,395. 

IOWA CENTRAL RAILWAY, a railway line 
having its principal termini at Peoria, 111., and 
Manly Junction, nine miles north of Mason City, 
Iowa, with several lateral branches making con- 
nections with Centerville, Newton, State Center, 
Story City, Algona and Northwood in the latter 
State. The total length of line owned, leased 
and operated by the Company, officially reported 
in 1899, was 508.98 miles, of which 89.76 miles- 
including 3.5 miles trackage facilities on the 
Peoria & Pekin Union between Iowa Junction 
and Peoria — were in Illinois. The Illinois divi- 
sion extends from Keithsburg — where it enters 
the State at the crossing of the Mississippi — to 
Peoria —(History.) The Iowa Central Railway 
Company was originally chartered as the Central 
Railroad Company of Iowa and the road com- 
pleted in October, 1871. In 1873 it passed into 
the bands of a receiver and, on June 4, 1879, was 
reorganized under the name of the Central Iowa 
Railway Company. In May, 1883, this company 
purchased the Peoria & Farmington Railroad, 
which was incorporated into the main line, but 
defaulted and passed into the hands of a receiver 
December 1, 1886; the line was sold under fore- 
closure in 1887 and 1888, to the Iowa Central 
Railway Compam-, which had effected a new 
organization on the basis of §11,000,000 common 
stock, §6,000,000 preferred stock and 81,379,625 
temporary debt certificates convertible into pre- 
ferred stock, and $7,500,000 first mortgage bonds. 
The transaction was completed, the receiver dis- 
charged and the road turned over to the new 
company, May 15, 1889.— (Financial). The total 
capitalization of the road in 1899 was 821,337,558, 
of which SU.159,180 was in stock, S6,650,095 in 
bonds and 8528, 283 in other forms of indebtedness. 
The total earnings and income of the line in Illi- 
nois for the same year were $532,568, and the ex- 
penditures 8566.333. 

SPARTA, a city of Randolph County, situated 
on the Centralia & Chester and the Mobile & 
Ohio Railroads, twenty miles northwest of Ches- 
ter and fifty miles southeast of St. Louis. It has 



a number of manufacturing establishments, in- 
cluding plow factories, a woolen mill, a cannery 
and creameries; also has natural gas. The first 
settler was James McClurken, from South Caro- 
lina, who settled here in 1818. He was joined by 
James Armour a few years later, who bought 
land of McClurken, and together they laid out 
a village, which first received the name of Co- 
lumbus. About the same time Robert G. Shan- 
non, who had been conducting a mercantile busi- 
ness in the vicinity, located in the town and 
became the first Postmaster. In 1839 the name 
of the town was changed to Sparta. Mr. McClur- 
ken, its earliest settler, appears to have been a 
man of considerable enterprise, as he is credited 
with having built the first cotton gin in this vi- 
cinity, besides still later, erecting saw and flour 
mills and a woolen mill. Sparta was incorporated 
as a village in 1837 and in 1859 as a city. A col- 
ony of members of the Reformed Presbyterian 
Church (Covenanters or "Seceders") established 
at Eden, a beautiful site about a mile from 
Sparta, about 1822, cut an important figure in 
the history of the latter place, as it became the 
means of attracting here an industrious and 
thriving population. At a later period it became 
one of the most important stations of the "Under- 
ground Railroad" (so called) in Illinois (which 
see). The population of Sparta (1890) was 1,979; 
(1900), 2,041. 

TOLUCA, a city of Marshall County situated 
on the line of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 
Railroad, 18 miles sonthwestof Streator. It is in 
the center of a rich agricultural district ; has the 
usual church and educational facilities of cities 
of its rank, and two newspapers. Population 
(1900), 2,629. 

WEST HAMMOND, a village situated in the 
northeast corner of Thornton Township, Cook 
County, adjacent to Hammond, Ind.. from which 
it is separated by the Indiana State line. It is on 
the Michigan Central Railroad, one mile south of 
the Chicago City limits, and has convenient ac- 
cess to several other lines, including the Chicago 
& Erie; New York, Chicago & St. Louis, and 
Western Indiana Railroads. Like its Indiana 
neighbor, it is a manufacturing center of much 
importance, was incorporated as a village in 
1892, and has grown rapidly within the last few 
years, having a population, according to the cen- 
sus of 1900, of 2,935. 



SCHUYLER COUNTY 




"nri' 



cr^T^t^A^ ^O , 




HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY 



CHArTEl! I. 



l'EKIOD OF EXPLORATION. 



FIRST EXPLORATIONS IN ILLINOIS— THE MISSION 
NOT ONE OF CONQUEST— LOUIS JOLIET AND 
FATHER JACQUES MARQUETTE FIRST TO VISIT THE 
ILLINOIS COUNTRY IN 1673— THE ILLINOIS 
RIVER FOUND TO BE THE INDIAN'S ELYSIUM — 
MILITARY OCCUPATION MADE BY LA SALLE. TONTI 
AND FATHER HENNEPIN AT FORT CREVE COEUR IN 
1680— LAPSE OF MORE THAN A CENTURY BEFORE 
SETTLEMENTS WERE MADE IN SCHUYLER COUNTY. 

Id. the days when tradition and history dimly 
merge, and the rich and fertile plains and wooded 
hills' of the Illinois Country were in the undis- 
puted possession of the primitive savage, plans 
were made and policies outlined to bring the vast 
dominion lying westward of Lake Michigan 
within the bounds of Christian civilization. 

As it was with the Pilgrims, who sought a 
haven of retreat and homes on the stern and 
forbidding coast of the North Atlantic country, 
the men who first explored the trackless wilds 
of the unknown West were actuated by a re- 
ligious fervor and enthusiasm which lias no par- 
allel in the history of the world. Their mis- 
sion was not one of conquest, nor were they 
seeking to escape from the tyranny of an op- 
pressive government: but with loyalty to their 
king and to the glory of their God. they entered 
the primeval wilderness of the unknown West, 
and undertook to teach the savage inhabitants 
the refinements of civilized life. 

History affords no more romantic chapter than 
that of the exploration and development of the 
great State of Illinois. It was here that the 



first explorations were made that opened the 
vast northwest country to civilization, and the 
period of transition from a native wilderness to 
a condition of high culture, both in its material 
features and in the mental and moral character- 
istics of its inhabitants, is of absorbing interest. 
not alone to the student of history, but to the 
people who now, in peace and contentment, live 
within the bounds of this imperial State. 

To Louis Joliet and Father Jacques Marquette 
belong the honor and ever enduring fame of 
bringing within the pale of civilization the un- 
tutored savages of Illinois. Starting from their 
headquarters on the shores of Lake Ontario, on 
May 17, 167:;, the intrepid explorer and zealous 
priest, with five voyageurs in two canoes, skirted 
the shore of Lake Michigan to Green Bay, thence 
down the Fox River and by portage to the Mis- 
sissippi. ••There were warriors," they were told, 
"on the hanks of the Great River, who would cut 
off their heads without the least cause; monsters 
who would swallow them, canoes and all; and 
one huge winged demon who shut the way, and 
burned in the waters that boiled about him, all 
who dared draw nigh." This winged "demon" 
was doubtless an allusion to the monster Bird 
of I'iasa, of which there is said to have been 
a coarse Indian picture painted on the limestone 
bluff above the present city of Alton, and in 
whose former existence and terrible ferocity the 
Indian tribes of the western prairies implicitly 
believed. Marquette says in his narrative of this 
remarkable voyage: "I thanked these fearful 
friends for their good advice, but told them 1 
could not follow it, since the salvation of souls 
was at stake, for which I should be overjoyed 
to give my life." 

Upon the 17th of July, the party had de- 
scended the river to the vicinity of the Arkansas, 
when, owing to the increasing perils of the voy- 
age, they reluctantly started upon their return. 
They retraced their course against the swift cur- 
rent of the Mississippi to the mouth of the Illi- 

617 



618 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUXTY. 



nois with almost incredible labor. It was in 
the month of August that the little band of 
adventurers made their journey up the Illinois 
River, where, for uutold centuries, no sound 
save Nature's multitudinous voices had broken 
the vast solitude. Here, as in other places he 
had visited, the pious Father forgot not the holy 
object of his long and dangerous voyage. He 
prayed and talked with the curious and kind- 
hearted savages, and, when leaving, bestowed 
upon them his blessing and the last of the con- 
secrated silver crosses, with which he had been 
careful to provide himself when setting out on 
his missionary journey from Canada. 

In the voyage up the Illinois River, Joliet and 
Marquette skirted the boundary of what is now 
Schuyler County, and doubtless built their camp- 
fires mi the bank of the river in some of the 
sheltered coves that there abound. In Davidson 
& Stuve's History of Illinois, we find the follow- 
ing graphic description of the scene that opened 
to their view as they continued up the river: 

"Prairie spread out before them beyond the 
reach of vision, covered with tall grass, which 
undulated in the wind like waves of the sea. In 
further imitation of a watery expanse, the sur- 
face was studded with clumps of timber, resem- 
bling islands, in whose graceful outlines could be 
traced peninsulas, shores and headlands. Flow- 
ers, surpassing in the delicacy of their tints the 
pampered products of civilization, were pro- 
fusely sprinkled over the grassy landscape, and 
gave their wealth of fragrance to the passing 
breeze. Immense herds of buffalo and deer 
grazed on these rich pastures, so prolific that the 
continued destruction of them for ages by the 
Indians bad failed to diminish their numbers. 
For the further support of human life, the river 
swarmed with fish, great quantities of wild fruit 
grew in the forest and prairies, and so numerous 
were water-fowl and other birds, that the heav- 
ens were frequently obscured by their flight. This 
favorite land, with its profusion of vegetable 
and animal life, was the ideal of the Indian's 
Elysium. The explorers spoke of it as a terres- 
trial paradise, in which earth, air and water. 
unbidden by labor, contributed the most copious 
supplies for the sustenance of life. In the early 
French explorations, desertions were of frequent 
occurrence, and is it strange that men, wearied 
by the toils and restraints of civilized life, should 
abandon their leaders for the abundance and wild 
independence of these prairies and woodlands?" 



In 1C79 Illinois was again visited by explorers, 
who had heard of the marvelous country rich in 
game and furs and who were eager to establish 
trade relations with the Indians. La Salle, Tonti 
and Father Hennepin were members of this sec- 
ond exploring party which, early in January, 
1080, made the first military occupation of Illi- 
nois at Fort Creve Coeur, near where Peoria 
now stands, and where, five years earlier. Father 
Marquette had preached of Christ and the Virgin. 
Although this did not result in the establish- 
ment of a completed and permanent fortification, 
it has passed into history as the first attempt 
on the part of La Salle to establish military juris- 
diction within what now constitutes the State 
of Illinois, under the charter granted to him by 
Louis XIV. in 1678. 

With the establishment at a later period of 
missions at Kaskaskia and Cahokia to the south, 
and Fort Creve Coeur to the north, the placid, 
yet majestic, Illinois was frequently traversed 
by explorers, adventurers and priests; and yet it 
was more than a century after the first military 
occupation that permanent settlements were 
made in Schuyler County, along whose eastern 
boundary the Illinois River extends for more 
than twenty-five miles, the open gateway to the 
inviting and fertile plains that lie beyond. And 
so it happens that the early history of Schuyler 
County is coincident with that of the first explo- 
ration of Illinois, even though there is no direct 
connection to link the names of those hardy 
voyageurs with the story of our times. 



CHAPTER II. 



ABORIGINAL OCCUPANTS. 



INDIAN TRIBES IX THE ILLINOIS COUNTRY CHAR- 
ACTERISTICS AND TRIBAL RELATIONS — ARCHAEO- 
LOGICAL CONDITIONS AS DESCRIBED BY DK. J. F. 

SNYDER THE MOUND BUILDERS INDLAN RELICS 

FOUND ALONG THE ILLINOIS RIVER TRIBES COM- 
POSING THE ILLINOIS CONFEDERACY' — KINDLY 
GREETING EXTENDED TO JOLIET AND MARQUETTE 
— ILLINOIS AS A BATTLE GROUND IN THE WAR OF 
1812 REGION BETWEEN THE ILLINOIS AND MIS- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



619 



SISSIPPI INVADED BY ILLINOIS AND MISSOURI 
BANGERS — ■ KICKAPOO INDIANS IN POSSESSION 
WHEN FIRST SETTLERS CAME TO SCHUYLER 
COUNTY — THEIR FRIENDLY" ATTITUDE TO THE NEW 
COMERS — REV. CHAUNCEY HOBABT'S DESCRIPTION 

OF AN INDIAN VISIT HIS STORY OF BE-KIK-A- 

NIN-EE — INDIAN VILLAGE ON THE SITE OF THE 

PBESENT CITY" OF BUSHVILLE THE INDIANS' 

FAREWELL JOURNEY' TO THE NORTH IN 1826. 

Barely more than four-score years have passed 
since the last of the Indian tribes left Schuyler 
County to take up their home on the west bank 
of the Mississippi River; and yet. when one 
attempts to trace their history, or write of the 
period during which they occupied the country, 
he finds but little to guide him in the task. The 
history of the Indian tribes in Illinois delves in 
mists and shadow, and but little of the ancient 
traditions of the tribes has been preserved. The 
early settlers, in their contact with the Indians, 
did not busy themselves with a study of racial 
conditions, but expended their best efforts in the 
attempt to wrest from the untutored savage the 
lauds over which he had held undisputed sway 
for many generations. 

When at last the council fires of the Indians 
had been extinguished, and they had been forced 
to cross the Mississippi and find a home in 
Iowa, they left no enduring monuments of their 
long occupancy of the country, and, save for the 
low mounds above the dead warriors and the 
faint trace of their narrow trails, there is noth- 
ing one can point to as a reminder of the race 
that was the immediate predecessor of the hardy 
pioneers who made for themselves a home in the 
wilderness. 

As a race, the Indians of Illinois were always 
counted as the peer of savage tribes, and they 
made a stubborn resistance against the encroach- 
ment of the settlers. From a social standpoint, 
however, there is little in them to commend. 
Keen cunning held vantage over intellectual or 
moral force, and they evolved no governmental 
system that extended beyond tribal relations. 
They erected no enduring structures, as did the 
Aztecs of Mexico, and in their implements of 
peace and warfare little inventive genius was 
shown. There is no trace of literature or art in 
all their tradition and history, and their passing 
lias been likened to that of the early beasts and 
birds of the Meld that once were here but now 
are gone. Under the natural conditions of prog- 



ress race yielded to race, and the Indians of 
Illinois are now remembered as a people whose 
sachems had no cities, whose religion had no 
temple, whose government had no records. In 
the battle for supremacy their country was ap- 
propriated, their hunting grounds destroyed and 
their trails obliterated to make way for the 
marvelous development that began with the be- 
ginning of the nineteenth century. 

In a paper read before the Illinois Historical 
Society at its first meeting at Peoria, January 
5-6, 1900, Dr. J. F. Snyder, of Virginia. 111., dis- 
cussed the archaeological conditions of Illinois, 
and brought out many interesting facts concern- 
ing the prehistoric people who preceded the In- 
dians in Illinois. We find that in his research 
Dr. Snyder has discovered remains of the race 
in this country, and quote from his paper as 
follows : 

"The valley of the Illinois River, from its prai- 
rie banks about Starved Rock to the Mississippi, 
was at a very early date in possession of a yet 
different branch of the native American race, 
whose mode of mound building and manner of 
disposing of their dead, plainly connect them 
with the mound building tribes of Ohio. Here 
we meet with the so-called 'altar' mounds, usu- 
ally on low alluvial bottoms, and the 'platform' 
pipes and finely-wrought implements and orna- 
ments of copper. Here also have been found 
those extraordinary propitiatory offerings to 
their evil or guardian spirits. It has been the 
fortune of the writer, in his limited explorations 
in this territory, to discover astonishing deposits 
of dark colored, or black, flint-disks, each from 
three to eight inches in diameter, under condi- 
tions that leave no doubt of their sacrificial 
intent. At the base of a mound on Paint Creek 
in Ross County. Ohio, a deposit of similar Hints 
was unearthed in 1847, by Messrs. Squier and 
Davis, and subsequently on further search by 
Prof. W. K. Moorehead, which aggregated 8,185 
in number. Buried in the banks of the Illinois 
River at Beardstown were found 1,500 well fin- 
ished disks of black hornstone, closely laid to- 
gether a few feel below the surface. A deposit 
of 3,500 similar flints was sometime before un- 
covered four miles above on the opposite side 
of the river in Schuyler County. Two very 
large mounds, side by side, on the alluvial bot- 
toms in Brown County, were opened, and at 
I lir base of "lie were found 6,199 oval disks of 
glossy black flint, and at the bottom of the other 



6-20 



HISTOBY OF SCHUYLEB COUNTY. 



the enormous number of 5,316 completely fin- 
ished lance-shaped Implements, from three to 
eight inches in length, of the same black Hint. 
This stone is nowhere in situ in Illinois, bul oc- 
curs in southeastern Indiana and in portions of 
Kentucky. These buried flints, therefore, must 
have been transported by canoe, down the Ohio 
and up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers 1'or 
the special purpose of final interment on the 
banks of the latter stream. 'If they were placed 
there as an offering.' says Mr. Squier, 'we can 
form some estimate, in view of the fact that 
they must have been brought from a great dis- 
tance and fashioned with great toil, of the de- 
votional fervor which induced the sacrifice, or 
the magnitude of the calamity which that sac- 
rifice was, perhaps, intended to avert . . . 
The Illinois River 'altar' mounds examined were 
certainly very old. but further investigation will 
be required to determine their relative age in 
comparison with that of other systems of mounds 
on the Mississippi and in other parts of the 
State. At the time of their erection their build- 
ers had not yet become adepts in the ceramic art, 
the few pottery vessels found, with the original 
deposits, being coarse, rude and without decora- 
tion. The human skeletons among the primal 
burials in these mounds exhibited anatomical 
characteristics of very low order. The builders 
of these mounds had low. retreating foreheads 
with enormous supraorbital ridges; prognathous 
jaws; perforations of the humerus: elongated 
coccyx and platycnemism of the tibia;. They 
were ape-like and hideous, but exceedingly skill- 
ful artisans." 

When Joliet and Father Marquette first vis- 
ited Illinois in 1673, they found the country bor- 
dering on the Illinois River in possession of a 
confederacy of Indian tribes under the general 
name of Illiuois or "Illini." Marquette describes 
them as composed of remarkably handsome men. 
well mannered and kindly. The confederacy con- 
sisted of five tribes: The Kaskaskias, Cahokias, 
Tamaroas, Peorias and Mitchigamis. Under a 
simple, but complete, fabric of Indian construc- 
tion, the power of these tribes extended over all 
the fertile territory from Lake Michigan to the 
Ohio River and to the Mississippi on the west. 

These aboriginal Illinoisans greeted the first 
explorers kindly, and Joliet and Marquette were 
graciously received by the chiefs of the tribes. 
They were passionately fond of grand assemblies 
and feasts, and the wily Frenchmen were quick 



to take advantage of the proffered pipe of peace. 
Marquette's labor among the Indians and his 
holy devotion to lead them to the ways of Chris- 
tian civilization, is one of the brightest pages in 
the whole of American history: and. had his 
policy of peaceful conquest been followed by 
those who came after him, the annals of Illinois 
history would not record the many deeds of atro- 
cious cruelty and warfare that occurred within 
the succeeding century. 

Passing over the period of internecine warfare 
of the Indian tribes .and their frequent combats 
with explorers, we come to the period just pre- 
ceding the occupation and settlement of the Illi- 
nois Country, of which Schuyler County is a 
part. In the year 1813 the Pottawatomies and 
the Kickapoos occupied the central part of Illi- 
nois, and from their headquarters on Lake Peo- 
ria and the Sangamon River, they sent out ma- 
rauding parties to harass the frontier settlers. 
In the summer of that year an army of some 
900 men was collected from the settlements of 
Illinois and Missouri to march against the war- 
ring Indians. Passing up the Mississippi Rivet- 
to Quincy, they struck out eastward and across 
the prairies to the Illinois, which was reached 
near the Spoon River. From there the march 
was continued to Lake Peoria, but the Indians 
had taken flight at the approach of so large a 
force and no battles were fought. 

In the following year a large force was dis- 
patched up the Mississippi River as far as Rock 
Island, to dislodge the Indian and their English 
allies, who were taking advantage of the war 
between the two countries to excite the savage 
to war and rapine. The first expedition met 
with disaster, the Indians, under Chief Black 
Hawk, killing a number of the force and caus- 
ing them to retreat to St. Louis. A second ex- 
pedition under command of Major Zachary Tay- 
lor, afterwards President, made an assault on an 
Indian force at Rock Island and, after driving 
the Indians back, was defeated by the British. 
A fort built on the present site of Warsaw by 
• 'apt. Zachary Taylor, in 1814, and named Fort 
Edwards, was assaulted by the Indians so vig- 
orously that the Americans evacuated and the 
fort was burned. The treaty of Ghent, Decem- 
ber 24. 1814, closed the war between the Ameri- 
cans and British, and there was jieace among the 
Indians until Chief Black Hawk again started 
upon the war path in 1830. The invasion of the 
country between the Mississippi and Illinois Riv- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



621 



ers had been the primary cause of driving the 
Indians northward, and there is no record of 
any encounter with the aboriginals within the 
borders of Schuyler County. 

When the first settlers came to Schuyler 
County in 1S23 there were still roving bands of 
Indians to be seen, but they were peaceful and 
soon afterwards departed to the north never to 
return. These Indians were of the Kickapoo 
tribe, who had villages on the Spoon River, in 
Fulton County, and at Elkhart Grove, on the 
Sangamon River. They were more civilized, in- 
dustrious and cleanly than the other tribes in 
Illinois, and their warriors were far famed for 
valor and bravery. For more than a century they 
had an implacable hatred of the whites and com- 
mitted many atrocities on the settlers in the 
southern part of the State, and were the last of 
the Indian tribes of Illinois to accept the treaty 
of peace, which, may it be said to their credit. 
they ever afterwards observed. 

In his notes of "Travels in Illinois." published 
in 1823, Ferdinand Ernst wrote of the Kickapoo 
Indians sojourning at Edwardsville in July, 1820, 
where they met the plenipotentiaries of the 
United States, and by treaty renounced all rights 
and claims to lands in Illinois, ceding the same 
to the Government. 

In describing the Kickapoos, Mr. Ernst says : 
'•Their color is reddish brown : their faces irreg- 
ular, often horribly colored with bright red paint ; 
their hair is cut to a tuft upon the crown of the 
head and painted various colors. Very few are 
clothed. In summer woolen cloth, and in winter 
a buffalo skin, is their only covering. They 
seem to be very fond of adornments, wearing 
silver rings about the neck and arms. They 
likewise carrying a shield before the breast." 

When the first little band of settlers in Schuy- 
ler County crossed the Illinois River in Febru- 
ary, 182.".. and located on the southwest quarter 
of the southeast quarter of Section Sixteen, in 
what is now Kushville Township, they were vis- 
ited the second day after their arrival by about 
one hundred Kickapoo Indians, who were 
returning from their southern winter hunt. 
Their regular camping ground was a mile to 
the south, and it was here they always stopped 
in their semi-annual migrations between the 
north and south. 

Rev. Chauncey Hobart, a member of this first 
settlers' colony in Schuyler County, gives the 
following interesting account of the visit of the 



Indians: "These Kickapoos gave us their idea 
of aristocratic rank by saying: 'A Pottawatomie 
lives on the river, rides in a canoe, and eats 
muskrats and mud turtles, while a Kickapoo 
lives on high lands, rides on horseback and eats 
venison.' 

"The Indians were very friendly with us from 
the first. They called my father 'Postonie,' or 
Boston man, to distinguish him from the men 
from the South, whom they called 'Chemo-ko- 
mon,' or 'Long Knife.' These people were 
around us more or less every day while they 
were in camp, and many of them were present 
and witnessed our exit from camp to cabin. 

"During the illness of my mother our Indian 
friends were down from their village on their 
summer hunt and camped near our house and. 
of course, came to visit us. We had been greatly 
annoyed by the injury of our garden by deer, 
whose depredations were committed in the night. 
Knowing the skill of the Indians in detecting 
trails, my father took two of our Indian visitors 
to the garden and pointed out to them the dam- 
age done. The two men walked through the 
garden looking carefully at the tracks, consulted 
together a moment, and said : "There are two ; 
one has gone north, the other east,' pointing in 
the different directions. Mounting their ponies, 
they rode away in the directions indicated and, 
in less than an hour, each had returned with a 
deer. 

"The day following the head of the clan, a sub- 
chief called Be-kik-a-nin-ee, came bringing a deer 
just killed. After selling us one quarter, he 
carefully took out the tenderloin, and presented 
it to my father, saying: 'It for sick squaw.' He 
directed that it be should be well boiled and 
some of the soup made from it given to a j 
mother, remarking in a plaintive way: 'Maybe 
she get well.' This Indian had been in the 
British army and had been wounded in the bat- 
tle of the River Raisin. This accounts for his 
being able to speak English. 

"The following fall, while my father was in 
the woods bee-hunting, and about three miles 
from home, he met our old friend Be-kik-a-nin-ee 
on horseback hunting deer. As soon as they 
came in sight of each other the Indian wheeled 
his pony and came dashing up rapidly, jumped 
off and saluted, by extending both hands, and 
exclaiming: 'How-te-too! How-te-too;' He then 
asked: 'Keene-squaw, Xepoo?' (Did your wife 
die?) 



622 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



" 'No,' " replied my father, 'she is nearly 
well.' 

" 'Yup ! Yup ! Yup !' he shouted. 'Me go see 
her;' and. mounting his pony, he laid whip for 
our house, which he reached on a quick run. 
When he saw my mother up and busy around the 
house, this manly fellow appeared as much 
pleased as if he were conscious of some rela- 
tionship between them." 

We give place to this interesting account of 
the meeting between the first settlers in Schuyler 
and the Indians to show the cordial and peace- 
ful relations existing between them, and this 
continued up to the time the Indians left for the 
northwest some years later. 

The site of the present city of Rushville, and 
the wooded country adjacent to the north, must 
have been a favorite camp ground for the In- 
dians ; for. long after the country was settled, 
there were to be found many fine specimens of 
arrow-heads and stone axes along Town branch 
ami McKee branch. On the McKee farm we may 
yet see the trace of a cleared path through the 
woods, which is known as the old Indian trail. 

In what is now the site of Rushville there was 
probably an Indian village or camp located be- 
tween West Washington and Lafayette Streets, 
on the east side of the Town branch. A monu- 
ment which marked this location was a gnarled 
and knotted oak tree, which stood on the south- 
west corner of the intersection of Jackson and 
Washington Streets. Here in after years were 
found scores of stone arrow-heads buried under 
the bark of the tree, where they had been im- 
planted by the young Indian warriors or chil- 
dren while at practice or at play. 

As late as 1826 the Indians had their camp in 
Woodstock Township, but with the coming of the 
settlers they moved northward and westward to 
the frontier. Old settlers in this region tell of 
their dramatic exit from the land which had long 
been their favorite hunting ground. For days 
before the northern march was begun, the In- 
dians enjoyed a season of feasting and pleasure. 
Their dances continued through the long hours 
of the Dighl and. as the settlers looked out from 
their cabin doors on the wooded knolls at day- 
break, they saw the Indians mount their ponies. 
and ride away through the valley, closely fol- 
lowed by the squaws with the tents and camp 
equipage, never more to return to the beautiful 
valleys and plains of Western Illinois. 



CHAPTER III. 



EVOLUTION OP COUNTY ORGANIZATION. 



PREHISTORIC INHABITANTS OF THE ILLINOIS COUN- 
TRY — REGION COVETED DY SPAIN, FRANCE AND 
ENGLAND THE DE SOTO DISCOVERY OF THE MIS- 
SISSIPPI THE BASIS OF THE SPANISH CLAIM 

ITS DESTINY' DETERMINED ON EUROPEAN BATTLE- 
FIELDS, ON THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM AND BY THE 

GEORGE ROGERS CLARK CONQUEST KASKASKIA, 

CAHOKIA AND PRAIRIE DU ROCHER THE CENTER 
OF FRENCH COLONIZATION — COUNTY OF ILLINOIS 

CREATED BY' ACT OF VIRGINIA IN 1778 THE 

NORTHWEST TERRITORY' ORGANIZED BY' ORDI- 
NANCE OF 17S7 — SUBSEQUENT GEOGRAPHICAL 
CHANGES — ILLINOIS ADMITTED AS A STATE IN 

1818 NORTHERN BOUNDARY QUESTION — WON- 

DERFFUL FORESIGHT SHOWN BY DELEGATE NA- 
THANIEL POPE THE MILITARY TRACT COUNTY" 

ORGANIZATIONS — SCHUYLER COUNTY' SUCCES- 
SIVELY' PARTS OF PIKE AND FULTON COUNTIES 

THE COUNTY' CREATED BY' ACT OF THE LEGISLA- 
TURE JANUARY 13. 1S25 ITS BOUNDARIES AND 

AREA — BROWN COUNTY' DETACHED IN 1839 

MC DONOUGH COUNTY' CREATED BY' ACT OF 1826, 
BUT REMAINS UNDER JURISDICTION OF SCHUY'- 
LER COUNTY' UNTIL 1S30. 

From the standpoint of the archaeologist, Illi- 
nois has a history that extends far back into the 
dim unknown past, when, even before the com- 
ing of the Indians, the hills and valleys were 
peopled by a race that left enduring monuments 
of their occupancy. The savage, who, for gen- 
erations, had occupied the country before the 
coming of the first explorers, had noted the curi- 
ous evidences of an earlier race, but their igno- 
rance of any history or tradition of the strange 
antiquities only adds to the mysticism that sur- 
rounds them. 

By reason of its accessibility by the great 
water courses of the inland lakes and the mighty 
rivers that form its southern and western boun- 
daries, Illinois was destined to play an important 
part in the history of the nations; and, even 
while the east Atlantic States were but sparsely 
settled, it was looked upon with covetous eyes 
by the rulers of empires in Europe. With rare 




*N 







/EKY 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



623 



foresight they realized the vast importance of 
Illinois as the key to military possession of the 
new and as yet unexplored county ; and with 
the ever-changing fortunes of war, as played 
upon the battlefields of the old world, there were 
corresponding epochs in the history of Illinois. 
To get a clear understanding of the history of 
Schuyler County and its evolution from the ear- 
liest time, it is eminently important that we 
should know of these historic events iu their 
natural sequence. 

Illinois was first claimed by Spain, by reason 
of discovery by Ferdinand DeSoto, in 1541, who 
laid claim to all the country drained by the great 
Father of Waters. Spain, however, made no 
attempt to explore the vast territory and the 
written history of Illinois begins iu 1673 when 
Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette paddled up 
the Illinois and Des Plaines Rivers, and made 
the portage at Chicago. To them fell the honor 
of adding this princely domain to the mother 
country under the name "New France." It was 
not. however, until April 0, 1082, that La Salle, 
with due form and ceremony, unfurled the flag 
of France on the east bank of the lower Missis- 
sippi, and took possession of the country in the 
name of his royal master, Louis XIV. Kaskas- 
kia. Cahokia and Prairie du Rocher later became 
the centers of French colonization, and for a 
period of ninety-two years, beginning with the 
i-oniing of Joliet and .Marquette, Illinois was a 
loyal subject of the crown. 

The ancient struggle for supremacy between 
France and England subjected Illinois to the 
fickle fortunes of war, and when on the thir- 
teenth of September, 1759, Wolfe won his vic- 
tory on the Plains of Abraham, the country, of 
which Illinois of the future would be a part, 
passed from under French to English dominion. 
Six years elapsed before England came into un- 
disputed possession of Illinois, and from the bat- 
tlement of old Fort Chartres peacefully lowered 
the flag of France, which, for more than a cen- 
tury, had been the emblem of her sovereignty. 

Britisb dominion in the Mississippi valley was 
destined to be short lived. At the time the Brit- 
ish took possession the spirit of unrest was upon 
the colonies east of the Alleghanies. and events 
were shaping that were once more to change the 
map of the new world. In the midst of the Rev- 
olutionary War, which began in 1776, Gen. George 
Rogers ('lark, of Kentucky, planned an invasion 
of Illinois, and his conquest of Kaskaskia. on 



July 4, 1778, and subsequent capture of Fort 
Vincennes, is one of the brightest chapters in the 
whole of American history, and eventually re- 
sulted in shaping the destiny of the new nation. 

The conquest of the Illinois country in 1778 
by George Rogers Clark was the beginning of the 
American occupation, but it was not until 17S7 
that, by congressional action, it came under the 
control of the General Government of the United 
States. Gen. Clark took possession of the coun- 
try under authority of the Governor of Virginia, 
and the period immediately following is known 
as the "Virginia Occupation." 

In his memoirs Chirk says: "I inquired par- 
ticularly into the manner the people had been 
governed formerly, and much to my satisfaction 
I found that it had been generally as severe as 
under the militia law. I was determined to 
make an advantage of it, and took every step in 
my power to cause the people to feel the bless- 
ings of an American citizen, which I soon dis- 
covered enabled me to support, from their own 
choice, almost a supreme authority over them." 

The Assembly of Virginia passed in October, 
1778, an act to establish a civil and military gov- 
ernment in the territory, which was christened 
the County of Illinois, and a County Lieutenant 
and other minor officials were appointed. Col. 
John Todd, of Kentucky, was appointed County 
Lieutenant by Governor Patrick Henry, and he 
reached Kaskaskia in May, 1779, and under his 
direction courts were established and a regular 
system of government inaugurated. 

The transfer of sovereignty was made to the 
United States on the part of Virginia in 1781, 
but it was not until March 1. 1784. that the offi- 
cial cession was completed. Iu the meantime 
the County of Illinois had no positive form of 
government, and delegations were sent to Vir- 
ginia and to the Congress of the United States 
asking the establishment of a proper government. 
Settlers were crowding into the new country and, 
with no system of government or land titles, 
great confusion prevailed and extensive frauds 
in land grants were perpetrated that were later 
ratified and made good by the General Govern- 
ment. In time each village had a separate sys- 
tem of government of its own, which regulated 
local affairs as a matter of protection to its cit- 
izens, but without being subject to any higher 
authority. 

The next epoch in the history of Illinois was 
the adoption of the Ordinance of 1787, which 



624 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



forever dedicated the State to freedom and gave 
to Illinois the proud prestige which removed it 
from the influence of Southern domination, and. 
in the prophetic words of Nathaniel Pope, who 
made the appeal for an extension of the northern 
boundary, became "the keystone of the arch of 
perpetual union." 

By the passage of the Ordinance of 1787 the 
Northwest Territory was formed, and President 
Washington appointed General Arthur St. Clair 
its first Governor. In the spring of 1790 the county 
of St. Clair was formed and the first courts were 
held at Kaskaskia and Cahokia. In 1800 the 
Northwest Territory was divided, the portion 
lying east of a line extending north from a point 
on the Ohio River opposite the mouth of the 
Kentucky River to the Canada line constituting 
the Territory of Ohio, while the region west of 
that line and embracing the hulk of the present 
states of Indiana, Illinois. Michigan and Wiscon- 
sin, was organized as Indiana Territory. Febru- 
ary ". 1809, Congress created a territory out of 
all the country lying "west of the Wabash River 
and a direct line drawn from the said Wabash 
River and Post Vineennes, due north to the ter- 
ritorial line between the United States and Can- 
ada," to be known as Illinois Territory. This 
included the present State of Wisconsin and a 
small portion of Eastern Minnesota, and Ninian 
Edwards was appointed the first governor of the 
new Territory. On April 7. 1818, a bill was 
introduced in Congress enabling the people of a 
portion of the Territory t • ■ organize the State 
of Illinois. As presented the bill designated the 
northern boundary of the State to be "an east 
and west line drawn through the southerly bend 
or extreme of Lake Michigan, west a lung the 
north parallel of -11 degrees 39 minutes to the 
center of the Mississippi River." Nathaniel Pope 
was then the Delegate from Illinois in Congress 
and through bis efforts t lit' northern boundary 
was extended to 42 degrees and 30 minutes, and 
thus the territory now embracing fourteen coun- 
ties in the northern part of Illinois, including 
the present city of Chicago, was added to the 
new State. Wisconsin made repeated protests 
against this action, and it was not until that 
territory was admitted as a State in 1848, that 
the northern boundary line of Illinois was thus 
finally confirmed and forever settled. (See 
"Northern Boundary Question." pp. 4M-4o2. of 
this work.) 

The Military Tract. — Previous to the admis- 



sion of Illinois as a state, Congress on May 6, 
1812, set apart a section of her territory as 
bounty land for the soldiers of the War of 1SI2, 
and it became known as the Military Tract. 
This tract lay between the Mississippi and Illi- 
nois Rivers and extended as far north as the 
present northern boundary of Mercer County. 
It contained o.3G0,000 acres of what is now the 
finest agricultural country in the United States, 
and from its territory the following counties 
have been formed: Calhoun, Pike, Adams. 
Brown. Schuyler, Hancock, McDonough. Fulton, 
Peoria. Stark, Knox. Warren. Henderson and 
Mercer, with parts of Henry. Bureau, Putnam 
and Marshall. 

The first act passed in 1812 granted 100 acres 
to each soldier, and a subsequent grant extended 
the quantity to a half-section. The land thus 
appropriated was divided by lot among the sol- 
diers and the patents issued to them a rdingly. 

Millions of acres of the finest land in Illinois 
were disposed of in this way. The soldiers did 
nothing with the land, most of them selling their 
titles for a trifle to speculators residing in East- 
ern States, while the land remained unoccupied 
year after year. After the organization of the 
State government in 1818, the State began to 
sell these lauds for taxes and, for a considerable 
period, the principal revenue of the State was 
derived from this source. The greater portion 
of these lands thus went into the possession of 
parties who held them under these tax-titles. 
The grantees of the soldiers, who were the orig- 
inal patentees, brought suits of ejectment for 
their lands. A strong, but unsuccessful effort 
was made to sustain the tax-titles, but the prin- 
cipal reliance of the settlers was not so much 
upon the tax-titles as upon certain limitation 
laws of the State. The growth Of this section 
of Illinois was greatly retarded by the contest 
over land titles. Many of the settlers purchased 
quit-claim deeds for $1.25 an acre, while thou- 
sands of others purchased lands, which now sell 
for from $100 to $150 an acre, for fifty cents per 
acre, ami risked the security of their titles. 
Emigration was rapid to the Military Tract in 
the early 'twenties and soon afterwards several 
counties were organized therein. 

County Organizations. — Pike County was the 
first to be organized in the Military Tract. It 
was set apart from Madison County in 1821, and 
at that time embraced the whole of the country 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



625 



north and west of the Illinois River, Including 
what are now the Counties of Cook and Will. 

By the art of the Legislature, approved Janu- 
ary 25, 1823, Fulton County was organized out 
of that portion of Pike County lying east of the 
Fourth Principal Meridian, and south of the 
township line between Townships o and 10 
North, and extending east to the Illinois River 
on township line between 5 and C East. This 
included two townships in the southwest corner 
of Peoria County, the southern tier of townships 
in Knox County and the townships of Frederick, 
Browning and Hickory in the eastern part of 
Schuyler County. For the next two years Ful- 
ton County had jurisdiction for governmental 
purposes, as Pike County previously had, over 
the region east of the Fourth P. M. and north of 
the Illinois and Kankakee Rivers to the Indiana 
State line. 

Schuyler County Organized. — By an act ap- 
proved January 10, 1825, the County of Calhoun 
was created with its present limits, from the 
southern portion of Pike County, and three days 
later (January I.'!. 1825) an "omnibus hill," 
authorizing the organization of eight new coun- 
ties from the northern portion of Pike County 
became a law. These included the present coun- 
ties of Schuyler, Adams, Hancock, Warren. Mer- 
cer, Henry. Putnam and Knox, and were all 
embraced wholly within the Military Tract ex- 
cept Henry and Putnam Counties, which in part 
consisted of Military Tract territory. 

The portion of the act creating Schuyler 
County designated the boundaries of the new 
county as follows : 

"Beginning at the place where the township 
line between two and three south touches the 
Illinois River, thence west on said line to the 
range line between ranges four and five west ; 
thence north on said range line to the northwest 
corner of township three north, range four west ; 
thence east on said township line to the merid- 
ian; thence down the meridian line to the south- 
easl corner of township three north, range one 
west : thence cast on said township line to the 
Illinois River, thence down the said river to 
the place of beginning." 

The county was named in honor of Gen. Philip 
Schuyler, who was a soldier of the Revolution, 
also served as a member of Congress from New 
York during a part of the war period, and was 
later a United States Senator from the same 
state. 



As originally organized Schuyler County was 
thirty miles north and south by thirty-six east 
and west, including all of Brown County. In 
1S39 Brown County was set off and Crooked 
Creek was made the boundary line from the Illi- 
nois River to the northeast corner of Township 
One North, Range Two West, where the dividing 
line between the two counties ran west on the 
township line, thus leaving the county, as at 
present, six townships east and west and three 
and a fraction north and south. 

By an art approved January 25, 1826, the 
County of MeDonoogh was created with its pres- 
sent dimensions out of portions ol Pike and Ful- 
ton Counties, although it was not formally or- 
ganized until 1S30, in the meantime being at- 
tached to Schuyler County for governmental pur- 
poses. 



CHAPTER IV. 



PHYSICAL FEATURES— TOPOGRAPHY. 



NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GENERAL LAND 
SURFACE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND TOPOG- 
RAPHY AULA AND ELEVATION EXTENT OF TILL- 
ABLE AND UNTILLABLE LAND THE ALLUVIAN 

BOTTOM LANDS — RICH SILT DEPOSITS MADE BY 
ISLAND STREAM — NATURAL BEAUTY' AND FERTIL- 
ITY OF THE SOIL — INLAND LAKES AND MARSHES 

RECLAIMING THE PRAIRIES WATER COURSES 

HISTORY OF CROOKED CREEK — CLIMATIC CONDI- 
TION S HA I N FALL. 

In considering the physical features and char- 
acteristics of Schuyler County, we realize that 
Nature is most in earnest when least dramatic, 
and. that here, where there is no indication of 
her terrible power, she has stored up wonderful 
and varied resources amid the homely, yet not 
montouous, landscape. Man was anticipated and 
amply provided for within her bounds, and a 
fair survey of her physical features discloses a 
richness of soil and mineral desposits that is 
well calculated to sustain a prosperous people. 

Geographically located midway of the State, 
north and south, and almost wholly to the west 



626 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



of the Fourth Principal Meridian, which inter- 
sects the base line at her southern extremity, 
the topography and climate of Schuyler County 
are typical of the State. The county occupies a 
space of 430 square miles, and is bounded on the 
south and west by the counties of Brown. Adams 
and Hancock ; on the north by McDouough and 
Fulton and along its southern and eastern boun- 
dary it is washed for twenty-five miles by the 
Illinois River. Its high, level prairies have an 
elevation of 720 feet above the sea-level and are 
more than 250 feet above the contiguous valley 
of the Illinois. 

The 274,1114 acres of tillable land included 
within the bounds of Schuyler County and broken 
tracts that are in wooded forests give an idea 
of the diversified physical features at a glance. 
Along the banks of the Illinois the alluvian bot- 
toms vary greatly In extent. In some places the 
rugged bluffs rise to a height of one hundred 
feet in gradual slope from the water's edge, while 
along the streams that drain the uplands, the 
flat bottom-land extends back for miles. 

More than three hundred years ago, when the 
early French voyageurs. traversing the Illinois 
River in their adventurous journey of explora- 
tion and discovery, referred to the valley as the 
elysium of the native Indians, they had but 
caught a glimpse of the grandeur that lay be- 
yond. From the bluffs of the Illinois the land 
surface of Schuyler County appears rough and 
broken, but to the northward there spreads out a 
vast expanse of prairie land, fertile, rich and 
well drained by the streams that flow southward 
to the river. Appreciation of the beauty and 
bounty of this laud led to the early settlement 
of Schuyler, and made its development first 
among the counties in the Military Tract. Here 
the pioneer settlers found rich, fertile soil with 
an abundance of clear, sparkling water that bub- 
bled up from the gravel beds of the streams or 
spouted out from the crevices of the rocky 
cliff on the steep hillside, and close by were the 
heavily wooded forests that furnished the mate- 
rial for his cabin home, his furniture and his 
fences. Thus it was that all his frugal needs 
were amply supplied by nature, and it was to 
him the ideal "promised land." 

Along the valley of the Illinois, and adjacent 
to the streams that flow into it. there lies a 
broad expanse of low land that, in early times, 
was either a miry bog or a tangled forest. In 
the spring of the year it was covered with water, 



and for several decades was deemed utterly 
worthless. There came a time, however, when 
all the uplands were occupied and it was then 
that the swamps were reclaimed and drained, 
and now in many cases are the most fertile and 
productive lands in all the country. 

A striking illustration of the action of the 
streams that flow into the Illinois River, in work- 
ing over the material along their courses, is to be 
found in many parts of the county. These now 
narrow streams, fringed along their entire course 
by heavily timbered banks, have ranged in the 
course of centuries from one bluff to the other, 
obliterating old curves and forming new ones, 
but never moving in a straight line for a dozen 
rods. With every change of the flowing stream, 
the alluvial deposit has been worked over, time 
and again, and greatly added to as the rich black 
silt from the prairie uplands has been spread, 
as a deposit, when the water receded or the 
stream changed its course. This ever-adding of 
new rich loam has made the bottom lands won- 
derfully productive, and they still receive re- 
plenishing, though in a less degree, by the occa- 
sional spring floods that swell the narrow 
streams into mighty rivers. 

Three large streams, with their many 
branches that spread out and ramify in every 
direction, drain the entire land surface of Schuy- 
ler County to the Illinois River. These streams, 
as they wind tortuously between clay banks, 
have, through the long centuries, cut deep chan- 
nels from which the land slopes gradually, mak- 
ing large areas of broken country which is heav- 
ily wooded with valuable timber and unsuited 
for cultivation. In this broken country where 
the timber has been cleared, all kinds of grasses 
grow, making rich pasture land for the adjacent 
farms. Back from the wooded hill-tops the land 
becomes richer and better, and here we find a 
rich black loam, which is from twenty to thirty 
inches in thickness, and which is underlaid by 
clay, making an ideal soil for the staple agricul- 
tural crops for which Illinois is famed. Within 
the bounds of Schuyler County there are no 
vast unbroken prairies, but rather a continued 
succession of gentle sloping ridges, wide in ex- 
tent and easy of cultivation. This undulating 
surface approaches nearest to the prairie on the 
water-shed in the central part of the county be- 
tween Crooked and Sugar Creeks, and reaches 
northward into McDouough County. 

Compared with the flower bedecked and grass- 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



627 



grown knolls in the timber lands, the open prai- 
rie presented a dreary contrast to the early set- 
tlers. Covered with tough prairie sod and over- 
grown with wild grasses that reached above a 
man's head, these rich and fertile lauds were 
little better than impenetrable swamps. Shallow 
marshes aud shallow lakes were numerous, the 
latter often having neither inlet nor outlet, and 
varying in size from small ponds to acres in 
extent. It was for many years supposed that 
the grass-covered prairies were unsuited to 
agriculture, and it required the actual experi- 
ment to prove the utter fallacy of the generally 
accepted theory. 

In a country where there is such a diversity 
of soil and land surface, it is interesting to trace 
the course of the streams which are primarily 
the controlling element in the make-up of the 
topography of the country. Crooked Creek, 
which enters the county on the north side of Bir- 
mingham Township and flows through Brooklyn 
and Camdeu Townships, and from there forms 
the southwest boundary of the county until it 
empties into the Illinois River, is rich in his- 
torical lore. It was first known as Le Mine 
River, and was so designated by the government 
surveyors in their field notes, but this name was 
changed by the early settlers to La Moine River. 
At that early day it was regarded as a navigable 
stream and well bore the dignity of being called 
a river. But by slow degrees the volume of 
water that flowed through its course was less- 
ened by the cultivation of the land aud the di- 
verting of minor tributaries, and the settlers 
gave it the good old Anglo-Saxon name of 
Crooked Creek and. as such, it is known on the 
maps of Illinois today. It has its source in 
Hancock County and, in its devious course 
through Schuyler, traverses a distance of more 
than lift)' miles. 

Missouri Creek, the main tributary of Crooked 
Creek, enters the county on the west side of 
Iluntsville Township and flows through Hunts- 
ville. Camden and a part of Brown County. 

The eastern tributaries of Crooked Creek are 
Homey, Stony and Brushy Creeks, which rise 
in Littleton Township. 

Crane Creek and Coal Creek have their source 
in Rushville Township, and flow by widely di- 
verging courses to the Illinois River, where they 
empty within three-quarters of a mile of each 
other. 

Horney branch rises in Buena Vista Township 



and empties into Crooked Creek in Woodstock 
Township. 

Town Branch has its source in Rushville 
Township and empties into Crooked Creek. 

Sugar Creek rises in Littleton Township, flows 
through Littleton and Oakland and the south- 
west part of Fulton County, then enters Schuy- 
ler again and flows through Browning and Fred- 
erick Townships to the Illinois River. 

Dutchman Creek rises in Browning Township 
and empties into the Illinois River at the vil- 
lage of Browning. 

Harris branch is a tributary of Sugar Creek, 
and has its source in Fulton County, thence flow- 
ing through Browning Township. 



CHAPTER Y. 



GEOLOGY AND FLORA. 



GEOLOGICAL REPORTS OF THE COUNTY COMPILED BY 

A. H. WORTHEN, STATE GEOLOGIST, IN 1858 

GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS — MINERAL RESOURCES 
OF SCHUYLER COUNTY" INCLUDE COAL AND ZINC 
— THE LATTER NOT DEVELOPED VALUABLE DE- 
POSITS OF STONE AND CLAY — LIST OF TREES, 
SHRUBS AND FLOWERS OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 

Schuyler County, with its diversified land sur- 
faces, which include the alluviau bottoms and the 
high bluffs adjoining, with the outcropping of 
rocky ledges ; the deep black soil of the prairie, 
which, in many places, is underlaid with a rich 
vein of coal ; the more broken land areas, with 
their valuable clay deposits, offer a fruitful field 
for the study of the geological formations of the 
country. 

We are dependent for our geological knowl- 
edge of Schuyler ('canity largely upon the reports 
of A. H. Worthen, who, in 1S58, gathered the 
material that forms the basis of the economical 
geology survey recorded in the Illinois Report 
published in 1870, which is now out of print. 
The researches made by Mr. Worthen were, in 
a manner, superficial and, while probably correct 
in a general sense, were not sufficiently extensive 
to give a complete record of the geological for- 



628 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



mations as they really exist. His report, bow- 
ever, covers the general scheme of geological for- 
mation, from which we quote as follows: 

"The geological structure of Schuyler County 
includes the quaternary system, the lower por- 
tion of the coal measures, and the upper divi- 
sions of the lower carboniferous limestones, with 
sullieienl thickness of the coal measures to bring 
in another coal seam. No. 5, which is uot found 
in any county south of this on the west side of 
the Illinois River. The following section exhib- 
its the formations to be found in the couuty in 
their relative order of superposition aud thick- 
ness: 

Strata. Feet. 

Quaternary, comprising Alluvian, Loess 

and Drift 100 

Coal Measures 20 to 250 

St. Louis Group 30 to 40 

Keokuk Group GO to 70 

"The three lower groups belong to what are 
called stratified rocks: that is, to those that have 
been formed in regular strata or layers, and also 
to that division of geological lime termed paleo- 
zoic, because the embedded fossils represent only 
ancient forms of animal and vegetable life, while 
the upper division belongs to the most recent 
geological age. and the fossils which it contains 
are the remains of animals now living or but 
recently become extinct. 

"If the geological series was complete we 
should have above the Coal measures, and inter- 
vening between that formation and the Quater- 
nary, the whole of the Secondary and Tertiary 
series, embracing many thousand feet in thick- 
ness of strata, and representing in their fossil 
contents all the missing links in the great 
chain of organic life which connects the paleo- 
zoic age with the present. But as the Qua- 
ternary is the most recent of all geological sys- 
tems, it may be found resting directly upon any 
of the above deposits, from the Tertiary to the 
most ancient stratified or igneous rocks that out- 
crop on the surface of the earth. This system 
included the alluvian deposits of our river val- 
leys, usually termed alluvion; the Loess, a de- 
posit of buff-colored marly sands and clays, most 
conspicuous in the vicinity of the river bluffs, 
and the Drift, which usually consists of brown 
or bluish-gray gravelly clays, with water-worn 
boulders of various sizes, from an inch to several 
feet in diameter. 

"There is probably no locality in the county 



where these deposits exceed a hundred feet in 
thickness, and they attain their greatest devel- 
opment in the vicinity of the river bluffs, where 
the Loess attains its greatest thickness, aud 
rests upon the Drift clays. In the interior of 
the county the Loess is generally wanting, and 
the Drift deposits generally range from thirty 
to fifty feet in thickness, aud consist of uu- 
stratifled clays, with sand and gravel, enclosing 
water-worn boulders of granite, sienite, gneiss, 
porphyry, horn-blende and quartzite. and also the 
rounded fragments of limestone and sandstone 
of the adjacent region. Fragments of copper, 
lead ore, coal, iron and other minerals are often 
found in the Drift, but their occurrence in this 
position is no indication of the proximity of any 
valuable deposits of these minerals, and the frag- 
ments which are found in this position are far 
removed from the beds from which they orig- 
inally came. 

"The most important and valuable mineral 
resource of Schuyler County consists of the de- 
posits of bituminous coal, which underlie the 
greater portion of the county lying east of 
Crooked Creek. The coal measures of the county 
may be illustrated by the following section, show- 
ing the general arrangement and comparative 
thickness of the strata: 

Strata. Feet. 

Brown sandy shale 10 to 15 

Compact gray limestone ... 3 to 6 

Bituminous shale 2 to 4 

Coal seam No. 5 4 to 6 

Fire clay and septaria S to 10 

Sandstone and shale 60 to SO 

Bluish gray arenaceous limestone 2 to 6 

Bituminous and argillaceous shales 4 to 8 

Coal seam No. 3 2 to 3 

Sandy aud argillaceous shale 12 to 1.1 

Gray limestone 4 to 6 

Sandy and argillaceous shale 1.1 to 30 

Coal seam No. 2 C. to 2 

Sandstone and shale 30 to 40 

Coal seam No. 1 

Fire clay 1 to 3 

Sandy shale and conglomerate sandstone . 15 to 25 

"The beds comprising the upper part of the 
foregoing section are found well exposed in the 
vicinity of Rushville, and also on a small braueh 
which beads near Pleasantview, and runs east- 
wardly into Sugar Creek. They enclose coal 
seam No. 5, one of the most persistent and valu- 
able in the Illinois coal fields. This seam ranges 




ELIZABETH AVERY 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



629 



in thickness from four to six feet. The roof is 
generally a bituminous shale, which often eon- 
tains large nodules of dark blue or black lime- 
stone filled with marine shells, among which are 
Product us Muricatus, CUnopistha Loevis, PJeu- 
rophorus Solenifommis, Gardiomorpha Missouri- 
ensis, Discina \itiiln. ScMzodus Ciuliis, etc. 
Above the Mack shale there is usually a bed of 
bluish-gray limestone, containing joints of crin- 
oidea and a few small brachiopods, among which 
the Spirifer lineatus and a small variety of 
Athyris subtilita are the most eommou. 

"The lower division of the coal measures, em- 
bracing the horizon of three lower coal seams, 
underlies nearly all the highlands in the central 
and eastern portions of the county, and are 
found outcropping on all the principal streams 
and their tributaries. In tbe western part of the 
county, on Crooked Creek and the region lying 
west of that stream, tbe beds rise so that the 
lower carboniferous limestone and the conglom- 
erate sandstones form tbe principal outcrops in 
the bluffs of the creeks, while only a few feet 
in thickness of tbe lower coal measures. Some- 
times including coal seam Xo. 2. are found un- 
derlying the adjacent highlands. 

"The height of the coal seam Xo. 5. at Pleas- 
antview, is 202 feet above tbe river bank oppo- 
site Beardstown, and 190 above high water level 
of 1844; and, on account of its great elevation, it 
is only found underlying the highest lands form- 
ing the water shed between Sugar Creek and 
Crooked Creek, and consequently extends over 
a limited area in Rushville and Bueua Vista 
Townships." 

"St. Louis Group. — The outcrop of the lower 
carboniferous limestones in Schuyler County is 
restricted to the valleys of the principal streams, 
and to the Illinois River bluffs between the 
mouth of Sugar Creek and the south Hue of the 
County. The St. Louis group, which comprises 
tbe upper division of the series, consists of a 
gray concretionary limestone of variable thick- 
ness, ranging from five to twenty feet, forming 
the upper member of the group, below which we 
find a brown magnesiaii limestone, sometimes 
quite massive, and in regular beds. and. at 
other localities intercalated with shales or pas- 
ing into a thin-bedded or shaly limestone. The 
concretionary limestone is not very regular in 
its development, but often occurs in isolated 
patches or outliers, and is a rough, gray lime- 
stone, presenting no regular lines of bedding. 



but usually concretionary or brecciated in its 
structure. It outcrops at intervals along tbe 
bluffs of ('rooked ('reek through its whole course 
in this county, ami also along the bluffs of the 
Illinois River, as far north as Browning, where 
it disappears. In the vicinity of Birmingham 
this limestone is found eighteen feet thick and 
overlaid by the conglomerate sandstone of the 
coal measures. It is underlaid by a bed of cal- 
careous sandstone, and also a magnesiaii lime- 
stone about ten feet thick, which forms the base 
of the St. Louis group in this locality. The rnag- 
ncsian limestone is far more regular in its devel- 
opment than the concretionary limestone, and is 
usually of a rusty brown color on the 1 surface 
from the oxidation of the iron which it contains. 
This limestone occurs at the base of the bluff at 
Frederick and along the river to Sugar Creek. 

"Keokuk Group. — Only the upper portion of 
this group is exposed in this county, and its 
greatest development appears to lie in the vicinity 
of Birmingham. The greatest thickness exposed 
here is about fifty feet, of which the lower fif- 
teen feet is a thin-bedded lime-stone containing 
many of the characteristic fossils of this group, 
above which there is aliout thirty-five feet of 
ealeareo-argillaceous shales, containing geodes of 
quartz and chalcedony. The easterly dips of the 
strata are considerably more than the fall of the 
creek in that direction, and these beds dip below 
the bed of the creek before it strikes the north 
line of MeDonough County. 

"Clays. — Clays suitable for fire-brick and the 
manufacture of pottery are usually abundant in 
the lower portion of the coal measures, and the 
bed of clay-shale below coal No. 2 is also found 
here. The fireclay below coal No. 2 is usually 
of good quality and may be profitably worked in 
connection with the coal, when it is two feet or 
more in thickness. 

"Building Stone. — Good building stone is tol- 
erably abundant in Schuyler County and is ac- 
cessible on nearly all tbe streams. The sand- 
stone below the main coal seams furnishes a 
free-stone of good quality, which has been used 
considerably. Tbe strata vary in thickness from 
one to three feet and the rock is even textured 
and is easily cut and dressed. The brown mag- 
nesian limestone of the St. Louis group furnishes 
the best material for culverts, bridge abutments 
and similar purposes where the rock is required 
to withstand the combined influences of frost 
and moisture. The Keokuk limestone affords 



630 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



good building stone, but its outcrops are limited 
to the bed of Crooked Creek iu the northwest 
part of tbe county. 

"Sand anil Clay. — Tbese deposits are abundant 
in all parts of tbe county and may be readily 
obtained at nearly every locality wbere tbe man- 
ufacture of common brick is desirable. The 
brown clay, forming the sub-soil over a large 
portion of tbe surface, answers a good purpose 
for brick making, and sand is abundant in tbe 
valleys of the streams, and in tbe eastern por- 
tion of the country in the Loess which caps the 
river bluffs. 

"Zinc Ore. — On the farm of J. A. Donaldson, in 
Bainbridge Township, there is a vein of zinc ore, 
and tests that have been made show its com- 
ponent parts are: sulphuret zinc, .64; iron, .07; 
sulphur, .2!). This vein is about thirty feet under 
the ground surface, and has never been devel- 
oped. Mr. William Hindman, in an examination 
of tbe vein, found that the zinc was in tbe proper 
formation for a good vein and it may some day 
be developed. Mr. Hindman also found on this 
farm kidney-shaped nodules of carbonate of iron 
ore that, when smelted, yield the best quality of 
ip>n for commercial use. Tbese nodules will 
weigh from 500 to 1,000 pounds, and there seems 
to be no end of them." 

Definite knowledge regarding the rock stata 
of tbe county at Uushville, is furnished by tbe 
following log of the dec]) well at the city pump- 
ing station : 

Strata. Feet. 

Top soil and clay 7 

Mixed shale and stone 142 

Grey shale 1 ~> 

Shale ami sandstone "1 

Shale 68 

Limestone 110 

Grey shale 211 

Limestone 4-"i 

Shale 100 

Trenton limestone 56 

White shale lis 

Trenton limestone 121 

St. Peter's limestone 170 

Red sandstone 65 

St. Peter's limestone Mo 

Total depth 1.510 



FLORA OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 

With its wooded hills, alluvian bottoms and 
upland prairies, the flora of Schuyler County 
presents a most interesting study, and we trust 
that tbe classifications here given will aid Lu 
disseminating a more general knowledge of our 
trees and plants. For the preparation of this 
list of trees and shrubs we are indebted to 
William Hindman. a former resident of Schuyler 
County, who now resides in La Salle, 111. Mr. 
Hindman has made a lifetime study of the won- 
ders of creation, as shown in botany and geology, 
and, in a letter to tbe writer, says : "We give 
this information for tbe benefit of those who will 
come after us and take our places. May tbe 
Good Giver of all be their guide, as he has been 
mine in studying his great work." 

Trees and Shrubs. 

Acer rubrum — Red or Swamp Maple. 

Acer dasycarpum — White Maple. 

Acer saccharium — Common Sugar Maple. 

Acer saccharium, car nigrum — Black Sugar 
Maple. 

Aesculus — Common Buckeye. 

Asiniina triloba — Pawpaw. 

Betiila nigra — Red or Black Birch. 

Bet ula lenta — Cherry or Sweet Birch. 

Carpinus — Ironwood or Hornbeam. 

Carya, olivaeformis — Pecan Nut. 

Carya, alha — Shellbark, or Shagbark Hickory. 

Cariia. microcarpa — Small Nut Hickory. 

Carya, tomentosa — Mockernut, White Heart 
Hickory. 

Carya, procina — Pignut or Broom Hickory. 

Carya, amara — Bitternut, or Swamp Hickory. 

Carya, sulcata — Thick Shell-bark Hickory. 

Celtis occidental^ — Blue Hackberry- 

Cercis Canadensis — Red-bud, or Judas-tree. 

Diaspyros Virginiana — Cameron Persimmon. 

Fraximus Americana — White Ash. 

Fraximus pubescens—HeA Ash. 

Fraximus viridis — Green Ash. 

Fraximus quadrangulata — Blue Ash. 

Fraximus nigra — Black Ash. 

Gleditschia, triaciiutlias — Three - thorned 
Honey-Locust. 

Gymnocl-adus, Canadensis — Coffee Tree. 

Hydrangea, arborecens — Wild Hydrange (a 
shrub). 

Juglans, cincrea — White Walnut. Butternut. 

Juglans nigra — Black Walnut. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



631 



Hants rubra — Red Mulberry. 

~N eg undo acervedes — Box-elder. 

Ostrya Virgin ien — Hop-hornbeam, Lever-wood. 

Platanus occidentalis — Sycamore : Plane-tree. 

Populus h eteropli ylla — Cottonwood. 

Populus momlifera — Necklace Cottonwood. 

Populus tremulides — American Aspen. 

Populus grandidentata — Large-toothed Aspen. 

Primus scrotinu — Wild Black Cherry. 

Primus Virginana — Choke Cherry. 

Pyrus coronaria — Sweet-scented Crab Apple. 

Pyrus angustifolia — Narrow-leaved Crab Ap- 
ple. 

Qucrcus alba — White Oak. 

Quercus alba pinnatifida — Feather Leaved 
White Oak. 

Qucrcus obtusiloba — Post Oak. 

Qucrcus macrocarpa — Overeup Bur Oak. 

Quercus macrocarpa, var Lyrata — Lyre-leaved 
Bur Oak. 

(,) in reus prinus — Swamp Chestnut Oak. 

Qucrcus bicolor — Swamp White Oak. 

Quercus castanea — Rock Chestnut Oak. 

Quercus tinctora — Black Chestnut Oak. 

Quercus coccinca — Scarlet Oak. 

Quercus rubra — Red Oak. 

Qucrcus jiulustris — Pin Oak. 

Quercus nigra — Black-Jack Oak. 

Qucrcus imoricaria — Laurel, or Water Oak. 

Solix tristois — Dwarf Gray Willow, Sage Wil- 
low. 

Soli.r nigra — Black Willow. 

Snli.r longifolia — Long-leaved Willow. 

Solix conliiUi — Heart-leaved Willow. 

Soliw angustata — Narrow-leaved Willow. 

Soli.r criocephala — Silky-headed Willow. 

Siissiifrii.r officinale — Sassafras. 

Tilia Americana — Basswood. Linden. 

Til in heterophylia — White Basswood. 

II in us folva — Red, or Slippery Elm. 

I hints Americana — American, or White Elm. 

Shrubs or Small Trees (Bushes). 
Alnos — Smooth Alder. 
Cephalanthus — Button Bush. 
Corniis florida — Flowering, or Red Hoc-wood. 
('omits sericea — Silky Cornell, or Dogwood. 
Corniis paniculala — Panicled Dogwood. 
Cornus alternifolia — Alternate-leaved 1 >ogwood. 
Cm !/l us Americana — Alternate-leaved Hazel- 
nut. 

Corylits rostrata — Beaked Hazelnut. 
Crateagus, tomentosa — Black Thorn. 



Crateagus Crus-gttlti — Cockspur Thorn. 

Crateagus, coccinca — Red Thorn, Red Haw 
Thorn. 

Eronyinus, atropurpuretiB — Wahoo, Indian Ar- 
row. 

Euonym us, Aincricanus — Strawberry-bush. 

Prinus rcrtirilltiln — Black Alder. 

Prunus Americana — Red Plum. 

Primus insitita — Slow Plum. 

Pctcla trifoliata — Wofer Ash, Hop tree. 

Rhus ti/jihina — Stagburn Sumach. 

Rhus, glabra — Smooth Sumach. 

Rhus aromantic — Fragrant Sumach. 

Sambucus Canadensis — Common Elder. 

Stophylea trifolia — Badder-nut. 

Viburnum priinifolitini — Black Haw. 

Viburnum nudum — White Rod (a haw). 

Zaiitlio.riiliim Amcriciinum — Prickly Ash. 

Vines — Climbers, Etc. 

Celastrus scandens, solanwm Dulcamara — Bit- 
tersweet. 

(This is the best antidote for the three-leaved 
Poison Ivy.) 

Lonicera parvifolia — Small honey-suckle. 

Rhus tad ica us— (This is the three-leaved Poi- 
son fry that clings to trees, fences, etc.) 

Ampelopsis guinguefolio — Virginia Creeper. 
(The Virginia Creeper has fire leaves, and in this 
way can be distinguished from the Poison Ivy.) 

Grape Vines. 
Vitis aestivolis — Wild Summer Grape. 
Vitis Vitlpina — Wild Winter Grape. 

Botanical Plants. 
Tlialictrnm diricitm — Meadow Rue. 
Ranunculus reptans — Buttercups. 
Ranunculus acris — Buttercups. 
Caltha palustris — Marsh Marigold. 
Aquilegia Canadensis — < iolumbine. 
Cimiercifuga racemosa — Black Snake-root. 
Aetaea spieuta — Red Baneberry. 
Caulophyllum — Blue < lohash. 
Podopliylum peltatum — Mandrake (May Ap- 

>• 

Vymphaea oderata — Water Lily. 
Xuplitir advena — Yellow Pond Lily. 

Sanguinaria Canadensis — Blood Root. 
Dicentra cucullaria — I mtchman's Breeches. 

< 'unit/mine liirsitlu — Bitter Cross. 

A mi, is Canadensis — Sickle Pod. 

Li piil in m Virginicum — Tongue Grass. 



632 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Viola cue a II tit a — Violets. 
Viola sagetata — Violets. 
I iuIu pendata — Violets. 
\m ostemma, aitli'itiiir — Corn Cockle. 
r, rust in in 1 ulgatum — Chiekweed. 

<_' era strum nutans — Chiekweed. 
( 'erastrum oblongifolium — Chiekweed. 
Stettarid media — Star Weed. 
Arenuriu I uteri /lorn — Sand worth. 
Mollugo n rtieittuta — Carpet Weed. 
Olaytonia Virginica — Spring Beauty. 
Portulaca oleracea — Purslane. 
Amhulilon Avicennwa — Indian Mallow. 
Hibiscus — Marsh Mallow. 
(i.rniis Acetasella — Wood Sorrel. 
(i.i til is Violacea — Wood Sorrel. 
I in ptilt us- pallida — Touch-me-not. 
Polygala senega — Seneca Snake-root. 
Polygala polygama — Seneca Snake-root. 
Polygala sanguined — Seneca Snake-root. 
Boptisia leucopwa — Wild Indigo. 
Trifolium repens — White Clover. 
Amorpha fruitcasa — Lead Plant. 
Amorpha rants-ecus — Lead shoestring. 
Petolostemon rtiutl ill inn — Thimble Weed. 
/- it it ir in ia palustris — Bastard Loostripe. 
Circma Luletrana — Enchanters Nightshade. 
Spiraia lobata — Queen of the Prairie. 
Eryngium yuccaefolium — Rattlesnake Master. 
Cirutu marnlata — Water Hemlock. 
Erigena bulbusa — Pepper and Salt. 
A rut iu nutlriruulis — Wild Sarsaparilla. 
Araliu rrrrmtisu — Dwarf Ginseng. 
Triitsrtum perfoliatum — Feverwort. 
Vuh riunrlla I inliilieota — Lamb's Lettuce. 
Vernonia fasciculota — Iron Weed. 
Eiipattiriiim perfoliatum — Boneset. 
Eiipatorium agraloides — White Snake Root. 
Aster corymbosus — Aster. 
\sirr cordifolius — Aster. 
Aster potens — Aster. 
Aster unit itla tits — Aster. 
Aster srrirrus — Aster. 
Erigeron Canadense — Flea Bane. 
Erigeron Bcllklifolium — Robin's Plantain. 
Erigeron annum — White Weed. 
Solidago len it ifolia — Goldenrod. 
St it itt a tin lot ifolia — Goldenrod. 
Solidago < 'anadensis — Goldenrod. 
Silphium luriniutuin — Prairie Burdock. 
sit nli iu in perfoliatum — Cup-plant. 
Ambrosia artemisiaefolia — Hogweed. 
. I m brosia trifida — Ilorseweed. 



Ilrliautli us rigidus — Sunflower. 
H el in nth us lomentoros — Sunflower. 
EcUanth us tuberosus — Sunflower. 
lit ii tin th us ticcitlt utulix — Sunflower. 
Mar lit a eotulu — May Weed, or dog fennel. 
Erechtites hit racifolius — Fire-weed. 
Lappa major — Burdock. 
Krigia Virginica — Dwarf Dandelion. 
Taraxacum — Dandelion. 
I. at iiea elongata — Trumpet Milkweed. 
Lobelia cardinalis — Cardinal Flower. 
Lobelia inftata — Lobelia. Indian Tobacco. 
Lobelia sylphilitica — Blue Cardinal Flower. 
Dadecatheon Media — American Cowslip. 
Plantago lancolota — riantain. 
Verba st ■um tit ops us — Mullen. 
Scrophularia nodosa — Figworth Carpenter's 
Square. 
Dasystoma tiara — Yellow Foxglove. 
Isaut litis eoeriileus — False Pennyroyal. 
Mentha Canadensis — Horsemint. 
Lycopus Europwiit, — Water Hoarhound. 
Hedeoriia polcgroides — American Pennyroyal. 
Britiitlla vulgaris — Blue Curls. 
Scutellaria versicolor — Skull Cap. 
Scutellaria canescens — Skull Cap. 
Scutellaria porvula — Skull Cap. 
Marriiliiim riilt/are — Hoarhound. 
Phlox acuminata — Phlox, Sweet William. 
Phlox pilosa — Red and Purple Sweet William. 
Phlox boflda — Blue Sweet William. 
Apocyn um. androsaemifolium — Dog-bane. 
Asclepias cornuti — Milk-weed. 
Asclepias phijtolaccoides — Poke Silk- weed. 
Asclepias tuberosa — Butterfly Weed. 
Asariim Canadense — Wild Ginger. 
Rittnt ./• crispus — Yellow Dock. 
Rune .i rt rtirultittis — Water Dock. 
Polygonum aviculare — Birds Knot Grass. 
Polygonum convolvulus — Birds Knot Grass. 
Polygonum Hydropiper — Water Pepper. 
Chenopodium hybridum — Pigweed (pursly). 
Euphorbia corollata — Flowering Sparge. 
A risaema triphylliim — Jack-in-the-pulpit. 
Symplocarpus foetidus — Skunk Cabbage. 
I'ota inot/i ton natans — Water Plantain. 
Cypripedium pubescens — Lady's Slipper. 
Cypripedium parviflorum — Yellow Slipper. 
Cypripedium spectabile — Moccasin Flower. 
Cypripedium Candium — White Lady's Slipper. 
Hiipti.tis t recta — Star-grass. 
Iris versicolor — Blue Flag. 
Trillium rceiirrntitnt — Wake-robin. 



Polygonatum multifliiriiin — True Solomon's 
Seal. 

Smilacina rancemosa — Cluster Solomon's Seal. 

Majanthemum bifolium — Two-leaved Solomon*s 
Seal. 

Pontederia Cardata — Pickerel Weed. 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 

CHAPTEE VI. 



633 



WILD ANIMALS. BIRDS AND REPTILES. 



List of Small Shrubs and Vines Not Given Under 

Forest or Botanical List — Most of These 

Have Flowers. 

Phaseolus perennis — Wild Bean Vine. 

Rosa getigera — Wild Rose. 

Rosa Wanda — Wild Rose. 

Rosa lucida — Shining Rose. 

Rubus villasus — High Blackberry. 

Rub us Ca nadens is — Dewberry. 

Rubus Occidentals — Black Raspberry. 

Fragaria Virginirana — Wild Strawberry. 

Ribcs rotundifolium — Wild Gooseberry. 

Ribcs floridum — Wild Black Currant. 

Sicyos angulatus — Single-seed Cucumber. 

Convolvulus arvensis — -Bindweed. 

Phurbits purpurea — Morning Glory. 

Pharbits Nil — Morning Glory. 

Impomaea panduratus — Wild Potato. 

Physalis' vislosa — Ground Cherry. 

Hyascyamus niger — Henbane. 

Datura stramonium — Jimson Weed. 

Xanthiuni strumarium — -Cockle Burr, Clot 
Weed. 

Rhus radicans — Three-leaved Poison Ivy. 

Aralia medicalus — Wild Sarsaparilla. 

Lonicera flava — Wild Honeysuckle. 

Phytolacca dccudra — Pokeberry. 

Vtrica droica — Stinging Nettle. 

Ulrica procera — Stinging Nettle. 

Hum ul us liipiilus — Common Wild Hop. 

Ti/pha latifolia — Cat-tails (flags). 

Lilium Canadensis — Yellow Lily. 

Lilium Philadelphicum — Tiger Lily (intro- 
duced ) . "" 

Scilla esculenta — -Humash. 

Arisaematripli yll um — Indian Turnip. 

Smilax rotundifolia — Creenbrier. 

Smilax quadrangularis — Greenbrier. 



INDIAN TRADITION OF THE DESTRUCTION OF MANY 
SPECIES OF ANIMALS THAT ONCE BOAMED THE 
PRAIRIES OF SCHUYLER — EABLY SETTLERS FOUND 
DEEB, WOLVES AND FUE-BEABING ANIMALS PLEN- 
TIFUL CONSTANT WABFABE EXTERMINATED 

MANY SPECIES BEPTILES WEBE A SCOUBOE THAT 

THE PIONEEBS HAD TO CONTEND WITH— SNAKE 
DENS BAIDED AND THOUSANDS OF BEPTILES KILLED 
— BIBD LIFE IN SCHUYLEB COUNTY — SONG AND 
GAME BIRDS. 

That there once existed in the valley of the 
Illinois many species of animals that had dis- 
appeared before the coming of the white set- 
tlers, is evident from the remains that have since 
been unearthed. Not that all the bones of ani- 
mals that have been found here were native to 
the country, for it is more than probable that 
.-ome of them were carried down from the far 
north during the glacial period, and deposited in 
the villages, where they have since been found. 
But there were many other animals naturally 
indigenous to the country, that were no more 
to be seen when the white men came. The In- 
dians, in accounting for their disappearance, told 
of an unusually severe winter long years before, 
when the snow covered the country to a great 
depth, and the wild beasts, being unable to ob- 
tain their natural sustenance, perished before 
the snow melted in the spring. There are many 
reasons for believing this tradition of the In- 
dians, for unquestionably this country was once 
the habitat of the bison and the elk. Pere Mar- 
quette and others of the early explorers, men- 
tioned them in their reports of the country, and 
the early settlers found indubitable proofs of 
their former presence in the decaying skulls, 
horns and bones of these animals which re- 
mained, and also in the numerous paths and 
"wallows," which were said to have been made 
by the buffalo. Each of these evidences indicated 
that the living animals had vanished many years 
before. Pere Marquette, in his journal describ- 
ing the Illinois country, says : "Nowhere else did 
we see such ground, meadows and woods, with 



634 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



sta^s, buffalo*, deers, wildcats, bustards, swans, 
ducks, parroquets, and even beavers." Tbe entire 
absence of these animals when the settlers came, 
in a land peculiarly adapted to their production, 
and furnishing in bounteous profusion the food 
necessary for their support, indicates their exter- 
mination in some sudden and unusual manner. 

The fauna of Schuyler County, as noted by the 
early settlers, did not embrace those animals 
which delight in the seclusion of the dense forest, 
and if there were occasional reports of a bear 
or panther, it was simply the case of a tran- 
sient visitor to these parts. Deer, however, 
were abundant, and they were in such large 
number as to prove a nuisance to the settler, 
and in the winter would eat the limbs of the 
young fruit trees, to the great disgust of the 
pioneer settler who was waiting patiently for 
his first apple. In these early days the pioneer 
depended almost entirely upon deer for his fresh 
meat, and the skins were tanned and used for 
many purposes, clothing even included. The 
constant slaughter and the rapid settlement of 
the country meant the ultimate extermination of 
the deer, and the last one to be killed in the 
county was shot on Brushy Creek in 1SG5. The 
large gray wolves were not numerous, even in 
the early day ; but the prairie wolves were num- 
bered by the thousands. They were cowardly and 
lied before the approach of the hunter, but after 
night made stealthy raids on the young lambs 
and pigs, and it took years of constant warfare, 
aided bya county bounty, to reduce their number, 
and they are now almost wholly exterminated. 

The badger, Canadian lynx and bay lynx were 
more or less numerous, but are known no more 
in their old haunts. Not so, however, with the 
opussom, the only American 'marsupial ; the 

imc n. the ground hog, the skunk, the red and 

gray fox, squirrels and rabbits, which today, 
furnish sport for the hunter, as they did in the 
pioneer times. 

Of the fur-bearing animals, the otter and bea- 
ver were reported as habitats of this locality by 
the French explorers, but seldom were seen when 
the first settlers came. The mink, the weasel 
and musk-rat, whose furs were legal-tender in 
the early days of the country, have survived af- 
ter eighty years of constant warfare, and are 
prolific enough to hold their own. even in the 
present day. The fur-bearing animals of Schuy- 
ler formed a constant source of revenue for the 
pioneer settler, and, even as late as I860, we find 



that $2,752 was paid by one dealer for furs in 
this county, and there were many others buying. 
The list of furs purchased by James Beard in the 
winter of 1850-00, as furnished to the Rushville 
papers, was as follows : Opossum. 2.238 ; coon, 
1,884; mink. 1,323; muskrat. 816; deer, 122; 
grey fox. 45: skunk, 33; otter, 17; weasel. 12; 
wild cat. 10: ground hog, 9; mole, 8; swan, 3; 
coon, 3 ; beaver, 1 ; gray wolf, 1 ; silver fox, 1. 

The black rat, so common seventy years ago, 
left soon after the gray or Norway rat came, 
Now they come and go. at times swarming like 
the locusts in Pharaoh's time in Egypt. The 
common mouse was a native of the prairie, and 
soon took up bis abode in the houses, and seems 
at home there to this day. The long-tailed, or 
jumping mice, are found in the timber, but are 
not numerous. The meadow mice are numbered 
by thousands. 

The marvelous abundance of snakes in tbe 
early pioneer days is almost past belief, and 
were it not that the stories are told by some 
of our most reputable citizens of that period, 
we might doubt their authenticity. Robert A. 
Glenn, an early resident of Schuyler County, 
foresaw the importance of the snake in local 
history, and has handed down to us a tale that 
is worthy of being preserved among the historical 
incidents of the county. Mr. Glenn was one 
of the pioneer editors, and wielded a. ready pen, 
and we here give the story as he has told it : 

"When I arrived in Schuyler County, which 
was in the year 1831, there were but a few set- 
tlers south of Crooked Creek, the whole terri- 
tory now constituting the populous townships of 
Ripley and Cooperstown in Brown County, then 
containing only about ten or twelve families. 
The attention of the settlers had been drawn to 
the amazing number of rattle-snakes abounding 
in the woods, and also the fact that, at the com- 
mencement of winter, they congregated at cer- 
tain localities known as 'snake dens,' where they 
hibernated in a state of torpor. One of the most 
famous 'snake dens' was located on Section 15, 
1 N., 2 W., near the Indian ford on Crooked 
Creek, and known as the 'Rocky Branch snake 
den.' Another was located about one and one- 
half mile south-east of Ripley, on Section 3, in 
the same township, and was called 'Logan's 
Creek snake den.' 

"These dens were situated in cliffs of rocks, 
and were, from their situation, almost impreg- 
nable to human force. I say almost, for the 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



635 



sequel will show that they were not quite so. 
1 think these dens were discovered by the settlers 
observing the snakes entering them iu great 
number in the fall and leaving again in the 
spring. The den having been located, it was 
resolved to start a war of extermination; and a 
day in the middle of winter having been agreed 
upon, and due notice given every man and boy 
in the neighborhood, they assembled at Rocky 
Den armed with such mining tools as the county 
afforded, and very 'deliberately went to work 
mining for snakes. 

"After several hours of hard and persevering 
lal mi', the mining party succeeded in forcing an 
entry to the rock chambers where the reptiles 
lay, all twined together in a hideous mass, but 
in that state of torpor in which they invariably 
spend the winter season. Rattlesnakes, black 
snakes, copperheads, and every variety of snakes, 
all mixed together indiscriminately, but by far 
the largest number being rattlesnakes. Of 
course the party had no difficulty in destroying 
all they could get at; but, as the entry had only 
been made to the ante-room, as it were, and 
the main hall was entirely inaccessible by any 
means within reach, by far the larger part of 
this frightful community of reptiles escaped 
destruction. However, something over five hun- 
dred of the creatures were dragged from their 
winter quarters and destroyed — most of them 
rattlesnakes, and some of them as much as six 
feet long and as thick as a man's leg. They 
were all thrown into one vast pile, and for many 
years their bleaching bones sufficiently marked 
the spot. A few days afterwards a similar at- 
tempt was made at the other den referred to, 
but with less success, though still resulting in 
the destruction of two or three hundred of the 
reptiles. 

"Another mode of destroying them adopted by 
the settlers, was to watch their dens on the first 
warm days of spring, when the snakes began to 
revive from their torpor, and seek the enlivening 
rays of the sun, and kill them as they emerged 
from the den — which could be easily and safely 
done, as, at that time, they were incapable of 
escape or resistance. Many hundred snakes were 
destroyed in this way, the boys counting it fine 
sport, and after the county became more settled, 
many were destroyed by hogs, who are the nat- 
ural enemies of the snake, and by their peculiar 
physiological structure, are protected from injury 
by the reptiles. 



"It may be supposed that, where snakes were 
so numerous, there must necessarily have been 
many instances of persons being bitten. This, 
although sometimes occurring, was not so fre- 
quent as might have been expected. The rattle 
snake, although a fearful reptile to look at. and 
very venomous, is peaceable in its disposition, 
and will rarely bite unless compelled to in self- 
defense. I have, however, known a number of 
persons bitten, and, never knew a case that re- 
sulted fatally. The early settlers were ac- 
quainted with several remedies, some of which 
were always applied, and, in every instance 
within my knowledge, it was successful. In 
some instances which I have known, the patient 
suffered from the effects of the virus more or 
less for several years, and finally recovered en- 
tirely, but in one case total blindness was the 
result." 

Jonathan D. Manlove, another early resident, 
tells how the snakes were fought in Birming- 
ham township at what is known as "Round 
Prairie." "The first settlers one spring left 
the grass unburnt ; it was barrens and the grass 
was high. The grass extended for half a mile 
around a snake den, and when they had come 
out pretty thick, the grass around the edges was 
fired and the settlers followed the fire, armed 
with clubs, and. I think I am right in saying, 
that in one day they destroyed well on to a 
thousand. There were grooves worn in the sand 
rock there of truly serpentine courses, from a 
quarter to half an inch thick, showing this to 
be an ancient den, perhaps as old as the pyra- 
mids of Egypt." 

BIRDS OB 1 SCHUYLER COUNTY. 

At an early day a large part of Schuyler County 
was covered with dense timber, which afforded 
a welcome home for countless numbers of birds, 
many of which are seen in their old haunts no 
more. Various reasons are assigned for the 
disappearance of some of our song birds, and 
the pugnacious little English sparrow is, no 
doubt, partly to blame for it. but not altogether 
so, for the settlement of the country has, no 
doubt, driven away many birds that delighted in 
the seclusion of the forests, but have sought other 
homes, where they could raise their little broods 
without molestation. In the discussion of the 
birds of the county, we will consider them under 
separate classifications, that they may be more 
easily studied. 



636 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



Turdae Family, or Song Birds — The robin, 
probably the most common of our birds, was not 
generally seen bere for several years after tbe 
first settlement of tbe county. Tbe orchard and 
garden, their favorite borne, did not tben exist, 
but when they did, the robin -came and soon be- 
came plentiful. Robin redbreast is sometimes 
persecuted for tbe few cherries he eats, but be 
does good by destroying grubs and insects that 
are injurious to crops. 

The Brown Thrush, the sandy mocking-bird, 
is a good singer. He came a little earlier than 
the robin. 

The Cut Bird came in later. He is a sweet 
singer and a great scold, building his nest in the 
thickets and groves, and there raises his numer- 
ous family. 

Family Saxicolidae — Everybody knows the 
blue bird that comes to us on tbe first warm 
days of February and March. The note of the 
blue bird, though not musical, is to most ears 
grateful. 

Family Paridae — The titmice, or chickadees, 
are a hardy bird, and can stand tbe coldest win- 
ters, and for this reason, none of them are mi- 
gratory. There are a large number of species. 
The plumage is beautiful, often gay. They are 
bold, extremely active, flitting from branch to 
branch in quest of insects, and often cling to 
the underside of branches with their back down- 
ward. They feed not only on insects, but on 
grain and seeds. They are musical after their 
fashion, chirping a ditty on a cold winter's day, 
when no other birds are to be heard. Most of 
these birds lay at least six eggs, and some of 
them as high as ten. The young are fed chiefly 
on caterpillars, and are useful in preventing the 
increase of noxious insects. 

Family Nuthatch — The nut-batches are very 
nimble, running up and down trees with great 
agility, with equal ease in either direction, and 
without hopping, so that the motion is rather 
like that of a mouse than of a bird. They feed 
on insects, also on seeds. 

Family Troglodytidae — The wren family is 
very numerous. It is a bold and very pugnacious 
bird; is spiteful toward tbe martins, oft driving 
them from their nests. Tbe song of the house- 
wivn is very sweet. The marsh wren is found 
in the vicinity of water. They live on insects, 
and cheer the solitude with their sweet songs. 

Family Sylviacoi.idae. or Wabblebs — These 
are small birds, embracing a large number of spe- 



cies — are migratory, and spend the winter mouths 
in southern regions. They live mostly in .the 
thick woods, build their nests on the ground, 
and are sweet singers. The summer yellow bird 
belongs to this class. 

Family Tanagridae — Of Tanagers there was 
but one kind, the scarlet tanager, a bright red, 
except the wings and tail, which are black. They 
belong to warm regions, but come north in the 
spring and return early in the fall. They are 
good singers. 

Family Hibundindae — Of swallows there are 
numerous varieties. The barn-swallows build 
their nests in barns and outhouses. The cliff- 
swallow builds on high overhanging cliffs, and 
sometimes under the eaves of barns, nearly cover- 
ing the sides of the building. They live on flies 
and other insects. The bank swallow, or sand 
martin, makes boles for its nest in some bank 
or river bluff. The blue or forked tail martins, 
make their nests in boxes, or under the eaves of 
buildings — are a noisy set of birds, and feed on 
insects. The chimney swallow builds its nest 
in unused chimneys, and like the martin, leaves 
for the south soon after the breeding season is 
over. Of the waxwings, there are the Carolina 
waxwing, cedar bird and cherry bird. They do 
not remain here, but come to visit only once in 
awhile. They are very destructive to cherries; 
a flock will clean a cherry tree in a short time 
without saying "by your leave." 

Greenlets ob Vibeas — These birds are like the 
warblers in their habits. They love to make 
their home and rear their young in the thick 
woods. Their dress is in contrast to the verdure. 
Standing on a still summer day in the deep 
woods, "that heart must be callous to emotion 
that does not, while listening to tbe wild notes 
of the songster, echo thoughts be can never ex- 
pect to clothe in words," The Shrike, or Butcher- 
bird, is a bold, quarrelsome bird. They feed on 
insects and small birds, and have a habit of im- 
paling their prey on thorns and in other ways. 
They kill and impale many insects they never 
eat. leaving them to dry in the sun. 

The Family Fringillidae embraces the spar- 
rows, finches, buntings, linnets, etc. They are 
very numerous; in fact, compose about one-fourth 
■ if all our species of birds. They live mostly on 
seeds, and are not migratory. The song sparrow 
and field sparrow are plentiful, and some are 
fine singers. The snow bird, lark, bunting or 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



637 



white-winged blackbird, red-bird, towhee or cbe- 
wink, all are of tbe samp family. 

Family Icterioae — These embrace tbe bobo- 
link of the north or rice bird of the south, crow 
blackbird, field or meadow lark. They were 
bore in early days and remain still. The or- 
chard oriole, golden robin, firebird, or hangnest, 
are of a fiery, red color, with black wings and 
tail, are good singers, and bang their nests to 
the end of small branches. 

Family Cokvidae — This embraces the crow, 
jay and raven. The raven is known from the 
crow by larger size and its croaking voice. A 
homesick woman said : "Everything here in the 
West was changed, even the crows were so hoarse 
they could only croak." Crows like to pull up 
young corn, and will pick up and carry to their 
nests any small article that is bright. They live 
mostly on insects, and do a great deal more good 
than harm to the farmer. All know the jay, with 
its blue dress and topknot on its head. He is a 
noisy fellow, and he sometimes eats an apple, 
and has a bad habit of killing the young of other 
birds. He lives on insects, seeds and grain, is 
hardy, and lives with us the year round. 

Family Tryanias — The fly-catcher, king bird 
or bee-martin is always at war with other 
birds, will even tackle the hawk, and has few 
friends. It is charged with killing and eating 
bees, but is unjustly accused. He is a good fly- 
catcher, and destroys a thousand noxious insects 
to one bee, but on the church dogma, that a good 
deed done by a sinner is yet a sin, so the poor 
king-bird will receive no credit for any good 
work he may perform. The pewee, or pewit, 
is a small bird of brown color. It comes north 
in April and hatches a brood by the middle of 
May, and another by the first of August. In 
October it returns to the south, migrating at 
night. Like tbe barn swallow, it makes its nest 
of mud, grass, etc., lining it with down and other 
soft materials. This bird has been seen in Ne- 
braska by Prof. Aughey, who found in its stom- 
ach locusts and other insects — in one instance 
finding 43 locusts. Its flight is rapid when dart- 
ing after its insect prey, which it pursues in the 
night. 

Family Coprimulgsdae (Goatsuckers) — The 
whip-poor-will is the most noted of this family. 
It receives its name from the fancied resem- 
blance of its notes to the words. "Whip-poor- 
will." This bird is seldom seen during the 
day, but seeks its food by night, catching moths, 



neetles and other insects on the wing. Its flight 
is near the ground, zigzag and noiseless. Its notes 
are heard only during the night, and are clear 
and loud. The night hawk belongs to the same 
family as the whip-poor-will, but not to the same 
genus. The night hawk flies by day toward 
evening, catching insects for its food. 

Humming Bibds — There are said to be 500 
species of this beautiful bird, all American. It 
does not, as was long supposed, feed on honey 
alone, but some feed on insects, not rejecting 
spiders. It is very small, and if stripped df 
Its feathers, is not larger than a bumble-bee. 

Family ALCiniNinAE (Kingfisher) — This bird 
Is not much larger than the sparrow. It 
frequents tbe banks of rivers and other streams, 
and is often seen flying near tbe water. Its food 
icinsists of small fishes, such as minnows, leeches 
and other water insects. When it has caught a 
tisb. it often kills it by beating it on a branch. 
Shakespeare makes repeated allusion to the 
popular notion that if the stuffed skin of a king- 
fisher is hung by a thread, the bill will always 
point to the direction from which the wind 
blows. 

Family Cuculidae (Cuckoo) — The yellow- 
billed cuckoo is common, is a shy bird, and is 
seldom seen, except on the wing. It frequents 
orchards, where its note, sounding like "Cow, 
cow," is heard. 

Family Picidae (Wood-peckers) — There are 
several varieties of these birds. We have the 
red-headed wood-pecker, known to all ; also the 
golden- wing wood-pecker, the highloder, flicker or 
yellow hammer. There are several other varie- 
ties, and they are all useful, living on the larvae 
of beetles, which they get out of tbe trees. They 
have tbe tongue fitted to serve as an important 
instrument in obtaining their food ; a peculiar 
arrangement of muscles, enabling tliem to ex- 
tend the tongue beyond the bill. Its tip being 
horny and furnished with barbed filaments, is 
thrust into the hole made by tbe grub or borer, 
as be is sometimes called, and the bird draws 
out and eats the precious morsel. There is a 
smaller variety, called tbe sap-sucker, whose 
tongue is not sharp, but broad and covered with 
fine sharp papillae. These birds sometimes prey 
upon evergreens by drilling a row of round holes 
entirely around tbe trees. 

Family Strigidae (Owls) — The owls are all 
birds of the night. Tbe little screech-owl is the 
smallest of this family, and is quite common. The 



638 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



long-eared or cat-owl. is of medium size, and is 
the only variety that breeds here, except the 
above. The great gray owl and the white owl 
are natives of the far North, but travel south 
in the winter in search of food. 

Family Falconidae (Hawks) — It is said that 
there are in round numbers, 1,000 species of 
hawks in all parts of our globe. But of these 
large numbers, but three or four varieties make 
their homes iu Schuyler County. The red-tailed 
buzzard, or hen-hawk, is common and well known 
by all. It will grab up a chicken and doesn't 
seem to mind the women who try to scare him 
away by shaking their aprons at him, when he 
makes a raid on the chicken yard. The falcon 
or sparrow hawk, is small and feeds upon small 
birds. Prairie hawks were common in early 
days. They were on the wing and came close 
to the ground in search of mice and insects. 
Fish hawks are common along large streams, and 
live mostly on small flsh. 

Bald Eagles — These were not numerous, and 
no one regrets it. They were regular pirates, 
and lived by robbing some other bird of its fish 
when caught. 

Vultures — The turkey buzzard is the only 
member of this family. It is a land scavenger, 
filthy but otherwise harmless, feeding on the 
carcasses of dead animals. 

Pigeons — The wild pigeons were only visitors. 
They come and go, like all wild birds, where 
food is most plentiful. The turtle-doves are 
common, and remain here all the time; they have 
a peculiar note, but are not musical. 

GAME BIRDS OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 

We get the following list of game-birds of 
Schuyler County from a list arranged "by Junius 
P. Leach, and published in "Forest and Stream." 
Mr. Leach was an experienced hunter and an 
amateur naturalist of marked ability, and his 
classification, made iu 1SS6, is here given: 

Sandhill Crane (Orus americana) — A large, 
snowy-white bird, with black wing tips. 

Trunipter Swan ( Olor bucinnator). 

Blue-Winged Goose (Chen coerulesceus), 
known by western hunters as bald brant. They 
are easily recognized by their white heads and 
upper part of the neck. The rest of the plum- 
age is somewhat the color of a blue heron. 

American White-Fronted Goose (Anser albi- 
frous gambcli) — This is the standard and uni- 
versally known brant of the West They are 



very much like a tame goose in color, except the 
black on the breast. 

Canada Goose (Bernicla canadensis) — A very 
common species along the Illinois River. 

Hutchin's Goose (Beruicla canadensis hutch- 
insi) — These birds are marked like the Canada 
goose, of which they are a variety. 

DUCKS 

Mallard (Anas bosclias), sometimes called 
greenhead. 

Black Mallard (Anas obscura). 

Gadwalls (Chaulelasmus streperus), locally 
known as gray duck. 

Pintails (Daflla acuta), known universally in 
the West as sprigtails. This duck often crosses 
with the mallard, producing a hybird, partaking 
of the qualities of both in an equal degree. 

Baldpate (Mareca americana), generally 
known as widgeons. 

The Shoveller (Spatula chjpcata), always 
called spoonbill by hunters. 

Blue-Wiuged Teal (Anas discors). 

Green-Winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) . 

Cinnamon Teal (Querquedula oyanoptera). 

Wood Duck (A ix sponsa) is the only species 
which breeds in the vicinity in any considerable 
number. 

The Scaup Duck (Fulix marila) aud Little 
Blackhead (Fulix affirm) are both known locally 
as blue bills. 

Ring-Billed Blackheads (Fulix collaris) would 
not be recognized here under any other name 
than ''blackjack." 

Canvasback (JEthyia vallisneria) is the prince 
of ducks, and is frequently seen along the Illi- 
nois River. 

Redhead (Aithyia americana) occasionally 
called redneck. 

Barrow's Golden Eye (Glangula islandica) 
not at all common in the West. 

American Golden Eye (Olangula glaucium 
americana) generally known here as whistler. 

Butterball : Bufflehead (Clangula albcola). 

Ruddy Duck (Erismatura rubida). 

American sheldrake (Mergus merganser amer- 
icanusq, Red-breasted sheldrake (Mergus serra- 
tor) and Hooded sheldrake (Lophodytes cuculla- 
tus), three species of fish-duck, all visit this sec- 
tion, but are not pursued by regular hunters. 

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) now rarely 
seen, except in extreme southern counties of the 
State. 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



639 



Ruffed grouse (Bunasa itmbclliis), coinrnonly 
called pheasant. 

Pinnated grouse (Tympanuchus americanus) , 
or prairie chicken. 

Quails (Col inns rirtjinianits). 

American Golden Plover (Ckaradriits domin- 
ion* ) . 

Kill-dee Plover (JUgialitis vocifera). 

American woodcock (Philohelo minors). 

Wilson's snipe {Gallinago dclicuta), generally 
called jacksnipe. 

Sandpiper (Tringa minutilla). 

Yellow legs (Totaniis flavipes). 

Bartrain's sandpiper (Bartramia longicanda) , 
or Upland Plover. 

Spotted sandpiper {Actitis macula/Ha), com- 
monly called Tip-up or River snipe. 

Long-billed curlew (Numenius longirostis) . 

American coot (Fulica americana), or mud 
hen. 

Florida gallinule (Oallinnla galeata). 

Virginia rail (Rallus virginianus) . 

King rail ( Rutins elegans). 

Sora rail (Por~ana Carolina). 

passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) , 
now extinct. 

.Mourning dove (Zcnaitlnra niacroura). 

These were at one time plentiful in Schuyler 
County. In addition to these, the State is now 
stocking the county with various kinds of pheas- 
ants, quails and partridges supplied from the 
State Game Farm, at Auburn. 111. 



CHAPTER VII. 



PIONEER SETTLERS. 



JOLIET AND MARQUETTE FIRST WHITE VISITORS TO 
SCHUYEER COUNTY IN 1673 — FIRST RECORD OP 
WHITE MEN IN THE COUNTY FURNISHED BY' 
GOVERNMENT SURVEYORS IN 1815-17 — SCHUYLER 
COUNTY A HONEY AND BEES-WAX PRODUCING 
REGION — FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENT MADE 
BY CALVIN HOBART, FEBRUARY 19, 1823 — STORY 
OF HIS MIGRATION TO SCHUY'LER COUNTY — PIO- 
NEER HOSPITALITY IN A CROWDED CABIN — SIX 
CABINS BUILT IN THE COUNTY IN 1823 COMING 



OF A BACKWOODS METHODIST PREACHER AND 
FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES — SETTLERS WHO AR- 

HIVEH IN 1824 AND 1S25 THE FOREIGN SETTLERS 

IN THE COUNTY — INDIANS STILL IN THE COUN- ' 
TY, BUT PEACEFUL — THEY ARE DRIVEN OUT BY 

SETTLERS WITHOUT COMBAT SOME FIRST 

EVENTS. 

From the time that Schuyler County was first 
visited by civilized men to the date of actual 
settlement there elapsed a century and a half, 
and this period is forever a hidden mystery, so 
far as the historian is concerned. Situated as 
it was upon the great natural waterway between 
the lakes and the Mississippi River, the county 
was first visited by Louis Joliet and Father Mar- 
quette in their memorable voyage of exploration 
in 1673 and. long before the land trails crossed 
the prairie, Schuyler's border land was familiar 
to the hardy French voyageurs and the ever- 
zealous friars, who penetrated deep into the 
wilderness to carry the gospel to the savages. 
No palisaded forts were built in Schuyler Coun- 
ty by these early French explorers, and there is 
no more record of their coming than of the 
migratory birds that come for a season and are 
gone. 

The first authentic record of white men in 
Schuyler County is furnished through the gov- 
ernment survey, which was begun in 1815 and 
completed two years later. And, even then, the 
only record is the work that was accomplished 
and the names of the hardy pioneer surveyors 
who braved the danger of the trackless wilds to 
lay out land boundaries in this portion of the 
Military Tract. For years afterwards very little 
was known regarding Schuyler County and the 
date of actual settlement did not begin until 
1823. 

Early in February of that year Samuel Gooch, 
Orris McCartney and Samuel Bogart crossed the 
Illinois River on the ice at Downing's Landing 
(now Eeardstown), with about three hundred 
hogs, to give them the benefit of the range which 
was very abundant. They had come from the 
Swinerton neighborhood, six miles west of Mt. 
Pleasant (now Jacksonville) and brought with 
them only such things as were essential for their 
camp. Gooch and McCartney remained to look 
after the hogs and built a camp of logs with 
walls on three sides and open in front, on the 
southeast quarter of Section Sixteen in Rush- 
ville Township. They remained in the county 



640 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



during the summer of that year tending their 
hogs and gathering honey, and in this they were 
assisted by Thomas Beard, who had previously 
built a cabin on the present site of Beardstown. 
As a result of their bee-hunting during the sum- 
mer of 182?., they sent to St. Louis, then the 
nearest market point, twenty-seven barrels of 
strained honey and several hundred dollars' 
worth of wax, and counted the season's work a 
profitable one. Gooch, McCartney and Beard 
afterwards became permanent residents of 
Schuyler County, and took a prominent part in 
the administration of affairs in the early days. 
While these men were first to arrive in Schuy- 
ler County, the first actual settlement dates from 
February 19. 1823, when Calvin Hobart came 
with his family from the bleak hills of New 
Hampshire, to build for himself a home in the 
West. Even in that far-away State he had 
heard of the richness of the Illinois Country, 
where crops could be grown without laborious 
effort and cattle and hogs would fatten and 
thrive on the range. And so it happened that 
he sold his farm in St. Albans, N. H., in 1820, 
and bought three quarter-sections of land in the 
Military Tract. In the month of August, 1821, 
he loaded his family and property possessions 
into a wagon and started westward. Thence the 
route led to Buffalo, N. T., and along the shore 
of Lake Erie to Portage County, Ohio, where 
the winter was spent. Here the journey was 
delayed until September. 1822, on account of ill- 
ness, when the little caravan of two teams again 
moved westward. William Hobart Taylor, then 
a young man of twenty-one, joined the party 
here and, in addition to Calvin Hobart and bis 
family, there were his aged parents and their 
granddaughter, Ruth Powers. On to Cincin- 
nati, and then west to Terre Haute. Ind., they 
traveled, and Illinois was- entered near where 
Paris, 111., has siuce been built. Crossing the 
Sangamon liiver north of Springfield, they 
camped at "Job's Settlement." in what is now 
Cass County, where they found a colony of four 
families (-(insisting of Archibald Job. Thomas 
and David Blair and Jacob White, and of these 
all but Mr. Job afterwards became residents of 
Schuyler County. 

Six miles beyond "Job's Settlement," at the 
foot of the Illinois bluffs and six miles east of 
the Illinois River, they came to the cabin of 
Timothy Harris, beyond which no settler had 
ventured westward. The hospitality of the 



home was tendered them and, in addition to Mr. 
Harris and his wife, and a Mr. Brown, Ephraim 
Eggleston, his wife and six children were quar- 
tered there and, two days after their arrival, 
Nathan Eels, wife and seven children appeared. 
Mr. Harris' cabin was only twelve feet square, 
but it afforded shelter for the women and the 
men slept in the wagon. Other cabins were built 
and, while the family rested, Calvin Hobart set 
out to find the land he had purchased. Three 
months were spent at the Harris settlement and 
on the morning of February 18, 182.3, the wag- 
ons were again loaded and a start made for- the 
new home in what was afterwards to be Schuy- 
ler County. The Illinois River was crossed at 
Downing's Landing, and from there the little 
party journeyed to Section Sixteen in Rushville 
Township. It was here, on the southwest quar- 
ter of the section, that the first home was erected 
in the county. Calvin Hobart, wife and children. 
Samuel Gooch and William H. Taylor were the 
first occupants of the rude log-cabin erected, 
and they were joined two weeks later by Mr. 
Hobart's parents and Ruth Powers, who had 
remained in the Harris settlement until a home 
had been provided for them. 

On the first arrival of this little colony of 
homeseekers. they set to work to build a cabin 
and it was completed within three days ; and. 
it goes without saying, that no time was wasted 
in ornamentation. After Mr. Hobart's parents 
arrived another cabin was built, more preten- 
tious than the first, and in the years to follow 
it served as home, school house and sanctuary. 
While yet a resident of the Harris settlement, 
Mr. Hobart had planned for the making of a 
home in Schuyler County, and had gone down 
the State some fifty miles to an older settlement, 
where he traded a wagon, watch and other 
things brought from the East for a yoke of oxen, 
plow, chains, two cows and seven hogs, and 
enough grain and meal was laid in store to last 
until mid-summer. 

As soon as the weather permitted, ground was 
broken with a plow drawn by a team of oxen, 
and that year the Hobarts cultivated fifteen 
acres of timber land and about twenty-five acres 
of prairie soil, which produced a bountiful crop 
of corn, pumpkins, melons and turnips. In April 
of that year Ephraim Eggleston and family of 
six children arrived in the settlement and lo- 
cated near the Hobarts, where they broke land 
and planted a crop. Samuel Gooch, Orris MeCart- 




JOHN A. BALLOT" 



HISTORY OP SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



641 



uey and Isaac M. House — all unmarried men — set- 
tled on Section 27 that same summer, but did 
not get their crop planted until June, and before 
harvest time it was nipped by the frost. 

Following closely after the Eggleston family 
came Samuel and James Turner, who migrated 
from St. Clair County in the southern part of 
the State. They had traveled northward to find 
a more healthful climate, for while residents of 
the American bottom death had claimed all the 
remaining members of their family. They built 
a cabin, but never occupied it, returning to St. 
Clair County with the expectation of returning 
the succeeding spring. While there James Tur- 
ner died and, in the spring of 1825, Samuel re- 
turned alone and located on the southwest quar- 
ter of Section 25, Buena Vista Township, and he 
ever afterwards made his home in this neigh- 
borhood, where his children and grandchildren 
still reside. 

Late in the fall of that first year of settlement 
in Schuyler County, a stranger appeared at the 
home of the Hobarts. He was attired in the 
garb of the backwoodsman, with deer-skin moc- 
casins and coon-skin cap, and carried a rifle with 
the ease of an experienced hunter. This stran- 
ger was Levin Green, and his coming brought 
keen joy to the hearts of the settlers, for he was 
a licensed .Methodist preacher, and the Hobarts, 
who were a deeply religious people, looked upon 
his coming as a direct response to earnest prayer. 
Green had happened upon the settlement while 
on a hunting expedition, and volunteered the 
information that his family and his brother-in- 
law, George Stewart, and his family were camped 
on Dutchman Creek, sixteen miles above on the 
Illinois River, and that they were looking for a 
location. They had traveled by canoe from below 
St. Louis and, after the chance meeting with the 
Hobarts, the entire party joined the settlement 
and took possession of the cabin that bad been 
built that summer by the Turners. 

On the first Sabbath after Levin Green's ar- 
rival, it was planned that religious services 
should be held at the cabin of Calvin Ilohart. 
Of that meeting Rev. Cbauncey Hobart, in the 
"Recollections of his Life," says: "On that first 
Sabbath, in November, 1S23, the whole settle- 
ment of thirty souls turned out, and we had a 
warm, earnest, pointed sermon. This was the 
first sermon preached west of the Illinois River. 
I well remember, that my. heart was much moved 
under that sermon, and when after it Levin 



Green began to sing, 'There is a fountain filled 
with blood.' and pass around, shaking hands 
with all in the bouse, I ran out of doors, fearing 
that my emotions would overcome me should I 
remain." 

The only other settlers to arrive in Schuyler 
County in the year 1823 were Thomas McKee, 
who erected a cabin on the northeast quarter of 
Section 20, Bainbridge Township, and Willis 
O'Neal, who settled near by on Section 16. They 
were both Keutuckians aud had come to Illinois 
from Indiana. McKee was a fine mechanic and 
gunsmith and, soon after building his cabin, he 
erected a workshop, and this was the first black- 
smith shop in the county. He remained in Bain- 
bridge until 1S26, when he removed to Littleton 
and was one of the first settlers in that town- 
ship. Willis O'Neal was later a resident of what 
is now the city of Rushville, and built a cabin 
just east of the square on the south side of East 
Lafayette Street. He later removed to Brown 
County and was one of the early pioneers in that 
locality. 

Early in the spring of 1824 the settlement was 
still further increased by the arrival of Nathan 
Eels and family, who had been living on the 
east bank of the Illinois River. Mr. Eels' family 
consisted of six boys and two girls, and they 
were given a most cordial welcome, especially 
by the youngsters of the settlement who found 
life rather monotonous with so few playmates. 
Accessions to the settlement were now becoming 
more numerous and, during the summer of 1S24. 
the following named persons took up their abode 
in the county: I (avid and Thomas Blair. Jacob 
White. Riggs Pennington and his nephews. 
William, Joel and Riley; Henry Green, Jr.. John 
Ritchey, John A. Reeve, George and Isaac 
Naught. Some of these made their home near the 
Hobart settlement, while others located in Bain- 
bridge and Woodstock Townships. 

The year 1825 marked the arrival of a number 
of men who were afterwards to take a prominent 
part in public affairs. In February of that year 
Jonathan D. Manlove, the first Surveyor of the 
county, became a resident of Rushville. Soon 
afterwards came Samuel Horney, one of the first 
County Commissioners. Mr. Horney was a na- 
tive of North Carolina and had served as a 
volunteer in the War of 1812. He had moved 
to Illinois in 1818 and, until coming to Schuyler 
County, had made his home in St. Clair County. 

John B. Terry, the first County Clerk ot 



642 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Schuyler County, came that same year, as iliil 
also Hart Fellows, who was the county's first 
Recorder and Rushville's first Postmaster. Rich- 
ard Black settled on what is now the site of 
Rushville in 1825, but was "entered out" of his 
improvement by the county and was forced to 
seek a new location, and he removed with his 
family to Woodstock Township. His son Isaac, 
who was a babe when the family first arrived in 
Schuyler, ever after made his home in Schuyler 
County and died in Rushville, October 2, 1907. 

Benjamin Chadsey. who was one of the three 
Commissioners appointed to select the location 
of a county-seat for Schuyler County, was one 
of the pioneers of 1825. His arrival in the 
county is thus described in an article which ap- 
peared in the Schuyler Citizen of February 5, 
1S80: 

"Late in the summer of 1824 two men (Ben- 
jamin Chailsey and bis father-in-law, Mr. John- 
son) started from the neighborhood where the 
city of Danville now stands, on a journey west- 
ward. One, Benjamin Chadsey. had been a sol- 
dier in the War of 1812 and had received as his 
bounty from the Government lands laid off in 
1S16, and set apart as a military tract for the 
soldiers of that war. the southeast quarter of 
Section 17 (now Rushville Township). His 
business was to find the land and see if it would 
make a home for him and his little family. They 
traveled west, following an Indian trail, until, 
not far from Bloomington, on the Mackinaw, 
they found an Indian village, where they rested 
a night. The next day they followed the trail 
until they reached the Illinois River, opposite 
Fort Clark, now Peoria. After another night 
spent in tile hospitable cabin of a settler on the 
bank of the river, they struck out on a trail 
leading to the southwest. They finally reached 
Sugar Creek, where they lost their bearings, but 
at last came out of the timber on the prairie 
near the center of Rushville Township, and near 
there found rest and refreshment in a cabin re- 
cently built, in which lived one of the thirteen 
families constituting the entire population of 
the county. With the early morning the young 
man hastened further west over the prairie, and 
soon rejoiced in the rich, luxuriant grasses that 
waved in all their primitive wildness on the 
beautiful piece of land that was to be his future 
home. After he had resolved to locate perma- 
nently, he hastened back to Eastern Illinois and. 



in the spring of 1825. settled on the farm, where 
he lived to a hale and hearty old age." 

The first family from a foreign country to 
take up their residence in Schuyler County was 
that of Hugh McCreery's, who had come from 
Ireland and, in 1828, ascended the Illinois River 
on the first steamboat to traverse that historic 
waterway. The family consisted of Hugh Mc- 
Creery and Sarah McCreery. his wife, and their 
children — William, the oldest, and his wife, 
Mathew, John, Margaret. Sarah and James. On 
reaching Rushville Mr. McCreery took possession 
of the old log court-house on the north side of 
the square in Rushville, for a temporary home, 
and his son William built a log cabin that now 
forms part of Mrs. John Ruth's residence on 
North Congress Street, the only one of the pio- 
neer homes that has escaped destruction and 
oblivion from natural causes of decay or the ever 
ceaseless march of progress. 

William McCreery was the first person in 
Schuyler County to take out naturalization pa- 
pers and claim his rights as a citizen of the 
United States. His first papers were taken out 
in Morgan County, Alabama, in 1S20. and it was 
therein stated that he had landed in New Or- 
leans on February 7, 1825, and had renounced 
his allegiance to the King of Great Britain and 
declared his intention of becoming a citizen of 
the United States. On June 14, 1830, his appli- 
cation for citizenship was approved by the Cir- 
suit Court of Schuyler County. Mr. McCreery 
and his parents died during the cholera scourge 
of 1834. 

During the early years of settlement in Schuy- 
ler County the Indians were frequent visitors, 
and we have noted in a previous chapter that 
their greeting was a pleasant one, and that no 
barbaric outrages marked the history of the 
county. The only clash between the settlers 
and the Indians is recorded by Jonathan D. Man- 
love, who. in writing of early times in Schuyler, 
says : "It is recollected by the pioneers that 
there were wild hogs in the county, and that 
the Indians and their dogs were very trouble- 
some, running hogs as any other game; there- 
fore, about the commencement of 1S26, nineteen 
of the boys — and that was about all there were 
in the county — went to their camp on Crooked 
Creek, near the mouth, and ordered them off, 
giving them a certain time to do so, under a 
penalty of having their goods wet with the 
Illinois River. There were some things done 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



643 



that did not meet with the approval of all, to-wit; 
two of them were slightly sprouted aud several 
of their dogs were shot. But lew of them vis- 
ited us afterwards. Our principal object was to 
remove the traders — white men who were en- 
camped on the Illinois, just below the mouth of 
Crooked Creek, and traded them ammunition and 
whisky for furs and peltry — and the threaten- 
iugs were more particularly to and for them. 
They left soon afterwards and never came back." 

In concluding this chapter on the early pio- 
neers of Schuyler County, we will add a few dis- 
connected facts of interest pertaining to this 
period : 

The first birth in the county was that of a 
daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Eggles- 
ton, iu the spring of 1824. 

The first death was that of a son of Jonathan 
Reno, in the summer of 1826 — a lad some nine 
or ten years of age. The first death of an adult 
was that of Solomon Stanberry, who died of 
typhoid fever in the winter of 1S2T, at the home 
of John Ritehey, north of Rushville. In review- 
ing the events of pioneer times, Jonathan D. 
Manlove writes that he rode to Jacksonville to 
secure a physician to attend Mr. Stanberry, but 
that he was dying when they returned. 

The first child born in Rushville was Anna 
Fellows, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hart Fellows, 
who now resides in Bloomiugton. 

The first marriage was that of Samuel Gooeh 
and Miss Ruth Powers, which was solemnized by 
Rev. Levin Green, at the Hobart cabin in Novem- 
ber, 1824. This was previous to the organiza- 
tion of Schuyler County, aud the record of the 
marriage is in Pike County, where the groom had 
to journey to secure his license to wed. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



CIVIL HISTORY. 



TEN NEW COUNTIES IN THE MILITARY TRACT CRE- 
ATED BY ACT OF JANUARY 13, 1S25 ORIGINAL 

AREA AND BOUNDARIES OF SCHUYLER COUNTY — 
TERRITORY' UNDER TEMPORARY' JURISDICTION OF 
THE NEW COUNTY FIRST COUNTY-SEAT NAMED 



BEARDSTOWN — FIRST ELE( TION AND FIRST BOARD 

OF COMMISSIONERS OTHER COUNTY OFFICERS 

COUNTY-SEAT CHANGED TO RUSHVILLE IN 1826 

EARLY COUNTY' REVENUES FINANCIAL STATE- 
MENT OF 1827 FIRST ELECTION PRECINCTS 

ELECTIONS IN 1828 — BROWN COUNTY SET OFF IN 
1830 A COUNTY-SEAT CONTEST CHANGES UN- 
DER CONSTITUTION OF 1848 — COUNTY" COURT 
HOLDS JURISDICTION OVER COUNTY FROM 1S49 TO 
1854 — TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION ADOPTED IN 1833 
— LIST OF TOWNSHIPS. 

Illinois had been but seven years a sovereign 
State when the geographical boundaries of 
Schuyler County were determined in 182.j. Up 
to this time there were but thirty-one counties 
in the State and, with the exception of Pike and 
Fulton Counties, all of these were south of the 
Illinois River. In the early 'twenties the tide 
of emigration turned northward for the reason, 
perhaps, that land speculators had been buying 
up soldiers' claims in the Military Tract and 
were interesting Eastern people in the Illinois 
Country. To facilitate this emigration, and pro- 
vide for civil government in the country already 
settled, the General Assembly in January, 1825, 
created ten counties in the Military Tract. The 
counties set apart for civil organization were : 
Calhoun, Adams, Hancock, Knox, Mercer, Henry, 
Peoria, Putnam, Warren and Schuyler. 

The geographical boundary of Schuyler in- 
cluded an area of S64 square miles, and so re- 
mained until Brown County was detached in 
1839. The civil boundary of the county was even 
more extended, as may be noted from the fol- 
lowing section of the legislative enactment : 

"All that tract of country north of the counties 
of Schuyler and Hancock, and west of the Fourth 
Principal Meridian, shall be attached to the coun- 
ty of Schuyler for all county purposes, until oth- 
erwise provided for by law: Provided, however, 
that when it shall appear to the satisfaction of 
the Judge of the Circuit Court that any of the 
above name counties shall contain three hundred 
and fifty inhabitants, he is hereby required to 
grant an order for the election of county officers, 
as described in the ninth section." 

By this act the civil government of Schuyler 
County was extended to include what are now 
the counties of McDonoui;h. Warren, Hendersou, 
Mercer and a portion of Rock Island, but in the 
county records it appears that McDonough was 
the only one of the five counties that shared iu 



644 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



the civil government of Schuyler. The organiza- 
tion of McDonough County was authorized by 
an act of the Legislature approved January 25, 
1826, and by June 14. 1830, the required popula- 
tion having been attained, a separate county was 
organized; Warren obtained the same in 1830; 
Rock Island was organized in 1S31, and Mercer 
and Henderson some few years afterwards. 

Of the ten counties created from the Military 
Tract in 1825, Adams. Peoria and Schuyler were 
the only ones that had the required population 
necessary for immediate organization, and, in 
the legislative enactment of that session, we find 
the following provision made for the civil organ- 
ization of Schuyler County : 

"Be it further enacted, That for the county of 
Schuyler, John Adams, Stephen Olmstead and 
James Dunwoody, of Morgan County. . . . 
be and they are hereby appointed Commissioners 
to select the permanent seat of justice for said 
county, who shall meet in the county of Schuy- 
ler, at the house of Calvin Ilobart. on the first 
Monday of April next, or within seven days 
thereafter, and after taking and subscribing an 
oath before a Justice of the Peace, to locate the 
said seat of justice for the future convenience 
and accommodation of the people, shall proceed 
to fix and determine upon the same, and the 
place so selected . . . shall be the perma- 
nent seat of justice of the same, and the Com- 
missioners shall receive for their compensation 
the sum of two dollars per day for each day by 
them spent in the discharge of their duties, aud 
for going to and returning from the same, to 
lie paid out of the first money in the county 
treasury after the same shall be organized." 

In accordance with this act of the Legislature, 
John Adams and Stephen Olmstead came to 
Schuyler and located the county-seat about a 
mile west of the present village of Pleasantview, 
and for this service they were paid $20 each. 
with $8 additional to John Adams, who took the 
records of the proceedings to Pittsfield. the 
county-seat of Pike County, where they were 
recorded. 

The seat of justice having been established, 
an election was called for July 4. 1825, and 
James Vance, Cornelius Vandeventer. and Abra- 
ham Carlock were named as judges, and Hart 
Fellows and Jonathan I). Manlove clerks, and 
they were allowed one dollar each for this work 
by the County Comn-issioners fourteen months 
afterwards. 



At this election Thomas McKee, Samuel Hor- 
ney and Thomas Blair were elected County Com- 
missioners. They took the oath of office before 
Hart Fellows, who had been appointed Clerk of 
the Circuit Court by Gov. Edward Coles, and 
within the next twelve mouths met eight times 
to attend to the business necessary in the organ- 
ization and administration of county affairs. 
The first meeting of the County Commissioners 
was held at the cabin of Jacob White on July 
7, 1825. and at this session the new county-seat 
of Schuyler County was named Beardstown. 
John Terry was appointed Clerk of the County 
and served until December 3, 1827, when he re- 
signed and Hart Fellows was named as his suc- 
cessor. At this first meeting of the Commis- 
sioners grand and petit juries were drawn 
and were served with summons by Sheriff Orris 
McCartney, to appear at the first term of Circuit 
Court held November 4, 1825. The records do 
not show who was elected chairman of the Com- 
missioners' Court, but it is inferred that Thomas 
Blair held this position, as he signed the clerk's 
record of the proceedings. 

The Commissioners met again on July 22, 1825, 
and at this meeting the first county order was 
issued to Jacob White, which called for seventy- 
five cents for the use of his cabin as a meeting 
place. At this meeting of the board a petition 
was presented to set off a school district and this 
was done. 

When John B. Terry filed his bond as Clerk of 
the County, with Nathan Eels as security, he 
took the oath of office to support the constitu- 
tions of the United States and the State of 
Illinois, and a supplementary oath required by 
the "Act to Suppress Dueling." 

In the organization of the county it was nec- 
essary to have three Justices of the Peace, and 
Hart Fellows. James Vance and Willis O'Neal 
were recommended to Gov. Coles for appointment 
to this office. Later appointments made by the 
County Commissioners in 1825 were: William 
H. Taylor, as Census Commissioner: Jacob White 
and Joel Pennington, Constables ; Kiggs Penning- 
ton and Nathan Eels, Overseers of the Poor, and 
Samuel Gooch, John Richey and Jonathan Reno, 
Fence Viewers. 

The sessions of the Commissioners were after- 
wards held at the cabin of Samuel Turner and 
a county order for $2 was issued him for four 
meetings of the Commissioner's Court. For three 
days' services as Commissioners, Messrs. Blair, 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



645 



Homey and McKee each drew $7.50, and John 
B. Terry, Clerk, was paid .$10 for four days' 
service. 

In locating the county -seat the Morgan County 
Commissioners apparently did not respect the 
wishes of the residents of Schuyler County, as 
we find in the records that a petition to the Gen- 
eral Assembly was formulated asking that a new 
commission be appointed. This was done and 
Levi Green, Thomas Blair and Benjamin Chad- 
sey were named to select a new seat of justice. 
It was at this time intended to locate the county- 
seat a mile or more north of the present site 
of Rushville, on the fine, high prairie land, but 
the quarter-section of land most desired had 
been entered and the Commissioners realizing 
that the county was short of funds, selected the 
southwest quarter of Section 30, Town 2 North, 
Range 1 West, and entered it at the Laud Of- 
fice at Springfield. Their report to the County 
Commissioners made March 0. 1826, reads as 
follows : 

"We, the undersigned Commissioners, appoint- 
ed by an Act of the General Assembly of Illi- 
nois to locate a permanent seat of justice for 
Schuyler County, do certify that, after hav- 
ing been duly sworn before James Vance, 
Esq., we proceeded to view the county for the 
purposes aforesaid, and have located the same 
on the southwest quarter of Section thirty, town- 
ship two north, range one west. Given under 
our hands this 20th day of February. 1826. 
(Signed) Levin Green. 

Thomas Blaih. 
B. Chadsey. 

One may judge how strongly the financial con- 
sideration influenced the location of the county- 
seat, when it is stated that the east half of the 
quarter-section entered by the county for a town 
site, was sold to Jacob White for $150. and that 
the county was not able to make payment to the 
State and secure the United States patent to the 
land until December 20, 1S20, when, with the 
.$150 paid by Mr. White, and $43.00— the with- 
drawal of which almost depleted the county treas- 
ury — the county came into full possession of a 
clear title to its seat of justice. Much as the 
county needed the money generously advanced 
by Mr. White, it was in the end an expensive 
bargain, for within a few years afterwards it 
was necessary to buy more land to allow for the 
growth of the little city. Even today we yearly 
see the folly of their economy, for the land 



owned by Mr. White came within eighty feet of 
the east side of Liberty Street and on the tax- 
books, it is necessary to carry the names of the 
property owners on the east side of the square 
in different additions, as the business block ex- 
tends east 112 feet and into the William Man- 
love addition, afterwards platted on the land sold 
by the county to Jacob White. 

Thomas McKee, Samuel Homey and Thomas 
Blair, who had been elected County Commis- 
sioners in 1825, served until August 4, 1828, 
when Thomas Davis succeeded Thomas Blair. 
Other early officers were : Cornelius Vandeven- 
ter, Thomas McKee, Jesse Bartlett and Levin 
Green, Justices of the Peace ; Jacob T. Reno and 
Jacob White, Constables ; John B. Terry, Judge 
of Probate ; Hart Fellows, Clerk of Circuit 
Court; Orris McCartney, Sheriff; David E. 
Blair, Treasurer ; Jonathan D. Manlove, Surveyor, 
and Levin Green, Coroner. 

.Much of the time of the Commissioners when 
they met for the transaction of business was 
taken up with passing upon petitions for roads 
and arranging for the platting and sale of town- 
bits of the county-seat, and these subjects will 
be dealt with more fully in succeeding chapters. 

The question of revenue was an all important 
one with the County Commissioners, as there 
was little money coming into the treasury from 
taxation and it was a difficult matter to collect 
cash for the town lots sold. The first tax-levy 
was ordered March 0, 1820, on the assessment 
made by Jesse Bartlett. who was allowed $6 for 
his services. All taxable property in the county 
was subject to a rate of one per cent, and the 
total tax collected in the county in 1820. was 
$118.90. On March 4, 1828, property liable to 
taxation was listed as follows: Slaves, inden- 
tured or registered negro or mulatto servants, 
all wheel carriages, stills and distilleries, stocks 
in trade, horses, mules, mares and asses, meat 
cattle, sheep, goats and lings, watches with their 
appendages, and clocks. At the same time the 
Treasurer was instructed to make a list of "all 
resident laud" subject to taxation. On March .3, 
1832, the Commissioners specified household 
gocids, furniture and farming utensils as subject 
to taxation, and also town-lots, except in incor- 
porated towns. The owners of ferries also paid 
taxes varying from $3 to $20. 

When the Commissioners met on December 4, 
1S26. Orris McCartney was authorized to re- 
ceive the money appropriated by the State, under 



646 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



the act relating to tbe revenues of Calhoun, County Commissioners, when they created five 

Pike, Adams, Schuyler, Fulton and Peoria coun- election precincts. In this civil division of the 

ties, to replenish the depleted treasury. He was county McDonough County was considered as 

intructed to make the journey to the State cap- one election precinct, and was the fifth in the 

ital at Vandalia and. while there, to exchange list. In issuing a call for election the place of 

the State paper for specie, provided it could lie voting and the names of the judges were speci- 

done at reasonable discount. Schuyler County's tied by the County Commissioners as follows : 

apportionment under the State revenue act, was District 1, House of Isaac Naught. Judges — 

$225, and Mr. McCartney brought home the sum .Julm A. Heeve, Willis O'Neal and Isaac Veude- 

of $157.50, which was deposited in the county venter. 

treasury. The first financial statement of Schuy- District 2, House of Henry Hills. Judges — John 

ler County is found in the report of the Com- Ritchey, Henry Hills and Manlove Homey. 

missioner's Court for the December term, 1827. District 3, House of Joel Pennington. Judges — 

It is as follows : Joel Pennington, Joel Tuliis and Garrett Wyck- 

Cr. off. 

By amount of county tax for the year 1820 $11S.90 District 4, House of Daniel Robertson. Judges 

By amount of specie received from State — Daniel Robertson, Andrew Vance and Thom- 

treasury in 1826 157.50 as Wilson. 

By amount received from Jacob White District 5, House of James Vance. Judges— 

for E% S. W. 30, 3 N., 1 W 150.00 Riggs Pennington, Stephen Osburn and Hugh 

By amount received for lots in town of Wilson. 

Rushville 133.50 The year 1828 was prolific in elections and the 

By amount received for fines, assessed in Commissioners' record shows a general election 

Circuit Court 21.00 was held August 4, and ou November 3 came the 

By amount turned into county treasury presidential election, to be followed November 15 

out of the tax for the year 1827 48.44 by a special election, at which time Joel Pen- 

— ■ ningtou was elected Sheriff of the county. At 

$629.34 the general election of August 4, 1S28. Thomas 

To amount of county orders issued in Dr. Davis was chosen County Commissioner to suc- 

1825, 1826 and 1827 $467.78 ceed Thomas Blair and Willis O'Neal was named 

To amount paid into land office for the as Treasurer. 

S. W. 30. 2 N. 1 W 103.00 On June 1, 1829, the Board of County Coin- 

missioners indulged in the luxury of employing :i 

$001.38 counsel for the court, and John Steel, Esq.. was 

Amount due ou Rushville town selected. As a natural consequence Mr. Steel 

lots, available $251.25 wished to make a showing, and cases in court 

Amount due for fines assessed in became more numerous. A year before the 

circuit court 7.00 county had paid Jacob T. Reno $9 for caring for 

Balance due on tax of 1827 after William Lammy, and Mr. Steel brought suit in 

deducting the 7 1 _. per cent . . . 27.42 the name of the county against his father, James 

Amount in treasury 6.10 Lammy, to compel him to aid in the support of his 

son. The court decided in favor of the county, 

$291.77 and an entry is made in tbe Commissioners' 

Balance in favor of county $259.73 record where James Lammy paid $9.50 into the 

Until June 4. 1S27. there had been no appor- county fund, 

tionment of election precincts, but the county Quo warranto proceedings were also brought 

had been considered as a whole in the selection against Benjamin Chadsey and Jesse Bartlett, 

of minor offices, such as Justices of the Peace Trustees of the school land on Section 10. Rush- 

and Constable. The rapid immigration, and the ville Township, and they were removed and John 

general tendency of the settlers to penetrate to Ritchey and Henry Hills appointed in their 

every part of the county, made it necessary to stead. At this day it cannot he determined what 

divide the county into minor political subdivi- the animus back of this proceeding was, but it 

sions, and this was done June 4, 1827, by the did not in the least divert from the popularity 




MRS. JOHN A. BALLOl' 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



64? 



of these two gentlemen, for we later find them 
taking an active part in the affairs of the county. 

As compensation for his services in these two 
cases John Steele. Esq.. was allowed the munifi- 
cent sum of .$4.50, and soon afterwards the of- 
fice of counsel to the Commissioners' court was 
abolished. 

The first physician to present a bill to the 
county for professional service to a poor person 
was Dr. B. V. Teel, who was allowed $17.62 on 
September 7, 1S20, for medicine and attendance 
upon Stephen Palmer. At the same session 
George Jones was allowed $2 for making a cof- 
fin for the said Palmer. On December 23, 1829, 
John Ritchey was authorized to purchase of 
Abraham Louderman one or two acres of land 
in some suitable and convenient place for bury- 
ing ground, and the site chosen has since been 
enlarged to forty acres, comprising the Rush- 
ville cemetery of today. 

On March 1, 1830, an election district was 
made of the territory now known as the county 
of Brown, and it was specified that the elections 
should lie held at the home of Bentley Ballard. 
At the same time McDonough County was sep- 
arated into two election precincts. Crooked and 
Drowning Creeks being the dividing line. The 
elections in the east precinct were ordered held 
at the home of James Vance and in the western 
precinct at the home of William Job. At this 
time McDonough County was arranging for the 
establishment of a civil government of its own. 
and on the petition of James Vance and James 
Clark, that county was permitted to retain one- 
half of the taxes collected, the petitioners stand- 
ing good for the amount due Schuyler. Settle- 
ment was not made, however, until March 0. 
1S32. when $21 was paid into the Schuyler treas- 
ury. 

As originally formed Schuyler was the largest 
of the ten counties created in the Military Tract 
by the General Assembly of 1S25, and it so re- 
mained until 1830. when the territory lying south 
of Crooked Creek was detached and the county 
of Brown organized, thus reducing the area of 
Schuyler County from S64 to 430 square miles, 
and making it, next to Calhoun, the smallest 
county in the Military Tract. 

As early as 1835 the people living south of 
Crooked Creek began the agitation for separa- 
tion, but Schuyler's representative in the Gen- 
eral Assembly prevented any action being taken. 
It was then proposed that a compromise be ef- 



fected by removing the county-seat to Ripley, 
which was nearer the geographical center of the 
county, and this seems to have been the master 
stroke on the part of the agitators for separation, 
as the people in and about Rushville were will- 
ing to suffer the loss of half the territory of the 
county rather than relinquish the prestige which 
was associated with the seat of justice. And so 
it happened that Brown County was given a gov- 
ernment of its own by act of the General Assem- 
bly in 1830, and John M. Campbell of Schuyler. 
John B. Curl of Adams and William W. Baily 
of McDonough were named to select the seat of 
justice, which was afterwards located at Mt. 
Sterling. This settled for all time the location 
of the county-seat at Rushville, and Schuyler has 
been spared the bitter internecine warfare that 
has marked the history of county-seat contests 
in many neighboring counties. 

After the organization of Schuyler County had 
been effected and the machinery of civil govern- 
ment put in force, things ran along smoothly for 
more than a decade and the records of the Com- 
missioners' court are monotonous with routine 
proceedings. This is especially true from 1S31 
to 1S38, but in the latter year there was a shak- 
ing up in county affairs that would do credit to 
the most ardent reformers of the present day, 
and as a result, the business affairs of the county 
were thoroughly investigated. 

Thomas Broekman, Edward Doyle and Peter 
C. Vance were the Commissioners during the 
years 1838-39, and they started in early on their 
reform administration. County officials, School 
Treasurers and Supervisors of road districts 
were brought into the lime-light of a public in- 
vestigation, with the result that one county offi- 
cer was removed from office, a School Treasurer 
was called upon to make good a shortage of more 
than a thousand dollars, and other officers were 
forced to make settlement with the Commission- 
ers to avoid the notoriety of publicity. 

At that time, and for years afterwards, the 
fee system of paying county officers was in 
vogue and, while the officials might have had 
honest intentions in appropriating certain fees, 
it required ceaseless vigilance on the part of the 
County Commissioners to get what was due the 
county. This difference of opinion as to fees 
apparently disappeared, when an honest investi- 
gation was ordered, as in every case the officers 
made good the deficiency. It is a fact worthy of 
note that, during the eighty years of Schuyler's 



648 



HISTORY' OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



civil history, but one county officer has been 
convicted and punished for criminally appropri- 
ating county funds. 

The new Constitution of Illinois, in force in 
1848, made a change in the governmental affairs 
of the county, and it was provided that a County 
Judge and two Associates should administer 
county affairs. These officers were to be chosen 
at the general election to serve for a term of 
four years. The first county court of Schuy- 
ler County convened on the third day of Decem- 
ber, 1840, with William Ellis as County Judge 
and Joseph N. Ward and John M. Campbell, 
Associates. 

At the time these officials were elected a vote 
was taken in Schuyler on the question of town- 
ship organization, and of the whole number of 
votes cast (1495), there were 673 in favor of 
township organization and 205 against. It was 
at the time supposed that the plan of township 
organization would be put into effect at once, 
but the Supreme Court decided that a majority 
vote was necessary to make the change and this 
had not been secured in Schuyler County. At 
the election of 1850 the question was again 
voted upon, and there were but 459 votes favor- 
able to township organization out of a total of 
1214. The advocates of township organization 
were persistent in their, efforts and. in 1853, the 
question was again submitted and this time 
carried at the polls ; 7S0 of the 1537 votes being 
favorable to the new plan of government. At 
the December meeting of the County Court John 
C. Bagby. I. N. Ward and Jesse Darnell were 
appointed Commissioners to divide the county 
into townships and, with minor changes, the 
boundaries so fixed are in force today. The 
townships so named and located were: 



Oakland 

Littleton. 

Brooklyn. 

Birmingham. 

Huutsville, 

Camden. 



Township 3 
Township 3 
Township 3 
Township 3 
Township 2 
Township 2 



Buena Vista, Township 2 
Rushville. Township 2 



Browning. 
Hickory, 
Frederick, 
Bainbridge, 

Woodstock, 



Township 2 
Township 2 
Township 1 
Township 1 
Township 1 



Tile two townships last 



North, 
North, 
North, 
North, 
North. 
North. 
North, 
North, 
North. 
North. 
North, 
North. 
North, 
named 



Range 
Range 
Range 
Range 
Range 
Range 
Range 
Range 
Range 
Range 2 
Range 1 
Range 1 
Range 2 
have frac 



West 
West 
West 
West 
West 
West 
West 
West 
East 
East 
East 
West 
West 
tional 



parts lying south' of the base line, and Iwunded 
by the Illinois River and Crooked Creek. 

Under the plan of township organization, as 
effected in 1854, Schuyler County has continued 
to be governed and the Supervisors are elected 
for a term of two years, six townships electing 
one year and seven the next. 



CHAPTER IX. 



LAND TITLES— SURVEYS AND SUR- 
VEYORS. 



METHODS UNDER FRENCH AND BRITISH CONTROIj — 
ORIGIN OF LAND TITLES IN AMERICA FRAUDU- 
LENT LAND GRANTS — DATS OF BRITISH RULE A 

DISCREDITED INDIAN LAND GRANT OF 1773 

LAND TITLES MADE A POLITICAL ISSUE IN ILLI- 
NOIS IN 1828 THE MILITARY TRACT BOUNTY 

LANDS ORIGINAL SURVEY' MADE IN SCHUY'LER 

COUNTY IN 1815-17 LITIGATION OVER LAND 

TITLES — STATE LAWS PASSED TO MAKE TITLES 
VALID — LOCATION OF RECORDS SYSTEM OF GOV- 
ERNMENT SURVEY' — EARLY SURVEYORS AND 

HARDSHIPS THEY MET ERRORS IN ORIGINAL 

SURVEY'S PERPETUATING MONUMENTS SWAMP 

LANDS — SURVEYS AND SALES — PLANS FOR DRAIN- 
AGE AND PRESENT CONDITIONS. 

In taking up the subject of land titles, it will 
be of interest, and not a little historical worth, 
to consider how the title to the rich country of 
Illinois passed successively from France to Eng- 
land and to the United States, and finally to 
the individual owner. To do this it will be nec- 
essary to go back to the period of discovery, when 
Columbus opened to the Old World the myste- 
rious and inviting treasures of the West. It was 
in that period "the right of discovery" was ac- 
cepted as a settled policy among European na- 
tions. Each country was eager to possess a por- 
tion of the new world, and the basis of their 
claims during the century following was "the 
right of discovery." While the title to the land 
was nominally vested in the Indians who were 
in possession, it was regarded as subordinate to 
"the right of discovery," inasmuch as the mon- 
archs of the old world claimed and exercised the 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



649 



right to grant the soil while yet in possession of 
the natives, subject to treaty purchases. This 
policy was universally acquiesced in, and it gave 
to each country absolute control of the land titles, 
and the Indians were permitted to sell or trans- 
fer it to the discoverers, and to no others. 

France laid claim to the whole Valley of the 
Mississippi by right of discovery. Under the 
accepted European policy her title was perfect 
until 1763. when, as the result of the defeat of 
Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham, the region 
embracing Illinois and other States afterwards 
formed from the Northwest Territory, was ceded 
to England. To preserve to the crown this rich 
territory George III., on October 7, 17G3. issued 
a proclamation stating that no Governor or com- 
mander-in-chief was authorized to grant war- 
rants of survey or pass patents, as the lands, 
which had not been ceded to or purchased by 
the government, would be reserved for the In- 
dians. English residents were also strictly for- 
bidden to make any purchase from the Indians 
without license from the crown. 

Notwithstanding this proclamation, deeds were 
made by the Kaskaskia and Cahokia Indians on 
July 7, 1773, and by the Piankesbaw tribe on 
October 18, 1 T7o, the latter grant extending from 
a point opposite the Missouri River to Chicago, 
and including the greater portion of the present 
State of Illinois. After the United States had 
acquired title to the land in Illinois by the 
treaty with England, dated July 20, 17S3, an ef- 
fort was made to sustain the Indian grants in 
the courts. The case was passed upon by the 
United States Supreme Court, Chief Justice John 
Marshall presiding, and it was there maintained 
"that discovery gave an exclusive right to ex- 
tinguish the Indian title to occupancy, either by 
purchase or conquest : and gave also a right to 
such a degree of sovereignty as the circumstances 
of the people will allow them to exercise." This 
decision being final, all claims under the Indian 
deeds were abandoned. The United States fur- 
ther perfected its title to the lands of Illinois 
and the Northwest Territory, by securing from 
the States of New York, Massachusetts, Con- 
necticut and Virginia, a release of all their 
interests under patents from the crown of Eng- 
land, thereby making the United States land- 
patent one of clear title from the time of dis- 
covery. 

That gross frauds were committeed in the 
assignment of land titles in the early years of 



the ocupancy of the State by the United States 
Territorial Governors is a matter of record. The 
most notorious of these was a grant made by 
Lieutenant-Colonel Wilkins, Governor and Com- 
mandant over the Illinois country during the 
period of British occupancy. One grant of 36,000 
acres was made to his personal friends, and the 
claim was confirmed and United States patents 
issued them by Gov. St. Clair, while Illinois was 
a part of the Northwest Territory, and the title 
was afterwards ratified by Congress. In writing 
of this incident, one of the early historians re- 
marks : "The office of Governor in Illinois might 
have been, and probably was (laying principle 
aside), more lucrative in former times than at 
present." 

The question of land titles was first raised as 
a political issue in 1S20 during the administra- 
tion of Gov. Edwards, and it was one of such 
apparent importance or necessity, that it had no 
opposition, even though it afterwards proved a 
hollow sham. 

When the State Legislature met in the session 
of 1826-27, a resolution was offered memorializ- 
ing Congress to reduce the price of public lands. 
This awakened the interest of Gov. Edwards, 
who, in a message to the Legislature, recom- 
mended that the State ask the Government to 
relinquish the public lands, which would be sold 
to actual settlers, the State to maintain the cost 
of the land offices, and pay to the Government 
twenty-five cents for each acre sold. The Leg- 
islative committee, to which the communication 
was referred, went the governor one better, and 
reported a resolution asking for the uncondi- 
tional surrender to the State of all government 
land. 

Gov. Edwards was not heard from again on 
the public land question at that session of the 
Legislature, but he was far from vanquished, as 
later developments show. Realizing that the 
question of government lands was one that 
might be used to popular advantage, he made a 
master stroke. In his message to the Legisla- 
ture of 182S he laid down the general principle 
that the public lands could not be controlled by 
the Government, as they were the property of 
the State. Voluminous argument was offered by 
Gov. Edwards in support of this proposition. It 
was contended that the United States Government 
was exceeding its rights under the constitution in 
retaining control of the lands in a sovereign 
State, and that the true title was vested in the 



650 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



State. This was a bold position on an entirely 
new Question in Illinois, and the members of the 
Legislature sought to share the honors with the 
Governor by giving it their almost unanimous 
support. It was not long until the illusion of the 
Slate ownership of public lands was dispelled, 
and the resourceful Governor was the only one 
that profited thereby for the presentation of the 
question had proved a serious embarrassment 
to his enemies and brought peace among the 
warring factions in the Legislature. It goes to 
show, however, that political intrigue was not 
unknown to the pioneer politicians, and that they 
were resourceful in formulating issues, to attain 
their ambitions. 

Land titles in Schuyler County are founded on 
an act of Congress, passed May 6, 1812. which 
set apart as bounty lands for the soldiers of the 
War of 1812, that portion of the State lying be- 
tween the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, and 
extending to the northern boundary of Township 
Fifteen North of the Base Line, which now di- 
vides Mercer and Rock Island Counties. This 
wedge-shape area of land was ninety miles wide 
at its northern boundary, and extended south 
16ft miles, and it has since been known in his- 
tory as the Military Tract. [See Military Tract, 
in encyclopedia portion of this work.] 

Before this land could be allotted, it was nces- 
sary to make a survey, anil it was not until Oc- 
tober, 1817, that patents were issued to the sol- 
diers. Every volunteer in the War of 1N12 who 
served an enlistment of nine months was en- 
titled to a quarter-section of land, and the own 
ership of this garden spot of Illinois thus came 
into possession of men who regarded the laud 
of little worth, and did not cave to leave their 
homes in the East lor the privations of the fron- 
tier. And so it was. that land patents in the 
Military Tract were traded as boys swap jack- 
knives, '•sight unseen." The records show that 
many of the soldiers disposed of their land even 
before the allotment was made, by granting 
power of attorney to others to receive Hie patent. 
In this manner the greater portion of the land 
was secured by wily speculators and land com- 
panies, and the consequent result was that set- 
tlement in this territory was retarded and liti- 
gation as to land titles frequent. In the early 
'twenties, settlements began to be made in the 
Military Trait, and many of the pioneers, after 
making improvements and breaking the new 
ground, had to give way, and to relinquish their 



land to others who produced a United States 
patent as their title. Then. too. many of the 
eastern speculators who had large bodies of land, 
would not sell to the settlers, anticipating that 
the development of the country would add to 
their land values. To reach this particular class, 
the Illinois Legislature passed laws taxing non- 
resideut land-owners, and by thus burdening their 
land with taxes, make them more willing to sell. 

Gov. Ford, in his "History of Illinois." says: 
"A very bad state of feeling existed toward the 
non-resident land owners; the timber on their 
land was considered free plunder, to be cut and 
swept away by every comer ; the owners brought 
suits for damages, but where the witnesses and 
jurors were all on one side, justice was forced 
to go with them. The non-residents at last be- 
thought themselves of employing and sending out 
ministers of the gospel, to preach to the people 
against the sin of stealing, or hooking timber, as 
it was called. These preachers each had a dis- 
trict or circuit of country assigned to them, and 
were paid by the sermon ; but I have never 
learned that the non-resident landowners suc- 
ceeded any better in protecting their property by 
the gospel, than they did at law." 

As a matter of protection to the actual set- 
tlers, and to make good their title to the land 
occupied, the Illinois Legislature in the early 
'thirties passed what are known as "The Quiet- 
ing Title Acts." Under these acts, valid deeds 
could lie secured to land sold for taxes by seven 
years' possession and paying taxes on same, and 
much of the land in Schuyler County was ac- 
quired under such titles. 

The first records of laud titles in Schuyler 
County were made at Edwardsville, where the 
original government land patents were recorded. 
Afterwards, when the State capital was located 
at Vandalia. the records of government patents 
and transfers were made there, and the original 
State records are now in the vault of the Schuy- 
ler County Circuit Clerk, but for convenience in 
reference the county records have been tran- 
scribed in a separate volume. Other early records 
of transfers in Schuyler are recorded in Pike 
County, which, prior to 1S23, included all of the 
Military Tract. 

By the system of tract indexes in use in this 
county, all the transfers to any parcel of land 
can be readily determined by an examination of 
the records and a true abstract of title obtained. 

During the years that this country was a col- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



651 



ony of England, land was granted, sold and 
described by metes and bounds, and tbis system 
is still in vogue in tbe Eastern States ; but ow- 
ing to the liability of monuments to be oblit- 
erafed, and tbe constant variation of the mag- 
netic needle, tbe system was looked upon witb 
disfavor by tbe founders of our Government wben 
they were called upon to divide tbe Northwestern 
Territory and arrange tor a system of govern- 
ment survey. 

A committee of the Continental Congress, of 
which Thomas Jefferson was Chairman, was ap- 
pointed to draft a system of government survey, 
and their first report was made May 7, 17S4. It 
was first decided to divide the public lands into 
parcels one hundred miles square, to be sub- 
divided into lots one mile square, but this report 
was amended April 2<i, ITS,"., and surveyors were 
required to divide the territory into townships, 
seven miles square, aud sub-divided into sec- 
tions one mile square. The ordinance as finally 
passed, however, on May 20. 1785, provided for 
townships six miles square, containing thirty- 
six sections of one mile square, aud the first sur- 
vey of public lands was made under this system, 
which is in use at the present time. 

After this system of government survey was 
inaugurated, it was found necessary to establish 
corrected Meridian Lines, owing to the conver- 
gence of exactly due north lines as they proceed 
toward the North pole, and to insure greater 
accuracy and aid in description, Base Lines were 
run at right angle to the True Meridian. 

All the land in the Military Tract is sur- 
veyed with reference to the Fourth Principal 
Meridian, which intersects the Rase Line in 
Schuyler County about one-half mile south of 
tbe Beardstown wagon bridge. In describing 
lands, tbe townships are referred to as east or 
west of the Fourth Principal Meridian, according 
to their numerical relation, and in the same man- 
ner their position north of the Base Line is 
designated. Then, again, each township is di- 
vided into thirty-six sections, numbered consec- 
utively, first from right to left, beginning on the 
first tor northern) tier of sections in the north- 
east corner of tbe township; then alternating 
fmni left to right on the second tier, tbe third 
ami fifth tiers being numbered in the same direc- 
tion as tbe first, and the fourth and sixth (or 
even tiers) like the second — thus making it pos- 
sible to give a concise and accurate description 
of parcels of land by tbe numbering of sections, 



within specified townships whose location may 
be determined by reference to the Meridian and 
Base Line. This system of land surveying is 
theoretically perfect, but when it came to prac- 
tical operation, it was found impossible to make 
each township exactly six miles square, and the 
same held true in the division of the townships 
into sections. To remedy this in part, correc- 
tion lines were run, which accounts for the jogs 
on section corners, and, in the subdivision of 
the townships, the surveyors had instructions to 
place the excess or deficiency in the north and 
west tier of sections. 

After tbe lands of the Military Tract were set 
apart as bounty commissions for the soldiers of 
the War of 1812, a survey was ordered. It was 
the intention to locate the Base Line for the 
Military Tract on the fortieth parallel, but an 
error in the computation fixed it one and a half 
miles to the north, and the mistake was not 
discovered until all tin- land had been laid off. 
Alter the Base Line and Fourth Principal Meri- 
dian were established, government contracts were 
let for the division iuto townships and, later, 
other contracts for the subdivision into sections. 
From the record of the original government 
surveys, we find that the first township sur- 
veys iu Schuyler County were begun in Novem- 
ber, 1S15, and the work continued for two years. 
J. Milton Moore and Enoch Moore, afterwards 
prominent citizens of Monroe County, had a 
large contract for surveys, as did also John I». 
Whitesides, afterwards a General in tbe Black 
Hawk War and State Treasurer. 

At this time all the country north of the Il- 
linois River was in possession of the Indians, 
ami the surveyors labored under many hard- 
Ships. Most of tbe work was done during tbe 
winter months, when the streams and swampy 
prairie land was frozen, ami at that season there 
was less danger from roving Indians, who 
looked with suspicion upon the invasion of their 
hunting grounds by tbe white man. Of the 
early surveyors in the county John McKee is 
the only one who lost his life in the service. 
He was killed by the Indians in what is now 
Brown County iu 1815, and McKee Creek was 
named by his associates in his honor. 

In making tbe contract for surveys the Gov- 
ernment paid its surveyors by the mile, and the 
natural result was they sacrificed accuracy for 
speed, which accounts for the many errors that 
have since l n noted in the resurveys. The 



652 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUXTY. 



original government survey, however, is the one 
recognized by the courts, and all resurveys must 
be made in conformity thereto, notwithstanding 
the error is apparent. 

It will be interesting to note a few of the 
most apparent of these mistakes in the govern- 
ment surveys, which no doubt have mystified 
the land-owner who looks upon surveying as an 
exact science. A story told by one of the County 
Surveyors well illustrates this point. He had 
labored' long and diligently in establishing a gov- 
ernment line, with its deviations, crooks and 
turns, when finally one of the irate land-owners 
turned upon him and exclaimed: "See here! I 
want to know if you are not sworn to survey this 
tract by running straight lines." The weary sur- 
veyor, whose patience had already been sorely 
tried, turned upon him and, in his wrath, replied : 

"No. by G ; I'm swore to make just as many 

mistakes as the infernal government surveyor, 
who laid out this tract." 

It was intended that the Base Line should be 
a reckoning point for all other surveys, and it 
was supposed to have been accurately laid off. 
but, running west from the intersection with the 
Fourth Principal Meridian, there is a decided 
crook on the south side of Section thirty-four in 
Bainbridge Township. In the original survey of 
Bainbridge Township, none of the east and west 
section lines were accurately run. althou-ch they 
are platted iu the notes, and this accounts for 
the in. my crooked lines in that township. The 
government surveyors likewise reported full sec- 
tions, when a resurvey shows that the quarter- 
sections lying next to the Base Line in sections 
thirty-two. thirty -three and thirty-four in Bain- 
bridge Township contain only one hundred 
acres. The opposite condition exists in Birming- 
ham Township, where we find the northwest 
quarter of Section 6 contains 270 acres. 

Browning Township is another section where 
the mistakes of the government surveyors are 
apparent in crooked section lines. In the origi- 
nal work the surveyors lost twenty rods at the 
southwest quarter of Section 4. and continued the 
error to the south line of the township. A simi- 
lar mistake was made in surveying the west 
portion of the county, which resulted in locating 
the southwest quarter of Camden Township forty 
rods too far north. In Hickory Township, on the 
southeast quarter of Section IS, the surveyors 
lost entirely a tract of land which includes 29.31 
acres. No record of this land exists, it is not 



listed in the tax books, and apparently it has no 
government title, but it has been occupied and 
farmed for the last fifty years. In an effort to 
establish a title the matter was brought before 
the Government Land Office, but as there was 
no record of such land existing in the original 
field notes, nothing could be done and the present 
owner has obtained title by possession alone. 

These and a multitude of lesser errors in the 
original surveys, have made the work of the 
County Surveyor extremely difficult, as he must 
take the government survey as a basis for his 
work. The fact that this county was heavily 
timbered and that witness trees were clearly 
defined monuments to the corners, has facili- 
tated the work of the resurveys, but in many 
localities there now exists a decided variation 
between the commonly accepted property lines 
and the government survey. The statute of 
limitations has fixed these division lines, even 
though at variance with the government survey, 
and the County Surveyor must be governed there- 
by, which adds to the errors already on record 
in the original field notes. 

Even after the old government corners have 
been relocated from witness trees, it is a diffi- 
cult matter to perpetuate them, especially if they 
are in the highway, for the road workers are 
ruthless destroyers of all such monuments. Prob- 
ably ten per cent, of the old government witness 
trees are still standing in Schuyler County, and 
the greater portion of all quarter section corners 
have been accurately located, and all that is now 
required is that these monuments be preserved 
together with the witness trees that have been 
marked by the County Surveyor. 

In following descriptions from deeds as well 
as in relocating original lines, the surveyor finds 
that he must exercise to a considerable extent, 
certain judicial functions. He usually takes the 
place of both judge and jury, and acting as ar- 
biter between adjoining proprietors, decides both 
the law and the facts in regard to their boundary 
lines. He does this not because of any right or 
authority he may possess, but because the inter- 
ested parties voluntarily submit their differences 
to him, as an expert in such matters, preferring 
to abide by his decision rather than to go to 
law about it. But sometimes the surveyor is 
asked to interpret deeds that would puzzle a 
Supreme Court Justice. To illustrate, we produce 
the following deed, copied from the records in 
the Circuit Clerk's office : "All that part of 




<7M^ £ '(/M^tUc^ 




HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



653 



the N. W. % ."..">. 3 N. 1 YV. as lies east of and 
upon a branch running from the north into Mc- 
Kee branch, the west line to be west and adjoin- 
ing where said Harris has cleared and piled up 
rails, and between the improvements of said 
Harris and James Abbott on the said quarter, 
the same part to be conveyed, being supposed to 
leave ninety acres from off the east side of said 
quarter." 

SWAMP LAND SURVEYS. 

The last government survey of lands in Schuy- 
ler County was made in the year 18.42-4:'., when 
the swamp lands along the Illinois River and 
creeks tributary thereto were platted. D. A. 
Spaulding was the Surveyor-in-chief, and he 
asked permission of the government officials to 
correct the many apparent errors in the original 
survey, but he received peremptory orders to 
make his survey in accordance with the field-notes 
furnished. This was anything but pleasing to a 
man of Mr. Spaulding's ability, who, if given 
an opportunity, would have straightened out the 
crooked lines in Bainbridge. Frederick, Brown- 
ing and Hickory Townships. As it was, he fol- 
lowed the crooks and turns of the old original 
survey, even when the meander lines of the Il- 
linois River mounted the tops of the high bluffs. 

The swamp lands surveyed and platted by 
Spaulding were turned over to the State, and 
by legislative enactment in force June 22, 1852, 
these same lands came into possession of the 
county. On September 3, 1855, the first public 
sale of swamp land was made, and prices ranged 
as low as ten cents an acre. It was thought that 
better prices could be secured if an effort was 
made to drain the lands and, in 1S57, Leonidas 
Horney was appointed Drainage Commissioner. 
At the meeting of the Board of Supervisors on 
May 20, 1857, he made a report advocating the 
drainage of several tracts, claiming that they 
could thereby be increased in value five hundred 
per cent., which would well pay the county as 
an investment. In accordance with this recom- 
mendation a contract was let, September lit. 
1857, which specified the following tracts sub- 
ject to drainage: Sections 17 and 32, Brooklyn; 
Section 32, Bainbridge; Section 3, Frederick; 
Sections 24 and 25, Browning ; and Sections 14, 
17 and 19, Hickory. This drainage contract cost 
the county $1,137, and was followed by others 
equally as large. Whether the results secured 
justified the expenditure, we have been unable 



to determine. Swamp land continued to be sold, 
however, until some years after the war, and 
many of the first purchasers realized handsome 
profits on their investments. 

Drainage Schemes — 1'kesent Conditions — ■ 
In the following supplementary pages will be 
found a more detailed history of the swamp 
lands and their present condition : 

The reclaiming of the overflowed lands of 
Schuyler County to cultivation forms an inter- 
esting chapter in the industrial development of 
the agricultural resources of the county, and the 
history of the movement is but little known. 

The land originally designated "swamp land" 
along the Illinois River and Crooked Creek, were 
not listed for entry in the government land of- 
fices at the time the Military Tract was thrown 
open for settlement, and it was not until 1842 
that the tracts were surveyed and platted. This 
work was done by David A. Spaulding, under di- 
rection of the Department of the Interior, and 
by act of Congress, under date of September 28, 
1S50, these lands were patented to the State of 
Illinois. By an act of the Legislature the title 
of the swamp lands was placed in the county 
where said lands were located, and they were 
soon afterward disposed of at public sale. 

Schuyler County in this manner obtained own- 
ership of 4,344.81 acres of swamp (or over- 
flowed) lands, and on December 9, 1853, Charles 
Neill was appointed Drainage Commissioner by 
the Board of Supervisors. The land was divided 
into three classes, and a basis of valuation fixed 
by the Board. Land in the first class was valued 
at 90 cents an acre; second class, 50 cents, and 
third class, 10 cents, and the first public sale of 
the lauds was held September •".. 1855. 

On March 12, 185G, Leonidas Horney was ap- 
pointed Drainage Commissioner, and the Board 
of Supervisors voted to apply .$2,000 derived from 
the sale of swamp lands, to the county jail fund, 
which was in need of replenishing on account 
of the erection of a new county building. 

Under direction of Mr. Horney a survey was 
made of the swamp lauds owned by the county, 
and in a report made by the Commissioner to 
the Supervisors, under date of March 12, 1860, 
it is shown that $1,015.94 was expended for this 
purpose. At this meeting of the board, $500 from 
the swamp land fund was ordered turned into 
the County School Fund, and apportioned among 
the several townships. 

Charles Neill was again appointed Drainage 



654 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Commissioner, March 13, 1862, and the report 
made at that meeting of the hoard showed that 
there yet remained unsold 1.700 acres, and the 
amount of $708.48 in the sawinp land fund was 
ordered used for general county purposes. In 
after years all of this land was disposed of, and 
even the third class land, which was valued in 
1856 at 10 ceuts an acre, and which is today 
largely covered with Mater, sells for from $15 to 
$25 an acre, and is used for hunting and fishing 
purposes. 

The first determined effort to reclaim a large 
oody of the rich alluvian land in Schuyler County 
by means of levees and internal drainage, was 
made in the fall of 1896, when the Coal CreeU 
Drainage and Levee District was formed under 
the laws of Illinois. Messrs. Christie & Lowe, 
two Chicago contractors, secured by purchase of 
the owners in this county some 5,000 acres of 
land in lower Bainbridge Township, and they 
formed a drainage district, which included about 
T.oiiii acres. This tract is hounded on the east 
by the Illinois River, and in its natural state 
was cut through the center by Coal Creek. In 
the development of the drainage scheme, the 
river was held back by a levee that extended 
from the mouth of Coal Creek to the railroad 
embankment below r Frederick, and Coal Creek 
was deflected >to a channel outside the levee 
district on the west. A large pumping plant 
was erected at the lower end of the district, but 
the overflow of Coal (reek at flood seasons has 
rendered futile the efforts of the promoters to 
reclaim this rich land to cultivation, and for 
live years past, it has been practically aban- 
doned. Xew impetus has lately been given to 
the enterprise, and the District Commissioners 
arc now planning to spend $40,000 in additional 
improvements to control the flood water of Coal 
Creek and provide internal improvements., 

A second drainage and levee district was or- 
ganized in the same township this year, and at 
the May term of the County Court the Crane 
Creek Drainage and Levee District was created, 
and George Hanna, 11. V. Teel and Henry Kirk- 
ham were named as Commissioners. This dis- 
trict Includes about .".nun acres, and the plan 
is to carry Crane Creek outside the district, and 
levee against the Illinois River and Crooked 
• 'reek. Work will commence as soon as the pre- 
liminary court proceedings are completed. 



CHAPTER X. 



PIONEER LIFE. 



HARDSHIPS AND PRIVATIONS ENCOUNTERED BY 
THE EARLY SETTLER — WHENCE HE CAME AND 
ROUTES OF TRAVEL — ST. LOUIS THE NEAREST 
CASH MARKET — NEAREST POSTOFFICE AND PHYSI- 
CIAN IMPORTANCE OF THE RIFLE IN PIONEER 

LIFE — BEE-HINTING AS A SOURCE OF REVENUE 

EARLY INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESS ENTERPRISES 

FIRST SETTLERS SHUN THE PRAIRIES — FIRST 
STEAMER ASCENDS THE ILLINOIS IN 182S FARM- 
ING AS THE FIRST INDUSTRY FURS AND PELT- 
RIES AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR MONEY — EARLY - FARM 
IMPLEMENTS — METHODS OF CULTIVATION AND 
HARVESTING OF CROPS — DAYS OF THE CORN 
GBATEE AND WOODEN MORTAR — WHERE THE FIRST 
MILLS WERE LOCATED — PART BORNE BY THE PIO- 
NEER WOMEN IN EARLY DOMESTIC AND INDUS- 
TRIAL LIFE — TWO TYPES OF SOCIETY — SPORTS AND 

PASTIMES AN EARLY WEDDING AND THE IN- 

FAIR — COMING OF THE PREACHER AND DAYS OF 
THE CAMP-MEETING. 

It is a matter of common knowledge that the 
present generation knows but little of the labors, 
the privations, the hardships and the countless 
dangers dared by the pioneers who first settled 
and improved Schuyler County. Their struggle 
with natural conditions was enough to try the 
most courageous and the most hopeful, and that 
they did succeed and did triumph, goes to show 
they were animated by a mighty zeal, and sus- 
tained by a backing of the toughest moral fiber. 

Too often in the days of our prosperous times 
we forget how the sturdy pioneeers pushed into 
the wilderness of the Military Tract, even while 
the Indian yet roamed over the country, and 
built their cabins along what was then known 
as tlie northwestern frontier. They came from 
the settlements of Xew England, from the middle 
ami southeastern coast Stales, and from the 
border lands of Kentucky and Missouri, and met 
on common ground as countrymen and neighbors. 

There were two great routes of communication 
open to Schuyler County in those early days, 
(in,, was by means of the overland trail, which 
wound its devious way southward across the 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



655 



Illinois River, and then eastward to Terre Haute. 
The other was by way of the Illinois River, and 
many of the settlers from Missouri and Ken- 
tucky chose this route. 

Under the most favorable conditions, it was a 
dreary, tiresome journey, fraught with many 
dangers and privations, especially by the over- 
land route, where the only road was a trail 
through the prairie, and where streams had to 
be forded at all seasons of the year, save dur- 
ing the winter season, when crossing was made 
on the ice. Yet hundreds so came, even from 
distant Xew England, Texas and North Carolina. 

Even after the toilsome and perilous journey 
was made in safety, great courage was required 
to brave the dangers and trials incident to build- 
ing a home in the trackless wilds. The life of 
the pioneer — and by this we mean the noble 
women as well as the men — was one of unceasing 
vigilance and activity. It involved every possi- 
ble danger from exposure, illness or accident, and 
called for the highest quality of courage and en- 
durance. To some, no doubt, the element of 
constant adventure was a great inducement to 
settle here, and fully were they realized : and. 
even after the country began to fill with home- 
seekers, we find thai love of adventure, yet un- 
satisfied, stirred some of the early settlers to 
move farther westward onto the new frontier. 

It is a well known sociological fact that hu- 
mans are molded by environment and the rug- 
ged life, and the scenes of the primitive wilder- 
ness, inculcated in the pioneers courage, patience, 
self-reliance and an abiding faith in God. They 
were, in brief, an intelligent, honest and hardy 
race. Their private virtues were hospitality. 
courage and fidelity, their public virtues were 
patriotism, love of order and readiness for the 
most arduous public service, and the stamp of 
their qualities, modified by the lapse of years, 
may still be observed. « 

In that first year in the county, the little col- 
ony of settlers, less than two score in number, 
must have been depressed by the solitude of the 
wilderness that everywhere surrounded them. 
Distances were mighty and means of communi- 
cation slow and laborious. The nearest market 
was St. Louis: the nearest blacksmith shop at 
Carrollton : the nearest postoffiee, Sangamon, 
sixty miles away, and the only physician known 
to the settlers lived at Diamond Grove, m tr 
where Jacksonville is now located. It lias been 
said by some Illinois historians that ague became 



a habit with the early pioneers, and that the 
only medicine known or prescribed in the settle- 
ment was calomel and whisky, with an occasional 
blood-letting when a physician was called. As 
for luxuries, there were none; and ceaseless, 
toilsome labor was the only pastime, if we ex- 
cept hunting. 

The rifle was an important adjunct in the 
equipment of the pioneer, and for many years 
after their arrival, the forest supplied the set- 
tlers with the greater part of their subsistence. 
Furs and peltry were the circulating medium of 
the country, and they had little else to give 
in exchange. Constant practice, and the fact 
that their means of support depended upon it. 
made every man a marksman. In those pioneer 
days, each gun was hand-made, and while they 
look crude compared with the perfect mechanical 
excellence of the present day, they were often- 
times costly weapons, for the hunters took pride 
in their guns and had them made to their special 
order. 

Another source of revenue that the pioneers 
were quick to take advantage of, was bee-hunt- 
ing. This was followed as a regular business by 
some of the young unmarried meu. and, during 
the year 1N2.", a joint company, composed of 
Thomas Heard. Samuel Gooch and Orris Mc- 
Cartney, shipped twenty-seven barrels of strained 
honey to St. Louis, in addition to a large quantity 
of wax. Bees were then so abundant that it was 
no unusual thing to find ten swarms in one day. 
and the yield ran as high as thirty to forty 
gallons per tree, but such a rind was an unusual 
one. This product found a ready market in 
St. Louis and was one of the main sources of 
supplying the early home seekers with the neces- 
sities of life. 

Rafting logs, staves and hoop-poles down the 
Illinois River to the St. Louis market was an- 
other of the early business enterprises of pioneer 
days which yielded good returns, and it was 
continued long after the country became thickly 
settled. The great majority of the early settlers 
shunned the rich, flat prairie land, now the very 
finest in Illinois, because it was wet and "boggy." 
and in looking for an ideal location for a home, 
chose the timbered country. Here many years 
of their lite were spent in clearing off the heavy 
timber and grubbing stumps in their cultivated 
Belds. Rut while thus engaged in clearing their 
homestead, they were getting a little ready money 
from the sale of logs and staves, and the cooper 



656 



HISTOKY OF SCHXYLEK COUXTY. 



shops gave employment to men who otherwise 
would not have been able to establish a home 
of their own. 

It was not until 1828 that the first steamboat 
came up the Illinois River to Beardstown from 
St. Louis, but in the years preceding that the set- 
tlers carried on a regular traffic with St. Louis, 
which was in fact their only market. The young 
men of the settlement looked forward with great 
glee to the trip down the river on the log-rafts 
and keel-boats, and it had a fascination sufficient 
to cause many of them to leave the settlement 
and engage in rafting as a business. It was a 
rough, hard life, full of danger and privations, 
but the sturdy youths were accustomed to no 
other mode of living, and chose it in preference 
to the routine work of the farm. 

Farming was engaged in by all the settlers, 
as their purpose in coming here was to establish 
permanent homes, but during the early years 
of their occupancy, the products of the farm 
were almost worthless, save for home consump- 
tion. The ground was easily cultivated and the 
yield abundant, but there was no cash market 
for grain and vegetables of any kind. Corn was 
valued in trade at five cents a bushel, and oats 
were so abundant nobody wanted them. Good 
cows, with calves at their side, sold for $8, and 
hogs ran wild in the woods and were hunted like 
other wild game. Money there was none, and, 
as we have said before, the circulating medium 
of the country consisted of furs and peltry. 

Cultivating the soil and harvesting the crops 
was accomplished with the crudest implements, 
and the work was all done by hand. The first 
plows used were made with an iron share and 
a wooden mold-board, and they were heavy and 
cumbersome. In breaking the native sod, the 
plow was usually drawn by a yoke of oxen, and 
it would throw a furrow from twenty to thirty 
inches wide and three to five inches deep. Corn 
was oftentimes planted in the sod without culti- 
vation, and good crops were thus harvested. 
Grain was (tit with the cradle, bound by hand 
and threshed with a flail of the fanner's own 
manufacture. All the smaller agricultural tools 
were hand-made, and were limited to the hoe, 
rake, spade and pick, and. as a rule, they were 
heavy and unwieldy, and productive of many 
back-aches for the lads who were called upon to 
do their full share of farm work. At harvest 
time the farmers joined together in garnering 
their crops, and gaiety and good fellowship 



abounded on every hand. The harvesters always 
expected the farmer for whom they worked to 
have a jug of whisky in the field, and it was 
handed about as freely as water. Whisky in 
those days sold for eighteen to twenty cents a 
gallon, and, while there were occasional excesses, 
the pioneers as a rule were not addicted to 
drunkenness. The evolution of mechanical ap- 
pliances on the farm has been so rapid and won- 
derful as almost to exceed belief, and it has 
been accomplished largely within the memory 
of the present generation, many of the older 
residents of the county being familiar with the 
primitive methods by actual experience. 

With no mill less than fifty miles distant, the 
first settlers in the county were dependent upon 
hominy mortars and tin graters for their meal. 
The former was constructed by scooping out a 
dish-like hollow in top of a stump, and di- 
rectly above it suspending a huge wooden pestle 
that was operated by a sweep, much the same as 
used for drawing water. Corn or wheat was 
placed in the improvised mortar and crushed by 
the operation of the suspended pestle. The 
finer particles of corn were thus available for 
meal, and the coarser particles for hominy. Even 
more primitive was the tin-grater, whereby the 
corn in the ear was reduced to edible proportions. 
To meet the growing demands of the settlement, 
Calvin Hobart constructed a band-mill, driven 
by horse-power, which would grind two or three 
bushels of corn an hour. In 1820 another mill 
was erected on the southeast quarter of Section 
17 by Mr. Hobart. and it was successfully oper- 
ated by him for several years. The mill-stones 
were manufactured from boulders found in the 
neighborhood, and while at work dressing down 
the stones, it was necessary to travel six miles 
to the nearest blacksmith shop, where tools could 
be sharpened. This mill was operated for several 
years, and settlers living forty and fifty miles 
to the north, brought their grain to the Hobart 
mill. Some years afterwards, when advantage 
was taken of water-power for the operation of 
mills, the old hand-mills were abandoned, but they 
had served their purpose well, and were a great 
convenience to the early settlers. 

In considering the home life of the early set- 
tlers, the pioneer woman should most surely be 
extolled, for her life was one of hardship and 
self-denial, and building a home in the unde- 
veloped West meant many privations to her that 
did not affect the stronger sex. In the long. 



niSTOKY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



651 



wearisome journey from the Eastern States, only 
the most essential household furnishings were 
brought along, and while some of the settlers 
could boast of a bureau and bedstead, in the 
majority of the early homes even these necessi- 
ties were provided for on the spot. Cooking 
stoves were unknown, and all the baking and 
cooking was done in the big fire-place that was 
built in one end of the cabin. Here the venison 
and fowl were roasted on a spit, and hoe-cakes 
were baked on the hearth, and while the daily 
diet may have been monotonous, the appetite of 
the pioneer needed no coaxing, and cornbread 
and side-meat were relished as a daily fare. 

In addition to her regular household duties, 
the pioneer mother had to "break" the water for 
washing, for no one enjoyed the luxury of a 
cistern ; also make her own soap, and dip or 
mold the candles, and during the summer and 
fall, she dried the fruit for winter use and ren- 
dered out the lard at butchering time. The 
women also brought with them from the eastern 
settlements their spinning wheels, with which 
yarn was made, and it was not long until rude 
looms were improvised to weave cloth. Not 
every cabin, however, in which spinning was done 
had a loom. But there was always someone 
in each settlement, who, besides doing her own 
weaving, did work for others. Nearly all the 
clothes worn by the men and women were home^ 
made. The men and boys wore butternut-colored 
jeans, and linsey-woolsey was a popular fabric 
for both sexes. Deer hides were also tanned, 
and served the men for wearing apparel, and the 
coon-skin caps were much in vogue. During the 
summer season footwear was generally discarded 
entirely, or buckskin moccasins worn, and the 
settlers served as their own shoemakers. After 
the country became more populous, the settle- 
ments were visited regularly by itinerant shoe- 
makers. \\ bo boarded with the settler while he 
worked up the family stock of cow-hide into 
footwear. 

Among the early settlers of Schuyler County 
there existed two distinct types of society. The 
Yankee brought with him the Puritan ideas of 
the East, while the Southerner was of that 
jovial, generous disposition, with a fondness for 
fun and frolic. While this social distinction was 
clearly marked, there was no diminution of the 
neighborly spirit that so perfectly characterized 
the pioneer, and they met together on a plane 
of equality in the social activities of the settle- 



ment. Notwithstanding their cabins were widely 
separated, whenever there was a "house-raising," 
a "log-rolling," or a "husking-bee," the entire 
settlement, including men, women and children, 
took part. And, even though the serious minded 
and deeply reiigious settlers did not join with 
the Southerners in their horse races and revels, 
the conditions of the times demanded that there 
be no serious estrangement, for all were mutually 
dependent upon each other. Individuality counted 
for much more in those days than now, for the 
people were brought into closer contact one with 
another, and were wont to gauge a man's stand- 
ing and capabilities accurately from their own 
observation. As in every new country, physical 
prowess was held in higher esteem than mental 
endowments, and about the fireside the familiar 
topics of conversation were the exploits of the 
chase and of the border warfare. Then, too, in 
all their gatherings, the common amusements 
were wrestling, foot-racing and shooting matches, 
and. when difficulties arose, it was the common 
practice to settle them by personal combat. 

At the "house-raisings" and corn-huskings, the 
women vied with the men in the festivities. 
These gatherings usually ended in a dance, and 
greatly prized in the settlement was the cheerful 
fiddle that enlivened the long winter evenings, 
and relieved the tedium of their lonely life. 
For those who could make music with their fa- 
vorite instrument there was always the heartiest 
welcome, and the choicest seat near the great 
log-fire that supplied alike heat and light. 

A true glimpse of pioneer life is afforded us 
in the following account of the second wedding 
in the county, written by Jonathan D. Manlove, 
one of the early pioneers : 

"In the spring of 182G, Mr. Samuel Green and 
Miss Caroline Trainer were married at the cabin 
of the bride's father, James Trainer, in Littleton 
Township. The cabin was small — say sixteen 
by eighteen. The company was some dozen, be- 
sides the family. There were two beds and a 
table in the house, leaving but little room for the 
guests, 'fbe night was stormy. The chimney 
was but little above the jambs, and the smoke 
found vent in the house. Chairs then were not 
fashionable, and there was no room for them 
if they had been so. All went off well. Plenty 
to eat — venison, turkey, honey and metheglin, 
besides other luxuries. Songs were sung and old- 
fashioned plays were the order of the night ; but, 
as all things come to an end, so did the night. 



658 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



The past was a reality, but the infair was in 
the future, and its events unknown. 

"Readers, did you ever see 'the bottle run for?' 
I have, often ; and on this occasion the first and 
last time in Schuyler. This is the way it is 
done — this case will illustrate : On leaving the 
bride's home for the home of the groom, John 
Green and Mr. McAllister made tracks for the 
residence of the groom's father, Henry Green, 
which was just where Mr. Vail lives above Rush- 
ville. The person who could first reach there 
got the bottle, and in triumph returned to meet 
the delighted party and give them a dram. John 
Green, to use his own language, took a bee-line, 
and was far in advance of his competitor (who 
was not a woodsman), and met the party some 
miles back. When the party arrived it was 
raining, and continued incessantly most of the 
evening and night. The cabin here was smaller 
than the other and the crowd larger." 

In every phase of life the pioneers entered heart- 
ily into the spirit of the occasion, ami while 
their sports and recreation may now seem 
rough and uncouth, the same hearty zeal that 
was noticeable in their pleasures was a predomi- 
nating trait of their religion as well. 

The first settlers were hardly settled in their 
rude log-cabins in 1s_'.".. when the itinerant 
prea her appeared, and. as the settlement in- 
ereased in number, almost every denomination 
was represented by ministers, who, with untiring 
zeal, had consecrated their lives to the Divine 
.Master. As a rule, they were men of little 
education or refinement, but they possessed the 
earnestness of deep conviction, and their pas- 
sionate utterances moved the people mightily. In 
their travels, which sometimes included a cir- 
cuit of fifty or sixty miles, they married the 
lovers, baptized the converted, christened the 
children and spoke words of consolation above 
the still forms of the dead. 

But it was at the camp-meetings that their 
greatest power was shown, and. with fiery zeal, 
they enthused the multitude. These meetings 
often lasted for a week or more, and were held 
in the open air beneath the big forest trees. Here 
such intellectual giants as Peter Cartwright were 
often heard, and as often a whole community 
was wrought up and converted by the unmeas- 
ured force that leaped from uneducated, un- 
polished backwoods preachers. These men were 
tyt.es of a civilization that, in the rapidly chang- 
ing and marvelous development of the country. 



has passed away ; but their influence in guiding 
public sentiment and action aright in that forma- 
tive period can hardly be overestimated. 



CHAPTER XI. 



INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. 



SOME PIONEER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN 
SCHUYLER COUNTY — HAT AND CHAIR FACTORIES 
TANNERIES AND IMPORTANCE OF THEIR PRO- 
DUCTS TO THE EARLY - SETTLER — FIRST CARDING 
MILL IN RUSnVILLE A WAGON FACTORY ESTAB- 
LISHED IN THE EARLY" 'FORTIES — THE RAMSEY- 
FLOURING MILL THE COOPERING INDUSTRY' — 

WOOLEN MILLS. KNITTING AND SPINNING FAC- 
TORY — ERR K-MAKING CIGAR FACTORIES COAL 

MINING A PROSPECTIVE INDUSTRY — FISHERIES 
AND THEIR PRODUCTS — MANUFACTURES FROM 
MUSSEL-SHELLS A GROWING INDUSTRY. 

While agriculture, as the method of securing 
means of support for the pioneer and his family, 
was necessarily the first industry receiving at- 
tention of tiie early settlers of Schuyler County, 
yet in the decade beginning witli 1830, we find 
that many small mercantile industries flourished 
in Rusbville, and it will be interesting to review 
the history of the most important ones. 

A. La Croix established a hat factory on what 
is now known as the B. C. Gilliam property, in 
the early 'thirties, and for many years, main- 
tained a flourishing business. 

William Sneider's chair factory, established 
about the same time, was located near where H. 
B. Roach's residence now stands. There was 
a good demand for household furnishings at that 
time, as the pioneers were prospering, and they 
had brought little if any furniture with them 
to the settlement. The Sneider chairs were of the 
split-bottom, hickory kind, but were substan- 
tially made, and there are a few of them to be 
found in Rusbville today, and. perchance, be- 
decked with white enamel and a velvet cushion, 
and occupying a place of honor in the front 
parlor 

There were cabinet-makers in those early 




^tr/j^v , O . /j^^T-JLtf 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY, 



659 



days who also turned out furniture that now, 
after a lapse of seventy-five years, is brought 
out from the garrets and refurnished anew. Of 
these cabinet-makers. E. H. O. Seeley is the 
most widely known. He established his business 
in 1S31, on the site of the present brick store 
building owned by his heirs, and it is interesting, 
in this connection, to state that he paid for the 
two corner lots on the public square by making 
a dresser and a set of pigeon-hole postoftiee boxes 
for Hart Fellows. 

Dr. James Blackburn established the first tan- 
nery in the county at Rushville. in 1830, near 
where G. H. Seripps' residence now stands, and 
operated it until 1836, when he sold the prop- 
erty to George Baker and removed to Brooklyn 
to engage in the practice of his profession. 

The tannery business appears to have been a 
profitable one in the early days of the county, 
and there were eight or ten establishments in 
Rushville in the later 'thirties and early 'forties. 
George Baker. George II. Seripps. John Seripps, 
Mr. Kirkham. and Mr. Orendorf are remembered 
by the older citizens as proprietors of tanneries. 
In later days, Philip, William and August Peter 
continued the tanning business on an extensive 
scale, but it was finally abandoned as unprofit- 
able by August and William Peter, about 1880. 

Geer Brothers operated a small shop, near the 
old Peter Fox property, in the early days, for 
the manufacture of horn-combs, but their busi- 
ness was a limited one, and was soon aban- 
doned. 

John Hodge established the first carding mill 
in Rushville. and he brought his machinery here 
from Kentucky. His first mill was located on 
the present site of the Electric Eight building. 
The mill was at first operated as a horse tread- 
mill, and it had a capacity of from 90 to loo 
pounds per day. When first established, the 
standard price for carding wool was a picayune 
(6*4 cts.) a pound, but in war times the price 
was advanced to ten cents a pound. 

.Mr. Hodge also installed a flaxseed crusher, 
and engaged in the manufacture of linseed oil. 
but the business did not prove profitable, as local 
dealers bid up on the seed and imported the 
manufactured product from St. Louis. 

John Whorley became owner of the carding 
mill business in the early 'fifties, and he in- 
stalled the first steam engine used for motive 
power in the county in 1854. This engine and 
boiler was afterwards in use at McCabe's brick 



yard, and has only lately been put out of com- 
mission. 

William H. Hodge learned the carding trade 
under his father, and engaged in the business for 
many years. He dismantled the plant and re- 
tired from the business in 1878. 

The financial depression following the panic 
of 18:i7 had a wide-spreading effect on industrial 
conditions in Illinois, and it was not until ten 
years later that we observe any marked im- 
provement in conditions in Rushville. In that 
year John and Joseph Knowles established their 
wagon-shop in Rushville. and it thrived and 
prospered for nearly fifty years. The business 
was started on a small scale, but grew steadily, 
and, at one time, a force of twenty to twenty- 
five men was employed, and machinery was in- 
stalled lo manufacture all parts of the wagons 
in the local shops. Then came the era of the 
machine-made wagon, and this firm closed out 
its business in 1804 to Corbridge & Glossop, who 
continued the manufacture of hand-made wagons, 
and later the business was merged into a corpora- 
tion known as "The Rushville Wagon and Ma- 
chine Company." 

In this same year what is known as the Ram- 
sey flouring mill was built by Little & Ray. and 
William Hardy was put in charge as superin- 
tendent. Samuel Ramsey afterwards operated 
the mill for many years, and it finally passed 
to the ownership of Kerr Brothers, ami was 
owned by them when it was destroyed by fire. 

From the earliest days of pioneer settlement. 
coopering was one of the industries of Schuyler 
County, and it was a productive source of 
wealth for many of those who engaged in it 
extensively. There was abundance of fine native 
timber, and, as the wooded tracts were settled 
first, coopering came to be regarded as the main 
industry of the settlement. 

Perry Telle was one of these old pioneer coop- 
ers, and we are indebted to him for the facts 
here presented. He says the halcyon days of the 
cooper were from 1844 to 1852, and places the 
number of men engaged in the business in Schuy- 
ler County during that period, at about 1500. 
He says there were -"".no cooper shops in the 
county, and they would easiiy average three men 
to the Shop. 

Good wages were earned by expert i pers, 

as they were paid by the piece. A whisky bar- 
rel that sold for $1.25 netted the cooper o2'.j 
cents, and a good man could make four or five 



660 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



in a day, and some could turn out six. Fifteen 
cents was paid for flour barrels, and an average 
day's work was ten barrels. Then there was 
what was called "nest work." a half barrel, a 
quarter barrel, and a keg, one inside the other. 

Ham barrels, with a capacity of fifty gallons, 
netted the cooper 37% cents each, and slack hogs- 
heads were made for 75 and SO cents each. 

White oak timber was used exclusively for 
pork ami whisky barrels, and red or black oak 
for the other barrels. 

Broom making was another industry of the 
early day that flourished in Schuyler County, 
and broom corn was looked upon as a staple 
crop. With the advancement in agriculture, 
however, farmers found other crops more profit- 
able, and it is now wholly eliminated as a product 
of the county. 

. Industrial disaster, rather than industrial de- 
velopment, would more fitly describe the history 
of the woolen mill business in Rushville, which 
was carried on at intervals between 1S50 and 
1SS7. The private fortunes of several well- 
known Rushville citizens were depleted by their 
connection with this business, which held out 
alluring prospects of success, but always ended 
in financial disaster. 

The pioneers in the woolen mill business in 
Rushville were George Wheelhouse, George 
Weber and John Korstian. who established a 
small plant about 1850. They did spinning and 
weaving for the local trade, and put in the first 
fulling and shearing machines brought to this 
county. The business was continued for a 
number of years and sucessfully managed on a 
small scale. 

In 1807 a local stock company was organized 
to engage in the business on a large scale, and 
the large three-story brick factory building was 
erected that year. The eqipment was modern, 
and the prospects looked bright for the new com- 
mercial industry. Joseph Duncan came from the 
East to act as superintendent, but he was in- 
competent, and within two years the mill shut 
down. 

In 18S0 Dr. N. G. Slack and Albert L. Gavitt 
formed a partnership and refitted the woolen 
mill. They, too, operated for about two years, 
and found the venture a financial burden. 

Again in 1SS4 the mill was reopened, this 
time by a local stock company, and Lester Gor- 
don was placed in charge as superintendent. At 
this time a specialty was made of the manufac- 



ture of shawls, but the business failed to prove 
a financial success, and it was closed out in 
1887 and the mill dismantled, thus ending for all 
time the effort to establish a woolen mill in 
Rushville. 

John Foote came to Rushville in 1876 and 
started a knitting factory, and the business thus 
established is continued by his sons, G. H. and 
Walter Foote. For many years this factory had 
a large output of hosiery, but in late years it has 
been a spinning factory exclusively, and operated 
in connection with a factory owned by Charles 
Foote of Ipava, 111. 

John McCabe, a pioneer in the brick-making 
business in Rushville, first opened his yard here 
in 1SG0. and he continued the business until 1905, 
when he retired. 

The manufacture of cigars is a local industry 
of considerable importance in Rushville, and 
there are now three factories in operation. They 
are owned by Keeling & Sehnur, Guy Grubb and 
Joseph McKee. 

Coal Mining is one of the undeveloped indus- 
tries of Schuyler County, and there are vast 
coal fields adjacent to Rushville that will one 
day furnish employment to hundreds of men. 
Just now coal is mined for the local market 
alone, and at this the total output will aggregate 
some $10,000 to $50,000 annually. Round about 
Rushville and Pleasantview, the coal vein is 
four to five feet thick, and at Littleton a thirty- 
six inch vein is being mined. But with this 
wealth of coal deposits, closely adjacent to a 
line of railroad, there will soon come a time when 
it will be fully developed, and made a source of 
profit to the owners. 

Fisheeies. — The fisheries of Schuyler County 
in the Illinois River and its tributaries are exten- 
sive and profitable, but exact statistics as to the 
business is difficult to obtain. All along the 
river, from Bluff City in Hickory Township to 
Crooked Creek, which tonus the southwestern 
boundary line of the county, there are men en- 
gaged in fishing for a livelihood. During the 
fishing season there are probably two hundred 
men thus engaged, and the value of their catches 
runs into thousands of dollars. The fact that 
Beardstown and Havana are competing fish 
markets, with Browning for the catch in this 
county, makes it difficult to obtain accurate sta- 
tistics. Browning, however, is one of the im- 
portant fish markets on the Illinois River, and 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



661 



in some years more than 1,000,000 pounds of 
fish are marketed there. 

Mussel Fishing — -A rapidly growing industry 
on the Illinois River is mussel fishing, which in 
the past few years, has attracted hundreds of men 
to the work. All along the eastern boundary of 
Schuyler County there are found extensive beds 
of mussels in the Illinois River and. to a lesser 
extent, in Crooked Creek. These mussel beds 
are said to be from eight to ten feet deep, and 
since an economic use has been found for the 
shells in the manufacture of buttons, the mussel 
fishing industry has developed a hitherto neg- 
lected source of wealth. 

Clam fishing in the Illinois River was first 
begun some four or five years ago, but not until 
the summer of 1907 w 7 as it pushed vigorously. 
With the finding of a number of valuable pearls 
by the mussel fishermen, a new impetus was given 
this industry, and now some 300 or 400 men are 
at work fishing for mussels between Browning 
and the mouth of Crooked Creek. 

The price of mussel shells ranges from $4 to 
$12 a ton, and fabulous prices are paid for pearls 
which are oftentimes found by the fishermen. 
The method of fishing for clams is simple, cheap 
and effective. A flat boat, with scow-bow and 
end, is generally used and on the gunwale are 
placed standards from three to four feet high. 
The utensils consist of an iron bar to which is 
attached a succession of lines and hooks, the lat- 
ter being made of bent wire without barbs. The 
bar is thrown overboard and drawn along the 
bed of the river and, at the touch of the hooks 
the clams close their shells and hold on. and the 
bar is drawn to the surface and rested on the 
gunwale standards while the mussels are de- 
tached. After the shells are unloaded they are 
put into a large galvanized iron vessel, and 
boiled or steamed until the shells open and the 
flesh can be removed. In removing the flesh 
from the shell a sharp watch is kept for pearls, 
and they arc easily detached by the men who 
become expert in the work. 

Dr. W. S. Strode, of Lewistown, has made a 
special study of the mussels in the Illinois River, 
and we quote as follows from an article written 
by him for the History of Fulton County : 

"The Unionidse, or Pearly Fresh Water Mus- 
sels, are the most important of shell-bearing 
species of the county or state. Our rivers and 
lakes are densely occupied with them and they 
are destined, at no distint day. to become of some 



commercial importance, as well as of scientific 
interest. In many localities on the Mississippi 
River, where the demand by pearl button fac- 
tories has made a market for the shells, the sup- 
ply has been nearly exhausted, and as it takes 
about four years for a new crop to be produced, 
new fields are being sought where the shells are 
more plentiful. All our fresh water mussels 
an- harmless. They are the scavengers of <>ur 
water courses, and do much good in purifying 
the streams. They furnish much of the food 
of many fishes and water fowls and should not 
be wantonly destroyed. 

"Some of the mussels are very clannish in their 
habits, associating only with their kind and re- 
maining in certain localities or beds during their 
lifetime. Others are great travelers and wander 
far and near in search of food and their kind, 
plowing little furrows in the sand or mud as 
they go. The different species vary greatly in 
size, as well as in configuration or architecture 
of shell. Some are so small, as the donaciformis, 
that scores of them could be put into a pint 
measure, while the heras, the giant of the 
family, attains a weight of two or three pounds 
and a length of shell from eight to ten inches. 
As an article of food they do not appeal to the 
tastes of an epicurean, but in case of emergency 
they would keep off starvation. Some of the 
peasants of the old world do not disdain them 
as an article of food. 

"About twelve hundred species of mussel are 
found in the world. Of these six hundred are 
found in North America and about one hun- 
dred in Illinois and, up to date, over sixty of 
these are accredited to Fulton County. In time, 
with a more thorough research of the waters 
of the Illinois and Spoon Rivers, the full hun- 
dred or more will be found in the county." 



CHAPTER XII. 



MERCANTILE AND BANKING INTERESTS. 



COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS AT AN 

EARLY DAY — METHODS OF BARTER AND TRADE 

ST. LOUIS EARLY* MARKET — FURS, HONEY AND 



C63 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



BEES-WAX AS A LEGAL TENDER — FIRST MERCHANT 

IN SCHUYLER COUNTY OTHERS OF A LATEK 

PERIOD THE CAREER OF THOMAS W. SCOTT — BUSI- 
NESS HOUSES IN RUSHVILLE IN 1834 COMING 

OF THE FIRST STEAMBOAT UP THE ILLINOIS IN 

1830 SPANISH AND FRENCH CURRENCY — RAPID 

PROGRESS BETWEEN 1830 AND 1835 — THE PANIC 
OF 1837 — PRICES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODI < is 
AND DRY-GOODS — STATISTICS OF THE PACKING 
INDUSTRY BANKING HISTORY UNCERTAIN VAL- 
UES OF PAPER CURRENCY — FIRST BANK ESTAB- 
LISHED IN RUSHVILLE IN 18G4 ITS FOUNDERS 

AND OFFICERS CHANGES AND PRESENT OFFICERS 

OTHER BANKING INSTITUTIONS IN SCHUYLER 

COUNTY OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL STOCK-HOLD- 
ERS. 

In our investigation into industrial conditions 
existing in Rushville in the early day, we Lave 
hunted up old account books and market prices, 
and find many things of historic value furnishing 
light upon general business and commercial con- 
dition of more than a half-century ago. A few 
of the entries alluded to here are taken from 
the cash book of Nelson & Robertson, who were 
in business on the north side of the public square 
in Rushville, where Nelson Brothers' store now 
stands. The entries of produce received are not 
numerous but they give an insight into current 
market prices. 

Dec. 20, 18-40, Wm. Weightman, 

by 11SC lbs. pork S2::.72 

Dec. 2(i. 1849, Sam'l MeCreery. 

by 211 lbs. bam 7.3S 

Dec. 20. isto. Sam'l MeCreery. 

by 204 lbs. shoulders 5.10 

Dec. 18, IMS. Wm. Green. 

by 5 pairs venison bams 5.00 

Aug. 1. 1847. Jonathan Patteson, 

61 yds. flannel 30.50 

Aug. 1. 1847, John Brown, 

23% yds. calico 4.35 

Aug. 1. 1847. John Brown, 

barrel salt 2.50 

Aug. 4. 1X47. .Tames Kininaii. 

14 lbs. sugar 1.00 

Aug. 4. 1X47. Robert Wells. 

K) lbs. coffee l.oo 

Aug. 22. 1S47. John Hetrick, 

2 lbs. candles 25 

Aug. 24, 1847, James A. West. 

3 gal. molasses 1.50 



Aug. 31, 1S47. David Louderback, 

'- lb. powder 25 

Sept. 7. 1847. David Louderback, 

2 tin buckets 75 

Sept. S. 1847. R. M. Worthington. 

1 ' o yds. linen 1.50 

Sept. 9, 1847, Sam'l MeCreery, 

T.> lbs. lard 1.19 

Oct. 31, 1847. Jos. N. Ward. 

t; ] .j lbs. harness leather 1.75 

Aug. 21, 184S, Robt. Brooks. 

3 lbs. nails 125 

April 13. 1840. I'. II. Walker, 

1 bolt window paper 1.25 

May 1, 1840. Wm. Cox, 

tin dipper IS 

May 1. 1840, Dennis Walker. 

.". lbs. rice 25 

Dec. 24. 1S49, W. A. Minshall, 

3 chickens 25 

Dec. 24. 1849, John C. Bagby. 

15 yds. calico 3.75 

Dec. 20. 1X40. Geo. W. Manlove. 

5'... lbs. sole leather 1.3S 

Jan. 0, 1850. E. Edmonston, 

2 oz. indigo 25 

Jan. 5, 1850, James A. West, 

4 chisels 2.25 

Mar. 14. 1S50, Jonathan I'atteson, 

15 yards gingham 5.G3 

Jan. 30. 1850, Abncr Mullen. 

1 wash pan 35 

In searching the early papers for market re- 
ports we find that not until IMS did the papers 
deem it worth while to give prices of local coun- 
try produce, and these prices were doubtless 
based upon an exchange basis, as there was no 
cash market for grain. The market prices here 
given are taken from Rushville papers of the 
date mentioned : 

July 13. 1818— Wheat 50e, corn 15c. oats 15c. 

June 20, 1851— Wheat 50@60c, corn 20<§ 
30c, barley 55@G0c, rye 30@35c, potatoes 60 
@G5c; beef 5c, bacon 7c, bam 8@10c, shoulders 
6@8c, lard ('>(</ 7c. tallow 10c. butter 12c. e^gs 5c. 
flaxseed .$1, clover .SO. beeswax 18c, feathers 40c. 

Sept. 1. 1X54— Wheat 85@$1, corn 25@35c, 
rye 60c, oats 18fS25c, clover seed $5@$6, timothy 
seed $2@$2.50, beans 90@$1, potatoes 75',, si, 
butter 10<§ 15c, coffee 14c, sugar G^ic, rice S l-3c, 
tea 60@$1.25, hams 7@9c, shoulders 5@6%c, 
lard 7<S'Sc. eggs 614c. wool, unwashed, 14(f?17c, 
washed. 21@25c 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



G63 



June 26, 1855— Flour $S.50@$9, wheat $1.20 
@$1.40, com 50@60c, oats 35c, corn meal 65c, 
potatoes $1.25@$1.50, flax $1.50, clover $7.50, 
rye 60c, beef Sc. butter 10c, cheese 10c, broom 
corn $50 per ton, eggs 5c, chickens $1.25 per 
dozen. 

Sept. 13. 1859— Wheat 45@47c. flour $6.00, corn 
60@75c, cats 25@30c, hams 10@12%c, hides 12c 
dry. 5c greon, broom corn $60.00 and $75.00. 
hoop poles 63c to $1.00, staves $8 to $10, cord 
wood $1.50 to $2.00. coal 8c per bu. 

Nov. 27. 1860— Flour $5.00@$6.00, wheat GOc 
@80c, corn 20c, oats 15c, meal 40c, potatoes 
20c, cheese 8c, lard 9c, whisky barrels 75c. flour 
barrels 30c, hoop poles 50e to $1. staves $7, broom 
corn $40. 

April 7, 1864— Flour $6.50 to $7. wheat 90(§ 
$1, corn 65c, wool 60c, hay $15. coal oil 75c, 
coffee 40c. 

Nov. s. 1865— Flour $S to $9, wheat $1.25 to 
$2.00. oats 20c, com 30c, rye 40c, lard 20c, tal- 
low 10c, hides 10c dry. hoop poles $1.50 per 100, 
staves $12 to $15 per thousand. 

Pork-packing was an industry of some magni- 
tude in Schuyler County before the civil war. 
and it was continued on a smaller scale until as 
late as 1880. It was a business that afforded 
labor during the winter months to a large num- 
ber of men. and the product was hauled to the 
Illinois River for shipment. The traffic, in fact, 
became so constant that a plank toll-road was 
built from Rushville to Frederick, a distance 
of ten miles, in 1854. and was maintained until 
probably 1866. We have found in old Rushville 
papers a record of the amount of business done 
by local pork-packers for certain years, which 
is here given : 

Years No. Hogs Av. Wts 

1856 15,598 212 lbs 

1857 9,650 199 lbs 

1858 10,136 200 lbs 

1859 9,486 179 lbs 

1860 9,826 

During the winter of 1859-60 the following 
firms were engaged in the business and the fig- 
ures show the extent of the business operations : 

No. wt price 

Ray, Little & Co 4.073 

Nelson & McCroskey 336 

Thomas Wilson 1,653 182 lbs $5.6] 

Wells & Co 1.460 186 lbs 5.49 

M. Farvvell & Co., 



Frederick, 111 1,028 191 lbs 5.54 

Randall & Blackburn, Brook- 
lyn, 111 376 

Total in county 9,826 

A study of the industrial and commercial his- 
tory of a community has an interest to the 
student of affairs equal to its social or political 
relations, but we find that even the historians 
of Illinois have passed lightly over this interest- 
ing phase of State history, and the facts and 
figures here given have been obtained from 
original sources. They are not as complete as it 
might be desirable to make them, but they give 
an insight into the industrial conditions that 
have prevailed in Schuyler County from the 
earliest time. What is more, they give a record 
of human interest, the every day life side of 
history, and show plainly the economic develop- 
ment from the pioneer times, to the present day. 

The early pioneers of Schuyler County were 
mutually dependent, and having no costly tastes 
to gratify or expensive habits to indulge, they 
obtained by barter and trade the necessaries of 
life that were not raised on the farm. There 
was no market for grain and Calvin Ilobart. 
one of the first settlers, notes the fact that corn 
could be purchased in 1824 for five cents a bushel, 
and a cow with calf sold for $8. 

St. Louis, however, ottered a market for furs, 
honey and beeswax, and it is a fact worthy of 
note that the industrial development of Schuyler 
County began before the date of the first per- 
manent settlement, for it is a matter of record 
that Messrs. McCartney, Gooch & Beard joined 
together to engage in bee-hunting in this county 
the fall previous to the coming of the first home- 
maker. The outcome of this business venture 
was that the firm shipped twenty-seven barrels 
Of honey anil several thousand pounds Of bees- 
wax to St. Louis in the fall of 182:!. which was 
the first natural product of Schuyler County to 
find a market. Bee-hunting was, for many years 
afterward, a profitable business, and in the his- 
tory of the Schuyler County Courts, attention 
is .ailed to the fact that the first retainer fee given 
a lawyer in a Schuyler County court was a bar- 
rel of honey. 

Five years elapsed from the time of the first 
settlement of Schuyler County until the mer- 
cantile era began, and the name of tin ■ first 
merchant is lost to history. He came from 
Jacksonville in 1828, and opened his store in a 
log cabin Hart Fellows had erected near where 



66-1 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COITXTY. 



H. M. Dace's brick store building now stands. 
His stay here was a brief one, and soon afterward 
Benjamin Chadsey started a store in the same 
cabin. His stock was purchased in St. Louis, 
was brought up the Illinois River by keel-boat 
and hauled overland from the landing near 
Frederick. Hart Fellows was his clerk, and the 
firm was later known as Chadsey & Fellows. 
A frame building was erected near the log cabin 
for store purposes, and this was really the be- 
ginning of the mercantile era in Rushville and 
Schuyler County. Mr. Fellows set the precedent 
that has long been followed in rural communi- 
ties, of combining the postofflce with mercantile 
business, as he was Rushville's first post master. 

Thomas W. Scott was another of Rushville's 
pioneer merchants, and in those early years he 
made a start that was the foundation of the 
largest private fortune ever accummulated in 
Schuyler County. It was the privilege of the 
writer to see a letter written by Jlr. Scott, under 
date of December 4, 1830. to his brother Walter 
D. Scott, of Kentucky, who was then associated 
with him in business. In this letter Mr. Scott 
states that there are four business houses in 
Rushville, and that one can easily get rich if 
he will only buy land and raise cattle. He was 
wise enough to see into the future, and soon after- 
ward bought 320 acres of school laud on Section 
Sixteen in Rushville township, which is now 
owned by his children, and is rated with the 
best land in the county. 

A little later on we find that Rushville had 
grown in a mercantile way, and Rev. J. M. Peck, 
in his "Gazetteer of Illinois," in 1834 gives the 
following facts regarding the business enterprises 
of the town : "Rushville has six stores, two 
groceries, two taverns, four cabinet makers, four 
brick-masons and plasterers, three carpenters, 
two blacksmiths, four tanneries, four lawyers 
and two physicians." 

In those early days the merchants were mere 
retailers of dry-goods and groceries, as they 
purchased and shipped abroad none of the pro- 
ductions of the country except a few peltries and 
trend of the times was just beginning to show 
furs, and, perhaps, beeswax. The economic 
a gleam of hope for a mercantile career in 1830, 
when the steamboats first began to ply upon the 
Illinois River. But the merchants had neither 
capital nor an extensive market for their goods, 
and they were sustained largely by the influx 



of immigrants who came to the settlement with 
money. 

It is interesting to note in this connection 
that the coins of general circulation were of 
Spanish denomination, and were brought to the 
settlement from New Orleans and St. Louis. 
There was the Spanish dollar, half-dollar and 
quarter, and the "picayune" (6% cents) and "bit" 
(12V. cents), and occasionally a French five- 
franc piece (95 rents) or an English sovereign 
($4.85) was seen. But with the early mer- 
chants, furs and skins were the best known legal- 
tender, and barter and trade was the general 
rule throughout the settlement, the gold and 
silver coin being used almost exclusively in pay- 
ing for government land, taxes and postage. 

The years from 1830 to 1835 marked an era 
of unprecedented activity in a commercial way 
in Illinois, and many smaller manufacturing in- 
dustries were established in Rushville at this 
time. The internal improvement scheme, which 
was to provide railroad and canal transportation 
for all parts of the State, was the alluring dream 
of the future, and its purposes, as viewed from a 
politician's standpoint, is well set forth by the 
following passage from Gov. Duncan's message, 
in alluding to the construction of railroads and 
canals, as "bearing with seeming triumph, the 
rich productions of the interior to the rivers, 
lakes and ocean, almost annihilating time, burden 
and space." 

It was a roseate dream that had an entrancing 
fascination for the sturdy pioneers, and the wily 
politicians of that time were quick to catch the 
drift of public opinion and grant any and all 
appropriations that might be asked to press for- 
ward the scheme for internal improvements. 
Then came the panic of 1837, with its attending 
financial disasters, and the first chapter in 
"Frenzied Finance" was enacted in Illinois. 

BANKING INSTITUTIONS. 
In taking up the history of the financial in- 
stitutions of Schuyler County, we find that the 
banking business was closely allied to the mer- 
cantile trade in the early days, and that there 
was a gradual evolution to the conditions and 
systems of the splendid service of the present 
day. Prior to 1840 there was practically no 
money in circulation in the county and business 
was done almost entirely by barter and trade. 
With the development of the agricultural re- 
sources of the county the mercantile business 





coUtt^^,. 



l2^~l^T^^X7 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



665 



expanded in proportion, and there came into vogue 
a credit system tbat made tbe general stores of 
tbat day a clearing house for the entire commu- 
nity. 

As an outgrowth of this system there was in- 
augurated a primitive banking business, as it 
were, and as early as 1S44 the firm of Little & 
Ray made drafts on the eastern money centers 
for the accommodation of their customers and 
patrons. In those days financial affairs were in 
a choatic state and the paper currency of the 
country was known by such names as "Shinplas- 
ters," "wild cat," "red dog," and "stumptail," 
and the bills of the different banks had a con- 
stantly fluctuating value that made it impossible 
to accurately determine one's wealth in bank 
note currency. 

This variation in the value of the bank note 
currency was such that each merchant was re- 
quired to consult a weekly publication known as 
"The Bank Note Reporter." before he would ac- 
cept a bill in payment for goods, and he then 
made proper discounts from its face value as 
shown by the figures in his financial paper. The 
uncertainty tbat surrounded the currency of those 
days was. in itself, an incentive to business, for 
the widespread distrust of its value precluded 
any inclination to hoard and money circulated 
freely. 

The first regular banking business in Schuy- 
ler County was established in 1S64, when the 
mercantile firm of Little & Ray organized the 
First National Bank. The original capital stock 
was $100,000, but it was afterwards reduced to 
$50,000. The first officers of the bank were: 
President, Wm. H. Ray ; Vice President, George 
Little : Cashier, August Warren. 

On October 9, 1SS4, this bank was reorganized 
and was changed from a national bank to a co- 
partnership, and the capital stock fixed at $75,000. 
The officers elected at this time were : President, 
Geo Little ; Vice President, S. B. Montgomery ; 
Cashier. August Warren; Assistant Cashier, 
Dwight E. Ray. In tbe fall of tbat year the bank 
moved from its old quarters in the Little & Ray 
store building to tbe building now occupied, which 
was built especially for the banking business. 

Again on December 1, 1901, tbe bank was re- 
organized and new stockholders taken in and 
the bank capital and surplus is now $140,000, 
with the personal responsibility of the stockhold- 
ers amounting to $1,000,000. The officers and 
directors of the Bank of Rushville are: 



President, S. B. Montgomery ; Vice President, 
John S. Bagby ; Cashier, John S. Little ; As- 
sistant Cashiers, J. H. Young and H. II. Brown. 

Directors: William R. McCreery, S. B. Mont- 
gomery, L. J. McCreery, Perry Logsdon, John S. 
Bagby, Robert Brown, D. H. Glass, John S. Lit- 
tle, H. V. Teel. George Hanna and Charles B. 
Griffith. 

Rushville's second bank was started January 1, 
1870. by James G. McCreery & Co., and was 
known as the Merchants & Farmer's Bank. Mr. 
McCreery was president and his son-in-law, S. 
M. Hume, cashier. Thomas Wilson was one of 
the financial, backers of the new bank, which 
continued in business until January 1, 1874. The 
bank was located on the south side of the public 
square on the site of the building now occupied 
by James V. Knapp's jewelry store. 

The Bank of Schuyler County, which was or- 
ganized by J. March Patterson, of Jacksonville, 
111., began business in Rushville, January 4, 
1890. It was organized as a State bank with 
a capital stock of $25,000, and the original stock 
holders were : J. March Patterson, Thomas Wil- 
son, George R. Hunter, James A. Teel, John M. 
Darnell, Edwin Dyson, S. S. Prentiss, P. E. 
Mann, F. G. Farrell and R. W. Mills. 

The officers of the bank were : President, 
Thomas Wilson ; Vice President, James A. Teel ; 
Cashier, J. March Patterson. 

In October, 1898, the bank was reorganized 
and A. P. Rodewald was elected Cashier and 
George Dyson Second Vice President, and under 
their management the bank has had a steady 
and increasing growth. 

On May 1, 1902, the capital stock of tbe bank 
was increased from $25,000 to $40,000, and on 
March 12, 1904, it was again increased to $50,000 
and on January 1, 1908, the capital stock was 
made $100,000. 

Under the State banking law quarterly re- 
ports are made to the State Auditor and. under 
date of May 12, 190S, we note the following 
statement of the Bank of Schuyler County: 

RESOURCES. 

Loans and Discounts $243,023.31 

Overdrafts 1,161.31 

Bonds and Stocks, 3.550.00 

Banking house 7,500.00 

Furniture and fixtures 1,000.00 

Cash and due from banks 120,716.42 

Total T. $376,951.34 



666 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



LIABILITIES. 

Capital stock paid in .$100,000.00 

Undivided profits 6,623.66 

Deposits 2T0.327.CS 

Total $376,951.34 

The present officers and directors of the Bank 
of Schuyler County are : President, George R. 
Hunter; Vice President, George Dyson; Cashier, 
A. P. Rodewald. 

Directors — Geo. P. Hunter. J. M. Darnell. J. 
L. Sweeney, George Dyson. Fred. Rodewald, A. 
.7. Laslnnett. Edwin Dyson, A. P. Rodewald. 
Hiram Graff. 

The first bank to be established in Schuyler 
county outside of Rushville opened for business 
in Littleton. December 3, 1904. It is known as 
The Bank of Littleton, and is a co-partnership 
bank with a capital stock of $10,000. The offi- 
cers are: President, John F. Snyder; Cashier. 
E. B. Dixson ; Assistant Cashier, Doan Dixson. 

The Merchants & Traders Bank of Browning 
is the latest addition to the hanking institutions 
of Schuyler County and it opened its doors for 
business .May 2.". 1907. 

The hank was organized on a co-partnership 
basis with a capital stock of $12,000. The offi- 
cers are: President. ( '. B. Workman; Cashier, 
L. II. Yeck. Stork in the bank is owned by the 
following residents of Browning Township and 
Beardstown: John Schultz, C. B. Workman. 
A. E. Schmoldt, .Martin McDonough, T. K. Con- 
dit. W. E. McCullough, J. V. Jockiseh, J. S. Nich- 
olson, T. .1. Schweer, II. C. Meyer, Morris Wal- 
ton. ('. W. Fowler. Ed. .McLaren. F. M. Skiies. 
L. II. Yeck, A. D. Stambaugh, Albert Stambaugb, 
Michael Schurnan, Raymond Walton. Peter 
Strong, Edward A. Stambaugh, Frank W. Dodd, 
W. F. Ilirenian. Joel Robertson, John F. Bryant, 
J. M. Venters, W. M. Venters. W. J. Bates, 
Charles Pates. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



COUNTY BUILDINGS. 



EVOLUTION OF PRESENT COUNTY BUILDINGS — AD- 
VANCEMENT FROM THE PRIMITIVE LOG CABIN TO 
THE HANDSOME STRUCTURES OF TODAY — FIRST 



COURT HOUSE A ONE-ROOM LOG BUILDING, 

ERECTED IN 1S20 FIRST JAIL BUILDING — SECOND 

COURT HOUSE ERECTED IN 1S30 — SECOND COUNTY 
JAIL OF 1838 REPLACED BY A STONE STRUCTURE 
IN 1857 — THE PRESENT COURT HOUSE COM- 
PLETED IN 1SS2 — FOURTH JAIL BUILT IN 1902 

DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT COURT HOUSE — LIST OF 

DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED IN CORNER-STONE 

COUNTY FARM PURCHASED IN 1855 — ITS PRESENT 
VALUE ESTIMATED AT $25,000. 

The substantial and handsome public buildings 
of Schuyler County, now in use, have been 
evolved by natural degrees and at hum periods, 
from the primitive log cabin which served for 
the seat of justice when the county organization 
was perfected in 1825. It was most natural that 
the early settlers should desire a court house. 
and soon after the town of Rushville was laid 
out the first county building was erected. It 
stood on the north side of the square, about 
where the Griffith hardware store stands today, 
and was built of logs. The specifications for this, 
the first county building, were meager and are 
found in tlie Commissioners' record of April 24, 
1826. Notice was given that a court bouse would 
be erected, occupying a ground space of 22x1s 
feet, and one and a-half stories high. It was 
further specified that "there should be two good 
floors, and a good and sufficient chimney." The 
public letting of this building was announced for 
July 4. 1820. but we can find no record of the 
name of the contractor or the cost of the struct- 
ure, though it was paid for and used by the 
county for several years. 

The next record of a public building is found 
in the proceedings of the Commissioner's Court 
of September ::, 1827, when lot 1 on block 13 of 
the town of Rushville was reserved for a jail 
and stray-pen. It was specified that the jail 
building should be 15x15 feet and the stray-pen 
40x10 feet, and the contracts for building the 
two structures were to be let to the lowest bidder 
mi September 27, 1827. Isaac lander was the 
builder of this first jail and, on March 20, 1828, 
he presented his bill for $150. Objections were 
apparently tiled to its payment for we note that 
William McKee and Jesse Bartlett were ap- 
pointed a committee to arbitrate the claim, and 
failing to^ reach a derision. Mr. Linder brought 
suit against the county. The stray-pen was built 
by Elisba Kellogg, and his bill for $9.50 was 
allowed without protest. 




COfRT HOUSE 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



667 



While the general specifications of the jail 
simply called for a building fifteen feet square, 
it later appears that it was a story and a half 
building, and that the prisoners were let down 
into their dungeon through a trap-door in the 
ceiling. This door was the all important part 
of the jail building, and was let under separate 
contract acording to the following specifications: 

" The inner door of the jail shall be made of 
plank one and one-quarter inches thick, to be 
of two thicknesses, laid across each other and 
spiked together with broad-headed spikes, driven 
within three inches of each other, said spikes 
to be driven through and clinched, the under 
thickness of said door to be cut so as to fit hole 
in floor, the upper thinckness to jut over one 
inch all around, said door to be hung on two 
iron hinges, the strap part of said hinges to be 
one-half inch thick and two inches wide, and to 
extend across the door, the staples to be three- 
fourths of an inch, and drove eight inches into 
floor; also a bar of iron one and one-half inches 
thick and two inches wide extending across the 
middle of the door, hung on staples at one end 
and to fit on a staple at the other end like a 
hasp, and a strong, substantial padlock fixed 
thereon. The ou.ter door to be made in like 
maimer and of material, except there is to be 
no bar across middle of said door, and said door 
to be hung on hooks in place of staples, also 
there must be a good, strong stock-luck put on 
said door." 

It was further specified that the inner door 
was to be completed May 10, 1828, and the outer 
door September 1. 1828, contractor to give bond 
for faithful performance of the work and accept 
in payment therefor state paper at par. In ac- 
cordance with these specifications Joel Tullis 
secured the contract for the jail doors for $43.50. 

Within a year after the first court house was 
completed, the county officials were asking for 
larger quarters and on December 3, 1828, notice 
of letting for the construction of a Clerk's office 
in the middle of the block on the cist side of 
the spuare was given. This building was to be 
1-1x16 feet and ten feet high, the joist being 
eight feet from the lower floor. A porch six feet 
wide was also to be built across the front. The 
specifications called for two doors and four win- 
dows lit' twelve lights each, and a good brick 
chimney. The records show that James Power 
was allowed .$110.75 for construction, and Alex- 



ander Hollingsworth and Mathias Mastiu $14 
iiiul si:., respectively, lor lathing and plastering. 

This building was not completed before there 
was a demand for a more pretentious county 
building, and the question of a new court house 
was discussed at the May meeting of the Com- 
missioners in 1829, but definite action was post- 
poned until the June meeting. When the Com- 
missioners met on June 1, 1829, it was decided 
to erect a new brick court house, and Hart Pel- 
lows was appointed-a Commissioner with full 
power lo contract for the building and also to 
superintend its construction. 

Mr. Fellows was apparently a man of action, 
for on July 4, 182!), the Board ratified a contract 
made with William McCreery to construct the 
foundation for a court house for $375. Later 
changes were probably made in the plans, for 
he was afterwards allowed $486 for his work. 
The brick work and enclosing were contracted 
lor by Benjamin Chadsey, who was allowed 
sl'.::oi>: the inside finishing was done some time 
later by William Wright, James Hunter and 
John Brown, at a cost of $785, which, with 
smaller items of expense, made the total cost t>f 
the building $3,735. 

This court house stood in the center of the 
park and was a brick building measuring 42 feet 
square and without ornamentation or display, 
save for a modest cupola, but it served the needs 
of the county for more than fifty years, and was 
ever a monument to the good workmanship of 
those early pioneer builders. 

With what was then regarded as a magnificent 
court house the County Commissioners desired to 
have the other county buildings in keeping and, 
on March 11. ls::7, il was decided to build a new 
jail. The building was designed to be 20x24 feet 
and two stories in height. The outside wall was 
to be of brick eight inches thick, with an inside 
wall of timber, ten inches thick, and each story 
ten feet in height. The plans called for a hall 
eight feet wide and sixteen feet in length, the 
jailor's room 18x15 feet and the kitchen 18x11. 
In addition to the cells for prisoners, there was 
also a debtor's room. The contract was awarded 
to Alexander Penny for $4,000 and the building 
was completed in January. 1838. Mr. Penny 
had another contract to furnish locks for the 
building and make minor improvements, for 
which he was to receive $150, but there was a 
disagreement as to terms and he refused to sur- 



668 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



render the keys to the building. The matter 
was later amicably adjusted by arbitration. 

Although this building had cost more than the 
court house, it was deemed unsafe for the con- 
finement of prisoners in 1855, and in July of the 
following year the Board of Supervisors adver- 
tised for proposals to construct a new county 
jail. On January 17, 1S57, a contract was 
entered into between the county and Jeremiah 
Stumm, wherein he agreed to construct a stone 
jail, with iron doors and window grating, for 
the sum of $6,445. The jail was built according 
to contract from limestone quarried along the 
McKee branch, and it served as a county bastile 
until 1902, when the present new jail was com- 
pleted, and the older building now does duty as 
a calaboose for the city of Rushville. In the 
construction of this building Mr. Stumm met 
with unforeseen misfortune and, on account of 
the bad condition of the roads, the stone cost 
him almost double what he had figured on, and 
when the building was at last completed and 
settlement made with the county, he was loser 
on the contract by some $700. 

The Present Court House. — Schuyler was 
now provided with county buildings that were 
to serve for the next twenty-five years, and not 
until 1877 was there any movement made to se- 
cure more modern structures. In 1879 Edwin 
Anderson, Supervisor from Rushville Township, 
renewed the agitation for a new court house, 
but bis motion before the Board was voted down. 
At the meeting of the Board in September, 18S0, 
the motion was again renewed and this time 
received the sanction of a majority of the Board 
of Supervisors. It was at that meeting that the 
initial step was taken for the construction of 
our present handsome county building, by the 
adoption of a resolution which called for the 
construction of a court house to cost not more 
than $40,000. It was also decided to apportion 
this sum so that one-third the total amount 
would be levied on the taxable property of the 
county for the years 1SS0, 1SS1 and 1S82. In 
the original resolution the location of the new 
court house was fixed on the site of the old one, 
in the center of the park : but on February 24, 
1881, this action was rescinded and the site 
of the county building fixed on the southwest 
corner of the public square. To effect this 
change in location, it was necessary to expend 
$",500 for a site, and of this sum the county 
paid one-half, the city of Rushville $1,000 and 



the remaining $750 was contributed by public- 
spirited citizens. It was further provided that 
the county should lease the park in the center 
of the square to the city of Rushville. 

In designing a plan for the new county build- 
ing the committee appointed for that purpose 
were most favorably impressed with the court 
house at Monroe, Mich., and decided to duplicate 
it ; and, on December 17, 1880, the contract for 
construction was awarded to Thomas Keegan, of 
that city, for $36,000. 

Work on the new court house began early in 
the spring of the following year, and on June 
24, 1881, the corner-stone was laid with imposing 
ceremony under the auspices of the Masonic 
fraternity. Deputy Grand Master DeWitt C. 
Cregier, of Chicago, was master of ceremonies 
and Hon. Carter H. Harrison, Sr„ delivered the 
oration in commemoration of the event. The 
occasion was made a gala day for Rushville, and 
visitors from all parts of the State were enter- 
tained and feted. 

Documents and Other Articles Deposited in 
Corner-Stone. — The following is a list of docu- 
ments and other articles deposited in the corner- 
stone of the Schuyler County Court House, at 
the time of formal beginning of work on the 
building in 1S82 : 

Holy Bible. 

Square and compass. 

Copy of Revised New Testament. 

Copy of Charter and By-Laws of Rushville 
Lodge, No. 9, A. F. & A. M. 

History of Rushville Lodge No. 9, with a list 
of all ollicers and members since its organization 
in 1842. 

History of Huntsville Lodge, No. 465, A. F. & 
A. M.. and Camden Lodge, No. 648, A. F. & A. M., 
with names of officers and members. 

Names of State, County, Towmship and City 
officers. Judges of the Supreme Court of the 
state. Judges of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, and 
names of all Circuit Judges who have ever pre- 
sided in the Circuit Court of Schuyler County. 

List of attorneys practicing in Rushville at 
the present time (1S82). 

Draft of the First National Bank of Rushville 
on the National Bank of New York for $10. 

Copies of county papers, containing proceed- 
ings of the Board of Supervisors relating to the 
building of the court house. 

Copy of invitation addressed to citizens by 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



66!) 



Building Committee, inviting thein to be present 
at the laying of the corner-stone. 

Copies of the Rushville Times and the Schuy- 
ler Citizen, of June 23. 1881. 

History of the churches of Rushville. 

History of Schuyler County. 

Plat of the public square of Rushville, show- 
ing location of all the buildings and names of 
present occupants. 

Copy of the premium list of the twenty-fifth 
annual fair of the Schuyler County Agricultural 
Board. 

Copy of tribute of respect to the memory of 
Josiah Parrott, Sr., deceased. 

Copy of proceedings of the Grand Lodge of 
A. F. & A. M. of Illinois, for the year 1S80. 

A short sketch of the ceremony of laying the 
corner-stone. 

The erection of this county building was unu- 
sual in many respects. For one thing it was 
completed well within cost of the appropriation 
voted, and was paid for when finally completed. 
By the plan of providing for the tax-levy well 
in advance of construction, the tax payers had 
paid for the building ere they were aware. From 
the standpoint of architectural appearance, sub- 
stantial construction and convenient arrange- 
ment, the Schuyler County court house defies 
just criticism, and, considering the cost of erec- 
tion, is unsurpassed by any county building in 
the State. 

County Fabm and Poob House. — The care of 
the needy and unfortunate was a charge that 
the County of Schuyler accepted soon after Its 
organization, and one of the first acts of the 
County Commissioners was to appoint Riggs 
Pennington and Nathan Eels Overseers of the 
Poor. As occasion demanded, aid was extended 
by the county and the unfortunates were cared 
for in private families at public expense. When 
the Commissioners met in December, 1850, It 
was decided to levy a tax of one mill on every 
dollar of taxable property in the county and 
provide a sinking fund for the purchase of a 
county farm. In 1S55 this fund amounted to 
$3,S02.56 and, in March of that year, the Board 
of Supervisors purchased of John Micheltree the 
southeast quarter of Section 26 in Beuna Vista 
Township and plans were made for the county 
to assume the care of its' indigent citizens. At 
this time there was a frame dwelling house on 



the farm and two single log cabins, which were 
used for housing the inmates. The county farm 
was formally opened June 25, 1855, with Michael 
G. Sandeford as Superintendent. In 1869 the 
large brick building, which now serves as a res- 
idence for the Superintendent and lodging quar- 
tes for the female inmates, was erected at a cost 
of $12,000. Later improvements have since been 
made in the way of two cottages for men and 
the construction of barns and granaries. The 
area of the farm has also been Increased from 
160 to 310 acres, and it is so managed as to be 
practically self-supporting. J. R. Leary Is now 
serving as Superintendent of the county farm at 
a yearly salary of $1,200, and in addition to the 
farm produce raised each year, he has been able 
to turn into the county a good revenue from the 
sale of hogs and cattle, which are fed and fat- 
tened there. The farm lies within a mile of 
Rushville and, with its present improvements, is 
conservatively valued at $25,000. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



COURTS OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



SCHUYLER COUNTY ORGANIZED IN THE FORMATIVE 
PERIOD OF STATE HISTORY — -TYPE OF EARLY' JUDG- 
ES AND MEMBERS OF THE BAR— FIRST CIRCUIT 
COURT HELD IN CABIN OF SAMUEL TURNER AT THE 

ORIGINAL BEABDSTOWN IN NOVEMBER, 1825 

JOHN YORK SAWYER FIRST PRESIDING JUDGE — 
PROMINENT ATTORNEYS PRESENT 1 — LIST OF GRAND 
AND PETIT JURORS — SOME OF THE CASES TRIED — 
A BARREL OF HONEY SERVES AS LAWYER'S FEE IN 

FIRST CASE COURT CUSTOMS OF THOSE DAYS 

SOME REMINISCENCES OF SECOND COURT TERM 

CHANGES MADE IN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT — LIST OF 
JUDGES WHO HAVE PRESIDED IN SCHUYLER 
COUNTY COURTS — JUDGE RICHARD M. YOUNG, 
STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, T. LYLE DICKEY AND OTH- 
ERS — PROMINENT LAWYERS WHO HAVE PRACTICED 
AT SCHUYLER COUNTY BAR — PROBATE COURT AND 
JUDGES. 

Schuyler County was organized and given a 
civil government while the State of Illinois was 



670 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



yet in the formative period, and the early history 
of her courts brings out clearly the inevitable 
result of the experience and development of the 
legal profession in the State. In those early days 
the courts had few guiding precedents, save the 
fundamental principles of the English common 
law. which formed the basis of legal jurispru- 
dence. The statutes of the State were not then 
burdened by the numerous and conflicting acts 
of an over-zealous General Assembly, and each 
Judge was in a measure a law unto himself and 
unto his court, and in their decisions they marked 
the legal trail in the frontier State. 

In reviewing the history of the Schuyler courts, 
it will be noted that many of the Judges and at- 
torneys, who played a conspicuous part in the 
early day, were men of strong personality, ver- 
satile scholars and profoundly versed in the law, 
and that they afterwards attained positions of 
distinction and honor in the State and nation. 

It was the old custom for lawyers to accom- 
pany the court and cover almost the entire State 
in their practice. This brought to Rushville many 
4il the brightest lights in the legal profession, and 
their names and memory are today familiar to 
every one. In those days there were no court 
stenographers, no printed forms, no legal digests, 
but the practicing lawyer had wider scope for 
personal effort, and many of these pioneer law- 
yers deservedly rose to high distinction. 

Four months after Schuyler County was or- 
ganized, the first circuit court was convened in 
the cabin ol Samuel Turner at Beardstown, the 
county-seat. This was on November 4, 1825, and 
Judge John York Sawyer was on the bench and 
John Turney was Attorney-General pro tern. 
Other lawyers present were James Turney, Jon- 
athan II. Pugh. A. W. Cavarly and David 
Prickett. 

One of the first acts of the County Commission- 
ers when they met on July 7, 1825, was to select 
grand and petit juries for that term of court, 
and we find the following named gentlemen as- 
signed for that service : 

Gruml Jury — Abraham Carlock, Cornelius Van- 
deventer, Isaac Yandeventer, David E. Blair, 
Hezekiah M. Hobart, William Pennington, James 
Vance, Peter Perkins, Philip Spoonamore, Eph- 
raim Eggleston, Nathan Eels, Jesse Bartlett, 
James H. Smith, Henry Green. George Green, 
Henry Green, Jr., John Green. John Ritchey, 
.Martin L. Eindsey, James B. Atwood, James 



I.ammy. Amos Waddle. Charles Tracey and 
William Spoonamoore. 

Petit Jury — Lyman Tracy, John Osburn, George 
Naught, David Wallace, Samuel Gooch, Riggs 
Pennington, Willis O'Neal, George Stewart. 
William H. Taylor. Calvin Hobart. Asa Cook, 
Jonathan Reno and John B. Terry. 

An indictment was returned against Oms Mc- 
Cartney. Sheriff of the county, for selling liquor 
without a license, and he plead guilty and was 
fined $12 and costs. Samuel Gooch plead guilty 
to assault and was fined $5 and costs. In the 
ease of the People vs. Bird Brewer, indicted for 
perjury, a jury was called, which was made up 
as follows : John B. Terry, Asa Cook, Benjamin 
Chadsey, John Orton, Jacob White. Willis O'Neal. 
Oliver Lund, George Stewart, James Lammy. Ed- 
ward White. Levin Green and Joseph Jackson. 
They returned a verdict of "not guilty." Mr. 
Brewer was defended in this case by A. W. Cav- 
arly and in lieu of a cash fee, he gave his attor- 
ney a barrel of honey. 

Court etiquette was free and easy in those 
pioneer days, as may be imagined from the fol- 
lowing story told by Jonathan D. Maulove : "At 
the first term of the Schuyler County circuit court, 
held near Pleasantview, where George L. Greer 
now resides, whilst Bird Brewer was having his 
trial, I saw Jonathan Reno present to James 
Turney. Esq.. a tin quart cup filled with whisky. 
Mr. Turney took a swig, handed it to the jury 
and they took a swigger ; he then gave it to the 
Judge, he swiggled it ; again the jury swiggled a 
second time and there was no more left to swig- 
ger." Mr. Manlove further states that court was 
held in a log cabin that measured 14xlG feet. 

The second term of court was held October 12, 
1826, Judge Sawyer presiding. Benjamin Cox 
was admitted as Chancellor. At this term the 
grand jury returned five indictments and Orris 
McCartney, Sheriff, was cited to appear at the 
next term of court to answer an indictment for 
slander. He was twice tried on this charge, the 
jury failing to agree. 

Judge Samuel D. Loekwood presided at the 
terms of court held in 1827 and 1828. and Jona- 
thon II. Pugh was Prosecuting Attorney. The 
first divorce case in the county came before the 
court at the October term, when Stephen Osborn 
asked to be divorced from his wife. I'hebe Os- 
born, whom he charged with adultery. The case 
was proven most conclusively, as the officer who 
made the return of the service papers stated he 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



671 



bad served the same on Mrs. Pbebe Toney, for- 
merly Mrs. Pbebe Osborn, in Vermilion County. 

David Wallace, who figured prominently in the 
early court records as a litigant and defendant in 
criminal eases, was indicted at this term of court 
for sending a challenge to fight a duel. The ease 
was tried twice rind eaeb time the jury failed to 
agree. 

The court records of those early days tell a 
wonderful story of the strenuous times of the 
pioneer settlers. The country was then sparsely 
settled, but indictments made by the Grand Jury 
outnumbered those of the present day and in- 
cluded every offense known to criminal law. The 
Grand Jury was looking for trouble in those days, 
and many of the most prominent pipneer settlers 
were called before the bar of justice. Even the 
court officers did not always escape, as was shown 
by the indictment of Sheriff McCartney and 
again, in 1828, when Hart Fellows was indicted 
for omission of duty. There does not appear to 
have been any basis for this charge, as the case 
was dismissed when presented to the court. 

From 1825 until 1829 Schuyler County was in 
the First Judicial Circuit, but in January of the 
latter year there was a rearrangement of court 
circuits, and Schuyler was placed in the Fifth 
District. Richard M. Young was chosen by the 
General Assembly as Judge of this district, and 
be presided at the Schuyler courts until 1S37, 
when he resigned to take his place in the United 
States Senate, where he served one term. He 
was afterwards one of the Supreme Court Judges 
of Illinois. 

While counted a stickler for court etiquette and 
known as an austere and impassionate jurist, 
Judge Young gave free vent to his convivial tastes 
when among bis associates, and bis wit and good 
nature made him the natural leader among all 
classes of men. Many interesting stories are told 
of his escapades and eccentricities, but withal he 
seemed to have always held the confidence and 
respect of the people. 

About this same time another person appeared 
as lawyer in the Schuyler Circuit Court, who was 
destined to achieve high distinction. Diminutive 
in size, and unassuming as an orator, he yet ex- 
hibited judgment and talent of promise. He was 
Thomas Ford. Prosecuting Attorney for Schuyler 
County, and afterwards Governor of Illinois. 

There were intellectual giants pacticing in the 
courts of that early day, aud among the lawyers 
who were regular attendants at the Schuyler 



courts were: Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. 
Douglas, William A. Richardson, Orville H. 
Browning. P. H. Walker, Cyrus Walker, T. Lyle 
Dickey, E. D. Baker, William Minshall. Robert 
Blackwell and others who, later, were at the head 
of the legal profession in the State and leaders 
in the two political parties. 

When Richard M. Young retired from the bench 
of the Fifth Judicial Circuit James II. Ralston 
was commissioned to succeed him. In 1839 Peter 
Lott presided and he was followed in 1S41 by 
Stephen A. Douglas, who served from 1811 to 
1843. In the years from 1843 to 1849 Jesse B. 
Thomas, Richard -M. Young. Norman II. Purple 
and David M. Woodson served as Judges of the 
Circuit Court. In 1849 William A. Minshall, then 
a resident of Rushville, was elected to the cir- 
cuit bench. He was succeeded in 1852 by P. H. 
Walker, also a resident of Rushville, who, in 
1S58, was appointed by Governor Bissell to the 
Supreme bench of Illinois. He was elected the 
same year for the full nine year term, and served 
for more than a quarter of a century in the State's 
highest tribunal. T. Lyle Dickey, another resi- 
dent of Rushville and a practicing attorney in 
our courts in the 'thirties, was later elected to the 
Supreme Court from the Northern Illinois Dis- 
trict. 

. From 1S58 to 1S61 John S. Bailey presided in 
tlie circuit courts of Schuyler County, and he was 
succeeded by Chauncey L. Higbee, who presided 
over every term of court held in Rushville for the 
next sixteen years, and whose record as a jurist 
is an illustrious one. He was first elected Cir- 
cuit Judge in 1861, and re-elected in 1867, 1S73 
and 1879, and continued on the bench until his 
death, which occurred at Pittsfield. December 7, 
1S84. 

In 1873 Schuyler County was placed in the 
Sixth Judicial District, and Chauncey L. Higbee, 
Simeon P. Sbope and John H. Williams were 
elected Judges. They were succeeded in 1885 by 
William Marsh, Charles J. Scofield and John C. 
Bagby. The last election held in the old Sixth 
Judicial District was in 1891, and Oscar P. Bon- 
ney, Jefferson Orr and Charles J. Scofield were 
chosen for a term of six years. 

The General Assembly of 1S96-97 made a new 
apportionment of the judicial districts and, while 
Schuyler remained in the Sixth District, there 
were many changes made. From this new dis- 
trict in 1897 there were elected Harry Higbee, 
Thomas N. Mehan and John C. Broady. In 1903 



672 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Judges Higbee and Mehan were re-elected with 
Albert Ackers as their associate, and upon the 
death of Judge Mehan in 1907, Guy Williams 
was elected to fill the vacancy. 

In l!)0i» two additional terms of court were 
granted Schuyler County annually, and in June 
and December of each year the attention of the 
Judges is given to chancery cases exclusively, 
while the regular jury terms are held in April 
and October. 

Probate and County Courts.— Hart Fellows, 
who held all the county offices of Schuyler County 
at one time or another by self-assertion and com- 
mon consent, was the first Judge of Probate in 
Schuyler County, and he took the oath of office 
before Judge Sawyer of the Circuit Court at the 
October term, 1826. The first record of business 
in bis court begins with July 28, 1S27, when "in 
pursuance of the statute in such cases made and 
provided," a court of probate was begun and 
held at Rushville in and for the county of Schuy- 
ler. At this session the first business transacted 
was the appointment of a guardian for Anderson 
Walker, and the court appointed John Thompson 
to act as such. 

The first estate settled in probate was that of 
Solomon Stanberry and the appraisement showed 
personal property to the amount of $150.75. The 
first will recorded was that of Roswell B. Fenner, 
which was admitted to probate December 14, 
1832. 

Henry B-. Bertholf succeeded Hart Fellows as 
Probate Judge and served from 1833 to 1837. He 
in turn was succeeded by Adam Dunlap. who 
served until 1S47, and James L. Anderson, whose 
term of office was from 1847 to 1S49. These two 
later judges were known as Probate Justices of 
the Peace. By the adoption of the new State Con- 
stitution, and on the organization of the County 
Court, the County Judge was given jurisdiction 
of probate matters. William Ellis' term of serv- 
ice was 1849-1857; DeWitt C. Johnston, 1S57- 
1861 : James L. Anderson. 1861-1865; Ephraim J. 
Pemberton, 1865-1882 ; John C. Bagby, 1882-1886 ; 
S. B. Montgomery, 1886-1890; H. C. Schultz, 
1890-1894; D. L. Mourning, 1894-1898; Herscnel 
V. Teel, 1898-1906; William H. Dieterich, 1906 
to the present time. 



CHAPTER XV. 



POLITICS AND PUBLIC OFFICERS. 



EARLY POLITICS IN ILLINOIS — FORMATION OF NEW 
POLITICAL PARTIES — SENTIMENT IN SCHUYLER 
COUNTY FAVORABLE TO GEN. JACKSON IN 1828 — 

WHIGS CARRY* THE COUNTY IN 1840 AND 1S48 

BIRTH OF THE "KNOW NOTHING" PARTY — ORGAN- 
IZERS OF REPUBLICAN PARTY IN SCHUYLER 
COUNTY' SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN OF 1S58 LIN- 
COLN'S VISIT TO RUSHVILLE — PRESIDENTIAL VOTE 
FROM 1SG0 TO 1904 — CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENT- 
ATIVES — STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES 

DELEGATES WHO HAVE REPRESENTED SCHUYLER 

COUNTY' IN CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS — 
COUNTY' OFFICERS FROM 1823 TO 1906. 

When Illinois was admitted as a State in the 
Union James Monroe was serving his first term 
as President, and his re-election in 1820 created 
no partisan strife among the homogeneous class 
that made up the population of our then frontier 
State. Little interest was taken in the principles 
of the old Federalist and Republican parties, and 
with national issues eliminated, we find that in 
State affairs men and not measures were the 
dominating force. 

Events were shaping themselves, however, to 
bring Illinois into the vortex of political strife, 
and the election of John Quincy Adams to the 
presidency, in 1824, marked the beginning of par- 
tisan politics in Illinois as clearly as though it 
had been brought about by legislative enactment 
In that memorable contest for the presidency 
Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay and William H. 
Crawford were candidates opposed to Adams. 
In the election none of the candidtes received the 
required number of votes to elect (i. e., a major- 
ity in the Electoral College), and the matter 
went to the House of Representatives where John 
Quincy Adams was chosen President. 

Daniel P. Cook, the Representative from Illi- 
nois, voted for Adams notwithstanding Gen. 
Jackson had received two votes in the State to 
Adams' one, and this created a storm of protest 
from Gen. Jackson's friends, who charged that 
their leader had been cheated out of his election 
by bargain, intrigue and corruption. Nor did this 




, Hv fS-a^-yuMU 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



673 



feeling diminish in the succeeding four years, for 
in 1828 Gen. Jackson carried the State triumph- 
antly, and Daniel P. Cook was retired from poli- 
tics for the part he had played in the election of 
John Quincy Adams. 

The election of Gen. Jackson proved an epoch 
in the political history of the nation, as it brought 
about the formation of new political policies and 
meant the total collapse of the old Federalist and 
Republican parties. In the eight years during 
which he dominated the policies of the country, 
there was a new alignment of political forces 
under the names of the Democratic and Whig 
parties, and a majority of the people of Illinois 
were not slow to ally themselves with their 
favorite political leader. With the ascendency of 
Jackson to political power, Henry* Clay became 
the leader of the Whig party and partisan feel- 
ing ran high throughout the State. 

The sentiment of Schuyler County was fav- 
orable to Gen. Jackson and, in the elections of 
1S2S and 1832, he was enthusiastically sup- 
ported at the polls, and the spirit of Democracy 
then engendered has continued on down through 
the years of ceaseless conflict and political mach- 
ination to the present day. In the election of 
1836, when Martin Van Buren was the candi- 
date of the Democracy, the influence of Jack- 
son was strongly felt in Illinois, and Schuyler 
County remained true to the peerless leader and 
voted strongly for Van Buren. 

In 1840, when Van Buren and Johnson again 
contested with Gen. William H. Harrison and 
John Tyler for the national honors, the cam- 
pangn in Schuyler waxed warm. Political clubs 
were formed and the best of Illinois' brilliant 
orators were heard at meetings held in the 
old brick court house. The military prestige of 
Gen. Harrison exerted a powerful influence upon 
the hardy pioneers, and the political songs of 
"Tippecanoe and Tyler too" reverberated from 
Chicago to Cairo. When the votes were counted 
in Schuyler the Whigs were wild with delight, for 
Harrison had received 732 votes to 611 for Van 
Buren. 

There is no record of the vote in Schuyler 
in 1S44, when Henry Clay was the leader of the 
Whig forces, but in 1848 Gen. Zachary Taylor, 
the hero of Buena Vista, won the hearts and the 
votes of the Mexican War veterans and carried 
the county by a plurality of three votes. The 
total vote was 1,615, of which Taylor received 
807. Cass 804, and Van Buren, the anti-slavery 



candidate, 34. This was the last political vic- 
tory won by the Whigs in Schuyler County and 
in every election since 1848 a majority has been 
returned in favor of the Democratic candidate. 

During the decade of the 'fifties the "Know 
Nothing" party, with its mysterious secrecy and 
dark and hidden ceremonies, exerted more or 
less influence on politics in Illinois and, by its 
operations, sought to influence elections where 
the Democratic and Whig parties were evenly 
divided. But when the party came out in the 
open and made nominations of its own, it soon 
lost, power and what little influence it possessed. 
In Schuyler County, as in all other portions of 
the State, the "Know Nothings" flourished for 
a time and had many adherents who were at- 
tracted by the mysterious rites and ceremonies, 
but greater issues than mere prejudice soon 
caused "Know Nothingism" to be forgotten. 

Gen. Scott, the Whig presidential candidate 
in 1S52, did not arouse the same enthusiasm in 
Schuyler as did the other military heroes and. 
in the election. Pierce and King (Democrats) 
received 980 votes; Scott and Graham (Whigs) 
844, and Hale (Independent) 10. 

The disintegration of the old Whig party, 
as foreshadowed by the election of 1S52. and the 
new issues involved through the pressing to the 
front of the slavery question, was noted and 
recognized in Schuyler County as the forerunner 
of a new political party and. in the spring of 
1856, there assembled a small company of citizens 
to discuss the political situation. It was at this 
meeting, held in George W. Scripps' school build- 
ing on West Lafayette Street, that the Republican 
party of Schuyler County came into life. There 
were present George W. Scripps, Rev. John 
Clarke. Wilhelm Peter, Masox Frisby and James 
E. Scripps. The latter afterwards became 
rounder of the Detroit (Mich.) News, but died 
May 29, 1906. At this meeting the subject of the 
approaching State convention at Bloomington, 
called for May 29th, was talked over and Rev. 
John Clarke was finally elected a delegate to 
represent the embryo Republicanism of Schuy- 
ler County. 

Sentiment on the slavery question as the para- 
mount political issue crystalized slowly in Schuy- 
ler and resulted in a division of forces in the 
election of 185G, which gave James Buchanan the 
largest plurality ever recorded for a presidental 
candidate in the county. It was the first political 
landslide in the county, and makes all others seem 



r,] I 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



small in comparison. Buchanan and Breckin- 
ridge were the standard bearers of the united 
Democracy, and they received 1369 voles. Free- 
nioni and Dayton, the candidates of the new Re- 
publican party, received 388 votes, and Fillmore 
.•mil Donelson, of the American or Know-Nothing 
party. 570. This was the final effort of tlie Know 
Nothing party as a factor in national politics. 
though in that year it was largely instrumental 
in the defeat of William A. Richardson, the 
Democratic candidate lor Governor of Illinois. 

In reviewing the history of the political cam- 
paign following the organization of the Repub- 
lican party, no effort will be made to describe 
the hitter hate and venom that marked the part- 
isan contests in Schuyler County. The present 
generation can form no idea of the intense and 
hitter excitement that characterized the mad poli- 
tical turmoil which finally terminated in the 
Civil War. There are, however, many facts of 
political history of this period which can he re- 
viewed ami that have a true place in the political 
history of the county, ami these will he correctly 

reported without bias. 

The senatorial campaign of 1S58, with Abraham 
Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas as the com- 
manding central figures, before its close became 
of national importance, hut it likewise is full of 
historic interest from' a purely local standpoint, 
as Schuyler County had tour candidates for the 
Legislature in the field and was made a battle 
ground by both political aspirants. 

The senatorial district of which Schuyler was 

a part, was c posed of the counties of Hancock, 

Henderson and Schuyler. Rev. John P. Rich- 
mond was the Democratic candidate for the State 
Senate anil lion. L. D. Erwin. of file same poli- 
tical party, was up for reelection as Representa- 
tive. Hon. John «'. Bagby was a candidate lor 
State Senator on the Republican ticket, and John 
B. Seeley was the legislative candidate of the 
National 1 •emocralic party. 

Abraham Lincoln opened his senatorial cam- 
paign of 1858 at Beardstown, on August 12, and 
Schuyler Republicans were well represented, as 
the issues of the campaign were stirring the peo- 
ple as they had never been stirred before. 

on Wednesday October 20, 1858, Lincoln came 
to Kushville. It was a raw, cold day, but the 
people turned out by thousands. Great prepara- 
tion had been made to welcome him and at an 
early hour wagons, horsemen and people on foot 
began pouring into the town. As they entered 



they were taken in charge by marshals on horse- 
back and escorted to the rendezvous north of 
town. The united procession, under direction of 
Chief Marshal Levi Lusk. then moved forward 
to the square, then down Washington Street to 
Jackson and east on Lafayette to St. Louis Street, 
and on returning to the square the wagons, car- 
riages and footmen dispersed, and the horsemen, 
headed by the Kushville hand and a martial com- 
pany known as "The Wide Awakes." marched to 
the home of William II. Kay, where Mr. Lincoln 
was entertained. While Lincoln's reception in 
Kushville was a most enthusiastic one, it was 
marred by partisan demonstrations of the must 
flagrant kind. As has been previously stated, 
party feeling ran high and it showed itself in a 
most unfavorable light at the Lincoln meeting. 

On the night before Liucoln came, some one 
climbed to the top of the old court house and 
hung a black flag from the steeple, and during the 
speaking the Sheriff was required to clear the 
court house roof of boys who made such a din as 
to drown the speaker's voice. 

In one of the court house windows, directly 
over the stand from which Lincoln spoke, was a 
crowd of young ladies who waved aloft a nigger 
doll, to which was attached a banner bearing the 
inscription "Hurrah for Lincoln!" Growing more 
bold when they saw they were detracting at- 
tention from the speaker, they cheered for Doug- 
las and publicly announced that he would speak in 
Kushville in the near future. Mr. Liucoln stop- 
ped in the midst of his great speech and, turn- 
ing to the window, politely asked the young 
ladies to lie still until he had finished his speech 
when he would yield the stand to them. The 
kindly rebuke administered by Liucoln restored 
order, and he was allowed to finish his speech 
Without further disturbance. 

The great joiut debate between these two peer- 
less leaders had been held when Liucoln came to 
Kushville, and his fame had gone to the utter- 
most parts of the Union as the one man who was 
a worthy antagonist of Stephen A. Douglas. Both 
candidates delayed their visit to Schuyler until 
late in the campaign, as they wished to make the 
most of the political situation where so many 
direct votes in the Legislature were at stake. 

Stephen A. Douglas came to Kushville the last 
week in the campaign (the exact date we are un- 
able to give), and the welcome that was extended 
to him was unparalleled in its enthusiasm. 
Douglas was the idol of the Schuyler Democrats. 



HISTORY OF SCHTYLEK COUNTY. 



675 



He was known personally to every man of prom- 
inence in the county, having frequently visited 
Rushville while practicing at the bar and in 
earlier political campaigns, lie was at this time 
at the zenith of liis career and the acknowledged 
leader of his party in State and N'ation. His 
old friends in Schuyler had watched his meteoric 
rise to the proud eminence he now beld, ami were 

eager lo follow the "Little Giant" in political 

battles thai were yet to come, tor they all looked 
upon him as the logical successor lo .lames Buch- 
anan as President of the United stales. 

The Lincoln meeting had spurred the Democrats 
lo even greater efforts, ami the crowd that wel- 
comed Douglas on that fair October day was tin' 
largest that had ever gathered in Rushville, and 
was not to he eclipsed until many years after- 
wards when the population of the county had 
greatly increased. 

The platform was erected on the north sjile of 
the court house and was not completed at the 
time set for the speaking to begin ; but when 
Douglas appeared he was lifted by some of his 
strong armed constituents to the speaker's stand, 

His answer to Lincoln was along the same lines 
that he had used during the long campaign now 
rapidly drawing to a close, and was given with 
unparalleled spirit ami eloquence. He spoke for 
three hours and his magnetic presence and match- 
less eloquence is remembered, even to the pres- 
enl day, by those who heard him. 

At the Douglas rally an incident occurred 
which is worthy of note. The Democrats were 
eager to overshadow the recent Republican rally, 
and as an aid to this purpose, borrowed a can- 
non at Beardstown to be fired on the day of the 
speaking. They had planned to have a pageant 
that would delight all spectators and fill their 
rivals with envy. The cannon was mounted on 
the running gears of a wagon and hauled about 
the square, and the announcement made that it 
would be fired at the close of the speaking. 

While Senator Douglas was still talking, the 
boys undertook to load the cannon, "Jack" Zeig- 
ler was master of ceremouies. The old method of 
loading by cramming down paper, to him was 
good enough in its way, but it didn't make noise 
enough. Me suggested wet chipped leather, and 
there were loads of it in the rear of Ryan's 
harness shop. 

"Katn that down light ami they'll hear your 
old cannon in every adjoining county when she 
speaks,'' said "Jack." 



The hoys did as directed. When all was ready 
I he lanyard was jerked; the powder Hashed 
Into a geyser of flame; there was a Hash, a pause 
and then a shock which shook the very earth ami 
shattered all the glass windows on the northeast 
corner of the square. The noise was awful, the 
result disastrous. The leather had clung lo the 

min's interior, refusing ejectment, and the can- 
non was shattered into a hundred pieces. The 
broken parts leaped into the air and Hew sky 

high, and that was the last of the Democrat's 

mighty cannon. Miraculous as it seems, no one 
was injured. A large piece of the cannon fell in 
Hie center of the park just grazing the shoulder 
of .lames l.awler. hut he escaped uninjured. 

In the ever memorable political contest of ISUO, 
Schuyler was again loyal to Douglas and he 
|mi11c<1 1559 voles; Lincoln and Hamlin. 956; 
Bell and Everett, 15; and Breckinridge and Lane, 
8. The vote in isiu siood : Meridian ami Pen- 
dleton, lii'.n : Lincoln and Johnson, nor,. 

following is a table of the official vole Cor 
President in Schuyler County since 1864 : 
186S— Seymour, 1,756; Grant 1,311. 
1872 -Greeley, 1,577; (Irani. 1,430. 
lsTd— Tilden, 1804; Hayes, 1,522; Cooper, 115. 
1880— Hancock, 1,937; Garfield, 1,520; Weaver, 
69. 

1884 Cleveland, 1,956; Blaine, 1,533; St. John, 
24; Butler, 25. 

1888 — Cleveland, 1,994; Harrison. 1,610; Fisk, 
!ii': Streeter, 18. 

1892— Cleveland, 1,880; Harrison. 1,563; Bid- 
well. 1 II': Weaver. 209. 

1896 — Bryan, 2,325 ; McKinley, 1,848; Levering 
63; Palmer, 11. 

1900 — Bryan, 2,167; McKinley, 1,791; Wooley, 
7-1 : Baker, 4. 

1904— Parker, 1,C82: Roosevelt, 1,636; Swal- 
low, L'To. 

Representatives in Conuress. — The first con- 
gressional district of which Schuyler County was 
a pari, embraced the whole State of Illinois and 
Daniel 1'. Cook was the Representative in Con- 
u'less. He was followed in 1827 by Joseph Dun- 
can, who served until 1834, when he resigned 
to accept the governorship. 

In 1831 the first Congressional apportionment 
was made and I he State was divided into three 
districts. Schuyler was in the Third District 
which included Pike, Morgan and Sangamon 
Counties and all the territory to the north of 
them. Joseph Duncan of Jacksonville, who sue- 



676 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



ceeded Daniel P. Cook, represented this Third 
District and he was succeeded by William L. 
May. a Democrat, who served from 1834 to 1839. 
John T. Stuart. Whig, of Springfield, succeeded 
May and served two terms to be followed by John 
J. Hardin, of the same political party. 

It was during Hardin's term of office that the 
State was again redistricted and Schuyler was 
placed in the Fifth Congressional District witJi 
Greene, Jersey, Calhoun, Pike, Adams, Mar- 
quette, (a part of Adams,) Brown, Fulton, Peoria 
and Macoupin Counties. 

William A. Richardson, then a resident of 
Rushville, was elected to Congress from this dis- 
trict in 1847 to succeed Stephen A. Douglas, who 
had been elected to the United States Senate. 
Mr. Richardson served six consecutive terms 
(the first being a fractional term to complete 
that for which Douglas had been elected in 
1846), but during his third term he moved to 
Quincy, where he afterwards made his home. 

In 1852 Schuyler County was placed in the 
Fifth District composed of the counties of Adams, 
Pike, Calhoun, Brown, Schuyler, McDonough, 
Hancock and Henderson, and again in 1S61 there 
was another rearrangement when the Ninth Dis- 
trict was formed to include the following coun- 
ties ; Fulton, Mason, Menard, Cass, McDonough, 
Brown and Pike. 

The Republicans having succeeded to political 
power in Illinois, the new Congressional Districts 
created in 1872 were designed to be favorable to 
that party. Schuyler was placed in the Tenth 
District, which was made up of Mercer, Hen- 
derson, Warren. Hancock, and Schuyler Coun- 
ties. The first Republican convention in this 
district nominated William H. Ray of Rusb- 
ville. as their candidate and he was elected and 
served one term. Two years later the Dem- 
ocrats nominated John C. Bagby, also of Rush- 
ville, and he too was elected, notwithstanding the 
adverse Republican majority, and served in Con- 
gress from 1S75 to 1S77. 

Ten years elapsed before the boundary of 
the Congressional District was changed and in 
1882 the Eleventh District was formed with the 
counties of Rock Island, Mercer, Henderson, 
Warren, Hancock, McDonough and Schuyler. 
While nominally Republican, the district was not 
proof against Democratic victories and the elec- 
tions were, in consequence, spirited ones. 

When the Democrats once more came into 
power in 1892. they turned their attention to 



congressional districts and a new apportionment 
was made, and the Fifteenth District was created 
of the counties of Henderson, Warren, Hancock. 
McDonough. Adams, Brown and Schuyler. Like 
the Republicans they had planned a district along 
partisan lines, but with popular candidates and 
vigorous campaigning the Republicans were suc- 
cessful in every campaign save the last one in 
1900. 

A typical "gerrymander" marked the last change 
of Congressional Districts in 1901, and it was 
planned and designed to be hopelessly Republican. 
The new Fifteenth District is composed of the 
counties of Henry. Knox, Fulton, Schuyler and 
Adams, and it is ably represented in Congress 
by George W. Prince of Galesburg. 

Members of the General Assembly. — In re- 
viewing the history of Schuyler County's rep- 
resentation in the General Assembly, it becomes 
apparent that the Representatives from this 
county have played a prominent part in the legis- 
lation for the State. From the year 1832 until 
1900, Schuyler was represented in the General 
Assembly by one of its citizens as a Senator 
or Representative, with the exception of two 
sessions in 18G4-6G and 1S82-84. 

On the organization of the county in 1S26 
Schuyler was placed in a district composed of 
the counties of Pike, Fulton, Adams, Morgan 
and Peoria. In 1832 a new district was formed 
of Fulton. Knox, Henry, Calhoun, Mercer, Mc- 
Donough and Warren Counties, and William Mc- 
Creery was elected Senator and William A. Min- 
sliall Representative, both being residents of 
Schuyler County. From 1830 to 1840 Schuyler 
was set apart as one district and elected a 
Senator and Representative. After 1840 Brown 
County was added to the district. 

Since 1S4S, when the second State Constitution 
went into effect, the Legislative Districts of 
which Schuyler has been a part, have been as 
follows : 

184S — Sixteenth Senatorial : McDonough, 
Schuyler, Brown, Highland. Thirty-sixth Rep- 
resentative : Schuyler. 

1854 — Eleventh Senatorial ; Schuyler. Hen- 
derson, Hancock. Thirtieth Representative: 
Schuyler. 

1861 — Twelfth Senatorial : Menard, Cass, 
Schuyler, Brown, Morgan. Thirtieth Represen- 
tative : Schuyler. 

1872— Twenty fifth Senatorial : Fulton, Schuy- 
ler. 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



677 



1882—Thirty-fourth Senatorial: Mason, Men- 
ard, Cass, Schuyler. 

1893 — Twenty-eighth Senatorial : Hancock, 
McDonough, Schuyler. 

1901 — Thirtieth Senatorial : Tazewell, Mason, 
Menard, Cass, Brown, Schuyler. 

State Senators elected from Schuyler County 
are: William McCreery, 1832-34; George W. P. 
Maxwell, 1834-38; William A. Richardson, 1838- 
42; John Brown, 1S4G-4S ; John P. Richmond, 
1S4S-52 and 1858-02; Robert Brown, 1874-78; 
John M. Darnell, 1884-88. 

Representatives elected from Schuyler County 
are : William A. Minshall. 1832-34 ; Jacob Vande- 
venter, 1834-30; William A. Richardson, 1830-38; 
John Brown. 1S38-40; William A. Minshall, 1840- 
42; P. C. Vance, 1842-44; John Brown. 1844- 
40; Lewis D. Erwin, 1846-48; Jesse Darnell, 
184S-50; Allen Persinger, 1850-52; Francis E. 
Bryant, 1852-54; John P. Richmond, 1854-56; 
Lewis D. Erwin, 1856-02; Joseph Sharron, 1862- 
64; George W. Metz, 1866-68; John Ewing, 
1868-70; Samuel S. Benson, 1870-72; John 
M. Darnell. 1872-74: James DeWitt, 1874-70 ; Wil- 
.liam T. McCreery, 1876-S0: Hosea Davis, 1878- 
80; William C. Reno. 1SS0-S2; Perry Logsdon. 
1884-86 and 1S88-90; William T. McCreery, 1888- 
90; Bernard P. Preston, 1890-94; U. A. Wilson, 
1S94-98; James A. Teel, 1S94-96; George M. 
Black. 1898-1900; J. E. Wyaiul. 1900-1902; A. M. 
Foster 1906-1908. 

Delegates to Constitutional Conventions. — 
In the three Constitutional Conventions that have 
been held since Schuyler County was organized 
as a county, the representation has been as 
follows : 1847— William A. Minshall ; 1802— 
John P. Richmond : 1809-70— Jesse C. Fox. The 
constitution framed by the Convention of 1862 
was rejected by vote of the people. 

State's Attorneys— From 1825 until 1872 the 
Prosecuting Attorney for the county was chosen 
to represent a district rather than a county, and 
it does not always happen that the attorney was 
a resident of the county, though a number of the 
attorneys who held this office and afterwards 
achieved national reputation were members of 
the Schuyler County bar. The attorneys who 
have served in this official capacity are: James 
Turney, 1825-26 ; Jonathan H. I'ugh, pro tem., 
1826; William Brown, 1S26-31 ; Thomas Ford, 
1831-34; William A. Richardson 1834-38; Wil- 
liam Elliott, 1838-44; Henry L. Bryant, 1844-48; 
Robert S. Blackwell, 1848-52; John S. Bailey, 



1852-58; L. H. Waters. 1858-59; DeWitt C. 
Johnston, pro tern., 1859-00; Thomas E. Morgan, 
1800-08 ; L. W. James, 1808-72 ; Edward P. Vail, 
1872-70; Sylvauus B. Montgomery, 1870-84; 
David H. Glass, 1SS4-9G; Thomas E. Botten- 
berg, 1890-1904; Herman II. Brown, 1904. 

County Clerks — John B. Terry, 1825-27, re- 
signed December, 1827; Hart Fellows, 1827-37; 
William Ellis, 1837-1847; Nathan Moore, 1S47- 
50, resigned September, 1856 ; Edward Bertholf, 
September to December, 1856 ; Charles Neill, 1850- 
60;DeWitt C. Johnston, 1800-64; A. L. Noble, 
1804-68; John M. Spangler, 180S-72; John C. 
Scripps, 1872-70; Mark Bogue. 1876-90; A. P. 
Rodewald, 1890-98; Isaac Lewis, 1898. 

Recorders— John B. Terry, 1825-27 ; Hart Fel- 
lows, 1827-38; Richard Dougherty, 1838-46; 
Thomas I. Garrett, 1S46-4S. By the adoption of 
the State Constitution of 1848 the offices of 
Recorder and Circuit Clerk were merged, and 
since that date both offices have been filled by the 
Circuit Clerk. 

Circuit Clerks— Hart Fellows, 1825-36, resigned 
December, 1S36; Robert A. Glenn, 1836-40; 
Joseph Montgomery, 1840-52; Lewis D. Erwin, 
1852-56; Joseph Montgomery, 1850-60; Thomas J. 
Kinney, 1800-04; Simon Doyle, 1864-68; Edward 
Bertholf, 1S0S-72; William Paris, 1S72-SO; Wil- 
liam H. H. Rader, 18S0-S4; Charles II. Wells. 
1884-88; Nathan S. Montgomery, 1888-90- Eli B. 
Dixson, 1890-1904: Edward J. Ryan. 1904 to 
date. 

County Treasurers— David Blair, 1827-28; Wil- 
lis O'Neal, 1S28-33; Edward Doyle, 1833-34; 
Adam Dunlap, 1834-35; Harvey Lester, 1835-36; 
Robert H. Burton, 1836-37; Marshall /Smith, 
March, 1S37 to September, 1837; William Cox, 
1837-38 (removed); Clark Dennis, 1838-39; 
Joseph T. Campbell, 1839-42; John Scripps, 1842- 
43; James DeWitt, 1843-45; Nathan Moore, 
1845-47; E. H. O. Seeley, 1847-49; Enoch Ed- 
monston, 1849-52; Peter L- Campbell, 1852-60; 
Simon Doyle. 1800-02; Enoch Edmonston, 1862- 
01; Elias D. Leach, 1864-06; Joseph N. Ward, 
1866-68; Edwin M. Anderson, 1868-70; George H. 
Nelson, 1870-72; Edward D. Wells, 1872-76; Ed- 
win Dyson, 1S76-7S; August Nell. 1878-82: Ed- 
win Dyson, 1882-S6 ; John S. Stutsman, 1886-90; 
George Ilanna. 1890-04 ; A. H. Clark, 1S94-98 ; 
George T. Whitson, 189S-1902 ; Charles K. Strong, 
1902-00; William Cooper, 1906-08. 

School Commissioners and Superintendents. — 
Alexander Curry, 1826-35; Henry B. Bertholf, 



678 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



1835-39: William Ellis, 1839-40; Edward Doyle, 
1S40-42; Jonathan D. Manlove, 1842-43; John 
Scripps, 1843-17; George Little, 1847; Wheeler 
W. Wells, 1848; John Scripps, 1848-49; Daniel 
T. Berry, 1849-50; John 8. Bagby 1850; Charles 
Neill. 1S50-56; William Ellis. 1856-58; George I!. 
Benton, 1858-60; Anderson D. Da vies, 1860-62; 
Henry Smither, 1862-64; Jesse C. Fox. 1S64-68; 
Jonathan R. Neill, 1868-72; William A. Clark, 
1872-76: Henry H. Foley, 1876-86; D. M. Stover. 
18S6-94; J. G. Maroe, 1894-98; L. J. McCreery, 
1898-1902; J. Rollo Black. 1902-06; L. J. Mc- 
Creery, 1906. 

Sheriffs — Orris McCartney, 1825-28; Joel Pen- 
nington. 182S-:!4: Thomas Hayden. 1834-38: John 
<i. McHatton, 183S-42; Joseph T. Campbell, 1S42- 
44 ; Enoch Edmonston, 1844-48 : Asa Goodwin. 
1848-50 ; Lewis D. Envin, 1850-52 ; Asa Goodwin, 
1852-54; Charles Neill, 1854-56; John Hugh 
Lawler. 1856-58; Enoch Edmonston, 1858-60; Ed- 
ward Bertholf. 1S00-62 ; Joseph Dyson 1862-04 ; 
John C. Brown, 1864-66 ; Joseph Dyson, 1866-68 ; 
Henry J. Sapp, 1S68-70; Joseph Dyson, 1870-72; 
George T. Whitson, 1872-74; George M. Camp- 
bell, 1874-70; John A. Harvey. 1N70-78; John 
C. Brown. 1878-80; John Neill. 1880-82. Jacob 
Pruett, 1SS2-86: John Neill. 1886-90; George S. 
Greer. 1890-94; Felix Jackson, 1894-98; John 
Neill, 1898-1902; Felix Jackson. 1902-06; S. R. 
Moore, 1906. 

Coroners — Levin Green, 1825-29; Thomas 

Raines. 1820; Alexander Penny ; John P. 

Sidles, : Peter Wampler, 1848-50; A. H. 

Perkins. 1850-52; Peter Wampler. 1852-54; A. H. 
Perkins. 1854-56; Peter Wampler, 1856-58; 
William <;. Denny, 1858-60; John R. Randall, 
1860-62; Alexander Montgomery, 1862-64; Henry 
J. Sapp. 1864-66; John P. Sidles, 1866-1868; 
Adam Trone. 1868-70; Hud M. Dean.'. 1870-74; 
C. M. Grimwood, 1S74-70 : Barnett P. Watts, 
1876-78; llnd M. Deane 1878-80; John S. Vance. 
1880-82; John p. skiles. 1882-86; Hud M. Deane, 
1886-1900; Nathan Parish. 1000-1902; E. S. Chip- 
man, 1902 . 

Surveyors — Jonathan D. Manlove, 1825-29.; 
William P. Manlove. 1829-34: Allen Persinger, 
1834-38; F. E. Bryant, 1838-42; J. Miles Sweeney. 
1842-46; Leonidas Homey, 1846-61; Charles 
Prather. 1861-62; Jeremiah Stumm. 1862-64; John 
M. Campbell, 1864-66; James W. Watts, 1866- 
68; Jeremiah Stumm. 1S6S-74 : James W. Watts. 
1S74-76; Jefferson Homey, 1S76-85 ; Jeremiah 
Stumm. 18S.-.-1904; J. Clarke Graff, 1904-07; 



Howard F. Dyson, appointed to fill vacancy, 
December 13, 1907. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



UK; 1 1 WAYS— POST ROUTES— RAILROADS. 



DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHWAYS — LAYING OUT OF ROAD 

FROM RUSHVILI.E TO BOCK ISLAND EARLY' ROADS 

IN SCHUY'LER COUNTY' — FIRST POST ROUTES IN- 
AUGURATION OF RURAL MAIL ROUTES — FERRIES 

AND I5RIDGE SITES MILL-SEATS THEIR HISTORY' 

AND LOCATION FIRST COUNTY' BRIDGE OVER 

CROOKED CHEEK COMPLETED IN 1830 — FIRST RAIL- 
ROAD PLANNED IN 1836 — COUNTY' VOTES $150,- 

OOO IN RAILROAD BONDS RAILROAD BUILT TO 

RUSHVILI.E IN 1S69 TELEPHONE CONSTRUCTION 

— LIST OF TELEPHONE LINKS NOW IN OPERATION. 

In 1823. when the first settlement was made in 
Schuyler County, there were few well established 
roads in Illinois. In the south and central por- 
tions of the State there were well defined lines 
of travel, but these were little more than paths 
or trails, ami as they approached the Illinois 
River they grew less distinct, and when Schuyler 
County was reached they had disappeared alto- 
gether. Here the trail of the settler ended and, 
to the north as far as the Hudson Bay country 
and west to the Pocky Mountains, there were 
none of the familiar signs to mark the path of the 
adventurous homeseeker. 

Following the trail was not as easy as the 
name suggests, and to do it successfully the 
settler had to exercise the keen knowledge of 
woodcraft that he bad gained by observation and 
experience. Animals and Indians had located 
the fords in many instances before the coming 
of the white man. and thus had outlined a gen- 
eral line of travel, and the emigrants, follow- 
ing the line of least resistance, made a well 
beaten path through the trackless forests and 
across the wide expanse of prairie which, in 
time and through constant travel, became a well 
defined highway. 

When the first settlers who located in Schuyler 
made their journey north from the southern 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



679 



part of Indiana, they found only a rude trail that 
here and there had been roughly corduroyed 
over the worst sloughs. The trees along the 
route had been Mazed to mark the trail, and 
in many instances those who had gone before bad 
written their names on the smooth barked trees, 
telling where they were from and where they were 
going, a message that was often read with wel- 
come by friends who came after them. When 
some one had found a better road leading off 
from the trail, it was marked by setting a row of 
stakes at the points of digression, which was a 
sign well understood by the pioneers of the plains. 
The roads thus improvised by the frontiersmen 
were laid out without reference to section lines 
and. as necessity arose, they were straightened, 
but the first rude trail very often determined 
the destiny of what are now flourishing cities 
and. in a manner, affected the greater lines of 
commerce when railroad building began. 

In this connection it will not be out of place 
to refer to the establishment of a trail, or road, 
from Rushville to Rock Island, which afterwards 
became a well defined route of travel when the 
excitement over the lead mines at Galena started 
a stream of emigration northward. This road 
was laid out in 1827 by J. D. Manlove and 
Thomas Beard, who were engaged in the work 
for ten days. They left Rushville on horse- 
back and. in their travels northward, did not 
find a single settlement until Fort Armstrong 
was reached. In a reminescence of pioneer times 
Mr. Manlove writes that the road was marked 
by stakes and buffalo bones, which were found in 
abundance, and that after they had finished 
their work, the first team passed through Rush- 
ville in the spring of 1827 for the Galena lead 
mines. 

By authority of a State law the County Com- 
missioners were given very broad, but rather 
vague, authority to lay out roads, and in the first 
year of Schuyler's history the question of roads 
was one that occupied a considerable share of 
the attention of the County Commissioners. It 
was on December 5, 1825, that the first road 
district in Schuyler County was laid out. and it 
embraced a territory included within the fol- 
lowing bounds: "Beginning at the Illinois River 
on the Base line, along river to mouth of Sugar 
Creek, thence with main branch to the county 
line, thence along said line to the county of 
Adams, thence south along said line to the base 
line, thence east to place of beginning." 



At this meeting of (lie Board a report of the 
Commissioners appointed to lay out a road from 
Beard's ferry to the southeast corner of Sec- 
tion Hi, 2 N.. R 1 W., was received, and Jonathan 
Reno appointed to supervise the construction of 
the same. The Commissioners who had laid out 
the road were Ephraim Eggleston, Jonathan 
Reno and Levin Green, who had each received 
$1 for their services. David E. Blair was the 
first Supervisor of Roads in the county. By 
order of the Commissioners on March 7. 1826, 
the road from Beard's terry to Section 16, in 
Rushville Township, was ordered straightened 
so as to leave Beardstown, first named as the 
county-seat, off the, route. 

Frequent changes were made in the road dis- 
tricts and. on April 5, 1827, the county was di- 
vided in four districts and Supervisors were ap- 
pointed as follows: Edward White, Manlove 
Homey, William Pennington and William 
Stephens. To keep pace with the demand for 
road building the number of districts was in- 
creased to ten, March 4, 1828, and Supervisors 
named as follows: John T. Norton, Elisha Kel- 
logg. Moses W. Pettigrew, Willis O'Neal, William 
II. Taylor, Thomas Justus, Isaac Linder. William 
McKee, Joel Tullis and William Stevens. Two 
years later the number of districts was in- 
creased to fourteen and McDonough County, 
which was then under jurisdiction of the civil 
government of Schuyler, constituted one district. 

In laying out the first roads in the county the 
work was accomplished without the aid of a 
surveyor and no permanent record made. In the 
year 1829 a petition was circulated for a new 
road from Beard's ferry to Rushville and thence 
west to the county line, the object being to con- 
tinue the State road that ran through Illinois 
from Terre Haute, Ind., by way of Paris. De- 
catur. Springfield and Beardstown, which after- 
wards became an important highway for west- 
ern travel. The road was surveyed by William 
P. Manlove, County Surveyor, and in his notes, 
dated November 29, 1829, he stated that he began 
at a forked maple on the west bank of the 
Illinois River opposite Beardstown. and sur- 
veyed to the northeast corner of the public square 
in Rushville, a distance of eleven and a half 
miles, and from there to the west county line, 
j distance of twenty-five miles. The line was 
run its entire length by courses and distances, 
with blazed trees for witness points, and while 
no other surveyor has ever been able to follow 



680 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



the original survey, the road as now established 
follows the general course as laid out in 1829. 

The list of early roads of Schuyler, in the 
order of their establishment, is here given: 

From Beard's ferry to Rushville, 1825. 

From Rushviile to intersect road leading from 
Lewistown to county line, 1827. 

From Rushville to the north boundary of 
MeDonough County, as staked by Manlove and 
Beard in their route to Rock Island, 1S27. 

From Rushville to ford on Crooked Creek, 
Sec. 35, 1 N., 2 W., thence to intersect road 
from Atlas, seat of justice in Pike County, 1827. 

From Rushville to mouth of Crooked Creek. 
1828. 

From the Narrows in the Illinois River to 
Six Prairie, near Mt. Sterling, 1830. 

From west line of what is now Brown County 
to cross Crooked Creek at Henley's mill-site and 
intersect State road from Rushville, 1831. 

From the southwest corner of Sec, 33, 2 S., 
2 W., by way of Wilson's ferry at the Narrows 
on Illinois River to Rushville, a distance of 
thirty-two miles, 1831. 

There were scores of other roads established 
with the development of the county, but the ones 
named were the principal lines of travel from 
adjoining counties and they were commonly 
designated as "State roads." 

By 1S53 the development of the pork-pack- 
ing business in Rushville created a demand for 
highway improvement, and a local company was 
organized to build a plank road to Frederick, on 
the Illinois River, a distance of nine miles. The 
road was built, toll-gates established and a 
charge made for every vehicle or animal that 
used the road. With the decline of the pork- 
packing business the road was abandoned, though 
it well served its purpose during the years it 
was in use. 

Post Routes. — In the days before the build- 
ing of the railroads all the mail was handled by 
contractors, and these men were usually the 
owners of important stage-lines and had thou- 
sands of dollars invested in their equipment of 
coaches and horses. At Rushville previous to 
1841, Abraham Tolle had the contract for deliver- 
ing the mails, and he operated stage-routes to 
Peoria, Springfield. Burlington, Jacksonville, 
Quincy, Macomb and many near-by stations. He 
owned four big Troy coaches, each drawn by four 
horses, and they were regarded as the finest 
conveyances in the West, and were operated on 



a regular schedule time between the larger cities 
named. The mail-routes were let by contract 
and, in 1S41, an Eastern concern underbid Mr. 
Tolle and secured the business. These men did 
not give their personal attention to the business, 
but sublet the route in minor divisions, and this 
was the beginning of the government "Star 
Routes" which, if not conceived in iniquity, soon 
developed into the most brazen fraudulent deal- 
ings and involved the department in endless 
scandals. For more than sixty years Rushville 
was a hub, as it were, for numerous "Star 
Routes," but, with the development of the rural 
free delivery, there has been a gradual diminu- 
tion until there now remains but two routes out 
of Rushville. 

The first rural free delivery routes were es- 
tablished in Schuyler County, August 1, 1001, 
Route No. 1 was from Rushville to Littleton, 
while Route No. 2 covered portions of Bain- 
bridge and Woodstock Townships. New routes 
were added in subsequent years and, in 1905, 
a complete county system was established and 
twenty-four routes, not all of which start in this 
county, makes it possible for nearly every fanner 
in the county to have a daily mail delivery. 
Seven of these routes have their headquarters 
in Rushville. 

Ferkies and Bridge Sites. — The question of 
licensing ferries was one that devolved upon the 
County Commissioners and, inasmuch as the 
county was bounded on one side by the Illinois 
River and traversed by two large streams, there 
were numerous applications to come before that 
body. 

The first ferry license was issued to Thomas 
Beard, who desired to establish a means of com- 
munication across the river where Beardstown 
is now located. His license was issued June 5, 
1826 and he was given authority to charge the 
following rates : 

Wagon and four horses or oxen $ .75 

Wagon and two horses 50 

Wagon or cart and horse 37*4 

Man and burse 12% 

Loose horse 06 a ,4 

Footman 06% 

Cattle, per head 05 

Sheep, Hogs and Goats 02 

Double rates were allowed when it was neces- 
sary to take passengers to or from the foot of 
tin- bluffs. This license proved to be a remuner- 
ative one and a ferry was maintained until 1SS9. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



681 



when a bridge was constructed over the Illinois 
river at that point. 

Other ferry-licenses granted were as follows : 

Andrew Vance, September 4, 1826, upper land- 
ing on Illinois River. 

William Wilson, March 1, 1830, on Illinois 
River at the Narrows, three miles below mouth 
of Crooked Creek. 

Willis O'Neal. March 9, 1831, on Crooked 
Creek on Rushville and Quincy road. 

David Tallman, December 5, 1S32, on Crooked 
• reck, opposite Section 11, 1 S.. 2 W. 

William Haskell. June 2. 1834, on Crooked 
Creek, opposite Section 2."., 2 N., .", W. 

Allen Alexander, March 4, 1835, on Crooked 
Creek, opposite Section 33, 1 N., 2 W. 

William Wilson. .March 7, 1836, on Crooked 
Creek, opposite Section 13, 1 S.. 2 W. 

Benj. V. Teel. June 6, 1836, on Illinois River 
opposite Schuyler City, located near the mouth 
of Sugar Creek. 

John Knight, September 1, 1837, on Illinois 
River, at foot of Grand Island. 

Mills and Mill-Seats. — The old band-mill, op- 
erated by horse power, did service in Schuyler 
County for many years after the county was first 
established, but the pioneers were not slow to 
avail themselves of the water-power afforded by 
Sugar and Crooked Creeks, and the first peti- 
tion lor a mill-seat was made by John Ritchey. 
who asked permission to build a dam across 
Crooked Creek on northwest of Section 33. 1 N., 
2 W., the present site of Ripley. The writ was 
issued December 7, 1829. The next step was 
the appointment of a commission by the County 
Commissioners, who visited the proposed mill-site 
and made an estimate of the probable damage 
to adjoining property caused by the erection of 
a dam. They also specified the height of 
the dam. The records of the Commissioner's 
Court give the date of establishment of the early 
mills in Schuyler County as follows: 

Benj. V. Teel, June 7, 1830. N. E. Sec. 6, 2 N. 

1 E., on Sugar Creek. 

David Wallace, June 7. 1S30. S. W. Sec. 
20, 2 N., 1 E., on Sugar Creek. 

Thomas Justus, June 7, 1830, S. W. Sec. 17, 

2 N. 1 E„ on Sugar Creek. 

Walter D. Scott and Osborn Henley, June 6, 

1831, N. E. Sec. 11. 1 N., 3 W.. on Crooked Creek. 

Win. C. Ralls. June 0. 1831. S. E. Vi. Sec. 20, 

3 N., 3 W., on Crooked Creek, at present location 



of Brooklyn. (Today the mill on this site is the 
only one in operation in Schuyler County.) 

Benj. Chadsey and John Johnson June 6, 
1831, E % S. W. Sec. 5, 1 N., 1 E., on Sugar 
Creek. 

James A. Chadsey. March 5, 1833, N. W. 22, 
2 N., 1 E., on Sugar Creek. 

Scott & Bull, March 5, 1833, N. E. 11, 3 N., 4 
W., on Crooked Creek, the present location of the 
town of Birmingham. 

Abel Logan. March 20, 1835; N. W. 3, 1 S.. 2 
W., on < 'rooked Creek. 

Wm. McKee and John Taggart, Dec. 8, 1835, 
S. W. 11. 1 X. :: W. on Crooked Creek. 

Wm. A. Hindman and Samuel A. Clift, June 9, 
1836, S. W. 2, 1 S., 2 W. 

Asa Benton, Sept. 6. 1836, S. W. 29. 1 S., 2 
W., on Crooked Creek. 

Robert H. Burton and Eli Ablen. June 5, 1837, 
S. W. 29. 1 N.. 2 W.. on Crooked Creek. 

Asa Benton, June 6. 1S37, S. W. 4, 1 S., 2 W., 
on Crooked Creek. 

Peter F. Jonte. June 5, 1834, S. W. 20, 1 N., 1 
W,. on Crane Creek. 

Samuel S. Claughburgh. June 5, 1838, N. W. 
Sec. 2S. 1 X.. 1 \V., on Crane Creek. 

Adam Dunlap, September 4, 1838, S. W. Sec. 
28, 2 X., .". W.. on Little Missouri Creek. 

John King. Sept. 4, 1838, N. % 15, 3 N., 4 W., 
on Flour Creek. 

First County Bbidoe. — The General Assembly 
of Illinois having enacted a law making appro- 
priation for building bridges, the County Com- 
missioners on March 31. 1827, gave notice of the 
erection of a bridge over Crooked Creek, where 
it was crossed by the State road from Rush- 
ville to Quincy. This is what is now known as 
the Ripley bridge. The contract for building 
this bridge was let to Benj. Chadsey for $400. 
Thomas McKee constructed the abutments, for 
which he was paid $160. The bridge was ac- 
cepted by the Commissioners February 9, 1830. 
and Mr. Chadsey was allowed $12 for bringing 
the money from Yandalia that had been ap- 
propriated by the General Assembly. 

RAILROADS. 
The history of railroads in Schuyler County, 
if it should cover the general lines of rail- 
roads planned and promoted for this region, 
would require a book of itself; but for actual 
results accomplished a paragraph would suffice. 
Not another county in Illinois has had as many 



682 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COTJXTY. 



alluring prospects as Schuyler, and few there 
are that have fared worse in actual construc- 
tion. 

As early as 1S30, two years before a single 
mile of railroad was built in the State, a com- 
pany was formed in Rushville to build a railroad 
from this city to the Illinois River at Beards- 
town. Considerable money was spent on it, but 
the panic of 1S3C caused its temporary suspen- 
sion and the burning of the building in Rushville, 
which contained all the books and papers of the 
company, buried the scheme forever. The con- 
struction of this road would have been of in- 
estimable value to Rushville, for it would have 
given connection with the commerce of the Illi- 
nois River and afterwards served as a connect- 
ing link in a great railroad system. The period 
of financial depression that followed cut short 
the many ambitious plans for internal improve- 
ment in Illinois, and it was not until 1S54 that 
Rushvillites began to have fanciful dreams of 
being made a railroad center. It was a time 
when railroad building had its first great impetus 
in Central Illinois. Much was promised, but 
little done towards fulfillment. Schuyler, like 
many other counties, took the bait eagerly and 
voted enthusiastically to give whatever the rail- 
road promoters asked. 

On May 1, 1S54, Schuyler County, by a popu- 
lar vote, took favorable action towards subscrib- 
ing $75,000 for the building of the Peoria & 
Hannibal Railroad. Not satisfied with extend- 
ing aid to one road, the county did the hospitable 
act of welcoming all comers and, in 1S56, the 
county voted $75,000 to the Rock Island & Alton. 
In February, 1860, the people of Schuyler awoke 
from their dream. The tax rate for that year 
was -j:i cents lor county purposes and 37 cents for 
interest on railroad bonds, which seemed exorbi- 
tant to the frugal settlers of that day. There 
immediately ensued a strong opposition to rail- 
road bonds and talk of repudiation was rife. 
The railroad promoters held the bonds and the 
county was, figuratively speaking, "holding the 
sack," for up to this time there had been no 
actual operation of the roads. Added fuel was 
heaped on the flame by the action of the Rock 
Island & Alton Company in bringing suit against 
the county, which was defended at a cost of 
$1,042.44, and with the railroad victorious. 

When the same road threatened to renew the 
suit in 1865. Schuyler County asked for terms 
of settlement and a compromise was effected 



by refunding the old bonds on a basis of fifty 
cents on the dollar, which were to draw interest 
at 5 per cent. Emboldened by this success, the 
county in 1867 brought suit against the Pe- 
oria & Hannibal Company for the return of 
the bonds issued in 1858. Another compromise 
was effected and, in July, 1S68, new bonds were 
issued to the amount of $73,000, bearing 6 per 
cent interest. These bonds were placed in the 
hands of a trustee, and $4,000 of the same were 
to be delivered when two miles of road was built 
in the county, and a given number of bonds with 
each successive mile until Rushville was reached. 
This hastened the building of the road, and 
in 1S60 trains were running into Rushville on 
what is now the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
track. 

In 1SS8 the Peoria & Hannibal bonds were 
refunded at 5 per cent interest, and were sold 
at a premium of $2,115 to the American Ex- 
change National Bank of New York. In the 
meantime the Rock Island & Alton bonds had 
been retired and, in 1893 and 1898 the county 
took up $30,000 of the Peoria & Hannibal bonds, 
and in 1903 another $20,000, which leaves $20,000 
of the $150,000 lxmd issue for railroads to be 
paid in 190S, when the county will be free of her 
old outstanding obligation and out of debt. 

The first train on the Peoria & Hannibal Road 
came into Rushville July 4, 1869, and it was made 
a day of great rejoicing. The taking over of the 
road by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, put an 
end to further extension, however, and Rushville 
has had to be content with a stub road. 

The Rock Island & Alton Road, that was plan- 
ned to pass through Rushville, had a roadbed 
graded and bridges built from Frederick to 
Littleton, and there seemed no likelihood of a 
change in route when the promoters decided to 
follow the river to Browning and then continue 
northward, and Rushville was cut off entirely. 
This road likewise became part of the great 
• Burlington system and is known as the Rock 
Island and St. Louis Division. 

The only other railroad in the county is the 
Macomb & Western Illinois, which has its south- 
ern terminal at Littleton. This road was pro- 
moted by C. V. Chandler and William A. Comp- 
ton, of Macomb, and extends from Macomb to 
Littleton. Train service was established from 
the latter village on January 30, 1904. 

Telephones. — The development of the tele- 
phone from a mere mechanical curiosity to a 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



683 



house-hold necessity, was accomplished in Schuy- 
ler County within a decade, and now every por- 
tion of the county can be reached by some one of 
the many lines that radiate from Rushville. 

The first telephone line was built in Schuyler 
County in the early winter of 1S94 by Philander 
Avery, of Industry, who ran a line from that 
village to Rushville, and bad the terminal of- 
fice in the feed-store operated by E. W. Parker. 
At the time this line was building, Samuel Work 
was engaged in constructing a line to Beardstown, 
and it was in operation by January 1, 1895. The 
terminal station at Rushville was in the Cottage 
Hotel, and there were toll-stations at Pleasant- 
view and Frederick. At Beardstown Mr. Work 
met with strenuous opposition from the city 
authorities, who did not wish to have poles set 
in the city streets, and he was not allowed to 
carry his line into the business district, but 
secured an office near the wagon bridge, which he 
used in carrying his line over the river. During 
the time this line was maintained it paid fair 
returns on the investment, though Mr. Work says 
he was put to much extra expense and trouble 
by men and boys shooting off the insulators. 
Business men did not take up with the telephone 
idea, and when Mr. Work approached some of 
our prominent business men. he was told they 
diil not want to be bothered with such a "nuis- 
ance" as a telephone in their store. 

The Rushville and Beardstown and Rushville 
and Industry lines were operated independently 
for eighteen months, when they were sold to the 
Western Illinois Company, with headquarters at 
Macomb, and made a part of that system. In 
January. 1S97. this company established a local 
exchange in Rushville and gave its patrons con- 
nections with all the towns in the county, and 
the rural subscribers of the company among the 
farmers were now beginning to see the advantage 
of the telephone and were eager to have connec- 
tion with the outside world. 

The demand for telephones among the farmers 
of Schuyler County led to the formation of the 
Grange Telephone Company, which was incor- 
porated under the laws of Illinois on June 10, 
1897. The first line built by the Grange Company 
was from Rushville to Littleton, and they have 
constantly extended their service until they have 
lines in nine of the thirteen townships of the 
county. These townships are Oakland. Littleton, 
Brooklyn, Camden, Buena Vista, Rushville. Fred- 
erick, Bainbridge and Woodstock. The company 



now maintains a central office in Rushville, and 
has about 250 miles of line in operation. 

In the years 1002 and 1903 a number of inde- 
pendent mutual companies were organized in the 
county, and as they did not have access to Rush- 
ville. they started an agitation among the busi- 
ness men to construct a mutual city exchange 
that would serve as connection point for all the 
mutual lines of the county. This demand of the 
farmers for city connection led to the organiza- 
tion of the Rushville Telephone Company, which 
began business in December, 1903. The company 
was capitalized at $5,000 and the stock was sub- 
scribed by business men and citizens who rea- 
lized the need of more adequate telephone serv- 
ice. The local exchange was built at a cost of 
about $10,000, and now has 358 city subscribers 
and connection with 37 rural lines, which reach 
to every village in the county. 

The Central Union Company built their line 
to Rushville in January. 1897, and made it pos- 
sible to reach any of the cities in the United 
States over their long distance connections. The 
local toll business is now handled through the 
Rushville Telephone Company switchboard. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



TOWN-SITK 



BOOMS— ABANDONED 
LAGES. 



VIL- 



TOWN-SITE BOOMF.ES IN SCHUYLER COUNTY ACTIVE 

IN 1836 TOWNS PLATTED AND ADVERTISED IN 

EASTERN CITIES — ATTRACTIONS FURNISHED TO 

EMIGRANTS FROM TOE EAST CHECK PRODUCED 

BY THE PANIC OF 1S37 — A SPECIMEN OF TOWN 
ADVERTISING — IMPORTANCE ATTRIBUTED TO THE 
LA MOINE RIVER AS A NAVIGABLE STREAM — THE 

BROOKLY'N OF TODAY - LONG LIST OF ABANDONED 

TOWNS AND VILLAGES — INTERESTING REMINIS- 
CENCES OF SEVENTY - Y'EARS AGO. 

As early as 1830 the town-site boomers in- 
vaded the Military Tract, which was then re- 
garded as the extreme western frontier of the 
United States, and through their efforts this sec- 
tion of the country was well advertised in the 



684 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUXTY. 



East and South, and many new settlers were at- 
tracted here by the persistent land agents. Up to 
this time there were widely scattered settlements, 
where a lew families had kept together and made 
their improvements, but these were not known 
as towns, the neighborhood generally taking the 
name of the oldest or most prominent settler, 
and it was only the newly platted county-scats 
that were designated by a village name. 

With the close of the Black Hawk War, the 
tide of immigration from New England and Ken- 
tucky brought many new settlers into the Mil- 
itary Tract, .iikI Schuyler County received its 
full share. The settlers from the East were 
usually attracted to the towns that they might 
enjoy the advantages of the schools, churches and 
social intercourse, and this brought about the 
rapid growth of the earlier settlements and the 
founding of many new towns. 

One can fancy the bustle and activity of those 
years: the optimism induced by the attractiveness 
of the country and the large returns offered in the 
advancement of land values. Richness of soil and 
salubrity of climate made this the favored section 
of the western frontier, and the first settlers ex- 
ploited the excellence of the country in their 
letters to relatives and friends in the East, and 
urged them to locate in the new country which 
was destined to lie both populous and wealthy. 

The rapid increase in population caused towns 
to spring up like magic, for the promoters in 
those early days were as persistent and as elo- 
quent as those we now meet from Texas or Okla- 
homa, and their operations marked an economic 
advancement in the development of the country 
which history should record. 

The spirit of speculation was rife in Illinois 
in the early 'thirties, nor were transactions in 
"city lots" confined to the western markets, for 
land titles came gradually to form a part of the 
circulating medium in New York, Boston and 
Philadelphia. 

On paper each of these new cities was des- 
tined to become the metropolis of a dense popula- 
tion, and where water power was available, it 
offered an added inducement to boom the place 
as an industrial center. Every village with the 
smallest prospect of growth, and some uninhab- 
ited spots in the wilderness, had a large area 
staked off into town lots and platted in a highly 
ornamental style for the information of pur- 
chasers, and all the eastern papers carried the ad- 



vertisements of these new towns which were 
striving to attract the new settlers. 

The years 1835 and 1836 were the halcyon 
period for this land speculation, for in 1837 came 
the hard times felt so generally throughout the 
country. As a result of this economic situation, 
town-site booming in Illinois received a sudden 
check, and many of the towns promoted by land 
speculators developed very perceptible signs of 
decadence, and some were wiped off the map en- 
tirely and now are not known as having existed, 
save by those who search the old court records 
in the preparation of abstracts of title to farm 
lands, which now occupy the early town-sites. 

That the early town-site promoters were ac- 
complished in holding out great inducements to 
prospective purchasers, and laid great stress on 
the advantages of water-power, is shown in the 
following advertisement of the town of Brooklyn, 
which appeared in the Rushville Journal of July 
30, 1836; 

"1,000 lots for sale in the City of Brooklyn — 
Sale October 27. 28 and 29, 1836. 

"This city is situated on the La Moine River, 
nearly in the center of the Military Tract, on a 
direct line from Beardstovtn, on the Illinois River, 
to Commerce, on the Mississippi River, by way of 
Rushville and Carthage; from Quincy on the 
Mississippi to Peoria on the Illinois ; from Mt. 
Sterling to Macomb. On one of these routes a 
state road is already established and the other 
two are petitioned for and will be established the 
ensuing spring. 

"The City of Brooklyn in its local situation 
with regard to other places of business, is a place 
of very considerable importance; being 1-t miles 
from Rushville; 23 miles from Carthage; 37 
miles from Commerce; 40 miles from Quincy; 18 
miles from Macomb; 25 miles from Beardstown 
and 70 miles from Peoria. 

"History has not yet given an account of a 
country (in point of health, beauty and fertility) 
equal to the one surrounding this city. La Moine 
River is a most delightful stream, affording wa- 
ter at all seasons of the year for immense ma- 
chinery. It has been examined by competent en- 
gineers from its mouth to this CITY, and the 
estimated cost to construct dams, with locks to 
make it a perpetual navigable stream, is $30,000. 
The water-power gained by the construction of 
said dams must, and will, pay 10 per cent per an- 
num on the stock exclusive of tolls. The pro- 
prietors think the stock worth a premium of 10 




JAMES DeWITT 



HISTORY OF SCHUTLEB COUNTY. 



per cent. They intend having a company char- 
tered at the next session of the Legislature of 
this State to accomplish this great and desirable 
object. 

"The proprietors have no hesitancy in saying 
that there is no hazard in the purchase of lots in 
this City, as there is no city on any canal in the 
United States, which has advantages equal to 
Brooklyn in point of health, beauty and soil ; the 
fanners producing from one-half to double the 
quantity- of wheat and com over any other State 
in the Union. 

"The number of 1.000 lots will be laid off for 
a beginning, many of which will be sold in differ- 
ent cities throughout the United States. Agents 
selling abroad will recollect that all numbers of 
lots marked for sale at home, will not be of- 
fered abroad. 

"Teems — 10 per cent on all sales, cash in 
hand. The balance in six and twelve months. 

"Other sales from time to time as required. 
The best mills in the State are now in successful 
operation in the immediate vicinity of the City; 
two other mills are in successful operation, one 
five miles above, the other six miles below. 

"W. C. Ralls. 
"Jos. Duncan, 
"Bexj. Clark. 
"Db. Green. 

"Proprietors." 

This advertisement was published in The Rush- 
ville Journal : The Saturday Courier. Philadel- 
phia : Courier and Enquirer. New York : Adver- 
tiser, Louisville. Ky. : Eagle, Maysville, Ky. ; Mis- 
souri Republican. St. Louis: Courier. Palmyra. 
Mo.: Argus. Quincy; Patriot, Jacksonville; and 
Journal. Springfield. 

This is one of the several advertisements of 
Schuyler's boom towns, and it is reproduced to 
show the enthusiasm that marked those prosper- 
ous and hopeful days in the early 'thirties, when 
every hamlet had a chance to become a metrop- 
olis. It was not for lack of publicity, or of the 
rich fertile country that surrounds it. that caused 
Brooklyn to fall short of the promise of its pro- 
moters, but rather the development of the vast 
system of railroads which has left this com- 
munity, abundantly favored by nature, some 
twelve miles inland. The placid waters of the La 
Moine River continue to flow along its border, but 
its glory as a navigable stream and its value as a 
source of water-power have departed. To-day 
Brooklyn is a thrifty country village, with a rich 



trade territory, and her citizens yet hope to 
achieve that proud distinction looked for by the 
early promoters, with the building of electric rail- 
roads that will some day traverse the western 
part of Schuyler County. 

In our research for historical data among the 
court records and old papers, we find towns men- 
tioned which are now not heard of. but are of in- 
terest, nevertheless, from a historical standi>oint. 
Prominent among the decadent cities of the pio- 
neer days is Atlas, once the county-seat of Pike 
County, and well known to all the early Schuyler 
settlers. Atlas is located in the south-western 
part of Pike County, three miles from a railroad 
station, and its population has now dwindled to a 
few families. Commerce, a village on the Mis- 
sissippi River, is also frequently mentioned in the 
early records and its passing came with the re- 
christening of the village by the Mormons, who 
located there in 1S3S and changed the name to 
Xauvoo. 

But it is the story of the abandoned villages of 
Schuyler County that will be of most interest to 
the readers of this volume. The idea of deserted 
or abandoned human habitations, forsaken and 
forgotten towns and villages, has long been the 
theme for writers of romance, but when we con- 
template the situation from its historical stand- 
point, intense interest is added. Xo old ruins 
mark the sites of these now forgotten villages in 
Schuyler County, for they were typical of the 
times in which they were created, and the old 
log or frame structures have long since been 
moved away or destroyed by the owners. Only 
the sites remain, revealing nothing of the past 
history, and such facts as we have been able to 
gather have been gleaned from county records or 
the reminiscences of old settlers. 

Most prominent of these abandoned villages is 
Erie, which was located on Section 20 in Fred- 
erick Township. Located on the river, it was the 
landing place for all the steamboats that plied 
upon the Illinois. Founded about 1S34. its his- 
tory is spanned by a decade, for the great flood 
of 1S44 forever blasted the hopes of those who 
looked upon Erie as the river port for all Schuy- 
ler County. But the town will always live in 
history, for it was the landing place of many of 
the first pioneers of Schuyler County. In locat- 
ing the town it is probable the river landing 
had more controlling influence than the general 
topography of the country, for the river bank at 
this point is low and swampy. Erie's improve- 



6S6 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



nients were confined to a big warehouse built by 
Ranseilar Wells and a hotel, which was operated 
by a .Mr. Seaman. Hon. L. D. Erwin, of this city, 
was warehouse clerk for Mr. Wells in the early 
'forties and. during those years, au immense 
amount of business was transacted there, for it 
was the shipping point for the country fifty miles 
northward, and nearly all of the merchandise to 
supply the Rushville stores was delivered at Erie 
by steamboats. 

Schuyler City was another river town that 
failed to fulfill the promise of its promoter. It 
was laid out by B. V. Teel in 1S36, on Section 4 
in Frederick Township near the mouth of Sugar 
Creek, and it flourished for a time as a steamboat 
landing and shipping point. One of the old pio- 
neers, in reciting the story of the founding of 
Schuyler City said, the ground where it was sit- 
uated was so low a fog on the river would cause 
an overflow. After the flood of 1844, Schuyler 
City was heard of no more. 

While Brown County was yet a part of Schuy- 
ler, the town of Milton was platted and exten- 
sively advertised by William C. Ralls and Lewis 
Gay, the proprietors. The town was laid out 
in 1S36 on McKee Creek, five miles from the Il- 
linois River, and in the prospectus advertising the 
sale of town-lots, the promoters referred to it as 
located at the head of slack water navigation. 
Milton long ago passed from the memory of man. 

With the water courses as the principal chan- 
nels of commerce, it is natural the town-site pro- 
moters should choose the site for their villages 
along the inland streams, which gave promise of 
development for water-power as well as naviga- 
tion. And, while some of the towns so located 
exist today, there were others now wholly aban- 
doned and. in some cases, even their location can- 
not be identified. 

In Woodstock Township on the northwest quar- 
ter of Section 11, Township 1 S., 2 W., Samuel A. 
Cliff founded the town of New York in 1S3G. The 
town-site was surveyed by Allen Persinger and 
the improvements consisted of a store and a mill. 
Mieha Warren, afterwards a resident of Itusli- 
ville, erected and operated the mill. 

That same locality, which in pioneer times, was 
designated as "Ague Bend." was a favorite local- 
ity for the promoters and the town of York was 
laid, but never platted. York was located on the 
Gilead road to Calhoun County and its tavern 
afforded entertainment to many weary travelers. 

Richmond is another town we find mentioned in 



the early newspapers, but its history has passed 
in mi tlie memory of the old pioneers and not un- 
til the record of survey was found could it be 
located to a certainty. The town was laid out by 
Allen Persinger, March 15, 1S36, for Wm. Wilson 
on the northeast quarter of Section 13, 1 S., 2 W. 
Six blocks were platted and the location on the 
north bank of Crooked Creek, and adjacent to the 
main traveled road, was considered an ideal one. 
G. O. Wilson advertised a barbecue to lie held at 
Richmond in 1836, and that is the only mention 
of the town-site in history. Another town was lo- 
eated on Section 2, 1 S. 2 W. but even its name 
has passed into oblivion. 

Centerville was one of the inland towns of 
Woodstock Township, ami was founded by Isaru 
Cox on the northwest quarter of the northeast 
quarter of Section 21. Its only history exists in 
the county records. 

Ridgeville, the voting place of Browning Town- 
ship before township organization was perfected, 
was located on Section If!. The village was laid 
out by Isaac Garret. April 19, 1830, and, in 
alter years it boasted of a store, postofflce, church 
and school house, but when the postoffiee was dis- 
continued, it soon lost its identity as a town site. 
Mosco, located on the northwest quarter of 
Section 6, Frederick Township, also gained dis- 
tinction as a government postoffiee, and Anthony 
Messerer was Postmaster, but the town was 
never platted and when Frederickville was 
founded on the river, the postofflce was moved 
down from the bluff. 

In 183G Joseph Haskell made plans to establish 
a town just below where the old Camden bridge 
stood, but the plat was never put on record and 
the improvements were not sufficiently extensive 
to attract general attention at a time when the 
competition in town-site booming was keen. 

Mt. Meacham was one of the few abandoned 
towns that achieved sufficient distinction to se- 
cure a postoffiee. It was laid out by W. L. Gay, 
on the southwest of Section IT in Oakland Town- 
ship, and a number of quarter-acre lots were plat- 
ted. Mr. Gay had a store there and was post- 
master. 

Newburg was founded in the spring of 1S40 
on the north-east quarter of Section 2S, in Bain- 
bridge Township, by Joseph Newburg, and of all 
the abandoned towns of Schuyler County, it alone 
is designated in the plat book of Schuyler County. 
The town was surveyed by Francis E. Bryant, 
April 24. 1840, and twenty-four lots were platted 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



687 



on either side of Main street. Two lots were set 
aside by Mr. Xewburg for a school building site 
and a Methodist "meeting house," but they were 
never utilized. 

In the early days, however, Newburg showed 
thrifty signs of growth and boasted of a store, 
blacksmith shop, grist mill, saw mill and two sa- 
loons, but in time the town diminished in im- 
portance and, timber by timber, brick by brick, 
it scattered to the four winds; the town lots were 
vacated, and even the name became a misnomer, 
for the government postofliee, which was main- 
tained there for many years by L. O. Huff, was 
know n as Center. The inauguration of the rural 
mail route removed the last vestige of even a 
distinguishing name to the locality which, in 
1894, gained renown as the headquarters of the 
Populistic agitation in Schuyler County. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



CITY OF RUSHVILLE— DEVELOPMENT. 



VILLAGE FOUNDED IN 1826 FIRST COUNTY-SEAT 

NAMED BEARDSTOWN — SEAT OF JUSTICE CHANGED 

TO RUSHVILLE FEBRUARY 20, 1826 IT IS FIRST 

NAMED RUSTITON — FIRST SALE OF LOTS — TOWN IS 
INCORPORATED AS A VILLAGE MAY 10, 1831 — 
HEARTY WELCOME EXTENDED TO NEWCOMERS — 
REV. JOHN SCRIPPS CONTRIBUTION TO VILLAGE 
HISTORY* — FIRST ELECTION AND FIRST VILLAGE 

OFFICERS THREE EPOCHS OF TWENTY-FIVE YEARS 

EACH IN Bt'SHVILLE HISTORY FIRST RESIDENTS 

AND FIRST INDUSTRIES BUSINESS HOUSES IN 

1834 IMPRESSIONS OF A VISITOR IN 1833 

GROWTH RETARDED BY PANIC OF 1836-37 — EARLY 
STAGE ROUTES — FAILURE OF INTERNAL IMPROVE- 
MENT SCHEME — MERCANTILE AND MANUFACTUR- 
ING ENTERPRISES 1850-75 FORMER CITIZENS OF 

RUSHVILLE WHO ROSE TO DISTINCTION RUSH- 
VILLE OF TO-DAY' — MUNICIPAL HISTORY CITY IS 

INCORPORATED UNDER GENERAL CHARTER LAW IN 
MAY, 1898 LIST OF MAYORS FROM 1898 TO PRES- 
ENT TIME. 

The city of Rushville is one of the oldest towns 
in the Military Tract and, while it has not gained 



the prestige that comes from big commercial en- 
terprises and large population, it is rich in its 
historical relations. The city was founded in 
1S26 by a commission appointed by the Illinois 
Legislature to establish a county seat for Schuy- 
ler County, and it has this honor without ques- 
tion or contest and is, today, the only incorpor- 
ated city in the county. 

From the date of the founding of Rushville to 
the present time there has elapsed a period of 
eighty years, and yet there are those living who 
remember when there were scarcely a dozen 
houses in the city. This brings us home to the 
fact that, while Rushville can claim prestige as 
one of the early Illinois towns, its history is 
spanned by a single life and its present stability 
achieved by two generations. 

Soon after Schuyler County was organized three 
Commissioners from Morgan County selected 
a site for a county-seat on the south half of Sec- 
tion 35 in Rushville Township, which was named 
Beardstown, but the location was not favored by 
the residents of the county and a new commis- 
sion was appointed. Levi Green, Thomas Blair 
and Benjamin Chadsey were the new Commis- 
sioners, and their first choice of a town-site was 
on the prairie about a mile north of Rushville. 
Here was an ideal location for a town-site, but 
the quarter-section selected had already been 
entered, and the county finances would not per- 
mit of any extravagance, so the Commissioners 
looked about for a cheaper tract and finally on 
February 20, 1826. selected the south-west quarter 
of Section 30. 2 N., 1 W. The price of this quar- 
ter-section was only $200, but before the town- 
site was finally agreed upon, the Commissioners 
bargained with Jacob White to purchase the 
east half for $150, and with the money thus ob- 
tained the county was able to make the necessary 
payment and on December 2G, 1S26, the govern- 
ment patent was issued. 

The report of the Commissioners selected to 
locate the county-seat was made to the County 
Commissioners on March 6, 1S26, and on their 
recommendation the town was named Rushton, 
in honor of Dr. William Rush, a celebrated Phil- 
adelphia physician. On April 24th, however, the 
name was changed to Rushville. 

After the town site was selected and approved 
by the County Commissioners Samuel Horney 
drew a plan for laying out the town, and de- 
signed that one tier of ten-acre lots lie surveyed 
off the east side of the quarter, each to be divided 



CSS 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUXTY. 



into two five-acre lots, and ninety-six lots agree- 
able to the plan. The first public sale of lots 
was announced for July 4, 1S26, and notice of 
such sale was ordered published in the Edwards- 
ville Spectator for six weeks. Before the sale 
took place the County Commissioners ordered an 
additional tier of ten-acre lots to be surveyed off 
the west side of the quarter, and on June 5, 
Jonathan I>. Manlove was ordered to survey the 
public square. 

The first sale of town lots did not bring much 
money into the county treasury, and a second 
sale was announced for October 13, 1826. In the 
records of the Commissioner's Court of April 1, 
1828, there is notice of another sale of lots on 
June 7, 1828, and the record states that no lots 
are to be sold for less than $5, and bond for deed 
will be issued to those who execute notes. There 
were numerous sales made at subsequent date, 
and in some instances the county had to bring 
suit to force the payment for the lots sold as the 
court records show. 

During these early years Rushville was having 
a steady growth as the tide of emigration from 
the East and South was turning to the fertile 
prairies of Illinois, and the town was on the 
State road from Springfield to Quincy. It is a 
fact worthy of note, that the first railroad built 
in Illinois, from Springfield to Meredosia, had its 
effect in shaping the destiny of Rushville. for 
with its completion much of the travel westward 
to Quincy was deflected to the south and, in con- 
sequence, Rushville lost its proud distinction of 
being one of the gateways to the West. 

In 1831 Rushville had sufficient population to 
permit of its organization as an incorporated 
town, and, on May 10 of that year, an election 
was held to gain the coveted distinction. In the 
poll of those who voted to incorporate are found 
many names familiar to the present generation, 
for children and grand-children of these early 
pioneers still continue to make Rushville their 
home. The twenty voters who were unanimous 
in favor of incorporation were: John Scripps, 
Hart Fellows. William C. Ralls. I. J. 0. Smith, 
Richard Redfleld, Andrew Ross. William Layton, 
A. E. Quinby. Samuel Brazzleton, Samuel Beat- 
tie, William Putman, Proctor P. Newcomb, 
Thomas W. Scott. E. Grist. Joel De Camp, John 
M. Jones. John Mitcheltree, B. V. Teel. James A. 
Chadsey and Luke Seeley. 

At this election the first Board of Trustees 
was elected, and we find that the following gen- 



tlemen were selected to administer affairs : John 
Mitcheltree. I. J. C. Smith. William McCreery, 
John Scripps and Benj. V. Teel. An organization 
was effected by electing B. V. Teel Chairman ; 
John B. Watson, Clerk ; I. J. C. Smith, Treasurer ; 
and Thomas Hayden, Constable. 

A most interesting account of the incorporation 
of Rushville from the pen of Rev. John Scripps 
is found in the Prairie Telegraph. It reads: 

"Early in the year 1831, we of Rushville, be- 
ginning to look up and wanting to be something 
somewhat consequential, in appearance at least 
among ourselves, if no farther, conceived the idea 
of becoming a borough under the general law of 
the State recently passed granting the boon to 
any town, hamlet or village numbering a popula- 
tion of 150 souls. 

"Resolving to avail ourselves of the privilege, 
we set about like men, but had close work of it 
and much managing to make up the requisite 
legal number ; but persevering and persistent, we 
enlisted in our enumeration every transient strag- 
gler, every human formed biped we could lay any 
kind of claim to. and babies ; why every pigmy 
spraddler, as it counted one, was an acquisition 
as important as any adult who might shoulder 
his rifle, swing an axe or twirl her spinning 
wheel ; and had any lady presented her lord 
with a pair or more of them on census day, she 
would have been lauded to the skies, her name 
heralded as a true patriot to the best interests 
of Rushville. and the acquisition hailed as quite 
a God-send. But we had nearly failed, for with 
the most gumelastic stretching of our calculations, 
we could only contrive 140 into our list. But 
'fortune favors the brave.' so it does the perse- 
vering, and s<> it did us. For just at this critical 
juncture, while our every anxiety was on the 
stretch to call up some forgotten identity to fill 
that hated vacuum, down from Peoria, on their 
way to Alton, came two pedestrian knapsaeked 
tramps, bolting into the tavern and calling for a 
dram I which we believe the very patriotic land- 
lord bribed tliein with), to say they intended to 
become denizens of the place if they could get 
'shopped' — which they couldn't, for they were 
tailors, and there was no shop in town. The 
ladies, 'God bless 'em.' made our clothes in 
those days, and every married man had a tailor 
of his own: so our prospective citizens couldn't 
get 'shopped.' But that was their business and 
not ours : we took their word for it, and their 
professed willingness to be two of us for the 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



689 



deed, and as none of us inquired about their 
subsequent denizenship, or non-denizenship, we 
didn't know and never said, and we shut our eyes 
and closed our ears to any diminutions of our 
150 that might be going ou between census and 
election, at which later time, probably, we will 
not hazard a say that it was so, but probably 
it might have been a tighter squeeze to have 
recognized 130 than 150 at the former, as the 
population, as has been observed, was quite 
loose-footed and very unsartin. 

"On the 25th of May, 1831, we held our first 
municipal election and twenty voters attended to 
cast 100 votes for five Trustees. No candidates 
offered ; no nominations were made ; no party 
lines drawn; but the votings were given on the 
true old Republican principle of every man vot- 
ing for the identities he most approved of. The 
polling resulted in the election of Dr. Teel, 11 
votes; Dr. Smith. 13; William MeCreery, 13; 
John Mitcheltree, 14; John Scripps, 14; scatter- 
ing, 35. 

"The first year of our incorporate existence 
was singularly distinguishable for the frequent 
meetings, parliamentary etiquette, violent debate 
and crowded audiences, for it was the only 
source of amusement then afforded to those who 
didn't read to break the monotony of long nights, 
and relieve them from the ennui of want of 
thought and vacant mind, for we had tall speech- 
ifying and long controversial discussions on hog 
and dog laws, street paving and sidewalks, public 
wells and private awnings, nuisances, and what 
were or were not such; levying taxes, erecting a 
town hall and, above all, what the majority con- 
sidered of highest importance, and a minority of 
no importance at all. or next to a nuisance as 
a place to breed fleas in. a Market House. But 
we excited all our utmost energies of thought, 
displayed all our highest oratorical powers, oc- 
cupied more time and legislated on money mat- 
ters and concerns, and devised means for laying 
out more dollars in improving our town, than 
would at this day finish the Washington monu- 
ment in the District of Columbia." 

There have been three epochs in the history 
of Rushville which mark clearly the various 
periods of her existence. Each one stands to a 
certain well-defined degree apart from the oth- 
ers; each has produced its leaders and has ex- 
erted its far-reaching influence upon the growth 
and development of the city. 

First comes the period of settlement to recite 



the history of which is to tell the story of the 
fortitude and struggles of the pioneer settlers, 
who made for themselves a home in the wilder- 
ness. Following this is what may be termed the 
speculative period, when fortunes were made by 
shrewd business men and dazzling prospects for 
the future greatness of Rushville were indulged 
in at a time when the industries of the State 
were in their infancy. Then came the era of 
slow substantial growth, when Rushville. as it 
appears today, was builded. For the sake of 
comparison it is most convenient to divide these 
epochs into periods of twenty-five years, each. 

Let us first consider Rushville for the years 
1825 to 1850. This was the formative age when 
city and county were yet undeveloped and sparse- 
ly settled. It was a time when every village on 
the then western frontier aspired to be the me- 
tropolis of the West. Rushville, like other towns, 
had her aspirations and in those early days the 
future indeed looked bright, but in the later 
development of railroad building the city was un- 
fortunately located and did not come in for the 
benefits that the great lines of transportation be- 
stowed so lavishly. 

When the Commissioners decided upon the 
southwest quarter of Section 30, 2 X.. 1 W. for 
the site of the county-seat, Richard Black was in 
possession of the land. He had purchased the 
claim of Willis O'Neal, and lived in a house on 
the hit now owned by Mrs. E. D. Leach. Mr. 
Black was entered out of his land by the county, 
and lost what he had paid on his claim. 

The first cabin erected within what is now the 
bounds of Rushville was built by John B. Terry, 
on a lot south of the Webster School building. 
Soon afterwards Hart Fellows erected a cabin 
where H. M. Dace's store stands, and it was here 
the first stock of goods was put on sale, a gentle- 
man from Jacksonville owning the stock. In 
1828 Rushville was granted a government 
postoffice and Hart Fellows was named as Post- 
master. The first industry to he established in 
the village was a tannery that was operated on 
West Lafayette street near the town branch by 
Dr. James Blackburn. In 1831 Hodge & Hunter 
established a carding mill, the first to he operated 
in the Military Tract, and they did a thriving 
business for many years. Among the early mer- 
chants were Bon.j. Chadsey and Thomas W. Scott, 
who were in business here in 1830. 

The first tavern in Rushville was kept by Orris 
McCartney, and in the County Commissioner's 



G90 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



court of November 3. 1S25, he was granted a having traveled by way of Chicago, thence to Ot- 

license and his scale of pikes fixed as follows : tawa overland, and from there down the Illinois 

One Meal $0.18% River in a canoe to the Frederick Landing. In 

With Horse 25 a letter written to his wife in England, he gives 

Horse Feed 12% a description of Rushville of that day, which is 

Lodging 0CP/4 full of interest. It reads : 

Whisky i i-j pint) 12% "This is an inland town, very healthy and dry 

Whisky (1 gill ) OG 1 ^ and free from inosquitos, situated on a prairie 

Foreign spirits (% pint) 25 with extensive woods behind it. When brother 

Foreign spirits ( 1 gill ) 12i - 2 ( j hn Scripps ) came here there were only four 

Cider or beer (1 quart) 12% or five houses. Now the population is 500 or GOO, 

In 1834 Rushville was credited with a popula- with a court house, steam mill, seven stores and 
tion of 750 in "Peck's Gazetteer of Illinois." and two groceries, and is increasing in trade and 
the following facts were given of the town's magnitude. Business to any extent could be car- 
industries : "Rushville has six stores, two r ied on here at enormous profit. Money is in 
groceries, two taverns, four cabinet makers, four great demand for which 25 to 50 per cent can 
brick masons and plasterers, three carpenters, i ie obtained, and mortgage security. Twelve per 
two blacksmiths, four tanneries, one steam saw cent is the legal interest, which is considered so 
and grist-mill, one carding factory, four lawyers very little that capitalists despise it. 
and two physicians." "As for living, this is a land literally flowing 
Within the next two years the town had a with milk and honey. Fine cows cost about .$10 
rapid growth. Churches were erected and al- each, cost nothing to keep, and scarcely any at- 
most every denomination was represented. In tention. Honey, if bought, is about six cents a 
1S35 a newspaper was established, and this in- pound. The finest coffee I ever tasted, brought 
deed was a luxury that few of the Illinois towns up the Mississippi from San Domingo, retails at 
supported. In a copy of the Rushville Journal five pounds for $1, or twenty cents a pound. 
of 1836 we find the names of the following busi- Tea is equally good and cheap. Beef is about 
ness firms: General merchandise — Nelson & four cents a pound, pork about half that price; 
Robertson, Drake & Fenny. (I. II. Scripps, J. & chickens from 75 cents to .$1 per dozen; flour is 
R. H. Burton, McCrosky & Bailey, J. & T. from $4 to $5 a barrel. In short, eating and 
Parrott, Fellows & Burton, Dawley & Wells, drinking they consider as costing next to noth- 
R. H. Hurblut & Co., Parrott & Olcott, Montgom- ing. But wages and clothing are very high. A 
i t.v iV Gray; Drugs and books — J. W. Clark; journeyman carpenter or smith gets from $1.75 
Groceries — G. W. Baker, McCabe & Ritchie; to $2 a day, besides lodging and board. I shall 
Tin shop — Robert Dorsey and Isaac Greer ; Hat have much to say on my return. The last week 
factory — A. La Croix ; Chair factory — Wm. Snei- or two have opened my eyes a little. The traders 
der : Tannery — Geo. Baker ; Saddlery — True & are carrying all before them — 100 per cent 1 ! ! 
Garrett : Cabinet-Maker — E. H. O. Seeley; Black- 12 per cent on unpaid accounts!! household ex- 
smith — John B. Seeley ; Physicians — Dr. J. S. penses scarcely nothing." 

Dunlap, Dr. G. B. Roger, Dr. J. W. Clark, Dr. While there was great prosperity in the year 
B. V. Teel. Dr. F. J. Maloy, Dr. Hall ; Attorneys Mr. Scripps visited Rushville, the panic of 1836- 
— \V. A. Minshall, William A. Richardson, J. M. 37 swept away many hastily built mercantile 
McCutchen. businesses, and merchants who had large out- 
It is interesting in this connection to record standing accounts were utterly ruined. Business 
the impressions of a visitor to Rushville, a man stability thus shaken to its very foundation, was 
of wide experience in the world and who had not restored for ten or twelve years to come. 
traveled from London, England, to visit with The rapid development of Rushville in the first 
relatives in this city. We refer to William Ar- decade of its history was such as to attract at- 
miger Scripps, who visited Rushville in the sum- tention in the great trade centers of the East 
mer of 1S33. To reach this city he traveled a and South, where our merchants made annual 
distance of 1G50 miles from Xew York City by trips to purchase merchandise, and the town grew 
boat and stage, and was thirty-six days making rapidly. The fever of speculation was rife 
the trip. He arrived in Rushville July 25, 1S33, throughout the West, and this was augmented by 





IsfbuJ tf, 8z/fctf~ 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



691 



a vast scheme of State internal improvement, 
wherein the Legislature was to spend $7,500,U00 
on river improvements and railroad construction. 
Rushville at this time was an important station 
on the State road from Springfield to Quincy, 
and a great portion of overland travel to the 
Galena lead mines also passed through the vil- 
lage. There were stage routes to Quincy, Carth- 
age, Beardstowu, Macomb and Lewistowu, and 
the government mail contractor for this part of 
the State made his headquarters at Rushville. 
Greater things were expected when the gigantic 
scheme of internal improvements was inaugur- 
ated, but it was a strange stroke of fate that the 
first railroad constructed in Illinois detracted 
from Rushville a great portion of the transient 
business she had heretofore enjoyed. This road, 
running from Springfield to Meredosia, was first 
operated on November 8, 1S38, and when trains 
began to run regularly, much of the traffic from 
Quincy to Springfield that had formerly passed 
through Rushville. was turned southward to 
Meredosia. The hard times of 1830-10, following 
close upon the collapse of the internal improve- 
ment scheme, was a sad blow .to the booming 
Illinois towns, and its effect was widespread and 
genera; throughout the State and Rushville, 
along with other ambitious villages, suffered in 
consequence and, in the decade from 18-10 to 1S50, 
her growth was slow. 

The second period of Rushville's history — from 
1S50 to 187." — was, we might say, the heroic age. 
Speculation in land was at its high tide; new 
enterprises were inaugurated and the business 
of the town had reached tremendous proportions 
for an inland village. To add to the glowing 
prospects for future growth was the certainty of 
railroad construction. In 1S50 pork-packing was 
the most important industry in Rushville aud, 
during the winter months, employment was given 
to a large force of men and big shipments were 
made to St. Louis each spring when navigation 
on the Illinois River opened. 

Among the prominent merchants of that period 
were George Little. William H. Ray, Thomas 
Wilson, John Beatty. R. H. Griffith, August Nell, 
W. W. Wells. August and Joseph Warren, G. W. 
Met/,. James McCreery. 

Among the leading manufacturing industries 
were the following : Wagon Factory, established 
by J. & J. Knowles in 1849 ; Schuyler Flouring 
mill, established by George Moench in 1S07; 
Rushville City Flouring mill, established by Lit- 



tle & Ray in 1S17 ; Rushville Brick and Tile 
Works, established by John McCabe in 1800; 
Rushville Marble Yards, established by William 
Crosier in 1859; Rushville Tannery, established 
by August Peter 1S02; Rushville Woolen Mills, 
established 1808. In 1850 Rushville's two oldest 
papers, The Times and The Citizen were estab- 
lished and given the names they now bear. 

During these same years Rushville men in 
public life were soaring at the top. Hon. William 
A. Richardson was in the United States Senate ; 
John Locke Scripps was aiding in founding The 
Chicago Tribune; P. II. Walker was on the 
supreme bench of Illinois, and John C. Bagby and 
William II. Kay were representatives in Congress. 
L. D. Erwin and John P. Richmond were promi- 
nent members of the Illinois Legislature before 
the war and the favorite sons of Rushville were 
conspicuous in the affairs of State and nation. 
Meantime the town continued to thrive and 
prosper and many of the mercantile houses es- 
tablished during this period still exist, and the 
business is carried on now by another generation 
of the same families in larger and more pre- 
tentious buildings, but of the scores of promi- 
nent merchants whose business was founded in 
the year 185(1 and 1S00 none remain in active 
business life.' Aud so it happens that, while 
the primitive business houses have long since 
disappeared, some of the early builders lived to 
aid in the regeneration of the modern Rushville, 
and have left the impress of their industry and 
progressive ideas upon the city of today. 

The story of Rushville's growth during the 
last twenty-five years is too long to be told in 
detail, but the main facts can be chronicled 
briefly. In !8S0 there were four brick store- 
buildings on the public square. Now there are 
scores of them of a uniform style of architecture 
and only one frame building remains as a relic 
of the old days. The symmetrical style of the 
buildings in the business district give hints of 
disastrous fires and Rushville has suffered se- 
verely in this respect, but, Phoenix-like, has each 
time arisen from the ashes and the old build- 
ings were replaced by fine new business blocks. 

The south side of the square was the first to 
suffer and on January 11, 1882, half the block 
was burned; the year following the east end of 
the north side was burned on Aug. 14. 1883, and 
May 20, 1893, four buildings on the east side of 
the square were destroyed. 

In the residence portion of the city the im- 



692 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



provements have kept pace with those in the 
business center and new additions have been 
platted to allow the city's growth. After all is 
said, the spirit that is abroad among the people 
themselves ; the spirit that appreciates the 
wealth of nature and the need for effort on the 
part of man ; the spirit to work and do its best, 
is more significant and important in the long 
run than anything proved by existing facts and 
reminiscences of the past. 

First incorporated as a village May 10, 1831, 
Rushville so continued until March 2, 1839, when 
the Illinois Legislature granted a special charter 
and Rushville was incorporated as a town, and 
the municipal government was vested in seven 
Trustees, who served without compensation. 

On Monday, May 11, 1898. the voters of Rush- 
ville decided to abandon the special charter and 
adopt city organization under the General State 
Law. At an election held May 10, 1898, Dr. 
R. C. Amrine was elected the first Mayor of 
Rushville. Since then the following Mayors have 
served the city : George Hartman, 1S99-1901 ; 
D. IT. Glass. 1901-1903; Dr. T. W. Scott, 1903- 
1905; Lewis A. Jannan, 1905-1907; A. J. Lash- 
niell, 1907— 

The population of the City of Rushville. ac- 
cording to the census of 1900. was 2.292. of which 
629 fell within Buena Vista Township and 1.G63 
in Rushville Township. 



ships comprised within the limits of Schuyler 
County, arranged in alphabetical order for con- 
venience of reference : 



CHAPTER XIX. 



TOWNSHIP HISTORY. 



SKETCHES OF INDIVIDUAL TOWNSHIPS IN SCHUYLEB 
COUNTY — BAINBRIDGE, BIRMINGHAM, BROOKLYN, 
BROWNING, BUENA VISTA. CAMDEN, FREDERICK, 
HICKORY. HUNTSVILLE, LITTLETON, OAKLAND, 
RUSHVILLE AND WOODSTOCK TOWNSHIPS — GEO- 
GRAPHICAL LOCATION AND CHARACTERISTICS 

FIRST SETTLERS, WHENCE THEY CAME AND 

WHERE THEY LOCATED FIRST CHURCHES AND 

FIRST SCHOOLS — LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS AND IM- 
PORTANT EVENTS — POPULATION IN 1900. 

In the following pages will be found an in- 
dividual history of each of the thirteen town- 



BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP. 

Bainbridge, by reason of its location near the 
Illinois River, was one of the first townships in 
the county to be settled and. during the year 
1823, it was invaded by the pioneers who built 
their cabins and made a clearing in the timber 
for thi' cultivation, of their crops. 

Bounded on the south by the Illinois River 
and Crooked Creek and traversed from north to 
south by Crane and Coal Creeks, it naturally fol- 
lows that the land surface of the township is 
broken and rugged. Along all these streams 
there is a rich alluvial soil that yields tre- 
mendous crops in seasons when the land is not 
overflowed by water. Much of the land that was 
considered unfit for cultivation twenty years ago, 
and carried each successive year on the delin- 
quent tax-roll, has now been reclaimed and a 
large portion of it is in cultivation. 

Along the Illinois River a tract of land em- 
bracing 7,000 acres has been taken into a drain- 
age district and, by a system of levees and lateral 
drainage ditches in the enclosed portion, an effort 
is being made to reclaim the land. Another re- 
clamation project was started in 1908 when the 
Crane Creek Drainage and Levee District was 
organized and 5.0(10 acres will be reclaimed. 

Bainbridge Township is the only section of 
Schuyler County that does not show an out- 
cropping of coal veins of sufficient thickness for 
mining purposes. But while this mineral vein is 
lacking, there are others present that may prove 
more valuable. In the neighborhood of New- 
berry a well marked deposit of zinc has been 
located, but whether it is present in sufficient 
quantity to work profitably has never been de- 
termined. In the same neighborhood specimens 
of lead have been found, but the surface in- 
dications are not so favorable for this mineral 
as for zinc. 

Thomas McKee am? Willis O'Neal were the 
first settlers in Bainbridge Township. In the 
fall of 1823 they came to Schuyler County from 
Kentucky and built their cabins six miles south 
of the Hobart settlement, where the entire pop- 
ulation of the county, numbering perhaps a score 
of people, was centered. Thomas McKee built 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



693 



his cabin on the northeast quarter of Section 
20 and Willis O'Neal located on Section 16. Mc- 
Kee was a trained mechanic and, as soon as he 
had erected a home for his family, he constructed 
a workshop and this was the first blacksmith 
shop in the county. His coming was a valuable 
addition to the little settlement, for he was 
a natural mechanic and gunsmith, and in his 
little log shop be did a good business for those 
pioneer times. Willis O'Neal later moved from 
Bainbridge and settled on the present site of 
Rushville, and took a prominent part in the af- 
fairs of the county in the early years of its his- 
tory. He afterwards removed to Brown County. 

In 1824 David and Thomas Blair and Jacob 
White settled on Sections 2 and 3, and in that 
same year George Naught, who had come from 
Whiteside County with bis brother Isaac anil 
settled on Section :'!(!, Woodstock, removed to 
Bainbridge where he afterwards made his home. 

Jonathan Reno and John A. Reeve were among 
the newcomers in is2."i who settled in Bainbridge. 
In November. 182<>. Abraham Lemaster and his 
son-in-law. Charles Hatfield, moved into the town- 
ship and purchased Willis O'Neal's improvement. 
James B. Atwood, William Mitchell, Moses .Pet- 
tigrew, Archibald Parris. James Edmonston, 
James. William and John Evans were among 
those who came in 1827. Rev. Joseph Bell, a 
Baptist minister, Isaac Briggs, George Butler, 
Peter DeWitt, Samuel Jackson, Sanford Close, 
Elisba Hudson, Jerre Jackson and Thomas How- 
ell were all residents of the township prior to 
1830. Among other early residents were: Allen 
Tersinger, Daniel Matheny. Jonathan Reddick, 
Harvey Phinuey, John Jacobs, John Bowling, 
John Dougherty, James Lawler, Jonathan Pat- 
teson. Ebenezer Grist aud Apollos Ward. 

The first mill in the township was built by 
Ephraim Egglestou on the bank of Crane Creek 
on Section 19. The mill was erected in 1827 and 
was barely in operation when there came a sud- 
den flood on this now famous erratic stream, 
that carried away the improvement down stream. 
Zeph Tyson built the second mill in 1835 aud it 
was operated by horse-power. 

The first school building in the township was 
on Section 15, aud John Parker. Joseph Bell and 
William Burnsides were among the first teachers. 

There is not now a town or postoffice in Bain- 
bridge Township, the postoffice at Center having 
been discontinued in 1004, when the rural free 
delivery system was extended to the township. 



The town of Newburg, now commonly known as 
Newberry, was founded by Joseph Newburg and 
was surveyed and platted by Francis E. Bryant, 
County Surveyor, April 24, 1840. There was 
once a store and blacksmith shop there, but all 
semblance of a town lias long since disappeared. 
The population of Bainbridge Township, ac- 
cording to the census of 1000, was 1,210. 



BIRMINGHAM TOWNSHIP. 

The farthest outlaying township in Schuyler 
County is Birmingham, located in the extreme 
north-west corner.- It is bounded on the north 
by McDonough County and ou the west by Han- 
cock County, and its business is largely tributary 
to Plymouth, the nearest shipping point. This 
township is almost equally divided between un- 
dulating and fertile prairie land in the south 
and north, and heavy timber laud along the wa- 
ter courses. The farms are well improved and 
the land valuable for grain farming and stuck 
raising. 

Brummel Sapp was the first settler in Birming- 
ham Township. He was a neighbor in North 
Carolina of the Manlove family, who first settled 
in Schuyler iu 1824, Their glowing accounts of 
the new country fired his enthusiasm and, in the 
early fall of 1831, he started on the long journey 
to the frontier in Illinois. His family consisting 
of his wife and children, Harmon, Jefferson, 
Jacob, Adam. Newell, William, S. R. aud Sarah, 
accompanied him, and they reached Rushville in 
early winter of that year. Here the family re- 
mained until the spring of 1832, when they once 
more packed up their household belongings and 
began the journey westward. Par removed from 
all other settlements he located on the south- 
westeru part of the northwest quarter of Section 
3, in Birmingham Township, and there in the 
solitude of the forest built his home, and his 
after years were spent on the old homestead and 
his descendants are today numerously represented 
in the population of the township. 

Soon after Mr. Sapp settled in Birmingham his 
old neighbor in North Carolina, David Manlove, 
removed there from the Rushville settlement. 
He was followed soon afterward by Moses and 
Jonathan D. Manlove, who settled nearby. Other 
settlers who came in 1832 were Peter Popham 
from Kentucky, aud a man named Haggard, also 
Edward aud David Wade. Isaac Pigeon was a 



694 



H1ST0EY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



near neighbor of Mr. Sapp in 18."..".. and William 
and Jesse Bodenbammer and Adam Wier came 
from North Carolina in that same year. In 
1S34 the settlement was further increased by the 
arrival of three brothers, Alexander, John and 
Charles Bilderbaek, who eame from Adams 
County. III., where their father had arrived from 
Kentucky some years before. William H. and 
James Bilderbaek, the remaining brothers, fol- 
lowed in the fall of that year. About this time 
James G. King and David Graham settled in 
the township. Thomas Twidell and Simeon Mor- 
ris, from Virginia, were among the settlers of 
1834, settling in Round Prairie. In 1S36 James 
and Harrison Graham and John L. Carden and 
family made the long journey west from Vir- 
ginia, in response to letters that had been sent 
home by David Graham. William Edwards, John 
T. Gash, Col. Geo. II. Briscoe, John L. Ewing, 
William Noel. S. S. Walker and Edward Whipple 
were others of the early pioneers who settled in 
Birmingham Township in the 'thirties. 

The early home-seekers in Birmingham were 
men who had faith in the future development of 
the rich country of Illinois, and as soon as they 
had reared their cabins and planted their crops. 
they turned their attention to developing the 
resources nearest at hand. In 18::r. Robert Wil- 
son. ,i practical mill-wright came to the settle- 
ment, and in partnership with David Graham, 
began the construction of a water mill on the 
northeast quarter of Section 11. They built a 
dam across Crooked Creek at this point, and the 
first grist was ground in 1S3G. The mill was 
a two-story frame building, and the power was 
obtained from an undershot wheel. It remained 
in service until 1882 when, on May •">, a spring 
freshet undermined the wheel and it was car- 
ried down stream. 

The building of the mill was an incentive to 
greater effort in the development of the country, 
and on July 1, 1836, the village of Birmingham 
was platted by Allen I'ersinger for David Gra- 
ham, David Manlove and Moses Manlove. the 
proprietors. The prospectus issued by the town- 
site promoters, and published in all the eastern 
papers, was a most glowing one, and the new 
town-site was heralded as a thrifty manufac- 
turing center at the head of navigation on the 
La Moine River. Like many other of the boom 
towns of 1830. Birmingham failed to fulfil the 
expectations of its enthusiastic promoters, but 
is today a pretty little country village along 



whose boundary flows the waters of Crooked 
Creek. 

The first school in Birmingham was taught by 
William Xoel in a log cabin in the village. In 
1830 Birmingham was made a. government post- 
office and William Noel was named as Post- 
master. The first church erected in the town- 
ship was built by the Protestant Methodists in 
the village in 1852. 

Population of the township in 1000, according 
to the United States census, 894. 



BROOKLYN TOWNSHIP. 

Brooklyn is in the northern tier of townships 
that border on McDonough County and, though 
tar removed from the first settlement made in 
Schuyler County, not many years elapsed until 
the homeseeker had reared his humble cabin 
within its border. This was due, perhaps, tb the 
fact that Crooked Creek flows through the town- 
ship, from north to south, for the early pioneer 
followed the water courses in his search for a 
new home, and the earliest settlements were usu- 
ally made not far from the stream. The timber 
country was always first choice of the early 
homeseekers, and Brooklyn afforded many choice 
locations of this kind, for all the country adja- 
cent to Crooked Creek abounded in the finest kind 
of timber. When Brooklyn Township was first 
settled Crooked Creek was known as La Moine 
River, and was regarded as a navigable stream, 
and great things were expected from the develop- 
ment of the water power along its course. While 
these expectations were never realized. Brooklyn 
Township has made great progress as an agri- 
cultural country and its people are prosperous as 
a result thereof. 

William Owens was the first settler who made 
a home within the bounds of Brooklyn Township. 
Reared in Kentucky, he was married in 1S28 to 
.Miss Helen Swan and, in the fall of the year 
following, the young couple decided to follow the 
bride's parents to Illinois. They made the trip 
on horseback and were six days in the saddle, 
and, on reaching Schuyler County, found a warm 
welcome at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George 
Swan, who were then residents of Buena Vista 
Township. There they spent the winter and, in 
the spring of 1S30, pushed on farther west and 
built a cabin in Brooklyn Township. After put- 
ting in his crop Mr. Owen returned to Kentucky 



HISTORY OF SCHTJYLEE COUNTY. 



695 



to get his household goods, and, on his return, 
sold his pre-emption right in Brooklyn and re- 
turned to Buena Vista Township. 

William Manlove, who came to Schuyler from 
North Carolina in 1825, was attracted by the 
rich prospects of Brooklyn Township and, in 1S32, 
settled with his family on the northeast quarter 
of Section 7. He was accompanied by his 
brother-in-law, William Huff, who with his fam- 
ily settled on an adjoining quarter. About this 
time John E. Rigshy settled on the east half of 
the southeast quarter of Section 7. He referred 
to his claim as "Guinea Prairie," and the neigh- 
borhood is, to this day, known by that name 

William C. Ralls will always occupy a conspic- 
uous place in the history of Brooklyn. He was 
a man of energy and determination, and had un- 
bounded faith in the ultimate development of a 
great manufacturing center in the wilderness of 
Illinois. On December 6, 1831, he was granted 
a mill site on Crooked Creek on the southwest 
quarter of Section 20, and was authorized to 
build a dam not to exceed nine feet in height. 
Before his improvement was completed came the 
call for volunteers to fight the tribes of the In- 
dian Chief Black Hawk, and Mr. Ralls entered 
the service of the State as Captain of a volun- 
teer company. He did not forget his pet project 
of developing the water-power on Crooked Creek, 
however, and in 1832 returned to his claim and 
resumed work on the dam. 

Another of the prominent Brooklyn settlers of 
the early day was Rev. Samuel Dark, a Baptist 
minister, who labored in the Lord's vineyard for 
more than fifty years, and whose name is yet 
honored and revered not only in Brooklyn, hut in 
all the adjacent country. Samuel Dark was a 
native of North Carolina, but removed to Ten- 
nessee when a child. Accompanied by his father, 
Samuel Dark, and two cousins, Horace and Sam- 
uel Dark. Jr., and a brother-in-law, Hugh Hays, 
he came to Schuyler County in February, 1830. 
The little party first located in Buena Vista Town- 
ship, where Robert L. Dark had builded a home, 
and in the fall Samuel L. Dark moved to Brook- 
lyn Township and settled on the northwest quar- 
ter of Section 5. 

William Lewis was one of the pioneers in 
Brooklyn and, for more than fifty years, one of 
her most prominent citizens. Mr. Lewis was a 
native of Philadelphia, where he was born March 
7. 18(11, and was a grand-son of Francis Lewis, 
one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- 



pendence. In early life he was admitted to the 
bar in Philadelphia and planned to follow a pro- 
fessional career, but came west in 1829 for the 
benefit of his health. He spent three years in 
Rushville and, in 1832, in company with Samuel 
Oliver, who had accompanied him from the East, 
he located on the northwest quarter of Section 
19, in Brooklyn Township. The rugged life of 
a pioneer restored his health and he lived to a 
ripe old age, his death occuring in 1889. 

Dr. James S. Blackburn, one of the pioneer 
physicians of the county, first located in Rushville 
in 1830 and there erected the first tannery in the 
county. He afterwards studied medicine and in 
1836, removed to Brooklyn, where he achieved 
success and honor. 

Philip Chipman, a native of North Carolina, 
located in Brooklyn in 1836 and he served as a 
volunteer in the Mormon and Mexican wars, and 
enlisted in the army of the North in the Civil 
War, but was discharged on account of illness. 
Mr. Chipman is quoted as saying that he often 
hauled produce to Quincy. where he sold wheat 
for 30 cents a bushel and pork at $1.23 per hun- 
dred, and in payment therefor took calico at 25 
cents a yard, and bull skin boots at $8 a pair. 

Jackson Higgins, one of the few surviving old 
pioneers, accompanied his lather, Daniel Higgins, 
to Brooklyn in 1S38. Mr. Higgins, Si'., was a 
tailor and made into clothes the cloth the wives 
had woven from carded anil spun wool. Jackson 
Higgins, in conversation with the writer, says 
the old camping grounds of the Indians were 
clearly discernible when they first located in 
Brooklyn. At the time Mr. Higgins and family 
took up their abode on Section 9. which is only 
a short distance from their present home, there 
was a class of rough characters living along the 
creek, who made their livelihood by hunting and 
fishing. They Were not a desirable class of citi- 
zens anil, as tin- country settled up. they moved 
away to other frontier points, and Brooklyn has 
never since been troubled by such as their kind. 

The town of Brooklyn has for its founder Wil- 
liam C. Ralls, who as early as 1831 planned to 
there build a city that would rival any in North- 
ern Illinois. The first step in the realization of 
this plan was the erection of a mill, which was 
built on the northeast quarter of Section 20, in 
the year 1832. To assist in this work Richard 
Redfieid moved from Rushville, where he had 
located in 1830, and he operated the first black- 
smith shop in the township. 



696 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



With tbe establishment of the mill accom- 
plished, llr. Ralls unfolded his plans for the es- 
tablishment of a manufacturing center near by. 
Thus it was that, on October 26, 1S3G, on the 
south bank of Crooked Creek, on a rolling piece 
of ground sloping gradually towards the stream, 
Allen Persinger platted the town of Brooklyn. 
The proprietors were William C. Ralls, Joseph 
Duncan. Benjamin Clark and Dr. Green. They 
did not sit idly by and wait for the town to 
grow — that was too slow a proceeding for those 
stirring times. Instead they spread abroad the 
news that there was to be a sale of town lots, 
and it was advertised in every paper of promi- 
nence in the United States. 

Brooklyn, like many other towns of that time, 
fell short of the promised greatness. Fate did 
not deal kindly with the village when the great 
railroad systems girded the country and. in a 
day, made towns where before there had been 
a wilderness. But Brooklyn is. today, a thrifty 
inland town, surrounded by a rich agricultural 
country and, in its long history, no disastrous 
storms, fires or pestilence have marred its serene 
prosperity. 

The first school in the village was taught by 
Miss Dodds in 1S44. Brooklyn was made a gov- 
ernment postoffice in 1840. and William Homey 
wax, the first postmaster. On the site of the old 
mill, erected in 1832, there stands a mill today, 
tbe only fiouring mill operated within the bounds 
of Schuyler County. 

The census report of 1000 showed a population 
for Brooklyn Township of 1,173. 



BROWNING TOWNSHIP. 

Browning is one of the fractional townships 
lying on the eastern border of Schuyler County. 
It was named in honor of Hon. O. H. Browning, 
of Quincy, United States Senator from Illinois 
and for many years a prominent attorney. 

The Illinois River and Sugar Creek form the 
southern boundary of Browning Township, and 
a Ion'; these waterways are high bluffs. The gen- 
eral land surface is broken and, in the early days. 
was covered with a heavy growth of valuable 
timber. This has all been cleared away save 
along the streams, and the land put in cultiva- 
tion. 

William Robertson was the first settler in 



Browning Township. He came to Schuyler 
County from Kentucky in 1826 and built his 
cabin on Section 16 beside a bubbling spring of 
fresh, clear water. He was a young man, full 
of energy and fond of adventure and skilled in 
the art of woodcraft. He located there on ac- 
count of the abundance of wild game and un- 
mindful of the fact that his nearest neighbor 
was six miles away. Bee-hunting was a profit- 
able business in those pioneer days and Mr. Rob- 
ertson was not slow to realize it. Fur-bearing 
animals were also numerous there, and their 
pelts found ready market in St. Louis, and fre- 
quent trips were made down the Illinois River 
by Mr. Robertson in his canoe. 

Soon after locating in Browning Township Mr. 
Robertson was married to Miss Elizabeth Kirklin 
by Squire Isaac Lane, and a family of nine chil- 
dren was born to them. One son, Joel Robert- 
son, still resides on the old homestead and Alex- 
ander has his home close by. Malcomb Robert- 
son, another son, is also a resident of Browning 
Township. 

In August, 1S2S. four brothers, Thomas T.. 
William, Henry and Hartwell Lancaster, came to 
Browning from Kentucky and located on Section 
22. The following year their mother and a 
younger brother. Gabriel, joined them. They 
made permanent homes in the township, and 
their descendants continue to reside there. 

Thomas T. Lancaster, the oldest of the broth- 
ers, was born January 2S, 1807, and lived to the 
ripe old age of almost ninety-nine years, his 
death occurring January 24. 1906. He was mar- 
ried March 1. 1S31 to Miss Elizabeth Jackson, 
and the following year located on Section 10, 
where he lived the remainder of his life. 

Isaac Lane, also from Kentucky, settled in 
Browning on the southwest quarter of Section 
16 in 1828. He was accompanied by his wife 
and their child was the first born in the town- 
ship. , 

Shelton Luttrell a veteran of the War of 1812, 
and George W. Justus, both from Tennessee, 
were settlers of the year 1828, and were accom- 
panied by their families. Mr. Luttrell settled on 
Section 1(1 and Mr. Justus near Ridgeville. 

John M. Campbell, a native of North Carolina, 
located on Section 14 in 1S29, and Stephen Rob- 
ertson and wife, of Kentucky, also came that 
same year, but in 1831 removed to Macoupin 
County, 111. Other pioneers of 1831 were John 





A 



7^ '/ 





HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY 



697 



Baker of Tennessee, who settled on Section 23, 
and George Garrison, who made his home on 
Section 29. 

George Skiles, who became a resident of 
Browning in the early 'thirties, first located in 
Schuyler County December 2, 1S26, when he built 
a cabin on Section 16 in Rushville Township. 
He was a soldier of the war of 1812 and was 
with Gen. Jackson in the battle of New Orleans. 
In 1S16 he located in Indiana, moved from there 
to Kentucky, and later to Missouri in 1810, where 
he lived until he took up his home in Schuyler 
County. Mr. Skiles was Coroner of Schuyler 
in 1S30, and held the first inquest in the county 
over the body of George Everett, who was mur- 
dered by James Morgan. 

Jonathan Reno, a native of Tennessee, was one 
of the pioneers of Schuyler County, locating in 
Bainbridge Township In 1825. From there he 
removed to Section 16, Rushville township, where 
he resided until 1830, when he took up his home 
in McDonough County. He afterward lived in 
Iowa and finally removed to Missouri, where he 
died. Mr. Reno had ten children, and of these 
Jonathan Reno, Jr.. was the only one who be- 
came a permanent resident of Schuyler County. 
His life nas spent in the county with the ex- 
ception of the years 1842-43, which were spent in 
Iowa and. in 1S49, he located in Browning Town- 
ship. Mr. Reno was married to Miss Eliza 
Thornton, who had come from East Tennessee 
in 1826, and she is one of the few surviving pio- 
neers of the county who came here previous to 
1830. Mrs. Reno makes her home with her son, 
B. P. Reno, and has the full enjoyment of all 
her faculties in her ripe old age. 

The first school taught in Browning Township 
was presided over by Nathaniel Grover, who 
came from Tennessee and opened his school here 
in 18.35. 

The first mill in Browning Township was 
erected on the east bank of Sugar Creek, in Sec- 
tion 20, in 1820, by George Skiles, David Wal- 
lace and Alfred C. Wallace. At first it was 
rigged for a. sawmill, but burrs were added in 
1831 to grind wheat and com. Thomas Justus 
also built a mill above the site of this one in 
1820, which was a combined saw and grist-mill. 

The village of Browning, which is the only 
incorporated village in Schuyler County, was 
surveyed and platted by Leonidas Horney for 



Robert Dilworth, and the plat on record bears 
date of May 11, 1S4S. 

John Lippencott, who located in the township 
in 1S20. built his cabin on the present site of 
the village of Browning, and has the honor of 
being the first settler. refer Holmes was 
another of the early residents, locating there in 
1830. 

The first merchant in Browning was James 
Austin, who opened a general store there in 1840. 
Others of the early merchants were Benjamin 
Rirkbride, A. L. Wells, R. R. Dilworth, George 
MeEvans, Albert and Marion Bates, G. B. and 
Wiley Hollingsworth. 

The first school in the village was taught by 
Miss Dilworth and the first school house was 
built in 1854. The village now has a fine brick 
school building and employs three teachers. 

The fisheries at Browning constitute one of 
the important industries of the village and a 
large business is done in this branch of trade. 
Just now the village is having a business boom, 
as it were, and a bank and a newspaper have 
lately been established, the histories of which 
appear in their respective chapters in this vol- 
ume. 

The village of Osceola, which has later been 
renamed Bader, was laid out by Jeremiah Stumrn 
for Samuel Fowler. August 5, 1870. It is sit- 
uated on the southeast quarter of the southwest 
quarter of Section 2, and is a thrifty and pros- 
perous little village. 

Population of the township in 1000, including 
Browning town, 1,480, that of the village being 
455. 



BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP. 

Buena Vista Township is located near the geo- 
graphical center of Schuyler County, and is 
the only one of the thirteen townships in the 
county that does not, at some point, touch the 
outside boundary of the county. Like all the 
other townships, Buena Vista has wide spreading 
prairies and embraces a part of the broken tim- 
ber country which lies along the many small 
streams that flow southward into Crooked Creek. 
Along these streams there is found a good qual- 
ity of building stone that was extensively quar- 
ried at an early day. A good vein of coal also 
underlies a portion of the township. 

Levin Green, the pioneer Methodist preacher 



698 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



whose history has been given in another chapter 
of this work, was the first settler in Bueua Vista 
Township. He caine to Schuyler County iu No- 
vember, 1823, from Missouri accompanied by his 
family and brother-in-law, George Stewart, and 
his family. They spent the winter in the Hobart 
settlement and early in the following spring took 
up their abode in Buena Vista. They were joined 
soon afterwards by Henry Green, Jr., and his 
family, who had driven overland from Texas. 

Levin Green selected for his home the south- 
east quarter of Section 23 ; Henry Green, Jr., the 
southeast half of the northeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 20, and George Stewart the southeast quar- 
ter of Section 13. The Greens had always lived 
in the South and the first year they spent in 
Schuyler they planted a crop of cotton, and the 
yield must have been at least partially success- 
ful, for in 1S27 Henry Green, Jr., erected a rude 
cotton gin to handle the crop. 

John Ritchey settled in Buena Vista on the 
southeast quarter of Section 25 in 1824, but soon 
sold his pre-emption right to Samuel Turner and 
removed to Littleton Township. In March, 1825, 
Samuel and Manlove Horney settled on Section 
14. where they resided until 1S34, when they re- 
moved to Littleton. 

In May, 1S25, the Green settlement was greatly 
increased by the arrival of Henry Green, Sr„ ami 
wife; Philip Spohnamore and family of eight; 
George Green, wife and six children; John 
Spohnamore, wife and two children ; John Green, 
wife and three children, and James Robinson, 
wife and three children. They all came from 
Missouri and, being related by marriage, took up 
their home in the Green settlement and their 
descendants are today residents of the township. 

Samuel Turner, who first came to Schuyler in 
1823, returned to St. Clair County soon after 
building his cabin, and on his return in 1825 
lound it occupied. He sold his improvement 
and removed to Buena Vista Township and set- 
tled on the southeast quarter of Section 25. Here 
he cleared a piece of ground and made improve- 
ments, but in 1834 a claimant with a superior 
title appeared and the work of years was lost. 
He then removed to the southeast quarter of 
Section 11, and it is said had to buy off three 
different persons who claimed to have title to 
the land. Mr. Turner was married on May 24. 
1S30, to Miss Rachel Robertson, ami their son, 



Allen Turner, still resides on the old homestead 
farm. 

Charles Teas settled on the northwest quarter 
of Section 23 in 1S26, and resided there until 
1S20, when he sold his claim to Lemuel Sparks, 
and the old homestead is now owned by J. B. 
Sparks of Rushville, who is a son of the old 
pioneer settler. 

Alexander Ross, a native of Kentucky, settled 
in Buena Vista in the summer of 1820, with his 
wife and six children, and built a cabin on the 
northeast quarter of Section 10, where he made 
a permanent settlement. 

Joel McKee came to Schuyler County in 1820 
with his father-in-law, William McKee, and in 
the following year he removed to Buena Vista 
Township and built a cabin on the northwest 
quarter of Section 2. Here he resided until 
1847, when he made an overland trip to Oregon. 
He returned in 1851 and again took up his abode 
in the township where he lived to a ripe old age. 
Mr. Tullis had the first distillery in the town- 
ship which was built in 1833. John Tullis and 
John Thompson were neighbors of Joel Tullis 
and built their cabins on Section 1. 

Drury Sellers, a native of Kentucky, moved 
to Buena Vista in the spring of 1828 with his 
family, and settled on the southwest quarter of 
Section 2. but afterward removed to Littleton. 

Other early settlers were: Robert L. Park, 
George Swan, "William Owens, Ephraim Haines 
and John R. Sidles,, and. in the early 'thirties, 
there came a number of families who made per- 
manent homes in the township. 

The first wedding in the township was that 
of 'William Hobart Taylor and Miss Elizabeth 
Spohnamore, which occurred November 27, 1825. 
Rev. Levin Green performed the ceremony. 

The first death was that of a four year old 
son of Henry Green, Jr., in the summer of 1827. 

The first school house was built in 1S28 on 
the northwest quarter of Section 1, and Robert 
Sexton was the teacher in charge. There had 
been a school taught in the Green settlement as 
early as 1825 by William Hobart Taylor, but the 
residents found it more convenient'to send their 
children to the schools in Rushville Township. 

The first mill in the township was operated 
by Joel Tullis. It was supplied with power by 
the old tread-wheel with horses for motive power. 
It was erected in 1831 on the northeast quarter 
of Section 2. Col. Clark, an Englishman, also 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



699 



had a horse mill in operation in 1835 on the 
northeast quarter of Section 17. The first steam 
gristmill was built in 1S57 by George C. Clark 
in the southeast quarter of Section 14. 

A portion of the city of Rushville lies within 
the bounds of Buena Vista Township, and this 
tract of land was originally owned by William 
McCreery. He purchased 160 acres lying west 
of the original town site for $350, and the owner 
in New York was so astonished at receiving so 
munificent an offer, that he feared he might be 
losing some unknown treasure, and in his deed, 
now on record at the court house, expressly re- 
serves all minerals to be found on the land 
deeded. 

Population of the township in 1900, including 
part of the city of Rushville. 1,651, the portion 
coming within the city of Rushville being <J20. 



CAMDEN TOWNSHIP. 

Camden Township, traversed from north to 
south by Crooked Creek and intersected by the 
minor streams of Cedar, Brushy and Missouri, 
has a varied topography that includes low allu- 
vial bottoms, upland plains and heavily timbered 
sections, but withal it is one of the most pros- 
perous communities in the county, and its ro- 
mantic history dates back to the year 1829, when 
the first permanent settlement was made within 
its border. 

In the fall of that year John and Robert 
Brown and their brother-in-law, Luke Allphin. 
of Morgan County, made their first trip to Schuy- 
ler County, crossing the Illinois River at Beard's 
Ferry, now Beardstown. and pushing on west- 
ward past the settlements in Rushville and Bu- 
ena Vista Townships, to what is now Camden 
Township, where they settled on Sections 17 and 
20; Here they made rude improvements in the 
wilderness, and the following spring the families 
of the three men were removed from Morgan 
County, where they had made their home since 
leaving Kentucky. 

They were all natives of Grant County, Ky., 
and had left that State in 1S25 to seek a home 
in Illinois. While a resident of Kentucky John 
Brown was married to Sarah Points, who, with 
her two children, Lucy and Thomas B., were in 
that first party of Camden homeseekers in the 
spring of 1830. They settled on the northeast 



Quarter of Section 20, and here Mr. Brown re- 
sided until his death, January 10. 1871. Robert 
Brown, a brother of John Brown, built his cabin 
on the southwest quarter of Section 17. He was 
accompanied by his wife, and they were per- 
manent settlers in the neighborhood, residing 
there until their death. Luke Allphin. the third 
member of the party, was accompanied by his 
wile and two children, Zebadee and Jane, and 
they settled on the southeast quarter of Section 
17. Mr. Allphin was a restless, adventurous man 
and. when the settlers began to invade the re- 
gions of Camden, he again sought the frontier 
and, in 1837, emigrated to Lee County, Iowa, and 
from there to California, where he died in 1849. 

These families had raised only a partial crop 
during the summer of 1830. and when the deep 
snow came the following winter, they endured 
great hardships, and the men had to make a trip 
to the Rushville Settlement, at the peril of their- 
lives, to get food ; and it is said Mrs. John Brown 
kept her calves from starving by feeding them 
straw and shucks taken from the bed tick. But 
the men made the trip in safety and returned 
with a supply of corn that was ground into meal 
in the old hominy mortar, as at that time there 
was no mill nearer than the Hobart settlement. 

When these first pioneers came to Camden 
Township, they followed an Indian trail that 
crossed Crooked Creek near where the bridge 
now stands. Two miles north of Camden, on 
what is now the Callison farm, there were 
plainly marked traces of an Indian village, and 
arrow-heads and stone axes were strewn about 
the ground in countless numbers. This had prob- 
ably been one of the last camping grounds of the 
Indians before they made their final emigration 
northward. 

Ephraim Eggleston, who had settled in the 
Hobart settlement in 1823, removed to Camden 
in 1830 and settled on the southwest quarter of 
Section 15, and his son, William, was the first 
child born in the township. Philander Avery 
first visited Camden Township in the fall of 
1830, but he migrated to Knox County and it 
was not until in the 'fifties that he returned to 
make his permanent home in the township. 

In 1831 Thomas J. Chapman arrived in the 
Camden settlement from Kentucky. He was a 
brother-in-law of John Brown, and was induced 
to come to Illinois by the glowing accounts ro- 
eeived from his relatives. Ephraim and Ira Ow- 



700 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



ens arrived in Camden in 1833, and that same 
year Hensen Harlow emigrated with his wife 
and children from Indiana, and settled on the 
southwest quarter of Section 22. 

The year 1835 marked a period of rapid 
growth for the Camden settlement, and among 
the new arrivals of that year we may note : 
William Allphin. who journeyed from Indiana 
with his family in a wagon drawn by a yoke of 
oxen, and settled on the northeast quarter of 
Section 31 ; Robert Points, who settled on the 
northwest quarter of Section 5 ; Isaac Cady and 
his son, Isaac 6., who settled on Sections 19 and 
20 ; Benjamin West settled on the southwest of 
Section 2G, and his brother, William West, on the 
northeast of 35. 

Among other early settlers may be mentioned 
Robert Brooks, Hazel Dorsey, Adam S. and John 
Corrie, M. M. Cleek, John L. Callison, George L. 
Gray, Robert G. McHatton, R. B. Stubblefield, 
B. F. Taggart and Joseph N. Ward. 

The first pioneer who attempted to utilize 
Crooked Creek for motive power to operate a 
grist-mill, was John Taggart, and on December 
8, 1S35. the County Commissioners granted a pe- 
tition for a millsite on the south ivest quarter of 
Section 11. and it was specified that the dam 
across Crooked Creek was not to exceed nine feet 
in height. Two years previous to this Mr. Tag- 
gart and his father-in-law, Mr. Wolberton, had 
begun the erection of a mill on Section 26, but 
before it was completed the owner of the land 
forced them to abandon the enterprise. But in 
the year 1836 the second mill was completed and 
it did a good business for many years. 

Dr. B. P. Watts, in writing of the early his- 
tory of Camden Township, gives an interesting 
story of a Dr. Ward, a retired United States 
army surgeon, who took up quarters in a cave 
near the Taggart mill when he first came to the 
settlement. He was a man of more than usual 
ability, but very odd in his ways, and his cave 
was filled with cages of snakes, birds and wild 
animals that he kept for pets. That he was a 
skilled surgeon was demonstrated on several oc- 
casions, but he chose the free life of the pioneer 
in preference to the thickly settled communities 
where his talent would have been a source of 
pecuniary profit. 

We are also indebted to Dr. Watts for the 
following description of social life in the Camden 
settlement: "Shoes were unknown to children; 



they went barefooted, winter and summer, and 
their feet got so tough they would knock fire out 
of a flint rock, drive a ten-penny nail with their 
heel or chase rabbits all day in snow ankle deep. 

"Those times they were accustomed to live 
three or four days on baked squash alone. We 
heard of one instance where the wife and mother 
baked the last of the meal for breakfast, and 
just as the meal was ready, a couple of neighbor 
men came in, and being asked to partake sat 
down (the children those days always waited), 
and ate all the bread and the little children had 
to go hungry until their father could go forty 
miles to mill and, perhaps, be a whole week mak- 
ing the trip. We were told that even the mother 
did not get any of the bread, and that when the 
men folks left, she sat down and cried. Poor 
woman ! She was not the only one who suffered 
those cruel heartaches during pioneer times." 

The first school taught in Camden Township 
was presided over by John Thornhill, a Ken- 
tuckiau. who came to the settlement in 1836 and 
opened his tuition school in a cabin on Section 
17. George L. Gray was another of the early 
school teachers, and his cabin was on Section 22. 

The village of Camden, which is situated on 
the southwest quarter of Section 17, was laid out 
by Robert Brown and Joseph N. Ward, January 
28, 1831, and was surveyed and platted by Sam- 
uel McHatton, Deputy County Surveyor. The 
first store was established in the village in 1838 
by John and Joseph X. Ward, and the following 
year Camden was made a government postoffiee, 
and Alexander McHatton was named as the first 
government official. David Campbell built a flour- 
ing mill in the village in 1856, and it was op- 
erated until recent years. Today Camden is a 
flourishing inland village, with good schools, 
churches and mercantile houses, and her citizens 
arc looking forward to the time when they can 
be put into closer touch with the outside world 
through the agency of an electric railroad. 

The village of Erwin, located on the northwest 
corner of Section 26, was laid out by Columbus 
C. Meeks, March 27, 1860. Four years previous 
he had built a cabin and opened a store, and was 
that year appointed postmaster. The first school 
house in the village was built in 1S6C and James 
Bliss was the first teacher. 

The population of Camden Township, accord- 
ing to the census of 1900, was 1, 27*. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



701 



FREDERICK TOWNSHIP. 

Frederick is the smallest township in Schuyler 
County and the most irregular in shape, two of 
its triangular sides being bounded by the Illinois 
River and Sugar Creek, a tributary stream. 
North and south the township measures nine 
miles, while the greatest width is three and a 
half miles, and it contains but twelve full sec- 
tions, although there are fractional sections lying 
along the boundary streams. The land surface 
is broken and a portion of the township is sub- 
ject to overflow from the Illinois River. 

Frederick Township was the gateway to 
Schuyler County in the first years of its history, 
and all of the early pioneers crossed its borders 
and mounted the high bluff in their journey in- 
land. Some of them doubtless tarried for a time 
in temporary homes along the bluff, which makes 
it difficult to name any one person as the original 
settler in the township. Among the first to make 
a permanent home within the bounds of Fred- 
erick Township was James Lammy, who settled 
about a half-mile north of the present site of 
the village of Frederick in 1825. Andrew Vance, 
Timothy Harris and Edward White were also 
early settlers. Abraham Hollingsworth made his 
first permanent home in the county in Frederick 
Township, locating there in the spring of 1S27. 
He was one of the early Justices of the Teace 
and Hollingsworth branch was named in his 
honor. Others of the pioneer settlers, with the 
year of settlement, are as follows : John D. 
Wren, 1829; Lyman Utter, 1830; Anthony Mes- 
serer, 1832; Jesse Darnell, 1834; Thomas Bel- 
lamy, 1835, and John Utter, 1838. 

In the early 'thirties, soon after the first 
steamboats began to ply the Illinois River, George 
Frederick Jonte and Frederick Merchant, two 
Frenchmen, located on Section 17 in Frederick 
Township. Mr. Jonte took note of the natural 
conditions, and decided to found a city that 
would be the shipping iioiut for all the rich in- 
land country to the north and west. Allen Per- 
singer was employed to plat the town, which he 
did, May 12 and 13, 1836, and in honor of its 
founder it was named Frederickville, and is so 
recorded on the court records, but the United 
States Postoffice Department in 1S92 shortened 
the name to Frederick. 

Samuel P. Vail was the first storekeeper in 
the village. In 1844 Charles Farwell & Co. es- 
tablished a mercantile business in Frederick that 



afterwards grew to large proportions. Maro Far- 
well came from the East in 1S48 and joined his 
brother and, in 1852, they built a large store 
building in the village and a warehouse on the 
Illinois River. They engaged in merchandising, 
pork-packing and steamboating, and had probably 
the largest business of any firm on the Illinois 
River. In those flourishing days Frederick was 
connected with Rushville by a plank road, and 
was the shipping point for towns as far north as 
Macomb. Steamboats, loaded at Pittsburg, Pa., 
brought their entire cargo to Frederick, and on 
the return trip carried back to the East their 
valuable cargo of pork and lard. In those days 
it looked as if Frederick was destined to be one 
of big towns along the Illinois River, but when 
railroad building began, its business was diverted 
and the gradual decline of the river traffic made 
unprofitable its big mercantile business, and the 
firm of Farwell Bros, ceased to exist in 1877. 
But while the village had its most prosperous 
days in the early 'sixties, it is yet a thrifty little 
town and has a number of prospering mercantile 
houses. 

The first school taught in Frederick was pre- 
sided over by Horatio Benton in 1845. In 1871 
a two-story brick school building was erected 
which is in use at the present time. 

Population in 1900, according to United States 
census, 628. 



HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 

Hickory Township lies in the extreme north- 
east part of Schuyler County, and is bounded on 
the north by Fulton County and on the south by 
the Illinois River. It contains but fourteen full 
sections, and by reason of its location along the 
Illinois River, the land surface is about equally 
divided between uplands and bottom lands. The 
narrow strip of sloping bottom land, extending 
the entire length of the township, is wonderfully 
rich and productive and is valued as highly as 
any land in Schuyler County. The lower bottom 
lands are also rich and fertile, but a crop there 
is uncertain on account of the danger from floods. 
In the northern part of the township there are 
several large lakes lying inland a few rods from 
the river, and all this country is now owned by 
hunting clubs on account of the splendid feeding 
ground it affords for wild game. 

In the spring of 1826 a party of pioneers com- 



702 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



posed of Amos Richardson, Jonathan Viles, Nich- 
olas Viles and his son-in-law, William Steven- 
son, crossed the Illinois River at Beard's Ferry 
and followed an Indian trail along the bluffs until 
they reached the point where Butlersville is now 
located. Here they built their cabins and cleared 
the ground for the cultivation of crops. Richard- 
son was the only one of the party who remained 
there, and he was killed in 1830 by Burrell Bas- 
set. 

Abraham Carlock moved to the township in 
1S27 and lived there until his death some years 
afterwards. Jacob Guinn was another early set- 
tler. He first cleared a farm on Section S, which 
he afterwards sold and purchased another raw 
tract, which he transformed into good farming 
land. William Moss and Stephen Y. Jolly were 
pioneers of 1830, and lived in the township for 
many years. 

In ls:'.4 William K. Jones came from Ken- 
tucky and settled on Section 7. He was followed 
two years later by William H. Gregory, who set- 
tled on the bluff west of Butlersville. William 
Sackruan was another pioneer of 1S30 and he 
resided on Section 1 until 1S6G, when he removed 
to Missouri. Other settlers of this period were : 
Thomas Wilson. Philip Ruby. Mosier Alley, Ly- 
man Tracey, Enoch Steward, William Brown, 
Martin Crafton. William Fowell, James Stewart, 
David Venters, Levi Sparks, Reason Prather and 
Darius Prather. 

Abraham Louderback, who settled in Schuyler 
County in 1829 near Rushville, removed to Hick- 
ory Township in the early 'thirties and became 
one of the large land owners, and his descend- 
ants are still residents of the township. 

John Sharp was one of the prominent citizens 
of Hickory in the early days, and he acquired 
a fortune in merchandising and land speculation. 
He located along the Illinois River near the 
mouth of Alum Creek in 1S37, and built a large 
warehouse and store-room there. This point be- 
came known as Sharp's landing, and it still bears 
that name. He was in business there for thirty 
years and later removed to Astoria, Fulton 
County, where he purchased 700 acres of land 
that afterwards greatly increased in value. 

Daniel Sheldon was another of the prominent 
early settlers of Hickory. He was a native of 
Rhode Island and located in Butlersville in 1838, 
where he taught the first school in the village in 
the winter of 1838. He was also the first post- 



master of the village and continued in office until 
his death, August 5. 1869. When the postofflce 
was established it was given the name of Shel- 
don's Grove, thereby rechristening the village 
which, up to that time, had been known as But- 
lersville. Noah Butler was the original founder 
of the village and it was surveyed and platted by 
J. M. Sweeney, November 29, 1846. 

Bluff City, which is located on the northwest 
quarter of Section 1. was laid out by Abraham 
Louderback and was surveyed and platted by 
Leonidas Homey. November 2, 1S60. 

The first mill in the township was a saw mill, 
built by James S. Turner, on Alum Creek in 
1S39. 

DeWitt Allen taught the first school in the 
township in 1S34 in a cabin on Section 3. 

Population, according to census of 1900, 586. 



HUNTSVILLE TOWNSHIP. 

Huntsville is one of the townships located on 
the extreme southwestern comer of Schuyler 
County, being bounded on the west by Adams 
County and on the south by Brown County. It is 
drained by Cedar Creek in the north and Little 
Missouri in the south, both tributaries of Crooked 
Creek. In an early day the country was heavily 
timbered, but where once were towering forests 
there are now rich, cultivated fields and hand- 
some farm residences. 

Huntsville enjoys the unique distinction of 
being the only township in the county settled by 
a pioneer who came from the West. In all the 
other townships the pioneers crossed the Illinois 
River and either went direct to their destination 
or tarried a while in the Rushville settlement. 
But the first homeseeker in Huntsville Township 
came from the West. This honor belongs to Wil- 
liam Spangler, a native of Pennsylvania, who 
had afterwards lived in Kentucky and Indiana. 
He had reached manhood and had a wife and 
family when he decided to push on further west. 
Taking passage on a boat he went down the Ohio 
River and up the Mississippi, landing at Quincy 
in the summer of 1832. He brought with him a 
team and wagon, and loading his household goods, 
drove east through Adams County to the north- 
east quarter of Section 5, Huntsville Township, 
where he built his cabin and cleared a tract for 
cultivation, afterwards securing title by pre-emp- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



703 



tion. Mr. Spangler resided on his homestead 
farm until 1851, when he removed to Hancock 
County. 

Before Mr. Spangler and his family were set- 
tled in their new home, Willis G. Moffett came 
overland from Kentucky and settled with his 
family on the southwest quarter of Section 4, 
and in the fall of that year John Thornhill and 
Jamison Wilson settled on the north half of Sec- 
tion 22. Jesse Burke, a Virginian, was one of 
the first to settle in the south part of the town- 
ship, and in 1832 he built his cabin on the north- 
east quarter of Section 30. 

In 1833 the settlement was further increased 
by the arrival of Reuben Allphi-n, from Kentucky, 
who settled upon the southeast quarter of Section 
10; Robert Clayton built a cabin on the north- 
west quarter of Section 13, but never acquired 
title; David Tyree and Hamilton Anderson, with 
their families, located on the southeast quarter 
of Section 11, and Samuel Warren, Stephen Men- 
denball, Alfred Jamison and Stephen Perkins 
were others who came during that year. 

Rev. William Crain, a Methodist minister, and 
Abraham Xewfleld came from Missouri in De- 
cember. 1834, and entered land on the northeast 
quarter of Section 3, and also the northeast quar- 
ter of the northwest quarter of the same Section 
for Ezra Dorsett, who joined them the next year. 
Among the settlers of 1S35 were: William An- 
derson, who located on Section 12, and William 
Nesbit and Samuel Smith, who located near by. 
John and Thomas Allphin came that year and 
settled on the northwest quarter of Section 16. 

The first marriage in the township occurred 
iu 1835, when Rev. William Crain joined in wed- 
lock a Mr. Cruikshanks and Miss Keziah Perkins. 

The first birth was a child of Mr. and Mrs. 
William Spangler in 1S32. 

The first school was taught by Jeremiah Bris- 
coe in a log cabin on the southwest quarter of 
Section 4 in 1835. 

The first sermon iu the township was preached 
by Rev. Milton Kimball, at the cabin of William 
Spangler iu 1S33, and Rev. Peter Borin, Rev. 
John P. Richmond and Rev. W. Pitner, Metho- 
dist circuit riders, also held services at an early 
day. 

Among the early physicians were Dr. North. 
Dr. John P. Richmond, Dr. Samuel Clarkson, 
and Dr. A. J. Mead. 

The first mill in the township was built by 



Dr. Samuel Clarkson on the south bank of Big 
Missouri Creek, on the southeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 25, in 1837. 

The town of Huntsville was platted February 
21, 1836, by Allen Persinger for Willis G. Mofiitt, 
John T. Gast, William Spangler, George H. Bris- 
coe, Samuel Warren and John L. Ewing, pro- 
prietors. The village is situated on the north- 
west quarter of Section 4. T. A. Burton erected 
the first dwelling house in 1S35, and Willis G. 
Moffitt was the first store-keeper and postmaster. 
John L. Ewing was the first Justice of the 
Peace. The first church built in the township 
was erected by the Presbyterians in the village 
in 1841. 

Population of the township in 1900, 976. 



LITTLETON TOWNSHIP. 

Littleton may well be referred to as the "Prai- 
rie" Township of Schuyler County, and, with a 
location on the watershed between Crooked and 
Sugar Creeks, its .wide expansive prairies make 
it one of the most populous and wealthy town- 
ships of the county. It is one of a tier of four 
townships which forms the north boundary of 
the county, lying adjacent to MeDonough County 
on the north. The south part of the township is 
the more broken, where flows Horney Branch 
and Brushy Creek, but even this land has now 
reached a high price on account of its close prox- 
imity to the rich level lands that surround it. 

The first pioneer settlers in Schuyler County 
were attracted by the richness of the virgin fields 
of Littleton Township, and as early as 1825, Da- 
vid Tramor located there and built his cabin on 
the west half of the northeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 27 and put in his first crop. 

The following year Thomas McKee and his 
son-in-law, Garrett Wyeoff, moved from Bain- 
bridge Township to their new home on the 
southeast quarter of Section 35. Another of the 
first settlers of Schuyler County, who was at- 
tracted to Littleton Township, was John Ritchey, 
who had located in Buena Vista Township in 1824 
and, two years later, removed to Littleton. He 
purchased the claim of Garrett Wyeoff on the 
southeast quarter of Section 35 and his travels 
iu search of a home then ceased, for he was an 
honored resident of the township up to the time 
of his death. 



704 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Among other early settlers in the township 
were David Snyder, who entered the north half 
of the northeast quarter of Section 33 in the fall 
of 1S30 ; Elijah M. Wilson, who came from Ken- 
tucky in 1831 ; James Thompson, also a Kentuck- 
ian, located in Littleton the same year. Mr. 
Thompson had come to the county in 1S26 from 
Kentucky in a spirit of adventure, but was im- 
pressed with the possibilities of the country and, 
in the fall of 1831, returned to his old home, 
where he was married to Miss Catherine Craw- 
ford, and they soon afterwards took possession 
of the cabin he had built in the wilderness. 

The Littleton settlement was further in- 
creased in 1S32 by the arrival of Richard P. Ap- 
plegate, who made the long trip overland with 
his wife and two children. The following year 
William II. Crawford, wife and five children were 
attracted from their Kentucky home to Schuyler 
County aud settled on the southeast quarter of 
Section 20. 

By this time Littleton Township was well 
known among the settlements of the county, and 
the rush of immigration makes it difficult to fol- 
low the settlements in their natural order. But 
among the settlers who came to the township in 
those early days, and made it their permanent 
place of abode, we may mention the following : 
Randolph Rose, Drury Sellers, Michael Matheney, 
Joseph Logan, Col. Samuel Horney, George Gar- 
rison, William Lambert, James DeWitt, John S. 
Walker. Samuel Dodds, Joseph W. Snyder, Adam 
Walker, John Seward and D. C. Payne. 

Hon. L. D. Erwin, one of the few pioneer resi- 
dents of Littleton now surviving, in conversation 
with the writer, says he well remembers when 
deer and prairie wolves were plentiful in Little- 
ton Township, and gray wolves were occasion- 
ally seen. Mr. Erwin has also given us some in- 
teresting facts regarding the early elections in 
the township. It was customary to hold the elec- 
tions at the cabin of one of the settlers, and in 
the early 'forties the cabin of Richard Applegate 
was chosen on account of its central location. 
This was before the county was divided into 
townships, and the residents of that precinct 
agreed upon Oregon as an appropriate name and 
it so appears on the early election records. But 
when a postoffice was first established in the 
township. Dr. W. H. Window filed with his pe- 
tition to the Postmaster General a request that 
the postoffice be named Littleton, in honor of his 



father-in-law, James Little, and this was done 
and the township was so named when it was or- 
ganized in 1854. 

The first school in Littleton Township was 
taught by Thomas Bronaugh in the summer of 
1835, in an old deserted log cabin on the south- 
west quarter of Section 21, and the first building 
erected for school purposes was built in 1S38 on 
the southwest quarter of Section 19. 

The first marriage in the township was that 
of James Trainor and Miss Mary Shields, which 
was celebrated on Christmas Day, 1828, Thomas 
McKee, a Justice of the Peace, officiating. 

The village of Littleton is located in the geo- 
graphical center of the township, and was platted 
by Leonidas Horney, County Surveyor, July 31, 
1849. James Little and his son-in-law, Dr. Wil- 
liam H. Window, were the townsite promoters, 
and the latter had built the first house in the 
village in 1S47. He also kept the first store and, 
in 1847, was appointed postmaster. The first 
school building in the village was erected in 
1S49, and was replaced in 1856 by a two-story 
brick building. On October 26, 1856, Littleton 
was devastated by a destructive tornado, par- 
ticulars of which are given in another chapter 
of this history. 

By reason of its location in a rich agricultural 
country, Littleton has always been a commercial 
center for the country round about, but with the 
coming of the Macomb & Western Illinois Rail- 
road, which made the village its southern termi- 
nus, new viiror was enthused and, in late years, 
many extensive improvements have been made. 
The old frame business houses have been re- 
placed with substantial brick buildings; a bank, 
elevator and newspaper have been started, and 
a coal company, with a capital stock of $25,000, 
is making an effort to develop the mineral wealth 
of the locality. In 1907 a handsome new and 
modern church was erected by the Methodist 
Episcopal congregation, and a four-room, two- 
story school building, of concrete block construc- 
tion, replaced the old frame building that had 
done service for many years. 

The village of Doddsville. located on the 
northern boundary of Littleton Township, lies 
partly in Schuyler and partly in McDonough 
County. It was laid out by Samuel Dodds and 
Paris Wheeler, July 6, 1836, and was platted by 
Allen Persinger, County Surveyor. Samuel Dodds 
built the first house and kept the first store in 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



705 



the village. Siuce the inauguration of the rural 
free-delivery system, Doddsville has lost its 
identity as a government postoffice, and its busi- 
ness is tributary to adjacent towns. 

The population of Littleton Township in 1900, 
•according to the census of that year, was 1,092. 



OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. 

Oakland is one of the four townships iu Schuy- 
ler County bounded on the north by McDonough 
County, and it is bounded on the east by Fulton 
County. The land surface of the township is 
broken and iu early days was covered with heavy 
timber that has long since been cleared away on 
the uplands where we now find expansive and 
fertile farms. 

Sugar Creek and its tributaries drain this wide 
scope of country and the stream flows the entire 
width of the township, entering on the west in 
Section 7, winding its course southward and east 
to Section 36. The stream is now an insignifi- 
cant one, with the bluffs towering high above it, 
and from whose sides there are numerous out- 
cropping of coal veins that are worked profitably, 
even though the coal is but thirty-six inches iu 
thickness. 

In the month of April, 1882, a natural phe- 
nomenon occurred on the north half of Section 
27 that is worthy of note. In one night a portion 
of a hillside sank deep down into the earth, car- 
rying with it the large trees growing on the sur- 
face. This sunken area included a tract of laud 
five acres in extent, and in a night it sank to 
a depth of forty-five feet and the big trees were 
left intact with their tops waving where only a 
short time before was the level of their roots. 
The walls of the depression were left as per- 
pendicular as the walls of a house and all the 
lateral fissures were the same. A creek running 
at the foot of the hill was made higher than the 
surrounding ground, and a new channel, fifty 
yards away, was cut by the stream. The coal 
that was pushed out with the mud and gravel, 
and into the creek bed, showed that there was a 
cave or chamber in the coal vein that had been 
formed when the coal was made, probably cen- 
turies ago. 

The first settler in Oakland Township was 
Richard Ashcraft, a pioneer of Kentucky. In 
1832 he drove to Illinois from Indiana in a one- 



horse wagon, and brought with him his wife and 
three children, William, Abner ami Abisha. 
Crossing the Illinois River at Beard's Ferry he 
pushed northward and, in November, 1832, set- 
tled on the southwest quarter of the northeast 
quarter of Section 25, where he built his cabin 
and prepared to make his home. Mr. Ashcraft 
afterwards became a licensed preacher of the 
Baptist denomination and resided in Oakland 
until his death. 

Daniel Matheney moved to Oakland from 
Woodstock Township soon after Mr. Ashcraft set- 
tled there, but later left the county. William 
Burress, a brother of Mrs. Ashcraft, came from 
Kentucky in December, 1832, and, together with 
his wife and one child, lived with his sister uutil 
a house could be built. In the spring of 1833 
Josiah Downen located on Section 23, and the 
following year Joseph Logan settled on the same 
section, but afterwards removed to Littleton. 

Prominent among the other early settlers were 
Caleb Houston, who located on Section 27 in 
1834; Ephraim Hills, who removed from the 
Hobart settlement to Section 31 in 1835 ; Thomas 
Pemberton, who arrived in the fall of 1830 and 
took possession of the southwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 11, and Nicholas Pittenger, who came from 
Virginia in 1837 and located on the southwest 
quarter of Section 13. 

The first birth in the township was that of 
James Ashcraft, September 3, 1833, son of Mr. 
and Mrs. Richard Ashcraft. The first death also 
occurred in this family, their son, Abisha, dying 
in the spring of 1S33. 

The first school was taught by a man named 
Preston in the summer of 1835, in a cabin erected 
by Frederick Noble, on the southeast quarter of 
Section 21. Mr. Preston remained in the town- 
ship only two years. 

Rev. Thomas Kane, a Free-Will Baptist, 
preached the first sermon in the fall of 1834 at 
the home of Richard Ashcraft. Rev. John P. 
Fast, Richard Ashcraft and Rev. Deacon Brown 
were other pioneer ministers. 

James Skiles was the first merchant in the 
township and he opened a store on the north- 
east quarter of Section 34. In 1867 a postoffice 
known as Oil Hill was established there, and 
Mr. Skiles was first postmaster. 

When the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Rail- 
road built its line through Oakland Township, a 
town was founded on the southeast quarter of 



;o6 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Section 20 by William Seachrist, and named Oak- 
land, but was afterwards renamed Hay by the 
liailroad Company. The town was platted by .1. 
W. Watts. County Surveyor, and lies along the 
edge of the bluff. After the town was estab- 
lished James Skill s removed his store from Oil 
Hill and the postofflce was transferred at the 
same time. 

Township population in 1900, 1,192. 



RUSHV1LLE TOWNSHIP. 

Eushville Township was the home of the earli- 
est pioneer in Schuyler County, and it dates its 
history from February, 1S23. Nor could those 
early pioneers have found a more suitable loca- 
tinn. There was timber in plenty and an abun- 
dance of sparkling spring water, and the rich 
prairie land had natural drainage that allowed 
the cultivation of the deep black loam soil by the 
first settlers, who harvested abundant crops with 
but little labor. 

These same lands where the first homeseeker 
broke the sod are the finest in Schuyler County, 
and more than eighty years of constant cultiva- 
tion has not impaired their fertility. But to this 
limited area of prairie laud has been added a 
valuable area of land that, in those early days, 
was thickly covered with timber. Where the 
giant forest stood are now cultivated fields, save 
along the streams where the marketable timber 
has been removed and the young growth left 
standing. 

Rushville Township is underlaid almost en- 
tirely by an excellent vein of coal. Along the 
streams the coal seams crop out, and they fur- 
nished coal in the early days with but little effort 
on the part of the miner. Best results, however, 
are obtained by the shaft mines, and coal is 
found from forty to fifty feet below the surface. 
The vein varies in thickness from four to five 
feet and is of fine quality. Although extensively 
mined near Uushville and Pleasantview, it can 
be said that there are yet hundreds of acres of 
the finest coal lands in Illinois yet undeveloped 
in Rushville Township, and this great store house 
of mineral wealth will one day add immensely to 
the wealth of the property owners. 

Inasmuch as the story of the early settlement 
/>f Rushville Township is so closely associated 
with the general history of the county, it would 
mean but a repetition of other chapters to go into 



detail. But it can here be said that the location 
of the county seat on the southwest quarter of 
Section 30 was a most fortunate one, for with 
Crooked Creek running through the center of the 
county as originally formed, it was the natural 
result that the county would be divided and,' 
after this division, Rushville was almost the geo- 
graphical center of what became known as 
Schuyler County. 

The only other town in Rushville Township is 
Pleasantview, located on the south half of Sec- 
tion 30. The town was laid out and platted by 
Ebenezer Dimmick, who was the first merchant 
and Postmaster. 

Pleasantview is surrounded by a rich agricul- 
tural country ami. in addition, there are several 
coal mines in operation there, which add to the 
wealth and prosperity of the village. 

The total population of Rushville Township in 
1900. including the larger part of the City of 
Uushville, was 2,893, of which 1,663 was within 
the city limits. 

(A more detailed history of events in Rushville 
Township will be found in the following chapter 
on the City of Rushville.) 



WOODSTOCK TOWNSHIP. 

Woodstock is one of the fractional townships 
of Schuyler County, Crooked Creek cutting off a 
portion of the southwest corner, making the 
township triangular in shape. The area included 
within the township, however, is equal to those 
six miles square, for there are fractional addi- 
tions on the south and west. 

The land surface of Woodstock Township is 
well drained by numerous streams that flow into 
Crooked Creek, and in consequence the greater 
portion of the township is rolling, although there 
is a large area of small prairies lying between. 
The soil is rich and productive, and suited alike 
for the cultivation of corn and wheat. The re- 
sources of the township are wholly agricultural. 
Coal is found in small quantity, but veins are 
not sufficiently large to mine profitably. There 
are no towns or postoffices in the township. 

George and Isaac Naught were the first set- 
tlers in Woodstock Township, locating there the 
year following the first invasion of Schuyler 
County by homeseekers. They came from White- 
side County in 1824. first settling on Section 36. 
Soon afterwards George Naught removed to 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



(07 



Baiubridge Township, where he made his per- 
manent home. Isaac Naught continued to make 
his home in the township and reared a family of 
eleven children, and his grandchildren and great- 
grandchildren are today residents of the town- 
ship. In 1S25 John Starr and son, Hasting Starr, 
and Thomas Eggleston joined the Naught settle- 
ment, locating on adjoining sections. 

William Black was the pioneer settler in cen- 
tral .Woodstock, moving there from what is now 
the city of Rushville in 1826. Mr. Black came 
to Schuyler in November, 1825, and purchased 
the claim of Willis O'Neal on the southwest 
Quarter of Section 30, Rushville Township. The 
following spring the committee chosen to locate 
a county -seat selected this quarter, and Mr. Black 
was entered out, thereby losing the $200 he had 
paid O'Neal. When thus compelled to seek a new 
home he moved into Woodstock Township, lo- 
cating on the southwest quarter of Section 15. 
The Indians were then in possession of the coun- 
try, but a few years after Mr. Black had erected 
his cabin here a road from Rushville to Qulncy 
was laid out. and his little cabin was the fre- 
quent stopping place of travelers, and the locality 
was known for years as the Black settlement. 
Mr. Black reared a large family and his de- 
scendants continue to make their home in Wood- 
stock. 

In 1827 Isaac Sanders located on Section 15 
and made an improvement, where he resided un- 
til his death some years afterwards. He was 
accompanied to the county by Jacob Fowler, who 
drove a flock of geese all the way from Indiana. 
Those were probably the first domestic geese in 
the county. James Edmonston was another set- 
tler of 1827, and he took a prominent part in 
county affairs in the early days. Other settlers 
of that year were Moses Pettigrew, Benjamin 
Colston and John Logsdon and his brothers, 
Vaughn, Amos, Redman and Jackson Logsdon. 

In 182!) Mrs. Amelia Riley, with a family of 
six sons, Daniel, Caleb, Anderson, Martin, Isaac 
Shelby and Pressley, and a married daughter, the 
wife of Mordecai Fowler, drove from Indiana 
and settled on Section 7, Woodstock Township. 

Allen Alexander and family took up their 
home on Section 28 in 1820, and for a time he 
operated a ferry across ('rooked Creek near 
where the wagon bridge now stands. 

Timothy Harris came from the neighborhood of 
Springfield in 1830. and settled on the northwest 



quarter of Section 15, and lived in the township 
until his death many years afterwards. Promi- 
nent among the other early settlers were : John 
Howell. James Beard, Pierre J. Jonte, Peter 
Hermetet, James F. Grosclaude, and Alexander 
Stutsman. John Brown, who represented Schuy- 
ler County in the Legislature when the State 
capital was at Vandalia, serving at different 
periods in both House and Senate, first became a 
resident of Rushville in 1S31, and eight years 
afterwards removed to Woodstock Township, lo- 
cating on Section 16, where he lived until his 
death in 1S58. 

The first marriage in the township was that 
of John H. Starr and Miss Nancy E. Black. 

The first school taught in the township was in 
a cabin on Section 36 and John Taylor was 
teacher. 

The first church was built by the Baptists on 
the northeast quarter of Section 2, Range 1 
South, in 1831. Rev. John Logan was the first 
preacher. Rev. John Ray, Rev. Win. Crow, Rev. 
John Taylor and Rev. Granville Bond were 
among the earliest preachers. 

As early as 1829 a mill-seat was granted John 
Ritchey on Crooked Creek, where Ripley is now 
located, and on June 6, 1831, Walter D. Scott and 
Osborn Henley were granted permission to build 
a dam across Crooked Creek on the northeast 
quarter of Section 11, One North, Three West. 
Both these early mills were in what afterwards 
became Brown County, and it was not until 1837 
that a mill was erected in Woodstock Township. 
This mill was erected by Robert Burton on the 
southeast quarter of Section 2S, and was a com- 
bination grist and saw-mill. 

Population in 1000, according to United States 
census report. 1,076. 



CHAPTER XX. 



GENERAL CHURCH HISTORY. 



CHRISTIAN CHARACTER OF EARLY SETTLERS IN 

SCHUYLER COUNTY LEVIN GREEN PREACHES THE 

FIRST SERMON IN THE COUNTY IN NOVEMBER, 
1823 — SKETCH OF HIS CAREER — REV. JOHN 



708 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



SCRIPPS. ONE OF THE FIHST METHODIST MINIS- 
TERS IN ILLINOIS. LOCATED IN RUSHVILLE IN 
1831 — A METHODIST CHURCH ORGANIZED IN 

1828 SESSION OF ILLINOIS CONFEEENCE HELD 

IN RUSHVILLE IN 1S30 EPISCOPAL CONVENTION 

OF ILLINOIS MEETS HERE IN 183S AND 1S42 — 
EARLY HISTORY OF CHURCH DENOMINATIONS 
AND PROMINENT CLERGYMEN WHO HAVE VISITED 
SCHUYLER COUNTY. 

The ecclesiastical history of Schuyler County 
is of more than local interest, for the reason 
that it is closely interwoven with the early his- 
tory of almost every religious denomination in 
the State. The settlers from the East and South, 
who came to Illinois at an early day, were, as 
a rule, devoted Christian people. Their first ob- 
ject was to obtain a home for themselves in the 
undeveloped Prairie State that held out such 
rich promises of worldly wealth, but they did not 
forget the need of spiritual teaching and, as soon 
as they had builded a home, they joined together 
in establishing a church in order that they 
might worship together. Coming, as they did, 
from every section of the country, there was a 
wide variation of religious beliefs and, as the 
distinction between the sects would not permit 
of their joining together in worship, each little 
band of settlers built their own church and es- 
tablished their own form of worship. Thus it 
appears that, in the early 'thirties, Rushville had 
as many churches as she has today ; and. while 
it meant extreme self-denial on the part of the 
clergymen, there were noble, self-sacrificing men 
who consecrated their lives to the work of the 
Lord without hope or thought of any other re- 
ward than that the teachings of the gospel might 
be carried to all mankind. 

Coming of the Pioneer Methodist. — There 
were a number of these God fearing men, who 
should receive their full meed of praise and 
credit for the work they accomplished, but let us 
first consider Levin Green, the pioneer of them 
all. The history of Illinois Methodism affords no 
more picturesque or romantic figure than that of 
Rev. Green, who was on one occasion referred to 
by Rev. John Scripps as the "Lord's Prodigy." 

The first settlement had been made in Schuy- 
ler County in 1823 and. in the fall of that year, 
Levin Green put in appearance. He was a tall, 
straight, gaunt man, attired in Kentucky jeans, 
with deer-skin moccasins and coonskin cap, and 



his coming brought joy to the Hobarts, who were 
loyal Methodists. As soon as they learned the 
stranger was a licensed preacher, they welcomed 
him to their home and assisted in moving his 
family from Dutchman Creek, sixteen miles 
above on the Illinois River, whither they had 
come from below St. Louis in a canoe. On the 
first Sabbath in November, 182.3, Levin Green 
preached the first sermon in Schuyler County at 
the home of Calvin Hobart, and he had for his 
congregation the entire settlement, numbering 
thirty persons. Afterward services were held reg- 
ularly every two weeks throughout the winter, 
and here in the wilderness the corner-stone of 
Methodism in the Military Tract was laid. 

Levin Green was one of those queer products 
of pioneer times, that cannot be gauged in the 
standards of our present civilization. He could 
barely read intelligently, having had no scholastic 
opportunities, and yet he played a prominent part 
in the evangelist work of his day. He was li- 
censed to preach by Jesse Walker, Presiding El- 
der of Illinois, in 1S14, and the early years of bis 
ministry were spent in Missouri. In his Book 
of Reminiscences, Rev. Chauncey Hobart says: 
"Levin Green belonged to that remarkable class 
of men, so well known on the frontier line of 
civilization. Born where the howl of the wolf 
and the war-whoop of the savage were well 
known sounds ; accustomed to supply the larder 
from the chase, and to eating bread made of 
meal manufactured by the 'hominy mortar,' he 
was of a race of men whose perceptive faculties 
were keenly developed by the new and strange 
surroundings of their exposed lives, and whose 
resources, mental and physical, were, by the very 
exigencies pressing upon them, always equal to 
the demand. To him God, eternity, death, the 
resurrection, the judgment, Heaven and hell, 
were vivid and solemn realities. In many of his 
discourses he spoke as if these were actually 
present, being seen and felt by him." 

At the Methodist campmeetings Levin Green, 
attired in his buckskin breeches and coon-skin 
cap, entranced the pioneers with his peculiar 
style of oratory and, in civil affairs, he was ac- 
corded honors becoming his station. The love 
for the romantic pioneer life, however, was ever 
present and, with the coming of the settlers and 
homemakers, he left to seek his home anew on 
the borderline of the western frontier, and Schuy- 
ler County knew him no more. 




METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, RLSHYILLE, ILL. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



709 



In every community there are men who are 
looked upon as leaders ; men who take the initia- 
tive and plan and build for the future. Such a 
man was Rev. John Scripps in the religious life 
of Rushville, and a history of the times would 
not be complete without some reference to his 
life and its activities. 

It was in the summer of 1831 that Mr. Scripps 
moved to Rushville, coming here from Cape Gi- 
rardeau, Mo., where he had resided since 1809, 
and although his object in locating In the city 
was to engage in merchandising, he entered 
heartily into the work of up-building the Metho- 
dist Church, which had been established a few 
years before. No one in the village was more 
capable of assuming the leadership of the little 
congregation than he, for he was then a member 
of the Methodist Conference of Missouri and had 
dune valiant work on the circuit in earlier years. 

As early as 1S12, while a resident of Cape 
Girardeau, Mo., he had been given a license to 
preach, and in the fall of 1814 he had been em- 
ployed by the Presiding Elder of Illinois to travel 
the circuit while the ministers went to confer- 
ence. Without his knowledge his name was 
presented to the conference, and he was assigned 
to the Indiana circuit. The following year he 
was transferred to Illinois, and one of his sta- 
tions was Kaskaskia, afterwards the first capital 
of the State. In 1816 his circuit covered a por- 
tion of Missouri, and to him belongs the honor of 
holding the first Methodist service in the city of 
St. Louis. There was no church in the city and 
the meeting was held in an old dilapidated log 
building used as court house, legislative hall and 
theater. There, amid the rude scenery of the 
theater, he preached to a large audience compris- 
ing the entire American population. In later 
years he traveled a circuit in Arkansas, and in 
1S23 returned to the St. Louis circuit. In the 
years 1820 and 1824 he was a member of the 
General Conferences. The Methodist Conference 
in Illinois was not formed until 1824, and Rev. 
Scripps continued a member of the Missouri Con- 
ference until the division of the church in 1845. 
Refusing to go South with his conference, he 
was transferred to the Illinois Conference in 
184C and placed on the superannuated list. 

Rev. Scripps had practically retired from the 
ministry when he located in Rushville, but his 
years of service had given him a knowledge of 
affairs that was invaluable to the struggling lit- 



tle church here. He entered heartily into the 
work and was often called upon to fill the pulpit 
in the absence of the regular pastor. Rev. James 
Lea ton, in writing of Rev. Scripps in Rushville, 
says: "The coming of such a man and Chris- 
tian minister into the young society at Rushville 
was hailed as a providence ; God's hand was seen 
and recognized in it. His long experience In the 
itinerancy, his intimate acquaintance with the 
working of Methodism, his personal acquaintance 
with the ministry, and his influence with the 
Bishops pre-eminently fitted him for a counselor 
and leader in the young society. How much he 
loved, how wisely he planned, and how well he 
built, is attested by the permanent and efficient 
character of the church today." 

The Methodist Episcopal Church. — In the 
foregoing chapters we have noted the fact that 
Methodist sen-ices were held in Schuyler County 
as early as 1823, but it was not until several 
years afterwards that an organization was ef- 
fected. In August, 1S26, Rev. William See, of 
the Peoria circuit, which extended a hundred 
miles along the east side of the Illinois River, 
came to Schuyler County and a church of twenty 
members was formed. All united by letter ex- 
cept W. H. Taylor, who united on probation and 
was converted a few days afterwards, being the 
first convert in the county. Regular services 
were afterwards held every three weeks by the 
circuit preacher. Rev. Levin Green filling the 
pulpit on intervening Sabbath days. 

The first quarterly meeting in the county was 
held in 1827 by Rev. Peter Cartwright at the 
home of Levin Green. Schuyler County was at 
this time attached to the Atlas circuit, with Wil- 
liam Medford as minister. In 1S28 the first 
so< iety was organized in what is now the city 
of Rushville, the meeting being held at the home 
of Richard Black. Among the early preachers 
may lie mentioned Asa D. West, 1828-30; James 
Bankston, 1830; Barton Randle, 1830-31; David 
B. Carter, 1831-32; Henry Summers, 1832; 
Thomas X. Ralston and Peter Borein, 1S33 ; W. 
II. Window, 1833-34. 

In February, 1834, plans were made for a re- 
vival meeting, and Rev. W. C. Stribling, a cele- 
brated divine from Jacksonville, was engaged to 
assist. Such a religious awakening had never 
before been witnessed in Illinois Methodism and, 
at the clnse of the conference year, 544 members 
were reported to conference. 



710 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



At the session of 1834 tbe town of Kushville 
was separated from the circuit and made a sta- 
tion. Up to this time services had been held in 
the court house and in the room over Rev. John 
Seripps' store; but, with the rapidly increasing 
congregations, there was a demand for a church 
ediiiee and a Hue brick church was erected, which 
at that day was the finest church building north 
of the Illinois River. This church was com- 
pleted in 1836 and that same year the Illinois 
Conference met in Rushville. The preachers 
came from Green Bay, Lake Superior, St. Peter, 
Minn., Prairie du Chien, Cairo and Shawneetown, 
and were accorded a warm welcome by the citi- 
zens of the village. 

The conference sessions were held in the new 
brick church and were presided over by Bishop 
Morris. The Illinois Conference then included 
not only our own State, but Iowa, Minnesota and 
Wisconsin and there were many questions of im- 
portance to be discussed, which kept the confer- 
ence in session from Wednesday, Oct. 5, to Fri- 
day, the 14th. The routine business of the con- 
ference had little interest for tbe lay members, 
but the camp meeting held a mile north of town 
was largely attended and great interest was 
shown. 

Among the new members admitted to the con- 
ference in Rushville were a number of young 
men, who later played a prominent part in the 
church work. Prominent among these were 
Chauncey Hohart, afterwards known as the 
Father of Methodism in Minnesota, who spent 
more than fifty years in active ministerial work. 
Richard Hane.v. one of the best known and be- 
loved ministers in Illinois, was admitted at this 
time, as was also John P. Richmond, afterwards 
missionary to Oregon, and Norris Hobart and 
Wm. H. Taylor, who were both residents of this 
county. 

By this time Methodism in Schuyler County 
was firmly established, and it has since had a 
steady and constant growth as the city grew in 
population. In 1807 the present church build- 
ing was erected. 

The Presbyterian Church. — The date of 
founding of the Presbyterian Church in Schuy- 
ler County is Jan. 31. 1830, and the first meet- 
ing was held in a store room on the north side 
of the public square, then owned by Thos. W. 
Scott. Revs. Cyrus L. Watson and J. M. Ellis 
were the leaders in this movement to establish 



a church and they met with great encouragement. 
The original members were : Wm. Blair, Thomas 
Blair, Margaret Blair, Sarah Blair, Hugh Mc- 
Creery, Sarah McCreery. Mathew McCreery, Jane 
McCreery, Margaret McCreery, Sarah McCreery, 
William Moore and Jane Moore. 

Rev. Watson took keen interest in the little 
church that he had established, and ministered to 
its welfare until 1S35. There was no regular 
place for holding services and the court house, 
store buildings and taverns served for a place of 
meeting. Mrs. Sarah Young, one of the early 
members, once told of a meeting held in the bar 
room of the tavern, where the sacrament of the 
Lord's supper was solemnly celebrated. 

About 183G plans were made for tbe erection 
of a brick church, where the present edifice is 
located, but before the structure could be roofed 
in, winter came and the walls were damaged to 
an extent that repairs could not be made. The 
persons who bought the wrecked building, built 
for the church a frame building as an equivalent, 
and this was used until 1ST6, when the present 
handsome church was occupied. It was during 
the pastorate of Rev. J. M. Paige, who served as 
minister from 1S73 to 1880, that the new church 
was erected, the comer stone of which was laid 
Aug. 23, 1875, with appropriate ceremony. 

Among the early ministers of the church were: 
Rev. Samuel Wilson, Rev. Breese, Rev. Alfred 
Carrington, Rev. J. T. Tucker, Rev. Henry Ber- 
gen, Rev. J. Haswell and Rev. L. P. Kimall, but 
it was not until 1850 that a regular resident pas- 
tor was chosen. A call was extended to Rev. 
Alex. P.. Campbell in that year, and he served as 
pastor until 1855. 

Internal dissensions within the Presbyterian 
Church, as regards general church doctrines, had 
its effect in retarding the growth of the local 
society. During the pastorate of Rev. Samuel 
Wilson the Presbyterian Church in the United 
States separated into two branches known as the 
(ilil and the New. Rev. Wilson went with the 
Old School, but the greater part of bis Rushville 
congregation was not in sympathy with bis ideas. 
The New School branch, having the majority, re- 
tained the church edifice, but in finishing and 
furnishing the interior they incurred a burden- 
some debt. At this juncture the Old School 
branch proposed to assume the debt, pay a cer- 
tain additional sum and take the church prop- 
erty. The offer was accepted and it passed tern- 




PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. RUSHVILLE. ILL. 




CHRISTIAN CHURCH, RUSHVILLE. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



711 



porarily into their hands and Rev. Breese was 
engaged to preach at stated intervals, and he was 
followed by Rev. Carrington, and some years 
afterwards the church property once again came 
into the possession of the New School. During 
these early years of the church the discipline 
was strictly enforced, and it is recorded that 
Elder Daniel V. Dawley was placed on trial for 
playing chess for amusement. 

The history of Presbyterianism in Schuyler 
County should also include some mention of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which was 
founded here in 1834. Rev. J. C. Jewel was their 
first pastor and a church building was erected 
the year they organized, but the society made 
siow growth and in after years the members 
became identified with the Presbyterian Church. 
Even in the early days of the church, during the 
period of strife and contention, the local society 
took a prominent part in affairs, and the Presby- 
tery for this part of Illinois goes by the old name 
of Schuyler Presbytery. 

The Christian Church. — It was in 1S29 that 
the first service of tins denomination was held 
in Schuyler County, and the minister was Elder 
James Hughes, who was on his way to Missouri 
from Ohio. He stopped at the home of Benjamin 
Chadsey, one of the prominent early settlers, and 
was eagerly welcomed. Services were held at 
Mr. Chadsey's home, two and a half miles north- 
east of Uushville. and while no attempt was 
made to found a church, the members of that de- 
nomination were brought closely together and 
looked forward to the time when they could have 
a place of worship in accordance with their be- 
liefs. 

In 1830, Barton W. Stone, of Kentucky, came 
to Rushville and held a series of meetings in the 
old log court house. 

Great interest attended these meetings, and 
the following year Elder James W. Davis and 
James Urbank came from Kentucky to continue 
their work. Then it was that the first steps 
were taken towards the organization of a church, 
which was accomplished in 1833. In that year 
a church was built and Elder Barton W. Stone 
returned to perfect the organization, which was 
accomplished December 29, 1833. In succeeding 
years the church continued services regularly, 
and in 1S74 the building now in use was erected 
and was dedicated, March 1, 1875. 

Methodist Episcopal Church, South. — Dis- 



sensions within the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
growing out of the slavery question, led to the 
organization in Illinois of the Christian Union 
Church in 1804, and two years later a church of 
that denomination was founded in Schuyler 
County. The first society was organized at Kin- 
derhook school house, Rushville Township, Jan- 
uary 1, 1867, by Rev. Rumsey Smithson. On Jan- 
uary 17, Rev. D. T. Sherman organized a society 
at Sugar Grove and, on April 20th, the Rushville 
circuit was organized. 

In June, 18G7, the members of the Christian 
Union Churches of Illinois met at Clinton and 
decided to change the name of the church to that 
of the Episcopal Methodist Church, and after 
being taken under the jurisdiction of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. South, the name was 
again changed. 

The church at Rushville was organized in 
August, 1868, by Rev. William R. Howard, and 
since that time regular services have been con- 
ducted in this city and on the circuits. 

The Baptist Church. — Just when the first 
services of the Baptist Church were held in 
Schuyler County is not a matter of record, but 
the ministers of that faith were early in the 
field and had reached Rushville in the latter 
'twenties. A division of the church at this early 
day tended to disorganize the evangelistic work 
and the effects of it were felt in this county. 

On October 20, 1832, a Baptist Church of 
Christ, called Concord, was organized, and there 
were twenty-three persons in Schuyler who 
signed the constitution and articles of faith. 
Elder John Logan was called as pastor and he 
served until 1836 when he was succeeded by 
Elder Newell. Services had been held princi- 
pally in the country up to this time, but in 1837 
a building was erected in Rushville. Alter a 
short time this building was sold and a new 
church was built on the Macomb road, four and 
a half miles north of Rushville. Elder Davis 
was pastor of the church from 1840 to 1847, and 
during these years there was a great revival of 
interest. This culminated in the building of a 
in w church in Rushville in 1851, but for some 
reason the church never thrived in this city, and 
finally the congregation was unable to keep up 
their organization, and the building was sold 
to the Rushville Union School district and is 
now used for the primary grades. 

Episcopal Church. — In the history of the 



712 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Episcopal Church of Illinois Rushville stands 
pre-eminent as one of the first towns to establish 
a church of that denomination. Although the 
Diocese of Illinois was not organized until March 
9, 1S35, Christ Church Parish, Rushville, was 
organized in February, 1834. There were then 
but three or four other Episcopal churches in the 
State and when Bishop Chase, the first Bishop of 
Illinois, made his first visitation to the State, 
Rushville was included in his itinerary. 

Little is known of the early history of the 
church in this city, but it is a matter of record 
that a church was erected and on March 19, 
1837, was consecrated. There is added interest 
in the local history of the church for the reason 
that the Annual Convention of the Diocese of 
Illinois was held here on June 4 and 5, 1838, and 
again in 1S42. In this latter year the church 
records show that there were but 491 communi- 
cants in the whole State. 

It is not possible to review the early history 
of this church, for all the old members have 
long since passed away. In the 'forties the 
church maintained its own building and Rev. 
Robert .7. Walker served the parishes of Rush- 
ville and Beardstown, giving alternate Sundays 
to each. He was succeeded by Rev. Clotworthy, 
who remained for a few years and sometime in 
the 'fifties regular services ceased and the build- 
ing reverted to the donors. About ten years ago 
Rushville was made a station in the missionary 
field, and regular services are now held every 
fortnight, in a mission room which has been 
fitted up by the local congregation. 

Roman Catholic Chubch — Since early in the 
'sixties, the Roman Catholics have had services 
in Rushville, but the congregation was never 
large enough to support a resident priest. In 
the early days, when Rushville was a parish in 
the Chicago diocese, services were held at the 
home of Patrick Fox, and the priest made reg- 
ular visits here to minister to the little congrega- 
tion. About 1870 the present church building 
was erected, and services are held once a month. 
When the diocese of Peoria was erected in 1870, 
Rushville parish was included in the territory 
taken from the Chicago diocese. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



SCHUYLER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN SCHUTLER COUNTY LAID 

OUT JULY 22, 1825 FIRST FREE SCHOOL LAW 

ENACTED THE SAME YEAR WM. H. TAYLOR THE 

FIRST TEACHER IN THE COUNTY — ATTEMPT TO 
ESTABLISH FREE SCHOOLS IN 1826 PROVES A FAIL- 
URE — JONATHAN D. MANLOVE'S REMINISCENCES 
OF AN EAKLY' PIONEER SCHOOL. — THE PERIOD OF 
SUBSCRIPTION SCHOOLS AND OTHER EARLY 
TEACHERS — SOME CHRISTMAS-DAY LOCKOUTS — 
STATE CHARTER GRANTED RUSHVILLE UNION 

SCHOOL DISTRICT MARCH 30, 1869 HISTORY OF 

RUSHVILLE SCHOOLS — LIST OF SCHOOL SUPERIN- 
TENDENTS — TOWNSHIP SCHOOL HISTORY — THE 
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION IN 
THE COUNTY. 

The history of the public schools of Schuyler 
County is coincident with that of the State of 
Illinois, and it must ever be a source of local 
pride to know that, at the first meeting of the 
County Commissioners, held on July 7. 1825, 
plans were made for the organization of a school 
district, and by petition the same was regularly 
formed two weeks later. 

The wisdom and foresight of the pioneers of 
Illinois was shown most clearly in their endeavor 
to establish a system of public schools at a time 
when the cause of popular education was by no 
means popular. The foundations for free schools, 
thus laid, commands our admiration and surprise, 
and the names of the early supporters of popular 
education should be unperishable in the records 
of the county, and it is our purpose to thus aid 
in honoring the pioneer supporters of the great 
free school system. 

Schuyler County was formed and granted pow- 
ers of local government by the Illinois Legisla- 
ture in 1825, and in January of that year there 
was passed the first State School Law. under 
which the district in this county was formed 
some six months later. The development of 
the most excellent school system of the State 
renders it somewhat superfluous to cite reasons 
for the enactment of this law, but in the pre- 





OLD COURT HOUSE. 



OLD HTGHSCHOOL BUILDING, RUSHVILLK. 
BURNED I89.V 



W(( 



: - A (f ^-4^ 




WEBSTER HIOHSCHOOL BUILDING, RUSHVILLE, ILL. 




1 f j » ^BiiiP'v 

S, f§J% BIB 1 



WASHINGTON SCHOOL, 
RUSHVILLE, ILL. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



713 



amble of the first school law of 1S25, they are 
set forth most lucidly as follows: 

"To enjoy our rights and liberties, we must 
understand them ; their security and protection 
ought to be the first object of a free people ; and 
it is a well established fact that no nation has 
continued long in the enjoyment of civil and 
political freedom, which was not both virtuous 
and enlightened ; and believing that the advance- 
ment of literature always has been, and ever 
will be, the means of developing more fully the 
rights of man, that the mind of every citizen in 
a republic is the common property of society, 
and constitutes the basis of its strength and 
happiness ; it is, therefore, considered the pecu- 
liar duty of a free government like ours to en- 
courage and extend the improvement and culti- 
vation of the intellectual energies of the whole ; 
therefore, a common school, or schools, shall be 
established in each county of this State." 

The growth and development of the schools of 
Schuyler County may be said to date back to the 
winter of 1823-24, for scarcely had half a dozen 
families located within a radius of three or four 
miles and secured indispensable shelter in their 
primitive log-cabins, before effort was made to 
provide a means of education for the children. 

The first school taught in the county was at 
the home of Calvin Hobart in the winter of 1823- 
24, where William H. Taylor, then a young man 
who had come to the count} 7 with the first set- 
tlers, acted as teacher. His pupils probably did 
not exceed six in number, for there was but a 
small settlement made that year. 

At the meeting of County Commissioners held 
on July 22, 1S25, a petition was presented asking 
for the organization of a school district, and the 
petition was granted and the district formed as 
follows : "Beginning at the N. E. cor. of Sec. 
4, 2 N., 1 W., thence west to N. W. cor. of Sec. 
1, 2 N., 2 W., thence south to the S. W. corner 
of Sec. 36, thence east to the S. E. corner of 
Sec. 33, thence north to place of beginning." The 
district thus formed included the west half of 
Rushville Township within its boundary. 

Jonathan D. Manlove, one of the early pioneer 
settlers and among the first school teachers of 
the county, tells of the attempt to establish free 
schools in Schuyler County in 1826. He says: 
"The first school house in the county was built 
near Benj. Chadsey's in 1826. A log house was 
put up and. perhaps, covered, but no school was 



ever taught in it. It was built under a very 
imperfect law, the first in the State that was 
called a free school law. But at that early 
period the same difficulty in regard to the ways 
and means and location of school houses existed 
that too often yet exist, and the school house 
was never finished because of ignorance and 
prejudice then extant." 

In the summer of 1826, however, a school was 
taught on Section 16 by Miss Sophronia Chadsey 
and another by Mr. Manlove at his cabin. In a 
letter to the Schuyler Citizen, in 1881, Mr. Man- 
love thus describes his pioneer school : "My 
mind reverts back to the summer of 1826, when 
I taught a school in a log cabin, where Mr. Lit- 
tle's house now stands northeast of Rushville. 
The cabin was the largest one in the county, 
and had been occupied by a family not censurable 
for the Godly virtue of cleanliness, and was in- 
fested with a numerous progeny of bugs, whose 
odorous perfume was not pleasant to the olfac- 
tories of teacher or pupils. They had prior pos- 
session, and had fortified and were taking pos- 
session of the books and dinner baskets. We 
were compelled to declare a war of extermination. 
We procured a large iron kettle, and when ready 
with boiling water, all hands moved on the ene- 
mies' works, and after a long and bloody battle, 
succeeded in destroying all their army, except a 
very considerable number of stragglers that re- 
turned early to their well-known and impregnable 
hidings. Peace reigned in Warsaw, the six-inch 
benches were again occupied, and the daily sup- 
ply of musk melons, which was furnished by the 
teacher, was eaten; and all were happy and con- 
tented." 

The growth of the public school system, as now 
understood, was slow, and in a quarter of a cen- 
tury after the settlement of the county it had 
made but little progress in Schuyler. It is true 
there were schools taught, but they were the 
result of purely voluntary effort either of an in- 
dividual or of a few associated persons, and the 
i-iaster was paid by the parents whose children 
attended the school, a one-room log cabin, 
whose only furniture was a teacher's desk and 
rude seats fashioned from the slabs of logs, 
with pegs driven into holes near the end for legs. 
Text books were few and did full duty where 
there happened to be several children in one 
family. The children went to school wearing 
jeans and linsey, and it was not uncommon for 



1U 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



the boys to be attired in buckskin pantaloons and 
eoon-skin caps. 

It was in such fashion the schools were begun, 
and they have been steadily improved in material 
comforts, facilities and elegance, and in culture, 
training and efficiency of teachers, until we rea- 
sonably and justly boast a school equipment 
throughout the county as complete and thorough 
as that of any county in our great State. 

In reviewing the history of the schools of 
Schuyler county we will first consider those of 
the city of Rushville. where the growth from the 
rude log-cabin to the finely graded schools of 
the present day present a most interesting study. 
The evolution of the educational system was not 
accomplished without strife and bitter warfare, 
but this is accounted for as more a difference 
of personal opinion than an effort to embarrass 
the cause of education. The early pioneers were 
men of earnest purpose and strong determination 
and, when differences of opinion arose as to 
public school management, there was bitter in- 
ternecine warfare that, in some cases, lasted for 
years to the detriment of the rapidly growing 
system of education. 

The first building erected for school purposes 
in Rushville was a small one-story brick house 
that stood where the Christian church now 
stands. It was erected in the early 'thirties, and 
one of the first, if not the first, of the teachers 
was Levi Lusk. In the winter of 1S37-38, Up- 
ton Smith organized a subscription school and oc- 
cupied the attic of the old Methodist Episcopal 
church with his classes. The attic was divided 
into two rooms, and the boys' department oc- 
cupied the north room, while the girls were 
taught by a lady teacher in the south room. A 
few years later I. S. Wright and daughter taught 
in the same building. Another one of the early 
teachers was a Mr. Shetland, a man of brilliant 
mind and attainments whose career was cut 
short by dissipation, and he died soon afterwards. 
Miss Rebecca Davis taught a school in the early 
'forties on the south side of Bast Washington 
about half a block from the square. Miss Sarah 
McMaeken, of Jacksonville, taught in a log school 
building that was located on West Lafayette 
Street, between where Mrs. Little's and Dr. 
Ball's houses now stand, and Mrs. Houghland 
taught in a log cabin located a little farther 
west. Mrs. Joseph Haskell was another of the 



pioneer teachers who had a school where the 
court house now stands'. 

Of the old pioneer teachers who taught sub- 
scription schools in Rushville in the 'forties Ed- 
ward Bertholf lived to see the development 
of the present day. Mr. Bertholf taught in the 
old Methodist Church, and among his pupils 
was Francis Drake, who afterwards became 
Governor of Iowa. 

Following the era of small subscription 
schools we find that Rushville had its Western 
Seminary. Cottage Seminary, Female Academy, 
Scripps' Academy, The Seminary, M. E. Church 
High School, and Parrott High School, all of 
which flourished and thrived for a time, but 
eventually gave way before the progress of the 
system of free schools which eventually resulted 
in the formation of the Rushville Union Schools. 

On June 25, 1845, John Clarke, Lycurgus I. 
Kimball, George B. Rogers, Roland M. Worthing- 
ton, James G. McCreery, Abraham Tolle, William 
E. Withrow, Joseph Montgomery and James L. 
Anderson purchased the lot where the Webster 
School building now stands and built The Sem- 
inary. The school was in charge of Alonzo J. 
Sawyer, afterwards prominent in educational 
work in Chicago, with Miss Amelia Dayton and 
Miss Matilda M. Williams as assistants. The 
rates of tuition ranged from .$2.50 to $6, for a 
term of eleven weeks. Later teachers in this 
school were : R. H. Griffith, Miss Sophia Barber, 
Dr. Thomas C. Nichols, Dr. J. A. Speed. Mr. 
Lucas. G. W. Scripps. Mr. English, George I. 
Ramsey. Miss Lydia Ramsey, Henry Smither 
lind others. 

Rushville was not without its public schools 
during this period, but they were small and no 
effort was made to teach anything but the ele- 
mentary branches, and the situation was further 
complication by reason of the fact that the city 
was in two separate school districts. It was 
when an endeavor was made to unite districts 8 
and 9, and form the present Union School Dis- 
trict, that passion ran riot, and it had its cul- 
mination in a pitched battle, which took place 
at the Seminary on May 11, 1S5S, that was 
participated in by a number of Rushville's lead- 
ing citizens. 

It appears that District No. 9 had purchased 
the Seminary building in 1855 and that District 
No. 8 had come into possession of the Parrott 
School building. District No. 8 had one hundred 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



715 



more pupils than district 0, while the latter 
had $75,000 more taxable property, and they re- 
sisted the effort made to unite the two districts. 

After the two districts were united by a vote 
of the people, some of the leading citizens of 
District No. ',) met and resolved to regain posses- 
sion of their property, but the Directors of No. 
8, getting news of their intention, entered the 
building at night, nailed down the windows and 
barred the doors. The Directors of No. 9 gained 
possession the day following, when the former 
occupants decided to take the building by storm 
and armed themselves with rails to batter down 
the doors. This led to a general melee, and the 
Sheriff of the county was called upon to establish 
peace. The matter was afterwards taken into 
court and was carried to the Illinois Supreme 
Court, where a decision was rendered that de- 
clared the union of the two districts legal and 
the costs were assessed against District No. 9. 
Eleven years later, by the union of District No. 
3, in Buena Vista Township, and District No. 8, 
the Rushville Union School District was formed 
and was granted a special charter by the Illinois 
Legislature, the same being approved March 30, 
1869. 

Thus was the foundation laid for carrying 
forward the work of free schools in the city of 
Rushville, and, out of the turmoil and strife that 
had existed for a score of years, there developed 
a united support of the public schools which has 
ever since continued and has resulted in the 
building up of the splendid school system of the 
present day. 

The first Board of Education in the Rushville 
Union School District was composed of the fol- 
lowing gentlemen : William H. Ray, Thomas 
Wilson, W. W. Wells, R. H. Griffith and W. S. 
Irvin. They went to work at once to provide a 
suitable school building and, during the year 
1870, a three-story brick building was erected on 
the site of The Seminary at a cost of $45,000. 
This building served for school purposes until 
destroyed by fire in September, 1893. On the 
site of the old building the handsome and mod- 
ern Webster School building was erected at a 
cost of $25,000. In the later 'eighties the growtli 
of the city made it necessary to provide addi- 
tional room, and the old Baptist church, in the 
same block, was purchased and used for pri- 
mary grades. Again in 1893 there was need for 
still greater expansion, and a two-story brick 
building was erected in the east part of the city 



at a cost of $8,000, which is used for primary 
grade pupils. 

The Rushville Union Schools were graded by 
John F. Gowdy, in 1869, and, in 1871, when the 
new building was first occupied, they were 
brought to a high standard of excellence by J. M. 
Coyner. He was succeeded as superintendent by 
John Hobbs. In 1875, H. A. Smith was put 
in charge and the following year the first 
class graduated from the Rushville High School. 
Mr. Smith established the school on a solid echi. 
cational basis and continued as Superintendent 
until 18S7, when he was succeeded by Nathan 
T. Veatch and, for fourteen years, the schools 
made most excellent - progress under his direc- 
tion. Henry H. Edmunds, was Superintendent 
from 1901 to 1907, when he. resigned to go to 
Clinton, 111. L. T. Shaw, was Superintendent in 
1907-08. and he was succeeded by C. E. Knapp, 
who is now in charge. 

The following history of the country schools 
of Schuyler County was compiled by Prof. H. A. 
Smith, who was Superintendent of the Rushville 
High School from 1875 to 1887: 

The first school in Oakland Township was 
taught by a Mr. Preston in a log cabin built by 
Frederick Noble, on the southeast quarter of 
Section 24, in the summer of 1S35. Scholars in 
attendance were Abner and William, children of 
Richard Ashcraft; Harriet, daughter of William 
Burress ; Rebecca and Nancy, children of Josiah 
Downer; Benjamin. Martha Ann. Sarah Jane 
and Joseph S., children of Joseph Logan ; and the 
three children of the teacher. The school term 
was three months, and subscription rate was 
$1.50 per month. Oakland Township sold her 
school land in June, 1S37. 

Thomas Bronaugh taught the first school in 
Littleton in a deserted cabin in the summer of 
1835. The pupils were: Julia, Margaret, John 
and Epbraim L, children of David Snyder; 
Martha. Nancy, Evaline and Ludwell, children of 
Elijah M. Wilson; Eliza and Benjamin, children 
of R. P. Applegate: Andrew Wycoff, a nephew, 
and John. Thomas, Jacob, Daniel and Asher, 
children of Garrett Wycoff; Jane. Eliza, Ann and 
Tolhert. children of William H. Crawford. The 
first school house was built on the southwest 
quarter of Section 19, in 1S3S, and Samuel 
Horney was teacher. Littleton sold her school 
land in 1840. 

The first school in Brooklyn Township was 
taught by Richard Kellough in a log cabin in the 



il6 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



village in 1837. The first school house was 
built in 1842. The school section was sold 
March 25, 1841. 

The first school in Birmingham Township was 
taught in a log cabin in the village by William 
Neill in the winter of 1S3T. The following 
named persons were appointed by the Schuyler 
County Commissioner's Court trustees for the 
school land of 3 N., 4 W. ; William Dron, James 
G. King and J. G. Graham. On petition the 
Sixteenth Section was sold April 7, 1S47. 

Mr. Kimball, an old man from Kentucky, 
taught a school in a small cabin south of Hunts- 
ville in 1S35-36. There were three windows 
covered by leather, which was fastened up dur- 
ing the day to permit the light to pass in between 
the logs, and were closed at night. The teacher 
permitted all to study aloud. Jeremiah Brisco 
taught the first school in Huntsville in 1S3G, in 
a log cabin built for the purpose that season. 
He taught the same school for several terms. 

Huntsville has had many excellent teachers. 
Miss Mary Hart of Connecticut taught the school 
south of Huntsville during the summer of 1836. 
H. E. Bryant, afterwards banker at Bement, 
Miss Eunice Kinibal, an eastern lady, and Alvin 
Bacon, each taught several terms at Huntsville. 
Miss Letitia Biscoe taught in a log cabin near 
Shilo. The windows of this cabin consisted of 
an opening between the logs, which was protected 
by a board fastened up with a strap. The first 
frame school house in Huntsville was built about 
1840. The township school land was sold April 
8, 1839. 

The first school in Camden Township was 
taught by John Thornhill in 1S36 in a neglected 
cabin built by a squatter in 1835 on Section 18. 
The second school was taught in the winter of 
1838-39 by George L. Gray. On Christmas Day 
Mr. Gray was fastened out by the big boys until 
he would promise to treat to toddy. He finally 
yielded and furnished the money, when a boy 
by the name of Brown went to what is now 
Brooklyn for the whisky. The toddy was made 
in buckets and the teacher and pupils enjoyed it 
together and harmony was restored. The rate 
for tuition was $1.50 per quarter. John Ander- 
son taught in the northern part of what is now 
the village of Camden in 1839. A brief descrip- 
tion of this school house, may, with very few 
changes, apply equally well to any of our early 
"temples of learning" in which the youth were 
wont to woo the Goddess of Wisdom. 



It was built of logs, as were all the houses at 
that time. The fireplace occupied nearly the 
whole of one side of the room and a recess in 
the wall. After reaching a height of about six 
feet, the logs were placed straight across that 
side of the room, and the chimney of sticks was 
continued up on the outside of the house. It had 
a puncheon floor and seats, and greased paper 
placed between the logs for windows. The large 
boys cut and carried the wood for the fire. Cam- 
den Township sold her school land in October, 
1837. 

The first school house in Schuyler County was 
built in Buena Vista Township in 1S28 on the 
northwest quarter of Section 1, and Robert 
Sexton taught a two-months' term. On May 10, 
1830, Samuel L. Dark commenced a six-months' 
term on the northeast quarter of Section 22. In 
1S43-44 he taught at the cross-roads. The sub- 
scription rates were paid in various kinds of 
produce ; one patron agreeing to pay a certain 
number of bushels of wheat, another a certain 
number of bushels of oats, etc. It was not al- 
ways the easiest matter to collect in those days. 
and the teacher employed Jacob Snyder to col- 
lect for him. Another teacher of the same school 
was Mr. Wheadon. Instead of the usual mottoes 
around the room, each pupil could read the pen- 
alty for certain offenses — so many lashes for 
talking aloud; so many lashes for fighting; so 
many lashes for quarreling going to or from 
school, and other rules with the penalty. 

Buena Vista has the largest school fund of 
any township in the county, owing to the fore- 
closing of its mortgage and reselling of a portion 
of its school section after it had advanced in 
price. The section was first sold in April, 1838. 

The first school in Browning Township was 
taught by a man from Tennessee in 1S35 in a 
small log cabin built by Nathan Glover. This 
was the second township to sell its school sec- 
tion, which was done October 29, 1833, by Al- 
fred Wallace and John M. Campbell, Trustees. 

The first session of school in Hickory Town- 
ship was taught by a Mr. Sheldon in 1838, in a 
cabin built on the bluffs. There were but two 
small fractions of Section 16 in this township. 

The first school in Frederick was held in a 
private cabin built by Horatio Benton. The first 
school house was built in 1846. a small one- 
story frame building, afterwards used as a town 
hall. 

The first school in Bainbridge was in a log 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



717 



cabin built for the purpose on Section 22, about 
the year 1830. The first teachers were John 
Keeton, a Mr. Sexton, John Parker, Joseph Bell 
and James M. Stevens. John Greene taught 
school in the winter of 1835-36 in a log cabin 
built on the northeast quarter of Section 1. 
Samuel Haines, James Lawler and Nathan Win- 
shall were appointed trustees at the June term 
of court, 1836. The school land was sold Decem- 
ber 5, 1S36. 

The first school in Woodstock Township was 
taught by John Taylor in 1827. The first school 
in the northern part of the township was taught 
by Charles Hatfield, in 1833, in a house built 
that fall of elm poles in an elm grove near 
Joshua Griffith's. The pupils and teacher mixed 
the mud on the floor of the school house, after 
school began, with which they daubed the house 
at recesses and noon. Pupils in attendance were 
William T. and Isaac Black, children of Richard 
Black ; Sarah aud Rebecca, children of Jacob 
Fowler ; Houston and Elihu, children of Allen 
Alexander; James and Thomas, children of Isaac 
Sanders; Anderson, Isaac S. and Pressly, chil- 
dren of Mrs. Amelia S. Riley. The day before 
Christmas Anderson and Pressly Riley took the 
teacher out and wallowed him in snow aud left 
him tied, because he would not treat to whisky. 
The teacher treated to two gallons of whisky on 
New Year's. 

In the same school house taught Thomas 
Binkly, Mr. Johnson, Enoch Boughton, Faunton 
Muse and Robert Glenn. 

While the strife for the Christmas treat was 
going on, when Mr. Muse was teacher, he at- 
tempted to descend the spacious chimney, when 
one of the boys threw water on the coals in the 
fireplace which nearly caused him to fall, but 
he managed to crawl out and promised the usual 
treat. 

Robert Glenn spent much of his time in read- 
ing law. while the pupils amused themselves. 
One day, desiring to obtain some young squir- 
rels in the top of a dry tree, about one hundred 
yards from the school house, the pupils built a 
fire around the tree in the morning and agreed 
to run when they heard it fall. On hearing 
the tree fall, all ran without asking permission 
except two small boys. When they returned, 
the teacher looked up and asked them if they 
had got back. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



SCHUYLER PRESS— PAST AND PRESENT. 



PROMINENT PART PLATED BY THE NEWSPAPER 

PRESS IN CONNECTION WITH HISTORY ITS 

VALUE AS A RECORD OF LOCAL FACTS AND EVENTS 
— TYPE OF MEN WHO WERE EARLY EDITORS AND 
DIFFICULTIES WHICH CONFRONTED THEM — 
RUSHVILLE'S FIRST NEWSPAPER — THE RUSH- 
VILLE JOURNAL AND T.IILITARY TRACT ADVERTISER 
ESTABLISHED IN 1835 — ITS FOUNDERS AND FIRST 
EDITOR — SUBSEQUENT CHANGES IN NAME, OWN- 
ERSHIP AND EDITORIAL MANAGEMENT — TOPICS 
WHICH ABSORBED THE ATTENTION OF THE EARLY 

EDITOR PROMINENCE GIVEN TO POLITICS AND 

GENERAL NEWS — PRAIRIE TELEGRAPH RUSH- 
VILLE'S FIRST PERMANENT PAPER — ESTABLISHED 

JULY' 8, 1848 ITS SUBSEQUENT HISTORY THE 

TIMES AND CITIZEN FOUNDED IN 1856 HISTORY 

OF OTHER LOCAL JOURNALS. 

The newspapers of a county occupy a place 
in its historical relation which makes them an 
important factor in reviewing the history of the 
past. They not only played a prominent part 
in creating history, but in their columns we find 
a faithful chronicle of the events of the period 
in which they were published. The oldtime pio- 
neer settler has passed away, but in the pages 
of the old papers we have preserved for all ages 
the records of his deeds and achievements, and 
the editor of this history has drawn largely upon 
the newspapers of the early days for many of 
the facts and occurrences here related. 

Rushville's first paper was established in 1835. 
Up to this time there was no newspaper being 
published between Peoria and Quincy, or between 
Springfield and Rock Island, and it was not 
until four years afterwards that the first daily 
paper was established in Illinois, this being a 
paper named The Chicago Daily American, 
founded in April. 1839. 

Publishing a newspaper in those early pioneer 
days was not an easy task, for there were no 
regular means of communication with the out- 
side world, even the great stage-routes not yet 
having been established throughout the State, 
while the steamboat service on the Illinois River 



718 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



was in the first stages of its development. Then, 
too, the country was sparsely settled and the 
field for journalistic efforts surely not an invit- 
ing one. But the pioneer editor was of a fine 
type of brainy men who were leaders in the in- 
tellectual life of the community, and even 
though their efforts were not always financially 
successful, they kept manfully at their work. 
The mission of the early newspapers was largely 
a political one, and the ideas and policies of 
government rather than news was the predom- 
inating feature. Dependent as they were upon 
political favors for existence, it is not to be 
wondered at that their careers were beset by 
many difficulties and obstacles, and that there 
should have been frequent changes in ownership. 
But. taken as a whole, the editors of Rushville's 
early papers were men well worthy of grateful 
remembrance, and the historian cannot fail to 
give high meed of praise to the intelligent, moral 
and public spirited persons who ruled the des- 
tiny of tbe local press in those pioneer days. 

In 1835 Rushville was a flourishing town of 
probably one thousand population. At that time 
the prospects looked bright for a continuation of 
rapid growth, as all the traffic northward to 
Galena and westward to Quincy was passing 
through Rushville. There were probably a dozen 
mercantile establishments, and fine new brick 
buildings and churches were being erected. Such 
was the condition of affairs when The Rushville 
Journal and Military Tract Advertiser, a weekly 
newspaper, was established by G. W. Davis and 
R. W. Renfroe. Mr. Davis was a practical 
printer and had come to Rushville from Cape 
Girardeau, Mo. He had purchased liis news- 
paper outfit at St. Louis and, on May 8, 1835, 
the first number of the paper was issued. Abra- 
ham Marshall, a lawyer, was editor of the paper, 
though not financially interested in the enter- 
prise. Within the next year Mr. Davis retired 
from the firm and the name of the paper was 
shortened to The Rushville Journal and R. W. 
Renfroe & Co. were publishers. 

The Journal was a four-page, six-column pa- 
per, and the typographical appearance was ex- 
cellent, as the old copies, now in possession of 
Edwin Dyson, of the Rushville Times, show. The 
office of publication was in the upstairs room 
of the old brick building which stood on the 
site of the Bank of Schuyler. 

In politics the paper was neutral and the 
entire tickets of both Whig and Democratic can- 



didates were placed at the head of the editorial 
column. Local news was treated briefly and, in 
some issues, not a line of local happenings was 
recorded. Xews from Texas then was in abun- 
dance, as that State had only recently asserted 
her independence and was soon to become a sov- 
ereign State of the Union. News traveled slowly, 
however, in those days, as in The Journal of 
July 23, 183(5, we note an announcement of the 
death of President Madison, who had died June 
28, 1836. 

On July 30, 1836, The Journal was sold to Dr. 
Adam Dunlap, who had been interested in the 
publication since the retirement of Mr. Davis. 
In that year The Journal published the delin- 
quent tax-lists for Knox. Henry and Hancock 
counties, as no papers were yet established in 
these counties. Dr. Dunlap retained ownership 
but a short time, when he sold the paper to Ben- 
jamin V. Teel. who purchased it for J. B. Fulks. 
Publication was suspended for a time and the 
new editor changed the name of the paper to The 
Schuyler Advocate, and the first number was 
issued May 27, 1837. The paper remained under 
Mr. Fulk's control until February, 1S38, when it 
was sold to T. Lyle Dickey, afterwards one of 
the Judges of the Illinois Supreme Court, and 
R. A. Glenn, who changed the name to The Test. 
The paper supported the Whig party, but its 
life of usefulness was brief and it suspended 
publication on its twenty-eighth issue. Some 
three months afterwards tbe twenty-ninth, and 
last, number of The Test appeared. In this 
issue the editors state that they have been un- 
able to collect the accounts due them, and have 
arranged with Mr. Fulks to take the plant off 
their bands. 

Publishing a newspaper seemed to have a fas- 
cination for Rushville politicians, and the next 
to enter the field was A. R. Sparks, who issued 
the first number of The Illinois Republican, De- 
cember 14. 1S39. The paper was a six-column 
folio, with columns sixteen ems wide, and was 
Democratic in politics. Mr. Sparks like his 
predecessors soon grew weary of the financial 
burden the publication of a newspaper imposed. 
and on April 9, 1S40, he sold the plant to James 
L. Anderson. Mr. Sparks afterwards went to 
Washington. D. C, where he held a Federal 
office for many years. 

The Political Examiner was the name Mr. 
Anderson gave to Lis paper, and it continued 
under this name until October 1, 1843. Mr. An- 






t^k^n^ 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



719 



derson then changed the name to The Rushville 
Whig, and placed the name of the great Whig 
leader, Henry Clay, at the head of the editorial 
column as presidential candidate. This ringing 
motto of The Whig was carried at the top of the 
first page : "Truth is the basis of all virtue." 
The defeat of Henry Clay in 1844 was a death 
blow to The Rushville Whig, and soon after- 
wards it suspended publication. 

In nine years Rushville had seven different 
papers with double that number of editors, and 
the changes had been so numerous and suspen- 
sions so frequent that, for the next four years, 
no one had the courage to take up the task 
of enlightening the people of Schuyler through 
the medium of a county newspaper. 

But in the summer of 184S Benjamin F. 
Seripps, who at that time was engaged in teach- 
ing school, and R. R. Randall, a practical print- 
er, formed a partnership, bought the old outfit 
of press and type and. on July 8, 1848, the first 
number of The Prairie Telegraph was printed. 
This proved to be Rusbville's first permanent 
newspaper, for since the first issue there has 
been a continuous publication to the present time, 
the change in name to The Times being made 
without missing the issue of a single number. 

The newspaper office at that time was located 
in a one-story frame building on the east side 
of the square, and here the two young editors 
labored in the upbuilding of the city of Rush- 
ville. And now, after a lapse of more than half 
a century, one of these early editors, Mr. R. R. 
Randall, a resident of Lincoln, Neb., can look 
back and wonder at the changes that have been 
made in the art of printing since he first put 
The Prairie Telegraph to press on July 8, 1848. 

On November 3, 1849, The Prairie Telegraph 
passed into the hands of Rev. John Seripps and 
his son, J. C. Seripps. From a memorandum 
jotted down by Rev. John Seripps, we learn that 
the circulation of the paper at that time was 
limited to 2S0 subscribers, but under the skillful 
management of the new editors the paper grew 
and was a power for good in the county. Rev. 
John Seripps was a forceful writer and he soon 
gave The Telegraph high rank as a provincial 
paper. 

About this time a telegraph line was built into 
Rushville. and a telegraphic news report from 
St. Louis was one of the features of the paper, 
and on one occasion the President's message to 
Congress was taken off the wire and printed in 



The Prairie Telegraph — a stroke of enterprise 
which calls for admiration, even in this day, 
but the President's annual message was read 
with more avidity then than now. 

In conversation with J. C. Seripps a number 
of years ago, the writer was given some idea 
of the difficulties with which the early editors 
had to contend. It was customary to get the 
supply of print paper from St. Louis during the 
open season of navigation on the Illinois River 
and bring it overland from Frederick ; but one 
winter in the early 'fifties The Telegraph ex- 
hausted its supply and Mr. J. C. Seripps drove 
to Springfield, thinking he could get his paper 
there. But be was unsuccessful, and returning 
home started at once for Peoria, where he se- 
cured enough print paper to last until the ice 
went out of the river, and by driving day and 
night reached Rushville in time to put the paper 
to press on the regular day of issue. 

Messrs. Seripps continued the publication of 
The Prairie Telegraph until May 24, 1856, when 
tbc paper was sold to a stock company and the 
name changed to The Rushville Times, the first 
issue of that paper appearing May 30, 1856. The 
stockholders in this new company were Hon. 
L. D. Erwin, Leonidas Horney, Peter Campbell, 
Joseph Montgomery, D. W. C. Johnston, Charles 
Xeill, James L., Anderson, John Seripps, Enoch 
Edmonston, John Hugh Lawler and Charles 
Wells. All the members of the new company, 
with the possible exception of John Seripps, were 
prominent Democrats, and it was their desire 
that Schuyler should have a paper that would 
support the policy of Senator Douglas and the 
Democratic party, and in the first issue was pub- 
lished the Democratic State ticket with William 
A. Richardson as candidate for Governor. 

DeWitt C. Johnston, the first editor of Thn 
Times, was a lawyer and Methodist minister and 
before coming to Rushville had edited three 
newspapers in Ohio. He was not only a fluent 
writer, but a polished orator as well, and was 
afterwards elected County Judge in Schuyler. 
Mr. Johnston died in Rushville January 28, 1866. 

When Mr. Johnston retired as editor on Feb- 
ruary 2, 1858, he was succeeded by Andrew J. 
Ashton, who was editor of the paper until May 
9, 1860, when he retired on account of his health, 
and he died the same month at Morris, 111. 
A. D. Davies was the next editor, and he was 
elected County Superintendent of Schools by the 
Democracy to aid him in maintaining his paper. 



730 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Mr. Davies was a talented editor and had mar- 
ried a daughter of ex-Governor Ford, a most 
estimable lady, but he was dissipated and dis- 
solute, abandoned his family here and left for 
parts unknown and was never afterwards heard 
from. The stockholders of The Times then ar- 
ranged with J. C. Fox to come from Missouri 
and assume editorial charge, and he was suc- 
ceeded as editor in 1SGG by E. A. Snively. Man- 
aging a political newspaper to suit the whims of 
the stockholders and. at the same time make it 
pay, was no easy task ; and while The Times did 
its full duty politically under the editorship of 
Mr. Snively, it failed of reaching his expectations' 
in a business way, and as there were several old 
judgments against the company, the paper was 
sold at Sheriff's sale and was purchased by 
Edwin Dyson, the present proprietor. Mr. Snive- 
ly afterwards published a newspaper at Carlin- 
ville, and served for several terms as Clerk of 
the Appellate Court at Springfield. He is now a 
member of the Illinois Pardon Board, and, 
though he has been out of active newspaper work 
for many years, he still keeps in close touch 
with the editors and has rendered them good 
service during the years he has been at the 
State capital. 

The first number of The Times, under the 
ownership of Edwin Dyson, was issued July 2, 
1SG8. Fourteen years previous Mr. Dyson had 
entered the office of The Schuyler Democrat, 
established by D. E. II. Johnson, to learn the 
printer's trade and. svith the exception of four 
years spent in St. Louis, he lias been associated 
with the newspaper business in Rushville ever 
since. 

In 185-1 The Schuyler Democrat was founded. 
It was owned by a stock company and was edited 
by Daniel E. II. Johnson, the first number ap- 
pearing April 20, 1854. George Washington 
Seripps purchased the paper in 1856 and changed 
the name to The Schuyler Citizen, the first num- 
ber of which was issued July C, 185C. At this 
time The Citizen was Independent in politics and 
remained so until 1858, when the historic cam- 
paign of Lincoln and Douglas brought to the 
front the newly formed Republican party, which 
was loyally supported by The Citizen. Mr. 
Seripps retained the ownership of the paper until 
1870, when he removed to Detroit, Mich., where 
he died September 21, 1S98. When Mr. Seripps 
retired from newspaper work in Rushville, he 
sold The Citizen to William I. Larash, who took 



charge April 1, 1879, and has ever since been ed- 
itor and proprietor. On June 1, 1895, Mr. La- 
rash began the publication of a daily edition of 
The Citizen, which he still publishes in connec- 
tion with his weekly issue. 

The Rushville Republican, edited by F. A. 
Warden & Son, was established January 17, 1801, 
and was continued by them for ten years. It was 
Republican in iiolitics and. during its existence, 
was the official organ of the party. 

The Schuyler County Herald, owned and 
edited by H. E. McLaren, was established at 
Rushville February 28, 1901. 

The Camden City Register, the first paper 
to be established in Schuyler County outside of 
Rushville, was founded by H. C. Harl, April 2, 
1S9G. It suspended publication September 30, 
1897. 

The Littleton Leader was founded by Doan 
Dixson and the first paper was issued December 
7, 1905. 

The Browning Riverside Review, the latest 
addition to Schuyler County newspapers, was 
founded April 8, 1908, by Robbins Bros. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS. 



EUSHV1LLE LODGE A. F. & A. M. ORGANIZED IN 1842 

IS THE FIRST FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION IN 

SCHUYLER COUNTY AND NINTH OF THE ORDER. 

IN THE STATE OTHER FRATERNITIES IN THE 

COUNTY KNIGHTS TEMPLAR, INDEPENDENT OR- 
DER OF ODD-FELLOWS, WILLARD ENCAMPMENT. 
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS, GRAND ARMY OF THE 
REPUBLIC MODERN WOODMEN, ROYAL KNIGHTS. 

MYSTIC WORKERS AND ORDER OF EAGLES DATES 

OF ORGANIZATION, CHARTER MEMBERS AND FIRST 

OFFICERS OTHER ITEMS OF PERSONAL AND LODGE 

HISTORY. 

Rushville Lodge No. 9, A. F. & A. M., was 
instituted October 8, 1842. being the first fra- 
ternal society to be organized in Schuyler County, 
and the ninth lodge of the order in the State to 
get a dispensation and charter from the Grand 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



V-l 



Lodge. The first lodge in Illinois was that or- 
ganized at the old historic town and first capital 
of the State, Kaskaskia. The officers and char- 
ter members of Rushville Lodge No. 9, A. F. & 
A. M., were : 

Levi Lusk, Worshipful Master. 

James L. Anderson, Senior Warden. 

John Todhuuter, Junior Warden. 

Adam Dunlap, Secretary. 

James McCrosky, Treasurer. 

John B. Seeley, Senior Deacon. 

William Edgar, Junior Deacon. 

Thomas J. Garrett, Tyler. 

Samuel McHatton, William Davis, Abner Mc- 
Dowell, Josiah Parrott, Lewis Horton, Henry 
Murray, James H. Chick, Ranseler Wells, Mar- 
shal Smith, Alexander Brazelton, Nathan Brooks 
and Hart Fellows were the other members. 

At the time Rushville Lodge was instituted 
there were eight subordinate lodges in Illinois 
located in the following cities : Quincy, Jack- 
sonville. Springfield, Columbus, Decatur and 
Joliet. 

Two of the charter members of the Rushville 
Lodge took a prominent part in the early Masonic 
work in the State, and held responsible positions 
in the Grand Lodge. Levi Lusk was elected Sen- 
ior Grand Warden in 1843 and Most Worshipful 
Grand Master in 1S45, and served as Grand Sec- 
retary from 1S40 to 1S47. 

James L. Anderson was Senior Grand Deacon 
in 1845. Grand Treasurer from 1S46 to 1847, and 
Most Worshipful Grand Master in 1S54-55, and, 
while in this office, issued the dispensation for 
the first Masonic lodge in the territory of Ne- 
braska at Bellevue, Douglas County. 

The Rushville Lodge has passed through two 
fires since it was instituted, and many of the 
old records were destroyed ; but from Grand 
Lodge reports and other sources, George R. Glos- 
sop, the present Secretary of the lodge, has 
compiled a historical record of each member, 
and it is fairly complete. 

The first destructive five sustained by Rush- 
ville Lodge. No. !» A. F. & A. M., was in the 
winter of 1849-50. At that time the lodge occu- 
pied the second floor of a brick building which 
stood on the site of the Teel brick building. All 
the early records of the lodge were destroyed in 
this fire and, as the Grand Lodge suffered a sim- 
ilar loss at Peoria on February 10, 1850, it has 
been impossible to get a complete record of the 
lodge. Again, in 1882, when the south side of 



the public square was ravaged by fire, the Ma- 
sonic Lodge room in the third story of the E. H. 
O. Seeley building was wiped out, and again 
there was a loss of records. 

The oldest member of Rushville Lodge, No. 9, 
A. F. & A. M., is Thomas P. Parrott, who was 
initiated during the year 1847. Other members 
have gained local renown by reason of long serv- 
ice in official positions in the lodge. Prominent 
among these is John McCabe who was elected 
Treasurer December 27. 1876, and served until 
December 25, 1900, when he declined a renorn- 
ination. John C. Seripps served as Secretary 
from 1855 to 18S2, and N. B. Seeley was Tyler 
of the Lodge continuously from 1S55 to 1885, and 
was again elected in 1888 and served until De- 
cember 27, 1S94. 

Levi Lusk. the first Worshipful Master of 
Rushville Lodge, was initiated as a Mason April 
2, 1821, at Georgetown, Scott County. Ky. Dur- 
ing the years he resided there he was elected 
to practically all the offices in the gift of the 
lodge. In 1835 he removed to Rushville and still 
kept in touch with the Masonic work, even 
though the nearest lodge was located at Quincy. 
In 1837 he was called upon to assist in consti- 
tuting a lodge at Jacksonville, which is now Har- 
money Lodge No. 3. 

(In October 3, 1842, Mr. Lusk went to the 
Grand Lodge of Illinois at Jacksonville, and 
Rushville Lodge having been granted a charter, 
he was seated as the first representative of the 
lodge, and at that session was elected Senior 
Grand Warden and appointed chairman of the 
Committee on Foreign Correspondence. 

At the Grand Lodge session in 1843. Mr. Lusk 
was elected Grand Lecturer, being the first to 
hold that office in Illinois, and was directed to 
proceed to St. Louis and there meet the delegates 
to the Baltimore convention of May, 1N43, and 
perfect himself in the work which he was to 
impart to the lodges at fheir request and ex- 
I i use. He visited St. Louis October 10, 1843, 
and was given the work by Brothers S. W. B. 
Carney and Joseph Foster, who had been dele- 
gates to the Baltimore Convention, and the work 
was duly reported and accepted by the Grand 
Lodge of Illinois. 

From this time until 1862 Mr. Lusk took a 
prominent part in the Grand Lodge of Illinois, 
and was honored by the highest office in the 
lodge in 1845. and afterwards served on many 
important committees, also being Grand Secretary 



;■;■; 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUXTY. 



from 1846 to 1847. In March, 1800, be removed 
from Schuyler County to Mt. Sterling, and by 
resolution was made a life member of Hushville 
Lodge, No. 0, free of all dues. 

RUSHVILLE COMMANDEBY KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. 

— The charter of Rushville Commandery Xo. 
50, Knights Templar, bears date October 25, 18S2, 
but on February 13th preceding this date, the first 
conclave was held in the old Masonic hall on the 
east side of the public square by ten dispensa- 
tion members. The first members of this now 
flourishing lodge were : Mark Bogue, George W. 
Baruett, John M. Darnell, William F. Lowe, R. 
Homer Mead, S. B. Montgomery, Charles S. Nel- 
son, Josiah L. Parrott, William H. H. Rader and 
George C. Ray, and the date of their dispensa- 
tion was January 24, 1882. 

Soon afterward steps were taken towards tin- 
formation of a local Commandery of Knights 
Templar and a list of the first officers elected 
and the first charter members is here given : 

Officers. — Eminent Commander, William II. 
H. Rader : Generalissimo. John W. Darnell ; 
Captain General, George C. Ray; Prelate, Lewis 
C. Seeley ; Senior Warden, Sylvanus B. Mont- 
gomery ; Junior Warden, Mark Bogue ; Recorder. 
John C. Scripps ; Standard Bearer, George W. 
Barnett; Sword Bearer. Mortimer Ayers; Ward- 
en, Josiah L. Parrott ; Captain of Guards. 
Charles S. Nelson. 

Members. — Mortimer Ayers. Mark Bogue, Geo. 
W. Barnett, Samuel P Cunningham, Leander 
Cassidy, John M. Darnell, David H. Glass, John 
W. Green, Charles B. Griffith. George E. Hall, 
John H. Hunter, John A. Harvey, Wni. F. Lowe, 
Wm. Lambert, Daniel P. Lyon. William I. Larash, 
Richard Homer Mead, Sylvanus B. Montgomery, 
John McCable, Howard C. McCabe, Chas. H. 
Nelson, James H. Parrott. Josiah L. Parrott. 
Marcus L. Parrott, Wm. H. H. Rader. Wm. ( '. 
Raper, George C. Ray, Dwight E. Ray, Lewis C. 
Seeley, Nathaniel B. Seeley, John C. Scripps. Al- 
bert T. Stodgel, Benj. D. Smith, Charles H. 
Wells. Thos. Wright. 

Friendship Lodge, No. 24 I. O. O. F. — In the 
upper room of the old Methodist Episcopal 
church on East Washington street, Friendship 
Lodge Xo. 2.".. Independent Order of Od.1 Fel- 
lows, was instituted February 24. 1S47. by 
Thomas I. Burns, of Beardstown. There were 
five charter members to-wit : Charles M. Ray. 
John Todhunter, Sr., Simon Doyle. Samuel Lam- 
bert and James L. Anderson. On the night the 



lodge was instituted Samuel McCreery and B. 
C. Gilliam were given their first degree. Within 
the first year the membership increased to more 
than thirty. The first Board of Trustees was 
made up as follows : E. II. O. Seeley, James L. 
Anderson. Nathan Moore, William Hastie and 
James G. McCreery. 

The lodge has been honored on two occasions 
by having an officer in the Grand Lodge. B. C. 
Gilliam was elected Inside Guardian in 1S59, and 
II. T. Pemberton was Grand .Marshal in 1896. 

In 1881 the lodge erected a two-story brick 
building on the north side of the public square, 
and the upper floor is used for their lodge room. 

Adelaide Rebekaii. Xo. 381. — This lodge was 
instituted in Rushville, April 4, 1901, by Special 
Grand Master E. H. Kinney, of Table Grove. 

Willard Encampment. No. 64. — I. O. O. F. — 
Willard Encampment. No. 04, was named in 
honor of Samuel Willard, Most Worthy Grand 
Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of the I. O. 
O. F. of Illinois, under whose administration the 
charter was issued, February 22, 1S66. On this 
charter the names of the following members 
were inscribed: Jesse C. Fox, Harry Maxwell. 
M. M. Prentiss, Anderson J. Goodwin, Andrew 
Mathews, Gilbert Ingraham and Henry Korstian. 
On April 3, 1866. the lodge was instituted by 
Joseph Hocking, Deputy Grand Patriarch, with 
the following officers : 

Jesse C. Fox, Chief Patriarch. 

Gilbert Ingraham, Senior Warden. 

Harry Maxwell, High rriest. 

A. J. Goodwin, Junior AVarden. 

Andrew Mathews, Scribe. 

M. M. Prentiss, Treasurer. 

Schuyler Lodge No. 209. Knights of Pyth- 
ias. — Schuyler Lodge, No. 209 Knights of Pyth- 
ias, was instituted in Rushville, June 0, 18S9, 
a lodge team from Lewistown giving the work to 
twenty-eight charter members. The charter from 
the Grand Lodge bears the date of October 23, 
1890. The first officers of the lodge were : 

Past Chancellor, John B. Doyle. 

riiancellor Commander, Ovrin Dilley. 

Vice-Chaiicellor, Martin G. Rice. 

Prelate, Hugh Greer. 

Keeper of Record and Seal, A. P. Rodewald. 

Master of Exchequer, J. M. Harvey. 

Master of Finance, Fred Jackson. 

Master of Arms. Chris Peter. 

Inner Guard. Clarence Nell. 

Outer Guard, Geo. E. Walker. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



723 



The charter members of this lodge were: 
Amos W. Ball, George Dyson, S. S. Prentiss, M. 
G. Rice, Frank E. Whitsel, A. P. Rodewald, 
Geo. H. Sencenieh, Hugh W. Greer, Dwight 
E. Lawler, Fred Jacksqn, James V. Knapp, 
Leonidas Scott, George M. Greer, R. L. Prentiss, 
J. Maurice Harvey. Fred Rodewald, John B. 
Doyle. Clarence Nell, Geo. E. Walker, Orrin 
Dilley, George Hartman, Levi Dean, Chris. C. 
Peter, Charles D. Smith, C. B. Kennedy, Lewis 
D. Wells, Wallie J. Wilson, Arthur M. Fassatt. 

Col. Horney Post, G. A. R. — Col. Horney 
Post, No. 151, Department of Illinois Grand 
Army of the Republic, was organized April 8, 
3SS2. The charter members were: George F. 
Owen, Henry Craske, George Johnson, William 
B. Underbill, D. S. Tetrick, John McCabe, Fred 
Decounter, John L. Sweeney, John A. Harvey. 
John N. Roach, Perry Lodsdon, Fred Wilmot 
and J. L. Parrott. 

The officers elected were : 

Post Commander, Henry Craske. 

Senior Vice Commander, Terry Logsdon. 

Junior Vice Commander, John N. Roach. 

Adjutant. D. S. Tetrick. 

Quarter-master. J. L. Sweeney. 

Outer Guard, George T. Owen. 

Quarter-master Sergeant, Wm. M. Underbill. 

Sergeant Major, J. L. Parrott. 

T. J. Hutton was elected Post Commander in 
1892 and lias served continuously in the office 
since that time. J. A. Bankes has been Adjutant 
since 1S97. The membership roll shows that 
there was at one time 203 members, but at the 
present time there are but forty-four. Of the 
charter members but four remain, viz: Henry 
Craske, J. L. Sweeney, John McCabe and Perry 
Logsdon. 

Rushville Camp No. 308 M. W. A. — A camp 
of Modern Woodmen of America was organized 
in Rusbville in the spring of 1S87, but the 
charter of Rushville Camp, No. 308, bears date of 
November 5. 1887. The lodge was instituted 
with the following officers: 

Consul, T. J. Hutton. 

Worthy Advisor, M. J. Doolittle. 

Clerk, Geo. P. Houek. 

Banker. Aug. Fulks. 

Sentry, George W. Henry. 

Escort, George Mead. 

Watchman, M. W. Greer. 

Physician. J. A. Harvey. 



Managers — N. S. Montgomery, M. W. Greer 
and J. A. Harvey. 

T. J. Hutton has been elected every year 
since then to the office of Consul, which he now 
holds. 

Royal Neighbors. — Maple Camp, No. 1720, 
Royal Neighbors, was instituted June 22, 1899. 

Mystic Workers. — Rushville Lodge, No. 474 
Mystic Workers of the World, was organized 
March 10, 1902. The order admits men and 
women on equal terms, and the social side is one 
of the leading features of the organization. 

Knights and Ladies of Security. — Rushville 
Council, No. 487 Knights and Ladies of Security, 
was organized in Roach's hall December 23, 
1890. with nine charter members. In November, 
1907, the lodge was reorganized with five of the 
old charter members still on the roll. 

Order of Eagles. — Schuyler Aerie, No. 1G62, 
Fraternal Order of Eagles, was instituted July 
2. 1908, a team from the Canton Lodge doing 
the work. This lodge bad more than a hundred 
charter members and, soon after organizing, 
fitted up their lodgeroom in handsome style. 
The first officers elected were : 

Past Worthy President. Guy Grubb. 

Worthy President. Win. II. Dietrich. 

Vice Worthy President, J. Paul Moore. 

Chaplain, A. M. Foster. 

Treasurer, W. E. Smith. 

Secretary, George Virgil. 

Worthy Conductor, Carl Greer. 

Inner Guard, Melvin Livingston. 

Outer Guard, James Denny. 

Trustees. A. E. GIossop, Nathan Spangler and 
Walter Teel. 



CHATTER XXIV. 



MILITARY AFFAIRS— STATE MILITIA. 



PLACE or MILITARISM in HISTORY SOLDIERS 

r.OUNTY LANDS CITIZENS OF SCHUYLER COUNTY 

WHO SERVED IX WARS OF THE REVOLUTION AND 

1812 SOME EARLY APPLICATIONS FOR PENSIONS 

— SCHUYLER COUNTY MILITIA AND REMINISCEN- 
CES OF MUSTER DAYS — SOME MILITIA OFFICERS — 



724 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



FIRST INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION TOASTS 

AND RESPONSES — EFFORT TO ORGANIZE AN ARTIL- 
LERY COMPANY IN 1858. 

Militarism demands an important place in any 
history, for it antedates all established forms of 
government, and is the acknowledged connecting 
link with the primitive tribal relations, which 
was the first advance in our sociological prog- 
ress. And. in reviewing the history of Schuyler 
County, the fact presents itself that this region 
is included within what is known as "The 
Military Tract," a section of Illinois that was 
set apart as bounty lands for the soldiers in the 
War of 1S12, which makes its very inception 
closely connected with the military history of 
these United States. 

The action of the General Government in 
distributing this land among the soldiers is 
worthy of commendation, but few indeed of those 
intended to be the immediate beneficiaries ever 
took possession of their intended allotments. 
Some few of the early settlers of Schuyler 
County were veterans of the Revolutionary War 
and the War of 1S12, and many more were de- 
scendants of patriotic heroes, who had served 
their country in one or both of these wars, or 
had been witli that hardy band of patriots that 
blazed the path of civilization into Kentucky. 

But the record of Schuyler's citizen soldiers in 
every war that has been fought since Illinois was 
admitted to the Union of States, is the best evi- 
dence of the fine military spirit that exists 
among her loyal and patriotic citizens. 

Of the veterans of the Wars of the Revolution 
and 1X12. and who were afterwards residents 
of Schuyler County, there is no accurate record. 
The names of a few of these soldiers, however, 
have been preserved in the county records where 
application was made for pensions. 

Under an act of Congress, dated March IS. 
1S18, pensions were allowed soldiers in the War 
of the Revolution and the first application filed 
in Schuyler County was presented by Henry 
Green to the County Commissioners, June 4, 
1827. In his petition to the court he states that 
this was his third application for pension. 

Mr. Green's army record, as shown in his peti- 
tion, recites the fact that he enlisted in March. 
1770, in the State of Maryland, and served in 
Capt. John Gazway's company, commanded by 
Col. Thomas Wolford. and that he continued to 



serve until the close of the war, receiving his 
discharge at Annapolis. 

In making an application for pension, it was 
required that the applicant should accompany his 
application with a schedule of property owned by 
him and Mi-. Green presented the following: 
One debt in trade $10 ; one horse sixteen years 
old ; one colt one year old ; one cow and calf ; 
two yearlings; two one-horse plows; two old 
hoes: one horse-collar; two pairs trace chains; 
two old clevises ; one frow ; one old iron wedge ; 
one old log chain. The property scheduled was 
valued at $80. 

There was red tape in the Pension Depart- 
ment even as early as 1827, for we find in the 
County Commissioners record that it was re- 
quired of Mr. Green to appear before that body 
on March 3, 1828, and again give an inventory of 
property owned by him on March IS. 1818, and 
explain what disposal had since been made of it. 
The following statement shows how Mr. Green 
explained his case to the inquiring government 
official : "Loaned mare ; cow died ; the $20 re- 
ceived from James Turner was applied to pur- 
chase hat for myself, one tin bucket and the 
balance for clothing for my family: sheep killed 
by wolves; $15 applied to purchase feather- 
bed." 

In this application Mr. Green gives his age 
as sixty-three years, and states that age and 
infirmities forbid following the occupation of 
farmer. Mr. Green's statement clearly estab- 
lishes the fact that he held the honor of mak- 
Ing the first application for pension in Schuyler 
County, but the records do not show whether 
or not it was granted. 

On September 3, 1832. applications for pen- 
sions were filed by William Blair, Benjamin 
Carpenter. James Lanman and George Taylor. 

Mr. Blair enlisted in May. 177S. as a sub- 
stitute for his father. He was in a battle with 
Indians at Tioga River, and was injured by 
carrying an ammunition box. He enlisted twice 
afterwards, and was finally discharged in 1781. 

Benjamin Carpenter enlisted as minute-man 
for four years at Amherst, Va.. in May, 1770: 
was in one engagement at Long Bridge on York 
River, and present at surrender of Gen. Corn- 
wallis. Rev. Peter Cartwright vouched for Mr. 
Carpenter's reputation as a citizen. 

James Lanman enlisted at Charleston, S. C, 
in July, 1770. He reenlisted March 3. 17S1, in 
Capt. Tillman Dickson's cavalry company, and 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



725 



served under Gen. Nathaniel Green. He partic- 
ipated in the battle of Guilford and Eutaw 
Springs, and in the latter fight was wounded in 
the thigh. 

George Taylor enlisted in September, 1777, in 
Capt. Samuel Sehaekelford's company, com- 
manded by Col. Broadhead, of Amherst County, 
Ya He was tirst sent to Fort Cumberland and 
served four months and a half. He reen- 
listed four times and in his petition for a pen- 
sion, states that he served under Gen. Wayne 
and the French patriot, Gen Lafayette. Rev. 
Peter Cartwright vouched lor Mr. Taylor's good 
character. 

Schuyler County Militia. — Of the militia 
organization in Schuyler County we have no 
record, and a careful examination of the his- 
tories of the State throws no light on this phase 
of the military history of Illinois. Nevertheless, 
an extensive system of military organization was 
maintained in the State from 1830 to 1840, with 
the Governor as Commander-in-chief, but no rec- 
ord was ever kept of the enrollment of troops, and 
we must depend upon the recollection of old set- 
tlers for the facts here presented. 

As early as 1S30 Schuyler County had organ- 
ized a militia company and "Muster Day" was an 
important event in the life of the pioneer. Some 
of those who participated in those stirring times 
recall it, after the lapse of years, as the season 
for a general debauch, which finally led to the 
total abandonment of the entire local militia sys- 
tem in 1840. 

Muster Day was usually held once or twice 
each year in every county, and at that time all 
the local companies were gathered in battalion 
and regimental drills. Men from distant parts 
of the county were then brought into friendly 
relations, and barter and trade in everything, 
from pocket knives to horses, engaged the at- 
tention of the citizen soldiers. Oftentimes the 
men would be accompanied by their wives and 
children, for Muster Day was the gala day of the 
year to the pioneers. 

In Rushville the old Muster ground was on the 
prairie, where the new Little addition has been 
plaited, and it was here the last regimental mus- 
ter was held in the fall of 1S40. Col. Russell 
Toncray was in command of the regiment. Alex 
HoUingsworth was Lieutenant Colonel, Levi 
Lusk Major, and Wiliam Ellis was a staff of- 
ficer, but we have been unable to get his title. 

Among the captains old settlers recall the 



names of Capt Leonidas Horney, Capt. Michael 
Ivirkham, Capt. Wiliam Berry, Capt. Peter C. 
Vance, Capt. Ehenezer Demmick, Capt. Russell 
Toncray, Capt. Mitch White, Capt. Archie Paris, 
Capt. Brant Brown and Capt. A. L. Wells. 

Luke Allphin, of Camden, tells us that the 
militia in the west part of the county was com- 
manded by Col. Doltson, of Huntsville, and that 
once each year several companies from that 
neighborhood attended regimental muster at Mt. 
Sterling, where Col. Thomas Brockman was in 
command. 

First Fourth of July Celebration. — The first 
general celebration of the Fourth of July, in 
Rushville, occurred in 1S36, and we are fortunate 
to have in our possession a copy of The Rushville 
Journal giving an account of the celebration in 
detail. 

On the morning of the sixtieth anniversary of 
the nation's independence, the patriotic citizens 
gathered at the Cumberland Presbyterian church, 
where Rev. Mr. McDowell opened the meeting 
with prayer. The Declaration of Independence 
was read by Wm. A. Minshall and orations were 
delivered by Hart Fellows and George W. Wells, 
From the church the citizens marched to a grove 
west of town in the following order : 

Rushville Rifle Company, under Capt. Toncray. 

Revolutionary Soldiers, preceded by the flag. 

Clergy. Orators of the Day. 

The Ladies. 

Citizens. 

At the grove a basket dinner was served and 
short toasts were given by the citizens assembled. 

James S. McCreery was President of the day 
and A. McHatton was Vice-President, Following 
is a list of toasts submitted with responses: 

"The Heroes of the Black Hawk War" — Hart 
Fellows. 

"The Judiciary of the United States" — W. A. 
Minshall. 

"Davy Crockett"— J. M. McCutchen. 

"The 4th of July, 1776"— J. T. Worthington. 

"Our Star Spangled Banner" — Dr. J. W. Clark. 

"The Young Tree of Liberty in Texas" — David 
Owens. 

"Constitution Building" — Samuel McHatton. 

"Our Constitution" — Jos. Burton. 

"Patriots of the Revolution" — W. Smith. 

"The State of Illinois"— G. W. Baker. 

"Edsvard Livingston" — Dr. J. S. Dunlap. 

"May all party spirit, founded upon the love 



726 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



of speculation, be buried in Rusbville" — Alex. 
Campbell. 

"( 'omforts of Pence and Blessing of Liberty" 
— A. Maury. 

"The Memory of Benjamin Franklin" — M. 
Kirkbam. 

"The Militia of the United States"— J. G. Ran- 
dall. 

"The First Settlers of Illinois"— Jobn Tod- 
liunter. 

"The Yankees" — David V. Dawley. 

"The Brave Texans" — R. W. Renfroe. 

"The Memory of Christopher Columbus" — 
Lewis Robertson. 

"The Heroes of Texas" — Dr. R. M. Worthing- 
ton. 

"The Memory of Col. Ethan Allen" — Andrew 
Cruse. 

"Texans" — George Henry. 

"Knowledge is Power" — J. D. Manlove. 

"The Fair Sex" — H. H. Anderson. 

In 1858 an effort was made to raise an artil- 
lery company in Rushville. and an organization 
was effected by electing B. C. Gillam captain 
The men composing this squad left no record 
of their sen-ice. but the brass cannon furnished 
them by the State was kept in Rushville for 
several years and, at the beginning of the Civil 
War. was called in by Gov. Yates and sent to 
Cairo. The folowiug notice of the organization 
and equipment of the company is taken from 
The Rushville Times : 

"Notice is hereby given to the Rushville Artil- 
lery Company that Messrs. Ray, Little & Co., have 
taken the contract for furnishing material and 
manufacturing uniforms for said company on 
much better terms than I have expected, viz: 
Coat and pants of blue cloth, trimmed with yel- 
low — the cloth to be superior to the sample fur- 
nished by M. L. Read & Co., of Beardstown. 
The price is $1S, to be paid in cash, cooperage or 
any kind of produce. Should any of the com- 
pany wish it, they can have the cloth furnished 
ready cut out, with trimmings, so as to have them 
made up at home. 

"I wish all to be uniformed by the first day of 
April, 1858. Our arms will consist of one or two 
brass cannon, and several stands of arms, with 
all the accoutrements of the !>cst pattern and 
latest styles. Said arms and accoutrements to 
be delivered to us in January, 1858. 

"Our next meeting will be on Christmas, the 
25th day of December next. Let all come. If 



there are any who wish to enlist, there is still 
room fur a few more good men. 

"For the pride and honor of our town and 
county, let us use every exertion to get up, and 
keep up, a martial spirit. We have the material 
and the ability to make a good company, and 
that is all that is necessary. 

"B. C. Gillam, Capt." 

"December 11, 1857. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 



THE MILITARY TRACT A FIELD OF MILITARY OPERA- 
TIONS — THE BLACK HAWK INVASION OF 1831 

IT IS BROUGHT TO A SPEEDY TERMINATION BY 

PROMPT GOVERNMENT ACTION SOME CITIZENS OF 

SCHUYLER COUNTY WHO TOOK PART IN THE 
CAMPAIGN — SECOND COMING OF BLACK HAWK IN 

1832 GOV. REYNOLDS' CALL FOB VOLUNTEERS IS 

PROMPTLY MET — BEARDSTOWN THE RENDEZVOUS 

OF TROOPS O. II. BROWNING'S DIARY — RUSHVILLE 

ON THE LINE OF MARCH PANIC CAUSED BY THE 

STILLMAN DEFEAT — REV. CHAUNCEY HOBART'S AC- 
COUNT TWO COMPANIES FROM SCHUYLER COUN- 
TY STORY OF THE LINCOLN-MOORE WRESTLING 

MATCH — A MILITARY ORDER MUSTER ROLL OF 

SCHUYLER COLTNTY VOLUNTEERS. 

The history of the Black Hawk war is one of 
thrilling interest, and especially to the residents 
of the Military Tract, which was the scene of 
active warfare, but inasmuch as the subject is 
ably treated in the supplement to the Encyclo- 
pedia part of this work (see "Encyclopedia of 
Illinois," pages 60S-615), we will content our- 
selves with a review of the part Schuyler County 
soldiers played in this war, and other Incidents 
that have a local interest. 

Pioneer settlers of Schuyler indeed took a 
prominent part in this, the only war fought by 
United States troops in Illinois, and many there 
were who served in both the campaigns of 1S31 
and 1832. The pioneers were not only stirred 
to effort by a lofty patriotism, but it was in a 
measure a rally to protect their own homes and 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



727 



loved ones, for had not Black Hawk and liis war- 
riors been checked at the Rock River they would 
have swooped down upon the scattered settle- 
ments along the Illinois, for Schuyler was at 
that day on the northern frontier for the home- 
seekers. 

And so it was that the little settlement about 
Rushville was startled early in May, 1831, by the 
rumors which came from the north, that Black 
Hawk and his band of warriors had crossed 
the Mississippi River and threatened the destruc- 
tion of the white settlers. Then came Gov. 
Reynold's call for volunteers, and the whole 
Northwest resounded with the clamor of war. 
The Governor asked for 700 men, but more than 
twice that number responded at the date of ren- 
dezvous, June 15, 18.31. The troops crossed the 
Illinois River at Beardstown'from the south, and 
met the frontiermen from the west at the camp, 
two miles north of Rushville, and there organ- 
ized into two regiments and two battalions. One 
regiment elected James D. Henry, of Sangamon 
Count}-, Colonel, and the other elected Daniel 
Lieb, while Major Nathaniel Buckmaster was 
elected to command the "Odd Battalion," and 
Major Samuel Whitesides was appointed by the 
Governor to the command of the "Spy Battalion," 
and the whole brigade was placed under the 
command of Gen. Joseph Duncan, afterwards 
Governor of Illinois. 

The muster roll of volunteers of this first ex- 
pedition against Black Hawk was not preserved. 
but we have the written record of Rev. Chauncey 
Ilobart. an early Schuyler pioneer, and a vol- 
unteer in this war, of the part taken by the 
Schuyler company under command of Capt. Hart 
Fellows and Lieut. William C. Ralls. We quote 
as follows from Rev. Ilobart: 

"Gen. Joseph Duncan took command, and. as 
our county lay immediately on the line of march 
to Rock Island, we were ordered to wait until 
the brigade came, when we were made a part of 
the Fourth Regiment. Illinois Volunteers, fifteen 
hundred strong. 

"We marched in four columns, the baggage 
train keeping the road and two regiments on 
either side, ours being the extreme left. 

"To most of the men this going to war was 
a time of rare frolic and nonsense. To us fron- 
tier boys, accustomed as we had been to rough- 
ing it, most of the time, and to all kinds of wind 
and weather, the camping out in blankets under 
the stars, and marching through heavy rains. 



<vas not considered hardships. We vastly en- 
joyed it. we thought it was royal fun. 

"Guards and scouts, however, were regularly 
detailed, as if there was danger near, but nothing 
occurred to interrupt the jollity of the march to 
Rock Island." 

At Fort Armstrong the troops were met by 
Gen. Gaines, and when the volunteer brigade 
crossed Rock River they found the Indian vil- 
lage deserted. Black Hawk and his warriors 
had recrossed the Mississippi into Iowa, and the 
raw recruits who were thirsting for battle, put 
the torch to the abandoned Indian village as a 
record of their displeasure. On June 30th a 
treaty of peace was signed and the pioneers re- 
turned home, having been in the service about 
thirty days. Many were displeased at the fav- 
orable terms given Chief Black Hawk, and con- 
temptuously referred to their adventure as a 
"corn war," instituted by the Indians to secure 
maintenance from the Federal Government. 

Notwithstanding the treaty signed in June, 
1831. Black Hawk, with five hundred warriors 
on horseback, again invaded Illinois in the spring 
of 1832 and sought to influence the Winnebagoes 
and the Pottawatomies, then stationed in Wis- 
consin, to join him in an expedition against the 
settlers. 

On April 16, 1S32. Gov. Reynold's issued the 
second call for mounted volunteers, to rendezvous 
at Beardstown on April 22d. Men left their 
plows, and. witii little or no preparation 
hastened to respond. They all furnished their 
own horses and firearms, and it was a motley 
army that gathered to resist the Indian invasion. 
but the men were accustomed to the wild life 
on the frontier and eutered heartily into the 
task before them. 

While Beardstown was named as the place of 
rendezvous in the Governor's call for troops, 
the first camp of the volunteers was made on 
the Schuyler side of the river, and it was here 
the little army was organized into a brigade 
under command of Gen. Samuel Whitesides. 

O. H. Browning, an Adams' County volun- 
teer, afterwards United States Senator from 
Illinois, kept a diary during the period of his 
enlistment, and from this record we learn im- 
portant facts of the campaign and the movement 
of the troops through Schuyler County. 

Under date of April 25, 1832, Mr. Browning 
writes that his company left Quincy. They had 
no tents, and when dismounted stood ankle deep 



738 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



in mud. On Friday. April 27th, they reached 
Rushville, and marched three miles east of town, 
where the troops were collecting from various 
places. On Monday, the 30th, the whole army, 
consisting of 1,300 horsemen and some on foot, 
removed seven miles and went into camp, four 
miles north of Rushville. Here the regiment 
commanded by Col. Jacob Fry, of Greene County, 
was organized and minor officers elected. The 
army was now fully organized and under the 
command of Gen. Samuel Whitesides, and Gov. 
Reynolds also accompanied the army on its 
march. 

From Rushville the line of march was to Tel- 
low Ranks (now Oquawka), on the Mississippi 
River, which was reached on May 3d. By rea- 
son of delay in the arrival of the boat with 
provisions, the army was compelled to remain 
the 4th, 5th and 6th in camp. On the morning 
of the 7th the march was continued to the mouth 
of Rock River, which was reached about night- 
fall. From here the army marched to Prophet's 
Town, and then on to Dixon's Ferry. The sea- 
son was unusually rainy and. by the time the 
troops had reached Dixon's Ferry, they were 
nearly exhausted with fording creeks and tow- 
ing unmanageable keel-boats up the river, many 
times wading waist-deep in mire and water. 

It was at Dixon's Ferry that the troop first 
heard of Stillman's defeat on May 14th, and the 
meager news first brought in by stragglers al- 
most caused a panic, as the number of Indians 
swarming down upon the army was fixed at fif- 
teen thousand. 

Rev. Chauncey Hobart, a Schuyler County 
volunteer, in "The Recollection of His Life," 
states that they were awakened about 2 o'clock 
on the morning of the 15th by a straggler from 
Stillman's battalion, who stated there had been 
a desperate fight with Black Hawk's band and 
that Stillman and all his men had been killed. 

"This aroused the camp," says Rev. Hobart, 
"The men were sent to bring in the horses — 
many of them miles away. Our scanty breakfast 
was hastily eaten and by sunrise we were two 
miles out on the prairie. During the march up 
Rock River to the battle field, we met squads of 
Stillman's men, who were perfectly demoralized 
and saying we would find Indians by the thous- 
ands just ahead of us. 

"When we proceeded about twenty miles we 
came upon the indications of the fight; dead 
horses, blankets, guns and other articles, which 



had been dropped in the flight. And before we 
had reached Stillman's camp, we had found the 
bodies of ten white men and two Indians, who 
had been killed. These we buried and then 
camped on the battle field." 

The wily Black Hawk lost no time in making 
a hasty retreat, following this slaughter of the 
overconfident volunteer soldiers, and when the 
main army came up he was marching across the 
border into Wisconsin. The prospect of a long 
campaign was disheartening to the volunteers, 
who, for the second season, had neglected their 
crops at a time when it meant a considerable 
loss to them, and there was a general clamor to 
return home. Inasmuch as Black Hawk had left 
the State, and the federal troops were in close 
pursuit, the volunteer army under General 
Whitesides was disbanded and the soldier's re- 
ceived their discharge at Ottawa, May 28, 1832. 

A number of the Schuyler boys under Capt. 
William C. Ralls, reenlisted to avenge the In- 
dian Creek massacre, following Stillman's defeat, 
and they served until June 15th. 

In response to the second call for troops fol- 
lowing Stillman's defeat, Capt. John Stennett 
formed a company in Schuyler County, which 
was attached to the Odd Battalion of Mounted 
Rangers, and mustered into service. May 30, 
1832. This company ranged between the Illinois 
and Mississippi Rivers during the summer, to 
protect the settlers from a surprise by any strag- 
gling bands of Indians. They were mustered 
out. September 4, 1832. 

In the organization of troops for the Black 
Hawk War, the two Schuyler companies, under 
command of Capt. Moses G. Wilson and Capt. 
Win. C. Ralls, were attached to the Fourth 
Regiment, the other company being commanded 
by Capt. Abraham Lincoln. This intimate as- 
sociation in camp, where sports and games were 
a feature, brought the Schuyler volunteers into 
close contact with Lincoln, and many of them 
were afterward his stanchest friends and sup- 
porters, though, perhaps, they never could really 
understand how he had outstripped them in after 
life and won renown and imperishable fame as 
the nation's most beloved and exalted executive. 

The writer well remembers when a lad listen- 
ing to the stories, told by John Brown, a Black 
Hawk War veteran, and the name of Lincoln 
was oftentimes mentioned in the recitals, which 
filled our boyish heart with wonder and excite- 
ment, but the details have long since passed 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



729 



from memory, but there is no mistaking the fact 
that John Brown was one of the men who knew 
Lincoln intimately in those stirring pioneer days. 

Much has been written concerning the cele- 
brated wrestling match indulged in by Lincoln, 
when in the Black Hawk War, and there is now 
good authority for stating that the historic bout 
took place in Schuyler County. 

Col. Risdon M. Moore, now United States In- 
ternal Revenue Collector at San Antonio, Texas, 
has written an account of the wrestling match, 
as he heard it from his father, and from Mr. 
Lincoln himself, and the same has been published 
in the "Transactions of the Illinois Historical 
Society." We quote as follows : 

"The place where the contest came off was 
near Beardstown, on the Illinois River, perhaps 
just across the river on the west side. It was 
when the volunteers were meeting there prepara- 
tory to taking the field against Black Hawk, in 
the spring of 1832. The occasion of the 'wrassel' 
was this : A company of mounted volunteers 
from near Belleville, in St. Clair County, com- 
manded by my uncle, Capt. William Moore, and 
one from Sangamon County under Capt. Abra- 
ham Lincoln, arrived at the same place at the 
general rendezvous at about the same time, and 
both wanted the same camping ground, which 
was just large enough, with conveniences of 
wood and water, for one company, but not large 
enough for two. 

"The proposition to wrestle for choice of camp 
grounds came from the Sangamon Company, that 
the two captains, my uncle and Mr. Lincoln, 
wrestle for it. My uncle declined this banter, 
and then my father, Jonathan Moore, who was 
then Orderly Sergeant, designated Dow Thomp- 
son to represent the St. Clair Company." 

Mr. Moore then tells of a meeting with Lin- 
coln at Springfield on August 8, 1860, when this 
now famous wrestle was referred to, and his 
narrative as stated by Lincoln, reads: 

"Gentlemen. I felt of Mr. Thompson, the St. 
Clair champion, and told my boys I could throw 
him, and they could bet what they pleased. You 
see, I had never been thrown, or dusted, as the 
phrase then was. and. I believe Thompson said 
the same to the St. Clair boys, that they might 
bet their bottom dollars that he could down me. 
You may think a wrestle, or 'wrassle," as we 
called such contests of skill and strength, was 
a small matter, but I tell you the whole army 
was out to see it. We took our holds, his choice 



first, a side hold. I then realized from his grip 
for the first time that he was a powerful man 
and that I would have no easy job. The struggle 
was a severe one, but after many passes and 
efforts he threw me. My boys yelled out 'a 
dog fall,' which meant then a drawn battle, but 
I told my boys it was fair, and then said to 
Thompson, 'now it's your turn to go down,' as 
it was my hold then, Indian hug. We took our 
holds again, and after the fiercest struggle of the 
kind that I ever had, he threw me again, almost 
as easily at my hold as at his own. My men 
raised another protest, but I again told them it 
was a fair down. Why, gentlemen, that man 
could throw a grizzly bear." 

Biographers of Lincoln have given credit to 
this celebrated wrestle with Thompson and, in- 
asmuch as the troops were assembled and camped 
for several days in Schuyler County, the natural 
conclusion is that the bout occurred at the camp 
three miles east of Rushville. 

Military discipline was unknown to the raw- 
recruits composing Gen. Whiteside's Brigade, 
and the action of the troops on the march and 
in camp caused Gov. Reynolds much annoyance 
and chagrin. And so it was, that the celebrated 
General Order of April 30th, was issued, while 
the troops were in camp north of Rushville. A 
manuscript copy of this order has been preserved 
and it reads as follows : 

"Headquarters near Rushville. 
April 30, 1832. 
(general order.) 

"There is to be no firing of guns in the lines 
or encampment without permission from the field 
officers under whose command the applicant may 
be placed, nor will any other disorderly conduct 
whatever be allowed in the brigade. At 12 
sounds of the bugle officers and soldiers will rise 
up and prepare for the business of the day; at 
6 sounds they will catch horses ; at 8 sounds sad- 
dle up; at 10 sounds parade; at 3 sounds march; 
at 4 sounds halt ; at 14 sounds officers to at- 
tend headquarters for orders. 

"By order of Brig. Gen. S. Whitesides. 

"N. BUCKMASTER, 

"Brigade Major." 
This order was meant to apply to the volun* 
teers in the ranks, but it seems as though, Capt. 
Lincoln, while on the march, indulged in an 
unseemly display of firearms and, in consequence, 
was reprimanded and compelled to wear a 
wooden sword by his superior officer as punish- 



r30 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



incut for the offense. No doubt there were other 
offenders among the volunteers of the Fourth 
regiment, of which the Schuyler troops formed a 
part, but history has made no record of it. Of 
the three captains in this regiment, Moses G. 
Wilson, of Rushville, was the only one to achieve 
the distinction of promotion, and he was ad- 
vanced to the rank of Major. 

The record of the services of the Schuyler 
County soldiers in the second campaign of the 
Black Hawk War in 1832 is contained in the 
report of the Adjutant General of Illinois, pub- 
lished in 1882. The Fourth Regiment was com- 
manded by Samuel M. Thompson, of the Brigade 
of Mounted Volunteers commanded by Brig. 
Gen. Samuel Wbitesides. There were three com- 
panies commanded by Capt. Samuel Hollings- 
worth, who succeeded Moses G. Wilson, advanced 
to Major, Capt. Wm. C. Ralls and Capt. Abraham 
Lincoln. 

MUSTER ROLLS. 

The muster roll of the Schuyler volunteers is 
as follows : 

Captain — Moses G. Wilson, elected Major, April 30, 
1832. 

Second Lieutenant — Alex. Hollingsworth, lost horse 
May _•-'. 1832, award. 

Second Lieutenant — Harvey Slciles. 

Sergeants — John B. Watson, appointed Adj't of 
4th Reg.. April 30. 1832; G. W. P. Maxwell, ap- 
pointed First Sergeant, April 30 : resigned May 19 ; 
Samuel Hollingsworth, elected Captain. April 30, 
1832 : I. G. Randall, resigned May 10, 1S32. 

Corporals — Ava. Hollingsworth. resigned. April 30, 
1S32 ; James Martin, appointed First Corporal, April 
30, 1832; David Frayner, appointed Second Sergeant, 
April 30, 1S32; L. B. Skiles appointed Third Cor- 
poral, April 30, 1832. 



Privates — 

Abbott, Thomas, furloughed (sick). May 19. 1832. 

Abbott, A., furloughed (to attend sick). May 19, 
1832. 

Bogart. Samuel, appointed First Sergeant. May 19, 
1832. Lost horse. 

Burnett. Wm. 

Butler. George, 

Cox, William, appointed Fourth Corporal, April 30, 
1832. 

Collins, Elijah, detailed on extra duty. 

Dunlap. Adam, appointed First Surgeon's Mate, 
April 30. 1832. 

Frakes. James, 

Guinn, William. 

Harrison. G. H., 

Hollingsworth, Abe, 

[loll ingswort h, John, 

Holliday. I. S., 

Elobart. Chaunrey, appointed Fourth Sergeant, April 
30. 1832. 

Hills. Gamaliel, 

Horney. Nowleu. lost horse May 22, 1832. 

Hills, Ishmael. 

Horney. Samuel, appointed Quartermaster, April 30, 

Justus, G. W.. 

Kirkham. Ezra, lost horse May 22, 1832. 

Lockhart, William, 

Lane, Rutherford, lost horse May 22, 1S32. 



McFadden, John, appointed Third Sergeant, May 19, 
1832. 

Murphy, Robert, detailed on extra duty. 

Morgan, John, 

Moore, Willis, 

Naught, George, 

Riley, Daniel, lost horse May 22. 1832. 

Reno, Jonathan, appointed Second Corporal, April 
30, 1832. 

Riley, Caleb, 

Skiles, Benj., 

Wilson, William L., 

Wallace, Moses, 

W i iuht . Hen iv. 

Williams, Eli, 

Xoung, William, lost horse May 22, 1832. 



Captain — Wm. C. Ralls. 

First Lieutenant — James Blackburn, resigned and 
returned home May 13, 1832. 

Second Lieutenant — John Stennet, promoted First 
Lieutenant, May 13, 1832. 

Sergeants — John M. Jones, Geo. W. Penny, James 
Hunter, James P. Hinney, promoted Second Lieuten- 
ant, May 13, 1832. 

Corporals — Theo. Jourdan. Stephen il. St. Cyr, Jere- 
miah White, Alfred W. McIIatten. appointed Sergeant 
Major, May 18, 1S32. 



Privates — 

Ballard, Noah B., sick and furloughed, May 26, 
1832. 

Brines, Roswell. 

Brisco, John, 

Boothe, John, 

Coonrod, Jefferson, 

Combs, Stephen, 

Crawford, John D., 

Chapman, Johnson, 

DeWitt, Gab'l., 

Davis, John, 

Edmonston. David, 

Earnest, Aaron, detailed in wagon service. 

Glenn, Robert II., 

Gay, Lewis, 

Hayden, Thomas, 

Hambaugb, Stephen, appointed Fourth Sergeant, 
May 13. 

Hill, James, 

Ives. Joll, 

Killion. Michael, sick and furloughed, May 26. 

Morris, William, 

Moore, Daniel, 

McKee. William. 

Owen, Luke, 

Palmer, Benj.. 

Rose, Wm. B.. 

Richardson, Jacob, 

Richardson, Aaron, 

Redick, Thomas, 

Starr. John H., 

Sellars, Thomas, 

Seward, Luster, 

Till. Flemming. sick and furloughed. May 10, 1S32. 

Van Winkle, Alex., 

Vandewenter, Cornelius, furloughed. May 26, 1S32. 

Vanwalter, John, sick and furloughed, May 19, 1832. 

Wilkerson, Jacob, appointed Fourth Corporal, May 
18. 1832, 

Wilson, Benjamin, 



Odd Battalion Mounted Rangers. — The Odd 
Battalion of the Brigade of Mounted Rangers, 
called into the service of the United States, on 
the requisition of Gen. Atkinson, by the Gov- 
ernor's proclamation, dated May 30, 1832, was 
mustered out of service September 4, 1832. The 
company was enrolled at Rushville, June 6. 



t-J 

X 

o 

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w 

> 

M 

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> 

2! 



11 
> 




HISTOKY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



731 



Captain — John Stennett. 

First Lieutenant — Daniel Matheney. 

Second Lieutenant — Joel Pennington, absent on fur- 
lough from Aug. 27 to this date. 

Sergeants — John B. Smith, Samuel L. Dark, Norris 
Hobart, Phillip Horney. 

Corporals — Robert Martin, Eli Williams, James 
Bell, absent on furlough from Aug. 27 to this date ; 
Isaiah Price. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



THE MEXICAN WAR. 



Privates — 

Allen, William, absent on 
furlough from Aug. 27 
to this date. 

Brown, William, 

Bristow, Isaac, 

Bristow, Mathew C. 

Briggs, Elias, 

Brakewell, Charles, sick 
on way home. 

Busan, Jesse, 

Friend, Abel, 

Glenn. Fielding T., 

Golston. Benjamin, 

Howard, James. 

Hartley, Eli, absent on 
furlough from Aug. 27 
to this date. 

Hunter, Jesse, 

Holliday, Sanford, 

Harrison, George II.. 

Horney, Samuel, appoint- 
ed Quartermaster of 
battalion, June 15. 

Isaac, Allen, 

Jones, John M.. 

Kennett, William, 

Luster, Jesse, absent on 
extra duty. 



McGeehy, William, 

McKee, William, 

McKee, James, 

Matheney, Daniel, Jr., 

Martin, Richard D„ 

O'Neill, Simon P., detailed 
on extra duty. 

Osbourne, Joseph, on fur- 
lough, arm dislocated. 

Pennington, Riggs, 

Pennington, S. O., 

Pennington, Riley, 

Peckingham, Peter, 

Penningham, Wesley. 

Pettigrew, George M., 

Rice, Nicholas, 

Rose, Stephen, 

Rose. John S.. 

Rigg, William T., 

Smith, George, 

Smith. Samuel. 

Smith, Hugh, 

Sallie, Oliver P., 

Stewart, Samuel, 

Tunis. Joel, 

Van Winkle, John. 

Williams, Mervin, 

White, Jeremiah, 



Independent Company. — After the volunteers 
were mustered out of service at Ottawa, many 
of them reeulisted and Capt. Wm. C. Ralls was 
put in command of one of these independent 
companies. There were volunteers from many 
other regiments included, and the company 
served until June 15, 1832. 



Captain — William C. Ralls. Schuyler County. 

First Lieutenant — Radford M. Wyatt, Monroe 
County. 

Sergeants — John M. Jones. Schuyler County : Sam- 
uel M. Pierce, Adams County ; Stephen A. St. Cyr, 
St. Louis ; S. G. Bond, Monroe County. 



Privates — 
Bristow, John, Schuyler County. 
Brooks, Stephen, Monroe County. 
Beebe, Erastus, Adams County. 
Crawford, John D., Schuyler County. 
Coonrod. Jefferson, Schuyler County. 
Chapman, Johnson, Schuyler County. 
Eves, Joel. Schuyler County. 
Johnson, James W.. Shelby County. 
Johnson, Thomas, Adams County. 
Kirkham, Ezra, Schuyler County. 
Lane, Rutherford, Schuyler County. 
Moore, Daniel, Schuyler County. 
Morris. William, Schuyler County. 
Melvan, Andrew. Missouri. 
Owens, Luke, Schuyler County. 
Richardson, Jacob, Schuyler County. 
Richardson, Aaron. Schuyler County. 
Trail, Xerxes F., Monroe 'County. 
Turner, Eben, Adams County. 
Wilkerson, Jacob. Schuyler County. 



WAR DUE TO ANNEXATION OF TEXAS APPROVED BY 

CITIZENS OF SCHUYLER COUNTY' GOV. FORD'S 

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS IS ANSWERED BY DOUBLE 
THE NUMBER CALLED FOR — SCHUY'LER AND 
BROWN COUNTY' VOLUNTEERS UNITE TO FORM 
COMPANY" E. FIRST REGIMENT ILLINOIS, UNDER 
COMMAND OF COL. JOHN J. HARDIN THE REGI- 
MENT, AFTER BEING MUSTERED IN AT ALTON, ILL., 
REMOVES SUCCESSIVELY TO NEW ORLEANS, MATA- 
GORDA BAY' AND SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — ADVANCE 
TO THE RIO GRANDE PRECEDING THE BATTLE OF 
BUENA VISTA — LIST OF SCHUYLER COUNTY SOL- 
DIERS KILLED IN THAT BATTLE MUSTER ROLLS 

OF COMPANY E AND INDEPENDENT CAVALRY' COM- 
PANY MEMBERS OF THE LATTER WHO DIED IN 

THE SERVICE. 

Without going into a detailed history of the 
causes that brought about the Mexican War, it 
will interest the student of Illinois history to 
know that the war was sanctioned by the resi- 
dents of our own State. Such was not the case 
in the East, but Illinois people had favored 
Texas annexation and gave enthusiastic support 
to the Mexican War, and her soldiers won taper 
ishable fame and renown by their display of 
valor on the battlefield. 

The war sentiment in Illinois was shown most 
forcibly when Gov. Ford made his call for 
troops. Within ten days thirty-five full com- 
panies had organized and reported, and by the 
time the place of rendezvous had been selected, 
the number was increased to seventy-five. The 
full quota of this State was limited to thirty 
companies, which meant disappointments for 
many of the enthusiastic volunteers. It may be 
of interest to know that the pay of these volun- 
teer soldiers was $8 and commutation, amount- 
ing in all to .$15.50 per month. The men were 
required to furnish their own uniform for which 
they later received remuneration. 

At the time of the breaking out of the Mexi- 
can War but little progress had been made in 
military equipment since the day of the Revo- 
lution. It is true percussion guns had been in- 



732 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



vented as early as 1840, but only one regiment 
was supplied with these modern arms and, taken 
as a whole, the Mexican campaign was fought 
with the old fashioned flint-lock guns. 

In any good general history may be found an 
account of the Mexican War; and the campaign 
against Gen. Santa Anna, in which Schuyler 
troops participated, forms the most thrilling 
chapter, culminating as it does, in the decisive 
battle of Buena Vista. We will not however, 
attempt to give even a summary of this war, 
but will confine ourselves to the local history 
connected with the organization and achieve- 
ments of the two companies formed at Rushville 
and commanded by men from Schuyler County. 

The first call for volunteers in Illinois was 
made by Gov. Ford under date of May 25, 1S46. 
Inasmuch as the militia had for several years 
been in a disorganized state, it was further 
ordered that the Sheriffs convene the militia 
regiments or old battalions en masse, and enroll 
such volunteers as might offer in their respective 
counties. 

Enoch Edmonston was Sheriff of Schuyler 
County at that time, and Lewis D. Erwin was 
his deputy, and they posted notices of the Gov- 
ernor's proclamation in every voting precinct in 
the county. When the Governor's proclamation 
was issued, Wm. A. Richardson, one of the lead- 
ers of the Schuyler bar, was attending court in 
Carthage, and he wrote to Mr. Erwin that he 
would be home on Saturday of that week and 
asked him to see a number of men who were 
likely to enlist. 

Mr. Richardson reached Rushville on the ap- 
pointed date, and a rousing meeting was held in 
the old court house yard, where animating 
strains of martial music were wafted upon the 
air inspiring the soldierly impulse in the men 
assembled. Mr. Richardson mounted a box on 
the west side of the court house and read the 
Governor's proclamation, following it up with a 
spirited, patriotic and effective appeal for volun- 
ters. "I propose to go to Mexico to the relief 
of Gen. Taylor." exclaimed Mr. Richardson, at 
the close of his speech, "and would ask that all 
the men who will go with me move to the west 
part of the court house yard." There was in- 
stant response to this call for volunteers and the 
men were there formed in line and marched past 
the south door of the court house, where Mr. 
Erwin counted eighty-lour men in line, the full 
quota for a company. Before the men disbanded 



they were instructed to meet the following Sat- 
urday to drill. 

During the week following there developed 
considerable opposition to the war. which was 
led by Robert Blackwell, one of Rushville's 
talented and popular lawyers, who afterwards 
located in Chicago and won for himself a state 
reputation as an authority on legal practice. Mr. 
Blackwell was bitterly opposed to the war and 
he used his influence to get the men to with; 
draw their names as volunteers. This was 
plainly evident when the men met for drill on 
the following Saturday, as there were only fifty 
present, and it began to look as though the pat- 
riotic efforts of Mr. Richardson would come to 
naught. Sheriff Edmonston had not enlisted up 
to this time as it was the understanding that 
Mr. Erwin would go to the war, but when Mr. 
Blackwell incited the men to withdraw their 
names and referred to the fact that the Sheriff 
was enlisting men when he himself was not a 
volunteer. Mr. Edmonston's fighting blood was 
aroused and he insisted that Mr. Erwin should 
take charge of his office while he went to war. 

George S. Meyers, of Brown County, had en- 
deavored to raise a company and failed, and he 
sent word to Mr. Richardson that he would like 
to bring his men to Rushville and join the com- 
pany he was organizing. The offer was accepted 
and, when the company was organized, Mr. 
.Myers was elected Second Lieutenant. 

With the addition of the recruits from Brown 
County there was more than enough men to fill 
Mr. Richardson's company, and regular drills 
were held on the prairie south and west of 
where the Methodist church now stands. The 
most of the men had been members of the local 
militia and knew something of the manual of 
arms, and they entered heartily into the drills, 
as they wished to make a good appearance when 
mustered in with the other troops from Illinois, 
at Alton. It was on this drill-ground that Lewis 
D. Erwin took the names of the Schuyler vol- 
unteers who pledged themselves to go to the 
Mexican War. In detailing the occurrence to 
the editor of this history. Mr. Erwin states that 
he placed his paper on the head of a big bass 
drum, and took the name of each volunteer as 
they marched past. As he remembers, there 
were about fifty-three enlisted from this county. 

It is most fortunate that the editor of this 
history has secured an interview with Luke All- 
phin, of Camden, who has given us valuable in- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



733 



formation concerning Company E, First Regi- 
ment Illinois, which was organized at Rushville. 
This information is all the more important by 
reason of the fact that it corrects and supplies 
important facts not stated in the Adjutant Gen- 
eral's report of Illinois on the Mexican War. 
Mr. Allphin and F. E. Davis, of Rushvile, are 
the two survivors of Capt. Richardson's com- 
pany. Mr. Davis' name does not appear In the 
Adjutant General's report, but this is accounted 
for by the fact that he received his discharge 
from the service at San Antonio, Texas, while 
the company was discharged, June 17, 1847, at 
Camargo, Mex. 

When Capt. Richardson's company reached Al- 
ton, 111., the place of rendezvous, it was at- 
tached to the First Regiment Illinois Volunteers 
and was designated as Company E. On July 18, 
184G, the troops embarked on three steamboats 
and went down the Mississippi River, landing 
July 24th, at the battle ground eight miles be- 
low New Orleans, where Gen. Jackson had de- 
feated the British under General Pakenham. 
From there they were transported to Matagorda 
Bay in Texas, and went into camp on Placideres 
Creek, at what was known as Camp Irwin. From 
here they marched to San Antonio, where they 
went into camp August 24th, at Camp Crockett. 
On October 2d orders were received to start 
for Mexico, and after crossing the Rio Grande 
River, a forced march of 200 miles was made to 
get the army into position at Parras, and here 
the troops rested until December, when the his- 
toric campaign that preceded the battle of Buena 
Vista was begun. 

The First Regiment of Illinois troops was in 
Gen. John E. Wool's Division, and it took a 
prominent part in the historic battle of Buena 
Vista, on February 23, 1847, where Gol. John J. 
Hardin, in command of the regiment, lost his 
life. Company E was in the thick of the fight 
and of the forty-five men able to go into battle, 
eight were killed in the engagement. Capt. 
Richardson was promoted to Major three days 
afterwards, and G. W. Robertson was elected as 
his successor to the command of Company E. 

The Adjutant General's report gives no record 
of the killed in Company E at the battle of 
Buena Vista, and we get the following correct 
list from Mr. Allphin: 

Randolph R. Martin. Littleton. 
Charles Walker, Pleasantview. 
William Goodwin. Rushville. 



Silas Bedell, Rushville. 
Samuel Thompson, Bainbridge. 
Greenberry S. Richardson, Mt. Sterling. 
Henry H. Clark, Brown County. 
James J. Kinman, Camden. 

MUSTER ROLL. 
The muster roll of the company, as published 
in the Adjutant General's report, is as follows : 



FIRST REGIMENT. 
Company E. 

Captain — G. W. Robertson. 

First Lieutenant — Allen Persinger. 

Second Lieutenants — George S. Myers, John T. May. 

Sergeants — Geo. W. Calvert, Francis R. McElroy, 
Luke P. Allphin, James Cokenhour. 

Corporals — Robert A. Lawler, Moses Llttaker, Reu- 
ben Allphin. William Petefish. 

Musician — James H. Carden. 



Jones, Walter, 
Jacobs, Daniel, 
Kock. Isaac, 
Littaker, Joseph H., 
Littaker, Rowland G., 
Lee. John I*., 
Luttrel, Benj., 
Luttrell, James H., 
Lawler, Jos. T., 
Lansdon, Richard, 
McClelland, Daniel, 
Ogden. Jonathan B., 
Rose, Isaac, 
Richardson, Wm., 
Richardson, W. R., 
Stapleton, Win., 
Strahan, James, 
Smotherman, Thos., 
Smith. Charles, 
St. John. Wm. II., 
^Stephenson, Wm., 
Thompson. John B., 
Turner, Berry, 
Thorp. Levitus M., 
Van Tossell. F. M., 
Wilson, James O., 
Wilson, Thomas, 



Privates — 
Allphin, Wm. R., 
Billings, Jonathan, 
1 Black, John, Sr., 
Black, John, Jr., 
Bleach, Cyrus, 
Brooks, William, 
Bennett, Lemuel, 
Berry, George G., 
Curry, Isaac, 
Curtis, Geo. W., 
Crane. Goodsell, 
Clarkson, Franklin B., 
Carter, Irvin F., 
Davis, Moses W., 
Dalton. Franklin, 
Doyle, James, 
File, Henry, 
Garrett. John, 
Gray, Hiram EL, 
Gray. George L., 
Gillett, Leonard M., 
Horney, Leonidas, 
Harris. James H., 
Harris. William, 
Hewitt, Allen O., 
Ishmael, Geo. N., 
Jones, Anderson, 
1 KilIed by enemy near Cessaloo, Feb. 24. 
2 Died of wounds received at Buena Vista, March 25. 

During the second year of the Mexican War 
four independent companies of cavalry were 
mustered into the United States service from 
Illinois, and one of these was organized at Rush- 
ville under the command of Capt. Adams Dun- 
lap. The company was recruited during the 
month of May, 1847, at Rushville, and was 
mustered into the United States service at Al- 
ton on the 21st day of the same month, its en- 
listment being authorized by the same order 
under which Gen. Newby's regiment was re- 
( ruited. 

Capt. Dunlap's company was never engaged in 
any actual battle, but did considerable scout- 
ing service, and was thus in several skirmishes 
with the guerrillas and scouts of the enemy. 
The command, however, lost heavily by sickness 



734 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



and fifteen of the members died in the service, 
the most of them dying of yellow fever at Mata- 
moras, Mexico. 

The company was finally discharged at Alton, 
111., November 7, 1S4S, having served eighteen 
months in all, this being the longest term of 
service of any company from this State during 
the whole war. 

The muster roll of the company is as fol- 
lows: 

INDEPENDENT CAVALRY COMPANY. 

Captain — Adams Dunlap. 
First Lieutenant — Samuel Lambert. 
Second Lieutenants — Simon Doyle, Calvin Jackson. 

Servants Samuel W Boring, James 1'.. Wright, 
Geo. O. Backman, Richard W. Stephenson. 

Corporals — Victor C. Putman, William Ritchey, 
Newton D. Witt, John W. Snider. 

Buglers — Theodore Smith, Charles Hynes. 
Farrier and Blacksmith — David Duff. 

Privates — Jones, Levi, 

Angle, John, Kelly, Patrick. 

•Allen, Mark, Lambert, Henry, 

•Brown, Robert, Lamaster, Erwin, 

•Brown, Alexander, 'Lincoln, Jefferson, 

Bowen, James F., *Mullane. Carroll. 

Bricklee, Henry, *Mauck, Abram R., 

Berry, Daniel F., *McGee, Elijah, 

Beals, Samuel O., * Myers, Jacob L., 

Boyd, David, *Maynard, Robert H., 

Boyd, Robert, *Mars, John L., 

Chipman. Seth, Martin. George W., 

Chapman, Wm. W., McKlnney, John, 

Cummings, Alfred, McNeely, John. 

Cunningham, Caleb, McMasters, William, 

Chipman, Phillip, Murran, James. 

Cram, Henry, Patterson, Charles R., 

Carden, Washington A., Parrott, Josiah, 

•Curtis, Jesse, Puler. Jefferson, 

•Corbridge. Thomas, Presson, William. 

•Carter. Ruthtord, Peirce, George, 

•Carnes. John T., •Parker. Oscar J.. 

•Duhnamell, Benj. F., *R.»berts, DeWitt C, 

•Densmore, James C, *Redmon, W r illiam, 

Derickson, Jos. M., Rhodes, Hinman, 

Erwin. George W., Scott. George R., 

Easley, William. Schott. William B., 

Easley, Thomas M., Spencer. Eli.iah, 

Elliot. William, Smith. Wm. E., 

•Fisher. Jacob, Smith, Robert, 

•Geiger, Davidson M., »Sidwell, James C, 

•Gillett. Charles W„ *Seemon. Cornelius, 

Gilbreth, Samuel, 'Stetson. Clinton, 

Green, William. •Turnbull. Thomas. 

Gitchell, Calvin L., 'Todd, Simeon S.. 

Green. David, •Tucker, William. 

Gordon, Franklin, *Troy, Jerome S., 

Gibson, Isaac W., Thompson, James, 

Haverkluft. C. H. C, Thompson. James D., 

Hollowav. William, Thurman, John, 

Hatfield, Abraham, Vance, John, 

Hymer. George, •Vanconrt, Benj. P., 

Hoyt. Albert, *Wmsor. Clark. 

•Hurry. David. *Weatherbee. Wm. B., 

•Hopkins. Lemuel, *Whitehurst. Willis G., 

•Hopkins, David R., Ward, Alfred, 

•Hanson. William B., Whitlock. George C, 

•Jump, James D., Wright. Isaac S. W., 

Jones. James B., *Ward. Luke G., 

•Joined as recruits in Mexico. 

The roilowing members of the company died In 
the service: 

Sergeant Thomas Tyre, Matamoras, Mexico, July 
10, 1847. 

Corporal Anthony Porgolio, Matamoras, Mexico, 
Oct. 8, 1847. 



Beales, Augustus F., Matamoras, Mexico, Sept. 18 
1847. 

Biggs, Henry, Matamoras, Mexico, Oct. 23, 1847. 

Burton, Geo. W., Point Isabel, Texas, July IS. 1848. 

Castle, Henry, Matamoras, Mexico, Oct. 28, 1847. 

Clark, John, Matamoras, Mexico, Aug. 1, 1847. 

Cook, William W., Matamoras, Mexico, Sept. 28, 
1847. 

Dyson, Samuel, Matamoras, Mexico. Oct. 30. 1847. 

Edmondson, N. II. R., Matamoras, Mexico, Oct. 18, 
1847. 

Fletcher, James C, Matamoras, Mexico, Aug. 7, 
1847. 

Gipson, Benj. F., Matamoras, Mexico, Oct. 13. 1847. 

Gillett, Plinney P., Alton, 111., Aug. 31. 1848. 

Reu, Thomas, Matamoras. Mexico, July 15, 1847. 

Smith, John, Matamoras. Mexico, Sept. 27, 1S47. 

The following were discharged from service on 
Surgeons' certificates : 

Sergeant Marcus Serrott. Thomas J. Cross, Francis 
Dickson. William A. Lansdon, Patterson V. Whitcher. 

Deserted : William Brunt, Wm. Brooks, Simeon 
A. Hoovey, Thomas J. Smith, David Wright. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



WAR OF THE REBELLION. 



PATRIOTISM OF CITIZENS OF SCHUYLER COUNTY 
SHOWN IN THE STRUGGLE FOR PRESERVATION OF 
THE UNION — CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE CON- 
FLICT SCHUYLER COUNTY POLITICALLY DEMO- 
CRATIC PARTY' PREJUDICE WIPED OUT BY' THE 

FIRING ON FORT SUMTER — SENATOR DOUGLAS' 
ELOQUENT APPEAL FOR THE UNION AND ITS EF- 
FECT ON THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THE COUNTY 

FILLS ITS QUOTA OF TROOPS — ATTEMPTED ASSAS- 
SINATION OF PROVOST-MARSHAL DR. SLACK 

SERVICE RENDERED BY LADIES' SOLDIERS' AID SO- 
CIETIES — MUSTER ROLL OF VOLUNTEERS FROM 
SCHUYLER COUNTY. WITH REGIMENTS AND COM- 
PANIES IN WHICH THEY SERVED — SOME THRIL- 
LING EXPERIENCES OF THE WAR PERIOD BRIL- 
LIANT DEFENSE OF BUZZARD'S ROOST GAP BY 

CAPT. HY'MER'S LITTLE BAND COL. LEONIDAS 

HORNEY'S GALLANTRY' AND HEROIC DEATH. 

Schuyler County, from the earliest times, has 
ever manifested a lofty patriotism, and this was 
most strongly shown in the War of the Rebellion, 
when the county more than filled its quota in 
the ranks of the Union Army and sent forth its 
most stalwart citizen soldiers, many of whom 
sealed their devotion to the Union with their 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



735 



lives ou the field of battle. The courage and 
patriotism of these men has placed their uames 
ui>ou an imperishable roll of honor, and we have 
endeavored to record in this volume the names of 
all the volunteers who enlisted from Schuyler 
County, though this is a difficult thing to do 
for the reason that many went outside the county 
to enlist. 

The history of our Civil War is familiar to even 
the general leader, and it is needless to review 
even the general reader, and it is needless to re- 
view even the general causes which brought about 
the mighty conflict. But it will be well to give a 
few brief facts that have a purely local bearing 
ou events prior to 1800. 

Agitation of the question of slavery as a State 
issue ended iu Illinois the year before Schuyler 
County was organized, and by popular vote in 
1824 the anti-slavery forces triumphed by a large 
majority. Not until 1848, however, did this gen- 
erally accepted policy of freedom for men of all 
classes become a part of the State Constitution. 

As a national issue slavery entered largely 
into the political contest between Democrats and 
Whigs, and with the organization of the Repub- 
lican party presented its first candidate for Gov- 
liceil and partisan feeling correspondingly bit- 
ter. 

Schuyler County, from the time of its organi- 
zation in 1S25, bad adhered to the principles of 
the Democratic party, and the year the Repub- 
lican party presented its first candidate for Gov- 
ernor, in 1850, the Democrats nominated William 
A. Richardson, a former resident of Rushville, 
for that office. In view of this fact, Schuyler 
County gave a larger Democratic vote than ever, 
and when Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. 
Douglas were rival candidates for the presidency. 
Judge Douglas carried Schuyler County by a 
plurality of 603. 

As this vote indicates, Schuyler County did 
not espouse the cause of Abolition, but when 
Southern treason culminated in open rebellion 
with the firing on Fort Sumpter, the partisan 
feeling, which had previously existed was swept 
away and Democrats and Republicans alike, laid 
aside party prejudice and rallied to the support 
of the Union. 

Stephen A. Douglas, by his memorable speech 
in Chicago, immediately after President Lin- 
coln's inauguration, unquestionably saved Illi- 
nois from being a battle-ground in the Civil War. 
for he rallied to the support of the Union the 



greater part of his loyal and devoted friends 
throughout the State. Surrounded by a multi- 
tude that was swayed by his powerful personal- 
ity and eloquence, Judge Douglas made plain 
his position, when treason threatened to des- 
troy the Union, in these ringing words: 

"There are only two sides in the question. 
Every man must be for the United States Gov- 
ernment or against it. There can be no neutrals 
in this war ; only Patriots and Traitors." 

In 1SG0 the population of Schuyler County 
was 14,070 and the number of men subject to 
military duty (between the age of eighteen and 
forty-five) was 2,529, and yet this county sent 
more than 1,000 volunteers to the front that the 
Union might be saved. 

On December 31, 1S04, Schuyler County's 
quota, as shown by the Adjutant General's re- 
port, was 1.430, and the total credits 1,479 — 
an excess of 49. Then followed other calls for 
troops, and Schuyler's quota was increased to 
1,055, with a total credit of 1,570. Had the 
county, however, been given full credit for the 
volunteers who enlisted in Missouri and other 
parts of the State during the early years of the 
war, the quota would have been exceeded by at 
least 200. 

During the war two townships in Schuyler 
County voted bounties to protect their citizens 
from the draft. P.uena Vista voted .?5,325 for 
bounties, and Birmingham, $8,995.92. 

The office of Provost Marshal during the war 
held out no reward for advancement in military 
honors, but it called for bravery of the truest 
type, as the men who had left the ranks as 
deserters would resort to any cowardly crime to 
avoid being captured. This was shown in Rush- 
ville, when an attempt was made to assassinate 
Dr. N. B. Slack, who was Provost Marshal for 
this county. The attempt to kill the oflicer took 
place at his home in the west part of Rushville, 
when a rifle ball was fired through a window and 
lodged in the head of his bed. His barn was 
afterwards fired by the marauders, in an ef- 
fort to intimidate him in the discharge of his 
duties, but Dr. Slack was absolutely fearless of 
danger and served as Provost Marshal through- 
out the war. 

The women of Schuyler were no less patriotic 
than the men in this mighty struggle for free- 
dom, and soon after the war began a Soldiers' 
Aid Society was organized. Meetings were held 
once a week, and the women scraped lint and 



736 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



made socks, slippers and comforts for the men 
on the firing line and in the hospitals. Then, 
too, they looked after the soldiers' wives and 
children, who were often in dire distress, and 
from the society fund many a heart was light- 
ened in homes that had been forsaken that the 
Nation's honor might be preserved. 

The complete list of Schuyler County soldiers, 
as taken from the Arjustant General's report, is 
here given : 

TWELFTH INFANTRY. 

Company B. 
Cook, John, Stephens, Jacob, 

Kiemery, Andrew, McConoughey, Austin 

Company D. 
Conner, William T.. llaynes. Austin 

FOURTEENTH INFANTRY. 
Company A. 

Corporal — Gideon R. Leeds. 

Trivates — Cole, Wm„ 

Bell, Isaac, Day, Geo. W., 

Hatfield, Andrew, Hatfield. Charles W., 

Boyd. Archibald. Harris, John H., 

Ho'llingsworth, Orman, Muck. Wm. J., 

Randall, Josiah, Shaw, Eli. 

FIFTEENTH (REORGANIZED) INFANTRY. 
Company G. 
Titus, John B., Wheeler, Joseph F. 

Company I. 
First Sergeant — Jab T. Lane. 
Corporal — William J. Dawson. 
Privates — Holdren, David, 

Hyde, James W., Huling. John D., 

Hough, Samuel, Melugin, Wm. J., 

Lewis, Davis, McClure, Hyde. 

SIXTEENTH INFANTRY. 

Commissary Sergeant — James H. Wilson. 
Musician — James Baxter. 



Privates — 
Odell. Alfred C, 



Company A. 



iloskinson, Wm. O. 

Company B. 
Baxter. James, McKinley, Charles W., 

Thompson, Isaiah, Brown. Wallace, 

Bowers, Marion, Cole, John, 

Eifert, Philip, French, Wellington J., 

McKinley. Estes, Points, Francis M. 

Plymate. Benson, 

Company C. 
Seevers. Adonljah, Dodds, Webster. 

Roberts, John, 



Brumback. Irvine. 
Moore. Wm. R., 



Company E. 

Cox. Daniel J., 
Pennington, Isaac. 



Company K. 
Fielder, Wm. R., Fielder, John. 

Fielder, Joseph W., Ledgewood, Newton G. 

Company G. 

Captains — William H. McAllister, William G. 
Ritchev, Marcus D. L. Manlove. 

First Lieutenants — William G. Rltchey, Marcus D. 
L. Manlove, George W. Parrott. William S. Marlow. 

Second Lieutenants — Marcus D. L. Manlove, George 
W. Parrott, Lewis E. Garrison. 

First Sergeant — George W. Parrott. 

Sergeants — George Barnhart, William J. Dodds, 
John Thrush, Matthew H. Bellamy. 



Corporals — William S. Marlow, John F. Smith, 
Thomas Lashmett, Lyman Ryley. 

Privates — 
Abbott, Charles, 
Baker, William H., 
Berry, Frederick E., 
Botchlett, Adam, 
Bennett, John, 
Bowman, Jacob S., 
Cramer, Walter, 
Clark, Benjamin M., 
Curtis, Jefferson E., 
Dimmick, James M., 
Dimmick, Joseph W., 

Veterans — ■ 
Abbott, Charles, 
Bowman, Jacob S., 
Botchlett, Adam, 
Barry, John, 
Blackburn, Thomas J., 
Easley, Barton W., 
Garrison, Lewis W., 
Kundell, John A., 
Leonard, Orlando, 

Recruits — 
Adkinson, Daniel, 
Blackburn, Thomas J., 
Blair, James, 
Boyce, John D., 
Barnes, Wilber A., 
Burson, Jesse A., 
Connors, Patrick, 
Eaves, Enoch, 
Gapen. Eli, 
Garrison, Lewis E., 
Howe, James C, 
Howe, Edward, 



Ellis, William A., 
Easley, Barton W., 
Jordan, James M., 
Leonard, Orlando, 
Milby, William, 
Naught, Charles, 
Nelson, Andrew H., 
Owens, Washington W., 
Sidebotham, Isaac, 
Stogdell, Tilman, 
Willard, Marshall. 

Lashmett. Thomas A., 
Milby. William, 
Marlow, James E., 
Moriarty, John, 
Marlow, William S., 
Naught, Charles, 
Sidebottom, Isaac, 
Shaw, Samuel, 
Wilson, Jeremiah. 

McAuley, James, 
Marlow, James E., 
Manlove. Solon L., 
Teel, Nelson, 
Prickett. John J., 
Pitman. Baird D., 
Ridings, David A., 
Rose. William B., 
Rhodes, Isaac N., 
Tolle, Reuben H.. 
Tracy. Levi C, 
Woods. Enoch. 



Company G, Sixteenth Infantry, was the first 
company recruited in Schuyler County, and 
it was organized by Capt. William H. Mc- 
Allister, of Rushville, who was elected Captain. 
The regiment was organized and mustered into 
service at Quincy under the "Ten Regiment Art" 
on the 24th day of May, 1861. It first moved to 
Grand River, Mo., in June, 1861, where it guarded 
the railroad, and the first skirmish that resulted 
in loss of life took place at Monroe Station, 
when 1,600 mounted rebels made an attack. 
Early in 1S62 the regiment was sent to Missouri, 
and attached to the Army of the Mississippi. In 
April, of that year, the regiment was moved to 
Tennessee, where it participated in several bat- 
tles and was attached to the Army of the Cum- 
berland. 

On December 20 to 31, 1863, the regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans and the volunteers were 
granted a thirty days' furlough. May 5th, the 
Sixteenth moved with Sherman's army on the 
Atlantic campaign, and was in the advance at 
Buzzard's Roost, where the regiment lost 18 
killed and wounded. 

After the investment of Atlanta the regiment 
held a position on the front line and was con- 
stantly engaged in skirmish fighting. It was 
in the thickest of the fight at Jonesboro and 
in the famous charge of the Fourteenth Army 




a/ i' 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



737 



Corps at that place, in which Hardee's line was 
broken, a large portion of it captured and At- 
lanta won, the Sixteenth charged with fixed 
bayonets and empty guns. Owing to the depres- 
sion of the ground over which the regiment 
charged, its loss was less than thirty, while regi- 
ments to the right and left lost twice that num- 
ber. 

After the capture of Atlanta the regiment 
was transferred to the Army of Georgia, and 
participated in the famous march through Geor- 
gia to the sea. Being on the most advanced post 
at the evacuation of Savannah, it had the honor 
of being the representative regiment of the Four- 
teenth Army Corps to take formal possession of 
the city. It marched north through the Caro- 
linas. and assisted in the capture of Columbia 
and Fayetteville, and was in the fierce fight at 
Averysboro, where during the afternoon of March 
16, 1865, the regiment lost 15 or 20 killed. At 
Bentonville the Division of which the Sixteenth 
was a part, stood for five hours the repeated 
charges of Johnson's entire army. At this en- 
gagement the Sixteenth, aided by the Fourteenth 
Michigan, charged the rebel line and captured 
800 prisoners. The second day of the battle these 
same two regiments, through a mistake order 
of the Colonel of the Michigan regiment, made 
a charge into the center of the rebel force and. 
for over a quarter of an hour, was under as mur- 
derous a front and flank fire as ever rained on 
troops. In this brief space of time a third of 
the regiment fell. This was the last battle of 
the war the Sixteenth was engaged in, but it 
was the most terrible of them all. 

The regiment then marched with General 
Sherman to Durham Station, where General 
Johnson surrendered, and then on to Richmond 
and Washington, where it participated in the 
Grand Review. May 24. 1865. The regiment was 
mustered out at Louisville. Ky„ after a term of 
service of four years and three months. 

EIGHTEENTH (REORGANIZED) INFANTRY. 
Company P. 

Sergeant — John A. B. Shlppey. 
Corporal — Randall Black. 
Musician — Edward P. Vail. 

Privates — ■ 
McClure. James T.. 
Norton, George, 



Jackson, Felir. 



Second Lieutenant- 
Privates — 
Bishop, Daniel, 
Hangstler. Bernhart, 
Jones, Ebenezer, 



Company I. 
-Daniel R. P. Johnson. 



NINETEENTH INFANTRY. 
Company F. 

Hamilton, Thomas A., 

TWENTIETH INFANTRY. 
Lieutenant-Colonel — Richard Evans. (Killed Mav 
12, 1863.) 



TWENTY-FIRST INFANTRY. 
Company D. 



Hubbard, Albert. 



Recruits — ■ 
Hall, George W., 

Company F. 
Recruit — Standard. Charles B 



TWENTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY. 
Company G. 

Captains — Barclay C. Gillam, Oregon Richmond, 
Reuben B. I'resson. 

First Lieutenants — Oregon Richmond, Reuben B. 
Presson, E. G. W. Bridgewater, John McGorie, John 
J. Osmer. 

Second Lieutenants — Reuben B. Presson, Michael 
Gapen. 

First Sergeant — Michael Gapen. 

Sergeants — William Thompson, William Deal, E. G. 
W. Bridgewater. Abraham Bell. 

Corporals — Calvin Boyles. William H. Bell, William 
B. Rose, James W. Sargeant, A. J. Revarch. Resin B. 
Strode, William F. Robbins. 

Musician — Robert Zink. 



Homman. Michael. 
Klinert. Augustus. 



Privates — - 
Black, William. 
Bouser, John M., 
Bridgewater, James II., 
Casteel, John C, 
Canada, William A., 
Clifton, George W., 
Dixon, Charles, 
Dupuy, George W., 
Dodds, David, 
Dance. Jacob, 
Edmonston, John, 
Fulk, Levi, 
Flaury, Michael, 
Frisby, Hiram, 
Gossage, Hiram, 
Gillett, Charles C, 
Hardy, James M., 
Haskell. Charles F., 
Hamilton, William H., 
Hurlbut, Alanson P., 
Hill. Nathan. 
Hamilton, Joseph, 
Ingram, George W., 
Johnson. Andrew, 
Jones. Albert. 
Keller. Joseph. 
Kirkham. William H., 
Kirkham. George H., 
Lesure, William J., 
Leslie, Albert G., 

Veterans — ■ 
Bridgewater, James H., 
Casteel. John C, 
Dodds, David. 
Davis, Jesse G., 
Frisble, Hiram, 
Hardy, James M., 
Hamilton, William H., 
Kirkham. George H., 
League, Richard A., 
Lesure, William J., 

Recruits — 
Adams. John Q., 
Best, Napoleon, 
Casteel. William M., 
Davis, Cyrus, 
Kelley. William L., 
McGorie, John, 
Paisley, William W., 



League. Albert R., 
Lynch, Edward, 
Mitchell. James M. t 
Mason, George H., 
Mason, Abraham T., 
Mason. William E., 
Masterson, Sylvester T., 
Mann, Robert, 
Maxwell. H. C, 
Martin, George, 
Osmer. John J., 
Parker, John W.. 
Fridmore, George, 
Parks, Henry I., 
Robbins, John M., 
Roberts, Wesley E., 
Ruark, Robert M.. 
Seddeth, Rice D., 
Shaw, Duncan, 
Starr, Edward. 
Sypes, Joseph B., 
Stockwell, Jasper, 
Tyson, \Villiam T„ 
Tyson, George W., 
Tyson. Cornelius, 
Taylor, Duncan. 
Tucker, Green B., 
Vanorder, Andrew J., 
Vanorder, John E., 
White Jasper. 

Masterson, Sylvester P., 
Pridmore, George. 
Ruark, Robert M., 
Ruark, Andrew J., 
Rabbins. Francis M.. 
Sargeant. James W., 
Starr, Edward, 
Tyson, George W., 



Vanorder, Andrew J. 
Rittenhoii6e, Henry, 
Rittenhouse. Enoch, 
Sloat, Ansel W.. 
Suddeth, George W.. 
Suddeth. William II., 
Vanormer, William A. 



; 38 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Company H. 

Corporal — Charles Potts. 

Privates — Larkin, Cameron, 

Harmon, Stanfield P., Ilolllngsworth. John J., 

Hooker, Reuben. Milby, Edward. 

Manlove. John 1: . Potts, Nelson. 

Sparks, Edward B., Harmon, John P., 

Potts, Wilson, Potts, James, 

Potts, George, Potts, William, 

Company G. Twenty-eighth Illinois Infantry, 
was recruited in Rushville by Barclay C. Gil- 
lam, who was promoted to Major when the regi- 
ment was organized at Camp Butler. Lieut. 
Oregon Richmond was elected Captain in his 
stead. The regiment was mustered into service 
August 10, 1861, and nine days afterwards was 
sent to St. Louis, where it was armed. From 
there it was moved to Thelies. and General Grant 
accompanied the regiment to that point. After 
doing duty in Kentucky the regiment was moved 
up the Tennessee River, and the Twenty-eighth 
was the first to enter Fort Heinian when it was 
evacuated by the rebels. From there it moved 
to Pittsburg Landing and was with General Grant 
in the fight at Peach Orchard, where he gave or- 
ders for the regiment to hold its position at all 
hazards, which it did until ordered back by Gen. 
S. A. Hurlbut. In this engagement Major B. C. 
Gillam was badly wounded in the left shoulder 
and his horse killed under him. The regiment 
sustained a loss of 239 killed, wounded and miss- 
ing in this engagement. During May. 1862, the 
regiment was engaged in the siege of Corinth and 
later in the battle of Metamora. On November 
21, 1862, Major Gillam resigned, being unable 
to serve longer from the wound received at 
Shiloh. 

On July 12, 1S63, the Twenty-eighth' Infantry 
was with others ordered to charge an open level 
cornfield some 600 yards, and carry a strong line 
of the enemy's works manned by 2.000 men and 
12 guns. The eight companies of this regiment 
in line, lost 73 killed and wounded and 16 taken 
prisoners. 

on January 4. 1864, the regiment having re- 
enlisted as veterans was mustered for three 
years' veteran service. A number of Schuyler 
men from Co. G re-enlisted, and. after their vet- 
erans' furlough, reported at Camp Butler, May 
20. 1864, and were sent to Natchez. From there 
they proceeded to New Orleans and were in the 
advance upon Spanish Fort March 27, 1S65, and 
held a position on the extreme right dur- 
ing the fourteen days' siege. The regiment was 
mustered out of service at Brownville, Texas, 
March 15, 1866, having served four years and 



seven months. The total enlistment of the reg- 
iment was 1.720 and the number killed, wounded 
and missing was 957. and of these 83 were of- 
ficers. 

Of the 104 men of Company G who left Rush- 
ville the following are still living: A. J. Van- 
order. George H. Kirkham, William Kirkham, 
James Sargent. William Kelly, F. M. Robbing, 
Edward Starr. David Dodds and William A. Can- 
ada. 

THIRTY-THIRD INFANTRY. 
Drum Major — William C. Ralls. 

THIRTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 
Company B. 



Marshall, Frank. 

Recruits — 
Ohmert, Jesse, 
Upton, Geo. Y., 

Davis, William R. 



Quackenbush, David J., 
Achman, Stephen N. 
Company G. 



FORTY-SIXTH INFANTRY. 
Company D. 
Wittenmeyer, John H. 

FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. 
Company F. 

Bailey, John II., McKinney, Jas. 

Black, Bernard, 

Recruit — Joseph Pestll. 

FIFTIETH INFANTRY. 
Company D. 

Merritt, Thomas. Slater, Lewis C. 

Company H. 
First Lieutenant — John Cooper. 
Corporal — David C. Long. 
Privates — ■ 

Friday, Geo. W., 
Long, John P., 



Bruner, Zachariah, 
Friday, Jacob. 
Recruits — 
Bailey, William H., 
Houser, Charles F., 
Moody, James W.. 
Wilmot. James W., 



Lawson, James F., 
Ellis, DeWitt C, 



Bowman, Newton, 
McClure, Charles W., 
McDonald, Levi T.. 

Company G. 

Alexander, Seth. 



Company I. 

Benjamin Greer, Josiah Sheesley. Aaron 



Engineers- 
Sheesley. 

FIFTY-FIFTH INFANTRY. 
Company I. 
Dennis, Holden. 

SIXTY-FIRST INFANTRY. 
Company J. 



Recruits — 
Anderson, Samuel M., 
Black, Samuel, 
Duke, Abram, 
Kirkham, Charles, 
Londry. John W., 
Misenheimer, Marion, 
Spangler, Cyrus, 
Tucker, Francis, 
Wilson. William S., 



Reed, Ami, 
Boon, John, 
Campbell, Lewis C, 
Jones. John B., 
Londry, Wm., 
Low. Wm. A.. 
Ryan, Chas. W., 
Spiller, Isaac, 
Wisdom. Granville L., 
Misenheimer. Isaac, 



SIXTY-SECOND INFANTRY. 
Company I. 

Captains — Joseph McLain. John J. Wyatt, John C. 
Parcel. 

First Lieutenants — John J. Wyatt. John C. Parcel. 

Second Lieutenants — John C. Parcel, Edward P. 
Stone. 

First Sergeant — William D. Ellis. 

Serjeants — Robert Thrush, Daniel Richey, D. C. 
Pain. 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



739 



Corporals — Charles Pershing, John Sites, James 
Legg, George Ellis, Joel Cooper. 



Privates — ■ 
Ainsworth, Nelson, 
Baker, William, 
Barton, Elijah, 
Bates, James, 
Barnaby. G. W.. 
Comberlidge, Nic'las S., 
Caldwell. John. 
Dewitt, George, 
Dodge, John S., 
Dark, Joseph, 
Deedridge, Lewis, 
Dowin, Aaron, 
Freaks, John, 
Pream, David. 
Hatfield, Chas. W., 
Hicks, Henry C, 
Johnson, William, 
John, Ferdinand, 

Veterans — 
Ainsworth, Nelson, 
Bates, Jann is, 
Comberlidse. Nich. 
Cordell, James, 
Caldwell, John, 
Deedridge. Lewis. 
John, Ferdinand, 

Recruits — 
Chandler. Seth. 
Cooper, Joel, 
Cooper. Noah J., 
Cooper, Arthur L., 
Devolld, James, 
DevoIId. Samuel L., 



Lowderman, Cornelius M., 
Lowderman, Austin H., 
Lee, David. 
Lain, James, 
MeKelva, George, 
Peeler, Samuel, 
Roberts, Thomas D., 
Starr, Robert, 
Stout king, David. 
Stoneking, Samuel, 
Towland, James W.. 
Vanwinkle. James, 
Vanwinkle, Moses, 
\\ 'hiti'iiian. Mathias, 
Whiteman, Calvin, 
Wbeat, David H., 
Young. John, 
Zapp, Otto. 

Lowderman, Austin H., 
Roberts, Thos. D.. 
Reno, Alexander, 
Sites. John, 
Wbeat, David H., 
Zapp, Otto. 



Fream, David. 
Green, James W., 
Merrick. Morris, 
Peak, Robert, 
Raper, Smith M., 
Tatham, Thomas, 



The Sixty-second Infantry, Illinois Volunteers, 
was organized at Camp Dubois, Anna, 111., April 
12. 1S62. Company I was largely recruited in 
Littleton Township by Joseph MeLain, who was 
elected Captain. 

The regiment was first ordered to Cairo, 
111., and from there went to Tennessee, with 
headquarters at Kenton. At the Holly Springs 
engagement 170 men of the Sixty-second, 
including the Major and three Lieutenants, were 
captured and the regiment records burned. The 
regiment was engaged in several minor skir- 
mishes and at Brownsville, Ark., overtook Gen. 
Steele's army and drove him back to Little 
Rock, compelling the evacuation of that place. 

January 9, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as 

a veteran organization and remained at Pine 

Bluff. Ark., until July 28, 1S65. The regiment 

was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., March 6, 

1866. 

SIXTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 
Company I. 
Archer. Lewis, Grafton, O. W., 

Logue, Harrison. Parrish, Charles, 

Smith. Elijah. Tracv. T. C, 

Tipton. James W., 

Recruits — 
Barnes, James, Bugher, Hiram. 

SEVENTY-SECOND INFANTRY. 
Company C. 
Flannery, John. 

Company G. 
Gobble. C, Johnson. Alonzo. 

Company H. 

Second Lieutenant — Hezekiah Stout. 



Privates — 
Andres. Armenia, 
Husted, Henry. 
Jones, John G., 
Scott, James W., 

Recruits — 
Burtis, Stephen II., 
Cibby, Marshall L., 
Rhodes, William II., 



Brooks, G. S., 

Husted, F. M., 
Ridenour.W., 



Loop, George W., 
McCaslin, Henry, 



SEVENTY-THIRD INFANTRY. 

Lieutenant Colonel — William A. Presson. 
Adjutant — Richard R. Randall. 
Quartermaster Sergeant — Thomas .1. Window. 
Commissary -Sergeant — Riley M. Hoskinson. 
Hospital Steward — Butler Presson. 

Company G. 
Captain — John Sutton. 
First Lieutenants — James F. Bowen, William II 

I liiifr. 

Second Lieutenants — William H. Dodge, John H 
McGrath. 

Sergeants — William H. Dodge, Jeremiah E Bailey 
William T. Talbot. William II. Horton. 

Corporal — Reuben H. Tolle. 

Musicians — William R. Vaughn, Henry C. Combs. 

Privates- 



Hoskinson, Stewart F., 
Lawless. Absalom H., 
Linking, James A., 
Little. William H.. 
Meacham, Orland, 
Morris, Newton, Jr., 
McGrath, John II., 
Pennington, Alexander. 
Presson. Butler, 
Purnell. William T., 
Scott, Lev-en O., 
Sidebotham, John H., 
stout. Stillman, 
Swaekhammer, Geo., 
Talbott. Isaiah. 
Thurman, Meriday A., 
Thrush, Jacob J., 
Tolle, James F., 
Wilmot. Willard, 
Wilson, George, 
Window, Thomas J., 
Worthbaugh, John W., 
Wright, John, 
Yaap, Karl, 



Swaekhammer. John, 



Agnew, Elias M., 
Baker, John M., 
Brown. William H., 
Cameron. Thomas, 
Colt, Peter H. K., 
Colt, John \V„ 
Criswell, Edlward L„ 
Crooks, William H., 
Cunningham, Joseph, 
Davis, James W., 
Day, Lewis, 
Derickson, Joseph, 
Dimmick, William II., 
Daerfler, George C, 
Elser, Joseph S., 
Elser, George P., 
Emery, William, 
Fuller, Maroni M., 
Goodwin, John 1'.. 
Gorsage, < tscar, 
Glassop. Frederick, 
Hagle. James. 
I looker, Jasper, 
Horton, Thomas, 
Hoskinson, Riley M., 

Recruits — 
Blackley, William II., 
Thompson, James O., 

The Seventy-third Regiment, Illinois Volun- 
teers, was mustered into service at Camp Butler 
August 21, 1862, under command of Col. J. P. 
Jaquess, and Company G was largely composed 
of Schuyler volunteers. Immediately upon or- 
ganization the regiment was moved to the front 
and was stationed at Camp Jacques, Ky. Here 
it was assigned to Sherman's division and re- 
mained in it until Sherman was ordered east in 
the spring of 1S64. From the time the regiment 
left Kentucky up to and subsequent to the move- 
ment on Murfreesboro, it lost a number of men 
by disability and disease, quite a number dying 
at Bowling Green and many more at Nashville. 
The brigade, which at Mill Creek had been placed 
under the command of General Schafer, did not 
participate in any of the preliminary skirmishing 
at Stone River. On December 31, however, op- 



no 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



portunity was afforded for every regiment to bear 
a part. General Schafer was killed before uoon. 
Colonel Jaquess was with his regiment at Perry- 
ville. so the Seventy-third was commanded by 
Major William Presson of Rushville. Daring the 
day the regiment was in several conflicts and 
fully established its reputation for lira very. 

During the war the Seventy-third regiment 
participated in the following engagements : Perry- 
ville. Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary 
Ridge. Resaca, Adairsville, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain. Peach Tree Creek, Franklin, Nashville, 
Pine Mountain, Lost Mountain, New Hope 
Church, Marietta, Jonesboro. Lovejoy Station, 
and Spring Hill. The total loss by death was 215 
men. The regiment was mustered out of service 
at Nashville June 12, 1865. 

SEVENTY FIFTH INFANTRY. 
First Assistant Surgeon — John C. Corbus. 
Company F. 
Dean, Henry, Hurst, Wm., 

Loucks, Wesley F., Loucks, Geo. R. 

SEVENTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY. 
Company A. 
Major — Robert S. Blackburn. 

Captains — Robert S. Blackburn. Christian W. Hlte. 
First Lieutenants — Philip Chipman. Archibald H. 
Graham, George A. Brown, Christian W. Hite, Amos 
Scott. 

Second Lieutenants — Archibald II. Graham. George 
A. Brown. Nathan P. Woods. Christian W. Hite. 

Privates — 
Avery. Stephen. 
Brown, George A., 
Brundage, George W.. 
Bodenhammer. Henry C, 
Belote, James E., 
Belote, Darwin. 
Brundage. James, 
Brunett. William, 
Ball, Albin, 
Box, John, 
Bessell, Augustus C, 
Bain, Alexander, 
Corria, John D.. 
Curtise, William II., 
Curtise, James. 
Curtise. Jesse, 
Curtise, John, 
Cor, William, 
Driver. Samuel R., 
Davise. Benager, 
Davis. Philip, 
Davis. John, 
Ewing, Samuel M.. 
Fugate, Martain V., 
Fugate, Samuel H., 
Frisby, Abraham, 
Frakes, Joseph. 
Graham, Shepard, 
Groves, James M., 
Gott. John R., 
Gilleland. Benjamin C. 
How. Samuel W. 
Howell. John. 
Hite, Abraham, 
Husted. Talmen, 
Hlte. Abraham I... 
Hite. Christian. 
Harrison. George, 
Hellyer, George, 



Hellyer, William, 
Johnson, John, 
Lansden, William II., 
McKee, William. 
Miller. JohnT., 
Miner, Samuel J., 
Miuts. Lorenzo. 
Morgan, Edward T.. 
Mullin, Martin. 
McClain, William IL, 
Noeli. Theodore C, 
Peterson, Francis M., 
Petsor, Tracey, 
Rigsby, George W., 
Robinson, Richard, 
Reed. John E., 
Record. Josiah S., 
Robinson, Israel, 
Robinson. Nimrod. 
Seward. Charles W.. 
Sapp. David M.. 
Scott, Herman, 
Steen. John. 
Scott, Amos, 
Toland. Solomon, 
Tankersley, Andrew, 
Toland. William. 
Yandivier. Nelson, 
Vandivier, John. 
Woods. William S., 
Walker. John II., 
Wilson. Jasper, 
Wykoff. Wm. II. II., 
Wif r. William, 
Walker, William T.. 
White. Beniamin F., 
Wilds. Henry H., 
Wheeler. Joel B., 
Wheeler. John H., 



James. Samuel, 
Lacy. John S.. 
Mullen, John W., 
Neida, Charles S., 
Ruggles, William K., 
Shamell. Alexander, 
Scott. Richard W., 
Sapp. John W.. 
Stewart. James, 
Thorp, Lorenzo D., 
Thomas, James, 
Yandivier, Henry, 
Wilds, Howard. 
Wheeler. Edward N., 
Woods, Nathan P.. 
Wilson, Charles L„ 



Recruits — 
Bodenhammer. Isaac II., 
Burton. William C, 
Burton. James E.. 
Burmood, l'eter, 
Bndt'iihMiiii r. < li ['is'r < ;.. 
Brooks, Oliver, 
Cox, Christopher C, 
Clark. James T., 
Curtis, Joseph, 
Davis, John W., 
Davis, William II., 
Davis, Robert H., 
Ewing, George W., 
Frakes, Robert, 
Granger, Robert, 
How, Isaac C, 
How, James, 

Under Cook of A. D. — 

Noah Alexander Stevens. 

Company B. 

Glass. Geo. H. 

Company A, Seventy-eighth Illinois Infantry, 
was recruited by Capt Robert S. Blackburn at 
Brooklyn, Schuyler County, and upon the organ- 
ization of the regiment at Quincy, he was elected 
Major and Lieut. Christian W. Hite was pro- 
moted to Captain. The regiment was mustered 
into service September 1. 1862, and the Adjutant 
General's report states that during the war about 
400 men were killed and wounded. The regiment 
participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Mis- 
sionary Ridge. Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Rome, 
New Hope Church. Kenesaw Mountain, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Averysboro and 
Bentonviile. After Lee's surrender the regiment 
marched north through Richmond, Va., arriving 
at Washington May 19, and participating In the 
Grand Review May 24, 1865. The regiment was 
mustered out June 7, 1865. and sent to Chicago, 
where it was paid off June 12, 1865. 

EIGHTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 



Privates — 
Macumber, Anson, 
Wisdon, Elijah S., 

Chipman. Daniel, 
Sellers. John A., 
Chipman, Samuel, 
Chipman. David. 
Robinson, Geo. W., 



Clark. Thomas A.. 
Pendleton, James S. 
Sprigg, Thomas C, 

Clark, Victor B. 



Binkley, N. A., 
Derry. Bassil. 
Kimry. John J., 
Widenhammer, J. I., 



Company A. 

Robinson, William. 

Company B. 

Swink. Peter B., 
Baker. Israel II.. 
Chipman. Levi. 
Moore. Benj. F.. 
Swift. Horace W. 

Company D. 

Pendleton. Thomas H., 
Pendleton. Wm. B. C. 

Company F. 

Company I. 

Bowker. Clark, 
Davis, W. H., 
Wright, Alonzo. 



EIGHTY-FIFTH INFANTRY. 
Company E. 
Byers, Enos. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



741 



Company G. 

First Lieutenant — Lafayette Curless. 
Sergeant — Lewis Post. 

Corporals — J. F. Kennedy, Thomas Horton. 
Privates — 



Atkinson, Perry, 
Brown, Perry, 
Brown, Thos., 
Brown, Simpson, 
Cunningham, Alex., 
Hays, Daniel, 
Kelly, William, 
Kerns, Franklin, 
Longfellow, Daniel G., 
Livingston, Stephen, 
McComb, Anderson, 



McKay, John, 
Smith. Lewis G., 
Sharge, Joseph, 
Smith. Alford, 
Seymour, Lewis, 
Sandidge, Dan'l., 
Smith, Win.. 
Thompson, John, 
Workman, Geo., 
Wheeler, Thos. 



Company H. 

Perkins, John H., 
Snodgrass, Robert, 
Saffer. John M„ 



Bushnell, John, 
Gossage, Jeremiah, 
Harris, Wm. H., 
Hulburt, Wm. H.. 

Company I. 

Captain — Albert O. Collins. 

First Lieutenant — Edward Curless. 

Unassigned Recruits — Severns, Francis M. 

EIGHTY-NINTH INFANTRY. 
Company I. 

First Lieutenant — Charles M. Carnahan. 

Sergeants — William B. Carnahan. Josiah B. lie- 
Eylaa. John MeKennett. 

Corporals — James S. Quince, John Gaffney, Daniel 
D. Carnahan. 

Musician — Thurston Smith. 

Privates — Vroman, Daniel R.. 

Butterfield, George, Barrett, John W., 

Carr, Benj. F., Carnahan. David, 

Guthrie, Joseph, Graham, James, 

Holden, Benj.. Hopkins. Hiram, 

Holden. Wm., Holton. Densid, 

Johnson, Andrew J.. Loyd, Joseph, 

Malugin, Zaehariah, Mannor, John, 

.May, Martin H., i tliver, Wm., 

Parker. Samuel P., Ititchey, Thomas, 

Rouse. Alonzo G., Smith. Samuel A., 

Thompson. Wm. H., Van Campen, Daniel D. 

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEENTH INFANTRY. 
Company D. 

Captains — Stephen M. Huckstep. Samuel Hymer. 

First Lieutenants — Christ C. Bridgewater, Samuel 
Hymer, Michael P. Jones. 

Second Lieutenants — Samuel Hymer. Michael P. 
Jones. 

First Sergeant — Michael P. Jones. 

Sergeants — Luther M. Hobart, George Frisby. An- 
drew Bridgewater, George Gillett. 

Corporals — Robert Stewart. Daniel W. Smith. Fran- 
cis Banks. James A. Deal, Andrew Jacoby, Charles 
Barker. Alva Bond. Perry P. Tolle. 

Musicians — William Rhodes, James M. Huckstep. 

Wagoner — James Buckles. 

Privates — 

Bowman. William. Lent, Jeremiah, 

Byers. Monroe, Lenover, Alexander, 

Bryant, John, Lane. Garrett, 

Bridgewater. Elias, Loe, Filden, 

Bennett. William R., Masterson, George, 

Bryant. James M., Myers. Daniel. 

Be'chtol, Squire. Moreland. John, 

Boyd. Joseph E., Muck. Humphrey. 

Bowling. William, Monnett. William, 

Barker. Andrew J., Miller. Henry, 

Buckles, Elisha. Newell. James. 

Colvin. George W., Parish. John. 

Colister. Joseph. Park, Overton. 

Cokenour. Alfred, Pickenpaugh, John, 

Cross. George W., Russell. Isaiah. 

Campbell. George W., Robertson. James W.. 

Dixson, William, Root, Jacob. 

Dupuv, Francis M., Smedley, John M„ 

Dupuy, Daniel T„ Smedley. David L., 

Dupuv, James C, Smedley. Thomas I.. 

Dace Michael, Smedley, William A., 

Dace. Edwin. Stark. John. 

Deal, Strathearn. Stoneking, Jacob. 



Everhart, Samuel, 
Eads, Samuel S.. 
Fagan, Patrick, 
Gory, Martin, 
Gregory, George, 
Harlow, William, 
Herron, William, 
Ishmeal, Francis D.. 
Jackson, John D., 
Jackson, Andrew, 
Jones, Nathan, 
Jacoby, Christopher 
Kent, Asher, 
Lamaster. Charles. 

Recruits — 
Howell. Thomas S., 
Jackson. Jesse, 
Julian, Milton P., 



Stoneking, W. P., 
Smith, John S., 
Stephens, John M., 
Sebastian, George S., 
Terr: 11, Andrew J., 
Thompson, James. 
Tyson, William. 
Tyson, George W., 
Teeple, Jackson, 
Thomas, James R., 
Underbill, William B., 
Underbill. Anson W.. 
Welker, Stewart. 



Stephens, Elias, 
Scott. Richard, 
Zimmerman, Patman, 

Company C. 
Sergeant — Edwin Utter. 

Company II . 
Farrar, Jasper P., Whitsel, John D., 

Ward, Hiram K., . Wren. John. 

Zegler, Ezra, 

Company K. 

Derrill, Henry S. 

Company D, One Hundred Fifteenth Illinois 
Infantry, was recruited in Schuyler County by 
Rev. S. M. Huckstep, a Methodist minister who 
was on the Rushville circuit at the beginning of 
the war. The greater part of the volunteers in 
this company were from Bainbridge and Freder- 
ick Townships, and they were mustered into serv- 
ice at Springfield October 4, 1862. Rev. Huck- 
step was elected Captain and served his country 
as gallantly as he had served the Lord, until he 
received a mortal wound at the battle of Chick- 
amauga September 20, 1863. The wound was in- 
flicted by a shrapnel ball, and he was taken to 
the hospital at Chattanooga, where the ball was 
removed from his thigh. From there he was re- 
moved to Nashville, Tenn., where he died Decem- 
ber f>, 1S63. Soon after the death of Captain 
Huckstep. Lieut. Samuel Hymer was promoted 
to Captain and he commanded the company until 
the close of the war. 

Company D. One Hundred Fifteenth Illinois 
Infantry, participated in the battle of Franklin 
and Harpeth River. April 10, 1863, also in the 
battle of Chickamauga. Ga., September IS, 1» 
and 20, 1863. and was in the Dalton raid under 
General Palmer from February 21 to February 
27. 1864. They were also in the charge on Tun- 
nel Hill, Ga.. May 7, 1864, and when General 
Sherman started on his Atlanta campaign, the 
One Hundred Fifteenth Regiment was in the 
advance and took a prominent part in the battle 
of Resaca, Ga.. May 15 and 16, 1S64. 

During the summer of 1S64 Company D was 
stationed at Buzzard Roost Gap. and it was here 
Captain Hymer and his little band of Spartans 
gained renown by the defense of a block house, 



742 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



where they held Gen. Hood's array of 40,000 
men in cheek for nearly ten hours, thus blocking 
the advance of the enemy and securing the safety 
of the remainder of the regiment, as well as that 
of the Eighth Kentucky Infantry, then stationed 
at Ringgold and which retreated to Chattanooga. 

For this conspicuous act of gallantry. Captain 
Ilymer received the brevet rank of Major from 
President Lincoln, and on March 28, 1S9G, Con- 
gress bestowed upon him a medal of honor. 

The defense made by Captain Hymer and the 
brave Schuyler boys of Company D is well 
worthy a place in the military annals of the 
county, as it is seldom soldiers are called upon 
to fight against such fearful odds. Of the forty- 
one men who aided in the defense of the block 
house five were killed, six were wounded and the 
survivors, who surrendered after a gallant de- 
fense, spent months in southern prisons. 

Company D had been sent to Buzzard's Roost 
Gap in July to guard that strategic point, which 
was an opening in the valley about one hundred 
yards wide. During the summer a block house 
24x24 feet was built of spruce logs, one tier be- 
ing laid horizontal and backed up by other logs 
set perpendicular. The top was also covered 
with logs and on top of this was placed sod and 
dirt to a depth of three feet. Flaring portholes, 
4x4 inches square, were cut in the logs on all 
four sides and a firing platform was built inside. 
The door to the block house was cut on an angle 
so the enemy could not get a direct fire in case 
it had to be opened, and surrounding the block 
house was a deep ditch. The little fort was well 
provisioned and the men were armed with rifles. 

During the summer of 1804 General Sherman 
was transporting train loads of provisions over 
the Western & Atlantic Railroad to supply his 
troops, and the block house at Buzzard's Roost 
Gap was built with the idea of guarding the rail- 
road at that point. The boys of Company D 
patrolled the railroad two or three miles each 
way twice a day to keep the rebels from pulling 
the spikes and wrecking the trains, thereby cut- 
ting off General Sherman's line of supplies. 

Along in the middle of August Gen. Joe 
Wheeler came dashing up to the block house on 
one of his cavalry raids, but when he took in the 
situation that wily general wheeled about and 
retreated, as his force was not strong enough to 
carry the block house by assault. 

But it was different with General Hood. He 
came with an army of about 40.000 men on the 



morning of October 13, 1SG4, and that gap af- 
forded him his only means of escape from Gen- 
eral Sherman's army, which was pressing him so 
closely he could not get through at Snake Creek 
Gap or Rocky Face Ridge. At Buzzard Roost Gap 
the mountains rose abruptly on either side and 
there, in the center of the one hundred yards 
of open space, stood the little block bouse. 

It was about noon when General Hood's army 
appeared, and then the battle was on. At first 
it was the rebel sharp shooters who were called 
into action, but as there was no sign of weaken- 
in u r by the gallant block house defenders. Captain 
Slocum's New Orleans battery was brought into 
play. Three guns were placed on each hill at 
a distance of from 400 to 600 yards, and an en- 
filading fire begun. In an interview with the 
writer Captain Hymer stated that about 130 or 
140 shots were fired before any impression was 
made on the block house. One solid shot hit the 
southeast corner and tore the heavy timbers into 
splinters. Five balls entered the port holes, and 
with every shot a member of Company D gave 
up his life. Nathan Jones was the first man 
killed, a musket ball striking him in the fore- 
head. Fielden Loe had his head shot off with 
a cannon ball. Joseph Boyd had his left arm 
torn off at the shoulder with a cannon ball. John 
Parrish's left arm was shot off between the el- 
bow and wrist. William Dixson was struck by 
a cannon ball on the leg, which stripped the flesh 
to the bone, and amid the carnage within that 
little block-house, these brave men lingered, while 
their companions continued the combat, and died 
as bravely as they had fought. 

All afternoon the artillery battle waged, and 
solid shot and shell were rained down upon the 
block-house by Captain Slocum's batteries on the 
hills. With the approach of darkness General 
Hood grew impatient, and thinking the block house 
commander might want to surrender he ordered 
a flag of truce sent out. Captain Hymer stated 
that he was too busy to be on the lookout for a 
white flag and. in the darkness, the truce bearer 
was shot down. Then followed a charge that 
was repulsed and the rebel forces received orders 
to take the block house at all hazards. But be- 
fore a final assault was made. J. B. Schneider, a 
drummer boy in the Second Missouri Infantry, 
who was a prisoner in the rebel ranks, volun- 
teered to bear a flag of truce and. behind the 
shelter of the railroad embankment, made his 
way toward the fort. This was about 9 o'clock 



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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



743 



.■it night, and the moon having come out brightly 
the lad was noted and firing ceased. Sergeant 
Robert Stewart and Andrew Jacoby challenged 
the flag-bearer, who stated his errand was to 
secure the surrender of the company in defense 
of the block house. Soon afterwards Captain 
Hymer left the fort to confer with the Confed- 
erate olticers and there, beneath the stars, the 
following terms of surrender were drawn up : 
"In the Field Near 
"Daltou, Ga.. Oct. 13, 1S64. 

"Captain Hymer, commanding fort of T T . S. 
troops near Dalton : I am ordered by Maj. Gen. 
Bates, C. S. A., to demand the immediate and 
unconditional surrender of the fort and garrison. 
Your command, your officers and men will be 
treated as prisoners of war and with the cour- 
tesy due their respective ranks. They will be per- 
mitted to retain their personal property and 
clothing. Tour defense has lteen gallant and any 
further resistance an unnecessary effusion of 
blood. "Respectfully, 

"Theo. Carter. Capt. C. S. A." 

"I accept the terms, believing further resistance 
hopeless. "Samuel Hymer, 

"Capt. Co. D, 115th 111. Vol. Inft, 
"Commander." 

As soon as the terms of surrender were signed 
Captain Hymer's company was marched out of the 
block house, ami some of the old veterans say it 
was a surprise to the rebels to learn that there 
were only forty -one in that little company. That 
night was spent in the field and, on the following 
morning, Pat Zimmerman. Alva Bond and Wil- 
liam Tyson were detailed to bury the dead. The 
five men who had sacrificed their lives in the gal- 
lant defense were wrapped in their blankets and 
buried in a shallow grave near the block house, 
and after the close of the war their bodies were 
removed to the National Cemetery at Chatta- 
nooga, and are buried in Section K. In addition 
to those killed at the block house, William Har- 
low died at Jeffersonville. Ind., January 2, 1865, 
from wounds received in the fight, and John S. 
Smith died in Andersonville prison of weakness 
and debility. 

I'nder date of October IS. 1864, E. W. Dace, 
writing from Tunnel Hill. Ga.. gives the list of 
killed, wounded and captured in the battle as 
follows : 

Killed — Privates. John Parrish, Joseph E. 
Boyd. Fielden Loe. William Dixson. Nathan 
Jones. 



Wounded — Corporals, Andrew Jackson, P. A. 
Zimmerman, George Masterson, James Thomp- 
son, James C. Dupuy, William Harlow. 

Captured — Capt. Samuel Hymer, Lieut. Mich- 
ael P. Jones, Sergeants, Andrew Jacobs, Alva 
Bond and Robert Stewart. Corporals, Andrew 
Jackson, P. A. Zimmerman, James C. Dupuy. 
James Thompson, Overton Parks, Garrett Lane 
and George Masterson. Privates James M. Bry- 
ant, Squire Bechtol, Andrew J. Barker, Joseph 
W. Campbell, George W. Cross. Joseph Collister, 
Samuel Eads. Martin Goree, George Gregory. 
William Ilerron, John D. Jackson, Jesse Jackson, 
Milton P. Julian. Charles Lancaster, John More- 
land. James W. Robertson, Thomas Smedley, 
John Smith. John M. Stevens. Elias Stevens, An- 
drew Terrell, William Tyson and Anson W. Un- 
derbill. 

Three of the wounded soldiers, namely : George 
Masterson, William Harlow and Squire Bechtol, 
were paroled, while the remainder of the officers 
and men of Company D were taken to the army 
prison at Selma, Ala. From there they were 
transferred to Cahaba. about twenty-five miles 
down the river, and then sent to Millen, Ga. Laie 
in November a scouting party, sent out by Gen- 
eral Sherman, drew close to Millen. and the pris- 
oners were transferred to Savannah, and later 
marched across country from Thomasville to 
Andersonville prison, one of the most notorious 
of the rebel prisons. 

On December 26, 1864, the doors of Anderson- 
ville prison closed upon the boys of Company D, 
and they remained there until March 25, 1865. 
They were put on board the cars and transported 
to Yicksburg and from there went up the Mis- 
sissippi River on the steamboat "Henry Ames" 
to St. Louis, where they were paid by the Union 
Quartermaster, and a thirty clay furlough was 
granted. At the expiration of the furlough, the 
company assembled at Springfield, where it was 
mustered out of service June 11. 1S(;.">. 

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH INFANTRY. 

Colonel — Thomas I. Kinney. 

Surgeon — Thomas Munroe. 

Sergeant Majors — Edwin M. Anderson, Henry E. 
Worsham. 

Quartermaster Sergeant — Daniel O. Cross. 

Commissary Sergeants — Charles H. Sweeney, Cyrus 
YV. Graff. 

Principal Musician — Tracy P. Castle. 
Company B. 

Captains — George Parker, Johnston C. Dilworth, 
Charles II. Sweeney. 

First Lieutenants — Johnston C. Dilworth, Charles 
n. Sweeney. George F. Owen. 

Second Lieutenants — Ezekiel M. Bradley. Jason C. 
Duncan, George Warren. 



ru 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



First Sergeant — Jason G. Duncan. 

Sergeants — Abraham K. Long, George Warren, 
George P. Owen, Abraham Vail. 

Corporals — George Rebbman, George W. Brown, 
Levi Jones, McHenry Ruark, George Willard, John C. 
Gregory, James Maynard, Andrew H. McCormac. 

Privates — 
Anderson, Edwin, 
Bridgewater, Levi, 
Black, John L., 
Brownfleld. James H„ 
Bensley, Edwin, 
Baker, Baxter, 
Biggs, James P., 
Castle, Tracy T., 
Cbapman, Elijah, 
Carter, Lawrence C, 
Cox, John S., 
Dunn, James H., 
Daniels, Lewis B., 
Dennis, Francis M., 
Gain, George, 
Gabbert. Alfred P., 
Garrison. Henry V., 
Garvin, Thomas, 
Gillham, Thomas J., 
Gardner, Henry W„ 
Geer, John M., 
Gruibb, Horace, 
Gwin, John, 
Garrison, Daniel, 
Gorsage, Joel J., 
Gorsage, John, 
Gillham, David B., 
Herbert, Cyrus, 
Hollingsworth, Avena't 
Hollingsworth, En'ch B., 
Hatfield, William P., 
Hensley, William H., 
Huff, John, 
Irwin, Eleazer D., 
Johnston, James M., 



Jones, Patrick. 
Kelly, Henry P., 
Knowles, Edwin, 
Leger, William, 
Leek, Wm. (Allen), 
Livingston, Hugh, 
Lane, Alfred G.. 
Lane, Benton Thos.. 
Marquis, James, 
MeNew, Robert, 
Meriwether, George, 
Matheny, James, 
McGraugh, David, 
McCombs, Martin, 
Morgan, Walter R., 
Nell, Frederick, 
Phillips. Benjamin F., 
Price, Henry, 
Pruet, Andrew J., 
Rodgers. William, 
Randell, John R., 
Rose, James, 
Sproul, Charles, 
Smith, Hezekiah, 
Shields. Joshua, 
Sweeney. Charles H., 
Seborn, Jacob, 
Simpson. William, 
Tipton, George W.. 
Tipton. John, 
Tate, John W„ 
Vaughn. Jacob, 
Worsham. Henry E., 
Wisdom. Benton, 
Winchel. Admiral M., 



Company B. 



Miller, James L., 
Norval, Alexander, 
Norten, John, 
Peckenpaugh, Chris C, 
Phelps, William, 
Parker. Henry C„ 
Robertson, Joel, 
Robertson. Daniel, 
Sweeney, John L., 
Webster. Daniel. 
Willard. Patrick H.. 



Recruits — ■ 
Arnold. Charles E. S.. 
Duke, Abraham, 
Edgar. John E., 
Garrett. Andrew M., 
Garrett, Patrick A., 
Gorsuch, Joshua, 
Hollingsworth, John, 
James, John C. 
Montooth. George, 
Montooth, James, 
Miller, Ezra, 
Mace. Aurelius M., 

Company C. 

Captains — Robert L. Greer, Thomas J. Curry. 

First Lieutenants — Thomas J. Curry, Adam J. 
Bower. 

Second Lieutenants — Adam J. Bower, Benjamin 
Goodwin. 

First Sergeant — Benjamin Goodwin. 

Sergeants — George W. Potts. Thomas McNeeley, 
William McNeeley, James R. Cooney. 

Corporals — Thomas Goodwin. Jacob Washabaufjh, 
Perry James, Resolvo M. Lesser. William T. Simpson, 
Alexander Simpson, DeWitt C. Ellis. 

Privates — ■ 
Anderson, Edwin, 
Avery. Joseph C, 
Angle, John, 
Bellchamber, John, 
Berry. David, 
Boileau. Isaac G., 
Burnett. George H., 
Brown. William H.. 
Beaston. Joseph, 
Clarke. Thomas W., 
Collasnre. William, 
Curry. James, 
Cross. Daniel O.. 
Conner. Roger O., 



Lewis. William H., 
Lincoln. Charles, 
Lewis. William. 
Lewis. Jasper, 
McCabe. Wilber, 
Myers. Stephen. 
McGraw. Michael. 
McAmish, Thompson, 
Owen. Jacob H., 
Parks. Thomas, 
rierson. John, 
Price. John C, 
Pitner, Washington C, 
Quinn. Thomas 



Conney. James M„ 
Clarke. William J., 
Coppage, James W„ 
Cams, John B., 
Demoss. Thomas, 
Davis, Richard. 
Daugherty, Harkness, 
Easton, George, 
Ellis, John, 
Easton, John, 
Graff, Cyrus W., 
Garrison. Martin A., 
Gillman, James. 
Harmon, Charles, 
Holliday, William H., 
II organ, Dennis, 
Jenkins. Charles A., 
Jones. Osborne C, 
Kendrick. John, 
Kennedy. Jno. Quincy, 
King. Greenberry, 

Recruits — 
Avery, David, 
Byers, James H., 
Berry, John J., 
Bellomy, James W., 
Brown. Frederick W., 
Chadsey, Asoph N., 
Campbell, John R„ 
Cruise. John. 
Curry. Matthew T.. 
Ennis, James K. P., 
Eades, Henry, 
Ennis, William. 
Grafton. Samuel, 
Hamilton, William, 
Hall, James, 



Reno, Oris McCartney, 
Stockwell, Jeremiah, 
Shields, David, 
Stevenson, James, 
Sloat, Lucian W r ., 
Sloat, Earland M.. 
Sprigg, George, 
Tharpe, James, 
Todhunter, Washington, 
Tweedle, William B., 
Underwood, Benj. F., 
Vincent, Merrick, 
Waugh. Hiram. 
Ward. Lewis E., 
Woods, John, 
Young, James A., 
Young. William S., 
Yoe. George C, 
Young, William A., 
Young, Charles E. 



Irwin, Harvey, 
Jones, George, 
Jones, James W., 
Lewis. Jonathan. 
McCreery, John P., 
McNeeley. Alexander, 
Potts, Lewis H., 
Price. Henry, 
Race, William, 
Smith. Matthew H., 
Stoneking. Thomas, 
Thornton. George M. D., 
Winnans. William M., 
Williams, Elijah, 
Young, James A. 



Company E. 
Francis M. Bates, recruit. 

Company F. 

Captain — Josiah Slack. 

First Lieutenants — Oliver P. Brumback, Lewis Cray- 
craft. Charles Ward, James M. Asbury. 

Second Lieutenants — Lewis Craycraft, Elisha G. 
West. 

First Sergeant — Preston E. Veatch. 

Sergeants — Charles R. Ward. James M. Asbury, 
Frank B. Clarkson, James M. Baird. 

Corporals — Obed Ramsey. Green B. Brown, Robert 
Golden. John Wilson, John Augler, Jefferson Hicks, 
Madison Koontz. 

Wagoner — Robert McKoy. 

Privates — 
Ashcraft. Eli, 
Brooks, Christopher C, 
Blackburn. Arthur, 
Blackley, William. 
Brown, Alfred, 
Beard. John S., 
Black. William, 
Bowling. Silas A., 
Biggs. Christopher C, 
Chapman. Thomas, 
Cady. William H., 
Cady, Orin. 
Clark, Henry, 
Cornagie. George M., 
Clayton, Henry, 
Craxton. Sampson, 
Caldwell, William, 
Ewing, William, 
Fowler. Mordica, 
Finch. Marshall B.. 
Oillingwater, Irving, 
Griggs. Jacob M.. 
Gillespie. Robert, 
Green, James R., 
Green. James H., 
Haley. James B., 
Hawkins. James, 
Hill. Amaziah. 
Hedrick. James M.. 
Irvin. William T.. 



McHatten, William, 
Melvin. Samuel, 
McCurdy, Arthur, 
McIIaley. John. 
McCready, William A., 
McCready. John F., 
Owens. Benjamin F., 
Plunkett. Jesse. 
Poe. Virgil D., 
Race. Sandy, 
Race. Robert. 
Rosson, John J.. 
Ridenger, George, 
Ridenger. Wilson, 
Starr. Isaac H., 
Stacker. Abraham, 
Smith. Peter. 
Sims. Jasper. 
Thurman. Meredith. 
Thovnhill. Bryant, 
Truett. John. 
Vanormer. Jackson, 
West. Elisha G., 
Watts, William H.. 
Wilson. Achilles. 
Wilson, Lycurgus. 
Wilson, Ptolemicus, 
Wilson. TTlvsses. 
Wilson. Willis. 
Wilson. Newton, 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY 



745 



Whitniore, John, 
Wbitmore, Jonas, 
Williams, Henry, 
Wood. William, 



Murphy, Patrick. 
Snediker. George. 
Shaver, James L„ 
Wilson, James, 
Whitmore, Loren, 
Yates, Rufus. 



Kepler, Francis M., 
Lewton, William. 
Lahman. Peter. 
Lawson, William G.. 
Loury, James, 
Recruits — 

Ashcratt. Harvey, 
Buckley, Jeremiah, 
Craycraft, Charles, 
Gray. James B., 
Gillespie. John B.. 
Hills. Reuben M., 
Irvin. Jerome B., 

Company G. 

Arlington. Frank J., recruit. 

Company I. 
Corporal — Shuble Huff. 
Privates — 
Bildenback, Willis, Granger, Wm. J„ 

Harrison, Thos.. Riley, Abraham, 

Company K. 
Corporals — James M. Baxter, Wm. T. Bonannon. 
Privates — 
Windle. Francis, Noel. Clement, 

Noble. William H.. Roberts, John, 

The One Hundred and Nineteenth Infantry 
was organized at Quincy in September, 1862. and 
was mustered into the United States service 
October 10th by Lieut. K. Knox of the United 
States army. Schuyler County furnished three 
full companies for this regiment, and Thomas J. 
Kinney of Rushville was elected Colonel when 
the regiment was organized. Colonel Kinney was 
Circuit Clerk of Schuyler County when the war 
broke out. and it was through his efforts that 
Company B was organized. 

Capt R. L. Greer recruited Company C and 
when be resigned from the service he was suc- 
ceeded by Capt. Thomas J. Curry, also of Rush- 
ville. Capt. Joshua Slack recruited Company F 
in Camden Township. When Company C met in 
Rushville on August 9. 1862, for final organiza- 
tion, a handsome silk flag was presented by a 
number of Rushville ladies and it was carried 
by the company color bearer throughout the war. 
After the war the old comrades lost track of 
their flag, and it was just recently returned to 
them from Pasadena, Cal„ where it was kept by 
Jacob Washabaugh until his death. The flag is 
now in the custody of Capt. R. L. Greer, a treas- 
ured memento of the great conflict. 

In October. 1862. the One Hundred and Nine- 
teenth Infantry was ordered to Columbus, Ky„ 
and thence to Jackson, Miss., where they did 
guard duty along the line of the Mobile & Ohio 
Railroad, and where they came into a clash with 
that dashing rebel cavalry olfieer. Gen, Forrest. 
On May 30, 1863, the regiment was ordered to 
Memphis. Tenn.. and assigned to the Fourth 
Brigade, and its connection with the same brigade 
was continued until the close of the war. 



On August 14, 1863, Capt. George Parker, of 
Company B, died from the amputatiou of a broken 
leg. Captain Parker enlisted from Browning 
Township, and was a brave and accomplished 
oflicer. 

On January 27, 1S64. the regiment moved down 
the Mississippi to Vicksburg. From there they 
marched under General Sherman to Meridian, 
Miss., and engaged in several skirmishes and, be^ 
ing far removed from their base of supplies, for- 
aged on the country. 

On March 4. 1864, began the Red River cam- 
paign, during which the One Hundred and Nine- 
teenth was engaged in the battle of Shreveport, 
where the brigade in the second day's fight cap- 
tured one of the lost batteries and several pris- 
oners. Again at Yellow Bayou, the regiment did 
valiant service, losing a number of men, and the 
command of the brigade was turned over to Col- 
onel Kinney. Moving up the Mississippi they 
next engaged the enemy at Lake Chicot, Ark., 
and returned to Memphis. June 24. From there 
they again went to Mississippi, where General 
Forrest was engaged July 14(h at Tupelo, where, 
after several charges and retreats, a victory was 
won. 

Ordered north again, the regiment made a 
march of 700 miles from St. Louis and on their 
return were sent to Tennessee where they en- 
gaged Hood's forces in a two days' fight' near 
Nashville, where a battery of brass guns was 
captured. 

March 27, 1S65, Spanish Fort was invested 
and. on April nth, the regiment was in the charge 
that captured Fort Blakely, near Mobile, Ala., 
on the day of General Lee's surrender, and when' 
the war was practically ended. The last service 
of the regiment was at Mobile where Colonel Kin- 
ney was assigned to duty as Provost Marshal of 
the department and district of Mobile. Here the 
regiment was mustered out of service, August 
26. 1865, and Colonel Kinney retired from serv- 
ice with the rank of Brevet Brigadier General. 

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 

Company D. 

Corporals — William Orwig. 

Privates — 
Conner. Thomas, 
Johnson, John, 
Warntz, Jacob. 

Recruits — 
Bloomshine. Nicholas, 



Causey, James, 
Raper. Jacob. 



McCulIough, nugh, 
Duncan, Joseph, 



Baker, Abraham. 



Company K. 



746 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. 
. Company H. 

Rice, William B. 
ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-NINTH INFANTRY. 

Company F. 
Reynolds, Andrew J. 
ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIRST INFANTRY. 
Company A. 
First Lieutenant — Thomas N. Stephens. 
First Sergeant — Samuel B. McAfee. 
ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. 
Captain — Robert A. Williams. 
First Lieutenant — Luke W. Clark. 
Second Lieutenant — William H. Rice. 
First Sergeant — Albert B. Clarke. 
Sergeants — Rice D. Suddoth, Ahira G. Meacham. 
William T. Yoe. George C. Ray. 

Corporals — Finlev Chandler, John Price, Charles 
Perkins. Nathan Montgomery, Joseph Manlove, John 
Tharp, George II. Sargent, Robert M. Rose. 



McColly, Andrew, 
Noble. William, 
O'Neal. Daniel, 
Parrott, Josiah S., 
Roberts, John, 
Ritchey. John A., 
Ritchey, John Q., 
Riley, Thomas, 
Ripetoe. Harrison, 
Spoonemore, John H., 
Stewart. Thaddeus S., 
Smith. Albert, 
Sayers, Francis M-, 
Sbippey. John A. B.. 
Sours, Samuel, 
Schroder. William. 
Swan, Amos, 
Tolle. Leman A., 
Teeples, George W., 
Taylor. John. 
Vanorder, James, 
Vandever. Edward. 
Whitson, William H., 
Withrow. Philip B., 
Wright. George T., 
Ware. Perry, 
Wingo. Richard, 
Woods, Marian B. 



Privates — 
Black, Richard, 
Beghtol, William. 
Bertholf, John A., 
Berry. William F., 
Beaty, Bartley, 
Bailey, Josiah F., 
Boice, Wesley, 
Bridgewaters, Jos. N., 
Bly, Thomas, 
Corbridge, Wm. H., 
Dunn, Jasper, 
Dunn. Daniel, 
Demoss, James W-, 
Dewitt, Theodore, 
English. John C. 
Ellis, Samuel E., 
Fry, Joel, 
Howe, Wesley W., 
Hand. Joseph, 
Hill. John, 
Harrington. Geo. P., 
Ingraham, Oliver W.. 
Ingram. Ira, 
Jones. John T., 
Jewell, Thomas T., 
Landis, Benjamin, 
Mercer. Alfred S., 
Mil. bell. Francis M., 

Recruit — Buruham, Robert. 

Company K, One Hundred ami Thirty-seventh 
Infantry, was recruited at Rushville by Capt. 
Robert A. Williams. The regiment was organ- 
ized at Camp Wood, Quincy, 111., by Col. John 
Wood, and was mustered in June 5. 1S64, for 
one hundred days. The regiment went from 
Quincy to Memphis. Tenn., and was later sta- 
tioned on the Hernando road, where it did picket 
duty. The regiment was mustered out of serv- 
ice at Springfield, 111., September 4, 1864. 

ONE HUNDRED FORTY-NINTH INFANTRY. 
Company G. 
Byers. John R.. Johnson, Finley G. 

Trader, James, 

ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIRST INFANTRY. 
Company I. 
Blair, Jerry. 

Company K. 
Captain — John Sutton. 
First Sergeant — Samuel Everhart. 
Sergeant — John O. Woods. 

Corporals — James J. Mason, Wm. B. Jones, James 
E. Mathews. 



Privates — 
Bonner, James, 
Emerson, Harlow, 
Ingraham, Ira, 
King. Edward. 
O'Neal, Daniel, 
Roberts, Chas., 



Swain, Amos, 
Spear, Bolin, 
Sites, Henry, 
Winters, James B., 
Woods, Marion B. 



SECOND CAVALRY. 



Company II. 
-Josephus B. Venard. 

-Wm. Birdwell, 



Alexander M. 



Captain- 
Second Lieutenants- 

Prather. 

Sergeants — Jesse O. Beale, Shobal Chitman, Clinton 

L. Bissel. 

Farrier — Samuel Reynolds. 

Privates — 
Angel, James M., 
Atkinson. Joseph, 
Berry, Moses, 
Bowlin, John, 
Barker, James, 
Chitwood, James A 
Chitwood, John J., 
Goree, William, 
Green, William, 
Gregg. Wm., 
Hill, John, 
Lowry, Ross, 

Recruits — • 
Barnaby. Joseph, 
Frakes, Henry H., 
Frakes, Jacob, 
Frakes. John E., 
Grass, Daniel, 

THIRD CAVALRY. 
Company H. 

First Lieutenant — George H. Horton. 

Sergeant — John H. Reed. 

Privates — 
Bradley, John W„ 
Beretler, John, 
Bradley, Thomas H., 
Bixby, Henry C, 
Bollman. William C. 
Edwards, William B., 
Geer, Sidney A., 

Recruits — 
Chapman, William, 
Chapman, John. 
Edwards. Charles N., 



Lamaster, John, 
Montgomery, James, 
Metts, John H„ 
Muck. Francis M., 
Quintin, John, 
tjuinn, Wm. P., 
Roberts, Wm., 
Randall. Peter, 
Sparks. Wm. R., 
Tyson. Alfred D., 
Vail, Robert. 



Dill, Edmund B.. 
Moriarity, Gilbert, 
Owens, Peter, 
Acres. Lock P. 



Gossage, Andrew J., 
Kingrey, Wm. H., 
Onion, Wm. T„ 
Williams, Walter, 
Rucker, Eli, 
Shaw, Liberty. 



Justus, John A., 
Phillips. Asabel M., 
Talbott, Isaiah. 



Company B. 
Horton. John, Seward, Stephen H. 

Seward. David A., 

SEVENTH CAVALRY. 

Company E. 
Cook. Isaac-. Miller. Henry, 

Lamb. William, Nicholas. Luzerne, 

Lamb, Charles, Risley, Samuel, 

Lake, Thomas, Vanderwort, Freegift. 

Company F. 
Mitchell. Charles W. 



Carnahan, David. 



Company K. 



TENTH CAVALRY. 
Company I. 
Frakes, Robert. 

Company K. 
Corbridge, W. H. H., Scanland, Sidney B., 

Herbert, Francis M., Williams, Wilson. 

Company M. 
Curry, John W. 

ELEVENTH CAVALRY. 
Company I. 
Latier, Samuel W. 

Company G. 
Gregory, Geo. W., 

Gregory, Milton H., Kelly, James, 

Kinsey. John R., Burrell, Isaac, 

Hedenricb, Ferdinand, Hunter. John S., 

Jolly, Wesley, Brown, Thos. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



747 



FIFTEENTH CAVALRY. 
Company B. 
Sergeant — David Laughlin. 
Corporal — Fluce D. Francis. 
Privates — 
Branuni, James G, Patterson, Francis M„ 

Lemley, John, Patterson, Thos. N., 

Madden, Wm. M., 

SEVENTEENTH CAVALRY. 
Company D. 
Corporals — James M. Bell, Martin Richardson, 
Henry C. Rue, Edwin C. Mercer. 



Privates — 
Bouser, William B., 
Ballen, Abijah, 
Greenwood, W. B., 
Hamilton, J. W., 
Jump, Abraham, 
Colter, Hugh, 
Compton, Lewis, 
Carman, James, 
Kuch, Charles, 



Keeler, Martin, 
Lamaster, Wm. H., 
McKee, Wm., 
Morris, Napoleon B., 
Martin, George, 
Richardson, William, 
Thurman, John, 
Moran, Wm., 
Stumpf, Leonard, 



FIRST ARTILLERY. 
Battery F. 
First Lieutenant — Jefferson F. Whaley. 
Second Lieutenant — Robert Ritchey. 
Privates — 



Doctor, Valentine. 
Fuller. Frederick, 
Parker, S. E., 
Young, Albert. 

Sweet, Amos, 
Winters, John, 
Pierce, Franklin O., 



Berringer, O., 
Berringer, Lloyd, 
Christance, G. W., 
Christance, Cornelius, 

Recruits — 
Aird. Frank, 
Christianson. Wm. H., 
Faircbilds, Samuel C, 
Mead, Charles A.. 

TENTH MISSOURI INFANTRY. 
Lieutenant Colonel — Leonidas Horney. 
Major — Joseph Walker. 

Company A. 
Captain — Leonidas Horney, 
First Lieutenant — Joseph Walker. 
Corporals — James Middleton, John McNeill 
George W. Bell. 

Drummer — Wm. Line. 
Fifer — Moses C. Tolle. 



Privates — 
Applegate, B. T., 
Ainsworth, Albert S., 
Busby, Zebulon, 
Colt, A. R., 
Cracraft, Charles, 
DeWitt, Edmund, 
Daily, Michael, 
Harbison, John S., 
Logan, Benj. R., 
MeCabe, Miles, 
Odell, Alfred. 
Abbott. Moses R., 
Bowden, Wm., 
Briggs, Wm. H., 
Cross, James H.. 
DeWitt, James A., 
Davis, A. J., 
Ellicott, Wm. H., 
Legg, James M., 
Long, Jacob ('.. 
Nichols. G. W.. 
Odell. D. Clinton. 
Pitman, Sandford, 
Sprague, Samuel, 
Sellers, Andrew. 
Sellers. Lafayette, 
Snyder, William. 
Snyder, Wm. F., 
Thompkins, Geo. W.. 
Toland. Howard, 
Wyckoff. James A.. 
Adkinson, Daniel, 
Ashcraft, J. F., 



Snyder, David H., 
Thrush. George, 
Thompson, Sam'l S., 
Vosburg, Cornelius, 
Wilson. Elijah, Jr., 
Johnson, Samuel, 
Line, Edmund, 
Lucas, Wm. R., 
McGrath, Lloyd, 
Middleton. D. F., 
Middleton, John M.. 
Moriarty, G. L., 
Moore, Henry, 
Mclntire, Wm., 
Melton, Samuel, 
Parson, Jacob, 
Peyton, A. D., 
Reed, Samson W., 
Roach, John W., 
Roberts, Thomas, 
Swim, John, 
Cooper, Joseph A., 
Dunlavey. Jas. G., 
Dennis. William, 
Holmes, Cyrus, 
Severns, L. J., 
Sanford, Volney, 
Thrush. Robert A., 
Williams. William, 
Wimple. Minard, 
Tare, David J., 
Reed, John S.. 
Rice. Thomas A., 
Roach, Levi W„ 



and 



Ashcraft, Richard, 
Ashcraft, Samuel, 
Burnett, Enos, 
Bird, John, 
Belchambers, Frank, 
Bly, Wm. F., 
Bingham, Joseph R., 
Jacobs, Peter S., 
Pennington, James, 
Sellers, Leroy, 
Stodgel, Francis M., 



Sheesley, Daniel. 
Raper, Henry F., 
Bell, James M., 
Castor, Lewis, 
Dusher. Wm., 
Gould. John C, 
Herbert, James W., 
Sheppard. Robert, 
Thrush. Wm. F., 
Tolle, Chas. W., 
Wilson, Parker, 



Company A, Tenth Missouri Infantry, was re- 
cruited in Schuyler County by Leonidas Horney. 
who had been a soldier in the Mexican War and 
had been promoted from the ranks to a captaincy. 
The most of the volunteers in this company were 
from Littleton Township, but others were taken 
in to make a full company. At the time the com- 
pany was organized. Captain Homey offered the 
services of his volunteers to Governor Yates, but 
the Illinois quota at that time was full, and as 
the men were eager for military service they 
went St. Louis, where they were mustered into 
sen-ice at Jefferson Barracks August 9, 1861, as 
Co. A, Tenth Missouri Infantry. This regiment 
was made up largely from Illinois volunteers who 
were unable to obtain admission to service in 
their own State. 

From Jefferson Barracks the regiment went 
into service along the Gasconade River, and spent 
their first winter at Herman, Mo. From there 
they made an attack on General Cobb's troops at 
High Hill, Mo., and drove the Confederates to 
Boonesboro. Following this engagement Captain 
Horney was commissioned Major. 

From Herman, Mo., the regiment was sent back 
to Jefferson Barracks and from there to Cape 
Girardeau, Mo., thence to Pittsburg Landing on 
the Tennessee River, where the regiment was tn 
a hot skirmish May 29, 1S62. They also took 
part in the battle at Iuka. Miss.. September 
13-20, 1862. and in the battle of Corinth, October 
4, 1S62, the regiment lost in killed and wounded 
HI men. Major Horney was wounded in the 
right leg in this engagement, but he remained 
with his troops throughout the fight. For his 
conspicuous bravery on the field of battle he was 
promoted to Lieutenant Colonel October 25, 1862. 

The winter of 1862-63 was spent near German- 
town above Memphis, and from there the regi- 
ment marched to Vicksburg. On May 8, 1863, 
Colonel Horney received a congratulatory letter 
from General Grant for capturing 1,000 prison- 
ers and five guns while marching to Vicksburg. 
On Thursday May 14, 1863. the regiment led a 
charge at Jackson, Miss., and their loss was 85 
killed and wounded. 



748 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Id the siege of Vicksburg the Tenth Missouri 
was in the engagement at Champion Hills and 
was held in reserve until 3 o'clock on the after- 
noon of May 16, 1863. Orders were then given for 
the regiment to charge, and Colonel Homey at 
the head of his troops drove the enemy back and 
won the victory for the Union forces. After the 
main body had been repulsed the regiment was 
ordered to clear the field of minor detachments 
that had not abandoned their position. Colonel 
Horney rode in advance of his regiment and 
noted a squad of six or eight soldiers in blue uni- 
form whom he took to be Union soldiers. They 
were, however, rebels in disguise, and as he rode 
up they fired. One bullet pierced his side and 
another his head and he fell from his horse into 
the arms of his devoted men, who at the first 
sign of treachery had rushed to their command- 
er's aid. Colonel Horney was one of the able 
commanders in the Vicksburg campaign and his 
death cut short a brilliant military career, for 
he had the confidence of his superior officers who 
had noted his fearless bravery in action and the 
masterly manner in which he handled his men. 
He was buried on the field of battle, and nearly 
two years elapsed before his remains were 
brought home. On February 15, 1S65, they were 
interred with military honors in the old family 
burying ground at Thompson Cemetery, Little- 
ton Township. 

After the siege of Vicksburg the regiment was 
sent to Helena, Ark., on September 12, 1863, and 
from there marched to Chattanooga, arriving 
there November 20th. On November 25th the 
regiment went into action at Missionary Ridge, 
where a loss of 69 men was sustained. Major 
Walker was wounded in the shoulder in this en- 
gagement. Captain Russell killed and four Lieu- 
tenants wounded, but Company A went through 
the battle without losing a man killed and only 
two slightly wounded. 

Following this engagement the regiment did 
guard duty at Brownsboro, Ala., and was mus- 
tered out at St. Louis August 24, 1864. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



Sl'ANISH-AMERICAN WAR. 



AMERICAN SYMPATHY FOR THE VICTIMS OF SPAN- 
ISH OPPRESSION IN CUBA DESTRUCTION OF THE 



AMERICAN BATTLESHIP MAINE IN HAVANA HAR- 
BOR RESULTS IN DECLARATION OF WAR ORGAN- 
IZATION OF A COMPANY' OF VOLUNTEERS IN 
SCHUYLER COUNTY — IT BECOMES A PART OF COL. 
J. O. ANDERSON'S PROVISIONAL REGIMENT, BUT 

FAILS TO SEE ACTIVE SERVICE LIST OF OFFICERS 

A SCHUY'LER COUNTY - GRADUATE OF WEST POINT 

WHO SAW SERVICE IN CUBA, CHINA AND THE 
PHILIPPINES — CAREER OF LIELTT. HAROLD HAM- 
MOND OTHER CITIZENS OF SCHUYLER COUNTY 

WHO RENDERED ACTIVE SERVICE IN CUBA, PORTO 
RICO AND THE PHILIPPINES. 

Sympathy for the native inhabitants of the 
West India Islands first drew general attention 
of the citizens of the United States to conditions 
in Cuba, which became more revolting under the 
tyrannical rule of General Weyler. and finally it 
brought about an open clash at arms. 

But even though great interest was taken in 
the cause of the revolution pressed forward by 
native Cubans, there would have been no armed 
intervention on the part of the United States. 
had not the battleship Maine met with destruc- 
tion while in Havana harbor, where it had been 
ordered on a friendly visit. 

At tl:40 o'clock on the evening of February 15, 
1898, ilii> magnificent ship was sunk by a sub- 
marine explosion in Havana harbor, and 264 
brave American seamen were killed by the ex- 
plosion or carried down with their ship. The 
wave of horror and indignation that swept over 
the country was instantly echoed in the halls of 
Congress, and on April 226 following, Congress 
passed an act officially recognizing Cuban inde- 
pendence, demanding Spain's withdrawal from 
the waters of the Gulf, and authorizing the Pres- 
ident to call into service 125,000 volunteers to 
carry the resolution into effect. 

There was instant response to the call for 
troops, and during the early period of the war 
a company of volunteers was organized in Rush- 
ville and formed part of Col. J. O. Anderson's 
Provisional Regiment. They were officially 
known as Company K. and the total strength was 
one hundred and twenty-two men. The election 
of officers was held April 29. 1S98. and the roster 
was filed with the Adjutant-General at Spring- 
field on April "0. This company was not called 
into service by the State of Illinois, but on 
August 5 following, they were tendered a place 
in a South Carolina regiment then being organ- 
ized at Spartanburg, that State, but did not ac- 
cept, transportation being refused them. The 




MR. AND MRS. JACOB LOGSDON 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



749 



officers of Company K, Col. J. O. Anderson's 
Provisional Regiment, were as follows: 

Captain — Warren R. Leach. 

First Lieutenant — Guy Grubb. 

Second Lieutenant — Sheridan Slack. 

Quartermaster Sergeant — Harry B. Craske. 

First Sergeant. John C. Work : Second Sergeant, 
Ray R. Lawler ; Third Sergeant, Vail Jackson ; Fourth 
Sergeant, Oscar E. France. 

Corporals — William H. Dieterich, James N. Denny, 
Joseph Johnston. Walter Shannon, George Moench. Jr., 
Carl Z. Work, Lewis L. O'Connor. Clarence Snyder, 
Charles H. Branstool. Fred W. Vanorder. Harlen Ash- 
ley, Samuel Wbeelhouse. 

First Musician. George W. Dewitt : Second Musician, 
George B. Griffith. 

Wagoner — W. D. Cooney. 

Artificer — Isaac N. Skiles. 

There was also a company organized at Fred- 
erick, comprising citizens of that place and 
Beardstown, which was a part of Anderson's 
Provisional Regiment, and the company roster 
was also placed on file at Springfield. The elec- 
tive officers of this company were : 

J. W. Knight, Captain. 

Henry Noldeu, First Lieutenant. 

John W. Fagan, Second Lieutenant. 

When the war between the United States and 
Spain was pending, and the administration at 
Washington was talking peace while preparing 
for war, there was one Schuyler resident who 
was looking forward eagerly to an armed clash 
of the nations. Harold Hammond was at that 
time a student in the United States Military 
Academy at West Point, and, in the course of 
events, he was destined to serve his country on 
the firing line in three foreign countries. 

His class was graduated in April, 189S, and he 
went into service at once with the rank of Sec- 
ond Lieutenant, and was assigned to the Ninth 
United States Infantry. He was sent to Cuba 
with General Shaffer's army and was stationed 
at Santiago. In June of that year he was sent 
home on a furlough, having contracted fever in 
Cuba, and remained in Rushville until October 
when he joined his regiment at Madison Bar- 
racks, N. Y., and was soon after promoted to 
Lieutenant. In April, 1890, Lieutenant Hammond 
went to the Philippines, where he participated 
in many engagements and was recommended by 
General Lawton for promotion for "bravery and 
good judgment in handling his company" at the 
Zapote River fight. Island of Luzon, in June, 1901. 

In June. 1900, Lieutenant Hammond went with 
relief army to China in command of a company 
in the Ninth United States Infantry, and was in 
all the fighting on the march to Pekin. At the 
battle of Tien-Tsin the Ninth Infantry bore the 



brunt of the battle and the loss of officers was 
unusually heavy. Colonel Liscomb being one of 
the killed. 

After the "Boxer" uprising had been quelled 
by the allied forces, Lieut. Hammond returned 
to the Island of Samar, and was in active service 
until June, 1902, being then promoted to Captain 
and transferred to the Twenty-third United 
States Infantry. 

Capt. Orson Pettijohn, of Huntsville Township, 
was commissioned Commissary Captain in the 
early days of the Spanish-American War, and was 
assigned to duty in the Third Brigade, Second 
Division, Second Army Corps. He served at 
Camp Alger, Washington, D. C, Camp Mead, 
Ilarrisburg, Pa., and Camp Fornance, Columbia, 
S. C. 

Lieut. W. W. Colt enlisted in the United States 
Volunteer Signal Corps, at Washington, D. C, 
and was sent to Cuba, landing at Havana, De- 
cember 3, 1898. He was assigned to duty in 
Pillar del Rio Province, and remained there until 
the following June. On his return to the United 
States he was granted a furlough, having sus- 
tained a broken collar-bone in camp at the Flor- 
ida Keys, and was ordered to report at San Fran- 
cisco, October 31, 1S99, for service in the Philip- 
pines. 

Lieutenant Colt was in service in the Philip- 
pines almost two years, being stationed success- 
ively at Luzon, Samar and all the southern is- 
lands of the Philippine group. He was in com- 
mand of a company of signal corps men that 
accompanied General Lawton in his last fight, 
and news of this valiant soldier's fatal injury 
was first telephoned to General MeArthur's head- 
quarters at Manila by Lieutenant Colt. Among 
the treasured mementoes of the war Lieutenant 
Colt has seven commissions signed by President 
MeKinley. He entered the service as Second 
Lieutenant and was later promoted and, rnas- 
much as Congress was not in session at the time 
he was commissioned, duplicate commissions were 
issued for each appointment or promotion, in all 
numbering seven. 

John C. Work enlisted as a private in the 
United States Volunteer Signal Corps in Chicago, 
June 28, 1898. and was assigned to the Seventh 
Company. He was later transferred to the 
Fourth Company United States Volunteer Signal 
Corps, and was promoted to First Sergeant. He 
went with his company to San Juan, Porto Rico, 
and was mustered out of service March 31, 1899. 



750 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Martin Moore enlisted as a musician in Com- 
pany F. Eighth United States Volunteers, April 
14, 1899, and was assigned to duty in Cuba. On 
May 27, 1900. he was transferred to the ranks 
for a two years' enlistment and was ordered to 
China. By the time his regiment arrived the 
allied forces had captured Pekin and the Eighth 
Infantry was sent to the Philippines. Here they 
made their headquarters in Laguna Province 
and made expeditions from there to Cavite and 
Bagtansas. His company was in fourteen skir- 
mishes during his term of enlistment and he re- 
received his discharge June 28, 1002. 

George DeWitt, of Littleton, enlisted in the 
Forty-second United States Volunteers, as musi- 
cian, and saw service in the Philippines. 

John Moore, of Littleton, was a member of the 
Fourteenth United States Volunteers, and was 
stationed in China and the Philippines during his 
term of service. , 

Fred A. Knock served in Company C, Sixth 
Illinois Infantry. 

Arthur B. Wright was a member of Company 
M. Fifth Illinois Infantry. 

Walter and Richard Rittenhouse enlisted in a 
Colorado regiment, and served in the Philippines. 

John W. Fagan, of Frederick, was Quarter- 
master Sergeant of Company D. Forty-fourth 
Regiment, United States Volunteers, and served 
in the Philippine Islands. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



THE MORMONS IN ILLINOIS. 



COMING OF THE MORMONS TO ILLINOIS IN 1S39 

THEY LOCATE AT COMMERCE AND CHANGE THE 

NAME TO NATTVOO SKETCH OF JOE SMITH AND 

THE FOUNDING OF THE SECT — EXPULSION FROM 
MISSOURI PRECEDES THEIR COMING TO ILLINOIS — 
THEIR ENTRANCE INTO AND INFLUENCE IN STATE 

POLITICS EXTRAORDINARY POWERS GRANTED IN 

NAUVOO CITY CHARTER SERVE AS PROTECTION TO 
CRIMINALS — CLASH WITH "THE GENTILES" — ■ 
SUMMONING OF TROOPS FROM SCHUYLER AND 
MC DONOUGH COUNTIES GOV. FORD'S ACCOUNT 



OF THE SITLTATION — ARREST OF THE SMITHS AND 
THEIR ASSASSINATION IN HANCOCK COUNTY JAIL 

— PANIC IN WESTERN ILLINOIS DEPUTY U. S. 

MARSHAL BENSON'S STATEMENT — GOV. FORD'S 
EXPERIENCE AS VIOLATOR OF A RUSHVILLE VIL- 
LAGE ORDINANCE MORMONS EXPELLED FROM IL- 
LINOIS IN 1846, FOUND A NEW COMMUNITY AT 
SALT LAKE. 

By reason of close proximity to Hancock County, 
the early settlers of Schuyler County were in- 
tensely interested in the Mormon settlement at 
Xauvoo. and this continued up to the time that 
religious sect was driven from the State. A re- 
view of the Mormon occupation of Illinois may. 
therefore, bring out some interesting bits of local 
history. 

Even before Joseph Smith had decided upon 
Nauvoo as the home for his religious colony the 
town was well known to Schuyler people by the 
name of Commerce, and Dr. Isaac Galland, the 
town-site promoter, who was instrumental in lo- 
cating the Mormons there, had gained more than 
local notoriety by an indictment and trial for 
perjury before a Schuyler County court. 

It was in 1839 that the Mormons first located 
in Illinois, but to give the proper historical con- 
nection of this marvelously organized religious 
body, that has since founded and built one of the 
most populous cities of the west, and largely con- 
trols the affairs and destiny of the State of Utah, 
we go back to the first period of the church his- 
tory, and briefly chronicle the history of the sect 

prior to the time Nauvoo was selected as the 

« 

home of the "Latter Day Saints." 

Joseph Smith, the founder and pretended 
prophet of the Mormon church, was born at 
Sharon, Windsor County, Vt.. December 23, 1805. 
Early in life he gained local renown as a "water 
wizard." professing to locate never failing sources 
of water through the medium of the "water 
witch," which he constructed from a forked twig 
of green timber. 

In his youth he was noted for his vagrant hab- 
its and illusory schemes and. at Palmyra, N. Y., 
to which place his father had removed in 1815, 
he made the acquaintance of Sidney Rigdon, a 
young man of ability and natural talent who had 
conceived the idea of starting a new religion. 
A religious romance, written by a Presbyterian 
clergyman of Ohio, formed the basis for their 
new creed, and they then devised the story that 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



751 



Smith had discovered golden plates buried in the 
ground near Palmyra, and that their religious 
romance was a translation of these mystically 
engraved plates. 

Soon after this, the family removed to Kirt- 
land, Ohio, where Joseph Smith began to teach 
and preach the new religion. He soon aroused the 
antagonism of other denominations, and both 
Joseph and his brother Hiram, who aided him in 
the work, were tarred and feathered and driven 
out of town. 

We next hear of the Mormons in Missouri, 
where they settled in Davis and Calhoun Coun- 
ties. Here they built the town of Far West, but 
it was not long until they had incurred the en- 
mity of their neighbors, and they were once more 
the center of a vigorous strife, which became so 
embittered that a resort to physical force was the 
only alternative by which the quarrel could be 
adjusted. 

The Mormons, now numbering several thou- 
sand, armed themselves for the fray and patroled 
their villages and sent out marauding parties to 
invade surrounding communities. So notorious did 
they become that Governor Boggs summoned the 
State militia, laid siege to the town of Far West 
and took the leaders prisoners, and, had it not 
been for the interference of General Doniphan, 
the officer in command, the volunteers would 
have executed them on the spot. As it was. they 
were taken before a judicial tribunal and in- 
dicted, charges being lodged against them for 
murder, treason, robbery and other crimes. Jo- 
seph and Hiram Smith, with other leaders of 
the church, were committeed to jail, but before 
their trial was called they made their escape and 
fled the State. 

Hence it was. that the entrance of the Mor- 
mons was brought about by what they termed 
their persecution in Missouri, and they were re- 
ceived with a spirit of tolerance that was char- 
acteristic of the early Illinois settlers. But later 
events proved the folly of "Separatism" in a 
Republic, and showed how utterly impossible is 
the peaceful existence of a community governed 
by religious and moral laws differing from their 
neighbors. 

It was in 1S39 that the Mormons first located 
in Commerce and changed the name of the town 
to Nauvoo. which signifies beautiful location, and 
here they built a great city for those pioneer 
times, the population in 1842 amounting to 30,000. 

General attention was first attracted to the 



Mormons in Illinois by the efforts of the poli- 
ticians to get their votes, and this in time stirred 
up animosity, not alone in Hancock County, but 
in neighboring counties as well ; and it was, in 
fact, one of the causes of the uprising which 
brought about the death of Joseph and Hiram 
Smith and led to the western migration of their 
religious followers in 1S46. 

The eagerness of the politicians to favor the 
Mormons is shown in the charter granted to the 
city of Nauvoo. It gave extraordinary powers to 
the city authorities, even to the point of permit- 
ting them to annul statutory enactments, when 
not in conflict with the State Constitution, and 
this charter was granted without any sign of op- 
position by either Democrats or Whigs. 

The Mormons were sharp enough to take ad- 
vantage of the political situation, and as they 
voted practically as a unit, they easily controlled 
the political policy of Hancock County and the 
Congressional District as well. In 1843, when 
Cyrus Walker of Macomb was the Whig candi- 
date for Congress, he had the assurance of the 
Mormon vote, but just before the election Hiram 
Smith had a "revelation" that the Mormons 
should support Joseph P. Hoge, of Galena, the 
Democratic candidate, and he received the full 
church vote and was elected. The Whigs, finding 
themselves outgeneraled, commenced a tirade of 
denunciation of the Mormons, which, with the 
ill advised policies of the Mormon leaders, tended 
to create a bitter feeling towards them. One act 
of the rulers of Nauvoo was particularly obnox- 
ious to the settlers of adjoining counties. This 
was under the law passed in the winter of 1843- 
44. which provided that no writ issued from any 
other place except Nauvoo, for the arrest of any 
person in the city, should be executed without an 
approval endorsed thereon by the mayor. 

After this law went into operation, if robberies 
were committed in adjoining counties the thieves 
would flee to Nauvoo. Every crime of every 
character which was committed in the Military 
Tract was charged to the Mormons, and when 
thieves were released on writs of habeas corpus, 
it did look as though the Mormons were desirous 
of setting up an independent government within 
the State. About this time a band of despera- 
does operated along Crooked Creek in Schuyler 
County, and horses and cattle were stolen and 
driven out of the country, which greatly incensed 
the settlers who were quick to blame the Mor- 
mons. 



752 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



This was the state of affairs in the summer of 
1844 when a crisis was precipitated by Joseph 
Smith ordering the destruction of the office of 
"The Expositor," a newspaper started by anti- 
Mormons in the city of Nauvoo. This proceed- 
ing created intense feeling against the Mormons, 
for Illinois settlers were quick to resent any- 
thing calculated to destroy the liberty of the 
press. Wan-ants were issued, but the prisoners 
were liberated on writs of habeas corpus at Nau- 
voo. Then a wave of excitement spread over 
Western Illinois. Orders were sent out for the 
State militia from Hancock, McDonough and 
Schuyler Counties to assemble and enforce the 
service of civil processes, and Gov. Ford hastened 
from Springfield to Carthage, tBe county seat of 
Hancock County. 

Gov. Ford reached Carthage June 21, 1844, and 
upon his arrival found an armed force assembled. 
In his "History of Illinois." Gov. Ford states that 
the General of the brigade had called for the 
militia, en masse, from the counties of McDon- 
o.igh and Schuyler to serve as posse COmitatUS to 
assist in the execution of process. 

On the arrival of the Governor an attempt was 
made to perfect a military organization, but as 
most of the volunteers had never even practiced 
the mimic evolutions of warfare, it was a well 
nigh hopeless task. When the troops were as- 
sembled. Gov. Ford made an address in which he 
pleaded with the volunteers not to take hasty 
action or allow the mob spirit to dominate, as 
the intense feeling against the Mormons was now 
at fever heat. 

With this assurance on the part of the troops, 
an officer and guard of ten men were sent to Nau- 
voo to arrest the Mayor and Common Council ami 
bring them to Carthage for trial. S. S. Benson, 
now a resident of Huntsville Township, Schuyler 
County, was the officer sent to Nauvoo, and, in 
an interview with the editor of this history, he 
tells the story of the arrest and subsequent mur- 
der of the Mm- n prophets. 

Mr. Benson at the time of the Mormon war 
was a deputy United States Marshal and also dep- 
uty to Sheriff Deming, and he was in close 
touch with the men in command of the forces 
gathered at Carthage, and lie himself took an 
active part in affairs. 

Mr. Benson says that, on receiving the war- 
rants for the arrest of Joseph and Hiram Smith 
and other officials of the Mormon city, be left at 
once for Nauvoo. Joseph Smith was placed un- 



der arrest in his own house, but as it was then 
late in the evening, be stated that he and his 
companions would meet the Marshal the next 
morning and accompany them to Carthage. Mr. 
Benson took his guard of ten men to the tavern 
to spend the night, but when morning came the 
Smiths were no where to be found and he 
marched his men back to Carthage. 

Gov. Ford, in his "History of Illinois." seeks 
to justify his own weak and vacillating action by 
casting aspersion upon others and Mr. Benson 
comes in for his full share, as the following quo- 
tation indicates. 

"Upon the arrival of the constable and guard, 
the Mayor and Common Council at once signified 
their willingness to surrender, and stated their 
readiness to proceed to Carthage next morning at 
8 o'clock. Martial law had previously been abol- 
ished. The hour of 8 o'clock came, and the ac- 
cused failed to make their appearance. The eon- 
stable and his escort returned. The constable 
made no effort to arrest any of them, nor would 
he or the guard delay their departure one minute 
beyond the time, to see whether an arrest could 
be made. Upon their return they reported that 
they had been informed that the accused had 
fled and could not be found. . . . 

"I was soon informed, however, of the conduct 
of the constable and guard, and then I was per- 
fectly satisfied that a must base fraud bad been 
attempted; that, in fact, it was feared that the 
Mormons would submit and thereby entitle them- 
selves to the protection of the law. It was very 
apparent that many of the bustling, active spirits 
were afraid that there would be no occasion for 
calling out an overwhelming militia force; for 
marching it into Nauvoo ; for probable meeting 
when there, and for the extermination of the 
Mormon race. It appeared that the constable 
and the escort were fully in the secret and acted 
well their part to promote the conspiracy." 

The truth of the matter is, Mr. Benson had a 
better knowledge of the situation than Gov. Ford, 
and his action in not forcing the service of bis 
warrants at Nauvoo averted a clash that would 
surely have terminated in bloody warfare. At 
both Nauvoo and Carthage were large bodies of 
men excited to frenzy, and fully armed, and any 
overt act on either side would have precipitated 
a conflict. 

There had gathered at Carthage a force of be- 
tween twelve and thirteen hundred men. and the 
Mormon Legions, two thousand strong, were fully 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



753 



armed and under military command. This was 
even after the State arms and cannons had heen 
turned over to the Governor at Carthage, and it 
goes to show the Mormons were expecting and 
had made preparation for an attack in force. 

This was the state of affairs when Joseph 
Smith. Mayor of Nanvoo, his brother Hiram and 
all the members of the council came into Carthage 
and surrendered themselves to the officers on the 
charge of riot. All of them were discharged from 
custody except Joseph and Hiram Smith, against 
whom the magistrate had issued a new writ, on a 
complaint of treason. 

Mr. Benson, in telling of the arrest of the pre- 
tended prophets, says they were at first taken to 
Hamilton's hotel, where they were guarded by 
six or seven men. and later were transferred to 
the stone jail, where they were confined in the 
jailor's quarters upstairs, which afforded more 
commodious quarters than the prison cells, and 
here they remained to the time of their tragic 
death two days following. 

At the first call for troops by Hancock County 
officers the militia of Schuyler County was as- 
sembled. Major Jonathan O. Randall took a com- 
pany from Rushviile and Capt. Brant Brown and 
Capt. A. L. Wells, of Camden, went to Carthage, 
each with a company of sixty men. 

On the morning of June 27, 1844. that fateful 
day which marked the beginning of the end of 
Mormon occupancy in Illinois. Gov. Ford called 
a council of officers of the militia. A hue and cry 
had gone up from the ranks to march on Nauvoo, 
and the Governor counseled more deliberate ac- 
tion. In his story of this military council Gov. 
Ford says: "Many of the officers admitted that 
there might be danger of collision. But such was 
the blind fury prevailing at the time, though not 
showing itself by much visible excitement, that 
a small majority of the council adhered to the 
first resolution of marching into Nauvoo. most of 
the officers of the Schuyler and McDonougb 
militia voting against it, and most of those of 
the county of Hancock voting in its favor." 

As Commander-in-Chief of the State militia, 
Gov. Ford refused to ratify the action of a ma- 
jority of his officers and the force at Carthage 
was ordered disbanded with the exception of three 
companies, two of which were retained as a guard 
to the jail and the other for an escort to the 
Governor on his intended journey to Nauvoo. 
This action terminated the service of the Schuy- 



ler militia in the Mormon war. so far as an ef- 
fective fighting force was concerned. 

After issuing the orders for the militia to dis- 
band. Gov. Ford left a small detachment at Car- 
thage on the morning of June 27th to guard the 
jail, w'hile he started for Nauvoo eighteen miles 
distant. A cavalry escort accompanied Gov. Ford 
and they arrived at the Mormon headquarters 
about four o'clock in the afternoon, and the Gov- 
ernor addressed a large assembly and was given 
respectful attention. A short time before sun- 
down the return march was begun and, when two 
miles out of Nauvoo, the little company met two 
men who told them the Smiths had been assassi- 
nated at Carthage between five and six o'clock. 
Mr. Benson was a member of this cavalry escort, 
and he says they lost no time in bundling the two 
men into their baggage wagon, as they wanted to 
get farther away before the news reached Nau- 
voo, as it was suspected the Mormon Legion 
would seek to avenge the death of their "saints." 
This opinion was general throughout Hancock 
County immediately following the tragedy, and 
the community was in a state of terror and ap- 
prehension for days. 

It appears from the story told by Mr. Benson, 
corroborated by historians of that period, that the 
company of Carthage Greys left to guard the jail 
were expecting an attack on the Smiths and made 
no effort to repel it. Sergeant Franklin A. Wor- 
rell was guarding the jail witli a detachment of 
eight or ten men, and when the mob appeared 
with their faces blackened and coats turned in- 
side out. the guards made feeble resistance. Jos- 
eph Smith, his brother Hiram, Dr. Richards and 
John Taylor were in the jail when the raid was 
made, the two last named being prominent Mor- 
mons who had called to visit the prisoners. When 
the guards gave way the mob mounted the stairs 
and when their progress was blocked by the 
heavy door to the debtor's room, where the Smiths 
were confined, they began firing through the door. 
Hiram Smith was killed in this first fusillade. 
Taylor was badly wounded and Dr. Richards 
sought safety behind the door when it was burst 
open. Joseph Smith was armed with -a six barrel 
pistol and made a show of resistance. When his 
pistol was exhausted he ran to the prison window 
and partly leaped and partly fell into the yard 
below. Even had he not received a mortal wound 
at this time, the volley fired at him as he fell 
would have proved fatal. Four balls pierced his 
body and before the smoke had time to clear 



754 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



away the Mormon prophet was dead. In a sum- 
ming up of Smith's character. Gov. Ford says: 

"Thus fell Joseph Smith, the most successful 
impostor of modern times. A man who, though 
ignorant and coarse, possessed some great nat- 
ural parts which fitted him for temporary suc- 
cess, but which were so obscured and counter- 
acted by the inherent corruption and vices of his 
nature, that he could never succeed in establish- 
ing a system or policy w T hich looked to permanent 
success in the future. His lusts, his love of 
money and power, always set him to studying 
present gratification and convenience, rather 
than the remote consequences of his plans. It 
seems that no power of intellect can save a cor- 
rupt man from this error. The strong cravings 
of the animal nature will never give fair play to 
a fine understanding ; the judgment is never al- 
lowed to choose that good which is far away in 
preference to enticing evil near at hand. And 
this may be considered a wise ordinance of Prov- 
idence, by which the counsel of talented, but cor- 
rupt, men are defeated in the very act which 
promised success." 

It was everywhere supposed that the murder 
of the Smiths would create an outburst of ven- 
geance on the part of the Mormons and, on the 
night following the tragedy, women and children 
were hastened out of Carthage to seek safety in 
flight. It was the same in all surrounding towns, 
and exaggerated rumors of atrocities committed 
by Mormons added to terrors of the next few 
days. 

News of the assassination of the Smiths was 
carried to Rushville by Abner Bacon, of Pulaski, 
who changed horses three times within the thirty 
miles to hasten bis speed. He reached Rushville 
on the morning following the tragedy, anil the 
populace was summoned by the ringing of the 
court house bell. His mission was to raise troops 
to repel the threatened onslaught of the frenzied 
Mormons, and while the men burnished up their 
old rifles the women and boys moulded bullets. 
That afternoon an unorganized company of volun- 
teers left Rushville for the seat of war. and so 
great was the terror of the people in Rushville 
that the town was patrolled by a guard during 
the night. The Rushville company had crossed 
Crooked Creek and were on their second day's 
march when they were met by a courier from Gov. 
Ford and ordered to return home. 

Luke P. Allphin, of Camden, one of the very 
few survivors of the Mormon war, gives an in- 



teresting reminiscence of the campaign. He was 
a private in Capt. Wells' company, and says the 
men went to Carthage armed with flint-lock rifles, 
butcher knives and clubs, and with the idea of 
waging a war of extermination against the Mor- 
mons. Camden Township was within the zone 
of operation of the thieves and pillagers, who 
claimed protection in the Mormon city, and this 
had created intense hatred against the new re- 
ligious sect. 

Mr. Allphin's company was in Carthage when 
the Smiths delivered themselves up to the officers, 
and they remained there until mid-day on June 
27th. when they were discharged from service 
and started on their return home. That night 
they went into camp about twelve miles from 
Carthage and the men were in high spirits, as 
they had secured about fifty pounds of fresh meat 
before leaving Carthage, and at camp a farmer's 
wife had baked for them a quantity of bread in 
skillets. These provisions were stored in Mr. 
Allphin's big covered wagon, drawn by a span of 
oxen, and the men also had a quantity of liquor 
which they had deposited there. 

During the night a messenger arrived from 
Carthage on a horse flecked with foam and noti- 
fied the troops that the Smiths had been mur- 
dered, and that the Mormons were marching 
across the country murdering men. women and 
children as they came. While at Carthage the 
men had been regaled with stories from Hancock 
County volunteers of the wanton ^ ickedness of 
the Mormons, and they were in a state of mind 
to believe the excited courier from the seat of 
war. Then followed a rout that Mr. Allphin 
says left only ten men at their encampment, and. 
he adds, that if it hadn't been for his yoke of 
oxen he would have taken to the timber himself. 
The most of men in the company had families 
at home, and their services to the State having 
terminated, they felt that their first duty was to 
protect their own firesides. The hasty departure 
of the volunteers left an overstocked commissary 
department, and Uncle Luke smiles in pleasant 
recollection today as he thinks of that old cov- 
ered wagon, with its precious load of fresh meat, 
johnny-cakes and whisky. 

The anticipated Mormon uprising failed to 
ei.ine about, but the hatred engendered between 
this religious body and the residents of Hancock 
County was such that hostilities were expected to 
break forth at any time. In the fall of 1S44 an 
invitation was sent to prominent Schuyler County 




(ji^p^i c^rmfA^o^y^- 



Zmr^-i 






HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



755 



citizens to join in a big wolf hunt, but it was 
generally known the movement was started sim- 
ply to collect a force to drive the Mormons and 
their sympathizers, known as "Jack Mormons," 
from Illinois. This intended raid soon became 
noised about, and Gov. Ford again left the State 
capital for Carthage in October of that year. 
This time he was accompanied by a Sangamon 
County militia company, known as the Spring- 
field Cadets. They passed through Rushville on 
their way to Carthage and encamped for one 
night in the court house yard in Rushville. Gov. 
Ford did not share the discomforts of camp with 
bis soldiers, but instead stopped at Mrs. Jane 
Stephenson's tavern, located where the George 
Little grocery store now stands. 

An incident occurred at this time which is well 
worth recording. While the troops were en- 
camped in the city Gov. Ford thought he would 
indulge, in pistol practice to perfect himself in 
the art. and lie set up his target in the rear of the 
tavern. It was in close proximity to the home of 
James Little, and he resented this infraction of 
the village laws and swore out a complaint 
against the Governor for using firearms within 
the corporation limits. Gov. Ford immediately 
went before Jacob O. Jones, who was Police Mag- 
istrate, and paid his tine and then hastened with 
his troops to Carthage. But on the return trip 
the soldiers of his command bad their revenge. 
They marched into Rushville at night and while 
the villagers slept they loaded their big brass 
howitzers and fired them on the public square 
and before the echo had died away they were 
again on the march headed towards the Illinois 
River. 

For the next two years there were frequent 
clashes between Mormons and anti-Mormons in 
Hancock County and Major Win. B. Warren of 
Jacksonville commanded an. armed force in the 
winter of 1S45-46 to preserve order and protect 
property. During that winter a convention was 
held at Carthage, which was attended by dele- 
gates from surrounding counties, to discuss the 
situation, for it really amounted to a state of civil 
war : but under the capable management of Major 
Warren a semblance of order was restored. In 
early spring of 184(1 the western emigration 
of Mormons began ami, within a short time, the 
main body had left for the new home at Salt 
Lake and, with the wrecking of the Mormon tem- 
ple, the last hope of an abiding place in Illinois 
was at an end. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



CRIMINAL TRIALS AND EXECUTIONS. 



DAVID MORGAN EXECUTED FOR MURDER ON JAN. 31, 
1832 — THOMAS FORD, AFTERWARDS GOVERNOR OP 
ILLINOIS, FIRST PROSECUTING ATTORNEY — CHAR- 
ACTER SKETCH OF THE MURDERER BY REV. JOHN 
SCRIPPS — DAVID AND ELIAS M'FADDEN, OF M'DON- 
OUGH COUNTY, EXECUTED JULY 6, 1835 — THE 
"EXECUTION A PUBLIC ONE — PRISONERS BORNE TO 
THE GALLOWS ON THEIR COFFINS ATTENDED BY A 
MILITARY GtTARD — FIELDING FRAME, A SCHUYLER 
COUNTY' MURDERER. EXECUTED AT CARTHAGE MAY 

18, 1839. 

In the eighty years that have elapsed since 
Schuyler County was organized and given a civil 
government, but three criminal executions have 
been witnessed within her bounds, and only one 
person executed for committing murder in this 
county. The last of these executions was held in 
1835 and. although there have been a number of 
murders committed since then, punishment has 
been limited to penitentiary sentences. 

The first murder in Schuyler County was com- 
mitted in May, 1831, when David Morgan killed 
George Everett, in the woods at the top of Coal 
Greek hill, on the lower road from Frederick to 
Rushville. Morgan was brought to Rushville and 
lodged in the old log jail, which was guarded 
day and night by special deputies employed by 
the Sheriff. When court met on October 5, 1831, 
Morgan was indicted for murder, and was brought 
before Judge Richard M. Young for trial. He 
had made no provision for attorneys and the 
court appointed Adolplius II. Hubbard and James 
Turney to conduct his defense. They asked for 
a change of venue to McDonouidi County and 
there Morgan was tried and convicted. The ver- 
dict of the jury was set aside by the court, and 
Morgan was returned to Schuyler County and a 
special term of court was called to hear his case 
on January 2, 1832. 

The brick court house was not completed at 
this time, and the County Commissioners ar- 
ranged for holding court in the brick school bouse, 
but on January ."., 1832, this action was rescinded. 
doubt having arisen whether the former order 



756 



IIIKTOI.Y OF SCHUYLEI? COUNTY. 



of the Commissioners was legal in consequence 
of no notice having been given for holding such 
special term. In spite of the fact that the court 
house was not finished inside. Judge Young con- 
vened court there and ordered a special venire of 
grand and petit jurymen. A second indictment 
was drawn by the grand jury and. on Wednesday. 
January 4. 1832, Thomas Ford, then State's At- 
torney, and afterwards Governor of Illinois, 
called the --ase for trial. The day was spent in 
securing a jury which was made up as follows: 
Daniel Owens, foreman : James Blackburn, Wil- 
liam Cox, John Davis, Alexander Penny. David 
Jenkins, George Green, William Rose, John 
Durall. Samuel P. Dark, Daniel Louderback and 
Francis Albury. 

After the jury was secured court adjourned for 
one day and, on request of Morgan's attorneys, 
attachments were issued for Polly Wallis. Widow 
Roberts, and James Miller, who were desired as 
witnesses. No time was lost in legal wrangling 
when court convened on Friday, and the evidence 
was heard, arguments made and a verdict of 
guilty was rendered before nightfall. Adolphus 
FI. Hubbard, one of Morgan's attorneys, entered 
a motion for arrest of judgment, which was heard 
by the court on Saturday morning and overruled. 
Morgan was then brought before the bar and 
asked if he had anything to say before sentence 
was passed, and he answered in the negative. 
Judge Young then pronounced sentence and 
placed the time of execution on Tuesday. January 
".1. 1832, between the hours of 10 o'clock in the 
morning and two o'clock in the afternoon, ami 
directed Joel Pennington, Sheriff, to carry out 
the orders of the court. 

The trial and execution of Morgan was a heavy 
drain upon the meager resources of the county 
and in the proceedings of the commissioner's 
court we find numerous bills presented by persons 
who guarded the jail and accompanied the pris- 
oner to and from Macomb. From these bills we 
find that Ebenezer Grist constructed the gallows 
and John Holderby was allowed $6 for a coffin 
furnished. Robert X. Ohadsey was allowed 
$10.50 for irons, made to confine the prisoner in 
jail, while Joel Pennington, Sheriff, drew an or- 
der for $32 for services at the trial and the ex- 
ecution of Morgan. 

Rev. John Scripps, while editor of the Prairie 
Telegraph, wrote an account of the execution of 
David Morgan, and as he was brought into close 
association with the man as spiritual advisor, he 



was in a position to know the facts and his story 
of the murderer is here given : 

"David Morgan was an old man. a grandfather, 
and the most stupidly brutalized being we ever 
had anything to do with. There had existed an 
enmity between himself and a young man. whom 
he found one day chopping in the woods ; some 
angry words passed between them, when Morgan 
shot him down, leaving him in his gore. He went 
home where it appears his wife and terrified fam- 
ily kept aloof from him, and yet within seeing 
distance. Here he deliberately reloaded his gun, 
and prostrating himself upon his back, he laid 
the gun on his body and applying its muzzle to 
bis chin he sprang the trigger with his toe. in- 
tending self-destruction. The gun went off, but 
ranged too much upward for his purpose, the bul- 
let only somewhat shattering his jaw. took off his 
upper lip and the ends of his tongue and nose, 
and flew off into vacancy far above the, seat of 
vitality, his brains, at which he aimed. 

"He was brought to Rushville for commitment 
the next day in a sled, exhibiting at once the 
most disfigured and revolting features of a human 
we ever looked upon. His face, all blackened, 
crisped and blistered by the exploded powder, 
his mouth (all raw flesh ) necessarily wide open, 
the half-crimsoned slimy saliva stringing down 
on each side, and hundreds of flies continually 
alighting on his wounds, with most persevering 
tenacity, wearying both himself and attendants 
in endeavoring to fray them away. Being com- 
mitted, he was confined in the upper room of the 
jail, where every attention was paid to his re- 
covery, which, in time, was effected, but he re- 
mained awfully disfigured. 

"When enabled again to talk so as to be un- 
derstood, he charged both the murder and his own 
mutilation on his wife ami son. and could never 
be induced to swerve for a moment from the ab- 
surd assertion even to the last moment. 

"The Rev. Mr. Jenny, pastor of the Presby- 
terian church in this place at the time, who occu- 
pied an apartment in our house for his bedroom 
and study, felt much for him, and we united in 
our endeavors to prepare him for his change. 
We visited him frequently. He was passive and 
subdued, and affected regard for us and to derive 
benefit from our efforts. But there was a mani- 
fest ill-concealed indifference to our overtures, a 
spirit of stupid aversion to everything savoring 
of religion, and a deep-rooted spirit of malevo- 
lence seated in his heart which accompanied him 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



757 



to the final scene, of which he exhibited many 
proofs. 

"Two of his children attended his last hours, 
the eldest, a youth of some seventeen or eighteen 
who seemed to he as assiduous in kind attention 
to his father as he knew how to be, but was in 
every effort repulsed by him in peevish strains 
of reproofs for his awkwardness, inattention, 
carelessness, neglect or something else ; in short, 
the old sinner would not be satisfied with his best 
endeavors. The other was a child of some eight 
or nine years whom he called his pet, and on 
whom what little affection he had was entirely 
centered. 

"We were on the scaffold with him to his last 
moment and. after the halter was fitted and ev- 
erything ready, he requested us to lift up his pet 
from the ground where he stood and hold him to 
his face that he might kiss him before he was 
turned off. We complied and he kissed the child. 
It was his last act. his last thought, for the next 
moment he was hurled into eternity, and had it 
not been for the child, we should have thought 
him entirely incapable of the least emotion of 
tenderness or affection. An hour or two before. 
While putting on his shroud and dressing him for 
the occasion, lie reflected on his wife with a spirit 
of vindietiveness, because she had not taken as 
much pains as she ought in doing up some little 
things which she had sent for his burial. We 
continued with him from the knocking off of his 
manacles to the end of the disgusting tragedy, and 
were shocked and sickened at the repeated man- 
ifestations of his malevolent feelings, particularly 
to his family." 

Execution of the McFaddens. — The second 
criminal execution in Schuyler County was a 
double one, and on July 6, 1835, Elias and David 
McFadden paid the penalty for murder on the 
gallows. They were residents of MeDonough 
County and were convicted of the murder of John 
Wilson, which occurred near Macomb on Novem- 
ber fi. J832. When their case first came up for 
trial they secured a change of venue to Schuyler 
County and were tried separately. Judge Stephen 
T. Logan presided in the court that found them 
guilty and the Prosecuting Attorney was Wil- 
liam A. Richardson, who was assisted by Cyrus 
Walker, of Macomb, one of the foremost criminal 
lawyers in the State. 

The crime for which the McFaddens were hung 
was a most heinous one and had its origin in a 
dispute over payment for a suit of wedding 



clothes. They lived a mile south of Macomb at 
this time, and the tailor who had made the wed- 
ding suit wanted his money. Failing to collect it 
by ordinary process, he took the case into court 
and secured judgment. In due course of time an 
execution was placed in the hands of the Sheriff 
and he went to the McFadden farm and levied 
on a crib of com. John Wilson, a farmer, who 
was to haul the corn away, accompanied him. 

When the Sheriff appeared at the farm Elias 
McFadden flew into a rage and ordered them to 
leave at once. The officer paid little heed to his 
incoherent threats and ordered Mr. Wilson to 
load up the corn. Suddenly there was a sharp 
report of a rifle, fired from the McFadden log- 
cabin, a few rods away, and John Wilson, an in- 
uocent party to the transaction, fell mortally 
wounded. The officer lost no time in making his 
escape. 

The shot that killed Wilson was fired by David 
McFadden, a son of Elias, but the old man was 
held as an accessory to the act and one remark he 
hi.m1i> after the shooting sent him to the gallows. 
While the dying man lay unconscious in the yard 
where he had fallen, two neighbors passed and 
stopped to inquire as to the cause of his injuries. 
To their inquiries the elder McFadden remarked: 
"Yes, lie was a little too much powder burnt this 
morning." 

In those early times all criminal executions 
were public and. on the day set for the banging 
of the McFaddens, people came from a radius of 
titty miles. Men. women and children were in- 
cluded in the throng that came to witness the ex- 
ecution and. though the country was then sparsely 
settled, there were said to he 1,500 people in the 
crowd about the gallows. 

Two military companies, one from Rushville 
and the other from Mt. Sterling, under command 
of Capt. Toncray, were on duty to preserve order 
and. in their bright colored uniforms and plumed 
hats, they made an imposing spectacle as they 
inarched and counter-marched about the streets 
preliminary to starting for the place of execution, 
which was on the west bank of Crane Creel;, 
where it is crossed by the lower road to Beards- 
town. Here the gallows had been erected, which 
consisted of a platform about twelve feet square 
with a large post in the center. Across the top of 
this [>ost was a beam, and it was from the ex- 
tremities of this that the ropes were attached. 

The prisoners had been closely guarded in the 
old log jail, which stood on the site of the present 



758 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



city calaboose, and as the time for the execution 
drew near, the military companies formed in 
front of the building and. at command of Cant. 
Toncray, guns were loaded with powder and ball 
while the curious crowd looked on. 

In an upper apartment of the jail stood the 
McFaddens. tall, spare looking men, who in their 
white shrouds and with ropes already tied around 
their necks, were waiting for the command to 
start to the gallows. In the street below was a 
wagon, with two rough coffins and. as the con- 
demned men were brought from the jail, they 
took their seat on the coffins and. with the mili- 
tary company as a guard, and a martial band of 
fife and drum in the lead, the procession started. 

Hillsides and tree-tops were crowded with 
people at the place of execution, and after the 
arrival of the two condemned men. Sheriff Haden 
permitted their friends and relatives to come 
forward and bid them farewell. Among the num- 
ber who accepted this privilege were the wife and 
mother and her daughter, who then took their 
places in the crowd a few rods from the gallows 
to await, with breaking hearts, the execution of 
their loved ones. 

Rev. Richard Haney, who was the Methodist 
minister at Rushville at that time, was asked to 
give spiritual counsel to the prisoners and. every 
day for a month, he visited them at their cells in 
the old log jail. Speaking of the occurrence to 
the writer when he last visited this city. Rev. 
Haney said the men received him kindly and 
prayed fervently for forgiveness. On the scaffold 
he offered prayer and, as the white cap was 
drawn over the head of the elder McFadden. he 
cried out in despair: "A moment more and I 
shall lie in eternity! Ob: Lord, stand liv mc" 
At that moment William Ellis, a deputy of 
Sheriff Thomas Haden, sprang the traps and the 
murder of John Wilson was avenged. 

Fielding Frame was the last man to be executed 
for murder committed in Schuyler County, and 
his trial and execution took place at Cartilage in 
Hancock County. Frame was a deckhand on an 
Illinois River steamboat and landed at Erie, be- 
tween Frederick and Reardstown. iu the winter 
of 1837-38. His boat was held in port when ice 
closed navigation and Frame lounged about the 
tavern. One night a contented and good-natured 
German aroused his ire because he would not 
stop smoking when ordered to and. in the fight 
that ensued. Frame stabbed his victim to death. 

He was taken into custody at once and con- 



veyed to Rushville, where he was placed in the 
new log and brick jail that had just been com- 
pleted. An indictment was found against him by 
the grand jury at the June term of court in 1838 
and the case was taken to Hancock County on a 
change of venue. 

Judge Ralston presided at the trial of the case 
in Carthage and Henry L. Bryant, of Fulton 
County, was Prosecuting Attorney. Frame was 
defended by Abraham Lincoln and T. Lyle 
Dickey, of Rushville, afterwards a member of the 
Illinois Supreme Court. Mr. Lincoln moved an 
arrest of judgment for several causes and the 
paper in his handwriting is now on file, among 
others in the case, at Carthage. 

Frame was found guilty on the 24th of April. 
1839, and received sentence on the day follow- 
ing, when Judge Ralston fixed the date of his 
execution on Saturday, May 18, between the 
hours of 12 noon and 2 o'clock in the afternoon, 
on a gallows to be erected within a mile of Car- 
thage, and it was done. The site selected was 
in or near the ravine running southeasterly from 
town and the execution, being a public one, was 
witnessed by thousands of spectators from all 
the couutry around. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



PHENOMENA— CALAMITOUS EVENTS. 



STORMS. FLOODS AND EPIDEMICS THE DEEP SNOW 

OF 1830-31 CENTRAL AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS 

COVERED WITH FROZEN CRYSTALS TO A DEPTH OF 
FOUR FEET — HARDSHIPS ENDURED BY THE SET- 
TLERS AND DESTRUCTIVE EFFECTS ON DOMESTIC 
ANIMALS AND WILD GAME A CONTEMPORANE- 
OUS DESCRIPTION BY A JACKSONVILLE PAPER — 

THE SUDDEN FREEZE OF 1836 THE FLOOD OP 1844 

— VILLAGE OF ERIE WIPED OUT OF EXISTENCE — 
DISASTROUS TORNADOES OF 1856 AND 1881 OTH- 
ER EARLIER AND LATER VISITATIONS THE FALL- 
ING STARS OF 1S33, AND A MEMORABLE METEORIC 

SCENE OF 187C CHOLERA EPIDEMICS OF 1834 AND 

1841 LIST OF VICTIMS OF EACH VISITATION. 

An old Indian legend that told of a winter of 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



759 



unusual severity was current in Illinois when the 
first settlers came, but it was of a time in the 
far distant past, and but little heed was given 
to it until 1830, when the settlers had cause to 
remember the tradition. Up to this time the 
winters in Illinois had not been regarded as a 
season to be dreaded by the hardy pioneers who 
were accustomed to a rigorous life in all its 
phases. But the winter of 1830-31 was the ex- 
ception, and it is referred to in history as "the 
winter of the deep snow," for never since that 
time has the snowfall been so heavy. 

Snow began falling on the night of December 
20, 1830, and continued steadily for three days, 
and it was not until the middle of February that 
the skies cleared and the snows ceased. The 
whole of Central and Northern Illinois was cov- 
ered with snow to a depth of four feet on a level, 
and. in places, it was banked twenty and twenty- 
five feet high. To the isolated settlers, living in 
their rude cabins and with only scant shelter for 
their stock, the snow was a calamity that was 
disheartening. Many of them were newcomers 
in the country, and had barely provided a place 
of abode when winter set in, and no human 
tongue or pen can picture their trials and suf- 
fering during that memorable winter. 

With the snow 7 piled high around their little 
cabins, the men made desperate efforts to save 
their stock and tunnel-like paths were cut to the 
stock shelters as soon as the storm had spent its 
fury. Those who had pla'nted crops bad their 
corn shocked in the field, and it could only be 
reached by cutting out a path through the solidly 
packed snow, and as one shock was used the path 
was extended to another. The newcomers who 
had no reserve crop to draw upon were indeed in 
sore straits, and their losses were proportionately 
heavy. Within the home the closest economy was 
necessary, as it was weeks before trails were 
broken that would allow communication between 
the settlers. The abundance of wild game af- 
forded a welcome food supply, and had it not 
been lor this, gaunt .'amine would. have invaded 
the pioneer homes during that cheerless winter, 
and added horrors would have resulted. As it 
was the suffering was intense, but as the snow 
went off gradually with the coming of spring, the 
settlers took renewed hope and few abandoned 
their western home on account of the rigorous 
winter that has never since been equaled. Along 
with the snow came a season of extreme low tem- 
perature and the only known record of this event- 



ful winter is preserved in the files of The Jack- 
sonville Patriot, where, under date of February 
20, 1831, w T e find the following interesting and 
authentic record : 

"The Season. — The weather has been unusu- 
ally severe aud invariably cold since December 
20, the snow being so deep as to render traveling 
almost impossible. The eastern mail by stage 
coach from Terre Haute, Ind., has not arrived 
for six weeks, and the northern mail from Ga- 
lena but once in six weeks, and the other mails 
are much retarded by the deep snow. During 
several winters past the weather has been very 
mild and agreeable; therefore, we trust' the late 
immigrants to this country have too much forti- 
tude and discretion to become intimidated at this 
bad winter and look upon it as a criterion to 
alarm them. Following has been the depth of the 
snow on a level in the woods : 

December 29, 1830—1 foot, 4 inches. 

January 10, 1S31— 2 feet 10 inches. 

January 31 — 3 feet 4 inches. 

February 2 — 3 feet 8 inches. 

Following is the record of temperature : 

December 21 — 12 beow zero. 

December 22 — 8 below zero. 

January 5 — 15 below zero. 

February C — 19 below zero. 

February 7 — 23 below zero. 

"It is supposed that more than five feet of snow- 
fell, but it settled to about three feet. The 
records of Illinois do not record a like deep 
snow." 

Climatic. — The climate of Illinois is most 
erratic at all times, and, on January 28, 1ST.".. 
the mercury fell to 40 degrees below zero, which 
is the record for low temperature. But the most 
remarkable freak of weather recalled by Schuyler 
pioneers occurred on December 20, 1830, when a 
sudden cold wave swooped down on Central 
Illinois and caught the settlers unaware. Al- 
though in mid-winter, it was seasonably warm 
that day and a drizzling rain had soaked the 
ground. It cleared up about noon and farmers 
were about their outdoor work, when about" 2 
o'clock, it began to grow dark and a strong wind 
sprang up from the northwest. It was a cold, 
bitter wind, and the temperature went down with 
a rush. Within a very short time everything was 
frozen solid and chickens, pigs and other small 
animals were frozen in the muddy ground before 
their sharp instinct prompted them to seek a 
place of shelter. Men who had driven to the 



760 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



fields in the mud an hour before, hurried home 
over ground frozen hard enough to bear up a 
loaded wagon. 

We find in Moses' '•History of Illinois." an ac- 
count of the death of two men in this storm, but 
are unable to verify it. The article in question 
reads as follows: "Those caught out on horse- 
back were frozen to their saddles, and had to lie 
lifted off and carried to the fire to be thawed 
apart. Two young men were frozen to death 
near Rushville. One of them was found sitting 
with his back against a tree, with his horse's 
bridle over his arm and his horse frozen in front 
of him. The other was partly in a kneeling posi- 
tion with a tinder box in one hand and flint in an- 
other, with both eyes open, as if intent to strike a 
light. Many other casualties were reported. As 
to the extent of the temperature, however, no in- 
strument has left any record, but ice was frozen in 
the streams, as variously reported, from six inches 
to a foot in thickness in a few hours." 

The Flood ok 1844. — As the winter of 1830- 
31 is known as "the year of the deep snow" and 
that of 1830 at the season of the "sudden freeze." 
so is the year 1.844 known as the time of the 
mighty flood. In the spring and summer of that 
years, the Illinois River was raised to a height 
far in excess of any period known since the set- 
tlement of the State, and the high water marks 
in the Illinois River valley are based on the stage 
of the water of that year. The river valley coun- 
try was then sparsely, settled in Schuyler, and 
property lossess were not as heavy as they have 
been in more recent flood years, but more than 
one town-site along the river and creeks received 
a deatli blow by the high water of that year. 
Prominent among these was the town of Erie, 
which was located about three miles below Fred- 
erick. After the flood of 1S44. Erie was known 
of no more, and the shipping business that was 
carried on there was diverted to Frederick. 

Storms in Schuyler County. — Devastation 
from tornados was unknown in Schuyler County 
in the early days, lint witli scattered settlements 
tlie storms were less noticeable, and it would have 
been possible for a mighty force to have exerted 
itself, and yet have left no marks of its path 
save in the timbered county. Such storms have 
passed unnoticed .and there is no one to chron- 
icle them and. for this history, we will consider 
the first tornado as occurring October 25. 1856, 
when the village of Littleton was destroyed. 
Evidence of an approaching storm was first no- 



ticed about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, when a 
heavy black cloud was seen in the southwest. 
Within an incredibly short time it reached the 
village of Littleton and, sweeping on to the 
northwest, left a pile of wreckage where, a 
moment before, stores, churches and dwellings 

si 1. Strangely enough, no one was killed 

<mt right, though the houses and stores were 
tumbled down with the inmates entangled in the 
ruins. The town at that time extended along the 
main road from Rushville to Macomb, and the 
most complete destruction was on the east side 
of the street. The dwelling houses of Messrs. De- 
Witt and Brumer, and the store of James De- 
Witt & Co. were so located and escaped destruc- 
tion. 

The following list of property losses, aggre- 
gating $15,000. was published in The Rushville 
Times the week following the storm : Baptist 
church (frame), $600; Methodist Episcopal 
church (brick), $1,500; Jacob Louis, $500; Will- 
iam Snyder, $500 ; E. Abbott and J. C. Edmonson, 
$100; Rev. Stewart. $800; Dr. Davis. $1,500; 
P. B. Cordell, $150; J. O. Smith. $700; Alex. 
Simpson, $50; R. Nichols, $200; E. M. Wilson, 
$800; Rev. L. Shelby, $250; DeWitt & Co., $150; 
.Tamesp DeWitt, $50; Talbert Crawford, $1,500; 
Crawford & Cordell, $1,500; Wm. Hill, $1,100; 
.Mrs. Dale, $000; Kennada Odell, $600. 

Within an hour after the cyclone the news 
reached Rushville, and all the physicians in town 
went to the aid of the injured. Among the most 
seriously injured was William Crawford, who 
died Hie following Tuesday, and this was the 
only fatality that resulted from the tornado. A 
relief fund was quickly raised in Rushville and 
was sent to Littleton to he used in caring for the 
injured ones, many of whom lost almost all their 
property and were left disabled and destitute. 

Twenty-five years after the Littleton tornado, 
the western part of Schuyler County witnessed 
the most destructive storm in the history of the 
county. September 24, 1881, is the date of this 
storm, which left a well defined trail of ruin 
through Adams and Schuyler Counties. It came 
from the southwest and. as it approached Camden, 
its path was a mile wide and its power something 
fearful. The day had been hot and sultry, and 
the first sign of a storm was noted in the middle 
of the afternoon. About 3 :30, while the people 
of Camden were engaged in their daily tasks. 
unmindful of danger, the storm burst in all its 
fury. Houses were demolished before the oc- 




MRS MARY MAXVX, AND OLD HOMESTEAD. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



761 



cupants could rush to close the doors; there 
was no time to seek safety in flight, and before 
they had time to realize that a tornado was upon 
them, the village was a tangled mass of ruins. Of 
the forty buildings in the town not more than 
six escaped being demolished, and yet .amid 
such a mass of wreckage, only one life was lost — 
that of Mrs. B. P. Watts, who was crushed to 
death beneath the ruins of her home. Many 
miraculous escapes from death occurred during 
the few minutes that the storm lasted, and in- 
stances are related of the power of the wind 
that are almost incredible. While Camden suf- 
fered the brunt of the storm, the damage to 
property in the southwest part of Huntsville 
Township was also severe ; many farm buildings 
being unroofed and wrecked by the force of the 
wind. The wide extent of the storm caused a 
property loss of perhaps $25,000, but we will 
not attempt to give the losses in detail. 

Other storms of less violence have been noted 
in the west part of the county, and old settlers 
distinctly remember five that closely followed 
the path of the Camden tornado. On June 31. 
1860, the north part of Littleton Township was 
swept by a tornado, but the greatest damage 
to property at that time was in McDonough 
County. 

On July 5 1904, the village of Ray was in the 
path of a cyclone that, like the two previous ones 
in the county, came from the southwest. The 
effects of this tornado were first noticed near the 
Houston church, and from there to Ray the wind 
carried everything before it. The storm struck 
the village about 5 :30 in the afternoon and totally 
demolished the two-story school building, but 
did no other serious damage. The destructive 
zone of this tornado varied from fifty to one hun- 
dred yards in width. 

The city of Rushville and the country to the 
south of us have been remarkably free from de- 
structive tornadoes in the eighty years since the 
county was settled, but whether this is a mere 
chance of fate, or our safety is guarded by pe- 
culiar location or conditions, is one of the un- 
solved meteorological problems. 

Other Notable Phenomena. — Natural phe- 
nomena, which are now accurately forecasted and 
looked for with interest by the general public, 
as well as astronomers and scientists, were held 
in superstitions awe by the early pioneers, and 
with the coming of the great meteoric shower on 
November 1.°.. 1833, many of the pioneers looked 



upon it as the end of all things earthly. In the 
early morning hours, the heavens were ablaze 
with a shower of meteors that seemed to envelope 
the earth. From their rude log-cabins the set- 
tlers looked out upon the weird scene that seemed 
to portend the destruction of the world. From 
every part of the heavens meteors were flashing 
by thousands, and none who gazed upon the won- 
derful sight could ever forget the grandeur of 
the scene or the relief that came with the rising 
of the sun a few hours afterwards. 

An eclipse of the sun that turned daylight into 
darkness is another event worthy of recording. 
It occurred on August 7, 1SG9, and the eclipse 
was total about 4:30 o'clock in the afternoon. 
During this time the earth was in semi-darkness 
and the chickens left their range and sought 
the roost. There was not a cloud in the sky and 
a splendid opportunity was had to observe this 
marvelous phenomeon, the shadow on the sun 
remaining distinct until about o'clock in the 
evening. 

On the evening of December 21, 1S7G. a great 
meteor passed over the Mississippi Valley and 
the glowing globe, looking as large as a barrel, 
slowly coursed across the heavens, traveling in 
a northeasterly direction. It was about 9 o'clock 
in the evening when the meteor appeared, and all 
at once the whole outdoor region was lighted up 
like mid-day, and people ran to the doors and 
windows, not knowing the cause of the sudden 
light. The whole display extending from horizon 
to horizon, probably did not occupy over half a 
minute, and .vet the meteor producing it seemed 
to move slowly and apparently dropped to the 
earth a few miles away ; but this was only an ap- 
parent delusion, for it was the wonder of half the 
continent, and those who saw it have a vivid 
remembrance of its grandeur to this day. 

The Cholera Epidemic of 1834. — One of the 
pioneers who passed through the cholera epidemic 
of 1834 was Rev. John Scripps, who wrote the 
following graphic account of that deadly pesti- 
lence : 

"Brightly rose the sun on Thursday, the third 
of July. 1834. Hailed with pleasing sensations by 
our whole community as the precursor of a day 
of joy and festivity, which the morrow — the 
jubilant Fourth — our national festive day was 
appointed to be. We intended to commemorate it 
by the first Methodist Sunday school celebration 
ever held in the place, to which the whole country 
was invited, and for which this was the day 



762 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



of arrangements, and busy hands were early 
and late at work making due preparations. The 
youths were particularly animated and active. 
The place for the festival was selcted and put in 
order, and everything arranged. The day seemed 
to close auspiciously on our highest anticipations 
for the morrow. 

"It came. But O ! what a gloomy reverse of all 
we had meant! The first salutations of that 
morning announced to our ears the soul-harrow- 
ing fact that the destroyer had come, and the 
Angel of Death was among us. Two of our 
halest and most robust citizens, William Mc- 
Creery and C. V. Putrnan, had been cut down, ami 
the insatiate foe was grasping at other victims. 
The two had spent the evening together in social 
converse. That they were almost simultaneously 
attacked and sunk, no more to rise to the busy 
scenes of life, is all that can be said of their de- 
mise. 

"Before the day closed another, a Miss Smith, 
was numbered with them, and others had re- 
ceived the fatal summons which, on the following 
day, swept from us four more to the oblivion of 
the grave — a Mrs. Withers ; James Haggarty. 
a carpenter; Ruel Redfield. a blacksmith, and 
his child. They yielded to the stern mandate and 
passed away. 

"< >n Sunday death seemed to pause in his exe- 
cution. None on that day died. But this gloomy 
pall still hung sullenly over us. and there was 
no pause in the threatening horror that invested 
us. The heart-rending wallings of survivors 
lor their departed ones ; the dark presages of 
what might yet lie before us, portending greater 
evils: the agonizing groans and moanings of 
yet other victims, writhing in excruciating pangs, 
all combined to incite intensest terror. 

"On Monday the venerable parents of the first 
named victim, William McCreery, both lay 
Shrouded in death. But to them no doubt death 
was bereft of its terrible aspect and had lost its 
sting, and the grave lighted up with a heaven- 
inspiring hope of glorious immortality. They 
were as shocks of ripened grain, ready for the 
sickle, full of days and devotedly pious. Another 
victim in the person of a Mr. Gay closed the 
mortalities of that day. . . . 

"On the first breaking out of the cholera our 
town began rapidly to depopulate, not only by 
death, but by flight : a panic seized the inhabitants 
and some sought refuge from its ravages among 
their more distant country friends, others in 



encampments in the far off woods, by which 
many houses became vacated and our streets 
literally deserted. There seemed scarcely enough 
left of human life to die or to feed the rapacious 
maw of the 'fell monster.' We, however, fitted 
.up for a temporary hospital the two story frame 
building on East Jefferson street, to which were 
conveyed all the patients who could not other- 
wise be cared for, to be nursed and attended to 
under the general superindentency and medical 
treatment of Dr. VanZandt." 

We omit tlie detailed description of the scenes 
in the cholera hospital, as related by Rev Scripps, 
but cannot leave unnoticed the valiant service 
performed by four young men who volunteered 
their services as nurses. Never did a soldier on 
any battlefield show more bravery than did these 
young men. who. without hope of reward or 
glorious renown, went bravely to their death. 
They were Daniel Sherwood. John R. York, 
William Willis and a Mr. Wilson, and the first 
three were martyrs to the cause. 

Rev. John Scripps was untiring in his minis- 
trations to the sick and afflicted, and was at the 
bedside of the dying until he was himself stricken. 
After the death of Rev. Jewell, who aided him in 
the work, he was the only minister left in the 
village. Rev. Scripps ascribes his recovery to a 
strict observance of dietetic restrictions and care- 
ful nursing by his devoted wife, who was a 
valiant aid during the dreadful scourge. 

The following list of deaths from cholera in 
Rushville during the year 1834 was kept by 
Samuel Iliudman in that memorable year, and is 
correct : 

July 4 — C. V. Putman. William McCreery, 
Miss Smith. 

July 5— Rue] Redfield. child of Redfield. Mrs. 
Weathers. James Haggerty. 

July 7 — Mr. and Mrs. McCreery, Mr. Gay. 

July 8— Child of Mr. Angel. 

July — Mr. Ayers, child of George Henry. 

July 10— Mr. Barkhousen. Mrs. Smith. 

July 11— Mr. McCabe. 

July 12— Mr. Sherwood. 

July 13— Mrs. Dunlap. 

July 14 — A German lady. John R. York. Wi>- 
liam Willis. Mr. Campbell. 

July 17 — Mrs. Basil Bowen, Mr. Barkhousen. 

July 20— Rev. Mr. Jewell. 

July 30— Madison Worthington. 

Aug. 1 — Major Upton. A total of 27. 

Mr. E. H. O. Seeley, now living in Rushville at 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



763 



the ripe old age of ninety-four years, was in the 
undertaking business when the cholera scourge 
of 1S34 came, and he was one of the few who 
were brought into close contact with the disease 
and escaped its contagion. No soldier for cross 
or crown did more exalted service than he in 
attending to the burial of the cholera victims, 
and oftentimes it was a difficult matter to se- 
cure help enough to deposit the body in the tomb. 
According to Mr. Seeley's remembrance the 
cholera was brought to Rushville by the family 
of a Mr. Wilson, who emigrated here from Mary- 
land. They came by boat from New Orleans, 
accompanied by Basil Bowen and family, and on 
the way up the Illinois River Mrs. Wilson died 
of cholera. Wishing to give his wife a civilized 
burial. Mr. Wilson and the Bowen family were 
landed on the west bank of the river opposite 
Beardstown and notice was sent to Mr. Seeley at 
Rushville to prepare a coffin. Messrs. McCreery 
and Putman assisted in the burial, and they were 



the first victims of the pestilence that was 
destined to claim more than a score of lives, and 
bring terror into a community that had never 
before known by experience of the cholera plague. 

There was a recurrence of the disease in the 
spring of 1841, and it continued throughout the 
summer with a large fatality, although not equal- 
ing that of the year 1834. From Mr. Hindman's 
list of deaths of that year we get the following 
names and dates : 

March 18— A child of Mr. Metz. 

April 16 — Mr. Blood. 

May 22— J. Eads. 

July 31 — Mrs. MeCroskey. 

August 4— Child of D. Huff. 

August 31 — Mr. Gasper. 

August 31 — Mr. Brown. 

September 21— Child of Hart Fellows. 

October 4 — Mr. Moore. 

November 1 — Mrs. Joseph Leonard. 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



CHAPTER XXXII. 



THE PART OF BIOGRAPHY IN GENERAL HISTORY — 
CITIZENS OF SCHUY'LER COUNTY AND OUTLINES 
OF PERSONAL HISTORY — PERSONAL SKETCHES AR- 
RANGED IN ENCY'CLOPEDIC ORDER. 

The verdict of mankind has awarded to the 
Muse of History the highest place among the 
Classic Nine. The extent of her office, however, 
appears to be, by many minds, but imperfectly 
understood. The task of the historian is compre- 
hensive and exacting. True history reaches be- 
yond the doings of court or camp, beyond the is- 
sue of battles or the effects of treaties, and re- 
cords the trials and the triumphs, the failures 
and the successes of the men who make history. 
It is but an imperfect conception of the philoso- 
phy of events that fails to accord to portraiture 
and biography its rightful position as a part — ■ 
and no unimportant part — of historic narrative. 
Behind and beneath the activities of outward life 
the motive power lies out of sight, just as the 
furnace fires that work the piston and keep the 
ponderous screw revolving down iu the darkness 
of the hold. So. the impulsive power which 
shapes the course of communities may be found 
in the molding influences which form its citizens. 

It is no mere idle curiosity that prompts men 
to wish to learn the private, as well as the public, 
lives of their fellows. Rather is it true that such 
desire tends to prove universal brotherhood ; and 
the interest in personality and biography is not 
confined to men of any particular caste or voca- 
tion. 

The list of those, to whose lot it falls to play a 
conspicuous part in the great drama of life, is 
comparatively short ; yet communities are made 
up of individuals, and the aggregate of achieve- 
ments — no less than the sum total of human hap- 
piness — is made up of the deeds of those men and 
women whose primary aim, through life, is faith- 
fully to perform the duty that comes nearest to 
hand. Individual influences upon human affairs 
will be considered potent or insignificant, accord- 
ing to the standpoint from which it is viewed. To 
him who, standing upon the seashore, notes the 
ebb and flow of the tides and listens to the sullen 
roar of the waves, as they break upon the beach 
in seething foam, seemingly chafing at their lim- 
itations, the ocean appears so vast as to need no 
tributaries. Yet, without the smallest rill that 
helps to swell the "Father of Waters," the mighty 
torrent of the Mississippi would be lessened, and 
the beneficent influence of the Gulf Stream di- 



minished. Countless streams, currents and coun- 
ter currents — sometimes mingling, sometimes 
counteracting each other — collectively combine to 
give motion to the accumulated mass of waters. 
So is it — and so must it ever be — in the ocean of 
human action, which is formed by the blending 
and repulsion of currents of thought, of influence 
and of life, yet more numerous and more tortu- 
ous than those which form the "fountains of the 
deep." The acts and characters of men, like the 
several faces that compose a composite picture, 
are wrought together into a compact or hetero- 
geneous whole. History is condensed biography ; 
"Biography is History teaching by example." 

It is both interesting and instructive to rise 
above the generalization of history and trace, in 
the personality and careers of the men from 
whom it sprang, the principles and influences, the 
impulses and ambitious, the labors, struggles 
and triumphs that engross their lives. 

Here are recorded the careers and achieve- 
ments of pioneers who, "when the fullness of time 
had come," came from widely separated sources, 
some from beyond the sea, impelled by divers 
motives, little conscious of the import of their 
acts, and but dimly anticipating the harvest 
which would spring from the sowing. They built 
their primitive homes, toiling for a present sub- 
sistence while laying the foundations of private 
fortunes and future advancement. 

Most of these have passed away, but not before 
they beheld a development of business and popu- 
lation surpassing the wildest dreams of fancy or 
expectation. A few yet remain whose years have 
passed the allotted three-score and ten, and who 
love to recount, among the cherished memories of 
their lives, their reminiscences of early days. 

[The following items of personal and family 
history, having been arranged in encyclopedic 
(or alphabetical) order as to names of the in- 
dividual subjects, no special index to this part of 
the work will be found necessary.] 

ACHESON, Alexander.— In the Achesons of 
Bainbridge Township, are recognized one of the 
most thrifty and progressive families of Schuyler 
County, and no more worthy representative of it 
could be selected than the gentleman whose name 
heads this article. Retaining the familiar and 
admired characteristics of the best class of Irish- 
men, bright, shrewd and courteous, Alexander 
Acheson has been a resident of the county for 
forty years, and during that long period has stead- 
ily earned the confidence and affection of his as- 
sociates, spreading good cheer along his path- 
way, and, in his declining years, receiving his 



766 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



manifold reward, in the gratitude of those whose 
lives he has brightened and uplifted. A firm 
Democrat ever since he became entitled to vote 
and personally popular, Mr. Acheson has never 
sought either political or public honors, but has 
given his undivided attention to farming as the 
serious business of his life, which has brought 
to his family and himself those comforts which 
go far to counteract unavoidable hardships. Now 
living upon his thoroughly cultivated and highly 
improved farm of 213 acres, his comfortable resi- 
dence and capacious barns give evidence of past 
years of industry and present contentment while, 
with a good wife and filial children affording a 
complete solace, the present days of Alexander 
Acheson must be filled with the kindly peace of 
the wise and faithful worker who has his reward. 

Mr. Achesou is a native of County Tyrone, Ire- 
land, born in March, 1837, a son of Charles and 
Sarah (Condy) Acheson, both natives of that 
county. The father died when Alexander was 
about two years of age, leaving a family of three 
sons and three daughters, all of whom, with 
the widow, came to America at different pe- 
riods. Margaret, the eldest of the family, set- 
tled in Philadelphia, where she married John 
Hamilton, a native of County Donegal, Ireland. 
They afterward came to Schuyler County, 
locating on a farm in Rushville Township at a 
very early day, and spent the later years of their 
lives with their son Robert, a farmer of Macomb 
Township, MeDonough County, 111., who then 
occupied the place now owned by Edward Thomp- 
son. Rebecca, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. 
Charles Acheson, also settled in Philadelphia, 
where she died. The third of the family to come 
to America was William Acheson. Then James, 
Alexander, and Sarah came to Schuyler County 
aboul Christmas, 1866, the mother making her 
home with James for a number of years. They 
came at once to what 'is now Section 3, Bain- 
bridge Township, and located on the fann now 
mi i icd by the subject of this sketch. Here James 
married Jane Herron, a native of Ireland, who 
came to America with an aunt, and here the wife 
died, while he passed the period of his declining 
years in Buena Vista Township. William, the 
fourth of the family, was a farmer of Bainbridge 
Township for many years, and is now a resident 
of Rushville. Sarah, the fifth child, died at the 
home of Alexander. The mother of this family 
made her home with James and there died In 
1S95. 

In 1866 Alexander Acheson, the sixth child of 
the family, then thirty years of age, came direct 
from County Tyrone, Ireland, to Schuyler County. 
111., and in the fall of 1867 settled on a farm of 
sixty-seven acres, which had been purchased for 
$1,800, saved through the united efforts of the 
family. The land was covered with all kinds of 
timber and brush, such as wild locust and hazel 
bush, but a log cabin was built twenty feet 
square and therein the family began real life in 
the New World. To the original purchase enough 
was added, from time to time, to bring the total 
up to 213 acres, which was all thoroughly culti- 



vated and nicely improved. This tract Alexan- 
der Acheson finally purchased, erecting thereon 
a modern dwelling and barns, developing a fine 
orchard, and otherwise making it one of the most 
highly improved and attractive homesteads in the 
township. Here he still resides with his family, 
the active operations of the farm and the care 
of the live-stock being entrusted to hands which 
have not been hardened by so many years of 
toil as his own. 

On February 15, 1SS3, Mr. Acheson was united 
in marriage to Miss Laura Helen Demaree, the 
history of whose family will be found in the biog- 
raphy of W. L. Demaree, published elsewhere in 
this work. The three children of this union are 
as follows : Helen Raeie, who married in Octo- 
ber, 1906, Ward Lambert, a farmer of Littleton 
Township: Mary Nina, residing at home; and 
Ethel, who married February 15, 1008, Samuel 
Dean, and they reside in Oakland Township. All 
have enjoyed the advantages of public school edu- 
cations, and are bright, industrious and promis- 
ing members of the community. The family are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, and the 
parents justly stand high in the estimation of 
the best people of Bainbridge Township. It is 
little wonder that the pride of Alexander Ache- 
son is divided between his family and the adop- 
ted country which has enabled him, through his 
own strength of character, to bring his little 
household to such a position of honor and com- 
fort. 

ACHESON, William. — A certain degree of suc- 
cess usually rewards the efforts of those men to 
whom have been given health, an energetic dispo- 
sition and habits of industry and determination. 
Such were the qualifications of William Acheson 
when he started out in the world, leaving his old 
home across the sea and coming to the new world 
with no other capital than these. When he ar- 
rived at Frederick, Schuyler County, 111., June 
11, 1856, he had only $5.25 in his possession, but 
he was young, hopeful and ambitious, and the 
lack of money proved no discouragement to his 
ardent mind. From that small beginning, by dint 
of labor and good management, he has recently 
been enabled to retire from his farm and removed 
to a comfortable cottage in Rushville. where he 
is surrounded by the comforts rendered possible 
by a well-spent life. 

A native of County Tyrone, North of Ireland, 
William Acheson was born on Christmas Day of 
1834, a son of Charles and Sarab Acheson, men- 
tion of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, 
in the sketch of Alexander Acheson. The father 
died March 10, 1S17, and thereafter the son was 
busily employed in caring for other members of 
the family and in making his own way in the 
world. The future, however, did not look en- 
couraging to him as he viewed prospects in his 
native land, and he finally determined to seek a 
home across the sea. During the spring of 1856 
he came to America, where he made brief so- 
journs in New York and Philadelphia, but soon 
came from the East to join relatives in Illinois. 




WILLIAM McKEE 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



767 



After his arrival in Schuyler County he hired out 
to a hrother-in-law, John Hamilton, for $70 per 
year, and remained in his employ until Mr. Ham- 
ilton died in August of 1860, after which he took 
charge of the farm in the interest of his sister, 
Mrs. Hamilton. 

The marriage of Mr. Acheson took place Sep- 
tember I'll, 1864, uniting him with Miss Mary 
E. Ward, who was born August 27, 1845, in Bain- 
bridge Township, a daughter of Apollos and Jane 
Ward. Mention of the family appears in the 
sketch of James M. Ward, in another part of 
this work. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. 
Acheson remained on the Hamilton farm until 
1M',7. when he bought forty-six acres on Section 
14, in Bainbridge Township, during the following 
year buying sixty acres more. Later he added 
more land from time to time until he acquired 
172 acres. During April, 1907, he retired from 
active cares and removed to Kushvllle, where he 
and his wife have a large circle of warm friends 
am I are highly esteemed lor their noble qualities 
of heart and mind. Politically, Mr. Acheson 
votes with the Democratic party, but has never 
consented to accept political office. For thirty 
years he acted as Steward of the Mount Carmel 
church in Bainbridge Township. 

Seven children blessed the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Acheson, namely : Margaret, born October 
8, 1SG5, married and has one son, Archie, who 
remains with his mother at the old homestead; 
Annie, horn April 16, 1870, married Robert H. 
Crozier, a farmer of Rushville Township; Grace, 
born November 25, 1873, niaried Frederick Pel- 
ton, a carpenter residing at Rushville, and they 
have three children. William, Bertha and Ada : 
Marvin, born December 14. 1870, married Xola 
Blalock, a native of Tennessee and daughter of 
a minister, and they have four children — Mary, 
Harland, Mildred and Edna ; Rollin and Roy, the 
latter bom May 11, 1SS3, and now has charge of 
the homestead in Bainbridge Township. Two 
died in infancy. The home of Marvin's family is 
in Buena Vista Township, where Marvin culti- 
vates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. 

AGANS, Stephen H.— Of the life-long residents 
of Camden Township, who have added to its 
wealth of character and achievement, none have 
been more fortunately placed or more worthily 
rewarded than Stephen H. Agans. Mr. Agans 
has come to the front from a youth not especially 
favored, and containing advantages in no sense 
out of the ordinary. He was born on a fafin in 
Camden Township April 16, 1856, a son of Thomas 
and Annie (Jones) Agans, the former of whom 
was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and came 
to America to satisfy a craving for larger things. 
From New York he journeyed with his scant 
assets to Cairo. 111., across prairies and by crude 
waterways, reaching there during the summer of 
1833. For a time he lived in Rushville, 111., 
where he was engaged in work as an assistant to 
Dr. Worthington. was there. July 6. 1844, mar- 
ried, and about two years later, in 1846, moved 
to the vicinity of Quincy, 111. In 1848 he pur- 



chased sixty acres of wild land in Section 26, 
Camden Township, and there engaged in general 
farming until shortly before his death, which oc- 
curred July 6, 1880, his wife surviving him until 
February 13, 1881. They were the parents of 
ten children, four of whim are now living, two 
sons and two daughters, namely: (1) Stephen 
H., the subject of this sketch; (II) Rosa, who 
married John H. Peters, and they have one 
child, Mary Catherine, wife of Whitney Ingles, 
residing in Camden Township ; (III) Susan C, 
the wife of J. H. Race, of Camden Township, 
who has three children — ( 1 ) Delia, wife of Ed- 
ward Briggs, having one son, (2) Bertha, wife 
of Edward Yarbrough, of Camden Township, hav- 
ing one daughter, and (3) Alta, at home; (IV) 
Levi, who married Ida Avery, resides in Camden 
Township, and has seven children. Of the other 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Agans, three 
died in infancy. Sarah died at the age of sixteen 
years; William is the deceased husband of Mrs. 
Mulvania (Radinger) Agans, a resident of Cam- 
den Township ; and Hester Ann, married, first, 
Huston Sandy Race, who died in Meinnhis, Tenn., 
as a soldier in the One Hundred and Nineteenth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and for her second 
husband married (Jreenbury Clayton, of Industry, 
111. 

The first happening out of the ordinary in the 
life of Stephen II. Agans was his marriage, April 
1, 1875, to Louise Eifert, a native of New Or- 
leans, who came to Camden Township with her 
parents, John and Annie Eifert, when she was 
five years old. The Eiferts are among the early 
and honored pioneers of Schuyler County. Mr. 
Agans purchased the home of his wife's parents, 
and also that of his father, and he now owns 
260 acres in Camden Township, and one hundred 
and sixty acres in Brown County. At the pres- 
ent time he is making a specialty of stock-breed- 
ing, and is owner of a herd of fifty Aberdeen 
Angus cattle, eligible for registration. The ap- 
pointments of his farm are modern for the most 
part, and a large amount of money has been ex- 
pended for buildings, fences, drainage and imple- 
ments. The owner is a methodical and practical 
fanner, but at the same time has a keen appre- 
ciation of the things that make for comfort, and 
the trees, shrubbery, gardens and vistas that 
contribute to the pleasure of the mind and eye. 

Supplementing his activity and success as a 
farmer. Mr. Agans has rendered conscientious 
and satisfactory political service, having been 
elected on the Democratic ticket, to most of the 
important local offices. He was for eight years 
Justice of the Peace, for six years Supervisor, 
Assessor for a like period, and Road Commis- 
sioner several terms. He also was a member of 
I lie Board of Review, and has held other posi- 
tions of local responsibility. Socially he is con- 
nected with the Mutual Protective League, and 
in religion is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Agans are the pa- 
rents of four children: Annie F., wife of B. B. 
Bowers, a farmer in Section 21, Camden Town- 
ship, who have five childen — Herald (who died 



7G8 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



at age of one year), Loren and Jerald; Mary 
Isabella, wife of J. Walter Hare, a farmer in 
Section 35, Camden Township, and father of 
Orville AV., Eva and Morris Hare. Mr. Agans is 

a highly respected and very useful citizen, enter- 
ing into the life of the community with intelli- 
gence and rare good sense, and in his many-sided 
undertakings winning the approval and appre- 
ciation of the best element of the community. 

AMBROSIUS, John C. — The wage-earning ca- 
reer of John C. Ambrosius extended from about 
his sixth year until his retirement to Rushville 
in 1907. Few of the leisure class of the commu- 
nity have so unremittingly pursued the habit of 
industry, or so wisely utilized their opportunities, 
as has this erstwhile fanner and stock-raiser, the 
present worldly assets of whom consist of a com- 
fortable town home, and 200 acres of valuable 
land in Section 16, Woodstock Township. Mr. 
Ambrosius was a year old when brought to 
Schuyler County by his parents from Clark 
County. Ind., where he was born December 22, 
184(5. His father, Philip Ambrosius, was born 
in Germany, and according to the time-honored 
custom which secured early independence to the 
youth of the Fatherland, was apprenticed to a 
cooper at the age of fourteen years, thereafter 
following the cooper's trade until coming to the 
United States at the age of twenty-one. Locat- 
ing in Clark County. Ind.. among people who 
spoke a strange tongue and who had few inter- 
ests in common with his own, he rapidly forged 
to the front as a cooper, and the next year mar- 
ried and established a home of his own. Upon 
coining to Schuyler County in 1847, he located 
near Frederick and there plied his trade, thence 
removing to Pleasantview, Schuyler Couuty, and 
from there to the State of Missouri. Returning 
the fall of the same year, he bought eighty acres 
of land in Rushville Township, north of the 
farm of M. S. Strong, and here his death oc- 
curred at an advanced age, his wife thereafter 
making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Jor- 
' dan, up to the time of her death in August, lfMtt. 
This couple were the parents of eleven children. 
six of whom are still living: Rosalie, wife of 
Thomas Baxter, of McDonough County, Ill- 
Simon, a farmer of Harrison County, Mo. ; Eli- 
jah, occupying a farm near Camden. Schuyler 
('. unity: Frances, wife of Jacob Swope, of As- 
toria. 111. : Elizina. wife of Henry T. Jordan, of 
Camden. 111.: and Philip. The parents were 
members of the Union Baptist Church, and the 
father was a Democrat in politics. 

The hard work of his life began when John C. 
Ambrosius should have been care free, but such 
were the family fortunes, and so large the num- 
ber of children, that each was compelled to con- 
tribute to the general support as soon as their 
strength permitted. Practically all of the chil- 
dren acquired a knowledge of coopering, and little 
John C. was no exception to the rule. At six he 
had made his work of value, and from then until 
his retirement, he knew no such thing as help 
of a financial kind from any one. When his 



strength permitted he broke prairie with an ox 
team, cut timber, made staves which he hauled 
to the market, and also made flour and other 
barrels which brought in a considerable revenue. 
Such education as he received was acquired dur- 
ing a few winter months when he attended school 
irregularly, but lie was keen and observing, and 
experience and observation have been his most 
beneficent teachers. Iu 1875 he joined his 
brother in the purchase of a farm of 125 acres in 
Browning Township, fifteen acres of which they 
cleared, and May 18, 1S76, Mr. Ambrosius mar- 
ried Nancy Serrot. a native of Sugar Grove, 
Woodstock Township, and daughter of a very 
early pioneer family. After his marriage Mr. 
Ambrosius bought his brother's share in the 
farm, improved the same until 1887, and that 
year sold out and bought 12ti acres in Section 16, 
Woodstock Township. To this he lias added 
eighty acres, and now owns two hundred acres 
of as fine and productive land as is to be found 
in the township. Through the exercise of the 
greatest economy while on the paternal farm ; he 
acquired a fortune of $000, a team and wagon, 
and some substantial wearing apparel ; and from 
this nucleus has come a prosperity which he 
richly deserves and has worthily won. He was 
obliged to go in debt for a part of his land, pay- 
ing ten per cent, interest on the same, but this 
deficiency melted away in a short time, giving 
place to that supreme independence which a man 
feels who is the architect of his own success, and 
the absolute possessor of the domain he occu- 
pies. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Ambrosius have been born 
seven children : Rhoda, wife of Thomas Gregory, 
who has one child ; Lois, on the home farm ; W. 
H. Ambrosius, whose wife died April 23, 1906 ; 
Marion, connected with the Brown Shoe Factory, 
of St. Louis ; Lilly, wife of Clarence Rhinehart. 
also on the Woodstock Township farm, and the 
mother of two children, Jemima and Chester ; 
George, living at home : and Clarice, also at 
home. W. H. Ambrosius is a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of the World at Ripley. The farm 
of Mr. Ambrosius is being conducted by his capa- 
ble sons, who have been carefully trained by 
him. and given every advantage possible under 
the circumstances. He is the possessor of a 
competence sufficient to tide over any emeregncy 
that may arise during the latter part of his life, 
and what is of far greater value, of the kindly 
regard and confidence of the people among whom 
has been spent his well directed and moderate 
life. 

AMRINE, Roscoe C, D. D. S.— A type of the 
able and resourceful dental practitioner is found 
in Dr. Roscoe C. Amrine. who arrived in Rush- 
ville. 111., in the summer of 1891 and opened an 
office over the "Little" store, a location which 
he still occupies in the new building which has 
replaced it. 

The boyhood and early manhood of Dr. Amrine 
was spent on a farm near Vermont, Fulton 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



769 



County, 111., where he w;is born May 19, 1868. 
The stable traits of Dutch-English ancestors have 
come a long way without losing torce, and when 
transferred to this side of the water, have digni- 
fied agriculture, merchandising and the profes- 
sions. The progenitor of the Amrine family in 
America, the great-grandfather of Dr. Amrine, 
came from Holland and married a Miss O'Neil, of 
the western portion of Virginia, where he settled 
on a farm and spent the remainder of bis life. 
Fred Amrine, the paternal grandfather, was born 
on the Virginia farm, and married Nancy Shep- 
herd, also of the "Old Dominion." Milton Am- 
rine. son of Fred, and father of Dr. Amrine, was 
born at Wheeling, W. Va., and married Roxanua 
Litchfield, a native of Cosehocton County, Ohio, 
and a daughter of Chauncy and Martha (Yight) 
Litchfield, natives of Connecticut and Attica, 
respectively. Leonard Litchfield, the maternal 
great-grandfather, who married a Miss Spauld- 
ing, was born in England, and settled in Con- 
necticut. 

Dr. Amrine was educated primarily in the 
public schools of Vermont, and after graduating 
from the high school, entered the dental depart- 
ment of the Iowa State University, at Iowa City, 
and upon his graduation settled for a time in 
Astoria, 111., coming to Rushville in 1S91. Not- 
withstanding his devotion to his profession, the 
Doctor finds time to participate in various phases 
of municipal life, and since its organization, has 
served as President of the Rushville Building 
and Loan Association. Politically, he is identi- 
fied with the Republican party, and has been 
called upon to fill various offices of importance 
in the community. He first became a member 
of the City Council in 1S97, was President of that 
body the following year, and when the town was 
incorporated under the present charter, was 
Mayor of the new municipality. To his artistic, 
scientific, and mechanical attainments, Dr. Am- 
rine adds a genial and optimistic nature, a public- 
spirited interest in all that tends t<> the growth 
of his city, and an earnest sympathy and good- 
will which win him a large circle of friends, and 
a liberal patronage. 

ARMSTRONG, John, a substantial and prosper- 
ous farmer residing in Section 3, Bainbridge 
Township. Schuyler County, 111., was born in tins 
township, in the vicinity of Pleasantview, July 
12, 1859, a son of Thomas and Catherine Arm- 
strong. A narrative of the career of Thomas 
Armstrong may be found in the following sec- 
tion of this work. John Armstrong received bis 
education in the district schools of Bainbridge 
Township, and assisted in the work of the 
home farm until he reached the age of twenty- 
one years. On attaining liis majority, he rented 
a tract of land in Section 2. same township, on 
which be remained but a short time. In the 
spring of 1881, he rented the Thomas Wilson 
farm, cultivating it until 1887, and afterwards 
occupying the Riley Milby place one year. In 
18S9, he bought 120 acres of land in Section 3, 
Bainbridge Township, where he has since con- 



tinued to live. When he took possession of the 
property it was in poor condition, but he has 
made many improvements and now has a fine 
farm consisting of IN.", acres. 

On September 30, 1880. Mr. Armstrong was 
united in marriage with Emma F. Miller, who 
was born in Rushville Township, Schuyler 
County, September IT.. 1859, a daughter of John 
Henry and Sarah Holland Miller, whose biogra- 
phy appears on another page in this work. The 
father of Mrs. Armstrong was one of the pioneer 
settlers of Bainbridge Township. Mr. and Mrs. 
Amstrong are the parents of two sens: Harvey ', 
born October 11, 1SS1 ; and Owen, born July 2:»! 
1886. Both received a good common school edu- 
cation. Harvey married May Thompson of 
Woodstock Township, and carries on farming in 
Bainbridge Township. They have one child, 
Francis. Owen married Vera Clemons. daughter 
of William Clemons, a farmer of Rushville Town- 
ship, and assists his father in the management 
of the home farm. 

In politics, Mr. Armstrong is a supporter of 
the Democratic party, and for three years, ren- 
dered faithful public service as Township Su- 
pervisor. He is a thorough and successful 
farmer, and a dutiful and useful citizen. 

ARMSTRONG, Thomas, a prosperous farmer of 
many years' standing and a resident of Bain- 
bridge Township. Schuyler County, for more 
than half a century, is of that Scotch-Irish stock, 
to which this section is so much indebted for its 
agricultural advancement and general progress. 
He is new living in comfortable and well de- 
served retirement in the pretty village of Pleas- 
antview, bis greatest bereavement, which has 
come upon him in his later years, being the death 
of his wife, who passed away December 9, 1905, 
after having borne him five children and been his 
good and faithful helpmate for more than forty- 
six years. Before passing away she had been per- 
mitted to see four of her children reach ages of 
useful maturity, and the family as a whole reach 
a most substantial and honorable station, in the 
community. • 

Mr. Armstrong was born in County Monaghan, 
Ireland, in the month of March, 1837. his father, 
Robert Armstrong, being a native of the same 
county, but unquestionably of Scutch origin. A 
farmer by occupation, he passed his life in his 
native land, where he was married to Jane Cro- 
zier. of County Tyrone, Ireland, a daughter of 
William Crozier. Mrs. Robert Armstrong emi- 
grated to America in 1852 and first located in 
New York, where she resided four years, and in 
1858 became a resident of Illinois. She was the 
mother of sixteen children. 

When a youth of sixteen years, Thomas Arm- 
strong sailed from Dundalk, Eastern Ireland, to 
Liverpool. England, and thence embarked on an 
American vessel for the port of New York, land- 
ing at the place last named after a voyage of five 
weeks and three days. There, without friends or 
money, he started life in the New World by 
working at the cabinetmaker's trade, and after 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



following that occupation for about a year and a 
half, turned his attention to marble cutting. But 
times were hard, and finding that he could earn 
little money at manual labor in the East, he de- 
termined to try his fortunes in the western fron- 
tier. To that end he located in Rushville, 111., 
where for three years he worked by the day, 
month ei- j<ib. ami then fortunately entered the 
broad field of agriculture by farming for a time 
on rented land. Later he purchased forty acres 
in Bainbridge Township, a small house being on 
the place ami seven acres cleared; this was the 
extent of the improvements. After living there 
for four years and greatly improving the home- 
stead, Mr. Armstrong sold the property at an ad- 
vance and bought seventy-five acres in the same 
township. From the latter farm he obtained a 
comfortable living for some years, continually 
adding improvements by the remodeling of old 
buildings and the erection of new ones, and when 
he had disposed of this place he was in position 
to buy the 106 acres in Bainbridge Township, 
which became the nucleus of his landed estate 
which afterward amounted to 285 acres. His 
retirement from active farming and location at 
Pleasantview terminated a long and successful 
career in agricultural pursuits, and proved con- 
clusively the wisdom of his determination to 
abandon the unprofitable drudgery of the handi- 
er,! its for the healthful science of agriculture, 
with its almost certain rewards of comfort and 
independence following in the wake of intelligent 
application and judicious management. 

In 1859 Thomas Armstrong married Miss 
Catherine Ryan, of Buena Vista Township, Schuy- 
ler County, born February 1. 1840, to Charles 
and Margaret (Strong) Ryan. The father moved 
from his native State of Ohio to Frederick. 
Schuyler County, where he married, and settled 
in Buena Vista Township in 1833. There he died 
January 9. 1891, his wife having preceded him 
December 16. 18T9. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Arm- 
strong have become the parents of the following 
named children : John, whose biography appears 
in another part of this history ; Mary, Charles. 
Robert.' Samuel and Frank ( deceased I. As stated. 
Mrs. Armstrong was called from her busy and 
useful life in 1905, comforted to the last by her 
affectionate husband and children and by her 
unwavering religious faith. The deceased was a 
member of the Methodist Church, as is her bus- 
band. 

ARTHUR, Abraham, (deceased), a former citi- 
zen of Schuyler County, 111., but later a resident 
of McDonough County, spending the last years 
of his life in the city of Bushnell. was born in 
Huntingdon County. Pa., November 22. 1824, the 
son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Ar- 
thur, both natives of the Keystone State. After 
receiving his primary education in the public 
schools of his native State, in 1844, at the age 
ef twenty years, he left the pa rental roof, and 
joining the tide of emigration towards the West, 
located at Rushville. 111., where he remained 
until 1845, when he removed to Beardstown. 



After several changes, in 1S56 he located on a 
farm in Walnut Grove Township, McDonough 
County, which continued to be his home for many 
years. Mr. Arthur was united in marriage to 
Margaret Ann Hageman, who was born in Wayne 
County, Ohio, January 26, 1829, the daughter 
of Mr. and Mrs, Adam Hageman. Six children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur, namely : 
Joseph, who died May 18. 1865; Jesse, who mar- 
ried Harriet Atkinson and resides in Whiting. 
Kan. : Franklin, married in November, 1877. 
Lucinda Vertrees, and died August 4, 1879, his 
wife having died May 4, previous: Mary J., mar- 
ried Jacob Angle, and resides at Whiting, Kan. ; 
Catherine Frances, married Fillmore Muruinert, 
and resides in Bushnell, McDonough County, and 
Margaret Jeanette, who married William J. 
Thompson and now resides near Rushville, 111. 

In the early part of 1S65, Mr. Arthur enlisted 
in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-first Il- 
linois Volunteer Infantry, which was mustered 
into service at Quincy, 111., on February 23d of 
that year, and which was employed chiefly in 
guard duty, hut taking part in several guerrilla 
skirmishes in Georgia and other Southern States, 
received its discharge at Springfield, 111., Feb- 
ruary 8, 1866. Mr. Arthur served as First Cor- 
poral of his company, holding this position at the 
time of his muster-out. 

While a resident of Walnut Grove Township, 
Mr. Arthur was the owner of 191 acres of land, 
of which 140 acres were under cultivation. He 
also held the office of School Director and was a 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic and 
of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. Several 
years before his passing away he removed from 
the farm to Bushnell, III., where he continued to 
reside until his death, which occurred October 15, 
1898, at the age of seventy-four years, being then 
survived by his wife and four children. The 
funeral services, conducted two days later, under 
charge of the Grand Army Post, with Rev. J. A. 
McGaughey, of the Presbyterian Church, officiat- 
ing, were attended by a large number of sor- 
rowing friends, who still hold his private life and 
patriotic service to his country in honored and 
grateful remembrance. Mrs. Arthur died in 
Bushnell May 2, 1905. 

AVERY, James. — The Avery family, whose first 
and second generation is welded together in the 
common interest of stock-raising continuously pro- 
moted since 1859, needs no introduction to the 
people of Schuyler County, among whom it was 
established in Camden Township in 1851. The 
name stands for the best possible of accomplish- 
ment in this department of agriculture, and not 
only the question of quality, but of the large 
numbers of stock, has contributed to its substan- 
tial and influential standing in the State. The 
resourceful founder, Philander Avery, who died 
May 9. 19o7. was a man whose remarkable re- 
sourcefulness is dwelt upon in detail in another 
part of this work. He was the boon companion 
and business associate of his son James, and 



HISTORY OF SCFTUYLER COUNTY. 



771 



rarely has tliere existed a more harmonious 
blending of virile and worth while life purposes. 

James Avery was born in Knoxville, 111., July 
30, 1S45, and in 1851 accompanied his parents to 
Camden Township. Schuyler County, where he 
was reared on the homestead and educated in the 
public schools. He took naturally to farming, 
and has had no diverting ambition from the occu- 
pation for which he is so well suited. At the 
age of nineteen, and alter thorough drilling in 
all departments of the farm, he became his fath- 
ers assistant in buying, selling, shipping and 
feeding stock, and has been thus employed ever 
since. Few men in the county or State have a 
more practical knowledge of the calling. Father 
and son often disposed of as many as two hun- 
dred and seventy-five head a year, and the busi- 
ness, as new conducted by James Avery and his 
son, Lafayette, makes equally creditable showing. 
Mr. Avery owns 1,040 acres of land, and there- 
fore has unlimited opportunity for the promotion 
of stock-raising. His facilities are the best pos- 
sible of acquiring, and the general impression 
conveyed by his farm is of a management which 
halts only at the best and maintains the highest 
of business ethics anil methods. 

Mr. Avery is one of the generally enterprising 
men of Schuyler Clunty, and besides the faculty 
of accumulation, is well fitted for political serv- 
ice, as demonstrated over a course of many years. 
He is a Democrat in politics, and has held most 
of the township offices, eliciting general commen- 
dation, irrespective of political creed. With his 
son he is identified with the Camden Lodge No. 
648 A. F. & A. M. On February 25, 1SC8, James 
Avery was united in marriage to Martha Dixon, 
Mrs. Avery being a daughter of Lawson Dixon, 
anil born in Brown County. 111. Of this union 
there was one son. Lafayette, his father's busi- 
ness partner. Lafayette Avery married for bis 
first wife, Louise Peters, who died December- 25, 
1895, leaving a daughter. Ara V. For his sec- 
ond wife Mr. Avery married Hattie Miller in 
1897, and of this union there is a son, James L. 
The younger Mr. Avery shares his father's en- 
thusiasm for stock-raising, and has acquired 
great understanding and proficiency therein. 

AVERY, Philander, (deceased). — The establish- 
ment of the Avery family in the United States 
dates back more than one hundred years, to an 
early period in our country's history when an 
Irish lad crossed the ocean from his native land 
to the new world. As he grew to manhood he 
became a sailor and for some years followed the 
high seas, but eventually returned to land, took 
up agricultural pursuits, married and reared a 
large family. After his children had been com- 
fortably settled in life, he and his wife removed 
from Ohio to Illinois, settling in Schuyler County, 
where he died at the age of eighty-five years. 
Among his children was a son. David, a native 
of Pennsylvania but from youth a resident of 
Ohio, where in 1S21 he married Margaret Adams, 
likewise born in Pennsylvania. Their son. Phil- 
ander, whose name introduces this article, was 



born in Franklin County, Ohio, June 13, 1823. 
During the year 1832 the family followed the 
tide of migration drifting toward the Mississippi 
valley. Settling in Illinois, they made a brief 
sojourn at Colwell, 111., thence moved to Rush- 
ville, and about 1840 settled in Woodford County, 
where the father entered a tract of raw laud 
from the Government. Later he disposed of that 
property and moved to Missouri, where he made 
his home for three years. On his return to Il- 
linois he settled in Schuyler County, where he 
died in 1851. Two months after his demise his 
wife passed away. 

Upon the return of the family from Missouri to 
Illinois and the quickly following bereavement 
occasioned by the father's death, Philander Avery 
began the struggle of life for himself. As an 
equipment he had one team and $50 in cash, a 
small sum, indeed, with which to cope with the 
difficulties and adversities of the world. Fortu- 
nately, he possessed energy, indomitable will and 
tireless perseverance, as well as a robust phy- 
sique which forms no unimportant part of one's 
capital. During the fall of 1852 he purchased 
eighty acres of land on Section 27. Camden Town- 
ship, and with the aid of his team he began to 
till the soil of his newly-acquired possession. The 
first taxes which lie paid amounted to thirty-five 
cents, from which small payment the assess- 
ments increased witli his growing riches until he 
ranked among the largest tax-payers in the town- 
ship. At the time of his death he owned 403 
acres of land as fertile as any that could be 
found within the limits of the township, and in 
addition be left at bis death considerable per- 
sonal property. 

The acquisition of a large property by no 
means represented the limit of Mr. Avery's ac- 
tivities. Indeed, from the standpoint of the hu- 
manitarian, it was the least important accom- 
plishment of his life. Towering far above any 
worldly success he achieved was his success in 
the building up of a noble character, in the ac- 
quisition of those traits which endear a man to 
his associates and make him a benefactor to the 
race. Legion is the name of those who bene- 
fited by his acts of kindness, legion the names of 
those who remember him as their benefactor. To 
young men starting out in life he was a wise 
counselor and practical assistant. His aid was 
given them when they wished to buy a farm. 
Money was readily furnished by him to energetic 
young men whom he knew to be capable and per- 
severing. When they came to pay him the inter- 
est, often he would tell them to keep the interest- 
money and use it in buying a calf or a hog. More 
than once, when interest and a part of the prin- 
cipal would be paid, he would return all of the 
interest and one-half of the principal, with the 
suggestion that the money be invested in cattle 
or hogs. Cases were known where he would thus 
aid a man for more than twenty years, until his 
financial standing was established and no danger 
of failure to discourage him. Many a substantial 
barn and comfortable dwelling house in the town- 
ship would not have been erected but for his en- 



m 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



couraging aid. 'When be was convinced of a 
man's honesty he would loan him money without 
requiring a note to he signed. Indeed, so broad 
w;ix his philanthropy, so kind his heart, so open 
his purse and so generous his disposition, that he 
was beloved wherever known, and there were few 
men so lost in ingratitude as to repay his kind- 
nesses with neglect. On the contrary, few im- 
jjosed upon his generosity or took undue advan- 
tage of his charities. He lived and labored among 
his neighbors, honored and beloved, and when 
death came to him. May '.). 1907, the grief was 
widespread and sincere, and the manifestations 
of sympathy were many and touching. It was felt 
that no citizen would be missed more than he, 
for lunie bad more indelibly impressed his per- 
sonality upon his associates. In the annals of 
the township his name is worthy of perpetuity, 
while in the hearts of those whom he aided his 
memory will be kept green as long as life shall 
last. 

The marriage of Mr. Avery occurred in 1842. 
uniting him with Mrs. Elizabeth (Bryant) Meeks, 
a widow, who was born and reared in Stokes 
County, X. C. where she was married to her 
first husband. Of that union three children were 
born, only oue of whom survives, Mrs. Maria 
I lay. of Macomb, 111. The marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. Avery was blessed with two children. The 
only daughter of that union, Mary Ann, was 
drowned at the age of fifteen years in a stream 
near the old homestead. The son. James, who 
owns the old home farm, is represented on an- 
other page of this work. The wife and mother 
passed from earth November Hi. 1891. In fra- 
ternal relations Mr. Avery was identified with 
('.linden Lodge Xo. 648. A. F. & A. M„ and no one 
better than he exemplified in life the high and 
ennobling principles of Masonry. The Demo- 
cratic party received his support and its candi- 
dates counted upon bis ballot and sympathetic 
assistance, yet partisanship never entered into 
his acts, and devotion to his country was more 
important to him than devotion to any political 
party. The pioneer type of citizenship found in 
him a splendid illustration. It is such men as be 
who laid the foundations of our Government and 
who brought to the eyes of the world the bound- 
less resources of our Central States. 

BAGBY, Hon. John C. (deceased).— For many 
years the liar of Schuyler County had no more 
able or distinguished representative than the 
Hon. John C. Bagby, of Rushville, where lie lo- 
cated in 1846. Mr. Bagby was born in Glas- 
gow, Barren County. Ky.. January 24, 1819, a 
Mm of the Rev. Sylvanus M. Bagby, and grand- 
son of Richard Bagby. born in Louisa County. 
Va., where the Rev. Sylvanus was born. Septem- 
ber 2ii. 1 ,s,. The father of Richard Bagby, John 
Bagby. was born in Scotland, and from there 
went to Wales, married and made it bis home 
for a number of years, but eventually he emi- 
grated to America and founded bis family in 
Colonial Virginia. Later he became a wealthy 
man, owned a number of slaves, as did also bis 



son. Richard, who married Sarah Kimbrougb, a 
native of Virginia, although of Welsh descent. 

Sylvanus M. Bagby was reared by John Bagby, 
bis uncle, having been left an orphan at a ten- 
der age, and after leaving the carpenter trade, be 
located, iu 1828, in Kentucky, becoming one of 
the pioneers of Glasgow. In that village, in 
June. 1st:;, lie was married to Frances S. 
Courts, born May 17, 1793, in Caroline County. 
Va., daughter of John and Frances (Winn) 
Courts, natives of England and Culpeper, Va., 
respectively. Early in his life. Sylvanus M. 
Bagby became converted to the Baptist faith, 
and so strong was his conviction, that he be- 
came a minister of that church, preaching on 
Sunday and working as a carpenter during 
week days. This continued until 1828, when he 
became convinced that the teachings of Alex- 
ander Campbell Were more iu accordance with 
his personal views, and lie was very active in 
organizing the first Christian Church in Bar- 
ren County, and thereafter was a clergyman of 
that creed. 

Until 1842 lie remained at Glasgow and then 
decided on new fields and, with his wife and 
eight daughters, came to Rushville. 111., where 
he embarked in a mercantile business, and also 
engaged iu farming upon property the site of 
the present depot. His career of usefulness and 
piety terminated, however, in 1848. and his 
widow only survived him ten years. Their fam- 
ily was as follows: Albert K., Martha A. Hall, 
Prances H„ Montgomery, Clara Ramsey. Emily 
i'., Zorelda Van Hosen and the late Hon. John C. 

Mr. Bagby bad a very liberal education, at- 
tending not only the schools of his neighbor- 
hood, but also Bacon College (then at George- 
town!, from which he was graduated in 1.840 
as civil engineer. Upon his return to Glasgow 
he taught school and studied law. and when he 
was admitted to the bar in 184(i lie located at 
Rushville and entered upon an active practice. 
A year later a partnership of a year's standing 
was formed with William A. Minshail, ami 
ended with the election of Mr. Minshail to the 
circuit bench. 

The political career of Mr. Bagby was varied. 
He was elected to Congress in 1874, served as 
Circuit Judge from 18,85 to 1S02. was a Whig, 
voting for William Henry Harrison, then a 
Republican, helping organize the party, and thus 
continuing until 1872. when he cast bis influence 
with the Democrats to vote for Horace Greeley. 
Fraternally, lie was a member of the A. F. and 
A. M.. Rushville Lodge Xo. 9, for forty-six years, 
and for eleven terms was honored by election as 
Master. Stapleton Chapter Xo. 9. R. A. M. was 
organized by him and several other enthusiastic 
Masons. Mr. Bagby always was interested in 
prohibition and belonged to the Sons of Tem- 
perance. 

His marriage occurred on October 1. 1850, to 
Miss Mary A. Scripps. 

BALL, Amos Willis, M. D. — The qualities which 
contribute to the rounding of every successful 




.JOHN HENRY MILLER 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



career — energy, industry, perseverance and a 
high aim in life — find conspicuous expression in 
Dr. Amos Willis Ball, of whose splendid skill 
and usefulness the city of Rushville has heen a 
witness since 18ST. Dr. Ball represents that class 
of scientists who have an ever widening horizon, 
and who recognize no limit to the possibilities of 
their inexhaustible calling. His opportunities, 
largely of his own creating, have been excep- 
tional, and comparatively few men in the county, 
and indeed in the State, are better equipped for 
exercising the prerogatives of the art of healing. 

Dr. Ball comes honestly by his predilection for 
medicine, as his father, Joseph T. Ball, who was 
a native of Morgan County, Ohio, was a practic- 
ing physician for many years both in his home 
State and at Ipava, Fultou County, 111., where 
the sou was born August 21, 1861. The lad 
proved an apt and ambitious student, completing 
his high-school course in Ipava in 1877 at the 
age of sixteen years, and in connection with his 
preliminaries studies, absorbing much of medical 
lore from the books in his father's office. In 
1883 he entered upon the three years' course at 
the Missouri Medical College. St. Louis, and alter 
his graduation in the class of 1886, spent a year 
as his father's associate in Ipava. During the 
fall of 1887 he came to Rushville, and the people 
of that place were not slow to recognize the 
promise and ability of the young practitioner who 
sought a foothold in the midst of their increasing 
population and activities. Twenty years of prac- 
tical experience, of unremitting research, and 
fixity of purpose have improved a hundred- 
fold the resources of this successful physician, 
and he has left no stone unturned to keep abreast 
of the progress in his line of work, and at what- 
ever cost, to become familiar with the latest de- 
velopments of medical science. 

From time to time Dr. Ball has pursued post- 
graduate courses at the foremost centers of pro- 
fessional activity in this country and Europe, at- 
tending courses at the St. Louis Post-Graduate 
School and Hospital, studying also in New York ; 
in London. England ; in Edinburg, Scotland ; and 
in Belfast, Ireland, and during 1807 availing 
himself of the unrivaled opportunities afforded 
at Heidelberg, Germany. He has attended clin- 
ics of the most famous physicians and surgeons 
in all of these places, and it would seem that 
little remains to tempt his craving for enlighten- 
ment. The Doctor's office is equipped with the 
most modern of medical and surgical facilities, 
including an X-I!ay machine and Vibrator outfit : 
and he engages in a general practice of his pro- 
fession, leaning, however, towards the universal 
preference for surgery and, in his ease, the dis- 
eases of women. He is Secretary of the Board of 
United States Tension Examiners, President of 
the Schuyler County Medical Association, and a 
member of the State, Military Tract and Amer- 
ican Medical Societies. In political affiliation he 
Is a Republican, is Chairman of the Republican 
County Central Committee, has served as Alder- 
man of the First Ward of Rushville. was Presi- 
dent of theTJoard of Education for several years ; 



in fact, has held about all ol the local offices in 
the gitt of the people. Fraternally he is identi- 
fied with the Masons, in which be lias taken the 
32nd degree, and is a member of .Mohamet Shrine. 
of Peoria; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica, the Mutual Protective League and the B. P. 
O. E.. Beardstown Lodge 1007. 

The marriage of Dr. Ball and Anna R. Thomp- 
son occurred November IS, 1891, and of the 
union there is one son, John Maurice, born 
October 18, 1808. The Doctor and his wife are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
is a man of dignified and pleasing personality, 
possessing tact, consideration, optimism, and 
many other fine and almost indispensable quali- 
ties which accompany the rise of the foremost 
and most useful men of his profession. 

BALLOU, John Alexander. — That adversity 
breaks down the weak and builds up the strong 
is a truism emphasized in the career of John 
Alexander Ballon, than whom Rushville Town- 
ship has no more honored and dependable farmer 
and landowner. Cast adrift and at the mercy of 
the multitudinous and conflicting currents of the 
world at the early age of eight years, having but 
a dim recollection of the saving grace of a moth- 
er's love or a father's counsel, breathing an at- 
mosphere which responded but faintly to the 
innate nobility and tireless ambition which dig- 
nified even his earliest years, and shut out, by 
the grind of poverty and labor from eveu the 
advantages of a crude country school, it is not 
surprising that the advancement of this intrepid 
landsman to a position among the wealthy and 
influential men of his community should belittle 
the pretensions of many of our supi>osed self- 
made men. In the truest and highest sense does 
this term apply to Mr. Ballou, and the rare and 
splendid lesson of his life is, that what a man 
expects and wisely works for he almost invaria- 
bly achieves. 

Born in Nashville, Tenn., February 17, 1851, 
Mr. Ballou is a son of John and Jane Ballou. and 
when two years of age he was brought overland 
in a wagon to Brown County, 111., settling in 
Cooperstown, where his father followed his trade 
of barrel maker. Not finding the desired amount 
of work, the elder Ballou sought employment in 
St. Louis in 1856, and upon his return shortly 
after, was stricken with cholera from which he 
died during the second night after the attack, 
and was the second to be buried in the little 
cemetery at Cooperstown. His wife remained 
in Brown County until 1858, when she married 
William Munnett, moved with him to Frederick, 
Schuyler County, and there died about 1860. In 
the meantime, her four sons and four daughters 
had found homes with the farmers in Brown and 
other counties, and thus was enacted another 
tragedy of a broken home and children deprived 
of all that makes childhood beautiful and worth 
living. Of those who were destined to survive 
their responsibility burdened childhood. Benja- 
min Ballou is a farmer in Bainbridge Township; 



774 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Mary Lucinda, a resident of Los Angeles, Cal., 
married first to Smith Wright, and later to Wit- 
yer; Bertie is the deceased wife of Capt. W. C. 
Roberts; and Abijah died in Liberty, Mo., leaving 
a large family of children. 

When John A. Ballou was eight years old be 
went to work for a Mr. Rice, who considered 
board and clothes sufficient remuneration for his 
services. His working day began with the rising 
of the sun and often extended until after night- 
fall, and he was given scarcely any chance at 
all to acquire even the rudiments of an education. 
At about the age of fifteen he had a change of 
employers, and from then until attaining his ma- 
jority, labored in many places and saw much of 
the seamy and difficult side of existence. His 
faith in better things never faltered, however, 
not even when, in lieu of the horse, saddle and 
bridle promised him for his long and faithful 
service, he was given a colt with no trappings, 
and of little immediate value to him. He then 
went to work by the month for Jesse Darnell, a 
man of justice and consideration, and in this 
way managed to save some money, and to estab- 
lish a home of his own by marrying, in 1S75, 
Mary Maleomson, daughter of James Malcomson, 
mention of whom may be found on another page 
of this work. Mr. Ballou took hie wife to a 
rented farm owned by his former employer. Mr. 
Darnell, and in 1S66, bought sixty acres of land 
which continued to be his home until 1886. Dis- 
posing of this farm, he bought ninety-six acres 
in Section 35, Rushville Township, which at that 
time was practically destitute of improvements. 
His industry soon worked a transformation in 
this land, and he added to it until he now owns 
136 acres, with as fine improvements as are to 
be found on any farm in the county. Especially 
worthy of mention is the two-story frame resi- 
dence, fifty by thirty-two feet, with modern and 
comfortable furnishings, and which is one of the 
delightful and hospitable homes in the township. 
Nor do the barns, outbuildings, machinery and 
other aids to successful farming, fall below the 
present standards of excellence, and notwith- 
standing its general atmosphere of thrift and or- 
der, the observer is impressed most of all with the 
homelikeness and harmony of this valuable and 
profitable farm. Mr. Ballou made a specialty of 
Poland-China hogs for a number of years, but 
raises general produce as well, and always has on 
hand a number of fine horses and cattle. It is 
doubtful if any man in the comity knows more 
about threshing and threshing machines than he, 
for he has operated machines every year since 
he was about sixteen years old, and at the pres- 
ent time is provided with the most modern facil- 
ities for conducting this work. 

Politically, Mr. Ballou is a Republican, and, 
with his family, is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church of Pleasantview. He has 
never been an office seeker, but in his quiet, 
forceful way, has done much to preserve the local 
integrity of his party. Mr. and Mrs. Ballou are 
the parents of four children, the oldest of whom 
died in infancy. Dr. Jesse, th» oldest son, mar- 



ried Elizabeth Barnett, and is engaged in medi- 
cal practice in Lead, S. Dak.; Elizabeth is the 
wife of Monroe Lenbart, a farmer of Rushville 
Township ; and Chester, who manages the home 
place, married Florence Caldwell. 

BARNES, Franklin E.— On the farm which he 
now owns and occupies in Section 21, Rushville 
Township, Franklin E. Barnes was born Septem- 
ber 5, 1SG5. Mr. Barnes represents one of the 
early families of Schuyler County, and one which 
has substantially contributed to its agricultural 
and architectural upbuilding. His parents, James 
and Amanda P. (Baker) Barnes, were natives 
of Westmoreland County, Pa., and the former 
was a carpenter and builder by trade, although 
the greater part of his active life was spent in 
combining building and farming. He was suc- 
cessful after locating on the farm now owned 
by his son, and here his death occurred in 1876, 
his wife surviving him until 1900. The elder 
Barnes was a quiet, unassuming man, devoted 
to bis home and friends, and particularly averse 
to any kind of show or publicity. The county 
never had a better all around mechanic, and this 
fact led to his being called upon to erect many 
of the buildings in Rushville and vicinity, as well 
as in other parts of the county. Many residences 
and barns erected by him in the early days of 
his career today bear testimony to his skill and 
thoroughness, his conscientious regard for detail 
and excellence of material. His patrons always 
became his friends and well wishers, and it never 
could be said of him that he built in a slipshod 
or careless fashion. Of the four sons and out 
daughter born to himself and wife, Preston, the 
oldest, was killed while braking for the Bur- 
lington & Missouri Railroad Company, in Ne- 
braska, in 1SS2 : John A. is a farmer in Morris 
County, Kan.; George B. is engaged in business 
in Prowers County. Col. ; and Alice is the wife 
of Fred Kerr, of Los Angeles, Cal. 

At the age of fifteen years Franklin E. Barnes 
left his father's farm and engaged in farm work 
for neighboring agriculturists. In this way he 
could live frugally, spending little for his clothes 
or other necessities. His life drifted back to the 
old current on his father's farm, however, 
shortly after his marriage. October 15, 1891. to 
Carrie B. Bowen, who was born in Rushville. a 
daughter of James F. Bowen, a Schuyler County 
pioneer of 1S36, and now a farmer in Littleton 
Township. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are the parents 
of six children : Ferdinand J., born October 17. 
1892; Oliver E., born January 13, 1S96 ; Hazel 
M„ born October 21, 1S0S ; Preston D.. born July 
7, 1901 ; Orrin W., bom Aug. 9, 1903 ; and Iino- 
gene Alice, born April 9, 1905. 

To the old farm of eighty acres Mr. Barnes has 
added until he now owns one hundred and twenty 
acres devoted to diversified farming and stock 
raising. He raises a popular grade of all kinds 
of stock, has an abundance of fruit and shade 
trees, a fine garden, and well constructed house 
and barns. He is progressive in his methods, 
keeps abreast of the times in agricultural im- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



775 



provements and inventions, and bas a small for- 
tune sunk in modern machinery. Broad and 
liberal minded, well posted on current events, be 
takes a keen interest in tbe social opportunities 
of tbe township, is a popular member of tbe 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and an active 
worker and generous contributor to tbe Christian 
Church. 

BARTLOW, James H. — For seventy-four years 
of its history James H. Bartlow has been identi- 
fied with tbe growth of Schuyler County, and in 
the retirement of his pleasant home in Rushville, 
be is today one of tbe most interesting and de- 
pendable chroniclers of the events of which he 
has been an enthusiastic and helpful witness. 
His career evidences the value of homely, sterling 
qualities, and of grit, determination and patience 
as means to tbe practical purposes of life. The 
setting of his childhood was the wilderness of 
Buena Vista Township, Schuyler County, where 
he was born in a log cabin May 10, 1833. His 
father. John Bartlow, was bom in tbe State of 
Ohio, and bis mother, Elizabeth (Morgan) Bart- 
low, was a native of Kentucky. Both came to 
the Central West with their parents. James 
Bartlow, the father of John, dying in Indiana, 
and leaving, besides James II.. a daughter, 
Nancy, who is the deceased wife of Lemuel 
Sparks, also deceased. Johu Bartlow left Ohio 
with an ox-team and wagon, and stopped first in 
Morgan County, 111., arriving in Schuyler County 
in 182S. two years before the winter of tbe deep 
snows. He located in tbe midst of tbe timber in 
what now is Buena Vista Township, tbe prairie 
land at that time being under water, and ne- 
cessitating draining and breaking the prairie 
sod before it was available for living and farm- 
ing purposes. On tbe level land the wild straw- 
berries abounded in great numbers and were de- 
licious in quality, and tbe wild grass grew high 
enough to hide a man, and was cut for hay by 
the settlers. Wherever chance directed their 
footsteps the new arrival staked off a few acres. 
and there was no quarreling about individual 
rights and prerogatives, all working in harmony 
to establish homes and fortunes in the new and 
untried country. John Bartlow's deed to his 100 
acres of land was made out on sheepskin, and this 
deed still is a treasured possessiou of the family. 
He had tbe iron of determination in bis nature, 
bore courageously the deprivations and hardships 
which were the common lot of tbe settlers, and 
died in 1834. a typical representative of the rug- 
ged and resourceful straggler of the log-cabin 
era. 

tTpon tbe death of John Bartlow bis widow was 
left with tbi' care of nine children, of whom 
James II., the youngest, was then about a year 
old. Tbe struggle of this pioneer mother to keep 
her family together, to educate and train them 
to noble man and womanhood, was but one of the 
many proofs of heroism abounding in this county 
in years gone by. James H. recalls innumerable 
happenings of bis youth in the little log cabin, 
but none more vivid and pathetic crowds his 



memory than that of the flax which tbe boys 
used to gather, and which tbe mother used to 
spin far into tbe night when her weary children 
were supposedly asleep. Often bas he awakened 
at midnight to find this faithful mother still 
spinning before the fire, and the hum of her 
ceaseless wheel will resound in his ears until the 
end of his days. Thomas, one of the sons, had 
his wedding suit made of the cloth spun by his 
mother. She was permitted to see all of her 
children married and comfortably established in 
homes of their own, and all were wont to dwell 
upon her love and devotion, to recall their life 
in the little rude house in tbe woods, and the 
many times they were recalled from the field to 
put out tbe fire in the big stick chimney. Of the 
children, Sarah Ann married William McKee, 
had a family of eight children, and for several 
years survived her husband, who was killed 
during the Civil War; Letba married Daniel 
Kichey, left' four sons and four daughters, her 
death occurring in Missouri and that of her hus- 
band iu Littleton Township, Schuyler County; 
Thomas M. married Miss Catherine, an adopted 
daughter of Samuel Cooper, and is survived by 
bis wife and six children, who live in Rock 
Island, 111. ; Isabella is the deceased wife of 
James Cooper and had eight children : I'hoebe is 
the wife of Thomas J. Wilson, of Sidney, Iowa, 
and has had ten children, all but one now living; 
Elizabeth became the wife of Joshua Hale, both 
now being deceased, leaving a family of eight 
children : Margaret Jane married W. M. Biggs, 
had a family of four sons and four daughters, 
Mr. Biggs dying in Schuyler Couuty and his wife 
in Hancock ; Ivan L„ also deceased, married 
.Martha Itaper, who still survives, with one son 
and four daughters living iu Cowley County, 
Kan. James H., the ninth child and subject of 
this sketch, and Mrs. Phoebe (Bartlow) Wilson, 
are the only children of Mr. and Mrs. John 
Bartlow still living. 

About seventeen years old when he left his 
home and started upon the road for independence, 
James H. Bartlow in 1850 came to Rushville, 
and in the fall engaged as a band to cut broom 
corn on different farms in tbe county. In tbe 
winter he worked in a broom corn factory, and 
November 15, 1855, was united in marriage to 
Charlotte Moore, mention of whose family may 
In- found in the sketch of John D. Moore, on an- 
other page of this work. The young people es- 
tablished a home of their own on an eighty-acre 
tract of land iu Littletown Township, the same 
having boon purchased by Mr. Bartlow for $500, 
of which he paid $400 down. Tbe liquidation of 
tbe remaining debt of one hundred dollars was 
the sorest trial in the early life of this well 
known farmer and politician. He was obliged to 
borrow the money in gold at fifteeu per cent, and 
when tbe interest came due he bad to buy the 
gold at a premium which advanced the interest 
to about forty per cent. The log house which 
they found on tbe land was soon torn down and 
a larger one erected in its stead, and in it six of 
their children were born. Additional land was 



776 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



purchased from time to time, until Mr. Bartlow 
owned a farm of 270 acres, all in one body. He 
was a practical and careful farmer, saving al- 
ways more than he spent, and laboring in sate 
and established agricultural grooves. He made 
many improvements on his land, eighty acres of 
which was originally heavy timber, and through 
his industry it became one of the most produc- 
tive and desirable properties in the township. 
Owing to the illness of his wife, the owner 
moved to the town of Rushville in 1S92, but the 
change did not accomplish all that he hoped, 
for the companion of his early struggles and 
later successes died February 28, 189-1. Mrs. 
Bartlow in early life was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, but later united 
with the Free Methodist Church. 

February 15, 189G, Mr. Bartlow was united in 
marriage to Laura Finch, a native of Virginia, 
anil born January 31, 1855. John L. Finch, 
father of Mrs. Bartlow, came to Schuyler County 
in 1850, settling in Buena Vista Township, where 
he died January 19, 1802. His widow became 
the wife of William I'ickenpaugh, a fanner of 
Buena Vista Township. Mr. Bartlow is the pa- 
rent of nine children, and he lias thirty-six 
grandchildren aud three great-grandchildren. Of 
the children by his first marriage, Salvetus, a 
farmer of Garfield County, Wash., married first 
May J. Townsend, and later Annie Hendricks, 
and has six sons and three daughters living ; 
John T., a farmer of Huntsville Township. Schuy- 
ler County, married Belle Hightower and has five 
sons; Jeannette is the wife of William L. Scott, 
a farmer of Riley County, Kan., aud lias six. 
sous ; James C. is a farmer of Bueua Vista Town- 
ship, married Olive Turner, and has two sons 
and three daughters; Are] is the wife of James 
Hale, a farmer of Washington, and has two chil- 
dren ; Iven P. is a farmer of Littleton Township, 
married Florence Snyder, and has two children ; 
Mollie is the wife of L. L. Homey, a merchant 
of Littleton, and has four sons and one daugh- 
ter; Fannie M. is the widow of Fred Greer, aud 
lives in Littleton with her two children : Bruce 
W. married Ida Sandidge, and has a daughter 
living, aud one deceased. Of the second union 
of Mr. Bartlow there is a stepson, Carl A. Peek- 
enbaugh. Mr. Bartlow is a member of the Free 
Methodist Church and in his political relations 
votes the Prohibition ticket. 

BARTLOW, John Thomas. — Beginning his in- 
dependent life as a renter in 1879, John Thomas 
Bartlow, with no material assets, and no im- 
petus save his innate pride and ambition, has 
realized his agricultural dream, and become the 
owner of a splendid property of 240 acres of land 
in Huntsville Township. Mr. Bartlow represents 
a noble early family of Schuyler County, his 
birth having occurred in Littleton Township, 
May 1, 1S58. Of his father. James H. Bartlow, 
information may be found elsewhere in this 
work. 

The youth of Mr. Bartlow conformed to that 
of other boys of his time and place, both educa- 



tionally and agriculturally. He was reared to 
farming as a fundamental and altogether worthy 
occupation, and his inclination never has strayed 
from the tasks and compensations of his calling. 
He was at his majority when he rented his first 
land in Littleton Township, a small patch for 
corn aud grain, which netted him a small but 
encouraging competence. October 26, 1881, he 
married Arabella Hightower, who was born in 
Littleton Township, October 8, 1859, a daugh- 
ter of William Hightower, deceased, who, with 
bis wife, was born in Missouri, aud came early 
to Schuyler County. The wife still occupies the 
old Hightower farm, and takes a keen interest 
in the welfare of her children, of whom eight 
survive out of a family of eleven. Of these, 
Maria Angeline is the wife of James Bartlett, 
of Buena Vista Toivnship: Mary E.. lives with 
her mother; John is a resident of Arkansas; 
Joseph O., of Huntsville Township ; Sarah, wife 
of Louis M. Logan, of Montana ; James II.. of 
the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) ; and 
Edith is the wife of John Kirkman, of Littleton 
Township. 

Mr. Bartlow and his young wife rented a 
farm of eighty acres in Littleton Township, and 
in 1S83 rented land from the elder Hightower, 
moving thereon in 1SS4. About this time Mr. 
Bartlow invested in forty-six acres of what was 
known as the old Shinn Nursery, made his home 
thereon and engaged in general farming until 
is 1 . 12. when he sold out and bought 140 acres in 
Section 15, Huntsville Township. In 1904 he 
sold sixty acres in Section 10 and bought 160 
acres in Section 15, making in all 240 acres in 
one body. This farm formerly was known as the 
Moses Hawkins property, and to it Mr. Bartlow 
moved January 8, 1905. While not long asso- 
ciated with his present home, tbe7 - e are yet many 
evidences of his handiwork, which reflect his 
method, system and thrift, and the property 
bi<ls fair to become as profitable and valuable as 
any in the county. Directing its future destiny 
is a man who has learned his lessons in the hard 
school of practical experience, who has received 
the greater part of his help from within rather 
than from without, and who gladly acknowledges 
an unpayable debt to the faithful wife whose 
economy and unfailing sympathy have helped to 
tide him over many of the dark places of life. 
About four years ago Mr. Bartlow began to spe- 
cialize in stock, and, preferring Hereford cat- 
tle, now has on hand a herd of twenty-one head, 
sixteen of which are recorded. He also breeds 
Poland-China hogs, and is an excellent judge of 
all kinds of stock. 

In spite of large responsibilities in his imme- 
diate environment, Mr. Bartlow evinces a keen 
appreciation of the social side of life, and his 
genial nature and faculty for putting people at 
ease make him a welcome addition to all social 
gatherings in the township. He is a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
Modern Woodmen of America, and in religion 
contributes to the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
of which his wife is a member. Politics has en- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



777 



gaged considerable of his time and attention, and 
ever faithful to the best tenets of the Demo- 
cratic party, he has filled many positions of local 
trust, including that of School Director, Assessor 
and Supervisor, his last election to the latter 
office having occurred in 1902, with a gratifying 
majority. While previously holding this office he 
has rendered valuable service in the interest of 
roads, bridges and general improvements, being 
especially interested in securing good thorough- 
fares. To Mr. and Mrs. Bartlow have been born 
the following named children: Harley R„ and 
Highly E., twins, born September 1!). 1884, the 
former of whom died in infancy, and the latter 
is living on the home place : Archie Dwight, born 
March 9, 1886, in Littleton Township, married 
Gertrude Hawkins, daughter of Moses Hawkins, 
and has a son, Glenn H., all living in Hancock 
County, 111. ; W. Earl, born in Brooklyn Township. 
October 22, 18S8, is living at home; Fay Welker 
and Frederick Cleveland, twins, born in Brook- 
lyn Township June in. 1895, and living at home. 
All of the children have been given good common 
school educations, and all have been reared to 
habits of industry and thrift. The example of 
their parents has inspired them with wholesome 
regard for work, and through them the honored 
name of Bartlow will continue to dignify and in- 
fluence the history of enlightened Schuyler 
County. 

BATES, John W— Three generations of the 
Bates family have contributed to the character 
and purpose of Schuyler County, and the sturdy 
faith and unfaltering industry of the founder. 
William Bates seems to have filtered through his 
successors to those now bearing his name, and to 
be in large measure inherited by his grandson. 
John W. Bates, the latter the owner and occupier 
of a productive farm in Section 22, Browning 
Township. Mr. Bates was born in Hickory Town- 
ship. Schuyler County, September 18, 1855, a 
son of Christopher C. and Serena C. (Hagens) 
Bates, both horn in Hickory Township, the 
former in 1832, and the latter in 1836. 

William Hates was born in County Tyrone. 
Ireland, and he had the resourcefulness and 
adaptiveness of the representative Irish peas- 
antry. Early in life he realized the limitations 
of a small tenant farm, and resolved that when 
he arrived at maturity he would join his fortunes 
with the land of the Stars and Stripes. Subse- 
quently he married a lady of Scotch ancestry, and 
together they set sail for America, after land- 
ing in New York, coining immediately to Hickory 
Township, Schuyler County. This was during 
the summer of 1824, and the wilderness pre- 
sented few inducements to a strong and ambi- 
tious Irishman. He was equal to the demand 
upon his powers, however, and braved the dan- 
gers by which he was surrounded, and the ar- 
duous work which brought him but small re- 
ward. His neighbors were few and far distant, 
and a rude log-house offered but feeble resistance' 
to the heat of summer and the chill of winter 
Nevertheless, he won bis way to a substantial 



competence, and to many-sided influence in the 
general affairs of the county. He was one of the 
best known and most successful of the pioneers 
of 1824, and his life was an expression of ob- 
stacles overcome, and hardships bravely sur- 
mounted. Under his humble roof nine children 
came into the world, attended the subscription 
schools, and developed into hardy man ami wom- 
anhood. One of the most successful of these was 
Christopher, the father of John W. This repre- 
sentative of the second generation in the county 
in all ways fulfilled the expectations of his par- 
ents, and lived an honored and highly useful life. 
Not only was he a successful farmer and stock- 
raiser, but he took a keen interest in Democratic 
politics, was one of the strongest promoters of his 
party in the county and filled many offices of trust 
iiul responsibility. Especially was he a moral and 
upright man. and one of the hardest workers 
and most generous donators to the United . 
Brethren Church, of which he became a member 
in early life. Not only did he help raise the 
money to build the present church, but donated 
the ground upon which it stands. His death oc- 
curred December 5, 1880, his wife surviving him 
until March 14, 1886. The parent of five chil- 
dren, twoof them died in infancy, those surviving 
until maturity being Eliza, deceased wife of C. 
C. Reno, of Browning Township; Caroline Bates, 
wife of A. J. Reno, a farmer of Warren County. 
111., and John W., the only son. 

As the only son in the family, John W. Bates 
early felt his responsibility as a wage earner, 
and he continued to live on the farm in Browning 
Township, to which the family moved when he 
was two years old in 1S57, until his marriage, 
in June, is, p. to Agnes Campbell, daughter of 
George Campbell, one of the early pioneers and 
large farmers of Schuyler County. Mr. Campbell 
was twice elected County Sheriff, holding also 
many other important offices, and he was one of 
the most extensive stock-raisers in Bainbridge 
Township, where his daughter, Mrs. Bates, was 
born and reared. Mr. and Mrs. Bates built a 
dwelling on the old Bates farm and occupied that 
until after the death of the father, when they 
moved to the homestead which they ever since 
have occupied, and which he has purchased out- 
right from the other heirs. He now is the owner 
of 155 acres, all under cultivation and equipped 
with the most practical and modern of appliances. 
He is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising, hut finds time to devote to the beautify- 
ing of his place, and to the promotion of gardens, 
shade frees and orchard, and those general ad- 
ditions which bespeak a refined and exacting 
nature. 

At the present time Mr. Bates is filling his 
third term as Township Supervisor, and he has 
been a useful member of the Committee on Roads, 
Bridges and Claims. He is a charter member of 
the Mutual Insurance Company, which he was 
instrumental in organizing, and which now is 
known as the Schuyler County Mutual Insurance 
Company, one of the best insurance companies 
in the State, and of enormous benefit to the ag- 



778 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



rieulturists. It has been incorporated with a 
capital of one million dollars, and has a high 
rating among other enterprises of the kind in 
the country. Fraternally Mr. Bates is connected 
with the Astoria Lodge No. 100, A. F. & A. M. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Bates have been born ten chil- 
dren, nine of whom are living: Estella, wife of 
Luther Jones, of Riverside, Cal. ; Annie, wife of 
Oliver Spiller, of Mitchell, S. Dak., and mother 
of Marcella Spiller; Elina, a stenographer of 
five years' experience ; Fannie, at home, a grad- 
uate of the Rushville Normal, and a successful 
teacher ; Georgie, a student at the Rushville 
Normal ; Frederick, a prospective graduate of the 
Normal class of 1909; Lloyd, a student; Lysle, 
a student ; aud Lucile. at home. Winfleld Bates 
died in October, 1905. Mr. Bates is a broad- 
minded and exceptionally well informed man, 
and has practical and helpful ideas regarding 
current events. His genial and kindly manner 
makes him a favorite among his neighbors, and 
his support of the popular utilities, of education, 
good roads, and social and religious interests, 
renders him a valuable and dependable adjunct 
to the township's best elements. 

BATES, William Jefferson.— The rapid develop- 
ment of the rich agricultural resources of Schuy- 
ler County is due to the strenuous efforts of men 
of brain and enterprise, who bring to their call- 
ing excellent judgment and superior business 
method, and who also find time to promote those 
general agencies which make for progressive 
and practical community conditions. Conspic- 
uous among this number is William Jefferson 
Bates, who was born in Hickory Township, 
Schuyler County, September 26, 1844, and who, 
although for the past five years making his 
home in Browning, is still vitally interested in 
the fundamental occupation which has brought 
him wealth, influence and general prosperity. 
Mr. Bates is a son of William Armstrong and 
Elizabeth <Waid) Bates, the latter a native of 
Missouri, from which State she came with her 
husband to Illinois in 1835, remaining about a 
year in Brown Count}'. The elder Bates in 
1836 moved to Schuyler County, settling near 
the bluffs of the Illinois River in Hickory Town- 
ship, and there conducting general farming until 
bis death in 1849, bis wife having died the year 
previous. They reared in their humble home a 
family of nine children, one child dying in in- 
famy, and all born in Schuyler County save Mary, 
wife of John E. Thornton, of Gallatin, Mo.; 
and Ferby. deceased wife of W. K. Jones, a 
farmer of Hickory Township. Albert G. Bates 
died in Missouri ; W. F. M. died in Browning. 
Schuyler County ; Martha became the wife of 
Benjamin Leek, and both are deceased; C. C. 
died in Broivning Township; Sarah is the de- 
ceased wife of John B. Reno, of Missouri ; Eliz- 
abeth is the deceased wife of Felix Thornton, 
of Missouri ; and William Jefferson is the farmer 
of whom this sketch treats. 

William Jefferson Bates has but slight rec- 
ollection of his parents, as he was left an or- 



phan at the age of five years. He vividly recalls 
the incidents that enlivened the pioneer days of 
the county, of the church association which met 
in his father's house, and the days when Will- 
iam K. Jones hired a school teacher (Scott Wis- 
dom, a cousin of our subject) for the boys of the 
neighborhood, including the subject of this sketch 
paying him out of his own purse the munificent 
sum of $12 per month and board. Mr. Jones him- 
self had a large family, and William Jefferson 
was given a scholarship, and every winter at- 
tended regularly. While attending school, young 
Bates worked at various jobs, and at the age 
of twenty-one years he began to operate a farm 
in partnership with his brother. November 14, 
1867, he was united in marriage with Mathilda 
A. Reno, who was born in Browning Township 
April 12, 1844, a daughter of Jonathan Reno, 
an outline of whose life may be found in the 
sketch of William C. Reno, on another page of 
this work. 

After his marriage Mr. Bates rented a farm in 
Browning Township for five years, and about 
INTO bought forty acres of land which they soon 
after sold and bought 206 acres in Section 22, 
Browning Township. This property was but 
slightly improved, and although entirely fenced, 
it had no gates, and the only building was an old 
frame one that, in time, succumbed to the flames. 
Soon after this calamity Mr. Bates erected a two- 
story modern frame dwelling and eventually made 
ninny fine improvements until, with his various 
additions of land, his farm reached its present 
proportions of 440 acres, all in Browning Town- 
ship and in one body. On his place he has main- 
tained the highest grades of farming, and has 
set an example of thrift and resourcefulness 
which members of the younger generation might 
follow with profit. While living in the village of 
Browning, he derives a substantial income from 
his farm, and is able to surround himself and 
wife with the comforts and refinements which 
both have worked and struggled for, sometimes 
under discouraging and strenuous conditions. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Bates have been born seven 
children : William E., a farmer in Warren 
County. 111., who married Annie Hoke, and has 
six children, Grover C, Mabel, Samuel E., Henry 
B., Zelma and Ernest; Francis B., married 
Lina Davis and lives in South Dakota; Laura 
is the wife of Charles Gise, a farmer of Brown- 
ing Township ; Charles L. a farmer on the old 
Bates homestead in Browning Township, mar- 
ried Pearl Heffner. and has three children. Ada, 
Lulu. Bula ; Ida J., wife of Charles Heffner, a 
farmer of Browning Township, and mother of 
Harold and Geneva Heffner ; Jonathan, lives with 
his parents : and Blanche, employed by the 
Browning Mutual Telephone Company. All of 
the children have practical common school edu- 
cations, and have been reared to make themselves 
useful in their respective spheres of activity. 
The family enjoys an enviable reputation through- 
out the county, and is associated with high 
ideals, integrity and public spiritedness. Mr. 
Bates has made himself a power as an agricul- 



m 



7£$< 




FRANCES MILLER 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



779 



turist and a citizen, and has won the confidence 
and esteem of all with whom he ever has been 
identified. 

BAXTER, James M.— Just fifty years previous 
to the fall of 1907, James M. Baxter came to 
Schuyler County with fourteen rugged years to his 
credit and a wealth of wholesome ambitions 
which since have found expression in the per- 
suit of agriculture, war. politics and religion. 
Perhaps the latter may be considered the key- 
note of the character of this successful farmer, 
for he has lived it seven days in the week and 
fifty-two weeks in a year, and now is rounding 
out his thirtieth year as Superintendent of the 
Sunday School of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, which he joined in the winter of 1861. 

Mr. Baxter was born January 20, 1843, in Car- 
roll County. Ohio, a son of George and Margaret 
(Knopster) Baxter, the latter of German an- 
cestry. His paternal grandparents were born 
and married in Pennsylvania and settled in the 
wilds of Ohio on what was known as "Baxter 
Ridge," in Carroll County of that State, three of 
the brothers of the grandfather locating in the 
same part of the Buckeye State. John Baxter, 
one of the brothers of George Baxter, left Ohio 
in the spring of 1854 and settled in Section 6, 
Huntsvillc Township, Schuyler County, but fin- 
ally went to Brown County, Kan. In the fall of 
1857, George Baxter brought the rest of his fam- 
ily to Schuyler County, locating in Section 5, 
Huntsville Township, in the Military Tract, find- 
ing there no improvements whatever. During 
the first winter he occupied a log house pend- 
ing the erection of a frame dwelling into which 
he moved in the spring, and this house, greatly 
modified and improved throughout the years, ever 
since has sheltered some member of the Baxter 
family. The mother died there in 1865. and the 
father in 1S9S. George Baxter was one of na- 
ture's noblemen, a man of fine Christian spirit 
and large heart, and for many years class-leader 
and Superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal 
Sunday School. He was no less earnest in his 
support of local politics, and, whereas, he for- 
merly was a Whig, he later was identified with the 
Republican party from the time of its organiza- 
tion in 1854. To himself and wife were born five 
sons and five daughters, of whom Melissa and 
Mary were twins, the latter dying in infancy, and 
the former becoming the wife of Mr. Dusher, but 
at present living with her brother. Harrison 
Baxter, of Sumner County, Kan.; William lives 
on the old home farm in Section 5. Huntsville 
Township: Adeline is the deceased wife of Will- 
iam Logan, and mother of Grace and George 
Logan ; Elmer is a farmer in Logan County, Kan. ; 
Sarah married Jonas Graham and both are de- 
ceased; George is a fanner in Idaho; and Mar- 
garet died in infancy. 

At the school which his uncle. John Baxter, 
had established in 1854, and which was known 
as the Baxter School, James M. Baxter received 
his rudimentary education, and this same school 
has had as scholars members of the family 



ever since, including the great-grandchildren, who 
now are attending. The outbreak of the Civil 
War found the youthful James hard at work on 
the (arm, but he enlisted in Company K. One 
Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry, for three years, and served until the close 
of hostilities. During that time he never missed 
a day's duty, or suffered from serious illness 
The company was first sent to Jackson. Tenu. 
where, with Company G, it was captured and held 
until paroled, returning then to the regiment at 
Memphis, Tenn. It took part in the siege of 
Vicksburg. the battle of Meridian, then went up 
the Red River to Pleasant Hill, where, during the 
third day of a fight it gave the rebels a sound 
threshing. At Yellow Bayou there was a severe 
fight lasting well into the night, after which the 
soldiers embarked by boat for St. Louis, and 
soon after drove General Price's army out of 
.■Missouri. They next gave General Forrest a 
chase at Tupelo; then at Nashville, Tenn., 
whipped Genera] Hood to a finish, entirely rout- 
ing his army. At Eastport the army came near 
starving to death, the One Hundred and Nine- 
teenth being without rations for ten days, as the 
country had beeii entirely stripped. Then going 
South they went to Mobile, Ala., and Fort 
Blakely, and just before the opposing army came 
up, Mr. Baxter and some of his associates had 
gone into the fort. After the surrender of Lee 
at Appomattox, the company went to Montgomery, 
Ala., and from there hack to Mobile and finally 
was discharged at Springfield, 111., August 26 
1865. 

Again in Schuyler County, Mr. Baxter took up 
the work of farming where he had abandoned it 
three years before, and meeting with deserved 
success, he married. September 20, 1866, Martha 
J. Workman, who was born in Ohio and came to 
Schuyler County with her parents, Samuel and 
Harriet (Lewton) Workman, in 1854. In the 
spring of 1868 Mr. Baxter moved to Hancock 
County, 111., where bis wife died April 3, 1871, 
leaving two children, of whom Mary Margaret is 
the wife of Julius Harmon, of Superior, Neb., and 
mother of Robert, Oscar, Effie and Ruth Harmon ; 
and George G., a farmer of Huntsville Township, 
married Alta Robertson, and has live children. 
Sterling, Keith, Gladys, Oren and Warren, de- 
ceased. The second marriage of Mr. Baxter oc- 
curred March 18, 1874, to Sarah Beckerdite, and 
of this union there is a daughter, Effie, who is 
keeping house for her father since the lamented 
death of her mother March 17, 1907. Mrs. 
Baxter was the center of an admiring circle of 
friends and well wishers, and her fine Christian 
example is sadly missed from the community 
which knew her so well and favorably. 

At the present time Mr. Baxter owns sixty 
acres of land in Section 5. Huntsville Township. 
He still is in active management of his place, al- 
though its arduous duties have been handed over 
to his capable son. The years have dealt kindly 
with him, and he retains his interest in the en- 
terprises that contribute to the life and stability 
of the township. No man within its boundaries 



780 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



is held in higher esteem, nor has any carved a 
more enduring monument of character and work 
for the inspiration and enlightenment of those to 
come after him. 

BELLAMY, Leslie S. — One of the influential 
and honored families of Schuyler County is rep- 
resented by this rising young farmer of Rush- 
ville Township, whose home farm on Section 35 
is also the place of his birth, which occurred Sep- 
tember 5. 18S4. The identification of the family 
with this portion of Illinois began during the 
early part of the nineteenth century and its 
members have been large contributors to the ag- 
ricultural development of this region. The father, 
George TV. Bellamy, one of the honored native- 
born sons of Schuyler County, was born in Fred- 
erick Township in 1850, and grew to manhood on 
a farm, having few advantages for the acquisi- 
tion of an education. Environed by the narrow 
limits of a pioneer's home, he yet became a man 
of broad views, wide culture, and liberal traits. 
His marriage united him with Frances A. Greer, 
daughter of a pioneer named Greer, who immi- 
grated to the United States from County Tyrone. 
Ireland, setling in Schuyler County when Rush- 
ville was a small hamlet, and thereafter giving 
his attention to agricultural pursuits. Prior to 
leaving the home of his boyhood he had married 
a young Irish girl, and they became the parents 
of three children, namely: Mrs. Bellamy; Lucy, 
widow of Darius Bellamy: and Isabel, wife of 
A. V. Strong, a resident of Overbrook, Kan. 

Three children were born of t lie union of 
George TV. Bellamy and Frances A. Greer. The 
daughter. Grace, is the wife of Albert Parks, a 
farmer in Rushville Township, and they have one 
child. Willard M. The older son, Herman, is 
a locomotive engineer on the Santa Fe Railroad 
with headquarters at Barstow, Cal. The younger 
son, Leslie S., remains at the old homestead, ami 
bis mother resides with him. The father, who 
died January 21. 1004. was a man of pronounced 
individuality, and for some time was recognized 
as one of the local leaders of the Republican party. 
On the regular party ticket he was elected to 
various offices, including that of Supervisor for 
Rushville Township, which position he filled with 
conspicuous devotion to the welfare of the peo- 
ple. In religion be was a substantial supporter 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Pleasant- 
view. His citizenship proved of decided benefit 
to his township, and no movement for the ad- 
vancement of education, religion, agriculture or 
commerce in the county lacked his hearty co- 
operation. 

Primarily educated in the Pleasantview school, 
Leslie S. Bellamy afterward attended the Rush- 
ville Normal for one term and then returned to 
the home farm to take up the practical duties 
of life. However, he was not satisfied to begin 
the quiet round of agricultural duties without 
seeing something of the world, so he traveled 
for a year or more, anil thus learned much from 
observation of different localities. During Jan- 
uary of 1005 he entered the train service with 



the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- 
pany, but a year of that work sufficed and during 
February of the following year he was again on 
the home farm, which he now manages, main- 
taining an excellent class of improvements and 
superintending its eighty acres. January 16, 
1907, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Bessie, daughter of Charles Ambrosius, and a 
member of a well-known family of this locality. 
In religious connections both are members of the 
Pleasantview Methodist Episcopal Church, while 
politically he has never attached himself to any 
party, but remains liberal in his views. 

BERTH0LF, Edward. — There are few men 
who. through the blamelessness of their lives, the 
purity of their motives and the excellence of 
their services, have so deeply impressed them- 
selves upon a community as has Edward Bert- 
holf. This venerable citizen, seventy of whose 
more than ninety years have been spent within 
the boundaries of Rushville, has pursued his 
wage-earning career largely in the Rushville 
court house, where have awaited him respon- 
sibilities calling for ability and strict integrity, 
and the discharge of which has placed him among 
the stable benefactors of the community. 

The first impressions and moulding influences 
in the youth of Mr. Bertholf were centered in 
Warwick. Orange County. X. Y„ where he was 
born April 0, 1810. His father, John Bertholf, 
was born in the same county, and his paternal 
grandparents, Samuel Bertholf and wife, were 
also natives of that State. His mother, formerly 
Elizabeth Perry, was a native of Sussex County, 
X. J., and a daughter of William Percy. Both 
families were represented among the Colonists of 
Xew England, and were people of modest tastes 
and quiet ambitions. The home in Warwick 
tolerated no shams or false ideas of life and 
duty. < The children were obedient at home and 
diligent at school. Edward, in particular, made 
great progress with his studies, and at the age 
of sixteen was enrolled as a teacher in a coun- 
try school of Orange County. At the age of 
twenty he had the satisfaction of having earned 
enough money to shape his circumstances rather 
than be shaped by them. It pleased bis taste for 
pioneering to move to Illinois in 1836, and to 
settle in Rushville, where he would be aided by 
the influence of his brother, then Judge of the 
Probate Court. 

In Rushville Mr. Bertholf earned his first 
money as clerk in the general store of Josiah Par- 
rott. He soon after began to assist his brother, 
the Judge, and in time because Deputy Clerk and 
Recorder of Schuyler County. His frank, out- 
spoken ways and thoughtfulness inspired con- 
fidence from the start, and in 1848 he was ap- 
pointed Treasurer of the school funds, a position 
which he maintained for twenty-one years, or 
until 1869. Office holders in those days suffered 
from none of the restrictions which now hedge 
in aspirants for public honor, and various re- 
sponsibilities often were discharged at the same 
time. Thus, in 1848, Mr. Bertholf was elected also 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



781 



Justice of the Peace, Sheriff and Collector of 
Taxes, the office of Justice being held by him for 
twenty years. In 1855 he was appointed Deputy 
Clerk under Nathan Moon, and upon the death of 
Mr. Moon, six months later, succeeded to the of- 
fice of County Clerk. He was elected Sheriff of 
the county in 1800, and in 1800 assumed charge 
of the Circuit Clerk's office, at the same time 
serving as Deputy County Clerk. In the mean- 
time, when his official duties permitted, Mr. Bert- 
holf kept books for several of the merchants of 
Rushville, and was otherwise employed in the 
business life of the town. His special predilec- 
tion, however, was for polities, and in the able 
discharge of official duties he met a growing need 
of almost half a century. 

The married life of Mr. Bertholf dates from 
November 22, 183S, when culminated a romance 
significant because of the fact that his wife's 
father, Levi Jackson, came to Rushville the 
same year as Mr. Bertholf. Mrs. Bertholf was 
born in Huron County, Ohio, and is the mother 
of nine children : Emily Ann, William Henry 
(deceased), Horace E., Harriet E., Mary E., 
Frank E., Fred L., John Jesse and Alice C. (de- 
ceased). Mr. Bertholf is a Democrat in politics, 
and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
The passing years have dealt kindly with him, 
and the experiences of his life still stand out 
clearly in his memory. He and the city have 
grown old together, and have exchanged op- 
portunities and honors to the permanent credit 
of both. Few men are permitted so long a lease 
of existence, and few are permitted so great a 
peace and serenity of mind. 

BESSELL, Charles C— There are few of the in- 
terests associated with the material development 
of Schuyler County that have lacked the co-oper- 
ation and practical assistance of Mr. Bessell, 
who, while aiding in the permanent growth of 
the county, has also established his own for- 
tunes upon a firm basis, so that now he ranks 
among the moneyed men of his region and is 
enabled to live retired free from the cares and 
responsibilities of his earlier years. His entire 
life has been passed within the confines of Brook- 
lyn, Schuyler County, near which town his birth 
occurred May 11, 1S35, the eldest of a large fam- 
ily of children born to his parents, Frederick 
Lewis Alexander and Jane A. (Robinson) Bes- 
sell. The mother was a native of the East, born 
in Putnam County, N. Y., in 1814, and at the age 
of twenty (June 15, 1834), she was united in 
marriage with Frederick L. A. Bessell in the vil- 
lage of Rushville, 111. The parents of this Mr. 
Bessell (father of the subject of this sketch) 
lived on the island of Sumatra ; but, a war break 
ing out, they sailed for Boston, Mass.. Mr. Bes- 
sell being born on the voyage, and in Boston 
and vicinity made his home until attaining man- 
hood. While he was a mere child in years he 
was deprived of the love and protection of both 
parents, a loss which was later accentuated in 
the death of his only brother. Cast upon his 
own resources at an early age, he proved him- 



self equal to the occasion by accepting any hon- 
orable employment that came to hand, which con- 
sisted principally of farm work in the vicinity 
of Boston. 

With such means as lie had been able to save 
from his earnings Frederick L. A. Bessell started 
for the Middle West in 1833, coming direct to 
Schuyler County, 111., and after his marriage 
during the following year he entered land from 
the Government in Section 34, Brooklyn Town- 
ship, which he at once began to improve, and in 
the home which he established in the wilder- 
ness all of his children were born. In IMS, 
lie purchased property in Brooklyn, whither he 
removed with his family the following year. 
Coincident with this removal came the news of 
the finding of gold in California, and among those 
who left Brooklyn for the P'ar West was Mr. 
Bessell, who made his way overland with ox- 
teams. It was not until about 1860 that he re- 
turned to his Illinois home, but fate did not 
permit him to remain there long, for the tocsin 
of war soon sounded, and all able-bodied men 
were called to the defense of the country. Mr. 
Bessell attempted to enlist from his home town, 
but as the quota was then filled he went to 
Macon City. Mo., and enlisted in the Seventh 
Missouri Infantry. His service was brief, how- 
ever, for be was soon taken ill with measles. 
from the effects of which he died December 24, 
1801. 

Six children comprised the family of Fred- 
erick L. A. Bessell and wile, Charles C. (sub- 
ject of this sketch) being the eldest of the num- 
ber. The next in order of birth was Joseph M., 
who was born December 2S. 1836, and died Feb- 
ruary 11, 1SS2. By his marriage with Miss 
Edison he had two children. Mary and Henry. 
Henry R. Bessell (third of the original Schuy- 
ler County family), was born Novembers, 1838, 
and four children wen' born of his marriage witli 
Rosa Shamell, as follows: Jessie, at home; 
Phoebe, the wife of Charles Sellars, of Dodds- 
ville, and the mother of one son. Arthur; Fred- 
erick, a farmer in Industry Township, Mc- 
Donough County. 111., who married Mattie Wells, 
by whom he lias two children; and Winnie, the 
wife of Peter Peterson, also a farmer in Mc- 
Donough County. The next child in the family 
was Clinton L. Bessell, born March 17. 1842. He 
married Miss Carrie Clark and three children 
were born to them, as follows : Edna became 
the wife of Vivian Irvin. a wholesale grocer in 
Galesburg, 111., and they have one child, Leslie; 
the others are Paul and Florence, both living 
with their parents in Galesburg. For three years 
Clinton L. Bessell gave bis service to his coun- 
try in her hour of need, enlisting as a mem- 
ber of the Second Illinois Cavalry, at the close 
of his term of sen-ice returning to his home in 
Brooklyn, where for many years he was known 
as one of the town's most successful business men. 
He was enabled to retire from active business in 
1904, and the same year removed to Galesburg, 
which has since been his home. Augustus C. 
Bessell (the fifth son) was born November 17, 



782 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



1845, and therefore was still a youth when the 
Civil War broke out, hut emulating the example 
of his father and older brother, he too enlisted in 
his country's cause, becoming a member of the 
Seventy-eighth Illinois Infantry, and during the 
three years in which he was in the service, took 
part in all the hard-fought battles and marches 
to which his company was subjected. After the 
close of the war he returned to Brooklyn and 
once more engaged in peaceful pursuits. While on 
a trip to St. Joseph, Mo., he was taken ill and 
compelled to return home, where he died soon 
afterward, on January 1. 1S6S. He was the 
first member of his company to die after the re- 
turn of the regiment, and the company's flag 
was buried with his body — a tribute to his 
bravery, for he was ever ready for any duly. 
whether on the post, picket or in camp. The 
youngest child in the original Schuyler County 
family was George Ward Bessell. born December 
27, 1848. His marriage united him with Alice 
Colt, and five children were born to them : Pross, 
a resident of Guymon. Okla.. married Kathryn 
Gregory: Earl, a resident of Bloomington, 111.; 
Grace, Mrs. Clifford Morse of Berkeley, Cal.. 
has two children, Gladys A. and Francis V. ; Anna 
and Bessie are members of the class of 1908 in 
the State Normal University, at Normal. 111. 
The parents of these children are both deceased, 
the mother dying November 24, ISO", and the 
father December IT. 1903. After the death of 
the wife and mother. Mr. Bessell tenderly cared 
for the children until they grew to manhood and 
womanhood, a devotion which was reciprocated 
by the children, all of whom became useful and 
respected citizens of Brooklyn, loved and hon- 
ored by all who knew them. 

Charles C. Bessell was educated in the sub- 
scription and district schools of Brooklyn Town- 
ship, and when not in school was performing his 
share of the chores on the home farm. The 
ruonotomy of this life was changed when his 
father sold the farm in 1840 and removed into 
town, but the necessity for continuing at work 
was even greater than before, for the father's 
removal to California about this time left him 
the main support of bis mother and the younger 
children. Though only fourteen years of age. 
he manfully shouldered the burden which fell 
upon him, and. securing an ox-team, engaged in 
freighting goods from Brooklyn to Frederick, 
the trip covering three days. After continuing 
this business for about three years, he gave it 
up for what seemed a better opening in Augusta, 
111., where he engaged in work as a farm hand. 
However, it developed that the man with whom 
he had engaged himself had contracted to haul 
rock and tics t<> what was then called the North- 
ern Cn.ss Railroad, but which now is a part of 
tin- Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. After one 
year with this employer, Mr. Bessell returned 
to Brooklyn, determined to carry out his plan 
to engage in farm work. The first year he 
hired out at $12 per month, and in 1855 en- 
tered the employ of James Worthington in the 
same capacity but with increased wages, re- 



ceiving $18 per month during the two years he 
remained in Mr. Worthington's employ. His ex- 
perience thus far had covered all phases of farm 
work and he felt justified in starting out on his 
own behalf. Purchasing a team, he rented land 
from his former employer. Mr. Worthington, and 
in addition in its cultivation also took a con- 
tract to clear a thirty-acre tract of heavy timber 
for Mr. Worthington. He accomplished the un- 
dertaking and from the timber made rails to 
fence his farm. 

It was about this time, in March, 1860, that 
Mr. Bessell formed domestic ties by his mar- 
riage with Miss Anna Bruce, a native of Mahon- 
ing County, Ohio, and soon afterward" the young 
people set up housekeeping in a double log cabin 
on the eighty-acre tract rented from Mr. Worth- 
ington. Before the little home was completed, 
however, the wife was called home, April 6, 
1S62, leaving a child two weeks old, to whom they 
had given the name of Anna. The latter did 
not long survive, her death occurring in Sep- 
tember of the same year. After this bereave- 
ment Mr. Bessell once more turned his energies 
to the clearing of the land and also completed the 
house. His second marriage, April 14, 1864. 
united him with Mrs. Harriet (Colt) Whitson, 
widow of the Rev. John T. Whitson. by whom 
she had two sons, William H. and Warren C. 
Whitson. William II. Whitson served as a sol- 
dier in the One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois 
Infantry. He now has a position as bookkeeper 
in the National Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee, 
Wis. By bis marriage with Miss Anna Mason, 
he became the father of two children. Warren M. 
and Stella, who married James Pickering of 
Chicago, but is now deceased. Warren C. Whit- 
son was united in marriage with Kate Black- 
burn, and now has charge of the Central Tele- 
phone office at Brooklyn, Schuyler County. 

After Mr. Bessell's second marriage he took 
up his abode in the log cabin which he had in 
the meantime finished, and soon afterward pur- 
chased from Mr. Worthington 127 acres of land. 
In time the log cabin gave place to a fine eight- 
room dwelling, and he also erected good barns 
and outbuildings for the protection of stock and 
machinery. One child was born of Mr. Bessell's 
second marriage, Nettie, who was born on the 
home farm June 14, 1865. and became the wife 
of Joseph F. White. Mr. White was born and 
reared in Brooklyn Township, a son of W. P. 
White, the latter one of the most honored 
pioneers of Schuyler County. Mr. and Mrs. 
Joseph F. White are now residents of Raton. 
X. M. Their daughter Mabel is a member of the 
class of loos of the Wesleyan College at Cam- 
eron, Mo. Mrs. Harriet Bessell passed away 
October 4. 1893, mourned by family and friends, 
who remember her as a devoted Christian whose 
chief happiness was in doing good to those 
about her. She was a faithful member of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

In November. 1804. Mr. Bessell was married 
to Mary B. Agnew, a native of Littleton. Schuy- 
ler County, and the daughter of David and Mar- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



783 



garet L. (Tucker) Agnew, natives of Erie 
County. N. Y.. and Spencer County, Ind., respect- 
ively. From Erie County, N. Y.. Mr. Agnew re- 
moved to Pennsylvania, and from there came to 
Schuyler County, 111., some time during the 
forties. After his marriage in 1850 he made his 
home in Rushville until 1862, in which year he 
removed to Littleton. It was in 1895 that Mr. 
Bessell disposed of the home farm and took up 
his ahode in Brooklyn, and in the beautiful resi- 
dence which he now owns is spending his later 
years free from the labors which his former 
years of industry have made possible. During 
the seventy-two years of his life he has made his 
home continuously in Brooklyn Township, and it 
is safe to say that no citizen of his community 
stands higher in the estimation of friends and 
neighbors than does Mr Bessell. October 1. 
1S59. he united with the Presbyterian Church 
of Brooklyn, and during the intervening years he 
has been one of the most useful members and 
officers of that organization, since 1863 serving 
in the capacity of elder. He also represented 
the Schuyler Presbytery in the General Assembly 
of the Presbyterian Church when it met in 
Detroit in 1889. His political sympathies have 
always been in favor of the Republican party, 
and his first vote was cast in favor of John C. 
Fremont. 

BILDERBACK, William M.— An extensive land- 
holder and a well-to-do agriculturist, Mr. Bilder- 
back is prosperously engaged in his independent 
occupation on one of the pleasantest and most 
desirable homesteads in Schuyler County. His 
home farm is finely located on Section 28, Bir- 
mingham Township and comprises 183 1-3 acres 
of as fine land as is to be found in the country, 
all of which is under a high state of cultivation. 
While he carries on general farming, raising the 
usual grains and commodities to be found on an 
Illinois farm, it is in the raising of stock that he 
takes his chief pleasure and on his farm may 
lie seen a fine herd of Doroc red Jersey hogs 
which are eligible for registration. In his choice 
of cattle he is partial to the black breed, and 
has from twenty-five to sixty head on his farm, 
Mr. Bilderback is a descendant of German fore- 
Fathers, although the family, for a number of 
generations, has been represented in America. 
The records state that the grandfather Bilder- 
back. died in Kentucky, where be reared a large 
family of sons, among whom was Charles, the 
father of William M. At the death of their 
father the sons (Charles, Alex, William. James 
and John) left the South to take up life in what 
at that time (1846 i i was considered the frontier. 
■joining to Schuyler County, 111. Charles made 
his choice of land in Section 28, Birmingham 
Township, where be purchased about 300 acres 
of wild, uncultivated prairie land, far removed 
from any other white settler. The brothers, 
not quite so venturesome, selected a spot close 
to the timber, and here they worked together to 
improve their property, all the time tearing for 
the safety of their brother Charles, whose bleak 



location in the open prairie made him an easy 
prey to the blasts of wind and storm which were 
no uncommon visitors even in the more sheltered 
parts. On the land which he had selected and 
purchased. Charles Bilderback at once began the 
work of improvement, erecting a hewed frame 
building, material for which he hauled from 
Pulaski, Adams County. In the meantime he 
had formed domestic ties by his marriage 
with Sarah L. Crawford, who proved a help- 
mate in every sense of the word, and together 
they labored to make a comfortable home for 
their children, of whom there were five in num- 
ber, namely: Thomas, who died in infancy; 
William M., whose name heads this article: 
Charles E, and John F., both farmers in this 
township: and Ida B., the wife of S. P. Foster, 
their borne being at St. Mary, Hancocck County, 
111. The mother of these children passed to her 
reward in 1881, and ten years later, in 1891, the 
father was laid to rest, after a life of many years 
spent in the upbuilding of the community where 
in young manhood he selected his future home. 

The second child in the family, William M. 
Bilderback was born on the home farm on Sec- 
tion 28, Birmingham Township, October 15, 
I860 : and, in fact, be has never known any other 
home, for after the death of the mother, the 
farm was placed under his management. His 
educational training was meager, consisting only 
of such advantages as were offered in the schools 
of the Huntsville district, but nevertheless he was 
alert and observing, and by well-selected reading 
has become well informed generally, and is an 
agreeable conversationalist. When his school 
days were over, he turned his attention to as- 
sisting in the duties of the farm, and upon the 
death of his father, he purchased the old home- 
stead property. No opportunity to improve upon 
the older methods of farming have been lost 
sight of by Mr. Bilderback, and as a result his 
property is not only in appearance, but in reality, 
one of the most prosperous and productive in 
this part of Schuyler County. 

Mr. Bilderback was married, May 5, 1885, to 
Miss Emma Z. Harkness, who was born in Ka- 
hoka. Mo., August 31, 1861, the daughter of 
James C. and Elizabeth (Stauffer) Harkness. 
natives of Pennsylvania, who as early as 1842 
established their home in the wilds of Missouri. 
Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hark- 
ness. those besides Mrs. Bilderback now living 
are as follows: Abraham, of Clark County, Mo.; 
John, of Lake City, Colo.; George, a farmer of 
Clavk County, Mo.; James and Frank, both resi- 
dents of Kahoka, Mo. : Jane, the wife of Henry 
Strickler, of Farmington, Iowa ; and Annie, the 
wife of Jasper Stover, of Lake County, Cal. The 
mother of these children passed away in 1900, 
but the father is still living in Kahoka, Mo., at 
the ripe old age of ninety-four years. Eight chil- 
dren blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bil- 
derback-. as follows: Arthur Glenn, who died 
when seven years of age ; Tivis E., who was born 
August 18, 1888, and is now a student in the 
State Normal University, Normal. 111.; Troy P., 



784 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



who was born January 10, 1800 ; William R., 
bom April 30, 1802 ; Quintin B., born October 
22, 1805; Herman II., born February 0, 1807; 
Charles S.. born December 7, 1808 ; and James 
Clifford, born December 28, 1001. While not 
associated with any denomination, Mr. Bilderback 
gives with a liberal hand to the support of the 
Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a mem- 
ber, and in fact throughout his life has contrib- 
uted generously to both church and Sunday 
school work, regardless of denomination. Polit- 
ically he is a believer in Democratic principles, 
and carries out this belief by supporting the can- 
didates of that party. Socially he is a member 
of the Odd Fellows lodge at Huntsville, 111., and 
of Augusta Camp, Modern Woodmen of America. 
The fact that Mr. Bilderback has spent his entire 
life in his present locality makes him guard its 
interests with a jealous eye, and it is. safe to say 
that no project which has for its object the bet- 
terment of the community, fails to receive his 
support, in fact, he has, himself, inaugurated 
many beneficial measures. He has a hospitable 
nature, and both himself aud wife are surrounded 
by many friends and well-wishers. 

BLACK, Franklin P.— The name of Franklin 
P. Black is associated with successful agriculture 
and stock raising, with education, clean pol- 
itics and other enlightening agencies, and in 
character with the dignity and honor and abil- 
ity of a fine old pioneer family established in 
the wilds of Schuyler County by'his grandfather, 
Richard Black, in 1825. Mr. Black was born in 
Littleton Township, Schuyler County. June 13, 
1876, one of the family of four sons and two 
daughters of William T. Black, who was four 
years old when brought to Schuyler County from 
Dubois County, Ind.. where he was born in 1821. 
When Franklin 1'.. was a little ever eleven years 
(.1.1 i in 1868), he came with the rest of the fam- 
ily to the farm he now occupies in Section 11. 
Woodstock Township, and with the exception 
of temporary absences, has made this his home 
ever since. 

The youth of Mr. Black was devoted to work 
on the paternal farm, to attendance at the dis- 
trict school, and to such diversions and opportu- 
nities as the neighborhood afforded. At the age 
of twenty-one years he rented a farm and en- 
gaged in produce raising on his own responsibil- 
ity. February 2, INTO, he was united in mar- 
riage to Sarah Kennedy, born in Woodstock 
Township April 1, 1859, a daughter of Isaac and 
Betty (Wheelhouse) Kennedy, the former of 
mixed German and Irish ancestry, the latter 
coming from Yorkshire, England, when eleven 
years of age. Isaac Kennedy was born in 
Ohio and came to Illinois in 1858, settling on 
a farm in Woodstock Township, where his death 
occurred March 20, 1883. After his death his 
wife made her home there with her daughter, 
Mrs. Black, and there her life came to an end 
July 16. 1004. Of the four children in the Ken- 
nedy family, Z. B„ is a resident of Littleton 
Township. Schuyler County; Robert lives in 



Bearilstown, 111.; and Hanna is the wife of 
Thomas Chalkley, of Lincoln, 111. For two years 
after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Black occu- 
pied the old Black homestead, then moved to a 
farm a little to the south, in 1893 locating again 
in Section 10, where they lived until returning 
to the Black farm to care for the old folks in 
1895. Their loving care of the couple who had 
weathered the hardships of the frontier and risen 
to affluence by reason of toil and good judgment, 
was thoroughly characteristic of Mr. and Mrs. 
Black, and the family circle was narrowed Octo- 
ber 2, 1000, by the death of the father, and 
March 10, 1902. by the death of the mother. 
They were members of the Primitive Baptist 
Church. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Black have been born the 
following children : William Robert, born May 
18, 1881, farming part of the old homestead, and 
making a specialty of raising and breeding reg- 
istered Poland-China hogs — is husband of Bessie 
( Briggs ) Black, and father of Robert Karl 
Black; Homer, born June 16, 1884 died October 
6, 1884; and Grover C, born February 15, 1887, 
graduated from the medical department of 
Washington University at St. Louis, Mo., May 
28, 1008. and now one of the staff of St. Francis 
Hospital at Macomb, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Black 
have given their children every advantage in 
their power, aud all sustain the family reputa- 
tion for ability and general worth. William and 
Grover C. are both graduates of the Rushville 
Normal School and Business College. At the 
present time Mr. Black owns 150 acres of land, 
all of it under a high state of cultivation. He 
has a large and comfortable rural home, ample 
facilities for caring for products and stock, and 
he makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs, Red- 
Polled cattle, and roadster horses. He is a re- 
sourceful anil practical farmer, accepting such 
innovations as appeal to his judgment and dis- 
cretion, and is a constant seeker after the ways 
which broaden and refine country existence. Of 
unquestioned integrity and more than average 
business ability, he has received many proofs of 
confidence on the part of his fellow-townsmen, 
and in his immediate family he is looked up to 
as the soul of honor, his settlement of his lath- 
er's large estate without bond having proved per- 
fectly satisfactory to all concerned. Mr. Black 
is a Democrat in politics, and always has refused 
political position. 

BLACK, John Rollo — The administration of 
no Superintendent of Schools of Schuyler County 
has given more general satisfaction than has that 
of John Rollo Black, the present incumbent of 
the office. Energetic, practical, aud progressive, 
and thoroughly alive to the needs and possibili- 
ties of those entrusted to his supervision, this 
young educator seems to absorb and give out in 
abundant measure the virile spirit of the prairies, 
from which he sprung, and over which still 
broods the indomitable, all conquering influence 
of the pioneers. Born at Quincy. 111., February 
14, 1877, Mr. Black is a son of John H., and Teli- 




J^ui^^jU ^yrLv-vi^L 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



785 



tba (Parke) Black, natives of Illinnis, grandson 
of James P. Black, of Kentucky, and great-grand- 
son of Richard Black of North Carolina. His ma- 
ternal grandfather was O. II. Parke of Ken- 
tucky. The Blacks are of Scotch-Irish descent, 
and many of the family's numerous representa- 
tives have heeu conspicuous in the military, po- 
litical, commercial and educational affairs of 
America. 

Beared on a farm in the southern part of 
Schuyler County, to which his parents moved 
from Quincy in 18S2, Mr. Black attended the 
district schools and the Rushville Normal, and 
from 1897 until 1902 was engaged in school 
teaching in different parts of the county. During 
this time he applied himself with such assi- 
duity that he passed, with excellent standing, the 
examination for the State teacher's certificate 
which he now holds. He has been a loyal sup- 
porter of the Democratic party ever since at- 
taining his majority, and in 1902 was elected 
Superintendent of Schools for Schuyler County 
by a large majority. Though the discharge of 
this responsibility necessarily is arduous and 
taxing, Mr. Black finds time and strength for 
the publication of a school paper called the 
"Schuyler County School Visitor," which, be- 
cause of the breadth of the views expressed and 
the comprehensive ground covered, is proving a 
moulding factor along educational lines in the 
county. 

On December 25, 1902, Mr. Black was married 
to Daisy M. Dennis, who was born in Rushville, 
and educated in the public schools and at the 
Jacksonville Woman's College. Mr. Black is 
prominent socially, and is identified with the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern 
Woodmen of America. The life of Mr. Black is 
dominated by a high sense of responsibility, and 
by unfaltering devotion to the work for which 
nature and training have admirably fitted him. 
He has sympathy, personal magnetism, and the 
faculty of getting near to the hearts of the stu- 
dent class. lie understands the youth of the 
land, his ambitions, temptations and possibilities, 
and therefore can be of use to him. 

BLACK, William T., ( deceased ) .—From 1825 
until his death, October 2. 1900, William T. 
Black was associated with Schuyler County, as 
a boy. contributing his small strength to the 
lifting of pioneer hardships, and, as a man, gain- 
ing that outlook and independence which comes 
of work well done and responsibilities nobly 
borne. Mr. Black's parents were among the first 
permanent settlers in Woodstock Township, com- 
ing from Dubois County. End., where the son 
was horn March 18, 1S21. The journey was 
made with a wagon and team during the sum- 
mer of 1S25. and in a clearing a rude cabin was 
erected, between the walls of which was enacted 
a chapter of that history' w-hich, with its rude 
accessories of existence, its demands upon the 
courage and fortitude of the race, and its ex- 
pressions of splendid purpose and hope, have 



slipped forever into the recesses of a never-to-be 
again, but unforgetable past. 

None of the hardships, discouragements, limi- 
tations or diversions of the early days of the 
county were absent from the youth of' William 
T. Black. Far from breaking his spirit or de- 
veloping discouragement and inertia, they im- 
pelled to a strong and reliant manhood, to a 
character the integrity and worth of which 
never was questioned, and developed a capacity 
which found its sphere and reward in the hard 
toil of the farm. During the winter season he 
walked a long distance to a log school house, 
where the common branches were intermingled 
with a liberal use of the birch rod, and where 
the pupils performed all of the tasks, such as 
sweeping, lighting the fire and bringing in the 
water. At the age ~oi twenty-five years Mr. 
Black started on his independent career, renting 
a farm in Woodstock Township for one year, and 
then removing to Rushville Township, where he 
was married, October 30, 1842. to Mathilda 
Matheny, a native of Morgan County, Ohio, and 
born March 29, 1823. Mrs. Black's parents were 
Andrew and Sarah (Harris) Matheny. natives 
of New England and Virginia, respectively, and 
they came to Illinois in 1835, purchasing the 
farm in Schuyler County upon which the balance 
of their lives was spent. They had four chil- 
dren and were fairly prosperous, developing one 
of the fine farms and delightful homes in their 
township. On both sides of the family there 
were forefathers who bore their muskets upon the 
battlefields of the Revolutionary War, and who 
were closely identified with the agricultural and 
business activities of the East and South. 

In 1840 Mr. Black bought 120 acres of land, 
built a small frame dwelling, and in 1868 sold 
this property and purchased 280 acres in Wood- 
stock Township. In 1SG9 he built the residence 
which remained his home for the rest of his life, 
and carried on geneal farming and stock-raising 
with increasing success. Of the six children 
who came to brighten his home. Austin, a farmer 
of Woodstock Township, married Nancy King. 
and had one son ; Athalinda is the wife of Rich- 
ard Kittering. and has two sons; Harriet died 
at the age of forty-two years: William H. mar- 
ried Rachel Boiles. and has five sons and two 
daughters; Richard married Jane Stevens, and 
has two sons and one daughter: Franklin P. 
married Sarah Kennedy, and is mentioned else- 
where in this work. Politically. Mr. William 
T. Black favored the Democratic party, but was 
liberal in his views and, especially in local mat- 
ters, believed in voting for the man irrespective 
of party. He was honored by election to va- 
rious township offices, and invariably discharged 
his duties with courage and fidelity. In his reli- 
gious views be was a Baptist and a member of 
the Primitive Baptist Church, and was generous 
in his contributions to the support of the church 
and its missions. He was universally respected 
and many people mourned the passing from their 
ken of his fine and sympathetic personality. 



786 



EISTOEY OF sell TYLER COUNTY. 



BLACKBURN, Bryson M., one of the oldest 
residents of Schuyler County, 111., where he has. 
been successfully engaged in tannin- in Brook- 
lyn Township, for nunc than fifty-live years, al- 
ways maintaining a high standing as a fanner 
ami as a citizen, was born in Ohio, on the dividing 
line between Hamilton and Butler Counties. Oc- 
tober 23, 1828. He is a son of James and Neppie 
(Sparks) Blackburn, natives of Ohio and Ken- 
tucky, respectively. The paternal grandfather, 
Bryson Blackburn, was a Virginian by birth, and 
Matthew Sparks, the grandfather on the mater- 
nal side was born in Maryland. The Blackburns 
are of Scotch-Irish descent, while the Sparks 
family originated in France. James Blackburn, 
father of Bryson M.. who was a physician and 
surgeon, was born in 1805. In boyhood he was 
bound out to learn the tanner's trade, and boot 
and shoe making. This occupation not being to 
his liking, he turned his attention to medicine, 
fitting himself for practice under the tutorship 
of the famous Dr. Thomas of Cincinnati. His 
family came to Schuyler County in 1830, and he 
soon alter acquired a patent for eighty acres of 
government land in Brooklyn Township, but after 
locating on it and making improvements, dis- 
covered a defect in the title, another man having 
a prior claim. He then entered up a tract of loo 
acres, which included a part of the site of the 
present village of Brooklyn, and establishing his 
residence on it. applied himself to practice a-- a 
physician, his practice extending from forty to 
sixty miles from his home. In course of time lie 
sold his farm, and bought a tract of 360 .ores h, 
Section-; 16 and 21, all of which was covered 
with timber. After clearing a portion of it. be 
built a large dwelling, which was destroyed by 
fire eleven years later. Dr. James Blackburn de- 
parted this life in December, 1852, his wife, who 
was born in 1804, passing away in 1ST6. Their 
family consisted of five sons and four daughters, 
of whom the subject of this sketch was the sec- 
ond in order of birth. 

What schooling Bryson M. Blackburn was able 
to obtain was received in the primary schools of 
Brooklyn Township, and he remained on the 
home place, taking part in the work until the 
time of his marriage. He learned the carpenter's 
trade in his early youth, and from 1852 to 1859 
was engaged in that occupation at Huntsville. 
111., which was his home during this period. In 
the latter year, he moved to a tract of eighty 
acres in Section 20. Brooklyn Township, adjoin- 
ing the village of Brooklyn on the north. The 
land contained no improvements and was mostly 
covered with brush. Mr. Blackburn built the 
house now occupied by him. 20 by 16 feet, with 
an ell, and has increased the extent of his 
landed property by two purchases, adding sev- 
enty acres in Section 17. which adjoin the orig- 
inal eighty acres. This place he thoroughly im- 
proved, continuing his work as a carpenter until 
1800, after which he devoted his whole attention 
t" operation of the farm. 

tin March 18. 1852, Mr. Blackburn was joined 
in matrimony svith Susan F. Overstreet, who 



was bom in Kentucky, February 15, 1S29, a 
daughter of Buckley and Nancy (Brumfield) 
Overstreet. natives of that State. From this un- 
ion nine children have resulted, as follows : 
Kate, born December 22, 1852; James Levi, who 
died in infancy; Frances A., born June 10, 1857; 
William Frederick, born January 18, 1859; 
Nancy Penelope, born October 9, 1860; Mary 
Minerva, born September 5, 1SG2 ; Robert Ho- 
mer, born July 11, 1864; Elizabeth, born March 
22. 1866, who died at the age of nineteen months, 
and Charles, who also died in infancy. Of the 
children still surviving. Kate, the eldest daugh- 
ter, became the wife of Warren Whitson, a resi- 
lient of Brooklyn. 111.; Frances A. is at home; 
William F. lives in Brooklyn Township; Nancy 
R. was married to Charles Duell, and resides in 
Rike County. 111.; Mary M. (Mrs. George Kreu- 
ter) lives at Doddsville, McDonough County, 111.; 
and Robert H. follows farming on the home 
place. 

In politics. Mr. Blackburn is a supporter of 
the Prohibition party, and has rendered credita- 
ble public service in the office of Road Commis- 
sioner. He and his faithful wife, for nearly 
three-score years the helpful companion of his 
joys and sorrows, are communicants of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. Both are regarded with 
the highest respect. 

BLACKBURN, Orville, still in imssession of 
his mental and bodily faculties, with scarcely 
perceptible impairment through waning years, is 
one of the most vigorous and sprightly survivors 
of the pioneer period of Central Illinois. When 
his life began in Schuyler County, which has al- 
ways been his home except fur a brief time in 
childhood, the region was mainly a wilderness, 
abounding in wild beasts and game. Wolves, wild 
deer, prairie chickens and wild turkeys were 
plentiful in all directions. In the years succeed- 
ing his youthful experience, the scythe, the sickle, 
the flail, the antique plow, and all the crude 
contrivances whereby the tedious and laborious 
pin. ess i if pioneer farming were carried on, have 
vanished. These relies of primitive times have 
given place to the most complete devices in agri- 
cultural implements and machines that modern 
ingenuity can design, the low lands have all been 
drained, the timber has mostly disappeared, vil- 
lages, schools, churches, stores, public buildings 
and tasteful habitations brighten the landscape. 
and still the sturdy pioneer to whom this narra- 
tive pertains, a forceful reminder of a former 
generation, pursues the even tenor of his way 
near the spot where he was ushered into life. But 
he has witnessed a wondrous transformation, 
keeping pace with the marvelous development, 
and doing his full share in pushing forward all 
the movements that have made his locality what 
it is today. 

Mr. Blackburn was born in Rushville. Schuy- 
ler County. 111.. April 2G, I8;',2, a son of James 
and Xoppie (Sparks'! Blackburn, natives of Ohio 
and Kentucky respectively. When he was a lit- 
tle boy his parents moved to Plymouth, Hancock 



BISTORT OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



78* 



County. III., returning five years later to Schuy- 
ler County, and locating in Brooklyn Township, 
near the village of Brooklyn. In early youth 
Orville Blackburn attended the subscription 
schools of those times, and grew up <>ii his fath- 
er's fanu. The latter died in 1852, and Orville 
remained on the home place with his mother 
fur some years. After his marriage he still 
took care of the homestead farming until 1866. 
His mother passed away in lsT'i. In 1866, to- 
gether with his brother-in-law, John Henry 
Walker, he bought a farm, and seven years later, 
traded his interest in it for 75 acres of land on 
Crooked Creek bottoms, in the southwest part of 
Brooklyn Township. To this he afterwards ad- 
ded eighty acres, and lived there uutil 1903. 
.Meantime, he and his two sons purchased 270 
acres one mile south of Littleton, 111.. 50 acres ol 
which were timber land. He worked at the ear- 
jM'iiter's trade with his brother. Bryson, doing 
all the building in this section in early days, and 
carrying on his farming operations at the same 
time. He was one of the first grain raisers in 
this part of the county. In 1903 he sold the 
farm on Crooked Creek Bottoms, and bought 125 
.teres in Section 29, adjoining the village of 
Brooklyn on the east, where he now resides. 

The marriage of Mr. Blackburn took place 
June 22, 18G2, on which date he was wedded to 
Sarah Walker, who was horn in Hardin County, 
Ky., in November, 1837. Mrs. Blackburn, a mosl 
faithful wife and devoted mother, is a daughter 
of Phelix and Rachael (Watts) Walker, nal 
of the county where her birth occurred. Three 
children resulted from this union, as follows: 
Edgar, born July 15. 1865, who lives on the home 
place : Anna Belle, born in July, 1870, who be- 
came the wife of James King, of Windom. Kan. : 
and Ray, born January 29, 1873, who is a resi- 
dent of Brooklyn Township. 

In politics, Mr. Blackburn was identified with 
the Democratic party until the time of the Civil 
War. and in recent years, has acted with the 
Prohibitionists. He has rendered creditable serv- 
ice on the School Board, and also held the office 
of Trustee. In religion, he and his excellent 
wife are adherents of the faith of the Presbyte- 
rian Church. P.oth are regarded with profound 
respect. 

BOICE, John H. — The American progenitor of 
the Boice family, so long identified with Schuy- 
ler County, was George Mathew Boice, an En.'- 
lish soldier, who. upon arriving on this side of 
the water. • 3) sed the cause of the down-trod- 
den colonists, and carried a musket through 
many of the hattles of the Revolutionary War. 
Eventually he cast his fortunes with the State 
of Virginia, and from there moved to Ohio, in 
both States following the occupation of farming. 
A relic of this soldier and pioneer is a bull's-eye 
watch, which still keeps good time, and now is 
the prized possession of his great-grandson and 
namesake, George Mathew Boice, of Schuyler 
County. 

John Boice, son of the Revolutionary soldier. 



and a native of Virginia, came to Schuyler 
County at an early day. bringing with him his 
family, which included George Mathew Boice, 
then a small lad who was reared on the Rush- 

ville Township farm. George Mathew had the 
average opportunities of his time and place, and 
upon attaining maturity, married Catherine Nel- 
son, his childhood playmate, who also had come 
to the county with her parents Henry and Mary 
(Teel) Nelson, settling in Frederick Township. 
Catherine Nelson was horn in Ohio. The young 
couple rented a farm north of Rushville after 
their marriage, and in 1854 bought 120 acres of 
land in Section 2::. Rushville Township, which 
at that time had few Improvements save a few- 
acres of cleared land and a log cabin. Here the 
family lived until the death of the parents, the 
• v dying in 1879,. and his wife in 1863. They 
were permitted to witness many changes ere they 
took their departure, the heavy timber having 
been cleared away, and the old log cabin having 
been supplanted by a frame dwelling ol more re- 
cent construction. Mr. Boice was a I temocrat 
in politics, and with his wife, a devout member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were 
the parents of six children: Mary C, who died 
at the age of three years; John II.. now operat- 
ing the old farm; Augustus R.. who died at the 
of twenty-three years; Ella, wife of George 
W. Trone, :i prominent farmer and citizen of 
Rushville: I.izzie May. widow of George S. Har- 
rington, and a resident of Ashland. Oregon, and 
George Warren, a medical practitioner of Chi- 
cago. 

John H. Boice, operating the old Boice home- 
l. was born within a few rods of where he 
lives in Section 2::. Rushville Township, 
April 1-1. 1852. As the oldest son and living 
child in the family, he was taught to make him- 
self useful around the farm at an aire when most 
boys are more interested in pleasure than work. 
.,,,',] naturally has succeeded to the entire man- 
agement of the property. No uncertain aspira- 
have led him away from the occupation of 
his youth, or lessened in a single degree his ap- 
ation of its dignity and worth. He is en- 
gaged in general farming and stock 'raising, and 
in the past made quite a fortune out of Berk- 
shire hoes, which at present he raises only in 
limited numbers. He is at present devoting his 
attention to Angora goats, and has on hand 
eighteen head of the finest to be found anywhere 
in this part of the country. 

As a Democrat in excellent standing Mr. Boice 
has held many important township offices, and 
fraternally is connected with the Modern Wood- 
men of America. P.oth he and wife are mem- 
he rs of the Methodist Episcopal Church, thus 
maintaining the family precedent in re! 
August 6, 1873, Mr. Boice was united in mar- 
riage to Elizabeth J. Whitsee. a native of In- 
diana, and daughter of Fred and Eliza (Souther- 
land) Whitsee. The Whitse early to 
Schuyler Ci unty, locating In Rushville. where 
the : !. .and whence the mother removed 
to her present home in Pekin. 111. Mrs. Boice 



788 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



has living two sisters and two brothers : Kose, 
wife of Wesley Boice. of Coffeyville, Kan. ; .Mar- 
garet, wile (if James Sweet, of Pekin, 111.; 
Charles, a farmer in Chalmers Township, Mc- 
Donough County, 111.; and Frank, of Coffeyville, 
Kan. To Mr. and Mrs. Boiee have been born six 
children, one of whom died in infancy; Charles 
married Hettie Malatty. and has one child; Clar- 
ence is a farmer in Rushville Township; Everett 
Kay died at the age of eighteen years : Frederick 
G. is a graduate of the Normal Business Col- 
lege, class of 1905 ; Lysle will graduate from the 
same institution in 1908; and Lulu Elbertiue is 
living at home. Mr. Boiee is a conscientious aud 
painstaking man, his heart ever open to the de- 
mands upon its sympathy aud consideration, and 
his purse-strings drawn iu many causes of char- 
ity or misfortune. 

BONSER, Henry.— A substantial farmer and 
progressive citizen of Bainbridge Township, 
Schuyler County, was born in a little log cabin 
on the Hill, situated in Section 18. Bainbridge 
Township, and his birthplace was also the scene 
of his parents' death. On the home farm, which 
he operated for many years both before and af- 
ter his marriage, he resided until 1895, when he 
removed to his present beautiful home iu Section 
9< At that time, however, he bought only two 
acres of ground, to which he has continuously 
added until be is the owner of 181 acres, lying 
in a body and highly improved. His pleasant 
and valuable homestead is in both Sections 9 
and 10, and as the fine improvements upon it 
have been the results of his own industry and 
forethought, he is excusable if he views the' place 
with a large degree of pride. 

Henry Bonser was born February 5, 1S52, 
a son of William Thomas and Emeline (Ste- 
phens) Bonser, his father being a native of Eng- 
land who came to America when a young man 
and settled in Schuyler County. Here he mar- 
ried, his wife being a native of Kentucky who 
migrated to Indiana when a child, thence com- 
ing witli her parents to Schuyler County. After 
their marriage Mr. Bonser and wife settled in 
Section 10, Bainbridge Township, and upon the 
farm there were born their eleven children, 
namely: Kezlah. now the widow of a Mr. Wil- 
liam Rawson, a resident of Huntsville Town- 
ship; Eliza, wife of William Suggett, who lives 
in Alta. Canada: William, who served in the 
Civil War as a member of the Seventeenth Il- 
linois Volunteer Infantry, and is now a farmer 
of Phelps County. Neb.; John, who served in 
Company 6, Twenty-eighth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, for a period of three years, and died 
in June. 1897: Nancy J., wife of A. J. Vanorder, 
whose husband was also a soldier in the Twenty- 
eighth Illinois (seeing over four and ;i half 
years" sen-ice) and is now a farmer of Oakland 
Township, Schuyler County ; James, who joined 
the One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinoins Infan- 
try, died while in the service of the Union and 
was buried at Columbus, Ga. : Thomas and Mil- 
burn, farmers of Phelps County, Neb.; Henry A.. 



of this review ; Edward and Marion, also agri- 
culturists of Phelps County, Neb. The father of 
this family died iu the little log cabin which he 
had erected on Section 10 during the year 1864, 
the mother surviving him for nearly twenty years 
and following her husband in 1893. Both "were 
faithful members of the Union Baptist Church, 
and were highly honored by all as good parents, 
kindly neighbors and truly useful factors of their 
home community. 

Henry Bonser was reared to the life of a 
farmer from early boyhood, assisting his father 
on the home place, attendiug the district school, 
and faithfully performing such other duties as 
fall to him who is convinced that he has found 
his useful place in the world, aud has no desire 
to exi>eriineut in other fields. As the older mem- 
bers of the family left the homestead, the girls 
to marry and the boys to prepare homes of their 
own. Henry A. was placed in charge of the old 
farm, as the father had died when the son was 
only twelve years of age. The mother continued 
to reside on the family homestead uutil her 
death in 1893. 

Mr. Bonser was married in the fall of 1st:: 
to Miss Sarah Quiun, a native of Schuyler 
County, 111., and a daughter of Selathiel Quinn 
and Elizabeth Gillespie (as she was known in 
maidenhood). The wife and mother died June 
10, 1907, her husband having already passed 
away while journeying to Indiana to make a 
visit to friends. Mr. Bouser remained upon the 
farm where he was born until 1895, when, as 
stated, he removed with his family to the site 
of his present fine homestead and commenced 
to make the purchases and improvements which 
have resulted in its establishment. These two 
homesteads, endeared by so many filial and mar- 
ital associations, have witnessed the eomiug of 
eleven children to the family circle of Mr. and 
Mrs. Henry A. Bonser. their names, given in the 
order of birth, being as follows: Myrtle, now 
the wife of Earl Brewer, and herself the mother 
of two children; Herbert and Grace, wlio live 
at home : Etta, wife of Leonard Hodges, a farmer 
of Woodstock Township, and mother of one 
child ; Gertrude, residing at home : Nellie and 
Roy. twins: and Lydia. Electa. Ruth and Curry, 
who are also still with their parents. Lydia is 
teacher of a school in Schuyler County. 

Mr. Bonser always has been considered not 
only one of the most progressive farmers of his 
township, but one of its most intelligent and 
useful citizens. A strong supporter of the prin- 
ciples of Democracy, bis political attitude has 
never interfered with the impartial performance 
of the various public duties which have devolved 
upon him. He has efficiently served as School 
Director for many years, and has held various 
other township offices. There are. in fact, no men 
in his township who are better known or more 
highly honored than Henry A. Bonser, whose life 
of uprightness and broad usefulness have won 
him wide and unshaken confidence. 

BOTTENBERG, Thomas Edward.— Because of 



HISTORY OF SCT1TYLEK COUNTY. 



789 



natural aptitude and superior equipment, Thomas 
Edward Bottenberg has taken a prominent rank 
in his profession in Rushville. where he began 
his career as a lawyer in December, 180", hav- 
ing successively filled the offices of City Attor- 
ney of Rushville, and State's Attorney of Schuy- 
ler County. In his general make-up Mr. Bot- 
tenberg embodies the sterling qualities of his 
German-English ancestors, the earliest American 
representatives of. whom on the paternal side were 
his great-grandparents. Jacob and Elizabeth Bot- 
tenberg, who came from Germany and settled in 
Virginia, while bis maternal great-grandparents, 
Of the name of Holmes, came from England and 
sell led in Kentucky. His grandparents, Jacob 
Bottenberg and Nathan Holmes, were born in 
Virginia and Kentucky, respectively, the former 
marrying a native of Virginia, and the latter 
marrying Maria Miller, who was born in Ken- 
tucky. Joseph Bottenberg and Mary Jane 
(Holmes) Bottenberg, were born in the States of 
which their respective grandparents were pio- 
neers, and they were early settlers of McDori- 
ough County, 111., where their son, Thomas E., 
was born on a farm November 28, L868. 

The Bottenberg family moved from McDon- 
ough County to Astoria. Fulton County, in 1881, 
and there Thomas Edward, then thirteen years 
of age. completed his common school education. 
Developing a liking for the profession of law. he 
laid the foundation for the same at the Northern 
Indiana University, at Valparaiso, and after 
graduating from the classical course in 1SS9, 
taught school near Vermont, 111., for one term, 
afterward acting as Principal of the Frederick 
school several years, in the meantime employing 
his leisure hours in reading law, his admission 
to the bar taking place in May, 1893, and his 
settlement in Rushville in December following, 
as a member of the firm of Montgomery & Glass. 

Dpon the re val of Mr. Montgomery to Quincy 

in 1896. the firm name was changed to Glass & 
Bottenberg. The same year Mr. Bottenberg's 
popularity and ability were recognized by his 
election to the office of State's Attorney, the 
able and conscientious discharge of which brought 
him re-election in 1900. Besides being a leading 
practitioner since his admission to the bar. he has 
"stumped" the county during every Democratic 
campaign and, in 1898, was Chairman o: the 
Democratic Central Committee. 

Socially, as well as legally and politically. Mr. 
Bottenberg maintains high standards and counts 
among his friends prominent and well known 
citizens of the State. He has been elected Emi- 
nent Commander of the Rushville Commandery 
No. 56, Knights Templar, has served 8% years, 
and still holds litis position. He lias woven the 
fabric of his success with strands of lasting firm- 
ness and strength, sacrificing nothing of principle 
or precedent, while achieving some of the most 
brilliant and satisfying compensations of his pro- 
fession. 

BRINES, John T. — A life spent within the lim- 
its of one county may seem lacking in those 



thrilling adventures characteristic of the careers 
of those who travel much by land anil sea. and 
whose varied commercial interests take them 
into different parts of the world. Yet the pros- 
perity of a country is dependent principally upon 
those earnest, quiet, persevering men, who, in 
the daily round of duties, remain optimistic, 
courageous and generous-hearted, and who, by 
improving their little tracts of land, make the 
world more attractive by reason of their pres- 
ence. Within the limits of Schuyler County John 
T. Brines was born anil retired, anil here the 
busy years of manhood were passed in the work 
of an agriculturist; finally, as the shadows of 
life's brief day have passed the high noon, he 
has lifted from his shoulders some of the bur- 
dens of youth and now enpoys the pleasures of 
a pleasant country home, surrounded by the or- 
namental trees he has planted and showing the 
painstaking care of a man of good taste. 

On Section thirty-one. Frederick Township, 
where he now lives, John T. Brines was born 
September 26, 1849, a son of Roswell and Delia 
(Norton) Brines. His father was a native of 
New York and a member of a family comprising 
ten brothers and two sisters, all of whom left 
the East to settle in Wabash County, 111. When 
he came to Schuyler County Indians bad not yet 
disappeared from their old hunting grounds, and 
he took part in the Black Hawk War. It was 
Itis privilege at an early day to form the ac- 
quaintance of Abraham Lincoln, and to enjoy lie 
honor of running races with the martyred Presi- 
dent, lot- whom he always maintained the most 
profound admiration. 

Upon coming to Schuyler County the senior 
Brines settled on the Greer farm in Rushville 
Township. On selling that place he bought a 
farm, later owned by George R. Hunter. Next 
he bought the farm now owned by John Malcom- 
son. and on that place he built an equipment for 
conducting the tanner's trade, of which he had 
gained a practical knowledge in earlier life. The 
next property which lie acquired was situated 
on Section thirty-one, Frederick Township; the 
land was covered witli white, black and red oak, 
and black and white walnut trees, and no effort 
had been made to bring it into condition for cul- 
tivation. On this place he remained until his 
death, which occurred in 1S99 at the age of 
ninety-two years; his wife passing away .just 
four weeks later, at the age of eighty-two years. 
Of their five sons and seven daughters, the ma- 
jority have been called from earth. The three 
surviving sons are Henry of California. George 
of Rushville, and John T. The daughters are 
Louisa Harriet, on the old homestead, and Er- 
mine, wife of Pulaski Reeves, a retired farmer 
living in Rushville. 

Among scenes familiar to the boyhood years 
of John T. Brines were those associated with 
the pioneer schools, with their floors of puncheons 
and their benches and desks of slabs. His edu- 
cation was such as the teachers in these schools 
furnished. In 1892 he married Miss Elizabeth 
Jockish. who w.as born in Cass County. 111. At 



,90 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



the time of his marriage he was given 195 
acres of land as his share of the estate. At once 
he hegan to improve the land, where now he has 
a pleasant home, with fruit, shade and orna- 
mental trees, the whole forming one of the best 
farms in the township. Interested in stock rais- 
ing, he makes a specialty of Shropshire sheep, in 
which he is deeply interested and with which he 
has been successful, as, indeed, he has also been 
in other departments of agriculture. He and his 
wife had three children, but lost their only son. 
Two daughters, Florence and Kosie, are being 
educated in local schools. In religion the family 
are identified with the Christian Church at 
Pleasantview, while politically he always has 
voted with the Democratic party. 

BROWN, Clyde E. — The tremendous strides in 
agriculture during the past few years have de- 
veloped a science which the land tiller of a quar- 
ter a century ago would hardly recognize. Hav- 
ing learned all that his father has been able to 
teach him, the young farmer of today, whose am- 
bitions are commensurate with his possibilities, 
sees before him an ever widening vista of in- 
vention and experiment, and though he lias mas- 
tered the chemistry of soils, the value of lands, 
and rotation in crops, and the economy of 
time, effort and space — in fact, has made his own 
all that the student learns at the foremost ex- 
perimental stations in the country — he knows 
there are short cuts to good results still undis- 
covered, and more practical and profitable meth- 
ods that even further eliminate drudgery, and af- 
ford ampler time for the general comfort and 
improvement of the agriculturist. Representa- 
tive of this far-seeing and promising class of the 
world's workers is Clyde E. Brown, a young man 
of twenty-seven years, son of Hon. Robert Brown, 
mentioned elsewhere in this work, and whose 
opportunities for advancing to the highest round 
of the agricultural ladder have beeu enviable 
and seldom excelled. 

Mr. Brown was born in a double log cabin in 
Woodstock Township, Schuyler County, August 
24, 18S0, and was educated in the country schools 
and the Rushville High School. Desiring no 
greater honor than to do his work faithfully and 
well as a farmer, Mr. Brown resolved to give 
himself every chance lor advancement, and in 
the fall of 1899 entered the live stock depart- 
ment of the Illinois Stan- University, at Drbana, 
completing the course and afterward studying in 
the horticultural department, equipping himself 
fully for all departments of farm activity. In 
January, 1901, he became manager of the George 
Little farms, comprising over 3,000 acres, in 
Schuyler County, and on one of these farm, in 
Buena Vista Township, set out over three thou- 
sand fruit trees. He made many and extensive 
improvements for Mr. Little, and gained an ex- 
perience impossible under less favorable condi- 
tions. In the meantime, being desirous of get- 
ting into the fruit business on bis own responsi- 
bility, in the fall of 190] he bought eighty acres 
of land in Section 2. Woodstock Township, known 



as the old Kent farm, and set out thereon four- 
teen hundred apple and peach trees. In the fall 
of 1906, after resigning his position with the 
Little people, he gathered his first crop of 
peaches and his second crop of apples, all of 
which brought the highest market price. At this 
time he realized his advantage in having gone to 
Louisiana to select his trees at the Stark Nur- 
sery. 

In 1903 Mr. Brown rented an eighty-acre farm 
of his father, and for three years ran a bachelor 
hall, putting up with all of the inconveniences 
and diseomlorts of having to do everything for 
himself. October 4, 1905, he ameliorated his 
lonely condition by marrying Bertha F. Russell, 
daughter of D. L. Russell, formerly one of the 
leading surgeons and physicians of this part of 
Illinois. Dr. Russell became particularly promi- 
nent through his invention of an instrument for 
performing bloodless tracheotomy, the patent of 
which be sold at a large figure. During the Civil 
War he served in an Ohio regiment with the 
rank of Major, and in 1903 moved from Ripley 
to Rushville, where his death occurred in Sep 
tember. 1905. He is survived by his wife, who 
still lives in Rushville. Robert Russell Bro.vn. 
the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde E. Broun, 
was born September L's. I'.mii;. 

On his farm in Section 2, Woodstock Town- 
ship, Mr. Brown is devoting his time to fruit, 
general produce, Hereford catle and fine draft 
and road horses. He aims always at the best, 
and with his diversified knowledge must continue 
to succeed, and to inspire others with his infec- 
tious ideals and enthusiasm. While voting with 
care and due regard for the welfare of the com- 
munity, he has never aided the cause of Democ- 
racy by official service, devoting his attention to 
the promotion of the best interests of the com- 
munity in which he resides. The coming year 
w ill find him amply in touch with its standards 
and demands, for the progressive mind knows 
no resting place when collaborating with na- 
ture and her possibilities. 

BROWN, Herman H. — Agricultural, monetary 
and legal science have enriched the experience 
and extended the usefulness of Herman H. 
Brown, one of the most energetic and capable of 
the younger generation of toilers of Rushville. and 
who at present is known to the community as a 
general attorney, assistant cashier of the Bank 
of Rushville, chief of the local fire department, 
and promoter of the Farmers' Institute. Mr. 
Brown is a native of Schuyler County, and was 
born on a farm in Woodstock Township, June 14, 
1875. He represents the third generation of his 
family in this part of the State, for hither came 
his grandfather, John Brown, of Virginia, and 
his wife, Jane (Becket) Brown, of Kentucky, 
and here was born his father. Robert Brown, in 
the then small village of Rushville. The pater- 
nal great-grandfather, John Brown, was born 
in North Carolina. The maternal branch of the 
family named Hoffman also was etablished early 
in Schuyler County by Samuel Hoffman of Ohio, 




dt & cMtrcKJu-^ 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



791 



who was lather of Mary, the mother of Herman 
H., who married Margaret C. Nordin, a native of 
France. The maternal great-grandparents, Jos- 
eph and Mary (Myers) Hoffman, were born in 
Berks County, Pa. 

Notwithstanding his withdrawal from agricul- 
ture as a direct means of livelihood, Herman H. 
Brown continues an active promoter of that basic 
industry of the world, lu his youth he received 
an excellent training on his father's farm, and 
left it only to augment his district school educa- 
tion by attendance at the Rushville Normal, 
from which he was graduated with honor in the 
class of 1892. He then studied law in the office 
of Montgomery & Glass, and., upon passing the 
State bar examination in 1890, when less than 
twenty-one years of age, was obliged to other- 
wise employ himself until he had reached his 
majority. In the emergency he became a clerk 
in the Bank of Rushville, soon after being ad- 
vanced to his present position of assistant cash- 
ier. He fulfilled the active duties of cashier until 
January 20, 1900, when he became a member of 
the law firm of Glass & Bottenberg, and since 

then has 1 n engaged in the general practice of 

his profession in Rushville and vicinity. Mr. 
Brown advanced rapidly as a counselor, and in 
November, 1904, was elected State's Attorney 
of Schuyler County on the Democratic ticket. He 
has been active in local Democratic undertakings 
for several years, and while stumping the coun- 
try on several occasions, has evidenced strong 
and persuasive gifts as a speaker. 

Mr. Brown is a Director iu the Rushville 
Loan & Homestead Association, and has been 
connected with the Rushville fire department for 
the past three years, serving as its head during 
the greater part of that time. Fraternally he is 
connected with the Knights of Pythias, Masons 
ami Modern Woodmen of America. His long 
continued interest in the Farmers' Institute is 
an absorbing and practical one. and has infused 
vigor and high standards into an organization of 
more than average local usefulness. November 21. 
1901, Mr. Brown ws united in marriage to Grace 
P.. Hermetet, a native of Schuyler County, and 
graduate of the Rushville High school. 

BROWN, Hon. Robert.— No resident of Rush- 
ville who has sought its advantages at the end 
of an active life has more worthily earned the 
right to leisure than Hon. Robert Brown. Nor 
has any one now living been a more interested 
or industrious observer of the growth of this 
part of Schuyler County than the erstwhile 
farmer and law-maker. The Rushville in which he 
was born. October 19, 1835. and near which he 
has spent the seventy-two years of his life, gave 
little promise of its present thrift and cosmopol- 
itanism. It was destined to the slow develop- 
ment known as agricultural, presenting within 
its boundaries no mining or other rapid fortune 
acquiring resources. In local government and 
legislation alone could the settlers hope for per- 
sonal distinction other than that quiet kind which 
comes of ordinary work faithfully performed, 



and it is along the line of political services that 
the family of which Mr. Brown represents the 
second generation in Illinois, has been most use- 
ful and conspicuous. 

John Brown, father of the subject of this 
sketch, was born in Fayette County, Ky., and 
married Jane Becket, a native of Bourbon 
County, that State. On both sides of his fam- 
ily, John Brown inherited thrifty Scotch traits, 
and he paved the way for success by becoming a 
practical farmer and a skillful carpenter and 
builder. Leaving his native State and journey- 
ing westward in 1831, he settled on the present 
site of Rushville, and for Schuyler County he 
built the first court house, and later erected 
many residences and barns within its limit. He 
possessed marked executive aud general ability, 
and was three times elected bo the Legislature, 
first as Representative in 1838, Vandaiia being 
then the State capital, a second time to the 
House in 1844, aud to the Senate in 1846, serving 
during one session. 

For many years he was one of the three Com- 
missioners to transact the general county busi- 
ness, and after the organization of the county, 
was elected Supervisor from Woodstock Town- 
ship. He was unchangeably Democratic in his 
convictions, recognizing no compromise for any 
reason whatever. Of the ten children in his 
family two died in infancy and three are living. 
John G, the oldest son, who served two terms 
as Sheriff of Schuyler County, is a resident of 
Lamar. Mo.; George W. is living in Cherokee, 
Kan., was twice elected head of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, of Kansas; Nancy J., and 
her husband. William Hamilton, are deceased; 
one sun is engaged in the wholesale grocery busi- 
ness at Pittsburg, Kan.: two others whose 
names have not been returned, are deceased; 
Franklin died at Cherokee. Kan... in July, 1906. 

Robert Brown is the second oldest in his fath- 
er's large family. His youth was uneventfully 
passed on the home farm, and his education was 
acquired in the subscription schools. He recalls 
many incidents of the early histoiy of the county, 
especially the trouble with the Mormons, when 
a company had been started for the seat of trou- 
ble, which company was sent back to their homes 
by Governor Ford. The Governor, however, 
thinking to allay apprehension and furnish an 
indication of what might be expected in case of 
emergency, caused the cannon to be operated, 
with tlie result that most of the windows in the 
public square were shattered. At the age of six- 
teen. Mr. Brown became self-supporting, and 
from then until the age of twenty-three, had 
charge of all the work on the home place. He 
made a specialty of stock, and during the Civil 
War. especially during 1863, bought and sold to 
the army large numbers of both cattle and horses. 
In October, 1866, he was united in marriage to 
Mary M. Hoffman, and of this union there have 
been born the following named children : Robert 
W., and Lillian, both living at home; Herman 
H., State's Attorney of Schuyler County : Clyde 
E., a graduate of the horticultural department 



792 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



of the State University, and now the owner of a 
splendid farm in Section 2, Woodstock Town- 
ship. 

From the ownership of eighty acres of land 
Mr. Brown has seen his fortunes increase to 510 
acres, 12-10 of which are in the home place. He 
lias a large and comfortable home, well con- 
structed barns and outbuildings. Due regard is 
manifested for the things which contribute to 
the pleasure, if not the financial profit, of life, 
and such delights as shade and fruit trees, flow- 
ers and shrubs abound on every hand. When the 
Bank of Kusliville was organized, Mr. Brown be- 
came one of its largest stock-holders, and he has 
ever since been yearly elected a director in that 
institution. He was President of the County 
Fair Association for four years, and during that 
time this encourager of local enterprise assumed 
new influence and usefulness. In 1904, he handed 
to younger hands and minds the management of 
his farms, but still controls them, while passing 
his days in a pleasant home in Rushville. 

The beginning of Mr. Brown's political activity 
antedated by several years his election to the 
State Senate in 1S74, in which he served four 
years. During this session he promoted the County 
Mutual Insurance bill, which has lieen of such 
invaluable aid to the people of the State, and 
upon his return from the Senate he was elected 
County President of the Insurance Company, a 
position which he continued to All for six years 
and six months. This organization now is in a 
flourishing condition, and for the part taken by 
Mr. Brown no charge was made whatever. His 
senatorial career \\a~ further distinguished by 
his attitude toward railroad rate reduction, bis 
zeal in the matter being largely responsible lor 
the three instead of Ave cent a mile rati 1 , which 
prevailed tor many years. His political and agri- 
cultural life furnish many inspiring lessons to 
the youth who would succeed in these impor- 
tant departments of activity, and in so well ami 
conscientiously performing his duty he has 
gained that which is most valued by a good man, 
the respect and approval of his fellow-men. 

BURNHAM, Frank Blair, an enterprising and 

progressive farmer of Littleton Township, Schuy- 
ler County, 111., was born in Rushville Township, 
Schuyler County, April 17, 1860, a son of Edgar 
A. ami Caroline (Armstrong) Burnham, natives 
of Vermont and Pennsylvania, respectively, the 
latter having been born in the county of West- 
moreland. The paternal grandfather was Solo- 
mon Burnham, of Vermont, and the grandparents 
on the maternal side were John and Elizabeth 
I draff) Armstrong, of Pennsylvania. In 1854, 
Edgar A. Burnham .journeyed from Vermont to 
Rock Island, 111., and in the following year came 
to Rushville. Schuyler County. Caroline Arm- 
strong accompanied her parents to the same lo- 
cality in 1854. The young couple were married 
in 1857, and made their home for two years with 
the bride's parents in Rushville Township. In 
1859, Edgar A. Burnham bought loo acre- of 
land in the same township, disposing of eighty 



acres a year later. He and his family occupied 
this place until the fall of 1868, when he sold 
out and moved to Industry Township. MeDon- 
ough County, 111., buying 100 acres of improved 
land there, and subsequently adding eighty acres 
more. He subsequently sold 100 acres, and 
moved to a 160-acre farm owned by his wife at 
Doddsville, where he passed away his last days, 
dying on April 12, 1892. His widow still resides 
on the place, at the age of seventy-live years. 
They had a family of seven sons and five daugh- 
ters, of whom one son and one daughter are de- 
ceased. 

Frank B. Burnham was the second child in 
this family, and in early life received his educa- 
tion hi the district schools. He remained at 
home until he was twenty-one years old, and 
then worked one year by the month for his 
grandfather Armstrong. Then the latter died, 
and Mr. Burnham rented his farm, conducting 
it until 1894. In that year he moved to an im- 
proved farm of 172 acres purchased by him in 
Section 0, Littleton Township. The place is 
known as "Locust Knoll." There he carries on 
general farming, and raises considerable stock. 
He is also the owner of 100 acres of Kansas land. 
lying in the Wichita County, that Stale. 

On February 1, 1894, Mr. Burnham was united 
n marriage with Caroline Cordell, who was 
born at Saint .Johns, Auglaize County, Ohio, Oc- 
tober 8, 1865, and five children have resulted 
from this union, namely: Iva A., born Novem- 
ber 27, 1895; Ethel, born April 10, 1897; Lucia, 
born in September. 1899; Ruth, born October 
in, 1001, deceased May :;, 1003; and Jennie, 
born in November, 1903. 

In politics Mr. Burnham is identified with the 
Republican party, and fraternally is affiliated 
with the M. W. He and his family attend the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

BURROWS, Benjamin.— Prior to his retire- 
ment to Rushville in 1903, Benjamin Burrows 
faithfully and intelligently worked out his des- 
tiny as a farmer and builder, in these fundamen- 
tal and necessary occupations stamping his 
worth upon many years of growth of Schuyler 
County. Born in Astoria Township. Fulton 
County, III., November 10, 1S40. Mr. Burrows is 
a son of Benedict Burrows, a native of Kent 
County, Md., and the son of parents whose small 
Southern farm offered but meagre returns for 
the energy and ambition of their offspring. In 
consequence, Benedict, while still eomparativly 
young, shook the dust of Maryland from his 
feet, and with few worldly assets journeyed to 
Ohio, where he found work as a farm hand and 
where, in the vicinity of Freeport, Harrison 
County, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth 
Crider. His pioneering tendencies still unrati- 
fied, in 1835 be moved in a wagon to Astoria 
Township, Fulton County, purchasing land for 
$1.25 an acre, and making thereon the improve- 
ments known to the agriculturists of his time. 
Among others of bis possessions brought from 
Ohio was a churn filled with apple seedlings. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



793 



which he had carefully dug and packed, and 
which were set out on the new land to contribute 
to the delight and comfort of the settler and his 
successors. When this old orchard recently was 
visited by his son, Benjamin, one of these trees 
still was vigorous and industrious, standing 
straight and strong beneath its eighty-odd years 
of existence, its gnarled branches canopied with 
leaves, and in season bending beneath its load of 
apples. Of the children who were born and 
grew to maturity on the Astoria farm, who 
doubtless climbed the trees in the old orchard 
and contributed their share towards the general 
support, Sarah and her husband, William Brown, 
are deceased; Jennie is the widow of Eli Sev- 
erns. and lives in Orleans, Kan. ; William mar- 
ried Sarah .T. Litchfield and lives on a farm in 
Brooklyn Township. Schuyler County; Martin 
moved to Wayne County. 111., and died there ; 
Rachel is the wife of William Stansbaugh, of As- 
toria ; Frank was last heard from in California ; 
and Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of James 
Stansbaugh, a farmer of Brooklyn Township 
Benedict Burrows died about 1859, and thereaf- 
ter his wife lived with her daughter, at whose 
home her death occurred in 1*71. 

Benedict Burrows contributed to the neighbor- 
hood fund for education, and his children, in- 
cluding Benjamin, attended the subscription 
school, later devoting his energy entirely to the 
duties of the paternal farm. At the age of 
twenty -one years, in 1861, he began to drive the 
stage from Rushville to Lewistown. but upon the 
building of the railroad in 1863. he turned his 
attention to mastering the carpenter trade. In 
the meantime, during the first year of the Civil 
War. he was united in marriage to Rachel Ann 
Dawson, who bore him two daughters: Melinda, 
wife of James Sloane, of Long Beach, Cal. ; and 
Mary, wife of Lewis Miller, of the vicinity of 
Bowen, Hancock County, 111., and mother of a 
son. Guy Miller, born November 15. 1800. After 
bis marriage Mr. Burrows lived in Vermont, 111., 
his headquarters while driving the stage, and 
when launched in the building business, he lo- 
cated in Bardolph. McDonough County, where he 
erected the Presbyterian Church and other build- 
ings. After the big fire in Chicago, of 1871, he 
moved to that city and worked in a sash and 
door factory until 1874. in that year returning 
to Vermont, and in November of the same year, 
moving to the farm in Oakland Township. 
Schuyler County, where he made his home until 
1801. After various land transactions and remov- 
als, January 13, 1807, he married Mrs. Anna 
M. (Markel i Stansbaugh, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, who came to Illinois with her first hus- 
band in 1868. Mrs. Burrows has two brothers 
and one sister in her native State of Pennsyl- 
vania. After his second marriage Mr. Burrows 
returned to his farm in Littleton Township mov- 
ing from there to his present home in Rushville 
in January, 1003. 

Mr. Burrows is justly entitled to a prominent 
place anions the industrious and capable men of 
Fulton and Schuyler Counties, to both of which 



localities he has contributed means of develop- 
ment and progress. 

CALDWELL, James T., a resident of Littleton 
Township, Schuyler County, 111., for thirty years, 
is one of its most prosperous and substantial 
farmers, and aside from his standing in the ag- 
ricultural circles of his locality, bears the repu- 
tation of a useful and influential citizen. Mr. 
Caldwell was born in Jefferson County, Ind.. 
October 11, 1851. His parents, Daniel and Eliza- 
beth (Rysinger) Caldwell, were natives of Vir- 
ginia and Kentucky, respectively. Daniel Cald- 
well, who was a farmer by occupation, was wed- 
ded to Elizabeth Rysinger in Indiana about the 
year 1S40, both having been previously married. 
Their union resulted in six sons and one daugh- 
ter, of whom the subject of this sketch was the 
sixth in order of birth. He had a brother, John, 
who enlisted in an Illinois regiment in 1861, 
serving throughout the Civil War, and dying in 
Buena Vista Township in 1871. William Cald- 
well, a half-brother of James T., was also a 
soldier, having entered the army in 1863. 

The father was the owner of a farm in In- 
diana, which he disposed of in 1S56, moving to 
Schuyler County. 111., at the time, and settling 
in Littleton Township. He followed farming on 
rented land until the time of his death, which 
occurred on September 19, 1878, his wife having 
passed away in November. 1876. By his first 
marriage Daniel Caldwell was the father of one 
sou and three daughters, and his second wife 
bore her first husband one sou and two daugh- 
ters. In polities, Daniel Caldwell was allied 
with the Democratic party. 

James T. Caldwell was reared to farm life, 
and lived with his parents until he reached the 
age of twenty-one years, in the meantime re- 
ceiving his education in the schools of Littleton 
Township. On attaining his majority he applied 
himself to farming on his own responsibility, 
continuing thus one year. At the end of that 
period he went to Humboldt County, Cal., where 
he was employed two years in the work of log- 
ging. Returning to Littleton Township he rented 
land on which he was engaged in farming for a 
considerable time. In 1887 he bought 280 acres 
in Sections 2 and 11, Littleton Township, half 
of which was covered with timber. He has since 
cleared eighty acres of this portion, and now has 
a very fine farm. In addition to general farm- 
ing, lie devotes especial attention to raising 
Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs, and has 
been very successful with both grain and live 
stock. 

On September S. 1878. Mr. Caldwell was united 
in marriage with S. Jennie Horton, who was 
bora in Littleton Township. March 17, 1857, a 
daughter of Mathias and Sarah (Wilson) Hor- 
ton. natives di' England, who came to the United 
States in 1854, and proceeding to Schuyler 
County, 111., settled in Littleton Township. In 
her maidenhood Miss Horton was a teacher, be- 
ing engaged in teaching schools in Schuyler and 
McDonough Counties from 1874 to 1878. Her 



794 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



father departed this life May 6, 1898, her mother 
having passed away May 3, 1891. Both were 
members of the Baptist Church. Two brothers 
of Mrs. Caldwell's father. William and Thomas 
Horton, were soldiers of the Civil War, William 
dying December 25, 1SG3, while at home on fur- 
lough, while Thomas is still living at Macomb. 
111., at the age of seventy-six years. Mr. and 
-Airs. Caldwell have had nine children, their 
names being as follows: Ross D.. bom April 
22. 1879, was married March 9, 1904, to Nellie 
Swearingen, daughter of Hugh and Mary Swear- 
ingen, residents of Schuyler County, and now re- 
siding on part of his father's farm ; Ernest, born 
August 3. 1880, and Clyde, born June 7, 1881, 
both died in infancy; Effle, born April 5. 1883, 
who was married, July 17. 1901, to Charles 
Swearingen, son of Hugh and Mary Swearingen, 
and now resides in Industry Township, McDon- 
ough County; Clarence, born September 30, 1886, 
died in infancy: Florence, born March 9. 18S8, 

taught sel l in Schuyler County, 1906-07, on 

October 28, 1906, became the wife of Chester 
Ballon, and now resides near Pleasantview, Rush- 
ville Township; Nellie H.. born December 15, 
1890, who is at home: John P., burn September 
27. 1892 ; and Harold J., born October 2, 1S95. 

In politics Mr. Caldwell upholds the cause of 
the Prohibition party. For three years he served 
the public in the office of Road Commissioner. 
He and bis excellent wife are members of the 
Baptist Church, of Union Grove, in which he 
has officiated as deacon sime 1897. and for six 
years acted as Superintendent of the Sunday 
School. Throughout Littleton Township, the 
friends of both Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are nu- 
merous and cordial in sentiment. 

CALVIN, George B., a continuous resident for 
a third of a century on the same farm on Section 
11. in Huntsville Township, Schuyler County. 
was horn in Georgetown, Brown County. Ohio, 
November 13, 1831. His'father, Samuel' Calvin, 
was born in Kentucky ami his mother Phoebe 
Curry, was a native of Ohio. The parents were 
married in Georgetown, Ohio, and soon after 
came to Warsaw, 111., where they resided a lew- 
months, going from there to Bethel Township, 
McDonough County, 111. He was prominent in 
local Democratic politics, filling among other 
offices that of County Judge, and was regarded 
as a man of great energy, resource and adapta- 
bility. 

Here in McDonough County they improved a 
beautiful farm, where the wife died in 1840. To 
this union the following children were born; 
Curry, the oldest of the family, who was a mem- 
ber of the Filth Iowa Cavalry, during the Civil 
War, and died in Melrose, Mont., in 1888; John, 
who died in 1842; Mary L., who died in 1890; 
Harvey, who died in Rushville, 111., in 1901 ; 
George 1'.. Calvin, of Huntsville. 111., and In- 
diana, for many years a resident of Montana, are 
the only survivors of the family. 

In 1842 Samuel Calvin was married to Mary 
Haney. To this union were born several chil- 



dren, two of whom reached maturity. Henry 
Clay, a member of the Second Illinois Cavalry, 
was mortally wounded at Vermillionville, La., 
in November, 1863; and Margaret (deceased), 
was the wife of James Brundage, of Cherokee, 
Kan. The father passed away at the old home- 
stead in 1865. 

George B. Calvin was reared among the cru- 
dest conditions of pioneer life in the early settle- 
ment of McDonough County. 111., attended school 
in a primitive log cabin school house, and studied 
under the guidance of an early master named 
Samuel Dark, later on becoming a teacher him- 
self and following that profession for two years. 
In 1852 he went to St. Paul. Minn., aud served 
an apprenticeship under Frank Whitson, a plas- 
terer, afterward coining back to Macomb, 111., 
where he followed his trade until 1857. In 1858 
he was united in marriage with Margaret Hoo- 
ver, a daughter of Sebastian and Elizabeth (Mc- 
Cray) Hoover, after which he settled on a farm 
in McDonough County, where they resided until 
1886, when he moved to his present home. Of 
this union were born eleven children, six of 
whom are living, namely ; Samuel residing in 
( 'hirago and Ida M. in Henry County, 111.; Mary 
F.. Everett W., I'hoebe and Edith live at home 
with their father. 

A crushing blow fell upon the life of Mr. Cal- 
vin, on occasion of the death of his wife, on 
April 9, 1907. She was a woman of rare patience 
and good judgment, and made a comfortable and 
beautiful home lor her husband and children, liv- 
ing a Christian and most unselfish life. 

CAMP, Julian Edwards, M. D.— The genealogy 
of the Camp family is traced to Isaac Camp, who 
was born in England and. in childhood, spent a 
brief period in Scotland, thence coming to Amer- 
ica at the age of twelve years. Next in line of 
descent was Daniel, whose son. Israel. Sr., was 
the father of Israel, Jr., aud the grandfather of 
Job Camp, born November 10, 1747. and de- 
ceased January 17. 1822. Job's son, Israel, of 
Camptown, Pa., was born June 21, 1794. aud 
.li-'d May 21. 1808. Lorin Wallace, son of Israel 
Camp, was born at Campton, Bradford County, 
I'm.. February 2:'.. 1831, and al an early age 'lis 
played such au aptitude for music that be was 
given the best advantages for acquiring a musi- 
cal education. Afterward he became a very suc- 
cessful and scientific vocal instructor. During 
1862 la' came to Illinois to assist in survej ing 
and building the railroad from Clayton. 111., to 
Keokuk, Iowa, a road that was financed by bis 
uncle. Guy Wells, of Keokuk, together with a 
Mr. Hornish. After the completion of the road 
he served as conductor of the first passenger 
train and remained in the position until 1864, 
when he went south and. under the direction of 
General Thomas, ran a train from Nashville to 
Chattanooga. At the close of the war he re- 
turned to Illinois and settled in Clayton, where 
he remaind until 1886. During the latter year 
he moved to Kansas, where he first made his 
home in Wichita and later in Columbus, dying 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



795 



in the last-named city November 12, 1903, at the 
age of 72 years. 

The marriage of Lorin Wallace Camp took 
place February 27, 1855, when he was united 
with Emma Elizabeth Edwards of Laceyville, 
Pa., who was born in that place April 1, 1835. 
Their son, Julian Edwards, was born at Mon- 
trose, Susquehanna County, Pa., February 21, 
1858, and received bis early education in the 
grammar and high schools of Clayton, 111., after 
which he began to read medicine under Dr. T. G. 
Black of Clayton. His degree of M. D. be ob- 
tained in 1SS0 from the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa. After having 
graduated in medicine he came at once to Brook- 
lyn, Schuyler County, 111., arriving on the 23d 
of March. 18S0, and here he has continued in the 
practice of his profession up to the present time. 
During 1S01 he took a course in the New York 
Post-Graduate School of Medicine, and four 
years later had the advantage of a course in the 
Chicago Post-Graduate School. In point of years 
of active practice he is the oldest physician in 
Schuyler County. His office is equipped with all 
necessary and desirable apparatus, and he has 
the advantage of being a registered druggist, 
which enables him to compound his own pre- 
scriptions. 

With the exception of the year 1806, when the 
currency question caused the change, Dr. Camp 
has always voted the Republican ticket. Fra- 
ternally he is identified with Camden Lodge No. 
('.is, A. F. & A. M., at Camden; Augusta Chapter 
No. 72. R. A. M., at Augusta, Hancock County ; 
and Almoner Commandery No. 32, K. T., also of 
Augusta. Professional organizations having his 
membership are the Hancock County Medical 
Society, the Military Trad Medical Association. 
the Illinois State Medical Society. American 
Medical Association, and the Aesculapian Medi- 
cal Club of Augusta District at Augusta. 111. 
With his family he holds active membership in 
the Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, of whose 
choir he acts as leader, besides being a generous 
contributor to the other work of the congrega- 
tion. 

The marriage of Dr. Camp took place in Brook- 
lyn, III., April 5. 1881, .iiid united him with Fan- 
ette Taylor, who was born in this village Octo- 
ber 11. I860. Her parents were Henry W. and 
Cornelia (Manlove) Taylor, the latter a daugh- 
ter of Jonathan D. Manlove, one of the early 
settlers of Schuyler County. Four children com- 
prise the family of Dr. and Mis. ('amp. The 
eldest son. Lorin Taylor Camp, born November 
6. 1882, graduated from the Gem City Business 
College at Quincy, 111., in March, 1003, since 
which time he has engaged in farming, managing 
320 acres inherited by his mother from her fath- 
er's estate; in 1007 he won prizes on his corn, 
anil in all of his work he displays sound judg- 
ment and great energy. The second son. Harold 
Manlove. born July 24. 1885, will graduate in 
1900 from the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons in Chicago, and in his chosen profession 
will do honor to the family name. The only 



daughter, Ruth Estelle, born August 1, 1888, 
will graduate in June, 1008, from the musical 
department of Upper Iowa University at Fay- 
ette, Iowa. As a pianist she has won many trib- 
utes of praise. Her instrumental solos have 
held large audiences spellbound and her piano 
work shows talent and skill. The youngest mem 
her of the family circle, Fred Leslie, bom August 
26, 1894, is at the age of thirteen years taking 
his second year in the Brooklyn High School. 

CAMPBELL, James S.— With the coming of 
John M. Campbell to Schuyler County in 1834, 
and his settlement upon 100 acres of land in what 
is new Section 8, Camden Township, there was 
added to the strength and character of the pio- 
neer class a man destined to till a large and 
varied need in the organization and development 
of a rich and promising section. Mr. Campbell 
came all the way from his native State of Ken- 
tucky with a cousin, leaving behind him his 
lather. James Campbell, and the friends and 
associates of his formative youth. He had the 
grit and determination which must needs have 
accompanied the emigration of mankind to an 
agricultural wilderness, for it was the lure of 
hard work and wonderful sacrifice, rather than 
the pospects of sudden accumulation from mines 
or other speculative agencies. In time he 
brought to his rude habitation a wife who con- 
tributed her fine, womanly qualities towards his 
dawning success, Mary Ann Aldridge, who. with 
her mother, sister, brother, and brother-in-law, 
John Harris, started from Indiana for Iowa 
witli ox-teams, but having halted for a time in a 
cabin in Camden Township, later bought land in 
Iluutsville Township. Subsequently, however, 
Mr. Harris sold his farm and moved to Augusta, 
111., where lie engaged in the grain and lumber 
business, ami where he died while still in the 
prime of his life. 

Being a man with far better education than 
the average of the early arrivals of Schuyler 
County. Mr. Campbell at once stepped into act- 
ive township affairs, and filled many of the im- 
portant local offices alter organization had been 
effected. For four years he was County Sur- 
veyor, and before that Deputy Surveyor, and he 
also was Supervisor, Town Clerk and member 
of the Board of Education. In later life he wis 
a strong advocate of the Greenback party, and 
was abundantly able to defend his views, hav- 
ing an eloquent tongue and great force of man- 
ner. It would seem, at the time of his death in 
1880. that his dreams of success and influence 
had been realized, for the 138% acres owned In' 
him at that time had been developed from wild 
timber land into a farm of u'rent value, and per- 
sonally no man in the township wielded a finer 
influence or was more highly esteemed by his 
fellowmen. The wife who shared both his pio- 
neer and later fortunes, survived him until 1893. 
She was the mother of five children, one of 
whom died in infancy. Her son. L. C. Campbell. 
is a resident of Astoria. 111.; Stephen Douglas 
lives in Rogers, Ark. ; the career of James S. is 



706 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



written of below ; and Emma J. is the wife of 
C. A. Loop, of Camden. 

James S. Campbell was born on the old Camp- 
bell homestead in Section 8. Camden Township. 
October 30, 1856, and ever since has made this 
his home. This farm has been under continuous 
cultivation by some member of the same family 
for seventy-three years, and is one of the oldest 
and best known landmarks in Schuyler County. 
James S. has never found the easy road to 
wealth, notwithstanding his father's success, and 
in his youth, as in his later years, he has had to 
work for whatever he valued. While still of 
uncertain strength, he worked hard on the farm 
iu the summer and trudged a long distance to 
school in the winter, and even the latter advan- 
tage was sometimes cut short that he might ap- 
ply all of his time to opening the sugar-camp or 
performing other early spring work. Beginning 
with his twenty-first birthday he rented the 
home place for the balance of his father's life, 
and he then rented it of his mother until her 
death, thereafter becoming sole owner of the 
property by the right of purchase from the other 
heirs. 

September 25, 1870, Mr. Campbell was united 
in marriage to Fannie E. West, who was born 
in the village of Camden in January, 1S59. a 
daughter of E. G. and Nancy West, who, with 
his wife, were honored pioneers of Schuyler 
County. Grandfather West was a native of 
Connecticut, moving from there to Kentucky, and 
thence to Schuyler County at a very early day. 
Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are the parents of four 
children : Raymond W., born August 26, 18S0, 
married May McCoy, and has a daughter. Sibyl; 
Frank L., born November 1. 1882. bookkeeper for 
Wells & Company, of Chicago : I'.essie V.. born 
October 1. 1805. who is at home, and Mark M., 
born July 26, 1898. 

Inheritance and training have made of Mr. 
Campbell one of the most scientific and success- 
ful farmers of Camden Township. He has made 
many fine improvements since his father gave 
up the reins of government, and has one of the 
most homelike and profitable farms in the local- 
ity. He is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising, and has much valuable stork and many 
fine implements. In politics, he is a Democrat, 
and socially is identified with the Modern Wood- 
men of America. 

CAMPBELL, Joseph W.— The upward struggle 
of Joseph W. Campbell expresses rare ability to 
overcome obstacles and make the most of oppor- 
tunities. This long time resident of Schuyler 
County, who owns 180 acres of land in Section 
13, Rushville Township, is a native of Armstrong 
County, Pa., where he was born January 29, 
184.".. Behind him are the advantages of excel- 
lent birth and breeding, of practical education, 
and family history closely interwoven with the 
momentous events which have shaped the history 
of this country. His parents, Joseph and Eliza- 
beth (Hallabaugh) Campbell, also were natives 
of Pennsylvania, and his maternal grandparents 



born in Germany. John Campbell, his paternal 
grandfather, came from Ireland, his wife being 
born in Scotland. John Campbell shouldered a 
musket in the Revolutionary War, and also 
fought in the Indian War, enlisting from Penn- 
sylvania. His son, Joseph, after acquiring an 
education under difficulties, and because he was 
able to pay his own way, devoted his life to 
educational work to the end that he was recog- 
nized as one of the ablest and most successful 
teachers in Armstrong County. Of the family of 
twelve children, Joseph W. was the only son 
and is the only survivor. Nine of the daughters 
grew to womanhood, while two died in infancy. 
The mother subsequently became the wife of 
Henry Rhodebush, and in 185:1 came by water 
to Illinois, where she remained with her husband 
for six months in Pleasantview. They then 
bought forty acres of land in Frederick Town- 
ship, and in the spring of 1S66 moved to Mis- 
souri, and soon after to Kansas, where the 
mother died. The step-father finally returned 
to Schuyler County, where his death occurred 
in 1001. His son, John Rhodebush, lives in Kan- 
sas. 

Joseph W. Campbell was ten years old when 
he came with his mother and step-father to 
Schuyler County in 1853. A year later he went 
to work for a Mr. Edgar as chore-boy on a farm, 
remaining in that capacity a couple of years, and 
receiving as wages his room and board. At the 
age of thirteen years he went to work for an un- 
cle, and at the expiration of three years received 
as compensation for work performed the sum of 
fifty dollars. When sixteen years had rolled 
over his head he received twenty-five cents a day 
ami board during the summer, and about the 
same during the winter. In his monotonous and 
work-weary life, the prospects of service in the 
Civil War was by no means disheartening, and 
this same service proved the mettle of the boy 
and assisted in the framing of the character of 
the man. Enlisting in Company D, One Hun- 
dred and Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry 
for three years, he was sent to Kentucky and 
marched twice through that State, and subse- 
quently marched across Tennessee four or five 
times. The One Hundred and Fifteenth took 
part in the battles of Dalton and Resaca, was 
two days at Chickamauga, and at Lookout Moun- 
tain it was the first to climb to the top of the 
Mountain. At the block-house fight forty-eight 
men of the company, including Mr. Campbell, 
were placed in the house to keep at bay Hood's 
army of forty thousand men until the United 
Stands forces could be rallied. During this en- 
counter five of the forty-eight were killed, twen- 
ty-two wounded, and twenty-one able bodied men 
wwe taken prisoners and placed in Andersonville 
prison. Thirteen of these managed to be paroled 
at Millen, Ga. At the block-house Mr. Campbell 
was among the wounded, and on that account he 
was paroled and sent home, returning, however, 
within thirty days to join his regiment, at Mont- 
gomery. Ala. Finally he was honorably dis- 
charged in June. 1SU5, and thereupon returned 




MRS. JOHN D. MOORE 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEB COUNTY. 



797 



to Schuyler County to take up the burden of 
farming. 

October 25, 1865, Mr. Campbell was united in 
marriage to Martha Ami Teal, a native of Ohio, 
and daughter of John Teal, one of the pioneers 
of Schuyler County. The same year Mr. Camp- 
bell bought twenty-nine acres of land in Section 
13, Rushville Township, which land had on it a 
log cabin with puncheon floor, and here the wife 
died in 1868, leaving a daughter, Clara May, 
who died at the age of nineteen years. For his 
second wife, Mr. Campbell married, October 25, 
1870, Miss Elizabeth McNeely, who was born in 
Schuyler County in 1849, a daughter of John 
McNeely, also an early settler of this County, 
and long since deceased. The year of his second 
marriage Mr. Campbell sold his twenty-nine 
acres of land, and in 1872 bought forty acres 
in Section 7. Browning Township, which, like 
his former farm, had a log cabin and few im- 
provements. In 1870 he bought thirty acres 
in the same section, later sixty acres, ami still 
later forty acres in Section 13, Rushville Town- 
ship, and forty acres in Section IS, the same 
township, and forty acres in Browning Town- 
ship, having 180 acres in one body in Rushville 
and Browning Townships. In 18S4 he moved 
to his present home in Section 13, where he has 
many flue improvements, and is conducting gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising under the most 
favorable conditions. 

By his second marriage Mr. Campbell has 
had nine children : Minnie, deceased wife of 
Oliver Martin, and mother of Jerry, William 
and Madison Martin ; Charles T., born Octo- 
ber 9, 1S73, married Sadie Howe, has four 
children named Ollic. Maggie, Ilanna and Shel- 
ton, and is engaged in carpenter work; Inza 
Ann, born August 20, 1876. wife of Oliver 
Martin, mother of Dannie and Dora Martin, 
and lives in McDonough County, 111. ; James 
Eli, born June 12, 1880, a farmer on the 
old homestead, married Grace Stephens, and 
they live on the home farm and have two 
children. Minnie and Homer; Ina E., born July 
18, 1883, wife of William Reno, has one child, 
Inza B., and is a foreman in the Macomb Pot- 
tery Works; Austin, born April 28, 1885. living 
at home: Valentine, horn February 14. 1887; 
and Otis, born July 21, 1800. Few more in- 
dustrious men have contributed to the growth 
of Schuyler County than Mr. Campbell. He 
has known little of the leisure or diversions of 
life, but has made of his work an expression of 
himself, a rendering of his character in mate- 
rial form. He is honored because he is honest 
and fair, loyal and obliging, and because once 
known, he always may lie depended on to do 
the best that the situation requires. 

CARRICK, George S. — An impressive illustra- 
tion of the results of well applied industry, 
wisely directed energy, judicious management, 
and the practical exercise of other superior 
qualities inherited from a most worthy ancestry, 
is manifest in the agricultural career of the 



well known retired farmer of Rushville, Schuy- 
ler County, 111., whose name furnishes the 
caption of this biographical record. Mr. Car- 
rick was born in the township which is his 
present home, December 1, 1861. His father, 
Barton Campbell Carrick, was a native of Scott 
County, Ky., where he was horn January 31, 
1828, his mother, Eliza (Bradley) Carrick, be- 
ing born in Ohio, October 27, 1833. Barton 
Campbell Carrick was a farmer by occupation. 
He accompanied his parents when they settled 
in Rushville Township in the earlier half of 
the last century, and carried on farming there 
from the time when he reached his maturity 
until his death. He died March 6, 1868, his 
wife following him to the grave January 12, 
1875. 

George S. Carrick attended the district schools 
of his native township in his boyhood, and his 
youth was passed on the home place. In that 
locality he has since been engaged in the culti- 
vation of his farm of 212 acres in Sections 26 
and 27, Rushville Township, with profitable re- 
sults. He has bought a very desirable building 
site in the northeast portion of the city of Rush- 
ville, where he has erected a flue modern home 
for his family. 

The marriage of Mr. Carrick was solemnized 
in Rushville Township, Schuyler County, 111., 
October 1, 1885. Then he was wedded to Minnie 
King, a daughter of Horace B. and Cornelia 
(Coykendall) King, who was born in Buckheart 
Township, Fulton County. 111., May 8, 1867. 
Mrs. Carrick's father aud mother settled in 
Fulton County at an early day, and both are 
now deceased. Four children blessed the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Carrick namely : George E. 
born July 7, 1886 ; Roy H., born November 23, 
1889; Carl V., born June 5, 1892; aud Ruby 
May, born July 27. 1901. 

Politically, Mr. Carrick advocates the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party, and fraternally, 
is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and M. W. A. 
He bears the reputation of being one of the 
most enterprising, thorough and progressive 
farmers of his county. 

CARRICK, William F — Among the retired 
fanners of Schuyler County, 111., who have done 
their full share in worthily upholding the 
prestige of their locality as a leading agri- 
cultural district, is William F. Carrick, now 
living in Rushville. 111., whose farming opera- 
tions have been carried on in Sections 26 and 
27, Rushville Township. Mr. Carrick was horn 
in Rushville Township. October 16, 1858, a son 
of Barton Campbell and Eliza (Bradley) Car- 
rick, the former born in Scott County, Ky., 
January 31, 1828, and the latter a native of 
Ohio, where she was horn October 27. 1833. 
Barton Campbell Carrick was brought to Illi- 
nois at an early period by his parents, who lo- 
cated on a farm in Section 27, Rushville Town- 
ship, and there he carried on farming until the 
time of his death, which took place March 6, 
186S. His wife departed this life January 12, 



.98 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



1875. At the time of his father's decease, theit 
sou, William, was but nine years old. 

In boyhood William F. Carrick attended the 
district schools of Rushville Towuship, aud 
spent his youth ou his father's farm. As soon 
as he was old euough he applied himself to 
fanning on his own responsibility, and has thus 
continued ever since_ having had a very suc- 
cessful experience and gained the reputation 
of being one of the most thorough aud progres- 
sive farmers of his township. Besides the old 
home farm of 160 acres, he is the owner of eighty 
acres more in Section 20, which he purchased 
in 1893. 

On October 6, 1886, Mr. Carrick was united 
in marriage, in Balnbridge Township, Schuyler 
County, with Mary E. Davis, who was born in 
that township, a daughter of Charles W. and 
Sarah (Stutsman) Davis, natives of Maine aud 
Indiana, respectively. One child, Ruth, re- 
sulted from this union, who has been educated 
at the Rushville High School, graduating with 
the class of 1908. Mrs. Carrick. a woman of 
most amiable traits of character, who endeared 
herself to all within the circle of her ac- 
quaintance, passed away May 8th, 1907. 

In political affairs, Mr. Carrick is a sup- 
porter of the Republican party. lie takes a 
good citizen's interest in public matters, and is 
regarded as a serviceable member of the com- 
munity. 

CLEMENS, William D — Around his long 
career as a general farmer iu Rushville Town- 
ship, William D. Clemens has built a solid wall 
iif confidence, and set an example of painstaking, 
conscientious work. He is one of the men who 
find their occupation thoroughly congenial, who 
note the changes and improvements evolved by 
science, and who are never slow to adopt those 
innovations which appeal to their progressive- 
nesK and common sense. He owes the adoption 
of his vocation to the example of his forefathers 
for many generations back, and he inherits 
sterling qualities from a remote ancestor who, 
recognizing the limitations of a small tenant 
farm in Ireland, embarked in a sailing vessel 
for America that he might profit by the greater 
opportunities there offered, first locating in the 
State of Maine. Here was born his son, Wil- 
liam, the paternal grandfather of William D.. 
and here also was born Joseph Clemens, the 
latter's father. Joseph Clemens settled early 
in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and there married 
Elizabeth Schwab, who bore him seven chil- 
dren, four of whom are still living. Of these 
William D. was born December 23, 1851. The 
elder Clemens was a quiet, unassuming man, 
but was ambitious withal, and in order to bene- 
fit bis prospects left Ohio and journeyed to 
Schuyler County, 111., locating on a farm south- 
west of Rushville, October 15, I860. Here his 
death oecured May 4, 1883, after he had 
achieved success as a farmer and had filled 
several local offices, including that of Post- 
master of Pleasantview for several years. He 



was a Republican in politics and in religion a 
Methodist. His wife, in the meantime, has 
made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Horace 
Baxter of Oakland Towuship, spending a part 
of each year with her daughter, Nora, wife of 
William Dean, living near Roseville, Warren 
County, 111., and with Bertha, widow of Arthur 
Parks, of Oakland Township. 

William D. Clemens was about sixteen years 
old when he accompanied his parents to Schuy- 
ler County, and here, as in Ohio, he attended 
the district schools and worked hard on the 
home farm. His independent life began in 1872, 
when, as a sturdy young man of twenty-one 
years, he faced the problem of self-support and 
worked by the month in different parts of 
Schuyler County. April 1, 1875, he married 
Cornelia Ann Wilhnot, daughter of Nathan and 
Cynthia (Beard) Willmot, natives of North 
Carolina ami New York, respectively, anil early 
comers to Schuyler County. In the beginning 
of his local career Mr. Willmot was a country 
school teacher, and he married upon the un- 
certain rewards of this occupation. He be- 
came, however, one of the wealthy and prom- 
inent men of his township, at the time of his 
death. January 12. 1902. leaving it better for 
his high character and general worth. His wife 
bad preceded him to the other world in 1885. 
To Mr. ami Mrs. Clemens have been born four 
children: Maud May. wife of John Dunlap. of 
Lawrence County, Mo., and mother of Imogene 
L. and Maxine Ethel Dunlap : Albert O., in 
grocery business in Beardstown, 111., Vera Eva. 
wife of Oweu Armstrong a farmer of Schuyler 
County, to whom she was married October 16, 
1907; and an infant deceased. 

From the time of his marriage Mr. Clemens 
occupied rented farms in Woodstock Township 
until 18S5, when he bought 100 acres of land 
in Section 25, Rushville Township. This tract 
at the present time is hardly recognized by the 
old settlers of the community, so complete has 
l)een the transformation wrought by its present 
owner. To it has been added an adjoining forty 
acres, making in all as fine a farm of 140 acres 
as is to be found in the county. Mr. Clemens 
attributes much of his success to the sympathy 
and co-operation of his wife, for she has proved 
a true economist and a never-failing source of 
inspiration when times were hard and crops 
uncertain. On this farm a specialty has been 
made of high-grade cattle, hogs and horses, and 
all of the improvements are modern and practi- 
cal. 

Mr. Clemens is a Republican in politics, and 
in religion a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. He has contributed in many di- 
rections to the general welfare of the com- 
munity, has promoted education by his per- 
sonal support and through the labor of two of 
his children who became successful teachers, 
and he is generally regarded as one of the sub- 
stantial men of the township. ' 

COOPER, William. — As youth and man 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



799 



William Cooper has been identified with Cass 
and Schuyler Counties for sixty-one years, and 
at the age of seventy -one, finds his faculties un- 
impaired, his usefulness nianysided, and his in- 
dustry and faithfulness as County Treasurer 
widely commended and appreciated. In his life 
pursuit of agriculture, and in his political 
and general activity. Mr. Cooper has manifested 
the best traits of his English-German ancestors. 
A son of Thomas and Elizabeth I Hair) Cooper, 
his maternal grandmother, Nancy Hair, was 
born in Maryland, the daughter of parents who 
came from Germany, and who from Maryland 
moved to Pennsylvania during the latter part 
of the eighteenth century. Thomas Cooper was 
the sun of William Cooper, a baker by trade, 
who spent his entire life in England, and lived 
to a good old age. The loss of his mother when 
a mere child deprived Thomas of the usual care 
and advantages of youth, and the idea of in- 
dependence was thus early developed. He was 
about sixteen years of age when the call of the 
sea offered greater variety and adventure than 
he thus far had known, and for three years he 
sailed the high seas, touching at many ports 
of the old and new world. When nineteen years 
old he abandoned the nautical life and settled 
down to land pursuits, spending a year in New 
5ork and thereafter settling in Huntingdon 
County. I 'a. Here he married in 1831, and here 
was born Amy. the oldest of his nine children, 
who became the wife of Aaron McKlin and died 
in Cass County, 111. William, the next oldest of 
the children, was born in Huntingdon County, 
Pa., July 26, 1836; John enlisted in the Federal 
Army during the Civil War and last was heard 
from in Western Nebraska : Margaret became 
the wife of Mr. Edison and both died in Kan- 
sas; Susan is the wife of Jeremiah Hough, and 
lives in the West : and Elizabeth died in 
Southern Missouri. Thomas Cooper brought his 
family to Illinois in 1845, coming by way of 
canal and river and settling in Morgan County, 
thence moving to Cass County, and in 1867 lo- 
cating in Mercer County, Mo., where he died at 
the advanced age of S2 years. He and his wife 
were members of the Missionary Baptist Church, 
in which he was active and prominent, and also 
took a keen interest in the local undertakings 
of the Republican party. He was a man of high 
character and considerable business ability, and 
was honored and respected by all who ever 
knew him. 

William Cooper was about nine years old 
when the family settled in Illinois, and he at- 
tended the public schools of Cass County, and 
worked on the home farm. March 20, 1S59, he 
was united in marriage to Mathilda A. Self, 
daughter of John C. and Elizabeth (Slatten) 
Self, natives of Kentucky, the former born in 
Gallatin County. 111., and the latter in Greene 
County. Mrs. Cooper was born in Morgan 
County, III.. March 29. 1842. and later moved 
to Cass County, where her parents both died. 
After his marriage Mr. Cooper turned his at- 
tention to farming with characteristic energy 



and good judgment, having a comfortable bal- 
ance to his credit upon disposing of his farm 
in 1893, when he settled in Brooklyn Township. 
Schuyler County. Here he lived and prospered, 
and in 1900 was elected Supervisor of his town- 
ship on the Democratic ticket, serving six years 
in that capacity, and giving entire satisfaction 
in a strongly Republican community. November 
26. 1906, he was elected Treasures of Schuyler 
County, again carrying Brooklyn Township by 
a large majority, thus proving his personal pop- 
ularity and his independence of party differences. 
He has proved one of the most public spirited 
and dependable public servants in the history of 
the county, and has demonstrated the possibili- 
ties which lie in the path of the man who is fear- 
less and honest in the discharge of public obli- 
gations. He cast his first presidential vote for 
Stephen A. Douglas. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are 
members of the Christian Church, in which the 
former has been a deacon for many years. He 
has been a foremost promoter of township enter- 
prises in general, has warmly supported educa- 
tion, charities and sane diversions, and has con- 
tributed generously of his means to many local 
benevolent undertakings. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are the parents of ten 
children; of whom James died at the age of 
eighteen years, ami William. Howard. Alice B. 
and Mary E. died in infancy. Of those living, 
John T. was born in Cass County. 111., Septem- 
ber 9. 1800, and married Elizabeth Caytvood ; 
John is a farmer in Cass County; Lena was 
born in Morgan County, June 7, 1.872. and is 
the wife of John A. Lantz, a farmer of Brook- 
lyn Township; Edward was born in Morgan 
County. July 29, 1874, and is the husband of 
Dora M. Pelsor, living in Cass County; Hat- 
tie was born in Cass County, March 24, 1877, 
and is the wife of William T. Lantz, a farmer 
of Brooklyn Township; and Myrtle was born 
in Cass County. March 20, ISSl.'and is the wife 
of Frank Hite, of Brooklyn Township, Schuyler 
County. 

CORBRIDGE, Clay. President and Superin- 
tendent of the Rushvilie Machine & Wagon 
Shops, combines the most thorough, practical 
and theoretical understanding of his trade, with 
those) personal qualities which have enabled 
him to take an active and conspicuous part iu 
the political and social development of his native 
town. Mr. Corbridge has advanced slowly up 
the ladder of success, always believing in the 
value of hard work as (veil as in the absolute 
impossibility of individual advancement unless 
skill and ability are accompanied by painstaking 
application. 

Authentic records connect the paternal ami 
maternal ancestors of Mr. Corbridge with re- 
mote periods of English history, and both fam- 
ilies were established in America by William 
P. and Mary A. (Boice) Corbridge, parents 
of the subject of this sketch. His paternal 
grandparents were John and Ann (Pedley) 
Corbridge, and his paternal great-grandfather 



800 



HISTOBY OF SCHUYLEB COUNTY. 



was Thomas Cortn-idge. His maternal grand- 
parents were John and Ann (Lowery) Boice. 
Mr. Corbridge started upon his independent 
career with a practical common school education 
and limited material assets-. He evidenced an 
early inclination towards mechanics, and during 
his apprenticeship mastered the machine, wagon 
and blacksmith trades, establishing his present 
business in Rushville in 1897. On October 31, 
1881, be married Calista A. Black, a native of 
Rushville, and the family circle has been en- 
larged to nine, the children being as follows, 
Eletha M., born July 29, 1882; Harvey C, born 
November 19, 1884; William F., born January 
31, 1887; Halford F., bom October 19, 1SSS; 
Viola M., born January 11, 1S93 ; Irma Nell, 
born March 9, 18! to; Winnie James, born 
October 24, 1897 ; Ona Delwin, born January 
26, 1899, and John .Maurice, born October 24, 
1902. 

A stanch supporter of local Republican poli- 
tics, Mr. Corbridge has held many offices of 
trust and responsibility, including those of 
Supervisor and Assessor of Bueua Vista Town- 
ship, and Alderman of the city of Rushville, 
being still the 'incumbent of the last named posi- 
tion, to which he was elected in 1900. He is a 
consistent and helpful member of the Presby- 
terian Sunday School, and, fraternally is con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, Eagles, Knights of Pythias, and Modern 
Woodmen of America. He is a progressive 
and well informed man, has the wisdom to 
select and the means to enjoy many desirable 
pleasures and comforts of modern life, and as an 
employer of the labor of others, recognizes an 
opportunity for the exercise of tact, considera- 
tion and personal encouragement. 

CORMAN, James M.— The man who starts 
upon his wage-earning career with internal 
rather than external assets, whose educational 
and other chances have not been of the com- 
manding kind, yet who in after years finds him- 
self among the large tax-payers and prosperous 
tanners and stock -raisers of a progressive com- 
munity, of necessity has within him the qualities 
which win respect and make him of value to 
his fellow co-workers. Such a man is James 
M. Corman, owner of a splendid farm of 320 
acres in Sections 11 and 12 in Rushville Town- 
ship, and for the past nine years a promoter of 
good roads as a member of the Board of High- 
way Commissioners. 

The Corman family is of German origin, and 
was first known in America about 1740. Its 
members have been soldiers as well as men of 
peace, and the great-grandfather of James M. 
Corman on the paternal side followed the 
martial fortunes of Washington for seven years 
of the Revolutionary War. This patriot lived 
for the balance of his life in Pennsylvania, where 
was born his son, the paternal grandfather, 
and son of the latter Wallace Corman, the 
father of James Martin, in Armstrong County, 
Pa., in 1837. Wallace Corman was reared in 



Pennsylvania, and there married a Miss Martin, 
daughter of James Martin. Mr. Martin was 
born in Ireland and came to America in 1S00, 
settling in Westmoreland County, whence he 
removed to Schuyler County, 111., about 1854. 
Here his death occurred at an advanced age, 
Jerry Martin, one of his sous, is a well known 
farmer of McDonough County, 111. 

Wallace Corman came to Schuyler County 
about 1856, and for about five years was em- 
ployed by John Armstrong. He then bought 
160 acres in Section 11. not an acre of which 
was under cultivation, the sole improvement 
being a small log house. In that log cabin were 
born all but one of seven sons and five daughters, 
two of the children dying in infancy. Mr. Cor- 
man was not the kind of man to remain at a 
standstill, so he kept adding to his acres until 
he owned 590. He attained to great prominence 
and influence in general township affairs, but 
now is retired from active lite, having set an 
example of splendid thrift and industry. He 
has been connected with the local Grange since 
1873, and in politics is a stanch Democrat. 
He always attended the local political gather- 
ings, was always enthusiastic, and was equally 
loyal to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 
which he joined in early manhood. Of his 
children. Julia is the wife of Ross Robeson, of 
Oakland Township.. Schuyler County ; Adelaide 
is the wife of Charles K. Strong, a farmer and 
ex-Treasurer of Bainbridge Township; one 
daughter is wife of William Nelson, of 
Frederick Township ; Wesley is a farmer in 
Section 14, Rushville Township; Emily is wife 
of Hugh Strong, of Frederick Township ; James 
Newan an engineer on the Chicago, Burlington 
& Quiucy Railroad; Frank, a farmer in Rush- 
ville Township ; Edward is on the old home 
place in Section 14, Rushville Township; and 
Verne, who is living on the home place grad- 
uated with the highest honors in a class of 
thirty from the Rushville Normal in 1907. 

James M. Corman was born on his father's 
farm in Section 11. Rushville Township. April 
28, 1863, and was educated in the district schools 
of his neighborhood. When he was old enough 
to make his services of value, there still re- 
mained much of the old place to clear, and he 
recalls many days spent in cutting down trees, 
hauling logs, and making ties, staves, and rough 
lumber. Later he learned the trade of engi- 
neering, and spent seven years as a stationary 
engineer. In 1S93 he entered the general office 
of the George Scott Threshing Machine Com- 
pany for a year, and in 1S94 returned to the 
home place, finally becoming owner of his pres- 
ent finely equipped farm in Section 11, in the 
southeast part of Rushville Township. De- 
cember 27, 1SS5, he was united in marriage to 
Rosa Reno, who was born in Browning Town- 
ship. Schuyler County, a daughter of Byron 
Reno, a retired farmer of Browning Township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gorman have six shildren : Eunice, 
born September 28, 1886, wife of Willard 
Leezer, of Browning Township ; Monroe, born 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



801 



September 7. 1SS7 ; Elmo, born August 3, 1889 ; 
Annie, born August 2, 1891 ; Madison, bom 
November 4, 1897 ; Henry, born January 2, 
1990. The kind and indulgent mother of this 
family died January 4, 1902, leaving a host of 
friends and well wishers to mourn her departure. 
She was faithful to all trusts imposed upon her, 
and was a devout member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South. April 7, 1905. Mr. 
Corinan married Josephine Eales, who was born 
in Rushville Township, and educated in the 
common schools. 

On his farm Mr. Corman has a high-grade of 
stock, including registered Poland-China hogs, 
Short-horn cattle, and Percheron horses. His 
improvements express an appreciation of the 
beautiful and comfortable, as well as profitable, 
side of country business life, not the least com- 
mendable of his accessories being a fourteen 
acre orchard of the finest bearing fruit trees in 
this part of the country. He keeps thoroughly 
posted on the advancement of farming and stock- 
raising, and is thoroughly scientifi c in his 
methods. Although not soliciting the honor, 
his worth as a member of the Board of Com- 
missioners of Highways has been recognized by 
his retention in office for the past nine years. 

CORRIE, John, (deceased).— The life of this 
old pioneer began in Scotland in 1S04 and came 
to a close on his farm in Schuyler County, 111., 
March 17. 1891. Leaving his native land when 
only fifteen years of age, he came to America 
in 1819 and the same year settled in Lawrence 
County, 111., where his marriage occurred and 
where five of his ten children were born. In 
1S34 he became identified with Schuyler County, 
settling in that year in the village of Rushville, 
where in partnership with John Scripps, he con- 
ducted a general merchandise business until 
1S40. The association was mutually agreeable 
and the business was all that could be desired 
from a financial standpoint, but owing to the 
failing health of Mr. John Scripps, the partners 
agreed to close out the business. During the 
same year. 1840, Mr. Corrie purchased 160 acres 
of heavy timber land on Section 12, Camden 
Township, only fourteen acres at that time be- 
ing under cultivation. The remainder of the 
land was covered with white and black oak 
trees of large size, some of them four feet in 
circumference. Mr. Corrie worked Industriously 
to clear the land and prepare it for cultivation, 
chopping down trees and clearing the under- 
brush, all of which he was compelled to gather 
and burn, as in those days no one valued it 
highly enough to haul it away, even after it was 
cut. From time to time, as his means allowed, 
he added adjoining land to his original purchase 
of 100 acres, until he finally laid claim to 740 
acres of as fine land as was to be found in 
Schuyler County. At the time the family set- 
tled in Camden Township wild game of all kinds 
was plentiful, turkeys being almost as common 
a sight as chickens are today. It was no uncom- 
mon sight to find a drove of from twelve to 



twenty deer within close range, and prairie 
chickens by the hundred were seen so fre- 
quently as to cause no comment. All of this is 
now a thing of the past. The birds and other 
beautiful winged species that then filled the air 
with then- music, have almost disappeared, even 
the bumble bee now rarely being seen. 

John Corrie was one of the leading men of 
his time and locality, ever on the alert to in- 
augurate and assist any project that would bene- 
fit his fellowman, either directly or indirectly. 
This was perhaps nowhere more noticeable than 
in the establishment of a church and school in 
this neighborhood, to each of which undertak- 
ings Mr. Corrie gave liberally of both time and 
means, and for many years was treasurer of 
the school in Camden Township. As early as 
1820 he united with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and throughout his life he put into 
daily practice the precepts of his faith. His 
death, March 17, 1891, was mourned as a deep 
loss to the community in which he had lived 
for so many decades, for he stood as a link be- 
tween the days of hardship, privation and trial. 
and its present prosperity, his life a part of the 
past which made today's greatness. 

The first marriage of John Corrie occurred in 
1825 in Lawrence County, 111., when he was 
united with Mary Schrader, the daughter of 
John Jacob Schrader. who was of German 
descent. Mr. Schrader was a man of unusual 
accomplishments, being able to speak fluently 
in seven different languages, and for many years 
he taught German, French. Latin and English, 
besides vocal music in Baltimore. In 1845, 
twenty years after her marriage, Mrs. Mary 
Corrie passed away, and the following year Mr. 
Corrie married Cyrintha Erwin. She was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
the faith of which she went to her reward May 
14. 18S8. 

Adam Schrader Corrie, the eldest child of 
John and Mary (Schrader) Corrie, was born 
July 7. 1826, and now makes his home on a farm 
adjoining the old homestead, the latter owned 
and occupied by John D. — these two brothers 
being the only living male representative of the 
parental family. The eldest daughter, Agnes E., 
born February 4, 1830, became the wife of George 
W. Irwin, and both died in Littleton Township. 
Jacob W., bom March 17. is.",:.', died September 
s. 1801; Samuel R., born March 10, 1834, died 
October 24. 1S35 ; Margaret Eliza born November 
4, 1836, is the widow of Peter Beals, and makes 
her home in Chicago. Mary Ellen was born 
June 6, 1S41, and is now the wife of Charles 
Collins, of Pasadena, Cal. Sarah M., born 
February 4. 1S43. became the wife of B. F. 
Peterson, but is now deceased. William H. S. 
and Penelope Jane were twins, born March 23, 
1845; the former died when six months old. but 
the latter lived to maturity, becoming the wife 
of George R. Hughes, a resident of Indianola, 
Iowa. 

John D. Corrie, the second child in the family, 
was born in Lawrence County, 111., February 



802 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



27, 182S. As be was a child of about seven 
years of age at the time of the removal to Schuy- 
ler County, he well remembers the incidents 
connected with that event and be never tires 
of recounting them, as well as other pioneer ex- 
periences, to the yonger generation of settlers. 
Who in turn are entertained, not with fanciful 
imaginations but with truthful lads regarding 
the times and conditions of that period. Dur- 
ing the rush to California in 1850, Mr. Corrie 
was among the number who braved the hard- 
ships and dangers of an overland journey, 
making the trip with four yoke of cattle in one 
hundred days. With the gold which he had 
accumulated during his three years mining ex- 
perience, he returned to Illinois in 1853 and re- 
sumed farming on the old homestead. His 
country's call for able-bodied men during the 
early days of the Civil War once more interrupted 
the quiet routine of bis rural life and in 1802, 
he went to the front as a member of Company A, 
Seventy-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. 
Among the battles in which he participated may 
be mentioned Chickamauga, Buzzard's Roost, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesboro and Nashville, 
Tenn. At Jonesboro he was wounded three 
times, twice in one hand and once in the shoul- 
der. In an engagement at Jonesboro, while charg- 
ing over the breastworks, many of the men in bis 
company paid for their bravery with their lives, 
and many others were wounded and compelled 
to go to the hospital. Among the latter was Mr. 
Corrie, but at the time of Lee's surrender he 
was sufficiently recovered at Raleigh, N. C, to 
take bis place with bis regiment, and from there 
went tn Richmond and thence to Washington, 
where in the grand review, he participated in 
the grand pageant which has never been equaled 
in the history of the country. After being mus- 
tered out and receiving his honorable discharge 
at Chicago, he returned once more to the farm. 
where up to the present time he has continued 
uninterruptedly the peaceful life of the agricul- 
turist. His property consists of 250 acres of the 
land originally owned by bis father, and adjoin- 
ing his lies the farm of bis brother, Adam S. 
As was bis father before him, Mr. Corrie is a 
believer in Republican principles, and votes that 
party's ticket at all presidential elections. Al- 
though well advanced in years he is hale and 
hearty, and enjoys recounting the events of his 
long and eventful life. He holds a high place 
in the esteem of all who know him, and who op- 
preciate him for the qualities of citizenship dis- 
played for over half a century. 

COWDERY, Lewis.— One of the finest farms to 
be seen on Section 25, Birmingham Township, 
Schuyler County, is that owned and occupied by 
Mr. Cowdery, which has been his life-time home, 
for here he was born in a primitive log cabin 
February S, 1840. From Vermont, his native 
State, Roswell Cowdery began to work his way 
to the Middle West in young manhood, going first 
to Meigs County, Ohio. While there he was 
married to Mercy Hoyt. a native of New Hamp- 



shire, and on the farm which he owned in Ohio, 
five of their seven children were born. Some 
years prior to the birth of Lewis, about 1839, 
the parents came overland to Illinois, settling 
in Schuyler County on Section 25, Birmingham 
Township. During the year previous (1838), 
two of his brothers, Jacob and Cyrus Cowdery, 
had settled in Birmingham Township, a circum- 
stance which, no doubt, was a strong influence 
in inducing Roswell Cowdery to locate iu the 
same township. Jacob finally removed to Mis- 
souri, and there died, while the other brother, 
Cyrus, passed away in Augusta, Hancock 
County. In 1840 Roswell Cowdery entered 160 
acres of land from the Government on Section 
25, erecting a log cabin for the shelter of bis 
wife and five children. In this rude structure 
two children were added to the number, all liv- 
ing to years of maturity, but of this large family, 
Lewis is the only one now living. Lucinda was 
the wife of James Compton, and to them were 
born four children, of whom Mercy Sarah and 
Alice are the only ones living, two dying in in- 
fancy : Mr. Compton is still living, making bis 
home in Augusta, Hancock County. Sarah be- 
came the wife of Alexander Walker, and both 
are now deceased; their four children are. Ros- 
well, Samuel, James and Charles. Royal and 
Newton were both unmarried. Charles married 
Miss Henrietta Walker and to them was born 
one daughter, Eva, who became the wife of 
Edgar MeWharter. Spencer was first married 
to Miss Lucinda Phillips, who at her death left 
one daughter, Alice, who married George Witson, 
and resides in Thompson, Mont., and one son, 
William, who married Elsie Shanks and lives 
in Brooklyn. For bis second wife Spencer Cow- 
dery married Jane King, and their four children 
were named Minnie. Mary, Henry and Roswell; 
bis widow still lives on the old home farm. 

Personally Roswell Cowdery was a man fear- 
less in speech and action, open and above board in 
all of bis transactions, and it goes without say- 
ing that he was a man well liked by the best 
element. He was particularly fond of his 
friends, and was never so happy as when enter- 
taining them in his own hospitable home. Al- 
though he was not interested in politics in the 
sense of desiring to hold office, he was withal an 
ardent admirer of Republican principles and al- 
ways voted that party's ticket. To bis original 
pre-emption claim of one hundred and sixty 
acres he added from time to time as bis means 
would allow until be laid claim to five hundred 
and eighty acres of fine land all in one body. 
To each of his children he gave a tract of eighty 
ncres when they reached maturity. During the 
many years which he had made his home in 
Schuyler County he had witnessed innumerable 
changes, he himself bearing a large share in the 
transformation, and at his death was mourned 
as a public loss to the community. His wife 
died in 1880, honored and respected by hosts of 
friends and acquaintances. 

Lewis Cowdery was educated in the subsehip- 
tion schools in vogue during his boyhood, each 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



803 



pupil paying a percentage of the teacher's sal- 
ary, and the teacher hoarding around in the 
parent's families. Later he attended the district 
school and the school in the neighboring city of 
Brooklyn. As his studies would permit, he as- 
sisted in the duties on the home farm, so when 
his school days were over he Was well qualified 
to take a helpful part in its management. His 
marriage, April :'.. 1869, united him with Miss 
.Alary Meaeham, a daughter of Seth Meacham. 
one of the old pioneers of Brown County, 111., 
where her birth occurred. Four children were 
born to Mr. ami Mrs. Cowdery, hut two of them, 
Lyman and Homer, died in childhood. Idell, 
who was born December 22, 1875, became the 
wife oi Sloan Homey, a farmer on Section 25, 
Birmingham Township, and they have five child- 
ren. Vaile, Lewis. Meriba, Laverne and Irene. 
The youngest child. Arthur, born October 15. IS*:.', 
still makes ins home with his parents on the old 
farm. For one year after his marriage Mr. 
Cowdery made his home with his oldest brother, 
but as his father and mother wished him to re- 
turn to the old home and live with them, he ac- 
ceded to their wishes, the homestead of 220 
acres falling to him at their death, this being the 
express wish of l he parents, as be was their 
youngest child. No allurements of public or of- 
ficial life have ever been able to turn Mr. 
Cowdery's thoughts away from the duties con- 
nected with the care and management of his 
farm, and as a reward for his devotion to its 
interests, he lias the satisfaction of knowing that 
he owns one of the finest farms in point of pro- 
ductiveness in the county. Politically he easts 
bis vote in favor of Republican candidates, and 
in a quiet way does what he can to advance the 
interests of his chosen party. Both himself and 
wife are members of the Baptist Church, toward 
the maintenance of which both contributed lib- 
erally, as they do also to all projects, whether 
religious or secular, calculated to advance the 
welfare of their home community. 

CRANDALL, Fred E.— One of the youngest 
men in Rushville to conduct an independent en- 
terprise, and by bis business sagacity and deter- 
mination to invest it with the certainty of suc- 
cess. Fred E. Crandall is known to the patron- 
izing public as the owner and proprietor of a 
successful livery and feed stable since the sum- 
mer of 1901. Mr. Crandall comes of a family 
liniL' identified with extensive horse and mule 
raising, and practically all of the male members 
have promoted branches of industry at sometime 
in their lives. There are no better judges of 
these animals in the State of Illinois, and their 
knowledge along these lines is frequently drawn 
upon by those less versed on the subject. 

Mr. Crandall was born in Rushville, III., Octo- 
ber 20. 1883, and is the youngest of the seven 
children of Byron and Emma l Greer) Crandall. 
natives of Ohio. Byron Crandall engaged in the 
harness, carriage, wagon and stock business in 
his adopted State of Illinois, but he came here 
with but one dollar in his pocket, settling among 



strangers who would favor him only as he earned 
the right to such favor. Locating first in As- 
toria. Fulton County, to which place he came by 
way of I'.eardstown, he sometime later settled in 
Rushville, ami here industry, thrift and con- 
stancy of purpose met with their just reward. 
He had the family fondness for stock, and de- 
voted much of his time to its raising and pur- 
chase. Of his children, Harvey is a prominent 
stock raiser and dealer of Iluntsville Township, 
.Schuyler County; Charles E. is a prominent 
shipper of horses, mules ami agricultural imple- 
ments at Rushville; Guy is engaged in the com- 
mission business at Tampa, Fla., and also is ex- 
tensively interested in the purchase and sale of 
horses and mules; Belle is the wife of George 
W. Winters, of Littleton. Sehuvler County; Mor- 
timer died at the age of twenty-one years, and 
at that time was considered one of the best 
judges of horses and mules, having begun to deal 
in them when he was thirteen years old; Lillian 
is the wife of C. C. Young, a real estate aud loan 
agent of Kansas City. Mo.; and Fred E., the 
present liveryman of Rushville. 

Fred E. Crandall is a member of one of the 
leading families of Rushville, and has been an 
important factor in developing the stock business 
in Schuyler County. His livery is well supplied 
with good horses, modern equipages, and ample 
facilities for boarding, feeding and storing. He 
has vehicles of various kinds for sale, and ma- 
terially adds to his annual income by buying and 
selling horses and mules. He is a Democrat in 
politics, and fraternally is connected with the 
Endependenl ( >rder of Odd Fellows and the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of America. 

CRASKE, Henry. — For generations the family 
of which Henry Craske is a representative flour- 
ished as agriculturists and tradesmen in Suf- 
folk, the easternmost shire of England, where he 
"as born at Burg St. Edmunds. September 26, 
1845. In the same quaint town his father, 
James Craske, was bom in 1798. and the county 
was also the birthplace of James Craske - 's 
father, who lived and died in the land of his 
sires. 

James Craske was the only member of a large 
family who gave heed to the inducements that 
invited him from this side of the water. He had 
received the education and careful home training 
of the English youth of the middle class, and 
while still young had married Eliza Clark, who 
was born at Barton Mills, England, and who, 
upon her death at Burg St. Edmunds, in 1849, 
left five children: Sarah, James, Caroline, Eliza- 
beth and Henry. In 1862 Mr. Craske set sail 
for the United States, and after various changes 
located permanently at Little Falls, Herkimer 
County. X. T. At that time Henry Craske was 
thirteen years old, and was serving as the ap- 
prentice of a man engaged in the dyeing business 
in Ins native town. Two years later, having com- 
pleted his apprenticeship, he joined his father, 
brothers and sisters in New York State. On 
April 23. 1866, he located in Springfield. HI., 



Sol 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



where he followed his trade until 18G8. The 
latter year found him a resident of Rushville, 
whence in 1870 he went to Decatur. 111., return- 
ing soon afterwards to Rushville, however, where 
he since has been engaged in the ice business. 

While a resident of New York, on September 5. 
1862. Mr. Craske, then seventeen years old, en- 
listed in the Second Regiment, New York Yolun- 
teer Infantry, and served until the close of the 
Civil War. On December 2.".. 1865, he married 
Ellen .Maria Jones, a native of Little Falls. X. 
Y.. and a daughter of Elijah ami Jane Jones, 
born in England and New York, respectively. 
Mr. and Mrs. Craske are the parents of six 
children, namely: Geneva A., Caroline E„ Mamie, 
Francis ('.. Harry Barton, Lillian M. and John 
A. Logan. 

Mi'. Craske has led an industrious and useful 
life, and in many ways has contributed to the 
development of his adopted town. A stanch and 
unswerving Republican, he has held many local 
offices, but is best known for his services as a 
member of the State Hoard of Equalization from 
1885 to 1888. In 1885 he originated the scheme 
in the Thirty-fourth District of Illinois of elect- 
ing a Republican Representative to the State 
Legislature, thus breaking the deadlock which 
had tied up the General Assembly for months, 
and affording an opportunity for re-election to 
the United States Senate of Gen. John A. Logan. 
Mr. Craske has for years been a member of 
Rushville Lodge, No. 0, A. F. & A. M., Rushville 
Chapter No. 184, R. A. M., and Rushville Com- 
mandery. No. 56, K. T. He also is identified 
with the Ancient Order of LTnited Workmen. 
Security Lodge No. 31, I. O. M. A. and Col. Hor- 
ney Post, No. 131, Grand Army of the Republic. 
Mr. Craske is a self-contained, honorable man of 
business, whose word is unimpeachable, whose 
fidelity to the public interests is unquestioned, 
and whose judgment of men and affairs is de- 
cidedly trustworthy. He is the possessor of a 
handsome competence, won solely through his 
own efforts, and enjoys the esteem and confidence 
of the best people in the town. 

CROZIER, Robert H., a prominent and success- 
ful farmer of Rushville Township. Schuyler 
County. 111., was born in the vicinity of Pleasant- 
view, in the same township. March 5. 1859. and 
is a son of Richard and Sarah (Crozier) Croz- 
ier, natives of County Tyrone. Ireland. Richard 
Crozier came to America with his father. Rich- 
ard, Sr.. and the bitter's wife, sojourning for a 
while in Canada, and thence going to New York 
State and locating at Ithaca. His future wife, 
Sarah Crozier. accompanied her pai'ents to the 
United States, the family also settling in Ithaca, 
and there she was married to Richard Crozier. 
About the year 1854 the young couple came to 
Schuyler County. 111., making their home in 
Section 35. Rushville Township. In 1856 Rich- 
ard Crozier moved to Bainbridge Township, buy- 
ing seventy acres of land, and adding more from 
time to time, until he became an extensive land- 
holder, owning 500 acres at the time of his 



death. He was one of the most successful 
farmers in his locality, and as his family grew 
to maturity, gave each a fine piece of land. He 
and his wife had five children, as follows: Helen 
Augusta, wife of Thomas L. Strong, who owns 
part of the old homestead: Frederick, born in 
New 7 Y'ork State, who died when about three 
years old; Robert H. : Margaret F.. wife of Ro- 
land M. Stover, of Rushville, 111.: and Annie M.. 
who died in Bainbridge Township at the 
age of eleven years. Her father died Feb- 
ruary 29, 1906. He was one of the lead- 
ing citizens of Bainbridge Township, and a 
strong advocate and supporter of educational 
enterprises. In politics, he was a Democrat, and 
ably and faithfully filled various township of- 
fices. He was a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, as is his worthy widow, who re- 
sides in Pleasantview, enjoying the sincere re- 
spect of all who know her, and the serene con- 
sciousness of a well spent life. Robert H. 
Crozier attended the common schools in his boy- 
hood, and remained on the home farm until the 
time of his marriage. He then bought forty acres 
of land in Section 15, Bainbridge Township, 
which in 1000 lie sold and moved to his new 
purchase of 118 acres in Rushville Township. 
Since then he has made many attractive improve- 
ments on the place, especially on the dwelling, 
and has now a beautiful home, with spacious 
and substantial barns, and convenient outbuild- 
ings for the care of his stock. 

On January 30, 1800, Mr. Crozier was united 
in marriege with Anna M. Acheson, a native of 
Bainbridge Township, where she was born April 
1G, 1870. Mrs. Crozier is a daughter of WMlliam 
and Mary ("Ward) Acheson. and particulars in 
regard to her father's life may be found in a 
biographical record of Alexander Acheson, apear- 
ing elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Croz- 
ier have had four children, namely: Mabel A., 
born January 1. 1801 : Harry Earl, born Novem- 
ber 15, 1803, deceased May 8, 1902; Clarice E., 
born June 11, 1800; and Sarah Elsie, born No- 
vember 11, 1003. Mr. Crozier is the only one of 
the Croziers left in Schuyler County. Five 
brothers of his father moved to Kansas, where 
all but one died, leaving families. 

In politics, Mr. Crozier is a Democrat, ami lias 
for many years held the office of School Direc- 
tor. Fraternally, he is connected with the M. 
W. A.. Rushville Camp, No. 308. He is a man 
of genial disposition, and he and his amiable 
wife have many friends. 

CURRY, Amos L. — The farm upon which Amos 
L. Curry lives in Section 0. Frederick Township, 
was the place of his birth. July 25, 1868. his 
childish troubles, pastimes and small labors, and 
has been the scene of his subsequent extensive 
and successful operations as a general farmer 
and stock-raiser. Davis H. Curry, the father of 
Amos, was born in Memphis, Tenn.. and by trade 
was a ship carpenter. Coming early to Schuy- 
ler County, he settled on the farm now owned by 
his son, and there died in 1S73 while yet the 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



805 



world seemed to hold much of promise and hap- 
piness for him. To a manysided and industrious 
career he added the service of a military man, 
enlisting in the navy at the beginning of hostili- 
ties, and serving until the close of the Civil War. 
He was a man of quiet and unostentatious na- 
ture, in no sense a politician, but a consistent 
promoter of Republican principles. Fraternally 
he was connected with the Masonic Order. 
Through his marriage to Louise Messerer, daugh- 
ter of an early pioneer of Schuyler County, there 
were born to him five children: Burton E„ liv- 
ing in Beardstown, and a locomotive engineer 
for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad 
Company; Davis II., Jr., for many years a miner 
in Nevada, and Superintendent of the Independ- 
ent' Mine, at Cripple Creek, Colo.; Beulah M., 
widow of Rev. J. W. Knight, a Christian minis- 
ter, and a resident of Champaign, 111. ; one not 
named ; and Amos L. The mother of this family 
lives in Frederick Township, having married as 
her second husband, B. F. Redman, a well-to-do 
farmer and dairyman. 

Until his twentieth year Amos L. lived at 
borne, in the meantime acquiring a fair common 
school education, a good constitution, and shrewd 
business sagacity. Upon starting out for him- 
self he worked by the day or month, but in 18S7, 
having abandoned farming he went to Colorado, 
where he spent a year with not very profitable 
results in the North Star and Whale mines. 
Not favorably impressed with the financial ad- 
vantages of mining, lie returned to Frederick 
Township, and for four years was employed as 
bridge carpenter by the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad Company. September 13, 189.°., 
he was united in marriage to Minnie M. Reno, 
a native of Browning, 111., and daughter of 
Hon. William C. Reno, a grain dealer in charge 
of the grain elevators at Browning. Mr. and 
Mrs. Curry are the parents of three children : 
Margaret M., born September 3, 1894; Ada L.. 
born July 5, 189P.. and Fred E.. born August 8, 
1S9S. Mrs. Curry died November 25, 1899. and 
was sadly missed by her devoted little family 
and many warm friends. She was a loyal wife 
and mother, and an active member of the Chris- 
tian church. September 2. 1902, Mr. Curry was 
married to Vesta (Ward) Gregg, daughter of 
Ira and Mary (Taylor") Ward, and born in Bain- 
bridge Township, Schuyler County, April 6, 1876. 
To their home and hearts Mr. and .Mrs. Curry 
have taken little Ida Burrell. who has lived with 
them four years, and this is but one of the many 
expressions of kindness and humanity which 
have fallen from the lives of this worthy couple. 

In 1893, Mr. Curry rented the old farm in Sec- 
tion f>, Frederick Township, containing 292 acres, 
and here is following general farming and stock- 
raising, raising large numbers of hogs, cattle, 
horses and sheep, besides many kinds of general 
produce. Besides his original farm he owns 112 
acres in Section 32. making in all 402 acres, all 
under a high state of cultivation, with dwellings, 
barns, out-buildings and general improvements 
of modern style. In addition to being one .if the 



leading agriculturists in two townships, Mr. 
Curry is prominent politically, and on the Re- 
publican ticket has served as Supervisor for 
three terms from Frederick Township, at the last 
election, in 1997, receiving a majority of fifty 
votes. For four years he was chairman of the 
committee on roads and bridges, and in this con- 
nection has rendered valuable suggestions as to 
the care and improvement of these public utili- 
ties. While not a member of any church, lie is 
a generous contributor to the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, with which his wife has been con- 
nected for many years, and is also a faithful 
friend of education, and all enlightening agen- 
cies. Possessing an interesting and engaging 
personality, and having great social tact and dis- 
cretion, Mr. Curry is a general favorite wherever 
people are gathered together for mutual enter- 
tainment, and is especially popular in the lodges 
of the Modern Woodmen of America, Knights of 
Pythias, and D. O. K. K. Within the limits of 
Schuyler County there is not a man more highly 
respected, or whose word is more readily ac- 
cepted than is that of Amos L. Curry. 

CURRY, William Jackson, one of the oldest 
and most highly esteemed farmers of Schuyler 
County. Ill, residing in Section 31. Buena Vista 
Township, and long a leading citizen of his com- 
munity, was horn in -Mercer County, Ky„ Jan- 
uary 1. 1839. He is a son of Matthew and 
Nancy I Simpson) Curry, natives of Kentucky. 
and a grandson of James and Ilouora (Booth) 
Curry, of whom the former was horn in Ireland, 
coming to the United States in the beginning of 
the last century, and making his way to Ken- 
tucky. There Grandfather Curry was married 
to Ilonora Booth, and settled in Mercer County, 
where the rest of his lite was spent. Some time 
after his death his son Matthew journeyed from 
the Blue Grass State to Illinois, locating in 
Brown County, and living there from 1842 to 
1844. In the latter year he went back to his old 
home, where he remained until 1849, returning 
then to Illinois, and bringing his wife's mother 
with him to Schuyler County, where he located 
in Woodstock Township. In 1851. Matthew 
Curry made an overland trip to California, stay- 
ing until 1853. On his return be spent a short 
time in Schuyler County, and then went to Mis- 
souri. When he came back to Illinois he located 
again in Brown County, moving to Schuyler 
County in 18(11. He died at the home of his son 
James, at Cooperstown, Brown County, in 1862, 
his wife surviving him many years, and dually 
passing away in Schuyler County at the home 
of James Curry, in 1SSS. Their family consisted 
of five sons and three daughters, as follows: 
Henry Clay, James. William Jackson, Sarena 
A., John W., Saraba. Matthew T., and Mary 
Jane. Henry Clay Curry went to California in 
is.",:;, and from there to Oregon, where he spent 
his last days. James Curry, who is a retired 
farmer, living in Rushville, 111., was a soldier in 
the Civil War. serving in the Tenth Regiment 
Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, three years. Sarena 



806 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



A., resides iu East St. Louis, 111., arid is the wife 
of Asa Kent. John W., who was also a member 
of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, died at Pilot Knob, 
Mo., and was buried at Cooperstown, Brown 
County. Saraha is a widow living at East St. 
Louis. Matthew T., whose home is at Beards- 
town, Cass County, 111., served during the Civil 
War in the Nineteenth Regiment Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry, and was honorably 'discharged iu 
1865. .Mary Jane was the wife of James White, 
and died in .Missouri, iu 1906. 

In boyhood William J. Curry attended the 
common schools, spending his early youth iu the 
manner common to farmers' boys. At the age of 
seventeen years he cast bis first presidential vote 
for James Buchanan without being challenged '. 
Later he learned the cooper's trade, which he 
followed until the spring of 1801. On May 24th 
of that year, he enlisted in Company E, Six- 
teenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
serving three years. In the engagement at 
Edgefield, Tenn., he was wounded and laid up iu 
the camp hospital, but soon recovered and re- 
ported for duty. On the termination of hostili- 
ties he returned to Illinois, locating iu Vermont. 
Fulton Comity, which was then the home of his 
mother. There be was engaged at the cooper's 
trade, working thus until 1865. For two years 
be was employed on the steamboat, "Progress," 
running between LaSalle and St. Louis. Then 
he changed his location to Woodstock Township, 
Schuyler County, where lie followed farming aud 
coopering some time. Subsequently, be spent 
sialic time in Iowa, returning from there to 
Woodstock Township, and remaining there until 
1SS0. Ill that year he went to Missouri, staying 
nine mouths in that State, aud then coining to 
Buena Vista Township. Schuyler County, 111., 
purchasing 100 acres of land in Section 31. In 
January. 1881. be sold sixty acres, retaining 
forty acres as bis home. He has been a very 
energetic, thorough and successful farmer, but 
has now practically retired from active business 
pursuits. He has always taken a prominent 
part in all measures pertaining to the develop- 
ment and prosperity of his township, and lias 
been recognized as one of its leading citizeus. 

On May 31, 1866, Mr. Curry was united in 
marriage with Emma Avery, daughter of Wil- 
liam and .Mai;:.' i ret Avery, who came to Illinois 
from Ohio, and were among the pioneer settlers 
of Schuyler County. Both of the parents of Mrs. 
Curry are deceased. Eight children resulted 
from this union, as follows: Rosa, Eva. William, 
Julius (deceased), Xida E.. Estella, Myrtle, and 
Alec. Rosa i< the wife of Robert Walker, a farmer 
in Camden Township, Schuyler County, ami 
the mother of three children: Eva married Jor- 
dan Miller, of Beardstown. Cass County. 111., and 
has three children : William is a resident of Cam- 
den Township, and is the father of four children : 
Xida became the wife of Thuren Noval, and is 
living at the parental home, having two chil- 
dren : and Estelle was married to Henry Agans, 
a farmer in Camden Township, and has six 
children. The grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. 



Curry number twenty, and their great-grand- 
children, three. 

In politics, Mr. Curry has always been a Dein- 
ocrat, taking an active interest in the success of 
his party, and being influential in its local coun- 
cils. He has twice been elected Assessor of 
Buena Vista Township. Fraternally, he is affili- 
ated with the I. O. O. F.. having become a mem- 
ber of that order in 1866. He belongs to the 
Grand Army of the Republic Post, of Rushville. 
Iu religion, lie and his wife adhere to the faith 
of the Latter Day Saints. Both enjoy the re- 
spect and esteem of a large acquaintance. 

CURTIS, Frank P.— Three generations of the 
Curtis family have contributed to the agricul- 
tural and general upbuilding of Brooklyn Town- 
ship. Schuyler County, and at present there are 
various representatives in this section of the 
State, the best known being Frank P. Curtis, 
wlio was born here March 21, 1861, and whose 
whole life lias been spent in Brooklyn Township. 
William Henry Curtis, father of Frank P.. was 
born on a farm in Clay County, Tenn.. and as a 
lad of six years, came with his father. James 
Curtis, to Illinois, settling during the summer of 
1842 in Brooklyn Township, where the balance 
of his life was spent. James Curtis was a man 
of strong character and keen appreciation of 
duty, and when the strife between the North and 
South culminated iu the Civil War. he and six of 
his sons, tendered their services to the Union 
army. He became a member of Company K. in 
the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, and served until 
the disbandment of the regiment. His son Jesse. 
after more than three years service as a soldier, 
was mustered out of Company A. Seventy-eighth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. June T. lSi',r>, ami is 
now deceased; John Curtis wis a member of the 
same company, and received his discharge on the 
same day. later dying at his home in Brooklyn 
Township: Henry W.. also a soldier in Company 
A, and serving the same length of time, was 
wounded in the battle of Jonesboro, September 
1, 1863, from the effects of which he died in 
1878; Joseph Curtis enlisted first with his father 
in the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, and later in 
the same regiment with his brothers, receiving 
a gunshot wound at Kenesaw Mountain, finally 
dying at his home in Brooklyn Township, Feb- 
ruary 11, 1907; Jefferson also served during the 
war. and still survives, a resident of St. Louis, 
Mo.: and James served in Company A, Seventy - 
eigbth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being wounded 
at Kenesaw Mountain. The military record of 
this family is unique, as in the history of war- 
fare in America, few fathers have fought with 
six sons, for the same length of time, and all 
survived the conflict. The fact is the more re- 
markable, as the original sympathies of the fam- 
ily were Southern, yet they left their hard home 
tasks and donned the acconterments of the 
Union soldier, thus testifying to their apprecia- 
tion of the sublime [deals of the Great Emanci- 
pator. James Curtis had also two daughters, of 
whom Elizabeth is the deceased wife of Louis 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



807 



Frakes, also deceased ; and Mary J. is the widow 
of Harliu Dixou. and lives in Kansas. 

Frank P. Curtis is the third in order of hirth 
of the four children of William Henry and Lydia 
(Wiley) Curtis, the other children being Charles 
and Louise, deceased, and Edward, a resident 
of St. Louis. The mother of the family is still 
living in Brooklyn. Frank P. had the average 
advantages of farm hoys, and like all of the 
paternal family, has a strong constitution and 
great capacity for industry. In 1882 he was 
united in marriage to Mary S. Mason, a native 
of Brooklyn Township, and daughter of Aden G. 
Mason, a pioneer of Schuyler County. For 
sevi n years alter his marriage Mr. Curtis lived 
ou a tract of land south of Brooklyn, but later 
located in Littleton Township, whence he removed 
to his present home in Section 10, Brooklyn 
Township, where he conducts general farming on 
a scientific basis, and with commendable success. 
To himself and wife have been born two children, 
of whom Jesse A. married Jessie Legg, a farmer 
of Littleton Township; and Charles G. who is 
at home. The family are members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, ami .Mr. Curtis is a Re- 
publican iu polities. He is an upright and intel- 
ligent farmer, an obliging neighbor, and a friend 
who may be trusted and depended on in times of 
trial as well as of good fortune. 

DACE, Wilbur M. — In no profession open to 
the present are there larger mechanical and ar- 
tistic possibilities than that of dental surgery. 
What already has been accomplished is but the 
nucleus of the knowledge of the student of a 
few years hence, for with the growing apprecia- 
tion of dentistry as a factor in health and good 
appearance, the dentist's opportunities for self- 
development are limited only by his own ability 
and resourcefulness. It is in this spirit of pro- 
gression and constant research that Dr. Dace 
pursues his calling in Rushville, where he is one 
of tlie mosl enthusiastic of the town's array of 
professional men and the recipient of a large 
patronage, much of it being attracted from the 
adjoining country. 

Dr. Dace was born in Ripley, Brown County, 
111., December '-'-. 1873, a son of Henry M. Dace, 
born in the State of Missouri, and grandson of 
Dennis Dace, a native of Illinois. His mother, 
formerly Katherine Delapp, was born in Illinois, 
and a daughter of John and Kate Delapp. While 
still young Dr. Dace moved with his parents to 
Rushville, where he was educated in the public 
schools, and graduated at the Rushville High 
School in the spring of 180.",. In the fall of the 
same year he entered the Dental Department of 
the Northwestern University, at Evanston, 111.. 
and during bis vacation came to Rushville and 
practiced in the office of Dr. Bettorf. At the 
expiration of the three years' course he was 
given a diploma, and at once entered upon an 
independent practice in Rushville. At present 
he is located in the Dace Building on the north 
side of the square, where he has large, well ven 
tilated and handsomely furnished apartments, 



equipped with the latest appliances known to the 
profession, and with books, periodicals and com- 
fortable surroundings for those awaiting his at- 
tention. 

Ou September 10, 1001, Dr. Dace was united 
in marriage to Fredericka Mead, a uative of 
Huntsville, 111., and a graduate of the high school 
of that place. Their only child is named Doro- 
thy Mead. Dr. Dace is a Democrat in politics, 
and fraternally, is connected with the Knights 
of Pythias. He is a careful investigator and a 
diligent worker, keeping abreast of the best re- 
searches already made in dental science, and iu 
a position to avail himself of the wonderful im- 
provements which have marked the advance of 
the art during the past tew years. He makes a 
specialty of crown and bridge work, in which he 
has been especially successful, and his general 
skill, together with a genial manner and tactful, 
sympathetic nature, insures him all of the pat- 
ronage to which he can do justice, adhering to 
his standard of thorough, painstaking and lasting 
work. 

DARNELL, Hon. John M— A representative of 
that class of agriculturists who combine the 
scientific pursuit of their calling with meritori- 
ous interest in the political and general welfare 
of the community in which they live, Hon. John 
M. Darnell is recognized as one of the best 
known stock-breeders and authorities in the 
State of Illinois, as the original introducer of 
Hereford cattle into Schuyler County, as a mer- 
chant of extended ami successful experience, and 
as a legislator who thoroughly understood the 
needs and promoted the best interests of the 
county of which he is a native son, having been 
born on the farm which he now owns and oc- 
cupies in Section 0, Frederick Township, August 
1. 1843. 

In its evolution from the condition of a back- 
woods region, Schuyler County lias had the con- 
tinuous support of the Darnell family. Pioneer- 
ing has been a conspicuous tendency of those 
bearing the name ever since the arrival on Ameri- 
can shores of the first Darnell., who, presumably, 
settled in Virginia, where Henry Darnell, grand- 
father of John M., was born in 1767, on the 
shores of the Potomac River. Henry Darnell 
enlisted in the Revolutionary War at the age of 
fifteen years, and was present at the surrender 
of Cornwallis at Torktown. He grew to man- 
hood in Virginia, and when twenty-five years 
old. married Elizabeth Lee. also bom in Virginia. 
and who became the mother of nine children. 
Of these, Jesse M., father of Hon. John M.. svas 
horn October 4. 1813. The family eventually 
located in the wilds of Ohio, settling in Wayne 
County, where the father died and whence Jesse 
removed in 1831 to Henderson County, III. In 
1833 he removed to Warren County, and iu .1834 
to Schuyler County, where he engaged in the 
manufacture of fanning mills. His business 
grew apace, and while conducting it he roomed 
and hoarded at the home of his future wife. 
Louise Utter, daughter of Lyman Utter. The 



808 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



ancestors of the t'tter family came from Scot- 
lam!, settling in the colony of New Amsterdam, 
which became New York after the capture by 
the English. Rorn to Mr. and Mrs. Darnell 
were four children, three of whom are living. 
Louise is the wife of Mr. Kelson, of Santa Bar- 
bara, Cal.; James K. spends his winters in 
Seattle. Wash., and his summers in mining in 
Alaska : and John M. is the subject of this 
sketch. Jesse Darnell gained much prominence 
in Schuyler County, becoming not only a compar- 
atively wealthy tanner, but representing his dis- 
trict in the State Legislature in 1848-49. He 
was elected on the Democratic ticket, and during 
his term was one of its most capable and force- 
ful legislators. At the time of his death, he was 
the owner of 340 acres of land, and the 'recipient 
of the respect and good will of all who knew 
him. 

Educated primarily in the district school near 
his home in Frederick Township, John M. Dar- 
nell, in 1862, entered Lombard College, near 
Galesburg, 111., at the end of two years going to 
Ann Arbor College, Mich., where he completed 
the four years' course in three years, graduating 
with high honors in the class of 1867. Return- 
int; to tin' limiie I'm rin. he remained there continu- 
ously until 1SSO. in that year engaging in the 
hardware business in which he continued until 
18SS. Disposing of this business, which, in the 
meantime, had grown to prosperous proportions, 
he again located on the farm, and at the present 
time owns 300 acres in the county, all of it im- 
proved and very valuable. Few properties in 
the county present a inure modern or thoroughly 
up-to-date appearance, ami certainly no expense 
has been spared to convert it into a model of 
neatness and productiveness. For twenty years 
the owner has been extensively engaged in breed- 
ing Hereford cattle, the breed of which was in- 
troduced by him into the county, and no finer 
animals were to be found anywhere between the 
oceans. His first importation in the early 'sev- 
enties included an animal for which he paid 
$1,000, unquestionably the largest price up to 
that time paid for an animal of its kind from 
England. Mr. Darnell continued to take prizes 
and lead in the breeding of Herefords in Schuy- 
ler County until January 1, 1007, when he sold 
the last of his stock, and since has practically 
retired from stock-breeding. His wide experi- 
ence and exhaustive knowledge of stock has led 
to many distinctions being conferred upon him, 
and his advice for many years has been sought 
and followed. In 1899 he was appointed by 
Governor John R. Tanner a member of the Live 
Stink Commission, and during his three years of 
service, proved one of the most useful members 
of the Commission. 

Mr. Darnell has been prominent in Democratic 
politics for many years, and in 1S72 was elected 
a Representative in the State Legislature, and in 
1884 to the State Senate, serving a four years' 
term. Fraternally he is a member of the Ma- 
sonic order. Broad-minded and enterprising, 
far-sighted and public-spirited, his career has 



touched many sides in the development of his 
county, and invariably has tended to an eleva- 
tinn of business and moral ideals, and to politi- 
cal soundness and utility. 

DAY, Richard. — It was a pleasure to feel the 
hearty hand-shake and hear the cheery voice of 
so good and amiable men as Richard Day, and it 
is a pleasure to write about him. lie was 
among the quiet and unobtrusive of life's work- 
ers, yet he was a thorough master of an occupa- 
tion which has interested the race since the be- 
ginning of time, which possesses a paramount 
creative quality and the absorbing element of 
great and even absorbing usefulness. In the 
companionship of carpenter's tools he found his 
greatest delight and most practical reward, and 
from the time of his arrival in July. 1S40. until 
the close of his life, December 22, 1005. he bent 
his energies to erecting houses, barns, and gen- 
eral buildings throughout Schuyler County, 
many of which termed the basis of important 
agricultural activities, and remain intact and 
usable after the lapse of almost half a century. 

Mr. Day was descended from farmers and me- 
chanics, and in his veins flowed the blood of an 
old English ancestry. His birth occurred in the 
little town of Norton. Norfolkshire, Eastern 
England, June 27, 1S25, and in early youth he 
learned the carpenter trade from his father. 
George Day. He was reared also to farming 
as practiced in his native country, but the farm 
was a small one, as are all in Norfolkshire, owing 
to the innumerable marshes and fens along the 
si in res of the North Sea. "When all on this side 
of the ocean was in a turmoil over the discovery 
of gold on the Pacific coast. Mr. Day left his 
quiet home and sailed for America, arriving in 
St. Louis, in March. 1849. and remained there 
until coming to Schuyler County in the following 
July. He settled on what now is the home- 
stead in Oakland Township, and continued to 
make this his home for the rest of his life, going 
into the surrounding country to follow his occu- 
pation as a builder for a part of each year. 

The first wife of Mr. Day in maidenhood was 
Ann Booth Downing, whose death occurred in 
1853. In 1856 he married Martha E. Garret, 
who died in 1883, and January 20. 18S4, he was 
united in bonds of matrimony to Mrs. Artemisia 
(Ackman) Walker, a native of Kentucky and 
daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Herman) Ackman, 
curly settlers of Rushville Township. James 
Walker, the first husband of Mrs. Day. was born 
in Norfolk. England, and came to Schuyler 
County, 111., in 1850. His parents. Stephen and 
Emily (Fletcher) Walker, settled on a farm in 
Rushville Township, where the father died, the 
death of the mother occurring in Tarsons, Kan. 
After her marriage Mrs. Walker settled with her 
husband mi the farm which ever since has been 
her home, and where Mr. Walker died February 
18. 18S2. He was a public spirited and very 
capable man. a stanch Republican, and the holder 
of many important local offices. He was active 
in church and school work, a member in good 













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HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



809 



standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
a generous contributor to worthy charities. Mr. 
and Mrs. Walker were the parents of six sous 
aud three daughters : James P., a farmer of 
Oakland Township, Schuyler County ; Stephen, 
also a farmer of Oakland Township ; Charles, 
occupying the old Walker farm ; Lewis, a resi- 
dent of Pittsburg, Kan., husband of Jesse G. 
(Robinson) Walker, and father of Paul Walker; 
Margaret, wife of George Baughman, of Pitts- 
burg, Kan. ; Nancy, wife of Robert .Morris, of 
Ray, 111. ; Nellie, wife of Charles Sloane, of 
Ottumwa, Iowa. To Mr. Day and his third wife 
were born Richard Maurice, who married Mary 
Mien Sargent, and farms in Littleton Township, 
and .lames, a farmer of Schuyler County. Of 
the other marriages of Mr. Day there were six 
children : Mrs. Costello ; Mrs. Holson ; George 
Edward; Richard Albert; James William and 
William Harrison. 

DEAN, David, (deceased), former retired citi- 
zen of Rushville. Schuyler County, III., was born 
at Kellybegs. County Donegal, Ireland, Septem- 
ber 14, 1!S2S, spending the first twenty-four years 
of his life in bis native country, where in his 
youth and mature years, be was engaged in farm- 
ing and sheep-raising. Coming to America in 
1852, be was employed for the next ten years as 
foreman of the yards of the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road at Pittsburg. In 1859, he was married at 
Rushville. III., to Katherine Montooth, whose 
parents were also natives of County Donegal, 
Ireland, coming to Illinois in 1851 from Pitts- 
burg, which they made their first home after 
leaving their native country. Mr. and .Mrs. 
Dean came to Schuyler County in 1861, settling 
in Oakland Township, which continued to be 
their home until 1902, and where they reared a 
family of eight children, six boys and two girls — 
two other boys dying in infancy. Purchasing 
eighty acres of land in Oakland Ton-nship, Mr. 
Deau began farming on a small scale but finally 
became the owner of 5f>0 acres in one body. 
After a successful career as a farmer, he re- 
moved to Rushville with his family, where he 
erected a pleasant home during the following 
year and there spent the remainder of his life 
in comfortable retirement. His death occurred 
suddenly, at his home in Rushville, September 27, 
10(>7, as the result of heart-failure, just as he 
was sitting down at the table for his evening 
meal. 

In infancy Mr. Dean was baptized into the 
Episcopal Church, and while a resident of Pitts- 
burg, was a cummunicant of St. James Episco- 
pal Church of that city, but on coming to Illi- 
nois became a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. Of a singularly happy disposition 
and plain, unassuming manners, a life of strict 
integrity and his upright Christian character 
won for him a large circle of appreciative 
friends. 

Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. 

Dean, .Ta s died at the age of eighteen months 

and Jesse aged two and a half years. Of the six 



children still living, George H. married Elizabeth 
Stanbauch. has four sons and two daughters and 
is engaged in farming in Eldorado Township, 
McDonough County; William R., married Inez 
Wetzel, has one son and one daughter, aud is a 
farmer near Astoria, Eulton Couuty ; Ettie B., is 
the wife of Joseph Rose of Canton, 111., and 
has four daughters and one son; John married 
Sadie Rose, has two sons and two daughters and 
is a farmer in Rushville Township, Schuyler 
Count}' ; Lawrence married Nellie Wetzel, has 
three sous and one daughter and is engaged in 
farming near Browning, III. ; Herbert and Sam- 
uel are on the old home place in Oakland 
Township. David Dean was a Republican in 
politics aud, at the time of his decease, left an 
estate comprising 740 acres of land, besides his 
pleasant new home now occupied by his worthy 
widow. The following tribute to Mr. Dean from 
a member of his family is worthy of reproduction 
here : 

"The writer has often felt his heart deeply 
touched at the sorrows of others when grieving 
at the loss of a parent, but it was a new revela- 
tion to us that evening wheu our dear father 
went away to the better land. Though by his 
toil and frugality be had accumulated a goodly 
heritage, yet to his children the memory of those 
sacred hours around the family altar, his pure 
and blameless life, his wise counsel and his 
sacrificing love, are the most precious legacies 
that he could have left us. He dearly loved his 
home, and as the infirmities of age grew upon 
him, he had an intense longing to have his child- 
ren near him and his home was like heaven to 
him when he could have them about him. 

"But the voice we loved to hear is hushed for- 
ever. No more shall he greet us with his genial 
smile of welcome, nor ever again shall we feel 
the warm grip of his great hand. The vacant 
couch, the empty chair, the unused cane, are 
mute witnesses that he no longer lives among 
us. . . . The last earthly service that we 
could render him was to bear him to the beauti- 
ful cemetery where we left him to the guardian 
care of the holy angels. Farewell, dear father, 
until we meet in the morning! 

"One less at home! 
The charmed circle is broken ; a dear face. 
Missed day by day, from its accustomed place ; 
One voice of welcome hushed, and evermore 
One farewell word unspoken ; on the shore 
Where parting comes not, one soul landed more. 

One more in heaven, 

One less at home ! 
A sense of loss that meets us at the gate; 
Within, a place unfilled and desolate; 
And far away, our coming to wait. 

One more in heaven!" 

DEAN, Elias. — The progenitor of the Dean 
family in America was an Englishman, whose 
craving for religious freedom led him to aban- 
don his native land and sail with that intrepid 
company which since has been immortalized in 



810 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



song and story as the Pilgrims of the Mayflower. 
The immigrant Dean laid the foundation of his 
colonial fortunes in Virginia, and one of his suc- 
cessors, the great-grandfather of Elias Dean, the 
latter a farmer of Birmingham Township, Schuy- 
ler County, 111., followed the martial fortunes of 
Washington during the Revolutionary War. His 
son left his peaceful fields in Virginia and enlisted 
in the War of 1812. John Dean, son of the sol- 
dier of 1812, and father of Elias Dean, also was 
born in Virginia, and married Catherine Heave- 
nor, daughter of Nicholas Heavenor, of West 
Virginia, the latter a native of Germany. To 
John Dean and his wife were bom fifteen chil- 
dren, of whom Elias, the third youngest, was 
born in Lewis County, W. Va„ April 11, 1839. 
Of the other children in the family, Nicholas 
died at the age of ninety-three years; William 
attained to the same unusual age; Julian, Mary, 
Matilda, Elizabeth and Malinda are deceased; 
Eliza, now sixty-four years old, is the wife of 
Allen Keissling, of Virginia; Jacob Marshall 
lives on the old Virginia homestead; Solomon 
lives in Buchanan. Va. ; John is a farmer of 
Hancock County, 111.; George is a farmer of Up- 
shur County. Va. ; Jacob farms on the old home- 
stead on the old Virginia homestead; Elias is 
the farmer of Birmingham Township, Schuyler 
County ; and Perry, of Weir, Kan., served dur- 
ing the Civil War in the Upshur County Bat- 
tery. John Dean stanchly supiwrted the Union 
during the Civil War, and ever was on the side 
of the unfortunate and oppressed wherever 
found. His heart reached out to the need of all 
mankind, and he would share his last cent or 
sack of flour with oue who needed it more than 
himself. He was an ardent member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, held some office 
therein, and contributed generously towards its 
charities and general support. Throughout this 
part of the country he was known as "Uncle 
John," and was much beloved by children and 
frequently consulted by the older class. 

The early subscription schools afforded the 
first educational advantage to Elias Dean, his 
father paying so much a year for the schooling 
of each of his many children, usually from three 
to four dollars a season. He helped on the 
home farm until his sixteenth year, when there 
returned to Schuyler County his uncle Jacob, who 
had made a comfortable living in Iowa, and was 
much enthused over the prospects in that State. 
In 185G Elias went to Iowa with his uncle, and 
near Burlington found work on a farm at ten 
dollars a month for two years. In 1858 he came 
back to Schuyler County and worked for fourteen 
dollars a month, and while taking advantage of 
the small social diversions afforded in the neigh- 
borhood, met Miss Electa T. Graham, daughter of 
Win. W. Graham, whom he married August 16, 
1SG0. The young people set up housekeeping on 
a farm owned by Mrs. Dean's father in Section 
22, Birmingham Township, and about 1892 pur- 
chased 400 acres of land in Section 14, the same 
township, making, in all, with the 520 acres in 
the first farm, 920 acres. Of the first farm he 



gave his son a quarter-section, sold to Peter 
Greenleaf 200 acres, and bought 140 acres in 
Section 14. Upon the 400 acre farm he had, at 
the time of the panic of 1893, 140 head of 
blooded cattle, for which he was obliged to buy 
corn in Nebraska for feed, and the price dropped 
down until he sold his stock outright for three 
cents a pound. This farm Mr. Dean sold, but he 
now uwns 340 acres of as fine land as the county 
contains, well stocked and improved, and 
equipped with well constructed and capacious 
buildings. It is an ideal home and farming 
property, practically insuring good returns each 
succeeding year, and netting its owner a large 
surplus over even the most unexpected demands. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Dean have been born the fol- 
lowing children : John Franklin, who is mar- 
ried and has five children — Robert F„ Nellie, 
Myrtle, Eltha and Harry, and who farms near 
the old homestead ; Mary E., deceased at the age 
of sixteen years; Catherine, wife of John E. 
Moon, a farmer of this township, and mother or 
four children — Bessie, Iva, Jacob J. and Ervin 
Elias Moon ; Charles S., married to Lona Math- 
eny, and has four children — Ethel, Raymond. 
Mark, and Paul ; George, married to Ona Math- 
eny, and has five children — Roscoe, Elmore, Alma, 
May and Hazel ; Hattie, wife of Leander Hold- 
croft, and mother of Albert, Floyd, John and 
Electa E., and three children who died in in- 
fancy. Mr. Dean cast his first presidential vote 
for Abraham Lincoln, and he ever since has sup- 
ported the Republican party, notwithstanding the 
fact that he was born in the South, and had ab- 
sorbed its spirit and traditions. He is socially 
a member of the Union League, and his wife is 
identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
The idea of progress and stability have guided 
the endeavors of Mr. Dean ever since he began to 
work by the month for the modest sum of ten 
dollars. When he first began an independent 
life he had no money to buy harness for his 
horses, and was obliged to fashion this necessary 
article out of pieces of rope. During the day 
time he would grub stumps, cut down timber 
and burn brush at night. He has come the long 
way possible only with true determination and 
grit; and yet Ins life has by no means been a 
self-centered oue, but has reached out to influ- 
ence and help all with whom he came in con- 
tact. He is what is known as a "good mixer," 
a genial, sociable and sympathetic gentleman, 
and he has greatly benefited the township while 
serving as School Director and Road Commis- 
sioner. 

DEANE, Judge Hudson M., better known 
among his intimates, and by the general public 
in Schuyler County, 111., as "Hud" Deane, is one 
of the leading citizens of the town of Frederick, 
Schuyler County, which has been his home (ex- 
cept during a short absence) for more than half 
a century. He was born in the city of New 
York August 2, 1833. At an early age he re- 
moved to Poughkeepsie, N. T., and there re- 
ceived a liberal education. After completing his 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



811 



studies, lie accepted a position as clerk in a 
wholesale dry goods establishment in New York 
City, and, at a later period, discharged the duties 
of a similar connection in Albany, N. Y., for two 
years. Returning then to New York City, he 
resumed work in the concern where he had first 
been employed. A short time alter he attained 
his majority (in 1855), he met Maro Farwell of 
the firm of Farwell & Co., Frederick, 111., who 
was on a visit to the eastern metropolis for the 
purpose of purchasing goods for the store then 
conducted by them in Frederick, and was in- 
duced by the latter to accompany him on the 
homeward journey, and to enter their employ. 
On April 2, 1855, he commenced work in the 
Farwell store, continuing thus until 1858. In 
the latter year, he embarked in the mercantile 
trade under the firm style of H. M. Deaue & Co., 
but in 1859, sold out the business. In 1861, Mr. 
Deane assumed charge of the Schuyler Hotel in 
Frederick, changing its name to the Deane 
House. Later, he withdrew from the manage- 
ment of this place on account of ill-health, and 
after an interval of one year (in 1867) went to 
Macomb. McDonough County. 111., where he was 
proprietor of what had formerly been the Brown 
Hotel. The name of this he also changed to the 
Deane House, making many alterations and im- 
provements in the establishment. There he re- 
mained nearly two years, when he returned to 
Frederick and there conducted the Hotel Deane 
until March, 1902. In that year he sold the ho- 
tel property, and retired from active business 
responsibilities. He maintains an office, how- 
ever, attending to legal matters and pensions, as 
well as loans, real estate and insurance. He is 
still agile and sprightly at the age of seventy- 
four years, and as genial in temperament and 
cordial in manner as in the most vigorous days 
of his prime. During his long career as a public 
entertainer he became exceedingly popular, and 
no man is more widely and favorably known in 
Schuyler County than "Hud" Deane. Mr. Deane 
has accumulated considerable financial means, 
and is now in possession of a handsome compe- 
tency, being the owner of 105 acres of very de- 
sirable land in Frederick Township, besides sev- 
eral pieces of improved property in the town of 
Frederick. Apart from the twenty months spent 
in Macomb, he has lived continuously in Fred- 
erick since 1855. and his face and figure are 
familiar to all of its people. He has always 
manifested a creditable public spirit, and has 
been a diligent and useful member of the com- 
munity. On his first arrival in Frederick the 
business affairs of the town were in a lively con- 
dition, as it was the freighting point for nearly 
all the villages within a radius of forty miles. 
Then, all the goods sold in Macomb were hauled 
from Frederick. 

On February 17. 1859. Mr. Deane was united 
in marriage with Elizabeth Messerer, a daugh- 
ter of Anthony Messerer, who was one of the 
most highly respected among the pioneer settlers 
of Schuyler County. The father of Mrs. Deane 
was a native of Germany, and came to the United 



States early in the last century locating in 
Schuyler County about the year 1827. He was 
tlie first man elected to represent the village of 
Frederick, on the board of Township Supervisors, 
after the organization of Frederick Township 
and held that office many years, being the in- 
cumbent at the time of his death. Seven chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Deane, four of 
whom died in infancy. A son, Will McGeorge 
Deane. who was born in Macomb, 111., September 
28, 1S6S, was drowned July 10, 1879; Loulena 
•May, a daughter, is the wife of Charles E. 
Causey, residing in Peoria; and Stella W.. an- 
other daughter, married Walter J. Severns, of 
Bushnell, 111., and has one son, Deane J. Mrs. 
Deane, who was a woman of many graces, was 
possessed with most excellent traits' of character 
died March 3, 1902. 

Politically, Mr. Deaue is a lifelong Democrat, 
and has been very prominent and influential in 
the local affairs of his party. He has attended 
nearly all the Democratic State and County Con- 
ventions for many years, and has filled various 
township offices with credit to himself and with 
the commendation of Ins constituents. At one 
time, he held eleven positions by commission and 
appointment. He was successively Assistant 
Postmaster and Postmaster of Frederick, his 
service in both capacities covering a long period. 
For nearly thirty years, he discharged the 
duties of Coroner of Schuyler County, and 
acted as Deputy Sheriff fourteen years. He 
had an extended experience as Justice of 
the Peace, his incumbency in that office cov- 
ering a period of thirty-six years, in which 
time he became versed in legal routine and 
performed the marriage ceremony on nearly 
five hundred different occasions. In fraternal 
circles, he is identified with tbe K. of P., Lodge 
No. 207, Beardstown. III., in which he has passed 
through all the chairs, including that of Chan- 
cellor Commander. He is also affiliated with 
the Knights of the Maccabees of the World, in 
which he has likewise passed through all the 
local chairs. In the sunset period of life, 
"Hud" Deane enjoys the unreserved confidence 
and hearty good wishes of the entire community 
in which his busy and useful career has been 
spent. 

DE COUNTER, Samuel.— A lifelong resident of 
the locality which is still his home, and still in 
the days of his prime, one of the most vigorous, 
successful and useful characters of Schuyler 
County, was bom in Ripley (once a part of 
Woodstock) Township, Schuyler County, 111., 
October 4, 1827. He is a son of Peter Frederick 
ami Nancy De Counter, natives of France. His 
father was a soldier in the Napoleonic wars, and 
was with Bonaparte when the great Emperor 
was captured. Having effected his escape, the 
subject of this sketch immediately came to the 
United States, landing at New Orleans. After 
teaching school there for awhile he went to St. 
Louis, and then to Boone's Lick. Mo., where 
about the year 1823 he was married to Nancy 



812 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Scouts, a lady of Scotch-German descent. In the 
spring of 1827 they came to Illinois, settling in 
Schuyler Cotmy, in the southeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 33, Woodstock Township. Peter F. De 
Counter cleared and cultivated a well conducted 
farm in moderate extent, on which he remained 
until the time of his death, in 1S55, his wife 
having passed away in 1S33. They were the 
parents of two children. Jeanetta and Samuel. 
The former married Jonas Albert, by whom she 
had three children, as follows: William Albert, 
Ida and Samuel Albert. William A. is now a 
resident of Kansas, living in Smoking Valley. 
Ida first married Alpheus Eddy, and after his 
death, Jonas Albert, by whom she had one child, 
Sherman Dalgreen, now living at Los Angel is, 
Cal., both of his parents being deceased, the death 
of the mother having occurred in 18S4. Samuel 
Albert has been for twenty years lost to the fam- 
ily, no tidings of him having been received dur- 
ing that period. 

In early youth, Samuel De Counter had an 
opportunity of attending school about three 
months only. He left home when he was a little 
more than twelve years of age, his father having 
married a second time. When quite a young 
man, he had some experience in riding race 
horses, and from that drifted into teaming. 
About the year 1850 he turned his attention to 
farming in the vicinity of his birthplace, and in 
I860, bought eighty acres of land in Section 27, 

W Istoek Township, four acres of which had 

been cleared. A log cabin with a wide fireplace 
stood in the opening, and into this Mr. De Coun- 
ter moved, and applied himself to the arduous 
task of clearing the ground of timber and brush. 
and making a comfortable home and productive 
farm. In this effort he achieved a signal suc- 
cess. Under careful and sagacious management, 
all his undertakings were attended by profitable 
results. To his original 80-acre purchase he 
made additions amounting to 958 acres, and the 
home farm now comprises 1038 acres, of which 
668 acres are in Camden Township. His career 
has l>een one of the most prosperous ever known 
in Schuyler County. Beginning without the ad- 
vantages of even ordinary schooling and desti- 
tute of financial resources, he gained his educa- 
tion through keen observation and by availing 
himself of every opportunity of self-instruction, 
and this, together with energy, perseverance, 
thrift and integrity, is the foundation of his 
present handsome competency. Naturally pos- 
sessed of a strong mind and sound judgment, he 
became a leader in connection with the agricul- 
tural interests of the county, and for many years 
was conspicuous in all enterprises pertaining to 
its progress and development. In the period of 
liis activity, he was always a man of genial dis- 
position, of jovial bearing and kindly impulses, 
and never declined to relieve the needs of any- 
one aproaching him in distress. 

Mr. De Counter has been twice married, his 
first marriage taking place in 1850, when Cather- 
ine Miller became his wife. Three children were 
the issue of this union, namely : Frederick S., 



Maurice and Emma. Frederick first married a 
lady named Shull, and after her death, was 
wedded to a Miss Ronery, residing in Camden 
Township, Schuyler County, who is now de- 
ceased. He was the father of seven children by 
this marriage, as follows : one who died in in- 
fancy ; Harriet, Anna, Dorothy and Brice, all 
deceased ; Peter F. and Clarence of Califarnia. 
Frederick De Counter departed this life in 1895. 
Maurice De Counter married Minnie Houser, and 
by her had seven children, namely: Dotty and 
Mary, both of whom died at the age of twenty 
years ; Nettie, who died in 1005 ; Samuel, de- 
ceased; Susan, Leila and Lon. Maurice De- 
Counter died in January, 1001, and his widow is 
a resident of Camden Township. Emma, the 
third child of Samuel De Counter's first mar- 
riage, became the wife of Nelson Hiding, a 
farmer in Camden Township, and they had eight 
children, namely: Laura, Samuel, Katie and 
Daisy (deceased), Clifford, Logan.. Raleigh, and 
Guy. Catherine (Miller) De Counter, first wife 
of the subject of this sketch, passed away in 
1S54, and Mr. De Counter subsequently wedded 
Harriet Stubbs, who died, much lamented, No- 
vember 7, 1006. She was a faithful and de- 
voted companion and a constant helpmeet of her 
husband for half a century, and much of his 
success is attributed to her invaluable assistance. 
Her union with Mr. De Counter resulted in one 
child, Catherine, who died at the age of nineteen 
years. The latter became the wife of George 
Luthey, and was the mother of one child, Clar- 
ence. 

Politically, Samuel De Counter has been an 
adherent of the Democratic party throughout his 
mature life, but has never entertained any ambi- 
tion for official distinction. On numerous oc- 
casions he has been solicited by appreciative 
friends to become a candidate for public office, 
but has steadfastly declined, preferring to devote 
his whole attention to his extensive personal in- 
terests, and to promoting the welfare of the 
community by his earnest endeavors as a pri- 
vate citizen. lie is profoundly respected by all 
classes in the locality where his career has 
spanned a period of four-score years. 

DEMAREE, William L— Not the least valua- 
ble of the legacies left Schuyler County by citi- 
zens of an earlier generation are the sons who 
bear their names and painstakingly maintain 
their standards of enterprise by vigorous effort. 
Something of the iron of this courageous band 
has entered into the lives of their progeny, who, 
placed in different and less exacting circum- 
stances, fulfill their destiny with equally com- 
mendable zeal and conscientiousness. Belong- 
ing to this class is William L. Demaree, who 
was born in Section 16, Rushville Township, 
.Tune 7. 1858. and who now owns a splendid farm 
of 280 acres in Section 22 of the same township. 
Mr. Demaree is one of the absolutely dependable 
men of his section, a man in touch with agri- 
cultural science, chemistry and all needful farm 
knowledge, a politician who has proved himself 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



813 



above the petty temptations of the offices he has 
held, and a promoter of all that tends to make 
country life broad, enjoyable and useful. 

Ludwell H. Demaree, father of William L., 
was born in Mercer County, Ky., being of French 
ancestry. Me was reared on a farm, and in 
early life married Martha Yankee, a native of 
Washington County, with whom he came to 
Schuyler County in 1S57. Locating on Section 
16, Rushville Township, be eventually became 
the owner of 204 acres, the most of it under 
heavy timber, and considerable of which was 
cleared at the time of his death on October 10, 
1S72. The mother of our subject died Septem- 
ber 4, 18S8. He was a man of broad mind and 
liberal education, and in his native state and 
for a year after coming to Schuyler County, was 
engaged in school teaching with considerable 
success. He became one of the leading men of 
the community, filled various political offices, 
including that of Supervisor of Rushville Town- 
ship, and was extremely active in church work, 
for practically all of his active life associating 
himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church 
South. For many years he was a church official, 
serving as delegate to District and General Con- 
ferences, and was generous in his contributions 
to local and foreign missions. Socially he was 
a Mason, and of all the men in the community 
he was one of the most genial, sympathetic and 
approachable. One daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Ludwell H. Demaree died at three years of age. 
Of three sons and three daughters living, Me- 
linda Bell is the wife of Leonidas Scott, of Rush- 
ville; Laura is the wife of Alexander Aeheson, 
of Bainbridge Township; John H. is a resident 
of Wohurn, 111. : <;eorge L. is a conductor out of 
Danville, 111., and Nora, wife of J. A. Harrison, 
is now- living in Birmingham Township, and Wil- 
liam L. is the subject of this sketch. Mrs. W. 
L. Demaree belonged to a family of three chil- 
dren, of whom her brother Robert is living at 
Bardolpb, McDonough County. 

William L. Demaree spent his youth on the 
home farm, and while pierforining -many hard 
tasks, developed great stability and strength of 
character. That he bad initiative and resource- 
fulness was demonstrated during his fourteenth 
year. when, owing to the death of his father, the 
management of the farm devolved largely upon 
him. He left the old place at the time of his 
marriage April 1, 1883, to Rebecca, daughter of 
John and Margaret (Aeheson) Hamilton, who 
was born in Rushville Township December 27, 
1855. Her father. Mr. Hamilton, died August 
26, 1800. ami Mrs. Hamilton on June 26. 1872. 
Settling on a farm of 140 acres in Section 0. 
Rushville Township, Mr. Demaree made many 
improvements thereon, adding sixty acres and 
having in all 200 tillable acres. Disposing of 
this farm in 1893, he bought 280 acres in Section 
22. Rushville Township, which be has converted 
into one of the best farming properties in the 
neighborhood. In 1900 he erected one of the 
finest rural residences in the county, heated by 
hot water and with water facilities throughout. 



It is furnished in modern fashion, has eleven 
large and airy rooms, and the best known plumb- 
ing and ventilation. The general apearance of 
the farm is in keeping with the home of the 
occupants, suggesting much thought for comfort, 
convenience and beautiful natural effects. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Demaree have been born 
three children, namely : Dwigbt Edgar, bom 
July 7, 1S86, and died January 27, 1902; Paul, 
born May 30, 1890, and Morris H., born February 
4, 1893. 

Mr. Demaree is one of the most useful as well 
as many-sided men in his township. He be- 
lieves in bringing outside influences to the farm, 
in keeping in touch with the happenings without 
his boundaries, and in cultivating pleasant and 
sociable relations with those among whom his 
lot is cast. He is an earnest and consistent 
advocate of temperance, a Prohibitionist in poli- 
ties, and advocates at all times the simple, unos- 
tentatious life. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch 
Mason and Knight Temjilar. lie is one of the 
most liberal and far-seeing men of his com- 
munity, and his home is the center of a fine and 
unfailing hospitality. 

DEWITT, Allen.— In the environments in 
which his activities are centered in Woodstock 
Township, Allen Dewitt is approved for bis in- 
dustry anil good judgment, and respected for bis 
uprightness and public spirit. Tears of appli- 
cation under somewhat discouraging circum- 
stances have made him the owner of a farm of 
1721/2 acres in Sections 12 and 13, all under cul- 
tivation, and upon which he has erected a com- 
fortable home, large barns and outhouses, and 
added such general improvements as were sug- 
gested by his conservative and cautious advance- 
ment. He first became a land-owner in 1899, 
purchasing ninety-two acres of his present farm, 
and the best improvement on the place at the 
time was a log cabin erected in 1820. Into this 
the family moved and there lived until 1896, 
when the primitive reminder of the days of the 
frontier gave place to the present modern rural 
home. Mr. Dewitt is engaged in genera] farm- 
ing, raising also a high grade of cattle, hogs and 
horses. He has done much to insure the comfart 
and happiness of his family independent of 
financial returns, and the place is well suplied 
with beautiful shade trees, shrubs, gardens ami 
an orchard bearing a variety of fruit. 

Mr. Dewitt is a native of Woodstock Town- 
ship, where he was born on Section 1:;. October 
2. 1802. His parents. John and Rebecca 
(Skaggs) Dewitt, were natives of Ohio and 
Illinois, respectively, and his paternal grand- 
father. Henry Dewitt. was born in Kentucky. 
Both the Dewitt and Skaggs families came earlv 
to Illinois, and John Dewitt married in 1858, 
the same year settling in Section 13. Woodstock 
Township, where he lived until about 1874. He 
then bought a farm in Section 1. the same town- 
ship, and two years later his quiet and unos- 
tentatious life came to an end. his legacy to 
those who survived him being well improved 



814 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



property, a good name and an example of hon- 
estly and fair dealing. His wife still makes her 
home on the old place, enjoying fair health after 
a long and industrious life, and after rocking the 
cradle of ten children, Ave sons and five daugh- 
ters. Of these the following survive: Laura, 
wife of John C. Logsdon, of Cooperstown. Brown 
County, 111.; Allen; John, of Woodstock Town- 
ship; Lizzie, wife of Mr. John Dieterich, of 
Cooperstown and brother of Judge Dietrich, 
whose biography appears on another page of this 
work ; Elmer and Almira, twins, the former on 
the home place and the latter the wife of F. M. 
Bowen, of Elleuburg, Wash.: Lucy, wife of 
Henry Kicb, a farmer of Brown County; and 
Joseph, a farmer of Woodstock Township. 

The marriage of Allen Dewitt and Cora G. 
Snyder occurred November 22. 1888, Miss Sny- 
der being a daughter of Jacob and Margaret 
(Rush) Snyder, of Mount Sterling, 111. "Her 
parents were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio. 
Mr. and Mrs. Snyder were the parents of nine 
children, six of them living as follows: John B. 
resides at Cooperstown, Brown County, 111.; 
Ida, wife of J. H. Chute of the same place ; Mrs 
Allen Dewitt; Charles H. of Cooperstown, 111.; 
Oliver E„ of Mt. Sterling, 111.; Arthur L. of 
Ripley, Brown County, 111. Those deceased 
were : Joseph P. of Cooperstown, 111. ; Luella B., 
wife of Shelton Hoffman, of Mt. Sterling, 111.; 
Angie E., wife of Martin T. Howell, of Coopers- 
town, 111. ; Mrs. Suyder, the mother of this fam- 
ily, passed away December 1.".. 1892. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt are the parents of six- 
children : an infant who died unnamed : Ruth 
born Aubust 9, 1891; Margaret, born July s! 
1893; Gladys, born October 2, 1896; Dena born 
April .-'.ii. 11)01; Aline, born May 17, 1903. Mr 
Dewitt is popular socially, and is identified 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of 
Ripley. 111. In politics he is affiliated with the 
Republican party, 

DEWITT, Cyrus L.— Of the men whose half- 
century of experience has been centered in 
Schuyler County, none express in more forcible 
language the value of homelv, sterling virtues 
than Cyrus I,. DeWitt The industry, honesty 
and public-spiritedness of this well-to-do retired 
citizen of Rushville, has been a source of un- 
failing pride to his fellow townsmen for many 
years, and his rise from small beginnings, and 
with comparatively meager early advantages, has 

1 " ;'" inspiration to many of' the youth of the 

present generation. Mr. DeWitt was born in 
the then very small village of Littleton. Schuy- 
ler County, December 20. 1857, and bis early in- 
fluences were such as to bring out the ' best 
traits of his character. Of his father. . Rev. 
James DeWitt, an old time Methodist Episcopal 
clergyman, mention is made elsewhere in this 
work. 

Mr. DeWitt received his preliminary training 
in the public school of Littleton, and, what was 
better, acquired a taste for learning which has 
increased steadily with the passing years. He 



remained on his father's farm until about twenty 
years of age, in 1887 locating on a rented 
farm near Littleton, where he engaged in general 
fanning and stock-raising until his marriage, 
February 1. 1888. to Bertha McKee, daughter of 
William McKee, one of the successful and hon- 
ored pioneers of Schuyler County. Mrs. DeWitt 
was born near Rushville, 111.. July 2, 1803, and 
was educated in the public schools. The young 
people began housekeeping on the old McKee 
homestead, in Section 18, Rushville Township, 
making that their home, and devoting its 320 
acres to produce and stock-raising until Mr. 
DeWitt retired from farming and purchased 
his present beautiful and costly home in Rush- 
ville in the fall of 1906. Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt 
are the parents of one daughter, Helen, born 
Oct. 27, 1805. As a result of his unremitting 
industry and good judgment, he now is the 
owner of 160 acres in Littleton Township, 100 
acres in Rushville Township, a part of which 
lies in the town of Rushville. William McKee 
died several years ago, and his wife, who now is 
in her eighty-third year, is living with Mr. and 
Mrs. DeWitt. Mrs. McKee retains her faculties 
practically unimpaired, and delights in recalling 
the pioneer days of which she was an important 
and industrious part. 

In addition to his substantial success as a 
farmer, Mr. DeWitt has achieved notice in the 
community in a variety of ways, and at the pres- 
ent time is General Superintendent of the Grange 
Telephone Company, the mo.st extensive tele- 
phone organization in Schuyler County. He was 
one of the organizers and a charter member of 
this organization, and its present excellent stand- 
ing speaks well for the enterprise and practical 
interests of its present Superintendent. Al- 
though stanchly in favor of Republican principles 
and issues, he has steadfastly refused official 
honors, preferring the duties which have lain 
closer at hand, and which are less variable in 
their demands upon his time and strength. He 
is a keen appreciator of the advantages of fra- 
ternal associations, and has been a member of 
the Masons for many years. Education, ethics, 
good roads, charitable organizations and county 
interests in general, have received his earnest 
and practical supi>ort, and his advice regarding 
important issues in the community ever has been 
sound, far-sighted and worthy of confidence. 
Many good deeds and many disinterested kind- 
nesses are attributed to him. and his name stands 
for the strong character and worth of the com- 
munity. 

DEWITT, Rev. Jame? (deceased). — Arriving 
In Schuyler County in the latter 'thirties as an 
almost penniless pedestrian in search of a wider 
field of labor, Rev. James DeWitt remained the 
associate of the growing fortunes of this part of 
the State until his death. September 9, 1897, 
achieving success in the meantime as a farmer, 
merchant. Methodist Episcopal clergyman and 
politician. Mr. DeWitt was born in Hope, War- 
ren County. X. J., November 5. 1817, a son of 




/>u-<3 A/. 7 . /W^v^. 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



815 



James and Anna (Coates) DeWitt, both natives 
of New Jersey, the former born in Sussex 
County. The family came to Oakland County, 
Mich., in 1842, and here the elder DeWitt died 
at the age of ninety-six years, his wife dying at 
the age of seventy years. They reared a family 
of eight children, of whom Rev. James was next 
to the youngest. 

James DeWitt knew few advantages in his 
youth, and the responsibility of self-support set- 
tled upon his life when but thirteen years had 
passed over bis head. He then began to clerk 
in the store of an older brother, and about 1830 
went to Pennsylvania, and filled a similar posi- 
tion in the general store of another brother. In 
the spring of 1S38 he came by canal, river and 
rail to St. Louis, Mo., thence by boat up the 
Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to Schuyler 
County, where he clerked for the rest of the sum- 
mer for Dr. B. V. Teel. Thrifty and economi- 
cal, he saved all possible of his meager earnings, 
expending the same on a trip back to New Jersey, 
where he spent the summer of 1839. Returning 
to Schuyler County in the fall of the same year, 
he secured a position with Wilson & Greer, 
which he held until 1S42, when bis marriage, 
on January 25tb. to Ellen Little, became the 
determining factor which resulted in his remain- 
ing in Rushville as a clerk in the general store 
of his father-in-law, James Little. Mrs. DeWitt 
was born in Columbia, Lancaster Comity, Pa., 
and died in Schuyler County at the age of sixty- 
one years. She was the mother of seven chil- 
dren : James L., John M., George W.. Euphemia 
E., who died at eleven years of age, Elizabeth, 
widow of John A. Young, living in Schuyler 
County; Cyrus L.. mention of whom may be 
found elsewhere in this work ; and William A. 
James and Rebecca Little, parents of Mrs. De- 
Witt, were born in Ireland, and came to the 
United States in 1801, their deaths occurring in 
Schuyler County at the age of seventy and eighty- 
four years respectively. October 3, 1883, Mr. 
DeWitt contracted marriage with Mrs. Catherine 
H. (Pittinger) Waddell. 

Leaving the employ of his father-in-law in 
1844. Mr. DeWitt engaged in business for himself 
with Mr. Greer, eventually having other business 
partners, but in 1850 disposed of bis business and 
with his brother-in-law. Dr. W. H. Window, en- 
gaged in conducting a general store in Littleton 
Township, with which be was connected for 
about ten years. In 1862 be located on a farm 
and intelligently developed its resources up to the 
time of bis death. In the meantime, the com- 
mercial side of life had by no means over- 
shadowed the large moral usefulness which in- 
spired his activity for more than half a century. 
With but limited scholastic advantages, he yet 
secured an excellent education, and he made 
study one of the great objects of his life. Hav- 
ing determined upon the ministerial life he com- 
pleted a theological course in one year, and 
thereafter exerted a wide influence in the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church as a local preacher. He 
had earnestness ami enthusiasm, and compara- 



tive religious breadth and tolerance, and his 
half century in the ministry was prolific of good 
to uncounted thousands. Politically also he was 
prominent and influential, serving as County 
Treasurer, Postmaster, Deputy Marshal, Census 
Enumerator for one half of the county, as Rep- 
resentative in the State Legislature one term 
(1875-7G), and Supervisor for ten terms. 

DIETERICH, Judge William H.— The present 
Judge of Schuyler County and former City At- 
torney of Rushville and Master in Chancery of 
Schuyler County, not only is a strong and force- 
ful exponent of legal science, but is a politician 
of more than average influence and ability, a 
popular member of various social organizations, 
and a public-spirited promoter of enterprises that 
tend to the permanent well-being of the com- 
munity. In addition, he belongs to the pre- 
dominating class of self-made men, and from 
earliest youth has shown a resourcefulness in 
keeping with his well defined and purposeful 
ambitions. 

A native of Cooperstown, Brown County, 111., 
Mr. Dietrich was born March 31, 18TG. a son 
of George H. and Anna K. (Berg) Dieterich, 
both of whom were born in Germany. Mr. 
Dieterich's home training included a knowledge 
of the German language, which has been of great 
help to him in many emergencies of his career. 
His people were early settlers and farmers of 
Brown County, where he attended the public 
schools and evidenced tastes and abilities which 
must needs seek other environment for their 
proper development. At the age of seventeen 
years in 1893, he came to Rushville and entered 
the Normal School, returning to Cooperstown 
the following spring. In 1895 he was appointed 
an oflicial of the Illinois Central Hospital at 
Jacksonville, 111., a position which he resigned 
in September, 1896, that he might return to the 
Normal School, from which he was graduated 
with honor in the class of 1S97. For the follow- 
ing four terms he served as one of the faculty of 
his home school at LaGrange, 111., where he 
achieved merited popularity both as a teacher 
and associate of his pupils. 

In the meantime Mr. Dieterich had planned to 
devote his energies to the profession of law, and 
in 1898 became a student in the law office of 
Glass & Bottenberg, the following year entering 
the law department of the Northern Indiana Uni- 
versity at Valparaiso. After his admission to 
the bar of Illinois, on June 5, 1901. he settled 
permanently in Rushville. where he has since 
been engaged in a general practice of law, and 
has advanced to a degree of success rarely 
realized by anyone in so short a time. His 
election as City Attorney of Rushville occurred 
in 1903, and the same year was appointed Mas- 
ter in Chancery for Schuyler County, which 
office he held for two terms. His allegiance to 
the Democratic party dates from his first voting 
days, and has been characterized by its strenu- 
ous support as a campaigner, official and dele- 
gate. In the former capacity he is aided by 



816 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



special gifts as au orator, including clear and 
logical thinking, and perfect command of the 
subject upon which he intends to speak. He 
was a delegate to the senatorial convention at 
Plymouth in 1900, and a committeeman of the 
senatorial district, which latter position he still 
holds, as well as thai of Chairman of the Demo- 
eratic Central Committee of Schuyler County. 
He was a delegate to the State Convention in 
1902, and to the Judicial Convention at Pitts- 
field in 1903, and was chairman of the special 
Judicial Convention which met at Jacksonville 
in 1906 to till vacancy caused by the death of 
Hon. Thomas Meehan. He also has served as 
Alderman of the Third ward, and as Treasurer of 
the Rushville Union schools for three terms. 
In November, 1906, he was elected County Judge 
of Schuyler County, a position which he still 
holds. 

The family of Mr. Dieterich consists of his 
wife. Nona J. (Runkle) Dieterich, who was born 
in Littleton. Schuyler County, and educated in 
the public schools of Rushville. They have one 
child, Ruth, another daughter, Helen, having 
died May 22. 1007, at the age of five years and 
seven months. Fraternally Mr. Dieterich is 
identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Modern Wood- 
men of America. He is one of the most erudite 
and capable members of the bar of Schuyler 
County, which fact, taken in connection with his 
predilection for public affairs, would seem to as- 
sure him a future of great promise and useful- 
ness. 

DIXON, Robert Bruce.— No farmer of Schuyler 
County has achieved greater success in agricul- 
tural pursuits than has Bruce Dixon, whose 
beautiful homestead lies on Section 2 of Hickory 
Township and whose landed possessions com- 
prise 852 acres. Through his unaided exertions 
lie lias risen to prominence as a farmer. Noth- 
ing aided him in his struggle except the fact that 
he was born of fine pioneer parentage and in- 
herited the splendid traits which characterized 
the men who developed our western lands. His 
early home was in a log cabin destitute of nearly 
every comfort. Now his home is one of the 
most comfortable and convenient to be found in 
the entire county. Hot and cold water are to 
be found in every room, while gasoline furnishes 
li.'ht for the residence. By the aid of a gasoline 
engine, water is forced from a spring to a tank 
on a high hill back of the house. From the 
tank the water is forced into the house, the barn 
and the feedlots, sufficient being furnished the 
latter to water :'.i«> head of stock. The stock- 
barn. 82x65 feet in dimensions, is one of the 
most complete in this region, in fact in all the 
western part of the State. Every facility has 
been provided for the prompt and easy care of 
from one to two hundred head of stock, and only 
the best cattle and hogs are bred on the place. 

The Dixon family was founded in America by 
John Dixon in 1832, he being accompanied by 
his family, which included a son. James, born in 



county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1816. After landing 
in New York, the family traveled overland to 
Ohio and settled in Coshocton County, that State, 
where the parents died about 1S41." One of the 
children. Jane, remained in Ohio, dying there in 
1843. Three sons, James, Robert and Stewart, 
came to Illinois, where James secured employ- 
ment on the canal. Later he went to Iowa and 
worked as a farm hand for nine dollars per 
mouth. At the end of three years he had drawn 
only four dollars of his wages, and with the 
balance of the money he bought a tract of wild 
land in Iowa. From there be came to Schuyler 
County, 111., where he bought eightly acres now 
known as the Fisher farm. This he sold for 
$8,000, which, with $1,000 additional, he in- 
vested in 202 acres of laud where his son now 
resides. At the time of his death, on September 
18, 1906, he owned 132 acres of as fertile land as 
could be found in the county. 

In February, 1852, James Dixon married Miss 
Rhoda Welkes, who was born in Ohio, and ac- 
companied her parents to Illinois, settling in 
Canton Township. Fulton County. Of her mar- 
riage four children were born, namely: Robert 
Bruce, who is better known by the name of 
Bruce: Margaret, who married William Price, 
a farmer in Hickory Township : John of Peoria ; 
and Frank, who is in Colorado Springs. Colo., for 
the benefit of his health. The recollections of 
James Dixon extended back to the days when 
the city of Chicago was only a duck pond; he 
remembered also one of the first steam railroads 
in America, that being the one built from New 
York City to Hudson, X. Y. In youth he worked 
on the old canal at Columbus. Ohio, where the 
work was done with the aid of shovels and 
wheelbarrows. In politics he was a stanch 
Domocrat. In early days he underwent many 
privations and hardships, but his genial Irish 
wit always saved the day and brought him 
friends in every circle of society. 

Born in Woodland Township. Fulton County. 
III., November 5, 1853, Bruce Dixon remained at 
home until he was twenty-one years of age. In 
1874 lie married Mary Parker, who died in 1883, 
leaving two children, namely: Sadie, who is the 
wife of Lee Bollinger, a farmer near Sheldon's 
Grove, Schuyler County: and Roy. who married 
Miss Sackman and lives on a farm in Schuyler 
County. The daughter has a son. Ernest, while 
Roy has two sons. Russell and Kenneth. The 
second wife of Bruce Dixon was Lizzie Lauder- 
bach. who died about 1893. There were three 
children of this union : Grove, Earl and Lizzie, 
the last-named having died in infancy. The 
present wife of Bruce Dixon was Miss Etta Tay- 
lor, born July 29. 1870, in Springfield. 111., where 
her father. James Taylor, also was born and 
reared. The death of Mr. Taylor occurred in 
1906. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon lost one child who 
died in infancy, and have surviving one son. 
Clifford, born April 29. 1897. For fifty-four 
years Mr. Dixon has made his home in Schuy- 
ler County and has been identified with the peo- 
ple of Hickory Township, where he bought his 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUXTY. 



817 



first piece of land, the same comprising 160 
acres on Section 11. From that first purchase he 
has built up his present posessions, becoming 
one of the largest land-owners of the township. 
Despite the labor connected nith the manage- 
ment of his property he has leisure for partici- 
pation in neighborhood affairs, keeps posted con- 
cerning national problems and furthermore fre- 
quently enjoys a hunt in the woods, where his 
skilled marksmanship is brought into evidence 
through the game that falls beneath his unerring 
aim. 

DODDS, Oren E., a farmer of enterprising and 
progressive tendencies, and a young man of ex- 
cellent traits of character, was born in Bain- 
bridge Township, Schuyler County, 111., his pres- 
ent home, March 3, 1877. His parents were 
Thomas and Emily (Ward) Dodds. natives of 
Schuyler County, whose family history will be 
found in a separate biographical narrative in 
this immediate connection. Mr. Dodds grew to 
manhood on the homestead farm, his youth being 
passed in assisting in the routine of labor upon 
the place, and attending the district schools of 
the vicinity. After remaining with his parents 
until he was twenty-five years of age, he began 
farming on his own responsibility, cultivating a 
farm belonging to bis lather. In 1904, Mr. 
Dodds bought 124 acres of land known as the 
"McCormick farm." and situated in Sections 12 
and 13. Bainbrldge Township, to which he moved 
in the fall of that year. The place was in a 
neglected condition, and he proceeded to put up 
fences, build barns, and materially improve the 
dwelling, until he transformed the property into 
a comfortable and attractive home. Besides 
general farming he devotes considerable atten- 
tion to stock raising, and breeds a good grade of 
horses, cattle and hogs. 

On March 20, 1002. Mr. Dodds was joined in 
matrimonial bonds with Margaret L. Bellamy, 
who was born January 20. 1884, and is a daugh- 
ter of D. M. and Lucinda (Greer) Bellamy, both 
natives of Schuyler County. Her father, who 
was a well known farmer, died January 30. 1004. 
and her mother is still living on the old home- 
stead farm in Bainbridge Township. To the union 
of Mr. and .Mrs. Dodds two children have been 
born, namely : George Madison, born April 12, 
1003; and Lucy E., born March 24, 1007. 

Politically, Mr. Dodds is an adherent of the 
Democratic party, and held the office of Tax 
Collo , -tor from 1900 to 1002, discharging its du- 
ties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction 
of his constituents. Fraternally, he is identified 
with the M. W. A.. Pleasantview Camp. Xo. 
2040. Mrs. Dodds is a communicant of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, to which her hus- 
band is a liberal contributor. He is also a gen- 
erous supporter of the cause of education, and of 
all benevolent enterprises, and both he and his 
wife are highly esteemed throughout the com- 
munity. 

DODDS, Thomas.— For half a century the 



Dodds family have taken an active and leading 
part in the agricultural development and the 
civic progress of Bainbridge Township, Schuyler 
County, and their participation has never been 
clouded by anything suggestive of weak or dis- 
honorable conduct. Thomas Dodds, the repre- 
sentative so well known in this section of the 
State, was born in Canfield, Mahoning County, 
Ohio. October 25, 1852, a son of Samuel and Mar- 
garet J. (Wilson) Dodds. His parents were 
both born in County Down, Ireland, the mother 
coming to America when but a child and the 
father when a young man. their families settling 
in Canfield, where their marriage occurred. 
Samuel Dodds was born June 18, IMS. and came 
to America in 1845, first locating in Philadel- 
phia, where be plied bis trade as a shoemaker. 
Later he removed to Mahoning County, Ohio, 
where he married Miss Wilson June 10, 1848, 
and in 1858 came with his family to Schuyler 
County, settling on a farm in Section 23. Bain- 
bridge Township. They first arrived at Fred- 
erick and walked to an uncle's place in Bain- 
bridge Township, where they remaiued until the 
father could complete a log cabin on his land. 
He worked at his trade until he could clear the 
farm and derive his living from its products, 
after which he continued his improvements on 
the land and added a 40-acre tract to his origi- 
nal purchase. Finally he had the satisfaction 
of establishing one of the finest homesteads of 
120 acres in Bainbridge Township, and here his 
widow still resides with her son Samuel. The 
husband and father passed away October 25, 
1004, at the age of eighty-six years. 

The deceased was a strong man intellectually 
and morally. In politics he was a Democrat, 
and quite prominent in the public affairs of the 
county, serving as Justice of the Peace for many 
years] and also as Supervisor of the township. 
While not a member of any church, he liberally 
contributed to the support of several Protestanl 
societies, and was always prompt to uphold 
worthy movements of a charitable and moral 
nature. Any public enterprise which promised 
well for Bainbridge Township could rely upon 
the assistance of Samuel Dodds to the full extent 
of his means. While a man of strong and de- 
cided character, he was free in commending the 
work of others, and there was no one to whom 
he gave so much credit for his own success and 
happiness in the world as to his faithful and 
life-long partner, bis honored wife and now his 
widow. 

The following named children were born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Dodds: William J. Dodds, 
born December 25, 1840, and who is a farmer 
living near the old homestead; Thomas; Samuel, 
born September 25. 1854. and living with his 
mother on the home farm in Section 2:;. Bain- 
bridge Township: Martha, now the wife of Jack- 
son Ward, whose farm is in Section 12. Bain- 
bridge Township: Mary E.. who married Henry 
Drave. her husband's place being on the south- 
west quarter of Section 11. same township: 
Sarah J., wife of Thomas Herron, who reside on 



818 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



a farm in Section 13, and Elizabeth, who died in 
infancy. 

Thomas Dodds, the second child of the family, 
came with his parents from Ohio to Schuyler 
County when he was about six years of age. 
In the district school of Bainbridge Township he 
therefore obtained most of his education, remain- 
ing on the old home farm until his marriage in 
1874, at the age of twenty-one years. He then 
rented a farm of Thomas Herron. making his 
home with that gentleman's family for some 
time. He afterward moved to the farm, which 
he had also rented and which he successfully 
operated until 1879, when he purchased sixty 
acres in Section 11, Bainbridge Township, then 
only partially improved, but which he has since 
transformed into one of the handsomest and most 
productive farms in this part of the county. He 
lias made several additions to his original pur- 
chase, so that his homestead now consists of 18G 
acres. He has a beautiful home and surrounded 
by his family and numerous friends, is in a posi- 
tion to enjoy life and benefit the lives of others. 
His public services to the community have been 
noticeable, as he has held with honor several 
township offices, including those of Assessor and 
Supervisor. In politics he is a Democrat, while 
Ins ancestry and his warm sympathies make him 
a member of the Mutual Protective League. 
Both he and his family are members of the 
Southern Molho.lisl church. Although well 
known and highly esteemed as a public man and 
as a large breeder and shipper of live-stock. Mr 
Dodds probably takes the most substantial' and 
the deepest pride in the fact that he has given 
each of his children a good education and fitted 
them to be useful members of society, and from 
whatever point his life is viewed, it is found to 
be guided by a strong mind and regulated by a 
Christian conscience. Mr. Dodds is" also a man 
of strong physical constitution, as is illustrated 
by a serious accident which befell him twelve 
ago. On February 13, 1805, he was sawing a 
large tree. and. after cutting it through, started 
to run in the opposite direction from which he 
expected it to fall. Through some miscalcula- 
tion, it fell toward and upon him. crushing him 
to the earth. At first it was thought that he 
bad been killed, but although his injuries were 
very severe, he has now almost recovered, and 
his friends prophesy many more years of useful- 
ness and honor for him. 

On February 25. 1874, Mr. Dodds was wedded 
to Miss Nancy A. "Ward, who has borne him 
eleven children, namely: Julia, now the wife of 
William Malcomson, a farmer of Rushville 
Township. Schuyler County : Oren, a fanner of 
Bainbridge Township, who married Margaret 
Bellamy; Alma, wife of Bert Gabbert. a resident 
of Beardstown. III.; Curtis, living on the old 
home farm: Herbert, who died in infancy; 
Mabel, who. with filial affection and rare judg- 
ment, is devoting her life to the care of the 
household and the motherless children : Law- 
rence, a graduate of the commercial department 
of the Rushville Normal College, class of 1907; 



Margarette and Veretta Jane (twins), the latter 
of whom died in infancy ; David and Daisy, also 
twins, the latter dying young. 

The faithful mother of this family died on the 
loth of June, 1S96. She was a devout Christian, 
and one of the first converts to join the Mount 
Carmel Church at the meeting held in the Ward 
school house by the Rev. Mr. Johnson. Mrs. 
Dodd's character was tender, lovable and help- 
ful. She was always anxious to assist any one 
in trouble and never waited for an invitation be- 
fore doing acts of kindness. In the home es- 
pecially, the beauties of her being blossomed in 
their fulness; it was always the abode of the 
Christian woman, where forgiveness and loving 
kindness overrode the rigors of stern justice ; and 
it was here that the full measure of the loss 
caused by her death is more thoroughly appre- 
ciated. 

DODDS, Watson, a very creditable type of the 
younger element among the farming population 
of Schuyler County, 111., was born in Bainbridge 
Township, where his home is still located, on 
August 31, 1871, He is a son of William J. and 
Josephine (Hatfield) Dodds, natives of Ohio and 
Illinois, respectively. The paternal grand- 
parents. Samuel and Margaret Dodds. were orig- 
inally from Ireland and the grandparents on the 
maternal side, Charles and Mary (Lamaster) 
Hatfield, born in Kentucky, were among the 
pioneer settlers of Schuyler County, their advent 
in this region dating back to 1824. The career 
of Samuel Dodds and that of William J. Dodds 
are portrayed in separate narratives, published 
in this series of personal records. 

Watson Dodds was reared upon the paternal 
farm, receiving bis education in the district 
schools of the neighborhood. After assisting in 
work upon the home place until he was about 
twenty years of age, he commenced farming for 
himself on property owned by his father-in-law, 
on Section 15, Bainbridge Township, where he 
remained seven years. In 1898 he purchased 
140 acres in Section 15 of the same township, 
which he improved and develoi>od it into a very 
desirable farm. This place he disposed of in 
1906, buying eighty acres in Section 14, Bain- 
bridge Township, the purchase price being .$110 
per acre. It is one of the choicest 80-acre tracts 
in the entire township, and was bought for use 
as a permanent home. Mr. Dodds raises a fine 
grade of horses and cattle, and a pure breed of 
Poland-China hogs. Formerly, lie belonged to 
the Patrons of Husbandry, and for a considera- 
ble period, was Master of the Grange. A thor- 
oughly practical farmer, with strong common 
sense, and sound judgment, he combines all the 
qualities of a successful agriculturist. He is 
the bearer of one of the leading names in bis 
locality, the Dodds family having been long and 
conspicuously identified with the growth and 
prosperity of this portion of Schuyler County. 

On July 9. 1892, Mr. Dodds was united in 
marriage with Eva A. Strong, who was born in 
Illinois on December 15. 1872, a daughter of 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



819 



Thomas Q. and Augusta Strong, natives of Illi- 
nois and New York respectively. Two chil- 
dren have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Dodds, namely : Iva B., born March 1, 1893, 
and Forrest L., born June 4, 1895. 

In polities. Mr. Dodds is an earnest supporter 
of the Democratic party, and one of the most 
active political workers of the township. For 
two years, be held the office of Collector and 
served as School Treasurer eight years. He and 
his wife are members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, South, and both are held in high 
esteem by many friends. 

DODDS, William J., a farmer of sterling char- 
acter and recognized merit., who has been a resi- 
dent of Schuyler County, 111., for fifty years, and 
pursues his wonted occupation in Section 23, 
Bainbridge Township, was born in Mahoning 
County, Ohio, December 25, 1849, a son of 
Samuel and Margarette (Wilson) Dodds, natives 
of Ireland. Details in regard to his father's 
career, and further particulars relating to the 
family history, may be found in the biographical 
sketch of Thomas Dodds appearing elsewhere in 
this connection. William Dodds was brought to 
Illinois by his parents when he was nine years 
old, and bore received his education in the dis- 
trict schools and assisted in the work of the home 
farm until the time of his marriage. Alter that 
event he followed farming on rented land for a 
number of years. In ISTli, he bought a farm in 
Section 23, Bainbridge Township, which has been 
his home ever since. He owns forty-two acres, 
operates, in all, 122 acres, and is considered a 
thorough and systematic farmer. 

On August 11. 1S70, Mr. Dodds was united in 
marriage with Josephine Hatfield, who was bom 
in Schuyler County, August 11, 1849, a daughter 
of Charles and Mary (Lamcaster) Hatfield, na- 
tives of Kentucky, who were among the earliest 
settlers of Schuyler County, arriving about the 
year 1824. When they located in Bainbridge 
Township, Indians were much more numerous 
than white people in this region, and even after 
the marriage of Mrs. Dodds, traces of the wan- 
dering tribes were visible in every direction. 
Charles Hatfield died at the home of his son, 
Hugh Hatfield, in Bainbridge Township, at the 
age of eighty-six years, while his widow died at 
the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Dodds, when 
eight-seven years old. Five children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Dodds, as follows: Watson, 
Charles, Frank. Grover, and Grace A. A 
biographical record of Watson Dodds appears 
elsewhere in this connection. Charles Dodds, 
who married Bertha Newell, is a stock-feeder in 
the vicinity of Jacksonville, 111. : Frank is at 
home ; Grover, who married Lily Herron, is en- 
gaged in farming in Bainbridge Township, and 
is the father of three children, Zilpha, Beulah 
and Sarah : and Grace is with her parents. 

In politics. Mr. Dodds is a supporter of the 
Democratic party, and has rendered creditable 
service in various township offices. He has lived 
in Schuyler County since 1858. and has faithfully 



discharged the duties of a useful citizen, doing 
his share to promote the development of the 
locality, and always being identified with the 
best interests of the community of which he is 
a respected member. 

DODGE, J. Reuben, a very worthy and credita- 
ble type of the younger element of the agricul- 
tural class in Schuyler County, 111., who is liked 
and respected by his neighbors in Littleton 
Township, ami enjoys the confidence and good 
will of all who have dealings with him as a 
farmer and stock-raiser, was born in the same 
Township, September 30, 1877. Mr. Dodge is a 
son of John S. and Rachael ( Moore) Dodge, of 
McLean County, 111., and his grandparents on 
the paternal side were Solomon and Elizabeth 
( Springer) Dodge. Of the children of John S. 
Dodge and wife, three sons and three daughters 
are still living, the subject of this personal rec- 
ord being the fifth in order of birth. Both 
parents are well known and highly esteemed 
citizens of Littleton, where they now reside. 

In early youth, Reuben Dodge received his 
education in the common schools of Littleton 
Township, remaining at home until he reached 
the age of twenty-one years. Shortly after at- 
taining his majority, together with his brother 
Truman, he rented a farm of 230 acres, on which 
he lived five years. Subsequently, he located on 
the home farm in Section Id. Littleton Township, 
his father having withdrawn from active busi- 
ness in March, 1907. The farm consists of 100 
acres, well improved and in good condition. Be- 
sides general farming, Mr. Dodge devotes con- 
siderable attention to raising horses, cattle and 
bogs, and profitable results attend his efforts. 

i in October 30, 1900. Mr. Dodge was united in 
marriage with Florence Esther Sweeney, who 
was born in Camden Township, Schuyler County, 
111., May 29. 1885. Mrs. Dodge is a daughter of 
John and Lucretia (Lake) Sweeney, and her 
father is a prominent and successful farmer of 
Camden Township. She received her education 
partly in Kennedy's Normal School at Rushville, 
111., also pursuing a course of study in Michigan, 
in the High School at Flint. For some time, she 
was a teacher in the district schools in Schuyler 
County. 

rolitically, Mr. Dodge is a supporter of the 
Republican party, and takes a good citizen's in- 
terest in public affairs. He and his amiable 
wile are regarded as among the most estimable 
people of the locality. 

DOYLE, Simon (deceased), than whom no 
farmer of the early days in Schuyler County, 
111., was more worthy or more deeply respected, 
a citizen of eminent usefulness and a man of 
blameless life, was born in Maysville, Ky.. Sep- 
tember 30, 1821. He was a son of Edward and 
Jane fDickson) Doyle, natives of Kentucky. 
where bis lather was born in 1798. At an 
early day Edward Doyle came from Kentucky to 
Vermilion County, Ilk. during the 'thirties and 
thence removed to Rushville. Schuyler County. 



820 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



In early life Simon Doyle followed the cooper's 
trade, continuing in this occupation una] IS-ii), 

except during the period in which he was en- 
gaged in the Mexican War. On May 2<>, 1847, 
he enlisted in an independent cavalry company, 
of which he became Second Lieutenant under 
Capt. Adam S. Dunlap, and saw service in the 
field under Brig. Gen. John E. Wool, the com- 
pany being mustered out November 7. 1S4N. 
His widow, who still survives, is one of the few 
pensioners for service rendered by some member 
of their family in that war. 

On September 2, 1840, Mr. Doyle, with a 
large party from Schuyler County, left Rushville 
for the gold fields of California, and there was 
engaged in quest of precious metal from 1849 
until 1852, being among the fortunate ones whose 
labors were rewarded with success. Returning 
to Illinois in 1852, he made hut a brief sojourn 
in Rushville, when buying a lot of cattle and 
horses he started to drive them through to the 
Pacific Coast. When he reached the Indian 
eemntry the drove was stampeded, and 12 head 
of cattle were lost. Finally arriving at his des- 
tination, he made a profitable sale of the re- 
mainder of his stock, hut in the meantime had 
bought a ranch, which he was obliged to sell 
at a loss. In the fall of 1856, he bought out the 
interests of the other heirs of his father's es- 
tate. This consisted of 160 acres lying in Sec- 
tion 1. Buena Vista Township, where he made 
his home until the time of his death, Jan- 
uary 14, 1885. He was a man of great force 
of character, and while firm in his opinions, 
was tolerant in regard to the views of 
others, recognizing fully in all. the innate 
right to entertain views contrary to his own. 
He was animated by the most kindly impulses, 
generous to the needy, and hospitable to all. 
No one in destitution or straitened circumstances 
was ever turned from his door empty-handed. In 
all his relations, public and private, he illus- 
trated the virtues proverbially characteristic of 
tlie genial, chivalrous, sincere and honorable 
Kentucky gentlen lan. 

On August ■">. 1856, Mr. Doyle was united in 
marriage with Mildred Bagby. who was born in 
Glasgow, Ky., a daughter of Sylvanus M. and 
Frances (Courts) Bagby. natives of Virginia. 
Three children blessed this union, namely: 
Charles M.. Fdward M. and John B. The eldest 
son, Charles M.. was born July 30. 1857, on the 
homestead farm, where he now resides, and 
which has always been his home. He received 
bis education in the district schools, the Rush- 
ville public school, and Eureka College. Edward 
M.. born September 27. 1840. married Carrie M. 
Lambert, and lives in Rushville. Before his 
marriage he and his brother had joint charge of 
the home farm. John B. was born June 12, 18R2. 
and died in Joplin. Mo.. September 24. 1800. 
He enlisted in the Utah Regiment of Volunteer 
Light Artillery during the Spanish-American 
War and served as Corporal, being mustered into 
service July 14, 1808. Charles M. Dovle. the 
eldest son. has always made a specialty of 



raising Shropshire sheep, and now lias more 
than 100 head of fine, registered stock. He 
is a prominent and influential citizen, a Deni- 
ocral in politics, and has twice represented 
his township on the Board of Supervisors. 
Fraternally, lie is affiliated with the M. W. A. 
His aged mother, a woman of the most es- 
timable traits of character, and the object of 
profound respect on the part of all who know 
her. still lives with. him on the homestead and 
is mi the honored roll of pensioners of the Mex- 
ican War. She is a devout member of the 
Christian Church, as was her lamented hus- 
band. 

Simon Doyle was a stanch Democrat in pol- 
itics, and exercised a strong influence in local 
party councils. He filled various county offices 
with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of 
his constituents, having successively served as 
Treasurer. County Clerk and Sheriff of Schuyler 
County. In fraternal circles, he was identified 
witli the I. O. O. F., of which he was a charter 
member. The loss of such a man was sorely 
felt throughout the entire community, and his 
memory is warmly cherished by those who still 
revert to his broad philanthropy, and his fidelity 
to the best interests of the locality where the 
greater portion of his exemplary life was spent. 

DYSON, Edwin, editor and publisher of The 
Rushville Times, is one of the old guard of 
Illinois editors, and for more than fifty years 
has been engaged in newspaper work, and for 
forty years editor of The Times. Mr. Dyson 
was born in Shaw, Lancashire. England, July 
28, 1838, and was the youngest child of James 
and Hanna Dyson, who emigrated to America 
in 1841. 

James Dyson, father of the subject of this 
sketch, was born June 12, 1S00. and was married 
to Hannah Wilson in England, and they came 
to America with their family of four sons, in 
company with two brothers and two sisters of 
Mrs. Dyson. They took passage in a sailing 
vessel and were thirteen weeks on the water, 
landing at New Orleans. Here they met witli 
persons who directed them to Rushville as one 
of the most promising towns in the new coun- 
try, and they came up the Mississipppi and Illi- 
nois Rivers on a steamboat, and landed at Erie, 
Schuyler County, continuing their journey over- 
land to Rushville. 

Life on the frontier was a new experience 
to them as in the old country. Mr. Dyson had 
been employed in the textile mills, and soon 
after arriving in Rushville he started on a pros- 
pecting tour to make a new location, and visited 
the Galena country, which was then attracting 
large numbers of settlers. But on his return 
he was taken ill and died August 4. 1841. His 
widow was thus left in a new country with 
four young children to care for. but she was one 
of those self-reliant, sturdy women who soon 
adapted herself to the customs and manners 
of her adopted country. She was afterwards 





f v ' 





HISTORY OP SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



821 



married to Mr. Hampton, aud died in Rushville 
January 6, 1893. 

It was in the spring of 1854, that Edwin 
Dyson began his newspaper career, and he was 
then apprenticed to Daniel E. H. Johnson, editor 
of "The Schuyler Democrat," and as office 
"devil" assisted in getting out the first issue of 
that paper on April 20, 1S54. Two years later, 
when the paper was sold to George Washington 
Scripps, he remained an employe of the office 
and eight years later removed to St. Louis to 
take a position on "The St. Louis Republican" 
(now the Republic). 

While a resident of St. Louis he was sought 
by local Democrats to return and take charge of 
The Times, then owned by a stock company, 
and in the summer of 1SGS he purchased the 
paper al Sheriff's sale and since July 2, 1868, 
has been editor and proprietor and has placed 
The Times in the front rank of country news- 
papers. 

While always upholding the principles of 
Democracy, Mr. Dyson has not figured con- 
spicuously as a politician, and his term of po- 
litical office-holding has been limited to two 
terms as County Treasurer. 

On April 2. L860, Mr. Dyson was united in 
marriage to Mary Frances Irvin, daughter of 
Mr. and Mrs. William Henderson Irvin, who 
emigrated from Kentucky in 1845. Mr. Irvin's 
parents. Starling and Elizabeth (Leysher) Irvin, 
had located in Littleton Township as early as 
1839, coming from Garrard County, Kentucky. 
They were of Scotch descent and removed to 
Kentucky from Nova Scotia. 

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Dyson, and they are all living. Jennie L. was 
married to Dwight E. Ray, who died February 
27, 1888; Orion E. was married to Miss Jessie 
McOorkle, and now resides in Chicago; Howard 
F. is associated with his father in editing "The 
Tiincs." 

DYSON, George. — Upon the sound judgment, 

sagacity, integrity and faithful devotion to duty 
of the directing heads of the numerous private 
banking institutions which accommodate the 
financial needs of the rural population, depends, 
in a large degree, the general prosperity of the 
sections where these institutions are located. In 
this respect the city of Rushville. Schuyler 
County, 111., and the agricultural district sur- 
rounding it, are signally favored in the manage- 
ment of the affairs of the Bank of Schuyler 
County by one so eminently qualified for that 
purpose as the well-known gentleman whose 
name furnishes the caption of this personal 
narrative, Mr. Dyson was born in Rushville, 111.. 
March 2, 1867. He is a son of Joseph and Martha 
(Wheelhouse) Dyson, his father having been 
born in England, in 1831, and bis mother in the 
State "i' Ohio, in 1844. His paternal great-grand- 
father \\ :is (.1' Knu'lisli nativity, as was also 
Samuel Dyson, his grandfather. On the ma- 
ternal side, his grandparents were George and 
Mary (Brown) Wheelhouse, the former born in 



Lancashire. England, and the latter in Ohio, his 
great-grandparents being natives of England. 
Joseph Dyson was the proprietor of a harness 
business. 1 Hiring the 'thirties, when a mere buy, 
he came from England to the United States, 
proceeding to Illinois and traveling up the Illi- 
nois River to the town of Erie, which was then 
located below the town of Frederick, but all 
trace of which is now obliterated. Joseph Dyson 
settled in Rushville, and became very prominent 
in connection with local affairs. lie was long 
and conspicuously identified with the develop- 
ment and progress of the place, and served three 
terms in the capacity of Sheriff of Schuyler 
County. He died in 1S98. 

George Dyson received his education in the 
Rushville Union Schools, and after completing 
his studies applied himself to teaching. For five 
years, he taught in the schools of Frederick, 
Iluntsville and Browning, 111., occupying the 
position of Principal in each. During the last 
administration of President Cleveland Mr. Dyson 
was appointed Postmaster of the city of Rush- 
ville, and since the expiration of his term in 
that office, lie has served as Vice-President of 
the Bank of Schuyler County, to the affairs of 
which lie lias diligently devoted his attention as 
active manager. That he discharges the re- 
sponsibilities of this important position with 
marked ability and fidelity', is the consensus of 
opinion throughout the commercial ami financial 
circles of that portion of the State, and he en- 
joys the confidence and respect of the business 
and agricultural elements of Schuyler County 
to an uuusual extent. Although absorbingly 
occupied with the duties pertaining to the man- 
agement of the bank, he finds time to take an 
earnest interest in the general welfare of his 
city. In politics, he is a steadfast supporter of 
the principles of the Democratic Party. 

On March 2(1, 1908, Mr. Dyson was united in 
marriage to Miss Marie Bassett, of Paris, Mo. 
Mrs. Dyson is of one of the oldest and most 
prominent families of Missouri and is a cul- 
tured and charming lady. 

DYSON, Howard F., was born in Rushville, 
111., December 17, 1S70, and has ever since been 
a resident of that city. He was graduated from 
the Rushville High School in 1890, and after- 
wards spent two years at Rose Polytechnic in- 
stitute, Terre Haute, Ind. On returning home 
he entered upon newspaper work, and has ever 
since been connected with The Rushville Times. 

While engaged in his newspaper work. Mr. Dy- 
son has devoted some of his leisure time to local 
historical research, and his "Local Remi- 
niscences of Lincoln" was published in the Pro- 
ceedings of the State Historical Society, of which 
he is a member. His most important service 
in this line lias been rendered as author and 
editor of the "History of Schuyler County," of 
which this biographic chapter constitutes a sup- 
plemental part. 

A graduate of the Rushville High School. Mr. 
Dyson has ever taken an interest in educational 



822 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



matters, and in 1007, he was elected a member 
of the Board of Education of the Rushville Union 
School District. 

In politics Mr. Dyson has always allied him- 
self with the Democratic party and has served 
on the County Central Committee of his party 
as Chairman or Secretary since lS'JO. save in the 
campaign of 1904. 

On December 13, 1907, Mr. Dyson was ap- 
pointed County Surveyor of Schuyler County to 
till a vacancy, and in 1908 has been renominated 
without opposition for the same office. 

On March 27, 1S9S, Mr. Dyson was united in 
marriage to Alice Mary Deacon, of Eastbourne, 
England, the wedding taking place at the home 
of the bride's brother in St. Louis, Mo. They 
have three children : Edwin Arthur, Dorothy 
May and Marjory Grace Deacon Dyson. 

EALES, George H— The Eales family is of 
old Southern stock, George H. being a native 
of Ralls County, Mo., born March 19, 1858, a son 
of James T. and Adelaide (Lowe) Eales. Both 
the father and the paternal grandfather were 
born in Kentucky, the former, with other mem- 
bers of the family, migrating to Ralls County 
when he was about six years of age. This trans- 
fer of the family home from Kentucky to Mis- 
souri was made in 1840, and in the latter State 
James T. Eales was married to Adelaide Lowe, 
who came of a Virginia stock ; in Missouri also 
occurred the death of the father and the grand- 
father, who for many years previous has fol- 
lowed their agricultural occupations. 

The children of James T. Eales were all born 
in Missouri, being the issue of two marriages. 
His first wife was Adelaide Lowe, as stated, 
and by this union were six sons and one 
daughter, of whom George II. was the first born. 
Albert is living and Charles died at the age of 
seven years. Mary J., now the wife of Isaac E. 
Groff, "and Alfred", are both residents of Han- 
nibal, Mo., while Justus T. is a farmer of Kails 
County, that State, and Benjamin T. is a farmer 
of Bainbridge Township, Schuyler County. Wil- 
bur TV. Eales, the youngest of the family, is a 
resident of Watertown, S. Dak., and holds the 
position of General Agent of the International 
Harvester Company. The mother of this fam- 
ily died in Ralls County, Mo., in 1S7S. 

Mr. Eales' second wife, whose maiden name 
was Molly Ann Brambles, became the mother of 
four children : Nellie, now the wife of Otis 
Helms, who are residents of New London, Mo.; 
Otis, who died at the age of fourteen years: 
Harry, who died when seven years of age; and 
Otto.' who lives in Norfolk, Va.. but is now con- 
nected with the United States Navy, serving on 
the battleship "Ohio." The mother is making 
her home with her daughter, Mrs. Helms. 

George H. Eales was reared on his father's 
farm in Ralls County, Mo., was educated in the 
district schools and remained on the home place 
until he was twenty-one years of age, when he 
commenced to work in the neighborhood for 
monthly wages, continuing thus employed for 



about a year. In 1S79 he removed to Schuyler 
County, again securing work as a farm laborer, 
and ou February 4th of that year marrying Miss 
Sarah Kales, daughter of James Eales, who was 
his father's cousin. Mrs. Eales was born on 
the farm now owned by her husband, in Feb- 
ruary. 1857, and was one of seven children, both 
her parents being honored pioneers of the 
county. The other members of her family 
are: Luciana, widow of M. K. Garrison, 
who is now a resident of Rushville 111.; Mary 
Jane, deceased; .Madison Kelly, who lives in 
Indiana : Ann, widow of Horatio Stover, Schuy- 
ler County ; Josephine, wife of James Madison 
Annan, and John, a resident of Rushville, living 
in retirement. 

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. George 
H. Eales the former remained on the old home 
farm for six years, and in 1S85 occupied the 
Girst place in Bainbridge Township, retaining it 
for four years. In 1SS9 Mr. Eales rented a 
farm in Bethel Township, McDonough County, 
which he operated for three years, and in 1S92 
returned to Schuyler County to purchase the 
old homestead of 200 acres in Section 5, Bain- 
bridge Township. He has since added many line 
improvements to the place, increasing its value 
and beauty. 

Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Eales: Stella M.. November 22, 1881, who is 
now the wife of Harley Wilson, a carpenter of 
Augusta, 111., and mother of Glenn, Silva and 
Sibyl (the last two twins) ; Edna E... born July 
4, 1883, who lives at home, and Mary A., who 
died in infancy. They also have an adopted son, 
Harry B. Eates. The parents are both mem- 
bers of the Christian Church. Mr. Eales being 
identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. 

EALES, Thomas. — Among the successful rep- 
resentatives of the agricultural element in 
Schuyler County. 111., none is more worthy of 
commendatory mention than Thomas Eales, of 
Bainbridge Township. Mr. Eales was born in 
Ralls County, Mo., February 15, 1868, a son of 
James T. Eales and wife. Thomas Eales was 
reared on the paternal farm in Missouri, and 
received his education in the district schools of 
Ralls County, meanwhile assisting his father in 
work on the home place until he was about 
twenty years of age, when he purchased a half- 
interest in his father's land and live-stock, with 
whom he jointly conducted farming operations 
until 1801. They then divided their interests, 
and in the spring of that year, Thomas Eales 
came to Schuyler County, 111., renting a farm 
which he purchased two years later, and on 
which he has since continued to live. It is lo- 
cated in Section 5, Bainbridge Township, con- 
sisting of 160 acres, of which 135 acres are un- 
der cultivation. Here he has made many import- 
ant improvements, and now has one of the best 
agricultural properties in the township. He is 
very partial to draft horses, of the breeding of 
which he makes a specialty, and has on hand 
some of the best grades in Schuyler County. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



823 



In 1888, Mr. Eales was united in marriage 
with Miss Etiie Grist, who was born in Bain- 
bridge Township, a daughter of Simon J. Grist 
and wife, her father being one of the first male 
children born in Rushville. This union has re- 
sulted in two children, namely : H. V., born 
March 80, 1889 ; and Vassar Paul, who died at 
thirteen years of age. 

Iu politics, Mr. Eales is a stanch adherent of 
the Democratic party, and although he has never 
been inclined to seek political preferment, he 
keeps thoroughly informed in regard to the cur- 
rent issues in local and national affairs. 
Fraternally, he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. 
and M. W. A. in Rushville, and he and his 
wife are members of the Christian Church of 
that place. Both are highly esteemed by all who 
know them. 

EATON, Allen. — During the nine and thirty 
years of his occupancy of the same farm in 
Section 6, Camden Township, Allen Eaton has up- 
held the dignity, usefulness and progressiveuess 
of his time-honored calling, and has proved that, 
with few advantages and little material help, 
men of definite purpose and determination may 
realize the dreams and expectations of their 
ambitious youth. It is not without arduous ef- 
fort, failure aud discouragement that Mr. Eaton 
has come to represent a dependable element in 
Schuyler County. This invariably must be the 
fate of a man who starts with nothing and by le- 
gitimate means, attains the ownership of 650 
acres. Born in Knox County, Ohio, October 3, 
1861, Mr. Eaton is a son of Joseph and Sarah 
(Crider) Eaton, natives of Pennsylvania and 
Virginia, respectively. Joseph Eaton was the son 
of an Irish immigrant who settled in Pennsyl- 
vania, and whose brother, General Eaton, helped 
to make the martial history of the Civil War, 
while adding to the fame of the enlisted men 
from Ohio. Joseph Eaton died iu early life in 
1842, and in 1S56 his wife, and her two sons, 
Allen and John, moved to Vermont, Fulton 
County, 111., in 1859 locating in Littleton, Schuy- 
ler County, where the mother died in 1860. Of 
her nine children, John was a soldier in the Mex- 
ican War and died on the Schuyler County farm 
in February, 1899 ; Jane is the widow of Henry 
Schoonover. of Brooklyn Township; Mary is 
the widow of John Dexter, of Pike County, 111.; 
Catherine is tin- deceased wife of Harry Austin, 
of Seattle, Wash. : Martha became the wife of a 
Mr. Johnson, and both arc deceased; and Ellen 
is the wife of L. D. Nichols, of Pike County, 111. 

When the Civil War broke out Allen Eaton 
was twenty years old. but as he was the sole 
support of his widowed mother he was persuaded 
not to enlist. After the death of his mother his 
brother John, and his sister Ellen,- came to 
Camden Township, the latter for many years 
being a successful teacher. In 1864, Mr. Eaton 
invested in forty-three acres of land, which he 
soon 1 after sold to Mr. Fisher, and then bought 
sixty-three acres in Section 22, Camden Town- 
ship. This also was sold not long afterward and 



in 1869 he bought sixty-four acres in Section 6, 
which proved the nucleus of his present large 
property. This land had a log cabin on it, which 
long since has been replaced by a modem dwell- 
ing, and the years have witnessed continued im- 
provements in every way known to the progress- 
ive and scientific farmer. At the present time 
the family owns 650 acres, all but fifty of which 
is tillable, and it is safe to say that no farm in 
the county has more to recommend it to the 
student of latter day agriculture. General 
farming is conducted on a large scale, and in 
the stock line preference is given to registered 
Aberdeen-Angus cattle, Poland-China hogs, aud 
high bred draft aud road horses. 

April 5, 1867, Mr. Eaton was united in mar- 
riage to Sarah McKee, who was born in County 
Down, Ireland, and- came to America with her 
parents when eight years old. Her father, Wil- 
liam McKee, first stopped in the vicinity of In- 
dianapolis, Ind., and a few years later moved to 
Schuyler County, where Mrs. Eaton grew to 
womanhood. She was the mother of five chil- 
dren : William, born April 26, 1868, married 
for his first wife Mabel McDonald, who became 
the mother of a daughter, Rena, now eight years 
old, and died September 24, 1903, his present 
wife being in maindenhood Annie Lynn ; John 
Eaton, born March 10, 1S70, married Pearl An- 
derson, and has two children, Lena and Lester ; 
Frank, born August 23, 1873, his father's as- 
sistant on the home place and the comfort of his 
mother iu her last days ; Henry, born May 23, 
1S76, living with his father ; and Koscoe, born 
May 31, 1879, also at home. These children have 
all been given a practical common school edu- 
cation, and the three sons who are at home are 
experienced aud successful famers. The death 
of the mother occurred February 11, 1900. 

Mr. Eaton's political affiliations are with the 
Democratic party, but aside from casting his 
vote he has taken no active part in local po- 
litical affairs. While not a member of any 
church, he is a liberal contributor to churches 
and benevolent organizations, aud no effort at 
public, improvement, material or otherwise, 
has failed to receive his hearty support. He 
has established a family in the county which 
maintains high standards of character aud worth, 
and which, because of the largeness of its oper- 
ations and the extent of its control, has been 
a leading factor iu agricultural practice for 
many years. 

EDMUNDS, Henry H — One of the names 
connected with the attainment of the present 
and the promise of the future in Schuyler 
County, is that of Henry H. Edmunds, a public 
school educator for the past quarter of a cen- 
tury, and since 1901 Superintendent of Public 
Instruction in the city of Rushville. Mr. Ed- 
munds is a virile example of the qualities of 
usefulness and control which he seeks to incul- 
cate in the hundreds of pupils within his jurisdic- 
tion. His youth knew the weight of responsibil- 
ity, and his professional qualifications are the 



834 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



result of self-sacrifice, resourcefulness and untir- 
ing perseverance. 

Born in Gardner, Grundy County, 111., April 
28, 1N0N, Mr. Edmunds represents a family con- 
nected with the dawn of American history and 
the pioneering of Rhode Island, in which State 
settled his progenitor on this side of the water. 
Reuben Edmunds, a soldier during 1675-70 in the 
war of King Philip, chief of the Wampanoag In- 
dians. In Providence, R. I., James Edmunds, 
great-grandfather of Henry II., was born in 
1702. and while still a boy lollowed the martial 
fortunes of Washington during the Revolution- 
ary war. James Edmunds married Ereelove 
Olin, a native of Vermont, and eventually set- 
tled in Hartland, Niagara County, N. Y., where 
his son. Henry J. Edmunds, was born, the latter 
marrying Lucy Arnold, also a native of New 
York. Arnold Edmunds, son of Henry J., and 
father of Henry H. Edmunds, was born in Hart- 
land, and became an early settler of Illinois, 
finally locating in Gardner, and recently Los 
Angeles, Cal., his present home. Through his 
marriage with Julia Clague, who was born in 
Rochester, N. Y., he became allied with a Manx- 
man family. His wife's parents, Hugh and Mary 
(Corris) Clague, having been born in the Isle 
of Man. 

In order to secure a higher education, Henry 
H. Edmunds taught in the country schools for a 
couple of years after completing his training in 
the high school of Gardner. In the fall of L889 
he entered the Illinois State Normal University, 
but as lack of funds necesitated further teaching. 
did not graduate therefrom until 1895. He since 
has pursued post-graduate work in the Univer- 
sity of Chicago and the University of Illinois, 
and by examination previous to coming to Rush- 
ville, secured a life certificate as teacher in Il- 
linois, and was Superintendent of Schools in 
Lovington, Moultrie County, and Atlanta, Logan 
County. Mr. Edmunds is a Republican in poli- 
tics, a P.aptist in religion, and a Mason socially. 
In 1900 he was united in marriage with Emma 
P. Washburn, a native of Danvers. 111., and a 
graduate of the Illinios State Normal. Two 
sons have been born of the union, Arthur W. and 
Richard Henry. Mr. Edmunds is now located in 
Clinton, HI., as Superintendent of the City 
Schools. 

ELLIS, James D. — To the man who has spent 
more than half a century on the same farm, and 
who, since earliest youth, has known no other 
home save that afforded within its borders, or 
any means of livelihood save that made possible 
by the cultivation of its soil, an interest is de- 
veloped that is scarcely possible of acquirement 
under other conditions. James D. Ellis was 
born in Kenton County, Ky., December 11, 1843, 
a son of James Ellis, a native of Kentucky, and 
grandson of Elijah Ellis, who was born in Vir- 
ginia. For his first wife James Ellis married 
Nancy Harmon, also of the Bourbon State, and 
alter her death in Oakland Township. Schuyler 
County, in 1846, returned to Kentucky and mar- 



ried -Margaret Ann Harmon, sister of his first 
wiie. lie spent the first winter of his sojouru 
in Schuyler County in the village of Rushville, 
and the next year settled on the farm in Oakland 
Township, now owned and occupied by his son. 
This farm formerly was owned by William Wil- 
lis, and when purchased by Mr. Ellis had few 
improvements, a large part of it being under 
timber and brush. No effort had been made at 
road making in the neighborhood, the public 
thoroughfares passing in all directions across his 
land. Mr. Ellis was enterprising and resourceful, 
however, and before his death cleared about 200 
acres. 

At the present writing (1907) James D. Ellis 
lies stricken with paralysis at his beautiful 
country home, and his family and many friends 
are greatly concerned regarding his condition. 
His life has been full of good deeds and industry, 
and under his wise guidance the work begun by 
his father has continued with very gratifying 
financial and general results. He has been a 
careful and conscientious farmer, has carefully 
and painstakingly reared his children, and has set 
a moral example which the younger generation 
would do well to emulate. In the present emer- 
gency he is fortunate in having capable, indus- 
trious sons to carry on his work and maintain 
his reputation for public spiritedness and good 
citizenship. Mr. Ellis received a common school 
education, and in 1809 married Mary Berry, a 
native of Rushville Township, and of the union 
there are six children ; Edgar, a farmer of Oak- 
land Township, who married Cora Tutt, and has 
two children, Marie and Francis ; Arthur, also 
a farmer of Oakland Township, who married 
Anna Tutt, a native of Rushville Township, and 
mother of two children, Cora and Eva ; Alice. 
wife of Edgar Rose, a farmer of Rushville 
Township, and mother of Ethel B. and Everet 
Rose; Grace, wife of Charles E. Garrison, living 
.hi the old home place; Lewis, a farmer of Sedg- 
wick, Kan., husband' of Maude (Bosworth) Ellis, 
and father of two children who died in infancy; 
ami Walter, of Sedgwick, Kan., who married Ada 
Frisby. 

The perpetuation of the character and deeds of 
the Ellis family in Schuyler County is practi- 
cally assured, not only by the work of those who 
represent the first and second generation, but by 
many evidences of their forethought and gener- 
osity shared in common with their neighbors and 
friends in the community. For instance, out of 
respect to the life of the first Ellis, who estab- 
lished the family here, there has been built upon 
the Ellis farm a church and school house, both 
of which have been in active use for many years, 
the ground having been donated by the present 
owner of the property. Mr. Ellis never has been 
active in politics, but he has earnestly supported 
the Republican party, and always has stood for 
clean local government and office. He was just 
;: year old when he came here in 1S44. and the 
changes which have led up to the prosperity of 
the present are all vividly impressed upon his 
memory. 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



825 



ERWIN, Lewis D.— During the summer of 1839 
Lewis D. Erwin came overland from Toledo, 
Ohio, to Schuyler Count} - , 111., which since has 
been his home, and -where for many years he was 
engaged in general farming and stock raising. 
He was born in Plattsburg, Clinton County, N. 
Y.. July 1, 1815, and was educated in the public 
schools of New York, Ohio and Illinois. He is of 
a generation of whom there are now few living 
in any part of the country, for in 1906 he had 
passed the ninety-third mile post of his earthly 
pilgrimage, and few survived with whom he 
could renew the incidents which crowded his 
youth and early manhood. For the past fifty-five 
years he has lived in the same house in Rush- 
ville, and his pleasant face and kindly manner 
have been as familiar to the people of the town 
as are the many landmarks which indicate the 
transformation which has passed before his eyes. 

The remote ancestors of Mr. Erwin were 
Scotch-Irish on the paternal side and presuma- 
bly German on the distaff side of the house. His 
paternal great-grandfather came from the North 
of Ireland in 1730, and located in Newark. N. J., 
where David Erwin, the paternal grandfather 
was born, and where the latter married Cather- 
ine Munson. Cornelius M. Erwin, son of David, 
and father of Lewis B., was born after his pa- 
rent's removal to Fairhaven, \"t.. and there he 
married Lucinda Fairman, a native of Rutland, 
Yt.. and daughter of James Fairman, supposed 
to be of German ancestry. Both sides of the fam- 
ily were represented in the great struggle for 
American independence begun in 1776. David 
Erwin enlisted under the banner of Washington 
at the age of eighteen, and among his martial ex- 
periences crossed the Delaware with the great 
commander on that memorable Christmas night. 
James Fairman also was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tion, enlisting from Vermont, and serving in 
three different regiments of the Colonial army. 

Lewis D. Erwin established a home of his own 
in Schuyler County, November 112. 1843, marrying 
Elvira Wells, who was born in Henrietta, Loraine 
County. Ohio, and educated in the public schools 
of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Erwin are the parents 
of the following children : David Douglas. Cath- 
erine P.. Mathilda, Eliza. Elizabeth L.. Emma, 
Lewis D.. Jr.. George Lemuel. Anna E., Sophia 
Bessie and Edward H. Mr. Erwin is a Demo- 
crat in politics, a Presbyterian in religion, and 
fraternally a Mason. His heart still is young, 
his interests many sided, and his outlook upon 
life broad and hopeful. He has walked always 
close to the heart of truth and integrity, and his 
richest legacy to those who shall succeed him is 
the confidence and good will of his fellow men. 

F00TE, George H. — The manufacture of woolen 
goods constitutes an important, if not extensive, 
commercial resource of Schuyler County, and the 
promotion of the Industry has enlisted the brain, 
energy and lifelong activity of some of its fore- 
most citizens. Chief among tho^e who. at pres- 
ent, sustain an enviable reputation as manufac- 
turers of this commodity is George H. Foote. a 



man of broad general experience, and thirty-two 
years of whose life has been devoted to his pres- 
ent business. Mr. Foote is the manager of the 
Rushville Woolen Mills, and one of the best 
known, most progressive and dependable com- 
mercial factors in the community. He comes 
honestly by his ability and inclination, for his 
father, John Foote, the establisher of the pres- 
ent mills, was an early and very prominent local 
manufacturer, and a resume of his life may be 
found elsewhere in this work. 

George H. Foote was born in Eastern New 
Hampshire, July 9, 1861, and as a lad was taken 
by his parents to Charlestown, same State, 
where he acquired his primary education in the 
public schools. Subsequently removal was made to 
Otsego. Mich., and later to Rock Island, 111., and 
from there to Rushville, where in 1874 George 
H. went to work in the Rushville Wooleu Mills, 
of which his father was boss corder. In 1876 
John Foote established the Rushville Hosiery 
Mills, in which his son was installed as mana- 
ger and bookkeeper, a position which he since 
has maintained with credit to himself and the 
community. The nulls are in a prosperous con- 
dition, and their products are known and used 
throughout a large area of country. They are 
equipped with the best modern machinery, and 
give employment to about twelve people the 
year round, extra hands being required iu rush 
seasons. 

By his marriage, in 18S4, to Susan Weber. Mr. 
Foote became allied with another woolen manu- 
facturing family, John Weber, the father of 
Mrs. Foote, being the pioneer of the business in 
Schuyler County. Mr. and Mrs. Foote became 
the parents of two children : George, who died 
at the age of eight years; and Edna, wife of 
Peter Olson, of Rushville, who has one child. 
Mr. Foote has taken a keen interest in Repub- 
lican politics for many years, and has served as 
Alderman of the Third Ward. Rushville. several 
terms. He is socially connected svith the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of 
Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. 
With his wife he is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and for several years has been 
an official in the same. He is regarded as a 
man of business integrity and sound judgment, 
and as a friend of education, progress, social 
purity and honest municipal control. 

FOOTE, John, C deceased. 1 ) — The Rushville 

Hosiery Factory was in continuous operation 
under the same management from the time of its 
establishment, in 1876. by John Foote. until the 
date of his death in 1906. The results achieved 
were such as might have been expected from a 
man of extended experience and thorough knowl- 
edge of the details of his husiness. Behind the 
success of Mr. Foote were the thought and labor 
of generations of his family as weavers and 
manufacturers of fabrics. He was born Jan- 
uary 17. 1827. in Leeds. Yorkshire. Eng., the 
fifth city in population, and the chief woolen 
manufacturing center of England. While still 



826 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUXTY. 



a student in the public schools, he began to learn 
from his father, John Foote, the trade Of cloth- 
dressing. The elder Foote also was born in 
Yorkshire, and from his father, in turn, learned 
the trade of weaving, which he followed during 
his entire active life. He married Margaret 
Hiues. also born in England, and reared a large 
family, of whom three of his children, Frank, 
Mary and John, came to America. 

John Foote followed the cloth-dressing trade 
in England until 1844, when he came to Boston, 
Mass., and later, in the interests of his business. 
made brief visits to Millbury, Cherry Valley. 
Foxboro, Oxford and Winchester. At Bridgewa- 
ter, Mass., he broadened his knowledge by work- 
ing at the boot and shoe trade until the begin- 
ning of the Civil War, when he moved to New- 
port. N. H. On March 20. 1805 Mr. Foote en- 
listed in Company K, Eighteenth Regiment, New 
Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, and served until 
the close of the war, being honorably discharged 
on May 6, 1S65. He then spent a year in 
Charlestown, Mass.. and thence went to Michi- 
gan, where he lived three years. He next be- 
came foreman of the Rock Island Woolen Mills, 
at Rock Island, 111., and in 1S74 came to Rush- 
ville. where two years later he established the 
Rushville Hosiery Factory. 

At Foxboro. Mass., in 1846, Mr. Foote v% as 
united in marriage to Martha A. Childs. a native 
of Maine, and a daughter of Amos Childs. Mr. 
and Mrs. Foote were the parents of four sons 
and one daughter, namely : Charles F., Alfred 
A.. Ada, John W. and George H. Charles F. is 
connected with the fpava I 111.) Woolen Mills. 
George H. is a young man of exceptional prom- 
ise, who, having been his father's business part- 
ner and right hand man. continued into another 
generation the occupation with which his family 
lias so long been identified. John Foote was a 
typical representative of the English-American, 
whose inherent and substantial traits of charac- 
ter remained in full strength during more than 
half a century spent in another than his native 
clime. His career in this community constitute. 1 
an impressive lesson in perseverance, upright 
living and high regard for the rights of his fel- 
lowmen. Mr. Foote died February 2S, 1000. his 
excellent and faithful wife having passed away 
October 18, 1903. For many years both were 
active ami useful members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Foote long acted 
in an official capacity, ami was influential in all 
the branches of church work. In political action, 
he was an ardent supporter of the principles of 
the Republican party. Fraternally, he was af- 
filiated with the I. O. X. W.. and was held in 
high regard by his comrades of the Grand Army 
of the Republic. 

FOSTER, Hon. Alrick Mann.— -An interesting 
study in early development and large usefulness 
is forthcoming in the career of Hon. Alrick Mann 
Foster, who. though only twenty-six years of 
age. has caused his fellow-citizens of Schuyler 
County to speculate upon his practical accom- 



plishments and promising possibilities as an edu- 
cator, law-maker and scientific farmer and stock 
raiser. Principally, however, Mr. Foster's claims 
to distinction rest upon his efforts as a stock- 
raiser, and Woodview Farm, whose many sided 
interests he controls, is unsurpassed among en- 
terprises in the State devoted to the stock indus- 
try. 

That Mr. Foster has reached his present emi- 
nence with surprising rapidity is due largely to 
the fact that the man and his work are boon 
companions, and each the complement of the 
other. He likes stock, has unbounded faith in 
its possibilities, cherishes ideals of accomplish- 
ment which will keep him unsatisfied with any- 
thing but the best, and delights in the health- 
giving and soul-satisfying compensations of ru- 
ral existence. Born on the farm he now owns 
and occupies in Littleton Township. Schuyler 
County, January 15, 1881, he is the sou of Al- 
rick Mann and Susan (Dorinda) Foster, the 
former of whom swelled the brief list of cabin 
builders of 1832, and mention of whom may be 
found elsewhere in this work. Three-quarters 
of a century in the same county has developed 
no diminution of the popular regard for the 
honor and ability of the family, but on the con- 
trary the character and labor of its members re- 
mains the encouraging goal of the rising gener- 
ation. 

After the death of the elder Foster in 1885, 
the son remained on the old place until moving 
with his mother to Rushville in 1S00. Here he 
supplemented his earlier country school training 
by attendance at the high school, thereafter tak- 
ing a course at the Rushville Normal and the 
Rushville Business College, graduating from the 
latter in the class of 1898. In the meantime his 
mother had returned to the farm in 1895, and 
after completing his education he joined her, 
and for three years combined agriculture with 
school teaching, achieving marked success in the 
latter capacity, and building up a reputation 
which brought him many practical inducements 
to continue as an educator. However, the call of 
the country rose above all other voices. He be- 
gan to engage actively in stock raising, especially 
in the breeding of Ohio Improved Chester hogs, 
ami along this line he has achieved more than 
anticipated success. Each year Mr. Foster cata- 
logues his hogs, and each year witnesses a 
marked improvement in both the quality and 
quantity of bis herd. Probably no one in this 
part of the State is better prepared to furnish 
hogs of this kind for breeding purposes, or is 
more thoroughly conversant with the many ad- 
vantages credited to them. He has spared neither 
time nor expense in making his business a suece s. 
and the result has surpassed his most sanguine 
hopes. He also has a well-bred herd of regis- 
tered Aberdeen-Angus cattle. Every department 
of his farm is considered from a scientific and 
business standpoint, and bis facilities for main- 
taining high standards and continuous increase 
are unsurpassed. His hogs have a reputation far 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



827 



beyond the boundaries of the State, and are ship- 
ped to all parts of the Union. 

By the seasoned veteran politicians concerned 
in the Democratic outlook in Schuyler County, 
Mr. Foster is regarded as promising official tim- 
ber.. His capacity for public service was em- 
phatically endorsed in 1900 in his election, by 
an overwhelming majority, as a member of the 
lower house from the Thirtieth Senatorial Dis- 
trict, comprising Tazewell, Mason. Menard, Cass, 
Brown and Schuyler Counties. In the House 
Mr. Foster developed rare gifts as a public 
speaker, championing not only the principles of 
his party, but showing thorough familiarity with 
the needs of the district which he represented. 
He is prominent socially as well as commer- 
cially, and is identified with the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows, and Benevolent Protective 
Order of Elks. November 28, 1900, he was 
united in marriage to Anna Lee, a native of 
Schuyler County, and they are the parents of 
two daughters, Anita, born in 1904, and Lncile, 
born in 1907. Mr. Foster is a well informed 
and progressive man, energetic, resourceful, and 
filled with strong enthusiasm, the conqueror of 
many of life's obstacles, and an appreciator of 
the refinements and compensations of existence. 
He is a trustee of the National O. I. C. Swine 
Breeders' Association, the largest white hog 
breeders' association in the world, and is at 
present a candidate for re-nomination as Repre- 
sentative in the General Assembly. 

FOWLER, John C— At an early period in 
Schuyler County history, James Fowler, grand- 
father of John C. Fowler, the latter now one of 
the well known fanners of Brooklyn Township, 
came to this then heavily timbered and game 
filled region and built himself a cabin in a clear- 
ing. He had the sterling traits of the people of 
New England, among the early representatives 
of which were some of his ancestors, and he 
himself had imbibed his first impressions and 
early training from Massachusetts, where he 
was born and spent the impressionable years of 
his life. Journeying westward in search of 
larger oppotunities, he pioneered first in Ohio, 
where he was married and started housekeep- 
ing, and where some of his children were born, 
among them John Fowler, the father of John C. 
The former was a small lad when the family 
located in Brooklyn Township, and in the year 
1849 was united in marriage with Julia Ann 
Higgins. and of this union four children were 
born, of whom two died in infancy. Mrs. Mary 
J. Higgins another child, died on January 17, 
1902, and Harrison, the only one of the four still 
surviving, is a resident of Oxnard, Cal. The 
mother of these children died April 15, 1856. 
During the year 1857 Mr. Fowler was married 
to Susannah Mason, and of this second union 
were born six children, namely : James A., who 
is a farmer in Morton County, Kan.; William H., 
John C. and H. Pinkne.v, who are farmers in 
Brooklyn Township; Henry Taylor, who died 
at the age of sixteen, and Dora May, who is the 



wife of John Higgins, of Brooklyn Township. 
Botl) the paternal and maternal grandparents of 
this family are now deceased, the former resting 
in Blackburn Cemetery and the latter, who died 
within a week of each other, about 1804, resting 
in Scott's burying ground. 

After his marriage, John Fowler and his wife 
located in Brooklyn Township, and remained 
there for the balance of their lives. The elder 
Fowler was a quiet and industrious man. attend- 
ing well to his oivu affairs and never meddling 
with those of other people. He was persistently 
industrious and reaped his reward accordingly, 
ami was honored and respected for his upright- 
ness and kindliness of character. Politically he 
was an uncompromising Republican, and was act- 
ive and helpful in the Methodist Protestant 
< ihurch. 

The usual tasks, diversions and advantages 
contributed to the development of John C. Fow- 
ler, and at the age of twenty-three years, in 
1887, he was united in marriage to Alice Glan- 
don, daughter of John Glandon, one of the pion- 
eers and prominent farmers of. Brooklyn Town- 
ship. Mrs. Fowler was born on her father's 
farm in 1862, and is the mother of three chil- 
den : Minnie Maude, born January 24, 1888; 
Serena May. born June 3, 1891 ; ami Dwight L., 
horn July 19. 1895. Mr. Fowler settled after his 
marriage on a farm he had previously purchased 
in Section 16. Brooklyn Township, and for twelve 
years was increasingly successful at general 
farming and stock raising. In 1899 he moved 
to what was known as the Glandon farm, also 
in Section 16. and which at that time had a 
small frame house but no barns. He at once 
began the improvement of this property, renewed 
the fences, erected shelter for his stock, aud in 
1907, having prospered in the new location, put 
up one of the finest and best equipped rural resi- 
dences in Brooklyn Township. With his wife he 
now is the owner of 225 acres of tillable land, 
provided with the best of modern improvements 
and facilities for raising the stock and produce 
best adapted to this part of Illinois. From the 
time of bis birth on the old Fowler farm in 
Brooklyn Township. February 4, 1864, Mr. Fow- 
ler has known no other field of activity than his 
present surroundings, and in them he has found 
ample opportunity for working out a sane and 
wholesome destiny. For many years he lias 
been a supporter and trustee of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and a conscientious voter of 
the Republican ticket. 

GARRISON, George.— The State of Illinois is 
noted throughout the country for its thorough- 
bred live stock, its Durham cattle having even 
more than a national reputation. The day has 
long passed since the live stock industry was 
conducted in a bap-hazard manner: when the 
cattle, horses, sheep and swine were turned 
loose to get their living at their own sweet will, 
and land which was too poor to cultivate was 
given up to them. Their wants are now fore- 
stalled and met almost as if they were human 



828 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



beings, and their breeding and raising are con- 
ducted along carefully considered and scientific 
lines. There are few citizens of Illinois to whom 
this grand development in agriculture can more 
justly be attributed than to the late George 
Garrison, the pioneer of Littleton Township. 
Schuyler County, who, through his sturdy labors 
and rare management, became one of the leading 
tanners and live stock men of Central Illinois. 
He was the first to introduce thorough-bred Dur- 
ham cattle into Schuyler County, and was also 
very prominent in improving the breed of horses 
and hogs. 

Mr. Garrison was born in Butler County. Ohio, 
on the 16th of June, 1800. the seventh child of 
Jonathan and Mary Garrison. He remained at 
home only until he was ten years of age. when 
his mother died, and as the family was large and 
the father in poor rireumstances, George com- 
menced to earn his own living at an age when 
most boys have not long been in the school room. 
While still in his 'teens, he applied to a man by 
the name of Giphart for work of any kind, and 
was assigned the task of chopping wood and 
clearing land at four dollars per month. He 
clung to this task until something better offered, 
which proved to be chopping wood at twenty 
rents per cord, and at this, and similar work, he 
continued until he was about sixteen years of 
age, when he abandoned it for labor on the 
Miami Canal. After being thus employed for a 
year, he obtained a situation in a distillery at a 
salary of eight dollars per month, and during 
the two years of his work there saved a small 
sum of money, which he laid aside for further 
use. His farm work for the succeeding two years 
lirought him nine dollars per month, and his next 
employment as superintendent of a distillery 
was at an advance to eleven dollars per month, 
the young man holding his position during the 
life of the business, which proved to be eighteen 
months. Through bis persistent labor and self- 
denying economy he had now saved enough 
money for the purchase of two colts, but after 
keeping them for seme time he abandoned this 
first live stock venture in favor of a patent right, 
of which he finally lost complete control, leaving 
him experience as his only asset. This proved to 
him of the utmost value, as he never thereafter 
ventured into the ways of speculation in an un- 
familiar field. 

At this epoch in his life Mr. Garrison decided 
upon the course which has anchored so many 
other young men in a bright and prosperous 
haven : he determined to get married and settle 
down to found a home and household. To this 
end he borrowed twenty-five dollars for the pur- 
chase of his wedding suit, and on March 19, 
1830, was united to Miss Sarah Vaile, like him- 
self a native of Butler County. Ohio. She was 
a daughter of Henry and Permelia Vaile, and 
born en the 15th of November, 1S10. After his 
marriage. Mr. Garrison rented land. and. through 
a friend, procured a team of horses, thereby har- 
vesting two crops. But his progress was too slow 
in such a conservative and thickly settled State 



as Ohio., and, hearing many favorable reports of 
the prosperity of Illinois, concluded to seek a 
home in the prairies of that new country, where 
land was cheap and where energy and enterprise 
were at a premium. Accordingly, in September, 
is.;:;, with his family, consisting of his wife and 
two children, he started overland for Central 
Illinois, and on the oth of the following October 
arrived on the banks of Sugar Creek, Schuyler 
County, and drew up his team in prepara- 
tion for a permanent residence. At this time 
he possessed two horses and a wagon and $363 
of hard-earned cash. He immediately traded 
one of his horses and his wagon, with one hun- 
dred dollars in money, for a claim of 240 acres 
on Sugar Creek, and established his household 
in a little log cabin, and in the succeeding fifty- 
four years saw his family circle expand by the 
addition of nine children (only one of whom 
died), reared his sons and daughters to ways of 
industry and morality, and. with the continuous 
improvement of his property and the splendid 
growth of his live stock interests, became one of 
the most prosperous and prominent men of Cen- 
tral Illinois. Mr. Garrison entered this first 
tract of land at one dollar and twenty-five cents 
per acre, borrowing the purchase money of Jacob 
Sharp, of Fulton County, 111., and paying him 
thirty per cent interest for the loan. He re- 
mained there for seven profitable years, after 
which he sold the property and bought a farm in 
Section 26, Littleton Township, Schuyler County, 
adding to it, periodically, until he was the owner 
of 840 acres in a body, and all within the town- 
ship. For many years before his death this was 
considered one of the finest farms in Central 
Illinois, especially for live stock. His busy and 
useful life ended June <;, 1SS7. and the good 
wife, to whose womanly care and faithful man- 
agement he gratefully accorded much of his suc- 
eess in life, followed him to the Great Beyond on 
the 6th of October. 1SS8. For many years they 
had been earnest members of the Christian 
Church. 

On the 10th of March. 1880. the popular and 
venerable couple had celebrated their golden wed- 
ding, upon which occasion they received many 
testimonials of affection from children, grand- 
children and old-time friends. Perhaps the most 
unique feature of the anniversary was the pre- 
sent,! t ion by tin 1 white-haired bridegroom to his 
great-grandson. Ebenezer Cordell, of the coat, for 
which he paid in borrowed money but in which 
he so proudly stood when he was married to the 
faithful woman of his choice, fifty years before. 

Mr. Garrison was a life-long Democrat, casting 
his first vote for Andrew Jackson in 1S36. He 
was a consistent voter, but never engaged in 
politics as an office-seeker. Except to be known 
as a thorough and progressive agriculturist, he 
was unambitious in life, and that aim he accom- 
plished to the full. He was a moral and helpful 
character in all the walks of life, and his domes- 
tic relations were ennobled by the most earnest 
solicitude for the comfort and general well-being 
of those dependent upon him. In a word, he was 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



s-.".i 



a large hearted and strong minded man. whose 
conduct was always guided by the moral princi- 
ples of Christianity. 

During their long and happy married life 
ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George 
Garrison, the first two being natives of Butler 
County, Ohio, and the other eight of Schuyler 
County, 111. They were as follows : Mary, now 
the wife of David Fox, a resident of Coffee 
Count}-, Kan. ; Amy, who became the wife of 
Ebenezer Vaile, both of whom are deceased ; Per- 
nielia, Mrs. James Beck, of Brooking, S. D. ; 
Henry, who lives at Industry, McDonough 
County, 111.; Margaret, wife of Aaron Shusley. 
of Lewistown, 111. ; George, who also lives in In- 
dustry. 111. ; Rebecca, wife of John Forsyth, who 
resides in Missouri ; Amelia, who became the 
wife of George KirUhani, farmer of Littleton 
Township ; Frances, who died at the age of nine 
years ; and William E., whose sketch is elsewhere 
published. At the time of the writing of this 
work (fall of 1907) there were eight living 
children, sixty-nine grand-children and eleven 
great-grand-children. 

GARRISON, William E„ one of the most suc- 
cessful and best-known farmers and stock raisers 
of Schuyler County. 111., is a native of the county, 
having been born in Section 26, Littleton Town- 
ship. March 25, 1851. He is a son of George and 
Sarah (Vailei Garrison, the latter born Novem- 
ber 15, 1S10, and died October 6, 1888. The ca- 
reer of George Garrison is portrayed in a sep- 
arate record appearing in this connection, and 
details concerning bis family are therein given. 
The youth of William E. Garrison was passed on 
the home farm, and his education was received 
in the district schools of Littleton Township and 
in the Rushville school. On January 15, 1873, 
he was married to Elnora Leggy, who was born 
in Lincoln County, W. Va., February 26, 1852, a 
daughter of Lewis and Melvina (Finch) Leggy. 
In 1S50, her parents went from West Virginia to 
Ohio, and subsequently located in Missouri. 
Thence, in 1871, the family came to Schuyler 
County, 111., settling in Littleton Township, and 
moving some time afterwards to Bueua Vista 
Township, and there her mother died. 

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Garrison 
made their home on the old homestead until 
1890, and there the births of all their children 
occurred, as follows : Delia, born August 10, 
1873; Charles, bom November 9, 1871; James 
W., born September 14. 1S77; Nora A., born Jan- 
uary 19, 1886 ; and George L., born April 2, 1S89. 
Delia is the wife of Charles W. Young, a farmer 
in Buena Vista Township, and they are the pa- 
rents of two children — Edmond Dewey and El- 
nora L. ; Charles, who is also engaged in farm- 
ing in the same township, married Grace Ellis ; 
James W. married Mary Grier, by whom he had 
one child. Maurice J., born on the paternal farm 
in Section 25, Littleton Township ; Nora A., is 
the wife of Harry Settles, a farmer in Rushville, 
and has two children — Madeline Clarice and 
Harold G. ; and George L. is at home. In 1890, 



Mr. Garrison bought a tract of land adjoining 
Rushville on the north, where he has since lived. 
He is now the owner of 341 acres of some of 
the best land in Littleton Township, lying in 
Section 25, besides having a number of town 
lots in Marshall. Logan County, Okla. He has a 
very fine home, and is one of the leading farm- 
ers and stock-raisers of Schuyler County, his 
specialties in breeding being Shorthorn and Red- 
Polled Angus cattle, and full blooded Duroc Jer- 
sey hogs. He also keeps a number of fine Jersey 
cows for dairy purposes. 

Politically, Mr. Garrison has always been a 
supporter of the Democratic party, and while en- 
tertaining no ambition lor public office, takes an 
intelligent and earnest interest in civic affairs. 
In all enterprises intended to promote the wel- 
fare of the township and county, he has taken an 
active part, discharging faithfully the duties 
pertaining to citizenship. Socially, he is affilia- 
ted with the Knights and Ladies of Security. He 
and his worthy helpmate are members of the 
Christian Church, and both are recognized as 
very useful members of the community. 

GEER, Benjamin F. — Through the course of a 
life covering a span of more than one-half cen- 
tury, Mr. Geer has made his home in Schuyler 
County, and has risen to the rank of one of the 
most prosperous and progressive farmers of 
Browning Township, where he was born in No- 
vember of 1852, and where the responsibilities 
of patriotic citizenship have been efficiently dis- 
charged. In the course of his life it has" been 
his privilege to witness many changes in his lo- 
cality. When he was a boy he attended school, 
first in the Sackville district^ and later in the 
Haivkeye district, iu Browning Township. The 
schools of those days were far inferior to those 
of the present time. Text-books were few, meth- 
ods of instruction were crude, teachers were 
often illy prepared for their duties, and the 
equipment of the school was meagre. Along 
other than educational lines be also has witnessed 
remarkable changes. Methods of agriculture have 
been revolutionized since his boyhood. Hand la- 
bor has been largely superseded by machinery, 
anil now- a farmer has need of a fair knowledge 
of mechanics in order to conduct his work with- 
out exasperating delays. The telephone and the 
rural free delivery have brought the world to 
the farmer's door. All of these improvements he 
has seen, besides many others scarcely less Im- 
portant. 

On the farm on Section 2S. Browning Town- 
ship, where he now resides, Benjamin F. Geer 
was born, a son of Dyer A. and Anna Eliza 
(Arnold) Geer, natives of Hamilton County, 
Ohio. The father was born in 1811 and, at the 
age of twenty-one years, came to Illinois, settling 
in Schuyler County in 1832 while the country 
was yet a wilderness of heavy timber from which 
the Indians bad but recently disappeared. After 
a time he was joined by his brothers. Sidney and 
Orvis Geer, and he took up 200 acres of congress 
land on Section 28, Browning Township. On his 



830 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



claim lie put up a cabin and hither brought his 
bride, who had been orphaned in childhood and 
had accompanied an oider brother and sister 
from Ohio to Illinois. She was spared to a good 
old age, passing away October 6, 1001, sustained 
to the last by the hrm Christian faith which 
had been the anchor of her earlier years. The 
father died in February of 1875. He, too, had 
been a sincere believer in the doctrines of Chris- 
tianity and had endeavored in his life to exem- 
plify the teachings of the Savior. During young 
manhood he had been converted in the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, but later he identified 
himself with the Christian Church, in which for 
years he officiated as Sunday School Superinten- 
dent, and to whose missionary enterprises he 
was a generous contributor. During the exist- 
ence of the Whig party he supported its tenets. 
On the organization of the Republican party he 
endorsed its principles and ever afterward sup- 
ported its men and measures. 

In the family of Dyer A. Geer there were nine 
children, two of whom died in infancy. Those 
who attained mature years were as follows : 
James, who is engaged in farm pursuits in Ful- 
ton County. 111.; Sidney A., who settled at At- 
lanta, l'helps County, Neb. ; and there died 
about 1901 ; Melinda, wife of F. M. Skiles. a 
fanner in Browning Township; Milton, who en- 
listed in the One Hundred and Nineteenth Illi- 
nois Infantry during the Civil War and died in 
the service at Memphis, Tenn. ; Hiram, who died 
.in the old homestead in 1SS2 ; Benjamin F., of 
Browning Township; and Louisa, who married 
James Brines and resides at Ukiah, Cal. After 
completing the studies of the district schools 
Benjamin F. Geer attended college at Abingdon, 
111.: and on his return home taught two terms 
of school in Union district. With his brother he 
bought the interest of the other heirs in the old 
homestead ami shortly afterward established 
domestic ties, being united in marriage, Septem- 
ber 20, 1875, with Miss Delilah A. Rebman. who 
was born March 30, 1857. a daughter of John 
Rebman. i See sketch of Adam Rebman for the 
family record). 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Geer comprises 
the following children: Alena.. who was born 
September 18, 1876, and married Ray Walton, a 
farmer of Browning Township, by whom she has 
one child. Dail ; Frederick, who was born Jan- 
uary 7, 1S79. who married Jessie Spiders, and 
has four children. Burton, Bernice, Clifford and 
Floyd, their home being on a farm in Browning 
Township : Homer S., who was born January 13, 
1881, and married Lusetta Walton, by whom he 
has two children, Pearl and Ansel ; Hiram, who 
was born August 11, 1883. and married Ada 
Kloker, by whom he has two children. Dorothy 
and Neil : Leroy, who was born November 10, 
1885, and married Mabel Haffner; Milton, who 
was born April 20. 1887; Harland, born De- 
cember 15, 1S90: Annie F.. born January 3, 
1895; and Eugene, born October 15. 1S98. Dur- 
ing 1883 the family erected a large residence on 
their farm, and thither they removed from the 



old cabin home that had been the scenes of many 
happy gatherings and much quiet enjoyment. The 
farm originally comprised 157 1-3 acres, but a 
part of this Mr. Geer has sold to his children, 
and now owns eighty-six acres, on which he has 
ornamental and shade trees, also an orchard oi 
one hundred peach and three hundred apple 
trees. In former years he was a Republican, 
but tioiv gives his influence to the Prohibition 
party. With his wife he holds membership in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in the up- 
building of which he has been actively interested. 
His conversion took place many years ago when 
he embraced the United Brethren faith, but he 
soon united with the denomination' to which he 
now belongs. In the twilight of his busy life, 
sustained by the recollection of an honorable 
career, cheered by the hope which religion gives, 
and esteemd by the people in whose midst he 
has always lived, lie is enjoying the fruits of the 
busy years of the past and is reaping the reward 
of a well-spent life. 

GLAND0N, John A., (deceased).— Substan- 
tially and prominently identified with the history 
of Schuyler County from the time of his arrival 
there in 1856 until his lamented decease on June 
22, 1906, John A. Glandon is recalled as a man 
of great energy and of peculiar ability as a trader 
and speculator, and unquestioned courage and 
good judgment in pushing his projects to a suc- 
cessful issue. His varied aud many sided career 
is indelibly stamped upou the affairs of his en- 
vironment, and his unique and forceful personal- 
ity will not soon be forgotten by those who were 
privileged to share his friendship or enthusiasm. 
Mr. Glandon was born in Moorefield, Harrison 
County, Ohio, February 5, 1824. and therefore 
lived to be eighty-two years, four months and 
seventeen days old. 

The son of William Glandon, who was born in 
17so. and of the hitter's wile, Nancy Magdalene 
i Peacock i Glandon, Mr. Glandon' s maternal 
grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War who had laid his claim warrant for 160 
acres of land on the historic Mount Vernon 
home. William Glandon had eleven children, all 
of whom attained maturity, aud one of whom. 
William, his father's namesake, lives in .Mount 
Pleasant John A., in youth had but a limited 
education, but be developed ingenuity of a high 
order, and was especially cut in the mold of a 
trader. Left fatherless at the age of twelve 
years, and the sole support of his widowed 
mother, he contracted for employment by a mail 
carrier, near Moorefield 1 , Ohio, at five dollars 
per month — a princely sum for toil in those days 
and for that kind of occupation. At the same time 
he delved into everything that promised finan- 
cial returns, and at one time bought a drove of 
a hundred turkeys, which he drove to market at 
Louisville, Ohio, a distance of eighty miles. He 
was fortunate in this venture, notwithstanding 
that he lost quite a number of birds on the way. 
When his powers were more matured the trading 
instinct was still uppermost, and he contracted 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



831 



to build two miles of the Pan Handle Railroad 
in Harrison County, Ohio, and then went to the 
mouth of the Big Sandy River, in Kentucky, and 
built two miles of the Lexington & Big Sandy 
Railroad in each instance making a success of 
his large undertaking. 

Mr. Glandon came with his mother to Schuy- 
ler County in 1856, and the mother made her 
home with him until 1866, when during a visit 
to McDonough County, she sickened and died at 
the age ol seventy-two years. In Schuyler County 
Mr. Glandon bought 125 acres of land iu Section 
21, Brooklyn Township, paying therefor $13 per 
acre, the land having on it a rude log cabin but 
no other improvements. He cleared practically 
all of this land, built a barn forty by seventy 
feet with basement, and also cattle barns, hav- 
ing stalls for a huudred head of stock. In 1S82 
he bought the Brooklyn Mills, which he rebuilt 
and fitted with modern grist machinery, and 
which proved a fine success. Previous success 
enabled him to invest in almost any enterprise 
in the county, and all of his means were gotten 
legitimately and without the sacrifice of princi- 
ple or encroachment on the rights of his fellow 
men. At one time he owned 900 acres of land, 
and was a large raiser of sheep, having, during 
the Civil War. 1.700 head of Merinos, the wool 
of which netted him a dollar a pound. In 1865, 
iu company with William Horney, he went to 
Graystone, Texas, with a team of horses after 
an "Id couple that had become stranded, travel- 
ing without a murmur a distance of 2,000 miles. 
'1 he task was arduous and the way dangerous in 
those days of civil strife, and the men heaved a 
deep sigh of relief when they again landed in 
the county with the old couple in safety. Nor 
did this venture represent the extent of his 
thoughtfulnss and kindness to others, for his 
hand was ever in his pocket, and he gladly gave 
whenever the cause had the least semblance of 
justifiability. 

In Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Mr. Glandon 
married Delilah Bannister, who preceded him to 
the other world about seven weeks before his 
own death, or June 3, 1906. This couple jour- 
neyed together in great harmony, aud it was con- 
sidered providential that their exit from the 
stage ol' affairs left neither desolate for long. 
They were the parents of four children: Belinda 
J., wile of Samuel McKelvin, a fanner of the 
vicinity of Lincoln, Neb. ; James W., on the old 
home farm; Alice, wife of John C. Fowler, rep- 
resented elsewhere in this work; and Edgar D., 
a telephone manager of the plant at Pittsfield, 
111. 

GLASS, David H. — Many of the superior com- 
pensations which lie in wait for the capable and 
learned exponent of legal science have fallen to 
the lot of David H. Glass, whose professional 
association with Rushville dates from 1878. Mr. 
Class was born on a farm in Ripley County. Ind.. 
in 1854. a son of John and Ann (Major) Glass, 
the former a native of Washington County. Pa.. 
and the latter born in County Waterford, Ire- 



land. Craving a broader life than that prom- 
ised as an agriculturist, Mr. Glass devised means 
of securing the necessary higher education, aud 
from the public schools of Crawfordsville entered 
Wabash College, lnd. He came to Illinois in 
1S71 aud began the study of law, entering the 
law department of the University of Iowa, at 
Iowa City, from which he took his degree in 
1878. Upon locating in Rushville in 1S7S he be- 
came the partner of S. I',. Montgomery, an asso- 
ciation amicably and profitably continued for 
nearly twenty years, until the removal of his 
partner to Qulncy, HI. Since then he has con- 
ducted an independent practice, and has been 
connected, on one side or the other, with many 
of the important suits which have come up for 
adjustment iu the city and couuty. 

For years Mr. Glass has been active iu connec- 
tion with Democratic politics, his first office be- 
ing that of State's Attorney, to which he was 
elected in 1NS4, aud in which he served three 
terms. In 1901 he was elected Mayor of Rush- 
ville, and his administration resulted in many 
improvements in the municipal governmeut. He 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Decern 
ber 21, 1881, occurred the marriage of Mr. Class 
to Sarah G. Worthingtou, of Rushville, and of 
this union there have been born two children, 
Ruth W. and Charles, the latter now being de- 
ceased. To bis professional practice Mr. Class 
brings the combination of tact, ripe experience 
and unswerving integrity, and as such he is 
highly honored in a community which has prof- 
ited by more than quarter of a century of his 
citizenship. 

GREENLEAF, Peter.— The name of Greenleaf 
first became known in Illinois iu 1S36, through 
the advent of Joseph and Peter Greenleaf, sons 
of Peter Greenleaf of New Jersey, a participant 
iu the War of 1812. One of the brothers, Peter, 
settled near White Oak Springs. Brown County, 
111., and at his death there in 1857 left two sons 
and two daughters, but only two of the number 
are now living, Joseph, a resident of Steamboat 
Rock. Iowa, and his sister, Mary, who lives near 
Whitehall, . The elder of the two immi- 
grating brothers, Joseph, settled in Astoria. Ful- 
ton County, 111., locating on a soldier's claim on 
Section 0. The warrant for this claim was made 
out in favor of Peter Greenleaf, the grandfather, 
as a partial compensation for services rendered 
in the War of 1812. It was about this time, 1S40, 
that Joseph Greenleaf was married, and to- 
gether the young people set up housekeeping in 
the rude log cabin which Mr. Greenleaf had 
erected on the land. Though crude on the exte- 
rior and lacking in many comforts in its inte- 
rior furnishings, the genial, happy home-life 
within made up in generous measure for the lack 
of material things. This continued to be the 
family home until 186S, when the father sold the 

old 1 ie place and came to Schuyler County, 

purchasing 160 acres of land from Tom Mc- 

r i ry on Sections 13 and 14. in Birmingham 

Township. Here he built a comfortable resi- 



835 



HISTOBY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



deuce for bis family and brought tbe land to a 
bigb state of cultivation, and here, too, bis 
earthly life came to a close in 1904. His death 
was looked upou as a public loss, not only to tbe 
community in which he was then living, but also 
in Fulton County, where so many years of bis 
younger life bad been passed. To all he was 
known as the embodiment of generosity and lib- 
erality, for none who appealed to him were ever 
known to leave bis door without assistance. Dur- 
ing his younger years he had joined the Masonic 
order, was lor many years a member of the 
Christian Church, and politically was a sup- 
porter of Democratic principles. He was born 
in Hoboken, X. J., April 0, ISIS, came to Illi- 
nois in 1836, and for sixty-eight years gave tbe 
strength of his sturdy manhood in assisting in 
the reclamation of this commonwealth and mak- 
ing it the peer of States in the Middle West. Be- 
fore her marriage his wife was Miss Sarah Dale, 
a native of Indiana, *vho came to Illinois with 
her mother, her father, Samuel Dale, having 
given bis life for his country's cause in the War 
of 1S12. 

Seven children were born into this family on 
the Fulton County homestead, their names in or- 
der of birth being as follows : Nathaniel of 
Centralia, Wash. ; Damaris Rose, tbe wife of 
James H. Rose, of Lamar, Mo. ; Samuel, of Cen- 
tralia, Wash.; Alice, of Table Grove, 111., the 
widow of George R. Sellars ; Alonzo, of Joplin, 
Mo. ; and Stephen, also a resident of Table Grove. 
The mother of these children died on the Fulton 
County homestead June 27, 1867, leaving a be- 
reaved family and many friends whose acquaint- 
ance dated back to pioneer days. She was not 
permitted to see all of her children grow to ma- 
turity. 

The second child in his pareuts' family, Peter 
Greenleaf, was born in Astoria Township, Ful- 
ton County, 111., December 2, 1845. With con- 
siderable irregularity he atteuded the district 
school adjacent to his boyhood home and, when 
not in school, be was kept occupied with the 
duties which fell to his lot on the home farm. 
Notwithstanding the hardships which came with 
life on the frontier, Mr. Greenleaf looks back 
upon those days as the most joyous of his whole 
life, parents and children all contributing to the 
good humor and happy atmosphere which always 
filled the little home. His marriage on Septem- 
ber ::, 1808. united him with Miss Sarah E. Cook, 
the daughter of Peter Cook, of Oakland Town- 
ship, Schuyler County. For some years after bis 
marriage he worked as a farm hand in the em- 
ploy of others, but in the meantime he laid by 
from bis earnings all that could be spared after 
furnishing necessities for the family and in time 
was enabled to purchase land on bis own account. 
This consisted of sixty-two and a half acres on 
Section 8. Emniett Township, McDonongh County, 
111., where for twenty-two years — or until 1904 
— he made his home continuously. It was in tbe 
year just mentioned that he returned to his boy- 
hood home, Schuyler County, and bought 202 
acres on Section 24. Birmingham Township, a 



farm which embodies some of the finest land in 
Schuyler County, and on which he raises all of 
the grains common to a well-established Illinois 
farm. 

Eleven children were born to tbe marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Greenleaf, but of this number 
three died in infancy. The eldest living child, 
Joseph, married Miss Nona Sells, by whom be 
has lour children — Pauline, Joseph, Alice and 
Sterling. Annie became the wile of John W. 
Gleason, of Birmingham Township, and is the 
mother of five children — Roy, Pearl, Mary. 
Charles and Ethel. Eva, the wife of Joseph 
McGee, of Chattaroy, Wash., has two children — 
Frances aud John. Samuel is a resident of Rush- 
ville. 111. John S. is tbe next in order of birth. 
Alice, the wife of Allie Morrell, is tbe mother of 
two children — \ ernot aud Dorothy E. Ross C. 
and Frank M. complete the family. The latter 
married Lottie Saultz, and they have two chil- 
dren, Peter and Henry. Mr. Greenleaf is nom- 
inally a Democrat, but is liberal iu his views, 
and votes for the man best suited to the office in 
question, regardless of party. Fraternally he is 
affiliated with the Masonic Order and with tbe 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 

HABER, Daniel F.— The name of Daniel F. Ha- 

ber is associated with all that is substantial in 
character, excellent in farming and admirable in 
social life in Rusbville Township. His claims to 
consideration are further increased by worthy 
political services, not the least important of 
which is bis tenure in office as Highway Commis- 
sioner. To this office he was twice elected, and 
his unceasing activity resulted in marked im- 
provement of the public thoroughfares, and an 
increase of local pride in their hardness, smooth- 
ness and adaptability to all weather conditions. 
By a student of nations it is declared that no 
public utility so faithfully indexes the character 
of a people as its arteries of travel, and the pres- 
ent condition of the roads in Rusbville Town- 
ship would seem to indicate a very high standard 
of citizenship. 

Bom on a farm in Littleton Township. Sehuy- 
ler County, November 1(5, 1865, Mr. Haber is a 
son of Thomas Haber, mention of whom may be 
found elsewhere in this work. His boyhood was 
spent after the fashion of most farmers' sons in 
average circumstances, and he combined tbe 
many-sided work of tbe farm with irregular at- 
tendance at the district school, and being nat- 
urally studious, he readily devoured such books 
as came within the range of his using. At the 
age of twenty-two his life shifted into a groove 
of larger responsibility through his marriage, in 
February, 1SS7, to Lotta Griffith, daughter of 
Mayland Griffith, and a native of DeWitt County, 
111. The young people continued to live on the 
Haber farm until 1888, when Mr. Haber rented 
property in Bethel Township, McDonough County, 
tbe following year moving to Littleton Township, 
Schuyler County, where he rented land until 
1892. He then moved to the farm which he now 
owns and occupies, containing 150 acres In Sec- 




MR. AND MRS. MADISON O. SNYDKK 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



833 



tion 21, Rushville Township. He is an extensive 
breeder, feeder and shipper of stock, especially 
hogs and cattle, and raises on an average be- 
tween 100 and 150 acres of corn yearly, the en- 
tire amount being used in his business. He ships 
from fifty to seventy-five head of cattle, and 
from 200 to 400 hogs every year, and is one of 
the most successful men in this line in the county. 
Since 1892 he has made steady progress in his 
life, has acquired influence and authority in the 
community, and has reason to regard as fortu- 
nate the incentive which led him to settle in this 
part of Schuyler County. 

Mr. Haber subscribes to Democratic principles, 
and he was elected Road Commissioner on that 
ticket. He is socially connected with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined the 
order in 1S98, and is also a member of the Rush- 
ville Lodge of Modern Woodmen of America. 
Both he and his wife are members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, and to this, as to many 
other causes, be is a generous contributor. Mr. 
and Mrs. Haber are the parents of the following 
children : Carl, born November 28, 18S8 ; Mabel 
P., born December 29, 1891 ; Paul, born March 
24. 1S93; Clark G., born April 18, 1894: Daniel 
G., born April 9, 1S96, died August 1, 1S96 ; Vera, 
born June 2, 1897; Mary, born August 6, 1898; 
Harold, born October 4, 1903 ; and Margaret, 
born March 23, 1905. 

Mrs. Haber was born April 19, 1869, and rep- 
resents an early family of Schuyler County. Her 
father, Mayland Griffith, and her mother, Isa- 
bella (Shoe) Griffith, were natives of Muskin- 
gum County, Ohio, and came early to DeWitt 
County, 111., where Mrs. Haber was born. The 
Griffiths arrived in Schuyler County in 1873. The 
mother died in Cass County, the father being 
also deceased. They were the parents of thir- 
teen children, nine of whom are living ; John, a 
resident of California ; Newton, a farmer of 
McDonough County, 111. ; Joseph, a resident of 
Bloomington. 111. ; Parlet, of Hancock County, 
111.; Grant; Dora, wife of John Whitehead, of 
Grand Bluff, 111.; Nancy Jane; Maretta; and 
Anna. 

HABER, John C. — Schuyler County is fortunate 
in the possession of many native sons whose con- 
tinued loyalty to its institutions and opportuni- 
ties make for its permanent and most substan- 
tial well being, and who, in the same occupa- 
tion as their sires, are realizing the advantages 
of latter day methods of operation. To this class 
belongs John C. Haber, owner of 100 acres of 
land in Section 19, Camden Township. Mr. Ha- 
ber was born in Bnena Vista Township, Schuy- 
ler County, April 28, 1879. a son of Thomas Ha- 
ber. mention of whom may be found elsewhere 
in this work. 

Mr. Haber early made himself useful around 
his father's farm, devoting such time as he 
could spare to attendance at the district school, 
and sharing the common diversions of the youth 
of the neighborhood. September 12, 1891, he mar- 
ried Emma Miller, a native of Brown County, 



111., and daughter of Thomas and Amanda 
(Mounee) Miller, pioneers of Brown County, the 
former of whom is deceased. Mrs. Miller, who 
still makes her home in Brown County, is the 
mother of six children, one of whom died in in- 
fancy. Of those living, Nettie is the wife of 
William Rigg, of Brown County; Hattie. wife 
of Lafayette Avery (see sketch of James Avery) ; 
Edsel, living on the old place in Brown County ; 
Pearl, wife of Fred Kerr, a farmer of Brown 
County; and Mrs. Haber. Mr. and Mrs. Haber 
rented a farm for a year after their marriage, and 
in the fall of 1S92 bought 100 acres of land in 
Camden Township, known as the old Eugene 
Cady farm, and located thereon in the spring 
of 1893. Under the wise control of Mr. Haber 
his farm has developed great resource and fer- 
tility, and is practically demonstrating the ad- 
vantages of a man at the helm who thoroughly 
understands the science of farming. He keeps 
on hand a high grade of horses, cattle and lings, 
has excellent bams and outhouses and a com- 
fortable dwelling. Mr. Haber is one of the farm- 
ers who recognize no limit to their advancement, 
and who, through the medium of periodicals and 
conventions keep pace with the ideas of men 
prominent in the world of agriculture. He is the 
parent of one son, Thomas C, born in January, 
1903. Mr. Haber is a Democrat in politics, and 
in religion is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 

HABER, Thomas.— The sturdy, ■ indomitable 
spirit, unflagging industry and thrifty frugality 
characteristic of the German-American, is every- 
where conspicuously manifest in the industrial 
activities of the United States, and of the vast 
number of honest, clear-headed and enterprising 
sons of Germany who have helped to promote 
the welfare of the land of their adoption, Thomas 
Haber is one of the most worthy representatives 
of the agricultural class, and has won a world- 
wide reputation in the raising of hogs. In har- 
mony with the general character of Mr. Haber 
is the fact that, when he arrived in Schuyler 
County, bis last cent had been spent for lodging 
lor a friend who accompanied him from Ohio. 
From this meagre and discouraging beginning he 
has advanced to one of the foremost farmers and 
stock raisers of the United States. He was 
horn in Tragelhochstadt. Germany. July 25, 1841, 
,i son of Andrew and Margaret (Milburger) Ha- 
ber, natives also of the Fatherland and fanners 
by occupation. He received his preliminary edu- 
cation in his native land, and in 1852 accompa- 
nied the rest of the family to the United States, 
locating on a farm in the vicinity of Dayton, 
Ohio. Here the father died at the age of seventy- 
nine years, the mother surviving him until her 
eighty-ninth year. 

Thomas Haber was about twenty-three years 
old when he left Ohio with a friend and came 
to Illinois in 1S64, locating on a farm in Little- 
ton Township, Schuyler County, which he rented 
for two years. He then moved to Buena Vista 
Township, which has since been his home, and 



834 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



where he now owns 200 acres in Section 13, also 
forty-four acres In Section 18, Rushville Town- 
ship, and forty acres in Littleton Township, mak- 
ing in all 284 aires, lie has a modern farm 
house, well constructed barns and outbuildings, 
mid the most practical of agricultural imple- 
ments. He is a stanch believer in progressive ag- 
riculture, and leaves no stone unturned to im- 
prove his methods, his farm and his oportuni- 
ties in general. In this way he has come to be 
regarded as one of the most thorough, painstak- 
ing and substantial fanners in Schuyler County. 
The marriage of Mr. Ilaber to .Mary Bovey 
occurred October 6, 1S04, Mrs. Haber being a na- 
tive of Greene County, Ohio, born August 15, 
1844. She is a daughter of Joseph and Eliza- 
beth (Miller) Bovey, natives of Maryland and 
Pennsylvania, respectively, who moved from 
Ohio io Illinois in 1863, locating in the vicinity 
Of Littleton where they improved a fine farm, 
and where both died at ail advanced age. To 
Mr. and .Mrs. Haber have been horn eight chil- 
dren : Daniel, born November 16, 1S65, married 
Lota Griffith, is a farmer in Rushville Town- 
ship, and has eight children — Carl, Pearl, Paul, 
Clark. Vera, Mary, Harold and Margaret: Mar- 
garet J., born November 13, 1867, wife ofl'arely 
Griffith, a farmer "l Hancock County, 111., and 
mother of Bessie Griffith; Fannie E.. bom April 
18, 1870, and died at the age of one year; Grace 
M.. born January IS. 1S75, wife of Albert Tom- 
linson, a farmer of Huutsville Township, and 
mother of six children — Ruth, Cecil, Derward, 
Roy. Mary and Francis; John, born April 28, 
1879, married Emma .Miller, has one child. 
Thomas, and is a farmer in Camden Township: 
Allie. born October 10, 1882, the wile of George 
Logan, a farmer of Littleton Township, and has 
one child. Raymond: Edna, liorn August 0. 1882, 
living at home; and William, born September 6, 

ISSN. 

In political affiliation Mr. Ilaber is a Denio- 
crat, but is liberal in bis political ideas. He is 
fraternally connected with the Rushville Lodge. 
No. 24, I. O. O. P., and in his religious views is 
a Presbyterian. He is considered an exemplary 
and useful citizen, and his children have been 
trained to fashion their lives along broad and 
practical and noble lines. 

Mr. Ilaber is one of the most successful breed- 
ers of hogs in the world. In 1906. he exhibited 
bis hugs at the Fat Stock Show in Chicago, and 
won the third prize for the best carload lot. In 
1907. at the same exhibition he won the first 
prize lor the best carload lot. and also the cham- 
pionship of the world. He also has won many 
prizes on stock and horses at the county fairs. 

HALE, Elam Bliss. — In considering the ances- 
tral connections of Elam Bliss Hale, an honored 
farmer living in Section 12. Birmingham Town- 
ship. Schuyler County, one's memory again re- 
verts to that greatly admired hero and courage- 
ous patriot. Nathan Hale, a graduate of Tale Col- 
lege, a Captain under General Washington in the 
Revolutionary War. and who. upon being sent 



by bis chief to secure information concerning the 
British in New York, was captured as a spy and 
at twenty-one years of age, executed, September 
22. 1776, by order of Sir William Howe. Nathan 
Hale's successors and relatives have been scat- 
tered to the four corners of this great country, 
but each and all gladly avow their connection 
with him. and their admiration for his intrepid 
loyalty and high character. Thomas, William and 
Timothy Hale came to America about Mayflower 
time, settling in New England, and from them 
descended three branches, Elam Bliss tracing 
his descent to William Hale. Josiah. son of Wil- 
liam, brother of Nathan Hale, and grandfather 
of Elam. was born August 21, 1756, and died 
April 13, 1S41. He married Abigail Joslin. born 
March 6, 1761, and died May 24, 1841. To 
Josiah and Abigail Hale were born the following 
children: Nathan, July 4, 1781; Josiah, Feb- 
ruary 3, ITS: 1 .; James L., February 20, 1785; 
Nathan, Jr., October 13. 1786; Esther, September 
24. 1788 ; Jessie, April 4, 1791 ; Acbsab, January 
18, 1793; and Abraham, January 26, 1799. 

Abraham Hale, father of Elam Bliss Hale, 
first saw the light of day in Tyringhain, Mass.. 
and married Fannie M. Bliss, who was born in 
Towanda, Pa.. February 26. 1810, and died in 
Bernadotte, Fulton County. 111., August 2o. inch. 
Mr. Hale came to Bernadotte about 1840. but 
eventually went to Missouri, where he died July 
20. 1S72. Of his six children, Egbert C. born 
October 14, 1829, was the first Sheriff of Los 
Angeles County. Cal., who served through his 
entire term, went from there to the City of Mex- 
ico, married a Mexican woman, and for twenty- 
four years was connected with the office of the 
American Consul, finally dying there March 22. 
1898, leaving a family of five children — Charles 
F., Abraham F., Adelaide, Matilda ami Edmond 
R. ; Abigail Hale, born March 2. 1831. died March 
10. 1842: Lambert Hale, born in Westfield, N. 
Y.. January 2, 1834, drove the first stage over 
the southern mail route from Santiago. Cal.. to 
San Antonio. Texas, about 1856 or '57, died 
December 5. 1871. while serving as Chief of Po- 
lice at Chetopa, Kan. ; Elam Bliss Hale, subject 
of this sketch, born March IS, 1841 ; George 
Hale, born January 1. 1844, died September 6. 
1S45 ; and Mary A., born in Fulton County. 111., 
November If.. 1850, and died September 22. 1S51. 
The youth of Elam Bliss Hale passed after 
the manner of the average country boy, and 
April 25, 1861, he married Mary Markey. a na- 
tive of Harrison County, Ohio, born April 26, 
1843,. Mrs. Hale came with her parents to Illi- 
nois in 1859. (For further particulars regarding 
the Markey family, see sketch of Harvey B. 
Markey.) Mr. and Mrs. Hale have a son. Charles 
E., born in Birmingham, Schuyler County, Au- 
gust 2. 1867. and married, for his first wife. Ad- 
die Toland, born in March, 1879. Of this union 
there is a son. Charles E.. who was born January 
16. 1891. The second wife of Charles Hale for- 
merly was Nora Mitchell, of Littleton Township, 
and of their union there are three children: 
Fannie L.. Ruth L., and Forest Bliss. For his 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



835 



entire active life Mr. Hale has engaged in farm- 
ing, but he has not led a narrow or inactive life, 
but by travel and reading has kept in touch with 
the general happenings the world over. In the 
'sixties he spent some time in Colorado as a 
cow-boy, returning to Beruadotte Township, Ful- 
ton Count}-, in December, 1865. For a time he 
combined farming and working in a saw-mill, 
and finally bought forty acres of land in Section 
-'■',, Birmingham Township, Schuyler County, to 
which he added until he was owner of 107 acres, 
which lie sold in 1880. He then bought 120 acres 
in Sections 12 and 13, with the dwelling on Sec- 
tion 12, and here has since made his home. He 
has the original deed to his property signed by 
President James K. Polk. 

Mr. Hale lias filled a large need in the town- 
ship, and besides setting an inspiring example of 
honesty and well directed industry, has filled 
many important local offices, including that of 
Clerk for eleven years, Assessor six terms, and 
member of the School Board twenty years. He 
is an uncompromising Republican, as was his 
father before him. Indeed Abraham Hale was 
so strong an Abolitionist during the war. that 
the K. K. K.'s set the night to kill him, but 
failed to hit their mark. Mr. Hale preserves 
well the traditions of his time-honored family, 
possesses the courtesy and consideration of true 
breeding and birth, and values as above price 
the qualities of honesty and fairness in dealing 
with his fellow men. 

HALE, Jesse, a well known and prosperous 
farmer and stock raiser in Section 27, Littleton 
Township. Schuyler County, 111., was born in 
Buena Vista Township, same county, June 14, 
1856, a son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Bartlow) 
I laic, the father, born in New Madrid County, 
Mil. and the mother in Sangamon County, 111. 
When a boy Joshua Hale was brought to Schuy- 
ler County by his parents, who were among the 
early settlers of the county. The family settled 
on a farm in Buena Vista Township, where 
Joshua Hale afterwards became the owner of 
160 acres of land. This he sold in 1S65. moving 
to Fremont County, Iowa, and there purchasing 
a hotel. In the following year, disposing of the 
hotel property, he returned to Schuyler County, 
and bought 160 acres on the site of the present 
village of Littleton. Several years later, he sold 
out and moved to Hancock County, 111., where 
he afterwards bought a farm of 200 acres near 
Augusta. There he died May 18, 1895. His wife 
hail preceded him to the grave, August 20, 1S82, 
while living in Littleton Township, Schuyler 
Count}-. They bad a family of eight children, 
four of whom are deceased. Those surviving are 
as follows : Letha, who married George Ross, 
and is now a widow, living in Hancock County. 
111.: Jesse; Sadie, who became the wife of John 
Deweese, a resident of Hamilton. Hancock 
County: and Cora (Mrs. Marshall Randle), 
whose homo is also in that county. Jesse Hale 
was brought up on the home farm, receiving his 
education in the common schools. Remaining 



with bis parents until he reached the age of 
Bweuty-one years, be then bought eighty acres 
of improved land, but selling this three years 
later, purchased eighty acres in Section 27, of 
the same township, which he also retained three 
years. His next purchase was a farm in the 
vicinity of Pulaski. Hancock County, which be 
disposed of after living on it two years, when 
returning to Littleton Township, he bought 200 
aires of improved land which is still his prop- 
city. Alter living there until 1903, he bought 
forty acres in Section 27, upon which he has 
since made his home. He has been quite success- 
ful in his business enterprises, and besides gen- 
eral farming, has raised many head of Black- 
Polled Angus cattle, as well as horses and hogs 
in considerable numbers. 

Mr. Hale has been twice married. The mai- 
den name of his first wife was Abbie E. Davis, 
who was bom in Worcester, Mass., and to whom 
he was wedded November 24, 1881. Two 
children were the result of this union, namely : 
Lelia S., born August 30, Issu. who became the 
wife of Asa Bartlett, and lives on her father's 
200-acre farm; and Blanche E., who died in 
infancy, March 28. 1891. The mother of these 
children passed away in January, 1893. In 
October. 1894, .Mr. Hale was united in marriage 
with Luella M. Wheat, who was born in Little- 
ton Township, August ::. 1864, a daughter of 
John and Julia (Snyder) Wheat, natives of Ken- 
tucky, and a granddaughter, on the maternal 
side, of David and Lucinda Snyder. 

In politics. Mr. Hale is a supporter of the 
Democratic party, and fraternally is affiliated 
with the I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 24, of Rushville. 
He is classed among the substantial farmers of 
bis township, and is regarded as a useful citizen. 

HALE, John Wesley. — The early associations 
of the subject of this sketch cluster around 
scenes in Schuyler County, whither he came with 
his parents at the age of three years. Since 
then he has risen to a position as one of the ca- 
llable agriculturists of Camden Township, where 
he makes his home on Section 12. In connection 
with his first purchase of laud it may be stated 
tli il he paid $100 for eleven acres, forming the 
nucleus of his present possessions. To raise the 
purchase money he sold a spotted mare for $80 
and two calves for $8 each, thus raising $00, and 
with the balance of money he had on hand, he 
acquired a little tract with a primitive log cabin. 
During 1883 he erected a frame building. 16x26 
feet, and now, by subsequent addition, he has a 
modern and commodious country home. At first 
he rented land adjoining his home place, but 
gradually he added to his possessions until now 
he owns altogether 215 acres on Sections 12 and 
13, in Camden Township. In September, 1907, 
he added to this 120 acres more in Section 13, 
Camden Township. 

The Hale family was established in Schuyler 
County by the grandfather of John Wesley Hale, 
who came here from New Madrid, Mo., and se- 
cured about 500 acres in Buena Vista Township. 



s:;c 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUXTY. 



The lather, Jesse Hale, was born in Schuyler 
County, and married Rebecca Wardrup, who died 
in 1883. The last heard of the father was by 
letter written from Ottumwa, Iowa, in which 
he stated that he was about to go to the mining 
district of the Black Hills. Of his four children, 
James is living near Adams County, 111. ; John 
Wesley remains in Schuyler County ; Drusilla, 
dei eased, was the wife of James Bartlett, a 
farmer in Buena Vista Township ; and Mary, de- 
ceased, was the wife of Charles Warrington. 

Born near Salem. Iowa, January 13, 1850, John 
Wesley Hale was three years of age at the time 
the family returned to Schuyler County, and 
here he received his schooling in Buena Vista 
Township. In March of 1SS0 he married Miss 
Vina P. Warington. a daughter of Isaac M. War- 
ingiou, and a native of Kushville, 111., born in 
June, 1858. They are the parents of seven chil- 
dr, u : Maude, Jessie, Bertha, Dwight, Ruth, Ho- 
mer and Bessie, all of whom are at home. Po- 
litically a Democrat, Mr. Hale has filled various 
offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to 
all concerned. In 1006 he was the Democratic 
nominee for Supervisor for Camden Township 
and was elected by a gratifying majority. In 
addition, for some years he filled the office of 
County Central Committeeman from his town- 
ship. With his wife he holds membership in 
the .Methodist Episcopal Church, South, while 
fraternally he belongs to Camden Lodge No. 4S, 
A. F. & A. M. The success with which he has 
met proves him to be a man of large powers of 
mind, rugged determination of character and 
judgment in his business transactions. All in 
all, he furnishes an illustration of the type of 
progressive farmer and loyal citizen whose pres- 
ence in the county and commonwealth is of the 
highest importance to the permanent prosperity 
of the nation. 

HAMMOND, Charles Henry.— Occupying a lead- 
ing position among the business men of Rushville 
is the gentleman whose name stands at the head 
of this article and whose birth occurred October 
26, 1SG8, in the county where he now resides. 
The genealogy of the family is traced back sev- 
eral generations in America, the great-grandpar- 
ents of the subject of this sketch being Henry 
and Mary i Russell I Hammond, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. The grandparents. Jacob and Eliza- 
beth i lit! i Hammond, were born respectively, in 
Maryland and Pennsylvania, and the father. Ja- 
cob. Jr.. was a native of Knox County, Ohio. The 
last-named, who retired from business in 1003, 
and who is represented elsewhere in this work, 
married Sarah Margaret Lawler, who was born 
in Schuyler County, 111., being a daughter of 
George Edward and Caroline (Hymer) Lawler, 
born respectively in Virginia and North Carolina. 
The grandparents of Sarah Margaret Lawler 
were Alexander Lawler, of Virginian birth, and 
Margaret Buckner (White) Lawler. also born in 
the Old Dominion. 

The education of Charles Henry Hammond 
was received in Rushville, 111., and in Kirksville, 



Mo. From the spring of 1883 to the fall of 
1893 he was Assistant Postmaster, first with his 
father, who was Postmaster from 1882 to 1886, 
then with Postmaster Albert H. Seeley, 1886 to 
1890, and then with Postmaster Hutton until 
the fall of 1803, when he and his father, Jacob 
Hammond, embarked in the furniture and un- 
dertaking business as successors to Harvey 
Brothers on the south side of the square. In 
September of 1000 he entered the American 
School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Mo., where 
he received an education in that profession un- 
der its founder, Dr. A. T. Still. After graduat- 
ing in June of 1902 he returned to Rushville and 
in May of the following year sold the furniture 
and undertaking business to H. W. Graff, after 
which he devoted himself to the practice of os- 
teopathy for some years. In February, 1006. he 
purchased his lormer business, which he now 
conducts under the firm title of Charles H. 
Hammond. The business was founded by E. H. 
O. Seeley in January of 1831 and is one of the 
oldest of its kind in this section of Illinois. For 
the undertaking business he is well qualified by 
a course of study in Clark's School of Embalm- 
ing, Chicago, and his knowledge of osteopathy, 
with its careful training in anatomy, further 
qualifies him for efficient work as an undertaker. 
Although not connected with any denomination 
Mr. Hammond is interested in religious work 
and attends services at the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Politically be has been a stanch sup- 
porter of Republican principles ever since at- 
taining his majority. In 1894 he was made a 
Master Mason and is a member of Rushville 
Lodge No. 9, A. F. & A. M. In 1905 he became 
identified with Rushville Chapter No. 184, R. A. 
M., in the following year was initiated into 
Rushville Commaudery K. T., No. 56, of which 
in June 190S, he was chosen Eminent Com- 
mander. In 1002 became associated with Moila 
Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the 
Mystic Shrine at St. Joseph, Mo. His fraternal 
relations further include membership in Kirks- 
ville Lodge No. 4G4, Benevolent Protective Order 
of Elks, at Kirksville. At Rushville, October 
12, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Harriet G. McCreery, who was born near that 
city May 22. 1871. Her father and her grand- 
parents on both sides came from the North of 
Ireland. Two daughters bless their union, 
namely : Geneva Beatrice, born September 13, 
1894; and Virginia McCreery. June 12. 1900. both 
of whom are receiving the advantages offered by 
the excellent schools of their home city. 

HAMMOND, Captain Harold, of the Twenty- 
third Regiment, United States Infantry, whose 
military record is surpassed by that of few. if 
any, of the younger officers of the regular army, 
was born in Rushville, Schuyler County, 111., Oc- 
tober 21, 1874, a son of Jacob and Sarah Mar- 
garet (Lawler) Hammond, the former a native 
of Knox County, Ohio, where he was born No- 
vember 28th. 1S34. The maternal grandfather 
and the great grandfather on the paternal side 



HISTOBY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



837 



fought under Washington during the Revolution- 
ary War. The occupation of the father while in 
active life was that of a merchant, and he is now 
living in retirement. 

The boyhood of the subject of this sketch was 
occupied with school studies, and otherwise 
passed in the recreations and diversions common 
to youth of vigorous physical development, such 
as skating, swimming, rowing, etc. He attended 
the Rushville High School and was afterwards 
a student in the Illinois College at Jacksonville. 
In 1893, and tor a portion of 1894, he acted in 
the capacity of Assistant Postmaster at Rush- 
ville. In the summer of 1894, he entered the 
I'nited States .Military Academy at West Point, 
from which he was graduated in April, 1898, be- 
ing assigned to Gen. Shatter's army to Cuba in 
lS'.is. saw active service at Santiago, was sta- 
tioned at Madison Barracks, N. Y., in October 
of the last named year, and was promoted to 
First Lieutenancy in the winter following. In 
April, 1899. his regiment was sent to the Philip- 
pines, where he took part in many engagements, 
being in command of his company. He com- 
manded a company of the Ninth Regiment when 
ordered with the relief army to China in July, 
1900, participating in all of the fighting on the 
way to Peking, and in the capture of that city. 
which resulted in the relief of the foreign lega- 
tions. From China, he was sent to the Island of 
Samar in the spring of 1901, returning to the 
United States in June. 1H02. From August, 
1902, until June. 1906, lie was instructor in 
drawing in the United States Military Academy 
at West Point, having been promoted in Octo- 
ber, of the former year, to a captaincy, and 
transferred to the Twenty-third Regiment. 
United States Infantry. His promotion as Cap- 
tain was recommended by Gen. Lawton, for 
"bravery and good judgment in handling his com- 
pany" in the Zapote River fight in the Island 
of Luzon, in June. 1901. At the Jamestown Ex- 
position, at Norfolk. Va., in the summer of 1907, 
he was in charge of the Army and Navy Club, 
and In December of the same year, was detailed 
for duty as Paymaster, being stationed at Wash- 
ington, D. C. He is a member of several mili- 
tary orders, among them being the Order of the 
Dragon. 

On July 9. 1902, at Des Moines, Iowa, Capt. 
Hammond was united in marriage with Mary 
Pierce, a native of that State, and a niece of the 
late Hon. Edwin H. Conger. United States Min- 
ister to China, and afterwards to Mexico, of 
whose family she was n member for several 
years, rapt. Hammond first met Miss Pierce 
during the Boxer insurrection in China, while 
she was residing at the American Legation, pre- 
sided over by her uncle. Mr. Conger, and besieged 
by hosts of murderous fanatics which the allied 
forces were dispatched by their respective gov- 
ernments from various points in the Orient to 
subdue. Mrs. nammond passed through all the 
woful experience of the Boxer siege, until saved 
from a terrible death by the timely arrival of the 



long and anxiously awaited troops of the foreign 
powers. 

Capt. Hammond is the author of numerous 
articles published in standard magazines, and 
lor three years has contributed a serial to "St. 
Nicholas," entitled "Pinky Perkins." The "Cen- 
tury Company" has also issued two volumes of 
his sketches. 

HAMMOND, Henry G— At the age of seventy- 
eight years Henry G. Hammond finds himself an 
active factor in the management of his well ap- 
pointed farm in Rushville Township, upon which 
he settled in 1883, and where he is surrounded 
by innumerable evidences of his industry, prog- 
ress and refinement. As a boy, Mr. Hammond 
shared in the labor of a farm in Knox County, 
Ohio, where he was born in 1828. and upon which 
his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Uhl) Ham- 
mi md, had settled at an early day. The father 
was a native of Maryland, and born in 1801, and 
the mother bom in Pennsylvania in 1800. 

During the first year of the Civil War Mr. 
Hammond left Ohio and came to Rushville Town- 
ship, occupying another farm until he settled on 
his present one in 1883. He has been twice mar- 
ried, his first wile having been Marilla Walker, 
and his present wife, Maud Campbell, both na- 
tives of Ohio. The only daughter in the family, 
Lena B., is the wife of Ross Briggs, a farmer of 
Woodstock Township. Aside from the formality 
of casting his vote, Mr. Hammond has never been 
actively interested in politics. In years past he 
was a constant attendant at the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and contributed generously to- 
wards its support, and now, the weather permit- 
ting, lie is seen in bis pew. and takes a lively 
interest in music and sermon. Mr. Hammond is 
«il' genial and optimistic disposition, and this, 
taken in connection with the physical exercise, 
temperate habits, and wholesome diversions 
which have filled his life, tend to the assurance 
that many years more of usefulness ami prosper- 
ity are in store for him. 

HAMMOND, Jacob. — Previous to his permanent 
location in Rushville, 111., in 1873, Lieutenant 
Jacob Hammond had rounded out his thirty-nine 
years with farming, soldiering and school-teach- 
ing, and had developed a strength of character 
ami resourcefulness which made him a valuable 
and much needed citizen. The forty-five inter- 
vening years have witnessed an increase in the 
variety and extent of his capacity for usefulness, 
and he has unceasingly contributed to the wel- 
fare of the city as educator, office-holder, mer- 
chant, fraternalist and church-worker. Of late 
years little has happened in the community of 
vital interest that directly or indirectly has not 
been influenced by his opinion. 

Jacob Hammond was born in Knox County, 
Ohio, in November. L834, and on both sides of 
his family is of German descent. His father, 
Jacob Hammond, came of a family which early 
settled in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, later 
moving to the western part of that State, whence 



*,;s 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Jacob iu early life journeyed to Knox County, 
Ohio, and there purchased land during the sum- 
mer of 1824. The family of Elizabeth Uhl, his 
wife, also was identified with the pioneer his- 
tory of Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Hammond's 
grandfather followed the martial fortunes of 
Washington during the Revolutionary War. From 
this remote sire probably is inherited the dis- 
tinctly military tendencies of certain of his pres- 
ent day descendants. While, in the Fatherland, 
"Han. (Hid" was the common spelling of the fam- 
ily name, which since has been changed to Ham- 
mond. Jacob Hammond, Sr., followed farming 
for many years of his life, but he had strong re- 
ligious convictions, and not only was ordained to 
the Methodist Episcopal ministry, but preached 
for many years without pay, and solely for the 
good of his fellow men. He was known as one 
of the most genial and lovable of men, and his 
memory is cherished by a host of people to whom 
he pointed out the wise and happy ways of life. 
He had eight brothers and sisters, and with the 
exception of two brothers who died in Iowa, all 
spent the greater part of their lives in Ohio. Mr. 
Hammond cultivated a fine farm in Knox County. 
Ohio, and upon it was platted the now thriving 
town of Millwood. Here his death occurred at 
the age of eighty-seven years, bis wife attaining 
to seventy years. 

Jacob Hammond. Jr., was surrounded by fine 
and Christian early influences, and was encour- 
aged to a studious and practically useful exist- 
on, c. In the district schools and through his 
home application, he acquired an excellent edu- 
cation, and beginning with 1S5S taught two terms 
ol' six months each in his home district. He 
also taught one term in Medina County, Ohio, 
during the winter of 1859-60, and from this 
peaceful occupation and that of farming, turned 
in October, 1861, to test the fortunes of war. En- 
listing in Company A. Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, for three years. In- was mustered in 
as Second Lieutenant, having bellied to organize 
the company. The regiment became a part of the 
Sherman Brigade which John Sherman, then a 
member of the United States Senate, assisted to 
organize, and showed deep interest in the com- 
pany. From December. 1861, Mr. Hammond 
served in Kentucky and Tennessee, participated 
in the battles of Shiloh- and Pittsburg Landing, 
at the latter battle being on the brigade staff as 
ordnance officer under Genera] Harker, who was 
killed at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. Ow- 
. ing to failing health he was advised to resign 
during the second year of his service, and in 
June 1862, was honorably discharged, when he 
returned to his former borne in Ohio. 

In the fall of 1862, Mr. Hammond went to 
Marengo County. Iowa, to visit a brother, and 
during that winter taught a district school for 
one term. In April. 1863, he came to Rushville, 
and then visited another brother living in the 
southern part of Schuyler County. June 2o. 1865, 
he was united in marriage to Sarah M. Lawler. 
daughter of Ceorge E. Lawler. mention of whom 
may bo found elewhere in this work. The 



young people settled on a farm in Schuyler 
County, made that their home until 1871, and 
in 1873 located permanently in Rushville, where 
Mr. Hammond taught school until appointed 
Postmaster of the town in 1882. He continued 
to administer satisfactorily the local affairs of 
Uncle Sam until 1886, and in that year engaged 
in the grocery business until disposing of the 
same in 1893. He then established a furniture 
and undertaking business with his son. Charles 
II., in which he since has engaged, controlling a 
large patronage, and sustaining a reputation as 
one of the foremost merchants of the community. 

Mr. Hammond's devotion to the Republican 
party has brought him many honors besides the 
Postmastership. He was elected Justice of the 
Peace in 187S. holding the same for five years, 
was for nine years member of the School Board, 
and for one year City Treasurer. His services 
have been characterized by strict integrity and 
stanch devotion to the public welfare, to the end 
that he has received the support and approbation 
of even his political enemies. In 1S58 he became 
a member of the Masonic fraternity in Ohio, 
and is also one of the charter members of 4he 
Grand Army of the Republic. With his wife he 
is an active and helpful member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, to the support of which he 
is a liberal contributor. No man in Rushville 
has led a cleaner, more upright life than Mr. 
Hammond, and his contribution to its moral, 
educational and commercial stability is an en- 
viable and lasting one. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hammond are the parents of 
two sons, Charles II. and Harold. The Ham- 
mond boys have been given the best of educa- 
tional and general advantages, and their lives 
have rounded out to wide and interesting pro- 
portions. The martial strain in the family is 
well sustained by Harold Hammond, a graduate 
of West Point, class of 1S9S, who was born in 
Rushville October 21. 1874. Mr. Hammond en- 
listed in the Ninth Cuited States Infantry dur- 
ing the Spanish-American War. serving first 
in Cuba, and in the spring of 1899 going to the 
Philippine Islands, where he was advanced to 
the position of First Lieutenant. Subsequently 
the Ninth was sent to China, and Lieutenant 
Hammond was one of the first to aid in the 
rescue of tlie American legation at Pekin. After 
this heroic adventure, and partially because of 
it. he soon after won the heart and hand of 
Miss Mary Pierce, a niece of United States Min- 
ister to China. Conger, and the marriage was 
solemnized in I'es Moines, Iowa, in 1902. Upon 
his return to this country Lieutenant Hammond 
was commissioned Captain, and for four years 
was an instructor in a military school. He is 
an expert tactician, well grounded in all that en- 
gages the attention of military men. and his 
family and friends are justly proud of the 
honors and distinctions which have rewarded his 
efforts. 

HARDING, William M.— Not only is the Ken- 
tucky- family of Harding one of the earliest, as 





£>fr-r#5L AJuulX- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



839 



it is one of the most numerous of any connected 
with the upbuilding of the Bourbon State, but 
from its strong and dependable stuck have 
sprung hundreds of men and women who have 
taken a distinctive and even conspicuous part 
in the development of many and widely sepa- 
rated communities. For the most part agricul- 
turists, their ambitions frequently have led them 
into the unfrequented parts of the country, and 
indeed the pioneering instinct has been a chief, 
if not a leading, family characteristic. Schuy- 
ler County has profited richly by this courageous 
and sturdy element, and in the person of Wil- 
liam McKee Harding, a farmer of Section 11, 
Buena Vista Township, the qualities most prize,! 
and cultivated by the Kentucky progenitors are 
in no sense abated. 

The infant wail of William M. Harding re- 
sounded against the walls of a rough log cabin 
near Cameron, Warren County, where he was 
born on March 19, ls::;i. His parents were 
Aaron and Nancy (McKee) Harding, and his 
paternal grandfather was John Harding, a na- 
tive of Kentucky. (The McKee family record 
may be found elsewhere in this volume.) John 
Harding was a man of strong character, who loved 
danger and adventure, and whose nomadic spirit 
craved the excitement and opportunities of the 
frontier. When our subject's father was but a 
boy he went with bis father and others of his 
family to the present site of Indianapolis. Ind. ; 
but when that region began to take on a sem- 
blance ef civilization, he moved on again, this 
time to Hancock County. 111., where he took up 
government land mi Bear Creek. The Indians 
at that time were on the war path, game 
abounded, and danger lurked on every hand. 
John Harding took a hand in eliminating these 
conditions, but the very lameness lie helped to 
bring about had no charm for him. and in 1853, 
be moved to the Territory of Oregon, with his 
daughter and son-in-law, his wife then being 
deceased. Here his death occurred at the age of 
seventy-live years. 

Born in 1803, Aaron Harding led a life 
scarcely less adventurous than that of his father. 
II" inherited the Harding grit and courage, and 
the time and place in which be lived bore a 
heavy strain upon these qualities. Settling on 
government land in Buena Vista Township, he 
laid aside bis implements of peace in 1832 to en- 
list in the conflict with the Sac and Fox Indians, 
known as the Black Hawk War. serving as a 

private in the c pany in the same regiment in 

which Abraham Lincoln was captain of a com- 
pany. When peace was restored .Mr. Harding 
moved to Warren County, 111. where he im- 
proved a farm until 1835, in that year returning 
to Schuyler County, where he died October 0. 
1845. In Schuyler County he improved a farm, 
and planted an orchard, the country then be- 
ing in a primitive state. One day he killed three 
deer, which be pursued on horseback, striking 
them on the head with a poking pole after the£ 
had been run down by hounds. His wife, who was 
born in Crawford County, 111., in 1810, came to 



Schuyler County in 1826 at the age of sixteen 
years. She nobly shared the dangers and trials 
of her husband, at his death being left with a 
family of eight children, all of whom attained 
years of maturity, and five of whom were mar- 
ried. Of these, but two survive, William M. anil 
Cassie, the latter the widow of Newton Atkinson. 
of Industry Township. McDonough County. Mi's. 
Aaron Harding died on January 25, 1892, at the 
age of eighty-one years. 

A heavy weight of responsibility rested upon 
the youth of William McKee Harding, as he was 
only six years old when his father died, and the 
resources of the family were at very low ebb. 
His attendance at the subscription school of the 
neighborhood was at best irregular, but he was 
able to make good use of his time, and he ac- 
quired an average education. He remembers 
putting in much of his time grubbing hazel and 
other bushes. Later as there were no longer 
Indians or game to pursue, his love of adventure 
found vent in a trip to Texas, where he bought 
a herd of cattle and drove them across the 
plains to the State of Kansas. The sale of this 
herd was so successful that during the follow- 
ing year (ISTIi he made another journey to the 
South and bought a much larger herd, consisting 
of 400 head. These he fed and shipped to St. 
Louis, and in 1ST: 1 , returned to Schuyler County 
just in time to go under with the panic of that 
year. Nothing daunted, he resumed grubbing 
anil farming, and in September. 1S75. married 
Louise Selmltz, with whom he settled on Section 

I. Buena Vista Township. Mrs. Harding was a 
native of Missouri, in which State her mother 
died, her father's death occurring at Baders. 
Schuyler County. To Mr. and Mrs. Hardin.' 
were born two children, of whom John A. died 
at the age of two and a hall' years, while Carrie, 
who was born in December, 1876, is the wife 
of William Kirkham. in charge of tin- old Hard- 
ing homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkham have 
three children: Francis Harding, born December 

II, 1001 ; Lvle Raymond, born December 24, 
100.,: and Robert H.. born April 10, 1905. The 
passing of Mrs. William (McKeel Harding. May 
3, 1SS0. left a void in the hearts of her husband 
and daughter and of many friends. She was n 
gentle, lovable woman, and an earnest mem- 
ber of the Christian Church. 

The rise from comparative poverty of Mr. 
Harding furnishes an encouraging lesson to those 
who struggle with adverse circumstances. He 
settled mi his present farm in 1851, finding it all 
crude and uncultivated, and even without a log 
cabin in which the family might have temporary 
shelter. He earned the money to pay for his 
first small cabin, and this in turn was succeeded 
by another house which eventually gave place 
to the present substantial structure in which 
Mr. Harding lives with his daughter and her 
family. All of the buildings which now house 
the stock, products and machinery were erected 
by Mr. Harding, and few farms in the township 
are better supplied with all that tends to 
progressive and successful farming. More than 



840 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



half a century ago lie set out au orchard which 
attained maturity, bore fruit in season, and 
passed into the gnarled and useless period of its 
existence. This was succeeded by the orchard 
which now gives shade and food to the home- 
stead dwellers. To his first hundred acres he 
has added until he now owns 200 acres, 160 of 
which are in Buena Vista, and the remainder in 
Littleton Township. Mr. Harding has been a 
careful and painstaking farmer, living always 
within his income, and studying scientifically 
the diverse possibilities of his land. The gen- 
erous and kindly impulse is noticeable in all his 
walks of life, and in his relations with the 
Christian Church, of which he is a devout and 
active member. Politically he is identified with 
the Republican party, which he has aided with 
a conscientious vote if not with official service. 
He is honored as a conservative and capable 
citizen who reflects credit upon the family from 
which he springs and the community whose 
best agricultural and general interests he rep- 
resents. 

HARRISON, Benjamin Chadsey, for many 
years one of the leading farmers in Brooklyn 
Township, Schuyler County, Hi., a man of high 
character and upright life, respected by ail, 
and recognized as one of the must useful citi- 
zens of his community, was burn in Brooklyn 
Township, February 9, 1846, a sou of Benjamin 
and .Mary (Riggs) Harrison, natives of Indiana 
and Kentucky respectively. The paternal grand- 
father was one of the early settlers of Brooklyn 
Township, Schuyler County, and Sheldon Riggs, 
the grandfather on the maternal side, spent 
■a portion of his early lite cm the ocean as a 
sailor, finally becoming one of the pioneer resi- 
dents of the same township, where he entered 
up a tract of government land thickly covered 
with timber. Some time previous to the Civil 
War he went to Texas, add remained in that 
State until the conflict was over, returning then 
to Brooklyn Township, where he spent the re- 
mainder of his days, dying about the year 1866. 
The death of Grandfather Harrison occurred in 
Brooklyn Township in 1840. Benjamin Harrison. 
father of Benjamin C, was the owner of some 
land in the locality of the hitter's present home. 
He went to California in 1S4S, living there for 
twenty years. On his return to Illinois, he made 
a visit to Brooklyn Township, and then located 
in Henry County. Mo., where he departed this 
life, his wife having passed away on the home 
place in 1867. Their family consisted of three 
sons, the two others being John and William 
Henry, both deceased. The mother, having been 
judicially separated from the father, was mar- 
ried to William Justus, by whom she had a 
daughter, who died when quite young. In early 
youth. Benjamin C. Harrison attended the dis- 
trict schools in his vicinity, and grew to manhood 
inured to farm life. He has always lived on the 
homestead, which became his by inheritance. 
It consists of 140 acres, located in Section 36, 
Brooklyn Township, and in addition to this he 



has bought 110 acres in Sections 1 and 12, 
Camden Township, the purchase including about 
fifty acres of timber land. Besides general 
farming, he is engaged in raising horses, cattle 
and hogs, and has met with success in all his 
operations. 

On December 15, 1870, Mr. Harrison was 
united in marriage with Emma Peterson, who 
was born in Camden Township, Schuyler County. 
April 1, 1853. Mrs. Harrison, a woman of 
most excellent traits of character, is a daughter 
of Samuel and Almira (Davis) Peterson, na- 
tives of Indiana, her grandparents being John 
and Edith (Clifton) Peterson, and Ward and 
Martha (Utter) Davis. Pour children have 
blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, 
as follows: Mary, liorn September 22, 1872, who 
became the wife of Frank L. White, of Camden 
Township: Wallace B., bom April 7, 1874, who 
lives in Brooklyn Township; Jessie, born Sep- 
tember 20, 1875, who married Fleming Homey, 
and is a resident of Littleton. 111.; and Dwight. 
born June 6, 1881, who follows farming on the 
home place. 

In political action. Mr. Harrison is a supporter 
of the Republican party. His religious con- 
nection, as also that of his wile, is with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, iu which he of- 
ficiates as trustee and steward. Mr. and Mrs. 
Harrison are held in warm regard by all their 
friends, who are many in number. 

HARTMAN, George, a well known and pros- 
perous plumbing contractor of Rushville, 111.. 
and one of the most prominent and influential 
citizens of that place, was born in Columbus, 
Ohio. September 17, 1S56, a son of Henry and 
Louise Hurt-man, natives of Germany and 
France, respectively. His parents came to the 
United States in-lS51 and proceeding to Ohio, 
located in the capital city of that State. They 
were the parents of a family of twelve children. 

In boyhood George Hartman attended the 
public schools of Columbus, and at the age of 
15 years, applied himself to the task of learn- 
ing the trade of a tinner and plumber. In this 
occupation he became very efficient, and has 
followed the business of tinning and plumbing 
ever since, with the best of success. From 
Columbus he moved to Toledo, O.. where he re- 
mained three years. In 18S1 be became a resi- 
dent of Rushville. 111., and in a comparatively 
short period built up a very profitable patronage, 
taking a position at the head of his trade, and 
ranking as one of the leading citizens of the 
community. He secured the contract for the 
tin. iron and slate work on tin 1 new court house 
in Rushville. and also that on the county jail. 
Besides his work in these lines, he has es- 
tablished a business in pumps and well-dicginc, 
which has assumed considerable proportion. The 
apparatus used in his well-boring operations is 
of his own invention, and not only greatly facil- 
itates- the process, but has given him no little 
prestige of mechanical ingenuity. 

On February 3, 1881, Mr. Hartman was united 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



841 



in marriage with Carrie Peltou, who was born 
in Bowling Green, Ohio, where in girlhood she 
enjoyed the advantages of a good common school 
education. Three interesting children were the 
result of this union, namely: May, Louise and 
Lillian. 

In i>olitics Mr. Hartman is a stanch adherent 
of the Democratic party, and is prominent in its 
local councils. He was elected Mayor of Bush- 
ville in 1899, and gave the city a most creditable 
and satisfactory administration. Fraternally he 
is identified with the I. O. O. F.. M. W. A." and 
K. of P. Socially he is very popular and the 
range of his personal acquaintance includes many 
warm friends. 

HERRON, Thomas W.— Among the most pros- 
perous and worthy representatives of the agri- 
cultural element in Schuyler County, 111., and 
one who is respected by all tor his good qual- 
ities, is the well known farmer of Baiubridge 
Township whose name stands at the head of this 
personal record. Mr. Herron was burn on the 
"Darnell farm," in Rushville Township, Schuy- 
ler County. 111.. February 20, 1860, a son of 
David and Mary (Hull) Herron. David Herron 
was born in County Down, Ireland, June 27, 
1S20, and came to the United States about the 
year 1850, locating in Mahoning County, Ohio, 
v where he was married to Mary Hull in L857. 
Not long after his arrival in this country lie had 
made a trip to Schuyler County, HI., returning 
in a short lime lo Ohio, and subsequently coming 
back to his permanent home in Illinois. Be- 
Eore leaving his native land he had learned the 
trade of a weaver, but abandoned that occupa- 
tion on locating in ( >hio. After making his home 
in Schuyler County, he worked for some time by 
the day and month, and then followed farming 
on rented laud until 1 St '..">. In that year, he 
bought Kin acres in Section 13, Baiubridge Town- 
ship.' The tract had been heavily timbered, 
and the only dwelling on it was a log cabin, in 
which he and his wife settled down to house- 
keeping. He applied himself to the task of 
grubbing the slumps and clearing the ground. 
and in course of time made many substantial 
and attractive improvements on his property. 
He died May 6, 1904, at that time being the 
owner of 440 acres of land, 240 of which con- 
sisted of the home farm, the other 200 being lo- 
cated in Frederick Township. His widow is still 
living on the homestead place at the age of sixty- 
six years, in the enjoyment of unimpaired health 
and of the sincere respect and cordial regard of 
many friends. He and his wife became the 
parents of six children, as follows: Martha J., 
who died at the age of forty -one years : Thomas 
YV. : Mary A. and Robert, who died when four 
and two years old. respectively; Blanche, wife 
Of John R. Strong, a farmer of Frederick Town- 
ship, and Lulu E., who married Grover Dodds. 
a farmer on Section 13, Baiubridge Township. 

Thomas W. Herron was reared on the paternal 
farm, receiving his education in the district 
schools of that vicinity. He worked on the home 



place until the time of his marriage, at the age 
of thirty-two years. Soon after that event he 
took charge of the 240 acres comprising the 
homestead, continuing thus until lSUG, when he 
bought eighty acres, on which he has since 
lived. At the time he look possession of this 
land, it contained no dwelling place except an 
old log cabin. He built a fine residence of eight 
rooms, and put up outbuildings, and substantial 
and convenient barns lor the care of his stock. 
He now owns 160 .ores of hind under a good 
state of cultivation, and is looked upon as one 
of the enterprising and progressive farmers in 
his township. 

The marriage of Mr. Herron took place March 
24, 1892, on which date he was wedded to Sarah 
J. Dodds, who was born in Baiubridge Township. 
Schuyler County. 111., February 9, 1869, and is 
a daughter of Samuel and Margarette (Wilson > 
Dodds, natives of County Down, Ireland. 
(Further particulars in regard to the Dodds 
family may be found in a biographical record of 
Thomas Dodds, which appears on another page 
of this volume.) .Mr. and Mrs. Herron have one 
child, Lottie Myrtle, born August 2.".. 1894. Mrs. 
Herron, a woman of many amiable traits of 
character, is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Herron is 
identified with the Democratic party, although 
taking no active part in political contests and 
entertaining no desire lor public office. 

HIGGINS, Henry.— Few residents of Brook- 
lyn Township are so closely in touch with the 
progress made in Schuyler County during the 
past halt' century as Henry Iliggins, who was 
horn in Brooklyn Township in the early 'forties. 
and has known no other home. He is a son of 
Daniel and Sarah I Brewer) Higgins, natives of 
Ohio and Morgan County, Pa., respectively. His 
paternal grandfather. Higgins. died in Ohio, 
while the maternal grandfather. Brewer, passed 
away in Pennsylvania. As early as 1838 Daniel 
IliL'L'ins came as a pioneer to Schuyler County, 
111., and 'on the farm which he had purchased in 
Brooklyn Township, his earthly life came to a 
close about 1892, having reached the venerable 
age of ninety years. His wife had died in 1880. 
When Daniel Higgins located in this Township 
it was a vast wilderness, presenting little of 
encouragement to clear the land and prepare it 
for planting. However, he lacked none of the 
qualities necessary in the make-up of the true 
pioneer, and was undismayed by the formidable 
task which lay before him. Probably one of the 
most trying experiences during the early days 
was what was known as the high water of 1844. 
In common with all the other farmers, Mr. 
Higgins lost his entire crop, the only one who 
had anything to show for his season's work being 
William Brickman, who succeeded in saving his 
corn. 

The eldest child born to Daniel and Sarah 
Iliggins was Julia A., who became the wife of 
John Fowler, but both are now deceased; the 
next child in order of birth, John W., also is 



842 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



deceased ; Jackson is a resident of Brooklyn 
Township ; Christopher died in Reno. Nev. ; and 
James is a farmer of Brooklyn Township. 
Henry was born on his father's farm in Brook- 
lyn Township, May 17, 1842, and here his en- 
tire life has been passed. He clearly recalls 
the experiences, of his boyhood while endeavor- 
ing to glean an education in the primitive schools 
at Center Ridge, which was distantly located, 
aud which he attended with as much regularity 
as the home duties would permit. The building 
in which the children gathered to receive their 
meager instruction was a rude log structure, 
and its only furniture consisted of slab seats 
and desks. Here the children conned their les- 
sons aud ate their lunches, which consisted prin- 
cipally of a corn cake baked in the old Dutch 
oven of early days. Mr. Higgins well remem- 
bers the time during his boyhood when this 
primitive fireplace was supplanted by the more 
modern cook stove, the one which his father pur- 
chased being the first one to make its appear- 
ance on Center Ridge. The day after its pur- 
chase neighbors from far and near came to see 
the wonderful invention. The mother used the 
stove continuously until the marriage of her 
son Henry, when she gave it to him and for 
five years thereafter it was in constant service. 

The marriage of Henry Higgins occurred 
October 9, 1873, uniting him with Sarah 
Gossage, who was born aud reared in Brook- 
lyn Township. Mrs. Higgins is a daughter of 
Thomas and Mary Jane (Edmonson) Gossage. 
the former still living and making his home with 
his children. Mrs. Gossage died November 2, 
1905. After his marriage Mr. Higgins con- 
tinued to make his home on the old home farm 
until 1S85, when he purchased 151 acres of land 
on Section 6, Brooklyn Township, and in the log 
cabin which he erected in a clearing, the family 
made their home for five years. In 1S00 he 
moved the cabin back aud in its place erected 
the present commodious residence now occupied 
by the family. In keeping with this he has also 
built excellent farm buildings, and, taken as a 
whole, it would be hard to find a more up-to-date 
farm equipment than that owned by Mr. Higgins. 

Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have become the parents 
of two children, Charles and Ira E. Charles 
was born January 18, 1875, married Miss Chick- 
woimI. by whom he has one child, Artie Ray, 
and is now established as a farmer in Brooklyn 
Township : Ira was born April 6, 1883, is a resi- 
dent of Schuyler County, and is employed in 
carrying the mail from Birmingham. He mar- 
ried Inez Manlove, who was born in Schuy- 
ler County, the daughter of Jacob Manlove, and 
two children have been born to them. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Higgins are ardent members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically 
Mr. Higgins is a Democrat. 

At the age of nineteen years Henry Higgins 
was converted to Christianity through the 
preaching of a Methodist minister, who in 1861 
held a series of revival services in the old Center 
Ridge school house. In January of that year 



forty were converted, including Mr. Higgins. On 
May 30 following he was taken ill and uutil 
June 9 the doctor remained by his bedside con- 
stantly. On the day last mentioned about three 
o'clock in the afternoon, while Mr. Higgins was 
entirely alone, he had a vision in which he 
saw a man standing in the room who introduced 
himself to the sick boy as his Heavenly Father. 
In his hands he carried a large book, which he 
gave to the boy saying "Be thou healed, be 
thou whole." Imnmediately afterward the pa- 
tient turned himself in bed, the first time he 
had done this unassisted since his sickness be- 
gan. As he took the open book in his hands he 
read aloud from the right hand page the names 
of Christian friends, and on the left hand page 
he saw the names of friends that were not 
professing Christians. He also saw his brother 
Christopher standing between him and the other 
friends, aud thereafter six children with angels 
came into the room. At the request of his 
friends Mr. Higgins joined in the song with the 
angels and children, aud those who were 
gathered in the room said they never had heard 
a clearer or sweeter voice. After the song was 
finished he thought he was in heaven and there 
(•unversed with Job and the Heavenly Father, 
the latter saying to him that he was going to 
send him (Mr. Higgins) back to earth with a 
message, which he was to deliver just two weeks 
from that day, June 9, to those friends whose 
names had appeared in the left hand page of 
the book. He then began to sink and his father 
and friends who were watching thought he was 
dying. He rallied, however, and just two weeks 
from that day, he went to Center Ridge and de- 
livered the message to those of his friends 
still unconverted. The news of his wonderful 
healing caused widespread comment and was 
published in the papers of Schuyler County. 

HILLYER, Henry. — No retired citizen of 
Huntsville. Schuyler County, has contributed 
more to the making of his architectural sur- 
roundings than has Henry Hillyer. In this in- 
dustrious and capable builder and contractor 
of other days, Schuyler County recognizes a 
scion of one of its very early and prominent 
families, one who has left the impress of his 
character and work upon its progress and devel- 
opment for sixty-eight years, and who invariably 
has stood for the best commercial, industrial, 
political, religious and social conditions. Mr. 
Hillyer was born in the City of New York, 
August 15, 1831, and in that same city were born 
four daughters out of the fourteen children 
of William and Sarah (Earwicker) Hillyer, 
natives of Portsmouth, England, and who came 
to America with two of their children about 
1819. In Norfolk, Va., where the family lived 
for a time after arriving in America, two other 
children were born, and in Baltimore, which 
was their home for a time, a daughter was born. 
In Cincinnati, whither they moved after sev- 
eral years in New York, a girl was added to 
the family, and in the same city the mother died. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



si:; 



the father surviving her until 1858. Of this 
large family three members now are living, 
Isaac M. and Edward N., both of Ciueiunati, 
and Henry, of Huntsville, 111. 

William Hillyer and bis son, James, came to 
Schuyler County in 1S39, the father later re- 
turning to the east, while James went west in 
the early 'fifties to seek his fortune iu the mines, 
and as far as is known is still a resident of 
California. Henry Hillyer was educated in the 
public schools of Ohio, and iu 1S49 went to 
Chamllerville, ('ass County. 111., where he fol- 
lowed the carpenter trade uutil 1855. He then 
came to Schuyler County and took the contract 
for a large two-story frame building for Lewis 
F. King, thereafter continuing his trade of car- 
penter and builder with growing success. He 
erected many barns and dwellings in this part 
of the county, and many still are standing in 
excellent condition, a tribute to his thoroughness 
and conscientious workmanship. At times he 
was a large employer of labor, and he had the 
gift of securing from his employes the best serv- 
ice of which they were capable. 

January 24, 1861, Mr. Hillyer was united in 
marriage to Henrietta Sanford, who was bom 
in New York. April 20, 1840, a daughter of Syl- 
vester and Maria (Redfield) Sanford, arrivals 
in Huntsville Township in 1S54. For many 
years Mr. Sanford followed farming, then re- 
tired and built a beautiful home in Huntsville 
village, where bis death occurred iu 1880. and 
that of his wife in 1895. Of the five children of 
this couple three are still living: Henrietta, 
widow of James Seeley, of Rushville ; George 
Sanford of Hampton, Iowa ; and the wife of 
Mr. Hillyer. Mr. and Mrs. Hillyer are the 
parents of four children: Herbert, born October 
1, 1801, a painter and decorator of Beardstown, 
111.: Florence, wife of J. V. Smith, au oculist of 
Bloomington, 111., and parents of one son. 
Bernard; Minnie wife of Alexander Alters, 
of Huntsville, who has four children : Edith, 
Russell, Ralph and Carroll ; and Dr. Warren E. 
Hillyer, of Huntsville, who has a son, Ernest, 
and who is represented elsewhere in this work. 

Mr. Hillyer' s is the only family left of those 
established in Huntsville in 1861. He has been 
an integral part of the community, and his labor 
has netted him a comfortable competence. For 
many years he has been a stanch promoter of 
the Presbyterian Church, and socially is con- 
nected with the local lodge of Masons. He be- 
gan to handle the tools of the carpenter when 
fourteen years old, and has always sought to 
make his work of value to his fellow men. No 
man in the township is held in higher esteem, 
nor has anyone a larger number of devoted and 
appreciative friends. 

HILLYER, Warren E., M. D.— A career deeply 
In tune with the humanities, and of inestimable 
value to the community of Huntsville, is that of 
Dr. Warren E. Hillyer. a young physician and 
surgeon of recognized skill and ability, and a na- 
tive son of the town in which are centered his 



professional labors. Bom July 22, 1872, Dr. 
Hillyer is a sou of Henry Hillyer, and his 
preliminary education was acquired in the dis- 
trict school, and completed in the local high 
school iu the class of 1893. Soon after leaving 
his school days behind him. the youth eutered 
the office of Dr. Smith, of Mt. Sterling, and for 
eighteen months bad a varied experience in 
study and supplementary practice. In 1S95 he 
entered the Keokuk Medical School, at Keokuk, 
Iowa, graduating therefrom iu the three years' 
course iu March, 1898. 

In Fowler, Adams County, 111.. Dr. Hillyer 
made his professional begnning, remaining there 
and succeeding beyond his largest expectations 
until returning to his native town of Huntsville, 
January 1, 1899. In the meantime he has worked 
up a large and paying practice, has demon- 
strated a high degree of efficiency, and has been 
especially successful in the diagnosis and treat- 
ment of complicated and seemingly hopeless cases. 
He has a large and well equipped office, supplied 
with electrical and other expensive apparatus, 
and he avails himself of journals, conventions 
and post-graduate work to increase his efficiency 
.nil I capacity for usefulness. A pleasing per- 
sonality is not the least of his professional, as 
well as social assets, and an impression of sin- 
cerity invariably is backed by the most trust- 
worthy and dependable service. 

The marriage of Dr. Hillyer and Orpha Caine 
was solemnized April 23, 1899, in Adams County. 
111., the home of the bride, Mrs. Hillyer being 
a daughter of Philip Caine, a prominent aud 
wealthy citizen of that couuty. Dr. Hillyer and 
his wife have one son, Ernest, born September 
12, 1901. The doctor affiliates with the Pres- 
byterian Church, and fraternally is connected 
with the Masons, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and Home Fraternal League. In pol- 
itics he is a Democrat. 

HODGE, William Hamilton.— The city of Rush- 
ville, has produced many men of sterling char- 
acter, superior intelligence and progressive 
spirit, whose lives have contributed largely to 
the increase of its prosperity and reflected signal 
credit upon the place of their birth. Among 
these. William H. Hodge, who spent a long and 
honored life in that locality, always conspicu- 
ously indentified with its best interests, is sec- 
ond to none. Mr. Hodge was born in Rushville, 
111., January 12, 1834. His father. John Hodge, 
who was a carpenter by trade, was born in the 
vicinity of Mt. Sterling, Ky.. March 26. 1800. 
Louisa (McClure) Hodge, his mother, was bom 
in the same neighborhood, March 24, 1814. John 
Hodge moved from his native State to Illinois 
in 1831, establishing his home in Rushville. He 
was a conspicuous factor in the early activities 
of the place, and constructed the running gear 
of the well-known carding mill which was then 
put in operation. He departed this life in 1S69. 
his wife dying the same year. They had seven 
children, of whom the venerable gentleman to 
whom this record pertains is the sole survivor. 



8-1-i 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Four died in infancy ; of the two others de- 
ceased, who reached maturity, John passed away 
at the age of twenty-one, and Alice married a 
grandson of the Confederate General Price and 
left one child. 

William II. Hodge passed his youthful years 
in the parental home, and made diligent use of 
the opportunities afforded by the common schools 
of Rushville. After finishing his studies he 
fitted himself for the work of telegraph oper- 
ator, and continued in that occupation several 
years. Subsequently he became a wool-carder, 
and was thus engaged until 1869, from which 
period his time was variously occupied until 
1887. 

(in October 25, 1S65, Mr. Hodge was united in 
marriage, in Oakland Township, Schuyler 
County, with Matilda T. Clupper, who was bom 
in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Jacob and Mary 
Clupper, 'natives of that State. On coming to 
Illinois, they first located in Pulton County. 
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hodge resulted 
in seven children, five of whom are living, 
namely: John W., a resident of Mosier, Ore., 
who married Effie Jack, and is the father of 
one daughter and three sons; Etta E., wife of J. 
S. McKinzie, their children being Hazel and 
James Hodge; Lewis C, who lives in Mosier. 
Ore., and Ora H. and Olie M., twins, of whom 
the latter is at home. 

HOOD, James E., a leading citizen of Bain- 
bridge Township, Schuyler County, 111., whose 
farming operations, conducted on a very ex- 
tensive scale, have made him favorably known 
throughout the county, was born in Cass County. 
111., May 15, 1855. Mr. Hood is a son of James 
ami Almeda Hood, natives of Beardstown, 111. 
( Further details in regard to the life of the 
senior .lames Hood, and particulars concerning 
his family, may be found in a narrative of the 
(itver of W. C. Hood, appearing in this connec- 
tion ) The birth of James E. Hood occurred on 
the farm of his father, a little southeast of 
Beardstown. 111., and he helped the latter in the 
work of the place until he was fifteen years old, 
meanwhile attending the district schools of the 
neighborhood. Then he was employed in the 
blacksmith shop with his father for the next 
three years, and afterwards followed farming 
several years in Cass County. In 1S83, he 
bought 220 acres of bottom land in Bainbridge 
Township, Schuyler County, and in the spring 
of the ensuing year, took possession of the new 
place, moving with his wife into a small log 
cabin that he had made ready for occupancy, 
ami soon building a two-room frame dwelling. 
The land vvas covered with stumps and brush, 
and he at once applied himself to the task of 
grubbing and blasting, and clearing the brush 
away. The first 220 acres thus prepared for 
tilling now constitute one of the most fertile 
and productive pieces of land in Central Illi- 
nois. To the original purchase he has added 
150 acres, and the entire property is in a high 
state of cultivation. All the fences and other 



improvements on this extensive farm are the 
result of Mr. Hood's unremitting toil, his 
preliminary work largely consisting in removing 
a great mass of elderberry and ash sprouts. In 
1007, he had 115 acres of wheat and 00 acres of 
corn on the ground formerly covered with thick 
brush and timber. The farm is well stocked, 
the accommodations for the shelter and care of 
his stock are substantial and convenient, as is 
also the present family residence, and the owner 
of this superb property is recognized as one of 
the foremost agriculturists of Schuyler County. 

Mr. Hood has been twice married. His first 
wife was Mary E. Hyde, to whom he was 
wedded March 3, 1881. She was born in South 
Dakota, a daughter of John and Mary Hyde. 
Four children were the issue of this union, 
namely : James William, Grace Almeda, Le 
Roy and Frank. William is at home; Grace is 
the wife of Robert E. Lawler, a sketch of whose 
life appears elsewhere in this volume: Le Roy 
married Ruth Persinger, and is the father of one 
child, Vivian A., and Frank is at home. The 
mother of this family died August 15. 1SS0. On 
July 10. 1891, Mr. Hood was united in marriage 
with Mary N. Lawler, whose birth occurred 
April ::. 1800. Mrs. Hood is a daughter of 
John Hugh Lawler, mention of whom is made 
in the sketch of Robert E. Lawler, above re- 
ferred to. The offspring of the second marriage 
is five children, as follows: Jessie A., born April 
1.".. 18.92; Mary Ruth born September 19, 1893; 
Robert E., born March 19, 1895; John Albert, 
born June 7, 180S; and Harriet Lucile. born 
May 27, 1000. 

On political issues, Mr. Hood has always 
acted with the Democratic party, although never 
taking an active interest in party campaigns, 
ami being wholly without ambition for public 
office. He and his wife, together with the other 
members of both families, are the objects of 
cordial regard from a wide circle of friends. 

HOOD, William C— One of the finest home- 
steads and most sociable households in Schuyler 
County is that presided over by Mr. and Mrs. 
William C. Hood, on Section 13, Bainbridge 
Township. The large farm is thoroughly culti- 
vated and very productive, and improvements 
are modern and carefully maintained, while the 
residence itself is convenient, comfortable and 
cheerful in appearance. The chairs are easy 
and inviting, good literature is scattered through 
the house, and the presiding geniuses of the 
place see to it that their friends are made to 
have a pleasing consciousness of welcome and 
good cheer. The result is that the sons and 
daughters have found their society at home, 
until they were ready to go out into the world 
and establish households of their own. If there 
were more homes founded on this model there 
would be many happier children, husbands and 
wives ; and if this good, substantial couple had 
never accomplished more in their lives than 
this, their success and final reward would still 
be great. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



845 



William C. Hood was born two and a half 
miles southeast of Beardstowu, Cass County, 111., 
on the lGth of January, 1S53, a son of James 
and Alneda (Knapp) Hood, the father being 
a native of Scotland, where his parents passed 
their lives. James Hood, however, had listened 
with impatient eagerness to glowing tales told 
by those who knew of the opportunities af- 
forded a capable young man in America, and in 
1S42, when be had just passed his majority, lo- 
cated in New York to work at bis trade as a 
blacksmith. Thence be traveled westward to the 
raw. brisk young city of Chicago, and to its 
older competitor, St. Louis. Finally deciding 
that bis prospects would be better in a smaller 
place, he removed to Beardstown, and after 
following his trade there for a time returned to 
New York for a wife. Soon after bis marriage 
he again located in Beardstown, where he con- 
ducted a blacksmith's shop in connection with 
his farm until 1902, when be reached the age of 
seventy-one years. He then retired from active 
work, and now resides with a son, who is work- 
ing at his father's trade, and a widowed daugh- 
ter, all of Beardstown. His wife who became 
the mother of eight children, died on December 
6. 1906, having borne five sons and three daugh- 
ters, namely: William C. ; James Edward, a 
fanner of Bainbridge Township ; Charles, who 
is a blacksmith at Beardstowu ; John Henry, 
who died in infancy ; Frank, residing ou the 
home farm in Cass County : Martha G., who 
died at the age of eighteen ; Hattie, the widow 
of William Harrison, who is keeping house in 
Beardstown for her father and brother; and 
Mary, who married David Methlaud, a con- 
fectioner of Salina, Kan. 

James Hood, who has now reached the ven- 
erable age of eighty-six years has been one of 
tile busiest and most respected citizens of 
Beardstown : and the high honor still abides 
with him. When he first located in the county 
he purchased a farm near the city, upon which 
he resided, walking to his blacksmith shop in 
the morning and back to his homestead in the 
evening, lb- afterward added to his real estate 
until the borne farm amounted to 200 acres, and 
he also owned 250 acres in the northern part of 
Frederick Township. Besides managing his 
farm and running his blacksmith's shop, Mr. 
Hood took an active and not unimportant part in 
political issues. He served in the City Council 
of Beardstown for a number of terms, and was 
well in the advance in all public enterprises. 
As to the secret fraternities, he lias long been 
a mmber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. 

William C. Hood was reared on the homestead 
less than three miles southeast of Beardstown, 
Cass County. 111., and received bis education in 
the schools of that place. Prior to his marriage 
in 1877 he removed to Bainbridge Township. 
Schuyler County, and immediately commenced 
the improvement of his land in Section 13. He 
cleared off the heavy timber, brought the land 
to a state of fine cultivation, and made all the 



material improvements which now make his 
homestead so noticeable. Mr. Hood owns not 
only 307 acres in Bainbridge Township, but 153 
in Frederick, making a large and valuable es- 
tate of 400 acres of some of the choicest land 
in Schuyler County. For the realization of this 
success he by no means claims entire credit, 
gratefully according the sharer of his joys and 
sorrows the honor also of winning for himself 
and family a high and substantial place in the 
home community. 

On December 29, 1877, Mr. Hood was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary C. Drawve, a native of 
Bteardstown, Cass County, born June 21, 1800, 
and a daughter of Henry and Mary (Schweer) 
Drawve. Both her parents were natives of 
Germany, her mother, w-ho was born in Essen, 
October* S, 1S32, coming to America in 1850. 
She was married to Henry Drawve in 1858, 
when they moved to Bainbridge Township and 
lived upon a farm there until the death of the 
husband July 7, 1S93. The widow died Novem- 
ber 1, 1897, leaving the following children: Mrs. 
W. C. Hood; Mrs. F. B. Crawford, of Rock 
Island, 111.; Henry and Herman, farmers of 
Bainbridge and Frederick Townships, respect 
ively ; Mrs. N. Brenner, who married a Frederick 
Township farmer; Mrs. J. H. Shaw, of Havana, 
111.; and Mrs. Emma L. Heiniugway, a resi- 
dent of Rock Island. 111. 

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. William C. 
Hood have been as follows: Jennie A., born 
September 9. 1S77, who married Joseph P. 
Quigley, January 29. 1901, and has one child — 
Raymond W., born November 7, 1902, the family 
home being in St. Louis, and the husband, be- 
ing a boot and shoe manufacturer : Harry W., 
born October 27. 1880, who married Miss 
Lucinda Loring August 31. 1899. and by her 
lias had two children— Burdett, born September 
1.-,. 1900. ami Margaret. November II, 1906 — 
the husband being a fanner of Frederick Town- 
ship; John II.. born October 5, 1882. and died 
October 30, 1884; Oscar J. born October 16, 
1881; Grover, born March 18. 1888; mid Floyd J. 
born June 13, 1892, the last three children liv- 
ing at home. Both Mr. Hood and his wife are 
members of the Royal Neighbors, with which 
they arc very appropriately identified. Mrs. 
Hood is a leading factor in the German Lutheran 
Church, and. while her husband is not associated 
with any denominational body, he is an earnest 
and liberal supporter of educational and moral 
movements, lb' also belongs to the Beardstown 
Camp X". 579, Modern Woodmen of America. 
In politics he is a Democrat, lias filled various 
township offices, and is a man to whom prom- 
inence in many fields of endeavor has never come 
at the sacrifice of his honorable manhood or the 
public interest. 

H0RNEY, Cyrus, one of the oldest residents 
of Schuyler County, 111., of which he was for 
many years an enterprising and prosperous 
farmer and leading citizen, was born in Guil- 
ford County, N. ('.. September 30, 1825, a son of 



sir, 



HISTOKY OF SCH.UYLEK COUNTY. 



Jonathan and Lydia (HorneyJ Homey, whose 
birthplace was in that same locality. The 
paternal grandparents, Manlove and Lydia 
(Smith) Homey, as well as the grandparents on 
the maternal side, Jeffrey and Elizabeth 
(Pidgeon) Horney. were also natives of North 
Carolina. In 1829, Jonathan Homey and his 
wife journeyed by team across the country to 
Schuyler County, 111., stopping in Buena 
Vista Township, where Grandfather Manlove 
Horney had located some time previously, 
and thence proceeding to Brooklyn Town- 
ship, there spending the winter of the "big 
snow," of 1S30-31. Early in the latter 
year, they settled in the northwest quarter of 
Section 6, Littleton Township, where Jonathan 
Horney entered up 100 acres of land on the edge 
of the timber. This tract he improved, putting 
a large part of it under cultivation. In 1856 he 
sold his land, moving to Adams County, 111., 
where he bought another tract containing 130 
acres. There he died in 1SS5, at the age of 
eighty-two years. His wife, Lydia (Horney) 
Horney. had passed away in 1831, and he had 
married Agnes (Dark) Noble, who departed this 
in 1S97. Gyrus Horney remained with his father 
and step-mother until he reached the age of 
twenty-one years, assisting on the farm and re- 
ceiving his education in the primitive subscrip- 
tion schools of the vicinity. After his marriage 
he located on a farm of eighty acres in Section 
12, Brooklyn Township, which was partially 
improved. To this he added at intervals, until 
he became the owner of 245 acres, lying in 
Sections 1, 2, 11 and 12, in that township. At 
the outset there was no dwelling on the place 
but a log cabin, and deer, wolves and wild turkey 
were plentiful. Mr. Horney made some im- 
provements, putting all his land under cultiva- 
tion except forty acres of timber, besides general 
fanning, raising considerable stock. In course 
of time he built a six-room frame house, and 
had good barns and outbuildings. II is successive 
purchase of land included tracts of 108, G5 and 
36 acres, which he retained until 1S97, when he 
disposed of a portion, selling the remainder in 
1900. The 65 acres were traded for property in 
the village of Brooklyn, consisting of twelve lots, 
of which he has since sold two. In town, he 
has a large frame residence of eight rooms and 
a summer kitchen, and in this home he and his 
wife have lived since he withdrew from active 
pursuits. 

Mr. Horney has been twice married. On 
March 28. 1846, he w .is joined in matrimonial 
bonds with Eliza Hayes, a native of Tennessee. 
by whom he had five children, namely : Lean- 
der, who died at the age of eight years; William, 
who died when twenty-one years old; Jeffrey, 
who lives in Decatur County, Iowa ; John Frank- 
lin, who was born in January, 1852, and died at 
Russell. Kan.. March 20, 1907; and Ann Eliza, 
who died in infancy. The mother of this fam- 
ily departed this life July 24, 1854. On July 
14. 1S56. Mr. Horney was united in marriage 
with Meriby Abercrombie, born in Shelby 



County, Ohio, June 30, 1839, a daughter of 
Thomas B. and Mary (Dey) Abercrombie, na- 
tives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respec- 
tively. The grandparents of Mrs. Horney were 
John and Mary (Cree) Abercrombie, and Louis 
and Mary (Beard) Dey, the paternal grand- 
parents having been born in Pennsylvania, and 
those on the maternal side in New Jersey. Four 
children resulted from the latter union, namely: 
Clare (Mrs. Thomas Lantz) a resident of Brook- 
lyn, 111. ; Jonathan B., of Bloomington, 111., 
Presiding Elder in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church ; Mary B., wife of Rev. Robert Hart- 
rick, D. D., of Ashland, 111., a well known 
Methodist divine ; and Cyrus Sloan, who carries 
mi farming in Brooklyn Township, Schuyler 
County. 

In politics Mr. Horney is an old-time Republi- 
can, and has been prominent and influential 
in local affairs. He has filled the office of Road 
Commissioner and served twelve years as Just- 
ice of the Peace. He and his wife are members 
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he 
has been a classleader many years. Both are 
proioundly respected. 

HORNEY, Samuel Madison, who is known from 
one end to the other of Schuyler County, 111., 
as one of its. most prominent and prosperous 
farmers, is a native of the same county, having 
been born in Littleton Township, May 20, 1844, 
a son of Leander and Jane (Crawford) Homey, 
North Carolinians by birth. Samuel and Amelia 
(Charles) Horney. the paternal grandparents, 
were also natives of North Carolina. Samuel 
Horney was a soldier in the War of 1812, and 
as a result of such services received a land 
warrant from the Government, under which he 
obtained 160 acres of land in Buena Vista 
Township, Schuyler County. He served also in 
the Black Hawk War, thereby securiug land in 
Littleton Township. The grandparents on the 
maternal side, William and Melinda (Thomp- 
son) Crawford, were Kentuckians by nativity, 
and came from that State to Schuyler County, 
111., early in the 'thirties, settling in Littleton 
Township. Leander Horney, father of Samuel 
M., was an infant when brought to Schuyler 
County by his parents. He grew to manhood on 
the home farm, and in 1846 took part in the 
Mexican War, being wounded in the hip at the 
Battle of Buena Vista. Returning home in 
IMS. he settled down to farming in Littleton 
Township, and in course of time became the 
owner of 1,300 acres of land in different parts 
n!' Schuyler County. Five hundred acres of 
this property were in Littleton Township, mostly 
covered with timber, some of it being swamp 
land along the river. He served as County 
Surveyor previous to 1801. holding that office 
twelve years. On August 6, 1861. he enlisted for 
the Civil War. becoming a member of the Tenth 
Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, at St. 
Louis, and rising to the rank of Lieutenant 
Colonel. He was killed in battle at Champion 
Hills, Miss., near Vicksburg, in May 1863, and 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



847 



was buried there, his body beiug removed after 
the war and laid in Thompson Cemetery, Lit- 
tleton Township. His widow made her home in 
the same township until the time of her death, 
February 20, 1907, at the age of eighty-three 
years. They reared a family of three sons and 
four daughters. 

Samuel M. Homey was the second of the 
seven children born to his parents. He re- 
mained at home until he reached the age of 21 
years, attending the district schools, and being 
for eight months a pupil in the select school of 
Mr. Marpel, at Rushville. On attaining his 
majority, he began farming for himself. Two 
years later he bought eighty acres in Section 
30, Littleton Township, a part of it being prairie 
land and the rest covered with brush. This he 
improved, and occupied from the spring of 1867 
until the spring of 1891, selling it iu the latter 
year and moving to a farm of eighty acres, par- 
tially improved, which he had purchased in 
Section 18, of the same township. Subsequently, 
he bought eighty acres more iu Section 10, and 
has since thoroughly improved the entire prop- 
erty. His residence is 10 by 28 feet in dimen- 
sions, with a story-and-a-half ell, and has 18- 
feet posts. In the spring of 1907 ,he bought 
from his mother eighty acres of land in Section 
20, which adjoins the home place. Besides gen- 
eral farming, he is engaged in raising horses 
cattle and hogs, his labors being attended by 
profitable results. He feeds and ships two car 
loads of stock each year. 

Mr. Homey has been twice married, his first 
wife being Elizabeth Sellers, to whom he was 
wedded in September, I860. She was born iu 
Littleton Township, Schuyler County, 111., a 
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Ritchie) Sell- 
ers, respectively natives of Tennessee and Penn- 
sylvania. Four children resulted from this union, 
as follows : Loren L.. who is engaged in the gen- 
eral mercantile business in Littleton, 111.: 
Harlan E.. a physician residing in Van Alstyne, 
Tex. : S. Fleming, who is connected with a 
grocery store at Littleton, 111.; and Eva Pearl, 
wife of Fred Scott, a farmer, of Littleton Town- 
ship. The mother of this family died in March 
1S85. In May 1887, Mr. Homey was united in 
marriage with Frances L. Raper. bom in Little- 
ton Township. Schuyler County, and a daughter 
of Cyrus and Emily (Irvin) Raper. the former 
being born in North Carolina and the latter, 
in Kentucky The issue of the second marriage 
was seven children, namely: Verna, who mar- 
ried Wallace Winters, a liveryman, of Little- 
ton, 111.: Clifford. Dana, Athel, Speed M.. Merle 
and Clara R.. who are with their parents. In 
politics, Mr. Homey is identified with the Dem- 
ocratic party, and he and his wife maintain 
a high standing among the citizens of Schuy- 
ler County. 

HUNTER, George R., most favorably known 
throughout Central Illinois in connection with 
the Raid; of Schuyler County, of which be is 
President, as well as identified with many im- 



portant commercial interests elsewhere, and 
widely popular by reason of the sterling traits 
of his character, was born iu Rushville, 111., July 
27, 1S3C. Mr. Hunter is a son of James and 
Johanna (Dougherty) Hunter 1 , the father born 
near Lexington, Ky., and the mother at New 
Ross, County Wexford, Ireland. The former 
died August 20, 1S83, the latter having passed 
away February 9, 1882. James Hunter was 
reared in Kentucky, and in the early 'thirties 
located iu Rushville, 111., where his marriage 
with Johanna Dougherty took place. In Decem- 
ber, 1818, on account of failing health, he moved 
to Pleasant View, 111., where he devoted his at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits, and besides his 
general farming operations, developed a fine 
orchard. There his death occurred, as also that 
of his wife, the brother of the latter, Richard 
Dougherty, dying the same year as his sister. 
Another brother, John Dougherty, who was a 
prominent real-estate dealer in Rushville, de- 
parted this life in the "seventies. James Hun- 
ter's farm comprised eighty acres of laud and 
was nicely improved. In politics, he was a Dem- 
ocrat, but averse to seeking public oflice. In re- 
ligion his wife was a strict Catholic, and her 
husband became a convert to that faith. Both 
led exemplary lives and enjoyed the respect of 
all who knew them. 

George R. Hunter, the only child of his par- 
ents attended the public schools of Rushville, 
and the district schools of Schuyler County, and 
afterwards became a student in the Jesuit Col- 
lege at St. Louis, Mo. (The St. Louis Univer- 
sity), where he took a four years' course. Then 
he settled on the home farm, and for a number of 
years derived a consideable profit from the prod- 
uct of his orchard already referred to, his fruit 
crops sometimes yielding from $4,000 to $5,000 
per year. 

At the time of the oganization of the Bank of 
Schuyler County, Mr. Hunter took some of its 
stock, and having persistently declined the presi- 
dency of the bank, Thomas Wilson was chosen 
for that position, Mr. Hunter becoming Vice- 
President. On the death of Mr. Wilson, Mr. 
Hunter succeeded him as President, and has 
since continued in that position. He is a saga- 
cious and conservative financier, and his mdivid- 
uil investments of large amounts have been judi- 
cious and profitable. He is doubtless one of the 
wealthiest men in Central Illinois, and own* 
stock in quite a number of commercial enter- 
prises in different parts of the country. Al- 
though liberal to a fault, he is utterly devoid of 
ostentation, shunning publicity in his benefac- 
tions and not letting "his right hand know what 
his left hand doeth." No one was ever denied 
assistance who came in distress to George R. 
Hunter and were the facts revealed, more than 
one man in Schuyler County has been saved by 
bis timely aid from financial ruin. Mr. Hunter 
is a man of superior intelligence and wide in- 
formation. Although of a retiring disposition 
and modest bearing, his temperament is genial, 
and his manner towards all affable and pleasing. 



818 



HISTOBY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



His friends are numerous, not being confined to 
Schuyler County or the State of Illinois, but lo- 
cated in every part of the country. He was 
never married, but extends a graceful hospitality 
to all guests who visit his country residence at 
Pleasantview, Schuyler County. 

Politically, Mr. Hunter is a Democrat, and in 
religion is a devout Catholic, being a member of 
the Roman Catholic Church of Kushville, to the 
support of which he has contributed most liber- 
ally, lie is an honored member of the Knights 
of Columbus. 

HYMER, Samuel.— The years 1840-47 were pro- 
lific of arrivals in Schuyler County, and a gen- 
eral impetus in farming, merchandising and 
tradesman ship . se enis to have been the result. 
These were hardy souls who left comfortable 
homes in the East, and allied their fortunes with 
a religion sustained chiefly by hope and the as- 
surance of remarkable fertility of soil. In 1837 
came John and Sarah (Jackson) Hytner. the for- 
mer horn in Guilford County, N. C, and the lat- 
ter a native of Randolph County, the same State. 
John Ilymer had much to recommend him to 
the setters who had preceded him. for he was 
experienced as a farmer and also had a thorough 
knowledge of blacksmithing. He had been an 
early settler of Harrison County, Iml.. where he 
had combined farming and blacksmithing. and 
where his son, Samuel Hynier. the present repre- 
sentative of the family in Rushville Township 
was born May 17. 1829. The elder Hymer lo- 
cated on land in Kushville Township, and for 
years followed farming and blacksmithing, his 
death occurring in 1862. 

Samuel Hymer was reared to farming, and as 
opportunity offered attended the district school 
during the winter season. He married at the 
early age of twenty, January IS. 1849, Mary J. 
Thompson, of .Maryland, and an early arrival in 
Schuyler County. Mr. Hymer enlisted in the 
Union Army. September 13, 1862. in the One 
Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infan- 
try, and served until he was mustered out May 
15, 1865. His martial record was a highly com- 
mendable one, and showed him a man of cour- 
age and patriotism. Mustered in as Second 
Lieutenant, be soon after became First Lieuten- 
ant, anil upon retiring from the service was 
brevetted Major. Returning to his home in 
Schuyler County, Mr. Hynier the following year 
removed to Kansas, where he engaged in general 
farming ami stock-raising, and where, in 1871. 
he was ordained to the ministry of the Metho- 
dist Church. He still continued to farm, how- 
ever, and also became prominent in politics, be- 
ing elected to the Kansas Legislature on the 
Republican ticket in 1869. 

In 1904, Mr. Hymer returned to Rushville. and 
since has lived in retirement. He has a pleas- 
ant home, and his days are brightened by asso- 
ciation with many of the pioneers who knew him 
in the old days. He is a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, and fraternally is con- 



nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. 



IRVIN, William G., known throughout Schuyler 
County. 111., as the proprietor or the hotel at 
Brooklyn, 111... was born near Stanford, Shelby 
Couuty, Ky., January 10, 1830, a son of George 
Washington and Beersheba (Elmore) Irvin, aiso 
natives of that couuty and a grandson of Star- 
ling Irvin. George W. Irvin and his family 
moved from Kentucky to Schuyler County, 111., 
early in the last century, traveling by wagons 
and settling at Rushville. The father died on his 
farm near Rushville about the year 1S40, and 
five years after his death, his widow was married 
to John Spoonamore, and continued to reside in- 
this vicinity. Both are long since deceased. 
The first marriage resulted in two sons and four 
daughters, and the second, in two sons and one 
daughter, all of whom are dead, with the excep- 
tion of Zachariah T. Spoonamore, who is a resi- 
dent of Cooperstown, Brown County, 111. Wil- 
liam G. Irvin attended school in Littleton Town- 
ship, Schuyler County, remaining at home with 
liis mother and step-father until he was fourteen 
years old. when he hired out on a farm. In 
1863, he secured employment in the Randolph 
Hotel at Macomb McDonough County, 111., where 
he remained until 1870. Following this, he 
worked two years as a clerk in a Littleton (111.) 
store, and subsequently carried on farming for an 
equal period, then purchasing a general store in 
Doddsville. McDonough County, which he con- 
ducted until 1890, serving also as Postmaster of 
that town for twenty years. In the year last 
mentioned, he sold out his business interests in 
Doddsville, moving to Rushville. Schuyler County, 
and taking charge of Peters' Hotel, which he 
kept a year. On relinquishing this, he again 
went into the mercantile business, locating in 
Brooklyn. 111., and later, building the hotel which 
he has since continued to operate. It has a ca- 
pacity of eleven rooms, and is the only house of 
public entertainment ever conducted in Brook- 
lyn. 

On March 10, 1868, .Mr. Irvin was united in 
marriage with Frances M. Brown, who was bom 
in the vicinity of Industry. McDonough County. 
111., May 23. 1851. and is a daughter of Amos and 
Mary iRolph) Brown, natives of Dayton, Ohio. 
Eight children resulted from this union, as fol- 
lows: Estella. and Idella. twins, who were born 
December 20. I860, and died January 26, 
1S70 : Lulu May. horn February 20. 1871 : Maude, 
born June 20. 1873, deceased August 26.1873; 
Vivian Randolph, born August 17, 1870; Jennie, 
born May 1.".. lssfi; William F., born November 
2. 1883; and Mary Hulda. born December 9. 
1889. Lula M. married James Merriweather. of 
Xew London, Iowa ; Vivian It. is engaged in the 
wholesale grocery business at Galesburg. 111., 
under the firm name of the Galesburg Grocery 
Company: Jennie is the wife of Frank Manlove. 
of Augusta. 111.: William F. is in the mercantile 
trade in Brooklyn, 111., and holds the office of 



HISTORY OP SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



849 



Postmaster of the town, residing with his par- 
ents; and Mary II. is also at home. 

Mr. Irvin joined the Baptist Church at Dodds- 
ville in 1882, but is now a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, of Brooklyn, there being no 
church of the former denomination in the vil- 
lage. In politics, he has long been a Republican. 
Hi- and his wife, together with the other mem- 
bers of the family, are highly respected. 

JARMAN, Lewis A. — For many years public 
opinion has accorded Lewis A. Jarman a fore- 
most place among the citizens and legal practi- 
tioners of Schuyler County, and so stable a fix- 
ture has he become in the affairs of Rushville 
that his election to his present position as 
Mayor, in April, 1905, would seem a natural and 
expected continuation of the many honors grow- 
ing out of his ability, integrity and large capacity 
for useful citizenship. 

Of Southern ancestry on both sides of his fam- 
ily, Mr. Jarman was born in Greensboro, Md.. 
September 28, 1S58, a son of Thomas H. and 
Mary E. I Lewis I Jarman.. natives of Maryland 
and Delaware, respectively. His grandparents, 
Thomas II. and Elizabeth Jarman, were born in 
Maryland, and his maternal grandparents, 
Thomas II. and Sabra Lewis, were natives of 
Delaware and Maryland, respectively. Com- 
pleting his preliminary education at the Western 
Maryland College, at Westminster, he then en- 
tered the Maryland University, at Baltimore, 
and after graduating therefrom in the class of 

1881, spent a year acquiring the rudiments of 
law in a law office in Baltimore, and has been 
in the active practice of law in Rushville since 

1882. building upon the foundation of splendid 
personal qualities, a reputation for reliable, con- 
servative and dependable professional service. 

An abiding belief in the best tenets of the Re- 
publican party has led Mr. Jarman to espouse 
its cause with vigor and enthusiasm, and through 
various local official channels he has labored to 
promote the besf interests of the community. 
Mr. Jarman was a delegate from the Fifteenth 
Congressional District to the Republican Na- 
tional Convention in June, 1904. and in April, 
1905, was elected chief executive of the city of 
Rushville. His marriage to Lizzie B. Ray, a 
native of Rushville and graduate of the North- 
western University, at Evanston, 111., occurred 
June 26, 1889. The distinguishing characteris- 
tics of Mr. Jarman are force of character, in- 
domitable energy and executive ability, potent 
agencies for the advancement of men to import- 
ant stations in life. 

JONES, Elward J. — Although a resilient in 
other sections of the country for brief periods, 
Air. Junes has always been anxious to return to 
Schuyler County, and here practically all of his 
active life has been passed. At this writing he 
resides on North Maple Avenue. Rushville. where 
he owns two residence properties, and in addi- 
tion is the owner of an improved farm of 100 
acres in Oakland Township. The latter town- 



ship is the place of his birth, April 12, 1842, be- 
ing the date thereof. His father, James Thomp- 
son Jones, was one of the honored pioneers of 
Schuyler County, whose memory long will re- 
main green in the hearts of those bound to him 
by ties of kinship or friendship. In physique 
he was very tall and finely proportioned, and his 
height led to his selection as color-bearer in the 
days when military feeling ran high and when 
preparations for war were being made on every 
hand. The son of a Whig, he himself was an 
ardent Democrat and never failed to give his 
allegiance to the principles and candidates of 
that party. 

A native of Havre de Grace, Md., James 
Thompson Jones was bom June 19. 1812, and in 
boyhood went to Pennsylvania with his father, 
Edward J., (also a native of Maryland). The 
family settled in Washington County, where his 
father died and was buried in the Bethel Church 
Cemetery. Upon starting out to make his own 
way in the world he came to Illinois and took 
up land in Oakland Township, Schuyler County, 
where he began the clearing of his land. After 
the death of his first wife he returned to Penn- 
sylvania and there married Mary Ferine, born 
in 1816. While they were living in Pennsyl- 
vania, a son, Stephen P., was born in August of 
1840. Later they came to Illinois and the sec- 
ond son, Edward J., was born in Oakland Town- 
ship, which also was the birthplace of the third 
son, David, who died at the age of twenty-one. 
The wife and mother died on the home farm 
February 6, 1844. Later the father went back 
to Pennsylvania and in 1846 married Don-as 
Gorsuch, who was born in Virginia, and accom- 
panied her father. Nicholas Gorsuch, a Virginian 
by birth and ancestry, to Pennsylvania. Dur- 
ing 1852, James T. Jones again came to Schuy- 
ler County and took up farming pursuits in Oak- 
land Township, where lour children were born 
of his union with Miss Gorsuch, namely: Eliza- 
beth, now the widow of Abram Bly and a resi- 
dent of Oakland Township; Mary, wife of New- 
ton Edmonstou, a farmer of Oakland Township ; 
George W.. who is represented elsewhere in this 
work: and John Jones, a carpenter living in 
Rushville. The father died September 7, 1871, 
and was buried in a cemetery near Vermont. 
111. For years he had served as Justice of the 
Peace, besides which he had been Road Commis- 
sioner and a member of the County Board of 
Supervisors. A natural mechanic, his skill with 
tools led him to do considerable carpentering and 
he also was engaged at the trade of brick-mason 
to some extent. 

Fpon leaving the old home farm at the age of 
twenty-five years. Edward J. Jones went to Mis- 
souri and there worked for eighteen months. 
However, he was not satisfied to remain in that 
country and returned to his early home. No- 
vember 2s. 1894, he married Ella Tutt. who was 
born in Rushville Township January 24, 1867, 
being a daughter of James anil Marietta Tutt. 
natives of Kentucky but pioneers of Schuyler 
County. Here Mr. Tutt died in October, 1893, 



,s:,u 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



and here his widow still makes her borne in 
Rushville Township. After remaining on the 
home farm for some years., in 1899 Mr. and Mrs. 
Jones removed to Uushville, their present home. 
They have two children, namely : Lolla Edna, 
born February S, 1896 ; and Herman, born De- 
cember 3, 1901. The family attend the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Jones is 
an active member. Three times Mr. Jones was 
elected Supervisor from Oakland Township, and 
in addition he filled the oflice of Road Commis- 
sioner during his residence in that township. 

JONES, George W— It is significant of the en- 
ergy and judgment of Mr. Jones that he has 
risen to a position of independence without the 
prestige of capital or influence to aid him in 
starting. When he became a land-holder in 
Schuyler County, he acquired the title to eighty 
acres on Section 34, Oakland Township, but he 
lacked $200 of having sufficient money to pay 
for the land at the time of its purchase. A part 
of the tract was not cleared and he at once be- 
gan to remove the heavy timber, thus placing the 
land in condition for cultivation. The first in- 
debtedness was soon paid. Then he purchased 
additional land, and from time to time he ac- 
quired other tracts until now he owns 490 acres 
in one body in Oakland Township, this repre- 
senting the energy and wise management of his 
active years. 

The record of the Jones family, which appears 
iu the sketch of Edward J. Jones on another 
page, shows that they came from Maryland, the 
grandfather, Edward J., and the father, James 
T„ having both been natives of that State, hut 
subsequently residents of Washington County, 
Pa., from which the latter migrated to Illinois 
in an early day and settled in Schuyler County. 
Among the children born of his marriage to 
Miss Gorsuch was George W., whose birth oc- 
curred August 1G, 1S53. on the farm in Rush- 
ville Township now owned by F. P. Richey. 
During boyhood he accompanied the family to 
Oakland Township, where he attended school and 
learned the rudiments of agriculture, to which 
his life has been devoted. After the death of his 
father in 1872, be left the home roof and began 
working for others, receiving if IS per month, 
which was at that time the very highest wages 
paid to farm hands. 

The marriage of George W. Jones and Phoebe 
Jane Rose was solemnized March 6, 1STS. Mrs. 
Jones was horn in Chelsea, Washtenaw County. 
Michigan, October 22, 1854. being a daughter of 
Warren P. and Maty (DePeuw) Rose. The 
family came to Illinois about 1857 and settled in 
Schuyler Couny, where Mr. Rose cleared a tract 
of hind in Rushville Township and improved a 
good farm. After the death of his wife in 1893, 
he removed to Iowa, dying there in 1S96. All of 
his seven children survive him. namely: Hardin 
C. of Ray, 111. ; Henry P... a farmer in Littleton 
Township; Mrs. Jones; Richard, of Reardstown. 
111.: Edna, wife of Charles E. Chipman, of 
Davenport, Thayer County, Neb. : Mira, wife of 



Gilbert McMillen ; and Annie E., Mrs. Samuel 
E. Simpson, of Oakland Township. The chil- 
dren of Mr. and Mrs. Jones are as follows : Mary 
F., who was born December 1, 1878, and died 
March 1, 19U7 ; David P., born August 15, 1880 ; 
Edna V., who was born November 20, 1882, and 
is now Mrs. TJ. Sowers, of Oakland Township ; 
Annie E., who was born March 26, 1885, and 
married Lewis Heaton, of Vermont, 111. ; Maude 
l:.. born May 29, 1888; George E. and James E. 
(twins) bora March 24, 1891; Carrie, June 10, 
1893; and Ura Glenn, October 26, 1896. In 
workiug to improve his farm Mr. Jones had the 
assistance of his children until they, one by one, 
started out to earn their own way in the world, 
but the younger still remain to bless the home 
with their cheerful presence and brighten the 
lives of their parents with their sympathy and 
ready aid. Politically Mr. Jones has always 
been a stanch Democrat and on that ticket, has 
been elected to various local ollices ; the Chris- 
tian Church, of which he is an earnest member, 
has had the benefit of his generous contributions, 
as well as the co-operation and aid of his family. 

JUSTUS, Moses L. (deceased), for many 
years connected with the milling business in 
Schuyler County, HI., but who spent his last 
years in retirement at Browning, same county, 
was born in Hancock County, 111., December 12, 
1831, a son of George W. and Susan (Bates) 
Justus. The birth of Moses L. Justus occurred 
while his parents were traveling by wagon to 
the west. George W. Justus was born in Middle 
Tennessee about the year 1795. and in 1S28 was 
married to Susan Bates, a daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. William Bates, of Kentucky. When a 
young man he followed the occupation of a 
teacher, but in later years devoted his attention 
to agricultural pursuits. They settled at Grand 
Island. Browning Township, Schuyler County, 
but later, for some time lived at Summum, Ful- 
ton County. George W. Justus.became the owner 
of considerable tracts of land. He died at the 
home of his son, F. M. Justus, at the age of sixty- 
six years, his wife having passed away one year 
previous to the decease of her husband. 

The early life of Moses L. Justus was passed 
in Schuyler County, where he received his edu- 
cation in the common schools. His marriage 
took place in 1857. when he was united with 
.Martha A. Steppe, a daughter of John L. Steppe 
and wife, natives of Tennessee. In politics, Mr. 
Justus was a supporter of the Democratic party. 
He was a habitual abstainer from all intoxicat- 
ing liquors, and a strong advocate of temperance 
principles. His decease occurred January 30, 
1908. 

JUSTUS, Dr. William F., a well-known, effici- 
ent and popular physician of Littleton, Schuyler 
County, III., was born in Browning, Schuyler 
County. May 20. 1872 a son of Moses L. and 
Martha A. (Steppe) Justus. (A sketch of the 
father, with other facts of ancestral history, ap- 
pears in a preceding section of this biographical 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



s:. I 



portion of the work.) William F. Justus re- 
ceived bis education iu the public schools of 
Browning Township, and in the Illinois State 
Normal University, at Normal. At the age of 
nineteen years, he entered the College of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons, at Keokuk, Iowa, from 
which he was graduated in 1892. He then began 
the practice of medicine at Industry, McDonough 
County, 111., where he continued in practice un- 
til 1897. In the spring of 1898, in company with 
a party of six residents of Rushville. 111., he 
made a trip to Alaska. Returning after a so- 
journ of four months in that region, he located 
in Littleton, 111., there resuming the practice of 
his profession on January 1, 1899. Since then, 
through skillful methods and close attention to 
duty, Dr. Justus has succeeded in acquiring a 
substantial patronage in Littleton and the sur- 
rounding country, and has gained an enviable 
reputation as a practitioner of solid attainments 
in medical science and as a strict adherent of 
the highest ethics of the healing art. 

On April 7, 1894, Dr. Justus was united iu 
marriage with Anna M. Garrison, who was born 
in Littleton Township, February 2S, 1874. Mrs. 
Justus is a daughter of Henry W. and Anna M. 
(Justus) Garrison. Her father is a native of 
Ohio, while the birthplace of her mother was 
Brooklyn Township, Schuyler County. One 
child is the issue of this union, Ansel Howard, 
born May 26, 1895. 

Politically, Dr. Justus is a supporter of the 
principles of the Democratic party, and has 
served one term in the office of Supervisor of Lit- 
tleton Township. In fraternal circles, he is iden- 
tified with the M. W. and the M. W. A., of Little- 
ton, the I. O. O. F., of Rushville, 111. ; and the B. 
P. O. E., of Macomb, McDonough County. Dr. 
Justus has won the confidence of those who have 
availed themselves of his professional services, 
and of the public in general, and socially he and 
his estimable wife maintain a deservedly high 
standing. 

KELLY, James M. — The present high social 
and financial standing of James M. Kelly among 
his acquaintances in Schuyler County is a trib- 
ute to his indomitable energy and to the perse- 
verance with which, unaided, he has fought the 
battle of life ever since he was a lad of tender 
years. As a soldier in the Civil War he took 
part in many sanguinary engagements and faced 
many business interests: is a stockholder and 
ties he has also had many struggles, but in both 
he has been victorious. Through much of his ac- 
tive life he followed agricultural pursuits, but 
of recent years he has retired to some extent 
from the manual labor connected with the devel- 
opment of a farm. However, he still retains 
many business interests, is a stockholder and 
director in the People's State Rank of Astoria, 
and is President of the Deep Water Commission 
of Brown and Schuyler Counties. Kelly lake 
and branch, were named in his honor, and in 
many ways he has left the impress of his force- 



ful personality upon the locality where for years 
he has been a leading citizen. 

In Vermont Township, Fulton County, 111., 
James M. Kelly was born September 7, 1844, the 
third child .if Franklin B. and Elizabeth (Hol- 
lingsworth) Kelly. The former was born in 
Fleming County, Ky., December 25, 1812, a son o 
Francis F. Kelly. About 1830 he migrated to 
Fulton County, 111., and secured a claim near 
the village of Vermont, where he died about 
1853, when James M. was nine years of age. 
The members of the family were as follows : 
Francis M., who was a member of the Fifty- 
first Illinois Infantry during the Civil War and 
died in Fulton County about 1875; Caroline, who 
married Titus Andrews, of Hollenberg, Washing- 
ton County, Kan. ; James M. ; Emily, wife of 
John Swink, of Washington, Kan. ; Cynthia A.. 
Mrs. Evert Bingham ; Sarah, Mrs. Harlow Pal- 
mer: and Margaret, who died in girlhood. 

Had the life of Franklin B. Kelly been spared 
to old age, undoubtedly he would have attained 
flattering success, as at his death in middle age 
he owned a farm of 100 acres, the fruits of his 
unaided efforts. This he left to his sons, Fran- 
cis M. and James M., they to operate the land 
and support the other members of the family. 
The mother remained at the old homestead until 
her death, and the sisters also grew to woman- 
hood there, leaving the old rooftree for homes 
of their own. The younger son, James M., not 
being old enough at his father's death to assist 
greatly in the development of the farm, started 
out in the world to earn his own way. At the 
age of eleven years he went to Macomb, where 
he worked tor his board. His employer was a 
drover and the boy thus' had an opportunity of 
working with horses, an occupation of which he 
was fond. In 1850 he returned to the old home. 
Two years later, in the fall of 1858, he came to 
Schuyler County and began to work by the 
month for his mother's father, with whom he 
lived until his enlistment in the army. 

When the call came for soldiers to aid in the 
preservation of the Onion, the patriotic spirit of 
James M. Kelly was aroused, and on October 
20. 1861, lie enlisted at Peoria, 111., as a private 
in Company O. Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, com- 
manded by Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll. The 
regiment rode on horseback to Benton Barracks. 
In the spring of 1S02 they went from St. Louis 
to Pittsburg Landing. The Eleventh bore an ac- 
tive part in many sanguinary engagements. 
Their record was one of which their friends felt 
proud, and which even to this day brings its 
members many flattering testimonials. Their 
baptism of fire came at Shilob, where at sunrise 
they saw the enemy's colors waving in the dis- 
tance as they approached for action. About 
eleven o'clock General Prentiss was captured. 
All day the battle raged fiercely and the brave 
Eleventh fought desperately to defend the Infan- 
try. On Hi,- second day relief came ami about 
twelve o'clock on the 7th of April, the enemy 
was driven back and the field was left to the 
dead and the dying. Again at Corinth the 



853 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Eleventh defended the Infantry amid great peril. 
Other and later battles brought them added 
laurels of lame. The arduous campaign with 
Sherman to the sea found them ever at their post 
of duty. After the surrender of the Confederacy, 
Company G proceeded to Washington and took 
pair in the grand review as escort to General 
Frank P. Blair, being honored with that posi- 
tion in recognition of meritorious conduct at the 
battle of Hatchie's Run. Through much of the 
active sen-ice Mr. Kelly acted as Orderly and 
carried messages long distances from one Gen- 
eral to another, or from the officers to his com- 
rades. 

After having been honorably discharged at 
Louisville, Kentucky, in July of 1805, James M. 
Kelly returned via Springfield to Fulton County. 
111., anil from there again came to Schuyler 
County. Going back to Fulton County in 1S6S. 
he rented a farm and in March, 1869, married 
.Miss Emily, daughter of Joseph Kelly and a na- 
tive of Illinois. Though bearing the same fam- 
ily name, the two were not blood relations. 
Subsequent to his marriage Mr. Kelly rented a 
farm in Browning Township, Schuyler County. 
In 1879, he bought 128 acres on Section 17, Hick- 
ory Township, where he and his wife lived in a 
log cabin until they accumulated the means nec- 
essary for erecting a better house. From time 
to time he added to his possessions and now owns 
378 acres, all in one body. 

The eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly is 
Laura, born March 18. 1S71 ; she married Charles 
Harmon, of Canton. 111., and has two children. 
Clarence W. ami Emily Ethel. The second child 
in the Kelly family is Abhie. born September 2S, 
1S75. who married James D. Woolley, and has 
two children. Fay. born July 10. 1805. and Mae. 
born May 3, 1S07 ; they reside on the old home- 
stead. The third child, Helen, born June 11, 
1S77, married Fred A. Schultz of Peoria, 111., 
and has one child, born February 12, 1807. The 
fourth child of Mr. Kelly is James Francis, born 
August 20, 18S0. and now managing the old 
home farm on Section 17, Hickory Township. 
The youngest child. Bertha, was born August 
26, 1882. anil is now the wife of Edward Sack- 
man of Peoria. For twenty-five years Mr. Kelly 
served as School Director and meanwhile accom- 
plished much for the upbuilding of the schools of 
his district. Politically he is a stanch Republi- 
can. Though living in a Democratic township, 
he has been three times elected on the Republican 
ticket as a memlier of the County Board of Su- 
pervisors, and the fact that he overcame the 
usual large majority of the opposite party speaks 
much for his personal popularity. As a member 
of the hoard he proved useful and efficient and 
assisted in promoting the interests of his town- 
ship as well as the general welfare of his county. 

KENNEDY, Maxwell (deceased), wis born in 
Logan County. Ky.. near the Tennessee line. July 
4. 1847. His parents removed to Canton. TIL. 
in the year 1840. where they resided six months, 
going from there to McDonough County and lo- 



cating on a farm near Vermont. Here Mr. Ken- 
nedy grew to manhood, receiving his early educa- 
tion in the country district schools, and later 
attended the Vermont school. When sixti n 
years of age he began his career as a teacher, 
his first school being at Foster's Point. lie later 
attended Eastman's Business College at Chi- 
cago, where lie laid the broad foundation for his 
future successful work along similar lines. After 
returning from school he decided to take up 
mercantile work, and secured a position as 
bookkeeper for a Mr. Ravenscroff. at Ver- 
sailles, but he soon gave this up to resume 
teaching, His next position being at Quincy, 
where he taught several years. From Quincy 
he went to Industry and later to Macomb, re- 
moving to Rushville in 1SS5, where he resided 
until a few days before his death. 

He was twice married. His first wife was 
Miss Jennie Greenup of Industry, and they were 
married in March, 1874. She accompanied him 
to Rushville, and died in this city. January 10, 
1889, leaving one son, Charles, now a resident of 
San Francisco. Cal. Prof. Kennedy was married 
to Miss Elizabeth Ellison of Vermont. December 
30. 1800, and she survives with one son, Lloyd, to 
mourn the loss of a devoted husband and father. 

He was a member of the M. E. church, and 
in his private and public life he met the full 
responsibilities that devolve upon the true teach- 
er, who has in his charge the moral as well as 
the mental training of the young mind. 

Prof. Maxwell Kennedy, former President of 
the Rushville Normal and Business College, at 
Rushville. and also proprietor of a similar school 
in Macomb, Til., died suddenlv at Vermont. 111.. 
July 0. 1008. 

KERR, John. — An instructive example of what 
may be accomplished by fixed purpose, tenacity 
of will, diligent exertion and strict honesty, may 
he found in the life of the worthy retired farmer 
of Rushville, Schuyler County, Til., whose name 
appears above, and who. although beginning his 
active career with no extraneous aid. started out 
as a young lad in the struggle for self-support, 
and won success bv untiring perseverance and 
thrifty economv. Mr. Kerr was born in County 
Tvrone. Ireland, in 1840. His father. John 
Kerr was a native of the same county in Ire- 
land, and the birthplace of his mother. Rebecca 
TWeirl Kerr, was in Scotland. Neither of them 
ever came to the T'nited States. 

John Kerr, to whom this personal record per- 
t-'in«. attended the grammar schools of Countv 
Tvrone during his boyhood, and accompanied his 
brother to this country when he was about twen- 
ty -one years of age. His first location was at 
Newark. N. J., where he was employed for a few 
years in the milk business. Following this he 
obtained work in a woolen mill in the same citv. 
remaining in that connection until 1869, when he 
moved to Illinois, settling at Rushville. There 
he was engaged in general farming, with uniform 
success until his retirement from active pur- 
suits. He devoted considerable attention also to 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



853 



the operation of coal mines on his land, with 
profitable results. 

The marriage of Mr. Kerr took place in his 
native country in 1850, being then wedded to 
Eleanor Bell, a daughter of Robert and Anna 
(Mayne) Bell, who spent their entire lives in 
Ireland, where they were born. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kerr became the parents of the following chil- 
dren, namely : Catherine B. ; Joseph A. ; Annie 
E. ; Robert J.; James F. : William T. ; Charles 
A. ; and May L. In religious belief, Mr. Kerr is 
an earnest and consistent Methodist, and is a 
member of the official board of the local church 
to which he belongs. Politically he is a stead- 
fast supporter of the policies of the Republican 
party, is looked upon as one of the most sub- 
stantial members of the community and one of 
its most exemplary citizens. 

KING, Arthur C. — During the entire half cen- 
tury of his life, Arthur C. King has lived on the 
farm in Section 4, Huntsville Township, where 
he was born August 12. 1857. As a boy. when 
general conditions were cruder and less pros- 
perous, he bent bis strength to small and unim- 
portant tasks, and as a man of wide experience 
ami worthy ambitions, he is the sole owner of 
this tine property, with its stretch or 280 acres, 
and its adaptation to all the needs of the Cen- 
tral Western fanner. His enviable reputation 
rests principally upon his success as a stock- 
raiser, for it is this branch of farming that he 
finds most congenial, and to which he brings to 
bear his greatest research and most untiring 
industry. Mr. King owns a large and comforta- 
ble country residence, well constructed barns and 
outbuildings and well considered facilities for 
caring for stock. During a year be disposes of 
at least 200 head of Short-horn cattle for butch- 
ering, and many more for milking and breeding 
purposes, besides 150 head of hogs, and a large 
number of horses. His opinion regarding stock 
bears great weight in the community, and his 
advice and counsel are often sought by those of 
less experience along these lines. 

Mr. King was reared to farming by his father. 
Lewis King, and his education was acquired in 
the public schools. He evidenced early business 
sagacity, and was keen at a trade long before he 
settled down to the serious responsibility of 
self-support. He has always made his work 
count, a fact which enabled him to buy out ten 
heirs to the old homestead in 1888, and in the 
future to pay his own taxes and direct his own 
farming enterprise. February 22. 1S00, he was 
united in marriage to Louise Stahman, at Car- 
thage. Ohio, the home of the bride's brother. 
Charles Stahman, Mrs. King having been born 
in Weisberg. Ind.. November 0. 1800. She is a 
daughter of Henry Stahman. and Dora CKeeher) 
Stahman, natives of Germany, who died when 
she was a small child, the mother in 1875 and 
the father the following year. There were seven 
children in the Stahman family, of whom Caro- 
line. Henry and Minnie are deceased, as is also 
Laura, twin of Frederick, the latter of whom 



survived until his sixteenth year. Mrs. King 
lived with a sister alter the death of her par- 
ents, and tvhen nineteen years old began to make 
her nun living as a clerk in the general merchan- 
dise store of F. M. King, of Augusta, brother of 
her husband, and it was there that she met the 
man who subsequently became her husband. 
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs 
King; an infant, deceased; Harriet Dorotbv' 
born July 15, 1902; ami Theodore Henry, born 
September 27, 1007. .Mr. ami Mrs. King are 
active members of the Presbyterian Church, of 
Huntsville. Mr. King is a Republican in politics 
but is not active except at the polls. He is 
highly esteemed for his ability, public spirited- 
ness and integrity, and well deserves the success 
and influence which have gathered around bis 
life. 

KING, Louis F.— The ancestry of the King 
family is traced to French-Canadian lineage and 
became identified with the development of 
New York. Lewis R. King, who was the son of 
Jonas King, a soldier of the War of 1S12 was 
born and reared in New State. Upon starting 
out as a farmer he and a brother, C. D. King, 
bought land in Schuyler County near the village 
of Brooklyn. During 18:'.'.) be visited his old 
home in New York, but returned in a few 
months to his farm work in the West. In 1841 
occurred his marriage to Harriet McKee, who 
was born in Manchester, Conn., of English an- 
cestry, and about 1S36 came to Illinois" with an 
uncle, Elisha Olcott, who became a prominent 
pioneer merchant of Hancock County. During 
the Mormon disturbances in Hancock County, 

Mr. King, acting as a citizen, joined i ve uenl 

which had for its object the suppression of dis- 
order and the preservation of law, ami while 
thus engaged witnessed the arrest and imprison- 
ment of the two Sintilis (Joseph and Ilvruin) 
which preceded their assassination by shooting, 
at the Hancock County jail in Carthage, on June 
27, 1844. 

Immediately west of Brooklyn, on land now 
owned by Jonas King, was the first home of 
Lewis p. King after bis marriage, but about 
1849, he purchased 300 acres of wild land in 
Huntsville Township, where afterward he im- 
proved a valuable farm, erected substantial 
buildings and placed the land in a good state of 
cultivation. On his farm there was a burying 
ground i now abandoned), aud here may still be 
sen a marble slab that marks the last resting- 
place of A. W. Dorsey, the only teacher whom 
Abraham Lincoln ever had. On one occasion 
when that famous President was traveling 
through Western Illinois, he stopped at Hunts- 
vile in order that he might visit the grand old 
man who had been the instructor of his early 
days. After his visit be proceeded to Macomb, 
where he held one of the memorable debates of 
1858 with Douglas. 

The family of Lewis R. King comprised ten 
children, all hut one of whom are yet living. 
Milton is a farmer in Hancock County, III. : 



S54 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Elizabeth and Frederick live in Augusta, Han- 
cock County, across the line from Schuyler 
County; Sophia married J. M. Reed, of Bir- 
mingham; Adelaide was lor a few years a lead- 
ing merchant of Camp Point, Adams County ; 
Henry H. died in 11)00 near Mountain Grove, 
Mo.; Arthur C. occupies the old homestead in 
Huutsville Township ; Mrs. Louise Stahl resides 
at Fowler, 111. ; Harriet makes her home in 
Augusta : and Louis F. is the owner of Oak 
Mound farm on Section 1C, Huntsville Township. 
The last-named was born at the old homestead 
near Huntsville May 2, 1SCS, and was about 
twelve years of age when he was bereaved by 
the death of his mother, April 20, 1SS0. The 
father survived for many years passing away 
January 14, 1901, deeply mourned by family and 
friends. In the Presbyterian Church of Hunts- 
ville his loss was felt, for he long was a leader 
in the work, an elder of the church, and Super- 
intendent of the Sunday school. The Bible was 
ever his favorite book, aud many hours were 
spent each week in the study of its pages. Thus 
he acquired a thorough knowledge of its contents 
and became a ready and fluent speaker upon re- 
ligious subjects. It was always his endeavor 
to live up to the precepts of the Scriptures. His 
life was patterned after the great example given 
us in the life of the founder of Christianity. 
During the existence of the Whig party he voted 
that ticket, but upon the disintegration of the 
party he became identified with the Republicans. 
The holding of office was averse to his tastes and 
invariably he declined political honors. 

Excellent educational advantages were given 
to Louis F. King, who attended the country 
schools in Huntsville Township, the high school 
in Augusta, and Knox College in Galesburg, 
where he was a student for four years during the 
presidency of Hon. Newton Bateman, enjoying 
the opportunity of study under the preceptorship 
of that cultured scholar. At the expiration of a 
four-years' course he was given the degree of 
Bachelor of Science. On his return to his home 
he took up agricultural work. November 17, 
1903, he was united in marriage with Miss Mar- 
tha F. Whetstone, daughter of Marcus Whet- 
stone, a well-known pioneer farmer of Schuyler 
County. After his marriage Mr. King brought 
his bride to a farm he had purchased in 1S0S. 
comprising 220 acres mi Section 10. Huntsville 
Township, and here he has since engaged in gen- 
eral farming. He and his wife have a son, Paul 
Whetstone, born December 2. 1904. In religion 
they are identified with the Presbyterian Church 
at Huntsville. in which he officiates as an elder. 
Politically he is a stanch Republican. 

Five hundred and twenty acres of land are un- 
der the control of Mr. King and his wife. A be- 
liever in scientific agriculture. Mr. King puts 
his theories into actual practice and ever has 
been a leader, not a follower. In his own county 
he has officiated as Vice-President of the 
Farmers' Institute, ticsides which he has been 
called frequently to other counties to participate 
in institute work, and many of his articles have 



been published in agricultural papers, thus giv- 
ing to other tanners the benefit of his progres- 
sive ideas. One of his theories is that only first- 
class stock can profitably be kept on high-priced 
farm land, and on his own place a visitor sees 
none but the gest grades. As early as 1900 he 
began to experiment with alfalfa,' at a time when 
most farmers believed it could not be grown as 
far east as this. His success proved that its 
cultivation could be prosecuted with profit, and 
in the last season (1007) he secured three cut- 
tings from his 20 acres of alfalfa, besides which 
he could have cut a fourth crop, had he not con- 
sidered it advisable to allow it to be pastured by 
the stock. The fact that this kind of hay can be 
raised successfully is of decided benefit to the 
farmers of the county, many of whom have taken 
up the work, encouraged by the success of those 
who were pioneers in the movement. 

KINSEY, William Harrison.— The life record 
of William Harrison Kinsey has been one of ob- 
stacles overcome, opportunities turned to good 
account, and obligations discharged with credit 
and discretion. In the past this prosperous 
farmer boy of Woodstock Township was known 
as a struggling farmer boy with few opportuni- 
ties to promote his rising interests, or encourage 
him when thrown much earlier than the aver- 
age upon his own responsibilities. He has suc- 
cessfully weathered many storms of adversity, 
and has demonstrated the ability of strong 
natures to see beyond their immediate horizon, 
and to endure and hope when others fall by the 
wayside. Born in Woodland Township, Fulton 
County, 111.. April 13, 1861, he is a son of John 
and Frances (Boyd) Kinsey, the former born in 
Pennsylvania and the latter in Ohio. The pa- 
ternal grandparents of William Harrison came 
to Pleasant Township, Fulton County, 111., about 
1S29, finding few there to greet them, or share 
with them the hardships of a frontier existence. 
Their farm in the vicinity of Ipava largely was 
covered with timber and underbrush, but this 
eventually was cleared, and the family assumed 
a proud and commanding position in the com- 
munity. Being among the very earliest settlers, 
they kept pace with the advance of community, 
and were respected both for their financial abil- 
ity and their many fine personal qualities. No 
exception to the character and ability of this 
family was found in John R. Kinsey, father of 
William Harrison, who in youth learned the 
blacksmith trade, and followed the same after 
moving to Sheldon's Grove in 1S61. When the 
war called his attention from accustomed labor, 
he enlisted in Company F. Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, and served three years as a Union sol- 
dier, or until his honorable discharge at the end 
of the war. Returning to his home, he again 
worked at blacksmithing, and later accepted a 
position as watchman on one of the boats plying 
between Peoria and St. Louis, on the Missis- 
sippi River. It is supposed that he was drowned 
while on one of these trips, as he never since 
has been heard from. The wife who survived 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



855 



him married Henry Swan, and died in Beards- 
town in February, 1875. There were two chil- 
dren born of her first marriage, William Harri- 
son and George H., the latter of whom died at 
the age of twenty years. By her second marriage 
there was a sou, David, uow deceased. 

At Sheldon's Grove, William Harrison Kinsey 
worked at farming, and practically began his 
wage-earning career at the age of thirteen years. 
His first school teacher was Quiun Harrison, 
aud to the kindly interest and good judgment of 
this early master does he attribute much of the 
success which has come his way. When very 
young Mr. Kinsey went to work for his uncle, 
Warren Spiller, receiving for the first two years 
fifty dollars a year, and for the last three years 
thiteeu dollars a month. Leaving his uncle in 
1S82, he went to Cass County, 111., and worked 
there for a Mr. Strubble, and in December of 
the same year returned to Schuyler County, 
where on September 11, 1S84, he was united in 
marriage to Delia M. Miller. Mrs. Kinsey was 
born in Rusbville Township, Schuyler County, 
May 22, 1866. a daughter of John Henry and 
SaraJi F. (Holland) Miller, natives of Germany 
and Tennessee, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Mil- 
ler were married in Frederick, III., and soon 
after settled in Kushville Township, where they 
became prominent and wealthy general farmers. 
Mr. Miller died February 13, 1902, and his wife 
died February 28. 1905. Both were devout Chris- 
tians, and both were active in their respective 
churches, Lutheran and Methodist Episcopal. 

After his marriage Mr. Kinsey settled in Rush- 
ville Tosvnsbip, and there lived until moving to 
Woodstock Township, and to the farm he now 
owns in 1888. He has been successful beyond 
his most sanguine expectations, now being the 
owner of 346 acres of valuable land, is:; aires in 
Woodstock, and 163 acres in Buena Vista Town- 
ship. This property is highly cultivated and de- 
voted to general farming. Mr. Kinsey has spared 
no pains to surround himself and family with 
the best possible influences, and few country 
homes furnish evidence of more regard for re- 
finement and the better things of life. 

Formerly Mr. Kinsey was a Democrat, but he 
now is a stanch supporter of the Prohibition 
cause. He is a devoutly religious man, a mem- 
ber of long standing of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and a great worker in the Sunday 
school. He is a member of the Mutual Patriarch 
League. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey are the parents 
of seven children: Winnie F., born August 4. 
1885; George H., born September 26, 1887, a 
graduate of the Rusbville Normal Commercial 
School, class of 1906-07 ; Uriah L., born January 
29. 1888. died in infancy : Frederick J., born 
April 18. 1889; John, born January 29, 1891; 
Margaret, born July 27, 1S94; and Elizabeth. 
born October 3. 1906. 

KIRKHAM, George H., well known in connec- 
tion with "Sunny View Stock Farm," in Sec- 
tions 35 and 36. Littleton Township, Schuyler 
County, 111., and long a man of prominence and 



influence in his locality, was born in Schuyler 
County April 22, 1841, a son of Henry and Eliza- 
beth (.llenkle) Kirkbam, and a grandson of 
Henry Kirkham, whose birth occurred in Vir- 
ginia, September 2, 1769, aud great-grandson of 
Michael Kirkham, a native of Ireland. Henry 
Kirkham, father of George H., was born in But- 
ler County, Ohio, and was married in that State 
to Elizabeth llenkle, coming with his wife to 
Schuyler County, 111., in the early 'thirties. He 
first bought 100 acres of land in Woodstock 
Township, which he cleared of timber and im- 
proved, living there until 1864. In that year he 
sold this farm, and purchased eighty-two acres 
of prairie land in Buena Vista Township, on 
which he followed farming until the time of his 
death, in September, 1898. His wife passed 
away in 1S47. 

George H. Kirkham remained with his father 
until he was twenty years old, attending the dis- 
trict schools up to that period. On August 15, 
1861, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-eighth 
Begiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under 
Capt. B. C. Gillam, the regiment being assigned 
to the Army of the Tennessee. The first battle 
in which he took part was that of Shiloh, and he 
afterwards participated in the Siege of Corinth; 
the engagement at Hatcbie Bridge, Miss. ; the 
Siege of Vicksburg; the engagement at Jackson, 
Miss. ; and the capture of Fort Blakely near 
Mobile. At the Siege of Vicksburg, he was 
struck on the shoulder by a spent bullet. On 
the termination of hostilities in that quarter, bis 
regiment was sent to Texas, where he served 
from April, 1865, until April 6, 1866, when he 
was mustered out' as a non-commissioned otiicer, 
to which grade he had been appointed in 1863. 
After arriving at home he worked for his father 
one season, and subsequently followed farming 
on rented land in Woodstock and Buena Vista 
Townships. He continued thus for four years 
after his marriage, and then obtained from his 
father-in-law. 200 acres of land lying in Sections 
35 and 36, Littleton Township. Of this, 140 
.mics are cleared and under improvement, and 
the rest is in timber and pasture. He has 
greatly improved the property. For the first sea- 
son, he and his family occupied a log cabin, and 
then lie bought a small dwelling a mile distant 
and moved it on to his place. The residence in 
which the family now lives was built by him in 
1882. He is engaged in general farming, and 
besides growing small grains, devotes considera- 
ble attention lo raising horses, cattle and hogs. 
The marriage of Mr. Kirkham took place No- 
vember 6, 1869, at which time he was wedded to 
Annie E. Garrison, who was born in Littleton 
Township, Schuyler County, 111., and is a daugh- 
ter of George and Sarah (Vail) Garrison, both 
natives of Ohio. Eight children have been the 
issue of this union, as follows: Charles Lewis, 
born January 0. 1872. and is engaged in the prac- 
tice of osteopathy, at Newcastle. Pa.; Elizabeth 
Lorena, born March 27. 1873, and became the 
wife of William Blodgett, of Rusbville. 111.; Iva 
Frances, born November 16, 1874, and living at 



S56 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



home : William Ray. of Bueua Vista Township. 
Schuyler County, horn December 14, 1876; 
Myrtle Grace, horn August 14, 1878, and married 
\V. C. Crawford; George Henry, horn May Hi, 
1882, who is employed in a wagon manufactory 
at Quincy, 111. ; Anna Bessie Maude, horn Sep- 
tember 4, 1SS4, who married L. Doan Dixsou, of 
Columbus, .Mont.; and James Orrin, bom Jan- 
uary 4, 1888. 

In politics, Mr. Kirkham has been long identi- 
fied with the Republican party, and served one 
year as Township Collector. lie and his wife 
are communicants of the Christian Church, in 
which he has officiated as deacou since 1882. 
Fraternally, he is affiliated with the A. F. & A. 
M., having joined the Littleton (111.) lodge of 
that order, in 1890. He is a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 131, of 
Rushville. No loan in Littleton Township is 
more sincerely respected than George H. Kirk- 
ham, and he and his wife enjoy the cordial es- 
teem of a wide acquaintance. 

LAMBERT, William, in duration of residence, 
one of the oldest citizens of Schuyler County, 111., 
and formerly one of the most substantial and 
prosperous farmers of Littleton Township, is 
now spending the evening of his life in com- 
fortable retirement ■ in the village of Littleton. 
Schuyler County. .Mr. Lambert was born in Mer- 
cer Comity, Ky., January 1. 18o2, a son of Wil- 
liam and Catherine (Dennis) Lambert, natives 
ol' that State. His maternal grandfather, Rich- 
ard Dennis, was a Virginian by birth. William 
and Catherine i Dennis) Lambert moved with 
their family from Kentucky to Rushville, 111., in 
the fall of 1836; and the father kept a hotel 
there until the time of his death in April. 1844. 
After his decease, his widow sold the hotel, con- 
tinuing to reside in Rushville until she passed 
away in 1852. He had been perviously married, 
and had three sons by his first wife, namely : 
Samuel, who was a soldier in the Mexican War, 
holding the rank of Lieutenant ; Henry, also a 
soldier in the Mexican War under Capt. Dunlap 
of Rushville, and John, all of whom are deceased. 
William Lambert rras the eldest of the offspring 
of the second marriage, the others being, Robert, 
who dieil in Littleton Township, in 1891 ; anil 
Mary .lane, wife of M. O. Snyder. Postmaster of 
Littleton, Schuyler County. 

William Lamberl received his education in the 
sch..., Is of Rushville, 111., to which place he was 
brought by his parents when four years old. At 
the age of fifteen years he began working for 
himself, and continued thus, on different farms, 
until he reached the age of twenty years. Shortly 
alter this period, having married, he acquired, 
together with his brother Robert, a quarter sec- 
tion of wild prairie land, which they improved. 
In 1854, Mr. Lambert sold his interest in this 
property to his brother, and bought from his 
father-in-law eighty acres in Section 22. Little- 
ton Township. After the death of the latter, 
the other eighty acres of his farm, which was 
improved land, became tbo inheritance of Mrs. 



Lambert. A few years later, Mr. Lambert 
bought 160 acres of unimproved land, lying in 
Sections 11 and 12 of the same township. He 
now owns 320 acres iu Schuyler County besides 
city property iu Littleton. Forty acres of this 
second purchase he fenced and improved, putting 
it under cultivation and leaving the remainder 
for pasture. Here he was successfully engaged 
iu farming until 1904, when he abandoned active 
labors, moving to the village of Littleton, where 
he purchased a commodious residence now oc- 
cupied by himself and wife, together with a 
young lady, Florence Snyder, whom they reared 
from childhood. 

.Mr. Lambert has been twice married, his first 
wile having been Josephine Rose, to whom he 
was wedded April 8, 1852. She was horn in Lit- 
tleton Township, Schuyler County, in June, 1834, 
a daughter of Randolph and Sarah (Tullis) 
Rose, natives of Kentucky. Six children were 
the issue of this union, as follows : Mabel, who is 
the widow of George Little, and resides in Lit- 
tleton, 111. ; William, a resident of Galeshurg, 
111.; Ella (Mrs. Richard Leach), of Piano.. 111.; 
Josephine (Mrs. Henry Jackson) whose houle is 
in Wisconsin; Edward, who operates the home- 
stead farm: and Fannie (Mrs. John P. Walker), 
who resides in Chicago. Josephine (Rose) Lam- 
bert passed away in April, 1895. On November 
30, 1st IT, Mr. Lambert was united in marriage 
with Anna Little, who was born in Adams 
County, Pa., April 13, 1S3S, a daughter of Robert 
and Eliza (Cunningham) Little, natives of Ire- 
land, where the father was born in County Ty- 
rone, and the mother in Belfast. The parents 
of Mrs. Lambert came to Rushville, 111., in 1850, 
settling in the vicinity of the town. Her pater- 
nal grandfather was James Little, and the grand- 
father on the maternal side was Henry Cun- 
ningham. 

In politics, Mr. Lambert has always been an 
adherent of the Democratic party, hut never an 
aspirant lor public olliee. lie attends religious 
worship at the Christion Church. In fraternal 
circles, he is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M. 
He and his wife are the objects of high regard 
throughout the community. 

LANCASTER, William.— It has been the for- 
tune of the Lancaster family to be identified with 
the agricultural development of Schuyler County 
lor a period of eighty years. The founder of 
the name in this part of Illinois was Thomas T. 
Lancaster, a native of Kentucky, who in 1S28 
left the home of his boyhood and came to Schuy- 
ler County, entering a claim on Section 12 of 
Browning Township. At that time he and Wil- 
liam Robertson were the only two white men in 
all that region. Roving hands of Indians were 
wont to traverse the country on their annual 
hunting trips and frequently he met them in the 
woods. On one occasion, after his clothing had 
been worsted in an encounter with a wolf dog, 
the Indians offered him a pup to pay for dam- 
ages done. In 1829 he was joined by a sister 
and three brothers. William, Henry and Hart- 




&/J-^/. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



s:,r 



zell, all of whom settled in Browning Township. 
After four years on Section 12 he moved to Sec- 
tion 10, where he remained for seventy-four 
years, until his death. 

When the "Deep Snow" of 1830 came, Thomas 
T. Lancaster had been in Illinois for two years 
and had his rude cabin well stocked with pro- 
visions for the winter, but, like other pioneers, 
he suffered severe hardships before the storm 
abated. The snow began to fall on the 28th of 
December and the ground was covered to a depth 
of lour feet on the level. Had it not been for 
an abundance of wild game, many of the settlers 
would have starved before spring. The pioneers 
depended upon game for a large share of their 
support and the necessities of the times made 
him a skilled hunter. By constant toil he trans- 
formed a wilderness into an improved farm, and 
the place upon which his youthful energy >vas 
spent afforded him a home for his declining 
years. When he was still a few months less 
than twenty-one years of age, he east his first 
presidential vote for Andrew Jackson during the 
latter's tirsl candidacy for the office. From that 
time he never wavered in support of the Dem- 
ocratic party, whose candidates he supported 
from Jackson to Bryan. For sixty-seven years 
he was a member of the Church of Christ, in 
which he was baptized by Rev. Beverly Curry. 
Possessing strung religious faith, he took pleas- 
ure in doing his duty as a church-member and for 
many years served as an elder in his congrega- 
tion. A thoughtful student of the Bible, as long 
as his eyesight permitted he loved to read the 
precious promises of the Book, and he died in 
the full assurance of a happy home beyond the 
grave, lie was born January 28, 1807, and had 
he been spared four days longer, lie would have 
been ninety-nine years of age. Seventy-eight 
years of that period had been passed in Schuyler 
County, where he was one of the oldest resi- 
dents at the time of his deeth. His last days 
were passed amid peace and plenty, surrounded 
by loyal children and affectionate grandchildren. 

The marriage of Thomas T. Lancaster and 
Elizabeth Jackson, a native of Kentucky, was 
solemnized by Squire Isaac Lane. March 1. 1831. 
Their happy union was severed by the death of 
the wife iu 1866. There smis and seven daugh- 
ters had been born of their union, namely: 
Nancy, who married Samuel Burrows, a farmer 
in Rushville Township: Mary, widow of George 
Seward, and now living at the old home- 
stead; Emeline, who married George Wood and 
was last heard from in the Indian Ter- 
ritory; Hannah, deceased wife of J. F. 
Skiles. of Browning, Hi.: Thomas J., a farmer in 
Industry Township, McDonough County. 111.: 
Elizabeth, deceased wife of Leonard Sherrell ; 
William, a farmer of Browning Township; Se- 
lina. Emma and Sarah, deceased. 

The gentleman whose name introduces this 
article was born on Section 10. Browning Town- 
ship, Schuyler County, April 6, 1N-14. In neigh- 
boring schools he received his education. I lur- 
ing 1866 he married Miss Elizabeth Walton, a 



native of the same township as himself aud 
daughter of a pioneer. After his marriage he 
rented the old homestead and, upon the death 
of his father, bought sixty acres of the estate. 
Here he has since made his home. Like his 
father, he ever has upheld the principles of the 
Democratic party, and. like him, also enjoys the 
esteem of acquaintances. Of his four children 
two died in infancy. Benjamin T., who was born 
at the old homestead, October 21, 1869, married 
Miss Wealthy Perkins, who died May 16, 1904. 
Two children blessed their union, namely : 
Harold, who died in infancy; and Clarice E„ 
who was born July 9. 1898, and who resides with 
her father and grandfather on the old homestead 
originally pre-empted by her great-grandfather. 
The only daughter of William Lancaster is 
Mary, wife of David Royer and a native of 
Browning Township, born July 12, 1872. Mr. 
and Mrs. Royer and their children, Pauline and 
Lawrence, reside upon a farm in Browning 
Township. The Lancaster family have done 
much to assist in the growth of their township 
and county, and its members enjoy the highest 
regard of a large circle of friends. 

LARASH, William Isaac, editor and proprietor 

of Tlie Schuyler Citizen, established in 1856, and 
The Rushville Daily Citizen, has been more or 
less closely identified with newspaper work ever 
since tile close of bis school-days. He was born 
October 2, 1851, at Allentowu. Pa., a son of Isaac 
and Esther Ann (Kildarel Larash. On the mater- 
nal side Mr. Larash comes of Revolutionary 
stock, his maternal grandfather, William Kildaiv, 
having served under General Washington. Isaac 
l.arash, father of William Isaac, was born in 
February, isu:;. at Upper Milford. Lehigh County. 
Pa. For a score of years he resided at Pekin, 
Tazewell County, 111., to which place be moved, 
with his wife, in November, 1852. There he en- 
gaged in merchant tailoring, but later purchased 
n farm in Spring Lake Township, Tazewell 
County, where he still resides. He married 
Esther Ann Kildare, who has been deceased sev- 
eral years. She was born at Frankfort, Pa., near 
the city of Philadelphia. Both parents of Mr. 
Larash were fervent Methodists and family 
prayers were daily offered. > 

William Isaac Larash spent a happy boyhood 
on the home farm. He has always been fond of 
out-door sports and. when occasion offered, has 
indulged his fondness for hunting. After com- 
pleting his school attendance at Pekin. he entered 
the printing office of W. W. Sellers, who con- 
ducted The Tazewell Republican, and served an 
apprenticeship of two years, in all that period 
losing hut one-half day. From 1S69 to 1870 Mr. 
Larash was in the West and. during this time, 
had an opportunity to hunt large game. He 
worked as an all round printer at Omaha and 
other Missouri River cities, and then returned to 
Illinois and soon after engaged in publishing 
the Peoria Evening Review, the enterprise being 
a co-operative company composed of four practi- 
cal printers, with Robert J. Burdette and Jerry 



858 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Cochran as editors. In March, 1875, Mr. La- 
rash located in Rushville and in 1879 purchased 
and engaged in the publication of The Schuyler 
Citizen. Its tounder was the late George W. 
Seripps. On June 1, 1895, Mr. Larash issued 
the first edition of The Rushville Daily Citizen, 
which has continued without interruption to the 
present time. For twenty-nine years he has been 
editor and proprietor of The Weekly Citizen and 
for thirteen years of The Daily Citizen, and thus 
is surely entitled to the name of one of the lead- 
ing journalists of the State. In his newspaper 
work he has ever striven to upheld the right, 
espi chilly in his own community, and his columns 
have been open to both sides of many controver- 
sies. Occasionally his attitude has been misun- 
derstood, but this public criticism comes to every 
man who stands above his fellows. In 1902, Mr. 
Larash launched out into a scheme to extend the 
circulation of The Citizen by means of a guessing 
contest, offering, in the aggregate, property 
valued at $50,000, which included in the presents 
for the successful estimates on the State election, 
the Electric Light plant in the city of Rushville. 
and the large brick building known as the 
Woolen .Mills building, besides town lots and 
$2,500 worth of other articles, including a piano 
worth $350. 

In his political views, Mr. Larash has ever 
been an ardent Republican. He cast his first 
presidential vote for General Grant, and has 
never failed to give support to the same party in 
both State anil National elections ever since. 
In 1903 lie was appointed postmaster at Rush- 
ville. Mr. Larash is prominent in Masonry. He 
became a member of ftushville Lodge, No. 9, A. 
F. & A. M.. passeil and raised Master Mason in 
1N77. was elected Worship ul Master and served 
in that chair in 1902 and 1903. He is a member 
of Rushville Chapter, No. 184 Royal Arch Ma- 
sons, and Rushville Commandery Knights Temp- 
lar. N<>. oil. For fifteen years he served the 
latter branch as Prelate. 

(in March 21. 1S7S. in Littleton Township, 
Schuyler County. Mr. Larash was married to 
Emelia Ann Horney, who was born in Littleton 
Township. July 1(1, 1857, a daughter of the late 
Col. Leonidas and Jane Horney. Col. Horney 
\\;i- killed at the battle of Champion Hills, Miss., 
while in e n land of the Tenth Missouri Volun- 
teer Infantry, on May 16, ISO: 1 .. Mrs. Larash 
is a graduate of the Rushville High School in 
the class of 1876, the first .lass graduated after 
the establishment of the high school system, and 
subsequently became a public school teacher. To 
this marriage have been born three daughters 
ami one son. namely: Leonidas Horney. born 
December 7. 1883; Elizabeth Lou. born November 
17. 1886; Winnifred Lucile, born October 24. 
1888; and Esther Jane, born January 10. 1895. 

Mr. Larash has been a member of the Metho- 
dist Church ever since early childhood. In 1877 
he united with this body at Rushville and served 
for many years as class leader and on the 
official board, and at present is Recording Secre- 
tary of the same. Noting personal attributes 



and tendencies, Mr. Larash is a lover of home 
and family surroundings. He has been a factor 
in molding public opinion on many questions in 
his, section, but is of retiring disposition, never 
seeking for himself those places of prominence 
he gladly sees his friends occupy. He is a man 
of generous impulses, of hopeful spirit and takes 
a large measure of satisfaction in what he has 
been able to accomplish. 

LASHBR00K, Samuel, of Schuyler County, 111., 
where he resides on Section 2, Woodstock Town- 
ship, besides being one of the most successful, 
well-to-do and favorably known farmers of the 
county, is one of the fast diminishing number of 
honored veterans of the Civil War. He was 
born in Orange County, Ind., March 7, 1844, a 
son of William and Rebecca (Taylor) Lash- 
brook, the father being a native of the State of 
Maryland and the mother of Indiana. The lat- 
ter, of whom her son Samuel has but a faint rec- 
ollection, died when he was four years of age. 
She was of English ancestry. John Lashbrook, 
the paternal grandfather, was born on the At- 
lantic coast. The great-grandfather on the pa- 
ternal side was born in England, as was also 
the great-great-grandfather, who came to America 
about the time of the Revolutionary War. John 
Taylor, the maternal grandfather, was a soldier 
in the War of 1812. William and Rebecca 
Lashbrook, the parents of Samuel, reared a fam- 
ily of seven children, as follows: John Wesley. 
Mary. Samuel. Solomon. Elizabeth. Jeremiah 
and William II. The eldest son. John W.. served 
during the Civil War as a member of Company 
II, Ninety-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer In- 
fantry, and died in 1863 on a hospital boat at 
Memphis, Tenn. ; Mary is the wife of William 
H. Kirby, of Beardstown. 111.; Solomon carries 
on farming in the vicinity of the old homestead 
in Orange County, Jnd. : Elizabeth was marri,ed 
to Frank Moore, a farmer living near French 
Lick, Ind.: Jeremiah is a builder and contractor 
located in Terre Haute. Ind. : and William H. 
is a farmer in Indiana, located near his father's 
former place in Orange County. Some time after 
the death of Rebecca (Taylor) Lashbrook. Wil- 
liam Lashbrook was married a second time wed- 
ding Nancy M. Morene. of Sullivan County, Ind.. 
and of this union, three children were born. 
namely ; Hiram W., Terre Haute. Ind., where he 
has been a Methodist minister for twenty years ; 
James W.. a carpenter and builder, residing in 
Terre Haute. Ind.. and Ellen, who lives in Texas, 
where she is the wife of C. H. Baxter, of Dallas. 
William Lashbrook died November 15. 1SSS. and 
Nancy M. Lashbrook lives in Terre Haute, Ind., 
making her home with her son. James W. The 
father in early life. learned the trade of a black- 
smith, following this occupation, together with 
farming, and being so proficient in blaeksmithing 
that no kind of repair work could be taken to 
his shop which was too difficult for him to un- 
dertake. For some years, when a comparatively 
young man. he taught school, and later, was a 
local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



859 



Church. He was one of the leading citizens of 
his locality. Warm in his impulses, he was gen- 
erous to the needy, and liheral in his support of 
all charitable enterprises. His home was always 
open to the weary and distressed, and no one in 
trouble was ever turned away from his door. 
When the Civil War was raging, his house was the 
neighborhood headquarters for news from the 
field of combat, and being a good reader, he 
read aloud to those gathered to hear, the tidings 
from the front. By one and all he was famil- 
iarly known as "Uncle Will," and during those 
trying days, many who had sons, lathers or hus- 
bands fighting in defense of the Union, called on 
him for sympathy and advice. He was tenderly 
kind to the widows and orphans of those who 
were slain in battle or perished in the hospitals, 
and scores of people still remember him with 
deep gratitude and profound respect. 

Samuel Lashbrook was reared on the farm, 
and received his education in the district schools. 
Remaining at home until 1S62, he enlisted on 
December 2d, of that year, being mustered into 
service at Indianapolis, Ind., as a private in 
Company F, Thirteenth Regiment Indiana 
Volunteer Cavalry, bis regiment going thence to 
Louisville. Ky.. and from there to Nashville, 
Temi.. supplied only with infantry arms. For 
this reason it was sent back to Louisville to be 
properly armed, and after receiving Enfield 
rifles, etc.. proceeded to Paducab. Ky. ; Nashville, 
Tenn. : and Huntsville. Ala., returning in the fall 
of 1863 to Louisville, via Nashville, where the 
command was mounted and furnished with 
cavalry accouterments. After taking part in 
some guerrilla skirmishes. Mr. Lashbrook par- 
ticipated in the Battle of Franklin, marching on 
thence to Huntsville. In 1864 he was sent again 
to Nashville, and spent five weeks in Camp Edge- 
field, whence the Thirteenth Indiana was or- 
dered to Chattanooga, but being cut off, went 
down the Tennessee River, thence to Vicksburg 
and to New Oilcans, where it remained until 
spring. The regiment was engaged in the battle 
at Spanish Fort, being under fire for about ten 
hours, and afterwards was sent to Mobile, 
skirmishing on the march. Mr. Lashbrook has 
a lively remembrance of a feast of sweet pota- 
toes and other relishable edibles, which the 
"boys" enjoyed after the Battle of Spanish Fort, 
the Rev. Mr. Kirby. who was visiting the camp 
of the Thirteenth, being present on the occasion. 
That night, the Thirteenth "went after" Gen. 
Kirby Smith, having a brisk skirmish with a 
portion of his command. The regiment was then 
sent to Greenville, Ala., where the cheer- 
ing news was received of Lee's surrender to 
Grant, which caused great rejoicing among the 
men. From Greenville the regiment moved to 
Montgomery. Ala., skirmishing with the re- 
treating enemy. At Montgomery, the command 
did garrison duty. Mr. Lashbrook being detailed 
as a messenger to Jackson. Miss., and thence to 
Vicksburg, where he was mustered out of serv- 
ice November 16. 186.". going then to In- 
dianapolis, for his final discharge. Returning 



home he again turned his attention to farm 
work, continuing thus one year on the old home 
place. In 1867 he moved to French Lick, Ind., 
where he was engaged in carpenter work four 
years. About the year 1871, he went into a 
partnership in the undertaking business, the 
firm manufacturing coffins and cases for their 
trade. Selling out his interest in this concern in 
1873, he moved to Schuyler County, 111., and 
went to work on a farm for Overton Barks, in 
Section 11, Woodstock Township, moving into a 
log cabin and remaining on the place eighteen 
months. In 1874, he rented land from Hon. 
Perry Logsdon, which he occupied until 1S80. 
when he bought 131 acres of unimproved land 
in the same section, known as the "old Cliff 
farm," and established himself in his own home. 
He built a basement barn, measuring 36 by 44 
feet, and two sheds, afterwards erecting a fine, 
two-story frame residence, with a cellar 16 by 
32 feet in dimensions. In 1S95, he rented the 
Briggle farm, which he cultivated four years, 
and in 1900, purchased 17'.> acres in Section 2, 

W Istock Township, on which he has since 

lived. On his first arrival in Woodstock Town- 
ship, his cash capital was limited to 25 cents. 
and now, 300 acres of good and finely improved 
land in the township belong to him. Through 
indomitable resolution, unwavering persistence 
and sagacious management, he has become one 
of the most prosperous farmers in Schuyler 
County. Although confronted sometimes by ad- 
versity, he lias overcome all obstacles and is 
now enjoying the well merited rewards of his 
arduous labors. 

On April 16, 1866, Mr. Lashbrook was united 
in marriage with Nancy J. Wilson, a most ex- 
cellent woman, who was born in Orange County, 
Ind., a daughter of William and Biddy (John- 
son) Wilson, natives of Orange County. Mr. and 
Mrs. Lashbrook have reared eight children, as 
follows: William F.. Andrew J., Mary Alice, 
Frederick, Melissa, Cora, Nettie and Earl. The 
eldest son. William F., lives on the home place; 
Andrew .1.. who is engaged in farming in Brown 
County, 111., married Miss Annie Cooper; Mary 
A. is the wife of Cyrus Bell, a farmer in Bain- 
bridge Township, Schuyler County: Melissa was 
married to Edward Flindt, whose parents were 
among the earliest settlers of Schuyler County; 
Cora became the wife of Loren Serrott. of Win- 
field. Kan. ; Nettie was married to Oscar L. Lear, 
a farmer in Woodstock Township; and Earl lives 
with his parents. The family are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Politically. Mr. Lashbrook lias always acted 
with the Republican party, taking a good citi- 
zen's interest in public affairs, but never seek- 
ing the distinction of local office. Fraternally, 
he is a member of Col. Horney Post, No. 131, 
Grand Army of the Republic, of Rushville. He 
is a man of genial temperament and cordial man- 
ners, a most hospitable and interesting enter- 
tainer, and has a wide circle of acquaintances, 
among which he numbers hosts of friends. 



860 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



LASHMETT, Andrew J., the subject of this 
sketch, was born on a farm in Schuyler County, 
111., in 18GL His father, John Lashmett, was a 
native of the Old Dominion, and the birth of his 
mother, Lucretia (Rueker) Lashmett, occurred 
near Lexington, Ky. The paternal grandparents, 
both of whom were French by nativity, settled 
in Virginia shortly after the beginning of the 
last century, and were closely identified with 
the early development of that State. 

Air. Lashmett received his early education in 
the district schools of Schuyler County, taking 
advantage of the limited opportunities which he 
had for improving his mind until he was com- 
pelled to give up his studies in order to earn a 
competence for himself. In 1891, he came to 
Rushville. and established a musical instrument 
business, which he conducted successfully Cor a 
period of four years. lie then accepted a posi- 
tion with a large music house located at Bur- 
lington, la., for which he traveled two years, his 
reputation as a musician, together with his busi- 
ness qualifications, making him a valuable sales- 
man in this line. Afterwards, he returned t<> 
Rushville and established the concern which lie 
is now conducting. For the past ten years he 
has occupied the large store building on Fast 
Washington Street, near the northeast corner 
of the Public Square, where he has successfully 
carried on the department store, familiarly 
known as "Little Chicago." His business has 
so increased that he has been compelled from 
time to time to add new lines to his stock 
and this, as a matter of course, necessitated new 
additions to his store building, until today he 
occupies over 15,000 square feet of floor space, 
His stuck consists of the following complete 
lines: furniture, undertaking goods, pianos, or- 
gans, vehicles ( including wagons, surreys, bug- 
gies, stanhopes and runabouts), harness. 'saddles, 
robes, blankets and whips, stoves and ranges! 
carpets and rugs, matting, window-shades and 
curtains, sewing machines, etc. etc. 

Air. Lashmett is a musician of more than 
local reputation, his execution upon the violin 
having attracted special attention. Having a 
deep interest i n music, he devotes special at- 
tention to this musical instrument department. 
In this stock are included pianos, organs, phono- 
graphs and a large assortment of other musical 
instruments. Such is the demand for these that 
some of the. best makes are here represented. 
Anion- the pianos. Air. Lashmett favors the 
Emerson as a leader, but carries also in stock 
the Lakeside, Schuman anil Schiller pianos. He 
has done much to stimulate an interest in high 
grade music in this section. The variety and 
reliability of the instruments handled by him 
have satisfied a demand equal to that in the 
larger cities. One room of this large establish- 
ment is devoted to the needs of musicians, and 
has proved a popular meeting place for those of 
the city who are musically inclined. In all 
other lines carried by Air. Lashmett. the best 
is always to be found. His close application 
to business, together with his thorough knowl- 



edge of its details, assures his patrons of fair 
treatment, good values and honest dealings. 

Notwithstanding his absorbing business re- 
sponsibilities. Air. Lashmett has always taken 
a deep interest in the social and civic welfare of 
the community. He has been prominent in 
local politics and has served the city and county 
in various capacities. By virtue of his excellent 
service in connection with the public trusts com- 
mitted to his care, he has reflected signal credit 
upon himself, as well as upon the party he rep- 
resents. He has served as Alderman of the Sec- 
ond Ward, and in the spring of 1902 was 
elected Supervisor of Rushville Township, be- 
ing re-elected in 1904. In the spring of 1907 
he was elected to the office of Mayor of the City 
of Rushville. 

Air. Lashmett belongs to that class of men that 
have attained success solely through their in- 
dividual effort. His rise in the business world 
may be attributed, for the most part, to his reso- 
lute purpose to give the public the best of which 
lie was capable. In his association with the 
commercial and political affairs of Rushville, he 
has proved himself to be a public spirited and 
enterprising citizen. By reason of his honesty, 
integrity and ability, he is recognized as one of 
the most reliable and substantial men of the city, 
and well does he deserve this distinction. 

On January 15, 1902, Mr. Lashmett was 
united in marriage with Rosa Cowan, a native 
of Virden, 111., and one son has been bom to 
them, James Andrew, a most interesting and 
promising child. 

LAWLER, Charles E.— Among the leading 
farmers of Schuyler County. III., who have 
largely assisted to impart to the agricultural in- 
terests of that region the tone and prestige 
which they admittedly possess, and whose enter- 
prise and public spirit have won for him an 
individual standing second to none in his lo- 
cality, is the gentleman whose name introduces 
this personal record. Mr. Lawler was born in 
Bainbridge Township. Schuyler County, Sep- 
tember 26, 1851. His father. George E. Lawler, 
was a Virginian, having been born in that State 
December 30, 1847, while his mother. Caroline 
(Hymer) Lawler,' was a native of Xorth Caro- 
lina. The paternal grandfather followed farm- 
ing in the old Dominion, and when quite young, 
George E. Lawler accompanied his parents to 
Ohio, whence at an early period the family 
journeyed to Illinois, locating in Woodstock 
Township. Schuyler County. Subsequently, 
George E. Lawler settled in Bainbridge Town- 
ship in the same county, where he carried on 
farming during the remainder of his active life. 
He died in 1898. A detailed narrative of his 
career, together with particulars in regard to his 
wife and family, will be found in an adjacent 
section of this work. 

In boyhood, Charles F. Lawler attended he 
district schools of Bainbridge Township, and 
passed his early youth on bis father's farm. On 
reaching manhood he commenced farming for 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



861 



himself, and continued in this occupation with 
invariable success until the time of his abandon- 
ment of agricultural pursuits in 1903, when he 
established his residence in Rushville, 111., in 
order to secure better educational facilities for 
his children. He lias since lived in retirement', 
having a "very attractive home on East Adams 
Street. 

Mr, Lawler has been twice married. His 
first marriage occurred at Rushville, in 1st:;. 
when he was wedded to Maria Greer, a daugh- 
ter of James L. and Martha (Wilson) Greer, 
who was bom in Rushville Township in 1853. 
Two sons resulted from this union, — Clyde E. 
and William R. The elder of these, while ex- 
hibiting a fine horse at a local county fair in 
1898, was kicked by the animal, and died from 
the injury thus received. William R., the 
younger son, is a graduate of the Normal School. 
and also completed a course of commercial study. 
In 1SS0. his first wife having passed away, Mr. 
Lawler was joined in matrimony with Nora 
Kirkliam. a daughter of Silas and Mary (Gar- 
rett) Kirkham, who was born in Kansas in 
1858. The issue of the second marriage was 
three children, namely : Orrin H., Mildred and 
Frances. The first named, having finished his 
preparatory course by graduating in 1905, is now 
a student in the Illinois State University, being 
a member of the class graduating in 1909. On 
his removal to Rushville. Mr. Lawler turned 
over the management of his farm of 165 acres 
to his son. William R.. who keeps a fine grade 
of horses, cattle and hogs, especial attention be- 
ing given to Shire horses. In politics, Mr. Law- 
ler is allied with the Democratic party, and 
has served the public as Township Assessor. He 
is one of the most prominent citizens of Rush- 
ville. and for many .veal's has been closely identi- 
fied with the agricultural interests of Schuyler 
County. 

LAWLER, George Edward (deceased).— 
Among the worthy pioneer settlers of Schuyler 
County, 111., upon whose resolute minds and 
sturdy bodies rested the herculean task of de- 
veloping a wilderness into a civilized commu- 
nity, none is entitled to a greater meed of praise 
than George Edward Lawler. To ascribe to him 
and his contemporaries the credit which is justly 
their due. to recount their arduous labors, de- 
pict their noble traits of character, and perpet- 
uate in enduring form the record of their 
achievements, is a grateful task for those of a 
succeeding generation, who are the fortunate 
beneficiaries of the great work accomplished by 
them. In the ranks of these honored pioneers, 
George E. Lawler, is one of the foremost, as 
typifying all those qualities that enter into the 
composition of perfect manhood. Mr. Lawler 
was a native of the "Old Dominion." where his 
birth occurred in Fauquier County December 30, 
1817. He was a son of Alexander and Mar- 
garet B. (White) Lawler, the father having 
been born in Warrington, Fauquier County, Va„ 
in 1794, and the mother also in Virginia in 1798. 



Alexander Lawler was of Irish descent, his an- 
cestors coming to America in the colonial period. 
His wife was of Swiss descent. The former died 
in 1853, the latter surviving him until 1874, 
when she passed away at the age of 76 years. 
Grandfather James Lawler was private sec- 
retary of General Washington, serving in that 
capacity during the Revolutionary War, in 
which he took part in many of the most san- 
guinary battles. After the termination of that 
memorable conflict, he returned to his home, and 
resumed his occupation of farming and survey- 
ing. He surveyed and platted the farm and 
home grounds of General Washington, at Mount 
Vernon. 

He was considered as one of the best educated 
and most polished gentlemen of his day. George 
E. Lawler was brought to Schuyler County, in 
1839, by his parents, who settled in Bainbridge 
Township, on a farm which is still in possession 
of the family, lb' remained on the home place 
until the time of his marriage, which took place 
in 1841. The wife of Mr. Lawler, who died 
June -~, 1N7!J, was formerly Caroline Hyiner, 
:i daughter of John Ilymer, one of the most es- 
teemed of the early settlers of Schuyler County. 
Mr. Lawler then bought his first property, six- 
teen acres of laud, and built a log cabin, at that 
period the best one in his section of the country. 
He had the first cook-stove and carpet in use in 
that locality. His family ultimately consisted 
of eleven children, nearly all of whom were 
reared to maturity. Their names are as follows: 
Sarah Margaret. Wife of Jacob Hammond, a 
narrative of whose career appears in this vol- 
ume : George W., who is engaged in the grocery 
business at Rushville, 111. ; Zerilda J., married 
Samuel Wheelhouse, of Rushville ; John W., a 
retired farmer and merchant, whose life is also 
portrayed in this work : Josephine, wife of A. 
B. Lawler. a farmer located near Rushville; 
James A., who operates a grist mill at Rush- 
ville : Charles E.. a retired farmer, residing at 
Rnshville; Henry, who died in 1864, at the age 
of eight years ; Oliver F., who occupies the old 
homestead farm in Bainbridge Township; 
Ernest J., who died in March, 1865, when five 
years old: ami Dwight E., a merchant at River- 
dale, Kan. The father of this family was long 
one of the leading farmers and citizens of Schuy- 
ler County. Beginning with sixteen acres of 
land, he gradually increased his possessions 
until he became one of the most extensive land- 
holders in the county, owning at one time 803 
acres. As the children grew to years of ma- 
turity, he gave each a goodly portion to start 
thrin in active life, providing liberally for all, 
after equipping them with a thorough educa- 
tion. He was extremely public-spirited, and 
unselfishly active in promoting the best interests 
of the community. He was always ready to ex- 
tend a helping hand to the needy who deserved 
assistance, bestowing his charities without os- 
tentation, and the number of those whom he 
has succored when in temporary straits, and 
who owe their subsequent success to his broad 



862 



HISTOBY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



minded philanthropy, will never be fully known. 
He was a member of the Baptist Church, and 
his wife belonged to the Methodist denomina- 
tion. Mr. Lawler died August 24, 1S9S. His 
memory will long be cherished for the shining 
virtues of his character and for his beneficent 
deeds. 

LAWLER, John W., one of the most sub- 
stantial and favorably known citizens of Rush- 
ville. 111., was born in Bainbridge Township, 
Schuyler County, October 4, ISlfi, a son of 
George E. and Caroline (Hymer) Lawler, his 
father having been born in Virginia, December 
30, ISIS, and the mother born in North Caro- 
lina. George E. Lawler followed farming for a 
livelihood. lie went with his parents from Vir- 
ginia to Ohio at an early period, and during the 
'thirties accompanied them thence to Illinois, 
the family settling in Woodstock Township, 
Schuyler County. At a later period George E. 
Lawler located on a farm in Bainbridge Town- 
ship, on which lie built a dwelling and followed 
farming until 1S73, when he retired from active 
pursuits, establishing his home in Rushville, 
where he died in 1S0G. 

John W. Lawler enjoyed the benefits of at- 
tendance at the district schools of Bainbridge 
Township when a boy, and throughout his youth 
busied himself by assisting his father in the 
daily routine of farmwork. On attaining his 
majority he engaged in farming for himself, 
and continued thus until 1869. At that time he 
secured employment in a general store, where 
he remained a few years. He then resumed 
farming operations, which he afterward again 
relinquished and made a trip to the West. Re- 
turning home be once more applied himself to 
farming, and was thus employed until 1SS4, 
when In' embarked in the grocery trade in Rush- 
ville, selling out in 1906 and withdrawing from 
active lite. 

Mr. Lawler has thrice entered into matri- 
monial relations. His first marriage took place 
in Rushville in 1S75, when he wedded Rosie 
Patterson, who died in 1S83. Four boys and 
two girls were the issue of this union, namely: 
Clarence, who died at the age of four years ; 
Marvin, who married Tillie Ellis, and has one 
son, Lawrence, living in Beardstown, 111., and 
employed as a conductor on the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad ; Ray, also a rail- 
way conductor, running out of Denver. Colo. ; 
Carroll, of Rushville, who married Mary Walker, 
of the same place; Grace, wife of Frank Ross, 
of Galesburg, 111.; and Bessie, wife of Guy Pat- 
terson, who has two children. 

In 1899, at Peoria. 111., Mr. Lawler married 
Emma Reflin, who died in 1S90. In February. 
1892, at Rushville. he was united in marriage 
with Emma M. Harmon, who was born in the 
vicinity of Rushville in 1865. The offspring of 
the last marriage is one son, John J., living at 
home. In politics. Mr. Lawler is a Democrat. 
He is a man of excellent character, and enjoys 



the respect and confidence of a large acquaint- 
ance. 

LAWLER, Oliver T — One of the most interest- 
ing and valuable landmarks in Bainbridge Town- 
ship is that owned and occupied by Oliver T. 
Lawler, son of the pioneer, George Edward Law- 
ler. Around this old place are centered the mani- 
fold happenings of almost three-quarters of a 
century ; the birth of a large family of children, 
their development from youth to manhood and 
womanhood, their departure upon their re- 
spective independent walks of life, and the re- 
turn of Oliver T. as manager and eventual owner 
of the memory laden homestead. Upon this 
farm Oliver T. was born August 24, 1S5S, and 
here began the tasks which fitted him for his 
large responsibility as a representative farmer 
and stock-raiser of the twentieth century. His 
opportunities were similar to those of the other 
lads of his neighborhood, and included attend- 
ance at the district schools during the winter 
mouths, and work in the fields during the sum- 
mer. After the removal of the father to Rush- 
ville in 1S73, he augmented his previous training 
by graduating at the high-school of that town, 
and October, 1879, was united in marriage to 
-Alary ('. Morris, daughter of John W. Morris, 
a sketch of whose career maj T be found on an- 
other page of this work. 

In the spring of 1SS0, Mr. Lawler brought his 
young wife to the farm upon which he was born, 
anil which he rented until 1898. He then bought 
the place outright, and now owns the 320 acres, 
all of which is under a high state of cultivation. 
Mr. Lawler breeds, feeds and ships consider- 
able stock, and engages in general farming on a 
large scale. His residence, barns, outbuildings, 
fences, drainage and general improvements in- 
dicate thoroughness, method, and fine regard for 
the aesthetic as well as financial side of exist- 
ence, and taken all in all the property constitutes 
one of the most delightful homes and profitable 
agricultural enterprises in Schuyler County. 
The owner is a man of firm but progressive 
ideas, a conscientious student of the best ways 
of tanning and the most enlightened ways of 
living, and the possessor of practical and com- 
mon sense ideas upon subjects engaging the pop- 
ular attention. 

Mr. and Mi's. Lawler have had eight chil- 
dren, thr if whom died in infancy. Of those 

living. Lou M. was born November 2, 1888; 
Dorothy <;.. was born September 6, 1S91 ; Flor- 
ence C, was born May 20, 1893; Bernice was 
born April 19, 1897 ; and Ernest was born August 
21). 1902. In polities Mr. Lawler is a Democrat. 
but in local matters he is broad enough to 
sometimes recognize the limitations of the Dem- 
ocratic ticket. He enjoys social prominence in 
marked degree, is popular with all classes, and 
is an honored member of the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows. 

LAWLER. Robert A.— The advantage of hon- 
est business principles, unswerving devotion to 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



863 



the best tenets of a necessary and important 
occupation, and appreciation of the courtesy, con- 
sideration and tactfulness which unfailingly am- 
plifies and dignifies human endeavor, are factors 
emphasized in the enterprise of J. W. Lickey & 
Company, funeral directors of the city of Rush- 
ville. This firm has been in existence since 18!)S, 
and in 1002 its working force was augmented by 
Robert A. Lawler, to whose far sighteduess, 
progression and unremitting industry and good 
judgment is due a large share of its merited suc- 
cess. 

Robert Alexander Lawler was born on a farm 
in Woodstock Township, Schuyler County, 111., 
December 22. 1877, and is the youngest of the 
four sons and one daughter of Washington M. 
and Lilly (Burnside) Lawler, the former of 
whom was an early settler, and the latter a na- 
tive of Schuyler County. Washington M. Law- 
ler, who in early life was a farmer and cooper 
and, in later life, a farmer, is given attention 
elsewhere in this work. He settled on the 
farm where his son was born in 1840, and from 
small beginnings arose to wealth and influence, 
owning, at the time of his death, November 5, 
18'.i7. 240 acres of improved land. His wife sur- 
vived him until February 15, 1907. Of their 
children. Theodore W. is a farmer of Warren 
County, 111.; Alice is the wife of Eugene Cham- 
berlain, of Bainbridge Township; Thomas H. 
lives in Kewanee, 111.: and Fred H. is a travel- 
ing salesman. The elder Lawler was a prom- 
inent and public spirited man. greatly interested 
in the roads and schools of the township, and 
though of a quiet, unostentatious nature, the soul 
of friendliness and good humor. 

As did his brothers and sister, Robert A. Law- 
ler attended the district school in early youth, 
and in 1S98 entered the Rushville Normal Busi- 
ness College, from which be was duly graduated 
in 1900. For two years he combined oversight 
of the home farm with school-teaching, that well 
worn thoroughfare from country to city life, 
and in so doing laid aside the small competence 
which was to constitute his financial start in life. 
August 28, 1002, he was united in marriage to 
Myrtle Lickey, daughter of J. W. Lickey, of 
Rushville. and immediately afterward became 
the business associate of his well known father- 
in-law. In the meantime he has advanced to a 
foremost place in his profession, has made a 
thorough scientific study of embalming, and has 
been granted license No. 929 by the State Board 
of Embalmers. He takes a keen and unfailing 
interest in his work, invests it with forethought 
and intelligence, and by his tact and under- 
standing, diverts from the necessarily grewsome 
occupation much that is objectionable and de- 
pressing. The firm occupy two floors of an es- 
tablishment on the northeast corner of the 
square, and their equipment is in accord with 
the most modern and progressive funeral di- 
recting and embalming methods. The confidence 
of the public has been gained by skillful and 
dependable service, and the exercise of those 
personal niceties and considerations which ap- 



peal to these who have sustained the loss of 
their near and dear ones. In connection with 
their line of caskets and general funeral furn- 
ishings, the firm carry a stock of mouldings, 
frames and art goods. .Mr. Lawler is Secretary 
of the National Co-operative Burial Association, 
which has a membership of eighteen huudred. 

To train and succeed to his business Mr. Law- 
ler has two sons, Harold and Eugene. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, iu which 
both himself and his wife are very active, and, 
fraternally, is connected with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, Friendship Lodge No. 24, 
of which he is Noble Grand, and is a member 
and presiding officer of the Mystic Workers No. 
474, his wife having been Secretary of the same 
for the past five years. Mrs. Lawler also is a 
member of the Rebekas, as is her husband, and 
be is connected as well with the Modern Wood- 
men of America and Knights and Ladies of 
Security. From a business and social stand- 
point Mr. Lawler is one of the prominent and 
successful men in bis part of the State, and en- 
joys a wide acquaintance with many of its fore- 
most families. 

LAWLER, Robert E., an enterprising and pro- 
gressive young farmer whose home is in Section 
22. Bainbridge Township. Schuyler County, 111., 
and who is one of the leading citizens of his 
locality, was born on the farm where he now 
lives. January IS, 1880, a son of John Hugh and 
Mary (O'Connor) Lawler, natives of Fauquier 
County, Va., whence the former was brought to 
Schuyler County, 111., by bis father, James W. 
Lawler, in 1835, when he was about eleven years 
old. James W. Lawler was one of the earliest 
settlers of Bainbridge Township. Here John H. 
Lawler married a Miss Edmondson, and by her 
had two children, both of whom died in infancy. 
After the mother's death he married Almira 
Perry, and their union resulted in four children, 
namely: Albert, who died at the age of twenty- 
two years: William, who died in 1890; Nancy, 
wife of Edward Hood, and Ann Elizabeth, wife 
of James Self, both husbands being farmers in 
Bainbridge Township. The mother of this fam- 
ily died in Bainbridge Township, and John H. 
Lawler subsequently married Mary O'Connor, 
born near Lyons, France, who was brought by 
her parents to this country when she was about 
six years old. Her father, Mathias O'Connor, 
settled in Camden Township, Schuyler County, 
where he died in 1880. John H. and Mary 
(O'Connor) Lawler were the parents of six 
children, as follows: Clinton, who died in In- 
fancy :' Jessie L.. deceased wife of Jona Vaughan, 
who died in 1898; Martha K. and Lucy D., of 
Rushville, 111. ; and Robert E.. to whom this 
personal record pertains. John H. Lawler de- 
parted this life March 2, 1894. his widow sur- 
viving him until July 2, 1897, when she, too, 
passed away. When the former first came to 
Schuyler County, wild game was abundant, and 
deer trails were visible in all directions. The 
land in Bainbridge Township where the Lawlers 



SCI 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



made their home, was heavily covered with 
white and black-oak timber. James W. and 
John H. Lawler cleared this wilderness, and on 
ground then haunted hy straggling Indians, 
whose wigwams had scarce disappeared, now 
stand churches, schoolhouses and heautiful 
honies. to perpetuate the memory of the sturdy 
pioneer of the Lawler family. 

Robert E. Lawler was fourteen years old 
when his father died, and passed his boyhood in 
assisting in work on the home place and attend- 
ing the district schools. After finishing his edu- 
cation in the Rushville Normal School he taught 
for two years, and then turned his attention to 
the farm containing 350 aires, which was left 
to his care, burdened with an indebtedness to be 
discharged. Well has he performed his task, 
and he and his sisters have become the owners 
Of 210 aires of the homestead property. 

On April 13, 1903, Mr. Lawler was united in 
marriage with Grace E. Hood, who was born in 
Cass County, 111., a daughter of Edward Hood, 
a prominent fanner of Bainbridge Township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lawler have two children, namely: 
John D., born May 2, 1904; and Mary Lucille, 
born August 2. 1900. 

In politics. Mr. Lawler is a Democrat, and has 
taken an active part in the political affairs of 
his township, in which he has become an influen- 
tial factor. In 1906, during Mr. Lawler's ab- 
sence from home, the Democratic Township Con- 
vention nominated him for the office of Super- 
visor, and he was elected by a decisive majority, 
being eight years the junior of the next youngest 
member of the Board of Supervisors. He is 
looked upon as one of the most prominent citi- 
zens of the community, and he and his amiable 
wife have a host of friends. 

LAWS0N, James P. — To the average farmer 
in Illinois horticulture, as a science, is a closed 

I k, the study of which seems hardly justified 

by the results thus far achieved in the Central 
West in connection with the fruit-raising indus- 
try. Tet one has but to scan the work of certain 
landsmen whose attention has thus been directed 
with successful results, to realize the injustice of 
the opinion commonly held. One of the most in- 
teresting and informing expressions of this sort 
of nature-loving spirit to be found in Schuyler 
County, is the farm in Section 16, Camden 
Township, owned and occupied by James P. 
Lawson. The man Kent upon horticultural or 
agricultural success might travel far and not 
find so encouraging an exposition of what may 
be accomplished in fruit-raising when backed by 
enthusiasm, broad understanding and untiring 
industry. 

James P. Lawson was born in Bainbridge 
Township, Schuyler County, July 6. 1851, a son 
of Robert Lawson, and in boyhood removed with 
his parents to Camden Township, where the 
family settled on a farm now owned by his 
brother William. Here the subject of this sketch 
attended the public schools as opportunity of- 
fered, and upon attaining his majority, began 



work on his own account, though still making 
his home with his mother who, by this time, had 
become a widow. Industrious and frugal in his 
habits, he had no difficulty in securing employ- 
ment, and having few and simple wants, was 
able to lay aside a portion of his earnings for 
future investments. His mother in the mean- 
time having passed away, on March 17, 1S89, he 
was married to .Miss Hester Marlow, a daughter 
of Levi S. and Margaretta (Rice) Marlow. and 
a native of Camden Township. A sketch of 
Mr. Marlow will be found in its proper place in 
another part of this work. 

Alter his marriage, Mr. Lawson resided on the 
old home farm for one year, when he removed 
to Camden, remaining there for about five years. 
In 1896 he bought ninety acres of the paternal 
farm, to which he later added by purchase 
eighty aires more on Section 16, making a total 
of 170 acres, of which twenty aires is in Section 
9 in Camden Township. This property he has 
improved by the erection of farm buildings, 
setting out orchards and a variety of small fruit- 
bearing shrubs, besides developing a vegetable 
growing department that will add materially to 
the production of the farm. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lawson have had two children. 
one son. Vernie, who has received a good edu- 
cation and is now assisting his father in the 
supervision of the farm, and one daughter, 
Gracie, who died as the result of injuries re- 
ceived by being aceidently scalded, although she 
lingered for a week after the accident — a ca- 
lamity which left a pall of gloom upon the fam- 
ily, depriving them of the society of a bright 
child who was a source of happiness to the 
household. Mr. Lawson is a Democrat in poli- 
tics, while Mrs. Lawson is a member of the M. 
P. L. and Star Lodge of Camden, their son. 
Vernie being identified with the A. F. & A. M. 
and M. W. A. 

LAWSON, Joseph Robert. — An interesting and 
instructive demonstration of scientific agricul- 
ture and horticulture is presented on the beauti- 
ful farm of Joseph Robert Lawson. in Section 
22. Camden Township. Eighty-two acres in ex- 
tent, this farm represents the acme of comfort 
and utility, and makes strong appeal to the ar- 
tistic, refined and home-loving nature of the 
man who has presided over its developing for- 
tunes for the past twenty-three years. Hither 
he came as a renter in 1SS4. two years later pur- 
chasing the property from its owner. Drew 
Dawes, and thereupon instituting a systematic 
renovating of its facilities, which were sadly in 
need of repair. There was much timber to be 
cleared away, fences to be renewed and build- 
ings to be repaired, in the meantime there being 
erected upon it the modern two-and-a-half story 
house, which compares favorably with the best 
in the county, besides capacious barns and out- 
houses, and many other general improvements 
to which the average, plodding farmer, is a total 
stranger. While engaging to some extent in gen- 
eral farming. Mr. Lawson's greatest pride and 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



S65 



pleasure is his fruit, to the raising of which be 
has devoted a large share of his time, and has 
made exhaustive research among recognized 
authorities, lie has set out strawberries, rasp- 
berries, currants, grapes, apples, plums, pears, 
and practically all of the fruits which flourish 
iu Illinois, besides introducing a variety or de- 
sirable vegetables for the early market. An 
additional resource is blooded English Berk- 
shire hogs, English horses ami Shorthorn cattle, 
also a variety of fowl, which here attain to rare 
breeding. 

Born in Bainbridge Township, Schuyler 
County, 111., February 6, 1856, Mr. Lawson 
is a son of Robert and Mary (Moore) Lawson, 
who were born in Hamptonshire, England, and 
settled in Schuyler County at a date which has 
not been attainable by the writer of this sketch. 
Joseph was educated in the public schools and 
remained at home until his eighteenth year, 
when he went to work by the month for a 
farmer living near I'eoria, his services netting 
him $22.00 per month. In 1874 he returned to 
his father's farm, and the following year went 
to work at the blacksmith trade for William 
Cody, with whom he remained four years. In 
1ST'.), on account of the death of his father, he 
returned to the old homestead, this time remain- 
ing until 1882, when he rented the Melvin farm, 
north of Camden, for two years, thereafter lo- 
cating on his present farm in Section 22, Camden 
Township. He never has lost track entirely of 
the blacksmith trade, and during the winter 
season the blows of his hammer resound from 
the anvil, while his summers are entirely de- 
voted to the general duties of the farm. At 
first he was obliged to incur indebtedness on his 
farm, but this long since has been cancelled, and 
a comfortable balance is increasing for his de- 
clining years. 

The marriage of Mr. Lawson and a daughter 
of William Wightrnan mentioned elsewhere in 
this sketch, occurred August 21, 1880, and of 
the union there are four children, of whom 
Walter Whitson, a farmer in Bainbridge Town- 
ship, married Maggie Lashbrook, and has three 
children : Wayne. Pauline and Allen ; Curry Del- 
bert. Guy and William are living on the farm 
with their parents. Mr. Lawson is a Democrat 
in politics but never has been active in local 
party affairs. He is a firm believer in churches. 
charities and social organizations, and while 
contributing generously towards their financial 
support, has thus far not seen his way clear to 
tender bis personal association. 

He has been a resident of Schuyler County 
fifty-two years, has grown from boy to manhood 
within sight of many who still make Camden 
Township their home, and it is safe to say that 
no man whose home has been in the same town- 
ship forty-six years, has a larger claim upon the 
confidence and friendliness of the people of 
Camden. 

LEARY, Jeremiah R. — An important factor in 
the management of public institutions in Schuy- 



ler County is Jeremiah R. Leary, Superintendent 
of the Alms House for the past lour years, and 
formerly one of the extensive and successful 
farmers and stock-raisers of Buena Vista Town- 
ship. Mr. Leary swells the large percentage of 
men of Irish parentage who maintain high stand- 
ards of work and character in this county, and 
he is eminently fitted by natural ability and ex- 
perience for his present humane and widely in- 
fluential position. Born in Hancock County, 
111., January 21, 1S57, he is a son of Timothy 
and Julia (Ilaggerty) Leary, both of whom 
came to America from Ireland in the same sailing 
vessel, and who later were married in Columbus, 
Ohio, which remained their home for some years. 
About 1840, they located on a farm in Hancock 
County, 111., where Mr. Leary assisted in the 
construction of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, continuing thus until the road had 
been completed between Quincy ami Galesburg, 
111. About 1S66, he came to Schuyler County 
and rented land in Buena Vista Township, later 
purchasing forty acres, and operating an addi- 
tional 120 acres, until his death, May 20. 1895. 
His wife survived him but a few months, her 
death occurring January 7, 1806. Mr. Leary 
was a Democrat in politics, giving that party 
supreme allegiance from the time of his arrival 
in the county. In religion he was a devout 
Catholic. Of his eight children, three sons only 
are living: John, a barber in Rushville ; James, 
assistant superintendent of the Alms House; 
and Jeremiah R. 

Jeremiah R. Leary acquired the rudiments of 
his education in what was known as the old 
Taylor School, of Woodstock Township, and he 
was early taught to make himself useful upon 
the home farm. In 1878 he had saved sufficient 
money to enable him to purchase a forty acre 
tract in Section 6, Buena Vista Township, to 
which he added forty acres, the entire tract hav- 
ing no improvements upon it and a large part 
of it being covered with timber and underbrush. 
Eventually his industry created a fine and valua- 
ble farm, having modern buildings, fences and 
machinery, and upon disposing of it in is:i2 he 
realized a profit of twenty-four dollars per acre 
over the purchase price. He next bought 116 
acres in Section 8. the same township, adding to 
this until he owned 134 acres, which, in turn. 
In converted into a profitable farm and beautiful 
home. In January, 1004, he disposed of this 
property also, determined to enter upon some less 
arduous means of livelihood. 

March 1. 1004, Mr. Leary was appointed Super- 
intendent of the Alms House by the Board of 
Supervisors of Schuyler County, and since has 
managed the home and farm of 310 acres. His 
administration has met with general approval, 
and has been the means of vastly improving the 
output and general advantages of the farm. At 
the present time there are on the place about 
eighty-one head of cattle and sixty head of hogs, 
and each year he has raised on an average two 
colts and eighteen calves. About fifty acres of 
the farm are under corn each year, and this 



866 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



amount has been sufficient for all feeding pur- 
poses. During the past three years the wheat 
yield lias been 000 bushels. The general atmos- 
phere of the place is kindly and homelike, al- 
though idleness is never encouraged or per- 
mitted when the inmates are able to make thein- 
selves useful. One is impressed with the abso- 
lute cleanliness which prevails in house and field, 
and with the strictly enforced sanitary observ- 
ances. The financial affairs of the institution 
are in every way satisfactory, economy and 
thrift being the keynote of the present man- 
agement. 

Like his father before him, Mr. Leary is a 
Democrat, and was a member of the Board of 
Supervisors of Buena Vista Township during 
1889-91. In religion he is a Catholic. 

On January 25, 1893, Mr. Leary was united 
in marriage to Martha E. Hare, who was a 
native of Schuyler County, born June 15, 1870, 
and for several years previous to her marriage, 
a successful teacher in the public schools. After 
marriage they began housekeeping on a farm 
Mr. Leary had purchased the year previous, and 
in the neighborhood of their parents they lived 
until they sold their farm and Mr. Leary was 
appointed Superintendent of the County Farm 
.March 1. 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Leary have one 
son. James Harold Leary, born January 21, 
1900. 

LEWIS, Isaac. — Men who are wont to declaim 
upon their scant opportunities, the vicissitudes 
of even the most fortunate life or the slow re- 
wards of practical industry, should take heart 
from the experience of Isaac Lewis, than whom 
no citizen of Schuyler County has been handi- 
capped in greater degree in his struggle for a 
recompense. Nevertheless, great usefulness has 
come out of his adversities, political and social 
prominence has followed in the wake of his keen 
mentality and philosophical acceptance of fate, 
and many friends brighten his life with their 
appreciation and good will. This well known 
resident of Rushville was born on a farm in 

YV istock Township, Schuyler County, 111., 

July 9, 1865, a son of John R. and Martha (Ken- 
nedy) Lewis, the former born in Alabama, and 
the latter in Ohio. John R. Lewis came from 
Alabama to Brown County. 111., in the early 
days of State history and finally settled in 
Woodstock Township, which then was very 
sparsely populated. Here he cleared his land, 
engaged in farming for the .balance of his active 
life, and died on the farm which represented the 
best industry of his life, in 1901, at the age of 
eighty- years. 

The district school of Woodstock Township 
and the Rushville Normal School contributed to 
the education of Isaac Lewis. Then, as now. 
In- was an earnest student, and possessed an 
inquiring and adaptive mind. He early was 
trained to the practical side of farming, and it 
was while cutting clover for seed at the age of 
twenty that his team ran away, and through 
contact with the machinery he lost both of his 



hands. A less sturdy heart would have been 
crushed by a disaster of this kind, but Mr. Lewis 
looked on the bright side of his affliction, and 
resolved that so material a catastrophe should 
not blight his capacity for usefulness in other 
directions. Natural resource has overcome al- 
most all obstacles in connection with his mis- 
hap, and he has filled many positions of trust 
and responsibility requiring manual as well as 
mental skill. 

The pleasing personality and fine traits of 
.Air. Lewis won him a wile who has materially 
promoted his happiness and success, and who 
has been an invaluable aid to him in the trans- 
action of his general and political business. 
Mrs. Lewis formerly was Miss Delia Chitwood, 
daughter of W. E. and Elizabeth (Stutsman) 
Chitwood, the former born in Bainbridge Town- 
ship, and the latter in Woodstock Township. 
S.huyler County. 111., and who have always been 
well and favorably known residents of Schuyler 
County. Carefully reared and practically edu- 
cated, she is a woman of good sense and refine- 
ment. Early in life she entered the profession 
of school teaching and continued in that line 
with much success, up to the time of assuming 
her duties as deputy in the office of the County 
Clerk, in connection with her husband, in which 
she is at present engaged. 

Mr. Lewis has voted the Democratic ticket 
ever since attaining his majority, and as a politi- 
cal servant of the people has found an important 
and influential field of activity. He was for 
eight years Assessor of Woodstock Township, 
and now is finishing his third term as County 
Clerk, having been elected to that office first in 
189S. His last election was November 6, 1906, 
when a gratifying majority testified to their 
appreciation of his integrity and ability by giving 
him their vote. In fraternal circles he enjoys 
enviable popularity, and is a member of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows. Willard En- 
campment. Knights of Pythias and Rebekas. 
In religion he is a Presbyterian. 

LICKEY, John Wesley.— The successful fun- 
eral director of the first years of the twentieth 
century is a long way removed from his proto- 
type of even a decade ago. While members of 
the profession can seemingly never attain the 
results achieved by the Egyptians, whose art 
was inspired by their belief in bodily as well 
as spiritual immortality, science more and more 
is coming to the aid of the present generation 
of embalmers, creating out of what formerly was 
crude and repellant. an art and science com- 
bined. Representatives of this latter-day ad- 
vancement is the business of J. W. Lickey & 
Company, of Rushville, who, in connection with 
the conducting of funerals, embalming, and sup- 
plying caskets and other burial paraphernalia, 
carry a varied stock of art goods, and mouldings. 

John Wesley Lickey. establisher of the pres- 
ent firm, was born in Tuscarawas County. Ohio. 
December 8, 1852, and is a son of Wilson and 
Hannah (Hill) Lickey, natives also of Ohio. 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



8G7 



Mr. lackey is named for his grand-fathers. John 
Lickey and Wesley Hill, the former of whom 
was horn and spent his entire life in Ohio, 
whiie the latter came at an early day to Illi- 
nois, locating in the vicinity of Brooklyn. In 
1849 Mr. Hill went to Pike's Peak, Colo., to en- 
gage in gold mining, and while there his wife 
died, a fact which rendered his home-coming 
inexpressibly sad. He survived for several 
years, however, his death finally occurring 
in Warren County, ill. Wilson Lickey came 
to the vicinity of Brooklyn, 111., in 1855, 
when John Wesley was three years old, and in 
1801 removed to Vermont Township, Fulton 
County, where he followed general farming and 
stock-raising until 18C>7. He then bought the 
Sehenk farm near Brooklyn, Schuyler County, 
and died there in 1896, leaving to the wife who 
survives him, and who still occupies the old 
place, a splendidly improved and valuable prop- 
erty. Wilson Lickey and wife had seven chil- 
dren, one of whom died in infancy. The oldest 
son. James William, lives on the old place; 
Newton and Abraham (twins) have farms ad- 
joining the old homestead in Brooklyn Town- 
ship ; Jane is the wife of Leroy Swift, a farmer 
of McDonough County. 111.: and Emma lives at 
home with her mother. Mr. Lickey was a quiet, 
unpretentious man. a Republican in polities, and 
a member of the Presbyterian Church. He led 
a well balanced and industrious life, and was 
highly respected by all who knew him. 

The oldest in his father's family. John Wesley 
Lickey, early assumed prominent responsibility 
upon the home farm, and largely through the 
application of his leisure to studious pursuits, 
acquired a liberal and practical education. 
March "0. 1878. be married Mary M. Arick, 
step-daughter of William Loring. Mrs. Lickey 
was aNo born in Ohio, and lost her father, 
Henry Ariel;, in the Civil War, he having en- 
listed in an Ohio regiment, and through expos- 
ure while waiting on the sick contracted the ill- 
ness which proved fatal. Mrs. Lickey came to 
Illinois with her mother who subsequently be- 
came the wife of William Loring. She received 
an excellent education in the district and nor- 
mal schools of Rushville. and after completing 
her training, was for several years one of the 
popular and successful educators of Schuyler 
County. Mr. and Mrs. lackey began house- 
keeping in Brooklyn Township, and at the end 
of five vears. having sold their farm located in 
Rushville. where Mr. Lickey followed his early 
trade of carpentering and building until ahout 
1888. He then engaged in the grain and eleva- 
tor business with J. B. Stewart & Company, and 
in 1802 removed to Industry, and engaged in the 
furniture and undertaking business. So success- 
ful was he in this line of activity that, in 1896. 
he sold out his business in order to move to a 
larger city, and in 1808 he purchased the stock 
of the People's Furniture Company, operating 
the business under the firm name of Lickey & 
Reece. Mr. Reeee was a graduate embalmer. 
and at the time of his death. May 4, 1901, was 



greatly missed as one of the best exponents of 
his occupation in Schuyler County. The firm 
then was changed to J. W. Lickey & Company, 
the junior partner being Robert A. Lawler, son- 
in-law of Mr. Lickey, and husband of his only 
child, Myrtle Lickey. Mrs. Lickey also is a 
practical embalmer, and has been of great as- 
sistance to her husband in promoting his busi- 
ness. Mr. Lickey is a member of the Embalm- 
ers State Association, and stands in the first 
rank of those who follow his necessary calling. 
He has a finely equipped establishment, and his 
patronage is recruited from all parts of the 
township and county. He is a believer in hon- 
est methods and fair representation, and has 
won out solely through his grit and determina- 
tion, and rare common sense. Socially he is 
connected with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, Mystic Workers, Rebekas, and Modern 
Woodmen of America. Mrs. Lickey is also a 
member of the Rebekas, and both are connected 
with the Presbyterian Church. 

LITTLE, George:.— Born February 9, 1S08 ; 
died March 5, 1896. Of the early settlers who 
came to Schuyler County in its formative period, 
there were lew indeed who exerted a more po- 
tent force in the commercial lite of the commun- 
ity than did George Little. His lite was an illus- 
tration of the masterful control of early limita- 
tions, such as was the lot of the pioneer settlers, 
and the wise utilization of ordinary opportuni- 
ties that were available to the many, but grasped 
by few. For more than fifty years his career 
was identified with the business interests of 
Rushville, and his name will long be remem- 
bered after the present generation has passed 
away. Mr. Little was accompanied by his par- 
ents and became one of the builders of Rush- 
ville, and lived to see the city achieve its mod- 
ern improvements in which he played no small 
part. 

George Little was born on a farm near Colum- 
bia, Lancaster County, Pa., February 9, 1S08, 
and was of Seotch-Irish ancestry. His father, 
James Little, was born in County Tyrone, Ulster, 
Ireland, in 1786. and his paternal grandfather, 
James Little — or Lytle, as the name then was 
spelled — was a native of Scotland. His mother's 
maiden name was Rebecca Greer. 

It was in 1836 that Mr. Little made his first 
visit to Rushville and he journeyed from the 
East on horseback to look the country over, and 
was so well satisfied that he returned the follow- 
ing year making the journey by way of the 
Ohio and Illinois Rivers. At this early day 
Mr. Little was young, energetic and resourceful 
and, seeing the possibilities of a mercantile 
career, at once engaged in business in a small 
way. Later be formed a partnership with Dr. 
Adam Dunlap, and conducted a store on the east 
side of the public square. His store conformed 
to the ideal of merchandising in those days and 
was a motley collection of groceries, wearing 
apparel, drugs and sundries. Its crudeness 
and crowded appearance disappeared, however, 



si;s 



HISTOKY OF SCHTJYLEE COUNTY. 



with the improvement of tbe community, and at 
all times arose to the emergency created by an 
increase of population and refinement of ideas. 

In Hay, 1844, the firm of Little & Kay was 
formed, which continued until the death of Mr. 
Kay in 1881. For a time this firm did business 
on the south side of the square, and Mr. Thomas 
Wilson was admitted as a partner, but in 1S53 
the stock was removed to the present location of 
The George Little store, a handsome three-story 
building erected by the founder of the business 
in lv. 14. 

The firm of Little & Eay did a tremendous 
business in early pioneer times, and in addition 
to general merchandising they engaged in pork- 
packing, and later established the first hauk in 
the city, the history of which is given in the 
history of the county. 

In his business affairs Mr. Little took keen 
pleasure and. at a time in life when most men 
would have sought pleasure iu rest and recrea- 
tion, he found his greatest satisfaction in direct- 
ing the business he had founded, and which is to- 
day continued under his name as an incorporated 
company. 

On September 1, 1S40. .Mr. Little was married 
to Miss Jane Lloyd, of Pittsburg, I'a. To them 
were horn three children only one of whom, 
Mrs. Mary Scripps, lived to reach adult age, hut 
who died in 1S74, leaving two young sons. John 
Locke and George Henry Scripps. to Mr. Little's 
care. February 16, 1852, he was again married. 
this time to Miss Lydia Elizabeth Scripps, who 
died March 4, 1906. To them were boru five 
children, and the surviving ones are : John S., 
Grace and Virginia E. 

During his long and active life Mr. Little lived 
chase to high ideals, and his citizenship was such 
that it imparted strength and substantiality to 
every undertaking in which his worth and ability 
were enlisted. He was companionable and well 
posted, observing the world from a wide range, 
and ever retained his faith in the goodness of 
mankind and in the existence of opportunity for 
all who seek it. A man of strong purpose, 
steady application and keen perception, he 
forged his way to the front by his own unaided 
efforts, and his long, busy life contributed much 
to the commercial prosperity of the city and 
county which constituted the theater of his activ- 
ity. In manner he was quiet and unostentatious, 
avoiding all publicity and craving no official or 
political recognition; and yet be was ever ready 
lo lend his persona] support to every industrial 
and social mevement that was for the best in- 
terests of the community. In politics Mr. Little 
was a supporter of the principles of the Repub- 
lican parly, and participated in its first organi- 
zation in Schuyler County and maintained his 
allegiance to the party's principles to the end of 
his life. 

LITTLE, John Scripps. — Of the men who are 
lending dignity, strength and special qualifica- 
tions to the banking business in Rushville. none 
are held in higher esteem than John Scripps 



Little. Mr. Little is forty-two years old, having 
been horn in Kushville February 23, 1864, and 
substautially more than twenty years of his busi- 
ness life have been devoted to tbe study of mone- 
tary science. He was educated in the public 
schools, and early developed a taste for the kind 
of routine and precision which are among the 
most valuable assets of the embryo banker, in 
1884 entering into the banking business practic- 
ally in connection with the Bank of Rushville. 
He is a man of pleasing personality, and has the 
faculty of making and keeping friends. Socially 
lie is connected with the Masons, ami is a mem- 
ber of tbe Union League and Hamilton Clubs of 
Chicago. He is a Republican in politics, and a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Mr. Little is of Scotch- Irish- English ancestry, 
a son of George and Lydia E. (Scripps) Little, 
the former a native of Columbia, I'a., and the 
latter born iu Jackson, Mo. His paternal grand- 
parents were James ami Rebecca (Greer) Little, 
the former born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and 
his paternal great-grandfather was James Little, 
or Lytle, as the name then was spelled, who was 
born in Scotland, married a Miss Martin, and 
settled in County Tyrone, Ireland. The mater- 
nal grandparents of Mr. Little were George 
Henry and Mary (Huler) Scripps, natives of 
Londou, England, and Tennessee, respectively, 
and his maternal great-grandparents were Wil- 
liam Armager and Grace (Locke) Scripps, 
natives of England, the former born in the 
quaint cathedral town of Ely. 

LINCOLN, Charles, a greatly respected veteran 
of the Civil War, who was formerly engaged in 
farming in Littleton Township, Schuyler County, 
111., but in recent years, has been a resident of 
tlie village of Littleton, where be lives in retire- 
ment from active pursuits, was born in Brook- 
lyn, 111., June 15, 1844. Mr. Lincoln is a son of 
Jefferson and Sarah (Ryan) Lincoln. Jefferson 
Lincoln was a soldier in the Mexican War, and 
alter returning from Mexico, he went to Cali- 
fornia, joining the eager throng of men who 
made their way to the gold fields in 1849 in quest 
of the precious metal. When starting homeward 
again, his journey having already begun, he met 
an old friend who induced him to remain in 
California for a time, and from that period he 
was never again heard from. Two years after 
the latest advices from him, his wife moved to 
Frederick, III., and made her home in Rushville, 
111., until the date of her death. Charles Lin- 
coln remained with bis mother until the summer 
of 1862. when he entered the army, receiving his 
education during his term of service. He en- 
listed at Kushville in August of that year, in 
Company C, One-hundred and Nineteenth Regi- 
ment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, his regiment 
being mustered in at Quincy and constituting a 
part of the Sixteenth Army Corps, under com- 
mand of Gen. A. J. Smith. He was in the Army 
of the Mississippi, and took part in many of the 
engagements in that depar..nent. Cpon his dis- 
charge from the service in the spring of 1865, he 




MRS. TAMES D. THOMPSON 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



869 



stayed a month at Mobile. Ala., and then came 
by boat to St. Louis, and up the Illinois River, 
going to Springfield, 111., and finally returning 
home. Working tor a while as a farm hand, he 
afterwards bought eighty acres of land in Section 
1.".. Littleton Township, on which he followed 
farming for fifteen years. Selling out at the 
end of that period, he withdrew from active 
labor, purchasing a residence in Littleton, 111., 
which has since been the family home. 

Mr. Lincoln has been twice married, bis first 
marriage taking place in the fall of I860, when 
he was wedded to Anna Palmer, a native of Eng- 
land. By her he had nine children, as follows: 
Mary Jane (Mrs. David Gay), of Oakland 
Township, Schuyler County: William, a resident 
of Canton, Fulton County, 111.; Sarah O. (Mrs. 
Usury), (if Industry Township. McDouough 
County. 111.; Alfred Barton, who lives at Adair, 
111.; Oscar, whose home is in Canada; Charles 
I-:., of Kncky Ford. Colo.; James, who lives in 
Canada; Thomas, a farmer of Littleton Town- 
ship; and Nellie Bertha, who died in 1893, at 
the age of seven years. Anna (Palmer) Lin- 
coln departed this life March 12, 1898. On No- 
vember 11, 1899, Mr. Lincoln was joined in 
matrimony with Margaret L. Green, who was 
bom in Wayne County. III., February 5, 1840, a 
daughter of .lames V. Green, later a resident of 
Quincy, 111. The father of Mr. Charles Lin- 
coln was a cousin of President Abraham Lin- 
coln. 

In politics, Charles Lincoln is identified with 
the Republican party; is also a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to the 
Grand Army Post of Rushville. His religious 
connection, as also that of his wife, is with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. He is deeply re- 
spected, not only for his excellent qualities as a 
man and citizen, but because of his worthy rec- 
ord as one of the few survivors of Schuyler 
County's representatives in the great struggle 
for the preservation of the Union. 

LOGSDON, George William. — Visitors to a 
farm lying on Section 29, Bainbridge Township, 
are invariably pleased with the well-kept or- 
chards, neat buildings and cultivated fields, nor 
are they less pleased with the picturesque en- 
vironment and the splendid view. Standing on 
the highest point of the farm (which, according 
to government reports, is only one and a half 
feet lower than the highest point in the State, 
near Galena), the eye beholds a delightful vision 
of smiling valleys, thriving towns, neat farms 
ami waving fields, and one recognizes as never 
before the fascinating environment of the Illi- 
nois agriculturist. The farm is owned and oper- 
ated by George William Logsdon, who has been a 
resident of Schuyler County since boyhood. 
While be is proud of the entire estate, perhaps 
he finds his chief source of gratification in the 
peach orchard of eight acres,, containing all of 
the finest varieties of that luscious fruit and said 
to be one of the finest orchards of its kind in the 
entire State. There are now 1000 fruit bearing 



trees in the orchard, and in addition there is a 
small orchard of choice varieties of apple trees. 

The record of the Logsdon family will be found 
on another section in the sketch of Perry Logs- 
don. Suffice it to say in this connection, that 
Joseph and Lucy (Parker) Logsdon moved from 
Brown County, 111., to Schuyler County in 1844 
and settled in Woodstock Township, where they 
cleared a farm. Their son. George W., was born 
in Brown County, November 14, 1852, and was 
twelve years of age when he came with his par- 
ents to Schuyler County, where he attended the 
district schools. Later he was sent to the Gem 
City Business College in Quincy. On his re- 
turn to Schuyler County he taught school for two 
terms in the county where he was born, but 
afterward devoted bis time to clearing land and 
cultivating a farm. 

In 1891 Mr. Logsdon married Miss Margaret 
J. Kirkham, daughter of Henry and Clara Kirk- 
ham, both of Scotch lineage. In an early day 
her father came from his native State of Indiana 
to Schuyler County. III., where he and his wife 
make their home in Bainbridge Township. The 
year after bis marriage Mr. Logsdon bought 1G0 
acres on Section 29, where be has since engaged 
in tilling the soil, raising stock of good grades, 
and developing one of the finest peach orchards 
in the Stale. Of his marriage seven children 
were born, namely: Lucy < '.. Seth D., Goklie E., 
Emma Lou (who died in infancy). Mary Agnes 
(who died at the age of three years), Ruth A. 
and George M. Fraternally Mr. Logsdon is a 
Mason, a member of Cass Lodge of Beardstown, 
111., and an ardent believer in the philanthropic 
principles of that organization. All through his 
life he has made a study of the money question, 
which he considers one of our most important 
national problems. The result of his study has 
led him to co-operate with the Greenback or 
Populist party, wdiose principles he firmly be- 
lieves to he based on justice, and ever since cast- 
ing Ins ballot for Peter Cooper, he has never 
swerved in bis allegiance to the men and meas- 
ures pledged to secure for our country those 
monetary changes which he believes to be essen- 
tial to business success and permanent pros- 
perity. 

LOGSDON, Jacob. — Prominent among the pro- 
gressive and successful descendants of pioneers 
of Schuyler County is Jacob Logsdon, who, 
through the exercise of practical and praise- 
worthy qualities, lias become the owner of a 
farm of 2.~0 acres in Bainbridge and Woodstock 
Townships, and who is further recognized as a 
li r in political and social undertakings, and 
is a stock-holder in the Bank of Schuyler County. 
Mr. Logsdon was born Dear Cooperstown, Brown 
County, 111.. March 13, 1858, a son of Joseph 
Logsdon. well known in the earlier annals of 
farming in this part of the State. 

Until reaching his tw'enty-sixth year Mr. Logs- 
den remained on his father's farm, having come 
to Schuyler County in 1865. His education is 
that furnished in the district schools, and on this 



870 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



practical foundation lie lias built a character 
and capacity lor usefulness which well may be 
an inspiration to the youth of the coming genera- 
tion. In 1SS4, Mr. Logsdon sought to try his 
fortunes in the State of Kansas, hut alter a 
brie! experience in Cowley and Sedgwick Coun- 
ties, was taken ill and returned to his Schuyler 
County home tor recuperation. Convinced that 
he lived in a pretty good part of the United 
States, he since has made this his home, and as 
soon as he recovered troni his illness he rented 
land and bought and fed cattle. Thrifty and 
far-sighted, he laid by all possible of his earn- 
ings, and in 1885 bought his first eighty acres of 
land, in Section 12, Woodstock Township, which 
at that time was practically destitute of improve- 
ments. For two years he farnled this land, and 
in the spring of 1SS8 built a small three-room 
house. October 17, 1SN8, he married Amelia Krone, 
daughter of Lewis E. Krohe, and born in Bain- 
bridge Township, Schuyler County, December 
26, 18G3. Installing his young wife in the little 
house, the housekeeping and land developing 
went hand in hand; children came to gladden the 
parents and bring sunshine into the well kept 
home, and a spirit of harmony and success grew 
out of earnest toil and unremitting co-operation. 
In 1903 the house that had witnessed so many 
changes and given shelter in so many storms, 
gave place to the modern structure now occupied 
by the family, which has eight large rooms all 
airy and well furnished. There are few rural 
homes in the county which afford so many ad- 
vantages as does this one, and in which is ex- 
pressed such interest for the physical, mental 
and moral well being of its inhabitants. With 
the latest magazines and periodicals always on 
hand, with opportunities lor music and varied 
entertainment, and with the most genial and 
delightful of outdoor surroundings, this farm 
may be called an ideal one of its kind, and it is 
widely considered one of the most hospitable and 
productive. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Logsdon have been born five 
daughters, of svhom Amy Louisa, a graduate of 
the Rushville High Srhool. class of 1908, gives 
promise of literary success, having already con- 
tributed many readable articles to current peri- 
odicals; Ada Leonora, born January 20. 1s'.i2, 

is attending the Rushville High Scl 1; 

Sophia Ellen Lucy was born August 11, 1894; 
Viola Agnes was born July II. 1S95 ; and Violet 
Augusta was born October :'.. 1899. The chil- 
dren are receiving every advantage which means 
and intelligent direction can command, and will 
be proficient in musical and other accomplish- 
ments. The parents of this interesting family 
are enthusiastic sharers of the interests of their 
children, and as a result they are their boon 
companions and most confidential advisers. 
From such an atmosphere come the best men and 
women in the land. Sometime since Mr. Logs- 
don retired from active labors on the farm, but 
he still supervises its management, and is as 
keenly interested as ever in its output and im- 
provement. He is a generous contributor to 



many worthy causes, is an earnest if not an ac- 
tive Democrat, and fraternally is an honored 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. He has been a stock-holder in the Bank 
of Schuyler County since 1902. 

LOGSDON, Hon. Perry.— It would he difficult 
to find an old resident of Schuyler County to 
whom the name of Perry Logsdon is unfamiliar, 
tor .Mr. Logsdon has been long and intimately 
associated with the agricultural and political 
life of the county, and has been especially promi- 
nent in Woodstock Township, long his home and 
headquarters. Thirty-five years and more have 
passed since he acquired his first landed estate 
in the township, the date of his purchase having 
been December 23. 1871, and the amount, 120 
acres of Section 11. About two years after ac- 
quiring his first property he erected a commodi- 
ous residence on Section 1. and in this attractive 
home he has since remained, welcoming to its 
hospitable walls the many friends whom he has 
won in a long and honorable career. At this 
writing he owns 393 acres, all within Woodstock 
Township except an eighty-acre tract in Bain- 
bridge Township. 

Born in Madison County, Ky.. July 8, 1S42, 
Perry Logsdon is a son of Joseph and Lucy 
(Parker) Logsdon, also natives of Madison 
County. When he was eighteen months old he 
was la-ought to Illinois by his parents, who set- 
tled in Brown County and remained there from 
1844 until 1865. During the latter year they 
removed to Schuyler County, settling in Wood- 
stock Township, where the father died June 11, 
1900, at the age of ninety-one. and the mother 
May 30, 1S02. at the age of seventy-eight years. 
Nothing of especial importance occurred in the 
early life of Perry Logsdon until the outbreak 
of the Civil War turned his mind from the stud- 
ies of school and the work on the farm to graver 
duties connected with citizenship. December 1, 
1861, his name was enrolled and he was mus- 
tered in as a member of Company H, Fiftieth 
Illinois Infantry at St. Joseph, Mo. The date of 
his enlistment papers should have been one 
month earlier, as he had been accepted as a vol- 
unteer at that time. 

The Fiftieth Regiment took part in many long 
marches and hard-fought battles, and Mr. Logs- 
don endured all the vicissitudes incident to a 
soldier's life. Among his first engagements in 
which he participated were those at Forts Henry 
and Donelson. at Shiloh and Corinth. Miss., 
and Resaca. Tenn., alter which he fought at 
Altoona and Bentonville. From Januarv of 
1864 the history of his regiment is that of Sher- 
man's army in its march to the sea. At the close 
of the war the regiment participated in the Grand 
Review at Washington, and Mr. Logsdon was 
mustered out July 13. 1S05, as First Lieutenant 
of his company. During his absence in the army 
his parents had removed from Brown to Schuy- 
ler County, and hither he came after receiving 
an honorable discharge. On Friday he arrived at 
the new home of his parents and. on Monday fol- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY 



871 



lowing, begun work in the harvest field, after 
which he continued actively engaged in farming 
pursuits. 

The marriage of Perry Logsdon and Miss Liz- 
zie Byers was solemnized September 5, 1867, in a 
log cabin erected on the day of the inauguration 
of William Henry Harrison as President of the 
United States. They are the parents of three 
children: Luella, at home; Julia, widow of 
George Howell, and now living with her parents; 
and Charles, who married Grace Cox of Coopers- 
town, has one son, Russell, and one daugh- 
ter, Greta Corine. The sou is engaged in farm- 
ing on Section 2, Woodstock Township. Mrs. 
Logsdon is an earnest member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and Mr. Logsdon is a con- 
tributor to the same, as well as to all religious 
movements, although not personally identified 
with any denomination. Politically he has been 
a local Republican leader for years. During the 
'seventies he was 'township Assessor and a mem- 
ber of the Board of Supervisors from Woodstock 
Township. It is evidence of his popularity that 
he was several times elected Supervisor iu face 
of a customary Democratic majority in his town- 
ship. Among all classes of people and all par- 
ties, he is admired and honored as an able citi- 
zen and honored veteran of the war. A high 
honor came to him during 1SS4. in his election 
as Representative in the Thirty-fourth General 
Assembly, comprising the counties of Schuyler, 
Cass. .Masmi and Menard, and four years later 
he was again chosen to the same position. Dur- 
ing his service as Representative he was a mem- 
ber of many important committees and always 
voted for the interest of the people, winning an 
enviable position in the confidence of his con- 
stituents. One of the most memorable incidents 
in connection with bis membership in the Legis- 
lature, was his attitude as one of the patriotic 
"One Hundred and Three" who determinedly and 
persistently stood for the election of Gen. John 
A. Logan to the United States Senate. In that 
critical period Mr. Logsdon acquitted himself 
with honor and fearlessness, and won a reputa- 
tion by no means limited to his own district. The 
county which, for so many years, has benefited 
by his loyal citizenship, is dear to him by the ties 
oif long association, and he has been a persistent 
champion of all measures for its benefit. In the 
city of Rushville. where he is a Bank Director, 
he has a large number of friends among the most 
honored social circles, and his pleasant coun- 
try home has been the scene of many reunions of 
the old friends of the family. 

LOOP, Josiah. — The genealogy of this well- 
known farmer of Schuyler County is traced to 
Germany, whence some of the name crossed the 
ocean to America in a very early period of our 
country's history. The records show that George 
Loop removed from Ohio to Indiana and thence 
to Illinois, where he died in Clark County. Dur- 
ing his residence in Ohio his son David was born, 
and from there he accompanied the family to 
Indiana, where he met and married Mary Beach. 



a native of Pennsylvania. About 1S47 they re- 
moved from Indiana to Illinois and settled at 
Pleasantview, Schuyler County, where he built 
his first home in Illinois. While he made farm- 
ing his principal occupation, he was handy with 
tools and did other work, for a time following 
the cooper's trade. The shoes that his children 
wore were often of his own workmanship, for 
be had picked up an excellent knowledge of the 
shoemaker's trade. 

Leaving Pleasantview about 1S55, David Loop 
removed to Missouri and entered government 
land in Scotland County, but in 1850 he disposed 
of the property and returned to llliuois. Shortly 
afterward he bought eighty acres on Section 1, 
Huntsville Township, Schuyler County, besides 
forty acres in Birmingham Township. The land 
was in its primeval state of wildness, no attempt 
having yet been made at placing it under cul- 
tivation and its agricultural possibilities being 
unknown. After building a house he at once 
began the arduous task of breaking ground and 
raising his first crops. The results were grati- 
fying and he continued on the place until about 
1S79, at which time he had about 300 acres. 
During that year he removed to Carthage, Han- 
cock County, where he bought a house with four 
acres of ground. Having sold this place in 
1SS4, he bought property in Camden village, 
where he died in 1887, his wife passing away 
eleven months later. 

In the family of David Loop there were ten 
children, of whom three sons and two daughters 
are now living. One child died in infancy; Sa- 
mantha died about 1002: George, who was a 
soldier in Company E. Seventy-eighth Illinois 
Infantry, until the close of the Civil War. died 
about 100.°,; Amanda is the widow. of Nicholas 
Burwood and resides at Galesburg, 111.: John, of 
Augusta, Hancock County, was a member of 
Company E. Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and 
served from July, 1801. until the close of the 
war. Next in order of birth was Josiah. born 
in Vermillion County, Ind., July 5, 1814. Mary, 
Mrs. Robert Redding, is deceased, as is also 
Caroline, who was the wife of J. M. Walters, of 
Keokuk. Iowa. Catherine is the wife of Rev. 
Amos Rigney, of the United Brethren Church, 
and they make their home in Adair, McDonough 
County. 111. The father of this family was an 
influential member of the United Brethren 
Church, in whose doctrines he and his wife were 
consistent believers, and to whose support he 
contributed generously. The various township 
offices to which he was elected he filled with 
fidelity and diligence. It was his privilege to 
hear the illustrious Lincoln in some of his de- 
bates, and the first speech he listened to was 
sufficienl to convert him to a belief in Republican 
principles, after which he always cast his ballot 
with that party. 

Upon the migration of the family to Schuyler 
County in 1847, Josiah Loop was a child three 
years of age. Hence his early recollections 
cluster around the scenes familiar in his mature 
years. With the exception of a brief period 



872 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Huutsville Township has been his home for many 
years. When he was twenty years of age he 
left home to give his services to the Union in the 
Civil War. enlisting October 24. 1864, in Com- 
pany F. Forty-third Illinois Infantry, and re- 
maining with liis regiment until he was honora- 
bly discharged in October of 1S05. On bis re- 
turn to Schuyler County he resumed fanning 
pursuits.. In 1808 be married Miss Lenna. 
daughter of John Tierce, and during the same 
year be and bis bride began housekeeping in 
Kansas, where he and a brother. John Loop, 
bought land in Cherokee County. While making 
bis home there bis wife died in 1S73, leaving 
two sons, Sidney P., now at borne, and Charles 
E., of Chicago. The year following bis wife's 
death be returned to Illinois and resumed farm- 
ing in Schuyler County, where in 1S7U he mar- 
ried Mary E. Milton. Afterward be bought 
forty acres, to which be has added 120 acres, 
making a quarter-section farm located on Sec- 
tion 12, Huntsville Township. Of his second 
marriage nine children were bom. namely: Wil- 
liam, who died in infancy; John E.. a farmer in 
Birmingham Township; Mary Alice, who died 
at the age of eighteen; Amanda J. ( Mrs. George 
.Myers i. of Camden, Schuyler County: James S.. 
■ n 1 : Lulu Belle, who died in infancy; Ben- 
jamin X.. at home; Enoch M., who died at two 
years of age: and Amos, at home. .Mrs. Loop 
is a member of the Christian Church. In poli- 
tics Mr. Loop votes with the Republican party, 
while the memory of war times is kept fresh 
through association with comrades in the Grand 
Army Post, of which be is an active member. 
Throughout Hie community be is honored as a 
persevering farmer, patriotic citizen and honor- 
able man. one whose life has been characterized 
by integrity'and whose success is richly merited. 

LORING, Jesse Monroe, a well-known ami 
quite popular attorney-at-law, of Rushville, 111., 
who commands the respect and confidence of a 
considerable clientele, and has an excellent 
standing in the estimation of the general public 
of his locality, was born in Buena Vista Town- 
ship. Schuyler County. 111.. February 11. 1874. 
Mr. Loring is a son of William II. and Sarah 
(Grug) Loring. natives respectively of Wabash 
County. 111., and Zanesville. Ohio, the father 
being a fanner by occupation, The paternal 
grandfather was John Loring. of Pennsylvania, 
the maiden name of whose wife was Utter. In 
boyhood Jesse M. Loring attended tile district 
schools of Buena Vista Township and was sub- 
sequently a student of the Rushville Normal 
School. His professional education was obtained 
in the Chicago College of Law. from which insti- 
tution lie was graduated in 1900. After com- 
pleting his legal course, he devoted his atten- 
tion to the real-estate and loan business, in which 
he continued until in<>4. when he entered upon 
the practice of law in Rushville. lie is a lawyer 
• if solid attainments and is recognized as one of 
tlic most promising among the younger members 
of the Bar of Schuyler County. 



i»n October 4, 1900, Mr. Loring was united in 
marriage with Bessie M. Danner, who was born 
in Astoria, Fulton County, 111., and received her 
education in the district schools in the vicinity 
of her home. One child, Marguerite May. has 
been the result of this union. 

In politics, Mr. Loring is identified with the 
Republican party, and wields no small influence 
in its local councils. Fraternally, he is affiliated 
with the A. F. & A. M. ; the I. O. O. F. ; the K. 
of P. ; the M. W. of A. ; Mystic Workers of the 
World; the M. P. of E. : and Eagles. His re- 
ligious connection is witli the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, of which his wife is also a mem- 
ber. In tlie social circles of Rushville both are 
held in cordial esteem and their friends are 
numerous. 

MALC0MS0N, Tames. — A representative of the 
whole souled and dependable transplanted Irish- 
man was found in James Malcomson. who, 
though he spent the greater part of his life under 
the protection of the Stars and Stripes, retained 
always traces of his virile nationality, more 
especially of the. quality of adaptability which 
makes his country men at home in any clime and 
in almost any occupation. Mr. Malcomson was 
born in December, 1825, in County Down, Ire- 
land, a principal maritime and agricultural sec- 
tion, a son of Robert and Ann (Clelaud) Mal- 
comson, neither of whom ever strayed from the 
bumble surroundings of their native land. 

Average advantages and an observing mind 
created ambitions in the mind of James Mal- 
comson which never could have found realization 
in the land of his forefathers. He was twenty- 
two years old when he embarked for America, 
and his first stopping place was New York City, 
where he worked at shoemaking several years, 
and where, in 1851, he was united in marriage 
to Ann Boyle, a native of County Tyrone. Ire- 
land, who came to the United States with her sis- 
ter in 1850. Mr. Malcomson continued to ply his 
trade in Xev< York until moving to Youngstown. 
Ohio, and from there he came to Pleasantview. 
Rushville Township in 1872. the same remain- 
ing his home until his death, Febmary 18. 1906. 
In Illinois he abandoned the tools of the shoe- 
maker for the implements of the fanner, and 
succeeded well at general farming and stock-rais- 
ing, developing his valuable property into one of 
the most fertile and homelike places in the town- 
ship. Around him he reared an interesting fam- 
ily of children, to nil of whom he gave every ad- 
vantage within his means, and all were trained 
in the duties of house or field, according to their 
needs and tendencies. Tn the order of their birth 
the children are as follows: Mary, wife of John 
A. Ballon, who was born in lsf>1 in New York, and 
who is the mother of three children as follows : 
Dr. Jesse Ballon, a practicing physician of T. ••■ I, 
South Dakota. Lizzie, wife of Monroe Lenhnrt. 
who resides at Littleton. 111., and Chester, who 
married Florence Caldwell and resides in Rush- 
ville Township: Ellen Malcomson, born in 1856, 



IIISTOKY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



873 



wife of Leander Kennedy, and mother of Bessie, 
Ruby and James Kennedy ; Lizzie, wiie Of Rob- 
ert II. Hamilton, a retired tanner ol liardo.pii, 
MeDonough County, 111., and mother of four 
children — Mabel, wile of Howard Smith, Maude, 
John and Eva; William, who is farming on the 
old home place, on September -\, L898, mar- 
ried Julia Dodds, born in Bainbridge Town- 
ship, January 20, 1.S75. a daughter of Thomas 
Dodds, and whose daughter. Ruby, was born 
October 19, 1900, and son, Ralph .1., born .May 28, 
1905 ; Florence, who lives on the home place with 
her mother: James, who married Addie Dunlap, 
resides in Bainbridge Township, and has eight 
children: and John, whose biographical record 
appears elsewhere in this volume. 

Mr. Malcomson's farm formerly belonged to 
Samuel Lowry. father of Thomas Lowry, of 
Minneapolis, and the latter was reared to man- 
hood upon it, departing upon his present broad 
and useful life with the complete equipment of 
a youthful fanner. In political affiliation Mr. 
Malcomson was a Republican, but he had no 
desire for the honors of office. In religion he 
was a Methodist Episcopalian. Some of his sad- 
dest memories were in connection with the Civil 
War. in which he enlisted as a private in Com- 
pany A, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, serving from July. 1862, until July, 
1S65. After the war he became a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic. 

MALCOMSON, John. — As the operator of 180 
acres of land in Frederick Township, Schuyler 
County, 111., eighty acres of which he owns, 
John Malcomson is maintaining the family pres- 
tige for intelligent and successful fanning, anil 
for honest and useful citizenship. Mr. Malcom- 
son was born in Youngstown, Ohio, January 30, 
1869, and with his father. James Malcomson, 
came to Schuyler County in 1872. He was edu- 
cated in the public schools, and when a youth, 
shared the general advantages and diversions of 
his neighborhood, developing a genuine liking for 
the occupation to which his life is being devoted. 

The turning point in the life of Mr. Mal- 
comson was his marriage, at the age of twenty- 
one, to Carrie Bellamy, who was horn in Brown- 
ing Township. Schuyler County, a daughter of 
Josiah Bellamy, one of the honored pioneers and 
farmers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Malcomson 
have two children. Maggie and Florence. The 
eighty acres of land owned by Mr. Malcomson 
constitute one of the earliest settled properties in 
his township, and the place is also one of the 
most valuable and highly cultivated. He is en- 
laced in raisin;: general produce and stock, and 
has a comfortable residence, substantial barns 
pnd outbuildings, well kept fences and the most 
practical of agricultural implements. He is a 
thorough and painstaking farmer, well abreast 
of the times, and bids fair to take a prominent 
place among the wealthy and influential farmers 
of his neighborhood. 

The activity of Mr. Malcomson extends beyond 



his home acres to the general affairs of the com- 
munity, embracing matters pertaining to educa- 
tion, politics and religion. He is fraternally con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, of Rushville, and the Modern Woodmen of 
America, of Pleasantview, and in politics favors 
the Republican party. The public has profited by 
his conscientious service in several local offices, 
and he has been, and still is, one of the strong 
forces in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
has been a member of the church for many years, 
has served several years as a trustee, and was 
the chief solicitor of funds for the erection of the 
present church edifice at Pleasantview. This 
church is 30 by 4-i feet, in ground dimensions, 
with a sixteen-foot ceiling, and a basement and 
heating apparatus. Among its best known con- 
tributors was Thomas Lowry. of Minneapolis, 
who spent his youth in this neighborhood, and 
who gladly donated $1,(1(1(1 toward its construc- 
tion. Mr. Malcomson has been unremitting in 
his devotion to the interests of this denomination, 
a fact which indicates a warm religious nature, 
manifested not only on the Sabbath, but every 
day in the week and every week in the year. Mr. 
Malcomson is an exemplary young man. of kindly 
disposition and broad views, and his life fully 
justifies the confidence and osteon in which he 
is held by the residents of the township. 

MALCOMSON, Robert.— There are few finer 
examples of filial respect and attachment than 
are presented in the career of Robert Malcomson, 
while a resident of Schuyler County. He was 
born December 18, 1857, in County Down. Ire- 
land, a son of Thomas and Eliza (McDowell) 
Malcomson, who were also natives of that county. 
In 1S59, after their marriage, they came to 
America, first locating in Youngstown. Ohio, but 
in 1864 returning to their native land, where the 
wife and mother died. Tenderly placing her 
remains in the cemetery near her old Irish home, 
father and son then started, back to Youngstown. 
but their stay there was short and in October of 
the same year they located in Schuyler County. 
Robert then being a boy about seven years of 

age. 

Thomas Malcomson, a gardener by occupation, 
was an expert in the rearing of hot-house plants 
and an artist in the arrangement of flowers and 
shrubs. In his younger days he was an expert 
bookkeeper, but not liking that profession, de- 
spite his proficiency in it. turned his attention to 
gardening with pronounced success. For some 
years father and son kept bachelor hall together 
finding busy and profitable employment in their 
chosen field, and finally out of their savings, 
were enabled to purchase sixty acres of land 
in Section 25. Rushville Township, the place be- 
ing owned by William D. Clemmons. After they 
h id erected a one-story dwelling they commenced 
to grub the stumrs and clear off the timber event- 
ually making of it a fine homestead which was 
subsequently bought by John A. Ballon. The 
father and son then purchased 109 acres of land 



874 



HISTOKY OF SCHTJYLEB COUNTY. 



in Section 20, in the same township, known as the 
old David McMasters farm. Virtually no im- 
provements had then heen made, and the place 
was little more than a wild blackberry patch. 
Moving into a small frame building, they re- 
sumed their lonely housekeeping and the work of 
grubbing, clearing, cultivating, draining and gen- 
eral improvement, but this homestead was only 
fairly in shape before the hand of death stayed 
the labors of the father and separated him from 
the faithful son. The deceased was a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, which he had joined 
in his native land, and both in religious and 
educational work be was an active and valued 
participant while residing in Schuyler County. 

On May 20, 1892, after his father's death, Rob- 
ert Malcomson was married to Lizzie Adams, 
born December -'<. 1870, and also a native of 
County Down, Ireland. She is a daughter of 
Charles and Ann (Redmon) Adams, and her 
parents are still living in the old country. Two 
of her la-others, David and Charles Adams, are 
living in Chicago, while her sister Jane is the 
wife of Samuel Dalzell. The brothers ami sisters 
residing near her old home in Ireland, who are 
either farmers or the wives of farmers, are as 
follows: Margaret; William McMillan; Wil- 
liam John, who married Elisa Graham : Minnie, 
now Mrs. Hugh Kerr; and Blanch. Mrs. Rob- 
ert Gamble. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mai- 
comson began housekeeping in the modest house 
which had been occupied by the father and son, 
and there remained until the completion of their 
fine home. This consists of ten large, light rooms, 
supplied with hot and cold water, furnace heat 
and all modern improvements. — one of the most 
complete residences in Rushville Township. To 
the original purchase of 109 acres Mr. Malcom- 
son has added fifty acres, so that he has now a 
homestead of good size, thoroughly improved and 
embracing a good grade of all kinds of stock. 

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Malcomson. as follows : Anna, Margaret C, 
Blanche. Minnie Black. Robert Adams and 
Thomas Charles. Anna was bom June 3, 1894; 
Margaret C. January 1. 1890; Minnie Black, 
September 1. 1898: Robert Adams. May 20, 1902; 
and Thomas Charles. March 7. 1904. the Lord tak- 
ing him home the same year. Both parents are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. In pol- 
itics, Mr. Malcomson is strongly Republican, 
and. while earnestly desirous of his party's suc- 
cess and an active worker therefor, he has always 
declined the honors which have been tendered 
him. centering his energies in the proper rearing 
of his family, and the continued development of 
the property to which are attached so many ten- 
der though sad recollections. 

MANLOVE, William B— It is an undisputed 
fact that Mr. Manlove pays a larger realty tax 
than any other resident of Birmingham Town- 
ship. Schuyler County. 111., a statement which 
shows him to be the largest landowner in the 



township. To his original purchase of 170 acres 
he has added from time to time, until he now 
owns over 1,000 acres, all of which has been ac- 
cumulated through his own industry. His first 
boyhood efforts were as a farm hand, receiving 
in compensation tor his services the munificent 
wage of twenty-five cents a day; occasionally he 
added to his little hoard by trapping in the 
woods. It was with the money thus earned that 
he contributed his share toward erecting a suit- 
able monument over the grave of his father, who 
passed away when he was a lad of about six 
years. 

The Manlove family was established in Schuy- 
ler County by the grandfather, William Manlove. 
coming here from North Carolina in 1830. His 
family originally comprised six children; Wil- 
liam, George, Jonathan. David, Ann Mary and 
Rachel, but all are now deceased. With his wife, 
formerly Charity Bodenhainuier. Jonathan Q. 
Manlove came with his father to the wilds of Illi- 
nois, settling on a lot in Rushville, and it was 
on this lot in the winter of 1830. that his son Wil- 
liam P.. was born. Two years later he purchased 
laud near Sugar Grove, which lies south of Rush- 
ville, living there about a year and then moving 
to Birmingham Township, where he established 
his home and spent the remainder of his life. 
These were indeed trying times to the early set- 
tlers, but those who were of stout heart ulti- 
mately reached success through persistent efforts. 
After clearing a small patch of ground he planted 
the land to corn, and from season to season 
brought more land under cultivation. In 1S35 he 
erected a log cabin on the farm, his death oc- 
curring here June 9, 1836, at the age of twenty- 
eight years, his birth having occurred in North 
Carolina, March 15. 180S. March 5, 1830. he was 
married to Charity Bodenhammer, who was born 
February 4. 1809, and at his death he left his 
wife with four little children, one of their chil- 
dren having previously died October 6. 1834. 
Betsey Manlove. the eldest daughter, was born 
October 8, 1832; she died in Kansas in 1004. 
the wife of William Delapp. his death occur- 
ring two years later. Mary Manlove was born 
August 22, 1834. and died October 26, 1834. 
David Manlove was born April 20. 1836, and is 
now a resident of Linn County. Kansas. 

The eldest child born to his parents was Wil- 
liam B.. who was born in Rushville. 111.. Decem- 
ber 28. 1830. The fact that his father died when 
he was only six years old left little hope for 
securing even the meager education which the 
primitive schools afforded. As his mother's 
main support the two struggled together to make 
a living for themselves and the other children, 
the mother's weaving and spinning, however, con- 
tributing at this time more largely to that end 
than did the efforts of the young child. Some 
time after the death of her first husband she was 
married to Jacob Wire, who was born in North 
Carolina December 6. 1800. Her death occurred 
about 1847. up to which time William had con- 
tinued to make his home with his mother and 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



875 



step-father. The loss of Ins mother marked the 
beginning ot a new era in liis lite, and I row this 
time on he was entirely dependent on his own 
resources. Ilis first work consisted of clearing 
the timber from one acre of land, for which 
he received fifty cents a day, it requiring eight 
days to fell and clear away the heavy hickory 
trees with which the land was covered. Other 
work of a similar character was offered and ac- 
cepted, and with the proceeds ot his labor he 
was finally enabled to purchase a yoke of oxen, 
which he used in breaking a farm of thirteen 
acres in Birmingham Township, which he later 
planted to corn. The next year, 1851, lie sold the 
yoke of oxen and bought a mare. His marriage, 
March 31, 1853, united him with Abigail L. Swise- 
good. a native of North Carolina, who had made 
her home in Illinois since 1846. After their mar- 
riage they began housekeeping in the log cabin 
on the farm, and although their home and sur- 
roundings were primitive, they were young and 
hopeful, and their united efforts soon began to 
make a marked difference in the outlook. Mr. 
Manlove bought an undivided half interest in 
17i i acres of land for which he paid $200, and as 
his brother reached his maturity he purchased 
the hitter's interest in the land, paying him 
$600 therefor. To his original tract of 170 acres 
he has continued to add as his means would per- 
mit, until as previously stated, he now owns 
over 1.000 acres of land in Birmingham Town- 
ship. 

Six children were born of the marriage of Mr. 
and Mrs. Manlove. four of whom were sons. 
Eli died of typhoid fever at the age of twenty- 
four, leaving a widow, formerly Nettie Lawler, 
and one son. William, who married Minnie Ray- 
mond, by whom he has one child, Donald. Laura 
Manlove became the wife of Frank Cassiday. a 
farmer of Birmingham Township, and they have 
the following children, — William. Ethel, Roy, 
Ray and Ivy. one child having died in infancy. 
Jacob Manlove. a farmer in Birmingham Town- 
ship, married Etta Twidwell, and they have three 
daughters and one son — Inez, who is the wife of 
Alvah Higgins and the mother of two children. 
Marie and Raleigh : Mary, wife of John Wear 
and mother of one child. Dorothy ; Thomas and 
Blanche. Isabel Manlove became the wife of 
George Homberger, a farmer of Birmingham 
Township, and is now deceased, having been the 
mother of one child. Zemeth. James T. Manlove 
is a farmer of the same township, as is also his 
brother Joseph E.. who married Ada Copeland, 
and has four children — Troy. Floy. Leo and 
Ralph. 

Tn the death of his wife, March 8, 1007, Mr. 
Manlove was bereft of his companion of over fifty 
years. She is remembered as one of the pioneer 
women of the township, and side by side she 
worked with her husband under circumstances 
which were often discouraging, but through it 
all she retained her hopeful, cheery disposition. 
In the early days they went a long distance to 
the Congregational Church, she riding horseback, 



and he walking by her side. Since those days 
many radical changes have been made, and 
Mr. Manlove has been no small factor in bring- 
ing them about. With Samuel DeCounter, he 
shares the honor of being one of the two oldest 
residents of Schuyler County, Mr. DeCounter 
having been born in Woodstock, 111., October 6, 
1827, and Mr. Manlove in Rushville December 
28, 1830. Mr. Manlove cast his first vote for 
Millard Fillmore, and since that time has voted 
for Republican candidates. He takes commend- 
able pride in the fact that he has never in his 
life bought a drop of liquor as a beverage, has 
never played a game of cards, and has never 
used tobacco in any form. 

MANYX, Patrick. — The Manyx family presum- 
ably originated in County Clare, a ' maritime 
county of Minister. Ireland, where Patrick 
Manyx was born in 1840, and whence he came to 
America in a sailing vessel in 1854, at the age of 
fourteen years. Accompanied by his aunt, he 
spent some time in Pennsylvania, and in 1859 
came to Illinois, where he chanced to meet Miss 
Mary Bowe, who subsequently became his wife, 
and who surviving him, has demonstrated re- 
markable ability in overcoming obstacles and 
managing a large estate. The marriage of Miss 
Bowe and Mr. Manyx occurred in Peoria about 
1861, and a year later the young people came to 
the farm owned at that time by Mrs. Manyx's 
father. James Bowe.. and now the prized posses- 
sion of his daughter. Mr. Manyx died on June 
22, 1882. and Mr. Bowe, December 24, 1886. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Manyx were born six children, 
four of whom are living: James, born January 
22. 1862, a resident of Rushville: Mollie, who 
died at the age of fourteen years : John, on the 
home place ; Mike, a farmer in Bainbridge Town- 
ship : an infant who died unnamed, and Lizzie, 
wife of Andrew Volk, a farmer in the vicinity 
of La Grange, Brown County, 111. 

Although an industrious man and quite suc- 
cessful as a farmer, Mr. Manyx left his family 
almost no available assets, his widow having, 
after all expenses had been paid, the sum of 
twenty-five cents in money. From this nucleus 
she has developed truly wonderful results, has 
lifted the mortgage from the small farm, and 
added to it until now she owns 700 acres, 245 
acres in Woodstock Township, 455 acres tn 
Bainbridge Township and SO acres in Mt. Ster- 
ling Township. Brown County, bought in 10O7 
at a cost of $11,000. In this she had the help of 
her sturdy and willing sons, but her brain has 
done the planning, and her economy the saving, 
and unquestionably there are few women in the 
line of business in this part of the State who 
have established such a record of achievement. 
The farm occupied by the family is remarkably 
homelike, and its improvements conform to the 
most exacting standards of the present. The 
buildings are modern and commodious, the fences 
in good repair, and the machinery selected with 
the greatest care and good judgment. Mrs. 



87G 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Manyx lias ever been a bard worker, but sbe has 
found time to give ber children every advantage 
within her power, and to train thein to noble and 
useful manhood and wumaubood. 

.lames Manyx, wbo inherits bis mother's 
managerial and business ability, was married 
in 1893 to Mary Sullivan, of County Clare, Ire- 
land, who came to America alone in lsS-t. Mr. 
Manyx is a scientific farmer, and in stock devotes 
bis attention principally to the breeding of Po- 
land-China bogs. He is thoroughly devoted to 
the farm, and finds little time for the outside in- 
terests of the community. As was his father, 
in polities, James Manyx is a Democrat, and in 
religion a Roman Catholic. The family enjoy 
an enviable reputation and have many friends 
among the best people of the community. 

MARKEY, Harvey B.— The Markey family 
came originally from England, the grandfather, 
William Marker, emigrating from Gloucester- 
shire, and planting the name in the New World. 
From Maryland, where he first located, he went 
to Harrison County, Ohio, and there died prior 
to the birth of his grandson, Harvey B. In Har- 
rison County his sen and namesake, William 
Markey. was burn, and there, too, be was reared 
and married. With his wife, wbo was formerly 
Lucina Smith, he came to Illinois in 1859, over- 
land, and until 1862 they made their home in 
Fulton County. In that year they went to Han- 
cock County and four years later, in 1866, lo- 
cated in Birmingham Township, Schuyler County, 
ami purchased ISO acres of the old Landrus 
farm. Times were bard and Mr. Markey found 
it difficult to provide lor bis large family from 
tlie products of bis farm alone. It was this con- 
dition which led his son Harvey to aceepl the 
position of mail carrier between Plymouth and 
Rusbville. receiving for his services $480 per 
year, and making one trip per week. The father, 
in his early life, was one of the most extensive 
stock buyers of Harrison County, Ohio, buying 
all kinds of stock, which he drove to Fittsburg 
and Baltimore. He was also engaged iu mer- 
cantile business with a partner, lint through un- 
scrupulous dealings, the latter cheated him out 
of bis interest. A number of years before re- 
moving from Ohio (in 1852). Mr. Markey sent 
bis son Daniel to Illinois with a drove of 2,000 
sheep, but the venture was a total loss. When 
he located in the State himself in 1859. he came 
practically empty-handed, having only a warrant 
for eighty acres of land and possessing $30 in 
cash, lie traded the land warrant for eight bead 
of milch i-ows, and from this small beginning 
persevered steadily until he owned over bin acres 
of as fine land as could be found in Schuyler 
County. Politically, he was first a Whig and 
later a Republican, and was a strong advocate of 
the cause of temperance. Previous to the Civil 
War his home in Ohio was one of the stations on 
the "underground railroad," and many a fugi- 
tive slave was cared for under his hospitable 
roof. He died in 1889. and his wife, the mother 
of Harvey B.. passed away in 1891. By his 



first wife be had eight children, of whom but 
two are living, — Hannah, the wife of C. Sprole, 
and Eliza V., wife of George Boyd, both of 
Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Fourteen children 
were born of bis marriage with Lucina Smith, 
of whom only eight are now living, viz : Mary, 
who married Eland Hale, a farmer of Bir- 
mingham Township; Harriet, widow of Harry 
F. Coe, who lives in Blandinsville, 111. ; Harvey 
B. ; John B. and Annie S., twins, the former a 
resident of Ringgold County, la., and the latter, 
wife of Oliver Brach, ot Plymouth, 111.; Jesse 
M. and Jessie Lee, also twins, the former a 
resident of Liberty, 111., and the latter, wife of 
J. Vaughn, of Meadow Grove, Neb. ; and Noah 
R., a farmer in Birmingham Township. 

Harvey B. Markey was born in Harrison 
County, Ohio, September 5, 1847, and was there- 
fore a lad of about twelve years when the family 
settled in Illinois. He well remembers the strug- 
gles of the early days in the new surroundings, 
and as previously stated, when he was only 
eighteen years of age. he drove the mail wagon 
from Plymouth to Rusbville. He continued to 
make bis borne with his parents until he was 
twenty-one years old, when he went to work 
by the month for Charles Mitchell. His marriage 
took place in Sangamon County, November 
9, 1876, Charlotte Mitchell, the daughter of 
Charles and Hannah Mitchell, then becom- 
ing his wife. She was born in Sangamon 
County, 111., March 29, 1855. For several years 
after their marriage the young people made 
their home in Sangamon County, but in 1881 
they moved to Schuyler County, and located 
on the farm which Mr. Markey then pur- 
chased in Section 12. Birmingham Township, 
where they have since made their home. Seven 
children were born to them, but only four are 
now living, three having died in infancy. Of 
those surviving, Edith became the wife of Al- 
bert Jones, a farmer iu Schuyler County, and 
they have one child. Alyne. The others, Fred- 
erick, Bessie and Frank, are still at home with 
their parents. 

Much credit is due Mr. Markey for what he 
bad accomplished since taking up his home in 
Birmingham Township, where be is known as 
one of tlie most up-to-date farmers, owning Hi I 
acres of excellent farming laud. In addition to 
general farming he raises considerable stock, 
making a specialty of red cattle. Everything 
about the farm marks the owner as an in- 
dustrious and progressive farmer, the fences and 
outbuildings being kept in repair, as is the resi- 
dence, which is a commodious eight-room house, 
Mr. Markey has filled many offices iu Birming- 
ham Township, among them that of Justice of 
the Peace, in which capacity he served for eight 
years. Politically, he is a stanch Republican. 
ami fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic lodge 
at Iluntsville. and to the camp of the Modern 
Woodmen of America, at Birmingham. Mr. and 
Mrs. Markey are active members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, and both are held in high 
esteem in their home community. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



877 



MARLOW, John Wesley.— The agricultural in- 
terests of Schuyler County, 111., have a well- 
known representative in John Wesley Marlow, 
a native-born son of Camden Township, where 
practically all of his busy and useful life has 
. been passed. The subscription schools of this 
locality afforded hini such advantages as were 
possible in pioneer days. The churches of the 
community gave him religious training ami 
taught him in youth the duty which he owed to 
God and mankind. The soil of the township, 
tilled in a systematic manner, netted him a fair 
income from early life and laid the foundation 
of his present prosperity, enabling him from time 
to time to add to his possessions until at this 
writing he owns 365 acres of valuable farm land. 

The record of the family appears in the sketch 
of Levi S. Marlow, presented upon another page 
of this volume. John Wesley Marlow was born 
at the old homestead August 16. 1840, being a son 
of Hanson Marlow. After having gained a 
knowledge of the three R's in the neighboring 
schools, he turned his attention to general farm- 
ing, in which he acquired a thorough training 
' under his father. On August 15, 1861, he was 
united in marriage with Eliza Jane Green, daugh- 
ter of William and Hannah (Spencer) Green, 
honored pioneers of Schuyler County, but both 
now deceased. Of the Green family one son and 
one daughter (Mrs. Ayers) alone survive, ami 
they are residents of Camden Township. After 
his marriage Mr. Marlow settled on Section 14, 
Camden Township, where he bought ninety-five 
acres of bottom land wholly unimproved, and 
dining the next five years he was busily engaged 
in t lie cultivation of the property. While liv- 
ing on that farm two of his children were born. 
About 1866 he sold the land and removed to 
Richardson County, Neb., but in the fall of that 
year be returned to Schuyler County and traded 
his Nebraska property for eighty acres on Sec- 
tion 27. Camden Township, where he has since 
made his home. In 1881 he lost his first wife, 
by whom be had the following children : Levi, 
William Ray. Mary E., Henry, Rosetti. Charles 
W. and Annie. Levi was born May 31, 1862, and 
died January 26, 1865; Mary E. was born 
October 21!, 1864, and died September 11, 1876. 
William R.. was horn Febuary 25. I860, and died 
December 8. 1868. Henry, born February 14. 
1868, is a farmer in Camden Township. lie mar- 
ried Sophia Weightman. by whom he has had 
seven children, five of whom are living. Rosetti. 
was born December 10. 1860, is the wife of Al- 
bert Lung, a farmer in ramden Township, by 
whom she has had nine children, seven of whom 
are living. Charles \Y., born November IS, 1871. 
died February 12, 1873 ; and Annie, born April 
18, 1S74, deceased wife of Mead Clayton, left 
one child. 

The second marriage of John Wesley Marlow 
united him with Jemima Weightman. who was 
born in Camden Township February 1. 1863. be- 
ing a daughter of that honored pioneer. William 
Weightman. who is still living, his wife having 
died February 4. 100S. Of this union six chil- 



dren were born, namely : Asa U., born December 
6, 1883, who died November 2, 1903; .Martha 
Jane, born May 10, 1885; Getrude Victoria, 
born December 2S, 1886, who is the wife of Burt 
A. Davis, a farmer of Camden Township; John 
W., born March 17, 1891, who assists his father 
on the farm ; Minnie Elizabeth, born May 1, 
1S93; and Nettie Ruth, born July 29, 1895. The 
hospitality of the Marlow family is proverbial. 
Their guests look with especial pleasure upon a 
visit to the farm, whose genial owner deservedly 
ranks among the honored men of the township. Iu 
local improvements he has maintained a constant 
interest. His devotion to his native county is 
unquestioned, and his solicitude regarding its 
permanent prosperity is deep. In religious work 
he has been faithful and generous. The Union 
Chapel owes its organization and usefulness 
largely to his labors. To the building of this 
house of worship he contributed $55 in cash and 
forty-five days' work, while Mr. Weightman gave 
$50 and his work, the united labors of the two 
men being the means of dedicating the church free 
from debt. Many have been the changes his eyes 
have beheld since his youth. Agricultural pro- 
cesses have been revolutionized. In early days 
he was accustomed to the tedious task of thresh- 
ing the wheat with a flail ; the grain was then 
hauled by wagon to Quincy, where it w-as sold at 
twenty-five cents per bushel. The days of "dol- 
lar wheat" were then undreamed of, nor were 
there any prophets to herald the coming inven- 
tions which would radically change all known 
methods of harvesting and threshing. The tele- 
phone was then unheard of, and many other con- 
veniences, which are regarded as necessities by 
] ico] ile in the twentieth century, were then un- 
known, yet the pioneers look back upon those 
days with a keen recollection of the many pleas- 
ures they enjoyed and a vivid appreciation of 
their happiness in spite of the lack of modern im- 
provements. 

MARLOW, Levi S.— Adjacent to the village of 
Mabel. Schuyler County. 111., lies the farm of 200 
acres which for sixty-three years, or during his 
entire lifetime, has been the home of Mr. Mar- 
low. Here he was born August 16. 1844, the son 
of Hanson and Esther (Whitemau) Marlow, 
the former a native of Kentucky, and the lat- 
ter a descendant of Virginian ancestors. About 
the time of bis lirst marriage, iu 1825. Hanson 
Marlou' came to Illinois as a pioneer and here he 
was deprived of the companionship of his wife, 
here death occurring soon afterward. Subse- 
quently he was united in marriage with Esther 
(Whitenian) Ayes, a widow, whose husband had 
died of cholera. About 1826 Mr. Marlow came 
to Schuyler County, settling at first near Little- 
ton, and about 1837 be came to Camden Town- 
ship, on Sort ion 22. ami here he rounded out 
the remainder of his long and useful career. At 
the time he came to this locality there was little 
to encourage one to battle with the rude con- 
ditions which existed on every hand, but with 
the true pioneer spirit he steadfastly adhered to 



878 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



his purpose to make a home for himself and fam- 
ily, first erecting a small log cabin. In the course 
of time., after a portion of the land had been 
cleared and the land cultivated, this rude struc- 
ture gave place to a more commodious double log 
cabin, and here, and in the home previously 
mentioned, all of the four sons were born and 
reared. Some idea of the scarcity of neighbors 
at the time Mr. Marlow came to this section, may 
be gathered from the fact that when he erected 
his first house there were only two or three 
cabins in Rushville, now a thriving village, 
no settlers between his cabin and Rushville, 
and but few between his farm and Quiney. 
Mr. Marlow's first purchase of land consisted 
of 130 aires, part of the land now included 
in the old homestead, and in partnership with 
his brother, Alfred, he purchased another farm 
of the same size, which they operated together 
for a number of years. By purchases Han- 
son Marlow added to his original acreage un- 
til he had ICO acres, to which he supposed lie had 
.a clear title, but his claim to ownership was 
disputed and he was obliged to pay for the land 
again. As his means permitted he purchased 
other land adjoining, until at one time he owned 
520 acres. At the time (if purchase the greater 
part of the laud was heavily timbered, but with 
the assistance of his sous lie cleared away the 
timber and underbrush, and in time waving 
fields of grain were to be seen in their stead. 
As his children grew to maturity, be gave to each 
a share of the home farm. The eldest son. 
Henry, is a resident of Sullivan. Ind. : Hanson, 
Who is now deceased, married Miss Nancy Davis, 
by whom he had a son and daughter, both of 
whom are now deceased; the other son, besides 
Levi S.. is John W., who owns and cultivates a 
farm in Camden Township. The mother of these 
children passed away in 1860, and some years 
later the father was united in marriage with 
Mrs. Nancy Green, who was left a widow about 
one year after her marriage, and she, too, is now 
deceased. The death of Hanson Marlow oc- 
curred 1863 and was deeply felt in the com- 
munity where he h.ul made his home lor so many 
years and toward whose upbuilding he had done 
so much. Throughout his life he adhered rigidly 
to the religious teachings of his parents, and 
was an ardent member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. During the early days, before a 
house ot worship had been erected, his home was 
the stopping place for the circuit riders who 
came to minister to the people. Hospitality 
was one of his chief characteristics, a quality 
which he inherited from a long line of Southern 
ancestors. 

Levi S. Marlow was born in the double log 

cabin on tl Id homestead, August 16, 1844, and 

all the school training he received was in the dis- 
trict school at Camden, three miles from his 
home. As soon as he was large enough he began 
to aid in the duties which fall to the lot of every 
farmer's son, his father at that time owning 
520 acres, well stocked with cattle. Until he 
was thirty years old he worked continuously on 



the farm, but at this age he took up work at 
the plasterer's trade, building cisterns prin- 
cipally, and also to some extent, worked at the 
carpenter's trade. Among his accomplishments 
in the latter trade may be mentioned the First 
Methodist Episcopal Church. South, known at 
that time as the Fnion Chapel. He gave the 
ground on the which the edifice was erected. $25 
in cash, hewed the frame, and in addition gave 
sixty day's work. The services of the church and 
Sunday-school have been maintained without 
interruption since the church home was built, 
church services being held every two weeks, 
and Sunday-school, class and prayer meetings 
every Sunday. Though not a member of the 
church. Mr. Marlow is a liberal giver to its 
charities and is especially active in Sunday school 
work, and since its organization has beeu treas- 
urer of the Sunday school at Camden. Many of 
the finest houses in Camden stand as monuments 
to Mr. Marlow's skill and ingenuity, and taken 
all in all, lie has been a prominent factor in the 
march of progress in this part of Schuyler 
County. 

Mr. Marlow's marriage, in West Quiney, Mo.. 
January 6, 1865, united him with Margaretta 
Rice, a native of Columbus. Ohio, and a daugh- 
ter ot John and Rebecca Rice, both natives of 
Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Ohio, and 
still later to Missouri. Their last home was in 
Illinois, where both passed away, the father 
dying in 1863. Of the ten children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Marlow. Henry A., a farmer in Cam- 
den Township, married Mary E. Terrell ; Esther 
became the wife of James Lawson. a farmer of 
I'.aiubridge Township and had two children, one of 
whom, Yerna, is living; the next died in infancy; 
George W.. by bis marriage with Mary C. Corsey, 
became the father of three children of whom one 
died in infancy ; Lena is now four years old and 
Guy is a fanner in this locality; Julietta and 
Jeanetta were twins, the latter being killed by 
a runaway horse and the lormer being the wife 
o| William Lawson. by whom she has one son, 
Kay; Ida May, the wife of Thomas Fitch, has 
two children. Guy and Carl Frederick; Fannie, 
the wife of Elmer Carter, of Gray, Stevens 
County, Wash., has five children — Harold. Emory, 
Lewis, Ernest and Opal Olive, three having died 
in infancy: Eva M., was first married to Emery 
Calvert, by whom she had two children — .Mabel 
and .Myrtle Ruth; by her marriage with Mead A. 
Clayton, she has three children — Roseoe, Emery 
and Lorena ; Carl L.. a fanner in Camden Town- 
ship, married Nettie Elliott. Mrs. Margaretta 
Marlow died November IS. 1887, leaving to mourn 
her loss a family of devoted children, and many 
friends who had learned to love her for her 
many noble christian virtues. She was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. 
Marlow was subsequently married to Mary E. 
Elder, who was born in Buena Vista. 111., a 
daughter of Robert anl Luanna ( Allen) Elder. 
While she was a mere child Mrs. Marlow was 
left an orphan, and was reared and tenderly 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



879 



cared for by Mrs. Margaret Eifert, with whom 
she remained until her marriage. 

Socially, Mr. Marlow is a Mason, belonging to 
the lodge at Camden. Six times he has been 
elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, serv- 
ing in this capacity for twenty-four years. Three 
times he has been elected Collector, and has also 
been thrice elected Assessor. Mr. Marlow's long 
retention in office is an excellent indication of 
his fitness for the trusts in question, and an un- 
mistakable evidence of his popularity in the com- 
munity. 

McCABE, John. — Since a comparatively early 
period in the history of the township and city of 
Rushville, Schuyler County, 111., briekmaking 
has been an important industry in that locality. 
The pioneer settlers were succeeded by men who 
not only profited by the experience of their pre- 
decessors, but who themselves established a 
standard of achievement for those who should 
succeed them. In the early 'fifties was witnessed 
a decided impetus towards briekmaking on a 
large scale, and a young and sturdy element was 
introduced in the person of John McCabe, then 
twenty-two years of age, who was destined to 
spend at least half a century in the manufacture 
of this necessary building material. 

Johu McCabe, Sr., father of the retired brick 
manufacturer of Rushville, whose name furnishes 
the caption of this sketch, was born in Penn- 
sylvania, and when quite young, was taken by 
his parents to Ohio, where lie was r, a red on a 
farm and where he learned the blacksmith's 
trade, lie married Mary Hevel, a native of 
Ohio, ami seltled on a farm in Coshocton 
County, in that State, where he combined farm- 
ing and blacksmithing. and where his son and 
namesake, John, was born March 11. 182S. In 

1844 tl ldei- McCabe removed to a farm in 

Marion County, Ind., and three years later set- 
tled in Woodland, 111., where he followed his 
trade until he became a soldier in the Civil 
War. He enlisted in the Sixty-second Regiment, 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and his son, John, 
enlisted in 1862, in Company A, Eighty-fourth 
Illinois Regiment. The father, after a year's 
service, fell in the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, 
and another name was added to the list of sol- 
dier heroes. A desolated home in Woodland 
bespoke the dependence which bad been placed 
upon him, and it became the duty of those still 
remaining under the family roof to contribute 
their best to the maintenance of the family. 

While still in his "teens." John McCabe, Jr.. 
began to work in a brickyard, and because he 
was observant and industrious, succeeded in 
learning the business in three or four seasons. 
At the age of twenty-two years, he established a 
brick yard at Littleton. Schuyler ('canity, and two 
years later, removed his yard to Macomb. 111., 
where he operated it until his enlistment for 
the war. In 1866 he came to Rushville. and in 
187ft. added to his kilns the machinery for die 
manufacture of tile. His enterprise resulted in 
the constant growth of his business, and he re- 



tired with a competence, and with credit for hav- 
ing materially promoted an increasingly impor- 
tant industry. For sixty-five years he was act- 
ively engaged in brick-making, selling out in 
1904, since which time he has enjoyed the quiet 
repose so richly his due. He was married, in 
1851, to Alary Clark, of Indiana, and his family 
consists of four children, James, Arthur, Howard 
C. and Cora, two children having died in infancy. 
Mr. McCabe is a deeply religious man, and for 
many years has been identified with the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. 

In 1863 Mr. McCabe joined the A. F. & A. M. 
at Macomb. 111., where he was spending the pe- 
riod of his furlough, having been wounded at the 
Battle of Chickamauga, and being then obliged 
to use crutches. He has since taken all of the 
degrees in the Masonic Order, up to that of 
Knight Templar, and for thirty consecutive years 
was treasurer of the Blue Lodge, resigning this 
office against the wishes of his fellow members. 
No man stands higher in the estimation of the 
people of Rushville than John McCabe, the sol- 
dier, brickmaker and old-time Mason. 

McCORMICK, David.— May, 1907, marked the 
fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of David Mc- 
cormick upon the farm in Rushville Township, 
Schuyler County. 111., which has since been his 
home. He was twenty-five years of age when he 
thus shaped his course into independent chan- 
nels, but he was no stranger to the locality, for 
in 1836 he had arrived in Rushville with his pa- 
rents, from Troy, N. Y., where he was born Feb- 
ruary 17, 1832. He was of rugged Scotch ances- 
try, descended from men who had the courage 
to fight for a good cause or invade the wilder- 
ness in search of homes and fortunes. Both his 
grandfather, Samuel McCormick, and his father. 
Andrew McCormick, were born in Scotland, and 
came to America in time for the grandfather to 
shoulder his musket in the Revolutionary War. 
Andrew McCormick devoted his active life to 
fanning, and his death occurred in 1840, four 
years after his arrival in Schuyler County. His 
wife, who was formerly Jane Hill of New York, 
survived him until 1860. 

In his youth, David McCormick had only such 
opportunities as he created for himself. To be 
able to attend the district school was a privilege 
sufficiently rare to be appreciated, and inspired 
in him a longing for further knowledge, to be ac- 
quired during the greater leisure of his mature 
years. While still in his teens he learued the 
cooper's trade, which he followed several years 
in connection with farming, but which he long 
since abandoned. The farm purchased by him 
in May. 1S.j7. had some improvements, but these 
have been replaced for the most part with those 
better adapted to modern needs. The McCormick 
farm combined large money making possibilities, 
with the comforts and refinements possible only 
under the most favorable country conditions. It 
gives evidence of the perseverance and good judg- 
ment of its owner in its every department, 
and speaks volumes for the possession of quali- 



SSI) 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



ties which go to the making of a substantial 
and prosperous farmer. 

On June 4, 1868, Mr. McCormick married Mar- 
garet J. Hiliis. a native of Schuyler County. 111., 
and of this union there are six children, namely : 
Carrie J., Scarlet C, Albert H., John A., Mary J., 
and N. F. Mr. McCormick is a Republican in 
politics, hut has never aspired to political hon- 
ors. His life has been a quiet and uneventful 
one, blessed with a good share of prosperity and 
happiness, and devoted in all ways to the well- 
being of his family and to the interests of the 
community of which he is a respected citizen. 

McCREERY, L. J.— Almost from time imme- 
morial agriculture and education have been re- 
garded as the bulwarks of community existence. 
As man progressed towards a larger usefulness 
and greater happiness through a simplification of 
the problems of life, these factors draw nearer 
and nearer together, until the establishment of 
an ideal country enterprise presupposes a trained 
and well adjusted mental equipment. It is to 
these fundamental occupations that L. J. Mc- 
Creery has devoted attention during the greater 
part of Iris active life, and as an agriculturist 
and educator he has won that recognition due an 
earnest and painstaking worker. Mr. McCreery 
was born in Birmingham Township. Schuyler 
County, 111.. November 21, 1857, a son of William 
Thomas, and a grandson of Lewis McCreery, botli 
natives of Ireland. 

William Thomas McCreery was born in Ire- 
land in 1836, and in 1845, when eight years old, 
came to America with his parents, and located 
on a farm in Birmingham Township. He had 
the advantages of the average country-reared 
boy of the Central West, and finally, through 
marriage, united his own witli another and still 
earlier pioneer family of Schuyler County. His 
wife, formerly Esta Farr, was a daughter of 
Jacob Farr. who moved to Schuyler County from 
his native State of Ohio before the birth of his 
daughter. Mr. McCreery was not only success- 
ful in general farming and stock-raising, but he 
became prominent in politics, and held many 
offices of local importance. For three terms he 
served as Representative in the Legislature 
(1876-80 and 1888-90) and for several years was 
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hunts- 
ville, Birmingham Township. His death occurred 
in 1901, bis wile having predeceased him in 
1886. Hi' was a man of strong character and 
decided opinions, and his identification with the 
county and township redounded to its permanent 
well being. 

L. J. McCreery was educated in the country 
schools, at the Augusta high school, and Knox 
College. Galesburg, 111. He has always made 
his home on a farm, and for eighteen years was 
identified with educational affairs, for fourteen 
years as a teacher, and for four years as Su- 
perintendent of Schools of Schuyler County, to 
which office he was elected in 1S9S. In 1884 he 
was united in marriage to Almeda Burwood, 
daughter of Philip and Lucinda (Hood) Bur- 



wood. Philip Burwood was bom in Germany in 
1829, and in 1831 came to America with his pa- 
rents, locating presumably in I'ennyslvania. He 
arrived in Schuyler County at an early day, mar- 
ried in 1855, and spent his active life in the 
pursuit of farming. To Mr. and Mrs. McCreery 
lias been horn a son. Chester Ray. Mr. Mc- 
Creery is social in his tendencies, and is a mem- 
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the 
Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen 
of America. He is a Democrat in politics, and 
in religion a Presbyterian. The present high 
standard of education maintained in the public 
schools of Schuyler County is in large measure 
due to the untiring efforts of Mr. McCreery. He 
is no mere intellectual visionary, but a practical, 
energetic, far-sighted educator, in touch with 
the times and its demands, and with the hopes 
and possibilities of that great predominating 
middle class which derives its working equip- 
ment from the field of human equality known as 
the public schools. 

McGRATH FAMILY. — Among the older resi- 
dents of Schuyler County are the McGrath fam- 
ily. James McGrath came from Pennsylvania to 
Illinois in 1S57 accompanied by his family con- 
sisting of his wife and nine children — six sons 
and three daughters — locating at Doddsville. Mc- 
Donough County, just north of the Schuyler 
County line. Here he remained until 1865, when 
he removed to Schuyler County, settling in the 
southwest part of the northwest quarter of Lit- 
tleton Township, which has been the family home 
to the present time. His children all grew to 
manhood and womanhood in McDonough and 
Schuyler Counties, and four of his sons became 
soldiers of the Union Army during the Civil 
War. Of these, Lloyd was killed at Vicksburg. 
Miss., during the siege of that place, and John 
was wounded at Chickamauga, as a eonsequence 
of which he finally died. One remarkable thing 
in the history of the McGrath family is the fact 
that, during a residence of fifty -one years in the 
same community, none of its members have ever 
been engaged in a law-suit, either as plaintiff or 
defendant. 

McGRATH, Thomas C, one of the oldest living 
residents of Schuyler County. 111., which lias 
been his home for more than half a century, and 
an honored veteran of the Civil War, is residing 
on his farm in Section 5, Littleton Township, an 
object of sincere respect and warm regard to the 
large number of his fellow-citizens who are fa- 
miliar with his worthy traits of character. He 
is a member of the family which can boast of the 
high distinction of having given four sons to the 
defense of the Union in its mighty struggle for 
existence, all of whom were wounded, one being 
killed and another dying as a result of wounds 
received in the conflict. Mr. McGrath was born 
is Franklin County. Pa., rceiving his early edu- 
cation in the district schools of that locality. He 
is a son of James W. and Barbara (Jones) Mc- 
Grath. natives of that State and county. His 





M 




f>z 




HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



881 



paternal grandfather, John McGrath, was a na- 
tive of County Tipperary, Ireland, and the hit- 
ter's wife, Sarah (Collins) McGrath, was born 
in Connecticut. The grandparents on the mater- 
nal side, Joseph Jones and wife, were Penn- 
sylvanians, born in Lancaster County. James 
W. McGrath and Barbara Jones were mar- 
ried in the vicinity of Mercersburg, Pa., in July. 
1833. There the father followed his trade of 
blacksmithing, but in 1857 journeyed with his 
family, by wagon, to Pittsburg, and thence by 
boat on the Ohio. Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, 
to Schuyler County, 111., stopping at the village 
of Frederick. Having friends in Doddsville, 
McDouough County, he located there, working at 
his trade until 1865. then moving to a farm 
in the northwest quarter of Section 5, Littleton 
Township, Schuyler County, which he had pur- 
chased. It was wholly a prairie tract, and one 
of the first pieces of land of this kind to be culti- 
vated in Schuyler County. James W. McGrath 
died January 4. 1892, at the age of seventy-eight 
years, five months and fourteen days, and his 
worthy wife passed away March 1, 1895, aged 
seventy-three years, one month and sixteen days. 
James W. and Barbara Jones McGrath were 
the parents of nine children, namely: John H., 
Jacob, Thomas C, William C., Joseph V., James 
B., Elnora, Sarah E., and Jennie, B. John, the 
eldest, married Eliza Chandler, who was born 
in Ohio, and they are the parents of two sons 
and two daughters. He enlisted in September, 
1862, in Company G, Seventy-third Regiment, Il- 
linois Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded in 
the right hip at the Battle of Chickamauga, taken 
prisoner, and confined fourteen days in a field 
hospital. Then lie was paroled and sent to a 
St. Louis hospital, staying there two months. 
After this, he was detailed for duty in charge of 
prisoners at St. Louis, and was discharged from 
the service four months later. The wound re- 
ceived at Chickamauga finally resulted in his 
death. Jacob died in Pennsylvania, at the age 
of eighteen months. Lloyd A., born September 
20, 1840, enlisted in the fall of 1862. in Company 
A, Tenth Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, 
and was killed at Vicksburg, June 26, 1863. Wil- 
liam ('.. born July 31. 1843, is living on the old 
borne place. Joseph V., born October 27, 1844, 
married Nancy Gregg, a native of McDonough 
County, 111., and is the father of one child, Wil- 
liam, of Ringgold County, Iow r a. He enlisted in 
December, 1863, in the Eighth Regiment, Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, serving through the war. 
lie was wounded in the right side by a rifle ball, 
at Fort Blakely, near Mobile, Ala., by reason of 
which he draws ;i pension. After the war he 
went to Kansas City. Me., where lie now resides. 
James F... burn February 20, 1846, lives on the 
homestead: Elnora. born July 1. 1X40. lives at 
Cimarron, Kan., and is the widow of Robert J. 
McGinnis; Sarah E., born December 10. 1851, 
became the wife of David Werents, and died in 
September, 1892; anil Jennie B.. born May 10, 
1854,' is living mi the borne place. Alter tin 1 
death of their parents, all the surviving mem- 



bers came home to live, James B., owning half 
of the property, and the remainder belonging to 
William C. and Jennie B. 

Thomas C. McGrath, after his school days were 
over, assisted in the work of the paternal farm, 
remaining at home until the outbreak of the 
War of the Rebellion. On May 24, 1861, he 
enlisted at Rushville, 111., in Company (i. Six- 
teenth Regiment. Illinois Volunteer Utfantry, 
continuing in service until the termination of 
hostilities. Since then he has been successfully 
engaged in farming in Section 5, Littleton Town- 
ship. In politics, Mr. McGrath has been long 
an adherent of the Republican party, and for 
six years, filled the office of Township Assessor 
with ability and fidelity. He is also a member 
of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

McGRAW, James Thomas, who follows farming 
in Schuyler County, 111., on an extensive scale, 
owning a large amount of land, and being, more- 
over, one of the most prominent and influential 
citizens in his locality, is a resident of Section 
27, Littleton Township, where he is known and 
respected by all. Mr. McGraw was born in Pen- 
dleton County, Ky.. October 30, 1857, and is a 
son of Matthew and Julia (Biggs) McGraw, both 
natives of that State and County, the birth of 
the father occurring November 19. 1834. and 
that of the mother, January 11. 1S42. The ma- 
ternal grandfather was Thomas Biggs, also a 
native of Kentucky. In April, 1861. Matthew 
McGraw and his family moved to Illinois, set- 
tling in Brooklyn Township. Schuyler County, 
and living for two years on rented land. The 
father then bought 160 acres of partly improved 
land, on which he completed the improvements 
and farmed four years, afterwards disposing of 
it, and purchasing 160 acres in Buena Vista 
Township, in the same county, also partially 
improved. When he had further improved tins 
place he added 200 acres to it, 60 acres of which 
were under the plow. Selling the farm to bis 
son, James, in 1891, he went, in March, of that 
year, to Audrain County. Mo., where he bought 
some land, and also a bouse and lot in Central ia. 
Boone County. In 1904 he sold the Audrain 
County farm, and bought another, of 80 acres, in 
Boone County. He now lives in Centralia, Mo., 
where he owns considerable property, the man- 
agement of which occupies his time. James T. 
McGraw remained with his parents until he 
reached the age of 26 years, bis education being 
received in the district schools of Buena Vista 
Township. After his marriage, he located on a 
farm of 115 acres in that township. To this he 
subsequently made additions, increasing his hold- 
ings to SCO acres in Sections 5 and 8. 300 acres 
of which is tillable land. There he lived until 
the fall of 100(1. when lie moved to a farm of 
so aires in Section 27. Littleton Township. In 
1903, he purchased 120 acres in Section 22. and 
in March, 1907. became the owner of the south- 
west quarter of that section. This land is all 
in one body, and of the highest agricultural qual- 
ity. Resides general farming, he devotes con- 



882 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



siderable attention to raising horses, Shorthorn 
cattle and Poland-China hogs. 

On January 17, 1881, Mr. McGraw was united 
in marriage w ith Cornelia Nelson, who was born 
in Littleton Township, November 7, 18D6. re- 
ceiving her education in the district schools in 
the vicinity of her home, and in the Macomb 
Normal School. Mrs. McGraw is a daughter of 
Ted and Jane (Little) Nelson, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. Her paternal grandparents were Henry 
and Mary Ann (Teel) Nelson, born in Ohio, 
and her grandparents on the maternal side, Rob- 
ert and Eliza (Cunningham) Little, were na- 
tives of Ireland. Five children blessed this un- 
ion, as follows : Anna Lois, born October 31, 
1884, now the wife of William Lenhart, of Buena 
Vista Township: Ruth E., born February 1, 
1886, who married Roy D. Winters, of Scotland 
Township, McDonough County. 111.; Vera M., 
born March 9, 1890, who is at home; Beulah A., 
born October 28, 1894; and Julia M.. born Octo- 
ber 30, 1897. 

Politically, Mr. MeGraw is identified with the 
Democratic party, and wields a strong influence 
in local politics. While a resident of Buena 
Vista Township, he served one term as Collector, 
and has held the office of Assessor one year in 
Littleton Township. In April. 1906, he was 
elected Supervisor of the latter township for a 
term of two years. He is one of the leading 
farmers of Schuyler County, and in connection 
with the civic affairs of the community, main- 
tains a high standing. 

McKEE, William (deceased). — Out in the open 
twilight, within sight of the old and loved ances- 
tral home, and within the shadow of the trees 
that he had fostered for more than seventy years, 
the long, stirring life of William McKee came 
to an end December 17, 1897. He died almost 
on the site of the place where, as a lad, nearly 
three score years before, he had worked to assist 
in the erection of a home in what was then a 
wilderness. He loved the scenes of his child- 
hood, and after he had satisfied that intense 
longing for a stirring life, so readily vouchsafed 
to the youth of the early 'thirties and 'forties. 
he returned to the home of his father, and there, 
amid its peace and quiet, honored by all, be 
enjoyed the well-earned fruits of his early labor. 
Although he there lived the uneventful life of a 
farmer, he retained to the last what may !"• 
called the pioneer disposition, being in spirit and 
habits an unaffected man of the people. While 
he made no religious pretensions, he was blessed 
with that kindly spirit which prompted him to 
assist those in want without embarrassing them 
with a sense of obligation. In bis last days he 
was cheered by the companionship of the aged 
wife and his daughter and only surviving child, 
who is now the wife of C. L. DeWitt, of Rush- 
ville, 111. 

It was in April, 182(1. that Mr. McKee was 
brought to Schuyler County. He was born in 
Crawford County, Ind.. January 22. 1813. His 
father came here in the preceding year, and the 



rich and attractive country of Central Illinois 
had induced him to seek a home in the new, wild 
region. He returned to Indiana, and in April, 
1820, brought his family here. In the party be- 
sides the family who came to Schuyler County, 
were Joel Tullis, Charles Hammond. Isaac Lin- 
der, Vincent Westfall and James Thompson. Hav- 
ing purchased for $100, 100 acres of land in 
Section 18, Rushville Township, the father, with 
the assistance of his thirteen-year old son. com- 
menced to prepare the way lor his wife and six 
children. The site of Rushville. almost adjoin- 
ing their place, had been selected as the county- 
seat in the preceding February, but was still 
but a town on paper. Mr. McKee staked his 
claim not on the clear, fertile prairie which 
stretched for miles around, but along the wooded 
banks of the creek. The log cabin which the 
father and son erected was of the pioneer type. 
with trimmed logs for the walls and the roof of 
clapboards. Mr. McKee went back to Indiana 
shortly afterwards, but soon returned, bringing 
with him the tools and machinery necessary in 
the construction of a grist mill, and finally set- 
ting up a band-mill run by horse-power. He de- 
veloped a thriving business, people coming even 
from Rock Island to have their grain ground. 
There was also a blacksmith's shop in the near 
neighborhood, and both establishments did a 
thriving business from the start. Sac and Fox 
Indians moved farther north with the coming of 
the early settlers, but along Spoon River, in 
Fulton County, there remained a large band. 
members of which often came to the mill and 
blacksmith shop. They were lazy but peaceable, 
and gave the pioneers of this region little trou- 
ble. On the McKee farm is still to be seen a 
silent memorial of aboriginal days in the form 
of an Indian trail, which may be traced through 
a beautiful stretch of woods, once a favorite ren- 
dezvous of the dusky sons of the forest and 
prairie. Mr. McKee not only operated his grist 
mill, but soon after putting it in operation, con- 
structed a saw-mill, in the early 'thirties erect- 
ing a dam across Sugar Creels and operating the 
latter by water-power. There were several mill 
sites on that stream, the McKee dam being lo- 
cated at what is known as the Main Ford, where 
the creel; is crossed by the road from Rushville 
to Browning. 

In those days one need not go far abroad in 
search of thrilling adventures, and the hardy 
race of pioneers who battled against such odds 
in order to found and maintain their homes have 
their reward in the permanent extension of Amer- 
ican civilization and the profound gratitude of 
their immediate descendants. The McKee fam- 
ily experienced all the adventures and suffered 
all the hardships of pioneer life. Its members 
struggled through the awful winter of the deep 
snow (1831) when the level prairie was buried 
four to five feet deep, and the ravines were filled 
to the hilltops. 

William McKee. the son. was the last of the 
one hundred and fifty volunteers in Schuyler 
County to answer Governor Reynold's call for a 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



883 



force to drive Black Hawk and bis murderous 
baud beyond the bounds of Illinois. During the 
winter of 1831-32 the crafty chief bad mustered 
bis warriors on the Iowa side of the Mississippi 
for the purpose of invading this State, aud the 
alarmed settlers had called upon the Governor 
lor protection. The one hundred aud fifty volun- 
teers from Schuyler County gathered at Rush- 
ville in April. 1832, and were-eloquently addressed 
by William Marinshall before starting for 
Beardstown, Cass County, the general point of 
rendezvous. They had furnished their own arms 
and equipments. Mr. McKee, who was then nine- 
teen years of age, having been furnished by bis 
father with a wagon and a team of horses. Abra- 
ham Lincoln, with his company, encamped over 
night half a mile north of Rushville. The en- 
tire force of the State finally marched toward 
Rock Island, and later, in what is now Ogle 
County, met the disaster known as "Stillman's 
defeat." In this engagement eleven whites and 
eight .Indians were killed, and after tbe battle. 
Mr. McKee drove over the field and carried six 
of the dead soldiers to a place where the bodies 
were safe from the danger of mutilation. 

In 1830. because of ill-health. Mr. McKee went 
to that vast northwestern region then known as 
Oregon, where be remained for a year, exploring 
tbe country and regaining bis strength. He re- 
turned home, one of tbe main incidents of his 
trip being the formation of an intimate friend- 
ship witli Dr. Marcus Whitman, who saved that 
part of the country now including Oregon. Wash- 
ington, and Idaho, to tbe United States. During 
his first trip to tbe Oregon country Mr. McKee 
was employed by him in a grist mill for about 
six months. In the winter of 1842-43 Dr. Whit- 
man rode from Oregon to Washington, a distance 
of 3,000 miles, for the purpose of arousing the 
interest of statesmen at the National capital in 
tbe vast natural wealth of the Oregon region. 
and thwarting the attempt of the British Hudson 
Bay Company to exclude American settlers and 
make it a province of Great Britain. He was so 
far successful in his mission as to receive the 
sanction of the United States Government in his 
project of leading an emigrant train of 875 
hardy American pioneers into the coveted terri- 
tory. This bold and wise action undoubtedly 
saved this grand region as a part of the public 
domain of the United States. In November. 1847, 
this patriotic and intrepid man was murdered, 
with his wife and twelve other members of his 
household, by the Cayuse Indians. 

In the early part of the year just mentioned. 
Mr. McKee, with his brother, Joel, and Joel 
Tullis and the latter's family, started overland 
for the far-distant Oregon country, with which 
the first named was already quite familiar. The 
trip was filled with hardship and sorrow, es- 
pecially to Mr. Tullis. two of whose children 
died on tbe way and were buried along the In- 
dian trails where they happened to breathe away 
their young lives. Soon after their arrival the 
settlers of the country were stirred profoundly 
by the Whitman tragedy, and a call was issued 



to quell the Indian uprising, of which this was 
the leading event. Mr. McKee was naturally 
one of tbe first to offer his services, and although 
he was in the thick of the three months' cam- 
paign which comprised the active part of the 
conflict with the Indians, he escaped without in- 
jury. From Oregon, in 1849, he went to Cali- 
fornia, where for three years be tasted of the 
feverish life of the early gold-miners, but in 
1852 returned to the old homestead in Schuyler 
County, and seemed never again to wish to leave 
its atmosphere "f peace and contentment. For 
forty-five years thereafter he lived a quiet life 
of integrity, industry and broad usefulness, and 
finally passed away at the age of eighty-four, 
without a moment of pain — as a candle light, 
which quietly burns to the socket and expires. 

In 1853 Mr. McKee was united in marriage to 
Sarah C. Wilmot, and five daughters were born 
to their union: .Mrs. Henry llite. Mrs. Samuel 
Ii. Wheelhouse, Mary C. and Meta McKee, and 
Mrs. Cyrus L. DeWi'tt. I See sketch of Cyrus L. 
DeWitt in another portion ol this history.) Mrs. 
McKee and her daughter, Mrs. DeWitt. are the 
only surviving members of this honored pioneer 
family, and. having removed from tbe old home- 
stead, the venerable widow is living in honored 
retirement with her daughter in Rushville. Tbe 
former still owns the beautiful farm, which was 
the scene of her early joys and sorrows, and 
which she so faithfully shared with her honored 
husband. After coming to Schuyler County, four 
more children (making ten in all) were added 
to i he family of the elder McKee, and of this 
number none is now surviving. 

McLAREN, Harry E.— Tbe Schuyler County 
Herald was established at Rushville. 111., Feb- 
ruary 28, 1901, by Harry E. McLaren, a young 
man Whose journalistic experience lias been fur- 
ther enriched by tbe publication of the Astoria 
Argus for ten years. The Herald maintains a 
Democratic policy, and in general trend, is a 
vehicle and moulder of the most advanced public 
opinion. 

Mr. McLaren was born in Astoria, Fulton 
County. 111.. June 3. 1874, and comes of a family 
of which much reasonably might be expected. He 
is a son of Robert F. and Amanda (Lane) Mc- 
Laren, natives of Fulton and Schuyler Counties, 
respectively, of whom the former enjoys the dis- 
tinction of having been one of the most promi- 
nent and public spirited men of Astoria tor al- 
most half a century. He was Justice of tbe 
Peace tor thirty-two years, and during that time 
united two hundred and twenty-seven couples 
in marriage. For eighteen years he was a no- 
tary Public, for eleven years Township Clerk, 
for six years City Clerk, Assessor for two terms, 
and member of the Board of Education for 
many years. In 1003 he became a member of 
the retired colony of Rushville. 

Harry E. McLaren was educated in the public 

SCI Is of Astoria and Drake University of Iowa. 

He began at the bottom round of the journalistic 
ladder by learning the printer's trade, gradually 



SS-1 



HLSTOBY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



making his way to tbe front office of the Astoria 
Argus, over whose editorial destiny he presided 
for ten years. Mr. McLaren is prominent socially, 
and is identified with the Masons, Independent 
Order of Odd fellows, the Modern Woodmen of 
America, and other fraternities. His personality 
is pleasing, and he has the tact and good judg- 
ment which keeps the wide awake newspaper 
man on good terms with himself and the world 
in general. 



general farming, Mr. McMillen has found leis- 
ure to participate in public affairs. He has been 
connected with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and the Modem Woodmen of America, 
and has been a stanch worker in the interests of 
the Democratic party. Besides serving as Super- 
visor, as before stated, he has tilled the positions 
of Collector and Assessor of his township, and 
in every relation of life, has proved a patriotic 
and progressive citizen. 



McMILLEN, Gilbert.— The enviable standing 
of .Mr. McMillen among the people of Oakland 
Township, Schuyler County, 111., where he was 
born and where he has made his lifelong home, 
may be appreciated from the statement that six 
consecutive times they have chosen him to rep- 
resent them on the Board of County Supervisors. 
Though elected by the Democrats as their nomi- 
nee, he is popular with representatives of all 
parties, and during his twelve years of service 
on the board he was a stanch supporter of pro- 
gressive enterprises contributory to the progress 
of the county, while at the same time aiming by 
his influence and ballot to conserve the interests 
of the tax-payers. 

The genealogy of the McMillen family can be 
traced back to Scotland, but several generations 
have lived in the United States. John McMillen, 
a native of Ohio, born in 1815, came to the then 
unknown frontier of Illinois during early man- 
hood, and in Schuyler County, in 184:;, be mar- 
ried Margaret Pittenger, who was born in Vir- 
ginia in 1823, and came with her parents to 
Illinois, settling in Schuyler County in 1830. 
Since that time she has remained at the old 
homestead, now operated by her son, Gilbert. 
Her husband died in 18SS. at the age of seventy- 
three, after a long and useful live devoted to 
agricultural pursuits. They were the parents 
of eleven children, but three of these died in 
early life. Eight are now living, namely; Sa- 
rah, who married William H. Baxter, a farmer 
in Littleton Township ; Mary, the widow of Wil- 
liam Billingsley. living in Bushville Township 
on a farm; Belle, who married William Bly, a 
farmer near Macomb. HI.; Nicholas, of Macomb; 
Margaret, at home; Gilbert; Henry, who is now 
in the West : and Ollie. wife of Charles Vertive, 
station agent at Elmwood. Ills., for the Chicago. 
Burlington & Quincy Railway Company. 

The McMillen homestead, on Section 26. Oak- 
land Township, where Gilbert McMillen now re- 
sides, is his birthplace, the date of his birth 
being January 1, 1857. During boyhood he at- 
tended the district school near the farm. On 
December 23, 1896, he was united in marriage 
with Mira. daughter of Peter Rose, an early set- 
tler of Schuyler County, having removed hither 
from Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. McMillen have 
four children, namely; Harry, born January 20, 
1898; Phoebe, January 29. 1900; Mildred. " July 
2. 1901 ; and Mabel, May 25, 1903. The family 
attend the Methodist Church, of which Mrs. 
McMillen is an active member. While devoting 
himself with assiduous care to stock raising and 



MEAD, Dr. Mary Ward, a prominent practicing 
physician of Camden, Schuyler County, 111., was 
born in her present place of residence, October 
2, 1872, a daughter of Jas. N. and Martha (Par- 
rish) Ward, the former a native of Camden. 111., 
and the latter of Macoupin County, 111. Her pa- 
rents were married in Schuyler County, and the 
father, alter pursuing the life of a farmer, is 
now living in retirement with his daughter, Dr. 
Mary Ward Mead, the wife and mother having 
died July 16, 1887. Joseph N. Ward, the pa- 
ternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, 
who was a pioneer settler of Schuyler County, 
was a native of Kentucky. The father, James 
X. Ward, is a Republican in politics, though not 
a politician in the sense of being an office-seeker, 
and has been a life-long member of the Chris- 
tian Church. 

In her childhood and youth, Mrs. Mead at- 
tended the primary school at Nebo. near her 
birthplace and later, the public school at Hunts- 
ville. Schuyler County. She began her profes- 
sional career as a trained nurse in the Mercy 
Hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, during this period 
having charge of laparotomy cases, the treat- 
ment of which, with a single exception, proved 
successful. On October 2, 1889, she was married 
at Huntsville. 111., to Dr. Richard Homer Mead. 
whose biography appears on another page in this 
connection. After her marriage, she studied 
medicine under the tutorship of her husband, and 
as the latter became less active, proved a useful 
assistant in his extended practice, her previous 
training as a profssional nurse, qualifying her to 
enter upon a collegiate course. She then attended 
the College of Thysicians and Surgeons at Keo- 
kuk, la., from which she graduated with high 
honors in the Class of 1S97. After graduation, 
she returned to her home at Camden. 111., and 
engaged in active practice in which she has met 
with marked success, both in growth of patron- 
age and its extension in wider fields, her reputa- 
tion as a practitioner having extended into ad- 
joining counties. She is a member of the Schuy- 
ler County Medical Society and the International 
Medical Society, and fraternally, is identified 
with the Order of the Eastern Star and the 
Royal Neighbors, being Martha of the former 
and Camp Physician of tbe latter. 

Dr. and Mrs. Mead are the parents of three 
children, namely: Miss Clara Briscoe, born April 
26, 1891 ; Miss Andrew Jackson, born December 
IS. 1893; and Hughes Barrow, born April 10, 
1898. Each of the older children has received a 
superior education, the daughters being grad- 



HISTOBY OF SCHUYLEB COUNTY. 



ss;, 



uates oi tlic High School, and having begun their 

college course in September, RXJ5, Clara intend- 
ing to study medicine, and her sister, to become 
a nurse. They are especially well trained in 
music, often being called upon to take part in 
public entertainments, in which they have been 
remarkably successful. Both parents and chil- 
dren are members of the Christian Church. The 
heads of this family, engaged in a like profes- 
sional task, are living harmonious and useful 
lives, in which they are able, while co-operating 
with each other, to benefit a wide circle of pat- 
rons. 

MEAD, Richard Homer, M. D— Rarely do men 
in the medical profession express the many 
sidedness and versatility found in Dr. Richard 
Homer Mead, an eminent practitioner of Canu 
den. 111., and known also as a soldier during the 
Civil War. as a writer of more than average 
force and elegance, as a politician of integrity 
and wide uselulness, and as a promoter of edu- 
cation,- sanitation, fraternities and general com- 
munity interests. Dr. Mead is a native of Schuy- 
ler County, and was born January 16, 1847, a 
son of Andrew .1. and .Mary (Briscoe) Mead, long 
residents of Huntsville, in the same county. 

Primarily, Dr. Mead was educated in the pub- 
lic schools of Huntsville. but owing to interrup- 
tions in bis youth, his higher training has been 
largely self acquired. As was the case with 
thousands of the boys of the land, his principal 
and most developing experience was the Civil 
War, which broke over the country when he had 
attained to barely sixteen years. Enlisting in 
Company K, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, at Camp Rob- 
erts, Davenport, Iowa, he went with his company 
to Nashville, Term.; ami during the winter 
of 1S63-4 was on duty in the mountains of Ten- 
nessee. With the coming of spring his company 
was on the left wing of General McCook's cav- 
alry, and with Sherman's army advanced on 
Atlanta. After engaging in fighting for one hun- 
dred days the regiment returned northward, and 
was the first to oppose Hood's crossing the Ten- 
nessee river, an effort which resulted in defeat, 
although later they prevented his advance at 
Duck River. After the Battle of Nashville they 
continued to pursue the wily Confederate general 
to the Tennessee river. In the spring of 1865, 
Croxton's brigade became detached from Wil- 
son's corps, successfully fighting the Battle of 
Selma, but was unable to return to the command 
and became known as the "lost brigade." It 
Inn-ill its way and roamed at will over Ala- 
bama, being in two mountain engagements. Af- 
ter the surrender of Lee, neither the oppos- 
ing Federal cavalry nor Croxton's command had 
any knowledge of the event until two weeks 
after its occurrence. Later the regiment was 
sent in pursuii of Jefferson Davis to Macon, Ga., 
and August lis. 1865, .Mr. Mead was mustered 
out of the service, having proved himself a sol- 
dier of rare courage and endurance. He was 
taken prisoner on the McCook raid in the rear 
of Atlanta, but escaped in a few hours. Not so 



his fellow brethren at arms, for fully half of the 
company died in Andersonville prison. 

Returning to his home iu Illinois, Dr. Mead 
continued the study of medicine begun before he 
had donned the uniform of the Union soldier. 
His first professional instructor was his father, 
and in November. 1865, he entered the College of 
Physicians & Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, graduat- 
ing therefrom in the Class of 1867. Locating iu 
Huntsville, 111., he practiced until 1872 with his 
lather, going then to Texas, where, lor five years, 
he was connected witli the I. & G. N. Railroad 
Company. During 1S78-!) he attended the St. 
Louis Medical College, and then resumed his 
practice at Huntsville, which he continued until 
1884. Although his educational opportunities 
seemed not to warrant the experiment, the doc- 
tor applied to the civil service commission for 
examination, and upon passing in the class at 
Burlington, 111., he was appointed pension clerk 
at Washington, D. C, August 18, 1885, being the 
fifteenth man from Illinois to pass the examina- 
tion. March 2, 1885, he became a permanent 
member of Class 1, and iu October, of the same 
yen, he was promoted to class 2. On April 24. 
Ism., he was detailed to the field as special ex- 
aminer in Maine, New Hampshire and New 
York, and December 28, 1886, resigned his posi- 
tion, but being an honorably discharged soldier, 
be can re-enter the service without examination 
whenever inclination dictates. 

Returning to Huntsville, the doctor engaged in 
a general medical and surgical practice until 
locating in Camden. He is one of the lust known 
and most highly reputed practitioners in his part 
of the county. In spite of his other interests 
has never allowed aught to interfere with a con- 
scientious discharge ol professional obligations, 
and cold, heat or storm have never been known 
to keep him within the shelter of his home when 
duty called. lie is the genial friend and depend- 
able adviser in hundreds of families, and has 
presided at the entrances and exits of many of the 
foremost people of the community. He has left 
no stone unturned to advance his usefulness and 
add to his opportunities, and has been a constant 
attendant at professional conventions, including 
that of the National Columbian Medical Asso- 
ciation at Washington, D. C, iu 1884-5-6. 

The doctor was physician of the Illinois South- 
ern Penitentiary for four years, and served two 
years as Assistant Superintendent of the State 
Insane Asylum at Chester. 

The marriage of Dr. Mead and Mary, daugh- 
ter of James N. and Martha (Parrish) Ward, 
occurred October 3, 1S89, and this union re- 
sulted iu two daughters, Clara Briscoe. Andrew- 
Jackson, and a son, Hughes Barrow. A bio- 
graphical record of Dr. Mary Mead appears on 
another page in this volume. Dr. Mead is an ar- 
dent fraternalist, and is identified w-ith Hunts- 
ville Lodge No. 465. A. F. & A. M. ; Augusta 
Chapter No. 78, It. A. M. : Almoner Commandery 
No. .".2, K. T. : and Cyclone Lodge No. 635, I. O. 
O. F., of which he is a charter member and one 
of the organizers. He is prominent in Grand 



886 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY 



Army circles, always attends local and national 
encampments, and is a member of George A. 
Brown Post, No. 417. 

He is a consistent and active member of the 
Christian Church of Camden. In politics he is a 
strong Republican, and was a delegate from 
Schuyler County to the famous ■•deadlock" State 
Convention of 1904, supporting Gov. Yates to 
the end. 

MESSERER, Anthony (deceased), one of the 
best known men and most successful farmers 
among the early settlers of Frederick Township, 
Schuyler County, 111., whose career reflected 
lasting credit upon the home of his adoption, was 
born in Germany in 1796. Of his parentage and 
family history, all records have been lost in the 
lapse" of time. Together with an elder brother, 
Anthony crossed the Atlantic when six years old, 
the brother being seized with yellow fever on 
the passage, from which he died, his body being 
buried at sea. The young lad, thus left alone, 
completed the voyage to a port on the West In- 
dia Islands, and was bound out to a Spaniard. 
There he stayed until be was twenty-one years 
old, when his Spanish master set him free. 
After traveling for some time he finally came to 
the United States, settling in Pennsylvania. In 
the West Indies, he had been employed on a large 
plantation in charge of negroes, and on arriving 
in this country he applied himself to farm work. 
Subsequently, he journeyed westward to St. 
Louis and Peoria, and later to Schuyler County, 
111., where about 1834 he entered up a tract of 
government land in Frederick Township. But 
one dwelliug had been built in the locality where 
he settled, and Indians still lingered about, wild 
game also being plentiful. For marketing, it 
was necessary for him to make trips to Beards- 
town. 

In Pennsylvania, Mr. Messerer made the ac- 
quaintance of Jlargaretta Weaver, a native of 
Harrisburg, that State, whom he married about 
1833, and alter spending some time in Peoria, 
111., and later in St. Louis, in 1834, settled on a 
farm in Frederick Township, Schuyler County, 
there being then but one house in Frederick. He 
there bought 320 acres of land and through in- 
dustrious habits and frugal management, finally 
became the owner of more than 800 acres, and 
one of the most extensive farmers in that vicin- 
ity. He was a member of the Board of Super- 
visors for Frederick Township for many years. 
A member of the Masonic fraternity, he was a 
Lutheran in religious faith, his wife being a 
Christian. Mr. Messerer died in 1859, and his 
wife on November 10, 1881, having survived her 
husband twenty-two years. 

Of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mes- 
serer, two died in infancy ; Joseph, after spend- 
ing his youth on the home farm, of which he took 
charge after the death of his father for three 
years, entered into the mining business in Cali- 
fornia, about 18S0 going to Chili, South America, 
where he was superintendent of a mine until his 
death some years since; Elizabeth (now de- 



ceased) married Hudson M. Deane of Frederick, 
111., February 17, 1850, and died March 3. 1902, 
having borne her husband seven children, of 
whom four died in infancy ; and Louisa, born 
in 1844, on February 8, 1865, married Davis H. 
Curry, who died May 17, 1873. On January 1, 
1879, she married Benjamiii F. Rebnian of Fred- 
erick, and is now the only member of her father's 
family still living. Five children were born of 
the first union, of whom Amos, Bert, Beulah and 
David Curry (the last two twins) are still liv- 
ing, and three of the second union, of whom Gail 
and Herman Rebman are living, the former a 
teacher and the latter with his parents on the 
farm. ( See sketch of Benjamin F. Rebman in 
another part of this volume). 

MILBY, Edward T— In the mind of Edward 
T. Milby the fast fading pioneer history of Schuy- 
ler County, 111., remains a vivid and enduring 
memory. His life is of the home-spun kind, a 
record of hard work performed with cheerfulness 
and intelligence, of obstacles surmounted with 
vigor and determination, and of sacrifices made 
with tine Christian courage and fortitude. Inci- 
dents of early times recalled by him are tree 
felling, stump pulling with oxen, log cabin rear- 
ing, plowing, cultivating and harvesting with the 
crudest of agricultural implements, spinning, 
weaving, tallow dip making, flint fire lighting, 
husking bees, barn raisings, apple parings and 
church "socials" and donations. In all of these 
Mr. Milby took an active interest, although cer- 
tain of them fell to the lot of the women mem- 
bers of his own and his father's household. In 
his present leisure he delights to recall the com- 
parative quiet of a time long since elapsed, and 
to contrast it with the nerve-racking, competi- 
tion-torn age in which his declining years are 
being spent. 

Mr. Milby is one of the wealthy retired farm- 
ers of Rushville, 111., and all that he has is the 
result of his own untiring exertions. He was 
born in the State of Delaware, August 4, 1835, 
and is a son of Nathaniel and Eliza J. (Wilson) 
Milby, also natives of Delaware. The father de- 
veloped the pioneering inclination and sold his 
Delaware property in 1839. and in the winter of 
1840, with his wife and four children, undertook 
the journey to Illinois which consumed the 
greater part of the season. Edward T. Milby re- 
members well this arduous journey, although he 
was but five years old, and especially that part 
made on the canal, through which they were 
drawn on a boat by a single horse. During this 
portion of the trip the older members of the fam- 
ily walked for a considerable distance along the 
tow path, probably out of consideration for the 
poor, overworked horse, whose lot certainly was 
not an enviable one. The journey was continued 
in a covered wagon, and the arrival in Frederick, 
Schuyler County, was not calculated to inspire 
enthusiasm for the country to which the way- 
farers had so laboriously and hopefully tended. 
The day was bitterly cold, the snow penetrated 
the chinks of the wagon, and the wind swirled 




(l^z5dL£7Z~p/.^t 



J 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



887 



across the prairies, striking a dreary chill to 
the heart of even the most courageous. Finding 
no desirahle resting place, the little party soon 
after pushed on to Rushville, making the small 
village their home until the following spring. 
The father then located on a rented farm, and 
in the fall of 1841, hought eighty acres of land 
east of Rushville, in the township of that name. 
The timber on this land was dense and varied, 
and arduous tasks confronted the settlers. To 
the small log cabin which they found on the 
land, the father added, as such addition became 
necessary, until finally he had what was called 
a double log cabin. In this bumble abode were 
born the rest of the children, in all eleven, eight 
of whom attained maturity. Three of these still 
survive, namely : Edward T. ; Zadoc L. ; and 
Dora, wife of David Wray, a farmer of Johnson 
County, Iowa. Zadoc now owns and occupies 
the old homestead. 

Three years after the close of the Civil War 
(in 1S6S) the log house was torn down and a 
modern, six-room, two-story, frame dwelling was 
erected. This was made possible largely through 
the efforts of Edward T. and Zodae, who so faith- 
fully had worked at grubbing trees and hazel 
bushes, using oxen for the task, and hitching a 
chain around the stump or bush at which the 
strong animals tugged until accomplishing the 
task. The mother, in the meantime, rocked the 
cradle with one foot, while with the other she 
ran the spinning wheel; and later she made her 
cloth into jeans for her sons and into dresses for 
her daughters. Her toil seemed never ending, 
and her working day extended from the rising 
to the setting of the sun. The father lived to 
see eighty acres of his land cleared and under 
the plow, and he was in fairly prosperous cir- 
cumstances at the time of bis death, July 28, 
1873. The wife who had shared his hard labors 
did not long survive him. her death occurring on 
October 12. next following. They had occupied 
the same farm continuously for thirty-two years, 
and were among the honored and influential peo- 
ple of the township. 

Among the first of the children to leave the 
old Milby homestead was Edward T., who, with 
a practical education acquired under great diffi- 
culties, and an amount of farm experience which 
fitted him for conducting almost any agricul- 
tural enterprise, was married, in November, 
1860, to Lizzie Hillis. and thereupon settled on a 
rented farm in Iluntsville Township. In 1865 
he purchased a small piece of land in Buena 
Vista Township, and there his wife died the fol- 
lowing November, leaving him with the care of 
three children, of whom Frank is deceased ; 
Clement is a farmer in Schuyler County; and 
Lizzie is the wife of Frank Haughduffer. of Los 
Angeles, California. In 1873 Mr. Milby was 
united in marriage to Lizzie J. Davidson, and 
from this union resulted two children; Walter, 
a farmer of Oakland Township; and Ida, wife 
of George Rogers, of Flagstaff, Arizona. Mrs. 
Milby died in 1878, and on January 21, 1886, 
Mr. Milby married Mary Bower, a native of 



Cincinnati, Ohio, and an early resident of Schuy- 
ler County. 

Mr. Milby added frequently to his land until 
he owned a large tract, 308 acres of which still 
remains in his possession. He was industrious 
and progressive, lived always within his income, 
and was exceedingly conservative in adopting 
new and untried methods of farming. In 1003 
he left the farm and located in Rush vi lie, where 
live also many of his friends of the strenuous 
pioneer days. Politically, he has always been 
on the side of the Democratic party, but has 
steadfastly refused the honors of local office. 
The Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he 
has worshipped since early manhood, has prof- 
ited continuously by his generosity and zeal, and 
in all the walks of life, its teachings have been 
his guide. 

MILLER, Henry Franklin.— One of the best 
authorities upon stock raising in Schuyler County 
is Henry Franklin Miller, who, though young in 
years, is old in experience and rich in knowl- 
edge pertaining to this important branch of 
farming. Mr. Miller comes honestly by his lik- 
ing for stock and his apreciation of a fine ani- 
mal. His father, John Henry Miller, whose in- 
dustrious life is sketched elsewhere in this work. 
instilled into him the tendencies since so strongly 
developed, and the successful manipulation of 
which have placed him among the men of wealth 
and influence in Rushville Township. Mr. Miller 
was burn in this township July 3, 1872, and was 
educated in the district schools and the Itushville 
Normal, spending two terms at the latter insti- 
tution. Upon the completion of his student life 
he entered into partnership with his father and 
brother, Simon, operating the paternal farm of 
460 acres, and raising principally cattle, hogs, 
horses and sheep. Some of the best stock which 
reached the Chicago market matured on this 
farm during this partnership, and the three men 
worked in harmony and with due regard for the 
reputation and best interests of the stock com- 
pany. 

Upon the death of his father in 1002, Mr. Miller 
continued in business with his brother until the 
following year, when be rented his present farm 
in Section 27, Rushville Township, which is a 
pail of the old homestead, and to which be per- 
manently succeeded upon the death of his mother, 
and the division of the property. He has made 
many fine improvements on his land, always 
with the view of increasing his stock, and his 
farm is a splendid example of the best things 
known to country life at this stage of the world's 
progress. In 1007 he erected an eight-room, two- 
stury modern dwelling, having the latest devices 
for comfort and convenience, and he has also 
built a barn 36 by 44 feet, ground dimensions, 
and eighteen feet to the eaves. He regards with 
particular favor Hereford cattle and Poland- 
China hogs, and has also a high grade of horses 
and sheep. Keeping in close touch with the 
markets, and supplying the best demands, he is 
prospering in his affairs, and financially, faces 



sss 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



as hopeful a future as any man similarly em- 
ployed in the county. 

The bachelor life of Mr. Miller ended with his 
marriage. July 25, 1900, to Carrie Kruse, who 
was born in this township February 15, 1877, a 
daughter of Henry Franz and Harriet (Bead) 
Kruse, natives of Woodstock Township, Schuy- 
ler County, the former a sou of Franz Henry D. 
Kruse, a native of Germany, and a very early 
settler of Schuyler County. Into the Miller 
borne there have come two bright, happy children 
to add good cheer to this household. They are: 
Esther William, born June 21, 1905; and Harold 
Henry, born January 21, 1908. Mr. Miller is a 
stanch Republican, but not an office seeker. With 
his wife, he is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, although the latter was reared in 
the Presbyterian faith. A pleasing personality 
and a desire to be in harmony with his fellow 
men have contributed much to the popularity and 
success of Mr. Miller. He is a master of the 
best ethics of business, and a promoter of the 
principle that people receive about what they 
give out in this world. 

MILLER, John Henry (deceased), formerly an 
extensive farmer of Schuyler County, 111., and 
lather of Simon Burnett Miller, whose sketch 
appears in this connection, was born in Bippen, 
Hanover, Germany, November 4, 1824. He re- 
ceived his early education in his native country 
and in 1S44, at the age of about twenty years. 
came to the United States, spending the first tew 
months after his arrival in this country in War- 
ren County, Mo., where one of his sisters had 
settled at an earlier date. During the spring of 
1845 lie came to Schuyler County, 111., first lo- 
cating in Frederick Township where two of his 
uncles, Henry and John Wilkey. had previously 
settled. Here he was employed in various occu- 
pations by the month, meantime attending school 
at intervals until 1849, for the purpose of ac- 
quiring a knowledge of the English language. In 
that year, the period of the gold fever, he pur- 
chased an ox-team and with Joel and Alford Hol- 
land, two brothers of his future wife, he crossed 
the plains to the Pacific Coast. As the wagon 
was loaded with luggage, provisions and imple- 
ments, much of the journey was made by the 
adventurers on foot. On their arrival in the 
gold region, the Holland brothers turned their 
attention to keeping a hotel, while Mr. Miller 
engaged in digging for the precious metal. After 
spending nearly two years in the mining region, 
he returned to Schuyler County in 1851, and 
soon afterward bought 160 acres of timber land, 
of which a previous occupant had cleared about 
twenty acres, besides building thereon a log 
cabin. Taking possession of this land in 1S52, 
by later purchases he increased this holding to 
940 acres, upon which he conducted farming 
operations on a large scale and with profitable 
results. 

On February S. 1856, Mr. Miller was married 
to Sarah F. Holland, who was born in Nashville, 
Tcnn., January 20. 1839. a daughter of John 



and Nancy (Kelly) Holland, early settlers of 
Schuyler County. Mr. and Mrs. Miller became 
the parents of two sons and six daughters as fol- 
lows : Mary Louisa (Mrs. Dean) ; Emma Fran- 
ces i Mrs. Armstrong); Nancy Isabella, Delia 
May (Mrs. Kinsey) ; Dora Ann (Mrs. Drovey) ; 
Franklin H. ; Anna E. (McCormick) ; and Simon 
B„ who, with his sister, Isabelle, occupies the 
old home place of 240 acres, which they now 
own. John H. Miller's arduous and successful 
lite came to an end February 13, 1902, the long- 
time companion of his toils, privations and suc- 
cesses passing away on February 28, 1905. They 
left a reputation tor integrity and devotion to 
the interests of their family, and of the commu- 
nity, in which their children, while inheriting 
the results of their faithful laboi'Sj take a just 
pride. 

MILLER, Simon Burnett, a well known and 
respected farmer of Schuyler County, 111., resid- 
ing on Section 34, Rushville Township, was born 
on the place on which he now lives, July 22, 
1865, the son of John Henry and Sarah Frances 
(Holland) Miller, the former born in Bippen, 
Hanover, Germany, November 4. 1824, and the 
latter in Nashville, Tenn., January 20, 1839. (For 
additional details of the Miller family history, 
see sketch of John H. Miller in this connection). 
Simon Burnett Miller grew up on the home farm 
in Rushville Township, in the meantime receiv- 
ing his educational training in the local district 
schools, and thus by inheritance and association 
acquiring those traits of character which have 
led him to devote his energies to agricultural 
pursuits, and have contributed to the success 
which he has attained in that line. 

Mr. Miller has never been married, but has 
always remained under the parental roof, with 
his sister, Isabelle, and his brother, Franklin H., 
giving attention to the welfare of their parents 
and looking after the large property of the fam- 
ily. They occupy the home farm of 240 acres, 
of which they are now the owners, besides hav- 
ing an interest in other portions of the estate. 

Inheriting the political faith of his father, 
Mr. Miller is a supporter of the principles of the 
Republican party, hut takes no active part in 
political contests. In religious belief he is a 
.Methodist, and enjoys the respect and confidence 
of a large circle of friends. 

MILLS, William Henry Harrison, was born in 
'Moorefield, Harrison County. O., March 19,1840. 
He is a son of Elias and Isabel Jane (Glandon) 
Mills, natives of that State. Elias Mills devoted 
many years to farming, but conducted a hotel 
at Moorefield. Ohio, for a considerable period, 
towards the end of his life he moved from 
Moorefield to Millersburg, O.. where he died in 
1893 at the age of eighty-two years. His wife 
died when her son, William, was quite young. 
They were the parents of six children, four of 
whom are living, namely: William H. H. ; Theo- 
dore C. : Lavina, widow of David Davis ; and 
Mary E., wife of Stephen Lewis. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



8S9 



In early youth Mr. Mills attended the com- 
mon schools of his native place, completing his 
education at Franklin College. New Athens, Ohio. 
After leaving college, he taught school until the 
Civil War broke out, when he enlisted under 
the first call of the President for three months' 
troops, joining the Thirteenth Regiment, Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry. He served in West Virginia, 
being detailed from the ranks as quartermaster 
sergeant, and was honorably discharged Decem- 
ber 31, 1861. Subsequently, he taught school 
several years in Ohio, Illinois and Nebraska. In 
the last named State he was for some time con- 
nected with the Press, acting in the capacity of 
editor of the "Political Forum." He also studied 
law in that State and was admitted to the bar, 
but never engaged in practice. The farming ex- 
perience of Mr. Mills in Rushville Township, 
Schuyler County, commenced in 1903, but in the 
following year the farm dwelling tvas destroyed 
by fire, and he then established his home in 
Rushville. 111. 

Mr. Mills was married at Macomb. McDonough 
County, 111., October 2, 1895. On that date 
Xeosha M. Tee] became his wife, Rev. J. H. 
Brattan, of the Presbyterian Church, performing 
the ceremony at his residence. Mrs. Mills was 
born in Rushville Township, on November 28, 
1S69, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth 
(Smith) Teel. A sketch of her father's life may 
be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and 
Mrs. Mills are the parents of three children, 
namely : Ruth Elizabeth Teel, born June 22, 
1S97; James Teel. born April 28. 1899; and 
Theodore Roosevelt Teel, born March 25, 1901. 

In politics, Mr. Mills is an earnest and stead- 
fast Republican. He is a man of superior intel- 
ligence and sound information, and takes a good 
citizen's interest in public affairs. 

MOORE, James. — The extremes of poverty and 
affluence have met in the career of James Moore, 
the pendulum of whose life has swung between a 
rude log cabin, sixteen feet square, sheltering res- 
olute pioneer parents and their twelve children, 
and a beautiful home in Rushville, including 450 
acres of as fine land as is to be found in Schuy- 
ler County. Many useful lessons fall from the 
life of this earnest, high-minded retired farmer, 
and among these the value of industry, definite 
purpose and belief in one's own good destiny are 
by no means the least important. 

Mr. Moore has far exceeded the biblical allot- 
ment of life, being more than four-score years 
old. He was born in Lincoln County, Ky.. Au- 
gust 30, 1828, his parents, Thomas and Mary 
( Elmore 1 Moore, being natives of the same State, 
in which one of his ancestors, from North Caro- 
lint. settled previous to the Revolutionary War. 
At the age of thirty-five, the elder Moore was 
appointed a drillmaster of militia for the region 
of Kentucky in which he lived, and served in 
that capacity fur eight years. The family re- 
moved from Kentucky to Schuyler County dur- 
ing the fall of 1836, and located in what now is 
Buena Vista Township, but which at that time 



had not been visited by a surveyor, or platted In 
even irregular fashion. The first surveyor was 
a Mr. Edmonston, who also did the assessing 
for the whole county. Mr. Moore was about 
eight years of age w T hen brought to Schuyler 
County, and his early experiences were along 
hard and self-sacrificing lines. The constantly 
increasing number of children in the Moore 
household proved a drain upon the comparatively 
meager resources of the crude farm, with its 
cruder implements, but in spite of never ceasing 
tasks during the summer, and but little leisure 
in the winter, he gained a fair common school 
education, and developed great self-reliance aud 
determination. 

The monotonous round of farm life remained 
unabated fur Mr. Moore until the neighborhood 
in which he lived became infected with the gold 
fever in the early 'fifties. With characteristic 
readiness to recognize and utilize the opportuni- 
ties of life, he set to work to make his dream of 
wealth come true, seeking for some way to reach 
the opulent land, basking under the perpetual 
California sun. The winter of 1852-53 found 
hini busy with consultations and preparations 
for the long jaunt across the plains, and in 
March he started out with his cousin and a 
friend, their equipment consisting of two yoke 
el' sturdy oxen, a yoke of cows, a wagon with a 
cov< r. and the necessary provisions for six 
months on the road. The long train left the 
Missouri River to encounter a thinly settled re- 
gion, and upon the present site of Omaha was 
an Indian trading post, surrounded by tlje huts 
of a few courageous settlers. The travelers 
made settlement in the northern part of Cali- 
fornia, camping beside Snake Lake, which Mr. 
Moore thought apropriately named, as thousands 
of reptiles infested both lake and the immediate 
country. Mr. Moore found work at Bidwell's 
Bar for a time, whence he went to Hangtown, 
and later to Placerville, where he remained un- 
til 1855. He then returned home by way of 
Panama and New York, reaching the latter place 
February 1, 1855. His luck had been only that 
of the average miner, but he had stored his 
memory with a wealth of varied experience, and 
had gained much of self-assurance and inde- 
pendence from contact with the rough elements 
of the mining camps. 

Again in Schuyler County, Mr. Moore invested 
his earnings in a farm of 140 acres in Oakland 
Township, paying $800 down and going in debt 
for a similar amount. Much timber and under- 
growth abounded on the place, but when it was 
cleared and the land tilled, he sold it at great 
advance over the purchase price. He then pur- 
chased 150 acres in Buena Vista Township, built 
on it a fine residence, barns and outbuildings, 
and in time added to it until he was the owner 
of his preent farm of 450 acres. His land is fer- 
tile and splendidly improved, and has been the 
^cene of important scientific operations in ac- 
cordance with the best known methods. Mr. 
Moore has also possessed keen business sagacity, 
a trait which has belonged to many members of 



890 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



his family, and upon which all have prided 
themselves. He is broad-minded and generous 
enough to attribute much of his success to the 
help and sympathy of a capable wife, whom he 
married October 5, 1859, and who was formerly 
Margaret I. Ellis, daughter of James Ellis, one 
of the houored pioneer farmers of Schuyler 
County. Six children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Moore, the first of whom died at the age 
of seventeen months, and the second at the age 
of live months. Lois, next in order of birth, is 
living with her parents; Bertha is the deceased 
wife of Joseph Clow, an attorney of Chicago; 
and her only child. Margaret, is making her 
home with her Grandfather Moore ; Mary is the 
wile of Robert R. Jones, for some years Wash- 
ington correspondent of the Chicago Inter-Ocean, 
and later managing editor of that paper, and is 
the mother of three children, Robert M., James 
M. and Ellis R. ; and Harriet M. is the wife of 
George Thomas, a belt manufacturer of Evans- 
ton. 

In INTO .Mr. Moore left his farm and located 
in Rushville in order to educate his children, and 
in 1893 lie went to Evanston in order that his 
daughters might attend the Northwestern Uni- 
versity. In the education aud training of his 
children he has maintained the same high stand" 
ards and ideals which made his work as a farmer 
worthy and successful, and, in their moral and 
religious development, he has shown great con- 
sideration .-ind forethought. All of the family are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of 
the twelve children burn to Thomas and Mary 
(Elmore) Moore, seven are now living, and all 
are prosperous and honored members of the com- 
munities in which they live. No geater contrasts 
could picture human memory than those cher- 
ished by Mr. Moore and his brothers and sisters. 
The small farm of the establisher of the name 
in this part of the State has been lost in the 
properties of the Moore Brothers, which, in the 
aggregate, would cover more than two square 
miles. Gas and electricity are at the disposal 
of these people who clasp hands with the crude 
pioneer days, but all can recall how the cabin 
was lighted by a tallow dip, and how the mother 
I'll, n would be driven to the expediency of put- 
ting her little brood to bed by the light of a 
burning rag in an iron spoon filled with lard. 
Throughout all of these changes Mr. Moore has 
kept his nature serene and his heart young, and 
today he is conscious of few of the infirmities 
usually associated with men of his years. 

MOORE, John D. — Upon no couple identified 
with the retired farming population of Rushville 
does the spirit of other days rest more tenderly 
and impressively than upon John A. and Mary 
A. (Turner) Moore. The lives of this devoted 
and intelligent man and woman- — the former of 
whom is eighty-two and the latter seventy-seven 
years of age— express a degree of constancy and 
philosophy rarely achieved by mortals who have 
shared in a common struggle for so many years, 
and this fact, as much as the one of financial 



and general prosperity, entitles them to a warm 
place in the hearts of the people, as it does in 
the annals of Schuyler County. 

Born on a farm in Kentucky, December 7, 
1825, Mr. Moore is a son of Thomas and Mary 
(Elmore) Moore, also natives of the Bourbon 
State, who came overland with a covered wagon 
and horses to Schuyler County at a very early 
period in its history, locating on laud which 
thus far was a stranger to the ways of the white 
brethren of the plains. The father erected a 
cabin near a stream, cleared a space for his first 
crop, and eventually gained a modest fortune 
for those depeudent upon his care. The son, 
John D., had few early advantages, aud his 
youth slipped by in the dull routine of farming, 
his education being acquired in the subscription 
school in the neighborhood of his home. He was 
studious and ambitious, however, and saw beyond 
the rim of the paternal acres. Especially was 
he open to the chances around him, and when 
glad tales of uutold wealth discovered on the 
Pacific coast reached his quiet home, his alert 
spirit responded with more than average fervor. 
The winter of 1S4S-49 passed all too slowly for 
the youth with golden dreams, and in bleak 
March he joined an ox-train bound for Califor- 
nia, starting from Brooklyn, Schuyler County, 
and arriving at the south fork of the American 
River, August 1- following. Good fortune at- 
tended him almost from the first, and in one 
day he took out three hundred dollars worth of 
gold. On the south and middle forks of the 
same river, he was equally fortunate, and in his 
two years' absence from bis home he cleaned up 
about $2,500. In the fall of 1851 be returned 
to Schuyler County, fully satisfied with his so- 
journ in the West, and on February 29, 1S52, 
was united in marriage to Mary A. Turner, who 
was born in Rushville, March S. 1831, a daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Rachel (Robertson) Turner, 
natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respect- 
ively. Mr. and -Mrs. Turner were among the very 
early pioneers of Schuyler County, coming here 
from the South during 1829. They had three 
children, the survivors of whom are Mrs. Moore 
and Allen Turner, the latter a farmer of Buena 
Vista Township. 

While in California Mr. Moore sent home $400 
to be invested in land in Buena Vista Township, 
as his marriage was already a settled plan, aud 
upon it was based his fortune-getting aspirations. 
The young people settled upon this land directly 
after their marriage, beginning housekeeping in 
a rude log cabin with clapboards for shingles, 
and the most primitive and incomplete furnish- 
ings. To his first purchase he added ninety acres 
after a few years, and thus had a farm of 150 
acres, upon which he followed general farming 
and stock raising for the rest of his active life. 
More land was added as success in greater de- 
gree came his way, and at the present time he is 
the owner of 700 acres of fine land, practically 
all under cultivation, and located in Littleton 
and Buena Vista townships. In 1895 Mr. and 
Mrs. Moore moved to the city of Rushville, 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEH COUNTY. 



891 



where they own and occupy a pleasant home, 
which is the delight of their many friends, and 
the center of never failing hospitality. Mr. Moore 
has declared many times and oft that the most 
fortunate event in his life was his marriage in 
1852, for his wife has made his home a constant 
joy, and his life a continuous inspiration to well 
doing. Many have been the wedding anniversary 
celebrations of this couple, but the best attended 
and most important of all was the golden wed- 
ding. March 1, 1892, when friends came to greet 
and congratulate them from near and far, among 
other tokens of their regard presenting the hus- 
band witli a gold-headed eane, and the wife with 
a gold thimble. Both are .justly proud of these 
tokens of esteem, and are also proud of the fact 
that their health is excellent, their spirits undi- 
minished, and their interest in life as keen as 
when they swelled the list of cabin builders in 
the dawn of the county's history. Cheerfulness, 
kindness and goodness abound in this comforta- 
ble home, and from the lives of its occupants he 
who would may read the value of these inesti- 
mable qualities. 

On the farm in Bueua Vista Township were 
born the eleven children of Mr. and Mrs. Moore. 
George T., the oldest son, is deserving of special 
mention as a clergyman of unusual zeal and 
high character. This minister was one of the 
early settlers of Des Moines, la., and in youth 
learned the balcksmith trade. Having no one to 
build his church in Des Moines, and no money to 
hire it built, he put on his blue jeans, went to 
the concrete factory and made the fifteen hun- 
dred blocks of concrete necessary for its con- 
struction. He then^ with his own hands, put the 
blocks together, finished the church in its every 
detail, and started upon a ministry wmieh bore 
wonderful fruit as the years passed, and kindlier 
opportunities came the way of the zealous church 
man. Of the other children. Andy died at the age 
of nineteen years; Christopher died in infancy; 
James P.. married Minnie Scott, and lives In 
Sherman County, Ivans. ; Geneva, a resident of 
Macomb. Ill, is the widow of Hardin L. Richey; 
Mary A. is the wife of Sevalis Ross, of Buena 
Vista Township ; Miner A. lives in Canada ; 
Wheeler A. lives on the old farm and married 
Carrie Boyd ; Anna B. is the wife of George 
Demaree. a railroad man living in Danville, III., 
and Peter lives with his parents. 



hered to the faith of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, which was also the religious belief of 
her husband. Politically, Solomon Moore voted 
with the Democratic party. 

During boyhood Lewis R. Moore attended the 
district schools until he was fifteen years of 
age, when lie started out to shape his own ca- 
reer, and for many years was employed on farms 
in the neighborhood. Later be turned his atten- 
tion to carpentering, and was employed at this 
trade during the summer months for several 
years. In 1893 lie became clerk in a general 
store in Ray, 111., where he was employed for 
three years, and here his circle of acquaintances 
was widened to include practically every one in 
the township, and it was most natural that he 
drifted into local politics, as he had a natural 
aptitude for making friends. He was first elected 
Collector of Oakland' Township in 189S and 
served two terms, and in 1900 was elected As- 
sessor, after which, in 1902, he was chosen to 
fill the position of Township Clerk. During these 
later years in which he was taking an interest 
in local politics. Mr. Moore represented his town- 
ship for several terms on the Democratic County 
Central Committee, and was also the Ray corre- 
spondent of the Rushville Times, and soon be- 
came well known through the county as one of 
the workers in the Democratic party. 

In 1902 Mr. Moore was appointed Deputy 
Sheriff under Felix Jackson, and so well did he 
acquit himself in this office that in the following 
campaign he was chosen as the party candidate 
for Sheriff by a large majority, and at the elec- 
tion on November 6, 1906, he received a majority 
of "'liT votes. In the administration of his office 
Mr. Moore has proven himself to be efficient, 
capable, honorable and thoroughly fearless, a 
champion of justice and a firm upholder of the 
law. 

On May 16, 1906, Mr. Moore was united in 
marriage with Mrs. Anna Neeley, daughter of 
John Greer one of the pioneers of Littleton 
Township, and upon his election as Sheriff he 
and his wife took up their residence in Schuyler 
County's handsome new jail. In his fraternal 
relations Mr. Moore is a member of the Inde : 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Knights of Py- 
thias. Modern Woodmen of America and Mystic 
Workers. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



MOORE, Lewis Ross, Sheriff of Schuyler 
County, 111. was born in Oakland Township. 
Schuyler County. September 1(5, 1864, and is a 
son of Solomon and Sarah Jane (Logan) Moore. 
The father, a native of Kentucky, became a resi- 
dent of Schuyler County in 1854, buying a farm 
on Section 27, Oakland Township, where he 
died July 18. 1S77. aged sixty-two years. His 
wife was a daughter of Joseph Logan, who came 
to Littleton Township when wolves were plenti- 
ful and wild game abundant. After the death 
of Solomon Moore, his widow made her home 
with her children and died March 0. 1901. at the 
age of seventy-five years. In religion she ad- 



M00RE. Reuben Menephe. — The magic word, 
success, lias hovered over the Moore family ever 
since its establishment in Schuyler County. 111., 
more than seventy years ago. Its influence was 
founded in the small beginnings and uncertain 
outlook of the log-cabin era, and the broader op- 
portunities which have been unfolded with the 
passing years have found those bearing the name 
resourceful, competent and remarkably ambi- 
tious. Thomas Moore, a Kentuckian, who heard 
the far off call of the frontier, set up standards 
of life and work which have never since fallen 
into disuse by his successors. He owned a com- 
paratively small farm, and his sons now pay 



892 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



taxes on more than two square miles of farm 
laud. Thomas Moore had eight children when 
he decided to share the fortunes of the Central 
West, aud with him on that long overland jour- 
ney came another family, that of Washington 
Irvin. In the latter family were six children, 
aud the fourteen children and their parents came 
in a prairie schooner drawn by four horses, tak- 
ing one month to span the distance between 
Kentucky and Illinois. The brave wayfarers met 
with many obstacles on the way, and were re- 
tarded by muddy roads, storms and swollen 
streams, and upon arriving at Springfield, which 
then was a small aggregation of interests, the 
horses were hitched at a post near the present 
State capitol building. The old prairie scbooucr, 
travel stained and creaking, presented a sorry 
spectacle, yet it brought this way meu who read 
the horoscope of Schuyler County, and who 
worked from morn until night for many years, 
to make their dream of success come true. 
Thomas Moore took up land in Buena Vista 
Township, aud there remained until his death, 
one of its most able and higbly honorable men. 
Not only did he develop his farm to its fullest 
capacity, surrounding himself and family with 
the refinements aud comforts known to his time 
aud place, but he took an active interest in edu- 
cation, religion and politics, and represented in 
the general tenor of his life tbe vigorous, honest 
and indefatigable element which developed the 
primeval fertility of the Illinois plains, and 
moved the frontier a little farther towards the 
Pacific. He was a man of profound religious 
convictions, and organized the first Methodist 
Episcopal Church to Buena Vista Township. He 
also provided the money for the first church and 
school building, and had both erected on his 
land. At all times strictly temperate in both 
eating and drinking, be worked hard to make the 
community a Prohibition one. and it was largely 
through bis zeal that the two distilleries operat- 
ing in the township were driven out of business. 
Of the eight children who came with Thomas 
Moore from Kentucky to Illinois, Reuben Mene- 
phe Moore was born near Crab Orchard, Lincoln 
County, in the former State, October 15, 1S35, and 
was therefore about a year old when brought to 
Buena Vista Township. He attended the old 
cross-roads school house in the winter time, and 
in summer worked in the harvest fields, or helped 
to clear the timber and underbrush. His duties 
comprised the bard ones that tested the fiber of 
tbe youth of his time, but they failed to break his 
spirit or discourage him for the severe struggle 
of his later years. In 1847 his father sold the 
original farm and moved to the one now occupied 
by Reuben, and here he has lived continuously 
for sixty years. At the time of purchase there 
was an ..Id frame building on the place If! by 
22 feet in dimensions, but the place had been 
vastly improved when Thomas Moore died there 
January 22. 1867. 

In company with others. Mr. Moore started 
out with ox teams for the Idaho gold mines, and 
on arriving at Salt Lake City, he found work. 



According to the custom in all new localities in 
the far West, he was soon christened anew, 
thereafter being known as Gentle Rube. He re- 
mained in the city about four months, and then 
took the southern route for Los Angeles with a 
freighting outfit, arriving at his destination De- 
cember 24. Behind him in Illinois the land was 
locked in ice and farmers were driving over the 
fences, but near the Pacific the flowers were in 
bloom, and all nature wore an enchanting smile. 
While in California he followed general farm- 
ing and stock raising, and also operated a thresh- 
ing machine. Pasadena at that time was a sheep 
ranch, as were also the sites of many other vil- 
lages and towns which now add to the splendor 
of the great Pacific State. 

After his return from the West, Mr. Moore 
took charge of the old place in Buena Vista 
Township, and on July 27, 18(37, was united in 
marriage to Eliza A. Ellis, a native of Kentucky, 
born September 1, 1841. Mrs. Moore is a daugh- 
ter of James Ellis, who came to Schuyler County 
in 1S44, and who, with his wife, is now de- 
ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore have been bom 
four sons and four daughters : Efiie D., born 
June 28. 1868, died October 16, 1871; Uriah G., 
born January 20, 1S70, married Ella Straus- 
baugh, and lias nine children — Ruth. Ruby. Loa 
(deceased), Glenn, Floyd, Harriet, Nina, Mary, 
ami Robert: Margaret Eve, born January 10, 
1N72, wife of Joseph McFeeters, a farmer of 
Buena Vista Township, and mother of Hildreth 
and Ray McFeeters; Mary J... born February 19, 
1S74, wife of Luther Greer, and mother of 
Gladys, Helen and Susan Greer; James Ray, 
born December 29, 1877, died November 22, 1878 ; 
Xoah R., born May 16, 1879 ; Thomas E., born 
December 10, 1884. died April 15, 1S86 ; and 
Lela, born March 15. 1886, died June 1, 1S98, 
at the age of twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Moore 
have thirteen grandchildren, all of whom are 
devoted to their kind and indulgent grandpar- 
ents. All of the children have been born in the 
old home upon which their father settled at the 
age .if thirteen with his parents, and here all 
bave received the best advantages permitted by 
the prosperity of the family. Mr. Moore pur- 
chased bis brother Sam's interest in the 240 
acres, and to his first 120 acres has added until 
he now owns 440. No more productive property 
is t.i be found in this part of the State, and no 
better farmer has followed the light shed upon 
agriculture by science than this honored, old 
time settler. 

Except as a School Director and Road Commis- 
sioner, Mr. Moore has steadfastly refused to ac- 
cept official recognition, although he has been a 
stanch supporter of the Republican party. As 
was that of his father before him, his name 
stands for all that is honorable and worth while 
in country life and work, and he is one of the 
few left of the pathfinders whose story consti- 
tutes one of the most interesting chapters in 
American history. 

MOORE. Samuel T. — The men, who during tbe 
'thirties left comfortable homes in the East to 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



893 



ally their fortunes with the thinly settled and not 
altogether promising region in Illinois, since 
named Schuyler County, possessed an intensity 
of purpose and determination but partially com- 
prehended by the wage earners of today. The 
deprivation and isolation they endured, never- 
theless, were factors in molding character and 
stimulating industry and largeness of sympathy, 
and these traits have been handed down to the 
succeeding generation, among whom is Samuel 
T. .Moore, a prominent farmer of Buena Vista 
Township, where be was born August 22, 1841. 

Thomas Moore, father of Samuel, was born 
in Kentucky, and was reared to farming as fol- 
lowed in the Southern States. Iu 1830, ambi- 
tious of growing up with a more progressive 
community, he moved to Illinois with his wife, 
formerly Mary Elmore, also a native of the Blue 
Grass State. Taking up Government land in 
Buena Vista Township, Schuyler County, he was 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising un- 
til his death in 1867. Thirty-seven years of this 
experience enabled him to lay by a competence, 
and the faithful companion of his toils, who sur- 
vived him until 1881, and to whom bis success 
was largely due, spent her last days in the most 
comfortable of surroundings. She was a daugh- 
ter of Johu Elmore, also of Kentucky. Mr. 
Moore himself was a son of David Moore, who 
moved from his native state of North Carolina 
to Kentucky while still a young and unmarried 
man. 

Samuel .Mi ■ore has known no other occupation 
than that afforded on his own and his father's 
farm. He has 485 acres of land under a high 
state of cultivation, and raises general crops 
and high grade stocks. In 1873, in the 
township of Rushville, he was united in mar- 
riage to Mary Barkman, who was born in Ohio, 
and whose parents, natives of Mao-laud and 
Ohio, respectively, came to Oakland Township, 
Schuyler County, iu 1865, locating some years 
later in Littleton Township. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Moore have been born five children, namely : 
Mary Olive, Fannie Florence, Luther, Jesse and 
Kenneth. Mary Olive is the wife of William 
Kordsiemon, a resident of Berwyn, a suburb of 
Chicago; Fannie F. is the wife of George Sloan. 
of Belle Plain, Kan. ; and Luther, a farmer in 
Buena Vista Township, married Stella Sher- 
man. Mr. Moore has thoroughly educated his 
children, and provided liberally for those who 
have left the old home. No family has done 
more for the agricultural advancement of Schuy- 
ler County, and the promotion of its various pub- 
lic enterprises than have the descendants of 
Thomas Moore, the sturdy pioneer of 1836. 

In politics, Mr. Moore is a Republican. He 
and his family are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

MOORE. Wheeler W. — Fortunate, indeed, is 
the man who is sustained by an inspiring con- 
sciousness that he has made the best use of 
whatever talents and abilities have been vouch- 
safed to him ; that he has ignored no call of 



duty ; that he has wasted no precious opportuni- 
ties ; that he has faithfully discharged his obli- 
gations to the public, and that he has estab- 
lished an unblemished reputation among those 
whose good opinion and good wishes are of in- 
estimable value, and constitute a source of per- 
petual encouragement. Such is the lite record 
made by Wheeler W. Moore, an enterprising and 
progressive farmer of Buena Vista Township, 
Schuyler dainty. 111., and a leadiug citizen of 
that locality. 

Mr. Moore was born in Buena Vista Town- 
ship, August 26, 1866. His father, John D. 
Moore, also a farmer by occupation, was a Ken- 
tuckiau by birth, while his mother, Mary A. 
(Turner) Moore, w T as born in Buena Vista Town- 
ship. Further details of the family history are 
contained in a biographical record of John D. 
Moore, appearing elsewhere in this connection. 

In boyhood Mr. Moore attended the public 
schools in his vicinity, completing his literary 
education in the Rushville Normal School and 
the Chaddock College at Quincy, 111., and subse- 
quently pursuing a commercial course in the 
Metropolitan Business College, in Chicago. He 
passed his early youth on the parental farm, 
and after finishing his studies, was employed 
for 14 months as mailing clerk for the Troy 
Laundry Machinery Co., of Chicago. He next 
spent 15 months with the Metropolitan Insur- 
ance Co., at Peoria, HI., after which he applied 
himself to farming, in which pursuit he has 
had his full share of success. His farming op- 
erations cover 500 acres of land, situated in 
Section 14. Buena Vista Township. Besides 
general farming, he is an extensive feeder, ship- 
ping about ten carloads of cattle and hogs per 
year. He holds the office of Grand Master of 
Buena Vista Grange. 

On March 23. 1004. in Rushville Township, 
Schuyler County, Mr. Moore was united in mar- 
riage with Carrie Boyd, a daughter of James 
and Eliza (Ritchey) Boyd, who was born in Oak- 
land Township, Schuyler County, 111., in 1S77. 
Her parents are natives of Ireland, and on 
coming to the United States, first located in Pitts- 
burg. Pa., whence they moved to Schuyler 
County, 111., at the outset making their home in 
Oakland Township. They now live in Rush- 
ville Township, where Mr. Boyd is successfully 
engaged in farming. Mrs. Moore received her 
education in Oakland and Rushville townships. 
She and her husband are the parents of one 
child, James Francis. 

Mr. Moore is active iu political affairs, and 
renders an earnest and steadfast support to the 
Republican party. For two terms he has served 
in the capacity of Township Central Committee- 
man, and in April. 1007. was elected Super- 
visor from Buena Vista Township, which is 
normally Democratic, receiving 49 majority, and 
overcoming a contrary majority of 30. In 
fraternal circles, lie is affiliated with the I. O. 
O. F., having been for 18 years a member of 
Friendship Lodge, Xo. 24, of Rushville. He is 
also a member of Rushville Lodge, No. 9, A. F. 



894 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



& A. M.; of Rushville Chapter No. 184, R. A. 
Masons; ami of Kushville Coinmandery No. 50, 
Knights Templar. Religiously, Air. Moore is 
a consistent member of the Methodist Church, 
lie is a man of sterling characteristics, and one 
of the most favorably known residents of his 
township. 



MORGAN, Edward T.— One of the most pro- 
ductive and up-to-date farms in Schuyler County 
is that owned and occupied by Mr. Morgan, on 
Section 1, Camden Township, where he has 
--•"• acres, and in Brooklyn Township he also 
owns eighty acres, making in all 305 acres un- 
der his care and management. The records show 
thai the Morgan family is of eastern origin. 
The grandfather, David Morgan, was born on 
May 25, 1775. When the now nourishing city of 
Cincinnati was a mere trading post and boasted 
only thirty houses. David Morgan cast in his 
lot with the early settlers, purchasing consid- 
erable property there, and it is believed that 
his death occurred there. Among his seven chil- 
dren was Roswell Morgan, born in Vermont. 
Upon reaching years of maturity he married 
Calista C. Davis, a native of New York State. 
Some time after his marriage and the birth of 
a number of his children, Roswell Morgan, in 
company with Ward David and his family of 
eleven children, came to Schuyler County and 
settled in Camden Township. All but three of 
the Davis children were married when they 
came to Schuyler County, and their descendants 
have becom< very numerous in Bueua Vista and 
Brooklyn townships, the records showing ninety- 
three grandchildren of Ward Davis in Schuyler 
County at one time. During the War of 1812 
Ward Davis was drafted into the army, but was 
not called upon to serve. Isaac Davis, his young- 
est son, who served as a Lieutenant in one of 
of the Illinois regiments, left Schuyler County 
about 1870, locating in Cloud County, Kans., 
where the name became almost if not quite as 
well known as it was in Schuyler County. A 
number of his kinsmen also located there, and at 
one time it was estimated that there were 117 
descendants of Ward Davis in Cloud County 
alone. Of the large family of children born 
to Ward Davis and his wife, only three are now 
living, Isaac, the youngest, being eighty years 
of age. 

Eight children were born of the marriage of 
Roswell anil Calista C. (Davis) Morgan, named 
in order of birth as follows : George W., 
deceased, who during the war served in an Illi- 
nois regiment, and is buried in Prairie City, Mc- 
Donough County: Eliza A„ the wife of Lewis 
Craycroft, living near Wichita. Kans.; Francis 
R. and Charles V., both deceased ; Edward T. ; 

Tl as Jefferson, who died in infancy; Martha 

.7.. widow of W. C. Avery, who is now making her 
home with her brother Edward T. : and Helen 
M., wife of William Park, an extensive farmer 
near Flagler. Colorado. The father of these 
children died October 3, 1863, and the wife and 



mother followed him twenty years later dvin<* 
in 1883. ' " 

The fifth child in the parental family, Edward 
T. Morgan, was born in Franklin County, Ind 
September 30, 1841, and was a child of about 
eight years when the family located in Illinois. 
He distinctly recalls the long, lonesome walks to 
and from the district school, which was three 
miles from his home, through the dense timber. 
, He has lived to see this supplanted by waving 
fields of grain, and he himself has been no small 
factor in bringing about this transformation. In 
this wilderness his lather entered 160 acres of land 
from the Government in 1851. and the original 
deed to it, signed by Franklin Pierce, is now in 
the possession of Edward Morgan. To his orig- 
inal tract of 160 acres Roswell Morgan added by 
purchase forty acres of adjoining land, owing in 
all 200 acres, upon which he built a log cabin. 
This in time gave place to a more modern house, 
in which the doors and window sash were made 
by hand, and the front part of this same struc- 
ture, which has stood the elements for fifty 
years, is now occupied by his son Edward T. 

When about twenty-one years of age Edward 
T. Morgan responded to his country's call for 
volunteers, enlisting in Company A, Seventy- 
eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for three 
years. With his regiment he saw service in man . 
of the hard-fought battles of the war. among them 
the battles of Cbiekamauga and Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, and was with Sherman in his March to the 
Sea. After the surrender of General Lee he took 
part in the Grand Review at Washington, in 
which city he was mustered out. and after re- 
ceiving pay for his services at Chicago, returned 
to the old home farm in Camden Township 
Soon afterward, July 22, 1866, he was united in 
marriage with Adelaide E. Bennett, a native of 
Schuyler County, born April 3, 1850, the daugh- 
ter of John K. and Eliza A. (Madison) Bennett 
a niece of President Madison. After their mar- 
riage the young people settled on Mr. Bennett's 
farm, later purchasing it, but in 1877 they sold 
it and moved onto the old home farm of his 
father, having purchased the interests of the 
others in the property. 

Eight children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Morgan, as follows: Frederick L.. born in 
Schuyler County, April 23, 1867, married Mo- 
netta Busby, and they make their home on a 
farm in Camden Township: Bertha G.. was born 
August 13. 1869, and became the wife of Charles 
Applegate. a farmer in Littleton Township, by 
whom she has become the mother of two chil- 
dren. Guy and Ruth : Luther T. was born March 
11. 1872: Gilbert, Febnwrv 10. 1874- Myrtle 
August 10, 1876; Cora E.. was born April 3' 
1879; and died June 17. 1903; Winnie G was 
born August 4. 1881, and became the wife of 
John Crane; the youngest child, Rudolph B 
was born February 20. 1S84, and is now a teacher 
in the district school at Bushnell, 111.; by 
his marriage with Tnez McFall he has one child 
Winona L. Mrs. Eliza A. Morgan passed to her 
reward August 31, 1SS5, mourned by her hus- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



895 



baud and children as a Christian wife and 
mother. Not only her family miss her kind min- 
istrations, but many friends and acquaintances 
who had been drawn to her by her sweet per- 
sonality and by the many kiudnessess shown 
them in time of need. Being deprived of a good 
education in his own boyhood, Mr. Morgan made 
every effort to give his children good educational 
facilities and tit them for the responsibilities of 
life. In turn they have appreciated the efforts 
made in their behalf, and in growing to man- 
hood and womanhood have been a credit and a 
comfort to their parents. At one time Mr. 
Morgan was enumerator of Camden Township 
and School Treasurer of Bainbridge Township, 
where he made his home for a number of years. 
Politically, he is a Republican. 

MORRIS, John W.— Since his arrival in Ilush- 
ville in 1866, John W. Morris has tilled a large 
need as an expert carpenter and has accumulated 
a comfortable competence through the unfailing 
medium of thrift and economy. His quiet and 
uneventful, yet useful life began April S, 1S32, 
on a farm in Virginia, in which State were 
born both Ids parents, William and Eliza 
(Palmer) Morris, and his grandfathers, Thomas 
Morris and Robert Palmer. William Morris es- 
tablished the family in Ohio upon leaving Vir- 
ginia, afterward settling in Edgar County, 111., 
where terminated his industrious and moder- 
ately successful career. 

With the basis of a common school education 
and carelul borne training, John W. Morris has 
followed carpentering all his active life with the 
exception nt traveling for two and a half years 
for a commercial bouse, and being employed in 
a general dry -goods business for the same length 
of time. Many of the oldest and foremost fam- 
ilies of Rushville have been his patrons for many 
years, and his careful, skillful and always reli- 
able work has secured him continuous employ- 
ment from one end of the year to the other. The 
passing of many years has not robbed him of his 
interest iu his labor, or of his skill in the manip- 
ulation of tools. 

In politics Mr. Morris is a stanch Republican, 
and in religion he is a Methodist. For many 
years he has been associated with the Masons. 
His marriage to Elizabeth Gary, of Edgar 
County, 111., occurred in 1860, and of this union 
there are three daughters, of whom Mary C. 
is the wife of Oliver T. Lawler, a farmer of 
Schuyler County; Annie E. is the wife of Ed- 
ward C. Hammon, of Scott County, 111., and 
Alice (i. is the wife of C. H. Hackett, of Jackson- 
ville. 111. 

MOURNING, David Lyon.— To David Lyon 
Mourning is due the distinction of being the 
only Republican ever elected to the office of 
County Judge of Schuyler County, in. Mr. 
Mourning has been a resident of Rushville 
since 1800. coining here from Hancock County, 
in that year. He read law in the office of I>. 
F. Miller & Son, of Keokuk, la., where he was 



admitted to I lie liar in 1881. In Rushville he 
has combined a general practice of law with 
enthusiastic political activity, and besides be- 
ing a candidate for County Judge on two oc- 
casions, was the defeated candidate for State's 
Attorney in 1892, and the successful candidate 
for City Attorney of Rushville, tor three terms. 

Luck or chance has had no part in fashioning 
the success of Mr. Mourning, and from him the 
young man who aspires to legal honors may learn 
many useful lessons. lie was born on a farm in 
Hancock County, 111., March 14. 1S57, and the 
labors of his early years left little opportunity 
for idle dreams or ambitious. Work, ceaseless 
work, was the only thing to lift him from his 
limitations, and place him in the line of more 
congenial effort. On the paternal side he in- 
herits the resourcefulness of the Irish race, and 
especially of his great-grandfather, Rodger 
M< aiming, who crossed the seas from Ireland, 
and carved his career in a land of strange people 
and stranger opportunities. John Mourning, the 
paternal grandfather, was born in Ireland. He 
married Hannah Ball, and settled on the farm 
in Kentucky, where Samuel Mourning, father 
of the subject of this sketch, was born, and 
where was also born David's mother, Nancy 
A. (Lyon) Mourning. Nancy A. was a daugh- 
ter of John and Martha (Martin) Lyon. 

David Lyon Mourning received his preliminary 
education iu Hancock Couuty, 111., and by study- 
ing overtime, and improving every moment of 
leisure, qualified at an early age as a teacher. 
It was his savings in this occupation that en- 
abled him to l.egiu the study ol law at Keokuk, 
and to live in comparative comfort while be- 
coming established as a practitioner. On June 
30. 1887, be was united iu marriage to Olive 
Wetzel, a native of Hancock County, 111., and 
their union resulted in three children: Mabel, 
Paul W. and Esther. Mr. .Mourning adds to bis 
legal and political qualifications a predilection 
for the social side of life, and he is prominent 
in the Modern Woodmen of America and the 
Mystic Workers. lie is a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. He represents the high- 
est ideals of his profession, and has a growing 
and lucrative practice. 

MUNROE, Thomas Irvin, a very promising 
young lawyer of Rushville 111., where he was 
born January 15, 1881, is a son of Hinman and 
Anna E. (Irvin) Munroe, of whom the father 
was born iu Rushville, July 21, 1852. Thomas 
and Annis (Hinman) Munroe, the paternal 
grandparents, were natives of Maryland and 
New York, respectively, the former born In 
Annapolis, January 4, 1807, and the latter in 
Utica, December 10, 1S15. The great-grand- 
parents on the paternal side were John aud 
Anne (Wells) Munroe. Both were burn in 
A uapolis, John Munroe on August G. 1763, and 
hi wife January 2::. 1771. The maternal grand- 
parents. William S. and Mary C. (Wells) Irvin, 
w re natives of Harrodsburg, Ky„ and Littleton! 
111., respectively. The great-grandparents on 



896 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEB COUNTY. 



the maternal side were William and Anna 
(Clark) Irvin. 

Grandfrather Thomas Munroe, who was a 
physician of note, was related to Nathan Ham- 
mond and Jonathan Pinckney, both of whom 
were conspicuous figures in the Colonial days 
of the country. Dr. Munroe left Annapolis, lid., 
in 1834, and settled in Jacksonville, 111., whence, 
in 1842, he removed to Rushville, in the future 
affairs of which he was destined to take a prom- 
inent part. From the first he made his influence 
felt, not only in the sphere of medicine, in which 
he was an admitted expert, but in politics and 
society. He was a graduate of St. John's Col- 
lege and the Baltimore University, and had prac- 
ticed medicine and surgery for a year in 
Annapolis, and during his residence in Jackson- 
ville. He continued in active practice until 
1885. Dr. .Munroe served in the Civil War as 
"chief" surgeon in the One Hundred and Nine- 
teenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
with the rank of Major. He was the intimate 
friend of War Governor Richard Yates, served 
as best man at Mr. Yates' wedding, and enter- 
tained the chief executive of the State at his 
home in Rushville in 1861. He held Richard 
Yates, Jr., in his arms when the War Governor 
was inaugurated. Dr. Munroe's forceful and in- 
teresting personality won him the confidence 
and friendship of many of the foremost men in 
the State, and his practical and sagacious advice 
was frequently sought upon matters of vital im- 
portance. 

A world of interesting reminiscence centers 
around Annis (Hinman) Munroe. grandmother 
of Thomas Irvin Munroe and wife of Thomas 
Munroe. This woman of many years and noble 
life was presented with a solied gold spoon by 
the Daughters of the American Revolution in 
1898, and no honor was ever more worthily con- 
ferred. The ranks of the daughters of Revolu- 
tionary heroes have been sadly thinned, and few 
indeed are the living children of men who fol- 
lowed Washington and his Generals in the great 
struggle for fredom from English rule. Not 
many families were more represented in this 
war than that to which Mrs. Munroe belonged. 
Her father, Major Benjamin Hinman. was one 
of thirteen of this name to become commissioned 
officers from the town of Woodbury. Conn. 
Asa and Ephraim Hinman, brothers of Ben- 
jamin, attained the rank of colonel, and a cousin. 
Captain Elisha Hinman, had command of a ship 
of war fitted out by the Colonists. Major Ben- 
jamin Hinman was aid to General Greene, of 
Revolutionary fame. John E. Hinman, a son of 
Major Benjamin, was mayor of Utica, New 
York, in 1824. and entertained the Marquis de 
Lafayette on the occasion of his visit to Amer- 
ica during 1824-5. At this memorable reception, 
Annis, sister of the mayor, and then nine years 
old, was present, and one of the pleasantest rec- 
ollections of her later life was that of sitting 
on the knee of the distinguished and patriotic 
Frenchman, and conversing with him in his na- 
tive tongue. Annis' only daughter, Mary E. 



Munroe. still occupies the old homestead in 
Rushville, bluilt by the Hinmans seventy-nine 
years ago. 

Thomas Irvin Munroe attended the public 
schools of Rushville, and the University of 
Michigan, graduating from Vanderbilt Univer- 
sity, Nashville, Tenn. Since his admission to the 
bar in 1904, he has been engaged in the general 
practice ol law in his native town. On June 28, 
1905, he was united in marrige to Mary Bar- 
clay Crawford, who was born in Bradford, 111., 
and educated at Knox College, Galesburg. Mr. 
Munroe is a Democrat, in politics, and in re- 
ligion, a Presbyterian. He is a young man of 
energy and resourcefulness and a careful student 
of men and events, and those who know him best 
predict for him the highest honors of his pro- 
fession. 

MUNSON, Henry 0., M. D— Of the leading 
practitioners who lend character to and inspire 
confidence in the profession of medicine and 
surgery in Rushville. none have a more en- 
viable reputation than Dr. Henry A. Munson. 
A genuine and deep-seated liking for his call- 
ing, the best training possible in this country 
and in Europe, a most progressive spirit and 
a keen appreciation of exhaustless possibilities 
for useful discovery, are the chief contributory 
causes of the success which this skillful disciple 
of Hahnemann lias achieved. 

Dr. Munson is a native of Pottsdam, St. Law- 
rence County, N. Y., where he was born August 
14, 1867. When quite young he moved with 
his parents, George A. and Harriet (Wetmore) 
Munson, from New York to Iowa, where he 
built up his present strong constitution working 
in the harvest fields of the paternal farm, and 
where he eventually graduated from the High 
School of Orinnell. Poweshiek County. Devel- 
oping tendencies towards a broader life than was 
possible in the pursuit of agriculture, he took 
up the study of medicine in the Minnesota 
State University Medical College, and in 1890 
graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College 
of Chicago. After practicing medicine and 
surgery four years in Wisconsin, he took a 
course in the Chicago Tost Graduate College, 
and in 1894, located in Rushville, which has 
since been his home. While traveling in Europe 
in 1897. Dr. Munson specialized in investigation 
along the lines of eye and ear surgery. 

At Princeton, Mo., in 18S0, Dr. Munson was 
united in marriage to Jennie C. Cleary. and of 
this union there are three children: Helen, Mary 
and Harriet. The Doctor is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is an 
active worker. For a time he was President of 
the Epworth League, and in other ways he has 
sought to promote religious development and 
aid evangelistic effort among the people of his 
adopted town. A genial and sympathetic per- 
sonality, a philosophy which tends to optimism, 
and the use of mental and other simple aids in 
connection with the healing art, have given him 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



807 



a warm and abiding place in the hearts of a 
large number of patrons. 

NALL, James R, a well known and skillful 
builder and contractor, of Rushville, 111., was 
born in Rushville Township, Schuyler County, 
111., September 29, 1S5G. He is a son of Charles 
H. and Elizabeth (Chick) Nail, natives of Ken- 
tucky and Indiana, respectively. The paternal 
grandfather was Gabriel J. Nail, of Woodford 
County, Ky., where he was born in 178S. Charles 
H. Nail, who was born October 25, 1823, came 
with his father, Gabriel J., from Kentucky to 
Schuyler County, 111., in 1831. Elizabeth 
(Chick) Nail, his wife, was born in Rushville, 
Ind., and came with her father, James Chick, 
to Schuyler County, the latter being one of the 
earliest settlers of the county, arriving in 1830. 
He located on the farm, in Rushville Town- 
ship, now owned by W. L. Demaree, and fol- 
lowed farming during the remainder of his life, 
dying in 1859 or 1860. He was a charter mem- 
ber of the first Masonic Lodge in the county. 
For many years he was a teacher in the dis- 
trict schools, in connection with his farming op- 
erations. After his death his widow went to 
Grayson County, Tex., where she passed her 
last days. By occupation Charles H. Nail was a 
cooper, having learned that trade after coming to 
Schuyler County, where he followed coopering 
and farming together until the time of his death, 
March 8, 1881. He was a man of quiet disposi- 
tion and unobstrusive manners, thoroughly do- 
mestic in his tastes and inclinations, and pre- 
ferring the home circle above all other at- 
tractions. His family consisted of four sons and 
two daughters, namely : Henry and Fannie, 
deceased ; Richard, who died in infancy ; James 
R. ; Lewis, who is a millwright by trade, and 
lives at Billings, Mont. ; and Nettie, wife of 
Gorge E. Day, R. F. D.. at Ray, Schuyler County. 
Politically, Charles H. Nail was the only Repub- 
lican among the many members of the Nail fam- 
ily to which he belonged. He was upright and 
dutiful in all the relations of life, and an ex- 
emplary member of the community. 

The early life of James R. Nail was spent on 
the home farm, where he remained until 1SS1, 
and his education was obtained in the district 
schools of the vicinity. In 1SS2. he went to work 
with Richard Day, a well known citizen, in 
order to learn the trade of a carpenter, and 
continued in his employ for about three years. 
After his marriage lie made his home on the 
farm in Oakland Township until 1892, when he 
bought the place where he now lives, consisting 
of a very attractive residence, with eleven acres 
of ground, situated just north of Rushville. The 
marriage of Mr. Nail took place March 5, 1884, 
on which date he was wedded to Laura Har- 
mon, who was bom near Rushville, October 
14. 1859. Mrs. Nail is a daughter of John and 
Martha Ann I Ellis) Harmon. (Particulars in 
regard to the Ellis family may be found in 
a biographical record of James D. Ellis, ap- 
pearing on another page of this volume.) John 



F. Harmon was a native of Boone County, Ky., 
who became a resident of Schuyler County, 
111., early in the last century. For many years 
he was engaged in teaching school, and on 
the outbreak of the Civil War, enlisted and 
went with his regiment to Vicksburg. There, 
being seized with sickness, he died, and his re- 
mains are lying in an unknown grave. The 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Nail resulted in one child, 
Annie Delle, bom March 20, 1S85, who has re- 
ceived a thorough classical and musical edu- 
cation. She is now employed in the capacity of 
bookkeeper in the establishment of Wilson & 
Co. She is a member of the Christian Church, 
of Rushville, as is also her mother, a woman of 
many excellent traits of character. 

In 1892, Mr. Nail turned his attention to 
contracting and building, and many of the finest 
business blocks and private residences in Rush- 
ville and the surrounding country are the result 
of his skill. Among these are the Vedder Block, 
and the "Times'" Building, in Rushville, with 
others, which will long stand as monuments of 
his architectural and mechanical ingenuity. 

In politics, Mr. Xall has always been active 
in behalf of the success of the Republican party, 
but has never entertained any desire for public 
office. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the 
Mystic Workers. He is one of the most prom- 
inent anil favorably known citizens of his lo- 
cality. 

NAUGHT, George W. — The fine old pioneer fam- 
ily of Naught, so numerously scattered over the 
fertile lands of Schuyler County, 111., in no sense 
loses its dignity or influence in the career of 
George W. Naught, a representative of the third 
generation in the Central West, and the owner of 
a farm of 120 acres in Section 16, Woodstock 
Township. Mr. Naught was bom on Section 36, 
Woodstock Township. Febuary 25, 1865, and his 
youth was passed among far different surround- 
ings than confronted his father, George Naught, 
who was bom in White County, 111., in 1822, 
and came with his parents to Schuyler County 
in 1S24. Isaac Naught, father of George, was 
a canny Scotchman who in youth had crossed 
the sea and settled in Tennessee, his death 
occurring in Pike County, 111., at the age of 
sixty-six years. Woodstock Township in 1824 
was still a happy hunting ground for the Indian, 
abounding in game, the well worn trail, and the 
simple wigwam. The paleface was regarded as 
an intruder, and the lives of the settlers were 
often in danger. In his rude hut in the primeval 
timber Isaac reared his family to useful man- 
hood, and George, like the rest of the children, 
worked hard and had very few advantages as ad- 
vantages are now understood. Their home was 
a great curiosity to the more friendly Indians, 
and to such an extent did they crowd its room 
and hospitality, that they had to be driven out 
in order to make a place for the rightful oc- 
cupants. Finally they were persuaded to seek 
other habitations and crossed the creek below 
Greenwell's Mill, on the Lemolne River, then 



8*J8 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



known as Crooked Creek. When George Naught 
drove with his grain to the William McKee Mill, 
north of Rushville, that community consisted of 
one little log cabin, occupied by some daring 
invader of the wilderness. It was the privilege 
of Isaac Naught to witness and participate in 
the changes which took place between his ar- 
rival in 1824, and his death in 1886, and to 
accumulate a fair competence through industry 
and good judgment. He left the legacy of a 

g 1 Dame, a noble purpose, and an example of 

fairness and consideration, traits that are ex- 
pressed in the general character of the family 
which profited by his kindness and oversight. 
Of these children, James has been a resident of 
Omaha for twenty-two years; Philip died De- 
cember 30, 1005; Lizzie occupies the old home 
with her mother, and is unmarried; and 
Catherine and Nancy are twins, the former be- 
ing the wile of William R. Davis, residing near 
Sugar drove. Woodstock Township. 

George W. Naught has harbored no aspirations 
nut iu accord with the occupation of his fore- 
fathers. To him farming is a noble and satis- 
fying pursuit and one in which he takes infinite 
pleasure and pride. He remained on the home 
place until his marriage. November 10, 1886, 
to Minnie Strummel, daughter of George Strum- 
mel, a native of Germany, and one of the pio- 
neers of Schuyler County. The young people set- 
tled on a rented farm in Woodstock Township. 
and at the end of five years Mr. Naught pur- 
chased 120 acres of land in Section 16, knoA-n 
as the Magruder farm, the side improvements 
upon which were a log house and a small bam. 
In this log cabin the family lived until 1901, 
when the present modern residence was erected. 
the property now being one of the best im- 
proved in the neighborhood. The owner is in- 
terested in stock raising on a small scale, and 
has a good grade of cattle, hogs and horses. His 
fences and buildings are kept in good repair, and 
the visitor is impressed with the general neat- 
ness and method which characterize the place. 

In politics. Mr. Naught is a Democrat, and 
he has filled several offices of local importance. 
Fraternally, he is identified with the Modern 
Woodmen of America, Camp 30S, of Rushville, 
and in religion, he is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Naught are 
the parents of four children: Esther, born Sep- 
tember 26, 1887, a graduate of the Rushville Nor- 
mal, and an educator of note; Dwight. born 
April 20, 1.N00; Mabel, born February 18. 1804; 
and Harold, born January 6, 1003. Mr. Naught 
is upright and honorable, a genial companion, 
kind to children and animals, and in favor of all 
measures for the improvement of the conditions 
by which he is surrounded. 

NELSON, Andrew H.— The family of Andrew 
II. Nelson, of Rushville Township. Schuyler 
County, 111., was established in America long 
before the discontent of the Colonists culminated 
in the Revolutionary War. When that time 
caive. his paternal grandfather. Thomas Nelson, 



a farmer by occupation, presumably in Penn- 
sylvania, exchanged his implements of husban- 
dry for weapons of destruction, and followed 
the martial fortunes of the illustrious Washing- 
ton for seven years. During that time he fought 
on the principal batlefields of the memorable 
conflict. The maternal grandfather, Benjamin 
Teel, was also a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War. serving from start to finish. Henry Nel- 
son, father of Andrew H., was born in Pennsyl- 
vania in 1801, and married Mary Ann Teel. He 
was a weaver by trade, but when he came to 
Itushville Township in 1837 he devoted himself 
to farming, continuing thus until shortly before 
his death, in 1804. 

Andrew H. Nelson was bom May 15, 1834, be- 
ing three years old when his family arrived in 
Rushville Township. His early training and 
education did not differ from those of the sons of 
other settlers, and he was early expected to 
make his work count and to contribute his share 
towards the support of the family. His life 
passed uneventfully until the breaking out of the 
Civil War. On May 7, 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany G, Sixteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, and was one of the first men of Schuy- 
ler County to leave for the front. He partici- 
pated in many of the important battles of the 
war, and tvas honorably discharged from the 
service June 17, 1S64. The following year, on 
December 25, he married Eliza Ann Allen, a 
daughter of Zethemiah Allen, an early settler 
and prominent farmer of Bainbridge Township, 
Schuyler County. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have had 
nine children, namely : William Henry, Allea 
Z., Lena May, Charles K.. Edward B., Stella L., 
Thomas B., Harry E., and one who died in in- 
fancy. Lena May, Stella L., and Thomas B. are 
deceased. 

Mr. Nelson is a member of the Christian 
Church, of Rushville Township, and a liberal 
contributor towards its support. His farming 
operations have been attended with success. He 
is t lie owner of 160 acres of fine land, and is 
recognized as one of the most prosperous farmers 
and useful citizens of his locality. 

ODENWELLER, John L.— The career of John 
L. Odenweller has been dignified by industry, 
perseverance and fair dealing, and by praisewor- 
thy efforts to secure the just and peaceful re- 
wards of toil. Economy and thrift have made 
him the owner of a splendid farm of 160 acres 
in Section 12, Bainbridge Township, and his 
contribution to the well being of the State as- 
sumes still more substantial proportions in his 
family of educated, cultivated, and refined sons 
and daughters, all of whom inherit his tendency 
towards noble and useful citizenship. Mr. Oden- 
weller was bom in Macomb. McDonough County, 
111., July 17, 1850, and is a son of Leonard and 
Elizabeth (Danley) Odenweller. 

Leonard Odenweller was born in Baden. Ger- 
many, in 1815. and came to America about 1S36. 
In his native land he had learned the locksmith 
and blacksmith trades, and followed the same in 





/^^^^^C^C 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



899 



Philadelphia, and later in Dayton, Ohio. In the 
latter city he married, and soon after moved to 
Macomb, 111., where he worked at his trades, and 
in time bought laud in Scotland and Industry 
Townships. On his land he maintained a busy 
blacksmith shop in connection with farming, and 
at one time owned 450 acres, being one of the 
foremost farmers and business men in the town- 
ships which he represented. His last years were 
spent in retirement in the city of Macomb, where 
his death occurred in INST, his wife surviving 
him until 1SS9. Of the ten children in this fam- 
ily three died in infancy, and seven are living at 
the present time, viz. : Rev. Thomas F., of Iowa ; 
John L. ; Simon P., of Macomb; Richard A„ of 
Pleasanton, Kan.: Isaiah, for many years a 
prominent citizen of Macomb, but now living in 
Winfield, Kan.; Mary M„ wife of J. M. Miller, 
of Graham, Mo.; and Lucinda II.. wife of Mi- 
chael M. Montgomery, of Shelbyville, 111. 

The success of his father permitted John L. 
Odenweller to acquire a much better education 
than the average country reared boy. He at- 
tended the district schools, the old Macomb Nor- 
mal and Abingdon College, and for two or three 
years taught the school near his home. He also 
taught in Schuyler County, and while thus en- 
gaged met and married Lucinda H. Bellomy, a 
native of Frederick Township, and daughter of 
Thomas Bellamy, a Schuyler County pioneer. 
For a time Mr. Odenweller was engaged in the 
gi ry business in Sciota, 111., and in 1SS1 lo- 
cated permanently in Schuyler County, purchas- 
ing in Section 12, Bainbridge Township, 160 
acres of partially improved land. The industry 
of the owner has brought about remarkable 
changes, and it is doubtful if in the length and 
breadth of the county, is to be found a more 
homelike, profitable and pleasant farm. The 
mechanical ingenuity of Mr. Odenweller has been 
of incalculable benefit to him in making im- 
provements, and his trained mind has known 
how to spend his time and money to the best 
possible advantage. Of horticulture he has made 
a scientific study, and he takes particular delight 
in a seven-acre orchard, and two acres of small 
fruits. lie also follows general farming, and 
has some excellent stock about his place. Method, 
economy, industry and faithfulness are the key- 
notes of his success, and the happy co-operation 
of his family has furnished an incentive often 
wanting in even the most prosperous of homes. 

Politically a Republican, Mr. Odenweller is by 
no means a partisan, and he has steadfastly re- 
fused all proffers of official recognition He is 
fraternally connected with the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows, and finds a religious home 
in the Christian Church. A great grief over- 
shadowed the Odenweller home March 7, 1902, 
when occurred the death of the beloved mother 
of the four children, and the helpmate of a fond 
husband. In this emergency Elsie L., the oldest 
(laughter, terminated three years of successful 
teaching to assume the duties of housekeeping. 
She was born in McDonough County, 111., Oc- 
tober 22, 1877, is a graduate of the Frederick 



High School, and attended Eureka College during 
the season of 1897-8. Arthur L., the oldest sou 
in tin' family, was born February 1, 18711, and he 
graduated limn the Western Illinois Slate Nor- 
mal, in the Class of 1907 ; Eula L., born Septem- 
ber 20, 1880, was killed in a runaway accident 
July 28, 1903. Claude B., born October 4, 1881, 
is a graduate of the Western Illinois State Nor- 
mal, (lass of 1906, and married Hattie H. Hes- 
ser, of St. Louis, Mo., and has one child, Byron 
Ilesscr ( tdenweller, born March 20, 1907. Claude 
B. is living on the home farm with his lather, 
and is an active and capable young i armor. Tne 
entire family are held in the highest esteem, a I 
represent the intellectual, well bred and thor- 
oughly informed element in the community. 

0RR, Henry, whose life in Schuyler County, 111., 
is contemporaneous with nearly all the stages 
of the county's development from a barren wild, 
and who is known to most of its older residents 
as one of its most successful farmers and stock 
raisers, was born not far from his present home 
in Bainbridge Township, May 15, 1814. He lives 
in Section 0, and his birthplace is in Section 10. 
Air. Orr is a son of Joseph and Mary (Burn- 
side) Orr, uatives of County Tyrone, Ireland, 
where they were reared, and married. Joseph 
Orr and his wile came to the Unted States at 
an early period, and proceeding to Schuyler 
County, 111., settled iu Section 10. Bainbridge 
Township, about the year 1837. Here they en- 
dured all the privations and hardships of pioneer 
life, confronting perils from Indians and raven- 
ous animals, and in course of time the father 
cleared and tilled his land, building in place of 
the primitive log cabin a comfortable dwelling in 
which the worthy couple spent the remainder of 
their days. Two of their children were born in 
Ireland, namely, Jane and Mary. Jane became 
the wife of Simon Reeve, whose life is depicted 
elsewhere in this volume, and Mary married S. 
B. Vaughan, a farmer of Bainbridge Township. 
Of those born in this country, Ellen and Lily 
died in infancy. Joseph Orr died August, 1S95, 
at the age of ninety-five years and five months. 
He was a man of great force of character, gen- 
erous impulses, intense public spirit, and in ev- 
ery respect, a model citizen. His wife was eighty- 
five years old when she passed away. In reli- 
gious faith, she was a devout Presbyterian. 

Henry Orr was reared on the farm, and re- 
ceived his early education in the log school house 
in the vicinity, of whose slab seats and unglazed 
windows he has a vivid recollection. He assisted 
his father until he reached the age of twenty- 
three years, taking charge of the home place at 
that time. In 1SS5 he bought twenty acres of 
land, afterwards purchasing one hundred acres 
more, in Section 9, Bainbridge Township, which 
was partly improved and contained a log cabin, 
most of it, however, being heavily timbered. Mr. 
Orr applied himself to the arduous task of clear- 
ing the ground of its dense growth, and after 
getting a part of it under the plow, built a two- 
story frame house on the site of the log cabin. 



900 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



To his original purchase of twenty acres, he 
added from time to time, until he is now the 
owner u£ 215 acres in one body, lying in Sec- 
tions 9 and 10, Buinbridge Township. His 
farming operations have been very successlul, 
but he is recognized not only as a prosperous 
and substantial farmer and stock raiser, his 
standing as a public spirited, enterprising and 
useful citizen being also acknowledged through- 
out the community. During all his long partici- 
pation in the affairs of the township, he has been 
one of the most earnest supporters of the church 
and school, and has always done his full share 
in promoting every measure intended to advance 
the general welfare. 

In 1807, Mr. Orr was united in marriage with 
Margaret Bowlin, who was born in Bainbridge 
Township, and is a daughter of John and Louisa 
Bowlin, natives of Kentucky. The following 
children resulted from this union, namely : Ern- 
est, Dora, Delvan, S. B. and Cora. Ernest mar- 
ried Sarah Lenover. and is the father of three 
children — Stella, Nellie, and Melvin, who lias 
charge of the farm of Henry Reeve. Dora, de- 
ceased wife of Charles Ackers, left seven chil- 
dren — Homer, Henry, Earl, Uwen, Bertha and 
Buster Codry, of whom the last named makes 
his home with Mr. Orr. Delvan married Lily 
Lawler, who has borne him four children — John 
Henry, Sarah M„ Harvey and Thomas. S. B. 
married Lenora Rittenhouse, by whom he has 
one son, William II.. a farmer in Bainbridge 
Township. Cora is the wife of Emory Payne, 
who follows farming in Littleton Township, 
Schuyler County. The living descendants of 
Henry and Margaret (Bowlin) Orr, now num- 
ber nineteen, of whom fifteen are grandchildren. 

Politically, Mr. Orr is a supporter of Demo- 
cratic principles, but the sympathies of Mrs. Orr, 
who is a woman of uncommon intelligence and 
deep reflection, are with the Republican party. 
Both husband and wife are highly esteemed by 
a large acquaintance. 

PARKE, Overton. — The association of the 
Parke family with the landed interests of Illi- 
nois dates bark to the year 1830, when a stal- 
wart young Kentuckian. Oliver H. P. Parke 
(better known as Perry Parke) came from his 
home in the Blue Grass State on a tour of in- 
spection through what was then known as the 
frontier. The appearance of the country pleased 
him and his keen foresight discerned great pos- 
sibilities in its future development. Shortly 
alter his arrival in Brown County, 111., he pur- 
chased a tract of wild land for $1.25 per acre, 
after which he returned to Kentucky. His na- 
tive place was near Richmond. .Madison County, 
where he was born in 1813, and where also his 
wife. Mary Logsdon. was born and reared. They 
were married in 1834 and their wedding trip 
comprised a journey by steamer down the Ohio 
river and up the Mississippi, then up the Illi- 
nois River to a convenient landing place known 
as Legrane, from which they traveled by wagon 
to the home of his cousin. His first task was the 



building of a log cabin ; his next, the clearing 
and developing of a farm. Selling out in 1840, 
he came to Schuyler County and bought an un- 
improved tract of eighty acres. In addition, he 
bought 160 acres at the solicitation of his sons, 
who agreed to stay with him until the quarter 
section had been paid for. Eortunately, this 
proved on easy task, as the heavy timber on the 
land soon paid for the entire property. 

From the time of his permanent settlement in 
Illinois in 1834, until his death in 1802, Perry 
Parke was privileged to witness many changes. 
Looking around him at the improved lands, neat 
buildings, prosperous villages and contented peo- 
ple, he could truly say as a pioneer, "All of which 
I saw and part of which I was." It is to such 
men as he that Schuyler Count}' owes its pres- 
tige as one of the finest farming communities in 
the State. He and his wife, who survived him 
only about one year, had a large family, seven 
of whom attained mature years, namely: Amelia 
A.: Talithia, who married John H. Black, a 
farmer living on Section 12, Woodstock Town- 
ship ; Elizabeth, who married Thomas Kirby, of 
Beardstown, 111. ; Lucy A., wife of William Al- 
len, a retired farmer ; Elbert, a resident of 
Kewanee, 111. ; William J., living in Kit Carson 
County, Col. ; and Overton, who was born in 
Brown County, 111., October S, 1841, and now 
lives in Section 11, Woodstock Township, his 
farm lying on the line of the rural free delivery 
from Cooperstown. 

At the age of eight years Overton Parke ac- 
companied his parents to Schuyler County, where 
he received a common school education. On Au- 
gust 11, 18G2, he enlisted in Company D, One 
Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment, Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry, and for three years he remained 
at the front. Shortly after his enlistment he 
suffered an illness when in camp at Danville, 
Ky., and for seven weeks was in a hospital 
at Louisville. On recovering his health he ac- 
comuanied his regiment in its marches in the 
south and participated in the engagements at 
Chickamauga, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca and 
Dalton. as well as many minor skirmishes. June 
11, 1865, he was mustered out of service in East 
Tennessee, and on the 3d of July he arrived at 
home, which he had not visited during his ab- 
sence of three years. 

The marriage of Overton Parke and Rosanna 
Reddick was solemnized November 1, 1866, and 
the young couple began housekeeping at the old 
Parke homestead, but in 1872 moved to their 
present farm. Mrs. Parke was born in Bain- 
bridge Township, and was first seen by Mr. Parke 
when she was sitting on her mother's lap in 
church. They have five children now living, 
namely: John E., who married Blanche Taylor 
and lives on a farm in Woodstock Township ; 
Maggie; Elizabeth, who married Frederick Logs- 
don, a farmer of Brown County, 111. ; Nettie, who 
has been engaged in teaching in the district 
schools of the county; and Rosa C. (Mrs. Quinn) 
who lives on a farm in Brown County. Six chil- 
dren died in infancy. 



FUSTOKY <)F SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



901 



The Parke farm consists of 260 acres in one 
body and bears first-class improvements, with 
every facility for the extensive feeding of bogs 
and cattle, of which Mr. Parke keeps only the 
finest grades. The residence is a two-story, frame 
building with a double "L." There are three 
barns, 42x62, 60x60 and 24x4S feet, respectively, 
the last being a cow-bam enclosed with sheds at 
one end and on lx>th sides. It is the owner's 
ambition to maintain a farm surpassed by none, 
and he spares no pains in his effort to keep the 
soil under first-class cultivation and the build- 
ings in good repair. While neglecting no duty 
connected with the maintenance of the place, he 
has discharged also the duties devolving upon 
him as a patriotic citizen, has aided in building 
up the roads of the township and in promoting 
the welfare of the schools. Politically, he votes 
with the Republican party. In religious asso- 
ciations he and his wife have been members of 
the Union Baptist church for more than half 
a century, and they have been liberal contribu- 
tors to its maintenance, as well as to the relief 
of those in need. On the organization of the 
Patrons of Husbandry, Mr. Parke became one 
of its charter members, and he has also been 
quite active in the work of the Grand Army 
Post at Rushville, with which he has been iden- 
tified for years. Accommodating in his associa- 
tion with neighbors, kindly in disposition, earn- 
est in religious life, sincere in devotion to coun- 
try and loyal to the upbuilding of the township, 
he furnishes an illustration of what may be ac- 
complished by our progressive fanners and loyal 
patriotic citizens. 

PECK, James E. — Pride in her self made, well 
made men. appreciation of the obstacles which 
they have encountered on their road to success, 
and gratitude for the inestimable boon of their 
attainments and presence in her midst, is one of 
the strongest claims to outside consideration 
known to the people of Schuyler County. When, 
in addition to marked success in some practical 
department of activity, a man expresses many 
sided general capacity, is a power in clean poli- 
tics and government, a promoter of education, 
benevolence, ethics and temperate living, he has 
become an example by which the youth of the 
community may richly profit. Such a one is 
James E. Peck, an extensive stock and grain 
raiser, owner of 3S0 acres of land in Section 36, 
Oakland Township, a prominent Prohibitionist, 
and an active member and worker in the Free 
Methodist Church. 

A substantial monument to the enterprise and 
standing of this family is Peckville. Lackawanna 
County, Penn., where during the Civil War. 
Samuel Peck, father of James E.. took for debt 
the Jessup coal lands, which he operated in 
connections with sawmilling and merchandising 
for many years". Mr. Peck was an exponent of 
New England thrift and sagacity, a native of 
Massachusetts, and a settler in Lackawanna 
County in the early part of his life. His opera- 
tions were conducted along strictly legitimate 



and progressive lines, and he was not only the 
civic father of Peckville, but its must enthusias- 
tic and substantial promoter. His lumbering 
business was so extensive that the mills were 
often kept running until late at night. He be- 
came one of the wealthy and influential men of 
that part of Pennsylvania, was a leader in poli- 
tic and religion, and was especially active in 
the Presbyterian Church, in which faith his busy 
life drew to a close July 7. 1864. He was twice 
married, and there were ten childreu of the 
first union, the majority of whom still live in 
Pennsylvania, and are among the leading coal 
operators of Peckville and Scranton. For his 
second wife Mr. Peck married Anna Bertholf, 
a native of New Jersey, and James E. is the 
only child of this union. Mrs. Peck's father sold 
his wagon manufactory in New Jersey, and in 
1849 joined the caravan of fortune seekers bound 
for the Pacific coast. He was fairly successful 
as a miner and mechanic, and in 1852 wine to 
Schuyler County, where he spent the remainder 
of his life on a farm in Rushville Township. 

James E. Peck was three years old when he 
came to Schuyler County with his mother, and 
thereafter, for nine terms she taught school in 
what was known as the Christian Neck school- 
bouse in Rushville Township. When James E. 
was four years old he used to accompany his 
mother to the little log school, and they event- 
ually bought forty acri - of laud, where began 
the active farming life of the boy. He knew 
little of actual leisure, for the income of the 
school teacher was meager, and the little fel- 
low, at the age of twelve years, planted twelve 
acres of corn, tended and cut it. From then on 
no advantages glided noiselessly into his life, 
and responsibilities fell thick and fast around 
him. After his mother's second marriage (to 
David Harris) he kept bachelor hall on the lit- 
tle farm in Section 2, Rushville Township, doing 
his own cooking, washing and ironing, and even 
making his own clothes. His step-father dying, 
his mother returned to make her home with her 
son, and here her death occurred in August, 1886. 
She was a devout Christian woman, of lovable 
nature, and deeply interested iu the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in which she was a teacher 
in the Sunday school for many years. 

I lis mother gone from him, and his fortunes 
risen somewhat through his industry aud thrift. 
Mr. Peck married. May 29, 1888, Mary I. Ross, 
who was born in Buena Vista Township, January 
9, 1869. a daughter of Rev. William B. Ross, 
whose family history see elsewhere in this work. 
Before his marriage Mr. Peck added forty acres 
to his original farm, making eighty acres. In 
1SN9 lie bought 220 acres in Section 36, Oakland 
Township, and in 1900 added to it 160 acres, 
making 380 in one body. In 1906 be sold his 
Rushville Township property, and devotes his 
time entirely to bis larger estate. For many 
years he has rented large tracts of land, and iu 
1907 realized $4,000.00 from live stock, and after 
disposing of large quantities of general produce, 
still has on hand in storage a thousand bushels 



902 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



of wheat. In raising nogs, he makes a specialty 
of the Poland-China breed. As a general farmer 
and stock raiser, he stands well in the county. 
Underlying his farm is a thirty-inch vein of as 
fine coal as is to be found in this section, thus 
rendering his property of much more than aver- 
age value. The improvements of Mr. Peck have 
been carefully considered and are thoroughly 
practical in their nature. He is a conscientious 
student of the science of his vocation, and his 
methods are those of a man who lias given pro- 
found thought to the little as well as larger 
things of life. 

Politically, air. Peck is one of the strongest 
Prohibitionists in the State. His first presiden- 
tial vote was cast for James G. Blaine, but he 
soon after became interested in temperance, and 
the cause since has enlisted his serious and 
practical efforts. He was a delegate to the 
national convention at Indianapolis, Ind.. in 
1904. when Swallow, of Pennsylvania, and Car- 
roll, of Texas, were nominated, and for several 
years he was chairman of the County Central 
Committee of the Prohibition party, resigning 
from the same on account of unsatisfactory 
health and multiplicity of other obligations. He 
is a fluent and forceful speaker, has splendid 
command of the temperance situation, and his 
services are enlisted upon all important State 
and National occasions of the cause. He has 
been equally prominent in the Free Methodist 
Church, which he joined upon attaining his ma- 
jority, and in which he acted as an official at 
Christian Neck, serving as recording steward 
several years. During the past fifteen years he 
has also served as class leader; steward, exhor- 
ter. a frequent delegate to Annual Conferences, 
and a member of the standing committee. 

Mr. Peck is a great lover of sports and the 
great out of doors, and is one of the most expert 
rifle shots in the State. As a small boy his 
mother encouraged bis tendency towards marks- 
manship by presenting him with a gun. and it 
has ever since been his chief diversion. In 1880 
he went to Fort Smith, Ark., upon a hunting 
and trapping expedition, and remained in the 
enjoyment of the sport for a year. In the spring 
of that year marksmen and hunters from all over 
Arkansas arranged a meet at Fort Smith, but Mr. 
Peck's gun was ruled out and he was obliged to 
shoot with their guns. He won an undisputed 
victory over all there assembled, thus adding to 
many other laurels already won by his superior 
marksmanship. Personally, Mr. Peck is popular 
and well liked, and he has many warm friends 
throughout the county and State. He is regarded 
as one of the influential and broadly useful citi- 
zens of Schuyler County. 

PEMBERTON, Judge Ephraim John, (de- 
ceased! . — From the time of bis admission to the 
Bar of Illinois in December. 1801, Ephraim John 
Pemberton was an increasingly important factor 
in law. politics, education and good government 
in Rushville. In the life of this County Judge 
of more than a decade and old time practitioner, 



are many lessons of vital worth for the young 
man about to embark upon a legal career. Chief 
among these is the necessity for an earnest and 
absorbing purpose, and a determination to in- 
vest the calling with the best that work and 
brain can accomplish. The habits of thrift, and 
the economy ol time and labor and industry, 
which rendered Judge 1'emberton so useful a 
citizen, were fostered and developed on a farm 
in Illinois to which he came with his parents 
when a year old from Knox County. Ky., 
where be was born April 13, 1834. His father, 
Thomas Pemberton, was a native of West Vir- 
ginia, and his mother, Deborah (Moore) Pem- 
berton, was born in North Carolina. The family 
settled on land in Oakland Township, Schuyler 
County, where Ephraim gained his first knowl- 
edge of books in the subscription schools, and 
which surroundings he eventually outgrew, to 
embark upon the more strenuous business of le- 
gal procedure. 

At an early stage in his professional career, 
Mr. Pemberton became interested in politics, 
readily discerning that the most superior com- 
pensations of his calling went hand in baud with 
party affairs. He began to practice during the 
first year of the Civil War, and in September of 
the last year of 'the war, he was elected County 
Judge of Schuyler County on the Democratic 
ticket, and served continuously for seventeen 
years. 

In addition to a general practice of law, he 
served as Justice of the Peace, member of the 
Town or City Council, and member of the Board 
of Trustees of the Rushville Union School for 
many years. His services were characterized by 
conscientiousness, more than average insight and 
intelligence, and faithfulness ■ to whatsoever 
might contribute to the permanent well being of 
the community. He bad a thorough grasp of the 
technicalities and intricacies of law. and of their 
application to the various complications which 
come up for adjustment. As a judge his rulings 
were rarely contested, and were invariably niod- 
erate, wide .-11111 according to the law. 

The marriage of Judge Pemberton and Ten- 
nessee J. Hills was solemnized April 2, 1S02. Mrs. 
Pemberton being a native of Schuyler County, 
and educated in its district schools. Mrs. Pem- 
berton departed this life March 28, 1881. leaving 
three children: Henry T„ Effie I., and Nora J., 
the latter of whom is deceased. Judge Pember- 
ton was one of the very familiar figures upon the 
streets and in the courts of Rushville, and it is 
s,afe to say that no professional man in the 
town was a more dignified or upright acquisition 
bi the calling. He invariably stood for conserva- 
tive, thoughtful progress, and was never known 
to let his enthusiasm or desire for publicity bias 
or mislead his judgment. He died of pneumonia, 
February 27, 1007. after an illness of five days, 
aged seventy-two years, ten months and fourteen 
days. The surviving members of the family are: 
Henry J.. Elbe I. (Mrs. Dieterichi, and a 
granddaughter, Nora J. Kerr. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



903 



PEMBERTON, Henry T.— Of the native sous 
who owe their education, busiuess prosperity 
and social prominence to the opportunities af- 
forded by the city of Rushville, 111., uone is 
more favorably known than H. T. Pemberton, 
real estate broker, Justice of the Peace, and 
prominent in all the relations of a citizen. Mr. 
Pemberton was born December 13, 1863, and is 
a sou of Ephraim and Tennessee J. (Hills) Pem- 
berton, of Knox County, Ky., and Schuyler 
County, 111., respectively. He is a grandson of 
Thomas and Deborah (Moore) Pemberton, the 
former born in West Virginia, and the latter in 
North Carolina. Of his father, Judge Ephraim 
J. Pemberton (deceased), who was Judge of the 
County Court of Schuyler County for seventeen 
years, extended mention is made elsewhere in 
this work. 

Mr. Pemberton completed his education in the 
public schools of Rushville, and some years 
afterwards embarked in the real estate business. 
Since early manhood he has taken a keen in- 
terest in politics, in behalf of the Democratic 
party. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 
1901, and re-elected in 1905. From 1903 until 
1905, he served as a member of the City Council 
of Rushville. Mr. Pemberton stands high in the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has 
been a member of the Grand Lodge since 1901, 
at present serving as a member of its commit- 
tee on legislation, lie was grand marshal of 
tin' order during 1896-97. lie is also identified 
with the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Pemberton 
is a wide-awake and enterprising man. He has 
materially promoted the enhancement of real 
estate interests in the city and county, and en- 
joys the respect aud good will of all who know 
' him. his acquaintance in business and fraternal 
circles being extensive in its range. 

PERSHING, Charles T., a retired farmer, of 
substantial means and high character, whose 
residence in Schuyler County. 111., covers a pe- 
riod of more than half a century, and who is 
perhaps the oldest of its honored veterans of the 
Civil War. is passing his declining years in re- 
tirement nn bis fine farm in Section 7, Littleton 
Township. Mr. Pershing bears a name long 
identified with the agricultural interests of the 
Eastern States the Pennsylvania farm cultivated 
by his great-grandfather still being in possession 
of the family. He was born in Westmoreland 
County. Pa.. February 18, 1S29. and is a son of 
John and Margaret (Funk) Pershing, natives 
et' Pennsylvania. His paternal grandparents, 
Conrad and Mary A. (Alton) Pershing, were 
also born in Pennsylvania (then one of the orig- 
inal thirteen colonies), the former, in 1760, 
and the latter, in 1771. Grandmother Pershing 
died in 1823. The great-grandparents on the 
paternal side. Frederick and Elizabeth (Weyant) 
Pershing, were natives of Alsaee (at that time 
French territory), the birth of the great-grand- 
mother having occurred in 1724. She came from 
France to Baltimore during the same year in 
which her husband emigrated, — about the mid- 



dle of the eighteenth century, — and their mar- 
riage took place in that city, the great-grand- 
lather being obliged to work for 21 months after 
his arrival, in order to repay the expenses of 
his voyage to America. Frederick Pershing af- 
tenvads bought a farm in Frederick County, Md„ 
where he lived several years, and on which he 
and his wile became the parents of a family of 
five sons and three daughters. At a later period, 
he crossed the Allegheny Mountains on foot, 
traveling to the then "Far West," the journey 
consuming fourteen days. On reaching his des- 
tination, he took up a "tomahawk" claim of 269 
acres in Westmoreland County, Pa., among the 
pine and oak forests, hut did not receive the 
final papers for the patent on the tract until 
after the Revolutionary War. Fort Ligonier was 
the nearest trading post to his claim, and "his 
next door neighbor" was three miles distant. He 
built a very crude and uncouth log house in the 
midst of the wilderness, without windows, and 
with a puncheon floor and a stick and mud chim- 
ney, and in the spring of 1779, moved into this 
primitive abode with his family. Wild deer min- 
gled with the cows, and hunting game was the 
principal occupation followed by the early set- 
tlers of that region. Indians lurked in every 
direction, committing many depredations, and 
often perpetrating murderous atrocities. Freder- 
ick Pershing died in 1778. His four sons and 
his nephew made his coffin out of a white-oak 
log, by splitting it into two parts, and hewing 
out or adzing the larger half as a receptacle for 
his body, and shaping the smaller part for use 
as a lid. His remains, together with those of 
his wife, rest in what is known now as Smith 
Cemetery, about a mile west of the Pershing 
home. Grandfather Conrad Pershing obtained 
100 acres of his father's farm, by purchase, and 
spent the rest of his life there, dying in 1S42. 
John Pershing, father of Charles T., was born 
on the old homestead, where he remained until 
1854, when he came to Illinois, locating in Han- 
cock County. He bought 160 acres of land in 
Durham Township, in that county, on which he 
was engaged in farming until the time of his 
death. His ^ife, Margaret (Funk) Pershing. 
survived him but one year. They were the pa- 
rents of eight sons and three daughters. Charles 
T. being the seventh in order of birth. Of this 
family, five sons and one daughter are still liv- 
ing. 

Charles T. Pershing stayed on the old home 
farm in Pennsylvania until he reached the age 
of 22 years, receiving his education in the dis- 
trict schools of Westmoreland County. Then 
he commenced working by the month, continuing 
thus until 1853, when he made a trip to Rock 
Island County, 111., in quest of information con- 
cerning the prospects afforded by that locality. 
Returning to Pennsylvania, he remained in his 
native State until bis marriage. Shortly after 
this event, he started west with his wife, jour- 
neying by way of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers 
as tar as Warsaw, Hancock County, 111., where 
he worked one season. In the fall of 1855 he 



904 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



moved to Schuyler County, 111., buying thirty- 
tour acres of land in Section T, Littleton Town- 
ship, which was partially covered with brush. 
Fifteen acres of it had been cleared, and on 
this portion had been built a log cabin. From 
time to time he made additions to his original 
purchase, until he became the owner of 350 acres 
of land, all lying in Littleton Township, except 
40 acres. This place he gradually improved, 
putting up substantial and convenient buildings, 
and developing the property into one of the fin- 
est farms in this part of Central Illinois. Be- 
sides general farming his attention has been de- 
voted to raising cattle and hogs, and in both 
undertakings, profitable results have been the re- 
ward of his labors. Finally he abandoned active 
exertions, and in recent years has spent bis time 
in restful leisure on his farm. Mr. Pershing was 
a soldier in the great struggle for the preserva- 
tion of the Union, having enlisted in Company I, 
Sixty-second Regiment. Illinois Volunteer Infan- 
try, in Febeuary, 18(52. His army service was 
largely confined to guard duty in Tennessee and 
Mississippi, and at various points throughout 
the Smith. On December 27, 1862, he was taken 
prisoner, and after being paroled, was sent to 
St. Louis, Mo., where be was honorably dis- 
charged, on account of disability in May, 1863. 

The marriage of Mr. Pershing took place Feb- 
ruary 18, 1855, in Westmoreland County, Pa., 
on which date Mary A. Poorman. a woman of 
most excellent traits of character, became his 
wife. Mrs. Pershing is a native of the last 
mentioned county, and a daughter of Jacob and 
Catherine (Kuntz) Poorman. This union re- 
sulted in two children, namely: Vincent R., 
born April 10, 1S56; and Jacob P., born Febru- 
ary S, 1858. Neither has ever married, and both 
dwell under the parental roof. 

In politics. Mr. Persuing has been identified 
with the Republican party since its organization. 
He is one of the oldest members of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. He and his worthy wife 
are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which he has officiated as trustee and 
superintendent of the Sunday school. Both are 
held in profound respect by a host of friends 
throughout Schuyler County. 

PICKINPAUGH, John.— The improved farm 
lying on Section 4, Camden Township, Schuyler 
County. 111., comprises 245 acres, and is the 
property of John Pickinpaugh. who purchased 
forty acres in 1867 and since then has enlarged 
bis possessions to their present area. The fam- 
ily of which he is a member came from Germany 
and he represents the third generation in Amer- 
ica. His father, Peter, was a native of Vir- 
ginia, who moved to Ohio in early life, entered 
land in what is now Noble County, taking out 
the patent from the Government and remaining 
on the property until his death in 1881. at the 
ag ' eighty-one. The money paid for the en- 
try of land he earned by splitting rails at twenty- 
five cents per hundred. A man of robust phy- 
sique and sturdy constitution, he retained his 



strength to hale old age, and when he was sev- 
enty-nine he split a hundred rails one afternoon 
besides doing his regular chores the same even- 
ing. His wife, who passed away thirty years 
prior to his demise, bore the maiden name of 
Jane Phillips and was bom in Ohio, of Irish 
ancestry. 

The family of Peter Pickinpaugh consisted of 
seven sons and three daughters, namely : Jacob 
\\\. who was born in 1S29 and for years has 
been a leading business man at Piano, la. ; Mary, 
a resident of Sharon, Noble County, Ohio, where 
her husband, John Wiley, died ; John, who was 
born in what is now Noble (then Morgan) 
County, Ohio, February 13, 1833; George, who 
enlisted in the One Hundred aud Sixteenth Ohio 
Infantry during the Civil War, and died at 
Shepherdstown, W. Va., prior to the ex- 
piration of his term of service ; Hannah, who 
married Walter Leonard, of Pennsylvania, and 
is now deceased ; Enoch, who died at eight years 
of age; William, deceased; Jonathan R., who 
died at Louisville, Ky., while with an Ohio 
regiment in the service of the Union ; Mar- 
garet, deceased, formerly the wife of Henry 
Foster, of Noble County, Ohio ; and Adam Flet- 
cher, who occupies the old homestead in that 
county. 

It was not possible for John Pickinpaugh to 
enjoy first-class educational advantages, for 
schools were few in his boyhood aud methods of 
instruction were crude ; yet he has acquired a 
broad fund of information through his own ef- 
forts. At the age of nineteen he bought his time 
from Ins father, paying for the same with $200, 
to be taken out of his share of the estate. His 
first work was the mastering of the carpenter's 
trade, in which work he was paid 62% cents 
per day. Later he was employed to cut wood for 
20 cents per cord, and by diligent application was 
able to cut three cords a day, but he never re- 
ceived any pay for this labor. In one day he 
split 1,000 three-foot clapboards and shaved 200, 
receiving for the day's work 62 1 -.. cents. 

A visit to the west in 1853 brought Mr. Pick- 
inpaugh nothing but the fever and ague, so he 
returned home the following year. However, 
lie was not satisfied to remain and the year 1S55 
found him in Illinois, where he settled in Schuy- 
ler County. In 1856 he bought a sawmill, in the 
operation of which he rapidly accumulated 
money. The first mill was sold in 1857 and he 
bought a mill at Pleasantview. 111., for which 
he paid $1,000. This he continued to operate 
until the outbreak of the Civil War. when he 
enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fif- 
teenth Illinois Infantry, and accompanying the 
regiment to the front, remained in active serv- 
ice until the close of the war in 1865. Mean- 
while he had been transferred to the Fourth 
' Battalion, thence to the United States Engineers, 
where he remained for one year, and under the 
commission of tool sergeant had charge of all 
the tools. 

Upon receiving an honorable discharge from 
the armv at Chattanooga, Tenn., Mr. Fickin- 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



905 



paugh returned to Pleasantriew, 111., and found 
that his mill had been destroyed and the ma- 
chinery sold tor old iron. The only part which 
he could find was one belt and this he sold, but 
never received pay for the same. Forced to 
start anew in the world, in 1807 he moved to 
Camden Township and operated a sawmill, also 
buying forty acres of farm land, to which he 
added from time to time until he now owns '-'45 
acres in one body. His first marriage took place 
November 12. 1857, and united him with Rachel 
Gragg, who died October 14, 1S77. Five chil- 
dren were born of that union, namely: Millard; 
Marion, a farmer in Camden Township; Minerva 
Jane, who died in 1SS7; Annie E., who is mar- 
ried and lives at Rushville, Schuyler County; 
and George T., who manages the home farm and 
also operates a sawmill. On March 10, 1880, 
John Pickinpaugh married Mrs. Mary J. (Rog- 
ers) Lorge, who died August 15, 1898. The 
first and second wives were both earnest Chris- 
tian women, devoted members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and beloved by a large circle 
of friends. For years Mr. Pickinpaugh has been 
identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
for ten years officiated as an exhorter, and long 
served :is a class leader and Sunday School 
teacher. His conversion took place during fam- 
ily prayers, subsequent to a visit to Ohio, where 
he had been impressed with a feeling that it 
svas his duty to become a worker for Christ. On 
his return home he had taken the Bible and 
read a chapter, after which he knelt in prayer, 
Mini while seeking li^rl 1 1 from above his whole 
being was stirred by a realization of Christ's 
love ; he arose a converted man, and ever since 
he has labored to bring others to the experience 
ubiili has been to him a source of uplifting joy. 
The cause of prohibition has had a stanch friend 
m him and his assistance has been given to the 
work. Ever since the organization of the Grand 
Army post at Camden he has been a prominent 
member, and lias filled the position of Chaplain. 

PIERSON, Azel. — No house within the boun- 
daries of Birmingham Township is richer in 
memories than that in Section 19, which has 
been occupied by Azel Pierson ever since his set- 
tlement on his present farm during January of 
the bleak winter of 1854. Continuously since 
then has this now retired farmer watched and 
participated in the changes which have marked 
the inarch of time ; has promoted with intelli- 
gence and unabating interest the agricultural, 
educational, political, religious and social prog- 
ress of the community, and has set a standard 
of character and work which must be regarded 
as typical of the best possible achievements in 
tlie quiet of pastoral pursuits. 

Born on a farm near Cedarville. Cumberland 
County. N. J.. January 22, 1817, Mr. Pierson is 
a sun of Daniel and Naomi (Nixon) Pierson. 
both natives of Cedarville and farmers by occu- 
pation. In Cedarville were educated the four- 
teen children of this worthy couple, but of this 
number several were destined to complete their 



training in Illinois, to which the family jour- 
neyed from Cedarville during the spring of 1833, 
reaching the then small hamlet of Jacksonville 
on the first day of July. In Cedarville Mr. Pier- 
son had been the classmate and friend of Newton 
Bateman, the latter destined to fill a large place 
in the educational and literary annals of Illi- 
nois, and who, for many years, was the honored 
President of Knox College, at Galesburg. Mr 
Bateman was born in Fairfield, Essex County, N. 
.1., in 1822. and he, with the rest of his father's 
family, accompanied the Pierson family in their 
overland journey to Jacksonville, HI. Daniel 
Pierson, who by profession was a physician, en- 
gaging iu milling and farming there until' his 
removal to Augusta, Hancock County, in 1851. 
Here he died iu 1856, and his wife died in Kan- 
sas at the home of one of her sons. Of the 
fourteen children but three survive, Azel ; Ruth, 
widow of Cyrus Palmer, the latter killed by the 
bursting of a gun in Knoxville; and Naomi N., 
wile of Edward B. Tanner, of Illinois. 

The change from the New Jersey home to 
Illinois was the only vital break in the monotony 
of the youth of Azel I'ierson. He was studious 
and industrious, and learned much from the 
crude conditions and meager opportunities by 
which he was surrounded. He knew how to 
both make and save money, and September 8, 
18-41, established a home of his own by marrying 
Harriet Cat] in, born near Hartford, Conn., and 
a daughter of David and Louise (Goodwin) Cat- 
lin. Mrs. I'ierson came with her parents to 
Augusta, 111., iu July, 1837. She is the mother 
of seven children, five of whom died in infancy. 
The surviv.n-s are Elizabeth, born November 10, 
1848, wife of Rev. Frank Mitchell, of Missouri, 
and mother of two children, Margaret and Ho- 
mer ; and Henry, born November 22, 1860. 

For three years after his marriage Mr. Pier- 
sen continued to live in Augusta, and as before 
stated, in January, 1854, moved to his present 
farm. The place was sadly deficient in improve- 
ments, and only a portion had been cleared, so 
that much of the 200 acres owe their clearing 
and cultivation to his well directed industrv. 
He has seen many orchards set out by the set- 
tlers outlive their usefulness and be grubbed up, 
has witnessed the rise of giant forest trees from 
insignificant saplings, and his place has upon it 
many kinds of ornamental, shade and fruit trees. 
which, but for his forethought, never had rustled 
their leaves in the summer wind. Constant im- 
provement has been the watchword of his per- 
sonal and working life, and in consequence he 
has a home that meets the requirements of taste, 
comfort and prosperity. Over this excellent and 
valuable domain the owner personally held super- 
vision until after his eighty-second birthday, and 
when ninety-one years have passed over his head, 
he still is in possession ot his faculties, admired 
i or the splendid simplicity and normality of his 
lite, ami tin 1 high ethics which lie has applied to 
all of his intercourse with his fellow men. For 
the past twelve years he has noted a failure of 
his eyesight, and each Monday afternoon he 



906 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



drives two miles to Augusta, where Mrs. Holmes, 
a gifted and faithful friend, reads him extracts 
from current literature. 

For the past fifty-six years Mr. Pierson has 
beeu a member of the First Presbyteriau Church, 
of Jacksonville, having joined the same in 1838, 
when the town was an infant community, with 
wild grass waving in the present center (now a 
park) of the town. He has been an elder in 
the church many years, and always has been one 
of its stanchest and most dependable financial 
and general supporters. His first presidential 
vote was cast for William Henry Harrison, and 
he has never swerved lroin the principles of the 
Republican party since the foundations of its po- 
litical structure were laid in the State by Paul 
Selby and other of his influential friends and co- 
workers. Although never seeking or desiring 
office, Mr. Pierson for thirty years was a member 
of the local School Board, his sole object being 
an interest in the education of the youth of the 
rising generation. The shadows gathered around 
his peaceful life December 7, 1880, when his de- 
voted wife joined the great silent majority, but 
he bravely took up the threads of life thus 
cruelly severed, and became again the self-sacri- 
ficing, noble, dependable and altogether compan- 
ionable gentleman of the old school. 

PIERSON, Henry Catlin.— On the old home- 
stead in Section 19, Birmingham Township, 
which has been the possession of his honored 
father, Azel Pierson, since 1854, Henry Catlin 
Pierson was born November 22, 1860. Reared to 
the hard work of the farm, educated in the coun- 
try s.hools, and at night school in Augusta, Han- 
cock County, Mr. Pierson early in life adjusted 
himself to the exactions of his calling, and in 
mature life represents the men of breadth and 
understanding who are potent factors in promot- 
ing every phase and possibility of the fundamen- 
tal calling of agriculture. 

When Mr. Pierson had attained nineteen years 
of age he became the partner of his father in an 
extensive stock raising, feeding and selling en- 
terprise, operating under the firm name of Pier- 
son & Son. For many years this firm have been 
foremost in the breeding of Aberdeen-Angus Cat- 
tle, and average from twenty -five to fifty in their 
herd. In 1903 .Mr. Pierson purchased the in- 
terest of his father in the stock and of his sis- 
ters in the farm, and now owns 400 acres in one 
body. All of this land is tillable, and it is di- 
vided into twenty-five and fifty acre pastures and 
fields, the stock being shifted from one field to 
another as occasion demands, thus affording op- 
portunity for the undisturbed growth of new 
pasture. During the winter season he feeds 
about a hundred head of cattle and thirty head 
of horses, and other kinds of stock come in for 
a share of his care and attention. About 200 
acres of his land is devoted to raising general 
produce, and he is an extensive buyer of produce, 
in fact of every variety of produce raised on the 
farms of Schuyler County. He is also engaged 
in baling straw and hay for dealers. His farm 



is a model of neatness and order, and an expres- 
sion of the highest tenets known to modern coun- 
try life. , 

The marriage of Virginia Decker and Mr. 
Pierson occurred in Augusta, 111.. October 8, 
1885, Mrs. Pierson being a daughter of Eli and 
Estella (Leach) Decker, pioneers of this part 
of Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierson have been 
born two sons, of whom James II.. burn Septem- 
ber 13, 1880, is a graduate of the Augusta high- 
school, class of 1906. Poland D., the younger 
sou, is a student in the Electrical Engineering 
Department of the University of Illinois. Mr. 
Pierson has been a stanch supporter of Republi- 
can principles and issues ever since attaining 
his majority, and for years has been a Justice 
of the Peace of Schuyler County. With his wife 
he is a member of the Christian Church. He is 
a well read, progressive and substantial farmer, 
a promoter of genuine and constructive useful- 
ness, and an upholder of the best social, moral 
and agricultural ideals known to the twentieth 
century. 

POLLOCK, Joseph Walker, a very worthy and 
creditable representative of the agricultural ele- 
ment of Schuyler County, 111., is successfully pur- 
suing his wonted occupation in Section 5, Little- 
ton Township, the same locality in which he was 
born November 25, 1862. Mr. Pollock is a son 
of William and Sarah Margaret (Walker) Pol- 
lock, natives of Indiana and Ohio, respectively. 
William Pollock was brought by his parents to 
Schuyler County when a little boy, in 1832, and 
his father and mother died within three months 
after the arrival of the family. Being thus left 
without parental care at a very tender age, he 
was brought up by a farmer named Campbell, 
living in Scotland Township, MeDouough County, 
111., with whom he remained until he was 21 
years old. At that period he began work as a 
farm hand in the employ of Darius Runkle, one 
of the most extensive landholders in Central 
Illinois. Iu course of time he bought, from 
Samuel Dodds, who was very prominent among 
the early settlers, 80 acres of unimproved land 
in Section 5, Littleton Township. This he im- 
proved, putting up all the necessary buildings, 
anil conducting farming operations thereon until 
1S96. In that year he abandoned active pursuits, 
and moved to Macomb, MeDouough County, 
where he spent his last years in retirement, dy- 
ing February 2, 1899, at the age of seventy-four 
years. His widow is still living in Macomb, mak- 
ing her home with her daughter. Mrs. Messrnore. 
They had five sons and six daughters, of whom 
Joseph W. is the eighth in order of birth. Four 
of the sons and two daughters now survive, 
namely: Cynthia (Mrs. A. A. Messrnore), of 
Macomb, III.; William A., a resident of Fandon, 
111. ; Robert A., who follows farming in Scotland 
Township, MeDouough County ; Joseph W., to 
whom this personal record pertains ; Blanche, 
who is the wife of Nathaniel Buck, and resides 
at New London, la. ; and Arthur D.. who Is en- 
gaged in the practice of medicine in Rushville, 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



901 



Schuyler County. William Pollock was a man 
ol upright character, enjoying the respect and 
confidence of all who knew him, and his be- 
reaved widow is the object of the warmest re- 
gard in her declining years. 

Joseph \V. Pollock was reared to farm life, 
aud iu early youth, received his education in the 
Flat-Iron district school, iu the vicinity of the 
parental home. After his marriage, he rented 
SO acres of ins father's laud in Section 4, Little- 
ton Township, which he afterwards bought. He 
also purchased from his father, in 1898, SO acres 
in Section 5. iu the same township, ou which the 
latter had put up all the buildings and completed 
the improvements. Mr. Pollock has thoroughly 
tiled the farm, and rebuilt the barn and out- 
buildings. His property is in excellent condi- 
tion, and all implements are kept in perfect or- 
der, and in their proper places, when uot in use. 
He is a very diligent aud systematic farmer, and 
his labors have been attended with profitable re- 
sults. 

Mr. Pollock was married February 14, 18S4, 
to Emma Bell Merriweather, who was born in 
the neighborhood of Doddsville, McDonough 
County, 111., July 18, 1862. Mrs. Pollock, a 
woman of most amiable traits of character, is a 
daughter of George and Mary Ellen (Huff) 
Merriweather, her father being a native of In- 
diana, and her mother, of Illinois, born in Ful- 
ton County. The paternal grandparents, James 
and Mollie (Bell) Merriweather, were natives 
of Louisville, Ky., and those on the maternal 
side were boru in Fulton County, 111., namely: 
Abijah and Mary (McCJaren) Huff. Three chil- 
dren have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Pollock, as follows: Roland C, born November 
18, 18S4 ; Florence Mildred, born September 2, 
1886; and William Frederick, born October 15, 
1891. The eldest, Roland O, resides on Grand- 
father Merriweather's farm in Industry Town- 
ship. McDonough County. He was married on 
June 20, 1907, to Florence Rexroat, a daughter 
of T. C. Rexroat, of Bethel Township. Schuyler 
County. Florence M. and William F. are at 
home with their parents. 

In politics.. Mr. Pollock has always been iden- 
tified with the Republican party, although never 
taking an active part in political contests, and 
being without the slightest desire for public 
office. His interest in civic affairs is, however, 
intelligent and earnest. 

PRATT, Harry, the present Deputy Sheriff of 
Schuyler County. 111., is a young man of charac- 
ter and many sided worth, and one whose pri- 
vate as well as official life will stand the test of 
the closest scrutiny. He is a product of the 
farming contingent of this part of the State, and 
was born in Huntsville Township, Schuyler 
County. February 11. 1874. In his youth Mr. 
Pratt had the advantage of a pleasant home at- 
mosphere, and of parental appreciation and en- 
couragement when his work was well done. His 
father was Leonard J. Pratt, son of Leonard 
Pratt, both of Ohio, and the former of whom was 



born April 29, 1843. Leonard J. Pratt was 
reared on a farm and educated in the subscrip- 
tion schools, and when secession reared its gory 
head and brought about the calamity of the 
Civil War, he enlisted iu Company K, Second 
Regiment Ohio Heavy Artillery, one of the first 
military organizations to depart for the conflict 
from the State of Ohio. The "Second" early in- 
vaded Kentucky and did valiant work at Fort 
Donelsou and other scenes of carnage and deso- 
lation, and its members iucluded none more brave 
than the father of the present county deputy 
sheriff. His term expired, he returned to his 
home in Ohio, but soon after came to Huntsville. 
Schuyler County, where, on June 28, 1868, he 
was united in marriage to Celilia Angelica San- 
lord. Of this union there were fourteen chil- 
dren, four of whom died in infancy. Those living 
are as follows: Effle, Harry. Elsie, Clara, Clin- 
ton, Cleveland. Nina, Pearl, Dwight aud Iva. 
.Mrs. Pratt died in 1892, at the age of thirty-nine 
years, and the second wife of Mr. Pratt was 
.Mrs. Iverson, daughter of Dr. A. J. Mead. Leon- 
ard J. Pratt was a kind husband and father, and 
in his business and social relations, was the soul 
of honor, courtesy and consideration. 

The entire life of Harry Pratt has been spent 
in the county in which he was born, and where 
he was educated in the public schools. His wage 
earning career began at the age of seventeen 
years, when he hired out by the month, on a 
farm. The yearning for a home of his own was 
oue of the most persistent of his earlv inclina- 
tions, and December 24, 1S99, he was united in 
matrimony to Jessie Claude Pierce, also a native 
of Huntsville Township, and daughter of Mil- 
lard Fillmore Pierce, and Blanch (McKee) 
Pierce. The Pierce family is of early southern 
connection, and Mr. Pierce, sou of William 
Pierce, is still a resident of Huntsville, he hav- 
ing come from the home of his forefathers iu 
North Carolina, in early manhood. He is a pros- 
perous and honored man, and was formerly iden- 
tified with the mercantile upbuilding of Hunts- 
ville Township. 

From 1900 until 1904 Mr. Pratt worked on a 
farm in Huntsville Township, and during the 
latter year was employed as a clerk iu a general 
store in the village of Huntsville. In the mean- 
time he had been active in Democratic politics, 
wielded a considerable influence in the local de- 
liberations of his party, and in 1906 he was cho- 
sen Deputy Sheriff of Schuyler County, a posi- 
tion which he has since maintained with distinct 
credit. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt have two children, 
of whom Celilia Blanche was born August 8, 
1901 ; and Corinne Almeda, October 27, 190r,' 
Mr. and Mrs. Pratt are members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church in Huntsville, but since 
locating in Rushville in 1906, attend the church 
of that denomination in the latter city. Mr. 
Pratt is socially inclined, and is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Hunts- 
ville. and the Modern Woodmen of America, of 
Rushville. He has achieved fair financial suc- 
cess, and is known as one of the county's capa- 



908 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



ble, promising and thoroughly dependable busi- 
ness men and politicians. 

PURDY, Mrs. Elizabeth.— Seventy years and 
more have come anil gone since Mrs. I'urdy first 
came to Schuyler County, tor it was in 1837 
that she arrived in what is now Frederick Town- 
ship. Though only nine years of age, already 
had her childish eyes beheld much of the country 
and already had the responsibilities of life fallen 
upon her tender form. The children of the pio- 
neers had no care-free existence. Theirs it was 
to aid the older people in planting a home in the 
primeval wilderness, and her recollections of 
childhood bring back memories of laborious tasks ; 
yet those were happy years and she recalls them 
now with unchanging delight. Born in West 
Virginia February 3, 1S2S, she was a daughter 
of Alexander and Achsah (Bond) Furbee, also 
natives of that State. The family migrated to 
Illinois in 1S35 and took up land near Beards- 
town, Cass County, but two years later came to 
Schuyler County, where she grew to womanhood. 
The first home of the family was a claim com- 
prising the far mnow owned by Charles K. 
Strong. On that homestead Mrs. Furbee died in 
1844. Six years later the father traveled over- 
land to California and began to prospect and 
mine, but ere success had rewarded his efforts 
he died in the West in 1856. Of his six children 
only two are now living, namely : Elizabeth 
(.Mrs. I'urdy) and Evaline, widow of Joseph 
Reals and a resident of Los Angeles, Cal. 

While still a young girl, Elizabeth Furbee 
became the wife of John G. Quinn, and two 
children were bom of their union, namely: 
Tin anas D.. now living at North Yakima, Wash.; 
and Evengiston, a rancher and merchant in 
Wyoming. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
Quinn settled on a farm in Frederick Township 
and began to improve the same. When gold was 
discovered in California Mr. Quinn became in- 
terested in the West and decided to accompany 
his father-in-law to the mines. The journey was 
made without disaster. Shortly after his arrival 
in California and after purchasing a claim, he 
was taken ill and soon died. Far from wife and 
children, his body was laid to rest by his father- 
in-law. 

The second marriage of the subject of this 
sketch took place in 1852, when she was united 
with Joseph M. Purely, who was born in Leb- 
anon. Ky., and was one of a family of twenty- 
three children, all but one of whom attained 
years of maturity. Three of the sons and three 
daughters came to Illinois ; the others becoming 
scattered in various parts of the United States. 
The Purdy family was founded in the United 
States by three brothers from Ireland, one 
of whom settled in Kentucky, another in New 
York and the third in Ohio. From the time of 
his settlement in Schuyler County in 1831 until 
bis death in 1878, Mr. Purdy was actively identi- 
fied with its agricultural development and aided 
in the transformation of its wild lands into fer- 
tile farms. Public enterprises received his sym- 



pathetic co-operation. The cause of education 
had in him a firm friend. Religious movements 
benefited by his assistance. As a farmer he .vas 
especially interested in the development of our 
lands. For a time he cultivated the farm now 
occupied by Mrs. Dunlap, but in 1861 he moved 
to the place still owned and occupied by his 
widow. 

The following-named children comprised the 
family of Mr. and Mrs. Purdy : Anna, wife of 
Dr. S. D. Bader, of Peabody, Ind. ; Emma, de- 
ceased, was the wife of R. Jordan, of Alma, 
Ore.; Maggie, (Mrs. George Doane), of Los 
Angeles, Cal. ; Bettie, who married Grant Hen- 
dricks and lives in Salina, Kan. ; Henry, of Bal- 
lard, Wash. ; Joseph M.. who was born March 
21, 1SG6, and is living on the old homestead; and 
Eva, who remains at home and cares for her 
mother, tenderly ministering to her comfort in 
her age, and Millard, who is deceased. 

Among her neighbors Grandma Purdy ( for it 
is by this name she is affectionately known) is 
loved and honored. Many an interesting hour 
may be passed in her society as she narrates 
events of the early days. Retaining an excellent 
memory of the happenings of pioneer times, she 
loves to recount to younger generations incidents 
familiar to her youth. The winters were very 
severe and the settlers suffered greatly from 
the extreme cold, especially because their cabins 
did not afford sufficient protection from wind and 
weather. Fires were started by the aid of a 
flint. In the evenings the neighbors would 
gather in and sit by the large fireplace where, 
after enjoying one of Grandma Purdy's fine 
suppers, they would crack nuts and tell stories. 
She retains her love for the old-fashioned fire- 
places and believes that, for comfort and beauty, 
they cannot be surpassed by the modern methods 
of heating. The telephone has never interested 
her. for she desires to see the face of the person 
with whom she is conversing; and in addition 
she thinks that the old spirit of neighborliness 
that was evinced in frequent visits has been lost 
through the introduction of the 'phone. Only 
two of her old neighbors are now left. The 
others have been called to their eternal rest, but 
the near-by presence of devoted children and fre- 
quent letters from those far away, prevent her 
from becoming lonely and enable her in her age 
to remain happy and contented. For many years 
she has been a member of the Christian Church 
and her faith in a reunion with loved ones gone 
before, cheers the evening of her days. 

RAPER, William G., one of the best known 
and most highly respected farmers of Littleton 
Township, Schuyler County, 111., where his life 
has kept pace with the advancing stages of the 
county's development from the early days of its 
settlement, was born in Guilford County. N. C, 
December 28. 1829. He is a son of Solomon and 
Asenath (Miller) Raper. natives of that State. 
His grandfather. William Raper, was born in 
Wales. Solomon Raper, who followed farming 
in North Carolina, moved with his family to 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



'.HID 



Illinois in 1844, making the journey across the 
country by team, and settling in Buena Vista 
Township, Schuyler County. After living there 
ou rented land for several years, he located in 
Littleton Township, where he spent the remain- 
der of his days, dying in 1855. His widow sur- 
vived him for many years, passing away Febru- 
ary 18, 1S88, while making her home with the 
subject of this sketch, at the age of seveny-nine 
years. William G. Raper received his early 
education partly in the common schools of Guil- 
ford County, N. C. ; and partly in those of Buena 
Vista Township. Schuyler County, which he at- 
tended for two terms. He lived at home until 
he was twenty-one years old, and then rented a 
farm in Littleton Township, on which he re- 
mained twelve years. At the end of this period, 
he bought SO acres of laud in Section 14, of the 
same township, 20 acres of which were cleared 
and contained a log cabin. After clearing the 
rest of the place, he put up buildings and made 
all necessary improvements. Fifteen years later, 
he added 40 acres to tne original purchase, and 
subsequently acquired some timber land, now 
used for pasture. On June 12, 1907, he bought 
80 acres of prairie land, all in the same section. 
He has about 120 acres under cultivation, and 
besides general farming, is engaged in raising 
cattle and hogs. 

On February 9, 1893, Mr. Raper was joined in 
matrimony with Amelia Hogger, who was born 
in Switzerland, March 30, 1875, and is a daugh- 
ter of Jacob and Marie (Volke) Hogger, natives 
of that country, the whole of whose lives was 
spent there. Mrs. Raper came to Littleton, 111., 
in 1892. Four children were the offspring of 
this marriage, as follows : Jennie Edith, born 
February 10, 1894; William Henry, born January 
19. 1895; Julia Esther, born October 20, 1S99. 
deceased in infancy ; and Helen Irene, born 
April 14, 1902. 

In politics. Mr. Raper is an adherent of the 
Democratic party, and has held the office of Road 
Commissioner of Littleton Township. Frater- 
nally, he is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., 
and is also a member of the Knights Templar of 
Rushville. His religious connection is with the 
Baptist Church. He commands the respect and 
confidence of all classes in the community. 

REBMAN, Adam, an honored pioneer of Fred- 
erick Township, Schuyler County, 111., where he 
has a most attractive home on Section 19, and 
is the owner of 221 acres of very desirable land, 
is one of the strong characters in connection with 
the progress and development of this portion of 
the county. Mr. Rebman was born in the vicin- 
ity of Albany, N. T., September 16, 1833, and is 
a "son of John and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Rebman. 
John Rebman was a native of what was French 
territory at the time of his birth, in 1803, but 
shire the Franco-Prussian War. has become a 
portion of the German Empire. When he was 
about 19 years of age he left the scenes of his 
youth, in order to avoid serving in the army, 
under the Prussian draft, and crossing the At- 



lantic alone, located in New York State, near 
the city of Albany. There about the year 1830, 
he was married to Margarette Dorothy Hoffman. 
He remained in that locality until 1S36, and then 
started with his family for the West, intending 
to make his home in Chicago. The boat on which 
he had taken passage was destroyed by fire, 
however, and all his belongings were consumed. 
Being a cooper by trade, and hearing of the 
heavy timber in parts of Central Illinois, he de- 
cided that Schuyler County would be a good 
place for him to establish himself in work, and 
suiting the action to the decision, settled in the 
village of Frederick. He was successful in his 
labors as a cooper, and finally bought a farm 
near Frederick. John ltebmau was a very hon- 
est and industrious man, and through his mer- 
itorious qualities, became one of the most sub- 
stantial and highly respected citizens of his lo- 
cality. He died in 1881, at the age of 78 years, 
bis good wife having passed away in 1868. They 
were the parents of sixteen children, five of 
whom died in infancy. 

Those who grew to years of maturity are as 
follows : Andrew, who was born in New York 
State, and died at the age of seventy years ; 
Adam: Philip, who lives in St. Louis, Mo.; John, 
who died when about forty-two years old, leaving 
a family ; George F., who is engaged in farming 
in Rushville Township; Frank, a dairyman, of 
Frederick. 111.; Maurice, deceased; Rose, wife 
of Sidney Geer, a farmer at Atlanta, Neb. ; Mary, 
who married Abraham Black, a soldier in the 
Civil War, now living at Beardstown, 111.; Ste- 
phen, who died at the age of fifty years ; and 
Delia, wife of Frank Geer, a farmer in Brown- 
ing Township, Schuyler County. 

Adam Rebman was brought to Schuyler 
County. 111., by bis parents when he was three 
years old. In early youth he recited his lessons 
to the subscription schoolmaster in the little log 
schoolhouse built on the hill where the Darnell 
farm lay. He has still a lively recollection of 
its large fireplace and slab benches, with desks 
built by sticks being put into holes bored in the 
logs. His first teacher was David Berry, whom 
he well remembers. In early manhood Mr. Reb- 
man learned the trade of a cooper and carpen- 
ter in his father's shop on the farm, and re- 
mained on the home place until the time of his 
marriage. After this event, he went with his 
brother to Liverpool, Fulton County, 111., where 
he worked at the cooper's trade. In 1862, he 
bought a tract of 160 acres in Section 20, Fred- 
erick Township, where his son, Frank, now lives. 
The land was covered with a second growth of 
heavy timber. Mr. Rebman cleared it, making 
the wood into barrels and ties, which he sold. 
burning the pine log slabs, and eventually having 
a well improved farm. This he disposed of in 
1877. purchasing 180 acres of fairly well cleared 
land in Section 19. in the same township, which 
he lias since developed into one of the most val- 
uable farms in the locality, making a beautiful 
and attractive home. For seventy-one years. Mr. 
Rebman has been a resident of Frederick Town- 



910 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



ship, and has done his full share iu promoting 
its development He has confronted and en- 
dured all the hardships and privations of pioueer 
life, aud kept pace with the growth of the re- 
gion, from a barren wild, to a scene of civiliza- 
1 1< hi and plenty. His first harvesting in this 
locality was done with the cradle aud sickle, 
and his hay was cut with the old fashioned 
scythe. Telephones and electric lights were then 
a mere dream, if they entered the mind of the 
most visionary at all. Every kind of maehiue or 
implement in use for farming was of the antique 
style, aud tallow dips and molded candles fur- 
uished the only artificial light. Now, his farm 
is equipped with all kinds of up-to-date machin- 
ery for the cutting and lifing of hay, and the 
harvesting of grain. 

On May 30, 18G1, Mr. Rebman was united iu 
marriage with Lavina Hill, who was born in 
England, and is a daughter of William Hill, a 
native of that country. William II ill came from 
England in the fore part of the last century, lo- 
cating first in Brownsville, Tex., and after- 
wards in Galveston, in that State, where his last 
days were spent. His daughter, Lavina, came 
to Frederick, 111., at an early day, to visit friends. 
But one member of her family, Mrs. Coates, is 
located in this part of the country. During this 
visit Mr. Rebman formed the acquaintance that 
resulted in his marriage. This union was the 
source of sixteen children, of whom five died in 
infancy, and eleven are still living. All were 
boru in Frederick Township, and the names of 
those surviving are as follows : William, a 
farmer and miner in the vicinity of Rushville, 
111. ; Jessie, wife of Leander Settles, a biographi- 
cal record of whose life appears elsewhere in 
this volume; John, who is engaged in farming in 
Frederick Township ; Josephine, wife of Otis 
Levies, who follows the same occupation in 
Rushville Township: Addie. who married War- 
ren Spillers, a farmer, of Frederick Township; 
Leora (Mrs. Leander Allen), a resident of Pleas- 
antview. Schuyler County; Oscar F. and Frank, 
twins — both of whom are farming in Frederick 
Township, the latter being on the old home farm; 
Annie, who is with her parents; Lucy, who be- 
came the wife of Charles Nell, a farmer, of 
Browning Township, Schuyler County: and 
Dora, who is at home. 

In politics. Adam Rebman is identified with 
the Democratic party, and has creditably filled 
various local offices, never, however, entertain- 
ing any ambition for public honors. Fraternally. 
he is affiliated with the M. W. A. He and his 
excellent wife are consistent members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are sin- 
cerely respected by all classes in the commu- 
nity. 

REBMAN, Benjamin F. — The family repre- 
sented by this extensive farmer and dairyman of 
Schuyler County. 111., originated in Germany and 
was founded in the United States by John Reb- 
man. born February IT, 1803, and an immigrant 
to the new world in 1S30. Soon afterward he 



began to follow the cooper's trade at Frederick, 
Schuyler County, aud later settled at Pleasant- 
view, in the same county, where his son, Ben- 
jamin F., was born January 12, 1848. Four 
years after the birth of the son the family moved 
to a farm ou Section 3, Frederick Township, 
where the boy passed the years of youth aud 
was given such advantages as the neighboring 
school afforded. Being of au observing nature, 
he learned more by self-culture than from text- 
books and is now a man of broad informatiou. 
The family had limited means and it was neces- 
sary for him to take up the struggle for a liveli- 
hood at an early age. Grasping the work near- 
est at hand, he became a farm laborer, and in 
that capacity, continued for a considerable pe- 
riod, meanwhile saving his earnings with a view 
to future investment. 

While employed as an assistant to Davis Curry 
on the latter's farm, Mr. Rebman proved so ca- 
pable and efficient that, when Mr. Curry felt 
himself to be fatally ill, he requested that his 
assistant be retained after his death to superin- 
tend the work of the estate. This was done, 
and after the death of Mr. Curry, which occurred 
May 14, 1873, the farm was operated by Mr. 
Rebman. On January 1, 1870, he was united in 
marriage with the widow of Davis Curry, and 
they remained at the old place for ten years, 
after which Mr. Rebman bought thirty acres of 
land, and embarked in the dairy business. By 
degrees he has added to his original possessions 
until he now owns 100 acres adjoining Freder- 
ick, and 220 acres also north of that village, 
making 380 acres in all. His dairy barn is pro- 
vided with a cement floor and furnished with 
every modern equipment, while all the appliances 
for the care of the milk show a careful regard 
for sanitary conditions. Twenty-five head of 
cows are kept in the dairy, and the products of 
that department of the work are by no means 
insignificant. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Rebman was 
blessed with three children. The eldest was 
born October 17. 1881, and died April 29, 1S82. 
The second, Gail, was bora July 2S, 1883, and 
has been given superior advantages, having at- 
tended the Blackburn University, spent one year 
at Eureka College and graduated from the Illinois 
State University, afterwards accepting a position 
in the Colfax High School as Teacher of Eng- 
lish and Medieval History. The youngest child, 
Herman, born November 21, 1884, was likewise 
given good advantages, and is now with his pa- 
rents on the farm. Mrs. Rebman is an active 
worker in the Christian Church, and Mr. Reb- 
man is in hearty sympathy with the same, al- 
though not a member. It was largely through 
his suggestion and assistance that the house of 
worship for that congregation was erected in 
Frederick. In habits he is temperate. Liquors 
he has abstained from, tobacco he has never 
used, and tea and coffee form no part of his 
diet. Both by example and by precept he has 
given his influence to the cause of prohibition, 
and has been an opponent of the saloons. In 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



911 



polities, he has been a Republican ever since at- 
taining his majority. For many years he served 
as School Trustee, and always has been inter- 
ested in the cause of general education. In fra- 
ternal relations he is a Royal Arch Mason and a 
member of the Modern Woodmen of America. 

REEVE, Simon A.— The life of Simon A. Reeve 
has spanned the distance between the far fron- 
tier and the twentieth century of Schuyler 
County. Graven upon his memory, and upon 
that of the faithful wife who with him occupies 
a beautiful home in Rushville, 111., are incidents 
which never again can enliven the experience of 
mankind because the conditions governing them 
have been swept beyond human ken by the forces 
of civilization. Mr, Reeve himself has done 
much to bring about the wonderful changes 
which have taken place since the establishment 
of bis family here in 1S29, and perhaps his 
written observations of the same would consti- 
tute as true and interesting a narrative as any 
which have been penned for the delectation and 
enlightenment of the present generation. 

In the peace of his later days Mr. Reeve de- 
lights to recall the youth of a region which now 
boasts unexampled progress and prosperity. He 
himself was but a year old when he came here 
with his parents in 1829 from Springfield, 111., 
where he was born December 28, 1828. II is 
father, John A. Reeve, who was a native of New 
York, and who came to Illinois with his parents 
about 1S20, continued to live in Springfield until 
coming to Bainbridge Township, Schuyler 
County, in 1829. The Indians at that time were 
plentiful, and regarded the paleface as an un- 
warranted intruder. Game abounded on every 
hand, and the forests as yet were unaccustomed 
to the noise of modern firearms. Indian trails 
were the only thoroughfares, and the wigwam 
the prevailing style of architecture. Something 
of the dread silence of the prairies must have 
appalled this intrepid invader of the frontier, for 
he gave a man of the name of Gordon fifty acres 
of land if he would live on it and thus become 
his neighbor. This same land is now valued at 
$125 an acre, a fact which indicates emphatically 
the advance made during the past three score 
odd years. 

Simon A. Reeve attended school during the 
leisure of the winter months, and in summer 
worked in the harvest fields. The schoolhouse 
had a puncheon floor, a wooden latch on the 
door, and a big fireplace to consume logs. The 
children drank from a gourd, and in many in- 
. stances walked miles over dreary stretches of 
wind swept road, twice a day. Simon remained 
on the home place until his marriage. January 
12, 1854, to Jane Orr, a native of County Far- 
managh, Ireland, and born October 14. 1833. 
Mrs. Reeve is a daughter of Joseph and Mary- 
Ann (Burnside) Orr. and came with her parents 
to America in a sailing vessel in November, 
1839, settling in Bainbridge Township. Mr. and 
Mrs. Reeve went to housekeeping in Bainbridge 
Township in a log house 18 by 20 feet in dimen- 



sions, and part of this original home is still stand- 
ing on the old place, a witness to the courage 
and early efforts of the pioneer occupants. Eighty 
acres of the farm was covered with heavy tim- 
ber, which, owing to the absence of a paying 
market, was consumed for fuel. Both of the 
young people were well prepared for their life 
of hardship and deprivation, and both possessed 
the industry which moves mountains and raises 
those who possess it to places of comfort and 
honor. Mrs. Reeve had learned the art of weav- 
ing, and all of the clothing of the household was 
made by her, the crude wool being washed, col- 
ored, woven and made into garments by her pa- 
tient hands. This loyal mother still has blank- 
ets and coverlets created by her in the days of 
long ago, and when her sons grew to maturity 
and married she gave each of them a blanket 
for a keepsake. The log house was a popular 
one in the neighborhood, the center of much hos- 
pitality and enjoyment, and the people got much 
out of life with their crude accessories and op- 
portunities. A common custom was the 'hitching 
up of ox teams and attending church in a body, 
or assembling at the homes to eat and drink and 
make merry before the blazing logs of the tire- 
place. A great time was had at the erection of 
the Reeve barn about 1869, the neighbors coming 
from afar, and working with might and main to 
complete the large structure. 

four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Reeve, of whom Simon and Isadore died in in- 
fancy. William H. now owns part of the old 
homestead, and Pulaski is a retired farmer, of 
Rushville. To the first eighty acres more was 
added as success came the way of the owners, 
Mr. Reeve finally having 280 acres which he 
continued to occupy and manage until erecting 
his present beautiful modern home in Rushville 
in 1905. Taken as a whole, the lives of this 
worthy couple have been useful and fortunate 
ones, and in the twilight of their existence they 
have much to be grateful for. Their sons are 
capable, honored Christian gentlemen, reflecting 
the training with which their youth was so 
richly blessed, and friends have risen up who 
delight in an association of great benefit to all 
concerned. No name stands for greater purity 
of character or for safe and practical ideals of 
living, in the annals of Schuyler County. 

REEVE, William H— The opinion has often 
been expressed that America is too big to love; 
that natives of such countries as Switzerland, 
Holland or England may have an affection for 
the very soil of the fatherland, but that an 
American can never be imbued with such a love. 
Such critics need not even go to the old home- 
steads of the Eastern and Southern States to be 
disabused of such an idea, for right here in the 
long-settled agricultural communities of Illinois, 
they will find many families who are still living 
where their fathers located more than half a 
century ago, and who have a feeling almost of 
devotion toward every familiar tree and stream 
and gently rolling fields, recalling some scene of 



913 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



the passing years. A signal illustration of tins 
deep love tor the old home place among Ameri- 
cans is furnished in the life of William H. 
Reeve, a leading farmer and large land owner 
of Bainbridge Township. Schuyler County. Born 
in the township named, on the farm which ne 
now occupies, on October 17, 1854, he is the son 
of Simon A. Reeve, whose first home when ne 
came to Schuyler County, was the little tumble- 
down of a log cabin, which may still be seen 
from the comfortable residence of William H., 
and which is tenderly preserved by him as the 
place of bis birth and the center of his boyhood 
and youth. The dilapidated home cabin has also 
been photographed and a handsome framed pic- 
ture hangs upon the walls of the present family 
residence. It was here he lived until his eight- 
eenth birthday, when the paternal family moved 
into a beautiful dwelling erected on the farm, 
not far away. 

William H. Reeve remained upon the home 
farm with his parents until his marriage to Har- 
riet E. Acldey, March 31, 1879. His wife was 
born in Adams County, 111., in January, 1852, 
the daughter of Nathan and Pauline ( Spangler) 
Aekley, natives, respectively, of New York and 
Indiana, who settled in Huntsville Township, 
Schuyler County, at an early day. 

After his marriage, Mr. Reeve and bis father 
entered into a partnership in their agricultural 
operations. The latter purchased an eighty-acre 
timber tract, and as the son was very skillful 
in grubbing stumps, his part of the clearing was 
readily assigned. Of that fact sixty acres was 
cleared. Father and son operated together until 
January, 1004, when the former retired from 
active work to a beautiful home in the city of 
Rushville. the county seat, where he and his 
faithful wife are surrounded by steadfast friends, 
and live amid the comforts and peace springing 
from industrious and well-spent years. 

William II. Reeve is acknowledged to be one o1 
the best grain farmers and live-stock men in the 
county, conducting his extensive operations on a 
magnificent tract of 307 acres in one body, lying 
in Section 15. Bainbridge Township. He gives 
special attention to the raising of wheat and 
clover, Gold Dust being the variety of that grain 
which is his particular pride, and in the culti- 
vation of which he has met with remarkable suc- 
cess. During the past year he had 130 acres de- 
voted to wheat alone. He also keeps upon the 
farm the best grade of live stock, his sleek, well- 
fed animals, the methodical appearance o" his 
fields and the bright, substantial condition of his 
buildings, revealing the hand and mind of the 
master agriculturist. Decided skill as a tiller of 
the soil, high ability as a manager and uncom- 
promising integrity in his dealings, have inspired 
a general and a firm confidence which has never 
been shaken. « 

As he looks back over the half a century, and 
more, since he first placed his feet on the soil 
which he still treads, during which time many 
of his boyhood friends have gone to other places 
and some to their long rest, he cannot but be 



thankful that he has been permitted to take such 
an active part in the many great changes which 
have taken place. He has lived to see the price 
of land in Schuyler County rise from $25 to 
;>12r> an acre, and to witness the rise of villages 
and cities from the forest and the raw prairie. 
Schools and churches have sprung into life and 
the township government has been organized and 
extended — in all of which progress Mr. Reeve 
has taken the part of a good and enterprising 
citizen. 

Besides his large farming and landed inter- 
ests, Mr. Reeve is identified with the city of 
Rushville, being the owner of a business house 
on the west side of the square, and a splendid 
residence. In religion he is a Methodist, and in 
politics, a Democrat, and altogether a splendid 
type of the American farmer and American citi- 
zen, firmly attached to his church, his party, his 
country and his home. 

RENO, Benjamin F. — On the farm he now oc- 
cupies in Section 22, Browning Township, Schuy- 
ler County, 111., Benjamin F. Reno was bom 
April 22, 1S5G. Previously, his parents, Jona- 
than and Louisa (Thornton) Reno, had made 
for themselves substantial place in the history 
of the township, having settled here in 1825, when 
the locality offered small encouragement to the 
people who sought immediate recognition of their 
industry and worth. Jonathan Reno long since 
joined the silent majority, but a distinct and 
unfailing echo of the days of the frontier is 
found in the wife who survives him, and who, 
with the snows of ninety-five years in her hair, 
and the kindliness and happiness of one who 
has lived well and faithfully in her heart, is the 
joy of the household of her son, Benjamin F. It 
will be seen that the township has profited by 
the association of this family for eighty-three 
years, and it would be difficult to estimate the 
good and influence that have resulted therefrom. 
Tlie wife of the early settler has a remarkably 
active mind, and her associates delight in her 
stories of the log cabin and tallow dip days, and 
especially of the winter of 1830, known as the 
winter of the deep snow. Almost incredible 
seem the experiences of the people who were 
making that early history, and the discourage- 
ments they encountered and obstacles they over- 
came, pronounce them people of more than ordi- 
nary purpose and determination. Mrs. Reno re- 
calls the wigwam of the Indians, and her many 
experiences with them, although for the most 
part they at that time had moved to other hunt- 
ing grounds, returning, however, occasionally, to 
the former place of their abode. 

Benjamin F. Reno came upon the scene when 
many comforts and advantages had been intro- 
duced into the lives of the settlers, but of ne- 
cessity his educational chances were limited, and 
confined to the subscription schools and study 
around the hearth when the day's tasks were 
completed. When his father arrived at the age 
where leisure was more welcome than labor, the 
son renewed his ardor and assumed additional 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEI! COUNTY. 



913 



responsibility, and October !•, 1887, was united in 
marriage to Emma Workman, who was bom in 
Hickory Township, Schuyler County, July 5, 
1869, a daughter Of Joseph Workman, a native 
of Ohio, and pioneer of Schuyler County. Mrs. 
Workman, who now lives in Browning Township, 
was born in Georgia, and came early to this 
Western Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Iteno have 
been born tour children, two of whom died in 
infancy. Of those living, Guy is a graduate of 
the Kushvillc Normal, Class of 1900, and of the 
business department of the same institution. 
Class of 1907 ; and Ellsworth is a student in the 
district schools. Out of the kindness of their 
hearts Mr. and Mrs. Reno have given a home, 
since he was a year and a half old, to John 
Stambaugh, who now is twenty years old, a grad- 
uate of the Rushville Normal, and who always 
signs himself John Reno. He is now in the 
mail service. 

Mr. Reno is the fortunate possessor of 105 
acres of land which he devotes to stock and gen- 
eral produce. He is one of the thrifty and suc- 
cessful farmers of the township, and sustains 
well the reputation established by his father 
when Schuyler County was an unhindered wil- 
derness. Politically, he is a Democrat, and 
fraternally, is identified with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. 

RENO, Hon. William C— The founder of the 
Reno family in Illinois was Jonathan, who as 
early as 1S25 brought his wife and children to 
Schuyler County and entered land in Frederick 
Township near what is known as Reno Lake. 
From there in 1S27 he removed to Rushville 
Township and entered land on Section 16, later 
transfering his home to McDonough County, 
and eventually going to the vicinity of Spring- 
held, Mo., where he died. After his death his 
widow returned to Illinois and remained in 
Schuyler County until her death. Their son, 
Jonathan. Jr., was born in East Tennessee, and 
about 1834 married Eliza Thornton, a native of 
the same State. Their marriage was solemnized 
in Browning Township, where they made their 
home during much of their lives. As a farmer 
he was industrious and persevering. For a time 
he also operated a sawmill. At the time of 
the construction of the Wabash Railroad he had 
a contract to furnish ties and other material for 
building: this he rafted down the Illinois as far 
as Xaples, where it was put into use. With the 
exception of two years spent in Iowa he con- 
tinued to reside in Browning Township until his 
death in 1884, a part of his better years being 
spent on the farm now occupied by Benjamin F., 
his youngest sen. Politically, he was stanch in 
his allegiance to the Democratic party. His 
widow has reached the venerable age of ninety- 
five years, and makes her home with her son, 
B. F.. at the old homestead. Notwithstanding 
her great age, she retains possession of her fac- 
ulties to a large degree. 

In the family of Jonathan Reno, Jr.. there are 
five sons and two daughters now living, namely : 



William C who was born in Browning Towu- 
ship, Schuyler County, September 9, 1838; Jas- 
per, a resident of Sedalia, Mo. ; Charles, of As- 
toria, 111.; Andrew J., a susbstantial tarmer of 
Warren County, 111.; Benjamin F., who remains 
at the old homestead; Rebecca, widow of I. B. 
Sipher ; and Matilda, who married W. J. Bates 
and resides at Browning, Schuyler County. Three 
daughters died in infancy and one passed away 
after her marriage. During the boyhood years 
of William C. Reno, he helped on the home farm 
and attended the neighborhood schools. Chil- 
dren in that period had few advantages. The 
sehoolhouse where he was a pupil was con- 
structed of logs, with a floor oi puncheons and 
with slabs for benches. Text-books were few 
and of inferior quality. However, he was a 
diligent student and made the most of every 
opportunity, studying with the utmost diligence 
every book that came within his reach. Thus he 
gained the foundation of his present broad fund 
of information. 

At the time of the excitement caused by the 
discovery of gold in the Pike's Peak region, in 
1859, Mr. Reno started for that region in company 
with others, making the journey with wagon 
and oxen. On his arrival he found that only 
men with capital could work advantageously in 
prospecting and mining, so he soon returned, 
content to settle down to the more quiet life of 
a farmer. October IS, 1861, he was united in 
marriage with Rebecca A. Wallace, who was 
bora and reared in Browning Township. The 
young couple began housekeeping on a rented 
farm, but in 1S66, they removed to Browning, 
wheie Mr. Reno had charge of a warehouse 
on the river. Soon he returned to the farm, but 
in 1876 returned to Browning where he has since 
made his home. In the public life of his town- 
ship he has been a leader and, politically, has 
been a prominent Democrat, active in local 
party work. For ten years he officiated as town- 
ship treasurer. For fourteen years he served 
as supervisor and. during four years of that 
time he was honored with the position of chair- 
man of the hoard. In 1872 he was elected Justice 
of the Peace, which position he has filled ever 
since. 

A further honor came to him in 1880, when 
he was selected to represent the Fulton and 
Schuyler Senatorial District, in the Illinois Leg- 
islature, where, during his term of service, he 
was found a faithful representative of his con- 
stituents and a talented acquisition to the Leg- 
islature. 

Sorrow came into the family circle when the 
wife and mother was called from earth April 11. 
1893, leaving to her husband and children the 
memory of a self-sacrificing life and a noble 
Christian character. Eight children were born 
of the marriage, one of whom died in infancy. 
Samuel F.. the eldest son. is engaged in the real- 
estate and loan business at Pueblo. Colo. ; Selina 
and Jemima make their home with their father: 
Mark M. holds the position of Division railroad 
passenger agent, with headquarters at Burlington, 



914 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



la.; Minnie M. married Amos Curry and at her 
death left three children — Marie, Ada and Fred : 
Jay is manager of a drygoods store in Macorub, 111., 
aud Fred, the youngest of the family, resides in 
Lincoln, Neb., holding the responsible position of 
chief iif the baggage aud express department of 
the Chicago. Burlington & Quiucy Railway, west 
of the Missouri River. The sous have risen to 
prominence iu their various occupations and. by 
their success, have added prestige to au hon- 
ored family name. Fraternally, Mr. Reno is 
identified with Astoria Lodge No. 100, A. F. & 
A. M., of which he became a member in 1868. 
Since 18(54 he has been associated with Brown- 
ing Lodge No. 309, I. O. O. F. Through a long 
life he has won and retained the confidence of 
his fellowmen. Honorable in business relations, 
alert in promotion of the welfare of the people, 
patriotic in devotion to county and common- 
wealth, keen in judgment and progressive in 
thought, lie furnishes a type of the men who 
have brought Schuyler County to its present de- 
gree of prosperity and prominence. 

RIDINGS, Nelson McNaire.— The success of 
Nelson McNaire Ridings is a logical conclusion 
of his inheritance and environment. For many 
generations his people have tilled the soil, and 
perfected farms which ever have represented the 
best thus far achieved in agricultural science. 
Mr. Hidings himself lias proved no exception to 
the family precedent, but in Section 9, Camden 
Township, operated a property the equipment 
and fertility of which is not surpassed anywhere 
in Schuyler County. Born in Hancock County. 
111., December 2, 1849, he is a son of James E. 
and grandson of William Ridings, both natives 
of Tennessee, and early settlers of Hancock 
County. Some time later the family moved to 
Woodstock Township, Schuyler County, from the 
vicinity of Pulaski, Hancock County, locating 
near the home of Robert Brown, where the last 
days of William Ridings were spent in eom- 
parative retirement. He had seven children, of 
whom William McNaire and Mrs. Jane Skinnett 
are living, the latter being a native of Joplin, 
Missouri. Three of his sons. Mack, David and 
Washington, served four years each in the Civil 
War. one in a Missouri regiment, another in the 
One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, and the third in the One Hundred and 
Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. In 
Hancock County, III.. James R. Ridings mar- 
ried Elizabeth F. Bennett, a native of Ohio, and 
daughter of an Ohio farmer. Mrs. Ridings 
came to Schuyler County with her parents and 
her uncle, Joseph Newberry, from Ohio, set- 
tling in Bainbridge Township, where Newberry 
Postofflce was named for the uncle. James 
Ridings was a blacksmith by trade, and this he 
followed after bis marriage in 1846 in the village 
of Rushville. He later lived in Bloomington for 
a few years, then moved to Missouri, and after 
the death of his father, in 1861, returned to the 
old borne farm in Woodstock Township, which he 
tools charge of and lived upon until his death. 



November 7. 1903. Like his father before him 
lie was the parent of seven children, of whom 
Lorain died iu infancy ; Nelson McNaire is a 
farmer in Schuyler County ; Flora is the wife 
of James Greene, a farmer in Iowa; Eli/.a (de- 
ceased) was the wife of Jacob Harmon, Jr., 
of the vicinity of Rushville ; Charles is a farmer 
of Walnut Grove Township, McDouough County. 
111. ; Abide is the wife of Eugene Betrauch, of 
lew a; and Arthur lives ou a farm near Rush- 
ville. 

Through a close application to study during 
his leisure hours Nelson McNaire Ridings ac- 
quired a much better education than does the 
average farm-reared youth, who depends solely 
upon the instruction of the local schools. The 
hardest kind of work claimed his very early 
years, and when but teu he drove a team that 
hauled pork to Beardstown. where his uncle, 
David Ridings, would help him unload. During 
several winters he devoted his energies to team- 
ing, and the summers were spent iu the harvest 
field, the falls being spent in driving the horses 
for the old horse-power threshing machine. His 
father worked for several winters in the packing 
department of Ray & Little, and the son aided 
him with this work until Ids twenty-first year, 
when he began farming on land he had rented 
from his father. January 14. 1S72, he was 
united in marriage to Emma Z. De Counter, 
born February 28, 1853, a daughter of Samuel 
De Counter, mention of whom may be found 
elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Killings have been born the following children: 
Laura Isabel!, born December 19, 1872, wife of 
Walter Warington. a farmer of Camden Town- 
ship, ami mother of a daughter. Lena; James 
Samuel, bom November 10, 1N74. married to 
Lenora Head: Katie E., born December 21, 
1S7C. deceased wife of Louis French, and mother 
of Altie and Jessie, the latter of whom died at 
the age of three years: Daisy, born December 
4, 1S7S. deceased wife of Lee Myers, a farmer of 
Huntsville Township; Clifford M., born Decem- 
ber 2. 1881, living at home with his parents: 
Logan J., born April 9. 1887: Raleigh, born Feb- 
ruary 9. 1889; and Guy. born November 18. 189.-,. 
Logan Ridiugs studied law at Des Moines, la.. 
graduating in 190S: and Clifford is a graduate of 
the Rushville Normal aud Business College. 
Class of 1902. 

After living on rented farms for several years 
Mr. Ridings in 1877 bought eighty acres in 
Camden Township, which remained his home for 
twenty-six years. He was successful at general 
farming and stock-raising, and in 1903 moved to 
the farm owned by Samuel De Counter, which 
consists of 300 acres in Section 9, Camden Town- 
ship. He at present is extensively engaged in 
the breeding of Poland-China hogs black cattle 
and Belgian horses. He ships several ear loads 
of stock annually, and is known as one of the 
best judges thereof in Schuyler County. The 
farm he occupies has the finest of modern im- 
provements, has special facilities for stock, and 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



915 



is adapted to the various kinds of produce asso- 
ciated with the Central Western States. 

Mr. Ridings lias always had the best interests 
of (Schuyler County at heart, and has vigorously 
endorsed good roads, good schools, churches, be- 
nevolent organizations, and fraternities. Though 
not a member, he contributes liberally to the 
Christian Church, of which his wiie is a member, 
and lie lias been a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, of Huntsville, 111., for 
many years, having joined the Rushville lodge 
of the order about 1872. In politics, he is a Dem- 
ocrat, but the emoluments of office have never 
drawn him from Ihe more peaceful interests of 
his home. lie i^ a man of the strictest personal 
honor, the kindliest disposition and generosity 
of heart, and the noblest aims in the large things 
which make for character and development. 

RITCHEY, Francis P.— The influx of settlers 
into Schuyler County in 1S31 included George F. 
Ritchey, a man with a venturesome spirit, a 
steady purpose, and considerable mercantile 
ability. He came from a family of farmers and 
pioneers, and his father, John Ritchey, was an 
early arrival in Ohio, where the son was born 
in 1S14. The lad was educated in the early sub- 
scription schools, married Lueinda J. Walker, 
ui Cloverport, Ky., and during the summer of 1831 
came overland to Illinois, settling on Govern- 
ment land in Rushville Township. Soon after- 
wards he embarked in the grocery business in 
the village of Rushville, disposing of the same 
five years later and purchasing the farm in 
Rushville Township, which he operated with 
lair success until his death in 1SS8. The same 
courage and capacity of endurance which brought 
him to the wilds of Illinois induced him to seek his 
fortune in the gold mines of California in 1850, 
and he undertook the long journey aeross the 
plains in an ox train, driving a team of sturdy 
oxen from early morn until nightfall for six 
months. lie seems not to have been especially 
successful as tin Argonaut, lor in is.">:; he re- 
turned and took up the burden of farming and 
stock-raising. 

At the age of thirty years Framis 1'. Ritchey 
left the home farm in Rushville Township, and 
went to seek his fortune in tile State of Kansas. 
He had received a practical education in the pub- 
lic schools, had profited by a commercial course 
in Indianapolis and in Illinois, as in Kansas, 
engaged in school teaching for several terms, 
lie also embarked on an agricultural enterprise 
in the latter State, but the uncertainty of the 
seasons and the failure of eroiis interfered 
with the realization of his expectations and 
he returned to his former home in Rush- 
ville Township in 1876. The same year he w.as 
united in marriage to Catherine Sands, a daugh- 
ter of Robert and Frances Sands, natives of 
Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. Pour chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ritchey: 
Laura E.. wife of Noah Moore, of Rushville: 
Frances: George F. : and Robert F. These chil- 
dren have all been given excellent educational 



and general advantages, and are developing into 
capable and useful members of society. 
Frances is attending a school of elocution in Chi- 
cago: George F. is qualifying as a physician and 
surgeon at the St. Louis Medical School ; and 
Robert F. is in charge of the old home place iu 
Rushville Township. 

At the present time Mr. Ritchey owns 265 
acres of land iu Section (J, in the above named 
township, all of it improved, and equipped with 
modern implements. In addition to general 
farming he always has on hand various kinds 
of stock, including high grade horses, cattle and 
hogs, and is promoting one of the most modern 
and scientific farming enterprises in the State 
of Illinois. lie is a Republican in politics, has 
held, among other offices, that of Supervisor of 
Rushville Township, and with the rest of his 
family, is a devout and consistent member of 
the Christian Church. Fraternally, he is con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. Mr. Ritchey is a man of Hue breeding, 
tact and consideration, and is well informed 
upon the subjects which interest progressive and 
intelligent people. Farming has enlarged and 
broadened his mind and perceptions, instead of 
narrowing them, as is the case with less inquir- 
ing men. and he is physically, mentally and 
morally, a representative of the best agricultural 
element of his time, and place. 

RITTENHOUSE, William.— There is no family 
in Schuyler County, 111... which has done more 
tor the cause of temperance, morality and relig- 
ion than that so well represented by William 
Rittenhouse, whose homestead is located in Sec- 
tion 10. Bainbridge Township. He was born in 
the township, half a mile west of his present 
home, on February 11. 1857, a son of William 
and Nancy (Kelley) Rittenhouse, who were na- 
tives of Switzerland County, Ind.. and came to 
Schuyler County about 1*4!>. In that year he 
located in Bainbridge Township, which he made 
his home until his death in 1S78, his wife sur- 
viving him until l'.iol. Both were life-long mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church, and true disciples 
of Christ vim devoted their lives to the assist- 
ance and uplifting of their fellows. They be- 
eanie the parents of fourteen children t eleven 
still living), as follows: Henry, who is a 
farmer in Hardin County. 111.: Enoch, a farmer 
of Bainbridge Township: Washington, of Wood- 
stock Township: Sarah, who is now the wife of 
.lames .Montague, of Norton County. Kans. ; 
Rose Ann. wife of Ebenezer Crist, whose hus- 
band is a Bainbridge Township farmer: Marion. 

a resident of W istoclj Township: Mary, wife 

of Henry Ilalfield. of Norton County. Kans.: 
Thomas, who died in IS'.IT: William: James, who 
is living in the Indian Territory : Hiram, a 
farmer of Brown County. II!., and Nancy .1., now 
.Mrs. Thomas P.urnside. living on the old home- 
stead; Delia, who died at the age of live years; 
and an infant, also deceased. 

William Rittenhouse was reared on Ihe fam- 
ily farm, attended the district school of his 



91G 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



neighborhood, and ou February 10, 1876, married 
Rachel J Stoneking, a daughter of Washington 
and Sarah (Wardell) Stoneking, and a nativeof 
Cambridge Township. The young couple then 
began married life on the farm where the hus- 
band was born, remaining there until 1S7S, when 
they removed to Norton County, Kans., and after 
a years residence there returned to their na- 
tive township. After renting land for some 
years, Mr. Rittenhouse bought the interest of the 

!""' s '" ' lll] tome farm, and again assumed 

the management of the property, remaining on 
the homestead until October. 1889, when he sold 
it and bought eighty acres in Section 16. in the 
same township. 

™ M . r "r^ d i IrS - Rittenu "»*<' have five children. 
viz.. Otis T. a fanner of Woodstock Township 
who married Eleanor Hudson and has three chil- 
dren-James W. t Clifford and Ethel ; Nancy 

wiVe nfV, n X ° r o n County ' Kans "> wh0 ^ the 
vwfe of Silvanus Orr and the mother of William 

H. . Sarah Jaue, wife of Frank lllman, a farmer 

residing in Woodstock Township, this county; 

of on •;')V' S n P, Ugb L0gsd0U ' wh ° is tl] e mother 
of one child, William A. ; and Robert S 

For fifty years Mr. Rittenhouse has made his 

home in Bainbridge Township, and during all 

this period confidence in his substantial ability 

and moral strength has been continual 

strengthening. When he was about twent^ ye s 

for tv le " nited Wlth the Ba » tist Church Tnd 
for twelve years was an active member of that 

f s t cwh on ;, , H h e theu joiuecl t,le Free Mrt ^d- 

nflm.o , " "■? Sin0e 1,een oue of its most 

influential adherents. In 1SSS. when the local 

society erected a well-arranged and attractive 
edifice, he was the largest contributor to he 
work, and has continued to be a leader in its 
Ki ^ *?» he was Superintendent or 

n wb ?h ' ''"" , thr0Ugb t,le organization 

n which he is so earnest a spirit, splendid work 

has been accomplished for the Christian cZZ, 

while personally, his entire life inspired by the 

teachings of his Master, has won the regard of 

even those who have not agr 1 with h m n 

denominational matters. For many years he has 
also been an uncompromising Prohibitionist cast 

Tob, , E£ " t T si ' 1 "" tial vote for John PS 
t hi .'> A ' tboush his I 1eo ' ,lp were Democrats, 
the moral importance of the temperance cause 
so forcibly appealed to him that he finally c "„- 

suorfo^ofU 1 hiS , "" iti '• ;,1 effQrts toward The 
be ," ,'" " n, 1 1, : i " lf ' s "Mch to so thoroughly 

bm v • , l "\ n " ,lt 1 In his politics, as in bis 
daily hte. he is guided by the code of morals 
which springs from Christianity, so t la even 
his opponents admire his perfect sincerity an 
thoroughly honor him. ' 



sides, are portrayed in another sketch in this 
connection. Delano G. Robeson, having spent all 
his active years in agricultural pursuits, has 
now abandoned active labor, and is living in re- 
tirement. The early youth of Banning H. Robeson 
was passed on the paternal farm, and in boyhood 
ie received Ins education in the common schools 
on reaching the period of maturity he applied 
biniself on his own responsibility, his first lo- 
cal,,,,, being at Christian Neck, whence he moved 
m lbM to his present farm. He is the owner 
of i8 acres of laud in Section 9. Rushville Town- 
snip and his operations thereon have been at- 
tended by invariable success 

Ou April 18, 1S88, in Rushville Township, Mr 
Robeson was united iu marriage with Delia v' 
Anderson, a daughter of Henry Harrison and 
Hannah (Ilmdman) Anderson, old settlers of 
the township. Two boys and two girls resulted 
from this union, namely: Pearl, Trade, Delano 
ami Homer. 

Mr. Robeson takes a good citizen's interest in 
the public affairs of his locality, and in the 
spring of 1905. was elected to the office of Road 
Coinnijssioner, the duties of which he discharged 
faithfully and efficiently. 



ROBESON, Banning H., a well known, thriving 
and much respected farmer of Rushville Towm 
ship. Schuyler County. 111.. was born in the vi - 
age of Astoria, Fulton County, 111. January 30, 
1863 a son of Delano O. and Sarah fHarner) 
Roles,,,,, whose lives, together with full partic- 
ulars ,„ regard to the family history on both 



ROBESON, Delano G.— The State of Ohio has 
been a never failing recruiting ground for the 
successful farmers of Schuyler County. Ill and 
a representative of the best to come' from that 
earlier settled community is Delano G. Robeson 
the chief activity of whose career lies in the past 
rather than the present of Astoria Township 
Mr. Robeson was born in Danville, Knox 
County, Ohio, in 1838, and comes of a family 
long identified witli Maryland, where was bora 
the paternal grandfather. Solomon Robeson the 
founder of the family in Knox County. Ohio 
On the farm in Ohio was born, in 1813 Jacob 
W. Robeson, father of Delano, and in the same 
county and State was bom Delano's mother 
Louise (Giftoii) Robeson, in 1820. The maternal 
grandfather, Robert Giffon, was boru in Scot- 
land, and by occupation was a millwright. He 
was a man of great business sagacity, and be- 
came a large landed proprietor" in Coshocton 
County. Ohio, owning at one time 4.000 acres of 
land near Newcastle, and 3,000 acres iu another 
part of the county. He acquired great general in- 
fluence, anil was one of the very substantial and 
prominent men of his community. 

Jacob W. Robeson was reared on the Ohio 
farm and eventually embarked in an independent 
tanning enterprise. For a time after his mar- 
riage he combined farming and the keepin" of 
a country tavern, thereafter removing from Knox 
to Coshocton County. Ohio, and still later 
locating in Fulton County. 111., bringing his fam- 
ily in 1850 to Astoria Township, in that county 
where he was engaged in farming and stock- 
raising until shortly before his death iu 1880 
He was a kindly disposed and quite successful 
man, and left a property which reflected credit 
upon bis industry and good judgment. 
Delano G. Robeson came to Rushville, Schuy- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



917 



ler County, from Fulton County, iu 1870, and 
two years later, bought sixty acres of land 
In Sections 10 and 15, Rushville Township, going 
in debt for the same to the extent of $1,000, for 
which he paid ten per cent interest. Eventually 
he added to this property as opportunity came 
his way, until at present he owns 820 acres, be- 
sides two valuable lots in the city of Rushville. 
For the management of this property Mr. Robe- 
sou was well equipped, for he was ever an apt 
pupil in the public schools, and had so far felt 
the need of further training that he taught 
school before and after, in order to complete the 
course at the Jones Commercial College, at St. 
Louis. He also gained some business experience 
as a clerk in the general store of Mr. Scripps, 
of Rushville. He had a special aptitude for 
farming, however, and was always glad to get 
back to the freedom and independence of rural 
life. In 1892 he temporarily left the farm and 
located in Rushville, returning to the farm five 
years later, and in 1005 taking up his permanent 
residence in the city of Rushville. He has a 
splendid farm, improved to the best known to 
the modem agriculturist, and upon it may be 
found a high grade of horses, cattle and hogs, 
besides ;i fine residence and substantial barns 
and outbuildings. His thousand-dollar debt did 
not long remain uncancelled, for the debtor was 
a man of energy and push, who left no stone un- 
turned to achieve the best possible results iu his 
line. 

The marriage of Mr. Robeson and Sarah M. 
Haffner occurred iu Fulton County, 111., iu 1862, 
Mrs. Robeson being a native of Virginia, and 
born in 1843. Six children have been born to 
Mr. and Mis. Robeson: Banning H., Hose II.. 
Daniel W., Harry EL, Celia M., and Louise V., de- 
ceased. Mr. Robeson is a Democrat in politics, 
and local activity lias redounded to clean gov- 
ernment and fair official dealing. He served 
as Assessor of Astoria Township four years and 
filled the same position in Rushville Township 
for twelve consecutive years. He was also 
Collector in Astoria Township two years. Fail- 
ing health has interfered somewhat with the 
usefuluess and happiness of his later years, but 
his good spirits remain undiminished, and his 
interest in the people and happenings around 
him is as keen as when he was an active co- 
worker. His inherent honesty and rare good 
sense have been manifest in all of his dealings 
with his fellow men, and he enjoys the respect 
and good will of all who know him. 

ROBESON, Jacob H. — An example of intelligent 
farming and refined country life is found in the 
home surroundings of Jacob II. Robeson, the 
greater part of whose career lias been spent in 
Rushville Township, Schuyler County. Mr. Robe- 
son was born on a farm in Ohio in 1853, his 
parents. Jacob W. and Louise (Glffin) Robeson, 
being natives of that State. The family moved 
from Ohio to Fulton County. 111., when Jacob II. 
was a young lad, and when he had reached the 
age of fifteen years, they settled in Schuyler 



County, where he completed his education in 
the public schools and developed into a capable 
fanner and useful citizen. Further particulars 
in regard to the Robeson family history may be 
found iu a sketch of Delano G. Robeson appear- 
ing elsewhere In this connection. 

When twenty-one years old. Mr. Robeson con- 
tracted the mining fever, which, mentally at 
least, offered an easy and rapid way to fortune. 
For three .veal's he worked in the silver mines of 
Colorado, and at the expiration of that time re- 
turned to Schuyler County, content to await the 
slow but sure rewards of general farming. He 
still has a fine and valuable farming property, 
which he has devoted to raising the products 
for which the Central West is noted, and his 
buildings and general equipment have always 
indicated a careful and. practical turn of mind. 
In 190G Mr. Robeson decided to leave his farm 
of 200 acres, and bought an attractive cottage on 
West Lafayette Street, iu Rushville, where he is 
enjoying the comforts of a well spent life aud 
the society of many friends. 

In 1880 .Mr. Robeson was married to Frances 
Strong, of Rushville Township, and they have 
four children, namely: Jacob L.. Clarence B., 
Bertha M., aud Grace V. The mother of this 
family is a daughter of Ennis Strong, a pioneer 
settler of Pleasant view. 111., where he operated 
a grist-mill a number of years. Both of her 
parents' died in Schuyler County. Besides her- 
self there are four sons and three daughters still 
living, as follows: Thomas, who resides near 
Lincoln, Neb.: Frank, of 1'leasantview, and John, 
a farmer near that place; Burton, a fanner in 
Rushville Township; Ella, wife of Lou Kinnear, 
of Rushville, 111.: Drudy, wife of George Skiles, 
of Lincoln. Neb. : and Ida. wife of William Reb- 
mau, who lives just north of Pleasantview. 

Although an earnest Democrat since casting 
his first presidential vote. Mr. Robeson is averse 
to seeking office, and has never been a candidate 
for local political honors. He has been a tire- 
less worker, and progressive, thoughtful man. 
readily adapting himself to the use of such im- 
provements as appealed to his reason aud com- 
mon sense. 

R0DEWALD, Adolphus Peter.— One of the most 
striking exemplifications of what resolute per- 
sistence, diligent use of opportunity, and fidelity 
to the dictates of duty will accomplish, in a 
comparatively brief career, when combined with 
innate talent, is found in the life of the well- 
known citizen of Rushville, Schuyler County, 111., 
whose name introduces this narrative. 

Mr. Rodewald was torn in Brooklyn, Schuyler 
County, III., November 4, 1S02. He is a son 
of Charles and Eliese (Peter) Rodewald, natives 
of Germany, where his father was born Feb- 
ruary 2, 1826, and his mother. October 15, 1833. 
Charles Rodewald was a blacksmith by trade, 
and also carried on farming as a means of liveli- 
hood. In the year 1849 he came to America, and 
soon settled in Schuyler County, 111., and on 
Manh 18, 1852, he was married to Eliese 



918 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Philippena Peter, at Rushville. At the outset 
he followed his trade of blaeksini thing, but after- 
wards abandoned that occupation and engaged 
in farming, operating also to a large extent in 
real estate, and at the time of his death being 
the owner of several valuable farms in Schuyler 
County. To him and his excellent spouse were 
I mill seven children, as follows: Frederick, 
Charles William, George Herman (who died in 
infamy i, Dorothea Catherine, Adolphus Peter, 
Eustena Eliese and Benjamin Franklin. The 
death of Charles Rodewald occurred on June 
24, 1878, and that of Eliese (Peter) Rodewald, 
on November 29, 1895. 

Adolphus P. Rodewald attended the public 
schools of his neighborhood when a boy, and in 
1ST:: removed with his parents to Rushville, 
becoming a pupil in the Rushville Union School. 
He was graduated from the Rushville High 
School in the Class of 1882. For many years 
he was President of the Rushville High 
School Alumni Association. His youth was 
spent on the paternal farm. After his studies . 
were completed he secured a clerkship in a 
store, where he remained for several years, and 
subsequently went into business for himself, 
being engaged in the hardware and implement 
trade in Rushville, under the firm name of 
Rodewald & Darnell. 

In politics, Mr. Rodewald is a Democrat, and 
stands high in his party's local councils. In 
1890 he was elected County Clerk of Schuyler 
County, and was re-elected in 1S94, and through 
courteous treatment of the patrons of his office, 
and strict adherence to duty, he gained an envi- 
able reputation as a county official. At the close 
of his second term he voluntarily retired from 
office, and being interested in the l'.ank of Schuy- 
ler County, the board of directors elected him 
Cashier of the institution, and he has ever since 
discharged the duties of that position with 
notable ability and fidelity. Much of the growth 
and prosperity of this sound and reliable bank 
is due to his conservative management and un- 
tiring efforts. He also serves in the capacity of 
Secretary of the Farm & Town Loan Association. 
and is President of the Rushville Telephone Com- 
pany, a strong local corporation. To every 
movement or business industry that is for the 
best interests of this home city, he is ever ready 
to lend counsel and financial aid. 

Mr. Rodewald was united in marriage, at 
Rushville, 111., on June 10, 1896, with Bessie C. 
Dyson, who was born in that city August 2, 
1869. Mrs. Rodewald is a daughter of Joseph 
and Martha (Wheelhouse) Dyson. 

In 1900, Mr. Rodewald was elected a member 
of the Board of Education of the Rushville 
Union Schools, and was re-elected in 1003, serv- 
ing several years as President of that body. He 
was the first graduate of the Rushville High 
School to be elected a member of the Board of 
Education. In fraternal circles, he is identified 
with the Knights of Pythias. He is a man of 
superior qualities, and is recognized as one of 
the ablest financiers in Schuyler County. 



ROSE, John W. — In its second generation in 
Schuyler County, 111., the Rose family has a 
sterling representative in John W. Rose, a 
young man with whom to think and plan is to 
act, and whose many sided capacity and public 
spiritedness supplies a standard of worth of 
which any community might well be proud. Mr. 
Rose is first of all a farmer, and his ability in 
this direction has been augmented by a variety 
of general experiences, including prolonged po- 
litical activity. He is now in his sixth consec- 
utive year as a member of the Board of Super- 
visors, and during this time he has dune much 
towards the practical development of the town- 
ship as a member of the committees on roads, 
bridges and public buildings. He is also serv- 
ing his twelfth year as Township Treasurer, 
and has been Township Clerk, and in fact every- 
thing afforded by local political preferment. He 
discharges his responsibilities with rare good judg- 
ment, unquestioned integrity, and keen appreci- 
ation of the needs and opportunities of the town- 
ship, and irrespective of political bias, he is 
thoroughly appreciated by the residents who 
cherish worth while political and other ideals. 

A farmer in Section 1, Hickory Township, Mr. 
Rose was born in Woodland Township, Schuyler 
County, October 10, 1871, a son of Samuel J. 
and Mahala (Fike) Rose, the former of whom 
was of German ancestry. The elder Rose set- 
tled in Fulton County about 1850, and after 
coming to Schuyler County as a boy, lived for 
a time with his sister Mary, wife of Squire But- 
ler. He acquired the average education of the 
country youth, and married, for bis first wife 
Sarah Shaw, who became the mother of three 
children: Mary, deceased; Stewart E., a farmer 
in Woodland Township ; aud Rebecca, wife of 
Columbus Barker, who reside in Mason County, 
111. After the death of his wife Mr. Rose mar- 
ried Mahala Fike, of which union there was 
but one child. John W. Samuel J. Rose was born 
in Ohio, moving from there to Pennsylvania, 
where his father died, and when he reached 
Schuyler County, he had nothing in the way of 
worldly assets to start him upon his independ- 
ent career. He attained to high honor in the 
community, became one of its well-to-do and in- 
fluential farmers, and in politics held among 
others the office of Township Treasurer. His 
death occurred March 1, 1895, and that of his 
wife, January 24, 1905. 

The education of John W. Rose was acquired 
in the country schools, the public schools of 
Lewistown. and the Western Normal College, 
which he attended a year. With these ad- 
vantages as a nucleus, he has been a constant 
student of men and events, and is one of the 
best posted of the younger generation of the 
township. Following close upon the ending of 
his school days, in 1893 he engaged in the mer- 
cantile business in Bluff City, Schuyler County, 
his integrity and knowledge of his occupation 
resulting in gratifying financial and general 
success. Upon the death of his father in 1896, 
he sold out his business to take charge of the 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



919 



old Rose farm of eighty acres, where he en- 
gaged iu general farming and stock-raising. Suc- 
cess has enabled him to increase his possessions, 
and he now owns 120 acres in Section 17, Curtis 
Township, Fulton County, and 230 acres in 
Hickory Township, Schuyler County, the latter 
of which constitutes his home place. He raises 
geueral produce and a variety of stock, and his 
farm land represents the best possible develop- 
ment known to this age of agriculturists. 

The marriage of Mr. Rose and Nellie Cur- 
less occurred April 9, 1803. Mrs. Rose is 
a daughter of J. W. and Jane (Mclntyre) Cur- 
less, the former being one of the leading pioneers 
of Schuyler County. Both are deceased. Mr. 
and Mrs. Rose have three children : Beatrice, 
Clifford J. and Rose Alice. Mr. Rose has a 
strong and interesting personality, and inspires 
confidence in all with whom he is ever asso- 
ciated. He is vigorously alert to the advantages 
and responsibilities of the young men of the 
present, and contributes his share of character 
and determination and purpose to the enlight- 
ened community of which he is an integral 
factor. In fraternal circles, he is affiliated with 
the Masonic Order and the M. W. A. 

ROSS, John H., a prosperous and prominent 
farmer of Littleton Township. Schuyler County, 
111., and one of the leading citizens of his lo- 
cality, was born in Brooklyn Township, the 
same county, in July, 1848, a son of Tolbert and 
Catherine (Snyder) Ross, natives of Kentucky 
and Virginia, respectively. His paternal grand- 
parents were among the early settlers of Schuy- 
ler County, and here the father of the subject 
of this sketch grew to manhood, and after his 
marriage to Catherine Snyder, followed farm- 
ing t'nr several years in Brooklyn Township. 
Selling out his interests there about the year 
1851, Tolbert Ross bought 120 acres of land in 
Section 10, Littleton Township, subsequently pur- 
chasing more until his farm comprised 160 acres. 
On this place he passed the rest of his life, 
living in October, 1857, at the age of 45 years. In 
1874, his widow became the wife of John Beadle, 
of La Prairie. 111., and lived but a short time after 
her second marriage, passing away in March, 
1S75. By the father of the subject of tliis 
sketch she had three sons and six daughters, all 
hi' whom are still living except a brother, who 
was the fifth in order of birth. In early youth. 
John H. Ross received his education in the 
district schools in the vicinity of his home, as- 
sisting his mother on the farm until the time of 
her marriage to Mr. Beadle. Following that 
event, he took charge of the estate which he 
afterward bought. The house originally stand- 
in'.' on the property was destroyed by fire in 1881, 
and in the following year he built the present 
frame dwelling containing seven rooms. He 
also put up a horse and hay barn, tiled the 
ground and made other necessary improvements, 
until he now has one of the finest farms in the 
county, adjoining the town of Littleton on the 
north. He is successfully engaged in general 



farming, and in addition to this, devotes a por- 
tion ol his time to raising horses, cattle and 
bogs. All his undertakings have been attended 
with profitable results. 

On February 10, 1875, Mr. Ross was joined in 
matrimony with .Mary .1. Peeckenpaugh, who was 
born iu Littleton Township, Schuyler County, 
February 0, 1853. Mrs. Ross is a daughter of 
John and Cassandra lOrvin) Peeckenpaugh, na- 
tives of Kentucky. The marriage of her parents 
took place in Littleton Township. Her father 
died in 1803, her mother having passed away iu 
1856. Besides Mary J., they had one other 
child who died in infancy. In 1881, Mr. and .Mrs. 
Ross moved to Elk County, Kan., where they re- 
mained but a short time, returning the follow- 
ing year, and since then occupying the home 
place. Two children resulted from their union: 
Oel D., born November 25. 1877, who is a min- 
ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is 
located at La Prairie, 111.; and John Frederick, 
born November 20, 1882, a physician and sur- 
geon, also residing in that town. 

Politically, Mr. Ross is a Prohibitionist, and 
has taken an active and influential part in the 
local councils of his party. He has filled various 
township offices with notable efficiency, including 
those of Collector, Assessor. Road Commissioner 
and Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has 
officiated as Superintendent of the Sunday School 
since 1898, and Steward since 1885. 

ROSS, S. B.,— Schuyler County has no better 
judge of stock than S. B. Ross, whose forty- 
four years have been spent in Bueua Vista 
Township, where he was born March 25, 1864, 
and where he now owns 120 acres of land, and 
operates six hundred acres. This enterprising 
landsman is a son of William B. Ross, from 
whom he learned the rudiments of farming, 
and under whose careful guidance he was reared 
tn a practical appreciation of his life mission. 
He was educated in the district schools, but had 
no advantages over those of his schoolmates 
who have achieved less success than himself. 

At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Ross at- 
l.iiueil entire control of the home farm, and Feb- 
ruary l'::. 1887, was united in marriage to Mary 
Moore, daughter of John D. Moore, a sketch of 
whose life appears on another page of this work. 
Mrs. Ross was born in Buena Vista Township 
May 26, 1862, and, like her husband, had only 
average advantages in her youth. Mr. Ross set- 
tled on eighty acres of land in Sections 22 and 27. 
Buena Vista Township, to which he added until 
he owned 120 acres, lie built a good cottage on 
the farm, and cleared about thirty acres, making 
a beautiful and profitable farming property. In 
1893 he rented 160 acres in Section 23. moved 
thereon and operated the same until 1904. The 
latter year he began to operate 600 acres, the 
increase made necessary by his rapid rise in the 
stock industry. Beginning in 1894. he special- 
ized iu raising, feeding and shipping cattle and 
hogs, and at the present time is one of the larg- 



920 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER. COUXTY. 



est operators in Schuyler County He averages 
about four car loads each year, including about 
two hundred head of hogs, and at present he 
has on hand forty-six horses. His farm is 
equipped with first-class machinery, and general 
improvements, and in 1907 he raised 130 acres 
of wheat, and as many of corn. He has made a 
thorough study of scientific feeding, and has 
developed a system which makes him one of the 
most successful men in the business in the State. 
Notwithstanding his increasingly large per- 
sonal responsibility, Mr. Ross has contributed 
to the well being of the community in many 
ways, and has filled several important political 
offices. He is uncompromisingly Democratic, 
and fraternally is identified with the Modern 
Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Ross 
are parents of seven children, of whom Mar- 
garet, a graduate of the Rushville High School, 
was born January 30, 1SS8. and for the past two 
years has been a successful teacher in Schuyler 
County ; Winfield B., a graduate of the high- 
school class of 1907, was born September 21, 
1889; John D. and Mary (twins), were born 
September 25. 1S91 ; Aramlnta was born January 
3, 1893; Beatrice O. was born in September, 
1895; and Samuel S. W. was born June 13, 11105. 

RUNKLE, James I., a farmer of high stand- 
ing and abundant financial resources, an honored 
veteran of the Civil War, and for thirty years a 
much respected citizen of Littleton Township, 
Schuyler County, 111., was born in Industry Town- 
ship, McDonough County, 111., October 6, 1841. His 
father, Darius Runkle, was a native of Cham- 
paign County. Ohio, and his mother, Anna M. 
I Walker l Runkle, was born in Adams County, 
Pa., near the town of Gettysburg. The paternal 
grandparents. William and .Mary (Pence) Runkle. 
were Virginians by nativity, while the birth of 
the grandparents on the maternal side, Andrew 
and Annie (Wilson) Walker, occurred in Penn- 
sylvania. In 1837, Darius Runkle, father of 
James I., located in Doddsville. Schuyler County. 
111., and had charge of the general store of Sam- 
uel Dodds, for about a year. Then he went 
back to Ohio, staying a like period there, and 
returning to Doddsville. where he was united in 
marriage with Anna M. Walker, in 1840. He 
made a wedding trip to his native State in a 
covered wagon, and when the honeymoon was 
over, came to Brooklyn Township, Schuyler 
County, and bought 80 acres of land. This he 
sold after awhile, purcbasing 160 acres in In- 
dustry Township, McDonough County. There he 
followed farming until the time of his death, 
March 13, 1890. at the age of S3 years. His 
wife died in 1SS0. when 05 years old. Darius 
Runkle was a very extensive landholder, one 
of the largest in Central Illinois. His landed 
possessions comprised 3,000 acres, including 
farms in Industry and Bethel Townships. Mc- 
Donough County, and Littleton Township, Schuy- 
ler County. He was a man of much force of 
character, and considerable prominence in agri- 
cultural circles, and wielding a strong influence 



in his locality. Politically, he was identified 
with the Republican part}-. He and his wife 
had six sons and four daughters, of whom but 
four sous are now living, the surviving members 
of the family, besides James I., being J. C, a 
farmer of Littleton Township; Charles W., of 
Macomb, 111.; and George M., who follows farm- 
ing on the old home place in Industry Townsnip, 
McDonough County. 

James I. Runkle was reared to the life of a 
farmer, and received his education in the com- 
mon schools, and in Lewistown (.111.1 Seminary. 
On August 2. 1801, he enlisted, at St. Louis. 
Mo., in Company A. Tenth Regiment, Missouri 
Volunteer Infantry, and served with his regi- 
ment in the Army of the Tennessee, dur- 
ing the Civil War. He was within less than 
a dozen steps of the first commander of his 
company. Capt. Homey, then Lieutenant Colonel 
of the regiment, when that officer was killed, 
at the Rattle of Champion Hills. Mr. Runkle 
was mustered out of service, August 24, 
1864, and returned to the home of his parents. 
Alter his marriage, he was engaged in operating 
one of his father's farms in Industry Township, 
McDonough County, until 1877. In that year, 
he moved to his present location in Section 4, 
Littleton Township, a little southwest of the vil- 
lage of Littleton. All of the improvements on 
this place, which consisted of 160 acres when 
he took possession, have been made by him, and 
he has added to its extent, until the property 
now comprises 320 acres. The farm is in superb 
condition, and its owner has been signally suc- 
cessful in all his undertakings. 

The marriage of Mr. Runkle took place in 
October, 1871, at which time Caroline M. 
Legg became his wife. Mrs. Runkle, a woman of 
the worthiest traits of character, was born in 
Littleton Township, in December, 1S45, and is a 
daughter of Thomas Legg, a native of Kentucky. 
The following children have blessed the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Runkle, namely: Ethlyn (Mrs. Asa 
Finch), residing in Littleton Township; Roy, 
a resident of the same township; Lois (Mrs. 
Otto Baxter), of McDonough County, 111.; Jo- 
seph, who lives with his parents; and Mary, who 
was married to Randolph Black, of McDonough 
County. 

In political action, Mr. Runkle is identified 
with the Republican party. His religious connec- 
tion is with the Presbyterian Church, to which 
his wife also belongs. 

RUNKLE, Joseph C— The Runkles came from 
Germany, the grandparents of Darius Runkle be- 
ing drowned at sea on the trip to America. One 
of the most familiar names among the farmers of 
Schuyler County. III., is that of Joseph C. 
Runkle, who is known throughout the country as 
a man of large landed possessions, extensive 
agricultural operations, and abundant general 
resources. He was born in Industry Town- 
ship. McDonough County. 111., March 31, 1847. 
a son of Darius and Ann Maria (Walker) 
Runkle. pioneer settlers of this locality, com- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



921 



ing from Ohio and Pennsylvania. The paternal 
grandparents, William and Mary (Pence) Run- 
kle, lived in the State of Ohio. Adam Walker, of 
Adams County, Perm., came to Schuyler County, 
in 1S4U, settled on Mr. Dodds' farm. William Run- 
kle was bom in Virginia and went to Ohio in an 
early day following the trade of tanner until 1850, 
came to Morgan County, 111., took up land, 
lived there until close of the war. His wife 
was born in Virginia, she died at the age of 86. 
He died at 84. Darius Ruukle, was born in 
Champaign County, Ohio, February 10, 1813, his 
wile being a native of Pennsylvania, born in 
Adams County. The father worked at farming 
two years lor $10 per month, after he reached 
his majority, and was then employed for a like 
period by his brother-in-law as a general-store 
clerk in Sidney. Ohio. In the Spring of 1837 
he came to Illinois, traveling by boat to Beards- 
town. Cass County, and walking thence to Dodds- 
ville, Schuyler County, being compelled to wade 
through water two miles of the distance between 
the two places. At Doddsville. he took charge 
of the general store conducted by Samuel Dodds, 
and while thus engaged, entered up 80 acres of 
Government land. In 1838 he went back to 
Ohio, and worked two veal's in a tan yard. Re- 
turning to Illinois, he sold the Government tract 
and bought 160 acres of wild land in McDonough 
County, which he cleared and improved, and on 
which he spent the remainder of his days. Soon 
after his marriage, October 12, 1S40, he moved 
into a log cabin which he had built, living in it 
until 1866, when he occupied the line new resi- 
dence which was afterwards his home and which 
w:is the finest in McDonough County, costing 
$10,000.00. He started with $90, and was ob 
liged to borrow $10 in order to make up the nec- 
essary amount wherewith to enter up his first 
80 acres. For three years he was a merchant, 
and was at different times engaged in various 
lines of business, at one time conducting a stage 
route. In 1843 and 1844, he held the office of 
postmaster of Doddsville. For many years he 
was supevisor of school boards, and together 
with ethers, he built the first schoolhouse in his 
district. In McDonough and Schuyler Counties, 
he was the owner of more than 3,000 acres of 
land at the time of his death. 070 in Schuyler 
County, and 1,940 in McDonough County. 
Darius Runkle died March 14. 1896, his wife 
having passed away February 1889. Politically 
he was a Whig. lie voted first for Henry 
Clay and at the birth of the Republican party 
he voted for Fremont. He was a generous 
public spirited citizen, and of noble character. 
Joseph C. Runkle was reared on the paternal 
farm in McDonough County. 111., and received his 
early education in the district school in the 
neighborhood of his home. In due course of 
time (1871), he became possessed of 370 acres 
el" his father's estate in Littleton Township, 
Schuyler County, and 160 acres in Industry 
Township. McDonough County. On the latter 
farm he made his home, improving it. and in- 
creasing its extent by purchasing 290 acres more; 



he did own 120 acres of timber land in McDon- 
ough County, but sold this in 1907. He now owns 
altogether 680 acres all in one body. He has 
always been engaged in general farming, and 
besides the cultivation of the soil, raises a large 
number of hogs, averaging 250 per year. He 
also feeds many cattle, fattening each year about 
100 head. In the fall of 1906. he built a mag- 
nificent residence, one of the best in Schuyler 
County. 

The marriage of Mr. Runkle took place Feb- 
ruary 28, 1877, when he was wedded to Susan 
Little, who was born in the vicinity of Rushville, 
111.. May 13, 1853. Mrs. Runkle is a daughter of 
Robert and Eliza (Cunningham) Little, natives 
of Ireland, her father having been born in 
County Tyrone. The union of Joseph C. Runkle 
and Susan Little has been the source of seven 
children, whose names are as follows: George 
Darius, born February 10, 1879, a physician, 
incited at Industry, 111.; Robert Clyde, born June 
14, 1880, a farmer, of Littleton Township; 
Cassius Wilson, born December 7, 1SS2 ; David 
Everett, born May 14, 1884; William Lewis, 
horn February 16, 1886; Benjamin Ray, born 
May IS. 18SS; and Grace Maria, born Novem- 
ber 30, 1S92. The last five are still members of 
the home circle. 

In politics. Mr. Runkle is identified with the 
Republican party, but is not active in political 
contests. He is a man el' strong character and 
upright life, and is much respected, as is also his 
amiable wile, a woman of excellent qualities of 
head and heart. 

RYAN, Edward Joseph. — Of that courageous 
company known as the very early settlers of 
Schuyler County, many forms stand out in 
clearly defined outline, compelling the attention 
of the present generation by the force of some 
peculiarity or excellence, and through the gather- 
ing haze of year?, filters to us somewhat of 
that steadfastness which enabled them to con- 
quer the wilderness and convert its resources to 
the betterment of mankind. Few men of wealth 
came hither to share the discomforts of a trans- 
formation period. Wealth stifles ambition, and 
patience rarely is its boon companion. These 
men had all to gain, and all to surrender to 
those who should succeed them. He who could 
do things was a God-send, and the more useful 
bis acquirements the better. How welcome then 
must have been Charles Ryan in the loneliness of 
Schuyler County, the establisher of one of the 
county's best known families, and the grand- 
father of Edward Joseph Ryan, Circuit Clerk 
and Recorder of Rushville. 

Charles Ryan was born on a farm in Knox 
County, Ohio, a son of Charles K. and Elizabeth 
Louise Ryan. He was reared to agriculture, 
and when old enough to hew his own way went 
te Cincinnati and learned the shoemaker's trade. 
He had few clothes and less money, but had the 
splendid freedom of choice denied so many, and 
he merrily trudged all the way across country 
from Cincinnati to Schuyler County, with a 



922 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



kit of shoemaker's tools on his hack, content to 
hide the unfolding of the future, and satisfied 
with the present so long as he could fast or feast, 
and so long as the night's blue curtain was 
swung in the sky for his sleeping tent. It is not 
known why his journeying ceased at this partic- 
ular place, but perhaps the open road had be- 
come wearisome, and besides he had the spirit 
of the great unrest wliich clamors for occupation 
of hand and brain. When he began to make 
shoes in Rushville the town had few houses, 
but be built up a steady business, and he also 
engaged in brickmaking, being the first to manu- 
facture brick in Rushville. He was intimately 
connected with the life of the town and sur- 
rounding country, held numerous local offices, 
and served as one of the guards at the time of' 
the McFaddon banging at the Crane Creek bridge, 
east of Rushville. Mr. Ryan lived to be a very 
old man. and his wife, formerly Margaret Strong, 
was Spared to share many years with him. 

Edward Joseph Ryan was born on a farm west 
of Rushville. April 22, 1S7G, a son of William 
M. Ryan, who was born in Rushville, and who 
was one of the numerous progeny of the pioneer 
shoemaker. Rebecca Anna (Miller) Ryan, the 
mother of Edward Joseph, was born in Decatur, 
111., a daughter of Jonathan and Martha E. 
(Baird) Miller, natives respectively of Decatur 
and Louisville, Ky., and grand-daughter of 
Thomas Baird and Catherine (Bell) Miller, both 
born in Louisville. Edward Joseph attended the 
country school until it bad nothing further to 
teach him, then graduated from the Rushville 
High School, and also from the three years' 
course of the Rushville Normal. Business Col- 
lege. For three years he engaged in educational 
work in Rushville, and in the meantime devel- 
oped a taste for politics, and through his alle- 
giance to and support of the Democratic party, 
was elected Circuit Clerk and Recorder, tor 
which office he has just received re-nomination. 
I)'.' is fraternally connected with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. Knights of Pythias and 
Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Ryan repre- 
sents the reliable material from which the work- 
ing forces of the immediate future are to be re- 
cruited, lor. though having only reached the age 
of thirty years, he is well established as an im- 
portant factor in local affairs, and possesses 
those qualities of progression and enterprise, of 
integrity ami general worth, which bespeak a 
larger usefulness (ban he has thus far achieved. 



RYAN, Thomas. — No family established in 
Schuyler County during (he 'thirties is more 
substantially represented at the present time 
than that of Charles Ryan, father of Thomas 
Ryan, of whom extended mention is made else- 
where in this connection. Mr. Ryan, among 
other claims upon the gratitude and appreciation 
of his successors, manufactured the first brick in 
Rushville Township, and also followed the trade 
of shoemaking for several years. The mantle of 
his energy and resourcefulness has fallen on his 



sons, and of these, Thomas Ryan is a successful 
farmer and stock raiser of Rushville Township. 
Mr. Ryan was born October 20, 1845, in Buena 
Vista Township. Schuyler County, and remained 
on his father's place until his twenty-third year. 
He then married Ellen Shields, a native of Ohio, 
and settled on a farm of his own, which he since 
has brought to a high state of cultivation. Mrs. 
Ryan's father and mother came to Rushville in 
1857, and the former, who enlisted in the Union 
Army as a member of the One Hundred aud 
Nineteenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infan- 
try, died while in the service. Mr. aud Mrs. Ryan 
are the parents of the following children : Mar- 
tin, Josie, Homer, Minnie, Herman, Clarence, 
Lillie and Lena. Mr. Ryan is a Democrat, in 
politics, and has held the office of Supervisor of 
his township. He is a progressive farmer, well 
informed on current events, and a stanch pro- 
moter of all that tends to the greater enlighten- 
ment of the community. 

SARGENT, Charles E., who is recognized as 
one of the most thorough, painstaking aud sys- 
tematic farmers and stock raisers of Bueua Vista 
Township, Schuyler Count} 7 , 111., as well as one 
of the worthiest citizens of his locality, was born 
in Rushville Township, Schuyler County, one 
mile east of Rushville, September 12, 1865. He 
is a sou' of John and Sarah (Potter) Sargent, 
both natives of Hastings, England. The paternal 
grandfather, also an Englishman, died in the 
laud of his birth. His son John was the only 
member of the family to cross the Atlantic. One 
of the Potters, the mother of Charles E. and 
one of her sisters were the ones who made their 
homes in the United States. John Sargent, the 
father, had two brothers who lost their lives from 
wounds received in battle while serving in the 
British army. John Sargent, Jr., made his ad- 
vent in this country in 1858, coming to Schuyler 
County, 111., and locating in Rushville, where he 
entered the employ of Little & Ray. After re- 
maining with this firm for a while, he settled on 
a farm in Buena Vista Township, where he was 
engaged in tilling the soil for a number of years. 
On retiring from active pursuits he spent his 
days with Charles E. and another son, James, 
until the time of his death, January 5, 1904. His 
widow survived him a short time, passing away 
September 11. 1005. The father was a very in- 
dustrious and upright man, and was a devout 
Christian, as was also the mother, both being 
members of the Presbyterian Church. The lat- 
ter was sorely afflicted for a long period, but 
bore her sufferings with pious fortitude and res- 
ignation. They were the parents of thirteen chil- 
dren, eight of whom were born in England, aud 
five in Schuyler County. Of the entire family, 
eleven are now living, Elizabeth, the fourth child, 
having died when seventeen years old, and Ann, 
the seventh, at the age of eighteen yars. Those 
surviving are: Sarah, wife of Frank Graff, a 
retired farmer of Good Hope, McDonough County, 
111. ; John, who is engaged in farming in Little- 
ton Township, Schuyler County ; Mary, wife of a 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



923 



resident of Englewood (Chicago) ; Hannah, who 
married A. J. Tollin, a resident of Pasadena, 
Cal. ; Thomas, who follows farming in the vicin- 
ity of Cortland, Neb. ; George, who is living in 
Memphis, Tenn. ; William, a farmer whose home 
is near Adrian, Hancock County. 111. ; James, 
whose farm is in Oakland Township, Schuyler 
County ; Caroline, who became the wife of Jo- 
siah Whitehead, a farmer residing near Panora, 
Iowa; Charles E. ; and Ethel, who was married 
to Edwin Armour, a farmer, of Buena Vista 
Township. Politically, the father of this family 
was identified with the Democratic party. 

In boyhood, Charles E. Sargent attended school 
near ids home in a schoolhouse that was de- 
stroyed by fire, and was afterwards a pupil of 
the Ross district school, in Buena Vista Town- 
ship. During the greater portion of his youth 
he was kept at home to lighten the burden of 
care upon his parents, remaining with them un- 
til the time of his marriage. After that event he 
followed farming on rented land for about twelve 
years, when he rented the farm of 300 acres in 
Section 14, Buena Vista Township, which he has 
since conducted. His farming operations have 
been very successful, and in feeding live stock, 
especially, the results of his labors have been 
profitable. He has turned off from 150 to 200 
hogs each year ; and about forty bead of cattle 
at intervals of two years. For stock or feeding 
purposes, he prefers the Black or Short-horn 
breed. He raises 100 acres in small grain yearly, 
and a like acreage of corn. He is the owner of a 
fine prairie laud farm of eighty acres in Guthrie 
County, Iowa, all tillable. By his diligent appli- 
cation to work and his strict integrity, he has 
won the implicit confidence of all with whom he 
has had business relations, and is regarded as a 
model fanner and an exemplary member of the 
community. 

The marriage of Mr. Sargent took place Octo- 
ber 27, 1887, on which date he was wedded to 
Catherine R. Young, who was born in Wilming- 
ton. Del., March 13, 1864. Mrs. Sargent, a wo- 
man of most excellent traits of character, is a 
daughter of Samuel and Margaret (McPeeters) 
Young. In 1877, she came to Schuyler County 
with her parents, who settled on a farm in Buena 
Vista Township, where Mr. Young still lives. His 
wife departed this life in January, 1905. Be- 
sides Mrs. Sargent, they had two other children, 
namely : John, who is engaged in farming in 
Buena Vista Township, and Martha B., who 
takes care of her father's domestic affairs. Mr. 
and Mrs. Sargent have lour childreu, as follows: 
Paul, born February 10. 18S0. and living with 
his parents ; Clarence, born February 15, 1891 ; 
Lillian, born June 10, 1892 ; and Harold, born 
August 11. 1895. All were born In Rushville 
Township, the birth of Lillian and Clarence oc- 
curring in the same house where their father 
was born, and which is known as "the old toll 
gate." The parents of this family are members 
of the Presbyterian Church, of Rushville. In 
his political attitude, Mr. Sargent has never 
been a strict partisan, using bis judgment freely 



in the exercise of the elective franchise, and lat- 
terly voting the Prohibition ticket. He is a man 
of genial temperament and very agreeable man- 
ners, and all who have become closely acquainted 
with him may be counted on as bis friends. 

SCHENCK, Myron Clark, M. D., a well known 
physician, of Rushville, III., whose solid profes- 
sional attainments and skillful practice have 
won for him a high standing in the city and its 
environs, was born in Fulton County, 111., Feb- 
ruary 20, 1873, a son of M. P. and Mary C. (Mc- 
Laren) Schenck, both natives of that county. 
In early youth Dr. Schenck received his prelim- 
inary education in the public schools of Bushnell, 
Mi Douough County, 111., after which he entered 
the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keo- 
kuk, Iowa, and graduating from that institution 
in 1895. lie at once commenced the practice of 
bis profession at Littleton, 111., and during the 
same year moved to Rushville, where he estab- 
lished his office, and has since remained. He 
has acquired a large and successful practice, and 
is recognized as one of the most efficient and re- 
liable physicians in Schuyler County. Dr. 
Schenck was married in 1893 to Martha L. Wil- 
son, who was born in Fulton County, 111., where 
she received her education in the public schools. 
Their union has been the source of two children, 
namely: Olivia and Paul. As an individual, a 
citizen and a medical practitioner, the record of 
Dr. Schenck is of the highest character. 

SCHULTZ, Judge Hermann C. — The long, hon- 
orable and useful career of Judge Hermann C. 
Schultz must ever elicit admiration and com- 
mendation from all true appreciators of the fun- 
damental qualities which, nurtured through the 
centuries of the German Fatherland, and trans- 
ferred through migration to the more virile op- 
portunities of America, constitute the best quali- 
ties in citizenship which communities have to 
offer. Judge Schultz has grown old in the field 
of agriculture and polities, and has inscribed 
bis name indelibly upon the history of Schuyler 
County. 

Born in Hoffleburg, Prussia, October 2, 1832, 
Hermann C. Schultz is a son of Johann and 
Elizabeth (Felech) Schultz. the former of whom 
was a sugar refiner in Germany, and died about 
18-16. The wife, who survived him until 1858, 
brought her family to America in 1S52, and 
spent the last days of her life in Texas. Her- 
mann C. received a common school education in 
Ids native land, and at the age of fifteen was ap- 
prenticed to a baker for three years, thereafter 
working as a journeyman in different parts of 
Germany for two years. Attracted by the reports 
that came to him font this side the water, he set 
sail from Hamburg, and alter two months upon 
the sea arrived in Galveston. Tex., where he 
was variously employed until 1857. He then 
came to Schuyler County and engaged in farming 
in nicktory Township, which ever since has been 
his home. He at first rented land, but finally 
bought forty acres, to which he added until he 



924 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



owned 263 acres. The development of this prop- 
erty represented his life ambition, and was ac- 
complished with the patience, skill and good 
judgment for which the Teuton is justly famed. 
Eventually he sold the larger part of his land 
holdings and returned to the forty acres orig- 
inally purchased, which now is his home. From 
ls'.i4 until 1906 he conducted a mercantile busi- 
ness in Sheldon Grove, and was also Postmaster 
of the village. Since then he has lived in retire- 
ment. 

While in Houston, Tex.. March 5, 1854, Mr. 
Schultz was united in marriage to Anna Henden- 
reich. a native of Germany, and daughter of 
Adam Hendenreich, who, upon his first trip to 
America, was shipwrecked in mid-ocean, and, 
climbing to the top of a mast, hung there for 
two days ere he was rescued. Mr. Hendenreich 
eventually located in Houston, Tex., and soon 
after enlisted in the Mexican War. Having left 
his wife and four sons and one daughter in the 
old country, he was joined by them in 1S49, and 
locating in Schuyler County, engaged in farming 
until his death in 1S59. Simon Hendenreich, one 
of his sons, served in the Civil War as a soldier 
in the Third Illinois Cavalry, and his son Fred 
was a member of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry. 
commanded by Col. Robert G. Ingersoll. Mr. and 
Mr*. Schultz are the parents of the following 
children: Harmon H., who resides near Table 
Grove. 111. ; Charles E., who died at the age of 
eleven years; Julius C. : Callie, widow of George 
Flinn. and mother of two children : Laura, de- 
ceased : Emma, wife of J. A. Breen. of Peoria, 
and mother of one child: Ferdina, married to 
Helen Kelly, and living in Peoria ; Nellie, de- 
ceased : and Peter, married to Daisy Reed, and 
living on his father's home farm. Judge Schultz 
and wife have been members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church since 1S60. and have been act- 
ive in promoting the best interests of both church 
and Sunday school. All of their children are 
connected with the same church, and all are 
young people of character and ability, having 
been trained with due regard to their position 
as useful men and women of their respective 
communities. 

Many of the most vivid memories of Judge 
Schultz are connected with his life as a soldier 
of the T T nion during the Civil War. No braver 
fighter ever shouldered a gun or shared in the 
terrible experiences and privations of warfare. 
Enlisting in Company F. One Hunded and Eighth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in August. 1SH2. 
he was mustered out of the service at Vicksburg. 
Miss., in August. 1Sfi">. bavins: participated in 
all of the battles of his regiment, and escaped 
without wounds, illness or imprisonment. The 
One Hundred and Eighth was one of the most 
active regiments of the war. and its soldiers were 
rarely far from the fighting line. Tt won many 
distinctions, and Mr. Schultz, for bravery, was 
promoted from private to Second Lieutenant. His 
account of the war is both instructive and inter- 
estins, and like nil faithful wearers of the bine, 
he delisrhts to live over again the incidents which 



made up the most vigorous and exciting period 
of his life. 

Early in life Mr. Schultz became interested in 
Democratic politics, and a reflection of his abil- 
ity aud honesty exists in the fact that he has 
filled practically all of the township offices, in- 
cluding that of Supervisor for teu years. He 
was Justice of the Peace for twenty years, aud 
in 1890 was nominated for County Judge aud 
elected by a large majority, holding the office 
four years. During that time he demonstrated a 
high order of justice aud wisdom, his decisions 
suffering but one reversal, and all others stand- 
ing the test of the Supreme Court of the State. 
His term expired December 1, 1S94, and he there- 
upon engaged iu the mercantile business as here- 
tofore stated. Judge Schultz has the substan- 
tial and dependable qualities which win long 
friendships, long tenure of office and continuous 
influence for good. Even his private life has its 
enduring compensations, for he recently cele- 
brated his golden wedding, receiving renewed 
assurance of the gratitude and good will of the 
community he so faithfully and wisely has 
served. He represents that class of German- 
American citizens who, while retaining the ac- 
cent and general characteristics of their nation, 
yet enter with heart and soul into the most dan- 
gerous as well as must pleasant and profitable 
demands of their adopted country. Judge Schultz 
has been a Mason for many years, being a mem- 
ber of the Astoria (111.) Lodge, and is also 
men i her of Schuyler Lodge No. 209. Knights of 
Pythias. 

SCOTT, Thomas W., M. D.— The life of a faith- 
ful and conscientious physician is burdened with 
seriuus responsibilities and heavy cares. If ani- 
mated by the ideal spirit of his profession, he 
must necessarily carry with him, night and day, 
•a chivalrous sympathy with the suffering of his 
patients and a keen sensitiveness to the correct- 
ness of his diagnoses, the efficiency of his path- 
ological methods and the probable results in 
each case of severe sickness. As a counteractive 
of this mental friction and anxiety, he has a 
consciousness that the general results of his daily 
ministration is the alleviation of pain, checking 
of the ravages of disease and saving a human 
life. 

Such, doubtless, is the long continued expe- 
rience of the worthy gentleman whose name 
stands at the head of this biographical record, 
and who is a prominent resident of Rushville, 
Schuyler County, III., where he is successfully 
engaged in the practice of his profession. For 
almost a score of years Dr. Scott has practiced 
medicine in Rushville. and has achieved a degree 
of success possible only to the man of clearly 
defined purpose, with unbounded faith in himself 
and his work. The doctor is a native of Scott 
County. Ky.. where he was born April 18. 1S48, 
the son of Thomas West and Catharine ( Fitzger- 
ald 1 Scott, natives of Maryland and Kentucky, 
respectively. His paternal grandparents were 
Amos and Nancy A. (West) Scott, whose birth 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COILS TY. 



925 



occurred in Maryland. At least three genera- 
tions of his family pursued their various occu- 
pations in .Maryland, his father having been 
born in Montgomery County, in that State, in 
1808, and his grandfather, Amos Scott, in 1777. 
His grandmother, Nancy A. (West) Scott, and 
his paternal great-grandparents, William and 
Margaret (Davis) Scott, were natives of the 
same State. On the maternal side his grand- 
parents were Jesse and Lucretia (Sheller) Fitz- 
gerald, the former born in Virginia and the lat- 
ter a native of Hagerstown. Md., and his mater- 
nal great-grandparents were William and Cath- 
erine (Neville) Fitzgerald. The family moved 
to Scott County. Ky.. in 1814, when Thomas W., 
Sr., was six years old, locating near Georgetown 
where the lad grew to maturity, aud where he 
was married to Catherine Fitzgerald, of Lexing- 
ton. In 18:12, Dr. Scott's father came to Buena 
Vista Township, Schuyler County, 111., then a 
sparsely settled locality, iu the upbuilding of 
which he was destined to become a practical and 
substantial factor. His days passed with the 
usual tasks and diversions of the progressively 
inclined landowner, and his death occurred Jan- 
uary 22, 1885, at the age of seventy-seven years. 
Dr. Scott obtained his primary education in 
the public schools of Schuyler County, and his 
classical training at Monmouth (111.) College. 
In 1SS1 he began the study of medicine under 
the preceptorship of Dr. G. P. Knapp, of Mount 
Vernon, Mo., and afterward attended lectures at 
the Missouri Medical College iu St. Louis, from 
which lie was graduated in March, 1884. During 
the next year he practiced medicine in Mount 
Vernon, Mo., and then moved to Rushville, which 
has since been his home, and where he has built 
up a remunerative practice. He was appointed 
County Physician in 1902, and has held other 
positions of importance commensurate with his 
professional skill. He was member of the County 
Board of Supervisors for Rushville Township 
for two years, and is now President of the 
Board of United States Pension Examiners. Po- 
litically, he is firm in his allegiance to Demo- 
cratic principles. Dr. Scott is a sympathetic, 
earnest man, striving to attain the best ideals of 
his profession, and applying his knowledge with 
rare discretion and excellent results. 

SETTLES, Gilderoy. — An example of inspiring 
adaptation to the agricultural life, an expression 
of that resource, business insight, unremitting 
industry, wise investment, keen grasp of the po- 
litical, social and general situation, and shrewd 
knowledge of human nature which lifts a man 
to the highest country achievement and useful- 
ness, is found in the career of Gilderoy Settles, 
a retired resident of Rushville. who in youth 
know but moderate advantages, and in later life 
is the owner of 680 acres of farm lauds, besides 
several town lots and dwellings in Schuyler 
County, and 320 acres of prairie land in Clark 
County. Kan. The acquisition of these valuable 
holdings has been gradual and legitimate, and in 
his accomplishment the owner sends out from 



his own to the lives of those around him the 
most wholesome and beneficent encouragement. 
This ex-soldier of the Union and observing trav- 
eler has spent more than half a century of his 
life in this county, and in Rushville Township 
has bought and sold more land than any other 
dweller within its borders. No one has con- 
tributed more substantially to the making of lo- 
cal history, or to the character, purpose and in- 
tegrity of this part of Illinois. 

A native of Kurtin Township. Fulton County, 
111., Mr. Settles was born November 14. 1837, 
a son of William Settles, who, horn in Tennessee, 
journeyed overiand to the wilderness of Greene 
County, 111., about 1827. To bis frontier cabin 
William Settles brought a wife, formerly Miss 
Moody, and here were born two children, Charles 
and Jordan C, both of whom survived their 
mother's death in Greene County. Mr. Settles 
changed his habitation to Fulton County, 111., 
about 1S33, and here was united in marriage to 
Peggy Carlock, who became the mother of the 
following children : Polly Ann, who died in 
Schuyler County, and whose husband, Abram 
Weddle. died in Iowa ; David J., a soldier of the 
Union during the Civil War, who died at Helena. 
Ark., and whose body was sent home for burial ; 
Serena, deceased wife of Seth Griggs, of Clin- 
ton, Mo. ; Penina, wife of John Strawsbaugh, a 
farmer of Table Grove Township. McDonough 
County, 111. ; Fluent, deceased wife of John 
Flint; and Josiah, who died at Sedalia, Mo., 
December 28, 1905. The mother of these chil- 
dren died in Fulton County, and about 1850 Mr. 
Settles located iu Browning Township. Schuyler 
County, from whence he moved to Morgan 
County. 111., where his death occurred about 
186S. 

The environment of Gilderoy Settles in Fulton 
County was extremely crude, and now that suc- 
cess has abundantly crowned his efforts, no 
memory is so clear to him as that of the crack- 
ling log in the fireplace, the dim light of the 
tallow dip, the school house on the hill, the river 
sparkling in the sunlight, and the mill wheezing 
away the days in its mission of food grinding. 
His undeveloped strength was sorely taxed with 
the hard and exacting duties of the home farm. 
yet in the open he developed a fine constitution 
ami healthy ambitions, also a keen appreciation 
of the dignity and nobility of the calling of his 
sires. He was about fourteen years old when 
he came with his father to Schuyler County in 
the early 'fifties and he continued to live at home 
until his marriage, in 1857, to Penina Tracy, 
who was born in Fulton County, HI., May 14, 
1835, a daughter of Lyman Tracy, a native of 
New York State, and one of the early settlers 
of Fulton County. With his wife Mr. Settles 
established a home on eighty acres of unim- 
proved land in Browning Township, for which he 
. paid a dollar an acre, the same skirting Sugar 
Creek, a friendly little stream that added much 
to the value and prospects if his farm. His first 
home was a log cabin of small dimensions, but 
comfortable withal for those days, and here was 



926 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



born his son. Leander, May 28, 1859, and his 
daughter, Florentine, March 31, 1865. Leander, 
whose sketch appears in another section of this 
work, married Jessie Rebman, and they have 
lour children: Harry, Anna, Ililiah, and Lura. 
He is now a retired farmer living in Rushville. 
The daughter Florentine, married Clementine 
Milby, and they live on a farm in Rushville 
Township, with a family of three children: Ger- 
trude, Ruth and Edward. 

With that commendable zeal which has charac- 
terized all of his life undertakings, Mr. Settles 
enlisted, March 15, 1S65, in Company I, Third 
Illinois Cavalry, for one year, and was sent to 
Springfield, 111., and to Eastport, Miss., remain- 
ing there until the surrender of Lee at Appomat- 
tox, April 9, 1865, live days before the assassina- 
tion of President Lincoln. From there the 
soldiers were sent to St. Louis, Mo., and thence 
to St. Paul, Minn., where they went into camp 
at Fort Snelling. One morning early they were 
ordered out after the Indians, whom they ran 
to Devil's Lake and out of the Territory. They 
bad many opportunities to fish and hunt, but 
fiuallv were ordered back to Fort Snelling, dis- 
charged and sent to Springfield, 111., where they 
were mustered out of the service. Returning 
to his cabin on Sugar Creek, Mr. Settles learned 
of the birth of his daughter, Florentine, during 
his absence, and he again took up the burden of 
fanning, wielding with renewed vigor his im- 
plements of husbandry with peace and good fel- 
lowship. 

In 1867 Mr. Settles changed his home to a 
farm of 180 acres in Browning Township, a 
rough timbered property that left much to be 
desired in the way of improvement. Here was 
born April 14, 1S66, his son, Walter Logan, who 
married Nola Robeson, is now a farmer in Rush- 
ville Township, and has six children — Earl, 
Ralph, Melvin, Manford, Edith and Edna; Dora, 
born August 8, 1S70, is wife of William Carty, 
and mother of Clyde B. and Charles Carty; 
Charles R., born December 29, 1873, married 
Myrtle Simpson, and lives on a farm in Rush- 
ville Township ; Orpha, born July 12, 1876, on 
the farm where Adam Rebman now lives, and 
who is the wife of William Phillips, and mother 
of four children, two of whom died in infancy, 
those living being Ibanda and Hildreth Eva. In 
INTo .Mr. Settles sold his farm and bought land 
now owned by Mr. Rebman. His wife died Octo- 
ber 16, 1S92. She was a noble and lovable wo- 
man, possessed a host of friends, and was sadly 
missed by her immediate family and by many 
who had known the charm of her personal sym- 
pathy and hospitality. December 25, 1895, Mr. 
Settles married Clara Elizabeth Zeigier, who 
was born in York County, Pa., January 31, 1S64, 
a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Zeigier, both 
of whom still live in the Quaker State. Mr. 
Zeigier is a machinist by occupation, and during 
the war was employed by the Government as a 
bridge builder, and also assisted in the construc- 
tion of Fort Monroe. Calvin Zeigier, a brother 



of Mrs. Settles, is a prosperous farmer in Brown- 
ing Township. 

Having abandoned for all time the responsibil- 
ities of farming, Mr. Settles and his wife started 
upon an extended western journey in November, 
1900, visiting Pike's Peak, Manitou, the Garden 
of the Gods, and other places of interest in Col- 
orado, thereafter extending their trip to Los An- 
geles, San Francisco, and other points in Cali- 
fornia. His many sided experiences and keen 
observations as a traveler were enjoyed by his 
many friends in Rushville and Schuyler County 
through the publication of letters written by 
him and published in the Citizen and other 
home papers. Returning to the county that has 
known and appreciated him for so many ,j ears. 
Mr. Settles took up his abode in his present de- 
lightful residence on Jefferson Street, Rushville, 
which he bad purchased in 1900, and in which 
on March 10, 1907, he began a less arduous life 
than he hitherto had lived. This home is pre- 
sided over by a gracious and accomplished wife, 
who understands the art of rendering comforta- 
ble those around her, and who is highly es- 
teemed by all who are privileged to enjoy her 
acquaintance. Besides his home, Mr. Settles 
owns twelve other town lots and three dwellings 
in Rushville, three lots in Long Beach, Cal., and 
eleven lots in Beardstown, 111. In all be Ins 
bought and sold in Rushville Township, 1,200 
acres of land, a record upapproaebed by any 
other of its agricultural upbuilders. As before 
stated, he paid one dollar an acre in gold for bis 
first farm, going in debt for a part of it, and for 
his last land be paid .$125 an acre, and now re- 
fuses $150 for the same. No finer or more pro- 
ductive property is to be found in the Central 
West, due principally to the careful methods of 
rotation, fertilization and general cultivation ob- 
served by the owner. 

Possessing so umistakably the faculty of accu- 
mulation, Mr. Settles naturally has gravitated 
towards banking, and is one of the stockholders 
of the Bank of Schuyler County. Politically he 
is a Republican, but no partisan, and no amount 
of persuasion has caused him to invade the 
ranks of office holders. He is a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, Colonel Homey 
Post, and prominent at reunions and general post 
undertakings. Personally, a genial, confidence 
inspiring and forceful man, Mr. Settles has won 
and kept friends all along his vigorous and pur- 
poseful life, and everywhere that he is known, 
is regarded as an excellent neighbor, loyal friend, 
interesting companion and dependable country 
gentleman. 

SETTLES, Leander, who may fitly be classed 
among the most prosperous and substantial farm- 
ern of Rushville Township, Schuyler County, 111., 
and one of the leading citizens of his community, 
was born in Browning Township, Schuyler 
County. 111., May 28, 1859, a son of G. R. and 
Peniua Settles, natives of Illinois. In early 
youth Mr. Settles attended the Mt. Zion school, 
and when his father moved to Frederick Town- 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



927 



Ship, continued his school attendance there. In 
1S8^, he accompanied his Lather's Laniily un their 
removal to Rushville, and has since made his 
home in Rushville Township. After his mar- 
riage, Mr. Settles hought a farm of eighty acres 
in Rushville Township, on which he remained 
until 1898, when he sold his land, buying eighty 
acres in Sections 23 and 27, in the same town- 
ship. There he made improvements by rear- 
ranging, putting out fruit and ornamental trees, 
shrubbery, etc. Having an ambition to spread 
out and farm on a larger scale, he rented out 
his little farm and in the spring of 1904, moved 
to the 360-acre farm of his father, equipped 
himself with plenty of good teams and machin- 
ery, and by raising a good grade of stock, espe- 
cially hogs, made a success in the operation of 
this tract of land, and was recognized by the 
people of the community as one of the most en- 
terprising, progressive and successful farmers 
in the township. In the year 1905 he sold the 
part of his farm lying in Section 27 for $125 per 
acre, and bought a quarter-section in Beadle 
County, S. Dak., for $21 per acre. This farm he 
kept one year, when he disposed of it at $29 
per acre and invested in eighty acres of land 
lying in Section 26. Rushville Township, which 
makes 120 acres owned by him at the present 
time. 

Mr. Settles was married, May 9, 1885, to Jessie 
R. Rebman, who was born in Browning Town- 
ship, Schuyler County, March 14, 1866, a daugh- 
ter of Adam and Lavinia Rebman. The father 
of Mrs. Settles was one of the pioneers of Schuy- 
ler County. Four children were the issue of this 
union, as follows : Harvev R., born August 9, 
1SS6; Annie L., born March 29. 1888; Hilah 
Penina, born June 20, 1891 ; and Lura Irene, 
born December IS, 1S97. Harvey R., who is a 
farmer in Rushville Township, was married to 
Nora Garrison, June 19. 1904, and they have 
two children — Madeline C, born December 30, 
1904. and Harold, bom October 20, 1906. Annie 
L. is the wife of Ralph J. Ewing, also a farmer 
of Rushville Township, to whom she was mar- 
ried May 29. 1907. Hilah Penina was married 
to George Garrison, of Rushville, May 3. 1908. 
and Lura is with her parents. 

In politics, Mr. Settles is a Republican, and 
has filled various township offices, and is now 
Township Trustee. Fraternally, he is affiliated 
with the I. O. O. F., the R. N. of A., and the 
M. W. A. While not a church member, he has 
always been liberal in support of church work. 
Socially, Mrs, Settles, a most estimable woman, 
is connected with the Royal Neighbors. She is a 
consistent member of the Methdodist Episcopal 
Church, with which she united in girlhood. Both 
husband and wife stand high in the estimation of 
all who know them. 

In the fall of 1907. Mr. Settles, having decided 
to retire from farming, bought property In the 
city of Rushville. locating there on October 30 
of that year. Always entertaining a fondness 
for travel, for a man engaged in the occupation 
of farming, be has spent much time thus em- 



ployed, having visited about half of the States 
ol the Union, besides portions of Canada, the 
aggregate of his touring as shown by bis diary 
covering 25,000 miles. 

SHELLY, D. Franklin. — During his long and 
industrious life, D. Frauklin Shelly has wielded 
the weapons ol war as well as the implements 
ot peace, but it is in the latter capacity that 
Ins name is enrolled upon the annals of Schuyler 
County, of which he has been a resident since 
the spring of 1870, and where he now is living 
in practical retirement upon his 300-acre farm 
in Section n. Hickory Township. Mr. Shelly was 
born iu Augusta County, Va., February 11, 1835, 
and is one of the three surviving of eight chil- 
dren of Daniel and Katharine (Hafner) Shelly, 
who came from Virginia to Fulton County. 111., 
during the summer of 1856. The elder Shelly 
was a man of quiet tastes and ambitions, but he 
succeeded at farming and won the good will and 
esteem of his fellow men. At the time of his 
death in 1885 he had been a widower for ten 
years. Of his children, W. H. is a farmer of 
McDonough County, and James A. lives in Wood- 
land Township, Fulton County. 

Twenty-one years of age when he accompanied 
the rest of his family to Fulton County in 1856, 
I). Franklin Shelly had acquired a fair educa- 
tion in the subscription and common schools of 
his native State, and had been thoroughly drilled 
iu farming as practiced in the South. He adap- 
ted himself readily to Northern conditions, how- 
ever, and was in practical command of his fath- 
er's farm when the call to arms iu August, 1862, 
drew him from peaceful and accustomed tasks 
to the turmoil and uncertainty of warfare. En- 
listing in Company II, Eighty-fifth Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry, as Corporal, he participated in 
all of the marches and battles of the company 
until bis discharge from the service in March. 
1865, on account of a gun-shot wouud received 
in the vicinity of Atlanta, Ga. While recuperat- 
ing from this wound he was in the United States 
Hospital at Camp Butler, 111., and he still has 
in his possession the bullet extracted by the sur- 
geon, which had passed through his* shoulder 
from front to back. He was as brave a soldier 
as represented the strength and valor of Illinois, 
and his martial experiences included many occa- 
sions in which he figured as the good and gener- 
ous genius of the suffering and dying. Few are 
more consistent or accurate narrators of events 
connected with the Civil War. and in few were 
the benefits of peace more deeply ingrafted. 

Continuing to farm in Fulton County after his 
return from the war, Mr. Shelly married Feb- 
ruary 22, 1870. Mary E. Sackmau, who was born 
in Mason County, 111., in September, 1846, a 
daughter of John W. Sackman, an early but now 
■' ised farmer of Schuyler County. 'The first 
investment of Mr. Shelly after his marriage was 
i': a farm of 120 acres is Hickory Township, 
Schuyler County, which he later sold and then 
bought his present farm of 300 acres in Section 
9. On his farm Mr. Shelly has raised general 



928 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



produce and stock, and lias many fine improve- 
ments, having modern barns, well kept fences 
and a large and comfortable country home. Some 
time since he laid aside the cares of the farm and 
is enjoying the later years of his life in restful 
quiet, a consummation merited by more than 
thirty years of continuous effort, and by practi- 
cal financial results which remove him from 
the possibility of all monetary dissatisfaction. 
While in no sense a partisan, he votes the Re- 
publican ticket lor national and State affairs, 
but locally supports the man best suited to the 
responsibilities of his office. While not a mem- 
ber of any church, his generosity in support of 
church and charitable organizations is well 
known, and he is a much appreciated member 
of the local lodge of Masons. Of the four chil- 
dren which have comprised his family one died 
in infancy ; Charles H. was born in 1872. married 
.Miss Ella Burrows and has two children, Gwen- 
dolen and Lois; Charles operates a part of his 
father's farm; Lida M., bora in February. 1876, 
is the wife of J. XI. Todd, of Astoria; and Harry 
F., born September 14, 18S2, is living on the 
home place. Mr. Shelly bears well his seventy- 
three years, and his heart is as young and spirits 
as fine as if he were but half that old. He has 
known how both to make and to keep friends, 
and his standing in the community is based upon 
an upright, conscientious and industrious life. 

SKILES, Francis M. — The frontiersmen who 
settled in Schuyler County in the immediate 
wake of the Indian, reared large claims for them- 
selves and splendid hopes for their progeny. Al- 
though the majority of their characters and la- 
bors are mistily set in the framework of history, 
they yet live in those who bear their name, and 
who represent in many instances the acme of 
purpose, endeavor and vitality of the early part 
of another century. George Skiles. who arrived 
when the last century was a quarter old, was 
bom in Pennsylvania, settled in his youth in Ken 
tucky. and, hearing the call of the prairies, un- 
dertook the arduous journey to Wayne County, 
Mo., then an unhindered wilderness. About 1825. 
accompanied by his wife, who formerly was Mary 
Justus, and several of their children, he came to 
Browning Township. Schuyler County, taking up 
government land shortly after on what then was 
called Rushville Prairie, in what is now the 
township of that name. Here he encountered 
.ill of the crudities and deprivations of the 
frontier, and upon arising in the morning could 
see the smoke arising from the cabins of all the 
settlers for miles around. The buffalo trails still 
were clearly defined, and although the rough out- 
lines of the wigwam had disappeared, the former 
owners of these quaint habitations frequently 
returned to what, for centuries, had been the 
happy hunting ground of their sires. For the 
most part they were subdued and harmless red- 
men, but the settlers had many disagreeable ex- 
periences with those who could not forget their 
wrongs, and who bitterly resented the encroach- 
ments of the palefaced brethren. This early ar- 



rival cleared considerable of his laud and ad- 
vanced from dire poverty to comparative afflu- 
ence, his useful life coming to an end while bit- 
ter warfare raged between the North and South 
in 1863. The wife, who survived him until 1874. 
was the mother of thirteen childrn, two of w r hom 
are still living : Mary, widow of Hiram Scott, 
who has kindly contributed the facts of this 
biography, and James Skiles, a resident of Alma, 
Neb. At the age of ninety-three years, Mrs. 
Scott, in the enjoyment of excellent health and 
retaining her faculties to an uuusual degree, is 
now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. 
Sarah Robertson, wife of Alexander Robertson, 
son of William Robertson, the latter one of the 
first settlers of Browning Township. 

Rev. William Skiles, sou of George Skiles, was 
born in Wayne County, Mo., and was a small boy 
when the family came to Illinois. He had few 
opportunities on Rushville Prairie, but he had 
ambitions and great religious zeal, early in life 
becoming converted to the Union Baptist faith, 
in which he prepared for the ministry. He had 
a quarter-section of land offered him on the 
prairie, but he preferred to settle in the timber 
along the stream, and with the cultivation of 
this land as one of his life objects, he became 
a circuit-rider with his brother John, the latter 
having prepared for the ministry in the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. These two self-sacrificing 
brothers rode together over Illinois, Iowa and 
Nebraska, enduring all of the hardships known 
to the circuit-riders of the frontier and accom- 
plishing a world of good among the isolated set- 
tlers. Really lofty and grand traits of character 
are attributed to William Skiles, traits which 
grew in strength up to the time of his death, 
April 12, 1907, at the age of eighty-six years. Of 
his nine children three died in infancy and six 
are still living, Francis M. Skiles, whose name 
heads this sketch, being the oldest. Elizabeth 
is the wife of Frank Heathers, of Seattle, Wash. ; 
George lives in Republic City, Neb.; Sarah is the 
wife of A. Russell, of Alma, Neb.; William P. 
lives near Republic City, Neb. ; and Nettie is 
the wife of Jackson Gildersleeve, of Huntley, 
Neb. The mother of these children formerly 
was Sarah Luttrell. more extended mentiou of 
whom may be found in the sketch of William C. 
Skiles. 

Born in Browning Township, Schuyler County, 
111.. December 2, 1843. Francis M. Skiles was 
reared to the life of the farm, and always has 
made this the setting of his life occupation. His 
education was acquired in the district schools, 
often under great difficulties, and the foundation 
thus supplied has been strengthened and en- 
larged by almost continuous later research. His 
early financial status became apparent at the 
time of his marriage to Malinda Geer. a native 
of Browning Township, and daughter of Dyer 
Geer, one of the early settlers of this part of the 
State. Mr. Skiles had to borrow the money of 
his father for his marriage certificate, and so 
poor were both of the parties to the alliance, that 
they continued to live with their respective pa- 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



929 



rents until better times dawned. Finally tlie 
bridegroom succeeded in saving thirty dollars, 
with which he bought a simple housekeeping out- 
fit, aud rented a log cabin trout Koswell Brines, 
the bridal gifts including a colt from the elder 
Skiles and a heifer from the bride's father. The 
farm was bottom land, damp and illy drained, 
and as Mr. Skiles was soon taken with chills 
and levev, it becami necessary to abandon his 
first field of independent endeavor. With an 
old plug team which had been added to his pos- 
sessions, he move to McDonough County about 
isr.i, and here succeeded beyond all expectation 
in general farming and stock raising. His wife's 
father dying in 1879, the couple returned to the 
old Geer farm in Schuyler County where Mrs. 
Skiles was born, and to the entire possession of 
which Mr. Skiles succeeded by right of purchase 
soon after. This remained his home until 1005, 
and in its cultivation few men in the county have 
achieved more satisfactory general results. To- 
day be is the owner of 3S0 acres of as fine land 
as the county contains, having the best of mod- 
ern improvements, and lying admirably adapted 
to all purposes of Central Western farming. 

In political affiliation Mr. Skiles is a Democrat 
and, in addition to several other township of- 
fices, he has for many years been a member of 
the Board of Education. With his family he is 
a member and active worker in the Union Bap- 
tist Church. To him and his wife have been 
born six children, of whom Laura and Bertie 
died in infancy ; Julius died at the age of twenty- 
one years and four days ; Maggie is the wife of 
William Alembaugh, of Browning Township, and 
mother of Bert, Nellie and Beulah Alembaugh; 
• Erne is the wife of Henry Trone, a fanner af 
Browning Township, and mother of nine chil- 
dren : Ellen is the wife of Miles Schlisler. and 
mother of Hattie Schlisler, and lives on one of 
her father's farms. Mr. Skiles may well regard 
his life as a success, both financially and per- 
sonally, for in addition to substantial wealth he 
is one of the most honored and highly respected 
men in the community. No man is more emphat- 
ically the architect of his own fortunes, for all 
his possessions have come from his first pay. an 
old rifle, which then was the pride and hope of 
his life. 

SKILES. William C. — The stern and substan- 
tial qualities which have inspired and accom- 
plished successful pioneering in all places and 
stages of the world's progress, were manifest in 
the Skiles family at a very early period of the 
history of America, and ever since have spelled 
success and honor for the numerous members 
widely scattered over this broad continent and 
especially well represented in Schuyler County, 
to which the first arrival came in the middle 
'twenties. Of the latter-day exponents of honor- 
able and useful living, one of the best known 
and most successful is William C. Skiles. owner 
of a farm in Section 14. Browning Township. In 
which township he was born October 1. 1844. a 
son of Moses and Mary (Luttrell) Skiles, na- 



tives of Kentucky. Mr. Skiles' grandsires were 
soldiers in the Revolutionary War, the paternal 
grandfather coming to Schuyler County, IU.. 
from .Missouri, the maternal grandparents arriv- 
ing from the South. Both were witli General 
Jackson at the battle of Horseshoe Bend, both 
practiced agriculture with excellent results in 
Schuyler County, and both lived to the ripe age 
of ninety years. The grandmother Luttrell was 
a remarkable woman, and attained the age of 
102 years. During the early settlement of the 
county she had many thrilling experiences with 
the Indians. Her husband first settled in Brown- 
ing Township, but later moved to the uplands, 
and the first yoke of oxen he used in the town 
ship was loaned him by the grandfather Skiles. 
His daughter, Mary Luttrell, was the second 
wife of Moses Skiles, and the mother of two 
sons and one daughter, of whom James Skiles is 
a retired farmer of Nebraska, and the daughter 
is the widow of Thomas Tracy, of Schuyler 
County. The first wife of Moses Skiles was 
formerly a Mrs. Swazey, whom he married in 
.Missouri, and whose son, T. J. Skiles, now lives 
in Browning, 111. The third Mrs. Skiles in girl- 
hood was known as Melinda Lynch, who became 
the mother of five children : Verula, widow of 
James Mitchell of Browning ; Rosa, widow of 
Martin Glover, of Astoria, 111. ; Moses is a farmer 
of Browning Township; Lewis died in Nebraska 
at the age of thirty years ; David L., Charles C, 
and George, all three, deceased. 

William C. Skiles' mother died when he was 
about seven months old, and he was then taken 
to the home of his maternal grandparents, with 
whom he remained until attaining his majority. 
His youth was filled with hard work and respon- 
sibility, but he managed to acquire a practical 
common school education, upon which he has 
built by the research of later years. In 1861 he 
was united in marriage with Margaret J. Price, 
a daughter of Permeuius Price, a native of Ten- 
nessee, with whom he started housekeeping 
on the old Luttrell farm, where seven of their 
children were born to them, one being born 
before the breaking out of the war. Of these, 
William is a farmer of Littleton Township; 
Mary is the wife of L. Parker, of Browning 
Township, and has seven children; James I. is 
a farmer of Browning Township; Amanda 
(deceased) was the wife of John Stambaugh; 
Thomas is a farmer in Fulton County ; Min- 
nie is the wife of a farmer in Fulton County ; 
and Ross is a resident of Peoria. III. The 
mother of this family died in 1875, and in 1889 
Mr. Skiles married Mrs. Maria Perkins, born 
in Schuyler County, July 4, 1850, daughter of 
Elijah Wisdom, who came as a boy from Ten- 
nessee in 1827. Mr. Wisdom still is living with 
his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Skiles. 
the only survivor of fourteen children, which 
his mother reared among the crudest of sur- 
roundings, never owning or using a cook stove, 
or any artificial light save a tallow dip. Mr. 
Wisdom has two children living, Mrs. Skiles and 
Fannie, wife of Charles Hendricks, of Quincy, 



930 



EISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



111. He was a member of the Eighty-fourth Illi- 
nois Volunteer Iniantry during the Civil War. 
He is now eighty-four years old, his wife having 
died iu 1871. Mrs. Skiles has been thrice mar- 
ried, her first husband being Allen Robertson, 
by whom she had four children; Curtis, of 
Browning Township; James., of Beardstown ; 
William, of Browning Township; Carrie, Wife 
of Ernest Skiles, of Browning Township. The 
father of Allen Kobertson was a soldier in Com- 
pany C, Third Missouri Cavalry, during the Civil 
War. and his death occurred in February, 1877. 
The second husband was H. P. Perkins, who 
was a soldier iu the Third Illinois Cavalry, dur- 
ing the Civil War, and died in 1889, leaving one 
daughter, Wealthy, now deceased, who was wife 
of B. F. Lancaster. Mr. and Mrs. Skiles have a 
daughter, Fannie, now in school. 

After his last marriage Mr. Skiles took charge 
of his farm of forty acres on Section 16 in 
Browning Township, where he has a comforta- 
ble home within half a mile of where he was 
born, and where he has been engaged in general 
farming and stock raising. He is a Democrat 
politically and has held a number of local of- 
fices, including that of member of the Board of 
Supervisors. Mr. Skiles is a man of firm charac- 
ter and excellent judgment, and well sustains 
the reputation for integrity and usefulness es- 
tablished in the dawn of the county's history by 
the sires on both sides of his family. 

SLACK, Nathaniel G., M. D., (deceased).— A 
bright and beneficent career in the medical pro- 
fescsion was terminated by the decease of the 
respected and well remembered physician above 
named, whose practice in Rushville, Schuyler 
County, 111., extended over a period of nearly 
thirty years. That the memory of his faithful, 
considerate and self-denying attention to his 
numerous patients in Rushville and the sur- 
rounding country is still warmly cherished by its 
beneficiaries, is grateful evidence of his fidelity 
to the implicit trust reposed in him and to the 
high ideals which dominated his professional ca- 
reer. The subject of this memoir was born in 
England, April 9, 1830, his father, John Slack, 
also being a native of that country, where he 
spent his entire life. Some time after the death 
cil John Slack, his widow married again, and 
coming to the United States, settled in Illinois, 
where she and her husband made their home in 
Fulton County. The latter, whose name was 
Potts, died a few years after their arrival in this 
country. Nathaniel 6. Slack was a mere lad 
when his father died, and was only approximat- 
ing manhood when he accompanied his elder 
brother to the United States. He first located 
in Rhode Island, whence after a time, he pro- 
ceeded to Illinois, and took up his abode in Ful- 
ton County. There he shortly afterward became 
a pupil in the academy at Farmington, and after 
remaining for a time in that institution, pur- 
sued a course of study at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 
He next taught school for several terms, and sub- 
sequently studied dentistry, in the practice of 



which he engaged. This he abandoned in order 
to attend the lectures of the Iowa Medical Col- 
lege at Keokuk, Iowa, and then commenced the 
practice of medicine at his home in Fulton 
County. In 1859 he removed to Rushville, where 
he continued in practice, and soon attained gen- 
eral recognition as a skillful and successful phy- 
sician and surgeon. This professional standing 
lie maintained for many years, acquiring an ex- 
tensive and remunerative practice. He was also 
identified with mercantile pursuits, being inter- 
ested to a considerable extent in the woolen 
mills at Rushville. His death occurred August 
9, 1887. 

On November 12, 185S, Dr. Slack was united 
in marriage with Eliza C. Berry, who was born 
in Fulton County, HI., a daughter of Henry C. 
Berry, a native of Berkshire, England. Mr. 
Berry came to America with his family in early 
days, settling in Canada. Thence he moved to 
Fulton County, 111., about the year 1839. By 
trade he was a miller, and alternately followed 
farming for a livelihood. In Fulton County he 
was engaged in mercantile pursuits. During the 
latter part of his life he went to California, 
where he died. Mrs. Slack is still a resident of 
Rushville, where she is surrounded by every com- 
fort, and enjoys the cordial esteem of numerous 
friends. 

In politics, Dr. Slack was a supporter of the 
Republican party. During the Civil War, he 
acted in the capacity of United States Marshal. 
Aside from his professional attainments and 
services, his memory is cherished as that of one 
of the patriotic, public spirited and useful citi- 
zens of Rushville. 

SMITH, Joseph H — To none of the old settlers 
of Schuyler County do the changes which have 
taken place during the past fifty-nine years seem 
more marvelous than to Joseph H. Smith, a re- 
tired farmer of Rushville. Mr. Smith has watched 
the passing of the round log house; the subscrip- 
tion school ; the dense hazel brush ; the hungry and 
inquisitive foxes which made life miserable for 
everyone but themselves ; the gentle deer, of 
which he saw eleven in one herd ; the wild tur- 
keys and other small game; the scythe, cradle, 
flint light and tallow dip. From the other edge 
of his life he still watches with interest the com- 
ing and going of the present generation of work- 
ers, those to whom have been shifted the burdens 
of agriculture, but everywhere upon his own 
place are the evidences of his handiwork, of his 
untiring perseverance through the storm and 
sunshine of his long life. Mr. Smith has had his 
own way to make in the world ever since he was 
old enough to make his labor of value. Born on 
a farm in Jefferson County, Ind.. February 14, 
is:;:;, he is a son of Michael Smith, a native of 
Somerset County, Md., and grandson of William 
Smith, also born in Maryland. Besides himself, 
but two others of his father's children are liv- 
ing, namely: Oliver P. Smith, of the State of 
Washington, and William N. Smith, a resident 
of Mount Vernon. 111. Melinda (Reamer) Smith, 



HISTORY <)F SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



931 



mother of Joseph H., was bom in New Jersey, a 
daughter of David and Nancy (Smith) Reamer, 
natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, re- 
spectively. David Reamer was a gunsmith by 
trade, and he followed the martial fortunes of 
Washington for seven years of the Revolutionary 
War, stacking his musket on the battlefields of 
Bunker Hill and Braudywine, and enduring the 
bitterly cold winter at Valley Forge. Mr. Smith 
now holds as his most prized relic the pocket- 
book which his maternal grandfather carried 
through the Revolutionary War. The Reamer 
family is long lived, Melinda (Reamer) Smith 
having lived to the unusual age of ninety years, 
her death occurring in 1900. 

Michael Smith moved from Indiana to Bain- 
bridge Township. Schuyler County, in 1848, and 
engaged in farming and stock raising until his 
death in 1852. Joseph H. had the best advan- 
tages procurable in his township, but even these 
were meagre compared with those the children 
of the present day enjoy. He was a sturdy and 
industrious lad, and being left fatherless at the 
age of nineteen, a large share of the home re- 
sponsibilities fell upon his shoulders. The fol- 
lowing year, in 1853, he was united in marriage 
to Sarah Jane Icenogle, a native of Boone 
County. Ky.. who came with her parents to 
Schuyler County in 1849, she being then thirteen 
years old. Surviving her parents and the other 
children in the family beside herself are: Thomas 
H. Icenogle, of Beardstown, 111., and Mrs. Mel- 
vina F. M. Hodges, of Rushville. Mr. Smith has 
voted the Democratic ticket ever since old enough 
to form political opinions, and he served four 
years as Constable of Bainbridge Township and 
sixteen years as Road Commissioner. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Smith are devout members of the Bap- 
tist Church, which she joined about fifty-five 
years ago. To his first purchase of forty acres 
of land, Mr. Smith has added until he now owns 
160 acres, all under cultivation. His farm has 
many fine improvements, excellent machinery, 
and substantial facilities for caring for products 
and stock. 

SMITH, S. Darwin, M. D. — A comparatively re- 
cent recruit to professional circles in Rushville 
is Dr. S. Darwin Smith, one of the young and 
enthusiastic practitioners who recognize the ever 
widening possibilities of their calling, and whose 
judgment and research is untrammeled by mental 
fixity or blind devotion to the tenets of the past. 
Dr. Smith was born in Woodstock Township, 
Schuyler County, 111., December 30, 1870, of 
Southern ancestry, his father, S. S. Smith, hav- 
ing been born in Brown County. 111., of which 
his paternal grandparents, Abraham and Mary 
E. (Ilendly) Smith, natives respectively of Lex- 
ington. Ky., and Virginia, were early set- 
tlers. His mother, formerly Lizzie (Cook) Ma- 
gruder. was horn in Schuyler County, 111., a 
daughter of T. P. W. and L. M. (Bennett) Ma- 
grader, the former horn in Baltimore. Md.. and 
the latter in Shepherdstown, Va. 

Dr. Smith's original field of activity was upon 



his father's farm in Woodstock Township. He 
received a practical common school education 
while still at home, and finally entered the Chi- 
eago Homeopathic Medical College, from which 
he was graduated in the class of March, 1896. 
Through successful competitive examination he 
seemed a year of training as an interne in the 
same hospital, and for the following five years 
conducted a general practice in Astoria, 111., 
coming to Rushville in the fall of 1902. He al- 
ready has made many friends and built up a 
practice extending over a large area of the town 
and surrounding country, and by his faithful- 
ness, skill, and ready adaptation to the demands 
and amenities of his calling, gives promise of 
extended usefulness in an appreciative commu- 
nity. 

Dr. Smith renounced bachelorfood March 1. 
1898, marrying Anna Reed Freer, a native of 
Chicago, 111., and of their union there is a son, 
Edward Magruder Smith. The doctor is a Re- 
publican in politics, and fraternally is connected 
with the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen 
of America and the Court of Honor. 

SNYDER, Madison 0.. (deceased), for many 
years a leading farmer of Littleton Township, 
Schuyler County, 111., and later engaged in real 
estate and fire insurance business in the town 
of Littleton, 111., where he also held the office 
of Postmaster, was born in Schuyler County, 111., 
July 31. 1S40, a son of David and Cassandra 
i Walker) Snyder, natives of Virginia and Ken- 
tucky, respectively, the birthplace of his father 
being in Breekenridge County, in the former 
State. Their marriage took place in Virginia 
in 1822, and two years later, they moved with 
teams to Illinois, locating in the vicinity of Rush- 
villc. A few years later, David Snyder entered 
land in Sections 9 and 16, Rushville Township, 
where in course of time, he became the owner 
of 2S0 acres. The ground in this locality was so 
swampy and boggy when he first located there 
as to be of very slight value. David Snyder 
died on his farm March 5, 1858, his widow sur- 
viving him until June 6, 1869, when she also 
departed this life. Their family consisted of 
five daughters and five sons, of whom only one 
son, William F. Snyder, of La Crosse, Hancock 
County, 111., is now living. A daughter. Mrs. 
Julia Wheat, of Littleton, Schuyler County, re- 
cently passed away. 

Madison O. Snyder received his education in 
the district schools, and remained with his mother 
until a year after his marriage, when he moved 
to a farm four miles south of Littleton, on which 
he lived until 1869. In that year he bought 120 
acres in Section 10, Littleton Township, which 
he partly improved, and successfully followed 
farming there for seventeen years. In 1807, he 
took up his residence in the town of Littleton, 
buying a house and lot and the postoffice build- 
ing, thereafter devoting his attention to the fire 
insurance and real estate business, in which he 
continued up to the time of decease, October 21, 
1007. 



932 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



The marriage of Mr. Snyder took place Novem- 
ber 13, 1861, on which date Mary J. Lambert 
became bis wife. Mrs. Snyder was born in 
Kushville, 111.. December 18, 1841, a daughter 
of William and Catherine (Dennis) Lambert, 
natives of Kentucky. Her lather was a minister 
of the Christian Church and an early settler in 
Schuyler County. Seven children born of this 
union were : Catherine L., who married Samuel 
Frank Sloan, and now lives at Watertown, S. D. ; 
Nellie, who married Oel D. Ross, of La Prairie. 
Hancock County, 111. ; Olive, who is employed as 
a clerk in Macomb. 111.; Grace (Mrs. Hosea B. 
Winters ) , of Littleton Township ; Elnora W., wife 
of Charles D. Wells, a resident of Littleton. 
111.; Clarence O.. a farmer of Littleton Town- 
ship, and Nina Florence, who is still at home. 

Politically, Mr. Snyder was a Republican and 
bore a prominent and influential part in local 
affairs. He held the office of Township Asses- 
sor, five years; that of Collector, one year; and 
served eight years as Justice of the Peace. He 
was appointed Postmaster of Littleton by Presi- 
dent McKinley. assuming the duties of that of- 
fice February 14, 1S0S, which he continued to 
occupy up to the date of his death. He also 
held the office of Notary Public under the ad- 
ministration of Gov. Tanner and Gov. Yates. In 
fraternal circles. Mr. Snyder was identified with 
the A. F. & A. M., having belonged to the Rush- 
ville Lodge from 1864 to 18S4, when he assisted 
in organizing a lodge in Littleton, 111. He was 
also a member of the M. W. of A. The reli- 
gious connection of Mr. Snyder was with the 
Baptist Church, of which he had been a member 
since 1S65, and in which he had officiated as 
deacon and trustee from 1875 up to the time of 
his demise. Mr. Snyder was one of the fore- 
most citizens of the county where his entire life 
had been spent, and no members of the commu- 
nity were held in higher esteem than be and his 
worthy wife, who survives him. 

STEELE, George Burton. — A comparatively re- 
cent and well equipped recruit to the profes- 
sional life of Rusbville is George Burton Steele, 
a young man of well defined purpose, and suffi- 
cient energy and patience to accomplish much as 
a legal practitioner. Born on a farm one and a 
hall' miles northeast of Pleasantview, Schuyler 
County. HI.. December 10. 1S78, Mr. Steele is 
descended on both sides of his family from very 
early setters of Ohio, in which State were born 
his paternal grandparents, Theodosius S. and 
Mary (McEwen) Steele, whose agricultural in- 
terests wore identified with the vicinity of Rusb- 
ville. On this farm of their own clearing was 
born James M. Steele, father of George Burton, 
who grew to manhood and married Rachel 
Strong, a native of Pleasantview and daughter 
of George W. and Frances (Quinn) Strong, the 
former born in Columbiana. Ohio, and the latter 
a native of Louisville. Ky. George Lee Strong, 
the American progenitor of the Strong family In 
America, was born in Ireland, and after settling 
in Virginia, married Nancy Kennedy, a native of 



Louisville, Ky. Thomas Quinn strong, great- 
grandfather of George Burton, and son of the 
immigrant, was born in Virginia, and after mov- 
ing to Ohio married Elizabeth Lewis, one of the 
Buckeye State's native daughters. 

After the death of his mother, when he was 
seven years old. George Burton Steele lived until 
his majority with his grandmother, Frances 
Strong, and his uncle, Charles K. Strong. While 
achieving his preliminary education principally 
through study at home, he graduated from the 
Pleasantview High School, Kennedy"s Normal at 
Rusbville, and the Rushville Business College. 

At the age of eighteen he entered upon his six 
year's of educational work, and during that time 
gained an enviable reputation as a practical and 
capable teacher. He then was appointed Deputy 
County Treasurer, under his uncle, Charles K. 
Strong, and while discharging the duties of this 
office read law under Thomas E. Bottenburg, or 
Rushville. Admited to the bar of Illinois, April 
6. 1005, he began the practice of his profession 
in Rushville September 1, 1905, and during the 
ensuing year has had no occasion to regret his 
choice of location. 

December 25, 1901, Mr. Steele was united in 
marriage to Bertha B. Bestler, a native of Naper- 
ville, 111. Mr. Steele is a Democrat in poli- 
tics, and fraternally is connected with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern 
Woodmen of America. Mr. Steele is at present 
City Attorney for the city of Rushville, 111. 

STOVER, Samuel. — For more than sixty-three 
years the Stover family of Bainbridge Township 
has been a strong and continuous factor in the 
best progress of Schuyler County ; for its mem- 
bers have been concerned not only with the ma- 
terial phase of its history, but with the develop- 
ment of its educational system, which tends to 
the production of the higher wealth of mind, 
and which is so closely related to the substantial 
prosperity of any community. Education is a 
stimulant to broad action and has an ennobling 
influence on all the labors of the world, so that 
both Samuel Stover, the pioneer in agricultural 
work and civic organization, and D. Marion Sto- 
ver, his son, who has accomplished so much for 
the school system of the county, are entitled to 
no small share of the credit of establishing so- 
cial order and elevating the standard of their 
home communities. 

The late Samuel Stover was a Virginian, born 
in Page County, that State, on the 8th of No- 
vember. 181". and his father, also born in the 
Old Dominion, was of German ancestry. In 
1816 the family moved to the southern part of 
Licking County, Ohio, where the grandfather 
(also Samuel) engaged in farming and there 
passed his last years. There Samuel Stover, Jr.. 
married Maria Campbell, a daughter of Peter 
L. Campbell, their union occurring in the fall 
of 1843. The Campbells moved to Schuyler 
County, 111., and settled on what is now Section 
4. Bainbridge Township. The father was an act- 
ive Democrat, was elected County Treasurer and 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



933 



assessed the entire county before it was organ- 
ized into townships, Anally dying on the old 
farm. In the spring of 1844 Samuel Stover, with 
his wife and one child, Milton L. Stover, settled 
in the same section, the improvements on the farm 
of 100 acres, consisting of a rude double log 
cabin. The land was very heavily timbered, and 
the father immediately commenced to cut down 
and burn the large logs. One hundred and twenty 
acres was finally cleared and reclaimed to the 
uses of agriculture, and the farm is today one of 
the finest in the township, in 1900 producing 
eighty -seven bushels of corn to the acre. The 
old log cabin remained the family home until 
1858, and here most of the thirteen children were 
born ; but in the year mentioned Samuel Stover 
erected with his own hands a fine residence near 
the modest house of the pioneer period. There 
the mother died September 29, 1874, a devout 
woman reared in the faith of the Primitive Bap- 
tist Church, whose life was in strict accord with 
the principles of her belief. Three of her thir- 
teen children died in infancy. After his second 
marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Rouse. Mr. Stover 
retired from the old farm to Rushville, where 
he resided until his death, August 8, 1S98. and 
where his widow passed away March 14, 1904. 

Samuel Stover was long one of the prominent 
citizens of Bainbridge Township, taking an es- 
pecial interest in the early educational affairs. 
He was a Democrat, filled various township of- 
fices of trust, and, like his father-in-law, Mr. 
Campbell, was in many ways prominently con- 
cerned in the founding of the county govern- 
ment. He was a faithful, enterprising, large 
minded and warm hearted man, a good husband 
and lather, and a strong citizen. His religious 
belief, to which he was closely attached, was 
that of the Primitive Baptist Church. 

The children of the family who survived their 
infancy are as follows : Milton L., who is farm- 
ing in Johnson County, Neb. ; Oscar A., a resi- 
dent of Rushville, Schuyler County ; Thomas C, 
who died at the age of fourteen years ; D. Ma- 
rion, a sketch of whose life follows ; Horatio H., 
now deceased ; Horace P., a resident of Lincoln, 
Neb. : Dora I., who married W. R. Hoskins, now 
living in Wolsey, S. Dak.: Rollin M., and Robert 
C, both residents of Rushville, 111.; and Zelma 
E.. a school teacher of Minneapolis. Minn. 

D. Marion Stover was born in the old log cabin 
of the family homestead in Section 4, Bainbridge 
Township, on the 27th of October, 1848, and is 
now the owner of the home place of 160 acres, 
which is well improved and under a high state 
of cultivation. After receiving an education in 
the district schools and the Gem City Business 
College, of Quincy, 111., he devoted the larger 
portion of his life to self-improvement and the 
instruction of others. While fitting himself for 
his profession he assisted his father upon the 
farm, and in 1872 began teaching in the district 
schools of Schuyler County, continuing this work 
until 1886. His executive ability and modern 
methods, with his popular personal qualities, so 
established his reputation as an educator and 



gained him so secure a footing with the public, 
thai lie was nominated by the Democracy as a 
candidate for County Superintendent of Schools. 
His strength is shown in the fact that he was 
elected by a greater majority than anyone else 
on the ticket, and was also returned for a second 
term of four years. During the eight years of 
his service in this important office, from 1886 to 
1894, the schools of the county were managed 
with decision and ability, the valuable reforms 
which were made being dictated by a common- 
sense determination to give pupils the training 
which they could utilize, rather than the am- 
bition to be thought radical or unique. The re- 
sult was that the schools were brought to a high 
degree of practical efficiency and that he intro- 
duced a course of study similar to the one now 
used in every county in the State. Mr. Stover 
was not a candidate for re-election, and has 
since taken no active part in politics. For the 
past four years he has served as principal of the 
school of Frederick, and was re-elected for the 

ter f 1907-08. 

in 1898 Mr. Stover bought the old home farm, 
and under his management it has been made a 
most productive and desirable piece of country 
property. Here in company with his sister, 
Zelma E., he spends his summer vacations, and 
devotes the balance of the year to the educational 
field, to which he is so ardently attached and in 
which he has earned such eminence. 

STRONG, Charles Kennedy, the present Treas- 
urer of Schuyler County, was born on the farm 
he since has occupied near Pleasantview, June 
15, 1857. This farm is one of the landmarks of 
the township, and under the management of two 
generations of the family it has taken on both 
financial and home-making value. Settled upon 
at an early day by George W. and Frances 
(Quinn) Strong, parents of Charles Kennedy, it 
has been added to as prosperity favored its in- 
dustrious owners, and now consists of 160 acres. 
George Strong was a native of Columbiana 
County, Ohio, while his wife was born in Louis- 
ville, Ky., a daughter of Thomas and Nancy. 
{Kennedy) Quinn, natives of Virginia and Ken- 
tucky, respectively. George Strong, father of 
George W., was born in Ireland, and was the 
onlj member of his family to emigrate to Amer- 
ica. 

As an occupation, Charles Kennedy Strong has 
always followed farming, and has achieved suc- 
cess in his chosen railing, being engaged in both 
general farming and stock raising. At a com- 
paratively early age he began to take an active 
interest in politics, and has held many offices 
within the gift of his fellow Democrats. On 
two occasions he served as Assessor of Bain- 
bridge Township, and was also Supervisor of the 
same township for two terms, serving as Chair- 
man of the Board, and having charge, as one of 
the committeemen, of the erection of the present 
county jail. He was elected County Treasurer 
in 1902, and his conduct of the financial affairs 
of the county has met with general satisfaction. 



934 



HISTOliY OF SCIIUYLEIi COUNTY. 



August 2S, 18S7, Mr. Strong married Adelaine 
Corman, who was born in Rushville Township, 
and educated at Christian Neck School. Mr. 
and Mrs. Strong are the parents of four children : 
Homer W., Rachel M... George W., and Frank C. 
Mr. Strong is fraternally connected with the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of America. In religion he is a 
Methodist. In a community where his entire 
life has been passed, where his face is familiar 
to almost every resident, and where he has been 
called upon to fill positions which test character 
and involve sacrifice for the public good, this 
prominent farmer and politician has the repu- 
tation of being a square and reliable man, and 
one in whom the community may implicitly place 
reliance. 

STRONG, Moro S— Of the men who are help- 
ing to maintain a high standard of farming and 
stock raising in Rushville Township, credit is 
due Moro S. Strong, whose constant research and 
painstaking efforts have resulted in the owner- 
ship of one of the valuable and paying properties 
in his neighborhood. Born in Bainbridge Town- 
ship, Schuyler County. January 3, 18G3, he was 
educated in the public schools of Pleasantview, 
and on his father's farm received practical train- 
ing in the occupation to which he is devoting his 
life. His parents, George W. and Francis 
(Quinn) Strong, were born in Columbiana 
County. Ohio, and Louisville, Ky., respectively, 
the former July 6, 1822, and the latter July 
28. 1820. Both the paternal and maternal fami- 
lies had to do with the pioneer history of Schuy- 
ler County, and the mother, at the time of her 
death, had lived here sixty-four years. The 
father died October 4. 1869. 

Moro S. Strong married Laura Furness. also 
a native of Schuyler County, and of their union 
there were two children: Jesse D.. deceased, and 
Anthony V., a farmer of Rushville Township. 
Mr*. Strong died in 1887. and for his second 
wife Mr. Strong married Mary Gossage. daugh- 
ter of William and Nancy Gossage. and of this 
union there are two sons: Charles M. and Giles 
H. Mr. Strong owns 140 acres of land in Section 
25, Rushville Township, a large part of which 
is under a high degree of cultivation. This for- 
merly was known as the Quinn farm, and was 
settled by Mr. Strong's maternal grandfather, 
in 1842. It ca'me into Mr. Strong's possession 
in 1887. and he moved on to it two years later, 
finding there a small frame dwelling, which 
since has been replaced by a modern farm house. 
He lias been engaged in general farming and 
stock raising continuously, and in 1003 began the 
extensive breeding of Hereford cattle, of which 
he now has a fine herd of registered stock. Un- 
derlying the farm is a five foot vein of coal, and 
he has opened up a mine with a capacity of from 
two hundred and fifty to three hundred bushels 
per day of as fine coal as can be found in the 
State of Illinois. 

With his farming Mr. Strong combined an in- 
terest in the general welfare of the community, 



and though emphatically opposed to office hold- 
ing, has stanehly supported the Democratic party 
and has lent practical assistance to the political 
aspirations of his friends. Fraternally he is pop- 
ular and much in demand, and is identified with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Modern Woodmen of America. 

STRONG, Peter.— The retirement of Peter 
Strong to his pleasant home iu the village of 
Browning in 1904 was justified by many years of 
successful activity as a general farmer and 
stockraiser, and by an example of character and 
kindliness which should be an inspiration to the 
youth seeking the material and moral compensa- 
tions of a country life. During the fifty-seven 
years of his life Mr. Strong has known no other 
home than Schuyler County, where he was born 
in Bainbridge Township January 26, 1851, and 
where, on the farm of his parents, Stephen and 
Elizabeth (Brines) Strong, he was reared to the 
arduous work in which he for so many years 
engaged. 

Stephen Strong was born in Ohio, and as a 
lad came with his parents to Bainbridge Town- 
ship, Schuyler County, where he engaged in 
farming until his death in 1899. His wife, for- 
merly Elizabeth Brines, was born in Illinois, and 
died in 1S94. She was the mother of three 
children, both younger than Peter, of whom 
Lewis lives on the farm in Browning Township ; 
Laura died at the age of six years. In 1860 
the family moved from Bainbridge to Section 29, 
Browning Township, finding here a dilapidated 
and altogether discouraging property, as far as 
general improvements were concerned, the greater 
part of the land being covered with timber or 
underbrush. Mr. Strong lived to see his industry 
bear fruit and his home transformed into one 
of the best places in the county. He was essen- 
tially a home-loving man, of quiet and unambi- 
tious tastes and a generous contributor to 
churches and charitable organizations. He had 
no political aspirations and never was willing 
to accept political honors. 

Peter Strong was nine years old when he came 
to Browning Township, and though by no means 
a robust lad. he at once undertook the hard 
work of cutting down trees and clearing away 
brush, and eventually, long before his father's 
death, succeeded to the entire management of 
the place. Both father and son made a specialty 
of high grade stock., and in the hands of the 
son, since his purchase of the place after the 
death of his parents, this paying resource has 
been greatly increased. He has an average herd 
of thirty Short-horn cattle, fully half of which 
are registered, and also raises fine horses and 
hogs. His farm is equipped with ample facili- 
ties for earing for stock in increasing numbers, 
and he also has storage for grains and general 
produce, besides an excellent dwelling and well 
kept fences, drainage and fine water supply. The 
oversight of this beautiful farm Mr. Strong re- 
linquished upon moving to Browning in 1904, but 
it unquestionably still fills a large place in his 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEIi COV XIV. 



935 



heart and life, representing, as it does, a com- 
mendable and altogether worthy dream and its 
fulfillment. Its 260 acres represent what a man 
may accomplish who sets out to carve his way 
unaided along agricultural lines, and who allows 
neither discouragement nor occasional failure to 
interfere with the steadiness of his action and 
purpose. Mr. Strong is a Democrat in politics, 
but has never aspired to a place among the of- 
fice holders of the township. 

STRONG, Thomas Q., recognized by all who 
know him as one of the leading farmers of Bain- 
bridge Township, Schuyler County, 111., and one 
of the most prominent and influential citizens of 
his locality, was born on the home farm where 
his brother Charles K. Strong, now lives, Feb- 
ruary 1, 1847. He is a son of George W. and 
Frances Strong, natives of Ohio and Kentucky. 
Early in the 'forties his father came from Ohio 
and settled on the farm, in Section 1, Bainbridge 
Township, which was the birthplace of all his 
children. Thomas Q. Strong received his edu- 
cation in the Pleasantview school, and assisted 
his father in the work of the place, remaining 
at home until he reached the age of twenty-one 
years. Then he rented land from his grand- 
mother, and started out for himself. When his 
father's health began to fail, Thomas was in- 
duced to return home, and after the death of the 
former, the son assumed management of the 
homestead property which he continued for two 
years. In 18S3, he purchased eighty acres in 
Section 15 of the same township, to which he 
moved during that year, occupying a log cabin 
of one room. For ten years this was the home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Strong, and in it two of their 
children were born. In 1893, Mr. Strong built a 
new. flve-room dwelling, and now has one of the 
comfortable residences in the township. He has 
added ninety -one acres to his original purchase. 
and is the owner of 171 acres lying in Sections 
10 and 15, Bainbridge Township. When he took 
possession, the land had been partially cleared, 
and he applied himself to the task of completing 
the clearing and preparing fifty acres for culti- 
vation, ultimately developing the tract into a 
highly productive farm. He lias been a persever- 
ing, diligent and thorough-going farmer, having 
done his full share to promote the agricultural 
interests of Schuyler County, and has been 
closely identified with its growth and welfare. 
Too busy to travel and deeply absorbed in local 
interests, he lias only once passed beyond the 
boundaries of his native State in a lifetime ex- 
tending over three-score years. 

On February 7, is;: 1 , Mr. Strong was united in 
marriage with Augusta Crozier, who was born 
in New York October 0. 1851. a daughter of 
Billiard Crozief, a narrative of whose life ap- 
peal's in another part of this work. The children 
resulting from tins union are: Eva. wife of 
Watson Dodds, detailed mention of whom is also 
made in this volume; Stella, who died in in- 
fancy : and Anna, who was married to George 
W. Ward, September II, 1906. Mr. Ward, who 



has charge of Mr. Strong's farm, is a son of 
Jackson Ward, a biographical record of whom 
may be found on another page herein. 

Politically, Mr. Strong is identified with the 
Democratic party. He has rendered able and 
faithful public service in various township of- 
fices, having been Collector, Boad Commissioner 
and School Trustee for twelve years. When he 
was elected to the last mentioned office the finan- 
cial condition of the schools was not encouraging, 
but during his incumbency it was placed on a 
sound basis. His colleagues on the School Board 
were W. H. Reeve and Vincent Bellamy. Mr. 
and Mrs. Strong are earnest and active members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and 
have long taken a deep interest in church and 
educational work. For twenty years, he was 
Superintendent of the Mt. Carmel Sunday school. 
Both husband and wife enjoy the sincere respect 
and cordial regard of a wide circle of friends. 

STUMM, Jeremiah, who served as County Sur- 
veyor of Schuyler County, for nearly forty years, 
was born April 13, 1827, in Springhill Town- 
ship, Fayette County. Pa. He was a son of 
Philip and Rebecca Burehinal Stumm and re- 
sided with his parents until his eighteenth year, 
when he left home to learn the carpenter's trade. 
From 1845 to 1857 he worked at his trade and 
was employed as superintendent on several large 
contracts. In January, 1S57, Mr. Stumm came 
to Rushville from Peoria, 111., and took the con- 
tract to build the new county jail, which is now, 
after an existence of fifty years, in a good state 
of preservation and used as a city calaboose. This 
contract kept Mr. Stumm employed until August, 
1858, and, while the county got a good piece of 
work, Mr. Stumm was a loser of $1100 on his 
contract. 

In 1S63 Mr. Stumm was elected County Sur- 
veyor, serving two years. From 1867 to 1875 
he was Deputy Surveyor under Surveyor 
James W. Watts, and did practically all the sur- 
veying in and about Rushville during these years. 
In 1885 he was appointed to fill the unexpired 
term of W. J. Horney and served as County Sur- 
veyor until 1904. 

During the time he was Surveyor Mr. Stumm 
made his home at the court house, and when lie 
became feeble from age. went to the county farm 
to live. He made his home here from the spring 
of 1905 until his death, which occurred May 5, 
1908. His remains were taken to the old home 
at Ada, Ohio, for interment. 

"Jerry" Stumm, as he was familiarly known to 
almost every resident of the county, was a man 
of more than ordinary intellectual ability, and 
had he been inclined to follow the pursuits for 
which he was so ably fitted, he would have made 
his mark in the business world. But financial 
reverses in his younger years apparently broke 
his spirit, and he took a pessimistic View of life 
that made impotent his marked ability. But 
although he gave up the Struggle in the keen 
competition of a business career, his mind was 
bright and vigorous, and his memory was a most 



936 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



remarkable one, even up to the time of his death. 
Since his death the County Board of Super- 
visors has purchased his old compass aud chain, 
and they will be preserved in a case at the 
court house as a relic for future generations. 

SUTHERLAND, H. Ralph.— The seeker after 
success along farming lines may learn much 
from the life efforts of H. Ralph Sutherland, 
whose home, character and ideals place him 
among the most progressive and substantial of 
the upbuilders of Brooklyn Township and Schuy- 
ler County. As much as any of whom we have 
knowledge, Mr. Sutherland is entitled to the 
credit of being a self-made man, a man who has 
carved his way practically unaided, and to whom 
the storm and stress and discouragement of life 
never has offered sufficient incentive for skirking 
of duty or a substitution of profitless pleasures. 
He is a worker who- loves his work as he does 
his fellow men, who ever lias looked forward to 
the tasks of a new day with hope and gladness, 
ami at night has been willing to acknowledge his 
debt to the merciful boon of labor. 

On .March 4, 1S4.""> — the inauguration day of 
President James K. Polk, — Mr. Sutherland was 
born in Sunbury, Ohio, and was but three years 
old when occurred the death of bis lather, Joseph 
Sutherland, who was hern in Trumbull County, 
Ohio, and who for many years was employed by 
the Hopkins Soda & Bottling Works, of Sun 
bury. The elder Sutherland was a man of quiet 
and refined tastes, a good citizen kind husband 
and father, and an earnest voter of the Whig 
ticket. His wife, formerly Jane Eaton, also a 
native of Ohio, subsequently married a Mr. Henry 
Schoonover. with whom and her son, H. Ralph. 
she left Ohio in 1S58, stopping for a time 
in Vermont. Fulton County. 111., hut during the 
following year locating in Brooklyn Townsh ; p 
Schuyler County. In the spring of 1861 the 
family rented land from a Mr. Fisher, the next 
December moving to rented land east of Little- 
ton, in the township of that name. He soon 
afterward moved to his grandfather's farm, and 
on May 1, 1S65. located on the farm which Mr. 
Sutherland now owns. Here the step-father 
died in 1S06, and here has dwelt Mr. Sutherland 
with his beloved mother, one of the most viva- 
cious and interesting young old ladies in the 
county. By her second marriage she had two 
children, both of whom died in infancy. At the 
age of eighty-five she enjoys excellent health, and 
is the joy of the household because of her kindly 
disposition and freedom from the traits usually 
associated with one of her years. 

H. Ralph Sutherland was thirteen years of age 
when he came with his mother and step-father to 
Schuyler County, and soon after found employ- 
ment as a clerk in the general store of his uncle, 
J. H. Dexter, at Augusta. 111. Owing to ill 
health brought on by confinement, in 1862 ho 
quit the store and began to work in a wagon shop 
in Astoria, but was not long permitted to follow 
this occupation as the illness of his step-father 
compelled his return to the farm, of which he 



then took charge. The place at that time con- 
tained 140 acres, with a log cabin and a log 
stable, but without fences to confine stock or 
keep out that of other settlers. Over a large 
part of the land waved wild prairie grass, while 
but thirty-five acres had been broken by the 
plow, and there were fifteen acres of heavy tim- 
ber. Mr. Sutherland started in bravely to clear 
away the thick underbrush, and in time suc- 
ceeded in making the place one of the most val- 
uable and profitable in Brooklyn Township. He 
has been the personification of industry and the 
setting sun often has found him with a large 
amount of work yet to accomplish. He never has 
shirked or slighted his tasks, and his place bears 
the stamp of this conscientious and painstaking 
devotion to details. He has added eighty acres 
to the original farm and now owns 220 acres. 

On October 8, 1878, Mr. Sutherland was united 
in marriage to Miss E. A. Pratt, the wedding 
taking place in Johnston. Licking County, Ohio, 
the native place of the bride. Mrs. Sutherland 
is a daughter of Hector and Susan EUeu (Reed) 
Pratt, the former an extensive farmer of Licking 
County, and the parent of eight children, six of 
whom are living: Joseph Pratt, of Marengo. 
Ohio ; Oscar, owner of the old home farm near 
Johnston. Ohio ; Mrs. Sutherland ; Mary, wife 
of Harris Pick, of Johnston; Maggie, deceased 
wife of Dr. Garnett : Lucy, wife of Dudley Tay- 
lor : and Lizzie, married and living in Racine. 
Wis. The oldest child, a son. died at the age of 
seven years. Two children have been born to 
Mr. aud Mrs. Sutherland, of whom Twilla D. 
died at the age of eight years and eight months, 
taking with her into the unknown much of the 
joy and gladness of a home which she had 
brightened inexpressibly with her sweetness of 
disposition and gentleness of heart. The only 
son in the family, Glenn C, born August 30, 
1889, was educated in the common schools of 
Brooklyn, and in the Commercial Department 
of the Rushville Normal, and is a young man of 
exceptional promise. He has his father's dignity 
and uprightness of character, and is much es- 
teemed for his quiet and unobtrusive manners. 

In political affiliation Mr. Sutherland is a 
Democrat, but has never been weaned from his 
home and immediate duties sufficiently to accept 
of local official honors. His farm and its devel- 
opment have furnished the great and absorbing 
purpose of his life, and. as in the past, it fur- 
nished many obstacles and many conflicts, today 
it is his pride and joy, the evidence of his in- 
dustry and faithfulness, of his thrift and far- 
sightedness during a whole half century in the 
same township. 

SWEENEY, John L.— The long and prominent 
identification of the Sweeney family with Schuy- 
ler County dates from the arrival in 1851 of 
Doctors Jesse and Minerva < Sanders) Sweeney, 
who were natives of Kentucky, and born in Ca- 
sey and Wayne Counties, respectively. Dr. Jesse 
Sweeney's useful life began in 1S00. his parents 
having settled in Casey County some years prev- 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



937 



ious. He was reared on a farm, whose opportu- 
nities he outgrew comparatively early in life, and 
a broader field presented itself in the medical 
profession, for which lie prepared at the well 
known University at Lexington, Ky. He \\ as 
successful as a physician and surgeon in his na- 
tive .State, and alter locating in Rushville in 
1851 realized no cessation of his professional 
popularity, his services being in demand through- 
out a large part of the surrounding country. 
His life ending in ISOo, he was survived by his 
wife until 1887, and she in turn is survived by- 
four of her ten children: M. C, of Rushville; 
Charles II.. a resident of Des Moines, Iowa; 
Elizabeth F., wife of J. W. Jones, of Peoria, 111.; 
and John L. Doctor Sweeney in early life was a 
stanch supporter of the Whig party, and after 
its establishment in 1856, he was equally de- 
voted to the infant Republican party. A man of 
large heart and great generosity of judgment, 
he rilled an important need in the world, and 
left it better for his earnest devotion to the best 
tenets of his splendid profession. 

The Civil War proved the first break in the 
monotony of the youth of John L. Sweeney, he 
having thus far devoted his energies to the home, 
and to irregular attendance at the district school. 
In August, 1802. at the age of nineteen years, 
he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and 
Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for 
three years, serving with his regiment through 
all of its long marches and hard fought bat- 
tles, and at the expiration of his enlistment 
in 1865, receiving an honorable discharge. Re- 
turning to Rushville after the war. he entered 
upon his mercantile experience as a clerk for 
the firm of Thomas Wilson & Company, estab- 
lished in 1837, and in that capacity mastered ev- 
ery detail of merchandising as practiced by that 
oldest of enterprises in the city. In 1S82 he hail 
saved sufficient money to purchase an interest in 
the firm, and the same year witnessed a material 
change in the business, a fire having swept the 
south side of the square, and demolished the 
frame building in which the firm for so many 
years had conducted their business. In this 
emergency the present brick structure was 
erected, two stories in height, and with a ware- 
room of 2ii<) square feet running back of the 
main structure. This store is one of the best 
equipped and best arranged dry-goods establish- 
ments in Schuyler County, and the high stand- 
ard of merchandising of the original owner has 
never been allowed to diminish. In 1SSS. Hiram 
Graff became a partner, and the business was 
thus conducted until 1807, when Mr. Graff re- 
tired, and fresh blood and energy was infused 
into the time-honored concern by the entrance 
into the firm of Thomas W. Sweeney, son of 
John L., and grandson of the original founder, 
Mr. Wilson. With this combination of talent 
and enthusiasm, father and son have produced a 
thoroughly modern store, introducing many 
features which indicate the greatest known mer- 
cantile progressiveuess. and placing themselves 
in touch with the most modern of needs and re- 



quirements. Special mention is due the dry- 
goods and shoe departments, although other 
lines are selected with equal regard "for com- 
pleteness and satislactoriness. An efforl is 

to please all without regard to company losses, 
and courtesy and consideration are recognized 
as indispensable factors of success. 

February 20, 1867, Mr. Sweeney was united 
in marriage to Amelia L. Wilson, daughter of 
the old time merchant, and founder" of the 
Thomas Wilson & Company. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Sweeney have been horn the following children: 
Eleanor, wife of Charles W. Graff, and mother of 
Thomas. Eleanor. Mildred, Francis and John L. 
Graff: Jessie, wife of H. B. Fisher, Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction at Geneseo, 111., and 
mother of Mary L„ Linda and William C. Fisher; 
Thomas W., who married Maud R. Rottger, of 
Jacksonville, 111.; Frank R., manager of the 
Hotel Schuyler, of Rushville, and Susan S., 
wife of Charles Arthur Griffith, of The Griffith 
Hardware Company, Rushville, 111. Mr. Sweeney- 
has shown his faith in the future of Rushville 
by investing heavily in local property, and is 
half-owner of the Hotel Schuyler, one of the 
besl hostelries in this part of the county: is also 
a large stock-holder and director in the Schuyler 
County Bank. For the term of his voting life 
he has stanchly supported the Republican party, 
and though himself not a member of any church, 
has donated liberally to local church interests, 
especially the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which his wife is a devoted member. Personally 
Mr. Sweeney is a plain, matter of fact gentle- 
man, owning lo no prevailing weaknesses such 
as smoking, chewing, swearing or speculating, 
and leading a life of singular moderation and 
peacefulness. No man in the community is held 
in higher esteem, nor would any be sooner 
trusted with affairs involving integrity and pub- 
lic spirit. 

SWEENEY, Thomas W— The general store of 
Wilson & Company is an unbroken link be- 
tween the Rushville of 1839 and that of 1907. 
For seventy years this enterprise has stood guard 
over the commercial destiny of the community, 
has accurately and unfailingly reflected its 
growth, and has stood sponsor for its reputation 
beyond the borders of its immediate activity. 
No more striking contrast in business methods 
and opportunities exists than that presented by 
the establisher, Thomas Wilson, and his grand- 
son, Thomas W. Sweeney, the present manager 
of the store. The former struck the sober busi- 
ness -ait of the far frontier, and the latter, with- 
out changing the base of operations, finds him- 
self the center of a feverish competition, enjoy- 
ing the profit and influence of a commercial 
prince endowed with the strong and depend- 
able qualities which bespeak thorough harmony 
with the needs, possibilities and splendid useful- 
ness of the twentieth century. 

Thomas W. Sweeney was born at Galva. Henry 
County 111.. October 2. 1875, and in 1881 came 
to Rushville with his father. John L. Sweeney, 



938 



EISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



where he attended the public schools and grad- 
uated from the high school in the class of 1893, 
Ambitious of a higher education, the young man 
in 1894 entered the department of liberal arts 
connected with the Northwestern University, 
at Evanston, 111., and in 1895 returned to Rush- 
ville and entered the employ of Wilson & Coru- 
pany, general merchants. Mr. Sweeney con- 
tinued a clerk in this patriachal enterprise 
until 1897, in the meantime applying himself to 
learning every detail of the business with the 
zeal, forethought and sagacity required of the 
man who would engage in successful mer- 
chandising. At the expiration of two years his 
faithfulness was rewarded by his appointment as 
manager of the store, a position which he ever 
since has maintained with commendable dig- 
nitv and ability. He carries a stock of dry- 
goods and shot's, observes the greatest possible 
neatness and order in the distribution and ar- 
rangement of bis goods, and insists upon cour- 
tesy and consideration upon the part of bis em- 
ployes. Some of his patrons have purchased 
commodities since a very early period in the 
history of the store, but those who knew it in 
its log cabin era mostly have been gathered to 
their rest. The same reliability and confidence 
characterize its general atmosphere as earned 
for it the patronage of the early settlers, but it 
lias assumed the dignity of larger growth, and the 
influence of a manager who is variously and 
intimately connected with the upbuilding of the 
community. 

Mr. Sweeney is promoting many phases of 
local business activity, and is Secretary and 
.Manager of the Rushville Electric Light Com- 
pany. For the past two years he lias been Pres- 
ident of the Rushville Business Men's Club, an 
organization established lor the promotion of 
the best business methods and ethics, and which 
sets a high standard of requirements in its mem- 
bership. He is interested also in agriculture, 
and is part owner of a farm of 600 acres in 
Schuyler County. Politically Mr. Sweeney is a 
Republican, but he has no official aspirations be- 
yond the intelligent casting of bis vote. To his 
credit is several months efficient government 
service during the Spanish-American war as 
Chief Clerk in the Commissary Department un- 
der Captain Orson Pettijohn, Third Brigade, 
Second Division, Second Army Corps, at Camp 
Alger, Washington, I). C. This position Mr. 
Sweeney held from July. 1898, until the follow- 
ing December, he having previously enlisted un- 
der Col. George Rankin, whose company was 
never requisitioned for active service. Mr. 
Sweeney is active in fraternal circles, being a 
member of Blue Lodge No. 9, A. F. & A. M., the 
Chapter. Commandery, and Knights of Pythias, 
while bis wife is a member of the Eastern Star. 
Mrs. Sweeney formerly was Maud H. Rottger, 
daughter of .John and Anna Rottger. and bora 
in Jacksonville. III., in November, 1876. The 
marriage of Mr. Sweeney and Miss Rottger oc- 
curred June 1, 1899, and the couple occupy a 
shade embowered home on one of the pleasant 



streets of the town, and are regarded as among 
the best informed and most progressive of 
the latter day generation of citizens. Mr. 
Sweeney is the ideal of the progressive, force- 
ful and influential merchant, and possesses in 
large measure those qualities of thrift, initiative 
and resource which bring a man into closest 
touch with the best and most substantial of com- 
munity interests. 

SWISHER, Solomon C. — In his long and still 
active life Solomon C. Swisher has evidenced 
industry, versatility and rare good judgment, 
supplying a large need in both his native State 
of Virginia, where be was horn in Marion 
County, November 23, 1829, and in Schuyler 
County, 111., to which be came in the summer of 
1857. His father. Jacob Swisher, was for twen- 
ty-five years a well known lumberman of Marion 
County, YV. Va., arriving there in his youth from 
Butler County, Va.. where he was born in 1S12. 
He married Beersneba Ferrell, who bore him 
fifteen children, eleven of whom are now liv- 
ing, and who died while absent from her south- 
ern home, at about fifty years of age. Jacob 
Swisher also died while away from home, but 
in the same State, having attained to seventy- 
live years. He was an honorable and highly 
respected man and wielded a beneficial influence 
in all his walks of life. Following Solomon C, 
the oldest of this large family, came Elizabeth, 
who lives near the old home in Virginia ; Enoch 
W.. a fanner of Mississippi; Nancy, widow Of 
Mr. Dukes, living also in Virginia ; Nelson, at 
home ; Harriet, in Virginia ; Wesley, a soldier 
in the Federal army, who died during the serv- 
ice in a Southern hospital; Sarah, wile of Mr. 
Watson, of Monessen, Pa.; Henry YV.. of Vir- 
ginia ; Emeline, wife of John Swisher (not a 
relative i, and a resident of West Virginia; Rob- 
ert, deceased in Hancock. 111.; Jennie, who died 
single at tlie age of forty; Elvira lives in Marion 
County. W. Va. : Frank, a resident of the vicin- 
ity of Canton. W. Va. ; and a child who died 
in infancy. 

As the oldest son in his father's large fam- 
ily. Solomon c. Swisher naturally assisted in the 
lumber business, and for years engaged in raft- 
ing on the Monongahela River, and in hewing and 
dressing logs. The occupation offered much of 
interest and adventure, and in the free and 
open air life the youth secured physical and 
moral strength, as well as business independence 
and sagacity. June 6. 1S5G, be was united in 
marriage to Rebecca T. Vincent, daughter of 
Jacob and Annie (Brain) Vincent, born in 
Marion County, W. Va., November 17. 1S35. A 
year after the marriage of the young people, 
accompanied by the father of Mrs. Swisher, they 
undertook the long journey from Virginia to 
Schuyler County, 111., in a wagon drawn by two 
horses, camping by the wayside at night and 
spending thirty-one days on the road. Arriving 
at their destination November 21. 1857, they 
spent the rest of the winter in a log house owned 
by Rev. Aaron Wright, in Section 11, Wood- 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



939 



stock Township, and in the spring of 1S5S, Mr. 
Swisher and Mr. Vincent became equal owners 
of a farm of K>o acres in Section 9, the same 
township. A small log cabin and ten cultivated 
acres constituted the sole improvements on this 
land, and both families lived in the cabin until 
success made possible the erection of more com- 
modious quarters. 

Having much timber to cut down on his land, 
the experience of -Mr. Swisher back in Virginia 
stood bin) in good stead, for be soon began to 
convert bis timber into barrel staves, and for 
many years be found an extensive patron lor 
his barrels in Thomas Wilson, than whom he 
never had a better friend. Practically all of the 
suitable timber on bis land went into barrels, 
and the packers of Rushville found him ready 
and resourceful in supplying their need. But 
barrel-making was not allowed to interfere with 
the general improvement of the farm, and its ad- 
vancement towards a profitable and comfortable 
home was rapid and certain. At present he has 
a fine modern rural residence, well furnished 
throughout, and surrounded with trees, shrubs, 
gardens and an orchard. His barns and out- 
houses are ample for the protection of stock 
during the winter, and for the housing of sur- • 
plus produce and machinery. 

By nn means self-centered in his interests, 
Mr. Swisher has variously contributed to the ad- 
vancement of the community, has been a stanch 
supporter of the Democratic party, held many 
offices, including that of first Town Clerk, Com- 
missioner of Highways, and member of the Board 
of Supervisors fur two years. For many years 
h.' was one of the most active members of the 
Grange, supporting it with his enthusiasm and 
constant attendance, and otherwise identifying 
himself with a movement which has for its 
primal object the promotion of the interests of 
agriculture. Mr. and Mrs. Swisher are the 
parents of nine children: Emma, widow of 
John Spencer, mother of Lydia Spencer, and 
who lives with her father: Carson; Ida, de- 
ceased wife of George M. Swisher; Laura, twice 
married, and now the wife of John Dunn, of 
Champaign County. 111.: George E.. a lawyer 
and real-estate broker of Oklahoma City. Okla. ; 
Lauretta, wife of Philip Eyler, of Woodstock 
Township: Edith, deceased at the age of eight- 
een years; Martha, wife of .lames B. Hair, of 
Round Lake. Minn. : and Clarence, a carpenter 
and builder of Oklahoma City, who married 
Bessie Luther. Swisher has been the sole arch 
itect of his growing fortunes, and his life is 
a tribute to the qualities of industry, persist- 
ence and faith in bis ability to succeed. At 
the age of seventy-eight, and after half a century 
in Schuyler County, be finds himself one of 
its fortunate and highly respected citizens, the 
possessor of a liberal competence, and the pros- 
pect of many more years of usefulness. 

TAGGART, Benjamin F. — History relates that 
the Taggart family came originally from the 
Isle of Wight, an island in the English Channel 



off the south coast of England, whence three 
brothers came to America and established the 
name in Massachusetts prior to the Revolution- 
ary War. The sou of one of these brothers 
was John Taggart, the lather of Benjamin P., 
who later removed to Pennsylvania, where he 
married Effie Wolverton, daughter of Peter Wol- 
verton, who came to America from Holland be- 
fore or during the Revolution. After the birth 
of five of his children, in ISL'8, John Taggart, ac- 
| panied by bis father-in-law, removed to Illi- 
nois, settling in Schuyler County, and in many 
of their early experiences as pioneers they were 
associated. In the spring of that year (1828) 
tiny built a raft at Warren. Pa., on the Alleghany 
River, which they loaded with shingles, house- 
hold supplies, five bead of horses, two cows and 
a dog: at Cincinnati they sold a part of their 
goods and with the jrroceeds bought a flat-boat 
with which they proceeded down the Ohio River 
as far as Shawneetown, where they unloaded 
their cargo and by wagons started for Rock 
Island. 111. When they reached Rushville, how- 
ever, they were so pleased with its thrifty ap- 
pearance that they decided to remain, and for 
two years they made their home in the location 
afterward occupied by the Halls, three miles 
north of Rushville. Selling out his holdings in 
Rushville Township in lsfJO. Mr. Taggart then 
came to Camden Township, and on the farm 
which he here purchased he rounded out the 
remainder of his long and useful life. When 
he first located here it was necessary to drive to 
Quiney to have his grist ground, a hardship 
which lie soon overcame, for as he was a miller 
it was not long before he erected a mill in his 
vicinity. This was known as the Taggart mill, 
and he continued to operate it until 18+4, when 
he sold it to Joseph Parrott. of Rushville. Sev- 
eral other mills besides bis own were erected by 
Mr. Taggart. among them the first mill on Sugar 
Creek, which he built for William McKee, and 
one for Thomas .ln^tus. 

Lucinda J., the eldest child of John and Effie 
(Wolverton) Taggart, became the wife of Dr. 
Charles S. Ward, of New Haven. Comi., who 
died in May, 1849. and there her death occurred 
in 1902, leaving fi ur son,, three or whom grad- 
uated from Yale College as physicians; George 
and Charles, both physicians are deceased, the 
first-mentioned dying in South America, and the 
latter in Bridgeport, Conn.. Henry C, is a 
wholesale hardware merchant in the latter 
city: and the other son. Edward F.. is an 
electrician in Central America. The next 
child in the John Taggart family was Emily E.. 
who became the wife of Dr. Samuel Clark, and 
in Aurora. HI., where they made their home, 
both passed away, leaving three sons and four 
daughters, all of whom are living with the ox- 
eeption of one sou, Marshall Taggart Clark, who 
died at the age of six years. Wealthy, another 
daughter, first married Simon Wilcox, and some 
time after his death in 1843, she married George 
Ryerson, and four children were born to them. 
Andrew J. died in 1841. All of the children of 



940 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



John and Effie (Wolverton) Taggart, mentioned 
thus far, were born iu Pennsylvania prior to the 
removal to Illinois in 1828. BenjaminF., subject 
of this sketch, was born on the home farm in Cam- 
den Township, Schuyler County, February 17, 
1832. Sarah became the wife of Philip Fryeudall. 
of Batavia, ill., by whom she had two sons and 
two daughters. Ellen (deceased) was buried in 
the cemetery at Batavia. The death of Stephen, 
second child of John Taggart, was one of the first 
recorded in Camden Township. Benjamin F. 
Taggart still has in his possession a chest 
brought by his grandfather, Peter Wolverton, 
across the Allegheny Mountains when he came 
to Illinois in 1828. 

The earliest recollections in the life of Ben- 
jamin F. Taggart take him back in memory to 
the days spent in the log school house of pio- 
neer days, whose advantages and comforts were 
nothing as compared to present-day conveniences 
and advanced courses of study. When he was 
fifteen years old his father died, December 12, 
1847, and thereafter his life trend was iu more 
important lines. In 1849 his mother purchased 
an eighty acre tract of land on Section 3, Cam- 
den Township, which was heavily timbered 
with white oak, and here Benjamin began his 
first independent work as a farmer, in time 
building a log cabin into which the mother and 
children moved, and there the mother and two 
children, Sarah and Ella, made their home until 
her death. Some time after this, July 16, 1S54, 
Mr. Taggart was married to Miss Rebecca M. 
Hill, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, 
March 16, 1833, the daughter of Wesley and 
Mary Ann (Buckmaster) Hill. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hill were natives respectively of Delaware 
and Pennsylvania, but much of their mar- 
ried life had been spent iu Ohio; in 1852 they 
came to Illinois and settled in Fulton County, 
but finally located in Brooklyn Township, where 
the death of the mother occurred. Mr. Hill 
thereafter removed to McDonough County, where 
he died in 1865. 

In the little log cabin which Mr. Taggart had 
erected in \sV.K he and his wife began house- 
keeping immediately after their marriage, and 
there, too, their four oldest children were born 
The first shadow cast over their otherwise happy 
home was in the death of their two eldest chil- 
dren, a son and daughter. The third child. 
Helena Ollie, was born December 1. 1857, and 
is now the wife of Martin C. Bleecker, of Pueblo, 
Colo. Their two eldest sons, Warren F. and 
Frederick Guy Bleecker. are graduates of the 
Centennial University, Colorado. Together the 
brothers patented a steam motor that is des- 
tined to revolutionize the steam power of the 
world. The engine is equipped with an automatic 
governor which admits steam at full pressure, 
doing away entirely with the old idea of throt- 
tling, and thus eliminating the loss of steam 
energy. A company has been formed for the 
manufacture of the engines. The eldest daughter 
of Mr. and Mrs. Bleecker. Mary, is now the wife 
of James Pickard, a locomotive engineer on the 



Santa Fe Road and a resident of Topeka, Kan. 
Harold Bleecker died at the age of five years. 
Elsoii F., the youngest child, is still at home with 
his parents. Frank M. Taggart. born March 28, 
1860, chose as his wile Elizabeth Wood, formerly 
a resident of Schuyler County, and they now make 
their home in Holbrook, Neb. They have had 
five children, as follows: Nellie May, the wiie 
of Oscar Mart, of Furness County, Neb.; Jessie, 
Mrs. Ernest Leach, of Hendley, Neb. ; Annie, 
the wife of John Patton : Mary F. and Gracie, 
the latter dying in childhood. 

Until 1809 the log structure into which Mr. 
Taggart moved after his marriage remained the 
family home, but about that time he erected a 
modern residence in which they lived until it 
was destroyed by fire in 1893. During the lat- 
ter year he built the residence now occupied by 
the family, a modern structure, which is in- 
dicative of the progressive spirit of the owner. 
For seventy-five years he has watched the march 
of progress in Schuyler County, and has borne 
his share of the discomforts of pioneer life, but 
notwithstanding these clouds which shadowed his 
pathway, he is content with the lot to which 
Fate led him. For over half a century he has 
bad the love and companionship of the wife of 
his youth, and together in their declining years 
they are enjoying the comforts which their early 
struggles made possible. Mr. Taggart cast his 
first vote for President for Buchanan ; later 
his sympathies were enlisted on the side of the 
Republican party and for some time he east 
his ballot for the candidates of that party. More 
recently, however, he has given the weight of 
his influence to the cause of the Prohibition 
party. For many years he has been a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he has 
assisted in maintaining, as he has every help- 
ful measure, whether religious or secular. Per- 
sonally .Mr. Taggart is a man of noble qualities, 
which are nowhere better known and appreciated 
than in his own family. A close student and a 
constant reader all of his life, he is well versed 
along all lines and is an excellent conversation- 
alist, one to whom it is a delight to listen. 

TAYLOR, Henry W — The history of that 
branch of the Taylor family to which Henry 
W. Taylor belonged is traced to the North of 
Ireland, where his grandfather, Matthew Taylor, 
was born of English parents. He emigrated to 
the United States in 1772 and took up his abode 
iu Pennsylvania, passing away in Huntingdon 
County at the ripe old age of ninety-seven years. 
Before her marriage the grandmother was Miss 
Mcllheney, she too being a native of Ireland, al- 
though a descendant of Sotch-Irish ancestors. 
She also lived to attain a great age. being in her 
ninety-sixth year at the time of her death. 
Among the children born to this couple was 
Alexander Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania, who 
as early as 1810 crossed over into the adjoining 
State of Ohio and there cleared a farm out of 
the very heart of the forest. In his pioneer 
labors he was cheered and encouraged by his 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



'Ml 



faithful wife, formerly Betsy Scott, she too 
being a native of Pennsylvania. Her father, 
Neheniiah Scott, was a native of Long Island and 
the descendant of Scotch ancestry, while the 
mother. Mary Wick in maidenhood, was born in 
Washington County, Pa. Alexander Taylor 
passed away in Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio, 
at the age of fifty-live, and his wife in Burling- 
ton, la., at the advanced age of eighty years. 

Henry W. Taylor was burn in the family home 
in Trumbull County, Ohio. February 11. 1N24. 
His parents thoroughly appreciated the value of 
an education, and no opportunity which lay in 
their power to bestow upon their son was denied 
him. Be it said to his credit that he appreciated 
the efforts which were made in his behalf, a 
co-operation which enabled him at the age of 
nineteen to take charge of a school. After fol- 
lowing the teacher's profession for two years be 
gave it up to take a course in law, receiving pri- 
vate tutorage. In the course of time he grad- 
uated from his studies and began the practice 
of his profession. The news of the finding of 
gold in California, however, proved too alluring 
to pass him unheeded, and closing his office he 
went to the new Eldorado. With four yoke of 
oxen he made the trip overland, starting from 
Rushville. 111., April 1. 1849, and arriving where 
the town of Maryville. Cal., is now located 
October 22, 1849. The fact that he remained in 
the gold fields for four years affords evidence 
that he was successful in his efforts as a miner. 

Returning to Rushville, 111., at the end of this 
time. Mr. Taylor was united in marriage. June 
S, 1853, with Miss Cornelia Manlove. a native 
of Rushville. and the daughter of Jonathan D. 
and Sophronia (Chadsey) Manlove. The de- 
scended of an old Southern family and himself 
a native of North Carolina. Mr. Manlove came 
to Illinois at an early day. settling in Schuy- 
ler County in 182:'.. and hero in 1826 he was 
married to Miss Chadsey, theirs being the third 
marriage celebrated in Schuyler County. After 
his return from California Mr. Taylor engaged 
in the lumber business, owning a lumber yard in 
Rushville, and in addition to its management 
also took contracts for building plank roads. He 
followed the lumber business until 1S57. when he 
sold out all of his interests and removed to 
Brooklyn Township. Coming here at a time 
when settlers were few and far between, be 
bought considerable land, much of it being cov- 
ered with heavy timber, owning in all 900 acres 
of land. Out of this he developed an excellent 
farm, upon which he made a specialty of rais- 
ing fine blooded stock of all kinds. In addition 
to his agricultural interests lie also maintained 
a mercantile establishment prior to the Civil 
War, and up to 1894, when he retired from 
active life. 

Four children were born of the marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, as follows: Marion H.. 
who became the wife of T. T>. Lewis, of Brook- 
lyn. Schuyler County: Ida M.. and Fanette. 
who is the wife of Dr. J. E. Camp, an account of 
whose life is given at length elsewhere in this 



work, and Willie, who was born in 1862 and 
died in 1864. Throughout his life Mr. Taylor 
was a stanch supporter of the Whig party, 
and expressed his preference for its principles 
by casting his first vote lor Zachary Taylor. At 
the time of the organization of the Republican 
party proper he gave his allegiance to that or- 
ganization, his vole being cast lor John C. Fre- 
mont. For many years he had been an active 
member of the Presbyterian Church, serving as 
an elder in that body, and Mrs. Taylor is still 
active in the benevolent and charitable work 
of thai church. .Mr. Taylor's death, December 
20, 1896, brought to its close a life which had 
meant much to the well-being of Schuyler County 
in general and of Brooklyn Township in partic- 
ular, none standing higher in the estimation of 
those who had known him for nearly half a 
century. 

TEEL, Herschel Volany. — The distinction of he- 
ing the youngest native son to wear the judicial 
ermine in Schuyler County is emphasized by the 
efficient and painstaking service of Herschel 
Volany Teel, during his eight years as County 
Judge of Schuyler County. Judge Teel, who rep- 
resents one of the earliest and most substantial 
pioneer families of Illinois, was born in Rush- 
ville Township, Schuyler County. March ".. 1868. 
the second son of James A. and Elizabeth Smith 
Teel. Descended through both ancestral lines 
from German-Irish stock, he inherited the solid- 
ity, frugality, perseverance and thrift of the 
former, combined with the frank, ardent, per- 
tinacious and courageous elements of the latter, 
which characteristics have made that sturdy 
strain, wherever planted, foivniosl in hardy 
undertaking and adventurous enterprise. His 
forefathers were not cradled in luxury; they 
were essentially the rugged, vigorous pioneers 
of civilization, who assisted in the making of 
the early history of our county; Captain John 
Teel of Revolutionary fame, being the founder 
of this branch of the family. His son. John Teel. 
belonged to tin 1 regular army and served in the 
War of 1812. These two patriots resided in New 
Jersey: Henry P. Teel, son of John Teel and 
grandfather of Herschel Teel. resided in Penn- 
sylvania, but in 1833 be followed the tide of 
Empire and moved his family west, finally lo- 
cating in Schuyler County, then very sparsely set 
tied. 

Tlie history of the maternal ancestors of the 
subject of this sketch is not so easily traced; it 
is only known that they settled here at an earlier 
date than the Teels, and it was upon the land 
cleared practically by the unaided efforts of his 
grandfather, Jonathan Smith, that Herschel 
•fed first saw the light of this mundane sphere 
Here his youth was passed in the hard labors of 
the farm. Its comparative isolation inevitably 
created within him the spirit of the boundless 
prairie and fostered that freedom which knows 
not the restraint of aggregated humanity in 
cities. Heredity endowed hitn with a robust 
physical constitution and vigorous mind, while 



942 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



his early environment developed his innate pow- 
ers of industry, perseverance and self-reliance 
to a very marked degree. 

Eager for knowledge, he assiduously utilized 
every opportunity offered by the rural schools; 
in 1890 he graduated from the Rushville Normal 
and Business College ; in 1S91 from Eureka Col- 
lege and in 1895 he received his diploma from the 
Law Department of Northwestern University, was 
admitted to the bar and began the practice of his 
profession in Rushville. where he still resides. 
In 1898 he was elected County Judge on the 
Democratic ticket and again in 1902. During 
his tenure of office, several appeals were taken 
from his decision to the higher courts, and it 
speaks well for his ability as a jurist that in ev- 
ery case his decision was sustained by the 
superior court. As a lawyer he is a close 
student, a sagacious and conscientious counsellor, 
and merits and receives the high regard of the 
members of his profession and of his clientele. 

Judge Teel evidences a marked predilection 
for the social and general, as well as profes- 
sional, opportunities of life, and is a prominent 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
low s. Modern Woodmen of America. Knights of 
Pythias and Mutual Protective League. He is 
also one of the directors of the Bank of Rush- 
ville. To liim have filtered the ambition and 
purpose which animated the pilgrimage of his 
pioneer ancestors and which, exercised in widely 
differing grooves of human achievement, al- 
ready arc maintaining their mission of securing 
the greatest justice and the greatest liberty 'to 
the society of mankind. 

The basic principle of Hersehel Teel's char- 
acter is integrity, not only of thought but of word 
and deed as well. He Is known for his sturdy 
independence of character, his devotion to his 
friends and his recognition of the equality of 
all men who are honest and upright, without re- 
gard to their social position; no man so low 
but feels he is a brother, and none so high but 
feels he is a peer. 

TEEL, James A. — During bis many years of 
association with Schuyler County, James A. 
Teel was known as an increasingly prosperous 
farmer, and as a man who had sufficient breadth 
and ability to reach out and utilize many oppor- 
tunities not immediately at band. More than 
the average, be seemed to realize the respon- 
sibility of the agriculturist as a factor in the 
world's progress, and evidently believed that 
the greatest development came through participa- 
tion in the general affairs and responsibilities of 
the community. He was particularly zealous 
and successful in promoting the breeding of 
fine cattle, and during the years of his greatest 
activity in this line bis profits were unusually 
satisfying to himself and encouraging to those 
similarly employed. 

James Alexander Teel was born in Wash- 
ington County. Pa.. July 19. 1S20. and was a 
great-grandson of Captain John Teel. a native of 
Ireland who settled in New Jersey, and after 



commanding a company in the Revolutionary 
War, was buried with the military honors due 
his rank. John Teel, son of Captain Teel, and 
grandfather of James A., was born in New 
Jersey, served five years in the regular army, 
and participated in the War of 1812. His son, 
Henry P., the next in line of succession, also 
was a native of New Jersey, and it was his 
energy and courage that shifted the family for- 
tunes to Pennsylvania, where he engaged in 
farming in Washington County and whence he 
finally pushed still further westward to the out- 
post of civilization in Schuyler County in 1833. 
Two years later lie removed to the Territory of 
Iowa, and alter a year spent at Fort Madison, 
returned to Schuyler County, in 1845, locating on 
Section 16, Rushville Township, where Calvin 
Hobart had erected the first cabin in the county. 
Martha Ann Mathews, wife of Henry P. Teel, 
was a daughter of James Mathews, whose father, 
Thomas .Mathews, was a native of Ireland. 

Three years old when his father arrived in 
Schuyler County, .lames A. Teel bad meager edu- 
cational or other advantages, but he had the 
pioneering instinct of his sire deeply implanted 
in his nature, with the purpose and determina- 
tion to make bis dream come true. In this he 
proved himself one of the hardy ami bold spirits 
of bis town, as against the cautious and timid 
class who were not equal to the hazards of 
penetration to the Pacific Coast; an outdoor 
man. an adventurer, who wanted something to 
conquer and who followed the star of empire to 
the continent's rim. Arriving at the Mecca of 
his desires, be became a part of thai unwritten 
chapter of romantic history which thrilled the 
country, and lor two years lived in the ribald 
camps of the Argonauts, taking something from 
tin' earth in reward for his toil and self-sacrifice. 
Again he journeyed westward in 1853, participa- 
ting for several months in the pagan pleasure 
of life and the romantic zest for adventure which 
characterized the surroundings of the fortune 

seekers. 

As before, his good fortune was in no way ex- 
ceptional, adding but little to his financial re- 
sources. Farming rather than mining was his 
life-work, and when again on the old place in 
Schuyler County, be devoted practically all his 
time and the rest of his life to this pursuit. He 
engaged extensively in general farming and 
stock-raising, attaining to special prominence as 
a Short-horn cattle breeder, in which lie first be- 
came interested before the Civil War. For a 
number of years he was President of the Schuy- 
ler County Farmers' Institute, ami took a keen 
interest ill its affairs. With the founding of the 
Bank 'if Schuyler in 1S90, he became one of the 
stock-holders, and later was elected Vice-Pres- 
ident of that institution. On his death. October 
22, 1902, at the age of seventy-two years, he was 
the owner of 1,200 acres of farm land, besides 
various town properties in Rushville. Illness 
somewhat changed the current of the later years 
of his life, but he bore all physical trials with 
rare patience, and applied that fine philosophy 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



943 



which had made light of many obstacles and 
helped him over many of the rough places in 
his career. 

In 185G Mr. Teel married Elizabeth Smith, 
of Rushville Township, and of this union there 
were the following named children: Everett 
Lee. a young man of exceptional promise who 
had just been admitted to the bar and com- 
menced the practice of his profession at Gales- 
burg, 111., where, on returning from a visit to 
his parents, he was accidentally killed, being 
run over by an express train; Judge H. V. Teel, 
mention of whom may be found elsewhere in 
this work; Mrs. Neosha M. Mills; Marshall E. ; 
Hulda. deceased ; and Walter II. A stanch Dem- 
ocrat in politics, he was Supervisor of his town- 
ship several terms, and in 1894 was elected to 
the State Legislature, his represent at inn of the 
people reflecting his broad sense of justice, his 
intolerance of fraud and deception, and his fear- 
lessness in insisting upon fair ami above-board 
legislation. He was an agreeable and approach- 
able man. loyal to the public interests and 
friends, and he possessed the faculty of inter- 
esting other people in his projects and securing 
their support and co-operation. His life gave en- 
couragement to tlie taint hearted, anil was an ex- 
pression of force, determination and successful 
achievement. 

TEEL, Walter H. — An industry of incalcu- 
lable benefit to the stock raiser of the United 
States, yet one which in earlier years was neg- 
lected to a deplorable degree, is that of the breed- 
ing of thoroughbred stock. While countries in th : 
old world have made a specialty of this busi- 
ness for years, our own country failed until re- 
cently to grasp the opportunity thus presented. 
It is a source of gratification to all concerned 
that the twentieth century has witnessed a re- 
markable change in the opinion of agriculturists 
concerning grades of stock, and now thousands 
are spent to bring up herds where formerly hun- 
dreds were denied. No stock breeder of Sehuy- 
ter County attained more widespread fame tor the 
superior quality of his importations and the tin/ 
points of his herds than did James A. Teel. 
whose death deprived the State of one of its 
most influential stockmen. Fortunately, under 
his experienced oversight, a son, Walter II.. 
had been trained to a careful and thorough 
knowledge of stock, and the latter has success- 
fully carried on the business of raising and sell- 
ing thoroughbred Short-born cattle so well es- 
tablished by the father. 

Born on the home farm. March 28, INVT, 
Walter II. 'feel received his education in the 

district schools and the Rushville Union Scl 1. 

supplemented by attendance at the Rushville 
Normal, from which he was graduated in 1898. 
Meanwhile he had devoted his summer months 
to aiding his father on the farm, and thus early 
in life had sained a practical knowledge o the 
stock business, which is now of invaluable as- 
sistance to him. His father had been one of 
the first to import stock and. for forty years. 



had stood at the head of the Short-horn industry 
in the State, so that a study of the business un- 
der him was in itself an education. Under his 
supervision were more than fourteen hundred 
acres in Rushville and LSueua Vista Townships, 
the family residence being situated on Section 
IS, Rushville Township. After the death of 
the father in 1902. the son assumed the entire 
management of the stock, and since then he has 
added to the tame of the herd, in which at times 
he has had as many as one hundred and twenty- 
tive head of registered cattle. The part of the 
home farm, which now belongs to the subject of 
this sketch, consisting of 320 acres on Sections 
17 and 18, Rushville Township, is one of the 
finest estates in Schuyler County. Since the 
present owner assumed control in 1902 many im- 
provements have been made, chief among which 
is a hay and stock barn, sixty feet square, furn- 
ishing ample accommodations for hay, stock and 
machinery. 

The determination of Mr. Teel to establish and 
sustain a stock industry surpassed by none in 
this part of the State has kept him busily en- 
gaged in Hie work on the home farm and left 
him little leisure for participation in outside 
matters, in which, indeed, he takes no part aside 
from voting the ticket of the Democratic party 
and identifying himself with the Independent 
order of Odd Fellows. Among acquaintances he 
is respected tor those qualities that win the ad- 
miration of all, while in stock raising circles he is 
regarded as an expert judge and an authority 
concerning Short-horns. His pleasant country 
is presided over by Mrs. Teel. whom he 
married January 5, 1899, and who was Miss 
Josephine Knock, daughter of Daniel Knock, one 
of the early settlers of Schuyler County. 

THARP, Jonathan. — In the possession of 160 

acres of land in Section 15, Woodstock Township, 
Jonathan Tharp timls the realization of a meri- 
torious early ambition. While the owner and 
occupant of his present farm only since 1880, he 
is by no means the establisher of Tharp activ- 
ity in Schuyler County, as his father. Jonathan 
Tharp, Sr., came here in the log cabin era, es- 
tablishing a precedent for faithful and practical 
general service, which since has been maintained 
by his large family of children. Jonathan 
Tharp. the elder, was born in South Carolina, 
and married Anna Manlove, a native of the 

same State. The Manlove family has 1 n no 

less important in the development of this Sec- 
tion than the Tharp family, as Jonathan D. 
Manlove, father of Mrs. Tharp. came to Schuyler 
County in 1824, settling on land where, in 1826, 
he laid out and platted what afterward was 
called Hie town of Rushville. The Manloves 
were of the Quaker faith, and descendants of 
the pioneer never have departed from these 
teachings. 

Jonathan Tharp, Sr., located in Rushville 
Township, and endured all of the privations inci- 
dent to the earliest of pioneering. For their sub- 
stantial food the family subsisted chiefly on 



944 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



game, aud for several years the log cabin was 
in danger of attack by the wild denizens of the 
plains, both human and animal. When the head 
of the house used to take his grist to Quincy to 
be ground, his wife would nail clap-boards over 
the door that wolves might not enter the cabin. 
Around this couple grew up a family of six 
sons and three daughters, all of whom reached 
maturity, and three of whom were soldiers 
in the Civil War. The father dying in 185-i. 
the mother was left with the care 01 the fam- 
ily, and it is to her everlasting credit that she 
kept her children together, educated them to 
the best of her ability, and instilled into them 
Ideals of useful citizenship. The oldest son. 
James, of Astoria Townsbij:). Fulton County, 
served three years hi the Union army ; John was 
a soldier, serving as a hundred-day man first, 
and then in the One Hundred and Fifty-first 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry for one year, re- 
turned to his home in January. 1866, and died 
in 1871! ; Jonathan. Jr. ; James served three years 
in the One Hundred aud Nineteenth Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry: Marion was a member of the 
the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, ami was killed 
July 3, 1863, by a shot fired from ambush; 
Stephen is a farmer in Woodstock Township; 
Louzania, married I'hilo Morris, and both are 
deceased; Bettie became the wife of L. G. Per- 
singer, and both are deceased; Eli died in 
Molilalia; and Mary is the deceased wife of 
Philip Skilcs. The mother of this family lived 
to see all of her children well established in life, 
her death occurring in 1886, at the age of eighty- 
three years. 

Jonathan Tharp. Jr.. attended the log school 
house in Buena Vista Township, near where he 
was bom January 26, lsls. He remained on 
the old place until 1871. when, because of the 
sale of the old place, lie went to Butler County, 
Kan., where hard times prevailed to an unsual 
extent. In consequence he returned to Schuy- 
ler County, the same year, and with his brother. 
Stephen, worked at farming until 1873. He 
then rented eighty acres of land of old Dr. Leach, 
operated the same until 1881, and that year 
bought im acres in Bainbridge Township. Later 
he traded his farm for eighty acres in another 
part of the township, and in 18S9 sold that and 
bought mo acres of his present farm, to which 
he since has added sixty acres. This land was 
in very unsatisfactory condition, and its improve- 
ment has entailed much arduous labor. Today 
it is one of the finest properties in the township, 
and its improvements compare well with any 
to be found in the State. Mr. Tharp make; a 
specialty of registered Poland-China hogs, and 
his hog house, sixty-four by sixteen feet in 
dimensions, affords ample space for the .arc of 
these valuable animals. He also raises a high 
grade of Short-horn cattle. 

While a stanch Republican, Mr. Tharp has 
never solicited or been willing to accept local 
office. He is not a member of any church, but 
contributes generously towards chunh and 
charitable undertakings, giving his encourage- 



ment also to the cause of education and good 
roads. He is a broad-minded and well posted 
farmer, and by the purity and usefulness of 
his lite sets an example of worth to the rising 
generation. To himself and wife have been bom 
seven children, four of whom are living: Loren, 
George W.. Dora and May. Eli Franklin died 
at the age of seventeen years, and Ella F. and 
John died in infancy. 

THARP, Stephen. — As different members of 
the Tharp family have been identified with the 
most substantial progress of Woodstock Town- 
ship for nearly eighty years, it requires no 
stretch of propriety to place them in the fore 
ranks of Schuyler County pioneers, and to ac- 
cord them a prominent position in a history 
which aims to trace the advanced and teeming 
life of the present back to the primitive poverty 
of the past. 

Stephen Tharp was bom October 14, 1841, on 
the Harvey place, later known as the old Tharp 
farm, north of Rushville in Section 14. Wood- 
stock Township. Schuyler County. He is the 
son of Jonathan and Anna (Manlove) Tharp. 
both natives of North Carolina, w 7 ho came to 
Illinois in 1820. They made the long trip by 
ox-team, in tile fall of that year reaching their 
destination on the present site of Rushville. One 
of the first acts of the husbandman was to sow 
wheat on the land which he had entered, and 
which is now occupied by the "Little Chicago 
Store." owned by A. J. Lashmett. This first 
sowing, however, was not accomplished until 
Mr. Tharp had journeyed to Pike County in 
order to obtain his seed, and his first crop was 
cut with a reaper hook and threshed with a 
flail. This place was the family home for two 
years, after which successive removals were 
made to Round Prairie and Bumhain Township, 
and finally Stephen Tharp entered land and 
bought the interest of the Manlove heirs in the 
farm now owned by the Chadsey estate. Sec- 
tion 14. Woodstock Township. 

The first years of their residence in Schuy- 
ler County constituted a trying period in the 
lives of the Tharp family, but in the after 
period, when all was comfortable and serene, 
they dearly loved to recount their experiences, 
and their children have passed many enjoyable 
hours in listening to the stories of their parents. 
In common with their neighbors they had many 
tales to tell regarding the '"Deep Snow of 1830." 
Over the prodiguous fall of snow came a driving 
storm of sleet, and the men and larger boys 
were obliged to tie boards to their feet, so that 
they could get to the corn, dig it out of the 
snow drifts and feed the live-stock. Woman- 
like, Mrs. Tharp took great pride in telling 
how she had dressed the first white male child 
born in Schuyler County — Jack Dyse by name, 
who grew 7 up a reminder of that place. 

In those days the great pests of the settlers 
were wolves and snakes, and hunts were often 
organized to exterminate both. The customary 
plan of a snake raid was to first burn a clear 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



945 



space around the den of the reptiles, and then 
start a fire some distance beyond; as the snakes 
were thus driven into the clear space around 
their den, they were attacked by dogs and men. 
At one famous snake hunt, in which the Tharps 
participated, four hundred reptiles were vic- 
tims of the slaughter. But the good mother was 
permitted to see wolves, snakes and Indians re- 
placed by more agreeable neighbors, their log 
house by a fine home, the wigwam by the church 
and school, and the wheat hook and the flail 
by the gigantic harvester, with other evidences 
of a new civilization for which she and her asso- 
ciates hail prepared the way. She passed away 
July 7. 1S77, at the age of seventy-four years, 
after surviving her husband for more than twen- 
ty-two years, his demise having occurred in 
April, 1S55. The father, therefore, although 
he had witnessed many and great changes, bad 
not lived to see so remarkable a contrast between 
the past and the present as his good wife. The 
remains of both repose in the cemetery near 
Rusbville. 

Stephen Tharp was reared on the old home 
farm and received his education in the old log 
school house at the Cross Roads. His first mar- 
riage on April 24. 1804. was to Miss Susanna 
Smith, daughter of William Smith, an Ohio man 
and a Schuyler County pioneer. He made bis 
home on the old farm until 1873. when he pur- 
chased 120 acres of land in Section 14. Wood- 
stock Township, and commenced its cultivation 
and improvement. Among other valuable and 
attractive additions was a fine frame residence, 
in which the widowed mother resided for sev- 
eral years. By his first marriage Mr, Tharp bad 
the following named children : Nora, who was 
born in Woodstock Township and is the wife of 
O. H. Kelly, a farmer: Emma, who married 
William Lawler, also a farmer of Woodstock 
Township; Sheridan, who married Lillie War- 
del], and is farming on the home place: Lydia, 
wife of Stewart Caddis, a farmer of Bainbridge 
Township, and William, a twin brother of Lydia. 
The mother of this family died in November. 
1873, and the father was married, in 1877, to 
Mrs. Isabelle Goodwin, widow of John P. Good- 
win. The present Mrs. Tharp was born in Rush- 
ville. 111., on the 0th of December. 1848. and is a 
daughter of Daniel Anderson, who was a native 
of Ohio, and came to Schuyler County in 1838. 
The offspring of the second union are: Cora, 
now* the wife of Vernon Dace, a resident of 
Huntsville. Til.; Jesse, who is a clerk in Bunkel's 
store, at Rushville. and married Anna Landon : 
Susan, wife of James Wardell. a farmer: Billy, 
who married James Rodson. a painter living at 
Mount Sterling. 111.; Nettie, wife of Everett 
Krouse, her husband being a farmer of Bain- 
bridge Township: Ettie. a twin sister of Nettie, 
who is now living at home; and Elizabeth and 
Mabel, both also living with their parents. Mr. 
and Mrs. Tharp have thirteen children and 
thirty-two grandchildren now living, and the 
family is among the most substantial and hon- 
ored of the true pioneer stock. The parents have 



always beeu earnest Methodists and devout Chris- 
tions in the highest sense of the word. In poli- 
tics, Mr. Tharp is still a Republican of the Lin- 
coln type. 

THOMPSON, Charles W. — In response to the 
demand, in order to meet the agricultural emer- 
gencies of the present for a different class of 
men from those who had to ileal with crude pio- 
neer conditions, there have arisen in Schuyler 
County many intelligent and progressive lands- 
men, recruited from the best families, whose in- 
influence tends to the advancement of science 
and enlightenment. In this category belongs 
Charles \V. Thompson, son of James D. Thomp- 
son, mention of whom will be found in an ad- 
joining section of this work. Mr. Thompson was 
born on the old Thompson homestead January 
10. 18(54, and received his preliminary education 
in what was known as the Fey school district. 
His youth was uneventful, and filled with the 
duties and diversions which go to make up the 
life of the average farm-reared boy. He devel- 
oped, however, more than average business abil- 
ity, and this has been of great use to him as one 
of the most extensive breeders anil marketers of 
Aberdeen-Angus cattle in Schuyler County. 

A turning point in the life of Mr. Thompson 
was his marriage. December 2:'., 1801. to Delia 
K. Campbell, a native of Bainbridge Township, 
Schuyler County, and daughter of George W. 
( iampbell, one of the pioneers of the county. The 
young people started housekeeping on Section 25, 
Woodstock Township, but in 1898, after the 
death of the elder Thompson, they returned to 
the old place and lived there until 1902. In the 
spring of that year Mr. Thompson opened a gen- 
eral store in what now is called Layton, in 
Woodstock Township, and from a small begin- 
ning has worked up a large ami prosperous trade. 
His farm of 260 acres represents much that is 
progressive and scientific in the agricultural 
world, ami no better Aberdeen-Angus cattle roam 
the prairie of the Central West than here find 
a hiiine. There are also high grades of hogs 
and horses on the farm, anil corn and general 
produce are raised in large quantities. Mr. 
Thompson has a large and commodious home, 
and his stock have warm and comfortable win- 
ter quarters. He is one of the busiest, as well 
as most successful men of the township, and few 
arc doing so much to maintain the higher stan- 
dards of country lite and practice. 

In politics. Mr. Thompson is an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat, but has always been too busy 
either to seek or to accept office. In faith be is 
a believer iii the Universal Doctrine and is a 
member of the Grange, for whose interests be 
iias been a faithful and consistent worker. Mr. 
and Mrs. Thompson have three children: Mary 
Margaret, born November 12. 1893; Laura C, 
born January 3. 1902; and Georgia W., born 
August 18. 1903. Mr. Thompson is a well in- 
formed, agreeable and popular gentleman trust- 
worthy and respected in his business and social 
relations. 



946 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



THOMPSON, J. Arthur, a native of Woodstock 
Township, Schuyler County, 111., and one of the 
brightest and most worthy of the young men 
who have been reared in that locality, was born 
January is. 1883, the sou of William J. and 
Margaret J. (Arthur) Thompson, a narrative of 
whose career, with details of the family history, 
appears elsewhere in this connection. The sub- 
ject of this sketch attended the district schools 
in the vicinity of his home, and then taking the 
regular examination, received a scholarship in 
the Illinois State University, in which he was a 
student for five years, the degree of B. S. being 
conferred upon him at the end of that period. In 
August, 1907, he was recommended by the Board 
of Trustees of that institution for a position as 
teacher of agriculture in Corea. He passed the 
final examination at Nashville, Term., with 
honor, and on the 27th of the above mentioned 
month, started from Vancouver, B. C, stopping 
briefly in Japan, after touching at several for- 
eign ports, during the voyage thither, reached his 
destination on September 12th next following. 
Since assuming charge of his work in Corea, he 
has met with remarkable success. His school is 
a one-story, thatched structure, covered with 
straw, a glimpse of which would be an interesting 
revelation to ninny of bis former '•chums," ac- 
customed as they are to the superior facilities 
afforded by school edifices in Illinois. 

While at home. Mr. Thompson was a member 
of the Grange, and when a student, was Presi- 
dent of the Agricultural Club of the Illinois 
State University, as well as of the T. M. C. A. 

On September 15, 1908, Mr. Thompson will be 
married to Miss Anna Riehl, of Alton. 111., who 
sails on August 15, to meet him al Songdo, where 
he is carrying on his labors with such gratifying 
results. His religious connection was with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which he 
acted in the capacity of class leader and offi- 
ciated as Sunday School Superintendent. On 
political issues, lie was a supporter of the Demo- 
cratic parly. 

THOMPSON, James D.— With the passing of 
James 1 ». Thompson. July 30, 1897, a busy ami 
useful life came to its conclusion, leaving in its 
wake, tor the guidance of the workers of a later 
day, many lessons in courage, perseverance and 
sound judgment. Mr. Thompson had to his credit 
seventy-four years, having been born in Craw- 
ford County. Pa., March 30, 1823. He was heir 
to the best traits of the Irish'-German-English 
peoples, the men on both sides of his family for 
the most part following either farming or such 
staple trades as carpentering ami millwrighting. 
His paternal grandfather, William Thompson, 
was born in Ireland, in his boyhood crossing the 
sea to America, where he followed his trade of 
carpenter for the remainder of his life. Both 
he and his wife reached the age of three-score 
years and ten, living for the most part in Penn- 
sylvania, which knew him first as a lad with 
a rich Irish brogue ami but few financial assets. 

William Thompson, Jr., son of the immigrant. 



was born in the Keystone State, and married 
Mary Peterson, daughter of James and Elizabeth 
(Abbott) Peterson, of English and German de- 
scent, who died in Pennsylvania at the age of 
ninety-one and ninety yearfs, respectively. To 
William and Elzabeth Thompson were given ten 
children, of whom James D... the subject of this 
sketch, was third ; William Thompson, Jr., was 
a millwright by trade, and in L837 brought his 
family to Illinois, two years later purchasing a 
farm in Brown County, upon which he settled 
.May It, 1839. Has hopes of culivating this farm 
were not destined to realization, for with the 
coming of the fall of 1839, his life went out at 
the age of fifty-four years and seven months. 
He left a wife and eight children — five girls and 
three boys — who after his death rented laud for 
several years, locating then on a tract in Brown 
County purchased by the father, where the 
mother died at the age of eighty-six years. 

James U. Thompson was fourteen years old 
when the family came to Illinois, and sixteen 
when, through the death of his father, he was 
obliged to shoulder large responsibilities. He 
remained with his mother and the rest of the 
children until his marriage. April :;, 1S56, to 
Margaret E. Groselaude, who was born in Prance, 
April 27. 1830, a daughter of James F. and 
Catherine E. (Jonte) Groselaude. and who came 
to America with her parents in 1833, locating in 
Woodstock Township, Schuyler County. Mr. 
Groselaude died September 30, 1878, at the age 
ol seventy-two years. The maternal grandfather, 
Peter J. Jonte. was horn in France, in February, 
177(1. and died October 2, 1846, while his wife, 
Susan (Landon) Jonte, was born March 25, 
1774. and died June 7, 1842. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Thompson were born six children: Mary E., 
wife of R. T. Briggle, of Springfield, 111.; Wil- 
liam J., mentioned elsewhere iu this work; Jef- 
ferson E.. of Fredonia. Kan.: Emily L., wife of 
A. c. Rowland, of Kushville, 111. ;' Charles W.. 
whose sketch also appears in a preceding sec- 
tion; and Margarette Lorena, wife ol Charles A. 
Myers, of i.os Angeles, Col. 

Not only was Mr. Thompson prominently con- 
nected with the farming interests of Schuyler 
('canity lor many years, but he was active in the 
promotion of its educational welfare, among 
other offices having held that of member of the 
Board of Education for twenty years. He was a 
strong and unyielding Democrat, and an office- 
holder who discharged his duties with honesty 
ami ability. He became the owner of several 
hundred .ores of land, the greater part of it 
valuable, and his prosperity resulted solely from 
his own ability to succeed. He was a man of 
genial and interesting personality, a firm believer 
in the good existing in all with whom he was 
associated, and possessing a cheerful philosophy 
which tided him over many of the rough places 
in the path of life. The wife who shared his in- 
creasing fortunes, and who eared for him ten- 
derly when illness befell him in his later days, 
left the old homestead after his death and since 
has made her home in the city of Bushville. 



EISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



:n; 



THOMPSON, William J.— The enviable stand- 
ing of Schuyler County, as one of the finest ag- 
ricultural sections of Illinois, may be attributed 
largely to the practical, experienced and pro- 
gressive men who long have been at the head 
of its farming enterprises, and who have suc- 
ceeded in reaping large returns from the skilled 
tilling of the soil. Not the least successful of 
these men is William J. Thompson, who is en- 
gaged in raising stock and in general farm pur- 
suits on his finely improved property in Wood- 
stock Township. Beginning with a small pur- 
chase, he has added to the same from time to 
time until now he owns 500 acres in Woodstock 
and Bainbridge Townships, and all of this has 
been gained by indefatigable labor backed by 
sound judgment. 

Knox County, 111., is Mr. Thompson's native 
place, where he was born July 1G, 1858, his 
father being .lames D. Thompson, who died July 
:'.ii. 1897. While he was still quite young the 
family came to Schuyler County, and here he 
attended the country schools and aided in the 
cultivation of the home farm. Upon attaining 
the required age he was granted a teacher's cer- 
tificate, but this he never used, preferring to de 
vole his attention exclusively to agricultural pur- 
suits. November 10, 1881, he was united in 
marriage with .Miss Margaret J. Arthur, who 
was born in McDonough County, 111., September 
24, 1861, a daughter of Abraham and Annie 
(Hageman) Arthur, the former of whom died 
October 14, 1S98, and the latter May 16. 1005. 

After his marriage Mi'. Thompson brought his 
young wife to the farm, where ever since they 
have made their home. The original tract com- 
prised sixty-two aires on Section 36, Woodstock 
Township, but since the purchase of that estate 
he has added by later purchases until now, as 
previously stated, he and his wife have the title 
to 500 acres of improved and timber lands. 

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson's family consists of 
eleven children, namely: James A., who re- 
ceived a superior education at the University of 
Illinois, from which he was graduated in June, 
1905; Clarence J. married Belvie Rittenhouse, 
anil lives mi a farm in Woodstock Township; 
Xeltie May is wife of Harvey Armstrong, a 
farmer of Bainbridge Township; Roy F. is on 
the home farm; Walter E.. graduated from the 
Rushville Normal School with l he class of 1907; 
Katie. Margarette, Anna Lorena and Bertha 
Emily are with their parents on the old home- 
stead; Jesse Decatur and Essie Dora (twins), 
ami Gertrude Irene. James A., the older son, 
spent five years in the University of Illinois, 
meanwhile receiving a scholarship and teacher's 
certificate, and in 1905 taking the degree of 
Bachelor of Science. After finishing his course 
at the University he became an instructor at 
Hampton Institute, Va., retaining this position 
until July, 1907. when he accepted a position as 
teacher in Corea. going to that country in Au- 
gust of that year, and is now conducting an agri- 
cultural college at Songdo. Corea. with satisfac- 
tory success. It has been the ambition of the 



parents to provide their children with the best 
educational advantages the country affords, and 
thus prepare them for whatever duties may 
await them in future years. 

In their religious relations Mr. and Mrs. 
Thompson hold membership witli the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and have contributed gener- 
ously to the missionary and charitable work of 
that denomination. Politically he has voted with 
the Democratic party ever since he attained his 
majority. For twenty years he held the office 
of Justice of the Peace, besides having served as 
School Trustee. During the spring of 1007 he 
was elected Supervisor of Woodstock Township, 
in which responsible position he has proved him- 
self entitled to the fullest confidence of the peo- 
ple, and has supported all measures calculated 
to promote the general welfare, while at the same 
time aiming to protect the interests of the tax- 
payers. Besides his other businss connections 
he is a stockholder in the Bank of Rushville. In 
church work, in polities, in the Grange, in agri- 
cultural affairs, and. indeed, in every association 
of life, he lias been ready to do his part and 
has contributed his quota to the permanent de- 
velopment of his township. 

TURNER, Allen R.— It falls to the lot of few 
men to look back upon a life so bountifully 
lengthened out and so diligently, usefully and 
virtuously spent, as that of the worthy man 
above named, who still occupies the farm in 
I'.uena Vista Township, which becamehis home as 
early as 1n::4. The birth of Mr. Turner occurred 
in Rushville Township, Schuyler County, Easter 
Sunday, April --. 1832, and he is a son of Sam- 
uel and Rachel (Robertson) Turner, natives of 
Virginia, and North Carolina, respectively, and 
grandson of Elias Turner, also a native of the 
South. Elias Turner's life was not a creditable 
one, and be furnished a terrible example of the 
curse of drink. His wife stood his abuse anil 
neglect as long as she could, and then rebelled 
against bringing her children up in such an at- 
mosphere. When her son, Samuel, was about 
six months old. she took the child in her arms 
with a few personal belongings, and set out afoot 
for a portion of Southern Illinois, known as the 
American Bottom, and which then was the home 
of Governor Ford. Here she remained about 
live years, then returned to her native State for 
berolderson, Willis, on horseback, later settling 
with both of her sons in Madison County, 111. 
After the death of their mother. Samuel and 
Willis came to Schuyler County in 1823, this 
section of the State at that time being pari of 
I 'ike County, and hero Samuel Turner built the 
fourth house in the county, but three permanent 
settlers having preceded him here. This house he 
never occupied, however, but retumd with bis 
brother to Madison County, where Willis was 
taken sick and finally died. After settling up 
the family affairs Samuel returned to Schuyler 
County in 1825, and here bis death occurred 
April 6, 1855, he having been horn in 1790. His 
wile, who was born in 1795, died April 2. 1843. 



948 



SISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Both were devout members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Chunh. and in 1S40, Mr. Turner 
joined the first temperance society organized in 
Schuyler County. The lesson of his father's life 
was a perpetual warning in his ears, sinking so 
deep into bis nature that he never wearied in 
his endeavor to warn others from the terrible 
shoal of mental and moral destruction. 

Allen R. Turner attended the subscription 
schools and passed his youth on the home farm 
in Buena Vista Township. The lure of the 
mines on the Pacific slope turned his attention 
from the slew and laborious methods of getting 
money by tanning, and in 1850 he crossed the 
plains with oxen and a prairie schooner, taking 
about six months for the trip. He spent about 
five months in the well known gold camps of 
California, but his experience was that of the 
average rather than exceptional miner, and he 
was glad of the opportunity to return to Schuy- 
ler County, where the rewards of labor were 
comparatively sure. Again he took up the task 
of farming on the old place which has been his 
home since he was two years old. and the energy 
of his mature years is evident in every depart- 
ment of its activity. The place now contains 170 
acres in one of the garden spots of the Central 
West, and certainly no home in Buena Vista 
Township has mure about it of genuine home- 
likeness. As the children have grown to ma- 
turity the two oldest have each been given 160 
acres of the property, the third child hav- 
ing been given ninety acres adjoining the old 
place. 

The marriage of Mr. Turner and Isabella A. 
Sparks, occurred in Buena Vista Township, 
March 9, 1852. where she was born January 24. 
1831, a daughter of Lemuel Sparks, and they 
became the parents of four children: Otto, horn 
March 14. 1853, Darwin Samuel, born April 13. 
1857; Willis Fred, born March 14. 1854; and 
Olive Rose, born January 28, 1867. Otto Sparks 
married Mary Etta Ford: Darwin Samuel mar- 
ried Emma B. Nelson : Willis Fred married 
Alice Bertroche; and Olive Hose became the wife 
of James C. Bartlow. The decease of the mother. 
.Mrs. Allen R. Turner, occurred February 9, 
1893, and was much deplored by a large circle 
of friends. In political affiliation Mr. Turner is 
a Prohibitionist, and for sixty years has unceas- 
ingly advocated temperance. His convictions 
on this subject are profound and unchanegable, 
and have been the means of his accomplishing a 
world of good. In all nays his life has been il- 
luminating and helpful, and he lias established a 
standard of moral rectitude and courage far be- 
yond the average of his fellow wayfarers. By 
all classes of people in the county he is held in 
sincere respect, and no citizen in the community 
has a cleaner or more enviable record. 

TURNER, John S.— For nearly fifteen years 
Mr. Turner has made his home continuously at 
his present location, on Section 12, Birmingham 
Township, Schuyler County, where he has ope- 
rated 160 acres of excellent land, devoted to gen- 



eral farming and stock raising. Descended from 
Southern ancestry, he was born in Adair County, 
Ky.. February 22, 1840, a son of W. S. P. and 
Sarah (. lames i Turner, who were bom in Vir- 
ginia and Adair County, Ky.. respectively. With 
his parents, W. S. P. Turner went to Kentucky 
and settled in Adair County, and there some time 
later occurred his marriage with Miss James. In 
1853, after the birth of six of their children, the 
parents came to Illinois, and in Browning Town- 
ship, Schuyler ( lounty, Mr. Turner purchased 
eighty acres of timber land. Making a clearing 
in the wilderness he erected a rude cabin for 
the shelter of his family, but this having been 
destroyed by fire, he later erected a mure com- 
fortable and commodious house, with a stick 
chimney fireplace. After residing on this farm 
for twenty years, during which time he had 
cleared and placed under cultivation eighty acres 
of the tract, he sold the property in 1873 and 
removed to Astoria, Fulton County, 111., where 
for a short time he followed a mercantile busi- 
ness. It is safe to presume that this venture 
was not as remunerative as he had anticipated, 
for in 1874 he weut to Hancock County and re- 
sumed farming, renting a farm upon which he 
made his home the remainder of his life. lie 
passed away at the ripe eld age of eighty-three 
years, his wife also dying in Hancock County. 
During his early years Mr. Turner was run- 
verted and joined the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Throughout his life he exemplified the 
teaching's which he professed, and for forty years 
was a local minister in his denomination. 
Through his teaching- and upright living many 
were led to follow better lives and all who came 
in contact with him received an uplift and en- 
couragement 

Nine children blessed the marriage of W. S. P. 
Turner and his wife, of this number Jehu S. be- 
ing the eldest. The next two children. Amanda 
and George B.. are both deceased. Ellen became 
the wife of D. M. Stockman, a veteran of the 
Civil War. and they make their home in Omaha, 
Neb. .Mary is the wife of a Mr. Scott, who 
owns a large farm in Hancock County, and Al- 
bert is a resident of Texas. Sarah is the wife 
of Zachariah Duncan, who is a carpenter in 
Carthage, 111. Martha, deceased, was the wife 
of W. D. Cloud. The youngest child. William 
R., makes his home in St. Mary. Hancock 
County. 

Alter receiving a limited education in the dis- 
trict schools of Adair County. Ky.. John S. 
Turner gave his services to his father, and after 
cdining to Illinois was an invaluable assistant in 
removing the timber and underbrush from the 
farm upon which the family located. The call to 
arms at the breaking out of the Civil War fouud 
him a young man of twenty-one years who was 
willing and anxious to do his part as a loyal 
citizen. In August. 1801. his name was enrolled 
as a member of Company II. Third Illinois Cav- 
alry, his enlistment being for a term of three 
years. From Camp Butler his regiment was or- 
dered to St. Louis, from there to Jefferson City 



BISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



949 



and uu to Lebanon, Mo. At Pea Ridge they 
were under lire for three days, many of the 
Third Cavalry being killed and wounded, and 
rive from Company H met death in this battle. 
Mr. Turner escaped narrowly with his own life, 
for on three occasions his horse was shot under 
him, once at the battle 01 Pea Ridge and later 
at a battle in Tennessee, and still later at Bates- 
villc. Ark. At Memphis, Tcnn.. the Third Cav- 
alry met General Forrest in an engagement and 
also participated in the battle of Nashville. At 
the close of his term of service Mr. Turner was 
honorably discharged at St. Louis, having never 
been in th hospital during the three years he 
was in the service, although during that time 
he had suffered untold hardships both in battle 
and in long marches. 

Returning to Astoria after his army service, 
Mr. Turner was married in that city, September 
1, 1804, to Miss Alice Ewiug, who was born near 
Zauesville. Ohio, May 10, 1845, the daughter of 
Josiah Ewing. After the death of her husband 
Mrs. Josiah Ewing brought her family to Illi- 
nois, settling in Astoria, where her death finally 
occurred. A large family of children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Turner, of whom we mention 
the following : Mary E., who was born in As- 
toria October 5, 1865, died at the age of six 
years ; Sally Ann, born in the same city August 
24, 1867, died in 1871 ; Hattie J., who was born 
in Hancock County. 111., January 22, 1870, passed 
away in 1883: Harry E., who was born in the 
same county, March 24. 1872, married Nellie 
Burton and makes his home in Nebraska ; Wil- 
liam, born in Schuyler County, May 3, 1874, 
died when three years old: Arthur O.. who was 
born in Schuyler County, February 27. 1876, 
chose as his wile Miss Gertrude Erlinger, a na- 
tive of Cedar County. Mo., and two daughters 
have been born to them. Flossie ami Alice: David 
A., born April :;. 1878, is a farmer in Hancock 
County, and by his marriage with Miss Cora 
Irwin be had two children. Alfa anil Lee I., one 
of whom died in infancy ; George It., born in 
Schuyler County. August 4. 1881. now makes bis 
home in Palisade, Neb. ; Bertha, the youngest 
child, born March 2, 1888, and is still at home 
with her [parents. For about twelve years after 
coming to Birmingham Township, Mr. Turner 
bought and sold poultry and eggs, but since lo- 
cating on his present farm he has followed farm- 
ing and stock raising exclusively. Mr. Turner's 
service in the cause of his country makes him 
eligible to the Grand Army of the Republic, and 
his name is enrolled among the members of the 
post at Brooklyn. Politically he casts his vote 
in behalf of Democratic candidates, although in 
no sense is he a partisan. Industrious and en- 
terprising, Mr. Turner is highly esteemed by 
friends and neighbors as one who has been help- 
ful in sustaining a high agricultural standard 
in Schuyler County. 

TYSON, William.— Honored alike for his loy- 
alty to his family, his friends, his country and 
his principles. William Tyson, the pioneer and 



old soldier of Bainbridge Township. Schuyler 
County, comes of standi Virginia stock and of 
that patriotic blood which lias done so much to 
firmly cement the nationality of the United 
States. He was born April 2, 1841, in a log 
cabin situated forty rods from his present com- 
fortable residence in Section 11, Bainbridge 
Township; served bravely lor lour years on 
battlefields and enduring life in a rebel prison, 
and now-, for lour decades, has been establishing 
himself in the substantial domain of agricultural 
prosperity and in the useful activities of citizen- 
ship. 

The Tyson ancestry, originally of German na- 
tivity, removed from Germany to England about 
two hundred and seventy-five years ago, where 
they remained for more than a century, when 
some time before the Revolutionary War, Zeph- 
aniah Tyson, the great-grandfather of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, came to America, settling in 
Virginia. He was born in England about 1750, 
and there is a well-founded tradition that he 
served in the Revolutionary Army, finally becom- 
ing blind and dying in Virginia. Later this 
branch of the family removed to Ohio, about 
1807, locating near McConnelsville, Morgan 
County, where the widow, after enduring great 
hardship on account of Indian disturbances, 
lived to be one hundred years old. Mr. Tyson's 
great-grandmother on the maternal side is also 
said to have reached about the same age. 

There were three sons and one daughter of this 
family, the older sou, Zephauiah (II.) having 
been born in Virginia about 1773, and is said to 
have sewed in the Indian wars under Gen. An- 
thony Wayne, enlisting as early as nineteen 
years of age, also took part in the battle of Tip- 
pecanoe in 1811, and served in be War of 1812- 
14. About 1707, he married Margaret DcLong, 
who was born in Virginia in 1770. After spend- 
ing many years in .Morgan County. Ohio, they 
came to Schuyler County. 111., in 1831 settling in 
Bainbridge Township, where Mrs. Tyson died 
iu 1842 at the age of sixty-three years, and the 
grandfather on July 0, 1850, aged seventy-seven. 
They had a family of five sous and three daugh- 
ters, namely: Margaret, born April 8. 1709; 
Aaron, born in Virginia or Ohio, January 17, 
1800, and who mysteriously disappeared; Sophia, 
born in Ohio, July 24. 1803, and married Daniel 
Berry in 1824; Zephaniah, born in Ohio October 
10. 1S05, married a Missouri woman, later re- 
moving to Arkansas about 1850, where he died 
leaving two children, a son and a daughter; 
Henry, born in Ohio, December 15, 1807. and 
married Sarah Berry; George, born in Muskin- 
gum County, Ohio. February 2. 1SOO; Moses, 
born in Ohio December 18. 1811, and married 
tirsl a Miss Kelso and. as bis second wife. Eliza- 
beth Metz, on June 10, 1849, died in Missouri, 
January 5, 1875. his second wife dying in 1893; 
and Louisa, born December 28. 1813. married 
John Boling. and died in August. 1896. 

George Tyson, father of William Tyson, left 
home some time before reaching his majority, 
first locating in Cincinnati, where after working 



950 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUXTY. 



for a time he bought a flat-boat and engaged in 
trading along the Ohio River. Iu 1820, he mar- 
ried Hiss Lucinda Bellamy, a native of Culpep- 
er County, V'a., born in 1809. Soon after his 
marriage, having sold his flat-boat, Mr. Tyson 
invested the proceeds in a team with which, in 
1831, he made ibe journey to .Schuyler County, 
111., locating on Section 11 in Bainbridge Town- 
ship. Other members of the Tyson family came 
to Schuyler County about the same time, some 
of them* later moving away, and it is estimated 
that more than a score of their descendants are 
uow scattered over the States of Illinois, Mis- 
souri. Michigan, Iowa, Kansas. Oklahoma. Col- 
orado, California and Oregon. George became 
the owner of 480 aires of land, but becoming 
restless in 1866, went farther west, and all trace 
of him was lost. His wiie survived bis disap- 
pearance some ten years, dying in Schuyler 
county, September 10, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. George 
Tyson were the parents of the following named 
children: Charles B., born September 25, 1831, 
and died at home in 1852; Joel, born iu 1833, 
died in 1850; Robert, born iu May, 1835, died 
near Peoria, 111., in October, 1899; Alfred, born 
March 4, 1837, now residing at Granite, Colo. ; 
Melissa, born in 1839, and died at Baxter 
Springs, Kan., dying September 4, 1907; Wil- 
liam, the subject of this sketch; Angelina, who 
lives in Jones, Okla. ; Margaret, living in Bates 
County, Mo.; Mary, who married Z. T. Kirkhain. 
of Schuyler County, and Levi, who resides at 
Abilene. Kan. Robert, of this family, married 
Emily Gillett, and had three children born to 
him: Alice, who married a Mr. Pike, and lives 
in Fort Madison, Iowa; Grant, when last heard 
from was in Louisiana ; and Effie, who married 
and lives in Kansas City, Kan. 

The early life of William Tyson was spent 
upon the home farm in Bainbridge Township, 
assisting his father and attending the district 
school of the neighborhood. He made good prog- 
ress in his studies, and engaged in teaching 
when quite young. After being thus employed 
for several terms, he accompanied the family to 
Moniteau County, Mo., where the father had 
bought land, but which be sold, afterward mov- 
ing to a farm of 300 acres in Henry County, that 
State. This remained the family home until the 
outbreak of the Civil War. when the mother and 
the younger members of the family returned to 
Hie old homestead in Schuyler County. It was 
now that William, a youth of twenty years. 
proved the patriotic quality of his blood. On the 
-itb of June. 1861, he enlisted in Company D, 
of the Cass County Cavalry Regiment, of Mis- 
souri Home Guard Volunteers. I". S. A., and by 
reason of General Order No. 25, (Paragraph 
Three), Department of Missouri, was discharged 
from service at Harrisonville. Mo., on February 
28, 1862. During the first months of military 
experience he was one of the force which guarded 
the first wagon-load of provisions sent to General 
Lyon's army after the battle of Wilson's Creek. 

After his honorable discharge from the cav- 
alry service. Mr. Tyson returned to the family 



home iu Schuyler County, and on August 12, 
1862, re-enlisted in Company U, One Hundred 
and Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for a 
period of three years. During this terrible sea- 
son of tierce battling and weary marching he 
neither faltered nor shirked a soldierly duty. He 
was one of that iittle heroic band of forty-two 
who held their own at Buzzard's Roost 
Ga., against such appalling odds in August, 18b4. 
While stationed at the block-bouse there, they 
were attacked by Wheeler's famous cavalry, but 
poured such a withering fire into the ranks of 
the horsemen as to repel their charge com- 
pletely, (in October 13th. Hood's army opened 
lire on the block-house, with both musketry and 
artillery, but the heroic band ..r Company D held 
off the attacking forces for ten long and bitter 
hours before being forced to surrender. 0/ the 
forty-two Union boys, live were killed, six 
wounded and thirty-one taken prisoners. Mr. Ty- 
son being in the latter class. The prisoners 
were marched to Cahaba, Ala., and confined in 
Castle Morgan, being then transferred to Mil- 
len, Ga. On November 22d General Sherman 
sent Kilpatrick's cavalry to rescue them, but on 
the previous evening they had been loaded on 
cars and sent to Savannah, Ga.. thence being 
removed to Thomasville and finally to Anderson- 
ville prison. Mr. Tyson was confined there for 
three months, and then transferred to Vicksburg, 
Miss., where he was exchanged and sent to St. 
Louis. In that city he received his/pay and was 
granted a thirty days' furlough, at the expira- 
tion of which he reported at Springfield for fur- 
ther duty, but instead obtained his final pay and 
honorable discharge from the service, entering 
again the ranks of peace June 14, 1SG5. 

After recruiting his weakened health as far 
as possible, Mr. Tyson returned to his home in 
Bainbridge Township, and in 1867 purchased 160 
acres of land in Section 11, which has since been 
his home and which he has brought under a high 
state of cultivation, as well as rendered an at- 
tractive home. On November 10th. of that year, 
he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. 
Scott, who was also_a native of Schuyler County. 
born August 20. 1850. Their happy union, how- 
ever, was destined to be of short duration, for 
the faithful and beloved wife and mother ex- 
pired on the 22d of February, 1S7S. She was a 
woman of tender heart, kindly acts and prac- 
tical Christianity, and her deatli proved a sad 
blow and an irreparable loss to her family and 
friends. Four children were born of this union. 
Jesse C. Tyson, the oldest, born on August 7. 
1868, is a farmer operating the old home place. 
He married Annie M. Hendrix. a native of Rip- 
ley, Brown County, 111., and they have had three 
children: Levi Frank, born March 17. 1S00. arid- 
one child who died in infancy: Orren William, 
born December 10, 1007. Laura, the second 
child, was born September 15, 1869. and is now 
the wife of Charles B. Ward, of Bainbridge 
Township, and they have four children: Ruth 
Eliza, born October 21, 1S83 ; Sarah Florence, 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



951 



bom January 'J, lsinj; James Ruins, August 5, 
1897; William F., bom June 16, 1900. Leora, 
born June 4. 1872, married, iu 1889, James D. 
Dodds, and they have six children: Zelma Ar- 
Villa, born November 1G, 1889, was married 
March 1, 1907, to Hazen F. Ward; Norris E., 
bom March 1, 1892; Ruby E.. born April 3, 
1895; Giles «>., born June IT, 1898; Kay Bur- 
dett, born December 16, 1900, ami Edith Evaline, 
born December 'J, 1904. Stella, born June 11, 
1876, died July 12, 1S7U. .Mrs. Sarah J. (Scott) 
Tyson died February 22, 1878. She was the 
daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Scott. 

Since fixing bis home in Schuyler County, 
forty years ago, Mr. Tyson has devoted himself 
to the interests of his family, and to the high 
duties of a moral and intelligent citizenship. 
Since the story period of the Civil War, when 
age conferred on him the right of franchise, he 
has faithfully voted the Republican ticket, lie 
has never been an office-seeker, however, and 
has never held any public position save that of 
Census Enumerator for Bainbridge Township iu 
1S80 and in 18110. Surrounded now by those 
comforts of life which, in providing for others, 
he has guaranteed to himself; honored and loved 
by his children, his grandchildren, and great- 
grandchildren and hosts of friends for his bravery 
in fields of battle and iu the paths of peace, and 
admired by his more distant associates for those 
practical and substantial qualities which have 
brought him worldly success. William Tyson is a 
man to be envied in no spirit of bitterness, but 
only in a spirit of regret that more citizens of 
the world are not cast in his mold of nobility. 

UNGER, John C. — It is always a source of 
gratification to point to the growing success of 
our young men, for upon them rests the future 
prosperity of our country. Not the least promi- 
nent of the agriculturists of Schuyler County, who 
upon the threshold of middle life has met with 
a success well merited by his indefatigable la- 
bors, is John C. Unger, who owns and occupies a 
finely-improved farm on Section 20. Camden 
Township, remaining there until his death, on 
the same township. November 7, 1870. Ances- 
tors of the family, both paternal and maternal, 
came of German extraction and were among the 
early settlers of Ohio, where the father. Eli 
Unger, was born in Portage County. Early in 
life he sought the larger opportunities of' the 
undeveloped regions to the west of Ins home, 
and became a farmer in Illinois. A brother, 
Cyrus Unger, married Lydia Biltz and brought 
his bride to Illinois, where he took up land in 
Schuyler County in 1862. With them came the 
bride's sister, Mary Biltz. a native of Stark 
County, Ohio: in 1SG4 she became the wife of 
Eli T'nger. who settled on a farm in Camden 
Township, remaining there until his death, on 
February 4. 1S73. After his demise the widow 
returned to Iter old Ohio home, thence went to 
Indiana, but in 1S75 came back to the old home- 
stead in Schuyler County, 111. Eventually she 
purchased a home in Erwin, Schuyler County. 



where she and her younger daughter, Belle, 
now reside. The elder sou, Owen, is deceased. 
The older daughter, Cora E., married William 
Cray and has live children. Addra. Forrest, Roy, 
Jennie and Beulab ; they are now living on the 
old Unger homestead. 

Eli Unger was a cooper and when not em- 
ployed at his trade, gave his attention to fann- 
ing. Nor was his interest confined to his double 
calling. The school.-; received his earnest sup- 
port, and the churches had his regular contribu- 
tions. Movements tor the material progress of 
the township commanded his allegiance and co- 
operation. For some years he served as a Direc 
tor in bis School District, meanwhile accom- 
plishing much for the benefit of local educa- 
tional work. In political views be was liberal, 
voting for the men whom he considered besl 
qualified to represent . the people and promote 
the general welfare. His only surviving son, John 
C, received such advantages as the country 
schools afforded, and while still quite voting be- 
gan to work for others. Carefully saving his 
wages, he was able upon attaining his majority 

1 quire property of his own. In May, 1891, 

he bought eighty acres of land on Section 2d. 
Camden Township, where since lie has made his 
home. At the time of purchase the farm had a 
small frame dwelling, sorely in need of repairs, 
and at the time of his marriage he rebuilt the 
house before bringing his bride to the home. 
Later he erected a substantial barn and other 
needed outbuildings. During 1906 be added 
greatly to the value of the property by erecting 
a two-story residence with eight rooms and mod- 
ern conveniences. 

The marriage of Mr. Unger took place August 
20, 1895, uniting him with .Miss Agnes Blanche 
Boring, who was born in Buena Vista Township, 
in April of 18,7. being a daughter of William 
and Sarah (Grigg) Loring. After having en- 
gaged in the stock business for years, Mr. Boring 
died June 27, 1907, and in his demise another 
pioneer was taken from among those in whose 
midst he long had lived and labored. Since his 
death his widow has been a resident of the city 
of Rushville. Of their union there were born 
three daughters and one son now living, and 
there was also a stepdaughter. .Mary, who mar- 
ried J. W. Lickey. The son, J. M. Loring, is en- 
gaged in the practice of law at Rushville. One 
of the daughters is the widow of John Avery and 
lives in Rushville. Another daughter, Ethel 
Grace, wife of Mark Sellers, in. 4 with a -ad 
fate. Her only child accidentally fell info I he 
cistern where the water was aliout three Eeef 
deep, with some ice floating on the top. The 
mother jumped into the cistern in a frantic ef- 
fort to save the child. No one was near at the 
time and when found both mother and child had 
died from exposure to the cold water and from 
the struggle to climb out of the cistern. 

The family of John C. Unger comprises the 
following-named children : Leah D., horn March 
8, 1897 : Emory F.. born November 25, 1900 ; 
Vernon William, born September 11, 1905 ; and 



952 



HISTORY OF SCIirYLEI! COUNTY. 



Mary Grace, born May 2, 11)07. The home farm 

c prises eighty acres and in addition, with the 

assistance of .his sister's sou. Mr. Unger operates 
his mother's farm of 280 acres, which has the 
unique distinction of having been transferred 
only once since the taking out of the government 
patent. Until the death of William Loring the 
latter engaged in partnership with Mr. L'nger in 
the breeding of tine horses; in addition. Mr. l'n- 
ger lias made a specialty of thoroughbred regis- 
tered Duroc-Jersey hogs, some fine specimens of 
which are always to be seen on his farm. So 
closely has his attention been given to farming 
pursuits that he has had little leisure for partici- 
pation in township affairs, yet he has found time 
to faithfully perform the duties of School Direc- 
tor of his district and also has kept posted con- 
cerning problems affecting the welfare of the na- 
tion. In presidential elections he votes with the 
Republican party, but in local affairs he consid- 
ers the character and ability of the candidate of 
greater importance than his views concerning is- 
sues affecting the nation, but not material to the 
county and township. With his wife he holds 
membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, and has been a contributor to the mis- 
sionary movements of the denomination. 

UTTER, Arthur Frank. — The breeding of live- 
stock constitutes a science, while the dealing in 
them and their advantageous disposition in the 
markers of the country, are branches of a busi- 
ness whose successful prosecution requires rare 
executive ability, judgment and foresight. Some 
of the shrewdest men in the United States are en- 
gaged in the live stock business, and to be a 
leader in that field, as is Arthur F. Utter, of 
Bainbridge Township, Schuyler County, is of it- 
self a proof of unusual determination and ability. 

Mr. Utter is a native of Frederick Township, 
Schuyler County, born January 9, 1868, a son of 
George D. and' Priscilla J. ( Ward ) Utter, his 
father being a man of strong character and 
practical abilities, whose life work is reviewed 
on other pages of this work. The boy was edu- 
cated in the district schools of his native town- 
ship, and his early life upon the home farm was 
spent in ways common to the sons of farmers. 
He remained upon the family homestead until 
his majority, when soon afterward he was mar- 
ried and settled with bis young bride upon the 
farm in Section 12. Bainbridge Township, which 
he now occupies. He was obliged to borrow 
money to make his first payment on his place, 
but lie went to work with determination and 
energy to clear the farm of debt, and not only 
has succeeded in that aim. but in the acquisition 
of other lands, in the establishment of a fine 
reputation as a live-stock man. and in the main- 
tenance and education (the latter still progress- 
ing) of a large and intelligent family. He now 
carries on fanning on 230 acres of land, and for 
many years has been one of the leading breeders 
of Poland-China hogs and Shorthorn cattle in the 
county. Mr. Utter is a scientific breeder, a fine 
judge of live stock, a careful buyer and a shrewd 



business manager, so that his rapid progress and 
high standing were foregone conclusions. He is 
not only a large breeder and dealer, and an ex- 
tensive land owner, but has had the foresight to 
generously protect his family by carrying seven 
thousand dollars life insurance. All of the above 
facts are proof conclusive that Mr. Utter is a 
man of strong will, fine abilities, and. what is 
of really more importance to the true progress 
of American communities, of tender care for 
those who are dependent upon him for their sup- 
port and well-being. In politics, he affiliates 
with the Democratic party, and takes an active 
interest in public enterprises which promise to 
advance his community. 

Arthur F. Utter was united in marriage. Feb- 
ruary 27. 1889, to Miss Clara Bradman, a daugh- 
ter of C. W. Bradman, who was for many years 
a prominent farmer and citizen of Bainbridge 
Township. Mrs. Utter was born in Lincoln. Neb., 
on the 11th of August. 1870. Her father, who 
is now a resident of Beardstown. 111., served 
bravely in the Civil War as a member of the 
Ninety-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur F. Utter have been born 
the following children : Fred C. born September 
9, 18S9, who died August S, 1892; George W, 
born March 2, 1891; Harry, born March G, 1893 
Charles, born November 15, 1895; Beulah, born 
February 26, 1898. and died December 23, 1899 
Frank, born April 12, 1S99. and died May 13 
1900: Thomas, December 2S. 1003, and Edna, 
bom February 10, 1907. 

UTTER, George D., a well-to-do farmer, of 
high standing in his locality, who is living in 
Section 7, Frederick Township. Schuyler County, 
111., has passed more than sixty-two years in 
the immediate vicinity of his birthplace, in Sec- 
tion 6 of the same township. Mr. Utter was 
born November 13, 1S45. a son of John and Char- 
lotte (Brines) Utter, of whom the former was a 
New Yorker by birth. Henry Utter, the paternal 
grandfather, also of New York nativity, came to 
Wabash County, HI., in 1815, where he was one 
of the pioneer farmers of the region, helping to 
organize the local administration of the county, 
and was a member of the lower branch of the 
First. Fourth and Fifth General Assemblies. 

The Utter was born in Alleghany County. X. 
Y., November 11, 1810, and in 1815, came with 
his father from the East to Wabash County. 111., 
where on reaching maturity he was married to 
Charlotte Brines, the ceremony taking place De- 
cember 5, 1834. Three years later, his father 
having died, he moved to Schuyler County, settling 
on rented land, and in connection with tilling 
the soil, sold fanning mills then manufactured 
by Jesse Darnell, covering the territory between 
Frederick and Quincy, and in all directions from 
Frederick. Subsequently, he bought forty acres 
in Section G, Frederick Township, on which he 
built a log cabin, and in that cabin the subject 
of this biographical record was ushered into 
being. John Utter applied himself vigorously to 
the task of improving the wild tract on which 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



953 



he bad established his home, in Section 6. Be- 
sides this land he owned some property in the 
village of Frederick at the time of his death, ou 
February 14, 1888. When he first located in 
Schuyler County, in 1837, be made the journey 
from Wabash County in a wagon, which carried 
all bis effects. Before coming to Schuyler County 
be served in the Black Hawk War, and about 
the year 1854, organized a military company, of 
which he was elected Captain. The muster days 
of this company were gala occasions for the peo- 
ple of the vicinity, who were wont to gather at 
Pleasautview to watch the drilling maneuvers, 
Capt. Utter being the principal drillmaster. 

Charlotte (Brines) Utter was born in Alle- 
ghany County, X. Y., April 11, 1807, and died 
October 15, 1SS7. By John Utter she became 
the mother of five children, namely: Edwin, 
Eliza, Martha, Julia A., and George D. Edwin 
was born in Wabash County, III.. June 11, 1835. 
married Hannah Nelson and bad five children, 
of whom four — John, Lyman, Lillie and Douglas 
— are living. He served as a soldier in the Civil 
War, enlisting from that county, and died Octo- 
ber 16, 1903, at Quincy, 111., where his re- 
mains now lie. Eliza was bom in Wabash 
County. 111., July 29, 1S36. She was twice mar- 
ried, ber first husband being James Lane, to 
whom she was wedded July 16, L854, and by him 
she bad seven children, three of whom are still 
living, viz. : Mrs. William E. Young and Mrs. 
William Patterson, both residents of Frederick 
Township; and Mrs. Charles Allen, whose home 
is in Joplin. Mo. Mrs. Lane's second husband 
was Samuel O. Beale. Me and bis wife are de- 
ceased. Martha Utter, born March 5. 1841, be- 
came the wife of William Lane and bore him one 
child, Sarah, who married William B. Utter, and 
by him had seven children. The parents of Sarah 
are now deceased. Julia A. Utter was born Au- 
gust 6, 1S43, and died December 3, 1881. 

George D. Utter was reared to farm life, be- 
ing the only son at home. He attended the com- 
mon school and assisted his father, who being 
an extensive landholder, required his services 
most of the time. He helped to do the clearing 
and other preliminary work, and was one of the 
busiest young men of his day. He remained 
with his parents until the time of his marriage, 
and even after that event had to look after the 
paternal farming interests as well as his own. 
In May. 1SC.S, be moved to his present location, 
the place then containing only a log cabin, with 
one door and one eight-light window, but being 
furnished with a cook stove and fire place. Mrs. 
Utter understood weaving, while Mr. Utter's 
wife's mother was trained in carding wool, and 
spinning, and both parents frequently revert to 
the period, when after retiring for the night, the 
click and knock of the mother's loom kept them 
awake. Finally, they built a small kitchen as 
an addition to their cabin, which afforded them 
greater convenience and comfort. In course of 
time, the old log cabin gave place to a substan- 
tial and handsome eight-room dwelling, ample 
shelter was provided for the stock, and fruit 



and ornamental trees were set out in abundance, 
making a beautiful and attractive home. When 
Mr. Utter first took possession of this place, it 
was almost a wilderness and stump pulling was 
the first arduous and seemingly interminable 
task that confronted him. He well remembers 
the day he left the old home for the new one, not 
more than a mile away, and the mother's tears 
as she said good-bye. Since then he and his 
loyal and devoted wife have spent forty years in 
helpful companionship, sharing each other's joys 
and sorrows, and he has the serene consciousness 
that the long period intervening has been well 
spent. He is now the owner of 240 acres of the 
finest and most completely improved and highly 
productive land in Frederick Township, and is 
recognized by all as one of its leading agricul- 
turists. His methods in farming and stock rais- 
ing are thoroughly practical, and his diligent and 
persevering efforts have been rewarded by abun- 
dant and richly merited success. 

The marriage of Mr. Utter took place March 
14, 1867, on which date he was united with 
Priscilla J. Ward. Mrs. Utter was born April 
10, 1848, a daughter of Apollus and Jane (Bram- 
ble) Ward, natives of Ohio. The Bramble fam- 
ily history may be found in another portion of 
this volume. Eight children were the offspring 
of this union, six of whom first saw the light of 
day in the crude log cabin above described. The 
names of the children are as follows: Arthur 
F.. a narrative of whose career appears else- 
where in this connection ; Albert M., born Octo- 
br !"■». 1870; Alice, born September 4. 187:'.; Pu- 
laski, born November 30. 1S76 ; Amy, born Jan- 
uary 10. 1880; Mary, born October 21. 1883; 
Minnie, born October 30. 1S89; and Grover, born 
November 14, 1892. The second son. Albert, is 
living on the old homestead in Section 7. Fred- 
erick Township. He was married, July 8, 1894. 
to Helen Gregg, and they are the parents of five 
children, namely: Marion. Ernest, William, 
Helen and Clinton. Alice Utter, who became 
the wife of Maurice Rebman. is a resident of 
Chapin, 111., and has four children — Alvin, Bert. 
Edith and Mabel. Full particulars concerning 
the Rehman family are given in their proper al- 
phabetical order. Pulaski Utter, who was a 
young man of exceedingly bright promise, died 
January 3, 1896. Amy Is the wife of John 
Utter, residing in Beardstown, and has one 
child — Roy. Mary, Minnie and Grover are still 
under the parental roof. All the sons and daugh- 
ters of the subject of this sketch have received a 
good common school education, and are fitted 
by their mental acquirements to fill dsirable po- 
sitions In life. 

In political action, George D. Utter has always 
been identified with the Democratic party, but 
has never sought public honors. Although re- 
peatedly and urgently solicited to become a ean- 
didat for local office, he has persistently de- 
clined, feeling that his time was fully occupied 
with the duties pertaining to his farm and his 
family. He and his worthy wife are communi- 
cants of the Methodist Church. South, and both 



954 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEK COUNTY. 



are held in the highest esteem by a large ac- 
quaintance, extending throughout Frederick 
Township. 

VALENTINE, Sylvester. — Among the farmers 
of Woodstock Township who are investing their 
calling with dignity, progress and refinement of 
surroundings, mention is due Sylvester Valen- 
tine, the owner of a farm of 100 acres in Section 
10. Mr. Valentine was born in Pickaway County. 
Ohio, October 10, 1845, a son of Samuel and 
Sophia (Young) Valentine, natives of Ohio, and 
of German descent. The paternal grandfather 
was born in a German settlement in Pennsyl- 
vania, and at an early day settled in Pickaway 
County, Ohio, where, after many years of tilling 
a prairie farm, he died rich in years and finan- 
cially prosperous. His son, Samuel, father of 
Sylvester, came with his family to Sangamon 
County, 111., about 1852, settling near the old 
home of Peter Cartwright, the famous Methodist 
Episcopal circuit-rider. Sylvester Valentine 
treasures vivid memories of this splendid 
preacher, as on many occasions be sat in church 
and listened to his eloquent and convincing dis- 
courses. Samuel Valentine died about 1884. his 
wife having pre-deceased him in 1882. Both are 
resting under shady trees in the little cemetery 
at Pleasant Plains. 111. They were the devoted 
and painstaking parents of ten children, five of 
whom are living. Of the children, Mary is the 
deceased wife of William V. Campbell, of San- 
gamon County; Cordelia (deceased) was the 
wife of James E. Campbell, also deceased; Ellen 
is the widow of Dr. Philip Williams, and lives 
in Tennessee ; Israel died in Jacksonville, 111. ; 
Sophia is the widow of Samuel Campbell, of St. 
Joseph, Mo.; Evelyn is the wife of Mr. David 
A. Dunkle: Clara died at the age of twenty-two 
years; India is the wife of John Kirby. and 
lives in Conway Springs, Kan. ; and Samuel is a 
blacksmith in Pleasant Plains. 111. Samuel Val- 
entine belonged to the old time German school 
of thought and action, and was a devout member 
of the Lutheran Church, which he joined as earlv 
as 1835. 

Sylvester Valentine was seven years old when 
he came .with bis parents to Sangamon County, 
111., in 1852, and he remained on the home place 
until his twenty-third year. He is largely self- 
educated, although he attended the district school 
with comparative regularity during the winter 
time, his summers being devoted to the many 
tasks which awaited his strength on the old 
place. In 180S he rented a farm in Sangamon 
County, put in his first crop of corn; while on a 
visit to Schuyler County that winter met Sarah 
A. Shupe. of Woodstock Township, whom he 
married October 5. 1870. The Shupe family 
came to Illinois in 1843. Peter and Sarah 
( Wright) Shupe, grandparents of Mrs. Valen- 
tine, were Mormons, and they stopped in Schuy- 
ler County on their way to join their fellow re- 
ligionists in Salt Lake City. On the way. Peter, 
his wife and their three children, were taken 
ill. died and were buried near Council Bluffs, 



Iowa. William Shupe, the father of Mrs. Valen- 
tine, then returned to Schuyler County, reaching 
here during the fall of 1843. On November 19, 
1840, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann 
Hoffman, who was born in Ohio June 20, 1S25. 
William Shupe being born in Grayson County, 
Va.. October 9, 1824. Soon alter their marriage 
they located on the farm now owned and occupied 
by the Valentine family in Woodstock Townsnip, 
Schuyler Count}'. Here William Shupe died 
July 8, 1904, and his wife in 1902. To them were 
born six children : Samuel Shupe, of Walnut. 
Kan.; Sarah A. (Mrs. Valentine) of Rushville, 
111. ; George H., of Wayland, 111. ; Mary P., wife 
of Charles F. Nardin, of Macomb, 111. ; Martha 
M., wife of Daniel C. Nell, a farmer of the vicin- 
ity of Macomb ; and William Shupe, a farmer 
living in Ragan, Neb. 

After his marriage Mr. Valentine returned to 
Sangamon County, and there followed general 
farming until again coming to Schuyler County 
in 1878. He then bought eighty acres of land 
in Section 17, Woodstock Township, the greater 
part of which was covered with timber and 
brush, and here he labored early and late, cut- 
ting down trees and taking out stumps until he 
had one of the best properties in this part of 
Schuyler County. This remained the home of 
the family until 1903, when they settled on the 
old Shupe farm in Section 16. rich in its mem- 
ories of a fine old family and their struggles to 
acquire a footing among the prosperous of the 
land. Four children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Valentine; Lilly M„ wife of Charles 
Newell, a farmer of Woodstock Township, who 
has five children — Samuel, Ray, Herman. Carl 
and Ruth ; George W., married Daisy Brown and 
is living in Peoria, 111. ; Herbert E.. married 
Maud Rittenhouse and has one son, Glenn R., 
and one daughter, Olive Marie, with whom, and 
his wife, be lives on the old homestead ; and 
Dwight L., graduated at the Normal School in 
Rushville in June, 1908, and will engage in 
teaching the coming winter. Mr. and Mrs. Val- 
entine are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and Mr. Valentine is a Democrat in 
politics. He is a well informed and thoroughly 
practical farmer, having the respect and good 
will of his neighbors, and by virtue of industry, 
perseverance and integrity, filling a need in the 
general affairs of the community. 

_ VANCIL, Benjamin F. — "A splendid farmer and 
citizen," — an enthusiastic expression which ev- 
eryone who has ever had any dealings with Ben- 
jamin F. Vancil would at once apply to him. 
His long experience and strong capabilities have 
carried him to the very bed-rock of agriculture, 
both in the raising of crops and in the breeding 
of live stock, and his general intelligence and 
moral earnestness have inspired unvarying confi- 
dence in him as a public man. For many years 
he has been a firm advocate of Prohibition, not 
only supporting its principles as measures of vi- 
tal importance to the well-being of the commu- 
nity, but consistently voting for the candidates 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



955 



of the party, even when aware of the hopeless- 
ness of present victory. Many of those who op- 
posed him in this work years ago, are now his 
stanchest friends. His career as a Prohibition- 
ist has offered a striking illustration of that 
independence and moral stamina which are at 
the foundation of superior American citizenship. 

Mr. Vancil was born in Woodstock Township, 
Schuyler County, on January 19, 1861. the son 
of Tobias and Caroline (Howe) Vancil, the 
father being reared in Tazewell County, 111., and 
the mother a native of Ohio. The Vancil family 
are of German descent, while the ancestry of 
the Howes is Scotch. The mother of Benjamin 
F. Vancil came to Illinois with her parents and 
was married in Tazewell County, afterward set- 
tling in Woodstock and Birmingham Townships. 
After the death of the wife and mother, in the 
latter township, Mr. Vancil's father removed to 
Colchester, McDonough County, 111., which re- 
mained the family home for some years and 
which was the scene of his death at the age of 
eighty-four. Four sons and five daughters were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Tobias Vancil, namely ; 
Amanda, now the wife of Charles Bell, a farmer 
of Rushville Township, Schuyler County ; Eu- 
maria, deceased ; John M., a farmer located in 
Bainbridge Township ; James Edward, who is a 
brickmason of Plymouth, 111. ; Laura E., wife 
of Oliver Davis, who lives near Bushnell, 111. ; 
Benjamin F. ; Sarah, Mrs. Washington Smith, of 
Colchester. 111. ; Agnes, now the wife of Charles 
Riddings, of Macomb, 111. ; and Dora, deceased. 
Both of the parents were devout members of the 
old Methodist Episcopal Church. The father 
was a man of unassuming character, but had a 
natural genius as a mechanic, and was therefore 
peculiarly useful in a pioneer community. As 
he was also very accommodating, old residents of 
Schuyler County remember with pleasure how 
he was equally skilful in building a house, shap- 
ing a plow, running a sawmill, or shoeing a 
horse. 

When the family moved to Bainbridge Town- 
ship, Benjamin was but a lad, and in this sec- 
tion of the county he attended the district school 
and grew to manhood, working for his father 
until he had attained his majority. On Decem- 
ber 26, 1SS1, shortly before this important epoch 
in his life, he was married to Rosanna Kelly, 
who was born in that township, a daughter of 
James and Nancy (Smith) Kelly. Her father 
was a native of Kentucky. (For details of the 
Smith family, the reader is referred to the biog- 
raphy of Joseph H. Smith). After their mar- 
riage, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Vancil located 
on the farm of Joseph H. Smith, which the hus- 
band has rented for the past twenty-six years, 
and in the operation of which he has been re- 
markably successful. On December 24. 1906, 
Mr. Vancil bought 187 acres of land in Section 
18, Bainbridge Township, which was known as 
the William Kuhn farm, which, added to the 
place rented of Mr. Smith, places him in control 
of 394 acres of fine land devoted partly to gen- 
eral fanning and partly to stock-raising. 



Mr. Vancil's eleven children were all born on 
the Smith farm, and are all living at home, 
namely : Grover C, January 10, 1885 ; James 
F., August 18, 1886; Robert H., July 12, 1888; 
Joseph F., April 29, 1890; Noah A., August 4, 
1892; Ida May, August 28. 1894; Mark O., June 
24. 1897; George W., February 20, 1900; Benja- 
min Franklin, June 22, 1903 ; Nancy J., Oc- 
tober 31, 1905; and William V., February 16, 
1908. A large share of the good fortune and 
prosperity which has attended this family is due 
to the unremitting care and wise management 
of Mrs. Vancil, to whom her husband gives due 
credit both for the rearing of his children and 
his success as a man of affairs. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Vancil are earnest and in- 
fluential members of the Union Baptist Church, 
and are leaders in high-minded sociability and 
morality. As stated, he is a prominent Prohibi- 
tionist, and has always been active in educa- 
tional work, having for nine years past been one 
of the School Directors of the Hazel Dell Dis- 
trict No. 78. 

VANDIVER, William L — The attention of the 
most casual observer in passing through Brook- 
lyn Township, Schuyler County, is attracted to 
the farm owned and operated by Mr. Vandiver, 
its thrifty appearance stamping the owner as a 
man of more than ordinary ability along the 
lines of agriculture. It was in the fall of 1899 
that he located in Brooklyn Township and pur- 
chased his present farm of 158 acres on Section 
29. Bringing with him the experience of many 
years in other localities, he came well qualified 
to cope with the crude conditions which he here 
found, and be it said to his credit that every 
foot of his land is now in a tillable condition. 

As far back as the records can be traced, the 
Vandiver family is of Southern origin and it is 
believed that the grandfather Vandiver died 
in Kentucky. His wife died some years pre- 
vious, and at the time of his death, his two 
children, John and Edward (twins I. were left 
to the care of friends. A kind- late placed them 
in charge of a bachelor neighbor. James Worth- 
ington, who became greatly attached to them, 
and in later years, when he left Kentucky and 
came to Illinois, he brought the boys with him. 
Settling in Schuyler County, Mr. Worthington 
purchased considerable land in the vicinity of 
Brooklyn, and became one of the largest land- 
owners in this part of Schuyler County. John 
and Edward Vandiver continued to make their 
home with their uncle, attending the schools at 
Brooklyn, and when they reached maturity each 
received forty acres .of land from their benfae- 
tor. Edward Vandiver finally removed to Kansas, 
where he and his wife both died, their family 
still residing in that State. About the time of 
his marriage, John Vandiver traded the forty- 
acre tract which Mr. Worthington had given 
him for a farm on Section 30, Brooklyn Town- 
ship, and here he erected a log cabin which was 
the home of the family for many years — in fact, 
all of his children being born in this primitive 



956 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



dwelling. In addition to managing bis farm he 
worked at the carpenter's trade, and many of 
the dwellings that are now seen in this vicinity 
are the work of his hands. 

The marriage of John Vandiver united him 
with Angeline Graham, a native of Ohio, and of 
the twelve children born to them mention is 
made of the following: The eldest child. Nel- 
son, is a resident of Charterville, Mo.; during 
the Civil War enlisted his services in Company 
A, Seventy-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
serving three years. John was also a member 
of the same company, with his regiment passing 
through all of the hard-fought battles and expe- 
riencing many fatiguing marches; he is now a 
resident of Carthage. 111. Henry, also a mem- 
ber of Company, A, Seventy-eighth Illinois, was 
killed at the battle of Jonesboro, Ga. Edward 
died in infancy. Edward (the second child of 
that name) grew to maturity ami served one 
year in the cause of his country as a member ot 
the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Infantry ; 
he now makes his home in Charterville, Mo. 
James is a resident of Atchison, Kan. Margaret, 
of Cummings, Kan., is the wife of Emery Andre. 
Louisa, the widow of Clark Quint, makes her 
home in Charterville. Mo. William L. is the 
next child in order of birth. Lizzie, of Cum- 
mings, Kan., is the widow of Robert Wright. 
Taylor died in Brooklyn, Schuyler County, when 
twelve years of age. The parents of these chil- 
dren both passed away in Cummings, Kan., the 
mother in 18S7 ; and the father in 1891. Both 
were stanch adherents of the Presbyterian faith 
and Mr. Vandiver was a strong believer in Re- 
publican principles. During the early clays of 
his residence in Illinois he filled many town- 
ship offices within the gift of its citizens. 

Born on the family homestead on Section 29, 
Brooklyn Township, Schuyler County, May 12, 
1859, William L. Vandiver passed his boyhood 
in that vicinity, there being nothing out of the 
ordinary to distinguish his life from that of 
other farmer lads of his acquaintance. Up to 
the age of twenty -two he worked on the home 
farm, having in the meantime attended the dis- 
trict school, but after arriving at bis maturity he 
started life independently by hiring out as a 
farm hand, at first receiving for his services 
$14 per mouth. Two years later, at the age of 
twenty-four, he assumed domestic responsibili- 
ties by his marriage, which occurred October 25, 
1883, and united him with Miss Mary Wells, 
who was born in Brooklyn Township, the daugh- 
ter of Herbert Wells. The latter, now deceased, 
was one of the early pioneers of Schuyler County. 
Following his marriage Mr. Vandiver worked 
by the month on the farm of Charles Worthing- 
ton, but two years later rented the old homt 
farm of his mother-in-law. continuing its culti- 
vation until settling upon land of his own. This 
was in 1889, at which time he purchased 110 
acres of land in Brooklyn Township. Two years 
later he sold this property and removed to Web- 
ster County, Neb., there purchasing 200 acres. 
After disposing of that property he bought 160 



acres in Phelps County, that State, but renting 
the property iu 1899. returned to Schuyler County 
and entered the stock business with Charles 
Wortbiugton, his former employer, in Rushville. 
This association lasted five months, when, in 
the fall of 1S99, he purchased his present farm 
on Section 29, where, as previously noted, he 
now resides. 

Six children were born to the marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Vandiver, namely : Freddie, who 
died in infancy ; Mabel, at home ; Herbert and 
John, twins, the latter dying in infancy, and 
the former being now a student in Dixon Col- 
lege ; Hally, at home ; and Everett, a student in 
the public schools. In taking a resume of the 
life of Mr. Vandiver one is impressed with what 
he has accomplished: Starting in young man- 
hood with nothing but an indomitable will and 
a determination to become a successful farmer, 
be at first worked as a farm hand for $14 per 
month. By carefully saving his earnings he was 
soi in enabled to make investments in land, pur- 
chasing two farms in Nebraska, and by selling 
at an advance over the purchase price, he has 
realized handsomely on his original investment. 
Since locating on his present farm his industry 
has been even more liberally rewarded, the re- 
sult being that he has one of the most productive 
farms in his section of Schuyler County. It is his 
belief that the best stock obtainable is the only 
kind to handle, a policy which he adheres to and 
on his farm may be seen superior specimens of 
imported Shire and road horses. 

Not all of Mr. Vandiver's time is absorbed in 
looking after his own private interests, being 
in addition an active worker in the ranks of the 
Republican party. In 1906 he was nominated by 
that party for the office of Supervisor and elected 
by a good majority over one of the strongest 
opponents in the Democratic party. Socially 
he is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of America, both of Brooklyn. 
With his wife he is a member of the Presbyte- 
rian Church, both supporting its charities with 
a liberal hand, and both are held in high esteem 
by their many friends and acquaintances. 

V AUG HAN, Silas Bruce.— The Vaughans, 
closely identified with the agricultural progress 
of Schuyler County, 111., for more than half a 
century, are of an old Virginia family who mi- 
grated to Kentucky in the early 'forties. Silas 
B. Vaughan was but sixteen when he came with 
his parents to the county, and two years later 
began living on the farm which has ever since 
been his home, a period of more than fifty years. 
As youth and man, for these many years he has 
industriously, faithfully and ably performed the 
duties which have come to him, and now, at the 
age of nearly seventy years, he has reached a 
position of substantial comfort and the still more 
enviable station in life in which confidence in 
his honor is firmly grounded on his past. Old 
age can have no greater comfort than to look 
back at real achievement, and see in the present 
the reverence and affection which constitute a 
vindication of the past. 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



951 



Mr. Vaughan is a native of Culpepper County, 
Va., bom April 13, 1838, a son of Henry and 
Jael (Jones) Vaughan, both of the county men- 
tioned. The original Vaughans were Welshmen, 
and the Joneses, Irish and German. The grand- 
fathers, Venson Vaughan and Robert Jones, both 
died in Culpeper County. In 1S44 Henry 
Vaughan, the father, migrated from the Old Do- 
minion to Boone County, Ky., and in 1854 came 
by steamboat from Cincinnati, down the Ohio 
and up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to 
Schuyler County. On the 14th day of March, of 
that year, the family located on a farm in Bain- 
bridge Township, now owned by Milton Camp- 
bell, where they remained for two years, in 1850 
settling on the tract of 120 acres in Section 9, 
Bainbridge Township, which was for twenty-one 
years the family homestead and which afterward 
became the home of the son, Silas B. At that 
time, when he was eighteen years of age, it was 
covered with heavy timber and quite unimproved, 
and his father, with the assistance of his sons, 
first built a hewed log house for the family 
residence (sixteen by twenty feet) and then 
commenced to fell the trees and roll away or burn 
the logs. In a few years the wild forest was con- 
verted into tillable land, and the log cabin was 
made more comfortable for the shelter of the 
growing family. Here the mother died July 12, 
1SG8, and the father, June 11, 1S77. Of their 
ten children, four died in infancy, and the fol- 
lowing reached maturity : Robert, now living 
in Oklahoma with a daughter; William, who is 
a farmer of Lemoine Township, McDouough 
County, 111. ; Elizabeth, who married, first, J. D. 
Rouse, and after his death, Samuel Stover, both 
of whom are deceased ; Silas B. ; Susan A., who 
married James T. Broadhead, a farmer, also of 
Lemoine Township. McDonough County ; and 
Christopher C. Vaughan, who was last located 
in Omaha, Neb., but whose whereabouts have 
been unknown for forty years. 

During his youth, Silas B. Vaughan attended 
the common schools of Boone County, Ky., and 
Bainbridge Township, Schuyler County. On No- 
vember 24, 1807. he was married to Miss Mary 
A. Orr, born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, in 
August, 1S39, and whose parents came to Schuy- 
ler County in the fall of that year. (For biogra- 
phy of Mrs. Vaughan's father, Joseph Orr. see 
personal sketch elsewhere in this work.) At half 
past six, on the morning following their wed- 
ding day, they came to the old home farm, which 
has ever since been their abode, and here their 
four children were l>orn : The first, who died 
in infancy; Iona, born July 18, 1870. and mar- 
ried as his first wife Miss Jessie Lawler. who 
died January 2, 180S, and as his second. Miss 
Mary Dean, by whom he has had one child 
(Mary Louisa), the husband now farming on the 
old place: Otho, born September 30. 1S72. and 
who died May 4, 1873; and Ida, who was born 
March 31, 1874, and is still living at home. A 
granddaughter. Gladys Juanitn, is also making 
her home at the old homestead. 



Mr. Vaughan now owns 170 acres in Sections 
4and!>, Bainbridge Township. It is all well im- 
proved, 10d acres having been under cultivation 
for fifty-three years, and the homestead is alto- 
gether one of the most comfortable and attract- 
ive in its section. Mr. Vaughan is Democratic in 
his political tendencies, but inclined to be lib- 
eral iii his views, has neither held nor sought 
office. 

WARD, Apollus die. eased), during bis life a 
widely known and honored pioneer of Schuyler 
County, 111., was born in Hamilton County, 
Ohio, July 20, 1S05, a son of Uzal Ward, a for- 
mer resident of the State of New Jersey and of 
English ancestry. The father, Uzal Ward was 
born February 8, 1705, and the grandfather, Jo- 
seph Ward, was born August 25, 1734. Uzal 
Ward came from Xew Jersey to the vicinity of 
Cincinnati at an early day, remaining a number 
of years, when he removed with his family to 
Union County, Ind., and there spent the re- 
mainder of his life. In 1828 Apollus Ward pur- 
chased a warrant for 100 acres bounty land, is- 
sued to a soldier of the War of 1812, and bearing 
the^ signature of President James Monroe in 
1817. He did not see the land, however, until 
the spring of 1832, when he came to Schuyler 
County for the first time. This being the year of 
the Black Hawk War. he tendered his services to 
the Government and, for about six weeks, was 
connected with the company under command of 
Capt. Peter Vance, but saw no fighting. 

Returning to Indiana, after a period of illness, 
he remained there until 1835, when he married 
Jane Bramble, a year later coming to Illinois 
with his wife and an infant son. A portion of the 
last year, before coming west, appears to have 
been spent at Columbus, where their oldest son 
Major Andrew, was born in 1830. Mrs. Ward 
also being a native of that State. On arriving in 
Schuyler County in September, 1830, he found 
things in a primitive state, his land located in 
Section 11 of what is now Bainbridge Township 
being covered with timber, hazel brush and other 
wild shrubbery, requiring much labor in prepar- 
ing for cultivation. His first business was the erec- 
tion of a log cabin with stick chimuev and pun- 
cheon floor, and furnished in the back-woods 
style of those days. Here he continued to reside 
for a period of more than forty years, with the 
aid of his sons, whose biographies are given on 
the following pages of this volume, improving 
and developing his property. His death oc- 
curred here March 14, 1878, his wife surviving 
him until July 14, 1896. 

Mr. and Mrs. Apollus Ward reared a family 
of nine children, all except the eldest being born 
m Illinois. These children were Major \ndrew 
born August 9, 1835, married Miss Emily j' 
Davis, and died March 9. 1900. leaving a family 
of nine children: Henry M., born April ^'.> 1838 
and twice married, having one child by the first 
wife, and four by the second ; James Madison 
born May 28, 1840, married Eliza L. Taylor in 
1S73 and lives on the paternal farm— lias one 



958 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



son; Edwin Marion, born January 7, 1843, in 
1807 married as his second wife Lydia J. Bridge- 
man, who bore him tour children ; Mary married 
William Achison, and resides in Rushville; Pris- 
eilla J., wife of George Utter, of Frederick 
Township, Schuyler County ; Ira L. married 
Mary J. Taylor, by whom he has had four chil- 
dren and lives on a farm adjoining the home 
place ; -Emily J., deceased wife of Thomas Dodge, 
a farmer of Bainbridge Township, to whom she 
bore seven children ; and Jackson, born Febru- 
ary 19, 185G, married Miss Martha A. Dodds in 
1878, has had five children and lives in Baiu- 
bridge Township. 

Apollus Ward was of the sturdy type of pio- 
neers in Schuyler County who did much by his 
industry and enterprise to develop that region. 
He was* a Democrat in polities and a member of 
the Methodist Church, South, and his influence 
is perpetuated in the high reputation enjoyed by 
his descendants. 

WARD, Edward Marion.— Schuyler County has 
no more interesting landmark than the farm iu 
Section 11, Bainbridge Township, where Edward 
Marion Ward was born on a cold winter's day, 
January 7, 1843. Mr. Ward, who is now a 
farmer in the section adjoining that in which 
his childhood was passed, and who is the owner 
of seventy acres of land in Section 10, represents 
a family continuously identified with Schuyler 
County since the early 'thirties, and numerously 
scattered over lauds radiating from the old place 
for a distance of eight miles. Apollos Ward oc- 
cupies a prominent place among the pioneers of 
this section. It was he who bought a colt at a 
sale in Indiana, and later traded the colt and 
$150 for the 160 acres of land now recognized 
as the center of Ward occupancy iu Schuyler 
County. He himself arrived to look over his 
land in 1S32, and he found conditions lively 
enough to satisfy even the most exacting and 
adventurous. Black Hawk then was on the 
war path, and Governor Reynolds, issuing a 
call for volunteers, Mr. Ward tendered ^his 
services, becoming a member of the company of 
Captain Peter Vance. After the Indians had 
been driven from the State, Mr. Ward returned 
to his farm iu Bainbridge Township, but being 
taken ill went back to Indiaua, where he re- 
gained his health and married Jane Bramble in 
1835. In 1830, accompanied by his wife and son, 
Major A., he came back to Schuyler County, lo- 
cated on the land he had acquired through ex- 
change, and remained there for the balance of 
his life. For more extended family history see 
sketch of James M. Ward. 

Farm development in the early days was nec- 
essarily much slower than at present, and when 
Edward Marion Ward had attained years of use- 
fulness, there still remained much of the hard 
grind of land clearing, which precedes actual cul- ■ 
tivation. He helped to cut down trees and divest 
the land of underbrush, attending the district 
schools during the winter season, and sharing in 
such diversions as broke the monotony of the 



hard working population of Bainbridge Town- 
ship. February 21, 1S63. he was united in mar- 
riage to Margaret Baldwin, daughter o£ James 
W. Baldwin, a native of Ohio, and early settler 
of Mason County, 111. Later Mr. Baldwin moved 
to Schuyler County, and during the summer of 
1S63 located in Section 10, Bainbridge Town- 
ship, which then boasted a small log cabin and 
an abundance of heavy timber. In the spring of 
1867 he lost his first wife, and in September of 
the same year, married Lydia J. Bridgeman, 
daughter of Martin and Ruth (Cay wood) Bridge- 
man, Southerners by birth, aud pioneers of 
Schuyler County. Mr. Bridgeman became a wid- 
ower in later life, and eventually went to Kan- 
sas, where he died at an advanced age. He was 
bred to the lazy, unambitious life of the South, 
and for a time was a slave owner, but his nat- 
ural energy finally found its fitting place in the 
larger opportunities of the Central West. Mr. 
and Mrs. Ward had the following children, all 
of whom were born in a hewed-log cabin : Mar- 
tin, Augustus, Rozzie and Edgar. Martin mar- 
ried Lena Nelson, who died March 26, 1906, 
leaving six children — Elmer, Roy, Don, Lulu, 
Stella and Edna ; Augustus married Nellie Don- 
aldson ; Rozzie married Bessie Ballou, February 
26, 190S, moving to Butler County, Kan., near 
Eldorado; and Edgar was killed July 11. 1904, 
by lightning, at the age of twenty years. 

Mr. Ward bought his property soon after his 
marriage, it having formerly been owned by his 
maternal grandfather, Mr. Bramble. At first it 
was owned by Edward and Henry Ward, but the 
former soon after bought the interest of his 
brother, and since has devoted it to general 1 arm- 
ing and stock-raising. To bis first thirty-five 
acres he has added as many more, and now all 
but eighteen acres have been cleared of the for- 
mer growth of black oak and walnut. Mr. Ward 
was a member of the Southern Methodist Church 
at Mount Carmel, and has been a generous con- 
tributor to its work for many years. He has 
been an interested and helpful observer of the 
many great changes which have taken place dur- 
ing the sixty-five years of his life, and he de- 
lights in recalling the conditions in which his 
youth was set, especially well remembered be- 
ing the deer trail across the old homestead. 
Great flocks of wild turkeys darkened the air at 
times, and both turkeys and deer were readily 
available for food for the settlers. Since its 
formation. Mr. Ward has been an ardent if non- 
active supporter of the Democratic party. 

WARD, Henry M.— During the summer of 1836 
the sparsely settled part of Schuyler County, 
111., now known as Bainbridge Township, claimed 
a new arrival in Apollos Ward, who, with his 
wife. Jane (Bramble) Ward, took up Govern- 
ment land in Section 11. In the conventional log 
cabin he began the struggle fur existence among 
the hardest and least encouraging of conditions, 
and here, April 19, 1838, his son, Henry M. 
Ward, now a resident of Section 10, in the same 
township, was born. The lad grew strong in the 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



959 



outdoor life of the prairies, and when the duties 
of the home place permitted, attended the sub- 
scrlption school which had been erected on his 
father's farm, and which was then known as 
the Ward School, now the Mount Carmel School. 
In his youth Henry M. Ward spent many days 
in grubbing stumps and chopping trees, and he 
became familiar with every kind of work to be 
found around the old place. He took naturally 
to tilling the soil, always has respected his call- 
ing, and naturally has succeeded at what he has 
found congenial and profitable. His fortunes 
took a different turn at the time of his mar- 
riage, March 10, 1850, to Mary Ann Bridgewater, 
daughter of William and Eleanor (Donohue) 
Bridgewater, natives of Indiana, and pioneers of 
Bainbridge Township. It was a small farm of 
forty-five acres that Mr. Ward first considered 
his own property, and it was located in Section 
10. Bainbridge Township. It had a log cabin 
that his brother, Major A. Ward, had erected, 
and which continued to be the latter's home until 
he moved in 1S5S to the farm where his death 
occurred in 1900. When Henry M. succeeded to 
his brother's farm directly after his marriage, 
he found but two acres cleared of timber, and 
many weeks and months were required ere an 
appreciable change was noted. All went well 
in the rude home until the death of the mother 
in September, 1864. There were three children 
of the union, of whom two died in infancy, while 
Elias Leander, the only survivor, who is a farmer 
in Rushville Township, was married and be- 
came the lather of two sons and two daughters. 
February 2, 1865, Mr. Ward married Mary E. 
Buckels, who was born in Scott County, Ind., 
August 7, 1848, a daughter of James and Rebee- 
ca (Parker) Buckels, who came in 1856 to 
Schuyler County, settling in Bainbridge Town- 
ship, where Mr. Buckels died September 9, 1900, 
his wife having pre-deceased him April 13, 1S83. 
There were four children in the Buckels family, 
Mrs. Ward being the second oldest. Elisha Buck- 
els was a soldier in the One Hundred and Fif- 
teenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
and was taken sick and died at the battle of 
Lookout Mountain: Ann S. is the wife of John 
Jackson, a farmer living five and a half miles 
southwest of Neodesha, Kans. : and James is 
a farmer. After the marriage ceremony Mr. and 
Mrs. Ward got into a wagon and drove over and 
took possession of their present farm, which con- 
tains ninety-five acres. Mr. Ward is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising, and has a 
very profitable and pleasant farm. He has 
cleared eighty-nine acres, considerable of which 
is devoted to stock. 

Ever since casting his first presidential vote 
Mr. Ward has subscribed to the principles of the 
Democratic party, and he has held many offices 
hi i rust and responsibility. He was Tax Col- 
lector two years, Justice of the Peace twelve 
years, and Supervisor for two years. His serv- 
ice invariably was characterized by justice and 
integrity, and be has been one of the most sat- 
isfactory officials in the history of Bainbridge 



Township. His children, both by his first and 
second wife, have been given excellent educa- 
tional and other opportunities, and every chance 
has been noted and improved to make them desir- 
able and useful members of their respective com- 
munities. Mr. Ward has the gilt of making and 
keeping friends, and in this, his sixty-ninth year, 
he finds himself the recipient of the respect and 
affection of all who know him. 

WARD, Jackson. — Schuyler County is much in- 
debted to the Ward family, lor there are none 
of its members who have reached maturity in 
this section but have contributed to its agricul- 
tural prosperity, as well as to the development of 
its educational and civic systems. Jackson Ward, 
whose farm is in Section 12, Bainbridge Town- 
ship, and who is one' of its most worthy repre- 
sentatives, is the son of Apollus Ward. (For 
the general family history, see the biography of 
James M. Ward.) Jackson Ward was reared 
upon the old home farm, and educated in the dis- 
trict school of his neighborhood until his mar- 
riage in 18Tli a lew months liefore he had 
reached his majority. He was born in Section 
11, Bainbridge Township, on the 19th of Febru- 
ary, 1856, and was married to Miss Martha A. 
Dodds, September 28, 1876. His wife, also a 
native of Bainbridge Township, was born July 
25. 1858, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret 
i Wilson) Dodds, her father being an honored 
pioneer of the county, whose published record 
may be read with pleasure in connection with 
the biography of his son, Thomas Dodds. 

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Jackson Ward, namely: One who died in in- 
fancy; Ethel J., deceased wife of Frank Krohe, 
bom October 11, 1877, and died June 9, 1903— 
was the mother of three children — Homer, Roy 
and Florence; Minnie, born August 31, 1882, and 
is living at home ; Wallace, born November 27. 
1884, who married Miss Annie Strong, Septem- 
ber 1, 1906, his wife being the daughter of 
Thomas Q. Strong, of Bainbridge Township, and 
who is now operating the Strong homestead ; and 
Vernon, born November 13, 1894, who is now liv- 
ing at home. The children have been given a 
good common school education, and are an honor 
to the family name. 

Jackson Ward is one of the substantial men of 
Schuyler County, whether considered from the 
standpoint of worldly comfort, of substance or 
character. His pleasant homestead is within 
half a mile of his place of birth, his agricultural 
labors being devoted chiefly to live-stock, in con- 
nection with which, both as a raiser and dealer, 
he is well known. Although his entire life has 
been devoted to agriculture in some form, he has 
also taken an active part in the public affairs of 
I be township, especially those which relate to 
Hie common school system. He is one of the 
Directors of School District No. 76, has held the 
office of Township Assessor and is otherwise 
identified with township government. In politics, 
Mr. Ward is a Democrat, and his fraternal asso- 
ciations are with the Modern Woodmen of 



960 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



America, Pleasant View Camp No. 2040. Both 
he and his family are members of the Methodist 
Church. 

Mr. Ward's substantial aud honorable position 
has not been attained except at the expense of 
long years of labor, self-denial and good man- 
agement, his personal efforts being ably seconded 
by those of his good and capable wife. For four 
or five years after their marriage they were en- 
gaged in farming on rented land, but about 1SS3 
Mr. Ward bought eighty acres in Section 12. 
Upon this dilapidated property, which had for 
improvements a little frame house and an old 
log stable, the father began making improve- 
ments and preparing the land for cultivation, 
while the mother gave equally energetic atten- 
tion to the care aud improvement of the house- 
hold and its surroundings. Mr. Ward finally 
erected a comfortable two-story frame residence 
with substantial barns, and other out-buildings, 
introduced radical improvements in the way of 
drainage aud tillage of the soil, and his place 
is now classed among the comfortable and beau- 
tiful homesteads of Baiubridge Township, being 
considered a suggestive illustration of its owner's 
substantial and enterprising character. 

WARD, James Madison. — The fine live-stock 
farm of 100 acres, located in Section 11, Bain- 
bridge Township, Schuyler County, 111., and 
owned by the honored citizen named above, has 
been in the Ward family for nearly eighty years, 
and since 1830 has been continuously occupied 
as a homestead by either father or son. It is 
not too much to say that James M. Ward knows 
every inch of the farm, and that he loves it as 
thoroughly as he knows it. In a human way 
the people of the township have much the same 
feeling toward Mr. Ward as he has toward the 
old homestead; their long acquaintance with 
him and their substantial affection for him, 
based upon reliable and continuous service, have 
gone hand in hand these many years. He has 
not only furnished a fine example of a typical 
American farmer, but the faithfulness of a citi- 
zen who has never wearied in doing his utmost 
for the public, his neighbors and friends of a 
lifetime. For thirty consecutive years he has 
served in some official capacity in the township 
government, for the past twenty-six years of that 
period having been Town Clerk. His is perhaps 
the greatest success in life to secure friendship 
and confidence by faithfulness in every duty, and 
to retain them both unshaken, rather with in- 
crease of strength as the years pass. 

James M. Ward was boru on the farm he now 
owns and occupies on May 26, 1840, being a son 
of Apollus and Jane (Bramble) Ward. His 
father was a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, 
born July 29. 1805, and was in turn a son of 
Uzal Ward, of New Jersey, who is thought to 
have been of English ancestry. Apollus Ward 
accompanied bis parents to Union County. Ind., 
where his father passed the remainder of his 
life. The former, however, had decided to mi- 
grate to lands further west, and in 1S2S bought 



one of the many claims filed in Illinois by the 
soldiers of the War of 1812, or their descend- 
ants. The warrant had been signed by President 
Monroe in 1817 and, as intimated, covered the 
homestead of the W T ard family in Baiubridge 
Township. In the spring of 1S32 Apollus Ward 
viewed his laud for the first time, and, although 
he was out with the soldiers of the Black Hawk 
War for about six weeks, he saw no fighting and 
returned to Indiana. He was married in 1835, 
and in the following year brought his wife to 
his timbered farm in Illinois. In addition to 
the timber, he found that much of the land had 
been covered with brush and wild plum trees, 
and the outlook was anything but encouraging. 
The first work was to build a log cabin for the 
wife and infant boy — the latter born in Indiana. 
The logs for the walls were hewn, and the bed- 
steads made by boring holes in the ends of the 
timber. Stick chimneys and puncheon floors, 
with split logs for seats, home-spun clothes, and 
all the other well known accessories of the prim- 
itive life of pioneer times, constituted some of 
the crude surroundings of James M. Ward's boy- 
hood days ; for he was born in this rude log 
cabin, as were his brothers and sisters. But 
despite the necessary deprivations of the times 
and the place, the life passed there was 
healthful and happy. There the parents died 
and their children grew to manhood and woman- 
hood, and finally when they were called upon to 
make homes of their own settled within three 
miles of the old farm. 

The children of the family have been as fol- 
lows : Major A. Ward, now deceased and the 
only one born in Indiana, who married Emily J. 
David and had a family of nine children ; 
Henry, a farmer of Bainbridge Township, who 
had one child by a first marriage and four by a 
second; James M. ; Edward Marion, who has 
had three children by a second wife; Mary, wife 
of William Aehesoii and a resident of Rushville; 
1'riscilla J., who married George Utter, a Fred- 
erick Township farmer; Ira L., who lives with 
his wife (nee Mary J. Taylor) and his four chil- 
dren on a farm adjoining the home place on the 
east; Emily J., deceased, formerly the wife of 
Thomas Dodge, a farmer of Baiubridge Town- 
ship, by whom she bad seven children ; and Jack- 
son Ward, a farmer of the same township, who 
has a family of three children. 

As stated the father came to Schuyler County 
in 1836 and settled on his farm in Section 11, 
Baiubridge Township, where the children were 
reared. As they developed to maturity and mar- 
ried he helped them in every possible way. and 
his death, March 14. 1878, bereft them of the 
best friend and the wisest counselor of their 
lives. Apollus Ward was not only tender and 
generous in all his family relations, but his serv- 
ives in the development of educational and relig- 
ious privileges were highly valued by the com- 
munity at large. He was very active iri the build- 
ing of churches and schools, donating consider- 
able land for both of these purposes, and being 
especially remembered as the founder of Ward 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



961 



School No. 1, and the Southern Methodist 
Church. The mother of James M. Ward, a good 
woman, who shared with the lather the grati- 
tude and affection of the family, died on the 
old homestead July 14, 1895. 

Joseph Ward, the great-grandfather, was horn 
August 25, 1734, Uzal Ward, the grandfather, 
February 8, 1765, and Apollus Ward, the father, 
July 20, 1805. On October 13, 1906, the de- 
scendants of Joseph Ward held a reunion at 
Mount Carmel Church., and mustered 172 strong. 
Of the nine children born to Apollus Ward two 
are deceased and seven are honored residents of 
Schuyler County, residing, as stated, within three 
miles of the old family homestead. 

James M. Ward, the third of the family, has 
spent his entire life of sixty-seven years upon 
the home farm. In his boyhood he attended the 
district school, and assisted his father in all 
his duties until the hitter's death in 1878. On 
March 14, 1873, he wedded Mrs. Eliza (Sisk) 
Saylor, and their only child, Charles, was born 
December 28, 1873. Charles Ward married 
Laura Tyson October 20, 1892, his wife being 
born in Bainbridge Township September 15, 
1869, the daughter of William T. Tyson, an hon- 
ored citizen of that township. The children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ward, with the dates of 
their birth are as follows : Kuth E., October 
21, 1893; S. Florence, January 5, 1896; James 
R., August 10, 1898; and William F., June 16, 
1901. The son mentioned above is now in active 
charge of the old home farm, and promises to 
maintain the family name to its full integrity 
and honor. 

James M. Ward continues with ardor and good 
judgment the work so well begun by his father 
in the fields of education and religion. His con- 
tinuous public service of thirty years as Collector 
and Town Clerk also has earned him a strong 
claim upon the gratitude of the township, which 
its citizens have always freely accorded him. 
Mr. Ward has been a lifelong Democrat. Al- 
though not a church member, he has responded 
with cordiality and liberality to all calls for the 
support of meritorious causes, and his life has 
been a long round of useful, helpful and char- 
itable deeds. 

WARD, Major Andrew (deceased), formerly 
one of the prosperous and greatly respected 
farmers of Bainbridge Township. Schuyler 
County. 111., where his busy, upright, public- 
spirited and useful life covered a period of sixty- 
five years, was born in Columbus, Ohio, August 
9, 1835, a son of Apollus and Jane (Bramble) 
Ward, natives of that State. When a child Mr. 
Ward was brought to Schuyler County by his 
parents, the family arriving in the county in 
September. 1836, and settling in Bainbridge 
Township in the same section where Jackson 
Ward now lives. In boyhood days, he attended 
the district school, remaining at home until the 
wild land had been cleared of timber and brush, 
and converted into a productive farm. In 1858, 
he located on the place in Section 10, Bainbridge 



Township, where he was successfully engaged 
in agricultural pursuits for forty-two years, lie 
departed this life Marcn 9, 1900, being'the owner 
of more than 400 acres of land, as the result 
of his energy, diligent application, sagacious 
management and unswerving rectitude of con- 
duct, lie was one of the foremost farmers of 
his locality, being also eminently serviceable in 
his public relations as a member of the com- 
munity with which his career was so long iden- 
tified. He was a man of warm and generous 
nature and his kindness to those in distress was 
proverbial. In all walks of life, he bore himself 
creditably and honorably. His civic sentiment 
was earnest and practical, and he took a deep 
interest in all measures that pertained to the 
development and prosperity of the township and 
county. In polities, he was a Democrat and 
filled various local offices with commendable 
fidelity and efficiency, bearing the reputation of 
a model citizen. 

The marriage of Mr. Ward took place April 
6, 1856, on which date Emily Davis became his 
wife. Mrs. Ward, who still survives, is a woman 
of the highest character, and enjoys the sincere 
respect and cordial regard of her extended ac- 
quaintance. Her birth occurred in a little log 
cabin on the farm now owned by Charles K. 
Strong in Section 1, Bainbridge Township. She 
is a daughter of Edward and Irene (Carter) 
Davis, natives of Athens County, Ohio, whence 
they moved in 1835 to Schuyler County, 111., 
making their home on the spot just mentioned, 
where their daughter, Emily, was born March 9, 
1842. Mrs. 1 (avis died in October of that year, 
and thus Mrs. Ward never knew from personal 
experience what it was to be blessed with the 
love and tender care of a mother. Mr. and Mrs. 
Davis became the parents of three sons and one 
daughter, namely: Elias, Sylvanus, Cyrus and 
Emily. Elias Davis is a farmer in Miama Coun- 
ty. Kans. ; Sylvanus also moved to that county 
and there died March 14, 1905 ; and Cyrus, who 
was a soldier in the Civil War. enlisted in Com- 
pany G, Twenty-eighth Regiment Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry, and was killed in battle October 
5, 1862. 

After the death of his wife Mr. Davis sold the 
old farm in Section 1, and moved to a piece of 
land which he had purchased in Section 10, in 
the same township, which is now Mrs. Ward's 
place of residence. Later, her father married a 
second time, wedding Keziah Stevens, who bore 
him two children: Caroline, who is the widow 
of Lewis Elam, and lives at Ottawa. Kan. ; and 
.Mary, who died at the age of nineteen years. 
Mr. Davis died in August, 1S52. He was an edu- 
cated man, had been a close student and was 
thoroughly fitted for the practice of medicine, 
but changing his purpose, turned his attention 
to an agricultural life. Politically he was a 
Democrat, but had no ambition for the distinc- 
tion of public office. He took an earnest and un- 
selfish interest in the welfare of the community, 
heartily supported charitable enterprises and 
habitually extended kindly aid to the unfortu- 



962 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



nate. His noble traits of character won the 
friendship and esteem of all who knew him. 
He was a member of a worthy family, grand- 
father Reuben Davis, a Hollander by birth, hav- 
ing come from his native land to America about 
the time of the Revolutionary War. The latter 
settled in what is now the State of Ohio, then 
a part of the Northwest Territory, and there 
spent his last days. The maternal grandmother, 
whose maiden name was Carter, was born in 
England, and on crossing the Atlantic, also be- 
came a resident of Ohio, whence in course of 
time she moved to Schuyler County, 111., and 
died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wesley 
Parker. 

Nine children resulted from the union of An- 
drew Ward and Emily Davis, .as follows : Ed- 
ward, bom June 13, 1857 ; Irene, born March 
19. I860; Cyrus, born February 10, 1862; James, 
born August 12, 18C5 ; George E., born August 
12, 1807 ; Robert, born May 22, 1870 ; Ezra, born 
May 22, 1S72; Cora, bom August 20, 18S0; and 
Clarence, bom May 15, 1885. The oldest son, 
Edward Ward, who is a farmer in Bainbridge 
Township, married Hannah M. Scott, by whom 
he had one child, Zelnia. Irene, deceased, was 
the wife of Pulaski Reeves, and left a daughter 
who married Clarence Iiobinson, a farmer. Cy- 
rus, who follows farming in Cowley County, 
Kan., married Josie Somaster, and is the father 
of four children, — Clinton, Wilbur, Olie and 
Frank. James Ward, a farmer of Bainbridge 
Township, is the husband of Estella Persinger, 
and they have four children, — Bettie, Ralph, 
Delia and Irene. George E. Ward, a resident of 
Huntsville, 111., married Sophrouia Johnson, by 
whom he has three children, — Otis, Lelia and 
Brook. Robert Ward, a farmer in Bainbridge 
Township, married Ruth Hatfield, and has one 
child, — Vail. Ezra Ward, who farms in the 
same township, is the husband of Ada Gregg, 
who has borne him five children, — Earl. Viola. 
Olive, Gladys and Herman. Cora Ward, who 
died April 23, 1906, was the wife of Henry 
Ambrosius. and left one child, — Carl Clayton. 
Clarence Ward is the owner and operator of the 
old home farm in Section 10, Bainbridge Township, 
which he keeps in perfect condition. The second 
daughter, Cora, was a graduate of the Rushville 
.•mil Norma] Colleges, and later, finished a course 
in stenography and typewriting. For two years, 
she held the office of Deputy County Clerk of 
S( -imyler County, and for an equal period (until 
September 27, 1905) was a bookkeeper and 
stenographer in the Bank of Schuyler County. 

The father of this interesting family was a 
man whose kindly suggestious and wise counsel 
many of the younger men of the township have 
often heeded with substantial profit to them- 
selves, and his memory is warmly cherished by 
scores who were the recipients of his generous 
benefactions. 

WEAVER, Samuel, has lived in Schuyler Coun- 
ty, 111., almost three score and ten years, and his 
experience nearly covers all the stages of the 



county's development from a wild and desolate 
region to its present material, moral and intel- 
lectual status among the communities of the 
State. Not many of the contemporaries of his 
childhood still remain to share with him his 
reminiscences of early days. He was born in 
Littleton Township, Schuyler County, February 
23, 1838, and is a son of John and Polly (Fow- 
ler) Weaver, natives of Kentucky and Tennes- 
see, respectively. His grandparents were Sam- 
uel and (Bollinger) Weaver, and Isaac 

and Elsie Fowler. The marriage of John 
Weaver and Polly Fowler took place in the 
South, and in 1830, they traveled northward by 
wagon to a point near Springfield, 111., where 
they sojourned for a year, then moving to the 
vicinity of Rushville, Schuyler County, and after 
spending another year there, locating in Section 
19, Littleton Township. John Weaver entered 
up a tract of 160 acres of Government laud, 
most of which was covered with timber or brush, 
and after clearing and improving the place, fol- 
lowed farming many years, adding in the course 
of time 30 acres to his original pre-emption. On 
this farm he died in April, 1876, Polly (Fowler) 
Weaver, the companion of his pioneer toil, hav- 
ing passed away about the year 1851. He was 
married a second time, wedding Parnissa Mor- 
rison, whose death occurred in 1893. John Wea- 
ver was the father of six sons and four daughters 
by his first marriage, of whom the subject of 
this personal record is the sixth in order of birth. 
Isaac died in infancy, and six are still living, as 
follows : Mrs. Cyrus Fowler, a widow, residing 
in McDonough County, 111. ; Peter Weaver, whose 
home is in Brooklyn Township, Schuyler Coun- 
ty ; Mrs. Richard Ban Bevers, a widow living at 
Littleton, 111. ; Samuel, to whom the present 
writing pertains; Mrs. R. B. Daniels, a widow, 
of Littleton Township; and Mrs. William 
Chockley. a resident of Kansas, living at Iola. 
In politics, the head of this family was a Dem- 
ocrat, and in religion, a Primitive (or Old 
School) Baptist. 

Samuel Weaver was reared ou the paternal 
farm, receiving his education mainly in the sub- 
scription schools. He remained with his parents 
until the time of his marriage, after which he 
lived one year in McDonough County. At the 
end of this period he moved to Brooklyn Town- 
ship, Schuyler County, and was domiciled one 
year in the old sehoolhouse, subsequently occu- 
pying various places in the township. For three 
years, he and his wife were residents of the 
village of Brooklyn, where he owned a house 
and three lots, which he sold. In 1876, he bought 
his present farm of 120 acres in Section 23, 
Brooklyn Township, having had a lease of the 
property for five years previous to becoming its 
owner. Only a small portion of the place was 
cleared. — about ten acres. He has removed the 
brush and timber from SO acres, adding more 
land to his original purchase, until he now has 
200 acres, — 160 being in Section 23, and the rest 
in Section 26. Besides general farming, he has 
devoted his attention to raising horses, cattle, 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEB ( OUNTY. 



963 



sheep and hogs. Since 1905, he has lived some- 
what in retirement, attending to that portion of 
his land which is in meadow, hut renting out the 
part under cultivation. He has 40 acres of 
solid timber in Section 26 ; and 40 acres in Sec- 
tion 23, three-quarters cleared. 

The marriage of Mr. Weaver took place Octo- 
ber 5, 1857, Adelia H. Daniels, a woman of 
admirable traits of character, becoming his wife. 
Mrs. Weaver was born in Rushville Township, 
Schuyler County, September 17, 1838, and is a 
daughter of Paul and Lydia (Manlove) Daniels, 
natives of North Carolina, where also originated 
her maternal grandparents, William and Nancy 
.Manlove. The father and mother of Mrs. Wea- 
ver settled near Rushville, Schuyler County, at 
an early period, Mr. Daniels owning 120 acres 
of land in Brooklyn and Littleton Townships. 
He departed this life in 1900, his wife having 
passed away in 1894. Seven children resulted 
from the union of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver, as fol- 
lows : Eldridge. born August 13, 1858, whose 
business is that of a traveling salesman ; Alphe- 
us. born March 11, 1860, who lives in Brooklyn 
Township; Georgietta, born February 1, 1802, 
deceased June 17, 1S69; Everett, born October 5, 
1864, whose home is in Lemoine Township, Mc- 
Donough County. 111.; Orville, born October 11, 
1872; Delorious, born January 1, 1874; and Cor- 
nelia, born November 5. 1877. The last three 
are at home. The names of the three deceased 
brothers of Mr. Weaver are, — Harrison, who 
died in 187S, at the age of 78 years; Thomas, 
who died in 1894, aged 65 years, and Joseph, 
whose death occurred in 1SS5. when he was 30 
years old. 

In politics, Mr. Weaver is identified with the 
Democratic party, and has served on the town- 
ship board and the central committee of his 
party. His religious connection, as also that of 
his estimable wife, is with the Primitive Baptist 
Church, in which he has olliciated as deacon 
since 1887. He and Mrs. Weaver are deeply re- 
spected by all who know them. 

WEBSTER, John L. — Among the leading men 
whose residence in Rushville and vicinity is of 
long standing, and who are esteemed alike for 
their worthy traits of character and the good 
influence they have exerted while promoting the 
best interests of the community, none are better 
known than John L. Webster, by occupation a 
contractor and builder. Mr. Webster was born 
in Oakland Township. Schuyler County. HI.. 
October 14. 1845, a son of Thomas Mathew and 
Susan (Hills) Webster, the former of whom was 
born in England, as was also his father, .Mathew 
Webster. At Marylabone Church, London, 
Mathew Webster was united in marriage to Hes- 
ter Miller, born in Gloucestershire, England, and 
who became the mother of Henry Mathew. Nan- 
cy, Thomas Mathew and George Mathew Web- 
ster. Of this family Henry Webster only failed 
to come to the United States, and his presenl 
whereabouts are unknown, his last address hav- 
ing been Adelaide, Australia. Mathew Webster, 



Si\, was -a sailor by profession, and in this capac- 
ity put into many ports and traversed many 
seas. His nautical career was brought to a close 
because of a fractured leg, and his daughter, 
Nancy, has a snuff box, made from a piece of 
wood taken from his ship. Nancy married John 
Schoder. in the north of England, but now lives 
in the United States. Thomas Mathew Webster 
was a carpenter by trade, but followed farming 
as an alternate occupation. He came to America 
as a young man. settling in Illinois, where he 
met his future wife, and where his death oc- 
curred in 1840, his wife surviving him until 
1873. They were the parents of the following 
children : John L. ; William, of Grundy County, 
Mo. ; and Mathew, who was killed by a live wire 
in October, 1903, at Elmwood, 111. 

John L. Webster enjoyed the advantages of 
the public schools of Buena Vista Township, 
and in I860 began learning the trade of carpen- 
tering with Amos Sylvester, a well known con- 
tracting builder of Rushville. Possessing marked 
mechanical skill, he developed into a master 
workman, and in time enjoyed a large patronage 
in different parts of the county, erecting dwell- 
ings, barns, outbuildings and doing general car- 
penter work. At the present time he has a con- 
tinually increasing business, and although hav- 
ing reached sixty-two years of age. is still vigor- 
ous and active, taking as much pleasure in the 
accuracy and excellence of his work as when it 
was a new and necessary resource. In the town 
and county are many monuments to his skill and 
artistic ability, and he has contributed a large 
and commendable share toward the making of 
his pleasant and thrifty surroundings. 

The first wife of Mr. Webster formerly was 
Ellen R. Montgomery, daughter of Clayton and 
Julia (Morris) Montgomery, natives of Ken- 
tucky, and early settlers of Schuyler County. 
The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Webster were 
as follows; Nathan S., of Rushville; Martha, 
wile of L. W. Sloat, of Rushville; Melvina. wife 
of William McCrady, of Fort Madison, Iowa. 
Mrs. Webster died April 11, 1895, and March 21, 
1897, Mr. Webster was united in marriage to 
Margaret V. Fields, a native of Virginia, and 
born February 21, 1866, a daughter of George I. 
and Ellen P. Fields, the former editor of the 
Versailles (111.) Enterprise. In early life Mrs. 
Webster was converted and united with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she ever 
after was a most devout member. Her sudden 
death, January 1. 1907. was entirely unexpected, 
as the night before she had appeared in excel- 
lent spirits and had entertained friends at her 
home. During the early hours of the following 
morning her husband was aroused by her heavy 
breathing, and she sank into unconsciousness, 
from which the best medical aid procurable 
failed to arouse her. She passed painlessly 
away at 1 o'clock the same afternoon, and wis 
buried January 3. with the service of the church 
to which she was so devoted. The first Mrs. 
Webster was the mother of the following chil- 
dren: Harry, who married Frances K. Farrer 



964 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEH COUNTY. 



and has two children. Bear] and Yaugh; Clayton 
M., of Chicago. 111., who married Etta Severns 
and has one sou. Wayne; Nellie <!., wife of Har- 
ry Fritzell, connected with the rural free de- 
livery out of Rushville ; Susan, who married 
Edward Henley and has two sous, Paul and 
Ray. being afterwards married to Charles Tacke, 
of Springfield, by whom she had one son, Charles 
J. ; and Juliette, wife of Harvey K. Allen, in the 
office of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- 
road at Kansas City. Mo., and mother of Hazel 
and Nellie Allen. 

In politics Mr. Webster is a stanch adherent 
of the Democratic party, and he has been closely 
identified with its local undertakings. He now 
is filling his sixth term as Justice of the Peace, 
aggregating in all a period of twenty-four years, 
formerly having served as Town Trustee and 
Alderman of the First Ward of Rushville. Iu 
religion he is a Baptist and fraternally is con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. Few men in Rushville and the surround- 
ing country are unfamiliar with the name of 
John L. Webster, and he commands the respect 
and good will of all classes of people. 

WEIGHTMAN, William.— Within the present 
limits of the city of Indianapolis, Ind., where 
now stand city homes with every modern con- 
venience, more than seventy-five years ago there 
stood a log cabin surrounded by 120 acres of 
land, the typical homestead of a pioneer, strug- 
gling to earn a livelihood for his family. In this 
little home was born William Weightman Janu- 
ary 27, 1826, and all of his early associations 
cluster around that Indiana farm, where his 
parents, Robert and Temperance (Arnold) 
Weightman, endured the vicissitudes incident to 
frontier existence. The father, a native of Shef- 
field, England, had immigrated to the United 
States about 1824 and had settled iu Marion 
County, Ind., where he met and married 
Miss Arnold, a native of Pennsylvania. When 
their eldest son, William, was a boy of thirteen 
years, they removed to Illinois in 1830 and set- 
tled on Section 21, in Camden Township. Schuy- 
ler County, where the father secured 320 acres 
in one body, besides acquiring 120 acres where 
William now makes his home. 

During the first few years of the family's res- 
idence in Illinois there occurred nothing to dis- 
courage their ambitious hopes. Hardships were 
many, but the true pioneer never allowed him- 
self to be disheartened by them. However, after 
a number of years death came to break up the 
happy family circle, faking from the home the 
self-sacrificing and devoted father. It was in 
the summer of 1840 that his death occurred and 
in April of the following year the widow re- 
turned to her old home near Indianapolis, where 
she died about 1848. There were six sons and 
two daughters in the family, but the first-liorn 
alone survives. After the death of the father 
he took charge of the land, which had no build- 
ings excepting a log cabin and a log stable. 

The marriage of William Weightman and Mar- 



tha J. Brown was solemnized May 27, 1847. 
For more than sixty years they have been spared 
in happy married life and, by industry and 
cheerful optimism, they have been a blessing, 
each to the other, and both to their children and 
their large circle of friends. In their present 
comfortable home, surrounded by those conve- 
niences that contribute to the welfare of man- 
kind, they look back over a long vista of years 
and delight to recount to their descendants sto- 
ries of the early days. It was the mother's duty 
to spin the wool and weave the cloth from which 
were made the garments worn by the children. 
Often her work kept her busy until late at night, 
and to secure a light by which to sew was no 
easy task. Tallow candles had not yet become 
eommou, and she provided a substitute by scrap- 
ing out a turnip and filling the hole with lard 
and a wick. When candles were brought first 
to the home all were delighted with them, nor 
was the later change to kerosene received with 
less pleasure. Since then they have witnessed 
the evolution of gas and electricity, so that their 
long lives practically have comprehended the 
development of all the modem methods of 
lighting. 

The wife of William Weightman was born in 
Morgan County, 111., September 14, 1829, a 
daughter of John and Sarah (Points) Brown, 
by whom she was brought to Schuyler County in 
1S32, and since that year her home has been in 
Camden Township. Of her ten children all but 
one were born in the little log cabin that stood 
on the farm. Inheriting a vigorous mentality 
and sturdy constitutions from their parents, 
they aided materially in the upbuilding of the 
family fortunes and their labors received due rec- 
ognition from their parents who deeded to them 
portions of the farm of 440 acres, reserving for 
their own use the 100 acres on which they began 
housekeeping. There are now thirty-three grand- 
children and nineteen great-grandchildren, all 
of whom unite in giving to the aged couple ven- 
eration and thoughtful care. 

Of the ten Weightman children, Sarah T. died 
at fourteen years of age and John at thirty-nine ; 
Nancy A. is the wife of Alonzo Belldon, a farm- 
er of Camden Township; Lizzie married J. R. 
Lawson, also a farmer of Camden Township ; 
Charles, who married Sarah Starkweather, lives 
near the old homestead ; William, who married 
Lillie Starkweather, is engaged in farming at 
Kiowa, Okla. ; Mrs. Maria J. Auld and her hus- 
band. Rev. Auld, both deceased, are survived by 
two sons, Carl and Charles Auld ; Jemima is the 
wife of John W. Marlow, a farmer of Camden 
Township ; Laura May ( Mrs. Henry Heicher- 
nian) is living in Spokane, Wash.; and Sophia 
G. is the wife of Henry Marlow, a farmer of 
Camden Township. 

Into the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Weightman 
religion has brought its ennobling and elevating 
influence. From the early days they have been 
earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and, as far as possible, have been active 
in Sundav-school and church work. Their home 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



965 



was the headquarters of the circuit-riders in the 
days when they were prominent in the develop- 
ment of the church. Often religious meetings 
were held in the Welghtman log cabin, but after 
a sehoolhouse was built, meetings were usually 
held there until a house of worship was erected. 
When the quarterly conferences were held the 
latch-string of the Weightman cabin was hung 
on the outside and no visitor was refused enter- 
tainment. Although there were only two beds 
in the house, as many as nine guests were often 
entertained overnight. The ministers who came 
as guests showed the same cheerful acceptance 
of circumstances, and the same appreciation of 
hospitality that those pioueer preachers displayed 
in every event of their self-sacrificing careers ; 
so that, crowded though the pioueer home might 
be, the departure of these itinerants was always 
a source of regret to the family into whose iso- 
lated lives they brought renewed religious zeal 
and the joy of uplifting companionship. In the 
twilight of his useful life Mr. Weightman quietly 
but often turns toward the past, reflecting upon 
the changes which it has been his lot to witness, 
— the building up of churches, the improvement 
of farms, the growth of his community, the de- 
velopment of thriving villages, and the many oth- 
er transformations which time has wrought. Poli- 
tics has interested him to a considerable degree 
and be has given his support to principles sup- 
ported by the Democratic party : yet he is not 
narrow in his political views, being a man of 
liberal opinions and broad ideas. Long after he 
and his wife shall have been called from the 
scenes of earth, their memory will be green in 
the hearts of their descendants, and thir names 
will be recorded in the annals of the township, 
in the development of which they have ever 
proved active and efficient co-workers. 

WEINBERG, Moses. — The enterprise which im- 
parts to the city of Rushville, Schuyler County. 
III., its principal commercial activity, and invests 
the place with a large proportion of its tone and 
prestige as a business center, is the stock yards 
there located. The master spirit of this busy 
mart of trade is the gentleman to whom this 
writing pertains, and it is his acumen, broad 
mental grasp and tireless energy that furnish 
the key-note of success in one of the most impor- 
tant undertakings in that section of the State. 
The name of Moses Weinberg is associated far 
and wide with the extent and magnitude of the 
operation of the Rushville stock yards. 

Mr. Weinberg was born in Augusta, Hancock 
County. III., in 185ft. His father and mother, 
Simon and Louisa (Juergens) Weinberg, were 
natives of Germany. Simon Weinberg, who was 
a merchant by occupation, came to the United 
States when he was 20 years of age. At first 
he located in Pittsburg. Pa., and from that city- 
went to Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1856 he established 
his home in Augusta. 111., where he was engaged 
in the merchandise business until 1S75. when 
he retired from active pursuits. He departed 
this life in June. 1001. bis wife having passed 



away in October, 1896. They were the parents 
of eighteen children, thirteen of whom are living. 

In early youth, Moses Weinberg attended the 
public schools of Augusta, 111., and completed his 
education at Knox College, in Galesburg. His 
first occupation after finishing his studies was in 
the line of butchering and stock dealing. In 
1897 he left Augusta aud located in Rushville, 
111., where he identified himself with the trade 
of the stock yards. In this connection, his career 
has been one of phenomenal success. Through 
his dominating influence these yards have not 
only held the stock trade of the neighboring 
townships, that naturally teuds to Rushville, but 
have attracted much of the marketing breeders 
in McDonough and Brown Counties, for a dis- 
tance of twenty-live miles. The arrangements 
and facilities of the yards are such, through Mr. 
Weinberg's sagacious manipulation of matters, 
that fanners ordinarily obtain better prices, be- 
sides the saving of transportation and other 
expenses incident to shipping elsewhere on their 
own account. The thorough knowledge of details 
acquired by him in twenty-five years' experience 
in this branch of trade, lias enabled Mr. Wein- 
berg to be of inestimable service to the stock 
farmers who patronize him. at the same time 
subserving his own interests to a highly profit- 
able degree. His personal transactions in live 
stock amount to more than $400,000 annually, 
his own yards are three acres in extent, anil bis 
sheds will accommodate 30 car loads of stock. 
The stock shipments of the Rushville yards 
sometimes require five extra trains weekly. Mr. 
Weinberg's name is familiar as a household 
word to all stock raisers in Schuyler County, by 
whom it is recognized as a synonym of fair deal- 
ing and equitable treatment. lie maintains a 
hospitable home, and entertains his guests in a 
most genial and cordial manner. 

On April 24, 1886, Mr. Weinberg was united 
in marriage in Birmingham Township, Schuyler 
County, with Flora Bolton Hobble, a daughter 
of John C. and Elizabeth Bolton, who was born 
in the State of Pennsylvania. Seven children 
have resulted from this union, namely : Nina, 
Margaret, Simon, Flora, Elizabeth, Jacob Her- 
bert and Solomon. Mrs. Weinberg has one son, 
Arthur Hobble, by a previous marriage. 

In politics, Mr. Weinberg is a supporter of 
the Democratic party, although the exacting du- 
ties of his extensive business forbid any active 
participation in political affairs. 

WELLS, William, who is the owner of one 
of the largest and best improved farms in Schuy- 
ler County, 111., on which he has pursued 
his wonted occupation lor a number of years, 
is a native of the locality where he now resides, 
being born in Littleton Township. Schuyler 
County. September .".0, 1853. Mr. Wells is a son 
of Rensselaer and Rebecca (Rose) Wells, the 
birth of the father having occurred in Ohio, and 
that of the mother, in Kentucky. They were 
the parents of six sons and one daughter, of 
whom the subject of this personal record is the 



966 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



third in order of birth. Until Mr. W. Wells 
reached the age of eighteen years, lie was a 
pupil in the Garrison district school, and a mem- 
ber of the home circle. At that period he began 
farming for himself on his lather's place, and in 
course of time became the owner of 520 acres 
of land, of which 300 acres lie in Oakland Town- 
ship, and the remaining 100 acres, in Littleton 
Township. In 1800 he moved to his present lo- 
cation in Section 25, Littleton Township, where 
in 1899, he built a story-and-a-balf frame house, 
containing eight rooms and a cellar. About 200 
acres of his farm are under cultivation and 55 
acres are timber land, the rest being left for 
grazing. He is engaged in diversified farming, 
and besides his general operations, devotes con- 
siderable attention to raising Aberdeen cattle, 
feeding from 80 to 100 head per year. He is a 
man of vigorous, enterprising and progressive 
nature, and all his undertakings have been at- 
tended by profitable results. 

On January 8, 1S95, Mr. Wells was united in 
marriage with Martha Blodgett, who was born 
in Frederick Township, Schuyler County. 111.. 
April 11, 1808, where in girlhood, she received 
her education in the district schools. Mrs. Wells 
is a daughter of Ira and Hannah (Garrison) 
Blodgett, natives of Vermont and Ohio, respect- 
ively. Her paternal grandparents, Harvey and 
Lavina (Arnold) Blodgett, were Vermonters by 
nativity, while Lewis and Martha (Van Horn) 
Garrison, her grandparents on the maternal side, 
were bora in Ohio, their parents having come 
from Germany at an early date in the last cen- 
tury. Four children have, resulted from the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Wells, as follows : Wil- 
liam Clarence, born February 29, 1890; Carl 
Roscoe, born May 9, 1899 ; Lewis B., born August 
25, 1901 ; and Anna Mary, born December 27, 
1902. 

In politics, Mr. Wells is a supporter of the 
Democratic party, although not active in polit- 
ical contests, and entertaining no ambition for 
public office. He takes, however, an intelligent 
and discriminating interest in civic affairs, and 
is faithful to all the obligations recognized by a 
dutiful and useful citizen. Mrs. Wells is a 
woman of much amiability and worthy traits of 
character, and enjoys the cordial regard of nu- 
merous friends. 

WELLS, Randolph R., a well known general 
farmer and stock-raiser of extensive landed pos- 
sessions and high reputation, has pursued his 
wonted calling in Oakland Township, Schuyler 
County. 111., for thirty-five years. He was bora 
in Littleton Township, in the same county, May 
IS, 1847, a son of Rensselaer and Rebecca (Rose) 
Wells, natives of Ohio and Illinois, respectively. 
The paternal grandfather, Charles Wells, after 
the death of his wife, the grandmother of Ran- 
dolph R., moved to Rushville, 111., where he died. 
Rensselaer Wells was born in Lorain County. 
Ohio. February 22. 182::, and his wife. Rebecca 
(Rose) Wells, was born in Morgan County. 111., 
August 2S, 1820. The former came to Illinois 



in 1834 with his lather, settling iu Littleton 
Township, Schuyler County. Rebecca Rose came 
to Schuyler County with her parents, who were 
also natives of Lorain County, Ohio, whence they 
tirst moved to Morgan County, 111., afterwards 
becoming leading citizens of Schuyler County. 
The marriage of the young people took place in 
Littleton Township, in 1844. The lather died 
March 22, 1905, his wife having passed away 
March 28, 1890. Rensselaer Wells was a model 
tanner and exemplary citizen. Starting out 
early in life with nothing but a determination to 
succeed, he followed farming until he became 
one of the most extensive landholders in Little- 
ton Township, owning at one time about 500 
acres. In politics, he was a stanch Democrat, 
and took an earnest interest in the affairs of 
the township and county, tilling various public 
offices. He was a member of the Board of Super- 
visors from Littleton Township. Impelled by 
generous sympathies, he was ever ready to lend 
a helping hand to the needy, and prompt to con- 
tribute to every worthy cause. He enjoyed the 
esteem and confidence of all who made his ac- 
quaintance. Of the family to which he belonged, 
but one member is left, Mrs. McGinnis, a resi- 
dent of Princeton, 111. Rebecca (Rose) Wells, 
wife of Rensselaer Wells, came of a family of 
excellent standing, her lather, Randolph Rose, 
being one of the most prosperous and prominent 
farmers of his locality. Six children were the 
result of their union, as follows : George W., 
a retired farmer now living in the village of Lit- 
tleton, III.; Randolph R. ; John William, a farm- 
er, of Littleton Township ; David D., a resident 
ol Quincy, 111. ; Charles D., who lives in Little- 
ton Township; and Mary Alice, who married 
Aaron Danner, a farmer of this township, living 
on the old farm first operated by Grandfather 
Charles Wells in 1834. 

Randolph R. Weils was reared to farm life in 
Littleton Township, attending the district schools 
in the vicinity of his home and assisting in work 
on the farm. He remained on the home place 
until the time of his marriage, being then about 
25 years old. Immediately after this event, he 
located on a farm of 100 acres which he had pre- 
viously purchased in Section 3,0, Oakland Town- 
ship, known as the "Billingsly farm." It was 
wild land, and he first devoted his attention to 
clearing it ol timber and brush, and preparing 
it for cultivation. In the years succeeding, be 
has finely improved the property, and now has 
one of the most attractive homes in the town- 
ship, having built a spacious and comfortable 
residence, 54 by 54 feet in ground dimensions, 
and put up other buildings of corresponding dura- 
bility and convenience. To his original purchase 
he lias added, at intervals, until he is now the 
owner ol 404 acres in one body, all lying in 
Oakland Township. Through energy, integrity 
and wise management, he has acquired a hand- 
some competency, and is recognized by all as 
one ol the leading agriculturists ol Schuyler 
County. 

The marriage ol Mr. Weils took place January 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



907 



31, 1SS3, on which date Emma D. Ellis became 
his wife. -Mrs. Wells, who is a woman of supe- 
rior intelligence and excellent trails of character, 
was bom in Oakland Township, August 28, lsi'.'J. 
a daughter of James and Margaret Ellis, natives 
of Kentucky. Further particulars in regard to 
the history of her family may be found in a 
biographical record of James D. Ellis, appearing 
on another page of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wells have had four children, as follows: Laura, 
born April <j. 1884 ; Jesse E., born January 10, 
1887; Nina, born October 3, 1890; and Roy K., 
born June 7, 1S94. Laura is the wife of Jay 
True Dodds, a farmer of Littleton Township, by 
whom she has one child, Maxime. Jesse E., who 
has received an education fitting him for almost 
any position in life, is in charge of the home 
farm. Nina died in infancy ; and Roy R. died 
at the age of four years. The mother of this 
family is a communicant of the Christian 
Church, and while the father is not a church 
member, he has contributed liberally from his 
ample means towards the support of evangelical 
work, besides being a generous promoter of all 
enterprises designed to advance the best inter- 
est of the township and county. In politics, Mr. 
Wells is a Democrat, but has never sought polit- 
ical preferment, having, on the contrary, stead- 
fastly declined to become a candidate for public 
office. He is one of the foremost figures in the 
rural life of Schuyler County. 

WHEAT, John (deceased), was, at the time of 
his death, one of the oldest farmers and stock- 
raisers in Schuyler County, 111., his arrival in 
the county dating back to the early years in the 
history of the county, and bis long-extended life 
covering all stages of the development of this 
region from a barren wild to its present prosper- 
ous condition. Mr. Wheat was a native of the 
State of Kentucky, where he was born January 
6, 1817, a son of Joseph II. and Mary A. (Cecil) 
Wheat, also Kentuckians by nativity. He was 
brought by his mother with other members of 
the family to Schuyler County, in 1830, his father 
having died in Kentucky. His mother finally 
passed away in Schuyler County. 

Mr. Wheat was reared to the life of a farmer, 
and on attaining his maturity, located in Little- 
ton Township, where he followed farming for a 
number of years on land which he rented, after- 
wards buying farms in several different locali- 
ties, at intervals, on which he pursued his wonted 
vocation with uniform success. Ultimately, dis- 
posing of his farming interests, he withdrew 
from active pursuits, and on March 1, 1902, pur- 
chased a home in the village of Littleton, where 
he took up his residence, and where his worthy 
and respected widow now lives. 

The marriage of John Wheat took place June 9, 
1N4'_*. on whirh date be was joined in wedlock with 
Julia Snyder, who was horn in Hancock County, 
Ky.. July 29. 1822. Mrs. Wheat is a daughter 
of David and Cassandra (Walker) Snyder, na- 
tives of the Blue Grass State. Her parents jour- 
neyed from Kentucky to Illinois in 1830, set- 



tling in Littleton Township, Schuyler County. 
David Snyder was a farmer by occupation, and 
became the owner of hundreds of acres of land, 
which he entered from the Government. He 
was accounted one of the substantial farmers 
and prominent citizens of his day. Fourteen 
children resulted from the union of John Wheat 
and Julia Snyder, as follows: Ann Minerva 
(Mrs. Thomas Payne), who died in August, 1903; 
David II., who died in March. 1905; Margaret, 
widow of James Irvin, who is at home with her 
mother; Mary, deceased, a twin sister of Mar- 
garet; John. John (II.) and George, all of 
whom died in infancy ; Luella, who became the 
wife of Jesse Hale, and lives in Littleton Town- 
ship ; Laura F., who dwells under the paternal 
roof ; Joseph William, whose home is in Sher- 
lock, Iowa ; and four others. The lather of this 
family departed this life March 28. 1902. Dur- 
ing the period of his activity he was a man of 
untiring industry and left a record for rectitude 
of conduct and a business career beyond re- 
proach. The declining years of his faithful com- 
panion, who has been a witness of marvelous 
changes in Schuyler County since the days of 
her girlhood, are solaced by the tender care of 
her surviving daughters and the cordial esteem 
of many friends. 

WHEELHOUSE, Robert— The breeding of 
Shorthorn cattle, which, because of their value 
for beef and dairy purposes, forms one of the 
most paying and satisfactory of farming special- 
ties, is being vigorously promoted in Rushville 
Township, Schuyler County, 111., by Robert 
Wheelhouse, one of the early and successful 
farmers of the county. Mr. Wheelhouse, who 
was born in Yorkshire, England, November 13, 
1S22, has no recollection whatever of his native 
land, for when only four years old he was 
brought to this country in a sailing vessel by 
his parents Robert and Hannah Wheelhouse, 
who settled in the wilds of Ohio, and turned 
their attention to fanning on Government land. 

Robert Wheelhouse was reared among sur- 
roundings which developed both his muscle and 
self dependence. His education has been largely 
self acquired, owing to the numerous tasks which 
confronted him in his youth, and which per- 
mitted his attendance at the subscription school 
of his neighliorhood only irregularly, if at all, 
during the winter months. In 1845, at the earlj 
age of twenty-three, he married Margaret, daugh- 
ter of Samuel Deweese, of < >hio, and five of 
the children of this union are living: Margaret, 
Caroline, Samuel. George ami Robert. After 
his marriage Mr. Wheelhouse settled down to 
general farming in Rushville Township, leading 
an uneventful life until the craze for gold during 
the middle of the last century created a general 
discontent with the slow and laborious methods 
of money getting. By no means immune from 
confidence in the opportunities thus presented on 
the Pacific coast, be made the long trip across 
the plains, with his wife and four children, dur- 
ing the summer of 1853, traveling in a covered 



968 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



wagon drawn by oxen, and enjoying the advan- 
tage of ample provisioning and equipment. On 
the journey the Indians often came to the wagon 
for food, and through the generosity thus ex- 
tended, and the kindness exercised, he avoided 
many of he trials and dangers which beset the 
pathway of the early Argonauts. After five 
months of sleeping under the stars or in the 
rough wagon, the party arrived at the mines, 
where Mr. Wheelhouse secured work for a time, 
and eventually rented 300 acres of land along 
Feather River. This property was extremely 
fertile, and in consequence the western experi- 
ence of the erstwhile miner was profitable and 
pleasant. He made a specialty of barley, wheat 
and garden truck, and his first barley and wheat 
crops consisted of 4.000 and 1.000 bushels, re- 
spectively. The garden truck covered a ten-acre 
patch, and contained all of the vegetables and 
small fruits which would grow in that part of 
the country. Regular mining prices prevailed, 
practically everything being sold by the pound 
at figures that would astonish the central west- 
ern farmer of the present. All vegetables were 
the cents a pound, barley six cents and wheat the 
same, potatoes being sold in hundred-pound sacks 
at ten cents a pound. For these products. Mr. 
Wheelhouse realized about $1,000 an acre. Dur- 
ing five years and three months Mr. Wheelhouse 
availed himself of this splendid opportunity, and 
at the expiration of that time, in the autumn of 
1859, he set sail with his family for Panama, 
being twenty-three days on the water. There 
were 400 passengers, all homeward bound from 
the mines and farms of the Pacific States, and of 
these but twelve appeared for breakfast after the 
boat had gotten into the gulf. Crossing the 
Isthmus of Panama, the party landed in New 
York harbor on Friday, and the following Mon- 
day Mr. Wheelhouse started for his old home in 
Ohio, intent ui>on visiting the friends and rela- 
tives whom he had left behind in Licking County. 

In the spring of 1S59 Mr. Wheelhouse said 
good by to his friends in Ohio and journeyed to 
Schuyler County, loading his little family into 
a wagon, and during the trip camping by the 
roadside. He was in a position to start farming 
under the most favorable auspices, as he had 
done well in the West, and felt in fine humor 
with himself and the world in general. Taking 
up 140 acres of laud, forty acres of which was 
in timber, and the rest under the plow, he began 
to build and purchase stock, starting with 33 
head of sheep and 65 head of cattle, including 
four milch cows, for which he paid $7 a head, 
and some yearling steers which cost him $4 per 
head. In all ways he has added to his farming 
enterprise, until today he owns 420 acres of 
land, unquestionably as fertile and productive 
as any in the Central West. He has been one of 
the influential and prosperous farmers of the 
township, setting an inspiring example of indus- 
try, good judgment, good heart and good purpose. 

While absent on his western trip, Mr. Wheel- 
house's circle of loved ones was narrowed by the 
death of his lather in Des Moines. Iowa, in 



1854, and of his mother, in 1S57. There remain 
at present, however, three brothers and two sis- 
ters of the old family, and of these, John, a res- 
ident of Polk City, Iowa, is ninety-three years 
old ; George is eighty -nine years of age, and lives 
in Rushville ; Hannah, the widow of Benjamin 
Bryant of Des Moines, Iowa, is eighty years old ; 
and Jane, widow of Dr. Thomas Campbell, lives 
in St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Wheelhouse is the 
last of her family, her parents and one brother 
having died in Licking County, Ohio, where she 
was born January 11, 1827. Another brother. 
Samuel, died in Schuyler County. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Wheelhouse have been born the following 
children : Caroline, widow of Ezra Walker, liv- 
ing on the farm in Woodstock Township ; Melin- 
da, wife of J. L. Richey. also living on the old 
place with her husband and two children, Frank- 
lin and Margaret; Samuel (deceased), a former 
coal operator of Rushville. who married Jane 
Black; George, a farmer in Woodstock Town- 
ship; Robert W., a farmer in Rushville Town- 
ship, now operating coal lands owned by his 
father in Sections 18-19. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Wheelhouse enjoy good health, and are unusu- 
ally bright and active for people of their years. 
Association with younger people has kept their 
hearts young and their interest in life keen, and 
until about five years ago Mr. Wheelhouse could 
read the newspapers without his glasses. He is 
not a member of any church, but has always con- 
tributed generously of his means to churches 
mid charitable organizations. He has been un- 
willing to serve the community as an office hold- 
er, but has stanchly supported the principles and 
issues of the Democratic party. He likes to 
look back to his rushing, busy days, when he 
kept up high standards of stock-raising, making 
a specialty of hogs and cattle, and at one time 
had a steer weighing 4015 pounds. One year 
he shipped sixty head of Poland China hogs, 
fifty-eight of which averaged 500 pounds, and on 
the market brought their proud owner $2,300. 
He has a pleasant, comfortable home in which 
to dream away the days of leisure, and although 
his farm is rented, he is still interested in its 
productive power, and the reputation which it 
enjoys among the finely developed properties of 
the county. 

WHETSTONE, Marcus.— The qualities which 
have advanced Marcus Whetstone to a foremost 
place among the large landowners, influential 
politicians and prominent promoters of Schuyler 
County, 111., are those which have aided the am- 
bitious man in more or less degree since the be- 
ginning of time. Standing upon the foundation 
of unassailable integrity, good judgment and 
practical industry, this honored agriculturist 
must needs feel the only kind of satisfaction 
worth striving for. that of having been of un- 
questioned use to his fellow men. A man who, 
without special aids or opportunities in his 
youth, can so fashion his purpose as in the years 
to come to be able to bestow upon his progeny 
680 acres of land, and keep for himself a farm 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



969 



sufficient for all his subsequent needs, has il- 
lustrated in truth the best benefits of life and 
labor and service. 

Born in Adams County, 111., March 6, 1838, 
Mr. Whetstone is a son of Abijah and Lueiuda 
(Brunton) Whetstone, natives of the vicinity of 
Cincinnati, Ohio, and who were married in their 
native State. Moving first from Ohio to Indiana, 
the parents, in the summer of 1833, loaded their 
household possessions into a prairie schooner and 
came across the prairies to Schuyler < 'ounty. draw- 
ing rein in the neighborhood of the present city 
of Rushville. Later, they took up their abode in 
the wilderness of Adams County. 111., and in 
1S53. returned- to Schuyler, again taking up 
their residence in Adams County, three years 
later, and still later, moving to Missouri, where 
the father died in 1888. Thereupon the mother 
returned to Augusta, 111., and there spent the 
remainder of her life. She was the parent of 
eleven children, of whom three sons and four 
daughters are living. Of these, Mary was first 
married to William Seward, and later, to Wil- 
liam Johnson, the latter also deceased; Melissa 
E. is the wife of Jacob Working ; Maria is the 
wife of T. Farr ; Eliza J. is the widow of John 
Willis; D. J. lives in Colorado; W. B. is a resi- 
dent of Garden City, Kans. ; and Marcus, of 
Schuyler County. 

Educated in the public schools of Adams 
County, Marcus Whetstone worked hard to learn 
the business of farming, and at the age of 20 
returned to Schuyler County, purchasing in 1858, 
at the age of twenty, 140 acres of land for $2,500. 
Today, after years of careful cultivation, this 
same property is worth eighty dollars an acre. 
Subsequently. Mr. Whetstone's father gave him 
160 acres of land, all of which he improved and 
devoted to general farming and stock-raising. 
In time he added to his possessions until he 
owned 803 acres, all of it valuable and tillable 
land. Possessing far sighted business judgment, 
and directing wisely and practically his efforts, 
he has expected and therefore has succeeded, 
each season adding to his large store of money and 
experience, and advancing him to larger useful- 
ness and influence in the community. 

In 1863 Mr. Whetstone established a home of 
his own, marrying Clara Tarr, who was born in 
Schuyler County, a daughter of Jacob Tarr, 
a thrifty pioneer of Schuyler County, who, with 
his wife, is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Whetstone have been born eight children, of 
whom three daughters and one son are living, 
as follows : Mary Ellen, widow of W. E. Melvin, 
and mother of five daughters and two sons; 
Mattie F., wife of Lewis King, a farmer of 
Huntsville Township; Hattie E., wife of Ray 
Blackburn, living near Brooklyn, Schuyler 
County ; and James G. ("operating his father's 
farm), who married Ida L. Hand. The present 
farm of Mr. Whetstone consists of eighty acres, 
and he has started his children out with gen- 
erous endowments of land and money, besides all 
of the advantages, educationally and otherwise, 
which his means would permit. 



Politically, Mr. Whetstone is non-partisan, 
voting for the man best qualified to serve the 
public welfare. While never seeking or desir- 
ing office, he has adapted himself to practically 
all of the local positions of honor, and among 
other responsibilities close to the needs of his 
fellow townsmen, served nine years on the Board 
of Supervisors. He is a remarkably charitable 
and benevolent man, and many in the county 
owe their early success to his encouragement 
and practical help. Much of simplicity and har- 
mony has attached to his home, business, po- 
litical and social relations, and a lesson in 
strength, endurance, honesty and concentration 
arises from the successful accomplishment of 
his life purpose. 

WHITS0N, George T. — In his struggle for the 
competence which enables him to live in com- 
fortable retirement in Rushville, III., George T. 
Whitson has employed good judgment, honesty 
ami perseverance. Many experiences have 
crowded into his life since he started out to make 
his own way in the world, at the age of twenty- 
two years, having worked until then with his 
father. 

Born in Columbia, Lancaster County, Pa., 
September 14, 1829, his recollections of the 
Quaker State at best are dim, for in 1837 he 
came to Schuyler County, 111., with his parents, 
Benjamin and Susan (Little) Whitson. settling 
on a farm near Rushville. Benjamin Whitson 
was born in Maryland, and his wife in Ireland, 
and the former died in 1867. at the age seventy 
years, while the latter lived to be eighty-four 
years old. 

The limited resources of the family made It 
imperative that George T. Whitson contribute 
to their financial support as soon as possible, 
and he therefore abandoned his schooling at 
the age of sixteen and applied himself to learn- 
ing the plastering trade, which he followed un- 
til his twenty-second year. The craze for gold 
at that time had reached its height throughout 
the country, and in 1852 he joined the great 
army of fortune seekers who were willing to 
suffer all manner of privation for the chance in 
the mines of the Pacific Coast. His was the 
success of the average rather than the excep- 
tional miner, and upon his return to Rushville 
he again took up his trade as a safe and sure 
means of livelihood. In 1864 he made a sec- 
ond visit to the coast country, and in all, spent 
over six years in the West. Through his mar- 
riage to Ermine Patterson, of Kentucky, in Jan- 
uary, 1856, Mr. Whitson allied his fortunes 
with those of another pioneer family, one 
which had also been established In Schuyler 
County, in 1837. Much of the activity of Mr. 
Whitson has been along political lines, and he 
has been a valuable adjunct to the local or- 
ganization of the Democratic party. He was 
elected Sheriff of Schuyler County in 1872. and 
afterwards served as Deputy Sheriff for two 
years under the administration of George W. 
Campbell, and for four years under that of 



970 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



Felix Jackson. From 1881 until 1883, he was 
Deputy Circuit Clerk under W. H. H. Rader, 
and in 1898, he was elected Treasurer of Schuy- 
ler County. He is credited with investing all of 
these offices with dignity, and due regard for the 
welfare of the community which had placed him 
in office. In the face of circumsVinces which 
afforded ample opportunity for personal gain 
at the expense of principle, he kept his standard 
of official integrity high, and furnished no excuse 
for serious criticism. 

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Whitson 
are as follows: George A., carpenter and 
builder, who resides in Rushyille; Carrie E., 
widow of George Bates, a resident of Peoria. 
111. ; Laura A., wife of Charles Bassett, who 
lives in Valley City, N. D. ; Susan M., widow of 
Joshua Parkhouse, whose home is in Los An- 
geles, Cal. ; Louis W., of Valley City, N. D. ; 
Frederick E., of Galesburg. 111. ; and Clifford 
G., deceased. 

In January, 1S64, Mr. Whitson joined the 
Masonic Fraternity, and there is but one mem- 
ber of Rushville Lodge who has been longer 
connected with it than himself. He served the 
lodge as Secretary for more than fourteen years, 
twelve and a half years of this period being con- 
secutive service. 

WHITSON, Wilbur F.— The firm of Whitson & 
Son, established in 1880, and composed of Wil- 
bur F. and James W. Whitson, is one of the larg- 
est concerns in Schuyler County, 111., for the 
breeding of Jersey cattle. Preceding the business 
organization of 18S0 were the years of effort of 
Wilbur F. Whitson. pioneer, and senior member 
of the firm who was born in Columbia County, 
Pa,. September 16, 1836, and who, when a year 
old, was brought up the river to Frederick and 
from there the father walked, the family being 
conveyed in a wagon. He first worked at his 
trade, that of a plasterer, and then bought 80 
acres in Buena Vista Township. He took up his 
residence in Rushville in 1S49, living there until 
his death. Benjamin Whitson was born in Har- 
ford County, Md.. and his wife, whose maiden 
name was Susan Little, was a native of Ire- 
land. Mrs. Benjamin Whitson died in 1S90. 

Mr. Whitson was educated in the public 
schools of Rushville Township, and his youth 
was spent among the crude conditions which 
made the way of the pioneer a hard and self- 
sacrificing one. Several years of his life were 
spent in a rude log cabin, which his father 
erected in the wilderness during the fall of 1840. 
and he was taught to make himself useful around 
the farm at an age when most boys of today 
think their time should be given up to play. 
Thinking that he had outgrown the farm he 
turned his attention to learning the plasterer's 
trade, but finding work with the trowel too 
confining, he returned to farming with renewed 
appreciation of its freedom from restraint and 
independence. He has developed one of the 
finest properties in Schuyler County, has ex- 
cellent buildings, fences and general improve- 



ments, and the seeker might travel far and not 
find so interesting and valuable a collection of 
gentle, beautiful faced Jerseys. His farm con- 
tains 235 acres of land, with ample facilities 
for conducting the large Jersey-cattle business, 
which has brought himself and son into the lime 
light of agricultural publicity. He has taken 
premiums for his stock at State and county fairs, 
and is also extensively engaged in the breeding 
and sale of Poland-China hogs, Southdown 
sheep, of which he has fifty head, and Plymouth 
Rock chickens. There are no better fowls of 
this kind to be found in the State, or any that 
bring higher prices for breeding purposes. The 
entire place is spirited in its. enterprise and 
progressive in its tendencies, and a model of 
what may be achieved by a definite purpose and 
high agricultural ideals. The stock raised on 
this farm are never allowed to fall below grade, 
and each and every animal which makes its 
way to the market is regarded as an advertise- 
ment, and a good one, for the firm it represents. 
In 1S58 Mr. Whitson was united in marriage 
to Alice Taylor, who died in 1861. His second 
wife was Eliza (Bellamy) Whitson, whose death 
occurred in 1904. James W. Whitson is the 
father's only child. Mr. Whitson never has 
sought the honors of political office, although he 
stanchly supports the Democratic party. In 
religion he adheres to the Methodist Episcopal 
faith. He is one of the wealthy and influential 
men of Schuyler County, having a reputation 
for fairness, progressivenes and public spirited- 
ness. He is personally very popular, and enjoys 
the good will and companionship of a large circle 
of friends. The changes that have taken place 
during the past seventy years have been care- 
fully noted by this large hearted and success- 
ful stock-man, and for at least fifty years he 
has been an active factor in bringing about the 
present prosperity. Three score years and ten 
find him the possessor of a cheery disposition, a 
well balanced mind, and a memory stored with 
facts which are indispensable to the complete 
history of Schuyler County. 

WILLARD, Burton 0. — A practical demonstra- 
tion of the results obtainable by a union of 
singleness of purpose, good judgment and large 
capacity for industry is found in the career of 
Burton O. Willard. a legal practitioner of Rush- 
ville, 111., since March, 1805, Chairman of the 
Republican County Committee since 1900, mem- 
ber of the State Board of Education since 1902. 
and Ex-City Attorney. Mr. Willard is a product 
of the farming contingent of Littleton Township, 
Schuyler County, 111., where he was born June 
14, 1868. His remote paternal ancestors pur- 
sued their avocations in England, and the fam- 
ily was first represented in America by his pa- 
ternal great-grandfather. Samuel Willard. who 
settled in Massachusetts. George Willard. the pa- 
ternal grandfather, was born in Boston, and 
married Rachel Garrett, a native of the Hoosier 
State. Patrick Willard, father of Burton 0„ 
was born in Browning, Schuyler County, 111., 



HISTOKY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



971 



and married Anna G. Garrett, a native of Kick- 
apoo, 111., Mrs. Willard was a daughter of 
John Garrett, born in Lexington, Ky., in 1830, 
and Sarah E. (Williamson) Garrett, born in 
Wheeling, W. Va., Her grandparents, Thomas 
J. and Susan (Wagoner) Garrett, were born 
in Lexington, Ky. 

Educated primarily in the public schools Of 
Illinois. Burton O. Willard next entered the 
Rushville Normal College from which he was 
graduated in 1891. From the age of twenty- 
one to twenty-four he both taught and attended 
school, at the same time taking up the study of 
law, which resulted in his admission to the bar 
November 22, 1894. Since attaining maturity 
he has beet increasingly enthusiastic over Re- 
publican polities, and locally has proved one of 
the stanchest and must popular supporters of his 
party. In 1890 he was the unsuccessful candi- 
date for State's Attorney, and in 1807 was 
elected City Attorney, serving two terms. In 
1900 he became Chairman of the Republican 
County Committee, in which capacity he now 
is serving his third term. He was appointed to 
the State Board of Education in 1902 by Gov- 
ernor Yates. In 1900 he represented the Fif- 
teenth Congressional District in the Electoral 
College. 

August 31, 1892, Mr. Willard was united in 
marriage to Ida Barton, a native of Coopers- 
town, 111., and of the union there i* a son, Paul 
B. Mr. Willard is fraternally a Mason, and in 
religion, is a Presbyterian. During the eleven 
years of his residence in Rushville, Mr. Willard 
has maintained the highest tenets of his pro- 
fession, and has proved himself a judicious and 
faithful counselor, and a genial companion, con- 
siderate friend and high-minded gentleman. 

WILLIAMS, Wilburn L.— A recent adjunct to 
the business life of Rushville is the photographic 
studio of Wilburn L. Williams, a young and en- 
thusiastic follower of an art which is in- 
creasingly interesting and broadening. For the 
greater part, Mr. Williams' thirty years of ex- 
istence have been spent in Pana, 111., where 
he was born in 1S75, a son of Wade Hampton 
and Huldah (Briggs) Williams, the former a 
native of North Carolina, and the latter ot 
Missouri. The elder Williams at present is mak- 
bag his home in Mount Sterling, Brown County, 
111. 

Wilburn L. Williams was educated in the 
public schools of Pana, and after graduating 
from the high-school, took a course in a busi- 
ness college in Springfield. In the latter city, 
he served an apprenticeship to a photographer, 
and thereafter worked at his trade in Chicago, 
whence he came to Rushville in 1905. Already he 
has established an encouraging business and 
has met with a generous response from a com- 
munity glad to welcome within its boundaries 
whatever shall tend to its greater growth and 
enlightenment. He has natural artistic tenden- 
cies, developed by constant research and ex- 
perience, and understands to a nicety the sub- 



tleties of lights and shadows, the possibilities ot 
arrangements and the emphasizing of character- 
Mil s through posture and expression. 

In Lincoln, Neb., in 1S98, Mr. Williams was 
united in marriage to Mildred Caruahan, and 
of the union there is a daughter, Helen. Mr. 
Williams is a consistent Democrat, but not in- 
clined to either seek or accept official honors. A 
genial personality Mid keen desire to please are 
among the business qualifications which promise 
increasing success to this popular promoter of 
artistic photography. 

WILSON, Thomas (deceased). — No personality 
which invaded the infant community of Rusli- 
ville in the later 'thirties erected a more en- 
during monument to foresight and business saga- 
city than did that of Thomas Wilson, farmer, 
merchant, banker, churchman, and all-around 
promoter of stable community conditions. For 
seventy years, the firm of Wilson & Company 
has been a central and compelling necessity 
around which has gathered in turn, all of the 
other commercial and industrial enterprises, and 
nearly all of the residences which comprise the 
town of Rushville. and it is not known that any 
other business concern in Schuyler County has 
had so long and continuous a tenure of activity. 
( toe reads in its changing fortunes practically 
the entire history of the settlement. Its first 
modest housing, its few commodities, its sub- 
sequent enlargement and its present prosperity, 
are all landmarks unerringly pointing to the 
law of demand and supply which controls busi- 
ness interests the world over. The oldest living 
settlers never heard of a more jolly meeting 
place than this old store of other days; no 
larger crowds gathered anywhere, outside the 
church, than used to settle upon its cracker 
boxes and barrels and counters, to warm them- 
selves at the ruddy stove and settle, after vig- 
orous and sometimes physical persuasion, the 
weighty questions of local or national import. 
Mr. Wilson himself was the presiding genius 
of the establishment for more than half a cen- 
tury, and carefully guarded its growing import- 
ance from 1837 until his lamented death, in 
189S. 

Thomas Wilson was born in County Tyrone, 
Ireland, in 1812, and in the same county were 
born his parents, Thomas and Jane (Greer) Wil- 
son, whose marriage was solemnized in 1801. 
Thomas Wilson. Sr., was born in 1768, and to 
him is due the distinction of being one of the 
first in that part of Ireland to unite with the 
Methodist Church. His task of promoting that 
faith was not an easy one, for there was much 
opposition in the conservative neighborhood. Mr. 
Wilson was a farmer by occupation and, ac- 
cording to the standard of wealth prevailing in 
the community, was in fairly prosperous circum- 
stances. His son and namesake was reared also 
to farming, but early felt the limitations by 
which he was surrounded, and which, seemingly, 
had satisfied the sinbition of his father. At 
the age of twenty, he took a decided stand in 



972 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



regard to his future, left all that he held dear 
behind him, and came in a sailing-vessel to Amer- 
ica, reaching Philadelphia in the fall of 1S32, 
after a tempestuous voyage of seven weeks. 
After a brief sojourn iu Philadelphia he went 
to Lancaster County, Pa., then to Allegheny 
County, in both of which places he worked as 
a farm hand and saved a little money. Later 
making his way to Pittsburg, he found various 
kinds of employment, and there married, on 
September 18, 1834, Susan Clarke, daughter of 
John Clarke, with whom he continued to live 
iu that city until 1S37, when, during the summer 
of that year, he brought his wife overland in a 
wagon to Schuyler County, 111., and at once es- 
tablished the business with which his name ever 
since has been connected. He had a bard, up- 
hill fight at first, but he was a shrewd buyer, 
a keen observer of the trend of affairs, and an in- 
stinctive judge of human nature. What drew 
him to this locality is a matter of conjecture 
only, but he seems never to have hesitated in his 
plans or, at any time in his career, to have re- 
gretted his course. He drew the horoscope of 
the locality with great foresight, and the com- 
munity may he said to have lived up to his ex- 
pectations. His business placed on a secure 
footing, he sent to the old country for his father, 
mother and other members of his family, but 
the mother sickened and died on the journey, 
and the reunion of which he so long had dreamed 
was therefore incomplete. The father made his 
home with his children in the county, and, at 
the time of his death in December, 1854, was 
living with his son Joseph, then a farmer in Han- 
cock County, 111. 

By 1870 the fortunes of Mr. Wilson had as- 
sumed such substantial proportions that, recog- 
nizing the need of a conservative banking es- 
tablishment, in conjunction with James G. Mc- 
Greery, he established the Farmers and Mer- 
chants Bank of Rushville, which continued un- 
til 1S74, when the business was closed and all 
accounts paid in full. When the Bank of Schuy- 
ler County was established in 1890, Mr. Wilson 
became one of the largest stock-holders and 
first President, serving until his death in 1S08. 

While merchandising and banking consumed 
the business energy of Mr. Wilson, he was no 
less active and influential in church and social 
matters. He was one of the pillars of the 
Methodist Church, was a constant attendant 
and contributed generously of his means to the 
advancement of church interests. He was a gen- 
erous and public-spirited citizen, and many who 
were once downcast and discouraged owe their 
start in life to his sympathy and practical as- 
sistance. His home was one of the hospitable 
places in the county, and the friends who visited 
it and partook of the bounty of the merchant and 
his whole-souled wife, were legion. Having suf- 
ficent of this world's goods, no one ever went 
from his door emptyhanded. There were few 
local enterprises of a worthy nature which did 
not, in some way, profit by his connection, and 
the names of those he helped in his capacity as a 



merchant are unnumbered. He was liberal with 
his credit, and lenient with belated debtors, and 
his patrons, who were temporarily in hard luck, 
were sure of at least the necessities of life. 

The three children now living of Mr. and Mrs. 
Wilson are : Anna Jane, the wife of James 
I'. Clark, a retired merchant of Springfield ; John 
C. who is a large land-owner and lives on a 
farm adjoining Rushville on the east; and 
Amelia, the wife of John L. Sweeney, present 
owner of the dry -goods establishment founded by 
Mr. Wilson in 1837, and which is still operated 
under the firm name of Wilson & Company. 
Eleanor, a gifted and beautiful daughter of Mr. 
ami Mrs. Wilson, after completing her education 
at Montieello Female Seminary, at Godfrey,Ill., re- 
turned to her home, was taken ill with a battling 
disease, and died at the early age of twenty- 
two. She had been the joy and sunshine of the 
household, a student of the highest standing at 
Montieello, and was greatly beloved for her gen- 
tleness of disposition and sweetness of character. 
Sarah E., the deceased wife of H. B. Graff, 
passed away in 1882, leaving a family of four 
children, two of whom are now living: Wilbur 
W., a mining engineer, of Ishpeming, Mich., and 
John C. a partner of Graff & Co., Grain Mer- 
chants at Rushville, 111. 

Of this pioneer merchant of Rushville, too 
much cannot be said in recognition of his 
noble and generous character, or of the incal- 
culable benefit to humanity and the community 
conferred by his life and work. Sufficient 
that he left a fragrant and helpful memory, and 
that his name is enshrined among the real work- 
ers and the true men of the city of Rushville. 

YARBROUGH, James.— The rise from obscurity 
to wealth and influence of James Yarbrough is 
represented by the extremes of chopping wood 
and rafting by the day, and owning, through 
individual effort and good judgment, 553 acres 
of splendid land in Schuyler County, 111., located 
on Sections 24. 35 and 2G, Camden Township, 
and Section 13, Buena Vista Township. The 
experiences of this well known and highly hon- 
ored farmer have been diversified in the extreme, 
and to say that he has profited by them all is 
to attribute to him that ambition and resource- 
fulness which have been the guiding elements 
of bis career. A resident of Schuyler County 
for the past thirty-four years, Mr. Yarbrough's 
earliest impressions were received in Trimble 
County. Ky., where he was born September 7, 
1842. and of which his parents, James and 
Mary (McPike) Yarbrough, were also natives. 
James Yarbrough. Sr., was born in Kentucky, 
March 1G. 1804, the son of William Yarbrough, 
also a native of that State and member of a 
pioneer family. He went to Missouri with his 
son. James (I.) and entered land there, but 
died in Kentucky in the 'fifties, his wife dying 
later in the same State. 

Mary (McPike) Yarbrough, wife of James 
Yarbrough, Sr., and mother of the subject of this 
sketch, was born December 1, 1801, the daugh- 



HISTOBY OF SCHUYLEB COUNTY. 



973 



ter of Edward and Sarah (Van Cleve) McPike, 
the former bom March 15, 1772, and the latter, 
March 14, 17S0. The Yarbroughs were of 
German descent, while the McPikes were of 
Irish ancestry, and both families were closely 
identified with frontier life in Kentucky. Some of 
the cousins of Mrs. Mary (McPike) Yarbrough 
were captured by the Indians and held in bondage 
for a considerable time. Finally, having been 
allowed the privilege of hunting and making it a 
practice to venture a little farther from the 
camp each day. in time they succeeded in making 
their escape. 

In 1854, the family of James Yarbrough, Sr., 
moved to the vicinity of Palmyra, Marion 
County, Mo., and there his death occurred iu 
1858, only four years after going to that region. 
His wife, who survived him until 1S63, was the 
mother of seven children, four of whom are liv- 
ing : William, in Marion County, Mo. ; Mary, 
widow of John Pryor. of the same locality ; 
Lucy, widow of William Scott, of Audrain 
Count}-, Mo. ; James, of Schuyler County, 111. ; 
Sarah, deceased wife of Jeptha Lake, who is 
also deceased ; Thomas, who was killed at a 
house-raising at the age of fifteen ; and Nancy, 
who died at the age of four years. The father 
of this family was a man of quiet tastes and dis- 
position, a lover of home, wife and children, and 
a friend and pioneer of the sturdy, dependable 
sort. 

James Yarbrough. Jr., was tweleve years of 
age when he accompanied his parents and the 
rest of the family to Missouri, and there, as 
in his native State, he attended the subscription 
schools until his sixteenth year. He then began 
to work by the month for farmers in Marion 
County, and in 1862, with a neighbor by the 
name of Garrett, came to Adams County, 111., 
to cut timber by the day. In the spring of 
1863 he came to Schuyler County, and began 
cutting wood for a Mr. Ingles, but later, building 
a raft just below Ripley, on Crooked Creek, 
floated the same to the Illinois River, and thence 
down the Mississippi to St Louis. He continued 
in this occupation, in connection with Mr. B. 
H. Ingles, with fair financial success, until his 
marriage, November 29, 1S64, to Elizabeth J. 
Ingles, daughter of B. H. Ingles, his former em- 
ployer and partner. Mr. Ingles came from 
Kentucky to Schuyler County, where he was 
one of the early pioneers. After his marriage, 
Mr. Yarbrough rented a farm of Chris Briggle, 
in Woodstock Township, a year later renting an- 
other farm, and continuing as a renter in Illinois 
until his removal a second time to Missouri in 
the summer of 1S69. Then purchasing a farm," 
he tilled the same until disposing of it in 1871, 
when he returned to Schuyler County and 
rented land in Camden Township. About 1874. 
he bought a 100-acre tract of land in Section 
26, Camden Township, which was improved, 
having on it a small frame building. With this 
insufficient nucleus, he set about creating an 
ideal country home, and that he succeeded almost 
beyond reasonable expectations is apparent to 



all who stray within its borders. He has con- 
tinued to add to his holdings until he now owns 
558 acres, all of it tillable and under a high 
state of cultivation. 

The first wife of Mr. Yarbrough died iu Sep- 
tember, 1881, leaving only two of her seven 
children living: Annie, wife of Charles Unger, 
of Rushville, and mother of Edna Belle; and 
Bartlett, a farmer of Camden Township, who 
married Fannie Greene and has two sons, — 
Paul and James. In March 1882, Mr. Yarbrough 
married J. Edwena Unger, and of their union 
there were seven children : Edward E., Charles 
W., Lucille, S. Lillian, Lawrence U., Grover and 
Arthur J. Edward E., married Bertha E. Race, 
of Camden, 111., on June 13, 1904, resides on 
a la nn in Camden Township, and nas one child, 
Elva Edwena ; Charles W., is assisting in the 
management of the home farm; Lucille is a 
graduate of the Rushville Normal and Business 
College, and is one of the handsomest and most 
accomplished young ladies of Schuyler County. 
a splendid entertainer and an excellent cook; 
Grover died at the age of two years ; and Arthur 
J. barely survived his second year. In political 
affiliation, Mr. Yarbrough is a Democrat, and 
though always averse to office-holding, has served 
acceptably as Assessor of Camden Township. He 
is one of the very active and progressive men 
of his community, and has done much to promote 
high class stock-raising and scientific general 
farming. His farm is a model of neatness and 
thrift, and his standing as a man and farmer Is 
unexcelled. 

YOUNG, James Henry. — James H. Young, as- 
sistant cashier of the Bank of Rushville, Schuy- 
ler Count)', 111., is one of the most promising 
financiers and young business men of the locality, 
besides being an officer and stock-holder of the 
institution named, having farming and other in- 
terests of considerable magnitude. He was born 
on the home farm near Rushville, Buena Vista 
Township. Schuyler County, on December 10, 
1876, and is a son of John Alexander and Mary 
(Clark) Young, being the fourth child. Hi's 
father was a man ot such importance in the de- 
velopment of the county that a review of his 
life is published in another part of this work. 

The mother, formerly Mary L. Clark, is the 
youngest of a family of the children born to the 
Rev. John and Ann (Ohern) Clark, both natives 
of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The father was an 
able and prominent minister of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and in 1891 was elected 
President of the Ohio Conference, which met in 
Cincinnati in June of that year. He was sent 
west to secure the location of the Dearborn Col- 
lege, which was finally founded at Lawrenceburg, 
Ind., and in 1843 came to Rushville, Schuyler 
County, bought land in the vicinity, and made 
the locality the headquarters of his work. He 
remained a highly honored resident of Buena 
Vista Township for many years, his death oc- 
curring at Detroit, Mich., and his remains being 
brought home and buried in the cemetery near 



074 



HISTOEY OF SCHUYLEE COUNTY. 



Rushville, where also reposed the body of his 
wife who had died February 2, 1887. 

Rev. John Clark was the son of John and 
Eleanor Clark, who were natives of County Ty- 
rone, Ireland, and with their parents were ar- 
dent adherents of the Reformation under John 
Wesley. Under its influence their family were 
raised, and in 1814 the family removed to Pitts- 
burg, where the sou, John, received the most of 
his education under the careful tutelage of his 
father, who for several years was a professional 
teacher. On November 10, 182C, Rev. John 
Clark married Ann Oheru, and the following 
year entered the traveling ministry of the Prot- 
estant Methodist Church, iu which he filled 
some of the most important stations, being chosen 
delegate to each of its General Conferences 
while he remained identified with that denomina- 
tion. After locating in Schuyler County, in 1843, 
he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
continuing to work as a traveling missionary, 
and for a number of years served as pastor of 
the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Rush- 
ville. On May 18, 1896, lie passed to his heav- 
enly reward, and in his death the church lost 
one of its strongest members and the county one 
of its revered citizens. 

James H. Young was reared upon the home 
farm near Rushville. and early attended the dis- 
trict school, afterwards attending public school 
at Rushville, and the Normal and Business Col- 
lege, and graduating from the last named insti- 
tution in the class of 1895. Immediately there- 
after he entered the employ of Roach & Tetriek. 
and continued in their service and in the employ 
of their successors for five years, resigning then 
to accept the position of assistant cashier of the 
Rank of Rushville. Iu 1908 he was one of the 
organizers of the Schuyler County Fair Asso- 
ciation and became its first secretary. He has 
been an indefatigable worker in matters of public 
interest and few young men have built up a ruore 
extended acquaintance. 

On September 26, 1891, Mr. Young was united 
in marriage, at Chicago, 111., to Elizabeth Frances 
Patterson, daughter of James Marsh and Mary 
(Hamilton) Patterson, born at Jacksonville, 111., 
on July 21. 1875. One child resulted from this 
union, namely : James Russell Young, bom July 
10, 1903. The parents arc active members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Young is 
an accomplished and refined lady, and the pleas- 
ant family residence on West Washington Street 
has in her a presiding mistress who has made it 
the center of much high-minded sociability. Mr. 
Young is also a cultured and sociable gentleman, 
as well as careful, honorable and enterprising. 
Ili> is a Republican in politics, and in 1897-1898, 
served as Alderman of the First Ward of the 
city of Rushville (his election to this office be- 
ing almost unanimous), and proved a careful and 
efficient public official. Fraternally, he is iden- 
tified with Schuyler Lodge. No. 209, K. of P. 

YOUNG, John Alexander. — Four generations of 
the Young family have promoted the industries 



and shared in the stimulating life of Schuyler 
County, 111. The first of the name to believe in 
the rare possibilities of this part of the State 
was John Young, an ambitious young Irishman 
who hied away from his verdant isle with a pur- 
pose both strong and splendid, and a courage 
which utterly failed to recognize the ordinary 
obstacles of life. Landing in New York after a 
tempestuous voyage, he made his way to Phila- 
delphia, and after a brief sojourn there, under- 
took the long journey by water, stage and ox- 
team to Rushville, 111., where he found warm 
welcome from a small number of settlers who 
had braved the dangers from Indians, game and 
the terrible cold of long winters. So pleased was 
be with the prospects in the new country that 
he sent for his parents in Ireland, and when they 
arrived went to live with them on the farm which 
they purchased in Buena Vista Township. The 
oldest of four children, of whom the others were 
named William E., Alexander, Margaret and 
Elizabeth, he helped to till this early farm with 
the crude implements known to the general west- 
ern farming population of the latter 'twenties and 
was soon united in marriage, at Rushville, 111., 
to a daughter of Hugh McCreery, a native of 
Ireland, who had accompanied him to America. 
The young people went to housekeeping in a 
small log cabin with scant furnishings, and with 
practically none of the comforts and advantages 
of the present time, planned for a systematic 
unfolding of their dreams and hopes. 

It was not given to John Young to realize his 
expectations to any appreciable extent, for death 
claimed him February 8, 1835, three years after 
the birth of his son, John Alexander Youug, 
June 14, 1832. His youngest child, James M., 
died in infancy. 

From early boyhood John Alexander Young 
was self-sustaining, and in his search for work 
on various farms belonging to neighbors and 
relatives, he was often separated from his 
mother. However, when arrived at about six- 
teen years of age he was in a position to take his 
mother back to the old place upon which his 
father had settled in 1S32. Ambition called him 
in 1852 to the far western coast, where he lived 
for six years, and was engaged iu mining, agri- 
culture aud merchandising. He went to the gold 
fields in an ox-train, taking about six months to 
span the distance between the Missouri line and 
the Mecca of his fortune-making expectations, 
lie achieved reasonable success, and returning to 
the East by way of Panama and New York City, 
stopped for a visit with his friends and relatives 
in Philadelphia. Again in Schuyler County, he 
resumed agricultural pursuits, and made many 
fine improvements on the time-honored old farm. 
Originally consisting of 130 acres, he sold twenty 
acres to defray his expenses to the coast, but 
later added to his possessions until he owned 
580 acres in one body. The farm was well 
stocked and housed and under a high state of 
cultivation. Mr. Young devoted much time and 
study to the breeding of high grade stock, and his 
farm was the local headquarters for all that was 



HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 



975 



fine and dependable in this department of coun- 
try activity. He had a large herd of Short-horn 
cattle, fine horses and hogs, and raised besides 
the general products associated with the soil and 
climate of the Central West. 

He was a studious and ever progressive hinds- 
man, and established and maintained a high 
standard of country life and work. 

October 13, 1S69, Mr. Young was united in 
marriage to Mary L. Clark, daughter of Rev. 
John Clark, and born in Schuyler County, 111., 
April 1. 1S47. She was a broad-minded, sympa- 
thetic. Christian woman, devoted to her family 
and friends, and of inestimable help to her hus- 
band in the acquiring of his substantial compe- 
tence. Her death, May 15, 1878, was regretted 
by the entire community, for her hospitality and 
unfailing kindness had drawn to her an unusual 
degree of respect and appreciation. November 
24, 1881, Mr. Young married Elizabeth DeWitt, 
daughter of James DeWitt, an honored pioneer 
of Schuyler County. Mrs. Young was born in 
Littleton, Schuyler County, May 22, 1855, and 
had the average advantages of the young people 
of her time and place. She is the mother of 
five children : Mary Euphemia, born in Rush- 
ville, September 19, 1882, wife of Frank Hare, of 



Rushville; John DeWitt, born April 5, 1894; 
Dwight McCreery, born September 28, 1885; El- 
len Little, bora April 16, 1S88; and William 
Hugh, born April 26, 1893. By his first marriage 
Mr. Young had four children: Carl Clark, Anna 
Florence, Sarah Eleanor, and James Henry. 
Carl Clark, born August 9. 1S70, married Lillian 
Crandall, May 26, 1S97, and is engaged in the 
real estate business in Kansas City, Mo.; Anna 
Florence, born August 3, 1X72, was married at 
Rushville, September 5, 1901, to Joseph Edgar 
Neff, a graduate of DePauw University and for 
years assistant principal of schools of Rushville, 
who died in South Bend, Ind.. March 12, 1905; 
Sarah Eleanor, born August 23, 1874, was mar- 
ried May 6, 1896, to James H. Nell. She has 
three children, — Mary Eleanor Nell, born in 
Rushville, September 11, 1897; Florence Lillian, 
born March 18, 1899, and Edna Maxine, born 
May 6, 1903. James Henry Young, born in 
Rushviile, December 10, 1876. was married in 
Rushville. September 26, 1901, to Elizabeth 
Frances Patterson, of Chicago, daughter of 
James Marsh and Mary (Hamilton) Patterson, 
liorn July 24, 1875, and mother of James Russell 
Young, born July 10, 1903. 



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